Monday, April 07, 2008

Sheep Without a Shepherd

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Four-hundred and one children and 133 women have been removed from a polygamist compound in West Texas, amid accusations of child abuse. Thank God it was peaceful and not a repeat of what happened years ago in Waco. Tonight the news reporters are saying that this is the biggest child protective services intervention in the history of Texas. One person mentioned that there probably wouldn't be enough foster homes for all the children.

You can read more about it here and here.

I am heartbroken for these women and children. Oh Jesus, use your people to reach out to them and care for them. Fight on their behalf and be their Advocate. Protect them from the crouching lion who wants to steal, kill, and destroy even more than he already has. Keep anyone with evil motives far from them. Deliver them from bondage and from delusions. I pray for restoration, wholeness, hope, redemption, and salvation. Draw them unto Yourself and help them trust You. I praise You because you are good, you are just, and you never take your eyes off the oppressed.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

amen

Tenille Rauls said...

I was told about your blog from my sister-in-law at Christmas and just remembered! Just wanted you to know God used you to bless my heart tonight. May God continue to work in and through your family. Have a great rest of the week. Tenille
My blog is http:\\tenille.blogplot.com

jennyhope said...

I can't even imagine and I praise God for the intervention...and for what He will do to help these victims.

Anonymous said...

Amen Amanda! I have been following this sad story... I have seen this group on news shows before and it just breaks my heart. I also read the comment about not having enough foster homes- and I just wished that I lived there and could help. Praise God that He is bigger then all circumstances! I will pray with you for these many hurting children and women.

Kelly said...

This is one of those things that is so hard for me to understand. Why can't every child be born into a loving, Christian home? Why can't every child have the kind of life Jackson has? I'll never understand why I was chosen to live in such a wonderful family while others grow up in horror.
Bless those women and children. God loves them and holds them in His arms - I hope they find Him.

Linsey said...

I have been keeping up with the story on MSN.COM. I had no idea there was something like that in TX still...I remember Waco. It was so sad to see the women and teens with all those kids. I am so proud that the baptist church accepted those women and you know loved on them like their own. What a scary spot they must be in. I am praying that God is opening their eyes and providing a save way to a new life.

Kelly said...

The picture of those young girls carrying their bags, and dressed in their prairie dresses just broke my heart. Father God, please bless and protect these young lives. I pray for restoration of everything stolen from them, and lives filled anew with hope.

BethAnne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BethAnne said...

When I saw those precious little girls boarding that bus with their little gingham dresses on I couldnt help but cry. They look so innocent, but their innocence has been taken from them and their lives will never be the same. Like you, I am praying that the Lord will deliver them from the bondage that has been inflicted upon them.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

gigetgirl said...

**You amaze me Amanda**
Your compassionate heart. So sweet, so tender to those around you!

I will be praying for these "neighbors" of yours.

Gigetgirl

Linda Vujnov said...

My complaints are so minimal. This puts life in true perspective.

Momma-of-5 said...

I was thinking the same thing about Foster families. I haven't been watching much about it, because I don't want to explain that word to my 5 year old! =) But man, I'm with you. This is going to need some serious PRAYING THROUGH!

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Oh Amanda. I just saw this on the news this morning and it just pained my heart.
Amen and amen to your prayer...

Ashley said...

I live in San Angelo, TX where the women and children are currently staying. They are staying at Fort Concho here. The whole situation is really sad. I have thought about how much freer they must feel out in the "real world", but this is foreign land to most of them. They do not know any other life than the abusive and men-domineering life they have lived, that their mothers lived, and their grandmothers lived. I wish they could just get a taste of the freedom in Christ that we have. My heart breaks at the thought of the bondage that they are in. God bless them.

Anonymous said...

What a compassionate spirit you have. Watching the news breaks your heart doesn't it?

The sad thing is that they believe they are doing the will of God and are more enlightened than the rest of us.

Your prayers are so kind and loving. May God bless them and heal them.

Anonymous said...

Amen! I'm praying for the available foster families in their dealing with this situation. Also praying that more people in that area will be led to make themselves available to help.

Nate's Mom

Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! said...

I've been watching the story unfold and it just breaks my heart. I wondered how the state would handle it and if they'd have enough resources.

I know this is crazy, but a lot of times, I wish I qualified to foster parent. I think about it a lot.

Natalie Witcher said...

What an unbelieveable thing. It's amazing that so much of this goes under the radar. I pray with you!

Anonymous said...

Amanda,

I thought you might want to know that there is book out right now about this polygimist cult. It is titled Escape, by Carolyn Jessup. The author actually escaped from this very cult that has been on the news. Her book is heartbreaking, but a very good read. I echo your prayers for these people.

ocean mommy said...

I saw this on the news last night as we were headed to bed. My heart broke as I watched those church vans pull away with those innocent little faces staring out the windows. How scared and confused they must be...

We HAVE to pray for those ladies and children...

I was glad to see that Christians in that area are stepping up to help....

Anonymous said...

I'm watching this closely and am praying that God will show them His love and security. In the news I noticed a Baptist bus helping take some of the children out of the compound. My prayer has been that the christian church will reach out to these precious women and children. I know churches will.

Three Fold Cord said...

Oh Lord I agree with Amanda as she lifts these children and women to you. I pray Father that your truth and Light will be in their hearts and that Men and Women of God will be placed along their path to lead them to you and your love. In the precious name of Jesus who says, Let all of the little children come unto me!!

The Ugly Beautiful said...

I AMEN that...in Jesus' name!!! Thanks for that much needed prayer! You exude compassion! And thanks for the sweet pics of your little guy! :)

connorcolesmom said...

It is so sad - I was glued to Anderson Cooper last night watching all the details of it!
Oh I pray that God will be glorified and those women and children protected!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Amanda:

I am immediately and prfoundly struck by something you wrote in your e-mail...

"...reporters are saying that this is the biggest child protective services intervention in the history of Texas."

How thankful I am for the biggest "child protective service intervention" that occured upon this earthly soil over 2000 years ago.

The one and only God who authored that protection for me back then, is the same God who authors his interventive protection to these tender children even now.

PRAISE his holy and righteous Name!

peace~elaine

3girlsmom said...

I cannot understand sickness like this. I cannot understand why a guy like Warren Jeffs is locked up, but Debra Lafave is free. There is such a double standard for sex offenders and the ones who suffer from it are the kids. I'm glad the police are taking this so seriously and are working to get these kids out of that horrific environment. Maybe, one day, all sex offenders will be locked away forever so that no child can be hurt by them again.

Katie said...

AMEN, LORD! AMEN!!

Fran said...

Amen Amanda!! I pray in agreement with you!!

Love,
Fran

valerie said...

I have been reading about this. It's so sad!
I feel the same way Kelly does...."why can't all children have a chance to have a happy home and feel loved and secure the way my kids were and the way I was?" It makes me so sad because I feel helpless. I pray they can be healed and find loving homes.
Valerie

Anonymous said...

Amen & amen.

FitzandMolly said...

My first roommate from college is now living as one of the wives of a polygamist here in Texas. She's so completely different than who she was then - she has truly been brainwashed by the enemy. Pray that God would transform them by the renewing of their minds, and open their eyes to HIS truth.

Erica said...

Amanda,
I love how the passion you have for Jesus and the compassion you have for his children leak out in everything you do. Reading about your everyday life and how the Lord infuses it with His truth inspired me to get to workin' on my own blog. Here it is: http://ericasfamily-erica.blogspot.com/
Have a blessed day.
Erica

The Henrie Family said...

Amanda, thank you for lifting these women and children up in prayer...they need it!! How awesome that we can pray on the behalf of others!
When I read this article in the paper my heart sank for these children. Foster care can be a wonderful ministry!!! You will be blessed while serving these percious children. For all your readers: if you have even the smallest interest in becoming a foster parent please inquire more at http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/adoption_and_foster_care/

Ironically with this largest ever number of children taken into care this is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Open your heart, open your home, foster and adopt!
(My husband and I are foster parents)

Anonymous said...

Oh, my, What a story!! I don't watch a lot of news but I do watch local and state news and because this happened in Texas I have been following this. My prayer is that God exposes all the horrible things coming out of this place and that the persons responsible are punished. I cannot bear child abuse.

Deidre said...

So difficult to understand...

"Sheep without a Shepherd" is so appropriate. Praying.....

Erica said...

I was reading in Psalm 10 this morning, and I immediately thought of your post.
vs. 14
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
vs 17-18
You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Finally an Abrigg..... said...

Amanda,
I'm glad you don't live in the Metroplex anymore. :) A tornado swept through your old city last night....and my city. I had to duck and cover. Not to mention, our tree got struck by lightning and fell our neighbor's roof.

For some reason, I thought about you as I was in my hallway with pillows. ;)

su said...

Thank you Amanda. I've been thinking about them for days, rejoicing at such a huge moment that follows years of bondage, and knowing that the freedom has only just begun. Most of those children are probably very nervous, possibly tramatized at the thought of the unknown. But we have such a good God. I'm so glad that He's done this.