Amy Bishop, a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was arrested for killing three of her fellow professors and wounding three additional University employees. In a faculty meeting, after sitting quietly for thirty minutes or so, she pulled out a 9 mm and started shooting. Some believe that the motive for the shooting was the University’s denial of her tenure. Bishop is a woman who was apparently successful in business, as she and her husband have recently invented an automated system that cultures cells — if successful their system could replace the petri dish. Yet she’s been quick to complain, even to new acquaintances, about the unfairness of her not making tenure. Complicating this recent tragedy is a report that 23 years ago, Bishop also shot her then 18 year old brother.

For more information go to Shaila Dewan’s article in the Salt Lake Tribune and a second article in The Huntsville Times.

Your Life:

Beware of unforgiveness!

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Matthew 18:21, 22:

Why did Jesus so emphasize forgiving others? Like every other admonition that God gives us in the Bible, it’s for our good. Dr. George Vaillant, the head of a Harvard University Study that followed 268 men over a 72 year period was asked,

“What have you learned from the Grant Study men?” Vaillant’s response: “That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.” (Joshua Wolf Shenk, The Atlantic)

It’s been said that not forgiving is like drinking poison then expecting the other person to die. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness opens up a life that is God’s best life for you. Having trouble forgiving someone? By far the best way to help yourself to adopt a forgiving attitude is to spend time with Jesus Christ. “And just how do I accomplish that?” you may ask. Spend time with the body of Christ in church, spend time in prayer, spend time in His word. Take communion and remember how He has forgiven you.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:14, 15

Applegate Christian Fellowship / Jon Courson