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LETTERSLETTERSNote: Views inletters do not necessarilyrepresent thoseof the editors orthe denomination.Letters should be lessthan 250 words, andwriters must includetheir name, addressand phone number.All letters are editedto meet space andliterary requirements,but the author’soriginal meaning willnot be changed. Notall letters receivedare published.PART OF THE WIDERCHURCHEmosi Lomata, FIJIThank you for RECORD.We’re blessed to be receiving itfortnightly and feel part of thewider Church.We appreciate thechallenging articles, newsstories and spectacular photos.Even my non-Adventistfriends enjoy reading it.GREATER INCLUSIONOF PACIFICADamien Rice, VANUATUThank you for RECORD.I understand it involves aconsiderable investment of theChurch. However it helps tounify us with other members,churches and territories acrossthe South Pacific.It’s encouraging to see ourmagazine becoming a trulySouth Pacific publication withgreater inclusion of Pacificanews, faces and opinions.Our members do not alwaysreceive RECORD. We would liketo see this happen more often.However, we do commendyou for the development ofdigital and visual media thatcan be accessed by increasingnumbers of people.We truly are a global Churchand must do what we can topromote unity, identity andinnovation in mission whilemaintaining a distinctly SouthPacific flavour.I hope that RECORD willcontinue to facilitate opendialogue and vigorously presentthe issues facing the church atthis time.HAVE YOUR CAKE . . .Joy Cornell, QLDPastor Eddy, you say in“Revival, revival, revival”(Feature, July 2) that revivalcomes not as we focus onpreparing to be ready for theSecond Coming, but as webecome ‘the kind of peoplethat Jesus describes in theBeatitudes’, people who showHis love and compassion for all‘the woes of the world’.I can hear Jesus chuckling“Eddy, I want you to have yourcake and eat it too!”Because as we becomethese caring, compassionatepeople, Jesus will open Hisarms wide—some glorious day,soon—and shout “Come, youblessed of My Father, I washungry, and you fed Me; naked,and you clothed Me . . .”Let’s start the revival!WOW—WHAT ACONCEPT!Linda Grant, NSWWhat an inspiring man of69 years, Pastor Johnson is.I believe he has captured thetrue essence of the terminology“revival”.As an Adventist I’vestruggled with this concept forso long and often developeddeep feelings of guilt because I“lose the energy buzz” for thesame revival concepts such asRevelation and health seminars.I wholeheartedly agreewith Pastor Garth Bainbridge’sstatement (as quoted by PastorJohnson), “Revival will notcome because we seek it foritself” and “Revival is simplythe outgrowth of a relationshipwith Jesus which makes meinto a more loving and lovableChristian”. Wow—what aconcept!REFRESHINGCONTRIBUTIONGraeme Dustow, emailWhat a refreshingcontribution by Pastor EddyJohnson.Perhaps if Seventh-dayAdventists altered theirfocus from repetitive calls torevival from an introspectivegeneration to a revival inapplying the all enduring love ofChrist in selfless service to theneeds of communities aroundthe world, calls to revival wouldbecome redundant.Do we not believe Godloves and died to redeem ourfellow human beings sufferingthe impacts of natural andman-made calamities?They are not simplycollateral damage to be ignoredin the battle for the universe,nor to be triumphantlyexhibited in calls for revivalas signs of the nearness ofChrist’s return.LOOK UP AND LIFTYOUR HEADSJan Knopper, NSWI’m disappointed in thetenure of the article on“Revival, revival, revival”.It lacks clear support forthe focus of the GeneralConference and its leadership.I’m appalled in the wayPastor Eddy Johnson reactedto the church member whowas filled with joy about whatis taking place in regard tothe fulfilment of the signsof the coming of our Lord. Iappreciate that Pastor Johnsonhas concern for the pain andsadness caused by naturaldisasters.In Luke 21:28, Jesus remindsus of the final days, “Andwhen these things begin tocome to pass then look upand lift up your heads; for yourredemption draweth.”Sister White adds to Jesus’words, “When the signspredicted begin to come topass, the waiting, watchingones are bidden to look upand lift their heads and rejoicebecause their redemptiondraweth nigh.”20 JULY 30, 2011 • record.net.au