Climbing Together

When I opened my newest issue of New Attitude and read the little editorial piece you wrote, tears came to my eyes. My best friend, Gina Conklin, expressed it best when she told me it is like we are losing a dear friend. In a sense, we are.

My first New 'Tude came at a time when I most needed it. A time when I felt alone in the world, like there was no one else like me. When I read that issue, I found teens who felt the way I did, struggled in the areas I did, cried the tears I cried, and overcame the same obstacles. It was like I was suddenly surrounded by close friends.

The first reaction I had to the news of NA's end was, "No! This cannot be happening! Why?" But after much thought, I realized that NA is something I no longer need like I did before. It has become something I enjoy. I feel I have matured in the last couple years (if only a little), and I am ready to move on in my life.

I want to thank you, Josh, for giving us these past four years in your life. Though we have never met, you've become like a close friend and brother, and I know most of your readers feel same. You have shared with us the deep struggles, desires, fears, and dreams of your heart, hoping to help us with ours. You did not stand at the top of the mountain and give us instructions on how to get up there with you (not that that's bad or anything), but you helped us more by climbing with us step by step.

I also want to thank your family, Janet Albers, Josh Carden, Jeff Baldwin, and everyone else who was a part of this publication (including Jiffy & Lou!). We love you guys and are going to miss you very much!

Danielle Schaapman—Quincy, WA

For the Sake of Ten?

I am an almost fourteen-year-old homeschooler, the town I live in is very small and there are hardly any homeschoolers here, and none my age. I have almost no friends except my family. The one good friend I had moved to South Carolina, so your magazine has really given me a new attitude. But now you're stopping it! I almost cried when I saw the little deal y'all sent in the mail. Why are you doing this? Please tell me. My whole family loves it. I was even getting my dad into jiffy & Lou.

Are you stopping because Josh wants to get on with his life? Well, we are a part of his life. He can't get rid of us. It's like trying to change your hair color. You can always dye it, but it keeps growing back. And if the magazine is getting too hard to handle, then maybe there is someone else who can take over. I am on my knees pleading to you. Do you honestly think this is what Jesus would do?

I hope my letter isn't rude. Or that in my desperation to help you change your mind I wrote the wrong thing. But please, even if I am the only person to question this decision, will you please just think about reconsidering and maybe you guys could please read Genesis 18:16-33 and see what you find.

Liz Boranowski—Vermillion, SD

It's Time to Act

Thank you for the time and effort you have put into New Attitude. I will miss it.

I wanted to tell you, though, I can appreciate the decision you have made. Although I'm thankful for the opportunity to see what other home schoolers are doing, I think it is time for us (youth, especially home schooled) to focus on ministering in our churches and to our cities. I think NA has given me and others the knowledge that there are many other young people with high standards and convictions. Now we are ready to influence the world around us.

Amy Sundahl— Santa Rosa, CA

Where'sthe Apology?

I'm sorry to hear the magazine will stop being published—right after we subscribed! It would have made me feel better if there was an apologetic attitude in not fulfilling your obligation to subscribers who have just paid for a full year. I know we will get a back issue, but it is not like we get a choice. I really don't mind it that much. It's just the attitude of the decision and no apology for not being able to refund the money. I just want Christian magazine publishers to behave beyond reproach.

How long have you known your decision about this and couldn't you have told new subscribers about this decision (on the phone when they were subscribing), then fulfill your obligation to those who didn't know before they subscribed? Again, I don't really mind having a back issue, but we should have some regret when we change the deal midstream. God does lead us in new directions sometimes, but also, I believe, wants us to fulfill obligations we have made under His previous guidance.

Christy Scott—Altenburg, MO

We are very sorry if any subscriber feels we haven't fulfilled our obligation. Immediately after we made the decision to end the magazine, those taking phone orders were alerted and 3-issue subscriptions were sold. As you mentioned, those who had paid for four issues were able to choose from our remaining back issues. The few people with several issues due them were able to purchase books and tapes. Whenever anyone requested a refund, we gladly gave it. We have done our best to handle this unique transition in an upright manner. We're grateful to the hundreds of subscribers who helped us out by choosing to use their credit towards products. We cannot thank you enough for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Laid to Rest

This will be a sad ending for me...New Attitude has, in a strange way, become a part of me, of my entire life. Since the very beginning, I have sensed a sort of kinship with NA, almost as if it knew my own heartbeat. And now, my "friend" is being "laid to rest." There is a deep sense of sadness in seeing New Attitude come to its end. I am sorry the time came so soon. More than I can tell you, I will miss this magazine.

Debbie Lechner—Manheim, PA

Toe-squashing

Thank you for giving so many people a quality magazine that inspires, challenges, and encourages as well as providing a chance to laugh in every issue. We certainly need a few chuckles after some of the hard-hitting, toe-squashing articles that make us stop and re-evaluate our lives. I must say, though, even the amusing sections can challenge one to live differently. I will miss reading new issues, and will continue to re-read all my magazines. By the way, I have always preferred the "crummy" paper. It's unique.

Jenny Achilles—Beaumont, TX

Wedding Announcement?

Ahhhhhhhhh!!! No more NA? Will we survive? Oh, I guess I'll try to maintain. NA was an inspiration; put me on record as saying that I for one love Jiffy & Lou. Oh yeah, my mom wants to know, how will we know when Josh finally decides to "tie-the-knot"?

Lauran Holton—New Bern, NC

Bittersweet

Your letter in this last issue of New Attitude was quite a shock, but it also brought such a bittersweet mixture of joy and sorrow. Sorrow because NA has been such a blessing to me, and I will certainly miss it. It has always been filled with uplifting articles, godly humor and encouraged me to walk unafraid down the path the Lord has set for me.

Yet at the same time I could not help feeling happy. So many Christian leaders have turned from God in the last few years. It has always been my prayer that you would, above all, keep your eyes on our Lord and follow His will whatever it might be. You are doing that now, and even though it means saying goodbye to my favorite magazine, I rejoice.

Amanda Gossner—Georgetown, CA

Doing Much Better

I am a home schooler, and I recently moved to a new house, county and church. I always had a great time in our youth group at the old church, but the new one wasn't quite right for me. I gave my youth leader the article on youth groups, and since then he has done a much better job of involving parents. Thanks goes to y'all.

M. Somerville—Rutherfordton, NC

Faithful Love

The youth group article by Benny and Sheree Phillips was inspiring. We shared it with a few youth leaders. It's this kind of thing that shows our teens we aren't alone in some of our views. The Brian Sakultarawattn story was moving. His fiancée’s faithful love is such an example of Jesus' love for us.

Cris Thompson—Bellingham, WA

A Fight Over Pacifism

The letter by Joe Stevens in the Spring '96 issue really bothered me. And in the last issue Heidi Schoonover said how much she enjoyed it. I think Heidi had a point, but I believe Joe Stevens was mistaken in some of the things he said, namely, that it is wrong to pick up a gun and kill, and that "Jesus does not give us permission to kill those who attack us."

I disagree with both. There is a time to pick up a gun, if it is done in the cause of righteousness and truth (Ecclesiastes 3:8). Should Hitler have been allowed to take over the whole earth and kill every Jew he could find with no one to stand up and say no? Aren't we supposed to resist evil? Think of Joshua, Samson and David. Was it sin for David to kill Goliath? Was it wrong for David to pursue and kill the Amalekites when they had stolen his wives, children and belongings (1 Samuel 30)?

During the American Revolution many men died and suffered horribly for the sake of their children and their children's descendants. Doesn't Joe Stevens enjoy the liberties they so dearly bought for him: being able to home school, worship God without fear of being persecuted or even killed, and so many more things? And yet, if those freedoms were again threatened, he would do nothing to secure them for future generations? I think that is ingratitude.

Laurie Wilson-Fresno, CA

Don't Dis My Music

Not to be mean or anything, but I was partially offended at the last fifty & Lou. It comes across at first as a put down on Christian music. I love my Audio A, dcTalk, Newsboys, Dakota Motor CO., PFR, and Jars of Clay.

Also, not all the Christian record companies are owned by secular ones, and not all Christian groups try to copy secular ones. Take Jars of Clay, their style is different from anyone else's.

Jens, via AOL message board

Close to Home

I just wanted to let you know that I've decided not to be offended by this latest fifty & Lou cartoon.  I know you get enough grief about it, so you certainly don't need my complaints. I guess this was the first cartoon that hit kind of close to home; we've been able to laugh at the other ones 'cause they haven't really described us. Christian Music has been a topic of conversation at our house lots of times!  

Sarah White, via internet