THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 2, 1995 TAG: 9509010063
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Mathews Wright
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
PREPARING FOR the storms of life: That was last week's topic for Issues of Faith. Though it caused no controversy, the column did stir up response from many readers who said they were touched by the message. Here are some of the responses from last week's article.
From Mary Martin of Virginia Beach: ``I have disagreed with you many, many times in the past, but (last week's) column was beautiful. I wouldn't change a word. It was absolutely perfect.
``My favorite line is where you said: `God is where God always is. Present. Waiting for us to invite him into our lives.'
``Thanks for a real day brightener.''
From Elizabeth Weddle of Virginia Beach: ``Congratulations. I think (last week's) article is the best you've ever written. You talked with more sense than like you did when you were talking about hell. Some of your articles don't make sense. This one did.''
From Susan Wykle: ``I really liked what you said. It was simple and to-the-point and it made me really think about life and the things that can happen. It really struck a chord with me. Thanks a lot.''
From an anonymous caller from Norfolk: ``I think your column in (last Saturday's) paper was one of the most inspirational I've ever read. I'm 75 years old and worked for 50 years, then volunteered at a hospital for 10 years, but unfortunately now am quite severely disabled. I manage to get along with good friends and my own personal devotions with my Bible and my booklets. I look forward to your column every week. I wish you and your family well.''
From Robert O. Ellett Jr. of Norfolk: ``Your column was really thought-provoking and right on the mark. Preparation in this life for the next world is imperative. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Conversely, hell is a prepared place for those unprepared. We have a Tuesday Morning Fellowship, which meets at the Armed Forces Staff College. We had a very good discussion of `disaster planning' in light of your article. Our spirituality is unfortunately cyclical, with ups and downs, but whether up or down, in all cases, we should recognize our need for the Savior.
``Thank you for writing such a timely, eternity-valued column.''
From Antonio Gregory, pastor of Covenant People's Church of God in Christ in Virginia Beach: ``The article you wrote last week was par excellence. As a fundamentalist minister, many times I disagree with your views, but that article on the storm preparation was right on target. Keep up the good work and God bless.''
From Barbara McGill of Chesapeake: ``Your article on preparing for the storm was an excellent analogy illustrating the importance of spiritual preparedness and our relationship with God. You are so right that none of us can be certain we will have a tomorrow to prepare ourselves for eternity.
``Many people, including some reporters and some who wrote letters to the editor, mocked the prayers that were said regarding the hurricane. This is sad, but sadder yet will be those living in this area after the second coming of Christ for the believers. Many have long mocked God and lived to regret it.
``Natural calamities are one form of God's judgment. Some don't believe this, but these people would have to admit that floods, droughts and hurricanes certainly aren't blessings. Our area and the federal government had huge financial losses in the tourist industry and with the massive deployments. We just need to thank God the losses were not worse, such as property and lives.
``I'd have to conclude that a large part of storm preparedness for hurricanes, as well as life's storms, is to not only watch but to pray.'' MEMO: Every other week, Betsy Mathews Wright publishes responses to her
opinion column. Send responses to Issues of Faith, The Virginian-Pilot,
150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510; call (804) 446-2273; FAX
(804) 436-2798; or send e-mail to bmw(AT)infi.net. Deadline is Tuesday
before publication. You must include name, city and phone number. by CNB