Neal Pollard
I had made my first visit to Colorado about a month before the Columbine shooting on April 20, 1999. We went to the Southwest Plaza mall that weekend, but that was probably as close to the school campus as we came that March. That fall, on a second visit, we saw the harrowing scene of the library still cordoned off and covered with sheets. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold became names one could not say without feeling that strange tingle up and down the spine. Worse yet, video uncovered of the teenagers’ target practice and hateful tirades gave a glimpse into a very dark place. There were also a great many heroes, self-sacrificers who kept the massacre from being worse than it was. Dave Sanders, Jon Curtis, Jay Gallentine, Adam Foss, Kent Friesen, Patti Nielson, paramedics, and other students and teachers formed a long list of heroes who either sacrificed their lives or put them on the line to resist and counteract the horrific actions of the killers. There have been other school shootings, including some where an even greater loss of life occurred. But, there is something unique about the events of 11 years ago that resonates when the name “Columbine” is even mentioned.
April 20, 1999, gave us a graphic demonstration of the ugliness of sin. Though these events are stark and dramatic, all sin is ugly to God (cf. Hab. 1:13). Sin put Jesus on the cross, separates us from God, and brings death.
April 20, 1999, gave us hope in man’s potential for great good. Man is made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), and man often shows a glimpse of the compassion, mercy, sacrifice, and concern we see God show in a perfect way.
April 20, 1999, gave us a reminder that the world needs the gospel. Where the gospel goes, takes root, and grows, there is goodness and love in the place of evil and hate. Sin and selfishness are supplanted by sanctification and service where Scripture goes.
I hope you will memorialize these victims today. I hope, too, that you will reflect on these events and glean from them the brevity of life, the endlessness of eternity, and the need to be spiritual heroes by sharing Jesus with whomever you can today.
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
I was in Denver that Tuesday and attended the Wednesday night Bible study at Bear Valley. They put aside their regular studies and prayed for those family and friends wounded and killed and their families. It was an emotional gathering and this Tennessee boy felt a little out of place. I tried not to encroach on their grief. The faith of the brethren was not shaken that day and even in their grief they sang praises to God. No one will ever remember me there that night, but I will always remember the brave faithful brethren at Bear Valley. There was a light shining in the darkness that night. Praise God!