Category: News and Views

Elementary School Massacre

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Does Lack of Prayer in Schools Have Anything to do With This Tragedy? 

A national tragedy has occurred, one so gruesome that most of us are still finding it hard to process the series of events that have taken place.  It is difficult to understand why something of this nature happened.  I have noticed some Facebook comments which seem to imply that part of the reason for this tragedy is a lack of prayer in schools.  This kind of thinking to me is absurd.  I don’t for one moment believe those little angels died because there is a lack of prayer in our educational system.

Many of us adults go from day-to-day without stopping to utter a word of prayer or give God thanks for all that He has done for us and yet He still protects us what then say He for those little children?  Jesus said “Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven”  If He takes care of us undeserving as we are wouldn’t He do so even more for the innocent children?

Instead of trying to look outward for answers we need to start looking inwards.  What is happening in our homes?  Are we raising decent upstanding citizens, or are we creating monsters who will at some point in time create mayhem in society?  The home is where it all begins.  It is the place where babies begin the process which will determine the kind of individuals they will become.  If there is an issue with praying, we should all ask ourselves, is there enough praying in our homes.  We need to stop expecting others to do the job that we should be doing.

Adam Lanza appears to have had a lot of anger and hatred inside him;  most mass murderers seem to do.  It is a kind of hatred so strong that they will lash out and kill innocent people without any provocation on their path  We need to look within our homes and communities and try to identify these people. As parents we need to start paying closer attention to our children.  We need to be able to recognize signs of depression.  If you have a son who display unusual or abnormal anti-social behavior pay close attention.  Does he have friends?  Does he get along well with others?  How does he feel about life?  Does he display signs that he might be unhappy with his life or that he hates his family?  Does he feel that life is hopeless and that nothing will make it right?

If someone knows that someone in their household may be a danger to himself and society they should seek help for that person and notify law-enforcers to get help and advice.  We cannot sit by and wait for another tragedy of this nature to occur. We are all in this together and the problem has to be tackled at the source and that is the individuals in our homes whose behavior serve as a sign that they could be a danger to and  society.

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Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre

Handout photo of state police personnel leading children from the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown

A nation is left in mourning and there is still no clear answer as to what might have led to the massacre of twenty children and seven adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut.

The shooter who reportedly took his own life was identified as twenty years old Adam Lanza.  His mother Nancy Lanza who was first thought to be a teacher at the school may have been a part-time substitute teacher.  She was not at the school when the shootings took place.  Her body was found inside her home on Friday which might indicate that Adam killed her before going to the school to continue his killing spree.

He entered the school administration office around 9:4o a.m., just half-an-hour after the school day began.  According to reports he was wearing dark clothing, a mask and bullet proof vest, and was carrying three guns – a Glock and a Sig Sauer, and a .223- caliber rifle.  Investigators said he fired at least 100 rounds.

Trying to understand why this catastrophe took place seems more difficult than trying to put together the pieces of a jig saw puzzle.  Why did he go to the school?  Why were those innocent children and other members of the school community slaughtered?  Why did this tragedy take place?

Elementary School Shooting

 

Today is a very tragic day for the people of Newtown Connecticut as shortly after nine o’clock this morning a gunman went on a shooting spree at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.  At least twenty-six people are reported dead; there are eighteen children among them.  It is still not clear why the children were targeted.  The gun man reportedly had an argument with the principal but it is not clear if this had anything to do with the shooting.

I can only imagine the sorrow of all the parents who sent their children off to school this morning who heard of the shooting and went to the school only to find that their children are among the dead.  What can you say to console them?  What can you say to ease their pain.  We can only offer words of comfort but in times like that even that is not enough.  There will forever remain the unanswered question of why.   Why did he target helpless, innocent children?

In this season of goodwill so many families will be in mourning.  Christmas is just not the same without the children and nothing will filled the void that is left; nothing will fill that space.  I wish God’s blessing for all those who have lost a child in this shooting and I pray they will find the strength to do deal with this tragedy.

 

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Sandy’s Wrath

Hurricane Sandy has come and gone leaving a trail of destruction and devastation behind. Millions were in one way or the other affected by her fury. She unleashed her anger in the Caribbean them moved on to our area uprooting and moving anything that stood in her way.

For many it was a humbling an eye-opening experience. A valuable lesson can be learned from all of this. It is important not to take hurricane warnings lightly. Some people were reluctant to evacuate when asked to do so because they wanted to stay to safeguard their homes. People must understand there is nothing they can do to control nature and there is no point in staying when you might not live to occupy that house. There are times when we have to forget about materialistic things and instead focus on staying alive. A few learned this lesson the hard way. I pray that others will take heed so these mistakes will not be repeated in the future.

The months ahead is not going to be easy. Thousands have lost homes and property, but there is life and as long as there is life there is hope. It is not going to be easy but in time they will recover, they shall rise again. We all have to give thanks to God because it could have been worse.

 

Blogger’s Awards

 

                 

Must say a warm congratulations to Mack *The Diary Of Me* on being nominated for the *Beautiful Bloggers Award*, *Very Inspiring Bloggers Award*, *Inspiring Blog Award*and *Super Sweet Blogging Award*  I find Mack’s blog very interesting and inspiring and most deserving of these awards.   I also want to thank him for nominating me for these awards.  I really do appreciate it.
Here are the rules to participate when you have been nominated for the *Beautiful Bloggers Award*, *Very Inspiring Bloggers Award*, and *Inspiring Blog Award* :

Thank the person who nominated you.  Share seven things about yourself.  Nominate seven other bloggers for this award.  Put the logo and rules on your blog site and let your seven picks know you have nominated them.

Seven facts about me

1.  I am the mother of two teenage girls
2. I love writing and gardening
3. I am lactose intolerant
4. I believe in having faith and not giving up
5. I love reading
6. I do not like hypocritical people
7. I try to see the good in others

Below are the list of bloggers I have nominated for:
Beautiful Blogger Award,Inspiring Blogger Award and Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1.           http://myjournalofpraise.me/

2.           http://grandchildless39.wordpress.com/

3.           http://dramajunkiee.wordpress.com/

4.           http://campfireshadows.wordpress.com/

5.            http://alsanda.wordpress.com/

6.            http://ladyromp.com/

7.             http://maureenlermer.wordpress.com/

 

Mothers Day

Today is Mothers Day.  Let us take this opportunity to salute all the wonderful moms out there.  Not only the biological mothers but to all of those who are mothers to  children that are not their own.  To all the mothers who have worked and have made a lot of sacrifices so that their children can have  good lives.   On this special day I wish for you all a very happy, peaceful and blessed day!!

 


A Thousand ThanksMother’s Day brings to mind
The thousands of things you did for me
that helped make me happier,
stronger and wiser,
because I had you as a role model.I’m grateful for all the times
you healed my hurts
and calmed my fears,
so that I could face the world
feeling safe and secure.I’m thankful for all you showed me
about how to love and give–
lessons that now bring
so many blessings to me
each and every day.Your sacrifices and unselfishness
did not go unnoticed, Mom.
I admire you, I respect you,
I love you.
And I’m so glad you’re my mother!Happy Mother’s Day!By Joanna Fuchs 

Extreme Rules

Extreme rules got off to an exciting start with the match Randy Orton VS Kane.   The moment the bell rang Kane took the fight to Orton, but Orton was ready for it.  Blow for blow they went at each other.  Fans were given a close up view as the fight went from the ring into the crowd and later backstage where for a while Kane was in full control.  Randy managed to fight his way back into the game and  they fought their way back into the ring  where Randy unleashed on Kane with a steel chair, then slammed him on the announce table.  Kane countered slamming Randy into the steel post at ringside.  Randy recovered and dropped Kane from the top rope.  He went for the RKO but Kane countered delivering a choke slam to Orton.  Kane went for the tombstone but Orton countered with a RKO to win the match.

Brodus Clay VS Dolph Ziggler

An early distraction from Jack Swagger took Brodus came off his game.  Ziggler of course capitalized sending Clay out of the ring where he was attacked by Swagger.  However despite Swagger interference and his attack on Clay outside of the ring, Brodus Clay was able to fight his way back into the match and defeat Ziggler.

 Cody Rhodes VS Big Show

In this tables match Big Show was in full control of the match tossing Cody around.  It seemed pretty certain that The Big Show was going to win the match.  However in a bizarre twist Big Show was kicked by Cody when he attempted to enter the ring, he lost his footing and stepped on the table, breaking it.  Cody won the match taking back The Intercontinental Championship.  The Big Show out of frustration put Cody through not one,  but two tables.

Sheamus VS Daniel Bryan

YES, YES, YES Sheamus is still the World Heavy Weight Champion!  Bryan went in for the fight of his life with one goal in mind, to win back his World Heavyweight Championship which he lost at Wrestlemania.  When Sheamus injured his shoulder Bryan quickly got to work on it.  For a while it seemed the odds were in Bryan’s favor.  Sheamus won the first round by disqualification.  Bryan then applied the Yes Lock and won the second fall by submission.  Despite his injuries Sheamus was able to deliver a kick to Bryan’s head which won him the match.  Who is Bryan going to blame this time for his loss.  He can’t blame it on AJ this time around!

C.M. Punk VS Chris Jericho

Jericho came out looking rather smug, he distracted the referee by holding on to him and took the opportunity to poke Punk in the eye.  Punk tried to put Jericho through a table but Jericho countered.  For a while Jericho was in  control and he took the opportunity to taunt Punk’ Jericho started celebrating too soon throwing beer all over Punk.  But Punk took the fight back to Jericho.  The match went back and forth near fall after near fall.  Jericho gave Punk the Codebreaker then went for the Walls of Jericho.  Punk was in trouble in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go but he refused to tap out.  Punk’s only way out was to use a fire extinguisher to momentarily blind Jericho and made him release his hold.  Punk then went extreme jumping from the top rope, putting Jericho through the announce table. Punk put a submission hold on Jericho.  Jericho used a stick on Punk to fight his way out.  He once again gave Punk the Codebreaker but Punk managed to kick out.  A frustrated Jericho began shouting at Punk to stay down.He tried to use one of Punk’s moves against him but Punk countered throwing Jericho against the exposed turnbuckle and finished with the Go to Sleep.   He defended his family’s honor and retained his title.

Cena VS Lesnar 

The moment the match began Lesnar too kit to Cena using his elbow to cut Cena’s head open starting off with a psychological advantage over Cena.  He knew he was in control and spent his time working on the wound.  If Lesnar thought Cena would go down without a fight that is where he went wrong.  Busted head or not Cena was not going to wave any white flag.  He was hurt he was in pain but it was no retreat, no surrender.  Cena fought his way back into the match, he showed Lesnar what he was made of.  He showed him he was no quitter.   Cena evened the score by busting Lesna’s head open.  Cena took the upperhand after that and in true Cena form,  won the match.

Monday Night Raw

This Monday Night on Raw Edge gave John Cena a much-needed pep talk.  But with the odds stacked against Cena, one wonders what kind of motivation he will have going into Extreme Rules.  We are now presented with a John Cena who has gone soft and maybe so; but  replacing him with Brock Lesnar, is this what Monday Night Raw really needs?

Brock Lesnar is being portrayed as a tough, cold, ruthless kind of person, who has no qualms about knocking down weaker, defenseless people like Josh Mathews, who was merely doing his job.  His action was further legitimized with the signing of the contract for the match between him and Cena at Extreme Rules, when all his demands were met.  By all accounts it seems this guy will be running the show and he can beat upon any body he wants to because he wont be fined.  He even wants the name of the show to be changed to Monday Night Raw Starring Brock Lesnar.  Is this what Raw needs anarchy?  Telling Brock Lesnar he can do whatever he wants to do is giving him too much power  which he is going to abuse.  Laurinaitis fined  Sheamus  five hundred thousand dollars for hitting a referee and in the same breath he is telling Lesnar he won’t be fined for anything.  So what does this mean for the referees and reporters like Josh?  I have a feeling this one is going to come back to bite Laurinaitis where it hurts most.

The signing of the contracts was one of the most boring one I have ever witnessed.  Cena surprised me, he didn’t seem to have any fight in him.  In fact he seemed quite bored with the whole thing.  One cannot blame him because he knows that just like at Wrestlemania he is going to continue in his role as a loser at Extreme Rules.  Wow!   Wrestling is really getting boring!

Well lets take a look at some of the matches.  Kofi Kingston VS Chris Jericho.  In this match Jericho showed his dominance, however Kofi did well, putting up a good fight.  He delivered the Boom Drop, them went for the Trouble in Paradise, but Jericho countered with a Codebreaker then brought on The Walls of Jericho, forcing Kingston to tap out.   Jericho’s obsession with Punk and his family continues.  He brought Punk a gift which turns out to be a basket of alcoholic beverages which he takes on bottle from and re-gifted to Josh Mathews.

Lord Tensai once again was not given much of a competition.  He gets in the ring knock R Truth around, the match is over and they do it every time, putting him in these matches….boring!

Alberto Del Rio and Cody Rhodes VS The Great Khali and The Big Show

The Great Khali was dominant in the early part of the match.  Then things turned around and Big Show took a beating from Del Rio and Cody Rhodes both of whom focused on the Big Show’s knee.  Big Show fought his way out and got back in the match.  Alberto Del Rio true to form took the easy way out abandoning his partner.  Big Show gives Cody a Choke Slam.  Show and Khali wins the match.

Nikki Bella VS Beth Phoenix for the WWE Divas Championship

This match was somewhat disappointing.  Beth Pheonix somehow injured her ankle during the match.  This went to Nikki’s advantage and she won the match taking the title from Beth.

Chris Jericho made claims that Punk was drunk and that he should do a sobriety test which should he fail, he would be stripped of his title.  Once again it is up to Teddy Long to see that this happens.  Punk comes out pretending to be drunk.  He is unable to say the alphabet backwards or walk a straight line.  Really now, who is thinking up all this crap?  Punk fails the test.  Jericho demands that he be given the championship title.  Punks hands over the belt but ask to be given another chance.  Turns out he was just pulling one on Jericho, for he was quite sober, able to walk a straight line and repeat the alphabet backwards.  He then went after Jericho, chasing him from the ring.

The match between Sheamus and Mark Henry was very short with Daniel Bryan who was acting as guest referee giving on of the fastest three counts ever to give Henry the win.

Friday Night Smackdown

Friday Night Smackdown was anything but exciting.  Should we be surprised; the man who claims to be Mr Excitement doesn’t have a clue what the word ‘Excitement’ means.  The Daniel Bryan / AJ drama needs to come to an end and someone rewrite the script.  There is nothing cool about him playing the jerk of a boyfriend who continues to publicly humiliate his ex-girlfriend.  AJ plays the part of a girl who lacks both self-respect and self-esteem.  She makes women in general look stupid!  Can’t figure out where Natalya comes  in the whole scenario, but more power to her for not retaliating when AJ tried to vent her frustration on her.

The Cody Rhodes and Big Show feud continues.  Cody interference in the match between the Big Show and Alberto Del Rio resulted in Del Rio picking up the win.  Give Del Rio credit, he is a great wrestler; but is it me or does it appear that most of the matches he has won there is always some outside interference?

 

Ryback is being portrayed as a tough wrestler.  The problem with this picture is that his opponents are always the guys he can demolish with one blow.  So far he has not been given any real competition.  Who wants to pay to see a match which is only going to last a few seconds and you know who the winner is going to be even before the bell rings.  Come on that’s boring!

The tag team match between Usos and Darren Young and Titus O’Neil was a well contested match.  Both Darren and Titus show that they are ready for Friday Night Smackdown.  They worked well together and won the match against the Usos.

The match of the night was a six man tag team match seeing The Great Khali, Randy Orton and Sheamus on one team and Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry on the other.  The Great Khali was taken out of the equation by Cody Rhodes before the match even got off to a start.  The Great Khali wrestling days may be coming to a close as it is obvious is knees don’t hold up that well.  Cody’s celebration was cut short when the Big Show whom he had kicked in the head earlier, causing him to lose his match, came out to replace Khali.   It was a back and forth match which finally ended with Randy giving Mark Henry the RKO to pick up the win for his team.

Proverbs 23 V 29-35

Who has anguish?  Who has sorrow?  Who is always complaining?  Who has unnecessary bruises?  Who has bloodshot eyes?  It is the one who spends long hours in the tavern, trying out new drinks?  Don’t gaze at the wine, see how red it is, how it sparkle in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.  For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.  You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.  You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea clinging to a swaying mast.  And you will say “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.  I didn’t even know when they beat me up.  When will I wake up so I can go for another drink?