CHICAGO, IL (November 14, 2006) – Hardly a week goes by that we do not receive a few comments from readers on stories published as part of the Covenant online news report.
We will share from time to time some of those responses generated through the “comments” link attached to each published story. This kind of feedback is very helpful to our Covenant News Service staff as we seek to identify and publish stories of great interest to a broad spectrum of online readers of this report.
Following are comments relating to recently published stories, edited in some cases for length. To read a particular story of interest, click on the headline.
Returning Soldiers Face Difficult Time Readjusting
Richard Nystrom of Bowie, MD, writes: Years ago I returned to a college campus after a year in Vietnam and discovered how hard it was to sort out the conflicting emotions. My advice to family and friends is to `make the time` to listen and don’t be afraid to cry with the returning veteran.
5253 – CHIC Film Winners Find Movie Set Visit Inspiring
Steven Luce of Chicago, IL, writes: Branding the entire film industry as “sin-driven” is an unfair overstatement. The film industry is a human endeavor, which means that – like any other human venture – there are both good and bad elements. The film industry ranges from large budget entertainment pieces like “The Fantastic Four” to tiny independent ventures like “Elephant’s Dream.” I am an independent film director, and I can assure that the overwhelming majority of people who work in the film industry do so because they love to make movies. Personally, I have yet to meet a director who is in the business for any reason other than a love of storytelling, and a desire to make a living doing something they love. How is that “sin-driven?” Is Olsen confusing the content of some movies (i.e. Saw) with the film industry as a whole? How then does he account for “Crash?” Or “Babel?” Or any other of the films that challenge our complacency? How does he explain “A Beautiful Mind?” Or “Seabiscuit?” Or “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin?” Or “Million-Dollar Baby?” Or any film that immerses us in the triumphs and tragedies that speak to human condition? And what of “Trainspotting” or any other film that exposes the darker side of the human condition for what it is? Or “Bladerunner” or “AI” that wrestle with questions of existence? Or “Lady and the Tramp?” Or “Over the Hedge?” Or “The Incredibles?” Before Olson judges the film industry, I think he needs to expand his film library, and spend a little more time meeting the people he so casually stereotypes. Otherwise, he has no chance of impacting the life of anyone in the film industry.
Opera Stuffy? Not So, Says Chaplain’s Daughter
Doug Wootten of San Antonio, TX, writes: Great article! Her mom and I are so proud and pray everyday that the Lord will lead her with her talents into the profession that she might share her faith and her gifts for his glory and honor.
Ralph Hanson Remembered for Creativity, Ingenuity
Doris Storm of Northbrook, IL, writes: Thanks for the recent article and now the obit for a remarkable servant through many years. We have many special memories of his ministry in Chicago as Secretary of World Mission when I was a North Park student, and his warm personality added to his radiant Christian life wherever he appeared. Hope KICY benefits from his heritage.
Art Emerson of Portland, OR, writes: It grieves me to think that conflict issues like this have to come to the point of needing to hurt or do damage to someone or something. We visited Oaxaca several years ago because of a missionary who visited our Portland church and showed us pictures of this wonderful city and its people. Included in those pictures was a picture of a rural church that had a beautiful stained glass window with blue background and a White Dove the endearing symbol of peace. Seeing that church first hand, spending many evenings at the Zocalo, and meeting many wonderful residents of Oaxaca, left a strong desire to return. I praise God that our missionaries were able to get out safely, and I pray that God will rain a peace upon that city and bring it back to its heritage. Oaxaca has many churches in the city, let us pray that they too would be filled with prayer and protected from damage.
Mark Chaffin of Glenville, NY, writes: It was very heartening to see Jim Wallis being invited to speak at North Park University and to read his remarks, challenging students to be engaged in the moral conversation of the critical issues awaiting a deeper moral response in this country. I still remember the days during the early seventies and the Vietnam and civil rights struggles when North Park students took an active role speaking out in response to the moral crises of that period. It is good to know that there are still those in the North Park community who feel it an urgent task to bring together their faith and learning and act for the common good.
A Most Unusual Pumpkin Greets Sunday Worshipers
Philip Rohler of Ocean Shores, WA, writes: It is great to have light-hearted news presented on the web site. And kudos to Dewey for his creative gift to the congregation.
Jenn Kusilek of Saint Joseph, MO, writes: Tom, you have always been one to make us laugh. Thank you for being a blessing!
Church in Spain Conducts First Service of Ordination
Jorge Maldonado of Bell Gardens, CA, writes: It is exiting to see what God is doing in Spain. Praised be the Lord.
Older Stories
Occasionally we receive comments about stories published some time ago. Most often, readers come across them while topically perusing search engines or when visiting the online Covenant News Archive maintained by Covenant News Service. We appreciate reader comments at any time about any story that has appeared as part of our online Covenant news report.
Covenant Pastor and Chaplain Headed for Iraq
Lucy Migwi of Singapore/Kuala Lumpur, Singapore/Malaysia, writes: Thanks for helping me to be in touch with my former Chaplain Kevin Lockett and his family. Kevin is a compassionate servant of God and a man of integrity. I praise God for protecting him and bringing him back to his family. He arrived just in time to take care of the military family after 9/11. May the Lord’s faithfulness, his presence, and his promises be fulfilled in Mike’s life in Iraq.
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