Another School Shooting...

I caught a bit of the news last night, tuning in just in time to see that there had been an in-school suicide in Canandaigua. It's no secret that school shootings -- homicide, suicide, or both -- have become common. Since the infamous Columbine tragedy, none have been quite so memorable. They all blur together in history, one after another.

When school officials were asked what they would do to handle the situation, their response was the same as that of so many others in similar situations: raise the security.

Raising the Security

American society seems to have developed a knee-jerk response to sin. If someone was irresponsible or committed a crime with a firearm, we must take away guns from all private owners. If teenagers have sex and wind up pregnant? Well, we should give girls birth control and abortions, to hide the evidence of their sin. If a stressed-out highschooler takes out his pent-up anger by massacring his school... we should counsel surviving students on how it wasn't their fault, and tighten security to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I wonder when we'll realize that treating the symptoms doesn't free us of the problem? "If guns are outlawed, then only the outlaws will have guns," I'm sure you've all heard. Helping teens cover up their actions, making the result more pleasant and livable, only teaches them that they can get away with it. And if the unstable student has decided to end his life or commit murder, he'll do so inside or outside the school.

By one man, sin entered the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. (Rom. 5:12)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)

The movie Time Changer teaches a valuable lesson. When a relatively naive gentleman from the 1800s time-travels to our modern world, he is appalled to see the degradation of morals and ethics people are living by. He finally realizes why: When you teach morals without God, morals for the sake of morals, they are meaningless. In other words, when you tell someone "Don't do that!" but are without answer when they challenge "Why not?", your exhortation means nothing.

The heart is where sin originates. Sure, we can put on a good act. We can control our behavior, and in some cases, others can even control it for us. But if our heart attitude is sinful, then curbing our outward actions won't last. Mankind has a sin nature. We need an inner change -- a heart change.

Since will power obviously isn't enough, we can't make this change ourselves. Neither can the hurting, depraved people we see around us every day. Our hearts have been corrupted by sin, and the only one who has conquered sin is Jesus Christ. We have to put His morals, His purity, His loving commandments back in the hearts of our people. Only then will we see change.

What it means to be a Cadet ~~~ and a Christian

Cadet (n): A student in training to become an officer in the Army, Air Force, or Navy.

Cadet is the French word for “younger son.” In earlier times, the oldest son would inherit the father’s property. A younger son, having no property, often chose the Army as a career.

Well, times have changed, haven’t they? Today, the practical meaning of the term “Cadet” could apply to a couple things. It could mean a Cadet in training at the Air Force Academy, West Point, etc. But it could also mean a teenager, in training in a military auxiliary. One such auxiliary is Civil Air Patrol. Cadets range in age from twelve to twenty-one. They learn about aerospace – the science behind aircraft and flying. They learn how to fly, and can attain a pilot’s license. They learn leadership skills, and put them into practice on a daily basis. But most of all, they learn and uphold what it means to wear the Air Force uniform.

When I put on that uniform, I am no longer merely a 14-year-old civilian. It is not simply a few pieces of clothing. It is a symbol of the honor, pride, and bravery of those who have worn the uniform. When I put it on, I represent not only CAP, but the United States Air Force. I am a CAP cadet. As such, this is what it means to be a Cadet.

CAP Core Values:
1. Integrity: My character when no one else is around. Doing what is right, even when no one else will ever know.
2. Respect: I respect and obey authority, I respect subordinates, I respect total strangers who have no bearing on my life whatsoever.
3. Excellence: Rising to the challenge. Giving 110%, even if I absolutely hate the job I’ve been given, and doing it with a good attitude.
4. Volunteer Service: Taking initiative to help out – not necessarily waiting to be asked – with out expectation of reward or recognition. Doing it because it needs to be done. It’s as much about motive as actions.

These are the character traits I am expected to uphold while I’m in uniform. But having good character for two hours a week doesn’t cut it. True, when you’re not in uniform, there may not be anyone looking over your shoulder and keeping you in line. That’s where integrity comes in. Once a Cadet, always a Cadet, 24/7.
You are representing men and women who have died defending our country.
Do not let them down.

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A Christian, a follower of God, a believer. If you are a Christian, then you believe that Jesus Christ gave his life to save you, and that he came back to life. You have accepted that gift and given your life to God. Now, what are you going to do about it?

Your family, friends, co-workers, boss, classmates, teachers – they see you as an example of what Christ and Christians are like. There’s no uniform you can wear to let the world know that you’re a Christian. You have to tell them, and actions speak louder than words. Above all, your character matters most. (Integrity!!) People watch the way you live, whether you realize it or not. Don’t conform to the world. It can be something as simple as not following the crowd. It can be hard, but it’s worth it. You, as a Christian, have found something wonderful and lifesaving. Don’t you want to share it?

Behaving and being Godly during Church on Sunday isn’t enough. If you’re a Christian, live like it. 24/7. You are representing God, who’s son died to save you from certain death, and give you a perfect eternal life.
Do not let him down.