My prayers go out to the victims and the families of the victims of the horrific shooting in Colorado this last week. At the same time I feel a burden to pray for the shooter, James Holmes. That he feel remorse for what he has done and the desire to seek God's mercy and forgiveness. I know that just as every time I have sinned against God no matter how big and small the sorrow that overtakes God's heart is just as great. If I expect God to forgive me my sins how can I not hope for that same grace for others, no matter what they have done.
This notion of no ones sin being unforgivable( except of course the sin against the Holy Spirit) is a theme in Tracy Groot's novel, The Flame of Resistance. Brigitte, a Germans only prostitute, experiences the hatred and disgust of others in her French town and even from those who are by no means saints themselves. Even her "customers" look down on her because of her occupation. It is only through the mercy and compassion of a few and her involvement with the resistance during WWII that she not only discovers her own worth in God's eyes, but also breaks free of prostitution. This admonition to hate the sin not the sinner is something I know I need to work on myself. Casting Crown's has new song out called Jesus Friend of Sinners also deals with this issue and is one of my new favorites to listen too.
Have a good read, Nina
