Unshakable faith

I came across Edward Lee Pitts's article ("To Hell and back," May 23) as we began the Memorial Day weekend. It was especially encouraging to read of the unshakable faith of his grandfather, Edward Treski, throughout his life, both while enduring the "hell ship" and enjoying peace in later years. May our Lord shake our nation to remember with deepest gratitude all that He has done through such men. -George A. Damoff; Marshall, Texas

The article by Pitts was rather graphic, but the reality of war needs to be brought to our attention. It illustrates the sinful nature of man and God's grace at the same time. -Roy Anderson; Prairie du Sac, Wis.

"To Hell and back" was a great article. My grandfather, a B-17 co-pilot, was shot down and survived. I went to a couple of reunions and heard their stories of heroism (although they never saw themselves as heroes). I pray that the next generation has that kind of fortitude. -Bryan Morrow; Carthage, Mo.

Person or product?

I am disappointed with "Heal or heel?" (May 23). Along with many Christian believers, I am grieved, pained, and embarrassed by Todd Bentley's fall, but it would seem that someone was only too glad to nay say the Lakeland meetings. -Carol Yoder; Meyersdale, Pa.

It is, indeed, terrible that false claims are made about God's touch in regard to cancer, but the Lord does still heal. Many people are inwardly confident that the Lord has interceded on their behalf. I am one of these folks. -Joan Santomenna; Beachwood, N.J.

The so-called revivals of the past few years (the Toronto Blessing, the Pensacola Outpouring, the Brownsville Revival, and now the Lakeland Outpouring) are, at best, questionable. Authentic movements of the Holy Spirit bring transparent confession, deep repentance, and much soul searching. The blessings (healings, restored marriages, cleared consciences, evangelism, etc.) are byproducts of a true revival. The church in America definitely needs revival, but are we more interested in the product of revival or the Person of revival? -Frank Nolton; Woodbridge, Calif.

Doomed?

Every morning when I read the latest on what President Obama has said or done, or about the infighting of the Republican Party, I hear myself muttering, "We're doomed." Then I read "Paring down" (May 23). Joel Belz is right, and so is Sen. Jim DeMint, who would rather work with 30 Republican senators who know what they believe than 60 who blow constantly in the wind. Everyone should be asking themselves, "What am I made of? What do I stand for?" -Anita Christy; Gilbert, Ariz.

Regarding Republican senator Arlen Specter's hypocritical defection to the Democrats: That is a denial of his constituents' votes. He is just thinking of his own reelection. A true statesman thinks about his country and the next generation. -Rudy G. Hoggard; Marion, N.C.

I first met Peggy Noonan years ago at a National Press Club book fair and was entranced by her word-smithing and her conservatism. Sadly, it appears that only one remains in full vigor. -Mark A. Kellner; Silver Spring, Md.

American hero

Recently, I read a biography of Whittaker Chambers, so Marvin Olasky's reference to Chambers's autobiography, Witness, caught my eye ("God doesn't give up," May 23). I rejected Marxism because of an economics professor at Vanderbilt University who demonstrated the inefficiencies created by government interference with markets. I did reject God and adopt cynicism, but God never let me go. After He brought me back to Himself, I read Witness and Chambers became my 20th-century American hero. -Barby Gifford; Lookout Mountain, Ga.

I very much appreciate the candor and the humor in Olasky's autobiographical series. I hesitate to say "enjoy" because we can all relate to such agonizing searches for the truth. -Jack F. Seward; Media, Pa.

All bad

The photograph of abortionist "Bad to the Bone" Bertha Bugarin ("Illegal procedures," May 23) prompted, surprisingly, nothing but empathy from me. All I could think of is that we are all "bad to the bone" except for the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. And she wouldn't be the first abortionist to make a complete turnaround. -Eileen Cushing; Brooklyn Center, Minn.

Disturbing

The United States military confiscating and destroying bibles ("Banned witness," May 23)? That's the most disturbing thing I've read in a very, very long time. -Bryan Dawson; Jackson, Tenn.

Even more so

I loved the article on Greg and Mary Jane Grooms ("Home cooking," May 23). It's all true, but there is no way an article can capture how warm and loving these wonderful people are. Both of them quietly radiate the powerful balance of God's intellect and His loving grace. -Sue Bohlin; Austin, Texas

Crisis of our own

Regarding "No-brainer?" (May 9): Yes, we have a health care crisis here in the United States, but it is a crisis of our own making due in part to our propensity to turn to medication as our first choice while ignoring preventive or remedial life style changes. We would rather spend now and pay later, or eat now and medicate later to cover up the damage we do to ourselves. The issues that led to this crisis are far deeper and more personal than the ability to choose our own providers. -Martha R. Gushee; Flagstaff, Ariz.

For over six years, I have helped senior citizens to fix medical bill problems with Medicare and Veterans Administration clinics. We should not be considering an expansion of the federal government's responsibility in health care until we fix the problems that have been created by the federal government's poor performance and lack of responsibility regarding our senior citizens and veterans. -Woodrow Wilcox; Griffith, Ind.

Could we do that?

Thank you for carrying Walter Hoye's story ("Straight time," May 9). It brought tears to my eyes and brought the issue of persecution up front and close to the heart. Could we all choose, as Pastor Hoye did, to do the right thing no matter the cost? -Heidi Schumacher; Astoria, Ore.

Way down

Thanks for the column on Rev. Katharine Ragsdale, the president of Episcopal Divinity School who called abortion a "blessing" ("The 'blessing' of abortion," May 9). It's nice to know what the other side is up to, or rather, down to in calling evil good. The pity is that there's a church body that elevates a person with such unbiblical views. -Debra Demuth; Watertown, Wis.

Katherine Ragsdale is truly a soldier of Satan. My family was very familiar with the Nazis in Germany. She would do well in that environment. -L. Rucker; Maple Valley, Wash.

Ashamed

Regarding our new secretary of state ("Not-so-smart power," March 14), things have indeed changed, and not for the better or the "smarter." Hillary Clinton's comment that pressing China on human rights issues can't interfere with other crises shows me that individual Chinese are not as important to the State Department as the benefits we can obtain from having relations with China that will "enrich" our lives. I am ashamed. -Donna McLain; Harrisburg, Pa.

I have been reading WORLD regularly for about a year now and I've really been enjoying it. My teens read it too and it has sparked lots of great conversations about civics, religion, economics and more. It's a tremendous tool in our homeschool. -Judith Martinez; Lakewood, Colo.

Clarification

Food for the Poor ("Plugging leaks," May 23, p. 73) is the largest U.S.-based international aid and relief agency, with support and revenue last year totaling $1.5 billion. It has received excellent evaluations from Forbes, Charity Navigator, and Ministry Watch, and meets the Better Business Bureau's standards.