VCM Letters to the Editor: August 2001

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Letters to the Editor
Written by the Finger of God

The VCM article presents an important insight and develops it convincingly. What a wonderful miracle to have the Ten Commandments written on one's heart--to automatically, by nature, practice the way summarized by those 10 "words"! Thanks!

-- Dale Osborne
The Amazing Engineering of the Dragonfly

Thanks for the article. I have often sat with my daughter (Alanna) at our pond feeding the fish and watching dragonflies. We talk about and imagine God's kingdom when it might be possible to ride giant dragonflies specially engineered. The only way to fly.

-- Paul and Alanna Kruse
Extending Our Hand to the Grieving, Part 2

I appreciated the comment that each additional death opens the last. I found this to be disturbingly true. In October my mother died. We had her in our home for the last seven months of her life. We invited hospice to assist us in this most difficult process. We learned to love the people who came to help care for mom. At the time she was buried, our son and his wife had their second son. We felt this was a celebration of the eternity of life. However, this celebration lasted a short six months. Our young grandson fell prey to the feared and scary SIDS in May.

I thought that I was in a very dark abyss and wondered why the experience was so intensified for me. I have always been strong and able to understand why and how I was feeling. This was not the case. But as the time has gone on, and as I read, study and pray I am coming to the understanding and peace that I long for. I have a greater understanding of the grieving process and how one cycles through the stages with differing intensities at particular times. Sometimes intensely and other times less intensely. Thank you for your insight in the effect of multiple doses of grief.

-- ohiokidz1
Child Abuse: What Kids Are Doing to Kids

This is excellent and needs to be shouted from the rooftops. I know from experience how painful this is to a child. Dr. James Dobson has written an excellent book that should be required reading for all--Hide or Seek.

-- Marilyn Braley, Houston, Texas
A Child's Worth

Thanks to Mr. Crow for a well-written article. As a reading tutor in an elementary school, I could appreciate the importance of making a child feel worthwhile. One of the second graders that I tutor one-on-one, received an award at the end of the marking period for being much improved in her academics. Unfortunately no parent was there to see her proudly receive the award. I was glad I was able to be there to cheer her on. It is so important to be there for our children and value them!

I'm a member of the United Church of God in the Flint, Michigan, area. I just had to tell you that I really enjoy the virtual magazine. It has proved to be both informative and uplifting.... Please express my appreciation to all the writers of VCM. Keep up the excellent work.

-- Lynne Burton
Kids Killing Kids: What Does It Mean?

My grandson was a victim of bullying.... We took him to the police, at his request, because the principal, contrary to her statement that there was zero-tolerance for violence at the school, would not take action. When the police went to see her she just shrugged her shoulders, and said, "Oh, it wasn't serious!"

My grandson had his head smacked into his desk, causing a nosebleed and a cut lip. The boy, who was twice my grandson's size, said he did it because it was fun to do! My grandson tells me when there are problems. He could have very well become an Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold. The principal chose to ignore my warning that something like that could happen here.

-- Vera Abbott, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Through Their Eyes

Please pass on my thanks to Joanne Rutis for her article "Through Their Eyes." I really like the way the author discussed serving and control. The fact that being a servant does not mean abdicating the responsibility to lead. I especially like the way she said, "We as parents serve our children." Thanks very much for a helpful insight.

-- Scott Lord, Rochester, New York
Who's Teaching Our Children

I agree with your article. However, it concerns me also about the way teachers teach children--treating them like they are creatures without value, and constantly admonishing them for all the things they do wrong and not praising them more for the good things they do.

You see, I am a teacher and a parent, and I work part-time in a school. I try to teach children through music (I am a music teacher) about love, responsibility, respect for one another and being kind not just competitive. In other words, to be caring and nurturing individuals.... I try to treat the students like they are important, and I care about them as individuals.... Thank you.

-- Lore

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Copyright 2001 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.

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				Letters to the Editor Written by the Finger of God The VCM article presents an important insight and develops it convincingly. What a wonderful miracle to have the Ten Commandments written on one's heart--to automatically, by nature, practice the way summarized by those 10 "words"! Thanks! -- Dale Osborne The Amazing Engineering of the Dragonfly Thanks for the article. I have often sat with my daughter (Alanna) at our pond feeding the fish and watching dragonflies. We talk about and imagine God's kingdom when it might be possible to ride giant dragonflies specially engineered. The only way to fly. -- Paul and Alanna Kruse Extending Our Hand to the Grieving, Part 2 I appreciated the comment that each additional death opens the last. I found this to be disturbingly true. In October my mother died. We had her in our home for the last seven months of her life. We invited hospice to assist us in this most difficult process. We learned to love the people who came to help care for mom. At the time she was buried, our son and his wife had their second son. We felt this was a celebration of the eternity of life. However, this celebration lasted a short six months. Our young grandson fell prey to the feared and scary SIDS in May. I thought that I was in a very dark abyss and wondered why the experience was so intensified for me. I have always been strong and able to understand why and how I was feeling. This was not the case. But as the time has gone on, and as I read, study and pray I am coming to the understanding and peace that I long for. I have a greater understanding of the grieving process and how one cycles through the stages with differing intensities at particular times. Sometimes intensely and other times less intensely. Thank you for your insight in the effect of multiple doses of grief. -- ohiokidz1 Child Abuse: What Kids Are Doing to Kids This is excellent and needs to be shouted from the rooftops. I know from experience how painful this is to a child. Dr. James Dobson has written an excellent book that should be required reading for all--Hide or Seek. -- Marilyn Braley, Houston, Texas A Child's Worth Thanks to Mr. Crow for a well-written article. As a reading tutor in an elementary school, I could appreciate the importance of making a child feel worthwhile. One of the second graders that I tutor one-on-one, received an award at the end of the marking period for being much improved in her academics. Unfortunately no parent was there to see her proudly receive the award. I was glad I was able to be there to cheer her on. It is so important to be there for our children and value them! I'm a member of the United Church of God in the Flint, Michigan, area. I just had to tell you that I really enjoy the virtual magazine. It has proved to be both informative and uplifting.... Please express my appreciation to all the writers of VCM. Keep up the excellent work. -- Lynne Burton Kids Killing Kids: What Does It Mean? My grandson was a victim of bullying.... We took him to the police, at his request, because the principal, contrary to her statement that there was zero-tolerance for violence at the school, would not take action. When the police went to see her she just shrugged her shoulders, and said, "Oh, it wasn't serious!" My grandson had his head smacked into his desk, causing a nosebleed and a cut lip. The boy, who was twice my grandson's size, said he did it because it was fun to do! My grandson tells me when there are problems. He could have very well become an Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold. The principal chose to ignore my warning that something like that could happen here. -- Vera Abbott, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Through Their Eyes Please pass on my thanks to Joanne Rutis for her article "Through Their Eyes." I really like the way the author discussed serving and control. The fact that being a servant does not mean abdicating the responsibility to lead. I especially like the way she said, "We as parents serve our children." Thanks very much for a helpful insight. -- Scott Lord, Rochester, New York Who's Teaching Our Children I agree with your article. However, it concerns me also about the way teachers teach children--treating them like they are creatures without value, and constantly admonishing them for all the things they do wrong and not praising them more for the good things they do. You see, I am a teacher and a parent, and I work part-time in a school. I try to teach children through music (I am a music teacher) about love, responsibility, respect for one another and being kind not just competitive. In other words, to be caring and nurturing individuals.... I try to treat the students like they are important, and I care about them as individuals.... Thank you. -- Lore Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Copyright 2001 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.