April 18

‘Battle ready’

Since the start of the ISIS offensive I wondered why it faced so little opposition. The Dwekh Nawsha militia, a band of dedicated, Assyrian Christian volunteers, is exactly what I’ve been waiting to hear about. Let’s send them some help!

Andrew Smith on wng.org

‘You be the judge’

Athletes, actors, or other high profile people who become believers face much pressure to “let their lights shine,” but equating status with maturity damages the gospel and that person’s growth. Jesus tells us to expect fruit to be born “with patience.”

Thomas G. Johnson on wng.org

‘A clerk’s struggle’

I imagine that many others in Jennifer Shoenrock’s position have not spoken out. Perhaps this excellent article will lend them the courage to do so. Most people do not understand the scale and irreversible nature of the proposed changes in the frenzy to redefine marriage.

Chris Mays / Lantana, Texas

A Christian clerk refusing to issue a marriage license is at odds with the Apostle Paul’s counsel to the Corinthians: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” Paul says instead that Christians should confront those who call themselves believers. Those who don’t profess Christ don’t warrant such confrontation.

Carl R. Johnson / Silverdale, Wash.

Issuing a state license is not a statement about one’s view of the spiritual reality of marriage. Christians can forgo certain “rights” granted by the state, such as marriage licenses, while continuing to hold the traditional view of marriage and suffering the consequences and losses with thankfulness.

Charlie Cate on wng.org

Christians will increasingly be forced to decide whether our jobs and businesses mean more to us than standing up for truth. If we compromise, shame on us! I applaud Jennifer’s stand and will pray for God’s provision for her family.

Elizabeth Blaise on Facebook

‘Acts on screen’

I take great exception to this review. Roma Downey said they dealt with the story “as a fact” but gave us only the barest outline of events and filled it instead with made-up conversations among the key power players in Jerusalem. The result is highly unsatisfactory.

Medwyn Sloane / Denver, Colo.

I hope that this program brings many Americans to open their Bibles and read the greatest historical narrative ever written.

Paul B. Taylor on wng.org

‘The right stuff’

I cried and didn’t want to stop crying after reading this. Hadley and I and millions of others have suffered painful losses but, having relied on the life of Christ in us, we have embraced God’s providence as good and loving.

Donna Lee Robart / Vero Beach, Fla.

‘Muscular money’

Here in Japan the U.S. dollar buys nearly 20 percent more yen than it did a year ago, so donations from Americans to missionaries and humanitarian projects abroad go a lot further. Another good reason to give!

Russell Board / Saitama, Japan

‘Forfeited struggle’

Joel Belz asked whether we’ve been intimidated and whether the forces of secularism are that overpowering. My first reaction was a quick no, I’ve never felt such pressure. But recently I have begun to see, at an alarming rate, Christian truth lose out to comfort, happiness, and success.

Craig Bouvier / Huntsville, Ala.

Christ teaches that we lead through service, not by lording it over others. To change the culture we must reveal the love of Christ to those who have freely chosen the wrong and are suffering the consequences.

Pete Johnson on wng.org

‘It’s no mystery’

Why people in free democratic societies believe that Chamberlain/Carter/Obama-style appeasement is the answer baffles me. Those they hope to appease openly state their desire to murder millions. Is it fear or some misguided belief that if you are nice enough to evil it will become good?

Patrick Malone on wng.org

‘Friendly salesgirl’

The best part about Barbies was they didn’t talk, so we could be creative and make a little make-believe world. This internet-connected doll is encroaching on privacy and making kids even more void of creativity. It terrifies me to think of the world in which my kids will grow up.

Jessie Johnson on Facebook

‘A class about nothing’

I’ve now had to sit through Bend it Like Beckham twice in different college classes on intercultural and global studies. Insert eye rolls here.

Andrea Martin Donnelly on Facebook

Quick Takes

Normally I chuckle at the antics of foolish criminals but I see only tragedy in the account of the man who, after serving 15 years for robbing a shoe store, robbed the same store hours after being released. There’s nothing funny about a man caught in a self-destructive cycle of sin. May Christ set him free.

Joshua Ray / Los Angeles, Calif.

‘Midwest approaches’

I really appreciated this article. I’m writing a thesis arguing that economic freedom is more conducive to compassion than the welfare state, but it’s frustrating. Conservatives should be a little more passionate about compassion than they are about economic freedom, which should be a means to compassion.

Nicole Ault / Cantonsville, Md.

‘Not over yet’

Thank you to Jamie Dean for an excellent article on the ongoing Ebola crisis in Africa. She consistently reports on a variety of stories in such a clear, engaging, and thoughtful manner.

Tim Bouffard on wng.org

April 4

‘Parents vs. doctors’

When treatment is being forced on or withheld from a child, parental rights are violated. We are not the property of the state. Twice I’ve felt as if medical professionals were shoving me through the store and throwing things into my cart, then forcing me to pay the cashier.

Deborah Thieme / Cosmopolis, Wash.

‘The blink of an eye’

Jesus said that in this world we will be persecuted, but take courage for He has overcome the world. Let’s stop whining about what’s fair. A Steve Camp song says it all: “Some people want to live / Within the sound of chapel bells / But I want to run a mission / A yard from the gates of hell.”

Nye Allen on Facebook

March 7

‘The church’s reply’

I have written in my prayer notebook two things from this column to guide my prayers: that there would be Pauls among the Sauls who persecute believers, and for the persecuted to be strengthened with Christ’s love.

Jane Ellen Farnsworth / Dayton, Tenn.

WORLD Around the World

Port-au-Prince, Haiti Submitted by Emily Pietrantone

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