Jesus did tell followers to pray in his name

With respect, I take exception to Todd Paris’ letter in Thursday’s Post when he said that Jesus “never instructed His disciples to mention His name.” In Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”  John 14:13, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:14, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Seventeen times in KJV Jesus mentioned, “in My name.”

The United States of America is a land of freedom and liberty because it was founded upon the divine principles of the Christian faith. Sure, many great people of other faiths have fought and died for these freedoms and we honor them. However, Christians wanting to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences established this nation. John Adams said this country would survive as a nation as long as we held to Christian principles. Nowhere else in the world can you find a freedom to worship God in the manner you choose, regardless of what you believe, like you can in the United States.  Other countries demand you believe as they do or face reciprocity; not in the United States.

I don’t know the intentions of those who pray publicly but I do know my heart and it is not to be seen of men. It is, however, to honor my Lord and Savior, recognizing that nothing good comes without Him. As a nation, we desperately need to return to what has made this nation great; a firm faith in Christ.  Invoking Jesus’ name in our meetings acknowledges our need for Him, the importance we place on His presence, and our obedience to Him.

— Rick Cockerham 

Salisbury

Good job, Junior Civitans

A job well done to Brandy Kegeris and her Junior Civitans group! Smart Start Rowan has had the privilege of working with this group during the 2014-2015 school year, as they have dedicated this year’s club service project to serving our Rowan County pre-kindergarten children. Because of their hard work and dedication, we are able to provide each of our 355 pre-K children with a kindergarten readiness kit, filled with materials that will assist each child in his or her transition to kindergarten. Examples of such materials are play dough, safety scissors, crayons, glue, and developmentally appropriate books.

Kindergarten Readiness is of utmost importance to our agency, as Smart Start exists to ensure that all children, prenatally through age 5, enter school healthy and ready for success. Kindergarten Readiness kits are something that we have traditionally provided in Rowan County, since approximately 2003, to our NC pre-K students at the completion of their preschool year, if funding has allowed. Back in 2011, our funding was cut substantially, and we have been unable to provide these kits since, until now. We owe our great thanks to the Junior Civitans group for making this happen. They are a fantastic, energetic, engaged group of young adults who are committed to stellar community service, who care about children, and who we owe a huge THANK YOU!!

— Amy Brown

Salisbury

Brown is executive director of Smart Start Rowan, which is a Rowan County United Way agency.

Thanks from a veteran

After servicing seven of my 14 Civitan candy boxes in Salisbury restaurants tonight, I went to No Way Jose’s Mexican Restaurant in China Grove. They have the best chicken soup I have ever tasted.

I was dining alone and there were five Air Force JROTC students in dress uniform at a table across from me. They were very impressive, and after I complemented them, they each came over to my table to talk with me. I told them that I was retired and had been promoted to master sergeant in 2004. I told them that I had my 45th birthday in Saudi Arabia, my 57th birthday in Kuwait, and my 58th birthday in Iraq.

After the young adults from Central Cabarrus High School left, Virginia (one of the owner/operators) came by my table and said, “Just leave a tip. Those young cadets paid for your meal.” I was very pleasantly surprised and grateful, but I have no way of thanking them. Maybe if they travel from Concord to China Grove to eat, they also read the Salisbury Post, or someone who knows them, will read this.

With young people like those, we can really feel good about our future replacements.

Again, from a retired veteran to future veterans, thank you so much!

— Elaine Howle

China Grove

Oppose the ‘ag-gag’ bill

It appears our state Legislature has completely tuned out the people they’re supposed to represent. H.B. 405 was passed by the General Assembly, despite 74 percent of North Carolinians being against it. This “ag-gag” bill would make it illegal to conduct investigations into facilities — like day care centers, nursing homes, and factory farms — that may be abusing the most innocent in our society — children, the elderly, and animals. I urge Governor McCrory to do what the Legislature wouldn’t — listen to and protect North Carolinians by vetoing this bill. (Special note: I hope the Salisbury Post will weigh in and editorialize on this issue that’s so important for our state.)

— Barbara Hart

Salisbury

Statesville group forms

On May 23, a bi-partisan group of Statesville voters and electric consumers assembled at Caldwell Park to discuss forming a political group or political action committee. A vote was taken and the name “Statesville Resistors” was selected, and officers and a board of directors were elected. At present, the group exists and has its own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/801306086613987/ which was started by me. The next meeting will be on May 30 at 1 p.m. at Caldwell Park. New prospective members will be entertained there or by Facebook contact.

— Richard Morgan

Statesville