One thing coming to attention through the manifesto comments of Seung-Hui Cho as well as through the events of my own personal tragedy following 04-16-07 is the difference between "religion" and "relationship." Do you know what this difference is? Seung-Hui Cho had an idea about religion and took note of what he saw as hypocrisy in those who claimed to be Christian or religious. He set himself up as a judge of this, leading to his terrible actions and the massacre during that now infamous day—04-16-07. There is only ONE JUDGE of human behavior and we must all give an account to this ONE! Religion will not help you. You must have a relationship with this ONE WHO will be your JUDGE; this ONE WHO is your CREATOR and WHO became your SAVIOR.

Technology is what is allowing you to now read what I have written. Technology gives you the pathway to express your thoughts and communicate with others all around the world. Advances in technology amaze us at times, yet most adapt and come to utilize the benefits of controlling more of their surroundings with information about this real world we live in. Technology even allows us to create and imagine living in an alternate world, apart from reality. Technology can benefit the quality of our lives, but it cannot prevent tragedy; it can, however, lead us to Truth!

Today has been my personal 18th Wedding Anniversary. It is a tragic day for me this year, in that this is the first year since my marriage to my wife in 1990 that we have not been together or spoken at some point (I did get to at least see my wife last year on our 17th Anniversary when I was being extensively evaluated at the second involuntary mental hospital commitment). Now, you may not have much interest in my own personal situation (it is currently still tragic), but there is much that can be learned from my own tragedy that ensued after the Virginia Tech Tragedy.

Knowledge is important and is the foundation we build upon to make decisions (of course, Wisdom goes beyond Knowledge, making proper application). Communication is different from Knowledge. When there is Communication, Knowledge is passed on so that the one receiving the Information understands it. Beyond Communication comes Action. Information, Communication, and Wise Action must take place to achieve the desired result. If there had been proper Information shared to the point of Communication followed by Wise Action, then the VT Tragedy could have been avoided.

Today is officially Memorial Day in the United States. It is a good thing that the United States sets aside a day to remember those who have given their lives for the freedom of living that those in this Country can enjoy. We need to make ourselves remember; we so easily forget. Do you know someone who gave their life to preserve our freedom? Do you know someone who is giving their life for this now? We dare not forget that there is a price for freedom. Suffering and tragedy is always along the path to bring about or even to keep true freedom. The 04/16/07 Virginia Tech Tragedy is no different. It will either help us along the path toward individual and collective freedom, or else it will distract us and freedom will be eluded due to our detour.

You may have noticed that much of what I have been writing points the reader to acknowledge the reality of WHAT I am saying. These things are very practical, but often also philosophical. This is the type of person that I am and why I am more able to offer real, workable solutions to help people prevail in the aftermath of tragedy. The Virginia Tech Tragedy hits close to home in that it occurred where I have ministered over ten years. It also hits very close to home in that it was the catalyst to bring about the personal tragedy that I am still facing.

Why does Tragedy happen? Why did a man do what Seung-Hui Cho did on 04/16/07? It terribly impacted so many! Why have so many of our young people done similar things in recent years? Why even did 09/11/01 happen? Why did the more recent powerful Cyclone move in an unusual and unexpected way to do the damage in Myanmar and kill so many (officially around 78,000 as of today)? Why do tornadoes even travel the paths that they do, or any storm or wind for that matter? Why did the earthquake in China happen where it did and cause so much damage and take so many lives (over 40,000 is the latest total)? What is the answer?: BECAUSE...

It seems as though "Change" is a watchword that is being used extensively today, especially as evidenced through the U.S. political landscape. Do you need change? Do I? There is no question that most of us see the need for change in others, though we are slower to realize the need for change in our own self. Some even take their ideas for change to extreme action against others or even their self. Why do you think we have had so many school shootings and even young people taking extreme action against their own lives in recent years? More recent, and related more closely to my own experience and to this website, why did Seung-Hui Cho take such extreme action on the Virginia Tech Campus? This was the worst U.S. college massacre in history. Many speculate; others blame; some get depressed or grow more cynical; and psychologists theorize (there are hundreds of psychological theories). The answers may be more involved, but the why is not so complex.

Do you know what it means to be a true friend? A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). A friend and brother are supposed to be there, especially during adversity. A true friend will be there for you no matter what, even if they think you are wrong! Friendship is what Seung-Hui Cho needed. Who was his friend—his true friend? He had some acquaintances. So do we. How many true friends—bosom friends—do you have? There is One that any of us can have...if we but will...

The wildly popular American Idol show illustrates our tendency toward "idol worship." Anything you place over GOD becomes an idol in your life. With the freedom we have in America, it is easy to put things above GOD. Freedom also brings out the worst in some people, putting others in danger. Danger was lurking in the heart of Seung-Hui Cho because he made idols out of his own thoughts. Danger is lurking in our own hearts if we over-react to what this man did and fall into the trap of making SAFETY an idol.