Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 12, 2023 -- THREE
~ Letters to the Editor ~
Spiritually Speaking
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This Sunday’s scripture readings invite everyone to
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receive
the word of God. The Prophet Isaiah (55:10-11)
for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks
offers
us
a rich portrayal of the power of God’s word, re-
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minding
us
that just as God cares for the earth by sending
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We Need to be Fruitful
Catching up
Ms. Johnson is fortu-
nate to have a friend with
whom her own opinions
jibe so closely.
One of my long-time
friends did give me his
opinion. Yes, he agreed
that everyone has a right
to their opinion—but not
all opinions have any val-
ue or worth. He noted,
in response to my letter,
that “evil people, dishonest
people, cheaters, criminals
and lawbreakers, and liars
can have all the opinions
they want, they just have
no value to anyone.”
I did enjoy Ms. Cros-
by’s “story” about the cow.
Something I readily under-
stood as I once milked two
cows morning and night for
one summer as part of my
job. I did enjoy spraying
the barn cats with milk as
they would all gather to get
a taste of the milk I would
spray at them.
I also agree with Ms.
Crosby that opinions about
politics and religion are
most often left unsaid. But,
I did want her to know how
much I enjoy the humor,
(maybe a little satire thrown
in) and tongue-in-cheek
comments that she includes
in her letters.
She has provided a lot
of entertainment in the last
several months.
Robert H. Davidson
Milwaukie, OR
Election
thoughts
I’ve been thinking
about 2024 elections. So
much is riding on the out-
come. A Red Wave would
be nice. Maybe things
would return to “normal.”
But then I wonder if any-
thing will ever be “normal”
again.
It looks like Trump and
DeSantis will most likely
be the front runners of the
Republican primaries. Hon-
estly, I like them both. I just
wish they wouldn’t fight.
Is there a way to campaign
without slamming the other
candidate? Maybe. Maybe
not. I understand prov-
ing you’re the better man
for the job. That’s part of
the deal. But just be nice.
You’re on the same side. If
you’re gonna fight…fight
the enemy.
So who is the real en-
emy anyway? I’m a firm
believer that this fight is
exactly what the Bible says
it is. It’s a battle between
good and evil. And it’s more
evident now than ever.
That truth explains a
lot. It’s been really bugging
me trying to figure out how
people think. Seriously,
how can someone claim to
be all about “for the chil-
dren” and yet fight for the
“right” to snuff out their
lives when they’re in the
womb? If they don’t care
about these kids before
they’re born, pretty sure
they don’t care much for
them afterward. The fact
that the hypocrisy of it all
isn’t front and center bog-
gles the mind.
But honestly, if I be-
lieved man was in charge
of the universe, I’d be a
wreck too. Get control of
the climate, get rid of the
guns, babies aren’t babies,
heck with the rules and
the crazy religious nuts…
eat, drink and be merry, or
Mary, or Frank…whatever
suits your fancy. But it’s not
working…nor will it ever.
Because man is man and
not God.
One can’t help but hope
for a reprieve from all the
nonsense. It’s nice to think
about...the America we
knew back when…common
sense. I guess I’m hoping
for Mayberry…not too re-
alistic though.
So is God up there
wringing his mighty hands
wondering what he’ll do if
the wrong guy wins? Nope.
He has a plan. Should we
keep praying, voting, doing
what’s right, and speak-
ing out against evil? Most
definitely.
Yes, Idaho looks pretty
good at the moment. But
truth is, when the polls are
closed and all votes count-
ed…where should my trust
be? In Idaho? In a 2024
victory? In a good prepper
supply? There are some
practical attributes in all
these things. But we’re not
to put our trust in things, in
man or in our own resource-
fulness. Our trust needs to
be in Jesus Christ and His
love for us.
Lord thank you that
you are faithful, even when
I’m not.
“So do not fear, for
I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you
and help you; I will uphold
you with my righteous right
hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Susie Crosby
Prineville, OR
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it rain to make it fruitful and rich, so He cares for us by
sending His word. As the rain yields results—the earth
responding and becoming fruitful—so God persists with
His word until it produces results. The precipitation comes
down from heaven and becomes part of the earth; simi-
larly, every word from God’s mouth produces abundant
outcomes.
Paul’s letter to the Romans (8:18-23) fills us with
hope. Life in the Spirit is life lived in hope. Endurance
is a favorite word of Paul in writing to the Romans. He
reminds them that they can endure suffering and trials
because of this hope, looking beyond present suffering and
seeing its meaning in the future. God’s word of hope is for
all in bondage and awaiting freedom promised by Christ.
This week, Chapter 13 of Matthew’s Gospel offers
the “Sower Parable” through which Matthew explains
in the simplest form of presentation the characteristics,
dimensions of God’s Kingdom. This parable teaches us
that as the sower of the Word of God, Christ scatters the
seed/the word everywhere without any calculations or
inhibitions. Similarly, it invites us as Christians to use
opportunities we get to speak about the Word of God to
all categories of people. We have ample opportunities to
speak about the Word of God to friends, but due to fear and
inhibitions, we don’t take them. The Lord of the harvest
wants us to do it freely and willingly.
The parable teaches us that there are different types of
human beings with different attitudes toward the Word of
God. What is the state of our hearts? Are our hearts open
to receive the words of Jesus, or are we hard-of-heart and
a source of grief to Jesus? Let’s compare ourselves to the
people in the parable to see where we stand.
The first type of person: The one who hears the word
of God without understanding it, and the evil one comes
and steals away what was sown into his heart (Matt
13:19). The seed that fell on the footpath doesn’t get a
chance to sprout because it didn’t land on soil, and it was
pecked by the birds of the air. Do we ever reject part of the
word of God because we do not understand it, allowing
the evil one to steal it away?
The second type of person: The one compared to
rocky ground, the one who hears the Word and receives
it with joy but has no soil for the roots. When some trib-
ulation or temptations come, such a person immediately
falls away (Matt 13:20-21). Just as the seed sprouts lack
a conducive atmosphere and the seed is scorched in the
heat of the sun, we give up.
The third type of person: When the seed is sown
among thorns, is the one who hears the Word, but then
worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the Word
and it bears no fruit (Matt 13:22); these can meddle with
our spiritual life and put us off our spiritual path. Have
we missed Sunday services because we were too busy
or made up another excuse? Are we too busy to read the
Bible? When we are too busy and ignore these spiritual
needs, we are actually inviting the devil into our lives.
Finally, the seeds that fell on good soil did not all
yield in the same way. The Lord is telling us that there
will always be different types of people who belong to
the kingdom of God. To be receptive to the Word of God
and fruitful, our attitude and openness to the Word is
important, we have to realize that God’s Word is to the
human heart what the seed is to the earth. Just as soil is
barren without seed, so our lives are barren without the
Word of God, the source of Spiritual life. If there is no
Word of God, all our efforts will remain fruitless. While
we listen to human words, the most important voice we
need to be attuned to is the Word of God. Happy are those
who make the voice of God the most important voice
in their lives. They will surely harvest the fruits of the
Kingdom of God.
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177 N. Main St, Heppner • 541-676-9228
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Heppner, OR 97836
Chris@sykesrealestate.net
PENDING!
Good News Only by Doris Brosnan
Good news in this day of electronic communicating
can be when one’s internet is working. So, “good news”
here, at least for now, enables this week’s column without
too much brain strain in trying to figure out the alternate
method of delivery.
Good Fourth of July, Everyone? Some grumblers
wondered, “Why can’t it be moved to a Monday to create
a three-day weekend from work?!” But some defined
holidays one does not play around with. (Christmas, for
instance.) And some employees were able to take the 3 rd
off as a personal-leave day, enjoying the four days off.
Good news.
Personal fireworks seem to be increasing in size,
judging by the remnants left behind in people’s refuse
containers after their noisy, bright-lights celebrations!
These explained the reaction of the Melancholy Collie
(about 70 pounds), who tried several times to get into
her owner’s lap for security, even though loud music
was intended to drown out the bigger “BOOMS!” Perky
Puppy was oblivious.
Almost every weekday morning we can wonder
where the street construction will be that day as we endure
the ODOT project. An impressive reminder that the many
individuals who are working in the several locations are
truly human beings with emotions, not just figures who are
disrupting our routines: Last week, Jeanne Daly was not
able to maneuver her wheelchair into the market because
her usual access was blocked for a construction-related
reason. One of the men who was working at that site
stopped what he was doing to go to her and manipulate
her chair through the challenge and through the door.
Jeanne is a member of a graduating class of HHS that
will be included this weekend when the classes of 70, 71,
72 and 73 gather for a combined reunion. As is true for
some classes from time to time, those four classes seemed
to “hit it off” when in school, sharing many experiences,
so the memories will be many and the conversations de-
lightful when they gather at the Elks this Friday evening,
the golf greens on Saturday and the dinner at the Elks on
Saturday evening.
Last Thursday evening, 10 friends of Karen Thomp-
son joined her and husband, Terry, for a celebration of
Karen’s **th birthday, with cards both sincerely nice
and tongue-in-cheek funny. The Broken Spoke’s menu
satisfied the hungry diners, and Eva Kilkenny brought a
German chocolate cake she had made (a favorite of Kar-
en’s) and ice cream to top off the occasion. Delayed but
soon joining the party at a nearby table was Thompsons’
son Brian’s family.
Time for the adult craft night TONIGHT at the Hep-
pner library: making decoupage clothespin magnets!
Register at the library or at otld.org/crafty-nights-the-
heppner-library.
The awards and recognition continue for some of our
local youth and adults! Don’t miss a word of the articles in
the Gazette-Times that follow and announce the latest ac-
knowledgements—in sports, academics, citizenship—for
our area’s young and older, for their outstanding abilities,
achievements, contributions, teamwork. Kudos, All!
This column depends on readers’ contributions, so
everyone is again encouraged to share good news tidbits:
dbrosnan123@gmail.com or 541-223-1490. If sending an
email or leaving a message, please include contact info,
just in case a few more details might be requested.
Here’s hoping that some good news comes to every-
one reading this!
Jodi Brisbois!
Thursday July 13th
We appreciate you!
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Broker
Chris Sykes
541-215-2274
$195,500
$285,000
This classic split level 2 bed, 2 bath home overlooks
Heppner with a relaxing back deck and beautiful
backyard. 1 car garage leads into the lower game
room/office with bathroom. New furnace in 2020
with ac and air purifier, new roof in the last 5 years,
new carpet in 2021. Cozy living room, dinning room
and bedrooms. Upper and lower Sqft is approximate.
140 S Gilmore St. MLS#:23505395
$140,000
This house is ready to go. Recently updated
windows, kitchen and bathroom. Heat on demand
water heater, new paint, fridge, washer, dryer and
dishwasher. Large back yard. Within walking
distance of the Heppner pool, high school and
softball field. 485 W Morgan St. MLS#: 23328135
Three bedroom, one bath home on quiet street in
Heppner. Real wood floors and knotty pine walls
give a warm and comfortable feeling when you walk
inside. Large fenced backyard with excellent soil will
give you a great garden, and there is an access gate
off the back street (Riverside) for additional parking.
A full walk-in basement is waiting for you to finish
out and add lots of additional living space. New
pellet stove. 335 W Union Ave, Heppner
MLS#: 23220466