This is Viewpoints for Monday, Aug. 1, 2016

That’s my story

When I read the Sunday messages from Bill Cummings I come away disturbed with his interpretations of the scriptures. Now John Kelley has joined him and he says that Cummings is getting “gooder and gooder” each week.

I will say again that if it’s in the Bible I believe it. I do not have to understand it, just believe that it is the word of God written by men under the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

As for the other religions and their gods, Christians who read and study the Bible will know the truth about God’s son, Jesus, when he said in John 14:16 “I am the way, the truth and the life; and no one cometh unto the Father but by me.” There is no other God.

Jesus does not condemn anybody to hell. The Bible said if we reject him, we reject the Father, then we make our own decision about our eternity. God loves everybody but not everybody loves God. We are in charge of our choice of where we will spend eternity.

This is my story and I’m sticking to it.

Back to school

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I wish to extend congratulations and thanks to the Macon Bar Association and other sponsoring organizations on the success of the recent back-to-school supply giveaway for local students to kick off the new school year. More than 1,000 children and family members attended the event, held at Southwest High School, and each student received a book bag and school supplies to prepare them for their return to classes. The program also included free refreshments, games and a visit from McGruff the Crime Dog.

We salute President Ira L. Foster and all members of the Macon Bar Association, along with co-sponsors Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Bibb County school district and Amerigroup for their leadership in organizing the fourth annual event.

A key to success is a good education. The members of Georgia’s legal community are inspired by our Macon colleagues’ worthy effort to help local students excel in the classroom.

Support for the artists

Regarding the article about the visiting artists being fired by the Macon Arts Alliance, I believe the artists’ claims that the concern is about “art washing.” This practice is going on around the country as right-wing conservatives are trying to get low-income dwellers out of the cities in order to make them attractive and safer. I can see something like this happening in a city like Macon. It would be a beautiful city if it were lily white as these conservatives would like it to be. It has a rich history and some gorgeous architecture.

The best way to keep Macon interesting to visitors is to build a Potemkin village. Being a strong supporter of human rights and equal treatment for all people, I must say I support the two fired artists.

No need

This is in response to Susan Ganus’ view on July 24. In her opinion, people who oppose the Wal-Mart in the U.S. 41 area are babies. It is not just about children and their safety. The land was zoned for residential and a lot of people bought houses near the site with that information. As far as being inconvenienced, Kroger, Publix, Freshway and a fullsized Wal-Mart are all within five miles or less from that site. The need is not there.

Gospel music

Thank you Dick Yarbrough for your column “What good is a bucket list without the Gaithers on it?” I, too, love watching Bill and Gloria Homecoming replays on TV. The song “He Touched Me” is one of my favorites. Further, when some of the Gaithers members formed The Signature Sound Quartet with Ernie Haase, Ryan Seaton and Tim Duncan, one of the best bass singers, I went to their church gatherings in Macon and Warner Robins to hear them sing. They were an outstanding group of young men.

Today, Ryan Seaton and Tim Duncan join Matt Hagee of the John Hagee gospel to form a quartet group called Canton Junction. In my opinion Ryan and Tim will make any group of music lovers love them. They are just that good.

ISIS

The Democratic National Convention does not seem to be worried about ISIS, but are big on global warming. What good is clean air if your head has been cut off?

This story was originally published July 31, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Monday, Aug. 1, 2016."