May I call you Brian please? You see I feel I know you as I always look forward to the Sun newspaper each Friday and especially your editorial.
Your talent with words is remarkable. However last Friday's editorial shocked me to the core, and immediately I wanted to leap to the defence of the closest person in my life, the Lover of my Soul, just as you would want to defend your wife should anyone dishonour her name.
That is how much I honour God and His son Jesus Christ who is very much alive and whom I know very well.
There is a huge difference between someone who calls themselves Christian and people who are serious about following the teachings of Jesus. It is the personal encounter with Him that makes the difference, and changes a life forever. The road is far from easy but the rewards are amazing and life without Him does not bear thinking about.
So I pray Brian that you too will have an encounter with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to experience His Love and Friendship, far beyond anything available to us here on earth.
I apologise for anyone who may have responded to you in anger over all you said in that article as anger is not appropriate.
Shirley Smith, Tauranga.

I feel I know you too, Shirley. No anger, thanks. One clergy person told me it was 'a great piece of PR for Jesus and anything that gets people talking is good value.” RR is meant to be a bit edgy and most thinking people take it in the spirit intended. Brian.