Now this is the type of Christian I hope I can become

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Anton Bruckner

Puritan Board Professor
Georgia Woman Held Hostage Describes Ordeal
Police Praise Mother as 'Very Cool and Levelheaded'
By DANIEL YEE, AP



CNN


Ashley Smith says she cooked pancakes for murder suspect Brian Nichols as she urged him to surrender.
Video: Hostage Details Ordeal


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ATLANTA (March 14) - For hours, Ashley Smith gently talked to the armed suspect in Atlanta's courthouse slayings, turning from hostage to confidant as they discussed God, family, pancakes and the massive manhunt going on outside her apartment.

''I believe God brought him to my door,'' Smith said Sunday, only hours after her 911 call ended a manhunt for Brian Nichols, who is accused of shooting four people since Friday.

Over the course of the night, Nichols untied Smith, and some of the fear lessened as they talked. Nichols told Smith he felt like ''he was already dead,'' but Smith urged him to consider the fact that he was still alive a ''miracle.''

''You're here in my apartment for some reason,'' she told him, saying he might be destined to be caught and to spread the word of God to fellow prisoners. She told him his escape from authorities had been a ''miracle.''

Smith, 33, later called 911 after she was freed, and police soon surrounded her suburban apartment complex. Nichols gave up peacefully, waving a white towel in surrender.

''I honestly think when I looked at him that he didn't want to do it anymore,'' Smith said. If he did not give up, she told him, ''Lots more people are probably going get hurt and you're probably going to die.''

Police said they were impressed by the way Smith handled herself.

''She acted very cool and levelheaded. We don't normally see that in our profession,'' said Gwinnett County Police Officer Darren Moloney. ''It was an absolutely best-case scenario that happened, a complete opposite of what you expected to happen. We were prepared for the worst and got the best.''

The crime spree began when Nichols allegedly overpowered a courthouse deputy escorting him to his rape trial Friday and took the deputy's gun, then killed the presiding judge and court reporter. He also is accused of killing a deputy who tried to stop him outside the courthouse and a federal agent during his flight from authorities.

Smith said her ordeal began around 2 a.m. Saturday morning with Nichols sticking a gun in her side in the parking lot of her apartment when she returned from a store.


Bloodshed in Atlanta




He tied her up and told her to sit in the bathroom while he took a shower. ''He said, 'I'm not going to hurt you if you just do what I say,''' she said. He told her: ''I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anybody else.''

Choking back tears Sunday, she said she told Nichols that her husband died four years ago and if he hurt her, her little girl wouldn't have a mother or father. Smith's attorney, Josh Archer, said her husband died in her arms after being stabbed.

The two talked about the Bible and she handed him photos of her family. When morning came, Nichols was ''overwhelmed'' when Smith made him pancakes with real butter, she said. He told her he ''just wanted some normalness to his life,'' she said.

The two watched television news reports about the slayings and the manhunt. ''I cannot believe that's me on there,'' Smith quoted Nichols as saying.

When Nichols finally let Smith go to see her 5-year-old daughter, he said he wanted to stay at the apartment for a few more days. She said she thought he knew she was going to call 911 after she left.

Nichols could appear in federal court as early as Monday to face a charge of possession of a firearm by a person under indictment, the charge authorities are using to keep Nichols in custody while they sort out charging in the slayings, said U.S. Attorney David Nahmias.


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The Fulton County District Attorney's Office hopes to formally charge Nichols with the new crimes within 30 days, spokesman Erik Friedly said Sunday. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard still would like to resolve Nichols' interrupted rape retrial.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday that a courthouse surveillance camera recorded Nichols' initial surprise attack on Deputy Cynthia Hall but that no one in the control center noticed the assault.

''It's not just horrible, it was preventable,'' Senior Superior Court Judge Philip Etheridge told the newspaper.

A video camera, which is supposed to be monitored by two guards in a command post, shows Nichols and the deputy arriving in the holding area between two courtrooms, according to a law enforcement official who saw the tape. The video shows Hall guiding Nichols, whose hands are still handcuffed behind his back, into one of two open cells.

Hall releases one cuff and turns Nichols around to unhook the remaining cuff. But the muscular, 33-year-old Nichols then lunges at Hall, knocking the petite, 51-year-old grandmother backward into another cell. Both disappear from camera view. Two to three minutes later, Nichols emerges from the cell, holding Hall's gun belt and police radio. He picks up her keys from the floor and locks her in the cell.

A few minutes later, he emerges in civilian clothes. He locks the door behind him and calmly walks out of the holding area, carrying the gun belt, according to the official who saw the tape.

Judge Etheridge said Hall should not have been alone with Nichols, a former college linebacker who had been found with two sharpened door hinges in his socks earlier in the week.

Hall remained in critical condition Sunday, Grady Memorial Hospital officials said. Killed were Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, court reporter Julie Brandau, Sgt. Hoyt Teasley and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent David Wilhelm.


03-14-05 0517EST

Copyright 2005 The Associated
 
God was more than with her, God was in her working His will out. Can you imagine cooking pancakes with real butter???????????? and serving it to an armed criminal. Only God could possess a person to do something so out of this world, that yields fruits of peace.
 
I read that this morning...How wonderful is the Lord?!-

I remeber a woman who was carjacked by a serial rapist. The same thing basically happened. She was a Christian, stayed calm (though naturally was a little tearful and fearful), talked to the man, told him that whatever happens she would forgive him and then started talking to him about Christ (after he asked her how she could be so calm knowing what he was).

As Christians, I believe we face trials and death differently than many around us. Even nurses in a hospital will tell that you see almost tell a Christian from one who is not by the way they die (peacefully and accepting vs fighting it every step of the way) and Christian parents of fatally ill children are usually less angry.

What a Peace His Grace brings!
 
Hey, if I cooked pancakes, for a criminal or not, they're made with REAL butter. :D


I think she did a terrific job, though. It shows where her heart is. Her dh died in her arms from stab wounds, yet despite her past grief, and no doubt concern, her trusting in God is truely evident.

Same thing, I think with Lisa Beamer...though I never read her book. But to me both are true examples of grace while under fire. And I hope that I would act similarly under trying circumstances.
 
Hope everyone doesn't mind. :) I'm linking this page to a secular discussion board I frequent so they can not only read the article, but also the comments from the community.

Time to break out of the huddle. :)
 
She read a passage from the Purpose Driven Life to the killer. Mr. Warren didn't need it but he's about to get a whole bunch more publicity. Why couldn't she have read some Lloyd-Jones or even Sproul to him? Oh well.
 
well its good that she read something merely religious to him. When I first came to the faith, I was the typical Dispensational etc. But after immersion I gradually moved to the Reformist doctrine of Calvin. But we have to get people in the faith to begin with.

If they come through the Dispensational way or come through the straight Reformist Calvinist way, to me it doesn't matter, as long as they come.
 
Yep, I just heard about the PDL thing too. While the Lord was still with her, this was kind of a bummer in a way. However, if Mr. Warren uses this to advertise his PDL book it will make me want to :barfy:
 
Originally posted by houseparent
Yep, I just heard about the PDL thing too. While the Lord was still with her, this was kind of a bummer in a way. However, if Mr. Warren uses this to advertise his PDL book it will make me want to :barfy:

One thing that I've noticed about Rick Warren that I like is that he doesn't come across as flashy and super self promotional ala Benny Hinn and most TV Preachers, in every interview I've ever read or seen with him he's seemed really humble and down to earth.:2cents:
 
The thing I love about being Reformed is that there is always a way to take the excitement and joy out of a good situation. :judge:
 
Originally posted by SolaScriptura
The thing I love about being Reformed is that there is always a way to take the excitement and joy out of a good situation. :judge:
:ditto:

God worked well before Sproul, Lloyd-Jones, Spurgeon or any of our wonderful men of the reformed faith were born. And God worked and CONTINUES to work in churches that are not REFORMED or CALVINISTIC, effectively calling His people, saving and preserving them and working in them, despite bad theology, to conform them to His image for His glory and our good.

Despite Warren's philosophy, I do believe He's a brother in the Lord. And the Lord has used his material, in spite of the errors, to bring a whole new set of folks into considering the Christian faith (and some TO faith). We say that the Lord doesn't need us, but to consider it an honor when He does use us. What about when He uses others, who, though they don't hold the same theological convictions and traditions, nevertheless still serve the same God as we do, albeit imperfectly ??

headshake.gif


A case of RATS if I've ever seen it.....

Praise be to God alone that anyone's material was used.

[Edited on 3-14-2005 by OS_X]
 
Hey, I have no problem with the PDL being used I suppose, but I will if Warren uses this situation to shill his book.
 
Originally posted by SolaScriptura
The thing I love about being Reformed is that there is always a way to take the excitement and joy out of a good situation. :judge:

I have to say this is a fallacious and tiresome take on the reformed faith.
This is certainly not being charitable to those whom you believe are not being charitable. Not to mention seeming arrogant and condescending.
I assume that these comments were intended at least somewhat in jest, and this is not intended to be a personal critique, but only referencing this comment.:2cents:
 
Originally posted by lwadkins
I have to say this is a fallacious and tiresome take on the reformed faith.
This is certainly not being charitable to those whom you believe are not being charitable. Not to mention seeming arrogant and condescending.
I assume that these comments were intended at least somewhat in jest, and this is not intended to be a personal critique, but only referencing this comment.:2cents:

Call it what you will... but taking the joy and excitement out of this great moment was precisely what was occuring. Can I get a witness?
Of course we can all say what we would have preferred to happen in our own ideal world, but to nay say right in the context of what truly was a remarkable thing seems... well...
 
Hey Ben, I'm trying to take you seriously while I'm looking at your avatar and I gotta say, it's a challenge. I mentioned the Rick Warren connection because it was a part of the story but I admit I mean't the mention to be a sardonic commentary. I was jesting. My timing wasn't the best because everyone was in mid-gush over a truly remarkable story.

The rest of my joke was: the lesson to be learned here is you never know when you're going to be taken hostage and make national news so plan now what book you wish to be associated with and wish to plug.

Ben, I'm not saying your undies may be in a knot but if they are half as tight as that tee shirt you're wearing then you can't be very comfortable.

Sorry for my ill-timed jest, I was acting independantly and my words should in no way impune the reformed faith, calvinists or those who subscribe to the WCF, LBCF or 3FU.
 
Originally posted by maxdetail
Hey Ben, I'm trying to take you seriously while I'm looking at your avatar and I gotta say, it's a challenge.
:lol: Hey, man! When I do reps of 10 I bench 200! So take that seriously! :lol:


Ben, I'm not saying your undies may be in a knot but if they are half as tight as that tee shirt you're wearing then you can't be very comfortable.

:lol:
Actually, the tee shirt is one of those Under Armour "Heat Wear" shirts. It is supposed to fit like a "second skin." It works remarkably well for wicking sweat away and keeping you dry. (Incidentally, they also produce this tee shirt in brown and this is in use by some of our troops in Iraq.)
I wear the red one because my wife likes it. :banana:

By the way... thanks for clarifying. No problem. I just thought that given that this thread is being posted on a secular forum, that perhaps it didn't put Reformed folks in the best light... Thanks for the humility!

[Edited on 3-15-2005 by SolaScriptura]
 
The red t-shirt seems to be hanging over your jogging pants (I assume) a tad bit. Hey, it's table muscle for my mid section. :D
 
Originally posted by govols
The red t-shirt seems to be hanging over your jogging pants (I assume) a tad bit. Hey, it's table muscle for my mid section. :D

Doh! After looking at the picture I can see why you think that! But, thankfully, my belly doesn't hang over my pants. :banana:
 
why don't you imitate the deeds of the Blue States and Liposuction it away. You will come back with ripped sculptured abs, and maybe we can see you on an MTV music video:bigsmile:
 
Originally posted by houseparent
Yep, I just heard about the PDL thing too. While the Lord was still with her, this was kind of a bummer in a way. However, if Mr. Warren uses this to advertise his PDL book it will make me want to :barfy:

CNN has posted an earlier Larry King interview with Rick Warren here and is giving new attention to his book.
 
Originally posted by houseparent
Yep, I just heard about the PDL thing too. While the Lord was still with her, this was kind of a bummer in a way. However, if Mr. Warren uses this to advertise his PDL book it will make me want to :barfy:

Everytime I hear about that book I want to :banghead: and :barfy:. It is really hard to strike a balance these days with being absolute and to shun pragmatism. Mr. Warren quoted some well-known God-haters, Aldous Huxley and Bertrand Russell, in his book. Nevertheless, perhaps some good fruit will come out of this tragedy. Whilst the world will be quick to condemn Mr. Nichols, I hope this reminds me to pray for men like him. After all, most people would not have thought that Brian "Head" Welch (formerly of Korn) and Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) would have been converted. I think I've said enough on this for now.
 
Originally posted by VirginiaHuguenot
Originally posted by houseparent
Yep, I just heard about the PDL thing too. While the Lord was still with her, this was kind of a bummer in a way. However, if Mr. Warren uses this to advertise his PDL book it will make me want to :barfy:

CNN has posted an earlier Larry King interview with Rick Warren here and is giving new attention to his book.

Some quotes from that interview;

at our church, we have disorganized religion.

Well there you go!

I liked what The New York Times said about me. It said, you know, marketers create a message in order to market. Warren creates tools in order to create a message, in order to propel a message. And that's it.

huh?

I think a gay person is a sinner just like I'm a sinner.

Why are so many Christian big-wigs afraid of this question?

Now, I don't know a self-help book in the world that starts with, "It's not about you.

I've read PDL, and while the opening line does state "It's not about you" the entire book IS about the reader!

:banghead:
 
I agree Adam, and I bought and read this book to be able to debate in an informed manner with my mother, sister, brother-in-law and nieces husband who were entranced with it. Sigh, I could have use that money to buy a much more profitable book from which I could have been exhorted to learn more about my God.:detective:
 
CNN did a two-hour special last night on Rick Warren and The Purpose Driven Life. It did include a critique by John MacArthur. It also attempted to trace the history of "purpose driven" theology all the way back to the Pilgrims! :banghead:



[Edited on 3-20-2005 by VirginiaHuguenot]
 
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