Anti-Feminist Perspective
Please cancel this subscription and refund the money. I don’t like the anti-feminist perspective of this magazine—or the unrealistic goals of being a wife and mother only. Thanks, but I think I will look for a more secular and realistic publication.
Mrs. Dale Villarta—Marina, CA
New Home Schooler
I cannot thank you enough for your conference and for your magazine! Your ministry has impacted my life in an uplifting manner.
As a child who went through the system almost all her life, I was very cautious about home schooling. I was open to what the Lord wanted, but it was difficult for me to let go of a bad attitude regarding home schooling. Somewhere I picked up the idea that home schoolers were social outcasts who were locked up in their houses all day, and had no friends. I discovered that idea was absolutely absurd after having attended your NA conference in October. Then, we had only been home schooling for four weeks, and I was going through relationship withdrawals and rebellion. The conference made me realize that home schooling was what the Lord wanted for me.
Now I know that home schooling will help prepare me for adult life. The Lord is truly great! Because of your conference, I am greatly challenged with my relationships and my attitude towards home schooling. I realize what a privilege it is to be home schooled, and thank my parents for the sacrifice they are making for my education. I have grown more in Christ and intellect this first half year than I have over my last six years in school. I praise God for your conference and continue to pray for you, your family, and your ministry. Thank you for giving me a “New Attitude”!
Shawnta McClimans—Fairfax, VA
Another NA Fight
We appreciate your openness to criticism, change, and God’s leading. Julie and I “fight” for who gets to read new issues first. Of course, she wins since it’s her magazine. We both read every story. Julie does all the literature reading assignments.
Thanks for a refreshingly godly magazine for teens.
Ann Turner—Fairland, IN
Algebra Too
I thoroughly enjoyed the article by Allison Harden. It’s nice to know a girl even younger than I works hard on algebra and has to get up like me! Thank you, Allison Harden!
Alyssa Butler—Silverton, OR
God’s Spanking List
I want to tell you how much I appreciated your article, “No Rest in the Clutches of Pride.” Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself and my shortcomings. God shows me an area in my life that needs work; by His grace this problem area apparently recedes, and then—Bam! I fall short again. In the same area! Okay, so I’ve sinned, I repent, I wallow in self-pity, I repent for the self-pity, and then as God shows me my utter dependence on Him, begin to walk a walk that is yet closer to my Lord. He is so forgiving.
This matter of pride is fresh in my mind, as I’ve had an experience like the one above only yesterday. This morning as I was having my time with Jesus, I was still struggling with my sin of yesterday. The Lord had me turn to Psalm 32, and as I proceeded to read the chapter, verses 8 and 9 jumped out at me. “I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
God has shown me: 1. His promise to instruct and teach me (but, oh, how hard those lessons can be, via your derogatory letters!) 2. His promise to counsel and watch over me (“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5) Lastly comes His promised instruction, “Do not be like the horse or the mule.” I love this! That God has given us understanding and that we have the choice beforehand, whether or not we are going to sin. Also, that I am to accept what He has to teach and still follow with a willing heart. Since there are those times when others are used to confront those weak areas...So by His grace I accept! “Let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness; let him rebuke me, it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.” (Ps. 141:5) “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:1 1-12)
What an honor, what a privilege to be on the Lord’s spanking list!
Rachel Blair—Lynwood, WA
Desperate for Communication
I‘m having some serious problems with my parents.
Basically, I’m thirteen, and they treat me like I’m five, seriously.
First of all, I can’t talk to my parents. My dad always has to have an opinion on what I say, or he starts a looooong lecture. My mom never takes time alone with me, so I never have an opportunity to talk with her.
Secondly, I think courtship is a great idea. I’ve heard my parents talk to other adults, but they never talk to me about it. It really bothers me that they treat me like I’ve never thought about it, with my friends dating left and right.
Last of all, just today they decided I can never stay the night at someone’s house, and no one can stay the night here. What do I do? The only person I can talk to about anything is God! Please pray for me, and give any advice. I really need it!
“Desperate” (Female), Age 13
Just so everyone knows, we’re not turning the Mail section into an advice column. Though we do not usually print anonymous letters, I felt this one provided important “food for thought” for both parents and teens.
I can remember being 13 and sometimes feeling like I was being talked at instead of being talked to by my parents. But as I’ve grown up, I’ve learned that I’m the only one who loses if I automatically shut out what I perceive to be a “lecture.” Maybe your parents should listen more, but that doesn’t exempt you from listening, too.
My advice to you is this: first, begin by praying that God will show you what needs to change on your end. Your parents may be in the wrong in some areas, but you are the only factor in this equation that you have control over. If you ask God with a humble heart to reveal the areas you can improve, and are willing to make the necessary attitude and behavioral adjustments, I believe He will honor that.
Next, approach your parents and share your heart. Tell them you want to talk. Tell them your concerns. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, try writing a letter. Ask your mom what you could do to lighten her load so the two of you could have lunch alone some afternoon.
Finally, be patient. Relationships and trust take time to build. Remember that responsibility and respect are something you earn by faithfulness, not by your age. I’ve prayed for you, and I’m sure other NA readers will, too.—Josh
More Old Stuff
Keep including stuff for older (18+) students. Our studying at home 20-year old loves New Attitude—especially articles and comments on courtship—tough road to walk alone.
Kathy Pinson—Rosemont, MN
Check Your Facts
Great magazine! I thought, until I came upon the 1994 summer issue. Then I thought I was going to scream. “One Hobbit’s Habit” was horrendous. I deeply resent Mr. Baldwin’s statement that the trilogy contained “too many heroes.” These books are about the War of the Ring. In wars there are many heroic acts.
Secondly, Mr. Baldwin is in the wrong when he states that all the good characters are completely good, and vice versa. What of Saruman, Denethor, and Boromir? Even Frodo is corrupted by greed at the end.
Thirdly, Sam Is Not The Hero. Mr. Baldwin errs when he says that it is Sam who saves the world. The ring is destroyed indirectly by Gollum. Indeed, if Frodo had not stopped Sam from killing Gollum in hate, the war would have been lost.
The hero is Gandaif. Gandalf the Grey, Merlin of Middle-Earth, a duenna for the world. Without his support, the war would have been lost before it was begun. He was the organizer who conquered death and was prepared to lose everything for the world. But what sets him apart from the rest is the fact that he received no reward. Aragorn received his kingship; Legolas and Gimli formed the friendship of the age. Bilbo and Frodo were allowed the privilege of journeying to the Undying Lands, and Sam became a famous gardener and was allowed to make the shire more beautiful than before.
Gandalf, being one of Tolkien’s “lesser angels”, received no reward but what he would have if he had lived an ordinary life.
Mr. Baldwin needs to check his facts. The heroism in these books is definitely not common.
Benjamin T Domenech— Purcellville, VA
Cyberspace
Last issue’s article on Cyberspace received mixed reviews from NA readers. Jeannine Garcia from Austin, Texas, thought it was “informative, yet not too long.” Jamie Kifl fromTehachapi, California, found it difficult to understand. Although she was more knowledgeable after struggling through it, she asked, “I Wonder how many people just gave up?”
Joshua Verbarg, a 17-year-old computer junky from Newark, IL, lovingly chastised us for misinformation. Included in his list: (1) 2,400bps modems ARE obsolete; don’t settle for anything less than a 14,400bps. If you can afford it, buy a 28.8Kbps. (2) Disappointed in our listed resources, he recommends the books Internet Roadmap, and Internet for Dummies. (3) When it comes to magazines, he recommends Byte and Windows Magazine, but says Mary Pride’s magazine Practical Home Schooling drives him crazy on technical issues.
Our favorite response, however, came from Kevin Bittner in Pennsylvania. He emaiIed to tell us he liked the cover so much that he hung it on his bedroom wall.