Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 12:23 pm Mountain Time a 31-year-old man, a husband and father of two young children, went to be with Jesus. It was 1:23 here, I’d just got home from work, and I began to follow the news reports, although from what I could see of that first post, his body would not be able to sustain life after such an injury.
His death was not pronounced until after 2 pm, but most believe the death occurred at 12:23 instantaneously and that, thankfully, he was unable to process what was happening or experience any pain from it. So, in effect, he went from witnessing about Jesus to being in His Presence in the blink of an eye. 2 Corinthians 5:8
Immediately, condolences started flooding Facebook from those most impacted by his death, his close friends and associates, the President and Vice President, and me though I had never met him.
At the same time, celebratory comments began to trickle in which were absolutely appalling! Due to the age in which we live, those comments were shared, and some of the recipients with whom they were shared have been instrumental in seeing those individuals removed from positions of power and influence, especially power and influence over our children.
The posts, good and bad, continue today and have caused me to come to the decision that I need a break from FB. Further blog posts will not be mentioned on FB unless someone else wants to talk about them there.
Many posts stated that Charlie Kirk was assassinated for political reasons. His alleged killer was raised in a conservative household with conservative values but was “radicalized” probably at least in part by his college.
But there is something more significant going on here. Clearly there is a spiritual aspect to this that cannot be ignored. Charlie was the first well-known and influential American to be killed for his faith on American soil.
Consider other Christian martyrs in the halls of HIStory. I did a quick Google search and found a lengthy list. Aside from Jesus’ disciples, all but two of whom were martyred, the following individuals whose names I recognize were included:
Paul (Greek name Saul of Tarsus, writer of a large portion of the New Testament)
Mark (writer of the Gospel of Mark)
Luke (writer of the Gospel of Luke and the book of the Acts of the Apostles)
Timothy
Philemon
Polycarp of Smyrna
Justin Martyr
Joan of Arc
William Tyndale
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jim Elliott
Charlie Kirk was not on the list. Of course, this list was generated by Wikipedia which stated in the opening paragraph that it “is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.”
My guess is that Charlie’s name will soon appear on that list.
In just 4 days, I’ve read several stories of young people (and older ones) who repented and gave their hearts to Jesus because of Charlie’s ministry, a ministry which continues even though he is with our Lord. Who knows how many there actually are and will be in the days, weeks, months, and years to come should Jesus tarry? 2 Peter 3:8-9
Oh, to have a witness that continues after I am gone!
I am not an influencer in any way, shape, or form. I am an elderly woman with professionally diagnosed level I autism (FKA Asperger’s). It is at least partially because of this that I am disengaging from FB, at least for a time until YHWH heals my heart. My only close friends are my children and sisters; aside from that all my “conversation” comes from what I read. What I’ve read recently has hurt me, and I must not look at FB right now.
Despite my “weird wiring”, YHWH has honored me by placing me somewhere I can minister to others, a handful of small rural churches in central Illinois. I’ve been doing this for several years now. Until today, I followed the advice of my mentors within that denomination to “avoid those verses that might get me in trouble” because there are plenty of other verses from which to choose.
Because I was not convinced that the wonderful people in those churches were all believers in the full Truth of Jesus Christ . . . or . . . had more progress to make in their sanctification journeys (the latter group includes me and everyone else still residing here in the land of the living Psalm 27:13), I believe YHWH wanted and wants me to remain right where I am, so, I pretty much followed that advice. The only time I veered resulted in a finger in my chest and a “what news channel to do you listen to?” from a congregant in one of the churches.
A finger in the chest is hardly the same thing as a bullet to the neck!
Today I was bold. This is because of the example of boldness displayed for me by this new martyr!
Although I spoke my original sermon from Acts 28:30-31 and my sermon was written out in its entirety (a practice I follow fairly strictly to avoid saying something I don’t intend to and which I can do fairly well since I can read as though I am speaking), I started the preaching time by reading Luke 12:49-59 and then correlating that to what I’ve been seeing on FB. What I shared was not written out beforehand, and I was afraid I would misspeak.
How many times does YHWH tell us in His Word not to be afraid?
I knew what I shared would not be well received by everyone there, and it was not. After church I was approached by one of the women whom I suspected might be offended and was able to counsel her about the Biblical basis for believing the way I do. I believe the words I spoke during the message and those I shared with her afterward will accomplish their intended purpose.
As I was reading the passage from Luke 12 out loud, some words. . . one word. . . struck me. Luke 12:55 reads “And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is.”
I wonder. . . is this true south of the equator?
When I received the paper describing my autism diagnosis, the psychologist was able to come up with three strengths: “intelligent, open to feedback, and curious.” Because I’m open to feedback, both positive and negative, and curious enough to do more research on dissenting opinions, please feel free to share your thoughts with me at my email address jacquelinemcdougall@ymail.com. Also, I pray and lovingly ask that you share this post with others. The name of my blog is JLM in Euroclydon.
Romans 8:28
Charlie Kirk is with Jesus.
That is not the only good thing to come from the bad thing of his assassination. One of those good things I shared in a previous paragraph.
Earlier today, I read something on FB speculating his beautiful widow, Erika, might make a good President. Maybe Vice President J D Vance read that post, too, and is considering her for a running mate.
On the other hand, her soul is the most important thing, and it would be so hard to maintain her relationship with YHWH in that position.
On the 3rd hand, one must remember Esther, though, and her being used by YHWH for “such as time as this.” Esther 4:14
Another good thing that is probably applicable to me only is that one of the devout men I follow on FB is probably not the greatest for me to follow as he is not a believer in Jesus. It is obvious from his recent FB posts that he is taking the death of Charlie very badly—sincere grief is written all over his countenance—and that may be affecting what he shares in his posts, but what he is saying makes it clear that followers of Jesus, including me, need to be more careful in whose teachings we follow, no matter how closely their moral compasses and/or political beliefs align with our own.
I have shared several Bible references in this post. Following one of them I shared the verse as well. However, I’m going to try to get away from that except when necessary for context, because. . .
. . . I want you to look them up in your Bible. My prayer is that this post and other posts and writings of mine which you might stumble across out there will lead you closer to YHWH as you listen to Him for yourself when you look at what He has to say in your Bible.
God bless you. Shalom shalom.
It was raining when I woke this morning, and it is still raining now, well into the evening hours. A steady rain, not a storm, but heavy enough that streets were passing from the unexpected puddle stage to the full-blown flooded stage. A similar rain was falling my soul.
Although my memories of that day are nearly all good, I anticipated having a good cry when I arrived.
much more casual—customary attire.
so from where Rod’s truck was parked that night when I climbed into the passenger seat next to my new husband who was old-fashioned enough to insist on driving the whole way, I allowed the memories full reign.
I could breathe a little easier.
Even this one, the one I was about to marry, had let me down 5 years earlier by breaking my heart when he came to realize it was too soon after his wife’s death to be involved with another woman; he wasn’t ready.
JLM in Euroclydon 