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Valiant for Truth Do you remember your childhood security blanket, doll, stuffed animal or other object? I remember mine well. It was a small, very flat pillow that I would carry draped over my arm. At times, it would be in the same room with me, perhaps under the head of a sleeping doll. At other times, I would carry it with me. When my mother became ill, I remember needing it even more. I took it everywhere I went and drew comfort from its presence. It became a familiar pattern. Whenever the world around me became too much to handle on my own, I could always find my security pillow and snuggle up to it. The problems of the world seemed to recede and I was better able to cope with them. As I write this, the immediacy of war with Iraq seems eminent and is unquestionably on everyone's mind and heart. We seek escape from ever-constant war images and our fear for others. We feel powerless and long for a return to some security object that will hold the world at bay. We can bring back the feelings of warmth and safety found as children in security objects by looking to God and seeking his presence. When we retreat from the world, we are to seek the presence of the Most High, to come and learn of God. Thomas Kelly points us to how Christians might respond as they are "drawn into little snugglings with the Lord." Snuggling with the Lord is the response of an overwhelmed heart discovering once again God's love and security. During this time, we find that being in the presence of God and walking in the paths of peace and righteousness is our security. We don't turn inward to indulge our self-interests. We turn inward to seek the Living God—to learn from him, grow through him, become refreshed and renewed through him. From Christ's voice and example, we learn soul-balance in an ever-changing world. Christ calls us to care deeply about others, to lift up the downtrodden, to bring rest to the weary and replace the evil in the world with his love. We are drawn into the world to directly confront injustice and evil, knowing that everything—every drink of water, every plate of food and article of clothing, every visit to those who are hurting, every letter to those in power makes a difference when they are done in the name of Jesus. Our focus and the center of our lives is not to escape from the world, but to be empowered to be in the world. Snuggling with the Lord gives us our security and net of safety; walking with Jesus in the world gives us our power and purpose. So when the world around you crashes or gets you down, snuggle up to the Lord! Blessings in Christ, Trish Edwards-Konic

COVER STORIES 10 Broken and Dented Pam Ferguson Spunky Donnabelle lived life fully even when dying. Faithful Donnabelle reached out to others until the end. Read her story told by her pastor. 12 Hindsight Joel Clark God protects and cares for Joel and his family in all circumstances. Hindsight helps him to see how. 14 Icy Blast Bobbie Teague The North Carolina ice storm of December 2002 caused Bobbie Teague to reflect on being "plugged in."   FEATURES 4 News from Friends United Meeting 7 News 9 Salt and Light Does Your Flavor Make a Difference? Sandy Davis 15 Turning Points The Snowball Joy Conrad-Rice 16 Bible Study Identity in Christ Kelly Kellum 17 Peace Notes The My Lai Peace Park Project War Tax Resistance Network 19 Viewpoints 22 Reviews 24 Booknotes 26 Passages 28 Classifieds 29 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings 30 Meeting Directory 35 The Back Bench Half-Full But Overflowing Tom Mullen   ON THE COVER Snowdrops blanket the grass of the FUM central offices in Richmond, Indiana in the springtime. The plaque on the rock at right states, "Snowdrops (galanthus nivalis) brought from the grave of William Penn by Ward Applegate." Obviously, they have multiplied! Photo by Trish Edwards-Konic.

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