As a people, we love "lists." We are eager to see lists of the "Best Dressed," the "Best Books," "The Best Movies," the "Best Restaurants," the "Best Places to Live," the "Best Team," and so on. We love to categorize, group and label. Books of lists are compiled and entertainers make humorous lists, and we get a chuckle out of them.

A recent national survey of young people concerning their hopes, dreams and aspirations revealed a rather shocking fact. Most youngsters today want to become celebrities.

It really doesn’t seem to matter to them if they become famous or infamous, as long as they achieve notoriety or celebrity status. The mainstream media feeds this desire by giving an inordinate amount of coverage to the strange, bizarre and weird happenings of spoiled, overpaid entertainers and professional sports figures, and by intensely focusing on the antics of the rich and famous.

It’s everywhere—lots of flesh, provocative poses, suggestive moves, lyrics and dialogue; all calculated to stir the passions of the listener or viewer, young or old, male or female. The appeal to the desire for physical pleasures is used to purvey every kind of product and service in every form of media. It’s slick. It’s colorful. It’s well done. And, it’s effective. Sadly, great talent and creative ability go into producing this literal flood of images and music, which leads people to focus on misusing something that is wonderful, when used as the Creator God intended.

We Americans pride ourselves in our freedom. Freedom of choice is a hallmark of our national identity and our heritage. We have the freedom to choose how we will live our lives. Sadly many individuals do not realize that freedom of choice carries the potential for great good in our lives as well as the potential for great harm.

On April 20, two high school students with pipe-bombs and automatic weapons murdered twelve students and one teacher, and then killed themselves. Schools are supposed to be a safe-haven for education and enlightenment, so the bloody violence shocks us even more.

As many facts came to light, one television reporter stated, "We now understand the how and the what, but we don't know the answer to WHY?" Yes, WHY did this tragedy occur? Both Newsweek Magazine and U.S. News & World Report magazine featured the probing three-letter word on their covers, "WHY?"