The Almost – “No I Don’t”

John Mayer – “Heartbreak Warfare”

Washington State Police Murders

Sunday morning November 29^th inside a coffee shop in Parkland Washington, 37-year-old Maurice Clemmons shot and killed four Lakewood police officers. After a manhunt, on December 1, Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer after he came upon an idling car allegedly stolen by Clemmons. At least six other individuals have been arrested and face charges for providing assistance to Clemmons before and after the shooting took place.

When I read about this tragedy Sunday morning on the Internet I said to myself, I know where that coffee shop is. Prior to moving back to California earlier this year, I had lived in a small Washington town near Parkland for a little over two years.

I used to drive by the coffee shop fairly often though I have never been inside. It was on Steele Street in a newer strip mall right at the end of the McChord Air Force Base runway where highway 512 meets Interstate 5. Driving by I’d see everything from C-130’s, to helicopters, to fighter jets taking off and landing right over my head. I used to stop and get gas about a half a block down the street. It wasn’t the nicest area around but it wasn’t that bad either.

When I’d get off at the Steele Street exit going eastbound on highway 512 many times there would be a homeless man standing at the light asking for help. Right across from the gas station where I got gas. Right down the street from the coffee shop where four officers were murdered.

About a year ago I had gotten off on the Steele Street exit after picking up a cheap “hot and ready” pizza. There was the man homeless man asking for help. I rolled down my window and asked if he wanted a slice of pizza. His face lit up with a huge smile as he said, “really? That would be awesome!” I grabbed some napkins and handed him a couple slices of the pizza. He took it and said, “thank you so much, God bless you!” Before my light had even turned green he was already done with the first piece and about to start his second. We looked at each other and waved goodbye smiling.

Every time I hear or read the news this week I think about the four slain offices and their families. I think about if Maurice Clemmons had a chance to ask God for forgiveness before he died. I think about the runway I used to drive by and the gas station I used to stop at. I think about the homeless man and the pizza that helped his hunger that day. I think about how things could be different if we all just helped each other’s hunger with more a little truth and love.

Verse Of The Day

Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

RELEVANT Magazine – Is It Ever Right to Not Give to the Homeless?

RELEVANT Magazine – Is It Ever Right to Not Give to the Homeless?

Andrew Schwab posts a great question over at RELEVANT. His new book “Fame Is Infamy” is out now…I want!

“But here is the burning question—does God want us to give without judging the ones we are giving to? If you are stopped at a light and someone passes you with a sign asking for change, is it better to give it to them, knowing they may use it for wrong, or is it better to just look the other way?

I took this situation as an opportunity to look in the mirror. Am I doing anything at all in my life to help those in need around me, in my immediate communities? If the answer is no, do I have an excuse?”

Verse Of The Day

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

The Juliana Theory – “My Heart Is A Soldier”

Verse Of The Day

Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Mark Driscoll on the Bible’s Use of Harsh Language

Had a conversation about “language” today. Interesting video below. Any thoughts?

Verse Of The Day

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.