# 8-29-2023 - Jacksonville Shooting, Intensifying Storms off of Florida, Trump’s Busy Schedule

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 29 Aug 2023, 16 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/4adf8caa-3c14-40da-b88f-b4d7001a564a/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • 3 people were killed in the Jacksonville shooting after a racially motivated attack. • Tropical Storm Idalia and Hurricane Franklin intensify as they approach the Florida coast. • Trump’s lawyers negotiateing potential trial dates amidst upcoming election. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:01] Speaker 1: Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight away out
[0:05] Speaker 1: of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him,
[0:09] Speaker 1: and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
[0:12] Speaker 1: dove and lighting upon him, and lo, a voice from
[0:16] Speaker 1: heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
[0:20] Speaker 1: am well pleased. Dear God, thank you for baptizing me,
[0:27] Speaker 1: not just with water, but with your Spirit and fire,
[0:31] Speaker 1: When I accepted your son Jesus, you purified me from
[0:35] Speaker 1: all unrighteousness and rescued me from darkness. Help me to
[0:39] Speaker 1: look to Jesus as an example of how to live.
[0:43] Speaker 1: I want you to be well pleased with me just
[0:45] Speaker 1: as you are with him. I pray that I remember
[0:49] Speaker 1: that my baptism was just the beginning of my faith journey,
[0:53] Speaker 1: not the end. Each day, I have the opportunity to
[0:56] Speaker 1: choose to live for you. Thank you for sending Jesus
[1:00] Speaker 1: to save me And listening to my prayer, you are
[1:03] Speaker 1: such a good Father who has given me all I
[1:05] Speaker 1: need for life and godliness. In Jesus' name, amen. Welcome
[1:12] Speaker 1: to Pray News, where hope is our only bias. Here's
[1:15] Speaker 1: today's news at a glance. Three people were killed in
[1:20] Speaker 1: the Jacksonville shooting after a racially motivated attack. Tropical storm
[1:25] Speaker 1: Idalia and Hurricane Franklin intensify as they approach the Florida coast.
[1:31] Speaker 1: Trump's lawyers negotiate potential trial dates amidst the upcoming election.
[1:36] Speaker 1: We say hope is our only bias, but what does
[1:39] Speaker 1: that mean exactly? Some people think being hopeful means ignoring
[1:43] Speaker 1: all the bad things and only focusing on the positive.
[1:46] Speaker 1: While that's tempting, it ignores the heart of God. The
[1:49] Speaker 1: Lord has his eyes on the brokenness of this world
[1:52] Speaker 1: and calls us to address it with love, compassion, and truth.
[1:56] Speaker 1: Hope is our only bias, is a declaration, that even
[1:59] Speaker 1: in the midst of brokenness, corruption, and heartache, God is
[2:03] Speaker 1: in control and is using us to make the world
[2:06] Speaker 1: a better place. Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
[2:10] Speaker 1: and our faith is anchored in the hope that Christ
[2:12] Speaker 1: can redeem any situation, culture, or individual. We're glad that
[2:17] Speaker 1: you're here with us today to relentlessly pursue hope. If
[2:21] Speaker 1: Pray News has blessed you, please share it with a friend.
[2:24] Speaker 1: We want everyone to experience the hope of the gospel
[2:27] Speaker 1: and be informed and transformed. Before we get into our
[2:31] Speaker 1: first story, let's hear from our sponsors. Today's first story
[2:36] Speaker 1: is about the racially motivated shooting in Jacksonville that sparked
[2:40] Speaker 1: urgent conversations. Tragedy has struck in the city of Jacksonville, Florida,
[2:47] Speaker 1: as a racially motivated shooting claimed the lives of three
[2:50] Speaker 1: innocent individuals at a Dollar General store. This appalling act
[2:55] Speaker 1: of violence has ignited a federal hate crime investigation, raising
[2:59] Speaker 1: profound questions about our nation's state, our leaders' responsibility, and
[3:04] Speaker 1: the urgent need for accountability. The shooting, which occurred on
[3:08] Speaker 1: a fateful Saturday, resulted from a white gunman's actions. Armed
[3:13] Speaker 1: with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, the assailant targeted
[3:18] Speaker 1: Black individuals within the store. Angela Michelle Carr, age 52,
[3:24] Speaker 1: Anolt Joseph or A.J. Laguerre Jr., age 19, and Gerald Galleon,
[3:31] Speaker 1: age 29, lost their lives in this senseless act. Authorities
[3:35] Speaker 1: have revealed that the gunman, identified as 21-year-old Ryan Christopher Palmiter,
[3:41] Speaker 1: not only used racial slurs during the attack, but also
[3:44] Speaker 1: left behind racist writings. The Jacksonville sheriff, T.K. Waters, stated
[3:50] Speaker 1: that the shooter had clearly intended to target black people.
[3:53] Speaker 1: leaving the community in shock and mourning. This tragic event
[3:58] Speaker 1: underscores the importance of holding leaders accountable for promoting unity
[4:03] Speaker 1: and addressing hate. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan aptly expressed the
[4:08] Speaker 1: need to end division, hate, and divisive rhetoric. The words
[4:14] Speaker 1: of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3.28 remind us that,
[4:15] Speaker 1: There is no male and female, for you are all
[4:17] Speaker 1: one in Christ Jesus. This biblical truth emphasizes all individuals'
[4:42] Speaker 1: inherent value and equality, transcending racial and social barriers. Amidst
[4:48] Speaker 1: the grief and pain, there is an urgent need to
[4:51] Speaker 1: seek understanding and address the root causes of such violence.
[4:55] Speaker 1: Jacksonville Sheriff Waters cautioned against attempting to find reason in
[4:59] Speaker 1: the senseless act of violence, acknowledging that no explanation could
[5:03] Speaker 1: justify the gunman's actions. This sentiment reflects the deep bewilderment
[5:08] Speaker 1: that often accompanies such acts of hatred. The Christian perspective
[5:13] Speaker 1: calls us to seek not only justice but also the
[5:16] Speaker 1: transformation of hearts. In Matthew 5, 44, Jesus instructs us
[5:21] Speaker 1: to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
[5:25] Speaker 1: While this may seem counterintuitive, it speaks to the transformative
[5:29] Speaker 1: power of love and forgiveness in the face of hatred.
[5:33] Speaker 1: This tragic event is not isolated. It is part of
[5:37] Speaker 1: a broader pattern of violence targeting minority communities. As the
[5:41] Speaker 1: nation reflects on this and similar acts, it becomes evident
[5:45] Speaker 1: that systemic change is necessary. Addressing the root causes of racism, hatred,
[5:50] Speaker 1: and violence requires a collective effort involving individuals, communities, and leaders.
[5:56] Speaker 1: The Bible urges us to seek justice, correct oppression, bring
[6:00] Speaker 1: justice to the fatherless. plead the widow's cause. This call
[6:04] Speaker 1: to action extends to leaders in every sphere, challenging them
[6:08] Speaker 1: to create policies and foster environments that promote equality, justice,
[6:12] Speaker 1: and understanding. Let us pray for the families of the victims,
[6:16] Speaker 1: for healing within the community, and for wisdom among our leaders.
[6:21] Speaker 1: Let us also renew our commitment to being instruments of change,
[6:25] Speaker 1: embodying Christ's love and compassion in a world that so
[6:28] Speaker 1: desperately needs it. As we move forward, May our actions
[6:32] Speaker 1: and attitudes reflect the timeless truth that every individual is
[6:36] Speaker 1: created in the image of God, deserving of dignity, respect,
[6:40] Speaker 1: and the right to live free from fear and hatred.
[6:44] Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, in the wake of this tragic event, we
[6:48] Speaker 1: come before you with heavy hearts, seeking comfort and healing
[6:51] Speaker 1: for the families of the victims and the entire Jacksonville community.
[6:56] Speaker 1: We pray that the leaders rise to the challenge of
[6:59] Speaker 1: promoting unity and addressing hatred. Grant us the wisdom to
[7:03] Speaker 1: seek understanding and work towards systemic change, guided by your
[7:07] Speaker 1: love and compassion. May we be agents of healing and transformation,
[7:13] Speaker 1: stand against hate, and promote justice and equality. Amid darkness,
[7:18] Speaker 1: may your light shine through us, leading us on a
[7:20] Speaker 1: path of love and unity. Amen. Our next story is
[7:25] Speaker 1: about Tropical Storm Idalia and Hurricane Franklin. As the Atlantic
[7:31] Speaker 1: hurricane season gains momentum, a double threat has emerged with
[7:35] Speaker 1: Tropical Storm Idalia and Hurricane Franklin intensifying. The unfolding weather
[7:40] Speaker 1: events have prompted concerns and preparations along the Gulf Coast,
[7:44] Speaker 1: emphasizing the crucial role of accountability and responsible leadership in
[7:48] Speaker 1: times of crisis. Tropical Storm Idalia, currently off the coast
[7:54] Speaker 1: of Cuba, is forecasted to become a major hurricane with
[7:57] Speaker 1: a potential trajectory toward the southern U.S. Gulf Coast. Governor
[8:02] Speaker 1: Ron DeSantis of Florida addressed the situation in a Monday
[8:06] Speaker 1: morning news conference, urging residents to brace themselves for significant impacts.
[8:11] Speaker 1: The National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Adalia to strike Florida
[8:15] Speaker 1: as a major hurricane, making preparation and precautionary measures essential. Simultaneously,
[8:22] Speaker 1: Hurricane Franklin strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm with
[8:26] Speaker 1: sustained winds of 130 mph. Although there are no coastal
[8:31] Speaker 1: warnings or watches associated with Franklin, its effects are expected
[8:35] Speaker 1: to include life-threatening surf and rip currents along the U.S.
[8:38] Speaker 1: East Coast. As our nation's leaders navigate these challenges, it's
[8:44] Speaker 1: vital to reflect on the principles of accountability and responsible stewardship.
[8:49] Speaker 1: Leaders are entrusted with the safety and well-being of their constituents,
[8:53] Speaker 1: and their decisions can have far-reaching consequences. The actions taken
[8:58] Speaker 1: now to prepare for and respond to these storms will
[9:02] Speaker 1: impact the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals. In times
[9:06] Speaker 1: of crisis, leadership entails not only making strategic decisions, but
[9:11] Speaker 1: also communicating transparently and effectively with the public. Honesty about
[9:17] Speaker 1: the potential risks and the steps being taken to mitigate
[9:20] Speaker 1: them fosters a sense of trust and unity within communities.
[9:24] Speaker 1: Responsible leadership requires a recognition of the gravity of the
[9:28] Speaker 1: situation and a commitment to prioritize the welfare of the
[9:32] Speaker 1: people above personal or political interests. From a Christian perspective,
[9:37] Speaker 1: the call to leadership is a sacred responsibility guided by
[9:41] Speaker 1: biblical principles. Proverbs 29.2 reminds us that, When the righteous
[9:46] Speaker 1: are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule,
[9:50] Speaker 1: the people groan. This verse underscores the importance of leaders
[9:55] Speaker 1: who act with integrity, humility, and a heart for the
[9:58] Speaker 1: well-being of those they serve. Moreover, James 3, 17-18 provides
[10:04] Speaker 1: a blueprint for godly leadership. But the wisdom that comes
[10:08] Speaker 1: from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive,
[10:13] Speaker 1: full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers
[10:19] Speaker 1: who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. This
[10:23] Speaker 1: wisdom resonates in the face of natural disasters, urging leaders
[10:28] Speaker 1: to prioritize peace, mercy, and the common good. As the
[10:33] Speaker 1: nation watches and waits for the paths of Adalia and
[10:36] Speaker 1: Franklin to unfold, let us remember the importance of accountable leadership, transparency,
[10:42] Speaker 1: and compassion. Let us pray for the safety of all
[10:45] Speaker 1: those affected and for the wisdom of our leaders as
[10:48] Speaker 1: they navigate these challenges. May they recognize their responsibility to
[10:52] Speaker 1: serve and protect, reflecting the love and care that Christ
[10:56] Speaker 1: demonstrated for his people. Heavenly Father, as Tropical Storm Idalia
[11:02] Speaker 1: and Hurricane Franklin intensify, we lift up those in their path,
[11:07] Speaker 1: asking for protection and safety. We pray for wisdom and
[11:11] Speaker 1: discernment for our leaders as they navigate these challenges, making
[11:15] Speaker 1: decisions that prioritize the well-being of their constituents. May transparency, compassion,
[11:21] Speaker 1: and responsible stewardship guide their actions, reflecting the love and
[11:25] Speaker 1: care shown by your Son, Jesus Christ. In the face
[11:28] Speaker 1: of adversity, we seek your refuge and strength, trusting in
[11:33] Speaker 1: your guidance. Amen. Our final story discusses Trump's lawyers negotiating
[11:39] Speaker 1: potential trial dates amidst the upcoming election. Continuing the legal
[11:44] Speaker 1: saga surrounding former U.S. President Donald Trump, a pivotal hearing
[11:49] Speaker 1: is set to take place on Monday morning at the
[11:51] Speaker 1: federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. The heart of the matter
[11:56] Speaker 1: revolves around disagreements between Trump's legal team and special counsel,
[12:00] Speaker 1: Jack Smith, over the trial date for the federal election
[12:03] Speaker 1: subversion criminal case against the former president. As this case unfolds,
[12:08] Speaker 1: it underscores the importance of accountability for our nation's leaders,
[12:11] Speaker 1: a principle deeply rooted in our Christian values. The divergent
[12:16] Speaker 1: positions between the two sides have been laid out in
[12:19] Speaker 1: recent filings submitted to the U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkin.
[12:23] Speaker 1: While special counsel Jack Smith proposed the trial date of
[12:26] Speaker 1: January 2, 2024, Trump's legal team is advocating for the
[12:30] Speaker 1: trial to begin in April 2026. This significant discrepancy sets
[12:35] Speaker 1: the stage for a critical hearing where both sides will
[12:38] Speaker 1: present their arguments directly to the judge. Smith's team contends
[12:43] Speaker 1: that their presentation of evidence will take no longer than
[12:45] Speaker 1: four to six weeks, suggesting that Trump could find himself
[12:49] Speaker 1: in court before a jury during the crucial initial months
[12:51] Speaker 1: of a presidential election year. This timing would align with
[12:55] Speaker 1: the start of the primary voting for Republicans. On the
[12:59] Speaker 1: other hand, Trump's legal team strongly opposes Smith's proposed timeline,
[13:03] Speaker 1: asserting that it denies them a fair opportunity to prepare
[13:06] Speaker 1: adequately for the trial. Trump's legal challenges extend beyond this
[13:11] Speaker 1: federal election subversion case. He also faces other criminal and
[13:15] Speaker 1: civil cases, including charges related to classified documents, the hush
[13:19] Speaker 1: money case in New York, and the Georgia election subversion case.
[13:23] Speaker 1: With multiple legal battles on his plate, Trump's defense team
[13:27] Speaker 1: argues that scheduling conflicts need to be carefully considered to
[13:30] Speaker 1: ensure a fair progress in each case. As Christians, we
[13:36] Speaker 1: are called to uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and accountability.
[13:40] Speaker 1: The Bible reminds us in Romans 13.1, let everyone be
[13:44] Speaker 1: subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
[13:48] Speaker 1: except that which God has established. Leaders, just like every individual,
[13:53] Speaker 1: are accountable for their actions and must adhere to the
[13:55] Speaker 1: laws of the land. This principle transcends political affiliations and
[14:00] Speaker 1: power dynamics. Furthermore, Proverbs 21.3 teaches us, to do what
[14:05] Speaker 1: is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord
[14:08] Speaker 1: than sacrifice. Accountability is a reflection of righteousness. Whether in
[14:13] Speaker 1: the highest echelons of power or in the humility of
[14:16] Speaker 1: everyday life, we are called to take responsibility for our
[14:19] Speaker 1: actions and decisions. As we watch this legal battle unfold,
[14:24] Speaker 1: let us remember that accountability is not only a legal matter,
[14:27] Speaker 1: but a moral and ethical one as well. Our leaders
[14:30] Speaker 1: set an example for the nation, and their actions have
[14:33] Speaker 1: far-reaching consequences. We should pray for wisdom and discernment for
[14:37] Speaker 1: the judge, the legal teams, and all those involved. May
[14:40] Speaker 1: justice prevail in a manner that upholds the value of
[14:43] Speaker 1: integrity and transparency. Lord God, we lift up this legal
[14:48] Speaker 1: process before you, asking for wisdom and discernment for all involved,
[14:53] Speaker 1: including the judge and legal teams. May justice be pursued
[14:57] Speaker 1: with integrity, transparency, and fairness. Guide our leaders to be
[15:02] Speaker 1: accountable for their actions and decisions, reminding us all that
[15:05] Speaker 1: accountability is a reflection of righteousness. May this case be
[15:09] Speaker 1: resolved justly and in accordance with your principles. In Jesus'
[15:14] Speaker 1: name we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining us today
[15:18] Speaker 1: on Pray News. It is our aim to be informed
[15:22] Speaker 1: and transformed. We pray today that you would proceed with hope, love,
[15:27] Speaker 1: and determination to be a force for good. If you've
[15:30] Speaker 1: enjoyed this take on the news, write us a review
[15:33] Speaker 1: and share your experience. We'd love to hear how this
[15:36] Speaker 1: news has impacted you. You can sign up for our
[15:38] Speaker 1: newsletter at PrayNews.com. There you will find sources for all
[15:43] Speaker 1: of our reporting. And be sure to download the Pray.com
[15:46] Speaker 1: app to make prayer a priority in your life and
[15:49] Speaker 1: experience the Bible come to life.

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