Letters to the Editor 11-25-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Where Is God? - Open-Minded - Stand Firm - International Education - School Clubs
Where Is God?
Editor, Times-Union:Where is God?
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind ... [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. ... But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine" (Psalm 33:12-19, NIV).
I recall having read in a college newspaper about a student who painted in big white letters right across the side of a garbage truck, "Where is God?" Perhaps he was thinking at some level, "Why does God allow garbage to happen?"
It's an age-old question, as old as Job and as fresh as today: "Where is God when tragedy strikes ... when a loved one dies and the heart is torn with grief ... when innocent children are kidnapped, sexually abused and murdered? And where was he on Sept. 11, 2001? And again, when terrorist bombs blasted a resort hotel in Bali? Or when a sniper in the Washington, D.C., area was shooting and killing innocent people at random?"
I don't want to sound callous by any means, but we are asking the wrong question because God is where he always was and always is. The Apostle Paul said it best, in that God "is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being'" (See Acts 17:24. 26-28).
So the question needs to be, "Where is man?"
Our problem lies in the fact that we as nations have left God - or are fast leaving him. As God's word, the Bible, says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." And what of those nations whose God is not the Lord? Perhaps history best answers that question.
But the great tragedy is, as another has said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open our eyes and help us to see that when we leave you, forsake your word and throw out your commandments, we open the door to evil. Grant that we will see in today's acts of senseless terror a wakeup call to turn back to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Alice Nabinger
Pierceton
via e-mail
Open-Minded
Editor, Times-Union:I am for "Promoting Equality" and not being "Narrow Minded" as indicated by Ms. Katherine Joyner and Kris Skufca. Joyner and Skufca are two of the many people in this country that represent a vocal group that don't get the message correct. Even though we have had a sexual deviate living in the White House and Congress of the United States, they think all of us are going to buy the concept that being a sexual deviate is not any different than being, black, yellow, blind or handicapped. The choice of behaving as a sexual deviate and standing up in public and telling us of your new-found behavior and then attempting to make us feel guilty that you just told us you are a law violator and asking us to accept your behavior is unbelievable. But true, it happens all the time. So now the part of being equal and open minded. I truly suggest in this open frame of mind we should also have our children have adult type sessions (felony/law-abiding alliance) with other law violators, how about murderers, rapists, drug dealers, arsonists and let's not forget incest. Oh, incest, anyone who believes criminal deviate sexual conduct is acceptable should also think incest is acceptable. Parents having sex with their children, cuts down on travel and gas consumption. Joyner and Skufca, Deviate Sexual Conduct as defined in the Indiana Criminal Code 35-41-1-9 & 35-42-4-2 is against the law as a Class A or B felony. That's about as equal and open-minded as I can get. The difference between being law-abiding and being a criminal sexual deviate can be as much as 10 to 30 years in prison. The choice of being accepted in society should be to obey the law. Those who choose sexual deviate conduct as a lifestyle don't fret, you could even be president or a congressman someday.
Al McClelland
Warsaw
via e-mail
Stand Firm
Editor, Times-Union:Mainly in response to Miss Eastlund's letter on Thursday, and to the other letters, I find that I can no longer be quiet. I'm glad to hear that you know enough about being a Christian to know that it is wrong to judge others. Jesus himself even states in the scriptures that He came, not to judge, but to save. But, Kaitlyn, you stated that we should be "open-minded," and "open our eyes" to the fact that God loves everyone. God truly DOES love everyone, but God also hates sin, and homosexuality is a sin, AND since you're a Christian, I don't really need to tell you that.
Letting a friend, or fellow student know about God's love and His rules for salvation isn't judgment, it's merely your duty as a Christian. You're right, GSA does have the right to meet, but just because the television, magazines and special clubs promote this lifestyle doesn't mean you have to accept it as being right. I hate to tell you this, but the world is going to hate you for your beliefs, get used to it. It only gets worse from here and the sooner we get off the fence, spiritually speaking, and stand firmly on God's side, the better off we'll be.
Hopefully as a community, Miss Eastlund, we can teach our children between right and wrong BEFORE the world does. Thanks for telling us to get our priorities straight. I'll work on that.
Scott Wickens
Warsaw
via e-mail
International Education
Editor, Times-Union:Are you aware of the many opportunities within your community about international education? Right now within our Indiana high schools there is a full scholarship to Germany. This Congress-Bundestag Scholarship has been helping prepare ambitious 15- to 18-year-olds for a global future since 1983.
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide an awesome chance for our Indiana high schoolers to broaden themselves through experiencing living abroad and immersing themselves into another culture outside of our small towns in Indiana.
I wonder how many parents and students are not aware of this golden opportunity. The deadline is Dec. 16, so log onto www.ayusa.org, choose study abroad, then scholarships, and see what all the excitement is about!
Have you ever wondered about the exchange students and their host families at your local high school? These students are coming to America from all over the world to experience family life and learn about our country and culture as we know it. The host families that are providing room and board are also sharing the warmth of their homes and the love that each family member shares. The memories and love that is generated will be for a lifetime. But we need more community representatives and host families to make all this happen.
I know there are a lot of families out there that have thought about hosting or sending their son/daughter abroad to study, but just never knew how to go about it.
Yes, a single parent can host, yes, empty-nesters can host, of course, a traditional family with teens or smaller children can host. So as you can see everyone has something to share. Call the AYUSA district office today at 574-893-1744 or toll-free, 877-283-5470, to learn how you can become part of this community effort. Also check out www.ayusa.org to see all of these opportunities.
Hosting is a very rewarding and life-changing experience. Our family is enriched by our new sons and daughters and we have a new international understanding.
Tiffany Adams
Akron
via e-mail
School Clubs
Editor, Times-Union:I have been reading about the gay/straight alliance! I am suprised that a club of that nature is allowed to meet in the school! I pay taxes to help fund the schools and I feel it is not appropriate for a club of this type of nature meet at the school! So does this mean if a club of swingers want to meet in the school this would be fine? I feel that if a parent wants a child to be educated on this type of sexuality then they should do it at home! The girl Brittnay is going to the club even though her parents don't approve, according to your article. If the club is supporting defiance, then it is not a helpful club in my book! Don't get me wrong, I have a gay friend and we have been friends for years! But these are young minds! If we tell our children not to go to a program meeting at the school and the school knows about it, then they should not be allowed to attend! I often hear people comment, what is happening to the youth today? Well let me tell you, this gay/straight alliance should clue you in!
Tammi Flaugh
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Where Is God? - Open-Minded - Stand Firm - International Education - School Clubs
Where Is God?
Editor, Times-Union:Where is God?
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind ... [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. ... But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine" (Psalm 33:12-19, NIV).
I recall having read in a college newspaper about a student who painted in big white letters right across the side of a garbage truck, "Where is God?" Perhaps he was thinking at some level, "Why does God allow garbage to happen?"
It's an age-old question, as old as Job and as fresh as today: "Where is God when tragedy strikes ... when a loved one dies and the heart is torn with grief ... when innocent children are kidnapped, sexually abused and murdered? And where was he on Sept. 11, 2001? And again, when terrorist bombs blasted a resort hotel in Bali? Or when a sniper in the Washington, D.C., area was shooting and killing innocent people at random?"
I don't want to sound callous by any means, but we are asking the wrong question because God is where he always was and always is. The Apostle Paul said it best, in that God "is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being'" (See Acts 17:24. 26-28).
So the question needs to be, "Where is man?"
Our problem lies in the fact that we as nations have left God - or are fast leaving him. As God's word, the Bible, says, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord." And what of those nations whose God is not the Lord? Perhaps history best answers that question.
But the great tragedy is, as another has said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open our eyes and help us to see that when we leave you, forsake your word and throw out your commandments, we open the door to evil. Grant that we will see in today's acts of senseless terror a wakeup call to turn back to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Alice Nabinger
Pierceton
via e-mail
Open-Minded
Editor, Times-Union:I am for "Promoting Equality" and not being "Narrow Minded" as indicated by Ms. Katherine Joyner and Kris Skufca. Joyner and Skufca are two of the many people in this country that represent a vocal group that don't get the message correct. Even though we have had a sexual deviate living in the White House and Congress of the United States, they think all of us are going to buy the concept that being a sexual deviate is not any different than being, black, yellow, blind or handicapped. The choice of behaving as a sexual deviate and standing up in public and telling us of your new-found behavior and then attempting to make us feel guilty that you just told us you are a law violator and asking us to accept your behavior is unbelievable. But true, it happens all the time. So now the part of being equal and open minded. I truly suggest in this open frame of mind we should also have our children have adult type sessions (felony/law-abiding alliance) with other law violators, how about murderers, rapists, drug dealers, arsonists and let's not forget incest. Oh, incest, anyone who believes criminal deviate sexual conduct is acceptable should also think incest is acceptable. Parents having sex with their children, cuts down on travel and gas consumption. Joyner and Skufca, Deviate Sexual Conduct as defined in the Indiana Criminal Code 35-41-1-9 & 35-42-4-2 is against the law as a Class A or B felony. That's about as equal and open-minded as I can get. The difference between being law-abiding and being a criminal sexual deviate can be as much as 10 to 30 years in prison. The choice of being accepted in society should be to obey the law. Those who choose sexual deviate conduct as a lifestyle don't fret, you could even be president or a congressman someday.
Al McClelland
Warsaw
via e-mail
Stand Firm
Editor, Times-Union:Mainly in response to Miss Eastlund's letter on Thursday, and to the other letters, I find that I can no longer be quiet. I'm glad to hear that you know enough about being a Christian to know that it is wrong to judge others. Jesus himself even states in the scriptures that He came, not to judge, but to save. But, Kaitlyn, you stated that we should be "open-minded," and "open our eyes" to the fact that God loves everyone. God truly DOES love everyone, but God also hates sin, and homosexuality is a sin, AND since you're a Christian, I don't really need to tell you that.
Letting a friend, or fellow student know about God's love and His rules for salvation isn't judgment, it's merely your duty as a Christian. You're right, GSA does have the right to meet, but just because the television, magazines and special clubs promote this lifestyle doesn't mean you have to accept it as being right. I hate to tell you this, but the world is going to hate you for your beliefs, get used to it. It only gets worse from here and the sooner we get off the fence, spiritually speaking, and stand firmly on God's side, the better off we'll be.
Hopefully as a community, Miss Eastlund, we can teach our children between right and wrong BEFORE the world does. Thanks for telling us to get our priorities straight. I'll work on that.
Scott Wickens
Warsaw
via e-mail
International Education
Editor, Times-Union:Are you aware of the many opportunities within your community about international education? Right now within our Indiana high schools there is a full scholarship to Germany. This Congress-Bundestag Scholarship has been helping prepare ambitious 15- to 18-year-olds for a global future since 1983.
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide an awesome chance for our Indiana high schoolers to broaden themselves through experiencing living abroad and immersing themselves into another culture outside of our small towns in Indiana.
I wonder how many parents and students are not aware of this golden opportunity. The deadline is Dec. 16, so log onto www.ayusa.org, choose study abroad, then scholarships, and see what all the excitement is about!
Have you ever wondered about the exchange students and their host families at your local high school? These students are coming to America from all over the world to experience family life and learn about our country and culture as we know it. The host families that are providing room and board are also sharing the warmth of their homes and the love that each family member shares. The memories and love that is generated will be for a lifetime. But we need more community representatives and host families to make all this happen.
I know there are a lot of families out there that have thought about hosting or sending their son/daughter abroad to study, but just never knew how to go about it.
Yes, a single parent can host, yes, empty-nesters can host, of course, a traditional family with teens or smaller children can host. So as you can see everyone has something to share. Call the AYUSA district office today at 574-893-1744 or toll-free, 877-283-5470, to learn how you can become part of this community effort. Also check out www.ayusa.org to see all of these opportunities.
Hosting is a very rewarding and life-changing experience. Our family is enriched by our new sons and daughters and we have a new international understanding.
Tiffany Adams
Akron
via e-mail
School Clubs
Editor, Times-Union:I have been reading about the gay/straight alliance! I am suprised that a club of that nature is allowed to meet in the school! I pay taxes to help fund the schools and I feel it is not appropriate for a club of this type of nature meet at the school! So does this mean if a club of swingers want to meet in the school this would be fine? I feel that if a parent wants a child to be educated on this type of sexuality then they should do it at home! The girl Brittnay is going to the club even though her parents don't approve, according to your article. If the club is supporting defiance, then it is not a helpful club in my book! Don't get me wrong, I have a gay friend and we have been friends for years! But these are young minds! If we tell our children not to go to a program meeting at the school and the school knows about it, then they should not be allowed to attend! I often hear people comment, what is happening to the youth today? Well let me tell you, this gay/straight alliance should clue you in!
Tammi Flaugh
Warsaw
via e-mail
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