Explosive thought
Dear editor:
What a refreshing approach to an irritating but important topic was the letter from James Wilson concerning "The Wall Mall." His tongue-in-cheek offering was hilarious.
I have an additional thought. The cost of the wall is reported variously as $5 billion or almost $6 billion dollars. Has anyone estimated the cost of maintenance and/or replacement of this structure? Let's see, the cost of dynamite is fairly low, and it is available in Mexico without "explosive controls" or background checks. Two sticks every five miles equal a lot of damage.
C.G. Smith
Hot Springs
The biblical wall
Dear editor:
I thank Dr. Jack Sternberg for his letter of 1-15-19 and totally agree with him. I went to Mexico last week and crossed the border two days going and coming. I never saw one person try to climb the wall or fence whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't even attempt it because it wouldn't be successful.
Consider this. When God brings the New Jerusalem down to the earth after the millennium it will have a wall 216 feet high; each side is 1,500 miles which makes a total for four sides of 7,000 miles total and has 12 gates. No one will be allowed in but saints, citizens of the city. There will be no liars, robbers, thieves, or murderers, greedy or wicked that will be allowed in. There will be 12 gates, three in each wall; east, west, north and south, and there will be strong qualifications for those who enter. There won't be any sanctuary cities to protect the crooks. And they will force the rest of the world in submission; ruling with a rod of iron.
Now, hell has no walls to keep them out and there will be none but wicked there. That's where the crowds will be going.
Now, think about this, which do you want? It's not easy to take the straight and narrow road. Paul said that through much tribulation we will enter the kingdom. Our reward is in the future, not now. But the world will persecute you if you take the straight and narrow way. If they persecuted Jesus who never sinned but did only good; if they did this to a green tree, what do you think they will do to a dry tree? Jesus said I came not to bring peace but a sword; the father against the son, the mother against the daughter, etc. When one turns to Christ and changes his life then others will be against you but Jesus will give the individual peace. He knows where he's going.
Clyde Edds, D.D.
Jessieville
'Thanks' from CCMC
Dear editor:
Before we're too far into 2019, I wanted to express deep appreciation to First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church, both in Hot Springs, for being part of CCMC's Bridges Out of Poverty Getting Ahead programs. They not only provided the venue for those in our community who participated, they also provided meals, child care, and support. This program was also offered at the Garland County Detention Center and Ouachita River Prison Unit in Malvern -- Getting Ahead While Getting Out.
In 2018, a total of 13 Getting Ahead classes were offered and we saw 108 people graduate! Participants in the program first completed an application then went through an interview process. Once accepted, they attended weekly classes for three months where they developed their own plans for a more sustainable future. These graduates are to be commended for taking ownership of their lives and putting in the hard work of learning to make better choices that will help them to create a more hopeful tomorrow.
Since beginning this program in 2015, we've seen 310 people graduate! It is an honor to work with these courageous men and women and a joy to work with our partners who diligently provide opportunities for people to better themselves. We, and those we serve, are blessed to live in such a generous and caring community. We have great things planned for 2019, including a continuation of our Getting Ahead programs with our partners and are now offering these same tools to students at Cutter Morning Star High School and parents of students in the Hot Springs School District. Thank you, Hot Springs!
Lynn Blankenship
Executive director
Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic
Editorial on 01/17/2019