Mark's Notebook


	If Jesus Christ were to come today, people would not even crucify him. They would ask him to dinner, and hear what he had to say, and make fun of him. - Thomas Carlyle

Suspended: putting peace in Christmas

Cincinnati Enquirer

Wednesday 22 December 2004, 3:52 pm
Keywords: Christian Topics , News Articles

By Peter Bronson

Eric Bast was suspended from Oak Hills High School for five days, because he distributed personal letters to 3,000 students telling them about the original Christmas gift, the love of Christ.

Eric's mother, Denise Bast, did something totally unexpected - she actually complimented Principal David Vannasdall. "He's one of the nicest people I've ever seen give someone a five-day suspension," she said.

Eric said he volunteered to be suspended so his friends who helped him would not be punished.

A senior with a cross shaved into his hair, Eric has been on the honor roll since 7th grade, but says, "I would spend the rest of my life on suspension to get the outcome of even one person committing his life to Christ."

The letter, at www.lettertomyfriends.com, is well written. But it quotes a tough Bible verse, John 14:6, and mentions heaven and hell. Some people were offended.

"He's not afraid to stand up and tell people what he believes," said Scott Duber, Eric's youth music pastor at Impact, an evangelical church.

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