Mailbag

"How Mark Souder fell" (June 19)

Mark Souder has been a good representative for our district since he was elected in 1994, so it was with regret and sadness that I learned of his fall. At the May primaries, as I marked my ballot, I wondered

if the Washington political world had polluted his good intentions yet. How ironic. I pray for a time of restoration and healing. Terri Ellis; Howe, Ind.

Thank you for Emily Belz's sensitive and informative article. We may train counselors, we may teach abstinence, we may try to treat sexual addiction, and we may hand out jewelry labeled "True Love Waits." But until we deal with the relentless pornographic tone that colors our culture, we are kidding ourselves about making progress. Nita Dossin; Carrollton, Texas

Souder was "baffled" that he still "loved" his wife while engaged in an affair. Surely he means he still had feelings for his wife, but that is not love. When a man is engaged in adultery, he is not loving his wife; he is treating her with utter cruelty. Jonathan Philbrick; Johnson City, N.Y.

Your story reminds me of the fact that there is no one on this planet, even a committed follower of Jesus, who isn't capable of doing anything given the right circumstances. A wise individual has the guts to run away from temptation, and a fool thinks he has the will power to withstand it. Frank Nolton; Woodbridge, Calif.

"Life over death" (June 19)

Thank you for "Life over death" by Cody Holt. As a neonatal ICU nurse I come across many families who have chosen against abortion after learning that their child has a malformation or syndrome. Many times I have witnessed a diagnosis from a prenatal ultrasound that was inaccurate or altogether wrong. Thank you to those who are trusting the Lord for peace and strength to care for their child regardless of the hardships. Emily Asay; San Luis Obispo, Calif.

I was moved to tears. My parents were told I would have "developmental problems" and that I had abnormal body proportions. Obviously, my parents did not take the doctors' advice. I am now 17. I cannot describe how grateful I am to my parents for going God's way, and for your article of hope. Monica Larcom; Vail, Ariz.

Twenty-one years ago this month my wife decided to carry our son to term despite her doctor's warning. At eight and a half months her body literally rejected the baby. She almost died, and our baby did die. She still has to be on blood thinners and has her blood checked weekly, has spent weeks in the hospital with blood clots, and struggles with poor eyesight due to the pregnancy. Yet to this day she repeatedly says she would still carry to full term, knowing that some day we will meet our son at heaven's gate. Mark Miller; Stockwell, Ind.

"The Father's day" (June 19)

This column was excellent. It is humbling to think how God the Father seeks us out because of His love for us. Joyce Moran; St. Paul, Minn.

Most of us have heard the story of the prodigal son many times, but the colorful description that Andrée Seu gave us of the cultural values of that time period made the story much richer. Don K. Jones; White Plains, N.Y.

"From Esther to evolution" (June 19)

How ironic that courageous scientists put their careers on the line to embrace the evidence for special creation while some theologians seem willing to turn away from any meaningful understanding of the trustworthiness of the Bible. Jim Nite; Naples, Fla.

Amen to "From Esther to evolution." As a filmmaker, I once led a six-week discussion at my local church in Chicago on the British film series "Origins," which presented a solid and scientifically credible argument for creationism. My only hope was to show evidence that one could take Genesis literally and not be considered an intellectual pygmy. Several Christian-college-educated adults complained to the pastor that my series was "shaking their faith" . . . in theistic evolution! John R. Hamilton; Pasadena, Calif.

"Unforgettable" (June 19)

During testimonial time at summer camp in my freshman year of high school, several young men shared about their addiction to pornography. One told us that he had been addicted since the age of 12. Their testimonies were a real eye-opener, but these young men also told how they got help. There is hope out there. Olivia J. Correll; Eugene, Ore.

I was intrigued by "Unforgettable." My only disappointment is that he wrote only of boys and their struggle with pornography. I, a girl, related to so much of what he wrote. I can still recall pictures once seen and memories that just don't seem to fade away. Boys are not the only ones who remember. Jennifer Grimes, 17; Jacksonville, Texas

"Minimizing marriage" (June 19)

The June 19 issue was your best ever, going straight at some of the most thorny issues of our day. Marvin Olasky's "Minimizing marriage" interview was spot on, as was "Unforgettable" on the effects of porn. Great work. James Bull; Phoenix, Ariz.

"Bargain bliss" (June 19)

It was a good article and fine advice for today's young couples. The greatest gift I opened on my wedding day 21 years ago was my wife's heart. What counts isn't so much what goes into the actual planning of the wedding but what one invests into the marriage. Todd W. Taylor; Victorville, Calif.

"Hillside hideaway" (June 19)

Daniel Olasky's article provided an inspirational look into caring for the needs of troubled children. However, we take issue with the assertion that the state foster-care system is "uncaring, unfeeling." Thousands of Christian families, including ours, have opened their homes to foster and adoption services. We don't agree with all aspects of the state system, but we are completely free to love, nurture, and protect the children within our home and church. Jim & Jo Ellen Haizlett; Bethany, W.Va.

"Thirty years war" (June 19)

Your article was extremely meaningful to me as the older sister of several adopted siblings from China and Korea. My 3-year-old brother was abandoned in Shaanxi, China, as an infant because of a cleft lip and cleft palate, and we are in the process of adopting a 2-year-old boy from Wuhan. Because of birth defects, many boys are abandoned in China, not just girls. I pray that children adopted from there might someday return to share the gospel. Courtney Krause; Willcox, Ariz.

"The anti-evangelist" (June 19)

Arsenio Orteza's latest on David Bazan was great. Another Christian magazine published an extended interview with Bazan, but Orteza handled the whole sad story in a far more appropriate format. It is encouraging to read smart and smartly written takes on the voices that stroll across the world's stage. Joe Martin; Hampton, Va.

"Don't head for the hills!" (June 5)

It saddens me to see how many Christians forget that God's kingdom is not of this world. If we were to truly believe in His sovereignty, how could we ever be pessimistic about the future? Thank you for not heading for the hills and, instead, pointing to the truth. Zach Scheller; Mt. Vernon, Ind.

Stake-out

I'm a homemaker with three children under age 4, so my hands are very full. I've found WORLD to be the best way to stay informed, and I find myself staking out the mailbox waiting for my next issue. Thanks for keeping me engaged! Mary Pantin; Grand Prairie, Texas

Corrections

Novelist Bret Lott once worked for RC Cola ("Writers on writing," July 3, p. 56).

Lance Armstrong will compete for Team RadioShack at the 2010 Tour de France (Looking Ahead, July 3, p. 10).