Even Jesus was home-schooled

Dear Editors,

I offer my prayers to all affected by the tragic shootings that happened in December at the Youth With a Mission and New Life Church. The pain felt is especially acute, because it comes at the hands of one that used to be with us. I also pray for the Murray family, because they are suffering as well.

The family that prays together stays together. Home schooling is fine. Even Jesus was home-schooled, but Mary and Joseph were present in that home. If Mary and Joseph are in the home today, Jesus will be at the center of that home.

The servants are not greater than the master. If Matt Murray wasn’t chosen to go on mission, then that choice should’ve been accepted as a call and invitation to enter into a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus was also not chosen by his own.

There is nothing new under the sun. Matt Murray came to the knowledge that Satan has infiltrated the Church, but what serious Christian doesn’t already know this? There are numerous books by diverse authors that explain this. In my own family, my uncle is a 33rd degree Mason, and I love him dearly. I pray for him every day. If the members of the Church who are also “on the square” knew the contempt Satan has for them, they would immediately drop to their knees, call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and be reconciled with God the Father.

I’ve heard “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin a million times in my life, and it’s common knowledge that Jimmy Page is a Satanist. Who doesn’t already know that many musicians have sold their souls for rock and roll? What the musicians may not know, or may not care to admit, is that all the creativity that Satan has, he received from God when Lucifer was created. Be selective in your music. I don’t “vegetate” when I listen to my MP3. I work for the Kingdom by praying the Rosary.

We are family, and when one member suffers, the whole body suffers. Colorado, please pray the little prayer every day.

– Matt Dunnigan, via e-mail

Being heard on high

Dear Editors,

I just wanted to first thank Katie Burford for her excellent article she wrote (Oct. 14,Durango Herald) based off of a letter to the editors of theHerald and Durango Telegraph about the Federal Government taking a fee from parent’s child support (Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005). Katie’s story was just the outlet I needed to allow my voice to be heard. I want to let the public know that when you’ve lost all hope in the government, keep the faith because my voice was heard all the way in Washington.

After sending the article to numerous government officials, I heard back from Rep. John Salazar’s office. They invited me to their office and Regional Director John Whitney and Staff Assistant Edward Stern gave me great information on the history of the Child Enforcement Program and a list of cosponsors who are voting against the bill to tax child support. Rep. Salazar knew this was important and signed the Child Support Protection Act of 2007 after reading my letter and Katie’s article. Representative Salazar has supported many things including increasing college aid. He is a man who understands that family comes first and providing a small amount of aid to middle and lower class families helps them to develop a better future for themselves.

Thanks again for everything and have a wonderful 2008!

– Liz Potter, Durango

Thanks for the salvation

Dear Editors,

The Salvation Army Service Extension Unit of La Plata County would like to thank the citizens and businesses of La Plata County who again contributed to a very successful bell-ringing season. More than $75,000 was collected in the red kettles placed throughout Durango, Ignacio and Bayfield. Thank you to the following businesses that allowed us to ring: North City Market, South City Market, Albertson’s, Wal-Mart, Durango Mall, Ignacio Shur-Valu, and The Grocery Store in Bayfield. We also want to thank First National Bank, especially Brandi and Dana, who counted all those dollars and coins each day.

Thank you, Durango Telegraph, for the publicity and photos. David Halterman’s photos of bell ringers and contributors really illustrated the giving spirit of this community. We really could not do this without the 750 volunteer bell ringers from all walks of life and of all ages. So many of you participated in so many ways: playing instruments, singing, dancing, playing bells, all to benefit those in our community who find themselves in crisis situations and need extra assistance. Your donations remain in La Plata County and will continue to assist those who need rent and mortgage assistance, motel and shelter vouchers, gasoline, car repairs, prescriptions, meals and much more. We will continue to work with our many community partners to assist those with emergency needs.

Thank you for your incredible generosity and continued support of the Salvation Army.

– Wanda Ellingson, chairwoman, Salvation Army Service Extension Unit of La Plata County

The future of business

Dear Editors,

In a time of great change and confusion in our world, The Message Company is offering the 9th International Conference on Business and Consciousness, “The Future of Business,” January 25-29 in Santa Fe, N.M.  This stimulating, educational gathering brings together some of the finest, cutting edge leaders in the business world to share innovative ideas and strategies to grow your business and inspire employees in today’s challenging global and local environments.

World renowned author and CEO Steven Covey is a keynote speaker and will be offering a workshop based on his newest book and strategies “Trust at the Speed of Light.”

Covey, the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, created a business environment that caused the company to grow rapidly, increasing profits by 12 times and expanding into over 40 countries! The goal of his current work is to understand and demonstrate how trust, when developed and used properly, has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life.

Next weekend, people of the Four Corners can participate in a world class business conference right in their back yard. More than two dozen workshops are interwoven with morning yoga, great entertainment and spiritual enhancement.

There is still time to register, but time is quickly running out. Interested parties can visit www.bizspirit.com and click on The International Conference on Business and Consciousness or call (505) 474-0998. In Colorado, you may contact (970) 749-1141 for more information.

– Susan Urban, Durango