Traumatic stories

I read the account of the killings of the infants in an Indian slum in the May 6 issue with nausea and horror.

I am not sure I could tell this story from the pulpit without causing trauma to many members of our congregation, especially the children.

But the story must be told again and again as well as others like it until hope is realized by these mothers and a culture that finds itself in such a hopeless situation.

Each week, I read the section on World of Religion and learn of the persecution of so many Christians around the world. The accounts of people who endure murder, torture and exile for the sake of Christ is overwhelming.

I am driven to my knees to pray for my brothers and sisters that I will never know. My appreciation for their testimony is life changing. I am compelled by Christ to do something to make a difference. This is one of the reasons that I take mission trips that will lead people to Christ, help with physical needs, strengthen church leaders and help establish new churches.

These accounts prompt me to lead our church in Cooperative Program giving, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, world hunger efforts, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and other causes that lift the name of Christ and help people around the world, beginning here in Ashville.

The same issue filled me with such anger as I read of $4.4 million given to determine how God-given free will exists (“Who’s Responsible?,” May 6 issue). We seem to be “straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel” when this amount of money is wasted while mothers in India could use some assistance to save a baby from the cooking pot or … someone else in the world … is dying for the lack of a cup of water and a bowl of rice. Florida State University should be ashamed to have their name associated with this study. The John Templeton Foundation should repent for such a wasteful use of money when lives and souls are hanging in the balance. Surely the heart of our heavenly Father breaks when we will extravagantly focus on philosophies that we will never understand while His children are tortured, murdered or die for a lack of food, water and shelter.

James Sampley
Ashville, Ala.