Letters

Published February 19, 2004

Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

SULLIVAN ANNIVERSARY

Thanks for ‘loving preachers’ families’

I want to congratulate Dr. John Sullivan on his 15th anniversary as leader of Florida Baptist Convention and echo Ted Traylor’s comments that Dr. Sullivan loves preachers’ kids. I’ll never forget several years ago taking the Sullivans to dinner following a revival service in my church. As we were leaving the restaurant, he asked my two young children to shake his hand. Both kids wound up with a twenty-dollar bill. I’m not sure they had seen that much money at a time! The next week my wife and I took them to the Florida Baptist State Convention in Tampa. They were pretty bored until Dr. Sullivan came to the podium. One of them said, "There’s our favorite preacher!" I think he’s still their favorite preacher. Thank you Dr. Sullivan for loving preachers’ families.

Steve Patton
Fort Worth, Texas

THE PASSION

Not ‘Hollywood creation’

My wife and I, brethren, an unsaved child and neighbors have purchased tickets to see the Passion of Christ on Feb. 27. I approach that day with trepidation, like a repentant man, whose crime is videotaped and is going to view it. The murder of the Son of God. My sins placed Him there on that cross. I also know the total victory won by Jesus Christ that day.

Having followed this film for close to a year, I believe that it is not a Hollywood creation, but it is faithful to the Gospel. At the time of this letter, the film viewing is weeks away, but the Lord is already working in me through it. May God use this film to bring others to salvation through the only narrow road to attain it, Jesus Christ. Please encourage Christians everywhere to support this film by Mr. Gibson.

Miguel Ruiz
Miami

BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE

The ‘unjustifiable’

Reading about the justification for pulling out of the BWA [Jan. 8, Witness] makes me wonder if we have not lost our mission purpose. We list Anti-American attitudes as a reason. We list organizations for which we do not approve as a reason. We try to justify the unjustifiable. Shall we pull our missionaries out of the Muslim countries because they are anti-American? No. If there was ever a mission field in which to be represented, it is the BWA. If we can’t be with fellow Baptists, then certainly we can’t be in a world that is hostile to Kingdom things. No Sir! Repudiation of the recommendation to withdraw from the BWA is every messenger’s obligation. Large ego’s and political agendas are not our marching orders for reaching and changing the world for Christ. Face the enemy with boldness. Dare to be represented in the lion’s den. Christ is there, He will be victorious.

Larry Hudson
Punta Gorda

RICKSHAW RALLY

God made us ‘different’

I don’t understand why the Asian-American community is finding the 2004 VBS materials "Rickshaw Rally: Racing to the Son" offensive [Witness, Dec. 11]. "Amazon Outfitters" wasn’t making fun of the Amazon or the animals that live there. "The Great Kingdom Caper" wasn’t making fun of England or Scottish Terriers, but used that culture as an exciting chance to learn about Jesus. In the same way, Rickshaw Rally isn’t making fun of Asia or Asians, only using the things of that particular culture to help children learn about Jesus. If people find that offensive, they themselves just must be embarrassed of their culture. I think children should learn how cultures are different, because that’s the way God made us — all different. Children enjoy learning the differences in people and their cultures. Don’t be offended! Just embrace your culture and love it and let us teach our children about it.

April Guthrie
Charleston, W. Va.

IN GOD WE TRUST

‘Take a stand’

I’d like to comment on C. Turnbull, an 18-year-old from Jacksonville, who wrote a letter published in the Jan. 29 Witness. He was concerned about taking God and Christ out of our country. Then one may ask, what can I do to keep God and Christ in our country? Not long ago, in the great state of Texas, the home of President George W. Bush, two post offices were forced to take down small posters that said "In God We Trust." Someone had complained it was violating some law about "electioneering posters." Is God running for office? So, other post offices in Texas followed suit, so as not to cause problems.

We are living in troublesome times for the whole world, and it’s the young people like C. Turnbull who can make a difference by taking a stand for Christ. Here is something small you can start with — I propose that we write "In God We Trust" on the front and back of all our mail. After all, that is our national motto and it’s on all the money we use to buy stamps. So, if you want to help keep God and Christ in our country, write "In God We Trust" on all your letters and bills, too.

Janet M. Cosgrove
Ocala

MARRIAGE

Letter to the President

In reading the article that Tom Strode wrote, "Land: Bush failed to take final step on marriage" [Witness, Jan. 29], my first impression of President Bush’s words on the marriage issue was the same. However, I pondered his words for a while and it came to me that what he did was issue a challenge to the American people in general and to Christians specifically. Where does America stand on marriage and what are you going to do about it?

I believe that most of us, especially all of the Christians, have the same belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I believe the ball is in our court now and the president is waiting to hear from us on how the majority feel about this, and not the 5-10% minority.

I took the challenge, will you? I e-mailed the president a letter detailing the truth about marriage and gave him the information that he needs to take a stand on this issue. The president’s e-mail address is: president@whitehouse.gov.

Hayes Wise
Lynn Haven

EDITOR’S NOTE: The text of Wise’s letter to President Bush is posted to the Witness Web site in the letters to the editor section.

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