Facts of Life

Dear Friend,

When I was at Iowa State, I was in the MU one day and a young lady came to the table I was sitting. She told me her name and that she was with the school paper. I remember it was around the time of the Virginia Tech shooting and she asked me, “What did I think of the recent shooting at schools?” I thought about the cases with the other instances, and the major characters in each one. Also I remembered an answer a young lady gave a news reporter about 9/11. I gave that same answer. The answer I gave was, “because we as Americans refuse to acknowledge God in our lives and accept responsibility for our actions.” The young lady looked at me kind of surprised and I gave her some facts. When we took prayer out of school, the number of shootings in school (violence in school) increased. The number of latch key children (children that come home from school to a parentless house due to work) has increased every since 1960. I gave more but I concluded that we as Americans tend to want the T.V, music, and yes video games to raise our kids. What is wrong with that system is that they are in a market for a profit, therefore they tend to want produce something that sells. So I’m sorry educational material do not sell as much as sex and violence in the free market. I was surprised that the young lady actually wrote everything down. We converse for almost 10 minutes. This comes to the inspiration for this blog along with an issue that with some of the older community about the death penalty.

I remember an instance where Jesus was in the church preaching and the church was full. However there was a man was sick with the palsy (paralyzed) and they could not get to Jesus because of the multitude. The men then decided just to lowering the man but the ceiling. Seeing their faith Jesus said, “Thy sins are forgiven” But look at this, the scribes sat and talk amongst themselves and was like who he think he is. However Jesus went on to say it is easier for me to say yours are forgiven or take up your bed and walk. Jesus chose the harder one which was take up your bed and walk. Sure enough the man got up and walked. This is in Mark 2:1-12 for those who don’t believe me or want to read the story for themselves other instances are Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-24. So you say what this has to do with school shootings and such. Remember I said we as Americans refuse to acknowledge God in our life. You may say how is that I got to church; some may say I not only go to church but I am an active church member (choir, usher, deacon, pastor, etc.). Okay that is good and all but how many people at Virginia Tech could say the same thing. That is harsh you may say but hear me out. One thing that the shooter said that stuck with me is, “This all could have been avoided.” I actually believe him. Lets look at the fact that this person was mentally unstable. How can you say that you might think the fact that he has an instance where he at least one suicide attempt; I am not a psychologist but there has to be some unstability to bring a person to take there own life. For example, a man kills himself because his wife leaves him. There is some mental and probably emotion issues that lead him to be unstable to the point where the thought of ended it all seem to be the best solution. Okay Greg he was unstable mentally but that is the psychologist or even his parents now that sound harsh in my opinion. I would like to ask where the Christians were. (Awwww there he goes again) Yeah that is why I said we refuse to acknowledge God in our life because we are too wrapped up in our own problems that we refuse to help others that may be in need. If we acknowledge that we are in Christ and Christ in us, we would be willing at least to attempt to help one. (But you don’t understand I am a very busy person, I just don’t have time) Let me ask you, how long does it take to tell your spouse or parents, I love you or I thank God he blessed me with you; how long does it take to say a friendly hello to someone you cross paths with; how long does it take to give a friendly smile; how long does it take to tell a friend I appreciate you as a friend and your fellowship. (How does that help?) You do not know how much a smile could mean to someone that could make one’s day not seem so bad. Just imagine yourself in worst case scenario, you would want someone to show compassion towards you, so why not do the same for others. The good thing about it is the God cannot help but to bless you if you do because you are planting a seed when you give a friendly hello, a smile, or just your time, etc. Therefore, when you help others God would put someone to help you with yours or probably help in another way. Also it is easy to walk by the person, but it take some effort to smile at them, a little more effort, to say hello, some more to take time and ask them how is their day and actively listen and so forth. Who knows you may be put in a position where you may be someone’s last resort and you may not know it.

The point is try to do the most you can do consistently, but Jesus had gave us as an example and we as Christian should strive to do the same since that is the goal outside of getting to heaven is to be Christ-like. I am not perfect myself therefore I am working on these things as well. Just as Paul would say in Philippians 3:13-14, everyday I press toward the mark, in other words, everyday in every way I’m working to get better and better. I pray that these words will touch your heart because we as Christians may be the only bible that some may ever read.


Stay blessed and may the Lord get honor out of your life,
Greg "Da Spokesman" Stargell