Editor, Times-Union: Liberals like to say Jesus Christ never condemned homosexual acts and hence that means it is OK. But is that accurate? Jesus himself gave Sodom as an example of divine judgment (Matt. 11:23, 24). Some try to say Sodom's sin was inhospitality, not immorality. But those closest to Jesus would disagree. Simon Peter, one of the original 12 apostles (Luke 6:14) taught that Sodom was destroyed because of its "filthy conduct" (2 Peter 2:6, 7). Jude, one of Jesus' earthly brothers (Mark 6:3, Jude v. 1, Gal. 1:19) said Sodom was destroyed for sexual sins (Jude v. 7). I accept the teaching of Jesus' close friend and his own brother over that of liberals speaking 2000 years after the fact who want to turn God's grace into a license to sin (Jude v. 4).
William Michael Kelly Warsaw
Awesome Moment
Editor, Times-Union: Our world may have thugs, liars and crooks, and our city may have its share of "bad" people, but this true story says we have good ones too. Read on:
It was Monday, Feb. 9. My Jodie found a close-up parking space by the bank for a quick deposit before other errands. "I'll be back in a flash," I said as I jumped out of the car and dashed toward the side door.
"Goodie!" I thought as I chose the shortest line in the spacious lobby. The friendly teller smiled as she looked at me in my big Russian winter hat. "Must be a new girl," I thought as I looked at her for what I thought was the first time.
Reaching for my deposit she said, "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" "I don't think so ... this beautiful Moscow hat marks me in any winter Warsaw, Ind., crowd." Finally I said, "Well, I used to live at Grace Village when my first wife had Alzheimer's and was in the nursing section there."
"Ah! That's it! I worked up in the kitchen there, as a girl, in the 1980s. I remember seeing you pass by taking your wife for walks down the hall. I saw your tender, loyal love to her and I was deeply impressed. That must have been 15 years ago. The memory of seeing you two walk together has inspired and blessed me every since!"
"Yes, Maxie was still alive then, and I did take her for many walks down those long halls." My eyes began to mist as I remembered the 17 years dedicated to feeding, teeth brushing and exercise, of those sad-sweet years.
"Your name is Robert Boggs," she said. "Didn't I hear that you have written a book?"
"Well, yes, I actually have two out now. The new one is called 'Black Coal Into Diamonds.' Did you read the first one, 'I'll Move Over - The Story of a Great Love'? It was about our family's coping with Alzheimer's, especially while there at Grace Village."
"No, I haven't read either book. Can I find them at a local bookstore? I'd love to read them!"
"Why yes, you can find them in any bookstore." When I saw her eagerness I continued, "I think I have copies of both in the car. If so, I'll be right back."
"How much are they?" I heard her ask when I was too far away to answer.
I did find a copy of each book in the back of the station wagon and again assured my Jodie I would be back soon.
I finally got to the front of the new line that formed while I was gone and autographed the two books for Mary as fast as I could. She asked me again how much they were.
"To my friends, they're at a good discount," I said as I turned to leave. Before I could say, "Mary Ann, you've made my day" or "This is my gift to you," she thrust a check at me - one she must have written while I had gone out. Cheerily she waved and turned to the next customer in line. I retreated.
As I opened the car door I thought, "Nobody likes to see a grown man cry" as I glanced at the $50 check. But how can any real man hold back tears of joy at seeing the harvest of "seeds of love" he sowed, unknowingly, some 15 years ago?
Awesome moments may come at unexpected times and strange places!
J. Robert Boggs Winona Lake
Dental Solutions
Editor, Times-Union: The article/picture on Saturday's front page erroneously neglected to mention that Dental Solutions, East Frontage Road in Warsaw, also participated in the National Children's Access Day. The talented staff in Dr. Stofer's office provided free fillings, cleanings and flouride treatments for 18 children that were screened by the Salvation Army as needing the necessary services. The office personnel, the dental assistants, the dental hygienists and the doctor worked together and donated their time and talents to provide this community service to tomorrow's citizens. The children were well behaved and both parents and patients appreciated the free dental services that were provided by the Dental Solutions' staff.
David and Betty Stewart Winona Lake
Take Responsibility
Editor, Times-Union: The recent controversy over the Super Bowl halftime show brings into focus the overall national debate about the amount of sex, violence, profanity, etc., that comes through the various media outlets. With the predictable response of having the Federal Communications Commission investigate the incident and punish the guilty parties, local broadcast affiliates also may be fined even though station managers did not have any idea about what was going to happen. There is a better response to this particular incident and the overall national situation than having elected and unelected government officials decide what can be broadcast or watched and then punishing those who don't fall in line.
That is for television viewers to decide that if they do not like what they see and hear on TV, then they should make use of their remote controls. There is a mute button to shut the sound off, buttons to change the channels, an on/off button to turn the power on or off, plus for those parents who would like to have some control over what their children watch, they can have one TV in the house and actually be present when their kids are watching TV. And if the programming on television becomes that offensive to viewers, they have the option of canceling their cable or satellite services and if worse comes to worst, they can get rid of their TV sets.
This common-sense strategy does work because if there are no TV viewers, there are no ratings, no advertisers, which means no money, which means networks and cable channels have to respond to what their viewers do and do not want to view. This strategy also can be applied to other media outlets such as radio stations, Internet, music stores, movie theaters, bookstores, newspapers, etc. Just let other people decide what they want to watch, listen to, read and write, and take responsibility for yourself by making your own decisions for yourself and your children.
Alexander Houze Leesburg
Honest Businessmen
Editor, Times-Union: This is just a public thank-you to two places of business in Warsaw.
My husband has a Ford Bronco and was having trouble with his 4WD so he took it to Dave's Car Care & 4-Wheel Drive Supply on CR 350N. Dave had worked on Tom's Bronco before and we trust his work.
Without going into the whole scenario, Dave had replaced a motor thinking this was the problem but it wasn't. Now, many times that would have been the end of the story but not with Dave. He found someone who knows about electrical work (Global Auto) and lo and behold, Global found the problem and fixed it. Dave removed the new motor and put back our motor.
We cannot say enough about first the service but foremost the honesty that occurred in this whole story.
So we just wanted to publicly say thanks to Dave and his workers and Global Auto for a job well done. More importantly, we want the area to know of two places you can go to and get an honest day's work at reasonable prices.
