Caraboolad's statement is good food for thought: "Self-esteem for the Christian is a paradox: The more of the real thing you have, the less you think about how good you are. The stronger you get, the more you become aware of your weaknesses. The better you look, the less you care who's looking. The more self-esteem you have, the less self-conscious you are."

Art Miles
Apison, Tennessee


THE SEARCH FOR POWER
Roy Adams makes a sobering observation in his editorial, "It's Not Your Property" (Feb. 10, 2005). He writes, "All who're entrusted with responsibility over persons or property in the church should vigorously police their attitude, seeking always to handle people with deference, dignity, and respect." Having held various positions in the Adventist educational system for 37 years and having served on numerous committees and boards, I feel that one arena in which we are sometimes careless and forget that we must always treat people as we ourselves would want to be treated is when it concerns employment issues, especially the hiring or terminating of personnel. I have heard too many horror stories from members who have been mistreated or treated unfairly. I have seen and heard of too many instances where individuals were hired based on who they knew rather than on their training, their proven track record, or their experience. Who has not heard of individuals in power plotting the moves of various individuals to positions of leadership long before constituency meetings or General Conference sessions?

As we approach the General Conference session in St. Louis, delegates who have been vested with the "power" to appoint/elect individuals to positions of leadership in the Adventist church might do well to keep in mind that God doesn't play chess. Unfortunately, we, too often, do.

Thambi Thomas
associate education director
Pacific Union Conference


LOOKING FORWARD TO ADVENTIST WORLD
I'm excited about the upcoming Adventist World edition of the Adventist Review ("Introducing Adventist World," Feb. 17, 2005); and free-of-charge! I can only thank you at the Adventist Review for the wonderful effort you are making.

I live in Kenya, where it's difficult to receive world church news. We receive a few copies of the Adventist Review that reach us months after the publication date. This initiative is a welcome means to unite us and the rest of the world church. I hope there will be an online edition of Adventist World, as that is sometimes the fastest way to receive these materials in a timely manner. Thanks once again.

Dedi Maganga
Nairobi, Kenya

Congratulations on the new Adventist World edition. When I was at the Review in the late seventies we talked about it and urged our leaders to consider it, but it got nowhere. I am thrilled to see that this is happening.

God is surely blessing you in all you do.

Jack Blanco
Collegedale, Tennessee


IN PRAISE OF EXCELLENCE
Kudos to Bill Knott for his superbly written article, "The Best That He Can Be" (Jan. 27, 2005). Knott's English professors must be proud of him for so expertly capturing a difficult field.

Not having had the opportunity of advanced education, I greatly appreciate the Review for providing us a glimpse of this new museum. This was not another ho-hum museum article but a splendidly written work about Michael Hasel, an outstanding young archaeologist who, at 36, has already accomplished so much for himself, his university, and his church. I want to visit that museum!

Magda Bauer
Lansdale, Pennsylvania


A CRUTCH, SO WHAT?
Regarding "My Religion, My Crutch," by Gina Lee (Jan. 20, 2005): I've heard this crutch complaint before. I liked the article and was thinking what we could use as a comeback to those who use "It's your crutch" as an expression of contempt. So I thought, why not say, "It's my vehicle to get me where I want to go." It might open the eyes of the person who makes the comment.

Regarding the column, "The No. 1 Christian Porn Site," by Nathan Brown: Brown is an editor in the South Pacific. Yes, the United States has much to be ashamed of, but Brown should be writing about his own territory and experiences. The United States affects Australia and other countries, but Brown should not forget that every country has its own problem with porn. Sometimes porn can hit you in the face, but most of the time you still have to look for it. When you point a finger at anything, anyone, or any country, you still have three fingers pointing back at you.

Florence Capron
California


ANCHORED IN CERTAINTY
Thank you for the article, "Five Certainties for 2005," a treatise on Psalm 90 (Jan. 2005). It expressed some of my thoughts about God, His grace, and forgiveness. To know God is everything to me.

As is my custom, I read through one version of the Bible, then another. This time it's the New King James Version, and I read this Psalm in it. I simply didn't see what Elder Johnsson brought out, so I read it again.

This prayer of Moses, a man of God, is beautiful with meaning. I can imagine him writing it with mixed emotions. He says the days of our lives are 70, and that with strength we may reach 80. I had my eightieth birthday in January, so I'm grateful to God. I'm in good health. Every morning I get up happy and thank God for a new day.

Opal Taylor
Loma Linda, California


FORTIFIED IN THE WORD
I appreciated Roy Adams' article, "You Can Do It--Yes, You Can" (Jan. 2005), about reading the Bible. His plan for simply dividing the number of pages in one's Bible by the number of days in the year in order to read the Bible through in one year (rather than thinking in terms of chapters) seems so elementary and obvious I can't believe so many of us never thought of it.

Let me offer a couple other insights into reading/studying the Bible. Many people, including many long-time Christians, don't have a clue as to how to go about studying the Bible in a logical and organized way--I didn't for most of my life until I took the course, The Bible as Literature, in college and learned that the Bible has already been well organized for us.

A biblical concordance is not only a great help but a vital necessity when reading or seriously studying the Bible. Like dictionaries and thesauruses, a concordance saves countless hours of individual research.

The Gospels, the focal point of the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, recount the life, teachings, and works of Jesus. The book of Acts is an account of the beginnings of the Christian church. Revelation is an apocalyptic book of prophecy. The doctrines of, and instructions to, the Christian church are contained in the books of Romans through Jude. Answers to questions and disputable opinions concerning Christian beliefs and practices can be found in these books. Simply look up the subjects by name in a concordance: "law," "freedom," "Sabbath," "blood," "oath/s," "swear," "fire," "death," "hell," "immortality," "resurrection" (to name some of the most frequently disputed subjects).

Martha Richert
Independence, Missouri


CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT MUSIC
After reading the article, "When In Our Music God is Glorified" (Dec. 2004), and the subsequent letters to the editor, and having discussions with fellow church members, I've concluded that common sense may be lacking concerning contemporary music in the church.

When a composer in the 1700s wrote the words or music to a hymn, one can assume he or she was expecting the hymn to be performed soon after it was composed. That would make it contemporary music. Even in the 1700s could some have placed a false sacredness on hymns just because they were old? Were church members in the 1700s and 1800s purer and holier than today? And can we therefore assume that their music was purer, holier, and more sacred than hymns composed today?

Today's writers and composers of Christian music expect their music to be performed in this decade. Let's allow today's song writers and composers to share their gift.

Glen Grider
Dayton, Ohio

Is music really the reason the loss of Adventist youth? In his letter to the editor concerning Wolfgang H. Stefani's article, "When in Our Music God is Glorified" (Dec. 2004), William Noel expresses this opinion. Noel believes "our church is being needlessly split by discussions" such as Stefani's, which takes delight in the hymns of the past. Furthermore, Noel goes on to state, "What really disturbs me about the preservation of old hymns is how large a role the controversy is playing in pushing out the door half our youth" (Adventist Review, Feb. 2005, p. 5).

As an Adventist youth, I feel called to state that while it may be true that needless argumentation occurs over the issue of music style, it is not the issue causing youth to leave the church.

Through my own experience and through interacting with youth as a summer camp counselor, I realize that youth are looking for people who are living out the power of the gospel. Sadly, this is where many, finding only formalism and tradition, have failed to find exciting lives in Jesus. Week after week we see people go to church out of tradition, sit formally in a pew, listen to the sermon while trying not to fall asleep, and go home, while never growing into the fullness and glory of a grace-filled life. With this reality before us, we keep being told that Jesus has the power to save and powerfully change our lives. Where is the proof? We have not seen the practical aspect of the gospel, and lose interest in finding it in Seventh-day Adventist pews. If we focus on music as the issue driving youth away, we miss the point.

I once had a camper describe to me the very formal church he attended. Instead of the music or hymns, what he noticed, among other things, were parents who yelled at their kids for participating in "un-Sabbath" activities, and the number of people going home to faithfully take their Sabbath afternoon nap, all the while looking to these people for an example of Christianity. Yet many continue feel that it's old hymns that push youth away.

Jesus is the whole point. Until He becomes relevant in lives, music is only a side issue distracting people from experiencing His power. Noel writes, "We ought to wake up and realize that our worship music has become outdated and irrelevant." I would add: As long as Jesus, and the power of His word, are outdated and irrelevant to youth, music doesn't matter because music doesn't save anyone.

Yes, music is important to the Christian; yet music without the surrendered life is merely a show. A certain music style may keep a few more youth in the church, yet how shallow will their experience be if that's all that draws them? When Jesus draws us youth, because older generations have demonstrated that the Christian life is exciting, full of fulfilled dreams, and blessed with grace, the church will rally around Christ's banner and be empowered to change the world. Then music will not be such a dividing issue because, like Paul, we will "have learned to be content whatever the circumstance" (Phil. 4:11, NIV).

Nathan D. Brinckhaus
Bridgeville, California


THE MAJORITY VIEW
I thank the Lord for being able to receive the Adventist Review. After I sorted and set up a filing system for my old Reviews (about 10 year's worth), I knew I had to subscribe to this wonderful mouthpiece once again.

I received the North American Division edition for February. I read everything--from cover to cover (even the ads)--I didn't want to miss a thing.

Thank you for the article, "The Majority That Matters," by Lester A. Parkinson (Feb. 2005). What a wonderful thing to know that if I am with God I am with the majority. Thank you for the article about muscle spasms by Drs. Handysides and Landless. This was an article well-timed in my life.

Thank you for the wonderful Review. I pray that God will bless this mouthpiece abundantly and I pray that more people will be in a position to receive it.

One question: We read about people and happenings all over the world, but seldom (in the past), do we read what's happening in South Africa. We may be at the south end of everything, but we are still alive and well.

Chrissie Sarvari
Van Riebeeckpark
Republic of South Africa