Other than a couple minor league baseball teams, we don’t have professional sports in Arkansas. We used to have an arena football team in Little Rock, but that didn’t last. And back in the 90’s, we actually had a couple minor league hockey teams in Little Rock, but they didn’t last either. I’m not sure Arkansas was ready for professional hockey, let alone two teams.

If you live in Arkansas, the team you most likely follow is the Arkansas Razorbacks. So when anything happens involving the Razorbacks–it’s a big deal in this state. Like when the football team rises to #3 in the BCS rankings right behind LSU and Alabama. Or when a 19-year-old football player dies unexpectedly the morning after a win over Mississippi State.

Yesterday morning, Garrett Uekman was found dead in his dorm room. Cause of death hasn’t been determined. Tonight, in about 30 minutes, there will be a candlelight vigil at the basketball arena on campus. My wife, my daughter and I will attend. We didn’t know him, but we want to be a part of honoring the passing of a young man who was the age of my youngest daughter.

Sadly, word came out today that Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka, Kansas plans to picket at Garrett’s funeral. Maybe you’ve heard of this hate-filled group of people who also picket the funerals of soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

Somehow this “church” has managed to twist the love of Christ into a license to spew their hate for anyone who doesn’t see the world the way they do. No wonder the world looks at Christians and says, “No thanks.”

The truth?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)