A number of factors come into why I am writing about this subject today. As I have tried to work through my own ongoing tragedy (stemming from the VT Tragedy) I have been told by many, even legal authorities as recent as 03-25-09, that I am just stuck on wanting things my way. This reminds me of the Frank Sinatra hit song, “My Way” in 1969 (incidentally, the year I was born, and when Henry Morris was essentially forced out of Virginia Tech). I do not intend to critique or comment directly on that “My Way” song, yet I would like to play off of that idea again here and what we often hear about “My Way” or “Your Way” and even “The Way.”

It has become more popular today for people to talk about RESPONSIBILITY. This is a good thing to talk about, for not talking about it leads to the tragedy of losing rights and privileges (see my 02-09-09 Blog: “RIGHTS and Responsibilities” found below or at http://www.vtlessonstolearn.com/node/80). You may have even heard someone recently say, such as some political leader, “I take responsibility for that.” It is refreshing and encouraging to hear someone actually talking about responsibility, yet what is The Tragedy that so often comes With RESPONSIBILITY?

I’ve been thinking about rejection and acceptance again lately. This is a VERY IMPORTANT thing to understand. Inherent in each living soul is the desire to be accepted and loved. It is a key factor in all behavior and your thinking here will help determine the general mood that you will have from day to day. Believe it or not, you can trace most tragedies, including the VT Tragedy, to the underlying root tragedy—REJECTION.

What will it take to wake you up to action and being what you should? Will it take a tragedy? Will it take the death of a loved one? Will it take economic hardship? Will it take poor health? Will it take "natural" disaster? I wonder how the LORD GOD feels when all these tragedies fail to wake people up to reality and proper change? We should study what Jesus Christ did for the world there to make salvation possible and procure peace! Well, I started this article thinking of the three main news stories this week of Shooting Rampage Tragedies. First, we had the pastor in Illinois shot through his Bible during a church service. We have a shocking shooting rampage story from Alabama with more details coming out, even today. I also just heard of another school shooting where at least 16 were reported killed in the astute country of Germany. What is going on here? When will the world, the leader of the free world (America) and when will you, dear reader, WAKE UP?!?

Spring Break is nearly here for many and tragedy is looming. Between now and the week surrounding Easter, college campuses and other schools will give students a break from studies. This year, the government has even warned that Americans not travel into Mexico, with the current unrest happening there. Economic hardship may even be impacting some people from traveling as they might. It is nice to have a time away from working or even your studies, yet there is a grave danger that looms during these times, and tragedy is often at the door…

February 25th is a special day in the history of our world in light of an event that occurred three years ago today. It was an event tied to tragedy, even relating to Virginia Tech. It was an event surrounding Truth and worldwide influence. It was an event resulting in triumph from a perspective far beyond our measurements of time. What event am I referring to in this latest Blog? This event even relates to my 02-12-09 Blog, “Darwin, TRAGEDY, and Lincoln.” It was on February 25, 2006 that….

By now, most of those reading this blog have likely heard the story of Travis, the 200 pound Chimpanzee that recently attacked a Connecticut woman, leading to a multifaceted tragedy for both women directly involved and the chimp itself. In light of the recent and worldwide emphasis on Charles Darwin and his evolutionary theory of life, more should begin to think of this alleged relationship between men and monkeys (or as many say, with apes). It is well established and promoted by evolutionary scientists that chimps are allegedly man’s closest relative. This is a greater tragedy (even impacting this more recent tragedy) and one that many blindly accept as Truth, as they become willingly ignorant of what the Creation teaches us….

Today is the 200th anniversary celebration of the life of Charles Darwin. Darwin has become the deified figure of many committed Naturalists today. Certainly, nature is something to study and even learn from, yet when one honestly looks at nature, there are questions that arise about how a creature, life form, or formation of matter came about. With the incredible designs that are observed in this world (from the microscopic study of structures and life forms) to the telescopic understandings of this fantastic universe (just look at some of the awe inspiring photos we have today) there is no doubt that some greater force has been or is at work. As you think about this and origins, it essentially comes down to starting with impersonal matter or a personal GOD. Charles Darwin tragically fell into the trap of bitterness (see also my 01-14-09 Blog: “THEISM, A-theism and Deism”), and spent the last years of his life promoting only Naturalism. Have you succumbed to this tragedy in your own thinking or perhaps you have responded more like Abraham Lincoln?...

That’s my RIGHT! Well, what about your responsibility? In this age of global change, difficulty and evaluation of what has purpose and meaning, much emphasis is put upon RIGHTS. What is it that you should be allowed to have and to do? What are your RIGHTS? In any country where freedom is emphasized, so are RIGHTS. In any country where a standard of law is respected, RIGHTS can be enforced. Yet, is there not a danger that even in a free country, such as the GREAT United States of America, RIGHTS may be lost?

Not only are VOICES very influential in your health and growth (see my last Blog entry: “CHOICES and VOICES”), but PICTURES are even moreso. We live in a digitized age where pictures are seen everywhere. Probably the greatest invention ever, so far as the broadest influence, is the TELEVISION. Making pictures available along with sound to hear and watching it all continually moving in time is mesmerizing. Television certainly is highly influential (more than most realize) and is even an important aspect of many tragedies….