God heals

The article about the American divorce culture was right on target ("Rethinking divorce," June 13). I agree with the strong position taken on the covenant of marriage, the limitations on divorce, and the church's role in supporting and rebuilding marriages. The article falls short, however, in affirming God's ability to heal, to rebuild the years that the locusts have eaten. Once a marriage has been broken beyond repair for biblical reasons, God does restore the repentant Christian. A new marriage covenant, made before God with the guidance and blessing of the church, is just as valid a covenant as one made between Christians for the first time. We are all scarred sinful people. The sin of divorce is no more black than any other, nor is it beyond God's ability to cleanse and heal. - Elizabeth Stone, Moundsville, W.Va.

Often misquoted

I certainly agree with columnist Joseph Sobran when he said, "I want to remember Barry Goldwater the way he was in '64" ("Death of a pioneer," June 13). Liberals had a field day when he said, "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice." Yet we fail to remember that Mr. Goldwater followed that remark with, "Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." That shows how destructive quotes out of context can be. - Paul Smathers, Alamogordo, N.M.

Bilingual isn't anti-Bible

I know Christians who work in bilingual education who consider Prop. 227 a disaster for non-English children who are struggling in school ("Nothing but fear itself," June 13). We might disagree about the best way to deal with bilingual education, but let's remember that it was quite possible to vote against Proposition 227 out of strongly held Christian convictions based upon God's Word. - Brian Parks, Torrance, Calif.

Soul fightin' man

By the grace of the Holy Spirit, Paige Patterson feared God, despised his own reputation, and fought for the souls of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is true pastoral care ("Revolutionary president," June 13). - Tim Bayly, Bloomington, Ind.

Stamper sinks

I disagree with Chris Stamper's review of the film Hope Floats (June 13). My wife and I found it delightful and full of feeling. The film provided some of the most touching portrayals of human relationships that I have seen. The central theme of the movie was about the emotional ravages of unfaithfulness and divorce. Did Chris happen to miss Ms. Bullock's on-target rebuke of her ex for his selfishness, shallowness, and lack of faithfulness to their family and marriage? Not bad for a secular piece of work. - Michael Webb, Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Keep it up

I was disappointed to read the negative letters about your recent movie reviews. It's not your fault you have so few good films to work with. The Lord bless your integrity. - Charity Groggeln, Sanford, N.C.

Not loving

I agree with most of what you say about the penchant of Tinsel Town for blurring the line between truth and fiction ("Fictionalizing the truth," June 6). You shouldn't have called Benjamin Guggenheim a "robber baron." This is a pejorative beloved of left-wing extremists and disciples of Karl Marx. - Steven Dapra, Albuquerque, N.M.

Harlequin quicksand

I agree with your assessment of Titanic's steamy love scene ("Sin in soft focus," June 6). I talked to my wife about it afterwards and she saw how easy it is for a young woman to get the "harlequin romance" syndrome and change her thoughts about how God intended relationships to be. - Matt Jones, Escondido, Calif.

Kudos

Kudos to Gene Edward Veith for his tell-it-like-it-is article on the recent decision by the Manhattan Theater Club to run Terrence McNally's blasphemous play, Corpus Christi ("Theater of blasphemy," June 13). The fact that he highlighted the effectiveness of protesting this play in the "marketplace of ideas" deserves much applause. Christians are much more effective in the culture wars when they rely on the art of persuasion and the power of shame instead of censorship. - Glenn Oppel, Fairfax, Va.

No hefe

I was encouraged by your report on Christian-led economic development in Nicaragua through micro-loans ("From M-16s to John 3:16," June 20). You should know, however, that there is no such word as hefe in Spanish, unless you wish to provide a phonetic transcription of a very common Spanish word, jefe, which indeed means chief. - Humberto M. Rasi, Silver Spring, Md.

Hand-me-down mag

Thank you so much for your magazine. I get mine secondhand from a neighbor. You are my main source of news. - Charles Eichmann, Virginia Beach, Va.

Thanks

I want to thank Barbara Curtis for her article, "His little girl" (June 13). Although my father was not absent physically, he was absent emotionally, so I know what it feels like to grow up without the love of an earthly father. It is through God's wonderful grace and love that I am beginning to understand what it means to be God's little girl. I am sure that her article has touched many lives. - Callie Gross, Billings, Mont.

Don't blame West Virginia

Just a minor correction: In "Graduating to what?" (June 13), Joel Belz wrote, "There was also another shooting by a child-this time in Los Angeles-and the conviction of a white man in West Virginia who had helped burn and behead a black man." The crime of burning and beheading the black man was committed in southwestern Virginia, not West Virginia. We Virginians don't want to take credit for this awful crime, but at the same time do not want West Virginia to be smeared. - Ruth Mattson, Galax, Va.

Persevering

We salute the McMullens for their faith ("No unwanted children," June 6). We are currently waiting to complete our fourth adoption. The process is now nearing its fifth year, and there has been a complete change of staff in both the county social work office as well as the private Christian agency with which we are working. If more Christians will choose to bring these needy children into their homes we will see change. - Jeff Hubright, Canton, Ga.

Slice of heaven

Susan Olasky's words, "Will more Christian families step up and help?" made me cry. These "forgotten children" are our responsibility. Instead, we have let the secular world try to figure out what to do with them. Homosexuals are even standing in the gap, when we have refused. Imagine what an impact on our society if every foster child were placed in a Christian home and raised for Christ! I pray that God will raise up more Christians willing to add another plate on their table for a foster child. Which is better for our children: another toy, better clothes, or a brother or sister to love? The McMullen family not only has a slice of the UN, they have a slice of heaven. - Susan Hartman, Fremont, Calif.

You are right

I was a child protective services worker for almost two years before I burnt out. The bureaucratic system that is supposed to work for "the best interest of the child" doesn't; it is why I left my job. My case load averaged 40-50 cases. State policy had changed to require more from workers without changing the number of cases state workers could carry. I felt helpless to care for the families and children I was responsible for, and many nights went home praying that none of the children in my families would die. Family court works in the best interest of the parents, not the children. Judges almost always refuse to terminate parental rights. The public is virtually ignorant of how much mess the system is in. - Kimberly Elgie, Siloam Springs, Ark.

I love you truly, truly dear

The article on two presidents who stayed true to their vows was superb ("Presidential lockets," June 6). And yes, may all the marriages this month (and all months) be as loving as Presidents George Washington's and Andrew Jackson's were. - Cathy Nestor, San Diego, Calif.

Disappointed

Having worked within the foster care system for over four years in South Carolina, I was anticipating Mrs. Olasky's "No unwanted children." However, my anticipation quickly turned to disappointment as I read the article. What could have been a strong call to action for Christians to adopt these children (I consider foster children the equivalent of orphans) unfortunately became one more story of how Christians are persecuted. While at least 75 percent of the article was right on target, did the anecdote regarding the 11-year-old girl really help any child currently in foster care? Certainly, her situation is tragic. I see disrupted adoptions every day due to poor casework. This example may deter Christians from seeking to adopt children from public agencies, and it is the children who will ultimately suffer. - Cindy Wolthuis, Lexington, S.C.