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Colorado Springs Shooter Had Letter to God and Two Books in His Car…

Orginally published on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 8:41 AM
by Todd Rhoades

I haven't heard this reported much and almost glossed over this article, but it has something significant in it. It seems the shooter who killed people recently at the YWAM facility and then New Life Church in Colorado Springs was carrying around a letter to God and two books. The police took them from his car left at the scene of New Life Church. While police haven't released the content of the letter to God, they did mention the titles of the two books the killer was carrying...

The first book was titled “Serial Murders and Their Victims”.

The second one was “I Had to Say Something”. This book was written by Mike Jones.  You’ll remember Jones as Ted Haggard’s accuser, and the book as his tell all of Ted’s double life.

Am I jumping to conclusions to think that this would make the shootings at New Life to be more ‘pre-meditated’ than random?  And that the fall of Haggard (and the telling of it in the book) may have been one of the things that pushed this guy over the edge?

Obviously, this man was severely impaired mentally; and if this wouldn’t have pushed him over the edge, something else definitely would have.  I’m not pointing fingers or accusing anyone other than the shooter for being responsible for this tragedy; but I think a point can be made that our decisions (and sins) have ramifications that we often don’t even think of.  And sin is, above all things, ugly and repulsive.  (My sins above all).

SOURCE

Your thoughts?


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  There are 5 Comments:

  • Posted by bishopdave
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:09 AM

    Based on that evidence as presented, I’d agree with you, Todd. Unrepentant leaders need to realize that though they are subject to like passions as the rest of the population, their (our) failures cause more collateral damage. Pastor falls into adultery/pornography/alcoholism and it’s not just a family affair, but the church is gravely wounded. People give up because “I looked to that leader, and if their faith fails, what do I have left?” James told us to not be many masters, because theirs is a greater condemnation (responsibility).

    I’m a man like the rest of mankind; but with the calling of leadership comes responsibility and expectation. It may not be fair, but I think if we would consider the possible collateral effects of our actions we might be more humble. Was it the relationship that did Haggard in, or his arrogance?

  • Posted by
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:10 AM

    i think the news media said he went to the church for help and they turned him away. i beleave that was the last hope the young man had, but i really do not know if it was. satan really had that boys mind under control to do such a thing , love over comes evil, when he went to that church for help they should have helped him, and maybe prevented the tradegy in his life and the people he killed, but that is another big IF, just my one cent worth.

  • Posted by
    Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    The truth about irrational and mentally ill individuals is that they act irrationally.  We will never know the reason (s) that this man acted in the way he did, even if he was able to tell us it would sound illogical and confused.  The triggering events that set in motion these types of acts never fully explain the acts themselves, and are often unrelated.  Take for example the high school shootings over the last several years, very few of the students who were shot are the students with whom the shooters had problems-most were just innocent victims that one vented their hatred towards. 

    It is normal to try and draw an explanation for one’s actions by letters and books read or carried, but the reality is that irrationality can never be fully explained from a rational perspective.  Unfortunately, crazy thinks and acts crazy.

  • Posted by joshMshep
    Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    Sin is ugly. And this situation has been very tragic.

    However, I would not be quick to rush to any more judgment on Haggard. That’s the sport of late-night TV, not fellow believers who are wanting to see their brother in Christ healed and forgiven by our Savior.

    Good call on bringing it back around to self. For what I learned from my former pastor is how seriously sin can affect me--it will destroy much good, despite all the gifting God may give.

    Thanks for the insight!
    -joshMshep

    Shootings at New Life Church and YWAM Denver: The Full Story

  • Posted by
    Saturday, February 02, 2008 at 3:06 PM

    And what about demonic influences?

    I think we too readily not consider it.  But some sins I just have to think that only Satan is the author of.

    Very sad.

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