Clarion call

After reading the latest issue ("Obama," Nov. 15), I felt so at peace and more hopeful than I have for some time. Two themes pervaded this issue: the fact that God is above and in control of all things; and what a Christian's posture and duties should be, even in difficult times. This was so uplifting, especially when so many seem discouraged by the difficulties we face. Thanks for your clarion call to embrace the Christian worldview at all times and in all places. -Nancy Gerst; Harrisonburg, Va.

As the election results flooded in and it became apparent that Obama would win, I wondered what God thought of all the pastors and church-goers who ignored God's life-affirming words in the Bible so as to vote for a man who thinks Roe v. Wade was "fair"? -Craig Pruitt; Spring, Texas

You quoted Pastor DeJesus saying, "For any one party to say that they have the moral mantle of this country, they're wrong." I agree that Jesus is neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but it is beyond me to see how anyone can say that, because immigration reform is a moral issue, the Democratic candidate was a better moral choice. -Russell Hylton; Newark, Ohio

Getting real

"Get real" (Nov. 15) was excellent. It's time for some humbling and some comeuppance. It is also time for Christians and conservatives to re-focus on the true source of our strength: not men, but the Almighty. -Damien Cooney; Chesapeake, Va.

"Get real" is thought-provoking, but I still believe that we are a "center-right" nation. In California, of all places, the people voted for the second time to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. I don't think our ideas and ideals are out of touch with most Americans. I think we need to change the way we communicate those ideals. -Tom Ascher; Kankakee, Ill.

The election results were more of a shock to some of us than they should have been. The sooner we come to terms with the fact that our citizenship is in heaven, the sooner we will be able to face political realities without feeling quite as much disappointment and hurt. -Patricia Coble; Sanford, N.C.

Joel Belz's advice is sound, but I firmly believe that the dearth of true conservative options to vote for caused the seeming dissipation of the Reagan coalition. McCain did two good things for us, though: He brought this issue out into glaring daylight and he gave us what, at the moment, looks like a bright new star on the true conservative horizon: Sarah Palin. -C. Paden; Phoenix, Ariz.

Easy to do

Mark DeMoss said Obama "ran arguably the most positive, uplifting, energetic campaign in modern history" ("No retreat," Nov. 15). Well, it's easy to do that when a fawning press refuses to do any serious reporting on your suspicious past and ideology. I'm looking at the bright side and remembering that God can orchestrate great outcomes no matter what, but Obama's background and worldview point to the possibility of things like a failed economy, and worse. -Boyd Amos; Tempe, Ariz.

In the election aftermath, I found myself "perplexed, but not in despair" while revisiting Schaeffer's timeless question, "How should we then live?" Schaeffer's answer is grand in scope, but the concise comments in "No retreat" helped me see more clearly the work that falls to my hands and heart in preparing my children to "stand at the vanguard of resistance." -Laura L. Lynn; Bunnell, Fla.

Palin in 2012?

Thanks to Jamie Dean for "Ms. Right" (Nov. 15). Despite the mainstream media's attempts to downplay Sarah Palin, she made a huge impact. In 2012 the Republican Party needs a candidate who champions small federal government, First Amendment rights, the right to bear arms, and the right to life for the unborn. Palin advocates all of these and clearly has a gift for connecting with everyday Americans. -Ross Jensen, 17; Phoenix, Ariz.

Jesus still saves

Many, including me, were depressed at the outcome of the presidential election. But I hope many readers will follow up on Marvin Olasky's suggestions regarding "Minding our P's and C's" (Nov. 15). Regardless who was elected, prayer still works, the Bible still has the answers, and Jesus still saves the lost when they come to Him. -Michael Laman; Pompton Plains, N.J.

Not that green

While I agree that God requires us to be good stewards of His creation, I would hesitate to call God "green" ("Green gospel," Nov. 15). All too often, "green" environmentalists show through their actions that they place animals and plants above people. God does not. -Heather Marcus; Valley Center, Calif.

At risk

Reading Jill Nelson's article about U.S.-Russia relations ("Crime scene," Nov. 15) just after returning from Moscow sent chills up my spine. Most of us in the United States have no idea how Russia's leaders think or to what lengths they will go to protect their stature in the world. Journalists are not the only ones inside and outside of Russia at risk for criticizing the Kremlin. -Charles L. Stoltenow; Fargo, N.D.

Paula's calling

Thank you for the article about Paula Leen's work for starving orphans, elderly and sick people in Zimbabwe ("How far can Zim dollars go?" Nov. 15). Paula is a classmate of mine from high school. She is truly a modern-day Mother Teresa. -David Peters; Frederick, Md.

Duty of men

Like Cmdr. McLaughlin, I have four daughters. One is presently at Marine boot camp. I am very proud of her, but I do not want her in combat ("Realities on the ground," Nov. 15). Fighting the enemy in a combat zone is not a "right"; it is the duty of men for the purpose of protecting the rights and safety of women and children. Allowing women to volunteer for jobs that will free up men to perform their duties in a combat zone is one thing, but women should not be forced to perform the same duties as men. -Janet Bell; Punta Gorda, Fla.

Light in the desert

I was quite disappointed in the column about Las Vegas ("The city on the desert," Nov. 15). I lived there for 30 years and found the people to be the most conservative, Spirit-filled, and generous group I have ever known, with the churches alive and doing God's work. I moved to New England expecting much of the same and was in for quite a shock, finding instead some of the most liberal, pro-abortion, pro-same-sex-marriage states in our Union. -Claudia Catani; Niantic, Conn.

Excellent or obnoxious?

Thank you for your excellent movie reviews. My brother, best friend, and I are Christians hoping to enter the world of moviemaking. We understand the importance of not removing ourselves from culture and instead being discerning so as to better reach the lost. -Andrew Fendrich; Mt. Vernon, Ind.

I found WORLD's review of Changeling ("Eastwood's revenge," Nov. 15) to be quite good. However, one of the qualities that made Changeling so bleak and depressing was that it was based on a true story. If it had been just the product of Eastwood's imagination, it would not have been nearly so compelling or dark. -Elizabeth Carden; Mechanicsville, Va.

Cancel my subscription. Your magazine is self-righteous and obnoxious. -Marianne Bernero; Gaithersburg, Md.

Handprints

I saved Mindy Belz's "Fear not" (Feb. 23) in my Bible and it recently fell out. I commend her willingness to expose the "paranoiac" thoughts that so many of us, if we were honest, would admit to having. Circumstances may seem fearful at times, from our 401(k) meltdown to Democratic control of the White House and Congress, along with personal disappointment and misfortune. However, Jesus has His hand in the mud-making, using unseemly and unfortunate and unexpected things to lead to our sanctification and ultimate good. May we find comfort in knowing that our Redeemer is in control. -Steve Mills; Milam, Texas

Correction

The illustration that accompanied the book review of Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn was of a book of the same title by Michael Palmer (Notable Books, Nov. 29, p. 25).