Last week we I commented on the recent school shooting.  As I continued to ponder this societal problem, I find it difficult to wrap my brain around one immutable fact, children are not supposed to find themselves as human targets of gunmen at school.  We send our children to school to get educated.  For most parents, there is a sense of peace in knowing your child is in school.  Where they are supposed to be, and doing what they are supposed to be doing.  Nowhere in that equation is a remote thought, of a shooter killing classmates.  School is thought to be a safe place.  Yes, there are the usual problems of a few who do kid things ie., pranks, and other normal dumb things kids have always done. I now must add bullying which  has become a huge problem, but all of these are in the realm of childhood issues- shooting is not.  And that is what puts me on my head.  There common things parents expect, and realize can happen at school, but I assure you having your child killed by a classmate with a gun is nowhere on the list.

We find ourselves back to the question asked by so many, “why would God allow it?”  There are several answers.  Freewill is perhaps the main one. choice another, however there may be another seldom considered.  Grownups in America do things and justify them  as “rights.”  I have the right to live my life as I please.  I have the right to an abortion- it is my body, there are many others, just think for a moment.  Many applaud and celebrate these decisions that contradict the edict of God, and ignore his constant warnings that our choices carry with them consequences.  I can’t tell you how many times someone looked at me and said, “I am grown, I can do what I want.”  And to a degree that is true- but don’t forget consequences.  There were always consequences- ask King David.  However, problems go to a completely different level when children are involved.  Suddenly, all of these grownup that regarded themselves as individuals free to do as they please, come together in the name of their children.  In that thought, perhaps God allows these acts committed to children to get the attention of adults that he couldn’t get any other way.  Perhaps, that is the only way to convey to this generation of “I do what I want” people the effects of this type of selfish thinking, and how it always hurts and impacts others.  This all should be an alarm to us that society is hurting and they are looking for something (actually someone) and we know who that is.  God is calling us to action.  Just think how different the outcome of this recent shooting would have been  if someone had reached that young man with Jesus.  Instead of killing, he would have been  promoting the love of God.  It would have only taken one person to dry the tears of 17 families who now will be crying for a very long time.  Think about it.  It can happen anywhere.  Great darkness demands great light.  Let’s make a difference.  Blessings.

~Lamar

Once again in the middle of living everyday  life, the country has been paralyzed by another school shooting.  The paralyzing stems from the fact many of us have children, grandchildren or are close to children who attend school somewhere; and we shutter to think of that scenario playing out with our kids as the target of some deranged youngster with a gun.  As I sit and think about the families that have been effected by these senseless acts, I began to realize how commonplace this type of act is becoming in our society.  What is happening to our children in this country?  What is happening to the parents raising these children?  What is happening inside the family unit that now we are producing young people who are committing suicide at rates previously unheard of?  What happens in  the life of a young person that infuses a desire in their hearts to take a gun to school and kill innocent classmates?  Although America does not want to hear it, there is an answer.  The answer is simply, God.  First, the family took God out of the home.  Then they took God out of the schools.  And finally there is a noticeable attack on God to remove him from the minds of the country. We are witnessing the results of lives that are bankrupt of the goodness of God, and in desperation to find happiness and meaning in life, they now shout from top of their lungs, ”I have no reason to live.”  How long will it take for those who are trying to find happiness in life to figure out happiness and satisfaction in life cannot be achieved outside of God?  It’s in these sullen moments we contemplate the question, who are we becoming as a nation?  The world is watching and recently a statement was made from someone in Europe that America is losing it.  The America of old that stood up with great character.  The America of old that was a example to the world, has relegated itself to become a laughing stock, as the world looks on in confusion, disgust and dismay. Pray for the hurting families. Blessings.

~Lamar

​(continued next week)

As you probably know Jodie and I just returned from a week of visiting her parents in Kansas.  The 15 hour drive (though a bit lengthy) does not really bother me.  But, what does is unpredictable weather while hundreds of miles from home.  This is exactly what happens when you strike out on a journey of this magnitude in January.  The weather becomes like a box of chocolates- you never know what you are going to get.  So, naturally I hung closely to the weather reports seeking the best opportunities to make it safely to Kansas.  We prayed and asked God for safe roads, and that is what we got, as we pressed towards Kansas.  That was the easy part.  It was the trip home that put me on red alert.  Major snow storms were popping up everywhere- even as close as Topeka.  Suddenly, it became a challenge to find a time and a route that would get us home safely.  I figured this would be the case, and spent much time in prayer asking God to grant us safety.  It is something about  sliding on ice that makes winter driving unbearable, not to mention dangerous.  As the week wore on, a feeling of peace began to surround me as I prayed for favorable driving conditions.  I know God controls all things, however a part of me wanted to focus on worrying.  Instead of worrying; whenever I felt it coming on, I began to focus on God and his promises.  The day we were leaving a massive snow storm in the north was stretching out, literally across the entire country.  At some point, I knew we would have to drive through it, and instead of worrying- I trusted.  I am happy to say, all that worrying and concern was nothing but a waste of time.  God blessed us with dry roads from Kansas all the way home.  I wonder how often we waste time worrying about things when all we have to do is to trust God?  Lord, thank you for reminding me that you love us, and all we have to do is love and trust you.

​~Lamar