(after the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting)

I was finishing up my sermon on a Friday when my phone buzzed with the horrific news of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. As I watched the news unfold, I knew the message I had prepared would not be adequate. I knew a different message would need to be preached. I believe you will understand why I will be going in a different direction today. We were shocked, we were angry, we were afraid, we were heartbroken, and I must speak to that today.

I have cried several times over that tragedy, as I know many of you have. That was the only appropriate way to begin to respond to that unthinkable and unspeakable event. Children, anticipating the joy of Christmas, were taken from us — innocent children who had their whole lives ahead of them, al…