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Excerpts from Cankers of the Soul- Soul Talkin Some time back, an acquaintaince I had once helped in her time of need took a vicious potshot at me.I should have dismissed it as the desperate whiplash of a soul tormented by jealousy and frustration, but the poisonous shaft struck a raw nerve. And the pain was augmented by a sense of betrayal. I wasn't sure if retailation would quell the rage within, but every cell in my body wanted to hit back as viciously.I was convinced that nothing but the sight of my enemy fallen low would assuage the pain...

In a 2003 report on membership, ministers and finances, the research arm of the Presbyterian Church USA said the denomination continues to lose membership. The church has lost 42.4 percent of its membership since 1965. That accumulated loss of more than 1.8 million has resulted in an increase in the number of churches with small congregations. There were 4,171 congregations of fewer than 100 members in 1984, but 5,004 in 2002. The median contributions of those small congregations was $44,678. Older Americans are dropping out of organized religious activity in significant numbers, a research firm that tracks church trends said....