Okay, this article really set me off:

BALTIMORE - A former religious cult member pleaded guilty Monday to starving her 1-year-old son to death after making an unusual deal with prosecutors: If the child is resurrected, her plea will be withdrawn.
Ria Ramkissoon, 22, also agreed to testify against four other members of the now-defunct religious group known as 1 Mind Ministries. All four are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Javon Thompson.
According to a statement of facts, the cult members stopped feeding the boy when he refused to say "Amen" after a meal. After Javon died, Ramkissoon sat next to his decomposing body and prayed for his resurrection.

A one year old who refused to say "Amen" after a meal was punished to death! In what world would this be acceptable. The fact that it was done in the name of religion makes it even more heinous. What happened to age appropriate behavior and expectations. It breaks my heart to think of this adorable little guy being starved to death and it enrages me that adults and leaders approved of the actions taken against him. When will people learn to think for themselves rather than blindly following leaders who neither model or promoted godly principles.

I am not sure what 1 Mind Ministries is all about but it is certainly not about the Judeao-Christian God who created us in his image. This is evil at it's very core. This is about some one's ego and power and control. I wonder how the boy was to be resurrected while being shoved in a locked suitcase?

Children are indeed a gift from God and His son scolded the disciples for assuming that children would be a bother to Him. They wrongly assumed He had more important things to do than let children come to him and ask questions and be curious. I bet the disciples didn't forget the rebuke - I wonder when we will finally "get" the point?

Never Underestimate the Power of a Kid

One day a friend called. She was at her wits end because her 4 yr old was throwing terrible tantrums that lasted longer than usual. We discussed putting her in her room until she could calm down. My friend had tried that but she couldn't keep her in there. I informed her that you have to stay right there and keep her in her room even if it means holding the door closed. You can talk with her so she doesn't feel locked- up but the point is to calm down then talk. Great advice and usually most kids will respond to this and "get it". It also teachers them to remove themselves from upsetting situations and get control of their feelings. Well, mom and I were just feeling so smug about how well we took care of that little bump in the road when the next tantrum came along. Mom did everything correctly and finally the raging storm of a child calmed down. Mom, impressed that this was working, decided it was safe to walk away and wait for her to come out, when the doorbell rang. Feeling good about the whole thing a confident mom headed to the front door.

Imagine her shocked expression when whom did she greet at the front door? You guessed the 4 yr old. She had managed to get to the window, opened it, popped out the screen and climbed out the window onto the shrubs. Now she wanted in so she rang the doorbell.

Yes indeed so much for being smart adults. Never underestimate the power of a kid!

"VEEDERSBURG, Ind. - A couple who ran a baby-sitting service out of their home videotaped themselves performing sex acts with children, some as young as 2 months old, police said Friday."

This is the word from the Associated Press today. No matter how many times this happens and I hear it, it still knocks me over. How do we know our children are safe, who can we entrust them to, how will the damage be repaired? I can't even begin to imagine the anger and betrayal these parents feel learning of the vile acts perpetrated against their babies. How do we as a society respond to such horror? There are even people who claim this does no harm. I think all you have to do to disprove that notion is to ask an adult victim of child sexual abuse if it has affected their life. I am quite sure you will get a resounding yes. If the determining factor on the greatness of a society is based on how we treat the very young and the very old, we are failing miserably. God help us!