Letters to the editor - Feb. 13

America The Beautiful

How about the Super Bowl’s Coca Cola commercial with the singing of “America The Beautiful” in other languages than English?

Only time will heal the divide being spewed forth by grumpy old men like three, well known to all of us, who could not wait to speak their forms of fear, hate, and attack.  They are, of course, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, and Florida Congressman Allen West.

I point this out simply as a perfect example of the type of divisive rhetoric being constantly fed to the public on any and all matters by minds so fixated on very narrow and anger-based attitudes so that attitudes of understanding, compassion, vision, and a changing world never enter their realm of thoughts.

My trust and hope lies with our younger generations of women and men who have grown up in a changing environment at home and abroad; generations of humans who accept cultural differences and are comfortable in communicating in various languages and with advanced communication devices bringing our world ever closer together with recognition of our dependence upon one another.

Bob McClellan

Polson

Grace and Peace

It is so very difficult to sort out of our daily experiences the things that hinder us from those things that truly help us. Today I read a very familiar line from a book that I’ve treasured for more years than I can remember. This sentence appears in all nine letters which were sent to small groups of folks who had chosen “The Way” (Acts 24:14 and 24 NLT), folks like ourselves who needed encouragement as they faced uncertain days. These are the words which I read: “Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7) Just what I needed for today and this New Year, “grace and peace”.

We are living in tough times. These dark days are becoming more and more dismal as Americans disregard God’s instructions, the very foundation upon which our founders established this Republic. The total abandonment of moral values and healthful living is frightening. What will our children and grandchildren encounter and future generations face before Jesus comes? We need help. We need God’s grace and peace.

Grace and peace come from God our Father. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9a). God is our Father, holy, loving, present, compassionately aware of all our circumstances, and ever pursuing his purposes for our eternal good. God is in charge even as his world spins out a woeful tale of sinful debauchery and self-destruction.  

The line from Romans 1, reminded me that Father and Son are co-equal, that Jesus is indeed God; “the Father and I are one” (John 10:30). We come to God our Father through Jesus Christ (John 14:6, “No one can come to the Father except through me” NLT). As we come to Father through Jesus, we experience “grace and peace”. ‘Grace’ assures us of all the blessings a Father God can provide for his children; ‘Peace’ means wellbeing in everything, including my relationship with God and man.   

Thank God that grace and peace can be experienced through all the days of 2014.

Harvey A. Town

Polson