Letters

Senseless

Randy Friesen's "Get Real" (Nov. 8) was very good, but I am continually mystified why the "S" in RASK means "senseless". If we Christians are to be Spirit-led, Spirit-directed and Spirit-spoken-to, as Randy indicates, why doesn't the "S" stand for sensible or sensitive or super or even Spirit-inspired? "Senseless" seems to trivialize the objective of this meaningful witness. "Senseless" seems so senseless.

David Bergen, (E)
Winkler, Man.

Thank you

I appreciate the Fall/Winter Encounter. Each of the articles contains so much that is helpful and inspiring.

George A. Hogman,
Pambrun, Sask.

Bible-based

I regret the Board of Faith and Life resolution that local church leaders "avoid activities at church-sponsored events which are likely to cause offense because they transgress moral or ethical boundaries which churches and families have sought to maintain".

The event that started this debate was the dance at Banff `95. Psalm 149:3 states: "Let them praise [God's] name with dancing." If dancing were bad, why would God let people praise His name with it? David "danced before the Lord" (II Samuel 6:14). These verses, along with the statement, "If it pleases God, go ahead, but if it doesn't, don't even think about it," are the only argument I need on dancing.

If you avoid activities that cause offense to people's morals, then your day would be filled with doing nothing, because almost everything causes offense to somebody. I do agree, though, that alcoholic beverages and biblically offensive videos and films do not have a place at church-sponsored events because having them might cause someone to falter in their faith or to believe that Christians are hypocrites.

Dan Neufeld,
Altona, Man.

Thanks for prayers

On account of the AIDS crisis facing Botswana, we called on you to pray during September (News, Aug. 30). While we continue to hear of more people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and funerals of young people are a constant reminder of the crisis, we rejoice at what God has started to do in people's lives.

First, we give thanks for the way God has brought together people in Selebi Phikwe to arrange various events. The first was a conference on HIV/AIDS for pastors and church leaders. We believe it was because of prayer that our local copper-nickel mine released 25 employees (self-supporting pastors) to attend this conference. The 40 pastors who attended heard solid biblical teaching and learned the basic facts of HIV/AIDS.

Second, we give thanks for the way the Lord used a group of evangelical Christians from Uganda to minister in open-air meetings. This choir, along with two women with AIDS, clearly and boldly shared the message of salvation, along with promoting the biblical values of abstinence before marriage and faithfulness in marriage. Wherever they shared, large crowds of people turned up. While some rejected their message, many turned to the Lord.

Third, we give thanks for a Sunday morning service on Sept. 15, when 2000 Christians from over 40 congregations showed up in our town park to pray and seek the Lord's forgiveness and His healing for this land. It was a powerful time of worship, repentance and exhortation to be faithful witnesses of Jesus. This display of Christian unity was unprecedented.

Fourth, we give thanks for health and energy to be involved in this special prayer emphasis. Although it's been hectic, the Lord is at work, and it's exciting!

Finally, we give thanks for your prayers. Please don't stop praying! Colossians 4:2-4: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Pray that we may proclaim it clearly, as we should."

Bryan and Teresa Born,
MB Missions/Services missionaries,
Botswana

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 35, No. 23 Home Page