Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Tragedy in Tatum It happened shortly after a high school football game. Four high school girls who were best friends were pulling out of their driveway onto a county road. Two male classmates came racing down that road at speeds in excess of ninety miles per hour, and their collision lit up the area for miles. The sister of one of the “racers” was one of the victims of this tragic incident. You and I can only imagine the tragic consequences of that night. The loss of four girls was only part of the story. Each family has suffered and will continue to do so. A small town—nearly exactly the size of our own—is almost hopelessly divided; all because of a tragedy that began with two youths failing to respect the law. Even though it was an accident, that community can never be the same. One event; but many terrible and tragic consequences. Tragedy In Tatum, Texas News articles about that terrible September 2003 accident reveal a community so divided that the population of 1,100 are asking whether the town can survive. Some think the boy responsible for the four deaths should not be prosecuted, while others press for him to pay for his deed. His parents, who also lost a daughter in that accident, now face losing their son to prison because of his folly. How can a family prosper when they face the anger of their neighbors and the loss of one, perhaps two of their children? What if this happened in our community? Racing does happen here just as in east Texas. Young men here, supremely confident, but not yet experienced enough to anticipate the dangers of today’s automobiles, are as vulnerable to this temptation as those in east Texas. Tragedy is just one moment of temptation away from our town. Tragedy In The Bible King David understood tragedy. From the very moment he “...saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon,” 2 Samuel 11:2, David’s life would never be the same. His sin led to the death of three of his children and one of his daughters being raped. In these deeds, God’s enemies were given occasion to blaspheme Him, 2 Samuel 12:14. Just one brief encounter; but many tragic effects. Moses faced many difficult decisions in his forty years of leading Israel in the wilderness. On one occasion, the people began to complain at the scarcity of water. Anger welled up in Moses and he disobeyed the Lord. As a result, Moses was not allowed to lead Israel into the land of promise, Numbers 20:12. A few moments’ anger, but for Moses, a tragic consequence! Tragedy In History Much has been written in history about the failure of the Titanic to change course when warned of ice flows in its path. As a result, many, many lost their lives, and the owners suffered considerable financial and personal loss. George Patton a decorated military leader, suffered because of a moment of his own thoughtless behavior. When talking to a man in a hospital, Patton slapped him because he assumed the soldier was a coward. Severe rebuke was given, and Patton’s reputation was severely damaged. Brief moments of anger and poor judgment. Many terrible consequences. Tragedy In The Church Simon Peter’s moment of hypocrisy could have been far reaching, but Paul brought him back from that trouble by means of public rebuke, Galatians 2:11-14. A word spoken without sufficient knowledge behind it can cause division and sow discord among brethren, Proverbs 6:16-19. A failure to respect God’s ways and God’s law can lead to tragedy in a congregation as a whole. Just a moment’s poor judgment, and we can see division and strife among Christians. Just as in Tatum, the cause of the problem may seem to be common, but the results can be significant and very far-reaching. Avoiding Tragedy How can we avoid similar tragic consequences among ourselves, both individually and collectively? Think. The driver of that racing truck may have been thinking his actions were insignificant, but he was not thinking soberly. Grow up. This goes for people my age as well. Enjoy life, yes, of course, but view life seriously. The soul you save may be your own— or your son or daughter...or sister. Consider eternity. Our life is a brief span of time, but we anticipate a life that is eternal. A brief moment of poor judgment can have eternal consequences. Think soberly! Study your Bible. Solomon said: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Proverbs 9:10. Seek that wisdom, for it can help you….even when you are behind the wheel of your automobile. Carl B. Garner

“No man is an island entire unto itself; every man is part of the main…Any man’s death diminishes me.” John Donne

What Comes After Baptism? Am Now A Christian – Acts 11:26 Have Become a New Person – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Have Been Forgiven of All Past Sins – Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7 Have Been Placed In Christ – Galatians 3:26-27 Have Been Reconciled to God – 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 Have Been Adopted Into God’s Family – Ephesians 1:6 Have Been Added to the Lord’s Church – Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:18 Have Been Accepted by God – Ephesians 1:6 Have Become Heirs of the Hope of Eternal Life – Titus 3:7; Col. 1:5 Have Access to All Spiritual Blessings – Ephesians 1:3