Letters to the editor — Aug. 29

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 29, 2019

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Kudos to the Courier

Kudos to the Courier for its coverage of the second monthly “Clemmons, Coffee, Donuts and Jam,” which was held in the Ryan Wood Memorial Amphitheater on Aug. 17. Kudos to its local sponsors, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks and the Rotary Club of Clemmons. It is pleasing to know that our village newspaper waves a banner in front of us, keeping Clemmons informed of upcoming and happening events, bringing tremendous value to our village. The Ryan Wood Memorial Amphitheater is a little-known jewel in our village, located in the woods behind behind the Clemmons Elementary bus lot off of James Street. It is a great venue for outside performances and respite. There will be a third Coffee, Donuts and Jam event Sept. 21, from 9-11 a.m., and we are confident it will be as entertaining as the first two events. You will hear great music, get great refreshments, and enjoy smiles and toe tapping. If you listen close on the 21st, through the woods, you will hear not only the resonance of a plucked musical string, but the resonance and harmony of a village growing in spirit.

— Doug Gardner
Clemmons

What is success?

How does the world define success? Is it having a big home, a nice car or plenty of money? Is it being a prominent person in the community? Is it being an influential politician?

How do you define success? Is it being a good parent? Is it being a Little League coach? Is it sharing special moments with family and friends? Is it being kind to people? Is it putting others before yourself?

How does the church define success? Is it providing food for the poor? Is it building a home for a needy person through Habitat for Humanity? Is it worshiping regularly? Is it praying for those less fortunate?

We all define success in different ways according to our value system, but we but we must take our standards from God rather than from the world. First John 2:15-17 states, “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires — the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance — these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.”

You can’t be a truly successful person without God. If you gain the whole world but lose your soul, you will be an eternal failure. Through prayer, God will communicate to you what you must do to obtain the ultimate symbol of success — the keys that fit the gates to Heaven.

— Richard W. Bethune
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