Mailbag

‘Staying alive’

May 31 I was amazed that a 50-member church in Lebanon is ministering to 750 families of Syrian refugees. Truly the Lord Jesus is doing great things through its members’ efforts. We are thankful to know about them so we can pray for them. —James McManus, Hornell, N.Y.

‘Reflective journey’

May 31 Sophia Lee’s account of her ride on the Amtrak Crescent was a grand description of the burdens and delights of this long-distance train, which I often take from Atlanta to Trenton. Twice I have been eight hours late, but the stories I told via cell phone about the delays had my kids and grandkids laughing for hours before I arrived. I am staying with the train. —Bob Williamson, Cleveland, Ga.

Thanks for telling this story. But in defense of those who have worked on railroads, many delays cannot be helped, and we work hard to keep the trains arriving on time and safely. —Roger Henson, Middleburg, Fla.

I will never forget the train ride my family took from Pittsburgh to Santa Barbara in 1960. I remember crossing the Mississippi and seeing the desert and my first palm tree in Needles, Calif. Reading this, I almost felt like I was on another adventure. —Linda Haughey, San Juan, Texas

I enjoyed the article, but Lee’s impressions of Amtrak travel were quite limited because she traveled in coach. My husband and I travel on Amtrak from Florida to Boston each year. We have privacy and quiet in our sleeper and enjoyable meals in the dining car with fellow travelers. There is wonderful time to read, reflect, and enjoy the ride. —Susan C. Donald, Merritt Island, Fla.

Lee reported Amtrak’s yearly net loss as merely $1.2 million, but it’s worth noting that Amtrak receives government subsidies of over $1.3 billion per year. —Jim Payne, Sandpoint, Idaho

‘Milestone melodies’

May 31 This column was very moving for me, as I turned 65 on May 10 and lost my wonderful mother a year ago. Our mortality begins to press in on us now, but thankfully, not without hope. What a world awaits us. And besides, Churchill did his best work after age 65. —Gregory E. Reynolds, Manchester, N.H.

‘Pattern of deception’

May 31 I completely agree with Joel Belz that it’s wrong to lie to people about how bad things are regarding climate change. And the media are making a big deal about nothing; the founders saw the news media as watchdogs, not advocacy groups. —Josiah McDaniel, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

A “pattern of deception” is pervasive in our world, certainly regarding evolution and more recently climate change. The pride of men keeps this pattern saturating every level of society, education, and the media. —Ron Class, Indianapolis, Ind.

‘Destructive precision’

May 31 Thank you to Janie B. Cheaney for her columns, and especially these observations on tornadoes. Few are so blessed as she is to see the magnificent in the ordinary and the Creator in His creation, and to view all of life from a biblical worldview. —Timothy Friberg, Makassar, Indonesia

‘The future gone to pot’

May 31 WORLD does a great job giving a broader perspective than one finds in the mainstream media, but I was a bit disappointed with the slant of this story. Scientists are finding medical applications for cannabis treating cancer, MS, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, and brain injury. So are state laws that block safe access to cannabis moral? Yes, some teens may obtain it illegally, but many people use it responsibly. —Greg Vanderhoof, Los Osos, Calif.

‘Fanned hatred’

May 31 I am very upset with Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s inappropriate remarks about African-Americans, but I am equally disturbed about his unfaithfulness to his wife. That topic gets little if any negative press. —Todd Taylor, Eastvale, Calif.

‘Life in the shadows’

May 17 Every choice has potential consequences, and this article didn’t seem to acknowledge that a person who comes to the United States illegally is choosing what follows. Parents have a responsibility to avoid choices that will harm their family. —Nancy J. Rice, Culpeper, Va.

Human Race

May 17 In recent years the National Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council has named John Edwards and Bill Clinton “Father of the Year”? Are you kidding? —Bob Snelling, Douglasville, Ga.

‘Putin’s playbook’

May 17 Jill Nelson’s excellent article describing Vladimir Putin’s strategy of gaining popular support through his connections with the Russian Orthodox Church sounds very similar to Hitler’s strategy when he took over Germany. Very scary. —Bob Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo.

‘Strange bedfellows’

May 17 I appreciated the article regarding Liberty University and its relationship with Glenn Beck and Benny Hinn. It’s very upsetting. We watched Glenn Beck’s speech and were concerned that he presented Christians and Mormons as being about the same. —Bob Shillingstad, Hayden, Idaho

‘Going with the flow’

May 3 The facts in Dave Swavely’s article may be accurate, but from my long association with Bible Study Fellowship I would say that no organization is less deserving of the accusation that it is “going with the flow.” —Linda Rollins, Napa, Calif.

‘Silent submission’

May 3 Based upon the Bible, I believe that the universe is young, around 7,500 years old, and that God made it with an appearance of age with the light from the stars in transit, the galaxies moving, and so on. I will defend design. I will not be silent. I will not submit. —Rick A. Smith, Ostrander, Ohio

‘Holy alliance’

May 3 This column on the nature of holiness reminded me that Wilberforce and Bonhoeffer memorized Psalm 119. That psalm indicates Old Testament expectations for being blessed and holy. Committing Scriptures like this to memory is a deepening and humbling experience. —Bob Ostrich, Apache Junction, Ariz.

‘Sexual propaganda’

May 3 Several years ago a young friend at a university here received a reading list for a literature class that contained only pro-homosexual books. The professor told the class that some folks might think them pornographic but they weren’t. I wrote to assure him they were. Parents should spend a few days with their college students and see for themselves what they’re paying for. —Garnett Rope, Vaughn, Mont.

‘Not by sight’

April 19 The amazing article about the blind surfer proves that nothing is impossible if you have faith in God and persevere. There are many problems in our lives, but Derek Rabelo shows us that we can’t worry about the “walls” in front of us. —Felipe Lima & Jose Cruz, Longview, Texas

‘Authorized personnel only’

April 19 Your columnist joked about getting business cards reading “Janie B. Cheaney/Agent of Reconciliation,” but I already have similar cards. Mine read “Recon2 Ministries.” I give them to churchgoing men who are secretly dabbling with sexual sin, who are on the precipice of disaster and perhaps not even aware of it. I want to grab their attention so the Holy Spirit can begin to do His work in their hearts. —Marshall “Lynn” Britt, Jersey, Ga.

Correction

Village elders in Tanana, Alaska, exiled two men involved in the shooting deaths of two Alaska state troopers (“Quick Takes,” June 14, p. 26).

Richard Raya is the assistant pastor of the True Vine Church and principal of the True Vine School (“Staying alive,” May 31, p. 47).

WORLD Around the World

Bangkok, Thailand Submitted by Bill Heaton

Send photos to mailbag@worldmag.com