Editor, Times-Union: From most church pulpits we hear again and again the words "The Kingdom of God." Let us seek to understand this kingdom. Some questions are: Is it here? Is it out of this world? Is it coming? Is it a gift? Is it earned? How can we get into it? How important is it? Or is it?
With such a rash of shootings, suicides, rapes, abuses, giant companies' leaders's stealings, we are forced to realize the kingdom is absent here. The great Russian novelist Dostoevsky wrote: "If there is no God, anything is permissable." He thereby wrote a phrase that proves what is not the kingdom of God.
A movie tells of a tramp asleep in a barn awakened by children who asked who he was. He said, "Jesus Christ," and they believed him. The rest of the movie he is treated with awe, respect and love. They brought him food, blankets and in time he was transfigured by such mercy. It's obvious that children lead the way, exemplifying the kingdom of God. Jesus said to us, "Except you become as children you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew l8:5).
Fulfilling this was Mother Teresa who said, "First we meditate on Jesus, and then we go out and look for him in disguise." Jesus had a two-fold plan when he ascended from Earth. His long-term plan was to return. His short-term plan was putting into our fumbling hands the keys of the kingdom. We need to do a lot better job, led by his spirit, following his examples with love as the key.
Reading about Jesus in the Bible we learn what he meant by the kingdom of God. It is where all people are welcomed, especially its weakest members. Justice and righteousness and love must prevail as members of the kingdom compete for the privilege of serving one another.
God sent Jesus to tell us about his kingdom. All we have to do is let God love you and me and the response in us which it brings. I will, will you? Then we will enter the kingdom of God!
C.L. Hendrix Winona Lake via e-mail
Radical Republicans
Editor, Times-Union: Next month the Senate will most likely vote on what the Republicans call the "nuclear option." This is about radical Republicans grasping for absolute power so they can appoint Supreme Court justices that favor corporate interests and an extreme right agenda over the rest of us. I sincerely urge our senators to stand up for the centuries of checks and balances that have made this country great, and oppose the "nuclear option."
Despite Senate confirmation of almost 95 percent of President Bush's nominees, radical Republicans are threatening to eliminate the filibuster to gain complete control over the Supreme Court. They want to use the court to pay back big donors by rolling back worker protections, environmental laws and privacy rights - all at our expense.
This is not a partisan issue. Ultimately you don't even have to oppose President Bush's judges to oppose the "nuclear option." This is about supporting checks and balances and opposing absolute power in the hands of one party. And that's something we can all agree on.
Beth Anderson Warsaw via e-mail
Bad Reporter
Editor, Times-Union: I read with great interest the article on the Warsaw Community School Board meeting in the Times-Union of March 22. I only wonder if the author of the article was at the same meeting I was attending.
There was no mention of the fifth-graders from Madison Elementary who did a fine job presenting a PowerPoint presentation they had done utilizing laptop computers at school. I know many adults who would struggle to do a presentation of this quality using the available technology! (Given I am the computer assistant at Madison, I admit my bias here!)
I wonder after my reading, if the sound system the board required a quote on next month, should not be purchased now and installed prior to the next meeting. I recall the Times-Union reporter asking one board member to speak up, maybe she should have asked that of everyone to accurately reflect the events of the evening.
I encourage all patrons of WCS to attend the monthly board meeting, and hear for yourself the actions of the board. Don't wait for the news version the next day!
Patty Perkins Warsaw via e-mail
Disgusting Decision
Editor, Times-Union: I must say that I am very disgusted with our country when our courts decide that food and water are extraordinary means of keeping someone alive. Apparently, if one goes incapacitated for any amount of time and cannot feed themselves, they could face starvation and dehydration. I thought we defeated this kind of treatment 60 years ago. Wait, that's right, Hitler did his crimes behind closed doors and we did not know about it.
Here we have Terri's so-called husband. Michael Schiavo is so intent on killing his wife that he will go to any means of doing so. Michael, why don't you just divorce Terri? What did Terri ever do to you? Or should I ask, what did you do to Terri that you are so afraid she might tell us?
As a follower of Jesus, we cannot justify this kind of treatment. I would understand if Terri was on a heart/lung machine or a respirator, but food and water.
Thank you, Florida, Michael Schiavo and Mr. Felos (Michael Schiavo's attorney) for dragging this country to a new low.
Terri and your parents, you are in my constant prayers.
