A Chaplin in our church's son was shot in gang related violence a couple weeks ago and later died in the hospital...yet today at church when I look over and see the father singing with his hands in the air, a smile on his face, and praising God with more zeal than ANYONE in the whole church, including myself, I was shocked. I kept waiting for him to break down and have to leave or at least look away and dab his eyes...
He didn't. I later found out why.
His son Brian's funeral attracted 4,000+ people, so much so that 2 High schools in San Antonio (the family's hometown) had to be shut down because they knew none of the kids would show. Many of Brian's friends wanted to retaliate against the shooter's family and kill the shooter. The Chaplin said "Why? We, as Christians, have forgiven the man, and we know Brian is in Heaven now, where there is no pain, or hate, or lust for revenge. If you want to do something for Brian you be sure to meet him up there one day by giving your life to Jesus Christ right now." ...400 people gave their life to God that day alone. The church was over flooded. The altar call was so vast people of all ages were being prayed for out in the parking lot and surrounding area. Their church has doubled in size. The media has become involved and spread the word of this, thus bringing more to God through this story. One life, even if he had to be taken from this world in order for it to happen, brought hundreds of hearts and souls to God and His Mercy... This is how a tragic loss, a funeral, and a simple altar call became a modern day Revival. So if you think that God can't take your dark situation and turn it for His Glory...well, this is proof that He can. He does. And He will.
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