Emotions ran high in Cleveland after a judge found Officer Michael Brelo not guilty of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault in the 2012 shooting deaths of unarmed Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams following a 22 mile car chase. Brelo and twelve other cops fired over 100 shots into the couple’s car after which Brelo got out of his car got in top of the  Williams car’s hood and fired about fifteen more shots.

Brelo’s acquittal is understandable, with so many cops firing and after so many bullets they might have already dead by the time he got on the hood. It is what Brelo told investigators that I find interesting. He reportedly said he thought he and his partner were in danger because he believed the couple in the car were shooting. He told investigators, and I quote “I’ve never been so afraid in my life. I thought my partner and I would be shot and thought we were going to be killed.”

This I find puzzling. You believe people inside a car who are armed and dangerous and are shooting at you and you climb unto the hood of the car ??  This defies all logic. He knew those people were unarmed.  Excessive use of force must stop.

A police officers in Fredericksburg Virginia has resigned after an incident where he used taser and pepper spray on a man having a medical emergency.

Shawn Jurgens and two other officers responded to calls about a hit and run driver going in the wrong direction. The driver was 34-year-old David Washington who reportedly hit a jeep, a street sign and came to a stop in the middle of an intersection.

With guns drawn the officer shouted orders at the unresponsive man. Jurgens used taser and pepper spray on Washington. They pulled him from his vehicle and handcuffed him before realizing that he was ill. A very traumatic situation for Mr. Washington but on a brighter note he is alive…it could have ended worse.

For God so loved the world that He sent his Son to die for us. He died for our sins and through his resurrection we have the chance of eternal life.

Jesus Christ is risen today,
Alleluia
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia
Who once did upon the cross, Alleluia
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia.

Hymna of praise then let us sing, Alleluia
Unto Christ our heavenly King, Alleluia
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia.

But the pain which He endured, Alleluia
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia.

The tragedy in Brooklyn is a reminder that in the blink of an eye tragedy can strike and precious lives lost. This is not easy… the pain of the family unimaginable.It is like having a nightmare then wake up to find that the horror  is real. I can’t think of words to give this family comfort but I hope the words of this song might bring solace.

Farther Along

Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long While there are others living about us Never molested, though in the wrong

Farther along we’ll know all about it Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine We’ll understand it all by and by

When death has come and taken our loved ones It leaves our home so lonley and drear Then we do wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year

Faithful till death said our loving Master
A few more days to labor and wait
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing
As we sweep through the beautiful gate

When we see Jesus coming in glory
When He comes from His home in the sky
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion
We’ll understand it all by and by

Farther along we’ll know
all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand it all by and by.

Elaine, Rivkah, Sara, Yeshua, Moshe, Yaakob, and David Sassoon today you are all safe in the arms of the angels and maybe someday your family will understand why.

Prayers for the father who now has the daunting task of burying his seven children while his wife and other daughter fight for their lives.

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.

E.E.Cummings