Almost Didn’t

I am renewing the subscription to your magazine, but I almost didn’t. I really can’t decide what I think of this magazine.

There are some articles at times that aren’t perfectly correct—sometimes misleading. Other articles touch on subjects my teen daughters have very little knowledge of, and I’d just as soon it stay that way. But this last copy we received (Spring ‘95) that covered the slacker, or procrastinator, made me decide to go ahead and renew it for another year.

Sheri Lindblad—Fountain Inn, SC

True Feminist

Mrs. Villarta’s notice of cancellation is worthy of a response. Congratulations, New Attitude! You’ve been able to communicate the essentials of womanhood effectively. This magazine upholds a world view that when one lives in harmony with the Creator’s design, one experiences his/her full dignity. Saying “being only a wife and mother” sounds so simplistic, yet we know this role involves a myriad of responsibilities. A true feminist, by staying at home, has the time to serve her family, church, community, and God. Thanks, Mom!

Emily Jones—Hackettstown, NJ

Pen Pal Double Standard

We have really enjoyed each issue of NA that we have read. However, we have some concerns about the new pen-pal bulletin. Knowing you encourage courtship and being committed to courtship ourselves, we know how important it is to maintain a high standard so as not to be a stumbling block to others. We feel that by the pen-pal bulletin promoting correspondence between opposite genders, it is encouraging dating rather than courtship. Bill Gothard gives this definition of dating: “having a special interest in a person of the opposite gender and cultivating that interest through thoughts, looks, notes, talks or events.” Contrast this to the definition of courtship: “a father’s agreeing to work with a qualified young man to win his daughter for marriage.” We feel that the pen-pal bulletin promotes a double standard by giving girls and fellows the opportunity to correspond.

We are afraid that those who are committed to courtship might give “ground” to Satan spiritually by writing because he/she would be giving special attention to one particular person of the opposite gender.

We appreciate the responsibility you demonstrate by using NA to encourage others. May God bless you for your service for Him.

Stephanie Kotzum and Tanya Heitmann—via America Online

Thanks for your note. With all due respect to Mr. Gothard, I think his definition of dating is a little broad. All of the activities he lists can be either good or bad, depending on the person’s motivation. You know as well as I do that it’s impossible to judge another person’s motivation, let alone control it. We make the pen-pal bulletin available and leave the final decision in the hands of the families. We won’t print a name without a parent’s signature.

Dad’s Hard to Please

My younger siblings and I really enjoy your magazine. So does my Father! It’s real hard to find something he likes. Keep up the good work!

Natasha Elwell—Alvarado, TX

Desire for Purity

I like your magazine. I am a mother whose desire is to home school, but whose circumstances are preventing it at this time. Nevertheless, I appreciate the maturity and desire for purity that I see in the young writers and readers of the magazine.

Cheryl A. Hohman—Cortland, OH

Wooship

I am looking forward to the I coming series on courtship. But I was thinking—couldn’t you call courtship something else other than the word “courtship”? Because that is what all the other people who write about courtship call it, and there must be something less tacky sounding! How ‘bout “wooship”?!

Lydia Wells—Morgan Hill, CA

Communication Established

When I found my letter in N.A., I was sickened, disgusted with myself. Why did I send the letter in the first place? I wrote in anger, not waiting to cool down and organize my thoughts.

I have great parents! Always have. And, yes, I think the problem was my lack of listening and obeying parental authority, no matter how hard it was. I sent out a plea to see if anyone understood my problems, and I got the answer I well needed:

“Establish a Communication Link!!”

But I have some great news! My wish as a female to communicate more with my mother was fulfilled even before my letter arrived in print!! My parents and I discussed courtship over two months ago, and since they “broke that thin wail”, our communication link has con-nected. I can talk with my mom easily now, and we get out alone together a lot more.

My parents are beginning to realize my changes, the physical, emotional, hormonal, and spiritual changes I now face; and I, in turn, real-ize their increasing concern and protection as parents. And we respect each other for that.

Though I know some-times it’s hard to understand each other still, it’s been a lot better now that we’ve been communicating easier. The Lord has opened both of our hearts to be more feeling and understanding. He has opened my parents’ hearts to hear me out, and He has opened my heart to accept their decisions even if it is hard.

I owe it all to the Lord. I asked Him for a better relationship with my parents, and He gave me that.

“No Longer Desperate”

A lifesaver

I love NA—it’s my favorite I magazine, and is much I more relevant to me than the mainstream publications for high schooiers. Many times I have been discouraged with home schooling, and wondered if it was all really worth it. After all, would it actually make much difference to God if I went to a public school? The magazine and conferences have always come at exactly the right time, encouraging me to keep on working and praying. Thank you for being a lifesaver!

Sarah Michael—Oglesby, IL

Do Your Math

Ahh, Spring. When young girls thoughts turn to NA. Great issue! I was so glad to see it in the mail slot. For the last two weeks I had been watching the mail constantly, wearing my NA shirt daily, memorizing back issues, etc.

The slacker articles were well put…and needed. As I read them, I realized that I should have been doing math corrections. Ouch.

Rachel Garrett, via America Online

The Multi-Purpose Magazine

Erika Conover, a reader from North Pole, Alaska, loves New Attitude. So much in fact that she sent a list of the many multi-purpose functions New Attitude can fill:

1. A diversionary tactic to keep your mom busy so she fails to notice that you’re being a “home-school slacker.”

2. Good reading material when the sun is streaming through your bedroom window at midnight, and you can’t sleep. (Remember, she lives in Alaska.)

3. A great “swatter” for controlling the indoor mosquito population.

Erika even mailed us one of the mosquitoes she killed with New Attitude. Thanks, Erika, that was really gross.

 

The Story Behind “The Room”

Many readers have asked about the inspiration for last issue’s article, The Room.  It is one of the few articles I’ve written that I honestly feel was “given” to me. I can say without guile that I feel no sense of ownership for it.

    The Room was inspired by a real dream. I woke, shaken by the image still fresh in my mind, and found that I had been crying in my sleep. I immediately began writing. It was an extremely emotional process. I wept the entire hour that it took to write. The convicting awareness of my own sinfulness combined with the awe-inspiring grace of Christ was overwhelming.

I would like to personally thank the readers who wrote and shared stories of how God used the article in their lives and in the lives of others. Some read it to Sunday School classes and whole churches. We even received a call from a chaplain who wanted to share it with the inmates at his prison.

Another reader who had grown up in a Christian home hearing the story of how Christ died for sinners wrote, “I’ve heard it told over and over and it slowly began to lose its meaning to me. . . The Room changed all that. I now regard His death in a whole different light.”

I have also been blessed by the spiritual insights readers have drawn from the article and shared with me. In one letter a reader pointed out that Christ not only takes the punishment for our sins; He also receives the glory for the good we do. “Christ in us he glorified!”

A song we used to sing in church is so appropriate: “I owed a debt I could not pay; He payed a debt He did not owe. I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song ‘Amazing Grace!’ Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.” Praise the Lord! —J.H.