I WRITE this with the sun streaming in through the windows, and that gives me the feeling that it is good to be alive and well. Reflecting on an article in The Northern Echo asking the question: "Is the church beyond salvation?", my answer would be yes, the buildings may become obsolete because of their shape and size, but the people are still the same and are being born again and finding salvation.

We may not see massive growth in Britain but, taking a world view, the church is marching forward. Especially in areas where there is blatant persecution.

We are almost through the period of Lent in the Christian calendar which called for a period of self-denial - a dirty word in this age of consumerism. But the way of the Cross demands self-denial all the time and that is part of the reason why many do not attend church.

He went through the agony and pain of bearing our sins and was crucified, that this wonderful salvation might be a reality rather than a theory. He is building His church of living stones. I am thankful to be a small part of it.

Jim Wilkinson, Hollybush Christian Fellowship, Thirsk.