Viewpoints

A Plane-Ride Visit 

Last February I was on a plane ride from Houston to Charlotte. I introduced myself to the middle-aged woman sitting next to me and we began a conversation. Throughout our conversation it became evident that she felt the need to prove herself to me. She had tremendous corporate success despite many obstacles and was living an impressive life. Yet, at the same time, I could sense that she struggled to see her own self-worth and the value of other people if they did not bring great contributions to society.

To the Editor:

In his December 31 letter to The Standard, Dick Kistler quotes a number of Bible verses that talk about the power of the words we speak.

I do believe in the power of positive confession when it comes to spiritual matters. For example, some say when they feel they are getting sick, “I just know I am catching something.” It is far better for one to say, “I don’t feel well now but I am trusting God that I do not catch a sickness.” I also believe, as does Mr. Kistler, that as a general rule our creator God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Otherwise, could we even imagine that God would want us to be sick, poor, and stupid?

To the Editor:

In regards to her letter to the editor in the December 31 edition of The Standard, I want to give accolades and thanks to Ann Hart for speaking up when others chose to remain silent, which helps no one.

Not only does the President like to distract, he likes to blame and take an easy out, because when he does get into a situation, he says he didn’t do that. When he says something he shouldn’t, he says it wasn’t him, it was all fake news. Really?

My heart goes out to all the victims. I pray they will find peace eventually. I agree that Grassley, Ernst and others are not doing the job they were elected to do. I believe they are too busy following their leader - shameful.

January 6 will approach as I am writing this and, once again, memories will awaken. I was appalled to witness what happened to our Capitol and all those victims too.

To the Editor:

During the campaign, Trump and others in his same political party promised to stand with working people and vowed to lower food, housing, and healthcare costs. Trump also promised to never get our country into ‘stupid endless wars’ and to put America first.

Trump and those party members broke their promises. One year later, costs and inflation are even higher. Everyday people are struggling to put food on the table and to pay bills.   Trump is plunging our country into ‘stupid endless wars’ cheered on by his party followers, including some from our very own state.

To the Editor:

Have you ever taken a minute to consider what alcohol does to your body and the irreparable harm that could be caused when you drink and drive? Even if you think you’re not affected, science says otherwise. According to the Iowa Driver’s Manual, here’s what even a small amount of alcohol does to your brain:
• Within 20-40 minutes, the areas of your brain controlling judgment and skill are impaired.
• Your reflexes and reaction times slow down.
• You can’t see as well, and you are less alert.
• You have trouble judging distance, speed, and movement around you (such as other vehicles if you are driving).
• Your coordination is reduced.
• Your eye muscles relax, causing your vision to lose its sharpness.
• Your night vision is cut in half, and your side vision is reduced to one-third.

The Wanderings of a Wayward Follower of Jesus

As Followers of Jesus the Christ, we have received the free gift of God, which is eternal life. Romans 6:23. This free gift is available to all who turn their lives over to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.   And yet this free gift comes with a very high cost. The cost of this “free” gift is twofold. There was and is a cost to the provider of the gift, God and there is a cost to the receiver of the gift, which is us.    

Each persona of the Triune God has paid and continues to pay to make this gift of salvation possible.   John 3:16 and Romans 8:32 tell us of God’s sacrifice of His only Begotten Son. God gave up Jesus for us. Jesus sacrificed His Life for us. Even the Holy Spirit has a ministry in and through us that has spanned the ages, constantly trying to change or at least guide the stubborn hearts of sinful people. John 14:26.   

To the Editor:

I think President Trump is an expert at distractions. We’ve seen the East Wing of the White House demolished, the historic rose garden tilled up and replaced by concrete, the unveiling of unpresidential plaques at the White House deriding past presidents, and finally the renaming of the Kennedy Center in Trump’s honor. Over the next three years we will probably see much of the proud city of Washington D.C. renamed and redone to honor Donald Trump.

But again, these distract from his real purpose, that of taking away rights, destroying lives, and ignoring laws. Trump has a tendency to deflect and distract when there’s something he doesn’t want out there. Don’t be distracted. The Justice Department has failed to release the Epstein files which Congress required it to do in the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

To the Editor:

Mark 11:23: “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.” AMPC 

Job 22:28: “You will declare a thing, And it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.”

So if you declare (out loud) that you and every one you love will always be healthy and wealthy and wise, etc. and believe, it will be so in the future, you will have it. But if you declare that you will never be able to do this or that, etc. then that will also be so.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

“You are snared by the words of your mouth...” Proverbs 6:2 (NKJV)

“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37 (NKJV)

To the Editor:

The Standard’s recent announcement to close their brick-and-mortar location and shift to remote operations reflects current industry trends. Newspapers across the country have been impacted by a flurry of evolving circumstances, all of which have forever changed the landscape of journalism. Digital transformation, revenue shifts, multiple platform options, financial pressures, and audience migration have imposed a new narrative.

But like anything in life, our response influences outcomes. The ability to adapt in an ever-changing world is an underrated quality, and probably one of the most valuable assets for any business.

The move to a home office points to resilience within the storms of change. In an environment that demands flexibility to survive, it is a necessary step to keep this legacy newspaper in circulation for years to come.  The value of having a local paper is immeasurable. It can never be truly appreciated until it is gone.

To the Editor:

For too long, higher education in Iowa has drifted from its core mission: preparing a highly skilled workforce and anchoring talent in our communities. This next legislative session, we have a clear opportunity to bring reform by allowing community colleges to offer a limited number of bachelor’s degrees supporting students going into high demand fields.

Many Iowa students don’t lack ambition or ability; they lack access. In rural Iowa, the nearest university may be hours away. Working adults and parents can’t uproot their lives for distant campuses, leaving hardworking Iowans shut out of completing their degree. Rural Iowa deserves better.