Posted on 10/05/2006 11:20:35 AM PDT by FFIGHTER
In a ceremony made more heartbreaking by its centuries-old simplicity, four little girls were buried yesterday as the Amish of Pennsylvania turned the other cheek.
With television and newspaper cameras kept at a distance, and police helicopters enforcing a no-fly zone overhead, one of the few non-Amish guests invited to the funeral of seven-year-old Naomi Rose Ebersole, the first little girl to be buried, was Marie Roberts, the killer's wife.
With tears in her eyes, Mrs Roberts sat in the back of one of the 34 black horse-drawn carriages that were part of the funeral cortege behind Naomi's horse-drawn hearse.
On the way from the church to the hilltop cemetary, the procession passed Mrs Roberts' home where her husband, Charles, loaded up his guns before heading for the little village school on Monday.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Wow.
I am humbled by their compassion and forgiveness.
Searching to make sense of this.........
Searching.....
The Amish are walking the walk.
Be more impressed by their clarity.
The wife of this monster was not a co-conspirator - she is probably as much as victim as they.
They just have the clarity to recognize that, and not take retribution on an innocent.
We could all use a dose of Amish.
Can I be impressed by the whole package? Their clarity, their forgiveness, their humility?
The rest of society has a lot to learn from these people that lead their lives according to the word of God.
The AMISH people do walk the walk as Christians despite their great pain.
I said on several threads, LORD: Please make us "more Amish". Amen.
Wow, what a show of faith from true followers of Jesus Christ. Our society needs more of this. God Bless these little girls and comfort their families..
Oh yeah, hey fat head Rosie O'Donnel, America really needs to fear these radical Christians. Even the most compassionate of Muslims would NEVER even consider this act of faith. Why? Because muslim faith does not have it to begin with.
I think the difference is the degree of separation from the world .. the Amish are a community unto themselves and most Christians operate within the world.
I'm deeply moved by these beautiful people ... may God's grace continue in/with their lives.
What genuinely good people. I'll never measure up.
He had a wife?????
That makes 2 of us.
He had a wife?????
_______________________________________
Yup and several little kids as well.
I wonder if Katie Couric would suggest this act as being repugnant to others?
This is unbelievably touching.
I agree with that. I couldn't do it.
Probably! I can't believe what she wrote on her blog, what a slime.
not your typical mass murder profile
Boy you aren't kidding... and a tough road it is too.
" Mr Zook, wearing braces and a straw hat with a black paper band around the brim, said: `The oldest girl there, Marian, she said, "Shoot me, and leave the others alone." But he ignored her.' "
There were others as well that volunteered to go in place of the other girls, their faith inspires me.
Their example is Christ. It is easy to do good to those who love us, but only Christ can make it possible to embrace our enemies. Christ enables them to see the truth that this woman is just as crushed as they. - (Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free.)
When they say that the perpetrators family are victims too, this is really true. I speak from first hand experience.
His children are suffering the punishment for their father's crime and I (once again) admire the Amish and truly hope that God's love could come into my heart as it seems to live in theirs.
>>>He had a wife?????>>>
And children, God help us all.
I would go ahead and just admire them. They clearly are way beyond needing our pity. Seems like they've got their heads screwed on about as well as anyone's could be.
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. Do for others just what you want them to do for you. If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.
Me either, but, I shall endeavor too.
Our society can only aspire to be like them. Truly humbling.
You are so right. The whole country was wondering what could be done for them, it turns out that they are the ones helping us.
I think the lesson in all of this is that most of us don't have a clue what faith, hope and love really entails.
I just read this and sent an email to a former enemy of mine, dropping a long-standing fued over stupid things.
These people are truly an inspiration.
IMHO, it's not a dose of Amish that is needed. It is a real, walking, talking, relationship with God.
It has been said that there are 3 kinds of friends: the ones that are fun, the ones that are helpful, and those that make you strive to be a better person. I have many in the first two groups, but sad to say, none in the latter. Although I have no Amish friends, the ones I know of make me want to be a better person. I have such awe and respect for them.
I had a good friend who once told me that the Lord has ways of calling us to him. Perhaps this tragedy, in time of war, just before an election, which the Amish community is bearing so admirably is His call to all of us to examine our values versus theirs.
So true. I read another story about an Amish boy who was killed by a hit-and-run driver, and the mother of the boy forgave the woman (even though the police had to track her down). Amazing.
Their actions right now do more to spread the Word, than all the missionaries of history.
which was i missed that
You got that right. What amazing people.
This story makes me weep.
You see it as a call to us and it could be, but...but I am wondering how other abrahamic faiths are processing what they are being shown.
nothing.Nothing can be said by me. There is just hurt. To just imagine my little girl and of all places..there is just agony now. I don't know why i even post this I'm an old man with tears rolling out his eyes. Something about a little girl.A daughter. I cannot ...oh G
Amazing example of practicing what they teach. Of course, the wife wasn't complicit in any way, but still, amazing!
I've got a thirteen year old daughter myself, Noodler - you've said everything I'm thinking.
Phil. 4:4 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Remarkable. If I had the ability to forgive like that I would be the happiest man alive.
It is wonderful to see that these people have a real life practice for their religion. Its nice to see them peaceful and praying for the soul of the one who caused them all this hurt.
The problem is when we return to the real world , if we were all like this the Islamics would roll over us like a steamroller , kill all of us who wouldnt convert and laugh all the while they were doing it.
We who cannot have this kind of faith, all of us who seek retaliation against those who would harm us and believe in self-defense , yet still have faith in their same God, are actually saving this world for people like these.
Without us they could not exist.
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