'Ditches' Misses the Mark
[Regarding "Ditches," Let’s Talk, July 2014] "What saith the Lord?" should ever be our question when any issue of controversy arises in the church. Where we stand on such issues as adornment, worship styles, the human nature of Christ or ministerial ordination should be based solely on the Bible and the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, not on superficial notions of "balance" or whether an issue is thought to be "major" or "minor." I find it somewhat amusing when people talk of certain folks "majoring in minors." When you have a medical problem, you want to arrest its growth while it is still minor. You don't want to wait to see the doctor once it gets major. The lifestyle standards of Seventh-day Adventism, as set forth in Scripture and the writings of Ellen White, are designed to address spiritual problems at their roots, which may appear small at first but which can prove seriously destructive if permitted to develop further. After all, it was Jesus Himself — not some Pharisee — who said, "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much" (Luke 16:10). — Linda Brehm, La Pine, Ore.
'Ditches' Hits the Mark
[Regarding "Ditches," Let’s Talk, July 2014] I have the final paragraph posted on the bulletin board above my desk at work. Thank you for a delightful reminder of what our behavior should be. — Sue Farnsworth, Anacortes, Wash.
Eyes on Jesus
[Regarding "Ditches," Let’s Talk, July 2014] I get tired of the paranoia, I suppose I can call it. It may all be true enough, things wrong with the church. But I see our job is not to bring attention to all that but to drive forward, hold our nose and drive straight through. Right. Keep our eyes on Jesus. It is hard enough in these days to do just that. We must have Him in our sights all the time. Thanks for a sensible Let's Talk. — Velma Collings, Gold Bar, Wash.
Terminology Is Important
In Martin Weber’s Perspective entitled “Spiritual AIDS” in the July issue of the NPUC Gleaner, the author uses coded language that is designed to elicit a certain picture about who LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people are, and it leaves no doubt that the LGBT community is “other” in his eyes. He congratulates himself for his openness while using the term “homosexual” to describe a gay man. If he really tried to understand the LGBT community he would have easily found resources … that explain why calling someone a “homosexual” is offensive. That term is also coded language that is a favorite [of] the anti-LGBT commentators because they know it is offensive. Though the author describes the church members and himself as loving people, his words tell a completely different story. Seth Pierce says it well on another page in the same issue of Gleaner: “Yes, we can all agree on the necessity to impress upon today’s children the need for mature adults, especially those following Jesus, to conduct themselves respectfully, and to communicate their thoughts and feelings in ways that build people up.” — Carolyn Parsons, Albany, Ore.
A Refreshing Reminder
How refreshing to see a church honoring our Judeo-Christian heritage ["Springfield Members Experience Seder Meal," August 2014]! Christ's Lord's Supper as shown in the Gospels (Luke 22:7–30, Mark 14:12–26) was a Passover Seder into which He infused messianic meaning. The Seder meal celebrates the plan of redemption, including anticipation of the coming kingdom. We look forward to the heavenly celebration of the Passover Seder as promised by Jesus in Luke 22:16. — Connie Dahlke, Walla Walla, Wash.
