| LETTERS

Set Apart for a Holy Purpose 

I fully agree with the article, “Holy to the Lord” (January 2011), and the conclusion of Angel M. Rodríguez that the “tithe is to be used only by those recognized by the church to be God’s appointed instruments in the proclamation of the gospel.” If the church expects its members to return their tithe faithfully, members can expect that the Adventist Church in all its subdivisions uses the tithes only for the biblically mandated purpose: the proclamation of the gospel.

 

Lueneburg, Germany 

 

 

Gift Without Price 

It is a joy to receive copies of the Adventist World every month without paying for it. It is a real blessing from God.

 

The cover story “The Little Diamond,” by Chantal Klingbeil (December 2010), was of great inspiration to me. How fantastic to read stories about the awesome power of God in the lives of those who are loyal to Him—how this servant of God was revived by His power.

 

Xapuri-Acre, Brazil 

 

 

Author’s Thanks 

Thank you for printing the article I sent, “The ‘Invisible’ Piano” (December 2010). I am submitting another article for your consideration.

 

Thank you for a most interesting magazine. Adventist World is a real blessing to all of us at Advent Haven Retirement Village. We are surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Suikerbosrand (Sugar Bush Hills) Nature Reserve. It is so peaceful, and one can truly commune with the God of nature amid these lovely surroundings. What a privilege also to live among people who believe alike.

 

May God continue to bless you all at Adventist World.

 

Heidelberg, South Africa 

 

 

It Starts With Me 

Thank you for the messages and challenges from the Annual Council and from Ted N. C. Wilson, our General Conference president: “Wilson Exhorts Seventh-day Adventists: ‘Remember Your Name,’” by Mark A. Kellner; “Kneeling, Annual Council Members Approve Revival, Reformation Call,” by Mark A. Kellner; “Virtual Reality?” by Ted N. C. Wilson (December 2010). I’ve spent many years at the world headquarters and seen many documents and programs, and my appeal is that this will not remain just on paper, but that as faithful members and workers we take it personally and make it a reality to start a reformation and revival in our own lives.

 

We have never seen events in the world as we’ve seen today. Let’s move forward and prepare our lives and our people for Jesus to come.

 

Estero, Florida, United States 

 

 

Conclusions, Choices 

Thank you for the article “Christians and Christmas,” by Angel Manuel Rodríguez (December 2010). I was pleased to agree with the author’s opinion on how Christians could react to a holiday such as Christmas, even though its origin may be of pagan roots.

 

Years ago I asked the question: as a Christian should I be acknowledging holidays and traditions that have pagan roots? My research began with Easter, and to my astonishment, I learned that this Christian tradition was far from celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. Before long I realized that if Easter were removed from my calendar, I would also have to remove Christmas, and that was just the beginning. The Olympic Games, and in many Western languages the names of the months of the year, and the names of the week—all have pagan beginnings.

 

As a Christian who worships God on Saturday, I know that I’m not following the pagan god Saturn in honor of which the Romans named that day. I am not worshipping a Pagan goddess by calling the day Jesus rose from the dead Easter (which many trace to Babylonian or Germanic roots). I don’t even think of Julius or Augustus Caesar when I write the names July and August in English and other Western languages.

 

Like Rodríguez, I know that this matter must be left “to the conscience of each individual.” Rather than trying to remove them, I now celebrate these traditions because of and for the greatness of the Almighty.

 

 

Reminder 

Thank you for the wonderful work you do. In the Exchange of Ideas (October 2010) I was touched by the story of young Mustaq, by Sudha Khristmukti. I understand that by ignoring our spiritual poverty we mistreat those who are materially poor as we are spiritually poor. We often depart from people who need our help.

 

 

 

Signs of His Coming 

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am responding to the article by William G. Johnsson, “Adventists and Muslims: Five Convictions” (February 2010). I have no doubt the Lord spoke through the sheikh to bring a wake-up call to us. Nearly all end-time prophecies have been fulfilled. Let us do everything, knowing that this planet is running out of time.

 

 

 

Include Us 

Our daughter receives the Adventist World in Poland. Lately she got married and moved, so I don’t have a chance to read it. Please, I would like to receive it. My wife, Hanna, and I will read it and share it with our English-speaking neighbors. God bless you all.

 

Nadarzyn, Poland 

 

 

Appreciation 

Congratulations for the Adventist World. It is truly an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is spiritually educational in all aspects.

 

 

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