SEARCHING . . .
Regarding "It's Not the Same Without You" by Don C. Schneider (Sept. 2003), I am pleased that someone has finally decided to bring the issue of these empty places at the table to the forefront. When one-third to one-half of the family is missing at mealtime we have a serious problem. I hope it won't be long before we'll be able to kill the fatted vege-calf.

But why is Schneider speaking to the empty seats? I think he should be speaking to those of us who show up at mealtime. He admitted that they had valid reasons for leaving, and the fact he is willing to make some changes in the menu demonstrates that they left "with cause."

It must have occurred to him that if they had reasons for leaving we had the same reasons. We did not stay because we did not think those reasons were valid, or because we are socially challenged; but somebody had to stay and keep up the homestead so there would be somewhere for the prodigals to return to. If he seriously wants them to return, he'll have to ignore them for a little while longer and focus on us.

Don't wait until they return to make those changes. Don't promise them any changes to lure them back into to the fold. All you have to do is make the changes for us; the ones who stayed behind. When we begin to once again enjoy the meal we will tell them. He won't even have to apologize to them.

You are like the father in the story of the prodigal son. He made no changes to the farm because none were needed. He did not send any servants to inquire about his son's well-being. He did not send out any invitations to come back home. There was nothing wrong with the old homestead, so he knew that when his son came to his senses he would be back. That's why, while he sat in his pig sty, the son could say, "I know things are going on at home the same way they were before I left. That's where I belong."

This is not quite the same as our situation, but it can be if Schneider makes the changes he's planning to make, not later, but now. Right now things are essentially the same way they were when our brothers and sisters left; sometimes worse. Promises of change won't do it to bring them back for good. The changes have to be real and they have to be made before they will even think of returning.

They left because the homestead had deteriorated. Change it for us; not for them. We are just as anxious for them to come home as you are. The reason they have not returned is because when they speak with us when our paths cross they do not sense any excitement about what is being served at dinner.

We have some ideas about how we can bring this homestead back to its old glory days. That's why we have not left. We believe in it. We still think it is a viable force for good in this society.

Stop spending the family fortune on these homecoming invitations. We know what our brothers and sisters like; they like what we like. We know how they think; they think the way we think. Consult with us to make serious changes. We have tremendous skills and great minds. We want to use them at home as well as in the corporate world. When we begin to enjoy it here we make this promise: Not only will we tell them what they are missing, but when they come home we will help host the party. It will be such a great party that the neighbors will jump the fence to join us. And you won't even have to say you're sorry.

Darius A. Lecointe J.D., Ph.D.
Leesburg, Virginia


I read Don Schneider's article in the online version of Adventist Review, and I must say, I'm impressed. I am impressed by his straight forward admittance of imperfection, an absence of condemnation, and his appeal to return as part of the solution. He just scored a major first down in my own losing-yardage advance to return.

It's been nearly four years now since I walked away from the Adventist church and the Adventist pastoral ministry. Today I am deeply involved in ministry with a non-Adventist church, but my heart has been swelling with a renewing conviction of the Adventist message and mission.

Thank you for speaking to me.

Steve Durkac
Mobile, Alabama

SELF-DELUSION
I read Clifford Goldstein's column Self-delusion (Aug. 28, 2003) with much soul-searching, having many times experienced symptoms of this condition that excludes heaven, banishes eternal life, and is so hateful to our long-suffering God as to make Him promise to "spew out" from His mouth all who knowingly exhibit and cherish its symptoms. As Adventists, bearing much light and truth, and knowing it, it is easy to be self-deluded, lose sight of God, and begin to trust in our own efforts. That's why I fully agree with the writer that we need to keep a constant focus on the cross and on Christ, so that we may be made aware of our helplessness and constant need of God. As Paul wrote: "Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12, RSV).

Dedi Maganga
Kenya

PERSISTENT POSSIBILITIES
Thank you for the article on the history of the White Memorial Medical Center. I especially appreciated the opening picture. We lived right across the street when this building was built in the early 50s and worked for the hospital. We know some of the struggles of deciding to merge the four years of the medical school onto one campus. In fact, it had gone back and forth many times by 1955, and at that time they had decided to move it all to Los Angeles.

We were there when they had the dedication of the main hospital building that will come down for their new one. It is sad to see it go, but I certainly understand the need for a building that is earthquake proof and upgraded for all the new technology.

Orletta Dealy
College Place, Washington


I liked the story about the White Memorial Medical Center. When I became an Adventist 37 years ago, the witness of White Memorial affected my life. My Dad was angry that I had become an Adventist, and a deputy Marshall told him about a nurse who prayed for him.

Ever since, my Dad has respected the Adventist Church.

Mary Workman

PACIFISM AND PATRIOTISM
The recent article by Douglas Morgan, "Between Pacifism and Patriotism" (Adventist Review web site exclusive) is really a misnomer, or seems to miss the mark. Seventh-day Adventists, as far as I know, have never held to "pacifist" doctrines. We have been conscientious objectors, non-combatants, conscientious co-operatorsbut never pacifists.

A pacifist is someone who refuses to take up arms or any weapons, to fight back, or take part in any military/war/aggression, including medics, or to defend oneself, country, group, or anything else. Maybe Jesus was a pacifist.

What is happening right now in the United States is that hundreds of our Seventh-day Adventist youth and young adults have joined military forces voluntarily, and there is no protest about them training and using weapons. What is our General Conference doing about this?

Frank G. Steyn
Ohio


Regarding the story on Pacifism and Patriotism: the General Conference does not agree to bearing arms. Then why does the General Conference headquarters provide full-time security officers? The United States is a battle ground, yes; but the General Conference must have something of great importance to staff a security team. What could be so important? What is in there that they want secured? Maybe we should all know about what is so important that it needs the protection of a security force.

Rick Dupperon

REALLY POSTMODERN
Ed Christian nearly stated our secret in his column, "Are You Really Postmodern?" (Aug. 21, 2003). If we can keep up the discussion of this and that, who and when, what and where, we don't have to face the real demand on our lives the call to service, to ministry.

If you don't believe it, just visit a hundred Sabbath school classes. There, in a large percentage of those classes, you will see great care being taken to not let the discussion dip below a surface discussion of the subject. It is disquieting and uncomfortable to discuss self sacrifice, self surrender, compassion, service, and ministry.

So please, let's hang onto our discussions of liberal, conservative, modern, postmodernanything to keep us from the real issues, the real calling Jesus has for us.

Junior Scoggins
Ozark, Arkansas Church

TRUST AND RE-TRUST
I greatly appreciated article, "To Trust, and Trust Again" (Aug. 21, 2003). We needed that article in our home. I rejoice in your willingness to tackle tough issues. It gives me hope that one day we can honestly deal with all our skeletons.

Barry Marden


I really appreciated the article, "To Trust, and Trust Again." I am working through that same pain, due to my former wife. She had an affair while I was deployed to Kosovo, where I served with special forces. I haven't seen my two boys, Robert Jr. and Joseph, since January, 2002.

I struggle every day to trust again. Last quarter's adult Sabbath school lessons were about forgiveness, and those lessons are golden to me. I find myself re-reading them and listening to the tapes that go along with the lessons.

I pray daily for God to change my heart, so that I truly forgive my wife. My heart is heavy with this, and I miss my boys terribly. I did ask to have my boys added to the prayer list, and to guide me to be what God would have me be.

Rob Wooster

ABUSE AWARENESS SABBATH
Thank you for Ansel Oliver's news article ("World Church Says "No" to Abuse Against Women"). Please take one minute of silence and breathe in the full magnitude of this unspeakable cruelty. Men, often familial perpetrators, need to confess and be reeducated. The perpetrator must be firmly and caringly confronted to the limit of the law; and the victim and legal system must be supported to speak out and take action. Abuse is a multi-generational lifestyle. Tough love works.

I am saddened to know that the fourth Saturday in August in my local Adventist Church passed without Abuse Against Women being addressed. It occurs to me to direct my tithes to an organizations that courageously face this issue.

Alys Stutz
Chelan, Washington