Mailbag

"Daniel of the year"

(Dec. 17) The story of Alan Chambers and Exodus International is a crystal-clear demonstration of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was particularly encouraged by his accurate assessment that "the opposite of homosexuality isn't heterosexuality. It's holiness." Truly, "the gospel comes (to us) not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Spirit," as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians. Tracy Knox; Springfield, Ill.

My heart, prayers, and thanks go out to Chambers, his family, and his ministry. It's especially hurtful when Christians turn against those standing for the truth who already face so much opposition from outside the church. It's understandable when unbelievers oppose the gospel, but there is no excuse for believers. Wendy Cole; Albuquerque, N.M.

I am a certified nutritionist who counsels people on weight loss. We all want to fill the "God-shaped void" in our hearts with earthly things instead of the only thing that can soothe and satisfy: intimacy with the One who created and redeemed us. In my sessions, I will now say what Chambers put so succinctly, "The opposite of being overweight isn't being thin. It's holiness." Carolyn Schlicher; Elizabethtown, Pa.

Thank you for your choice for the "Daniel of the Year" award. I deeply respect your courage in risking a negative response from gay activists. Richard Keim; Southampton, N.J.

It was such an encouragement to read of someone who stands against the tide of our culture and refuses to compromise the Truth. How desperately our culture needs more like him. Madelyn Higby; Towaco, N.J.

"A way out"

(Dec. 17) I like Marvin Olasky's idea of allowing rich people to donate increases in their taxes to charities or job creation. Old Testament law put three checks on huge income disparities: the forgiveness of debts every seven years and the return of family land in the year of Jubilee; the provision for gleaning in the fields; and the tithe to the poor every third year. All of these helped poor people on a personal level without creating dependency or discouraging initiative. We need more thinking like Olasky's to adapt such approaches to the present. Jeff Smith; Sulphur Springs, Texas

I totally agree with Olasky, but there is one very significant problem: Washington seems to lack good old common sense. Case in point: the Cash for Clunkers program. Carolyn Witzel; Marshfield, Wis.

We have to let people be creative and successful. Too much regulation, taxes, and other government interference strip motivation from people's hearts to excel and succeed. We Americans have all but abandoned a Christian worldview and ignore the laws of human nature to come up with all sorts of ideas that have no firm basis in reason or experience. I'm glad airline and auto manufacturers put their products to the test before putting people on board, unlike politicians who build structures like Obamacare. Charles E. Longtine; Westminster, Colo.

"Mr. Gallup would be sad"

(Dec. 17) Face-to-face interaction is definitely on the decline. I hate to admit it, but I often feel that even a simple phone call, with its lengthy niceties and the risk that it will be hard to end, is inconvenient. People don't want to spend unnecessary time conversing even with their friends (so they send cut-to-the-chase text messages), let alone talk to strangers at Walmart. Amy Koons; Zionsville, Ind.

Is there a message I would like to send to Washington, D.C.? Yes, and I will give my short answer without feeling offended: Back off and get out of our lives. Regulations are killing us. David Searcy; Ontario, Ohio

I don't believe Joel Belz needs to work on his social skills. It is sad that there is so little trust today, even just for a simple conversation. Rachel Hayes; Grundy, Va.

"Making it personal"

(Dec. 17) Janie B. Cheaney does it again. In expounding on the idea that "the personal is political," she reminds me of C.S. Lewis' views on "the abolition of man." When people reject the "Tao," or objective value and truth, "all judgments of value cannot have any ground for preferring one of their own impulses to another except the emotional strength of that impulse." When that happens, the personal is political; in fact, the personal is everything. Barbara Van Der Male; Holland, Mich.

I have served in the military overseas and the big picture, the politics, simply had no resonance when times were trying. That's what makes films like Saving Private Ryan so brilliant and admired, especially by veterans. A man reaches his greatest potential when consumed with love-for the friend next to him or the girl he's set on seeing again or for his family that provides incomparable comfort. Love is the only "why" powerful enough to drive a man mad with heroism or give him the strength to overcome nearly any situation. Michael Anthony Villa; Auburn, Wash.

"Food fight"

(Dec. 17) This column is a great reminder to consider Korea when speaking to others about the issue of how society best prospers. The big picture in a nutshell! Lydia Reid; Lincolnton, N.C.

An excellent column. I would hope that all of our congressional leaders and the members of the current administration will read it, along with all of the current presidential candidates. Why can't we see and understand that the more centralized a government, the less prosperity and freedom result? Dan Marshall; Monroe, N.C.

"No room at Days Inn"

(Dec. 17) I found myself depressed after reading the Dec. 17 issue: the harassment of Alan Chambers, Islamist surge in the Middle East, encouraging Food Stamps instead of independence, SSI problems, Congress' inability to deal with the debt, and so on. And then came Andrée Seu's column. It turned my thinking around. I believe we are on the road to self-destruction, but our faith is not dependent on our government or our culture but on God and His promises. Barbara Johnson; Chicago, Ill.

"Citizenship test"

(Dec. 17) Sadly, nothing in this article about one family's citizenship struggle surprised me. After everything my wife and I went through to get her into this country legally, I was left with the feeling that our government's current system actually punishes those who do things right and rewards those who do them wrong. We live in a backwards world. Joshua Burba; Nashville, Tenn.

"Disabling security"

(Dec. 17) I would have to disagree a bit with Marvin Olasky's statement that Rebecca Riley was a "victim of government compassion." An SSI check didn't murder Rebecca; her parents murdered her because of their greed. Our human sinful natures can be egged on by a compassion program that entices us, but ultimately we make the choice to indulge our desires. Beverly Parrish; Houston, Texas

"Deviancy defenders"

(Dec. 17) In the 1970s, when the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses, my physician father predicted that someday pedophilia would be decriminalized and promoted as a legitimate alternative lifestyle. At the time I thought, "Nobody would allow that!" Yet here we are. The seeds are being sown and the propaganda machine is oiled and ready. Jennifer Henkel; Canandaigua, N.Y.

"Hard decision"

(Dec. 17) I had to laugh about the Toronto school principal who outlawed children playing with hard balls at recess. I've visited Toronto and the parks were filled with skating rinks where young lads (and a few lasses) play a game in which they use long sticks to whip hard chunks of rubber at frightening speeds while slashing about on sharp metal blades. And this principal frets about a few soccer balls? Is she aware that Toronto is located in Canada? Denny Brownlee; Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

WORLD around the world

Mwandi, Zambia Submitted by Nathaniel D. Cordel

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