Restoration Review, Vol. 31, No. 10, December 1989

READERS' EXCHANGE

We continue to find signs that the Holy Spirit is working among us to bring about change and reform. Prejudices are being dissolved and Jesus is being exalted as never before. It is because of your journal and others of like mind and talents that we accredit this welcomed phenomena. May God give you health and strength to continue until your course is faithfully finished and your rewards realized. We work and worship with the Woodmont Church of Christ here in Nashville and we find each day filled with exciting avenues of outreach and potential means of glorifying God and His Christ. —Alfred and Velma Bradshaw, Nashville, Tn.

I especially appreciated your article on the friendship of Jesus. While some of your articles leave me scratching my head, I find them refreshing. They make me think of Jesus saying, "What saith the Scriptures, how readest thou?" — Jim Smith, Morro City, Ca.

I appreciate your approach. Often I find myself disagreeing with what you say, but that's the great thing about the journal. You freely express ideas without binding them on others and that's refreshing. As a minister in the Church of Christ I became discouraged and ran away to the army, but after a lot of soul searching I have decided to return and face the fire once Uncle Sam releases me. I thank you and the contributors to your journal for encouraging me. Continue to challenge us and show us Jesus. — APO, San Francisco

I have been a Church of Christ preacher for about 35 years, but I have recently come to see that I must be a gospel preacher. I have ceased to serve men, and now Jesus is the only master I have. To my knowledge I have not met you, though I did meet Carl Ketcherside back in the 1950's. It is a shame that my preaching peers put so much prejudice in my mind that I have not gone out of my way to meet and talk with you. I am sorry to have wasted so much of my life. Even if every person on earth disagrees with you, you have your own convictions before God. In that I commend you. — name withheld

I was delighted to read "Fruit In His Season" by Laurie Hibbett in the July/August Integrity, which first appeared in Restoration Review back in 1960. Coming from a very legalistic background myself I could identify with the author. —Frankie Shanks, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

(The essay referred to, which we published in this journal 30 years ago, is one of the great freedom documents of recent Church of Christ history, and it has been reprinted and xeroxed many times. If you desire a copy, request one from Integrity, 1269 Pickwick Place, Flint Mi. 48507. — Ed.)

We don't have many thinkers in the Church of Christ in this area, but I can see some change in the last few years. I am hoping and praying that we will become more enlightened. — Alabama

Unity: Surprised By Joy

This past summer my wife, Kady, and I, along with other Christians, were privileged to visit the Holy Land. Ours was a diverse group. It consisted of a former minister of the Disciples of Christ who now serves as pastor of a Church of God and several members of his congregation, and a former preacher of the Churches of Christ. There were also Baptists, Pentecostals, a Catholic, and several from the Christian Church. As diverse as we were in our traditions and prejudices we found unity in our common experience.

We were united in our singing of praises to God and in our prayers of thanksgiving for God's grace and the saving power of Jesus. Our daily devotionals were uplifting, joyful, and meaningful, drawing us closer in fellowship and love. We met for Communion in a small upper room in Jerusalem, and the joy we shared can hardly be put into words. We were aware of the presence of Jesus as we remembered his sacrifice and resurrection.

When together we sang, "Because he lives I can face tomorrow," we were made more aware of the importance of keeping Jesus in our hearts and in our lives. We were strengthened and edified.

The trip was an experience we will never forget. It was surely treasured by us all, for we truly shared the joy of unity in Christ. It was a unity based not on opinions or traditions, but on our love for one another and our mutual faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It was the kind of experience that will influence our lives forever. — Jim Gregory, 3339 N. Dewey St., Fresno, Ca. 93722