Just the other day my family and I went to the shooting range. First off, let me say, don't get started on any anti-gun comments. Guns don't kill or rob people, people kill and rob people. Saying that a gun killed someone is saying, that forks and spoons are the reason people face obesity.

But, back on my subject. My family and I were at the shooting range, and for the first (maybe) 10-15 minutes it was relatively quiet. Just getting everything ready, the birds and squirrels chattering, and the wind in the trees. Then we heard the sound of tires on the gravel road behind us. We had company. Out of two vehicles spilled an Army veteran, his son, another man, and three of the veteran's grandkids (two girls and a boy). The veteran spoke momentarily with us, and then proceeded to inform his grandkids about the safety precautions to take. He did very well, covering everything in a calm, yet stern manner.

Everything went well, but I won't say I wasn't a wee bit nervous about the kids. The youngest girl didn't bother me, she was a bit afraid and unsure, so she was cautious. The other girl at one point told her grandfather to, "Hush, and let him shoot!" The boy, however, was a bit too sure and excited. At one point, when the boy had went to turn around, a gun still in hand, his grandfather had sternly told him to always keep the gun down range. That, I believe was when this thought that I'm writing of today first came to mind, then my family and I discussed it again this morning, my Dad bringing it up without having known what I had said yesterday.

Shooting video games. They are very popular. Right?

Now, hunting games I don't have a problem with. Actually if used in the right manner, they are a good learning tool for real life hunting. This was proved when (after shooting a 3D target), I had pulled up a hunting game on my Kindle at random one day. I was able to successfully make an ethical and swift kill shot on the video game deer.

That can be a practical use. Guns where you shoot other people however? Not at all practical. Actually that's just down right wrong. This brings me right down to my point. Life is not like a video game. On a video game you get extra lives to use, and if you don't get something right you can just give it another go after you "die". Life isn't like that.

In life you only get one life to live. That's it. When you die, there is no coming back for another round. It just doesn't happen. But video games where you just take other's life's (as well as other forces about us) are making us not value life anymore. It gives you the mind set of, "I'm out for myself! I can't let anyone take me down!" Then bampowetc... cue the triumphant music... blah blah blah... Winner! Or are you? Think about it...

If you had a young child and let them play a game like this, or even see you playing it, that kid very well may not realize it's just a game. The next time that child sees a gun it might just grab it and start playing like the game. I don't think I need to describe how badly that could end. (This is carelessness on the parents' part, but it still needed to be said.)

Video games are telling players that life isn't anything special. Hit a button and you can start again. It doesn't work that way. There is no button. No restart. You live each day, never knowing if it might be your last. So don't waste it. I think sometimes the attitude about not valuing life is what makes people think that it's okay to murder an unborn baby, but that's another story for another time.

Life means something, God gave a life and He can take it away. He made each and every person for a purpose whether you believe in Him and believe that, comes down to you. But sometimes I wonder if we don't listen to His voice and heed His call... Will we achieve that purpose?

- Just a word from the Belle.