MARTIN'S ASKING FOR IT

(letter unedited)

Mr. Martin, As a former sanctioning body ownership member, a periodical publisher, a PR & Marketing specialist and current Lay Pastor in Training through the Presbyterian Church USA, your current column is a most unusual confession.

While you were almost entertaining, your column simply left me sad for you. I wonder if you were reaching out to get answers to your questions.

I can only image that you grew up victim to a typical Baptist Church were you were wise enough to escape once you saw the gross contradictions lived out through it's member. Yes, I'm a Presbyterian and we're a bit different. Education is the emphasis of our denomination and your many 'clever' questions would not be if you'd been properly taught what scripture says (in Greek and Hebrew, not some old, staunchy King told his preists they could say).

I'll stop the info-lecture and simply say, it's heartbreaking to see anyone confess that they don't know God. I'm sure that you've received some selfish, opinionated, mean-spirited comments from those that you named and then some.

It was only a column. Something to fill the space this edition, I'm sure.

But if you're interested in getting some answers to your questions, there's a good book that says it better than I could, in a more entertaining way from someone who is seeking.

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Try Phillip Yancey's "What's so Amazing About Grace." I'll even share my copy with you if you will really read it.

As for Angelle, she's an infant in her relationship with God. Be patient with her. As for Reg, he's a long-time pal and his words are solid. If you want to know why God took his feet, ask him. Reg will gladly tell you. It's a moving story, if you're ready to HEAR it. I'm sure Ken got a chuckle about a rabbi and swami, but I'm sure he seriously considered it. Look for it in a chapel time coming soon. These people were my peers for many racing seasons. After 25, I gave it up. I'm sure there are many who feel so compassionately about you that they would come to your defense. I don't know you at all, and I already have.

If you want information, it's there. If you're simply being clever, bless your heart. People will ensure that you get your answers, though you may not like it in the process. If you'd like gentle guidance, it will find you. Do you know the saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I don't think that's me, but I think you're asking for one.

Nina Henderson

MARTIN'S A GENIUS?

Right on, brother! I have been complaining for eons - or what just seems like eons - about the stupid praying to Jesus to protect the racers before every race.

My main two complaints: one - why is Christianity the only religion represented (if you don't have time for all religions to be represented, then NO religion should be represented) and two - if someone crashes, does that mean that Jesus WANTED him to crash - you expressed both succinctly and fairly and far nicer than I would have done!

Thanks, Jeff, for giving a genius writer and damn good human being a place to do his art!

Pammy and Jeff Utterback

THANK YOU

JESUS IS LORD HE IS RISEN GLORY TO GOD GOD BLESS YOU

Troy Yamaguchi