Tag: missing

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 3-7-20 No Mystery v. Much Mystery

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 3-7-20

No Mystery v. Much Mystery

What’s Happening: “‘A lot of mystery’ is the best way to accurately describe the case of the missing Idaho kids in Yellowstone last September, reported by CBS News yesterday. A girl, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, and her 7-year-old brother, Joshua ‘J.J.’ Vallow have been missing since September and the FBI hopes someone on vacation in Yellowstone may have caught the family in a photo, though J. J. was seen on a doorbell camera running across a yard a week after the Yellowstone trip. Lori Vallow, the kids’ mother, saw a judge yesterday in the missing children case. The kids’ uncle, Alex Cox, seen in the last photo of the family, is under investigation for the mysterious death of Tammy Daybell, in October. Chad Daybell, just days after Tammy’s death married Lori. Then Cox mysteriously died (https://www.yahoo.com/news/fbi-looking-anyone-saw-missing-124254044.html). Quoting the article, ‘Lori Vallow is scheduled to be in front of a judge at 2 p.m. [yesterday] local time in Idaho. It will be the first time in months she will be in a room with the children’s grandparents, who had asked for a welfare check that set the investigation into the whereabouts of the children in motion in November.’”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Too much mystery for me!”

Biblical Response:  “Me, too. I’ve read and reread the article (maybe 6 times), and I can’t make heads or tails of everything. Kids missing, mysterious deaths, an impromptu marriage…I’m sure somebody knows what’s going on…but who knows? Sure, Lori probably knows…but something she may not be counting on: God knows, too.  A reading of Psalm 139 might be disconcerting to her. There is no mystery for God. He is everywhere…no wonder He knows everything. He is a personal eyewitness of all events…all murder, where the kids are…everything! And He is the ultimate arbiter of justice. If not here, then there.”

“Christians? We believe in ultimate justice (Mal 3:18):

‘ Then you will see the difference between God’s treatment of good men and bad, between those who serve Him and those who don’t.’ (LB)

We also believe that God sees everything (scriptures above) and reveals when and what He wants (Deut.29:29):

‘The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may  observe all the words of this law.’ (NASU)

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, may we trust in Your truth, timely revealed; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’  Copyright © 2020 Alan E. Sargent

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 1-8-20 You’ll Have to Read it Twice…At Least

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 1-8-20

You’ll Have to Read it Twice…

…At Least

What’s Happening: “Picture a police investigation white board, crowded with photos and lines connecting them…and a big question mark at the center (I had to read the article several times to follow the nefarious actions of the messed up family). Lori Vallow, who said she was god and on a ‘special mission,’ is being questioned by Chandler, Arizona Police in connection with her two missing children, murders of two husbands (or former husbands – I’m not sure), and the divorce of her current husband, Chad Daybell, 49, whose former wife may have died under suspicious circumstances…confused? (https://www.yahoo.com/news/mom-2-missing-kids-said-172131843.html). ‘Mother has also never contacted Father about JJ’s (7) well-being or requested any parenting time with JJ. Father is extremely concerned that Mother would abandon JJ and take JJ’s necessities without even attempting to communicate or see JJ,’ court documents said.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “Maybe she’s a cult member.”

Biblical Response:  “You think?! She might make Patty Hearst (probably the most famous cult-member of the 20th Century) look like a choir girl. There is so much divorce, murder, and neglect in her dossier…and then to claim she is god! Who knows what she’s guilty of, but this I do know, the title of God is reserved for only One (Exodus 20:3), and He takes a dim view of competition (Ex. 3:4-6).”

“Christians? We believe there is only one God and He knows the truth of all matters (read Ps. 139)…where those kids are, who killed whom, etc. There will be ultimate justice and I tremble at the guilty parties’ fate. Like has been said in other CLARITYs, ‘Justice makes hell necessary; mercy makes heaven possible.’”  

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help the authorities bring justice on the earth; eternal justice we leave humbly to You; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’  Copyright © 2019 Alan E. Sargent

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 12-27-19 Whereabouts Known

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 12-27-19

Whereabouts Known

What’s Happening: “A deadly typhoon (called a tropical cyclone or hurricane in some regions) struck the Philippines Christmas day and the death toll has risen to 28, with 12 still missing. The storm had sustained winds of 75mph with gusts to 125mph. It was named Phanfone (known locally as Ursula). Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 was the region’s deadliest, killing over 6,000 (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50921944). ‘Communication lines are down. Electricity is still down,’ said Alkan police chief Jonathan Pablito.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “What does a Typhoon in the Philippines have to do with me? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pity what happened to them…but so?”

Biblical Response:  “Because all tragedy is indeed local, I see your point…but until we truly hurt for the loss of other folks, we won’t do anything about it. Sure, as long as we live in a fallen world (see Gen. 3), we can only lessen somebody’s loss, not prevent it…that’s why we should give to relief agencies who seek to ameliorate tragedy (James 2:15-18). The real tragedy might be those missing. Of course, there’s really no one missing…being omnipresent, God knows where they are (Ps. 139).”

“Christians? We believe in lessening others’ losses, sharing their suffering (Rom. 12:15)…besides, sometimes this gives us an opportunity to speak about the things that have eternal significance (1 Pet. 3:15), not just temporal. We remember the old saying, ‘People don’t care how much you give, until they know how much you care.’ Sometimes you earn the right to be heard, because you demonstrated your love by giving.”

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, while we don’t want to lessen our sincerity by merely writing a check, we don’t want our sacrifice to go unnoticed…maybe what You want is not equal giving, but equal sacrifice…help us; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link:subdeo.com.’  Copyright © 2019 Alan E. Sargent

Reader:

May I indulge in a little self-promotion? Many of you read CLARITY every day…and you hopefully forward it on to still others. Some even subscribe from the website. Thanks! (One mother wrote that she wanted to subscribe to read it to her children everyday – read away!) However you get CLARITY, would you consider donating on the website? I’m happy to find useful purpose in helping folks stay informed and supplying what I think God has to say on the subjects of the day…still, I want to get this word out to others…which is what I’ll do with your gifts. Thanks in advance.

Blessings,

Alan

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 6-28-19 The Best Surprise is No Surprise

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events -6-28-19

The Best Surprise is No Surprise

What’s Happening: “Everyone is looking for 23-year-old missing college student Mackenzie Lueck…the Salt Lake City police, her friends, her sorority, Although she has been missing since the 17th, there is no indication of anything all that extraordinary…from the Lyft driver’s route to her then getting in an unknown vehicle. Even the fact that this all occurred at about 3:00am,,,not all that unusual for a college student arriving on a late flight. Still, she’s missing (https://www.yahoo.com/news/authorities-looking-missing-students-dating-181522823.html). There may be some evidence of unusual dating habits of late on an app in her phone…then there’s the fact she communicated very little…very unusual for Mackenzie says one friend: ‘For her to not reach out to me is very unlike her. She is usually in touch with me every day,’ Kennedy Stoner, one of Lueck’s close friends reported. ‘We don’t believe she would miss a midterm because she was stressed. I am positive something is wrong. … I don’t believe she would go off and not contact one person.’” 

Knee-Jerk Response:  “She may have been kidnapped … or worse!”

Biblical Response:  “Yep, a lone girl arriving late is almost an invitation to the demented. While I don’t fault her for her daring habits (even though her friends might retrospectively blame their own lack of due-diligence), her naivete was appalling. I hate to cast a pall over the search and I do wish a peaceful end. Still, this will probably not end well. Evil exits and to think otherwise…or not to think at all…well. let’s just say the best surprise is no surprise.”

“Christians? We have to look after one another for the evil one broods over the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Advice given a bit late, probably…we can always hope.” 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father,You know where Mackenzie is at. Comfort all involved, no matter the outcome; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 4-8-19 No Identity Crisis

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 4-8-19

No Identity Crisis

What’s Happening: “When Brian Rini, 23, claimed he was 8-year-missing/presumed-kidnap-victim Timmothy Pitzen, I’m sure he never figured the ruse would send him to prison, but that’s what he faces. After DNA results and a latent confession, Brian has been charged with making false statements. Then 6-year-old Pitzen’s mom committed suicide in a motel room and left a note saying he would never be found (https://www.yahoo.com/news/timmothy-pitzen-ex-convict-charged-144904614.html).’Law enforcement confronted him with the DNA results, and at that point the person immediately stated that he was not Timmothy Pitzen, and of course law enforcement knew by virtue of the DNA analysis that he was in fact Brian Rini,’ reported US attorney Benjamin Glassman.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “With all the identity theft going around, I hope they throw the book at him.”

Biblical Response:  “They probably will….and I can sure understand your sentiment. Was he trying to garner sympathy and notoriety? Whatever his motive, it certainly backfired on him. In this day of DNA, identity is more discoverable than ever. Additionally, if I were a new parent, I’d consider having a GPS chip inserted at birth (maybe turned off to all but certain law enforcement).”

“Christians? Thankfully, God has no identity crisis where we are concerned, He knows each and every one of us….by name! ( John 10:3) He even knows the number of hairs on our head (Matt. 10:30).

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to realize You know us…sometimes not good news, but always without doubt; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Share as you like, just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com.’ He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent

Posted on by — Leave a comment

CLARITY – 12-4-18 25 is Low Unless You’re One

CLARITY

A Biblical Response to Current Events – 12-4-18

25 is Low Unless You’re One

 

What’s Happening: “The number of those missing (just in the Camp Fire in Paradise, California) about two weeks ago was 1,200…today it is 25. Now, 88 killed is still horrific, but the reduction in the number of missing may be the only “good news” in a wildfire that destroyed a community of 27,000. Some blame the fire on equipment problems that PG& E, Corp. reported near the wildfire’s origin at about the same time it started, but no one knows for sure (https://www.yahoo.com/news/number-missing-californias-deadliest-wildfire-drops-25-173544424.html). The fire erupted on November 8.”

Knee-Jerk Response:  “I guess everyone is breathing a sigh of relief!”

 

Biblical Response:  “Everyone, but those killed… They may discover the fire’s reason for starting, and I’m sure there will be lawsuits that will attempt to assign blame and value, but how do you retrieve the potential futures that were lost? Every person that died had a mother and father…many had just started their lives… It has been said before, but it bears repeating; ‘All tragedy is local.’ There are at least 88 that will never see a sunrise again…and the families of those folks will be missing their loved ones long after the sun rises today.”

 

“Christians? What an opportunity for the Church to be the Church! We can provide prayer, comfort, and extensive material support (James 2:5-17). Of course, we could just politicize this and wag our heads in commiseration, but that will only make ourselves feel better…and that only temporarily.”

 

Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray:  “Heavenly Father, help us to have true sympathy, not some empty pretended sorrow for those who we think should have done differently anyway; in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 

Share as you like; just give credit appropriately. For buying any of Alan E. Sargent’s books or to subscribe or to comment on any of his CLARITY blogs, go to the following link: http://subdeo.com/. He also tweets on Twitter.com every day @alanesargent