JR Woodward :: Blog :: A Recommended Read in Light of the Upcoming Anniversary of the Virginia Tech Massacre

It is coming up on the first anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, the worse massacre in modern U.S. history.  This tragedy has held a special place in my heart for many reasons. One reason being that the first church that God had me plant was [nlcf] at Virginia Tech. Those thirteen years serving the campus shaped my life deeply and many of the people and memories are ingrained in my heart forever.

By God's grace, I was able to make it down to Virginia Tech the same day the massacre occurred, because the Lord already had me on the East Coast.  While I was there, I took the time to blog about what I was seeing and feeling at the time, so that others might be able to get a larger view of what was happening, beyond the common media.  The whole week is captured on one entry I entitled: Remembering Virginia Tech: The Week in Review.

In light of this tragedy and others that have happened since, one of the pastors from our church at Virginia Tech [nlcf] was asked by Zondervan to write a book.  Matt Rodgers is not just a great guy, but he is a deep thinker and a heart felt writer. And as the publisher says, "Many books have dealt with the theological and intellectual question, "How can God be good when the world isn't?" But when tragedy strikes, and the pain passes from theoretical to personal, answers can feel hollow and empty."

My friend Matt writes, "There is a level of grief in life which, as Rich Mullins observed, 'would not hurt any less, even if it could be explained.'  I'm a pastor; I know how to reconcile a god God with an often evil world.  I could give those answers in my sleep.  But what should I do when simple solutions fail to satisfy?  When the sadness is heavy and sinking, and answers aren't enough?  How do I find peace in a messed up world?  I believe God is good.  But how do I experience him as good when grief is raining down?

The book is entitled: When Answers Aren't Enough: Experiencing God as Good When Life Isn't.  I would encourage you to order it from Amazon today - the official date of its release. (The book has already hit #359 in Amazon's sales ranking, as of 11:43 Pacific Time 4.1.08)  It will be a helpful book to read and to pass on to people. By getting it now, you might be able to pass it on to people you know who have experienced a tragedy in their life and give it to someone who may be reliving this tragedy on its anniversary.