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I am thinking of the number 4...

4 less people are alive in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) community today.

For those unaware - Yesterday, December 6, 2023, on the UNLV campus, at approximately 11:45 am local time, three people were killed by one shooter on the 4th floor of the Lee Business School, who was then killed by the police. One person was hospitalized and is now in stable condition. In total, 4 people were killed yesterday at UNLV.

4 families are now wrestling with this senseless act of gun violence.

4 empty chairs will be sitting around the dinner table at Christmas.

I pray for the families of all 4 people who died.
Not one family member woke up yesterday knowing their loved one would be waking up for the last time.
Not one family member woke up yesterday knowing their loved one would not be home for dinner.
Not one family member woke up yesterday knowing their cell phone will never ring again with their loved one's special ring tone.
Not one family member 4saw, 4knew, 4thought or even 4casted what unspeakable tragedy would take place yesterday on the campus of the Runnin’ Rebels.
Certainly, all of our hearts are 4lorn!

One of the names of the Holy Spirit is “Comforter”…

O Lord we need the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the days ahead.
The prophet Jeremiah echoes our pain:
“You who are my Comforter in my sorrow, my heart is faint within me.” (Jeremiah 8: 18)

Another name for Jesus is “Immanuel” which means “God with us.”

Many times when tragedies take place the question is raised, “Where was God?”

Where was God yesterday during the shooting?
On the 4th floor of the Lee Business Building.
God did not run from the gun violence.
God did not turn His face the other way.
God did not abandon those 4 students in their most horrific moment.

God was with them.
In their fear, God was with them.
In their pain, God was with them.
In their agony and cries, God was with them.
In their death, God was with them and they are now with God.

God will always be where God will be.
And where is that?
“With us!”

His name says it all… “Immanuel”.

God will be with us 4ever and 4ever and 4ever.

Those are my heartbroken thoughts 4 now…

#UNLVVEGASSTRONG

Grace and peace,
Fear not!
David!