July 17, 2006 - Letters From Our Readers

July 17, 2006

Okay, I know I am on staff, but sometimes it is really hard to read every article, every week and every blog, every day. But I will tell you that if you haven’t had a chance to check out Month in the Life—do! He is quite the entertainer, and I think you will enjoy his blog in its way, as so many of you delight in Collideoscope and Duct Tape, Dixie, and Me.

We also want to thank everyone contributing articles and letters to the zine. Without your efforts, we’d have nothing to print. Don’t let the Summer keep you from sitting at the keyboard and banging something out.

Re: “The Disease of Singleness”

I really enjoyed this article. I’m in the phase of my life right now where one of the questions many people ask me after meeting me for the first time is, “So, are you single?” When I look down at my ring-less fingers and answer with a feeble, “Yes,” the next question is, “Why?” I keep trying to think of clever ways to answer that one.

It’s refreshing to read something that dispels the myths of the living the single life, especially the one about men being intimidated by intelligent women—I’ve been given that reason before as a supposed answer to the “why.” It’s a relief to know that “intelligent women do not intimidate real men.” The virtuous woman is indeed a biblical role model, and the author makes an excellent point when he says that the Bible doesn’t say that her husband was intimidated by her. It says he praised her. Articles like this give me hope that I can be myself without fear of being “intimidating” and without feeling like being single is simply being in a state of waiting for your life to truly begin.

The single life I’m living now is a life, and I hope that I will continue to live it to its fullest—without ever falling into the trap of believing that it’s a “disease.”

Chantell Smith, Alabama

I have just found this website and am amazed at the depth and breadth that you cover. Thank you for being available and such a valuable resource! I will continue to check the website for new and interesting blogs and articles. Awesome!

Amy Sing, Virginia

Re: “What Sin is This?”

I so enjoyed the very timely article by Maya Davis. I have never in all my 36 years of knowing God have seen and felt such warring spirits of lust. Every church I believe is experiencing these demonic strongholds. These spirits will not hang around unless they are entertained. Fasting and much prayer has to go forth.

We are now in the battle of and for our lives and the lives of our children. We are heading into the black of night. The enemy knows the time is short, do we? Remember we are fighting spirits of the air. Call these spirits by name and cast them out of your homes (and) your church. Break down these strongholds. While you’re at it rejoice and praise God for He is the giver of life and victory! Who can separate us from the love of God? Press on, move forward, dig in deep: know that the Bible has all the answers to life’s Q’s. Try it and see. Devour the word and savor every bite.

Polly Freeman, California

Re: “And While We’re On the Subject…”

As a Christian and public school language arts teacher, I was very encouraged by your article. I was a skeptic of the Harry Potter series for a very brief period of time as several of my high school students were involved with gothic obsessions. I had to step back and marvel, however, as enormous books were flying off library shelves and into the hands of formally literature-deprived teens. Then I read the books and was thrilled that young minds were expanding their vocabulary and imaginations! After Harry Potter wet many appetites, it was natural to fearlessly insert C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

As to the many charges you mention, I, too, have spoken with church leaders addressing much of the classic literature required during their adolescence—Greek mythology, Shakespeare, et all. Did the magical or mythical realms encompassed in these stories lead them into darkness? I recalled the church outcries when Star Wars was introduced and the fear that “the Force” would draw hearts from Christ. The answer en mass was a “no.”

Harry Potter books are a marvelous example of a youth in the throes of adolescence discerning between good and evil. Examining the text closely one will find that her message is more about the condition of the heart and in the latter texts, about bringing one’s thoughts under control. Do these not imitate the lessons we find in God’s Word? Unlike the content of television dominating most of pseudo-civilized society’s living rooms, Rowling’s books are not filled with teen sex, materialism, and the need to be popular. In fact, just the opposite! Her books celebrate the ‘geeks’ and ‘nerds’ and those who are not the ‘beautiful’ people, value a young girl’s academic capabilities, dismisses the notion that being rich equals happiness by introducing the reader to the always financially struggling Weasley family as model of hearth and home. In each book, manners and gracious behavior are reinforced by those Harry admires even to the point that he is reprimanded for not maintaining respect toward adults who are behaviorally challenged. If these qualities are not enough, then consider the words uttered by the great wizard Dumbledore as he addresses the students regarding the present dangers: “The time has come for you to chose between what is easy and what it right.” Is that not the call we all must answer each and everyday of our life with our Lord and Savior?

Certainly one can read allegory into the books and force Christian lessons into them if one must. My choice would be that we could read the Harry Potter books just as a delightful outing for our imaginations.

Hillevi Peterson, Minnesota

Re: “An Apostolic in Nashville”

Enjoyed this article....had to laugh several times at how familiar to me some of her thoughts were, and reminded me of the old days when I thought I could write a song. :)

Love her hard-work approach to the industry.

Diana Dunlap, Missouri

Re: “Waiting on the Lord for Your Mate”

In accordance to what Mrs. Buddy says, I agree with her—God is our maker, from His words we are made to know that He is the provider of our needs. He said, that it is not good for one to be alone and I know according to His words also, ‘He withholdeth nothing good from his people’—for me, since He created me female and knows that I don’t need to be alone, He will hasten the steps of my husband. He will perfect all that concerns me. I don’t need to help Him out in order not to make mistakes.

Gracelyn Kalu, Nigeria

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