Drought relief

Thank you so much for printing my article, "Australia—just a prayer away" (December 30, 2002).

I have been overwhelmed by the number of Sentinel readers who have taken the time to e-mail, telephone, and message-text me from as far away as Cape Town in South Africa; Georgia, Maryland, Southern California, San Francisco, and Boston in the United States; as well as Adelaide in South Australia. The outpouring of love for the people in Australia who have been affected by years of drought is amazing and deeply touching. I am so grateful for all the ideas that everyone has shared with me and for the prayer that I know is taking place.

Since I wrote about the devastating drought, I'm pleased to say that we've had several inches of good rainfall in areas across Australia where it's been so badly needed. Farmers have had their rainwater tanks for drinking, cooking, and washing purposes refilled. Dams [water holes] have received water, and some farming properties now have sufficient moisture to begin planting winter crops—something that didn't look possible before Christmas and wasn't predicted by weather forecasters to occur until March 2003.

Many regions around Australia, however, are still drought-declared by the federal government. Soaking rains are needed. Please keep up your prayers. They are working. And your love means so much to those of us that live "down under."

Beverly Goldsmith
Brisbane, Australia

Jesus' travels

Your item of interest "Religious leaders ask, 'What would Jesus drive' " (January 6) prompts another question: What did Jesus depend upon for many miles of travel?

The Christian Gospels imply that he traveled mostly by what we today might call "shank's mare" or on foot. Sometimes he traveled by boat. And on one significant occasion he fulfilled prophecy by riding into Jerusalem "sitting upon an ass" (Matt. 21:5).

Perhaps it was the need to travel the dusty roads mostly on foot that accounted for the tradition of washing a visitor's feet on arrival (see Luke 7:44).

Maybe it could be said that although Jesus may not have driven a vehicle, today the Christ-spirit can help guide our safe driving, if we allow it.

Ron Walker
Maroochydore Queensland, Australia

Article spurs growth

Thank you so much for the article "A matter of time," an interview with Dr. Laurance Doyle, in the December 30, 2002, issue. I have read it, reread it, and continue to return to it discovering some new insight or reinforcement each time. The sentence that reads in part, "If 2+2 is written on a chalkboard, the math isn't in the chalk," was instrumental in giving the final thrust to a personal spiritual growth effort. I've shared this article with several people, all of whom have found it thought-provoking and rewarding. This was a powerful article in a powerful issue.

Janet Wright
Des Plaines, Illinois

Thinking outside the box

Thank you very much for the Sentinel—especially for its outreach and its weekly focus on a timely issue. By addressing an issue from several perspectives, you have helped me think "outside the box"—to think more deeply and to pray about an issue, and to be less focused on myself.

Regardless of the subject being addressed, I will find within one or more of the Sentinel articles on that subject a statement or a concept that helps me grow spiritually, or that meets a specific need—a spiritual gift for one and all.

The Sentinel's weekly focus on a specific issue brings to mind the Christian Science Weekly Bible Lesson which each week focuses on one of 26 subjects. The exploration of each subject promotes in-depth study and spiritual growth.

Jeannette Riechers
Marengo, Illinois

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Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Christian Science Sentinel.

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