I am still rejoicing after being home for about three weeks after the summer festival in Atlanta, Georgia (September WN).

I want to say thank you to Allan Barr and his wife, Edna, and the other ministers who helped make this festival inspiring and successful.

It was inspiring to hear from another part of the Body of Christ, Claude King. I thank him for helping me see more clearly the final commandment Jesus gave: "Go and make disciples."

Thank you Mike Feazell for helping me understand how we should treat a brother when he returns to us. Thank you Tammy Tkach for encouraging me to memorize scriptures and use them in prayer.

Thank you Dan Rogers for helping us see that Jesus Christ will be there for us despite all that we go through. Thank you Joseph Tkach for talking about what the Bible says about hell. Thank you Randal Dick for helping me understand that this is a worldwide church and to see what Jesus Christ is doing all over the world.

Thank you Joyce Catherwood for helping me see more clearly what the mother of Jesus must have experienced in Jesus’ last hours. Thank you Carn Catherwood for helping us understand why we should take communion.

Thank you Ron Kelly for helping me understand why I should have a commitment to this church.

In 1 Timothy 2:4 it says that God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." I thank God that he is using the Worldwide Church of God to help accomplish this. I thank Mr. Albrecht for bringing out how important our relationship with Jesus Christ should be.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit blessed this festival. I also want to thank all of those who helped organize the music.

Rosetta Andrews

Battle Creek, Michigan

The article by Ira Thompson concerning Memorial Day (August WN) gave me a glad heart in feeling the different approach the church has begun taking these last few years on such things as military issues, as well as many other areas.

I so much appreciate those who come forward to speak out about those things that not long ago were looked at in a negative fashion, ignored or swept under the rug.

I seldom miss writing articles for my local paper either on Memorial Day or on Veterans Day. It seems that this is the least that I can do in remembrance and respect for the many who gave their lives, often enduring much pain and anguish before the welcome peacefulness of death so the rest of us can experience the joys of life. I liked the article and would hope more folks will continue to address such things.

Leith Cunningham

Fife Lake, Michigan

I’m writing to let you know how much I appreciate Sandy Blank’s piece "Acts 4:24-30: How Shall We Pray? in the July WN.

At a time when Satan is heating up his attacks on our society, it is a sad fact that so many Christians sit on their hands and do not pursue God’s best in their lives. Instead of a boldness to demonstrate Christ’s power through us, what has become post-modern Christianity is nothing more than a yawning silence.

If we refuse to deny everything in our lives we cannot be disciples of Christ. If we refuse to become disciples, how can we teach others to become the disciples Christ wants? God wants to be God through us. The question is, Will we allow it?

Dan Murphy

Adams, Tennessee

I have just received the August WN, and I read and read again Joseph Tkach’s article "Living the Gospel." Sincerely it is one of the best articles I have read because it shows in few but inspired words what it is to be a Christian. It is an article not to be recycled but to be meditated on from time to time. Also "The Power of Intent" by Randal Dick is a gem.

Ruben Gerardo

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Dear Missing in Action Christian:

Where are you? Some of you have been missing for more than seven years. We are your family and we want you to know that we miss you. We long for you to return to the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are many reasons why you have been M.I.A.—anger, hurt, disappointment, confusion, distrust. But time is short. Life is too short. It is time for you to come back home.

I’m not talking to or searching for those who have joined other church fellowships. You are now part of another troop of God’s army, fighting for the kingdom in another part of town. Carry on, wherever Christ has placed you to advance his kingdom.

No, I’m looking for those sitting on the sidelines, home alone, who know in your hearts that you were called by our Lord to a mission greater than yourselves. We, your fellow Christian soldiers, long for you to put your armor back on and return to the front. We need you. This is not the time (Hebrews 10:25) to withdraw from your comrades or to hide from the Captain of our salvation.

We are not as strong without you (1 Corinthians 12:26). We cannot accomplish as much or move as fast for our Lord as we could if you returned. Some of you say you are disillusioned with Christianity or organized religion. We remind you that the church wasn’t our idea—Jesus started it (Matthew 16:18). He is the head and the church is his Body. Jesus leads his church and only through working together do we grow up to be like him and build his kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-16).

It was always in God’s plan to build a family of believers who would work and play together, encourage one another, learn from one another and provide a system of checks and balances, so that Christ would be glorified in the world. It has always taken faith for Christians to worship a perfect Lord, and yet work with imperfect human beings, clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:6-12), that God is transforming into a masterpiece. But in Christ we are reborn and created to do good works.

We are moving ahead, trying to save the lost that Jesus came to save. Come and help us share the good news with others. The exalted Lord Jesus told the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5: "I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first" (New Living Translation).

We implore you to return to your first love—Jesus. He has died for you and me, and now lives to bring us to glory (Romans 5:10; Hebrews 2:10).

There is no biblical support for an independent Christian. Nowhere in Scripture are we told: "You don’t need to be part of the body to be a Christian." That is a modern and mistaken concept. Jesus calls us and all Christians not only to believe in him, but to belong to the Body that he began. His Body has a marvelous purpose for its existence. When Christians gather together to worship he has promised to be with us in a special way: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).

A minister decided to visit a member who had stopped attending. It was a chilly evening, and the pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair by the fireplace, and waited.

After greeting the man, the minister said nothing, but sat down and looked silently at the fire. After what must have been five long quiet minutes, he took the fire tongs, picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth. Then he sat back silent. The host watched in quiet fascination. The single ember’s flame diminished, glowed for a moment, but then its fire was no more, and it was cold and dead.

As the minister stood up to leave, the host said: "Thank you so much for your visit—and especially for your fiery sermon. I shall be at church next week."

Dear friends in the Lord, we miss you. We love you. There is a hole that only you can fill. Come back and reclaim your place in the Body. It is what you were born for. Time is short. Don’t let one more week go by. Come back to church. We’ll look for you. We’ll welcome you home with open arms. We’ll rejoice that you are no longer missing in action.

A shepherd looking for some of his sheep, and a brother in Christ.

Dennis Pelley

Pasadena

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002