Tag Archives: Mass shootings

Bad Parenting 101

As police and local officials investigate another mass shooting, this time on July 4th in Highland Park, Illinois, it appears that this could have been prevented. Bobby Crimo III attempted suicide and threatened to kill his entire family iback n 2019. Yet, not only did Bobby’s parents cover for him, but the father also recently co-signed for Bobby to get a gun. This is an example of Bad Parenting 101.

Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating, Proverbs 12:1.

One of the guest lecturers of Bad Parenting in the Bible is King Solomon, father of 700 wives, 300 concubines, and countless children. Those kids you hear running in the hallway of your hotel in the middle of the night is likely a byproduct of bad parenting. Since the Bible was removed from public education in the 1960’s, too many parents want to become a friend of their child, not an adult.

He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early, Proverbs 13:24.

As a father of three, 2 boys and 1 girl, every child is different. Some respond to spanking, others to time outs with a few simply needing to know how disappointed you are as a parent by their specific actions. There is no full proof how to a raise a newborn baby when you leave the hospital for the first time. Yet, Bad Parenting 101 occurs when you don’t consistently discipline children. Sit down with your spouse, decide on a plan and follow through, even if it hurts you. The future of America is reliant on parenting.

by Jay Mankus

Understanding Evil

As someone who has grown to love history, you can likely predict what will happen in the future based upon previous events.  Although past civilizations may have possessed good intentions, the temptation for control, fame and power has a way to side track the most disciplined individuals.  Subsequently, enticement opens the door for evil to corrupt formerly innocent souls.  This shocking reality is where understanding evil begins.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time, Genesis 6:5.

In the years leading up to the biblical flood, a spirit of wickedness spread throughout the earth.  While specific acts aren’t mentioned, murder, violence and war are assumed based upon the accounts within Genesis 4.  As human beings gave into every kind of inclinations, cravings, desires and feelings, hearts became set on evil.  Without any voice of truth holding people accountable, humanism was conceived by doing what’s right in your own eyes.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

Today, a similar culture exists where absolutes are considered old-fashioned, stale and not worth the hassle to follow.  When rules become lax in any society, integrity, morality and values tend to decline.  If this trend continues for years or decades, you can easily recognize this in day to day interactions.  This environment allows evil to enter souls through compromise.  When confronted by an authority figure, evil is often discarded by justifying and rationalizing behavior.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs, 1 Timothy 6:10.

When it comes to explaining the New York City terrorist attack with a dump truck, some are inspired by extreme religious beliefs.  Mass shootings like in Las Vegas and the small church outside of San Antonio, Texas typically reveal some sort of troubled past.  Like a fuse waiting to go off, evil takes over at some point, paralyzing the human conscience.  This sets the stage for disaster.  Until conviction, truth and revival return, evil will continue to reign throughout segments of society.  Only when souls ask God to return can evil be defeated.  May the presence of evil today inspire individuals to open their hearts to Jesus, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus