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Letters
June 5, 2006
It’s summer, it’s hot, and we’d love to hear from you! We would love to hear your devotions, testimonies, or news of how God is moving in your neck of the woods! Regardless of what is happening, you can let many people receive a blessing just by sharing your story!
Re: “Interview with Angie Clark”
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Angie Clark. My oldest daughter was a charter member of Shekinah Kids and my youngest one is currently involved in Shekinah Kids and GLOW. I have learned so much about prayer and faith through my own kids who have been taught by Angie. Some ideas they come up with in family prayer just amaze me (and stretch my faith a little, too).
I was privileged to be Angie’s roommate on a recent Missions trip to Bangladesh. She is sincere, genuine, and cool, too! I am blessed to know this new prayer pioneer.
Mary Jo McConnell, Missouri
Re: “Collideoscope blog”
I’m so disappointed. The former Benchwarmers sports blog has become boring and talks about the same things being discussed on the other two blogs. I really, really miss the excitement of the sports blog. If I want to read about Christianity and culture I’ll read the other two blogs! They handle it just fine. In fact, Chantell is doing a knock-out job covering all that this month! Please, please, please reconsider, and bring back the sports!
A very sad reader,
Michelle Ziter, Vermont
Thanks to the Currys for a great cover for all who work with young people. It was a wonderful reminder of what it really takes to make a difference in the lives of those you lead. With so few words, so much was said.
Glenn Streeter, Tennessee
Re: “Julio’s Confession”
I was really moved by this story; may we all strive to be what God wants from us, and in doing so leave a foundation that will test the fires of the enemy, and be alright for all to see, even after we have finished this journey. It really encouraged me. God bless Brazil and all those on the front lines.
Darrell Tallman, Canada
Re: “The State of Apostolic Music—How Bad Is it?”
I am in that group of 20something Apostolics that you mentioned in this article. I would love to buy more Apostolic music if it were more like MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave, etc. Also, if there was a website where Apostolic music artists could sell their music, similar to iTunes, at 99 cents a single, with 30 second previews, I’d be sure to buy. New artists could be heard more readily without all the cost involved with producing records and touring.
Nick Elmasian, Ohio
Re: “Pentecostal Divorce: My New Reality”
This was a difficult article to digest. While I’m sure the author’s experience was devastating and the intent of the article was to offer some kind of encouragement to someone going through a divorce, there is a different perspective to be examined. That is the role of a Pentecostal woman who is struggling in a marriage, believing and praying for a miracle, and not a divorce.
I’m the daughter of a UPC Pastor, married for almost four years, in a marriage that became burdened in the first few months when my husband began to backslide. You can well imagine what this entailed without me divulging particulars. I’ve prayed, fasted, endured, been faithful, believed, hoped. and been desperate enough at times to beg God for a miracle in our lives. I’m devoting my life at this point to my family and the prayer that God will help to restore this marriage.
I have remained faithful to God and to church and to my family. I have carried the spiritual weight, making a point to fast one day a week for my husband and our marriage. Most days, I’m sad and have a heavy heart while looking at the physical situation. But God has blessed me and given me joy in the Holy Ghost that surpasses the relief of a divorce. I’ve learned so much about faith and love that could never be learned if I picked up the pen and signed the dotted line. This does not imply that my heart doesn’t ache for a new beginning. It means that I’m believing God will bring that beginning to my life, not my own actions. And like the author, my husband and I have a small child. It’s disheartening to a woman’s faith when she turns to a UPC web-site for encouragement in the Lord and instead finds the ‘tempting’ answer to her heartache, when in her Spirit she wants to believe that God is honoring her life and testimony and prayers.
In no way do I stand in judgement of anyone’s choice. But the article does ‘air’ a hint of relief following a divorce, and could be found offensive to someone who could turn to anyone in the world and find this to be the case. Divorce is becoming more and more common in the UPC and the reasons more and more vague—and less and less in adherence to what the Bible indicates as far as divorce is concerned. It’s somewhat controversial and somewhat hurtful for it to be highlighted. I’m not referring to this author’s life choice, experience or writing. I’m referring to the decision to publicize it.
There are women who are grieving in their marriage and would almost give anything to have a chance to start over but believe with everything in them that a vow before God is one to carry as long as the spouse is content to dwell with her. That, of course, is a personal conviction, but one leaning toward conservative and biblical conviction. I believe it was an editorial decision that merited a response.
Name Withheld by Request, New York
Re: “Jason Dulle’s articles - Soul Mates, etc.”
I really appreciate Jason Dulle’s writing. Scholarly, yet digestible to we mortals. He is skilled at offering a point-of-view within scriptural truth.
Brandon Curry, Michigan
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