Chaos in Chattanooga Tennessee on July 16, 2015

Some days even with your head buried in the sand you cannot avoid it.  The conflict in the world. The battle with an "idealism" of radical Islam.  It seems the world has gone crazy, off-kilter, and beyond explanation.  There is evil in the world and as long as it is here, it will cause chaos.  The only thing I know that can overcome this chaos is peace in the form of God's love for us.  And until we can show the world how REAL His love is, they will keep searching.  

Those who commit these kinds of killing may have ideas of recognition, for some kind of  reward --in one form or another, for a temporary rush of adrenaline or drug affect that makes one think they are invincible.  We may ask "Why? do they do  these things?"  As humans we want to blame someone or something. But that is not all, we also want to  understand why such a thing would happen.  

I suppose my line of thinking was brought on by the killings and wounding of military personnel in Chattanooga yesterday.  It was also the day of judgement of guilty of first degree murder of a man who killed 12 and injured over 70 in an Aurora Colorado movie theater in 2012.  I will not name these people;  I will not give them any recognition;  I will try not to judge them.  I will leave that to God.  But I was struck by the fact that one of four  Marines killed in Chattanooga was 21 years old and was in the city for 2 weeks of reserve training.  
This young man graduated the same year as my daughter (2012).  My daughter, Carol, died in Feb 2013.   The news reporter said his last text to his girlfriend said "active shooter".  He had no way of defending  himself.  I cannot imagine what his parents are going  through.  I don't know what it would be like to have another human take the live of one to which i gave life.  I pray for God's comfort to be so very real to them. 

So many questions these days---why, why, why????  So many in pain, so many looking for answers.  All I know is it is hard to lose one we love to a  crazy situations without some kind of explanation.   I was looking for a blog that a woman had written who had been in the movie theater in Aurora, CO when a man killed 12 and injured 70 some, when I came across an article by Lee Strobel.   I think his examination of the most asked question of "Why does God allow suffering and tragedy?"  is very well stated.  You can find the transcript of his speech at https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/07/why-does-god-allow-tragedy-and-suffering/

The one statement that rings true with me in this speech by Lee Strobel is this: when bad things happen we can either turn bitter and run away from God or turn to God for peace and comfort.  I have turned to God for peace in some life lessons and have had no regrets.  I know I will see my daughter again some day and if I still want to know 'why?" about her death, it may make more sense when God explains it to me in heaven than  now.

I am praying for all involved in the Chattanooga tragedy.  Although we search for answers and a way to keep it from happening again, I pray those affected will realize God's love for them even in this hard loss.  He is the only one who can help up through times like these and He has promised to do so.  And that is a promise I have known as truth.

Judy
July 17, 2015

The Disconnected World

I was out the other day on Sunday evening in my car and noticed how barren the roadways were.   Even at the Mall, yes I still do shopping the 'old' way by traveling to the store, I can see that the hallways and stores seem less crowded.  So I shop and go to purchase some items and the person ringing you up wants your email, and ask if you have their free app on your phone.  Sigh.   Is it just me or is this all becoming the norm?   

Sometimes I feel the 'oldness' creeping up on me.  I don't want to get more email...I have trouble managing mine as it is.  And I don't want to worry about viruses, trojans, and malware...geez, not only are we becoming disconnected we are getting mean.   Hackers ....you should be ashamed of yourself.  

I wonder if my grandkids that I will never have would think it would be acceptable to text me on special occassions.?  NO it isn't.  {that comes with a foot stomping and I don't have to feel guilty saying that cause --just because!)  

Here is my point.  I like Facebook;  OK, I love Facebook as a way to keep up with my family and friends that live away (and some right here in town) and aren't too busy to post a kind greeting to me every once in awhile.  And yes, I do absolutely hate texting and auto-correct.  Just call me 'granny'; I think I am already used to the idea.  But with all its greatness there is something  lost now days in the way we communicate.  I was surprised when a young friend could not read some cursive writing in a book I had.   I know how they feel, my mom used to write sensitive stuff in 'short-hand' and I had no idea what it said, but thought it looked pretty.

Then some people judge you by what font you use...fonts are like character or personality.  Just be careful using ALL  CAPITALS; someone might think you are yelling at them.  Sure I can use a different font when I want to speak in a different dialect,  but it is just not the same as being able to giggle at my friend from Boston who says  "pizzer and bea-year" for pizza and beer"  (as close as i can type the pronunciation--thank you spellcheck, that is a big word).   

And what about those special English rules like "I before E except after ?"  Pretty soon our elementary schools are not going to have anything to teach. ......NO cursive, they are pushing for NO MATH, and since the computer or phone can correct all your boo boos, why have ENGLISH, except to have  favorite font to write your book report (5 pages doubles spaced minimum aerial 12 font size) on the last book your read.  Maybe they will indulge us, if you please, cause there are times, you might have to use paper and pen, but finding a book ,,,one with a paperback or a stronger still hardback (either known as a hardcopy) might be a trick in a few years.  Will our grandchildren be amazed to see one some day?   Yes, that is a book with pages, my child, we used them back in my day.  But your tiny computer can hold a library full of  them and even read to you if you have that whim.

Will they know how to speak with sarcasm?  Or maybe there is a way to  type it within a text, I have not learned that technique yet, but I think i should or chaos will be my mode of writing ,,,,such as it has come to be.

At least maybe now, I will be good at the 'old questions' on Jeapardy!, but if the category is NETFLIX just go ahead and sit me out.

  Always, looking for a positive and hoping to hear a human voice once in awhile!

Judy
7-7-15

P.s. and did you know you don't have to put two spaces after a period now?????