"Now I have given up on everything else
I have found it to be the only way
To really know Christ and to experience
The mighty power that brought
Him back to life again,
and to find out what it means
to suffer and to Die with Him.
So, whatever it takes
I will be one who lives in the fresh
Newness of life of those who are
Alive from the dead."
This poem, written by Cassie
Bernall, 16, showed a dramatic change in this teenager. Two years ago she was
involved in the occult, a Nietzsche "nihilistic" group involving witchcraft,
death and suicide. Her parents were concerned about her welfare and the friends
she was choosing.
But Cassie had returned home from a retreat with
radiance. She told her parents, "I'm different now and I'm going to prove it to
you." She did! Her whole life changed. Happily, she attended youth group
meetings, prayer and Bible studies.
Two teenagers with guns and bombs burst into the
library of Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado and focused in on
Cassie. She sat reading her Bible. It seems they already knew she was a
Christian. Holding a gun to her head, one of them asked her, "Do you believe in
God?" When she answered, "Yes, I believe," she was murdered. She was only two
years old as a Christian the day she died on April 27, 1999. Ironically, just a
few weeks before, she had said to her mother, "Mom, it would be all right if I
died. You know where I would be. I would be in heaven and you wouldn't have to
be sad." Her words were fulfilled too quickly.
This terrible tragedy turned out some good as millions
watched the memorial service on Sunday afternoon on national television. CNN
carried the service live as singers Amy Grant, Phil Driscoll and Michael W.
Smith sang and Franklin Graham did the eulogy asking for replacement recruits.
As a martyr, her last words she answered calmly were,
"Yes, I believe in God." Cassie found that joining the cause of Christ is more
than just attending a church picnic or a pleasant evening hayride. It takes guts
to say, "I believe in Jesus. He is my Lord." Unfortunately, there could be
copycats trying to outdo the massacre at Columbine. It is now necessary to find
replacement recruits for martyrs like Cassie and her friends. Are you willing to
take up your cross and follow Jesus? (Luke 10:25-37) It does take courage and
commitment; ridicule may follow but God does give a sense of peace, purpose and
propensity when you join.
Contributed by George Prins gprins@freenet.npiec.on.ca
Thanks to Daily Wisdom Majordomo@gospelcom.net
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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