Here is part of Charles James Kirk’s story. Born 10/14/1993, he was mercilessly assassinated 9/10/2025. We’ll ponder God’s providence in Charlie’s name, assassination and also a memorial invocation.
Beginning with “Charles,” AI tells us: “Charles is a classic name remaining in the top 100 for over a century!”
“Charles” is Germanic meaning “free man.” Rooted in Old English “ceorl,” Charles originally meant “low ranking person.” But, God exalts the humble! “Carl/Charles/Charlotte” now means “royalty.” Charlemagne, “Charles the Great,” breathed lasting dignity into his name. Monarchs of England, France, Spain, Hungary, and Portugal were named Charles!
Now, contemplate “James, ” the most popular male name for 100 years! James comes from “Jacob” which means “Holder-of-the-heel” or “Supplanter.” “Holder-of-the-heel” describes Jacob grabbing his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth, while “Supplanter” describes Jacob’s later “subversive planting” himself in Esau’ s place – robbing Easau’s birthright/blessing.
Years later, Jacob wrestled all night with a mighty being who declared: ““Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28,29) “Israel” means “one who strives with God.” Again, a despised name, Jacob, is linked to a new profound name!
Consequently, “James” suited two of Jesus’ disciples, and “James” authored of a book of the Bible! Moreover, in 1611, “James,” King of England, sanctioned a new Bible translation. The widely distributed King James Version flourished as did the name on the cover, “James!”
Still, what shall we say about treacherous liars like Jacob? Paul wrote: “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars.’” (Titus 1:12)
Jesus, when You told Your disciples to make disciples from all nations, did You exclude Cretans as hopeless liars?
No, many Cretans, transformed by Your Holy Spirit, became truth lovers. So, if a Cretan wanted to lead God’s church, “he must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9). Holy Spirit, Your grace transforms liars to those smitten with loving truth!
Now we come to “Kirk.” Joining two Greek words: “kuria,” “the Lord” + “kos,” “belonging to” we make “kuriakos.” Removing “ia” and “os” from “kuriakos” we get “kurk!” “Ch” can have a hard “k” sound – as in “character.” Some languages remove “u” and put “i” – making “kirk.” Thus, “church/kirk” means those “belonging to the Lord!” Christian, love the One who sweat blood for you in Gethsemane and then wrestled holy God on the cross, redeeming you, changing you, making you His beloved Bride!
Charlie understood: “I’m nothing without Jesus. I gave my life to the Lord in fifth grade. It’s the most important decision I’ve ever made.”
Ponder Charlie. James. Kirk. “Low ranking person” becomes “royalty.” “Deceiver” becomes “one who struggles with God.” Why such transformation? Ultimately, Christian and those who will yet believe, “we belong to the Lord!” Glory!
Now, “assassin.” A Roman officer mistook Paul for “the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the ‘Assassins’ (‘Sikarios’) out into the wilderness.” (Acts 21:38) The “sica” is a “ curved dagger” concealed beneath the “Sika”-rios’ garments. A stealthy Sikarios could clandestinely assassinate Roman officials and Jewish collaborators with impunity. One assassin could do immense harm. Imagine 4,000 assassins!
Currently, Jean-Louis Sanchet describes France: “With 28 knife attacks per day, France is heading straight for disaster.”
Jesus, what great obstacles Your disciples have faced as they made disciples from all nations!
But God, You are Lord. For example, 3/15/1959, George Palmer and nine others went to Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground planning to shoot Billy Graham during his sermon. God, by Your grace, while Graham preached, Palmer accepted Christ! And, each of the other nine assassins converted that night! Thus, Billy Graham, born 11/7/1918, died at 99, 2/21/2018. God, You are Lord.
Now, come to 9/12/25, two days after Charlie’s assassination. Hundreds gathered at our Montana Capitol to remember Charlie.
I gave the invocation. Here is a portion: “Father, Son and Spirit, Charlie knew the reality Paul described: ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.’ (Galatians 5:1) Like Paul, Charlie became Your irrepressible advocate for liberty – speaking Your good news with good cheer even when facing hostility.
“God, we pause to consider similarities between Charlie and Stephen, a deacon in Your early church.
“Luke tells about ‘some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen’ (Greek, ‘Libertinos’) – adding ironically ‘(as it was called).’ These so-called Freedmen ‘rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not ‘withstand’ the wisdom and the Spirit by whom Stephen spoke.’” (Acts 6:9,10)
Christian, compare that with: “‘Resist’ the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
The word “withstand” in Acts 6 is the same as “resist” in James 4! Like the so-called Freedmen, Satan flees in the presence of God’s wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit!
Nevertheless, the Freedmen “rushed together at” Stephen and “stoned him…He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’” What grace!
Those “stoning Stephen laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul who approved of Stephen’s execution.” (Acts 7:57-60; 8:1)
“God, who could guess You would transform hostile young Saul into Paul, the Apostle so in love with Jesus Christ?!
Friend, note: Saul becomes Paul, another name change indicating a transformed heart.
“God, so many young people have been drawn to You through Charlie. God, call these young men and women – and us – to heal our nation.” As “Charles,” “James,” and ,”Kirk” have been transformed, transform us.
Christian, and those yet to trust Christ, press on for soon and very soon we will join Billy, Charlie and other “‘loud’ (‘mega’) voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’” (Revelation 11:15)
