15 Apr, 2008
Hundreds of students counter-protest church picketers
MENOMONIE, Wis. — Hundreds of people at the University of Wisconsin-Stout staged a counter-protest against members of a Kansas church who demonstrated on campus after three students were killed in a house fire.
Several people from Westboro Baptist Church picketed at the Menomonie campus, stating the three students "died for Wisconsin and Minnesota's sins."
April C. Englund, 21, of West St. Paul, Amanda Jean Rief, 20, of Chaska, and Scott A. Hams, 23, of Hayward, Wis. died early Saturday in a fire in an off-campus duplex. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no foul play is suspected.
Church members held signs saying "God's Wrath is Revealed" and "America is Doomed." Westboro Baptist members have delivered similar messages while protesting outside funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq, and on its Web sites www.godhatesfags.com, www.godhatesamerica.com and www.americaisdoomed.com.
Nearly 1,000 students demonstrated against the church members Thursday outside the Memorial Student Center.
Students carried signs saying "God Hates No One," and "Hate is Sin in God's Eyes."
Campus and local police were present at the demonstration.
photo & story courtesy twincities.com, 4/11/08
Do you think before you speak?
Proverbs 15:28 (NLT)
28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about our talk?
There must be some truth to the idea of thinking before speaking!
Today's story about the hate-filled "christians" from the church in Kansas is a great example of why anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ must think before they speak. These people are revealing hearts of wickedness rather than Christ's love and grace. Either they have no idea how their actions and words hurt the cause of Christ, or they don't care, or both.
When I blow it, I might upset my wife. When you talk before giving it much thought, you offend others or you might get in trouble with someone at school or at your job. All of us as followers of Christ have said things that we should not have said. Thankfully, we don't have the national media replaying our mistakes or the cruel intentions of our hearts.
But any time we don't think before we speak, we can say words that damage the cause of Christ. When we mouth off, we turn off the secular world to the love and life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
This is another example of why we must constantly abide in Jesus. Our thoughts will be more Christ-like. Then if we happen to speak before we think, our words may still have the right effect.
It's pretty plain to understand even though it's often hard to do. If we are being Godly, we will think before we talk. If we don't care about the effects of our words, it shows that we are not Godly.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our story?
- Ask God to help you remember your most recent times of speaking words that hurt someone and the cause of Christ. Confess those times to the loving Heavenly Father and thank Him for His forgiveness through Christ. Listen to His words of forgiving grace, unconditional love and His promise to help you learn and grow.
- Memorize today's verse and or post it on your computer or in your school organizer or at your work place.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Go to anyone you have hurt with words that didn't sound like Jesus and ask for forgiveness. This is not only the right thing to do, but it will give you another opportunity to communicate your story and God's Story.
- Whether it's at home with family, on your way to school, or work, remember that it may be great to have something to say, but it's just as important to think about it first. Plan your words, before you pour out your thoughts without considering the impact on others.
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