The News

         If you want to have a discouraging day, start it by listening to or watching the news.  If you do, then be prepared for the worst.

          First, you will see the tragedy in Ukrane.  I am convinced that this is led by Satan, controlled by Puten.  Devastation, death and war crimes bring tears to your eyes and it is all senseless. And it appears that nothing can be done to stop this other than a much wider war.

          Or if that doesn't make your blood boil, then what about the shortage of baby formula, or the increase in gas prices, or the cost of groceries?  Inflation increases while the stock market is like a rollercoaster.  And there are random shootings everywhere even locally.  Our neighboring city of York now has a murder almost daily.  You are no longer safe anywhere – shopping, working, going to school or to church.

          Then there are the mass murders.  The are all sad, but the school shooting in Texas tops the list.  As a grandparent I just can't imagine what those folks are going through.  As a retired educator I have so many questions about the whole situation.

          For example, why was the outside door left open and blocked open? Did some employee want to make an exit and a quick return?  Even twenty years ago when I was still teaching that was a serious offense.  All doors were locked and there was only one permissible entrance and usually each person had to sign in during the day and only an authorized person would allow them to enter.  It appears that no such safety regulation was followed here.  Did some employee feel that regulations weren't for them?

          Then where was the safety resource officer?  So far reports haven't placed him on duty.  Why?  That was his job.

          Then there are the questions about the classroom doors.  Some say they were unlocked which would be a definite safety violation.  But there are others that say they couldn't get into the rooms until they finally found a janitor with the master key.  Didn't the office have one?  Cops on television have ways to break through a door.  Didn't these lawmen have the same training?

          Then there appear to be many mistakes over a long period of time when kids were even sending requests to 911 for police help.  What in the world were they all doing while students and teachers were being killed?

          It is hard to listen to the experiences of parents and students.  They are heartbreaking.  However, I was thrilled to hear the one young girl who said that when Jesus is in your heart, if you die you go to him in heaven. Thank you, Lord, for one faithful parent or teacher who taught this child the truth.  This is the solution to this world's growing problem.

           So, what comes next?  The country is now divided over gun laws, but would more laws have prevented this tragedy? Personally, I don't think so.  Criminals and mass killers will always find ways to get guns.

          The source of this evil is sin.  The Bible reminds us that the heart is desperately wicked.  So, we shouldn't be surprised.  We better get used to it.

          But a better way to start the day would be to spend the early morning with the Lord.

          P.S. – It is amazing how the world protests mass shootings while at the same time they promote the killing of children through abortion.  My how Satan has blinded this world.  But a better day is coming … hopefully soon!