April 19, 2002

'MRS. MOSKOWITZ

Unfortunately, things have not been working out beween Mrs. Moskowitz and myself. There has been a setback in our relationship. A lot of healing and forgiveness had taken place in previous months (see Journal entries for Dec. 8, 2001 and Jan. 4, 2002). Now things seem to have reversed themselves.

Mrs. Moskowitz wanted me to participate in a media project where we would have to go before a live camera and meet together for the first time. I was tempted to do this for her sake. The producer was going to pay her something, and I have no idea how much. It's none of my business. For I get no compensation and I would never want anything. My only desire would be to glorify the Lord.

But after much prayer about this matter over several months of time, the Lord did not give me ago ahead in my spirit to say "Okay". Thus she was very disappointed and angry. But in spite of her protests to me, I had to tell her "no thank you".

Now, sadly, Mrs. Moskowitz is livid with anger and she's gong back to hating me. She hasn't answered my last few letters and has been swearing at me when she talks with our mutual Christian friend, Betty.

This is a sorrowful situation and my heart has been heavy over everything. So much effort and so many prayers have gone into thie relationship and for Mrs. Moskowitz's healing.

I will contiue to pray for her, yet I feel as if ten years have been lost, that we've moved backwards to the days when she openly railed against me.

Ultimately God can turn any situation around. I had to do what I believed in my heart to be right. I must live to please God only, and not to be a "people pleaser"

David Berkowitz

April 20, 2002

COLUMBINE

On April 20, 1999, twelve students and a teacher died during a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The two gunmen, both of whom were also students at the school, committed suicide at the scene.

Today is the anniversary of this tragedy, and so I said some prayers for healing for those who are still suffering great loss and pain.

I also spent time reading "Chain Reaction: A Call to Compassionate Revolution", by Darrell Scott. His daughter, Rachel, perished in this rampage. I was blessed with the privilege of meeting Darrell on March 29th. (See my Journal entry for April 1, 2002).

I have long ago determined in my heart that I would make Rachel's teachings a part of my life by showing mercy, kindess and forgiveness. I will, with the Lord's help, continue to reach out to other people and show them compassion. I want to keep sharing God's love with everyone, whether they accept it or not.

www.RachelScott.com

David Berkowitz

April 22, 2002

A WALKING KLEENEX

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

2 Corinthians 4:17

It seems as if more and more of my Christian friends are going through extremely intense and agonizing trials, troubles and afflictions.

This evening I just finished a letter to a dear friend in Washington State, Kathie Fitzpatrick. Within the past year she's had to face many fiery trials including the loss of her beloved eighteen year old daugher, Karen.

Karen Lee was a member of U.S. Forest Service. She died while fighting a wildfire in the Chewuch River Canyon about 30 miles north of the little town of Winthrop. This tragedy occurred on July 10, 2001 in what has been historically called the "Thirtymile Fire."

In her recent letter, Kathie shared with me about a new wave of struggles she's now going through. So after a period of prayer, the Lord directed me to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. This is a familiar passage of Scripture that encourages Christians wo are undergoing difficultlies.

I told Kathie in my letter that I felt God was getting ready to use her in a special way. I said that the pains and hurts she's been having are perfecting her for a deeper, greater, and even a more tender ministry.

I also told Kathie that God was going to make her into a "walking Kleenex tissue." Hurting people are going to be crying on her shoulders. I said that she was going to touch them with Jesus' love in ways that other Christians who haven't gone through as much will never be able to do.

Kathie is now a full-fledged 'wound-healer".

David Berkowitz

April 23, 2002

THE THIRTYMILE FIRE

I got a sick feeling in my gut as soon as I had heard the news report that four U.S. Forest Service firefighters were killed while trying to put out a large wildfire in Washington State.

I felt unsettled and uneasy, and I remember saying a brief prayer for the family members who were surely devastated by this tragedy.

This was on July 11, 2001. For on July 10th, those four firefighters lost their lives, and it wasn't until the next day that the news media from around the world began to report on this event in ever-increasing intensity.

As more detailed reports began to come in, the public began to realize that some of these firefighters were amazingly young. Their ages were 18, 19, 23 and 30. And then their names were anounced. When I heard the name Karen Lee FitzPatrick, age 18, from Yakima, Washington, I knew. My dear friends lost their daughter.

Karen Lee FitzPatrick was a devout Christian. Her favorite Bible verse was Romans 5:8. She was a beautiful, vibrant, athletic and 'full of the love of God" girl.

I immediately wrote to my friends. I did what I could from more that 3,000 miles away to offer some words of encouragement.

Now, even after almost a year, their faith is still strong. Having to answer Kathie FitzPatrick's last letter (see yesterday's Journal entry) made me relive this.

And if anyone would like to read about the Thirtymile Fire and about Karen Lee FitzPatrick who's life has been and still is and inspiration to so many, there is the website: www.lastalarm.org.

David Berkowitz