W.C., I also was struck with awe and dismay over the Littleton, Colorado incident. I am a mother of two toddlers ~ ages 4 1/2 and 2 ~ and it is very frightening to know that we live in a society where something of this nature can occur (and occur more than once!). I think letting people know you're supporting them through the turning on of lights is WONDERFUL. Sometimes just knowing people/Americans are behind you can be very comforting. However, I'd like to make a request to those on this mailing list as well. I'd like to ask everyone to pray that we can return prayer to our schools. I strongly believe that one of our major reasons we're seeing this type of violence is because we have, as a nation, forgotten God in our daily lives. This country was founded on religious freedom. People braved the high seas of the ocean to cross into a land so that they could worship God as they chose. Anymore, it seems that separation of church and state indicates we should NOT worship or try to tell others about the good news of Christ and his love for them. Seems mighty strange to me that knowing of Christ's love for us would be detrimental, yet being able to see violence and access guns so readily is a "right." I'm not exactly sure where I stand on gun control, as I truly believe that if we as a nation had our hearts changed, the need for gun control wouldn't be such an issue. A court recently removed the Ten Commandments from a school because they were afraid the children there might be influenced by it. Well, let me tell you: I'd much rather by children be influenced by commandments to love God, love their brothers, not covet what others have, not take things that don't belong to us, etc. than by the violence we see in all types of media (including our local and national news programs). I think we've gotten the separation of church and state mixed up in its meaning. When our forefathers dictated separation of the church and government, it was so that we as individuals could chose HOW we wanted to worship and WHERE. They did not want a state-run church, as was the case in Mother England. Now, we've turned that "privilege" into something totally erroneous from its first meaning. In 1998, my family recorded a gospel music project where we placed a song that my sister had written entitled, "How Much More." During the recording, I felt God telling me during the second verse of the song, "Jonesboro, AR; Oklahoma City." I cried tremendously and we have the song currently released to gospel radio stations. Upon our return home from the studio, I told some friends that I really wanted to get the song out to secular radio stations; however, I had NO idea as to how to go about doing that. When I saw the message of turning on the lights, I decided to turn on my own light by sending the lyrics to this song to all of you on this mailing list. Folks, believe me, I don't think it will be long until God tells Jesus Christ to come back to claim the church; the church made up of all people who have asked Christ to be their Lord. It doesn't matter what denomination you may attend; but, you MUST have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to make it to Heaven. I don't want to "preach" on a mailing list meant for something other than that. However, family is very important to everyone on this list and each of us in the family of God is concerned about those who are not. If anyone wants to discuss more in this area, please feel free to write. I'd be more than happy to chat with you. Thanks for letting me express my concerns. Here are the lyrics: "HOW MUCH MORE" (written by: Brenda Messaros) I. Sin is worse now than ever, the world is more evil each day; They've taken prayer from our children, explained creation away Satan's attacking the family, violence has entered the home; They say if it feels good, just do it; no rules, anything goes. Cho.HOW MUCH MORE until you say enough is enough, How much longer can this world reject your love; When will your grace be over, when will your mercy end, How much longer 'til your Son comes again. II.It's legal to kill unborn babies, they call it a choice not a sin; Abuse and murder surround us, will this bloodshed ever end; We must take a stand for Jesus, show this world He's the only way; There's no time to waste, today is the day; for tomorrow may be too late. Donna (Brock) Strong Hamilton, Ohio