Brown Paper Sack
Cool paper! Amazing colors! I sat for a whole hour feeling the paper and admiring the colors. Really, I sat down and read it from cover to cover, like I do every issue I get. I love New Attitude; you guys really do a great job. I would like to give a big 'Thank you!" to everyone who works so hard to make this magazine what it is. I must admit, I kind of like the shiny paper, but truthfully, if New Attitude were written on a brown paper sack, I would still read every word.
Sarah McEntire—Grants Pass, OR
To make her point, Sarah wrote this note on the brown paper sack you see pictured. Thanks, Sarah!
Pen Pal Avalanche
Thank you so much for the "Pen-Pal Bulletin"! I entered my name last issue, and over the past few weeks I've gotten 23 pen pals, and rising!!! I would have never thought I could keep up with that many, but the more great letters I get, the more I love to write. The only part I got tired of was introducing myself 23 times.
Lydia Murray—Newcastle, CA
Sometimes We Clash
I've been getting your magazine for a little over a year now, and I love it. Home schoolers are a difficult group to write for because everyone varies so much. There are the ultra-conservative and the ultra-liberal, and so often their beliefs clash on topics such as dating vs. courtship, music, dress, etc. I appreciate the way you state what you believe, yet don't shove it in everyone's face. You give people space to reason it out and come up with what they truly believe, and that's something to be commended. I enjoy your articles, and even though they may not all apply to me or my home-schooling situation, there's always something you can get out of them. You're doing a "gr-r-reat" job!
Sarah Crim—Schofield, Wl
Rebecca Was Great
Thanks for recommending Rebecca St. James' concert in your last magazine. We're not big 'concert-goers' but were so impressed with the write-up, we decided to go to the one in Memphis.
Rebecca's music didn't impress us nearly as much as her testimony—but our children loved it. She had a sweet spirit.
Mrs. Doreen Dyess—Barton, Ml
"Aesthetically-Challenged"
As a two-time writer for NA and self-proclaimed fanatic, I enjoy every issue that adorns the mailbox. I'm predictably impressed with the summer issue, extravagant paper and all, but I also have a concern. By featuring models who are obviously attractive, I fear NA could cause those more "aesthetically-challenged" to compare themselves to others.
Photography should compliment, not distract from the "heart" of NA—articles that challenge teens like myself to compare ourselves to God.
Tim Lash—Broad Run, VA
Pictures Are Sensual
About one year ago, we were introduced to your tapes and the New Attitude magazine. We were encouraged and strengthened by your "stand" on many issues, particularly dating. Your magazine had some very helpful insights on God's plan for young men and women. Our then 16-year-old son became interested in what you and your magazine had to say.
Just a few days ago, we received the Summer '95 issue of your magazine. It is completely different from the rest! It is more colorful and glossier, but the pictures of the young ladies are sensual... Joshua and staff, this is not good! The music advertising is not good, or questionable, as well. Bill Gothard would not approve of this! We do not like it and would appeal to you to please look at this matter very closely.
We write this letter in a spirit of love—we appreciate you and your ministry, but be careful, please.
Uve and Rose Knaak Sherwood Park, AB
Just Fitting In
I have a concern regarding your choice of photographs in the Summer 1995 issue. The pictures that correspond to your article Beyond Formulas are very attractive and well done in quality. But my question is—What do several pictures of a beautiful young lady have to do with the article? Frankly, my parents and I were both confused about the authorship of the article; for to us, it appeared Andrea Whaley had written the article. What has displeased me with other teen and adult magazines, and even clothing advertisements, is the rebellious expressions and worldly body language exhibited by those posing for the photos. I've been thankful NA has been nearly exempt from that style. In this last issue though, I feel the magazine has strayed from Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world…” Will not posing attractive young ladies cause conflicts in young men and also cause problems for the feminine reader who meditates on and then desires stylish clothes, a slim figure, and pretty face?
My concern was not just for Andrea's pictures, but also for the first two photos of Rebecca St. James, and Joshua Harris on his tape set.
On a positive note, I thought the third picture of Rebecca (pg. 28) highlighted the tone of the article by capturing her singing with such a joyful face. And Josh's picture on the back cover (right side) of NA conveys a peaceful spirit and a hidden joy.
I do not want to be a stumbling block for any of you, and I pray this letter will not offend anyone either. I just wanted to share what is on my heart.
I know it is just a picture and will attract attention to the magazine. But, is that the way you want to attract people? Will the various photos actually support the points of the respective articles and tapes, or will the photos detract? Josh is right in his statement, 'This country will not survive another generation of Christians that fit in!" The question is, are we "fitting in"?
Jamie Kiesle—Temple, TX
Fed Up To The Eyeballs
THANK YOU! and AMEN! to Searching for True Love: Beyond Formulas. I've wondered if I was being a traitor or a rebel with my inward "fed-up-to-the-eyeballs" mentality with all the myriads of cute courtship "solutions". While knowing the need for and helpfulness of rules and guidelines, I knew there had to be something deeper than rules to solve the current American romantic mess. Your comments helped me to make sense of a lot of things the Lord has quietly, slowly, and, yes, painfully been showing me.
Grace Ludlum—Weyers Cave, VA
Keeping Our Focus
Thank you for your excellent article, "Beyond Formulas". We each need to examine our priorities. Are we really putting God first? Your article made me ask myself that question and more. As a "structure" type person, I think I look for "rules" for living out my life. I think we can easily lose our focus in the area of boy/girl relationships and look at rules only. The article was a good reminder for not only our three children, but for me (their mom) not to lose my focus.
Mrs. Lorry Wallace—Decatur, IL
Sick of Dating & Courtship
Wow, what an article! Lately I've been getting sick and tired of hearing about dating and/or courting. It seemed that all the Christian magazine were printing articles on that topic. I almost didn't read Beyond Formulas, figuring that I already knew what it would say. I'm glad I did read it. This is the first time I've read (or heard) something on relationships between guys and girls that clicked. You hit it right on, though, when you said it wasn't a set of rules as you had previously looked at it, but a heart issue. Somehow none of the other articles managed to communicate that. Thank you for sharing what you've learned. It really hit home.
Amy Guenther—Bellevue, WA
Editor's Note: We appreciate the input of everyone who wrote this issue with both positive and negative feedback. Your letters are taken into careful, prayerful consideration as we plan for future issues. Thanks to all the readers who lovingly shared their concerns. We value your perspective and understand the need for the photos to reinforce the message. Please keep us in your prayers. (Psalm 141:5)