By John Warren

Growing up we said a prayer when we went to bed each night.  You may have said the same prayer it goes like this:  “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake I pray my Lord my soul to take.”

That prayer is the reason I spent some sleepless nights because I didn’t want to die in my sleep.  What a terrible thing to leave with a child before you turn out the light!  “If I should die before I wake.”

Of course, there were times when it was an earnest plea to God because children at that time often died in their sleep from sickness.  We have are in an awful flu year with many dying including children.  Use common sense wash your hands after you fill your car with gas, or handle the canister at the drive in window of the bank, the grocery cart, or the salt and pepper shaker at the restaurant.

Kiss your children good-bye every morning for they may not return from school in the afternoon.

Kiss your wife and or husband good-bye for they may not return home for dinner.

After the latest school shooting it is noted that many people knew of his posts on social media, the FBI even had been warned about him.  While our government officials from the top down have refused to do anything to keep us safe, cutting mental illness funding, repealing a law that would keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill just the day before the shooting.

This was the 18^th shooting in our schools and we are only 45 days into the year!

How many more parents must we have waiting for news of whether their children are alive?  How many teachers, pastors, police officers, innocent people at a concerts or having dinner in a restaurant will it take?

Now is the time to not only talk about our problems but to do something about them.  Call your congressmen and women.  One of my pastor friends says in his benediction a sobering statement meant to move his listeners to action, he says, “May the peace of God disturb you.”

The violence perpetrated against innocent children should be considered the same as Pro-life.  I am not anti-gun; but I see no need for assault rifles they have absolutely no use in hunting.  You don’t sell bombs, weapons of murder; these guns are weapons for taking human life.

Students and parents if you see signs of violent behavior on social media or in someone’s actions take action and report them.  We can’t stay silent any longer.  I am concerned that we know deep down what needs to be done but we have no one willing to make sure that it is done.

“Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.”

If we continue to choose lobbyists over lives, we are as guilty as the one pulling the trigger.  God save us all!