Editor, Times-Union: We are sorry! We let happen what could and should not happen! My generation is the eldest and, supposedly, the wisest in the U.S.A. Tom Brokaw calls us the Great Generation in his book. I have my doubts.
In our weekly prayer and Bible study hour a few days ago, a concerned, a deeply concerned lady asked that we pray for the community young people. She went on to tell of an incident during which a youth responded, when hearing the name of Jesus mentioned, "Who is Jesus?" Those present in the prayer meeting became thoughtful and quiet, as did I. The season of prayer which followed, surely and fearfully, included emotion as we felt that our privilege of telling our story of Jesus and our own Christian faith to the present-day children and youth had been woefully lacking. The Bible says, "One generation shall tell the next generation the wonderful works of God."
The evidence is plentiful of the downward spiral of morality through most of the media. The culture sags as we fail to exercise our faith with living, sacrificial spoken word and loving Christian action and demonstration.
A true story about a Christian missionary from the U.S.A. in India illustrates and illuminates our need. He became a friend to the community people and to the Hindu priest as he spoke and lived out his faith in their midst for several years, gaining several converts as his mission compound became an oasis for the outcast, a hospital for the sick and hurting and a place where young and old heard of Jesus.
The Hindus built a new worship center and invited him to attend and speak briefly. He debated as to what he should do, accept or refuse. Finally he accepted and, true to his faith, he spoke of God's love in his life and God's love for all people.
So must we! Rather than hesitate in any challenging time. Join me, fellow Christian, in confessing to God our failure, and let us avow to tell our story wherever we are, through word and life, that Jesus be known to the children, youth and adults within our sphere of influence. This is, indeed, a most important area where no child be left behind.
C.L. Hendrix Winona Lake
News Views Was Wrong
Editor, Times-Union: I've attached an article that, in my opinion, proves we should neutralize Saddam now, which is in opposition to your Sept. 7 News Views. Normally I agree with you. However in this case you are, respectively, incorrect in your premise. Either Saddam was as dangerous as President Clinton says he was in 1998 or he isn't. Which is it? High-ranking officals did not disagree with the president then as they do now. What changed? Iraq has fired live amunition at our aircraft over 130 times already this year. What other nations are targeting and shooting at American and British aircraft? Is Saddam complying with the agreements set forth at the close of Gulf War? No. Is it primarily Democrats and liberal Republicans resisting President Bush now? Yes. Then this whole process is political, right? What has changed in Baghdad? We know less of the danger now than we did four years ago. Iraq has had four years of unfetterd activity - to what end? What have they accomplished undetected by us?
Please read the article and see if you agree that the situation is no less dangerous now than then. We are less safe today, yet you said you didn't think we should attack Iraq "right now." When is the right time? To those who say delay war, if something bad must happen to good families as a result of waiting, let the bad happen to those families who said wait rather than those who said eliminate the threat now. My brother serves in the Air Force. If he must die to protect us, he is willing. But if waiting will cost American soldiers' lives unnecessarily by giving the enemy more time to prepare, let it be your brother among the unnecessary dead and not mine. To those who say our allies must be on board - give them a date in which they must get in line and go. They will fall in line because they want our continued monetary support of their nations. We bully allies every day. We're not asking for troops. Just get behind a microphone and say you support us. Easy enough.
Patrick C Brown Warsaw via e-mail
AWL Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the community who has helped our organization this summer! Whether it's been through giving donations, volunteering time or pet adoption, every contribution helps us provide a better service not only to this community, but also to the animals in our care!
We want to thank everyone who visited our booth at the fair! Thanks to everyone's participation, our raffle and photo contest were big successes!
Congratulations go out to all of our winners:
Cutest Pet Contest: 1st place: Kalie Kirck with Deacon
2nd place: Dee Daly with Cody
3rd place: Brian Williamson with Bernie
Raffle Winners: 1st prize: Pam Cassel (oak cedar chest from Reinholt Furniture)
2nd prize: Maria Henderson (five-piece patio set)
3rd prize: Cindy Schlabach (gas grill)
Special thanks to those individuals who donated to or shopped at our garage sale on Aug. 10 at the Car Company. This was yet another successful fund-raiser, thanks to the supportive members of the community!
We are currently busy planning our next several events. The first is in celebration of the Sept. 20 release of the new spay/neuter stamps from the Postal Service. The weekend of Sept. 20-21 we will have reduced adoption rates for anyone showing that they have purchased the new stamps. And as always, we offer spay-neuter assistance vouchers for anyone residing in Kosciusko County.
The next event is our Walk-N-Wag. Everyone is welcome to come out and walk their pets at the fairgrounds on Oct. 5. If you are interested in participating, pledge sheets can be picked up at the shelter (269-3008).
Thanks to all! Together we can make a difference in the lives of pets in our community!
