Letters to the editor
We welcome letters from all readers. To submit a letter to the editor, e-mail Kathryn Witte, director of communications and marketing, at kwitte@umcneb.org. Please put "Letter to the editor" in the subject line and provide your name and church affiliation. Letters should address the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Editing and publication of letters are at the discretion of the editor.
Letters to the editor are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of the Nebraska United Methodist Conference.
LETTERS:
"Keep God in everything"
08/11/10
Dear editor:
I'm not for taking God out of anything, including our currency. What do you think?
Johanna (Joan) Berg
Winside, NE
"Give credit to God"
Note: This letter is in response to an item that ran in the 06/23/10 edition of UMconnect. Click here to read the referenced item.
Dear editor:
In reply to last week’s comment about, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” I’m thankful for the United States of America. Our Founding Fathers set up our democratic government, Constitution and Amendments which set the path for our country, to be a free country. It was set up so people can worship God. (If you would like to live in another country please feel free to go.) I support our United States government, (under God), to remain true to the U.S. Constitution and Amendments. I am glad to see Christians “waking up to speak up for support of being able to talk about God."
There are a lot of countries where people still cannot talk about God or they are disowned because they learn the true story of Jesus Christ coming to earth to save us from our sins, and accept Christ as their savior. They give up everything to have that relationship with Jesus. How much have you given up to tell the story of Jesus? Having a ’Hope of Eternal Life’ is wonderful. This is the story we should all be telling.
Why is The Methodist Church wanting “big government?” You are playing into the hands of “false teachers,” the people who would love to see America fail. We cannot spend ourselves into prosperity. By learning to take responsibility for ourselves we gain strength. We are a resourceful people, when pushed into a corner. We turn to God, when all else fails. By relying on the government or others, we become weak.
Government by the people and for the people is only possible in a free nation. Let us help renew the dreams that are possible in the United States of America by keeping our Constitution and Amendments and following our Bible. Please take time to read “AMERICA The Last Best Hope” by William J. Bennett. Help keep the dream of Millions of People alive. We all make mistakes, help by spreading the Good News that Jesus is real and lives in our hearts every day. We just need to take time to talk to him and read the Bible daily. Reading what other people think or say may not be the inspired word. God is the best teacher in studying the Bible, when we truly seek His guidance.
I grew up during the depression, then America entered World War II to save humanity. Everyone worked together for one effort to support the United States and our fighting men. All efforts went to support the war for peace! God was at the center of our nation. We under God, as a nation, did gain the freedom. People who live in the places that our fighting men liberated, still remember and thank Americans for their lives and for the peace. We didn’t ask anything in return.
When setting goals and doing deeds, think about “who am I doing this for?" Too many people are thinking only of self. I’m sorry, I saw the “me” generation begin, and it has truly turned the tide to doing things for SELF. We used to learn to do things for others.
My father, the Rev. Ernest Horner used this motto, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” The credit belongs to God, not self. Christ made the distinction, “Give unto Cesar what is Cesar’s, give unto God what is God’s.”
In my opinion, our Methodist church should not have lobbyists or support a government lobby. I object to having claims made for things I do not believe in, especially when they are not supporting Christianity and truths of the Bible, and our Constitution and Amendments. I do not want any of the money I have given to go against the truths that I feel are important!
That brings up another item. Why do the Methodists claim things for the Methodist Church when they go against our “Book of Discipline” and Bible truths?
Give credit to God.
Respectfully,
Erma Sebek
Wilbur UMC