Fall Correction Notice
There is a small, but significant mistake in the "Genograms" sidebar, page 25. As published, it appears that the symbols for "Marriage" and "Children" are identical. The correct symbol for "Children," however, has a centered, vertical line beneath the bracket.
Ruth Snapp
Wichita, KS
JCN editorial staff apologizes for the error. The correct symbol for "Children" is: [OCR fork]
JCN's web site has the correct information. You may download the correct form at: http://www.ncfjcn.org.
Fall Feedback
Overall I think the topic of violence was covered with depth as well as sensitivity. I liked the balance JCN gave to the issues by including articles that told how God's Word helped people to grow in faith and in understanding their godly worth, despite difficulties and trials.
After reading the entire issue, I initially felt uncomfortable. I realized that was good. The subject of violence should make us all a bit uncomfortable and move us to make changes in our lives and in our communities to counteract violence.
Heggen's article in the midst of an otherwise exceptional issue, however, was a huge disappointment. I don't think it represented good biblical doctrine, nor the fair and balanced presentation JCN usually contains. She tries to argue that patriarchy is behind practically all abusive situations in Christian homes, but her evidence is anecdotal, for the most part, and not convincing.
Jeanne Burger
Ft. Wayne, IN
The issue was excellent. The editorial was one of the best Shelly has written. I particularly liked "Cry of My Heart," "Clinical Crisis," "From Misery to Ministry," "Domestic Violence," "It Can't Happen Here!!" "Seeing God's Fingerprints In Your Past" and "Charting Your Personal Boundaries."
I did not like the cover and am still trying to figure out what it is and what it means. I think that Heggen's, "Religion: An Excuse for Abuse?" made some excellent points and that much of what she said is true.
Roberta Paige
Portsmouth, VA
I was simultaneously moved, challenged and in tears while reading this issue. The material is useful in my practice of working with pregnant teens and women in their early twenties. The majority of my patients live in the inner city, where the highest incidence of violence per capita exists in Colorado. The reality is that most of them are victims of violence, and I am often at a loss for words when they describe the acts of terror they have lived through or are experiencing.
As a Christian nurse it is hard, if not impossible, to understand violence. Thank you for this issue. I have shard it with a few colleagues who were grateful for a Christian perspective of such an atrocious subject. I think we need to know more about responding as Christians to violence-Christ is the only hope for peaceful resolution.
Jennifer Lund
Broomfield, CO
Thank you for dedicating your fall journal to supporting victims of violence. The material is excellent. It is extremely important to get this information to as many people as possible.
In the article "Domestic Violence: Finding Courage to Break Free," advising someone to leave is critical, because violence can continue even though she leaves. Statistics show that three-fourths of all battered women are more severely beaten after leaving, separating or divorcing. Women are at greater risk (up to 75%) of becoming a victim of homicide when trying to leave the relationship.
These articles mainly speak to the majority of the victims of domestic violence who are women (4 million/year). However, violence happens to men too (200,000/year), as well as to children and elderly.
We can no longer afford to ignore or neglect talking or asking our patients about abuse in their lives. It is of utmost importance that within our communities, we establish a unified approach to preventing abuse and supporting victims of abuse.
Patricia Fross
Redford, MI
JCN Appreciated
I just recently received my first issue, and I love it.
Marina Antoniou
Citrus Springs, FL
I so enjoy the Journal of Christian Nursing!! It has been helpful in planning projects for our parish nursing meetings and as encouragement to me when things seem too difficult.
Cheryl Pilling
Pensacola, FL
As a seasoned nurse, I truly appreciate the encouragement and hope offered through the articles in JCN. It is a ministry to many nurses.
Sylvia Medwid
Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
This is a great way to get CNE since I look forward to reading JCN.
Brenda Pryor
Painesville, OH
Health Promotion
I want to commend Flynn for her article, "A Christian Model of Health Promotion" (winter 2001). The majority of health promotion models scarcely recognize a spiritual component of health, and none do as specifically as Flynn's model. Flynn takes an explicitly Christian approach to health by stating that providing services to others is a way to practice health promotion for us. With the availability of this model, health promotion research can be conducted to demonstrate that a Christian approach to health promotion is "healthier" than a secular approach. Christian nursing researchers need such a model to put our beliefs into action and then into research.
Elizabeth Reifsnider
San Antonio, TX