Editor, Times-Union: "Ban The Bible," eh? Interesting thought. Censorship shows its colors while I suppose all the while upholding the First Amendment.
I guess you do not have to be a Christian to be a hypocrite, although it sometimes helps - to have actual standards to fall short of, that is. Historically, Christians have been lots more effective at Bible-banning than all the atheists and agnostics combined. Just to name one example, the Ten Commandments disappeared from the walls of our churches and bookstores long before they vanished from our schools and courts.
Speaking of which, I give thanks to KCH and Grace College for co-sponsoring Dr. John Patrick last month. The hospital turnout was especially gratifying, but I was a little disappointed at the lack of challenges to his position. Apparently the opposition, and I am sure there is plenty, decided not to show up or get their questions answered. Where were all the nay-sayers and debaters, including those who frequently appear in this newspaper? It begins to look like opinions are treasured more than the process of truth-seeking.
Nonetheless, for anyone who would like to form a book discussion group aspiring to Dr. Patrick's level of discourse, please contact me in Pierceton. I envision starting with a discussion of some of the short stories of Flannery O'Connor; thinking things through using Christ as an incredibly challenging grid.
Just as a reminder to all of us, it is not good to assume, whether we are Christians or something else, that we know it all and should not challenge ourselves to a higher level, of which many people in a community like this are capable.
William Schuler, MD Pierceton
Kids And Alcohol
Editor, Times-Union: With Father's Day approaching, I would like to stress the importance of parental involvement in keeping our children alcohol-free. As the father of two young children and an Indiana State Excise Police sergeant, this issue has both personal and professional implications for me.
Underage drinking is a serious problem in Indiana, and from my observation, a determining factor is parental apathy. I was reminded of this unfortunate problem recently at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Working undercover, I observed a father and son walking behind the grandstands, where the father gave his 17-year-old son a beer. When I approached them they were stunned. The father argued that there were more important crimes for me to be concerned with.
This father's reaction is all too common with many parents I deal with when discussing underage drinking. The father, in trying to be his son's friend, is reinforcing a habit that could lead to health problems, alcoholism, serious injury or even death for his son. Through his actions he told his son "it's OK to drink alcohol and it's okay to break the law." He is helping his son avoid a couple steps to adulthood.
With many high school graduations and parties occurring in the next week or two, many parents may be asked by their children to allow alcohol at parties where a majority of the attendees will be underage. I urge parents to take this opportunity to talk to your children about the legal and health risks involved with drinking alcohol, including your children age 18 or older. Binge drinking accidents and deaths are reported almost weekly in the news, and all can be prevented. Teach your children that there are more dangers associated with drinking that just drinking and driving.
As for the father and son at the track, both were arrested and hopefully learned an important lesson. They both face fines and may have to attend substance abuse programs. I would like to note that the Motor Speedway was not responsible for the incident.
Underage drinking is a serious problem in Indiana, and it will remain a significant problem until adults realize it is their problem to control and solve, not their children's.
John Copeland Indiana State Excise Police, concerned father and member of the Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking
Lafayette
Memorial Day
Editor, Times-Union: The Memorial Day services at Oakwood this year were great. Great music by WCHS Band, great speaker, great color guards displaying our great flag, great weather and, last but not least, a great turnout of people. It was a very solemn and emotional occasion seeing all the flags at the cemetery, the placing of wreathes and playing of "Taps." Unit 49 of American Legion Auxiliary would like to thank all those involved in the services. Also a big thank-you to all veterans for our freedoms!
Sandy Hubler Warsaw
Triton Valedictorian
Editor, Times-Union: In response to "Triton Officials Censor Valedictorian's Address," James Gabhart, God bless you for loving and caring enough to speak out. This may have been your only chance to see all of your classmates all together in one place, and God help all of us if we have to wait to be in the pulpit in order to glorify our Lord.
God's continued blessinupon you and all that are not ashamed to stand for what we believe.
May God bless everyone. Iris Kelley Atwood
Historical Society Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: The members and officers of the Kosciusko County Historical Society thank Ms. Dana McAfee and her drama class for sharing the proceeds of the play, "The Night of January 16th," with the Society. The historic Commissioner's Courtroom in the Kosciusko County Courthouse served as an excellent setting for this well-directed and well-acted play by the Warsaw Community High School students. The funds received will be used in preserving and sharing the history of Kosciusko County for present and future generations. It is particularly gratifying to have our future leaders share in this worthy goal.
Mary Ettinger President Kosciusko County Historical Society
Thanks To Al Rhodes
Editor, Times-Union: This is a little late but I would like to tip my hat to Coach Al Rhodes for a good season and also to tell him I think he has done a good job with the basketball program since he has been at WCHS. Proud to be a supporter of The Warsaw Tigers!
Joey McGrath 1993 Warsaw Community High School Graduate
Warsaw
Legion Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49 Warsaw would like to thank our community for their donations for our Poppy Days drive. A special thanks to our veteran, Homer Dove, for all his help in getting donations. It was greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Warsaw, for helping us make it possible to help veterans and their families.
Sandy Hubler Unit 49 Warsaw
Helping Orphans In Romania
Editor, Times-Union: Brought into the world and then given away, living in someone else's care, placed in hospitals that are dirty and incapable of caring for the basic need of love through touch, helpless to fend for themselves, who will take care of these little children? Who will raise a hand to love these kids? How can we help? Is it even possible to change the lives of these precious little ones? I am excited to say, "Yes, we can change the lives of these kids and this is how."
Let me introduce myself and the purpose of this letter. My name is Daniel K. Sims, a former elementary teacher in our community. I have recently just stepped down from our school system to move to Romania to work in a Christian orphanage called New Life House. This is a unique place in the sense that it has a staff member 3:1 ratio to meet the deficient needs caused by lack of love. The normal orphanage has at least a 30:1 ratio. We try to find loving Christian families to adopt the kids, if we can, because we believe Jesus is the answer to life. Americans alone adopted 1,000 Romanian children last year and we want to continue to find families who want to adopt these precious children in and out of the country.
I will be working at the New Life House orphanage in Oradea, Romania. The door has opened for me in these areas: 1. Setting up volunteer programs from other countries, as well as inside the country and overseeing their spiritual growth; 2. Searching for grants and funding; 3. Building relationships with the community and local government, working hand-in-hand to better the conditions of the child care already established; and 4. Working closely with the local boys' shelters in the hopes to later create a Christian boys' camp. Last but not least, sharing the truth and love of Jesus with the kids.
There is such a need and my heart hurts to see the conditions that are there for the kids. When leaving Romania, a piece of my heart was left there. I am determined to go back and continue to touch the lives of the children there.
I would like you to prayerfully consider how God wants to use you to help support me in this next stage in my walk with the Lord. I am seeking those who would decide to sponsor me with $5 per month. I will be sent out as your hands and feet, living to show them the love and affection that they desperately need. If you would like to give, then give as your heart is led by God's direction and leading. However, I will ask for your prayers. They are the most valuable gift you can give me. Truly they are. I have seen how prayers lifted have changed lives when God grants His children their requests.
Please remember that any way that you help me, you are helping change the world for Jesus Christ. I am His hands and feet being sent out by Him. He is using you, His hands and feet here, to share Him through me over there. Please don't take this truth lightly. I urge and desire that you come and walk alongside me in this.
