God

The Rev. Bryan Griem tells us two people of different religions should never marry lest they dilute the commitment to their respective faiths (“Can interfaith marriages be effective,” April 14). Rather than seeing two children of God coming together in love, he foresees failure in such a union because each do not perceive God identically. He does not see two people who are obeying God's most basic commandment, that we love each other, but rather sees two people who should adhere to a man-made commandment that they stick to their own kind.

Today I write to those who serve as leaders in the church. But these words will also apply to God's children in general. Just as many of us are part of a natural family, we are also part of the body of Christ. God's word has specific guidelines for us as his children, and as leaders. It is a call to personal obedience. II Timothy 2:24-25, "And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

It's been a stressful week. It was mid-afternoon on Sunday before I knew the Angels had won the home field advantage in the divisional baseball playoffs and would be going head-to-head with the Yankees on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the National League wild-card was up for grabs even later on Sunday, and while all this was going on, the San Diego Chargers were destroying New England down the road a piece, and Newport Beach was launching its centennial celebration.

Is God good all the time? Well, according to the Bible he is. His purposes have a kingdom focus for his will to be done on this Earth. And he says he works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). And that he brings justice (Luke 18:8). But what of human suffering, sickness, injustice and death? Abuse, mental illness, poverty, slander or suicide? How do we say he is good in all of this? I have experienced, or been affected by, some of the above, either personally or by the effects of these problems on a loved one. The pain of having children suffer, of abuse, slander and injustice has rarely felt like God's goodness.

Marshall Allen GLENDALE -- It's considered All-American to love God and country, and after the recent terrorist attacks that have patriotism at a fever pitch, love of God and country were celebrated together in many local churches. In unprecedented displays of patriotism, many Glendale area congregations sang songs to the country -- "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful" among them -- alongside songs to God in their weekend services.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON "In the pure, strong hours of the morning, when the soul of the day is at its best, lean upon the windowsill of God and look into his face, and get the orders for the day. Then go out into the day with the sense of a hand upon your shoulder and not a chip." E. Stanley Jones How do you start your days most mornings? Are you a morning person who wakes up eager to meet the new day, and is excited about what God has planned for you?

KIMBERLIE ZAKARIAN A woman I know once said: "We can't expect God to protect us when we are not following the laws of the land." She was talking to a young mother who did not believe in buckling her youngster in a car seat as she drove around because she assumed that God would protect her child. As Christians, we must remember that God commands us to obey earthly laws: "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account" (Hebrews 13:17)

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON "This is the finest measure of Thanksgiving: a thankfulness which springs from love." -- William C. Skeath I love the brisk clear mornings of fall. I love the way God changes the colorful leaves of trees and other decorations of nature and I enjoy the ways people decorate their homes to reflect the season. We may not have extreme changing of seasons here in Southern California, but we do have changes that I find refreshing.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON "I said to the man at the Gate of the Year, 'Give me a light that I may walk safely into the unknown.' He said to me, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God, and it shall be to you better than the light, and safer than the known.' " King George VI "You'd think it was New Year's Eve or something," I said to my husband, Jon, as I unloaded more groceries. He looked at me and smiled and we both laughed, because it was, in fact, New Year's Eve. I made two trips to the market that day. I thought I'd bought all I needed, only to find that I forgot eggs and an essential ingredient for the hors d'oeuvres that I planned to make for the evening.

"Marriage begins when two people make the clear, unqualified promise to be faithful, each to the other, until the end of their days. That spoken promise makes the difference. A promise made, a promise witnessed, a promise heard, remembered, and trusted -- this is the groundwork of marriage. Not emotions. No, not even love. Not physical desires or personal needs or sexuality. Not the practical fact of living together. Not even the piercing foresight or some peculiar miracle of all-seeing God. Rather, a promise, a vow, makes the marriage -- for we create, in this promise, a new thing, a changeless stability in an ever-changing world."

The Rev. Bryan Griem tells us two people of different religions should never marry lest they dilute the commitment to their respective faiths (“Can interfaith marriages be effective,” April 14). Rather than seeing two children of God coming together in love, he foresees failure in such a union because each do not perceive God identically. He does not see two people who are obeying God's most basic commandment, that we love each other, but rather sees two people who should adhere to a man-made commandment that they stick to their own kind.

After spending months campaigning for a seat on the Glendale Unified school board, a few of the candidates on Tuesday had made last minute phone calls to voters before polls closed at 8 p.m. Candidate Daniel Cabrera made calls to voters in the afternoon. But with less than three hours left for voters to cast their ballot, he said, “there's nothing I can do it about it at this point.” On Tuesday night, he planned to go to the gym and have dinner with his wife, and steer clear of the results as they trickle in. “I'll wake up in the morning and find out how everything went,” he said.

Michael was a long time resident of Burbank, CA for 73 years. He was retired from the County of Los Angeles, where he worked for 42 years as a Supervising Engineering Geologist. Michael had been retired for 13 years. He passed away September 17, 2012 peacefully in his sleep at his home in Bermuda Dunes, CA. Michael will be sorely missed by all who loved him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. It breaks our hearts to lose you but God blessed us with the time we had with you.

Dear God, You're probably wondering why I never reach out to you. Come to think of it, being divine and all, I'm sure you know the truth. I've been distant because of the image your more devout followers have painted. No offense, God, but those at the top of your command have made you out to be pretty closed-minded. If I am to believe those who claim to be closest to you - I'm talking about the gang in the funny hats and robes - you have no tolerance for alternative lifestyles, and you love doling out eternal penalties for making mistakes.

I am writing in response to Bryan Griem's take on the In Theory topic on June 17 “Does the budget need a dose of morals?” He suggests that the moral beliefs of the office holders weigh in on their stances. I totally agree. He further states that “people that reject God are not good.” Does that mean that all people who don't follow religions are bad and have no morals? Really, I mean, really? Norma Mason Glendale

Is God good all the time? Well, according to the Bible he is. His purposes have a kingdom focus for his will to be done on this Earth. And he says he works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). And that he brings justice (Luke 18:8). But what of human suffering, sickness, injustice and death? Abuse, mental illness, poverty, slander or suicide? How do we say he is good in all of this? I have experienced, or been affected by, some of the above, either personally or by the effects of these problems on a loved one. The pain of having children suffer, of abuse, slander and injustice has rarely felt like God's goodness.

Boxer Manny Pacquiao has been banned from the Grove shopping mall -- which along with the Americana at Brand is owned by devolper Rick Caruso -- because of comments he made about gay marriage. In an interview with National Conservative Examiner, Pacquiao addressed President Obama's recent endorsement of gay marriage. "God's words first ... obey God's law first before considering the laws of man," Pacquiao told the Examiner. "God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married," the boxer is quoted as saying.

Today is Easter Sunday, the high point on the Christian calendar and a powerful symbol of rebirth, renewal and hope. I believe the year has two starting points. The first happens on Jan. 1, with the noise, kissing and champagne toasts. The second happens at Easter as the world shakes off winter, my beloved Padres have yet to drop to fifth in the National League West, and the promise of long warm days spreads before us. As it happens, my birthday also falls around Easter, so I may have a bit of a selfish reason for liking the holiday so much.

  Esperanza G. Ramirez, a beloved Mother and grandmother went home to the Lord, on Thursday, November 3, 2011.  She was born in Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico April 26, 1927.  A 40 year resident of East Chicago, Indiana, Esperanza moved to Glendale, California in 1991 after retiring from Inland Steel Company where she was a steelworker for 25 years. Esperanza is survived by her daughter, Paz Maria R. Martinez and her son-in-law, Steven Martinez who resides in Glendale, California; two sisters-in-law, Judith Lopez-Garcia in Mexico, Maria Carrillo from El Monte, California and adopted Brother Roberto (Trina)