Wouldn't be gloating
I have finally found time to comment on a letter I saw in Voices some time back from a gentleman who wrote about people who live their lives in sin and then expect God to forgive them just before they die. I hope I'm wrong, but his letter made me think that he was looking forward to gloating as those sinners were cast into hell along with the other "goats" at the final judgment.
I don't believe this squares with any version of the Bible that I've ever read. I can't believe that Jesus will be gloating at that time, but instead I believe he will have tears in his eyes because these people had many chances to repent but chose not to do so.
We who were redeemed by his sacrifice were instructed by him to go and teach all nations. That kind of puts the onus on us (no pun intended) to do a better job of reaching out to these sinners.
The Bible also cautions us not to judge, lest we be judged. Since Jesus told the thief on the cross beside him that he would be beside him that day in paradise, I believe that there is such a thing as "death bed" repentance. Even so, I don't recommend waiting.
Anyway, who are we to question whom God should or shouldn't forgive? Those who carry Christ's name should be as forgiving as he was and continues to be.
BETTY LYNN WALKER
Benton
Don't give him press
We lived in Plano, Texas, when it was declared by the media as the suicide capital of the world. Our teenagers were taking their own lives at a record pace.
The school district brought in a psychologist who recommended that they stop publicizing the details and names of those who committed suicide because it was thought it was giving other disturbed youngsters the wrong idea. Sure, they got a lot of press, but they certainly would not be around to see that if they committed suicide.
The press and the television stations agreed; the suicides stopped after a short period of time. We heard rumors, but never saw or heard anything further about teenage suicides. Our lives returned to normal.
With that being said, think how it relates to the recent horrific school shooting. In my opinion, the shooter is getting too much press. Other sick minds see all the coverage he is getting and they think that they could get that and more if they too put their warped minds to it. They keep pointing out how many more were killed/injured this time. To the person with mental problems, this is almost a challenge to do it bigger and better.
Stop now. Report the crime, the horrific scene and the names of the victims, but let's not give even one sentence to the identity of the shooter.
SUE FRANZ
Hot Springs Village
No one is on the way
I've been a gun owner for years, and I know one thing for certain: No one is coming to take my guns. Every time there's a mass shooting, or a president some people don't like, that accusation gets thrown around. It hasn't happened.
Calm down, everyone. As long as you're responsible, and aren't assembling an arsenal or planning a massacre, you're fine.
MITCH DEAN
Dayton
Don't be a litter bug
Thank you, Mr. Nelson, for your column highlighting the litter/trash problem we have here in Little Rock.
I am exasperated with the problem. I have been picking up trash for about 30 years. It seems the more I pick up, the more there is. I get obsessed with it just like Mr. Cowper Chadbourn does. I recently stopped on my way home from Kroger on Rodney Parham and got a bag out of my trunk and picked up all the litter in the field between the entrance ramp to the north and I-430. All the other entrance ramp areas need to be cleaned up also. Rodney Parham is a mess. South Shackleford looks like a dump. Don't even get me started on Reservoir Road! When a heavy rain is in the forecast I think about all the trash that is headed for our waterways and it makes me sick.
Come on, Little Rock, we can do better. The Little Rock Marathon is in about a week. Let's have a citywide effort and get this place cleaned up. Grab some friends or just go out by yourself and clean up our city. I will do my part. Will you?
And always remember, "Please, please, don't be a litter bug 'cause every litter bit hurts."
PATRICIA M. PHILLIPS
Little Rock
Truly trashy behavior
Found a recent evening near the Big Dam Bridge, within arm's reach of the curb of the far end of the parking lot for the fishing area: six cartloads of fast-food sacks and their scattered contents, water bottles both used and unused, beer and soda cans, booze bottles both whole and shattered, hundreds of yards of fishing line with rusty hooks, dirty diapers, a dresser and large broken mirror blocking a pathway, cigarette cartons, cigar wrappers, candy wrappers, 12-year-olds who wanna be rappers (didn't pick those up), hypodermic needles, numerous nasty used condoms (didn't pick those up, either), a sexy black lace bra that would fit a petite teen, and ... wait for it ... thongs, two that go on the left foot and one that goes ... well, you know ... that's better "left" to the imagination.
It's after sunset. Do you know where your kids are? Really?
And, wherever they are, for Pete's sake, get off the couch and off the phone and set an example and don't litter! It's not just ugly, it's unhealthy. I was wearing rubber gloves and still got a fish hook in a finger. What if it had been your kid stepping on a contaminated needle?
LEE A. LYLE
North Little Rock
Editorial on 02/24/2018