Do you know the Jesus that Charlie Kirk new/

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

This week has been particularly challenging for many of us as we learned about the assassination of Charlie Kirk during a speaking Q & A event on a college campus. Charlie was deeply committed to using his faith to challenge college students to think for themselves.

He held a firm belief that there are only two genders, male and female, as described in the Bible's book of Genesis. Charlie recognized that his life could be at risk at any of these rallies, yet he attended them with the hope that people would see Jesus in him, helping them to understand that the opposing viewpoint was not the correct one. Indeed, he took necessary precautions, such as wearing body armor to protect himself from any potential gunfire.

He was deeply troubled by the way public schools were influencing our children to believe they could identify as any gender they chose. His heart was heavy as he witnessed the consequences of transgender ideology, which he viewed as something that could render young children lifelong patients.

He undoubtedly spoke to individuals who recognized the harm inflicted by the medical community, which had sold them a false promise that ultimately left them no closer to being the opposite sex than someone wishing to become a sports car.

If only they had known Jesus as he did. If only Jesus could reach out to those students to remind them that they were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.

He was certainly aware that our public school systems are failing children, as evidenced by declining achievement scores, seemingly more focused on ideology than on helping students achieve beyond mere 'average'.

If only they had known Jesus as Charlie knew Him.

Charlie Kirk possessed the courage to speak the truth because he understood that if his life were to end tragically, he would be welcomed into the presence of Jesus and spend eternity in heaven.

Charlie recognized that this world was not his ultimate home.

Do you know the Jesus that Charlie Kirk knew? Here

are some verses that may guide you to Jesus.

In John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

In John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

Head knowledge is not enough to earn everlasting life. You must receive Christ in your heart by first admitting you are a sinner and fall short of God's standard of perfection.Then, you must confess that Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

Finally, you must humbly come before the Lord and offer up your prayer.

Dear Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner and fall short of God's standard of perfection. I now understand that you died on the cross for all of my sin's and you alone will earn my salvation. I ask you to come into my heart. Thank you Lord for your gift of everlasting life.

If you said that prayer you can be assured that when your purpose on earth has been fulfilled you will see Jesus in all his glory, much like Charlie Kirk is experiencing right now in heaven.

On a final note, your life continues until your God calls you home. Until then, God has some exciting things for you on this journey.

More than just sadness: The Ripple effect of Unprocessed Grief

More Than Just Sadness: The Ripple Effect of Unprocessed Grief

Grief is a universal human experience. It's the natural, often overwhelming, response to loss – whether that's the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a major life transition, or even the loss of a dream. We tend to associate grief primarily with sadness, tears, and a period of withdrawal.

But what happens when grief isn't given the space, time, or tools it needs to run its course? What if it gets stuck, denied, or suppressed? The answer, often, is a cascade of "secondary conditions" that can profoundly impact our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, sometimes long after the initial loss occurred.

When Grief Goes Underground: What is "Unprocessed Grief"? Unprocessed grief isn't about "getting over" a loss – because some losses are never truly "gotten over." Instead, it's about the healthy integration of that loss into your life. When grief is unprocessed, it can manifest as:

Avoidance: Actively trying not to think or feel about the loss.

Numbness: A persistent inability to feel emotions deeply.

Getting Stuck: Remaining in one stage of grief for an extended period, unable to move forward.

Societal Pressure: Feeling compelled to "be strong" or "move on" before you're ready.

When grief doesn't find a healthy outlet, it doesn't disappear. It simply goes underground, often emerging in unexpected and damaging ways.

The Ripple Effect: Secondary Conditions of Unprocessed Grief The body and mind are intricately connected. What we don't process emotionally, our physical and mental health often bear the brunt of.

1. Physical Manifestations: Our Bodies Keep the Score Persistent emotional stress from unresolved grief can wreak havoc on your physical health:

Chronic Fatigue: A pervasive sense of exhaustion, even after adequate sleep.

Compromised Immune System: Frequent colds, infections, and a general feeling of being run down.

Digestive Issues: Stomach aches, IBS, nausea, or changes in appetite.

Increased Aches & Pains: Headaches, muscle tension, back pain, or the exacerbation of existing chronic conditions.

Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, nightmares, or restless sleep.

Heart Issues: Studies have linked intense grief, especially after spousal loss, to an increased risk of heart problems.

2. Mental & Emotional Toll: The Mind Becomes a Battlefield

The mental and emotional landscape can become turbulent without healthy grief processing:

Anxiety & Panic Attacks: A persistent sense of dread, worry, or sudden, intense episodes of fear.

Depression: Prolonged sadness, loss of interest in activities, hopelessness, and even suicidal ideation.

Irritability & Anger: Snapping at loved ones, feeling easily frustrated, or experiencing unexplained rage.

Numbness & Apathy: A feeling of detachment from life, people, and even one's own self.

Substance Abuse: Turning to alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors to self-medicate or escape the pain.

Difficulty Concentrating: Brain fog, poor memory, and an inability to focus on tasks.

Trust Issues: Becoming cynical, withdrawn, or struggling to form new, healthy attachments.

Existential Crisis: Questioning life's meaning, purpose, or spiritual beliefs.

3. Relational & Social Impact: Isolation and Strain

(P)Unprocessed grief often impacts our connections with others:

Social Withdrawal: Retreating from friends, family, and activities once enjoyed. Strained Relationships: Lashing out at loved ones, difficulty communicating needs, or pushing people away.

Codependency: Becoming overly reliant on others to fill the emotional void.(P) Difficulty Forming New Connections: Fear of future loss can prevent opening up to new people.

Why Do We Get Stuck? Several factors contribute to unprocessed grief:

Societal Expectations: The pressure to "move on" quickly.

Lack of Support: Not having a safe space or people to talk to.

Fear of Pain: Believing it's easier to avoid the intense emotions.

Previous Trauma: Past unresolved experiences can complicate current grief.

Complicated Loss: Ambiguous losses (e.g., a missing person, a loved one with dementia), or losses involving trauma or violence.

Finding Your Way Through: Paths to Healing

Acknowledging that you might be experiencing secondary conditions due to unprocessed grief is the crucial first step. Healing is possible, and you don't have to navigate it alone.

Acknowledge Your Grief: Give yourself permission to feel what you feel, without judgment.

Talk About It: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or support group.

Seek Professional Help: A therapist specializing in grief and loss can provide tools, strategies, and a safe space to process your emotions. This is especially helpful if you're experiencing severe secondary conditions.

Practice Self-Care: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, gentle exercise, and activities that bring you comfort and peace.

Be Patient with Yourself: Grief is not linear, and healing takes time. There will be good days and bad days.

Find Meaning: Over time, some people find solace in honoring their loss through rituals, memorials, or by engaging in activities that reflect the values of what they've lost.

If you recognize any of these patterns in your own life or the life of someone you care about, please know that help is available. Unprocessed grief doesn't have to be a life sentence. By leaning into the discomfort and seeking support, you can begin the journey towards healing and reclaiming your well-being.

If you are struggling with unresolved grief or any of the secondary conditions mentioned, please reach out to a mental health professional or a grief support organization in your area. You are not alone. One organization I would recommend is Https://www.griefshare.org

This song resonates for many people going through the loss of their loved ones

You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C.S. Lewis

Our emotions lie to us, and we need to counter our emotions with truth. Billy Graham

This song sung by, America, a popular group from the 70's resonates with many going through grief-that has stood the test of time even today.

Grief is a lonely experience that leaves people lost and bewildered when it happens. As though they're alone on an island with absolutely no human connection. When the funeral ends and the flowers have wilted is whenwe notice friends who drifting away and sadness becomes overwhelming. At first, I saw this as outright rejection of my suffering, but, over time I learned that my friends haven't rejected me, but merely needed to get back to their own lives.

This is for all the lonely people Thinkin' that life has passed them by

Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup And ride that highway in the sky.

This stanza is a reminder for us all to turn to God to help us through our sorrow.

This is for all the single people Thinkin' that love has left them dry Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup You never know until you try We grieve for all those moments that we might have missed with our loved one.

Our sadness makes us think that life has passed us by like a slow moving car on a freeway of faster moving ones. Our brains take longer to process information we once were able to do faster. Our minds become consumed by the heavy emotions as we try to find a way out of the black hole.

Often, this is a time when we hit a proverbial fork in the road.

One path leads us the Lord while the other path leads us down a destructive path of anger, unforgiveness, drugs and alcohol.

Well, I'm on my way Yes, I'm back to stay Well, I'm on my way back home

A person who leans on the Lord to help them conquer their pain often comes out stronger and more resiliant than they were before grief.

This is for all the lonely people Thinkin' that life has passed them by Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup Never take you down or never give you up Never know until you try

Grief is so individualize that there really isn't a set time line before you're healed, nor can you compare you're grief with someone else going through the process.

For a parent losing a child, it may take at least 10 years to fully recover. Grief isn't like a light switch you can simply turn off. This may sound daunting to those who simply want the pain to end, but I can offer some tips from my own experience tp help you on the grief journey.

1. Continue doing the same rituals you were doing before your loss. For me, this meant continuing to attend a the same weekly church service I attended before the loss. I watched some bereaved people stop going to church all together because of how it hurts sitting in the sanctuary without your loved one. By regularely going to church you allow God to use others around you to befriend you and help you heal.

2. Seek out wise counsel from a therapist that understands the effects of trauma on people. Sudden deaths can be especially grualing on people and a good therapist will walk with you to better understand the effects of trauma on your loss.

3. Schedule an appointment to get some blood workup and a physical exam with your primary care provider. Grief can have such a profound impact on the body that the chemistry falls out of alignment.

One example of this is the sometimes fatal effects of broken heart syndrome.

One well known example was the death of Carrie Fisher's mom. A short time later this star wars icon died from broken heart syndrome.

4. Practice self care such as signing up for a griefshare.org group nearest you. This is especially important because it is critical you find a support group of people who are non-judgemental and supportive of what you're going through. Another example of self care is getting a step counter and setting a goal of achieveing 5,000 to 10,000 steps.

God understands what you're going through because He also lost a son. It was the resurrection of his son that made it possible for all of us to see our loved ones again. Now that is a beautiful thought. For those looking for a griefshare group, you can locate one at Griefshare.org.

Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Daniel M. Peek / Catherine L. Peek