Tax does not fund GCHS

Dear editor: The Humane Society of Garland County would like to clarify that our organization is a private, nonprofit animal rescue. We are 100 percent donation funded. We rely 100 percent on donations of cash, food and supplies for our animals at the kennel, and donations to sell at our thrift store.

Some folks in the community are under the impression that our organization is receiving proceeds from the voluntary tax added to your property tax bill. The Humane Society of Garland County is not receiving any funding from taxes whatsoever. Please do not stop donating to us.

We find homes for hundreds of animals every year, and your donations are essential to our cause. The more donations we get, the more animals we can help. Every animal rescued through our organization is one less animal taken in to the city shelter, so our organization saves hundreds of animal lives every year in Garland County. We anticipate that we will play a role in future county endeavors for a new shelter, but this is not yet decided.

After meeting with the county judge three weeks ago, we realized that the county is planning to collect the voluntary tax prior to moving forward with plans to build a county facility, which will take at least a year before any action will be taken. We are hoping the county and

city can work together to build a more comprehensive system which would result in reduced euthanization rates of adoptable animals. This goal is achievable through increased efforts to place animals into safe, loving homes, as well as through spay and neuter programs and education of the community.

However, we cannot wait for that to happen, because our existing facility is in dire need of replacement. We are moving forward with plans to build a new building for Humane Society of Garland County at our existing site in Lonsdale with donated funds raised specifically for this purpose. We hope to collaborate with the county in some capacity in the future, as there is plenty of work to do to achieve our ultimate goal of having a “no kill” county.

We do know that the county plans to dedicate any tax funds raised to animal welfare. In other words, your voluntary tax shouldn’t be spent on something else besides animal welfare. We encourage taxpayers to pay the voluntary tax of $10 because we believe that the result will be a future improvement of animal welfare in Garland County. We just aren’t sure yet what our role will be in that endeavor.

Again, please continue to support Humane Society of Garland County with your generous donations. The lives of hundreds of dogs and cats depend on it every year. Shauna Lucas HSGC Board of Directors

Applause for choir

Dear editor: I want to applaud the organizers and the sponsors of the UAPB Vesper Choir’s performance at the FUMC honoring Kenneth Adair and benefiting the Gateway Community Association and the Open Arms Food Pantry.

The 70-strong choir was disciplined, inspired, elegant and obviously dedicated to performing with talented and powerful voices.

Arkansas can point with pride to the young men and women along with their instructors of UAPB. Judy Horner Hot Springs

Pronoun errors

Dear editor: Mr. Ames wrote more regarding “ongoing sinning.” He stated, “Jesus does command us to be perfect.” In the text, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), Mr. Ames assumed that the pronouns “ye” and “your” refer to Christians in general. He is incorrect; Yeshua (Jesus) was speaking to the Jews (regardless of faith or lack of it). Proper pronoun identification in the Bible is vital. So many errors occur because of wrong identifications of the pronouns.

He then wrote, “Not many sentences later, same sermon, he commands us to ask our Father to forgive us our debts (sins) (Matthew 5:48 with 6:12 and 14.)” This, again, is a command to the Israelis, and not to “Christians.” (There were no “Christians” at that time.) He made this same error a number of times in his response.

Mr. Ames stated, “I believe the Bible to be God inspired; every word is God’s word.” I also know that Scriptures are infallible. I know that “Paul’s words, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing (Romans 7:19) (are) his words, (and that) God inspired him to write them.” Only, they describe his remembrances and thoughts before he was born of God. Otherwise, he would have been the worst hypocrite, since he states that he sold himself unto sin in the same place that he states that others are not to continue in sin! A continuous reading of Romans 6-8 will show this to some thoughtful readers. That is why his expressions are in the present and active voice.

The same is true when Paul wrote that he, the chief of sinners, obtained mercy. Yeshua gave him his assignment before Paul came to faith! This is recorded three times in Acts 9:3-8, 22:6-11 and 26:13-18.

Mr. Ames continued, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves in the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).” He didn’t include the verse after, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Are those who are forgiven and cleansed still with sin? That would mean that the sacrifice of Yeshua was unsuccessful!

He doesn’t know the timing of “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” He asked, “Why pray this petition if we have stopped sinning?” as if it is for Christians. The Israelis will do exactly that when the Kingdom is about to come, which is when His will will be done on Earth as in the heavens.

The grace of God that is unto everlasting salvation and that removes sins certainly gives those who have been relieved of the sin debt the power to refuse to sin; even non-saints can refuse to sin! The theology that declares that humans cannot help but sin is contrary to the Bible and to good parenting and laws of lands. It is so wrong. James Wilson Hot Springs

Presidential attitude

Dear editor: I appreciate Donald Cunningham’s story in the March 20 Viewpoints. I have had people threaten to take their toys and go home when they were losing in the game.

What a wonderful opening he has given us for a discussion of our president’s attitude. His approach is, “my way or the highway.” This is the same as, “I’ll take my toys and go home!” This goes along with the game plan, “When losing, or under attack, threaten to break up the game! Accuse, advance in another direction, pass the buck, deny, plead that your words were misunderstood or manipulated by a crooked press. Don’t, under any circumstances, offer a logical explanation. Blame somebody else! Say that ‘all will be made clear,’ but don’t ever do it. Offer vague accusations to muddle the true situation, knowing that there are many who will accept this without insisting on proof.”

Mr. Cunningham, while you wait for the “checks and balances” to hold the president responsible for his actions, let me ask you whether you have added up the cost of his “getaway” trips to Florida. You and I are paying for these vacations, at the estimated cost of about $3,000,000 per. And in addition to this estimate, the Floridians around his golf estate say that they are losing money because of his visits. Has he missed a weekend since the inauguration? Let’s see, looking at his proposed budget, if we divide the trip costs by the cost of Meals on Wheels, which he says has no results (a peculiar expression in itself — everything we do has results), how much would each meal cost? Of course, that is neither fair nor complete. There are dozens of other “causes” that would be cut under his proposed budget, while he flies through the air with the greatest of ease. Perhaps he is not happy with the home we are providing. Or maybe we should build a wall around the White House?

Additionally, I note that you bring in the “Clintons and Obamas” (not sure how Mrs. Obama enters in). I wonder what they have to do with any discussion about the fitness of our president? They are gone! Let’s deal with the present president and his ability to lead us. They have nothing to do with party politics in 2017. Playing tit for tat is only a step above taking the toy and going home.

One more thing — and this is aimed at many of our letter contributors. Anybody can string together verses of Scripture to “prove” a point. These proof texts can be found in any concordance. But be careful! As Shakespeare said, “The devil can cite Scripture for his own purposes.” Anybody can do it. C.G. Smith Hot Springs

HSV Lions ‘thanks’

Dear editor: The Hot Springs Village Breakfast Lions wishes to shout out thanks to all those who helped make the 40th Annual Chili Day Event a successful benefit for the Breakfast Lions’ community and international projects: to those who bought tickets, to the Lions, spouses and friends of Lions who worked so hard, to mind the silent auction, cook, serve, wait tables and clean. Special thanks to major sponsors: City Plumbing, Heating-Electric, State Farm – Ike Eisenhauer, and Susie Burns, ReMax real estate agent. And kudos to all those businesses too numerous to mention that gave items for the silent auction and bought ads for the place mats.

Thanks to all involved, the Chili Day fundraiser will help the HSV Breakfast Lions to continue “to serve” through focus classes/support group for visually impaired and blind; vision screening: free vision screening for children; paying for further exam and glasses if the family is unable to do so; World Services for the Blind in Little Rock; and Lions Club International to help in areas of disaster and other needs throughout the world.

The HSV Breakfast Lions cannot serve without all your help!

Again, thank you, one and all! Hot Springs Village Lions