VCM Letters to the Editor: November 2000

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Letters to the Editor
Is Anybody Out There?

I wish to tell you about a few things that crossed my mind as I was reading your article, Is Anybody Out There? that appeared as an Editorial in Virtual Christian Magazine.

My father was physicist and had atheist views. As I followed in my father's foot steps, I too, was quite an atheist in my young life and all through school.

Some years after leaving school I volunteered to help a student with his chemistry lessons. Being rusty with chemistry I bought, in 1955, a copy of Chemistry Made Simple by Fred C. Hess, Ed.D for ONE DOLLAR (Italics and capitalizing mine). When I got to page 26 there was , "Table VIII , Distribution of Electrons." On this page with that Table VIII, this atheists found God for the sum of ONE DOLLAR!

I knew for every electron in an atom there is a proton . There is always the same amount (or more) of neutrons. . In looking over the "electron" totals I noticed with the addition of only one electron, the element changed to something else! (You have to know a bit about atomic structure to know that one proton and neutrons were also added.) The key to note here is that the electron build-up of only ONE ELECTRON, shows there is a mysterious power hidden here someplace because it is such a completely mathematical sequenced build up that is beyond all doubt and come sense to think this could, by random choice orchestrate itself in this perfect sequential pattern. This shows thought, planning and precise design. Absolutely no doubt about it.

My father taught me about Charles Darwin. Mother taught me the Bible. Mother, knowing I would follow in my father's foot steps, drummed Job 37:14 into my head and it remains in my mind like it is cast in stone..

I still have the book. It is old; the pages have turned yellow; some of the pages are brittle and break easily. But I have it as my special book in my private library. A few weeks ago I see the book is still in issue with a fancy Paperback cover. It's the same book only on bright white paper and the cost is now $12. I bought it for old times sake. Table VIII is still the same only it is on page 18.

People, not familiar with science look at me sort of funny when I tell I didn't find God by going to church or reading the Bible. I found God in a dollar paperback chemistry book.

God does work in mysterious ways!

-- Russel Odell

Benefited by VCM

Thank you for the work you put into this magazine. I am frequently on the computer and on the Internet. It is great to so readily have access to such support and encouragement.

My husband and I are members in Las Vegas. We are new to the "net" and just received the July 2000 United News today. I had been searching the "net" for the Virtual Christian Magazine and there it was on the back page! So just wanted to let you know we have been looking over all the issues and are quite impressed!! Excellent!! Especially the topic on "Rekindle the Flames of Fellowship". Keep up the good work and God bless you all.

In Christian Love,

-- Karen and Jack

I wanted to let you know that the Virtual Christian Magazine site comforted me. It made me relieved that no matter what God will be with me.

Thank You.

-- Mindy O'Neal

This is a great magazine! Keep up the good work!!

-- Daniel Macaraeg

Great job on VCM! I look forward to reading each issue. I print off all the articles for reading at my convenience. I know it benefits many people.

-- Joyce Iiams

I Just wanted to let you know that I came across your website by accident. My 3 children, ages 5 and under, were having a not so great morning. After hearing you talk so joyfully about the privilege of being home with your girls I called my 3 girls to me and asked them to forgive me for speaking so harshly to them this morning. I told them how happy I am that I get to be with them everyday and then we prayed to all have happy hearts and happy faces for the rest of the day. Thank you--you are exactly what I need to hear this morning!

-- Teresa
The Gift of Sex

I just wanted to write you and tell how much your website about saving your virginity means to me. See, I am a Christian and I believe in holding off for sex till marriage but many of my peers totally disagree. This is real hard on me but to know that other people actually care is very encouraging.

Also I am in a speech class and we were given an assignment to give a persuasive speech about anything we wanted and I chose pre marital sex and its consequences. My teacher told us to find out some facts on the net or in books and that is how I found your website. I just wanted to tell you thank you so much and your website really helped me!

Thanks!

Author Lynn Poulson writes VCM:

This is to make you aware of a newly published book that addresses the issue of premarital sex. Below is some information on it. This may be of interest to your organization. It is available through 1stBooks as either an Acrobat document or a printed/bound copy. It's URL is http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/gate2

All Things in Their Season: A Revealing Look at Premarital Sex, for Teenagers and Their Parents by Lynn H. Poulson M Ed.

About The Book:

In an era of wide open attitudes about sexuality and at a time when teenagers are flooded with conflicting messages about their own sexuality, this book provides a clear picture of the risks that young people take when engaging in premarital sex. Contrary to the messages of the media and from peers, sex is not a free exercise in choice whose only concerns are pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Hidden costs await the young person who acts on hormonal desires while lacking the information to evaluate the risks of such a choice. Even adults and parents are often minimally informed as to the emotional and physical risks of sexual behaviors.

This book is meant to be a clear and concise statement of the dangers surrounding premarital sex and of the benefits of abstaining until marriage. It clearly illustrates that morality is not old fashioned or irrelevant in a modern world. It also shows why morality is not simply a creation of religion but rather a necessary underpinning of a healthy and successful society.

Every young person and parent who reads this book will be provided with a broad and valuable foundation of knowledge that is often ignored in the headlong rush to accept and promote sexuality for young people.

About the Author:

Lynn H. Poulson is a professor of Home and Family Studies at Snow College where he has been teaching since 1975. He is the author of Uncommon Common Sense: A Guide For Engaged and Married Couples. He holds a M.Ed. Degree in Educational Psychology from Brigham Young University with advanced work in marriage and family, a B.A. From Utah State University in History, Psychology, and Spanish, and an A.A. in History from Snow College.

He is a member of the National Council on Family Relations and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. At Snow College, he has served as Head of the Department of Home and Family Studies, Chairman of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and on numerous committees. He has served as advisor to the Snow College chapters of two national fraternities: Sigma Gamma Chi and Alpha Phi Omega, as well as advising the Home and Family Studies Club at Snow. He has worked for over 20 years with victims of sexual assault in personal counseling and with a support group for sexual assault victims.

An active participant in church and civic affairs, he has served on the Sanpete County chapter of the American Cancer Society, assistant chairman of the Ephraim Scandinavian Festival and as a member and President of the Ephraim City Library Board as well as holding many church positions during his life time.

He and his wife Julie, and their family reside in Ephraim, Utah.
Posting the Ten Commandments

We often do not think about the results of all people (or at least the majority) following and truly living in the ten commandments. Excellent and thought provoking message.
The Politics of Education--"It's Not the Money, Stupid!"

As a grandfather and business owner, I observe the loss of true education in our country. I applaud your information and the courage to present it. As President Lincoln said we can see what our country will be like in the next generation by seeing what is happening to the youth in our school systems. That is really a scary thought!

Thanks for your editorial.

-- Tom Peine
Are You Missing Something?

I work as a Public Guardian for the Elderly in middle Tennessee. I am currently recruiting volunteers to visit our clients in the nursing homes, and I ran across your article Are You Missing Something on the Internet. I am currently in the process of developing pamphlets to place throughout our county and would like to know if I can use the information from the article.

Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions please email me, and I will respond as soon as possible.

-- Pauline Moore, South Central Tennessee Public Guardian

ED: Of course!

Virtuous Lady of Acts

I have been wondering what changes I need to make in my life. My husband and I took care of four different people, over a period of five years, until they each passed away. They were a friend, a son and my husband's parents. We then needed a break! My husband now loves to play the piano at various churches having been a music teacher for 31 years. For the past year I worked as a census enumerator and loved my job too. I met so many interesting people and heard so many life stories. There are many, many lonely people in this country just barely existing mentally, emotionally and physically. Being a government employee I could not mention spiritual topics or become involved in any way. Now that the census is over, I still need to work. At 65, jobs are limited. However I keep thinking of those people I met and wonder about the ones I didn't meet. I am at a crossroads as to what I should be doing.

I am very good at listening and hearing people out. They need to be heard without being rushed or cutoff. I've even started looking for what is said about women in the Bible. Because of my own health limitations, I need a job with some flexibility. In the meantime your description of Dorcas makes me realize that I can come back from my "break" and do what I can for those I see in need around me. Thank you for your inspiration.

-- Catherine
Home Is Where Our School Is

You have helped me more than you know. My 13 year old daughter is having trouble in school with bullies and how they are treating her. The principal will not do anything, so I have decided to home school for the safety of my children. I will follow your advice and I hope I can count on you if I ever need help. Thank you again.

-- Susan

I caught your article on home schooling. Thought you might like to check out www.crosswalk.com and go to the home school link. Their resource page is quite extensive. I home school my 14 year old daughter, and have for 3 years. We are going all the way through high school, beginning this year.

Happy Home Schooling!

-- C. Myers, Indiana
For Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor

I just wanted to say that the article For Those Who Will Honor Me I Will Honor was very inspirational for me. I am at a time in my life where everything seems to be a dead end. I know that God has something wonderful for me planned, but sometimes it's easy to lose sight and concentrate on only the negative things. I'd like to say thank you to the person who wrote this.

-- Laurie Kemper
Meditation

Much good is written but not lived. The purpose of meditation is to bring us into a right relationship with our Father in heaven, even as Jesus himself meditated in the garden. Though thoughts race across our minds, images and sensations distract us from awareness of His presence, His will for our lives is sure. God is with us!

Thanks for your site.

Copyright 2000 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.

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				Letters to the Editor Is Anybody Out There? I wish to tell you about a few things that crossed my mind as I was reading your article, Is Anybody Out There? that appeared as an Editorial in Virtual Christian Magazine. My father was physicist and had atheist views. As I followed in my father's foot steps, I too, was quite an atheist in my young life and all through school. Some years after leaving school I volunteered to help a student with his chemistry lessons. Being rusty with chemistry I bought, in 1955, a copy of Chemistry Made Simple by Fred C. Hess, Ed.D for ONE DOLLAR (Italics and capitalizing mine). When I got to page 26 there was , "Table VIII , Distribution of Electrons." On this page with that Table VIII, this atheists found God for the sum of ONE DOLLAR! I knew for every electron in an atom there is a proton . There is always the same amount (or more) of neutrons. . In looking over the "electron" totals I noticed with the addition of only one electron, the element changed to something else! (You have to know a bit about atomic structure to know that one proton and neutrons were also added.) The key to note here is that the electron build-up of only ONE ELECTRON, shows there is a mysterious power hidden here someplace because it is such a completely mathematical sequenced build up that is beyond all doubt and come sense to think this could, by random choice orchestrate itself in this perfect sequential pattern. This shows thought, planning and precise design. Absolutely no doubt about it. My father taught me about Charles Darwin. Mother taught me the Bible. Mother, knowing I would follow in my father's foot steps, drummed Job 37:14 into my head and it remains in my mind like it is cast in stone.. I still have the book. It is old; the pages have turned yellow; some of the pages are brittle and break easily. But I have it as my special book in my private library. A few weeks ago I see the book is still in issue with a fancy Paperback cover. It's the same book only on bright white paper and the cost is now $12. I bought it for old times sake. Table VIII is still the same only it is on page 18. People, not familiar with science look at me sort of funny when I tell I didn't find God by going to church or reading the Bible. I found God in a dollar paperback chemistry book. God does work in mysterious ways! -- Russel Odell Benefited by VCM Thank you for the work you put into this magazine. I am frequently on the computer and on the Internet. It is great to so readily have access to such support and encouragement. My husband and I are members in Las Vegas. We are new to the "net" and just received the July 2000 United News today. I had been searching the "net" for the Virtual Christian Magazine and there it was on the back page! So just wanted to let you know we have been looking over all the issues and are quite impressed!! Excellent!! Especially the topic on "Rekindle the Flames of Fellowship". Keep up the good work and God bless you all. In Christian Love, -- Karen and Jack I wanted to let you know that the Virtual Christian Magazine site comforted me. It made me relieved that no matter what God will be with me. Thank You. -- Mindy O'Neal This is a great magazine! Keep up the good work!! -- Daniel Macaraeg Great job on VCM! I look forward to reading each issue. I print off all the articles for reading at my convenience. I know it benefits many people. -- Joyce Iiams I Just wanted to let you know that I came across your website by accident. My 3 children, ages 5 and under, were having a not so great morning. After hearing you talk so joyfully about the privilege of being home with your girls I called my 3 girls to me and asked them to forgive me for speaking so harshly to them this morning. I told them how happy I am that I get to be with them everyday and then we prayed to all have happy hearts and happy faces for the rest of the day. Thank you--you are exactly what I need to hear this morning! -- Teresa The Gift of Sex I just wanted to write you and tell how much your website about saving your virginity means to me. See, I am a Christian and I believe in holding off for sex till marriage but many of my peers totally disagree. This is real hard on me but to know that other people actually care is very encouraging. Also I am in a speech class and we were given an assignment to give a persuasive speech about anything we wanted and I chose pre marital sex and its consequences. My teacher told us to find out some facts on the net or in books and that is how I found your website. I just wanted to tell you thank you so much and your website really helped me! Thanks! Author Lynn Poulson writes VCM: This is to make you aware of a newly published book that addresses the issue of premarital sex. Below is some information on it. This may be of interest to your organization. It is available through 1stBooks as either an Acrobat document or a printed/bound copy. It's URL is http://www.1stbooks.com/cgi-bin/gate2 All Things in Their Season: A Revealing Look at Premarital Sex, for Teenagers and Their Parents by Lynn H. Poulson M Ed. About The Book: In an era of wide open attitudes about sexuality and at a time when teenagers are flooded with conflicting messages about their own sexuality, this book provides a clear picture of the risks that young people take when engaging in premarital sex. Contrary to the messages of the media and from peers, sex is not a free exercise in choice whose only concerns are pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Hidden costs await the young person who acts on hormonal desires while lacking the information to evaluate the risks of such a choice. Even adults and parents are often minimally informed as to the emotional and physical risks of sexual behaviors. This book is meant to be a clear and concise statement of the dangers surrounding premarital sex and of the benefits of abstaining until marriage. It clearly illustrates that morality is not old fashioned or irrelevant in a modern world. It also shows why morality is not simply a creation of religion but rather a necessary underpinning of a healthy and successful society. Every young person and parent who reads this book will be provided with a broad and valuable foundation of knowledge that is often ignored in the headlong rush to accept and promote sexuality for young people. About the Author: Lynn H. Poulson is a professor of Home and Family Studies at Snow College where he has been teaching since 1975. He is the author of Uncommon Common Sense: A Guide For Engaged and Married Couples. He holds a M.Ed. Degree in Educational Psychology from Brigham Young University with advanced work in marriage and family, a B.A. From Utah State University in History, Psychology, and Spanish, and an A.A. in History from Snow College. He is a member of the National Council on Family Relations and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. At Snow College, he has served as Head of the Department of Home and Family Studies, Chairman of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and on numerous committees. He has served as advisor to the Snow College chapters of two national fraternities: Sigma Gamma Chi and Alpha Phi Omega, as well as advising the Home and Family Studies Club at Snow. He has worked for over 20 years with victims of sexual assault in personal counseling and with a support group for sexual assault victims. An active participant in church and civic affairs, he has served on the Sanpete County chapter of the American Cancer Society, assistant chairman of the Ephraim Scandinavian Festival and as a member and President of the Ephraim City Library Board as well as holding many church positions during his life time. He and his wife Julie, and their family reside in Ephraim, Utah. Posting the Ten Commandments We often do not think about the results of all people (or at least the majority) following and truly living in the ten commandments. Excellent and thought provoking message. The Politics of Education--"It's Not the Money, Stupid!" As a grandfather and business owner, I observe the loss of true education in our country. I applaud your information and the courage to present it. As President Lincoln said we can see what our country will be like in the next generation by seeing what is happening to the youth in our school systems. That is really a scary thought! Thanks for your editorial. -- Tom Peine Are You Missing Something? I work as a Public Guardian for the Elderly in middle Tennessee. I am currently recruiting volunteers to visit our clients in the nursing homes, and I ran across your article Are You Missing Something on the Internet. I am currently in the process of developing pamphlets to place throughout our county and would like to know if I can use the information from the article. Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions please email me, and I will respond as soon as possible. -- Pauline Moore, South Central Tennessee Public Guardian ED: Of course! Virtuous Lady of Acts I have been wondering what changes I need to make in my life. My husband and I took care of four different people, over a period of five years, until they each passed away. They were a friend, a son and my husband's parents. We then needed a break! My husband now loves to play the piano at various churches having been a music teacher for 31 years. For the past year I worked as a census enumerator and loved my job too. I met so many interesting people and heard so many life stories. There are many, many lonely people in this country just barely existing mentally, emotionally and physically. Being a government employee I could not mention spiritual topics or become involved in any way. Now that the census is over, I still need to work. At 65, jobs are limited. However I keep thinking of those people I met and wonder about the ones I didn't meet. I am at a crossroads as to what I should be doing. I am very good at listening and hearing people out. They need to be heard without being rushed or cutoff. I've even started looking for what is said about women in the Bible. Because of my own health limitations, I need a job with some flexibility. In the meantime your description of Dorcas makes me realize that I can come back from my "break" and do what I can for those I see in need around me. Thank you for your inspiration. -- Catherine Home Is Where Our School Is You have helped me more than you know. My 13 year old daughter is having trouble in school with bullies and how they are treating her. The principal will not do anything, so I have decided to home school for the safety of my children. I will follow your advice and I hope I can count on you if I ever need help. Thank you again. -- Susan I caught your article on home schooling. Thought you might like to check out www.crosswalk.com and go to the home school link. Their resource page is quite extensive. I home school my 14 year old daughter, and have for 3 years. We are going all the way through high school, beginning this year. Happy Home Schooling! -- C. Myers, Indiana For Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor I just wanted to say that the article For Those Who Will Honor Me I Will Honor was very inspirational for me. I am at a time in my life where everything seems to be a dead end. I know that God has something wonderful for me planned, but sometimes it's easy to lose sight and concentrate on only the negative things. I'd like to say thank you to the person who wrote this. -- Laurie Kemper Meditation Much good is written but not lived. The purpose of meditation is to bring us into a right relationship with our Father in heaven, even as Jesus himself meditated in the garden. Though thoughts race across our minds, images and sensations distract us from awareness of His presence, His will for our lives is sure. God is with us! Thanks for your site. Copyright 2000 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved.