From Our Inbox

Here's a secret too-long kept: We love hearing from you! (Of course, it shouldn't be a secret, since we say so in every YD magazine; but we know the print in that column on page 23 is really rather small.) But it's true: No matter what you have to say, we'd like to hear it. Sometimes, we get mail we think other young disciples might like to read, too. For example, a couple of months ago, we received this letter:

 Hi Young Disciple magazine!

I am not trying to complain, but your articles about TV are getting annoying. I know you're working hard writing articles, but you guys have had so many of these.

Can you also send me some Bible texts about TV and theater instead of quotes from Ellen White?

Thank you!

"Tired of TV"

Hey, we appreciate the honesty! In case you were thinking the same thing, here's what we sent back to our friend.

Dear "Tired of TV," 

Thank you for writing to Young Disciple magazine. We’re always glad to hear feedback from our readers to and have the chance to consider your suggestions! We’re sorry that the "Science & the Spirit" articles covering the research on television have begun to feel somewhat tedious to you. You’ll be glad to know that after this quarter there aren’t any more coming for awhile. J It’s just that there is so much research on this important topic that we could hardly share it in fewer articles. We earnestly believe that Christian young people need to have the chance to consider this information as you make important choices about your future and the habits you wish to establish, keep, or discard.

We often quote the Spirit of Prophecy in the "Science & the Spirit" articles, and this is by design: Much of the reason for running this column is to show how scientific research has affirmed and added even extra credibility to the invaluable gift God has given us in Ellen White’s writings. Sometimes we fail to appreciate just how revolutionary her writings on health and lifestyle habits were, because today much of what she recommended has become common knowledge. But we must remember that God gave this wisdom to His church long before the world discovered the facts that back it up.

Although we have quoted Ellen White several times in the articles on television, there are also many biblical principles that apply to TV programming and our choices about what to watch. Some of these are shared throughout the articles on TV, although not all the texts that apply to the topic could be included. I’m sure that as you search the Word, you can find other texts with similar principles! Here are a few that show what we should allow into our minds: Philippians 4:8; Psalm 101:3; Proverbs 22:24, 25; Psalm 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Matthew 5:29 & 6:22; James 4:4; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15; Matthew 5:8; Philippians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 5:1-11. Though of course television was not around when the Bible was written, God didn’t fail to provide us with much counsel on how to keep our minds and hearts pure, and what we should allow ourselves to see and think on. We believe that these principles can be applied to TV viewing. 

Once again, thank you for writing. We are praying for you and all the other YD readers! 

Warmly,  

Cheyenne Francis Reiswig

Assistant Editor, Young Disciple magazine

So really! Go ahead and contact us. Here's an open invitation to send us an e-mail. We know you've got great thoughts and questions!

P.S. You can post your thoughts and questions as comments to our blog posts, too!