by Calvin Landrus, SRCFC National Director

Jeremy Collins, SRCFC Member, created an image of solidarity with the ones who have lost loved ones. It has been viewed by over a half million people. Writing about the image, he wrote, "The image speaks for itself. The world mourns with you all. As a parent of a kindergartner, I, like many have been stricken with grief over this week's tragedy. My sketch was a response that I couldn't keep inside." He has made prints of it available at with all the proceeds going to benefit the families.

With loss of life last week in Newtown, the joy of saying "Merry Christmas" may have a hollow ring.  My heart will never be able to "wrap its arms" around the emotions the parents, families and community are feeling.  My mind will never be able to rationalize why this tragedy happened.  Or even understand why God allowed it to happen.  I'm sure I'm not alone in this. And perhaps these thoughts have happened before...

If I had been a part of the village of Bethlehem a few months after the birth of Christ, I may have felt the same way.  Do you recall the tragedy that happened?  It's recorded in the 2nd Chapter of Matthew.  The Magi had been in search of the newly born king of Jews in Jerusalem when Herod, the king installed by the Roman Empire, called them in to pretend that he too wanted to worship the newborn.  He asked them to report back to him once they found Jesus so he could carry out his real intentions of taking out a possible threat to his reign as king.

However, God provided an escape route for Jesus after the Magi's visit by them to go home by a different path and telling Joseph in a dream that he should escape with Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt.  What Matthew records in verse 16 should cause one to shudder at its brutality: "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."  The lives of the parents of those boys were dramatically changed that day.  Matthew memorialized their pain in verse 18 as he quoted the prophet Jeremiah, "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

What this imparts to me is that grieving during loss is natural and probably helpful. So let's grieve. Let the parents and families have full opportunity to hurt and long for their lost ones. 

Also, let's be encouraged by the full guidance of God's Word in times of grief like these.  Our response does not need to be like, "the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Now as we say "Merry Christmas" this year, it may not feel like it has in the past but know that as you do, you are focusing others back to the only place where true hope can be found: to the Savior who was born so many Christmases ago. 

Additional Information: Larry Kniceley, another Solid Rocker, has recently started a blog and has written an insightful piece on the tragedy.  His perspective is that of one who has worked in law enforcement.   

by Calvin Landrus, SRCFC National Director

  Solid Rock's Board of Directors consists of these six folks: Steve Hughes, Kristin Anderson, Jim Stone (Secretary), John Blaubach (Treasurer), Rick Krause (Vice President) and myself (President).  All are dedicated to the organization's mission and give abundantly in terms of time, money and leadership.  One of those I would like you to get know better is Kristin Anderson.

When she first appeared on the radar screen over half-dozen years ago; she was traveling out West far from her home near Washington, DC.  She was working various seasonal gigs with outdoor programs.  Her heart for God and her enjoyment of climbing came shining through. 

In-between and around her work, Kristin served several sessions as a Solid Rock On-the-road Missionary.  She and her missionary partners saw great fruit as they were ministering to climbers from with-in the community.  

A few years ago, she decided to get off the road and started doing the "high-heels and make-up" routine with an office job in the DC area.  Her focus changed from being on-the-road community of climbers to the ones in the Metro DC area.  She has worked at the local climbing gyms and truly has influence upon her community.  I was able to see this first hand when I attended an event that she arranged for Solid Rock to sponsor several years ago called "Beat-the-Heat" at the Sportrock, VA climbing gym.

Her consistency as a faithful witness and leader in her climbing community is having a huge impact.  Much of this is due to the fact that she is purposeful and persistent in her relationships with climbers. Here are some suggestions she sent to member of the DC Area Chapter that she leads:
1)  Invite other Solid Rockers to climb with you at your gym or crag. It's wonderful to fellowship and climb with other believers!  Don't know anyone in your area?  Find them at whereclimbersgather.com.

2)  Partner with/volunteer at a local event at your climbing gym or crag.
3)  Wear a Christian T-shirt when you climb or volunteer at an event - it's a great conversation starter. (Solid Rock Tees are available at: cafepress.com/srcfc)
4)  Start a bible study and/or prayer group with/for local climbers - this one has been on my heart for a while, but I'm looking for help.
5)   Volunteer at a local Adopt-A-Crag: Volunteer for some trail work with other local climbers & stick around and climb after!  

Her closing statement with these suggestions was (and good for all of us!):  "May the love of Christ shine through us as we enjoy climbing the amazing rocks he created for us to climb, and loving those he has given us to climb with."

Thanks go to her for her service for the Lord through Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ.  You may contact Kristin at klymber@gmail.com or 703-447-7419. 

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