Update

I'm sorry I have not posted an update to my last blog. I've been so busy working on the house (finally eliminating the last few boxes), running errands, and Christmas shopping.
On Monday evening the authorities confirmed that the same shooter had attacked both church grounds. Although I felt relieved, I was also saddened, not only by the death of his victims, but by his own death and the effect these events will have on his family. I question where he is spending eternity. We must remember to pray not only for the victims of this horrible tragedy, but for the shooter's family. They too are hurting. The shooter, Matthew Murray, 24, grew up in a christian home. His dad is a neurosurgeon and works at a local Multiple Sclerosis hospital. His uncle is a pastor at a church in Denver and his mom runs the women's ministry there. Both Matthew and his brother were home schooled and his brother now attends Oral Roberts University, a well known Christian university in Tulsa, OK. So we wonder, what happened, what went wrong in his life? Matthew had studied for a semester in Colorado Christian University and had even considered transferring to Oral Roberts. A few years ago he was enrolled in YWAM (Youth with a Mission, the same base he attacked in Arvada), but had to be released from the program. Due to a health issue, he could not complete his mission (although there is no word on what this issue was). Authorities say he had been writing hate mail to YWAM, and must have been angry about the fact that he had not been allowed to finish the program. They say this was his motivation for the attacks. The church in CO Springs has a small YWAM office. In between attacks, he posted a diatribe on a website for those who have turned away from organized religion. He basically copied something written by one of the Columbine shooters, changing a few words. It describes his/their hate for Christians and his/their desire to kill God's people. A female volunteer security guard at New Life Church in C-Springs (and former law enforcement officer) eventually took him down. She shot him several times before he turned a gun on himself. She saved many lives. He was armed to kill many. He attacked the church in CO Springs with 3 guns (he had one more in his car and another at home) and over 1000 rounds of ammunition in his backpack. Authorities said he had been collecting this weaponry for a year. He must have been very tormented. I wonder what was going on in his head. Some reports insinuate that he may have been mentally unstable.
We must remember to have compassion for his family. They too have lost a son and feel guilty for the lives that he took. They have to live with the negative stigma that this has brought upon their family. As Christians we must also live with this, for many out there will continue to criticize us, maybe more so after these events. Thanks for all your prayers and support and for the phone calls checking on us. We are safe and doing well, focused on home projects.

One article I read: http://www.denverpost.com//ci_7686929?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com

For more articles: www.denverpost.com