The 8ft (2.5m) albino Burmese python had also bitten Shaiunna Hare on her forehead several times.

Charles Darnell, the snake's owner and boyfriend of Shaiunna's mother, stabbed the python and prised the child away, but she died before paramedics arrived.

Authorities removed the snake from the home after obtaining a search warrant.

Officials said Mr Darnell did not have a permit for the snake. He could face child endangerment or other charges.

Everglades breeding

According to police, Mr Darnell said he had put the snake in a bag in an aquarium container on Tuesday night, but awoke the next morning to find it missing.

Bobby Caruthers, from the sheriff's office in Sumter County, central Florida, said Mr Darnell "ran immediately to the infant's room" and discovered "the snake on the child".

"He also said he observed bite marks on the forehead of the child," Mr Caruthers said.

Wildlife officials say they are growing increasingly concerned by the proliferation of pythons in the Florida wilderness.

It is believed that some have been released by pet owners who can no longer care for them.

The snakes are breeding in the Everglades, where they have no natural predators.

Burmese pythons can reach a length of 16ft (5m) and live for 30 years.

The US Humane Society told Associated Press news agency that at least 12 people have been killed in the US by pet pythons since 1980, including five children.

We should rightly be horrified by this story.  How could anyone put such a dangerous predator near a child?  We have no idea what kind of safeguards this man put up - probably pretty good ones.  But the fact remains: some things just don't belong in the house.

There are other things we allow in the house that are deadly or deadlier that we allow in the house:

• Unfiltered, unsupervised and unaccountable media access.  I've heard kids cuss and portray attitudes and sexual innuendo that would embarrass the most hardened person - where did they learn that?  Mom's and dad's allow the strangest videos and movies to be watched both from the screen, internet and DVD.
  As a parent of a teen, it's hard to sit down and talk about what they hear, see and what our kids are tempted to do with their friends.  Get over it!  Just do it!  Be a parent, not a friend; place boundaries and limits. 
  
• Attitudes and conversations that adults should discuss alone. Kids will pick up on our language, attitude, criticism and praise.  Do they hear us admit good things as well as critical things of people?  When we're criticizing a teacher, leader or government official, do we also mention it's blessings?  A teacher commented to me about the rudeness and attitude of a child.  I lamented but she explained: when the parents of this child came in and cussed her out, she understood - the child only knows what is taught by example.  Do you cuss in front of your kids?  They will, too.  Do you allow bad or off-colored jokes?  They will, too.
  Here's what's cool: it goes the other way around, too!  They will demonstrate great attitude and great character when we demonstrate it, too.  But it's "caught", not taught.

       even the children yet to be born,
       and they in turn would tell their children.

 ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
       and would not forget his deeds
       but would keep his commands.

I read this comment on Youtube:

“I asked My God for a rapture dream the other night(3-23-09). I get tired of not knowing when he is coming. It is true we will not know the hour/day but we WILL KNOW when it is near. But anyway, I asked God and I said VERY SPECIFICALLY.....IF YOU ARE TRULY COMING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND IF I (MYSELF) WILL SEE THE RAPTURE then and ONLY THEN give me a DREAM/VISION sometime. Needless to say I WAS NOT EXPECTING GOD to respond THAT VERY NIGHT if ever. 
HE DID RESPOND GAVE ME A DREAM!”

A couple things:

(1) the “rapture” is a Christian doctrine that summarizes that beginning of the end.  God promises that when he returns we will be “caught up with him in the air” or “raptured” unto him.  Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  (Jn. 14:3)  The Apostle Paul further clarifies what Jesus said: “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  (1 Thess. 4:17)

(2) As far as this person’s dream goes, God is God and He is under no compulsion to acquiesce to our perceived needs or desires.  If he wants to answer – he answers regardless of the strings we put on them. 

(3) I am SO with this dude!  I mean – if we’re going to fantasize and have a dream – THAT, my friend, is a dream!!!!  

But it got me to thinking: “What a weird thing for someone to devote a teaching to?”  Why would Jesus even mention this?  I mean, this is kinda out there.  To a non-Christian, this must seem bizarre (like a Mormon’s belief that man can ascend to godhood, even as “God” was once a man - TPJS, p. 345)!

But then again, it would be perfectly natural.  After all, the disciples are his friends and he loves them/us.  He knew exactly what was going to happen, right? 

“Look, I’m going, guys – it has to happen … but don’t think for a moment that I’m not coming back for you all!  Why would I do that?  My plans are just beginning to get started … there’s a lot that needs to happen.  But I will come back – just wait!” 

Jesus told me to pray and ask for a lot of things. 

But praying for his Return is not one of them. 

It just goes without say.

If I drop my kids off for a sport or some kind of event, I tell them, “I’ll see you after this is over, okay?”  But I never say, “And I want you to dwell on that fact – keep calling me and asking, ‘when are you coming?’ or ‘are you sure you’re coming?’.” 

I’ll be there – they belong to me!  They are my responsibility!  I love them and crave their relationship!  I have no intention of leaving them without resource or to danger.  I mean, really!  What a silly thing to worry about!

And that’s my Master.  I trust he’s going to get the “minivan” out of Garage … and he’s driving to pick his kids up.  When?  Where?  Oh, he’s a parent … he’ll find me!

I’m starting to hear the haughty whispers: “Christians believe in a fairy tale.  We’ve had enough of their intrusive morals and beliefs.  We don’t need them.  They need to butt-out.  Sure, Christianity played a role in history … but this is today.” 

It makes me nervous. 

But I’m reminded: I’m getting picked up, soon.  So, I’ll play my part and role … and wait for my ride.

So, it really does go without say … but I’ll say it anyway:  He is returning. 

And with the Ancients, I say: “maranatha … even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!”  *

* PS - the video is not great ... but the music, is awesome.

Renelique arrived at the clinic about an hour later and gave Williams a shot to put her to sleep. "She awoke after the procedure and was sent home still in complete shock," the suit said.

Police were notified of the incident by an anonymous caller who told them the baby was born alive and disposed of."