Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, north of Dallas, was one of two area churches to receive a written bomb threat, warning of explosions there on Christmas eve. Its longtime pastor Tommy Nelson responded to his congregation like so:

Y’all,

Take a knee.

You’ve probably heard by this time if you watch the news that we have had our first gen-u-ine bomb threat.   It came in the mail Monday afternoon from a gen-u-ine super villian.  Wouldn’t you know, it came 24 hours after I had boasted of our fair city’s apathy versus Dallas’s tirades.

Anyway, though this letter was not from Lex Luthor, The Joker or even The Penguin, we still must take all threats seriously and we shall.  We shall have Christmas Eve as always but you will notice more folks at the entrances with more eyes.  People write such threats for two reasons.  A hatred toward what you stand for and a desire to disrupt through “terror” (hence the moniker), and also for the delight of their 15 minutes.  Someone is no doubt up early this morning watching Fox 4 and chortling over their “beautiful wickedness” (c.f. Wicked Witch of the West).

We don’t yield to fear. We are Christians.  We rejoice to be counted “worthy to suffer for His name’s sake.” Death and evil are conquered for us and our God sits supremely on the throne.  If it breathes we do not fear it.  But like Nehemiah in Nehemiah 4 we will build with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other, with others on the watch.  We shall be vigilant until evil loses heart.  But stop the work? Who do men think we are?  “Should a man such as I flee?!”

So, nothing changes.  Come on if you planned to do so.  But, make things simple by not bringing a backpack, a package, or some big bulky anything, lest a choir member frisk you or strip search you. Nothing kills the Christmas spirit quicker.

Be praying that God be glorified. See ya.

Tommy

Can’t say it often enough: God bless Texas.