Releasing The Hostage Heart

- In US since 99’ 48 Killed in 51 school shootings

+ Wed 9/27/06

Emily Keyes (16) Englewood, Colo. was killed when a 53-year-old drifter took six girls hostage (had sexually assaulted at least some of them) before turning the gun on himself as SWAT officers attacked.. Emily’s last words,(less than 2 hours earlier) a text message that said "I love U guys." Keyes was shot in the head Wednesday as she fled from Duane Morrison

> Fri 9/29/06

Principal John Klang (49) – Cazenovia, WI .was shot three times outside his office as he tried to protect his school from a student gunman.

The principal given him a disciplinary warning for having tobacco

The shooting devastated this tightly knit farming community of 300 people about 70 miles northwest of Madison.

> Mon 10/2/06

Amish Shootings

Charles Carl Roberts (32)

Outside of Paradise PA (Nickel Mines)

10 Young girls shot 5 Killed

Roberts had 3 children - 7 yr. D, 2 B. 5 &1

+

Text of the first page of a three-page suicide note written by Charles Carl Roberts IV to his wife, Marie:

"I don’t know how you put up with me all those years. I am not worthy of you, you are the perfect wife you deserve so much better.

We had so many good memories together as well as the tragedy with Elise.

It changed my life forever I haven’t been the same since it affected me in a way I never felt possible.

I am filled with so much hate, hate toward myself hate towards God and unimaginable emptiness it seems like everytime we do something fun I think about how Elise wasn’t here to share it with us and I go right back to anger."

In what’s being called a stunning example of "the imitation of Christ," the Amish community devastated by the cold-blooded murder of five of its schoolgirls is raising money for the killer’s family.

+ I. Setting The Heart Free

------------------------------

> (Prov. 23:7, NASV )“For as he thinks within himself, so he is”.

- We are what we think.

> (Mt. 15:19) Jesus said, “. . . out of the

heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality. . .”

+

> 1. Don’t Hold Onto a Grudge

---------------------------------

- Mt 14:3 & 8 Herodias wanted John dead

- Some things are worthy of treasuring for

the rest of our lives, while other things belong in the dumpster.

- We all have the natural tendency to cling

to what is familiar, even it if proves detrimental to us

- Grudges are destructive.

- Revenge is not sweet;

> Eph 4:22 - ". . . that you put off,

concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts"

> Col 3:8-9 - But now you must also put off

all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. .

+

> 2. Guilt Can Be Removed

----------------------------

- Mt 14:1-3 Herod had heard of the fame of

Jesus – Guilt

- Roberts confessed of molesting 2 girls

- He feared the evil and corruption that

existed within himself.

- By writing a suicide note doesn’t make him

a better person

- It doesn’t do anything to relieve his guilt

- Ps 51 David Confession

> Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no

condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

+

> 3. There Is Real Purpose For Life

---------------------------------------

- Mt 14:9 - Oath of Herod

- His only purpose was the need of the hour

- Impressing people

Roberts was filled “with so much hate, hate

toward myself hate towards God and unimaginable emptiness”

> Matthew 7:24 (KJV)

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

+

> 4. Forgiveness Works.

----------------------------

Mt 14:13 - Jesus cousin of John (Lk 1:36}

- Amish midwife who had helped birth

several of the girls murdered by the killer say that they were planning to take food over to his family’s house. Quoting her "This is possible if you have Christ in your heart.".

- The victim’s families have forgiven

Roberts

- Robert’s wife was invited to their funeral

- Christ’s death gives forgiveness to sin

> Psalm 86:5 (KJV) For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

II. There Is A Battle For The Mind

---------------------------------------

> Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) Keep thy heart with

all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life