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Wedgwood writes words of love on sanctuary floor

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FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–They wrote to God. They wrote to friends who had been killed or wounded. They wrote to the killer. They even wrote to Satan.

In an act that was part memorial, part ministry and part therapy, many of the young people who had been in Wedgwood Baptist Church’s sanctuary the night Larry Ashbrook opened fire wrote messages of hope, forgiveness and love on the once carpet-covered concrete floors Sept. 21. Throughout the next day and night, others from the church wrote their messages.

I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine, Kathy Brown wrote, quoting Solomon 6:3. Some captured their feelings as they watched their friends die.

I saw your eyes, they were open. I looked at your body, I couldn’t help. We will miss you for awhile. Save a spot for the Wedgies, MCS wrote to Cassandra Griffin. (Wedgies is the nickname members of Wedgwood Baptist Church have given to themselves.)

Some wrote lighter messages to their friends in heaven like, I hope you’re having fun up there and Sing a song for me.
Others recalled where they stood or sat or cowered when the shooting began. Some wrote to Ashbrook who killed eight, including himself and wounded seven just six days earlier, Sept. 15, during a See You At the Pole rally.
Larry Ashbrook, I forgive you, Jeff Nemee wrote.
Another teenager wrote near the spot where Ashbrook committed suicide: We don’t hate you Larry Ashbrook. We hate Satan.

Lisa Jackson wrote to Ashbrook, I forgive you and through Christ’s love toward me I can say that I love you.
The only harsh words were directed to Satan.
Satan, in the name of my sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, I rebuke you from ever passing through these doors again, wrote Eli G. This is my Father’s House. You have no place here. Amen.

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At every entrance, statements like Satan, bite the dust and Satan, you can’t stop us were written. Near the
entrance where Ashbrook first entered the building is a drawing of a cross.

The new sense of commitment that many people have expressed was reflected in the writings, such as Aaron Leddy’s belief that God protected him so that he could tell others about Christ.

Sarah Hood wrote near an exit, This is the way that I ran from this sanctuary on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1999. Lord, please don’t ever let me have to run from your house again. … I will be a witness.

Parents, friends and spouses added to the impromptu memorial, some thanking God for his protection. Thank you, Lord, for saving my lovely wife, Nikki, wrote Jay Fannin, Wedgwood’s youth minister.

On the foyer floor where Sydney Browning died, Robin wrote, The Father saw you fall little sparrow, then He flew you home. Make them laugh, Syd. Oh, how I’ll miss you. I love you.

The messages will soon be covered when the new carpet is installed, but they, like the memories, will forever be a part of Wedgwood Baptist Church.