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Letters
January 28, 2008 I had a friend tell me that they think that sometimes the church sets people up for big-time disappointment. This is done when new converts come into the church and we inadvertently tout that conversion = an easy life without worries. The reality is that living a godly life never guarantees a perfect life, but it can guarantee a life that contains peace, love, and a family of God that truly cares. I have had numerous occasions where this formula has played out in my life. And right now in our church we have some very ill people. It is amazing to witness how God's people rally around these families. They bring them food, send cards, call, clean their house, and the list goes on. Never is the love of God more evident than when you are going through a trial. So if you are new to our web-zine, you might want to
take some time out to peruse through our archives. In them we have nine
years of testimonies, and devotions of God's love! God desires to work
through His people, and He has done just that through many of our
archived material--so enjoy! Re: “Confessions
of an Ex-TX Owner” That is the best and most sensible approach to TV I
have heard expressed. We don't have to polarize over this subject.
Thanks for honesty. Mark McClintock, Missouri Re: “Surveys” How can I view the surveys for the last month? There
have been some really good ones. I would like to see the responses. Brenda Norris, Arkansas (Editor's note: In order to view surveys from last
month, go to the column on the left of the home page and click on
BQ Answers.
This should take you where you wish to go.) Re: “Judas
Gospel” I can't stop feeling he tried to cover up the
misfortune of betrayal of Jesus of his deed though the future's
centuries or Jesus was tempting Judas. Anyways I don't read, but this
article caught my attention and nicely done; the images were nice, and
content matter. Kevin Kite, Washington Re: “What
University Students Need to Know About Creationism and Evolution” Sadly, this article may cause a lot of our university
students to despair. The writer uses worn out and discredited arguments
to try and support Young Earth Creationism. To say that teaching biological evolution is the cause
of social ills like slavery is baseless. It becomes embarrassing when
the university student studies American history and finds the many ways
the Bible was used to support that dread institution. Embracing the wonders of science and the marvels are
our own evolution on this planet as being part of God's nurturing design
will actually strengthen the faith of the university student. David Gibson, Colorado Re: “Growing
up Gay in the Apostolic Church” I am very impressed with the deep desire of this
writer to want to know how to help people and understand them
individually. I work in a prison system and in ministry with a lot of people who are involved in this lifestyle. Love for a person and a non-judgmental spirit go hand in hand. These are people Jesus died for. He has a hard time finding
people to reach them because the sin is such a turn off. People tend to
associate the person with the sin in this instance. People are people.
We need to love them anyway. Dana Cooper, Florida Re: “Resculpting
Apostolic Identity” When I heard about the potential church split, concern
and disappointment were my first reactions. Many times over the years,
I have heard “We are an experience, not a denomination.” I felt that
such divisions confirmed otherwise. Your article allowed me to see things in a different
perspective and draw some positives out of what appears to be a sad
mess. The “creative missionaries” aspect really struck me.
You articulated some of things that have been on my heart. So often we
associate ministry with only a pulpit, platform or title. God calls us
all to minister, in a variety of ways, situations, and places. If we do so, we must guard our hearts by checking our
motives, and be in submission to the Word and godly counsel, the One who
called us will bless our steps of faith. As we hold on to the precious
faith once delivered to the saints, God is doing a new thing among us.
And that is exciting! Thank you for challenging me to dig deeper and really
consider what I believe and why. God Bless you. Heather Oliver, Rhode Island Re: “An
Apostolic in Hollywood” Hello! I have got to tell you how much of a blessing
it is for me to read your articles like the Apostolic in Hollywood one
and the
Wife Swap
one. You see, I am an Apostolic pastor's wife, and I also
have a part-time job as a DJ at a country music station. Being raised
in the tradition that “no music is good but Gospel music” you can
imagine I have taken some heat for my vocation, but I try to make a
difference when I work. I have a lot of freedom in my job, so I can
change the play list a bit if I like. I refuse to play songs that I
think are offensive or vulgar, and I am free to play a lot of the
country music that borders on gospel! As a matter of fact I have
actually had people call me and tell me how much they appreciated the
wholesome music I play when I am on the air. Now I am just a very part time DJ, only working
every other Saturday and some days during the week when they need
someone to fill in, so when I get feedback like that I praise God for
helping me to make a difference in this world whenever I can! I even
had a guy call me one day when I was at work and tell me he appreciated
the positive spin I gave the weather forecast (“there is a 50 percent
chance of rain on Monday... but that means there is a 50 percent chance
it won't rain!”) so I hope and pray the Holy Ghost shines through in all
I do, even reading the news and weather! Thanks so much for the wonderful stories you share, it
helps me to realize in this world today we have to reach out any way we
can and that I am not the only one out there! God bless! Tanya Lynn Smith, Minnesota Re: “Resculpting
Apostolic Identity” Kent, Your thoughts on “resculpting” the apostolic identity,
in my opinion are very accurate. For too long, we have held to a
traditional view of a special group of clergy to perform the majority of
ministry, ignoring the empowerment of the priesthood of believers. As I am sure you are aware, the word apostolic is not
in the scripture. It is an adjective we have used to describe the type
of ministry of the original apostles. The original Greek for “apostle” and for the word
“sent” or “send” are from the same source. It simply means one that is
sent to represent another in various activities or transactions. The Apostolic church should be a sending church. We
should be equipping and empowering every born again believer and sending
them out into the field of harvest. This is not to ignore the necessary
ministries of discipling at the local church. However, we should be
looking for avenues to express of our spiritual gifts and ministries
outside of the four walls of a building. Keep up the good work. Martin Schmaltz, D.C., Georgia Re: “UPC
& WPF” Somehow, you need to get a copy and permission to
reprint an article from the ALJC Apostolic Witness entitled “I
Will Not Fight My Brother” by Rev. Robert Martin. This is a message that he preached at the ALJC general
conference this past year. You can view the message
here. May God bless all of us and we stop this fighting! Connie Culver, Louisiana Re: “Resculpting
Apostolic Identity into an Army” Kent, For not being a prophet you are sure one ever-ore
excellent futurist. I believe you have stated our internal struggle with
clarity and certainty while clearly giving us an idea of our future. Thank you so much for 90&9. I'm an avid reader not
yet bold enough to be a contributor. Andrew King, Indiana © 2007, ninetyandnine.com --------- |
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