To prosper, pray for people of Jerusalem
Now is the time to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6) Are you longing for peace, and would you also like to prosper? Pray also, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6.9) Think about it. God says he will prosper those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem! I think to prosper is to be blessed in all areas of our lives. There are so many wonderful promises in the Bible; God promises great peace to those who love his law, the Bible. (Psalm 119:165) The Bible teaches us that someday there will be a thousand years of peace but until that time comes, we can have peace in our homes and in our hearts if we worship the one true God. The Bible tells us that at that time of world peace, the king of the Jews will be sitting on his throne in Jerusalem. Jesus is the prince of peace, and his kingdom will come.
RACHEL DECOSIMO
Vote yes on 1; let Tennesseans decide
In November, voters will decide who should determine public policy on abortion -- the people or activist state court judges. I, like others favoring common-sense regulation of abortion, will vote yes. As we cast our vote this fall, it is helpful to know what interest groups are funding television ads and from where their dollars are derived. While the pro-life "Yes on 1" campaign enjoys support from individual donors, churches and pro-life organizations within our state, those opposing Amendment 1 are being funded by entities around the country which perform and profit from abortion. Tens of thousands of dollars have been contributed by abortion providers in California, Massachusetts, New York and Seattle to influence Tennessee's abortion policies. A recent disclosure form documents that 94 percent of contributions to defeat Amendment 1 were made by Planned Parenthood abortion facilities and the ACLU (www.state.tn.us/tref/refcom/ref_com.htm). Please join me in casting your vote for the right of Tennesseans to decide matters of life and death for ourselves, and restore Tennessee to a destination for life rather than abortion. "Yes on 1."
PATTI SHEARER
Israel Turning Bad Deeds Into Evil
If a bad man takes a BB gun into an elementary school and shoots at you, he is a bad man doing a bad thing. If you return fire with a tank, you are evil. What the Israeli army has done to the people of Gaza is evil.
KIM CARVER Guild, Tenn.