Editor, Times-Union: Their god says to win or kill the infidels (all of us who are not of their faith). Our God says love even them and others into His kingdom.
Their god says commit suicide if necesary to get the benefits of heaven. Our God says that he has made the way for them and us to enter heaven.
Their god says do good work in life on your own and I'll judge whether your work is good enough to get you into heaven or not. Our God says, "I love you so much I have already sent my son Jesus. He has died on the cross to save you from your sins. Believe in him as your Savior. You will have eternal life in heaven when you die, and abundant fulfilling life now until you reach heaven."
Then when you believe in Jesus, you will realize why you are here on Earth. Given life by God, he wants fellowship with you and you with him. Then, God gives you the purpose for life: to team up with him in helping others, like them, and other lost people, to know and accept his love and son Jesus as Savior as you have.
You will have forgiveness of all your sin from our God. Free from the burden of guilt from all wrongdoing. Free at last, and a big task from God to do for all of the life he gives you.
Then you will have the promise of a blessed eternal life in heaven at the end of earthly life.
Doesn't this Christian way sound better than their way? Doesn't this sound too good to be true? But it is true! How great is our God!
C.L. Hendrix Winona Lake via e-mail
Story Of The Weeds
Editor, Times-Union: As Erma Bombeck used to say, "It is hard to let a good story get away." This is the story of the "weed."
Once upon a time a young couple with their son moved to Mentone to start a business. In the 1940s life was different. Neighbors were friends, not drivebys. Over the course of 68 years, the couple raised a son and two daughters. The man was a business owner, town board president, parade marshal and friend to all. Oh yes, and the weed kept growing.
Life in Mentone was good, but it also had its trials. The Stockyards burned, a tree totaled their home, their only grandson was killed and in 2000 their daughter was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Oh, and the weed kept growing.
The precious mother died in August 2001, the couple had been married for 68 years. When going through her memories, there was a ledger showing more than a quarter of a million dollars given in cash and services to their beloved town of Mentone. The weed kept growing.
I wish that the story had a happy ending, but time has not been kind to the 88-year-old man. He really does not understand the "battle of the weed," nor does he understand a young couple being so intolerant of a few weeds, or the 911 call for the weed control. Are the weeds hardened criminals?
After Sept. 11, I thought that we viewed things differently. A major news-breaking story now is a few weeds in a 90-pound man's yard! Where is the teamwork, compassion, kindness, tolerance and Christian spirit?
Now there are no visible weeds, only sadness and hurt. "As you sew, so shall you reap." The young couple moved to Mentone in 1945 because it was a caring and friendly town. How did we become a town concerned with weeds and not human dignity? The man wishes that things were different, and so do I.
Kathi Tridle-Kinney Mentone via e-mail
Good Basketball
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to say WRSW AM & FM and the Times-Union did a good job covering the 2001 and 2002 Warsaw Tiger basketball games this year. WRSW Radio does a good job of making these games exciting.
I would also like to say Warsaw has a good basketball program here.
Joey McGrath WCHS Class of 1993 Warsaw
via e-mail
Trash In The Lake
Editor, Times-Union: I am an avid early morning barefoot water skier on Winona Lake. Have been for a many years. This season, someone is going out there regularly at night and throwing their beer bottles into the water. Whoever it is should know that we think it is really UN-COOL.
Just take home your trash!
Seldom does a morning go by that we don't pull at least one bottle out of the water. I have witnesses who will confirm that we have pulled out more than 30 bottles and cans in one morning!
Please stop that! I have no desire to jam my foot into a glass bottle at 40 mph. We've come very close too many times.
