I have had mixed emotions about this whole situation, ranging from total shock and total sadness and somewhere in between there has also been, (due to my human nature) a fair bit of anger. Not anger directed at any one individual, but at the course of events, uncontrolled rhetoric and negative attitudes that have led up to this terrible tragedy. I have also had my times of questioning why and how something this terrible can happen. It just goes to show how your thoughts are real things and as the old saying goes “you are what you read” well– you are also what you think and say. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he” and “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. (Matthew 12:34b) All of you who had anything to do with fueling Ricky’s bitterness, condoning his attitudes and sympathizing with him, have taken part in his crime and had a grip on his knife.

Loss of life is never a good thing and I wish I could write how I feel about this on every occasion that people experience a loss. My heart goes out to all involved, but time fails me to do so. However, since this situation has hit a little closer to home and I know both of the people involved I feel compelled to write. Especially since this whole situation has the potential to get caught up in an uncontrollable wild fire ignited by our antagonistic detractors and fueled by rumors and unfounded hearsay. All of which I interpret as a direct attack on the lifestyle I have chosen to live and the heritage with which I wish to raise my children as well as the calling I feel compelled to fulfill in my life, which is to spread God’s love to the world as per his commandment in, Mark16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!” And to “Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). But to “Be a follower of Christ”(1 Corinthians 11:1), and to show his love and salvation to my fellow man. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples; if ye have love one to another”. (John 13:35)

Speaking of raising children, I have three of my own and consider myself extremely blessed to have them. An important instinct God has given all of his creation regardless of their species is to protect their young and nurture them till they are old enough to fend for themselves and in turn protect and raise their own young. In bringing this up I’m not trying to deviate from the subject matter, but to make the point that due to that strong feeling being present in my life of wanting to protect and care for my children I want to do all I can to ensure that they grow up well adjusted and ready to face life with a positive attitude. In thinking how to do this when I started my family I could see no other alternative than to model my children’s upbringing after my own, very pleasant and happy one as a member of the Family. I was brought up as a world traveler, well socialized and taught to look to the needs of others and to show compassion and that true love prefers the happiness of others to your own; to put it in a nutshell.

I want to bring my children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to live by his commandment of love; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and mind, and your neighbor as your self”. (Matthew 22:37-40)

I want to protect them from the pollutions of the world and its godless schools and heartless Mammon (A dog eat dog, rat race, survival of the fittest, don’t care who you step on to get rich society, even though it has been proven that riches don’t bring happiness or peace of mind.) Sound too idealistic? - MAYBE! But it’s working for me and mine and we’re happy! Does that bother you? - SORRY!! I’m in the best place there is to be, in my opinion, and my children are well adjusted and happy. So until you can show me a better way of life (which I highly doubt) this is where I choose to stay. As in the words of Martin Luther “Here I stand I can do no other.”

In conclusion: A word to all those of you who would like to use this tragedy to further your agenda of hate and the destruction of God’s movement of love. “If this work be of man it will come to naught, but if it be of God you can not stand against it, lest you be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:38b-39). The Bible also tells us that “the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (John 16:2b). Will you be one of those who thinks they’re serving God?

There comes a time in life where you have to face reality, that reality being; we are all responsible for the consequences of our own actions and decisions in life. You have to be man or woman enough to stop whining and blaming all your problems or lack of happiness on other people or circumstances and conditions, especially those that are based on fictitious memories that are clouded by your own bitterness and guilt. You have got to move on with your life! If most of your time and thoughts revolve around the past and you can’t get over it and move on, the only conclusion I come to is that you are not happy and that you don’t have much of a “life”-PERIOD!

So in saying what I am about to say, I don’t say it out of spite or anger, but out of genuine concern for your happiness…

—GET A LIFE!! I’m happy with mine so LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Matthew 5:10-12, Matthew 5:44, Romans 8:31b

Sincerely,
Tim Forsberg

Tim Forsberg is a second generation member of the Family International.