Quarterly Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Thanks so much for all your work to put out N.A. I can't even imagine all the sweat, time, efforts, and brain cells that must go into the mag. Even though I wish New Attitude came more often, it's sort of nice having it come only quarterly. The expectations are higher and more built up, and when New Attitude finally does come, it is more loved and appreciated. In our family, we pounce on it and yell, "It's mine!"
Michelle Lash—Broad Run, VA

Here's a Half Million
I'd love to write and say, "You know, Josh, I'm really sick of waiting months on end to get the magazine. So here's half a million bucks." You now have a paid staff. You all start at $10/hour with two weeks' paid vacation, sick leave and baby leave, and full benefits. I now own New Attitude, but you run it. Just give me all the expenses, and I'll take care of it. Only thing is, the magazine now comes out monthly instead of quarterly, and the subscription price is $15 a year.
But, Josh, I just don't have the cash! So, I guess things have to go on as usual. God bless y’all.
Marcques Henderson Sacramento, CA

Uplifting Press
I just want to thank all of you for giving me, and so many others, another year of uplifting press. Sometimes it's
hard to keep focused, and you have helped me in so many ways. Many times I am challenged and pushed, even when I don't want to be, towards Christ and who I truly want to be. I feel you have brought me closer to Christ, and for that I can't thank you enough.
Stephanie Jacobs—Blanchard, ID

Let's Not Judge
I am writing this letter in response to letters written by readers about Vol. 3, No. 2. It grieves me to think how Christians can be so quick to judge others of the faith. I am sensitive on this point, as one of my own greatest weaknesses is a judgmental spirit.
First and foremost, I would like to state that the comment "Bill Gothard would not approve of this!" is irrelevant. It is not the approval of Bill Gothard we seek! I personally admire Mr. Gothard and live by the principles he teaches, yet I cringed when I read that, as I'm sure he would have had he read it. The last thing this man of God wants is for people to set their standards according to "Bill Gothard" instead of looking to Christ for the setting of standards. Now, Christ may not approve of this music, which is a point I quite agree with, yet, let it be known that Bill Gothard and Christ are two very different people.
Secondly, Andrea Whaley is a beautiful girl. God created her so. Any person who is "aesthetically challenged," or so to speak, was also created by the same God. If I were to look at Andrea and be discontent with myself (God's creation), there is a problem in my heart, not Andrea's. Likewise, if a young man were to look at those particular photos and think sensual thoughts, then there is a problem in that teen's heart and mind that needs purification. For this young lady was very modestly dressed, the clothing was not form-fitting nor revealing. Her make-up was not heavy, and her hair was very natural-looking. What else could she have done to protect herself?
I understand the mood the photos were meant to create. A quiet, peaceful, thoughtful, meditative mood. I feel the photographers and the model did a tasteful job.
Let me pose a question: If Andrea was of average or less than average beauty, or a few pounds on the heavy side, would she have been criticized? Therefore, if Andrea is in the bounds of good taste and sound principles, she should not be punished by this criticism for another's weakness in relenting to sin. When I look at her, I see a beautiful face and clear eyes shining forth Christ's beauty. I pray others will learn to see the same.
Rita Perez—San Antonio, TX

I Can Cancel
Although I believe the pictures [Vol. 3, No. 2] were unnecessary, I have control over my subscription. Someone once said, "If you don't like what's on TV, change the channel." No one is forcing us to subscribe. And if you do cancel your subscription, good luck finding a better magazine than this one!
Joy Nichols—Mesquite, TX

Immodest Joe
We beg you NOT to be discouraged by people who MAY be "straining at gnats" by calling your photos "sensual" and "worldly." There is nothing wrong with being nice-looking and having your photo on a magazine cover. Surely, there will be someone out there offended by the "Pop Culture" cover, or because Trevor Masseley looks like someone in their family or because G.I. Joe doll's shirt exposes his plastic muscular chest. Oh, my!! We could find more if we tried! Yuck!
Perhaps some feel the Lord would have them dress in what many would consider an "old-fashioned" way, as they feel this is modesty, but most of us do not feel compelled to do so. We dress modestly, but contemporary. This seems to be part of the problem—intolerance of those who are different in style.
As Christians, we need to overlook non-essential differences, as such, and stick together for the cause of Christ.
Jennifer Holtsbery—Liverpool, NY

Lou's Destiny
We've been enjoying ]iffy and Lou for a couple years now, and they just keep getting better and better. But, this last strip was just too funny!
We got a great laugh, partly because of Lou's horror and partly because we can laugh at ourselves a little, too. (i.e., the "no negative peer influence suit" and "pre-fabricated home-school lessons," etc). Of course, "Lance, Bob & Johnny" added just the right touch. Keep up the humor. It's quite refreshing and a much needed distraction from all of our serious home-schooling endeavors.
Kate Ingram, via internet

Mocking Home Schoolers
When I received my Fall 1995 issue yesterday, I was very upset with the "Jiffy & Lou" cartoon. The home-school boy Trevor Massely at the end looks like a social dropout! Your magazine is supposed to be for home schoolers. It seemed to me that you were mocking home schoolers. I am really not happy with my magazine subscription. None of the articles are of any interest to me. The only article that I read and liked in this issue was the story written by Tessi Muskrat. Please send me a refund. If not, then please don't send me any more issues. I am very disappointed in this magazine and do not wish to receive any more copies of it.
Erin E. Cordray—Annapolis, MD
Erin, we're at fault for not better explaining Trevor Masseley to our newer readers. Trevor's something of an "inside joke.' We ran a spoof on this "perfect home schooler" a year ago to poke fun at many people's stereotypical view of what home schoolers are like.

One-Sided Story
I don't think your article on Michael New presented all the information that your readers will need in order to render the opinion that you ask of them. As a military officer, I also find nothing in my oath of office that would require me to serve in UN forces. However, your article presents only the arguments against serving, not the arguments for serving. If you want your readers to arrive at a reasoned opinion independently, then you have not adequately supported them. If you want them to agree with your view, then your article meets your objective.
Lelon Cinn, via internet

Is Heavy Metal Bad?
You published an article recently about pop culture. I was a little con-fused about Mr. Myers' beliefs about contemporary Christian music. I do not personally enjoy the more heavy, metal-type Christian music, but is it really necessarily bad? If so, at what point should I draw the line between heavy Christian, not so heavy Christian, and flat-out boring Christian music? I have nothing against classical or jazz-type music; indeed I enjoy them a lot, but is that all I should be listening to as a Christian?
Joseph M. Reynolds—Spring, TX
One of Ken's main points was that Christians need to carefully evaluate the effect music has on them—not just whether or not it's "bad." He was challenging teens to ask, "Why is it that one type of music is boring and another exciting? What does that say about me?" Mr. Myers wants people to realize that something (be it music or any-thing else) can be permissible for a Christian, but not necessarily beneficial.

Recognizing Not Enough
I was disappointed with the interview with Ken Myers in the Fall '95 issue of NA. He said teens need to "recognize and combat the dangerous sensibilities of pop culture." However, he talked more about recognizing the enemy than defeating him. It is not enough to sit and think about how something is affecting us negatively. We should be get-ting up and turning that negative thing off! 1 Thess. 5:22 says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." Let's quit telling kids how to stand in the middle of the busy inter-section of life and dodge the oncoming cars when we should be telling them to get out of the street!
Sara Cilbertson—Windsor, CA

Collect All Twelve!
I want to thank you for producing such an outstanding magazine for home-schooled teens and their families. We have every issue since the premiere issue stored carefully in a notebook to be reread and used in many ways.
Laurie Rambo—Classboro, NJ

Coolest and Shortest
Ya'lls magazine has to be the greatest, coolest, and one of the shortest magazines in the world! Finally a magazine for young people that my parents like, and believe me, that's rare!
Elizabeth Reynolds— PL Wentworth, GA