Letters

"Promptly Read With Anticipation"

I greatly appreciate receiving The Good News and your World News and Prophecy publications. We get a number of various kinds of literature, but I can assure you that when yours arrive at our mailbox, it is promptly read with anticipation. You certainly seem to have a grasp of what is going on. Please keep them coming.

—Pennsylvania

"I Choose to Continue Learning"

This is my final lesson (#12) in the wonderful Bible Study Course.

I had so much fun doing this, but even better, I got to learn about my Heavenly Father, God, and my precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This might be my final lesson, but indeed it is not my final lesson, because I choose to continue learning all I can.

Thank you for this great opportunity.

—California

"How Am I Going to Change My Life?"

Thank you so much for the booklets you are sending to me. You do not know how much they have changed the way I see life now and understand the Bible.

The problem now is, how am I going to change my life—meaning from the traditional Christian way to what is God's way? Could you please pray for my family and me? Thank you so much. And may God continue to bless you, to open the minds and eyes of everyone who has received The Good News.

—Internet

"Wish You Had a Church Nearby"

I've been studying with you for a long time. I am disabled and want to thank you tremendously for helping me with my Christian walk. I wish you had a church nearby. I visit you on the Web often. God bless you all!

—Internet

"It Has Me Studying as I Have Not Done Before"

I am thrilled and greatly impressed with the obvious depth and intensity your Bible researchers display in all the publications I have read. In every instance of expressing an interpretation or teaching of the Bible, a reference is made to the book, chapter and verses that justify the position taken for the expressed interpretation.

In a former e-mail some time ago, I had provided the information that I am the son of a Southern Baptist minister, and that I became a Christian at the age of 8 (I'm now 79). Having grown up in that environment, I had accepted the belief that I was well informed about the teachings of the Bible and the beliefs of my home doctrine. After I started reading your many publications, I have started reading the Bible as if I had never done so before.

There were many expressions in your publications I felt surely you had made some misguided judgments; then there were the sources cited to justify the position taken. I asked myself how I had gotten so much misled in all of my thinking, which I had obviously just absorbed from my religious environment! I am very impressed with your teachings, and it has me studying as I have not done before. I pledge to myself to continue to do so!

—California

Discovering the Truth in Singapore

I am from Singapore, and I have been subscribing to The Good News magazine for the past six months. I have been enlightened by the articles in the magazine, and I appreciate the effort and time taken by the various writers of these articles that make people like me come to learn the truth about Jesus Christ and His teachings and the way that God wants us to live our lives.

I have been a Catholic since birth and have grown up in the ways of the Catholic Church. But I believe that it was through God's grace that He is slowly but surely on a daily basis revealing His truth to me. I am amazed that I have come to comprehend that we have been living our lives and celebrating festivals and encouraging idol worship of statues that are made to look like Jesus Christ, which Jesus Himself condemned. But this realization is slowly and surely changing me.

There is no United Church of God based in Singapore, and I do hope and pray that the Church will base its roots here in this country as well so that the good news of Jesus Christ will settle firmly in the hearts of Christians here in Singapore.

I pray that the United Church of God will continue in its efforts to bring more and more people to God, and I hope that you will provide me with information as to how I can give back to the Church just as you all have given me the ability to know my true Jesus. I thank you.

—Singapore

We replied with information about our congregation in Singapore.

Two Subscriptions to the Greatest Magazine on the Planet

How fortunate am I to have two subscriptions to the greatest magazine on the planet! Apparently, I sent in two request cards from different addresses and using different names. After I moved, my first subscription caught up with my new address. So, yesterday I received two GNs.

So I'd like to free up one subscription to make it available to someone else.

Incidentally, the extra GN actually came in handy, because a young lady (my daughter's best friend) wanted a copy. I gave her UCG's Web information last night. Through my daughter, she has become very "interested" and wants to know more.

—New Jersey

Literature Helps With Sunday School Class

I have enclosed a small contribution. I realize you do not charge for your literature, but I wanted to show my appreciation for what you have sent me. Use as needed.

Today I received You Can Understand Bible Prophecy and Are We Living in the Time of the End? This latter will be of special help to me as my Sunday school class is in Revelation chapter 7 starting this Sunday. I've skimmed through it and found it quite interesting. I'm looking forward to perusing it more fully tonight.

I am in my 43rd year as an adult Sunday school teacher and count it a blessing and a privilege to do so. I appreciate other resources and rely on the Holy Spirit and the Word to enlighten me as I study. My pastor says the United Church of God and the Church of the Nazarene are not very different. He knows I use many resources, and he knows what. I believe that honors God to do so.

—Arkansas

Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Comments and suggestions to improve United News are welcome. Please let us know if you would like your name printed. Mail to: United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or e-mail mike_bennett@ucg.org.