Speaking out

The letter from the pastor in Zimbabwe touched me deeply ("Lord, how long will I call and you will not answer?" July 12). I tore out the page with his prayer and put it in my Bible with my prayer list. Parts of his prayer apply to my own community where children are in difficult situations, and elder abuse and neglect is a hidden crime. Thank you for speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. -Lynn Covlasky; Emmonak, Alaska

Not so sorry

Thank you for defending so-called single-issue voters ("Stop apologizing," July 12). If younger generations don't get the priority of protecting human life, we need to do a better job of explaining it to them. -Lynn Barton; Medford, Ore.

I've often thought that "single-issue" voters are simply better at prioritizing which issues are most important to them. For most social issues, things such as life and marriage tend to be very reliable bellwethers of candidates' views on other issues as well. -Mark S. Ramsey; Spring, Texas

In "Stop apologizing" Joel Belz helps us not only to praise the God who has so wonderfully "installed balance in His creation order" but also to battle on unapologetically! -Beulah Williamson; Dexter, Mich.

As a Catholic, I believe that what Joel Belz describes in the evangelical world is happening in the Catholic world as well. The Culture of Death architects and their followers have done a marvelous job convincing Americans that abortion, gay unions/marriage, pre-marital sex, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, and (coming sooner than we imagine) human cloning are acceptable. We cannot give up informing people of the truth. -Marilyn Schepansky; Southfield, Mich.

An uneven legacy

I treasure Larry Norman's pioneering work ("Larry Norman's tragic post-mortem," July 12). He had superb talent as a perceptive (if conventionally left-leaning) lyricist and precise arranger. Having followed his life since 1972, I'm not surprised that his personal legacy is uneven, to put it charitably. We could all stand, with Larry, to learn the lessons of consistency and accountability. -Mark A. Jumper; Waukegan, Ill.

Why do Christians around the world need to know the details of Larry Norman's sinful choices? How does this profit us? Norman has no great significance to me, but I can only imagine how WORLD has damaged any positive impact his music and ministry has had on people. I am so distraught. Please cancel my subscription. -Margie Germagian; Hubbardston, Mass.

In the shallow world of Christian celebrity, some of those who idolized Larry Norman are now shocked to learn that he had feet of clay. His followers' insistence on elevating him to a status he did not aspire to or deserve only contributed to his downfall. -Susan Perrin Rooke; Hummelstown, Pa.

Flying high

I was disturbed (but sadly, not surprised) to read of evangelists using luxury jets ("What would Jesus fly?" July 12). I realize that in many cases planes are very useful in ministry, but using corporate jets to speed these folks around like rock stars does not seem to pass the test of biblical stewardship. And how many of the folks donating to these ministries are elderly on fixed incomes or worrying about how to pay for heating oil or rent? Are they aware that a portion of their donation goes to these jets? -S. Warner; Norfolk, Va.

I was overjoyed to see that all those televangelists are airborne with the fastest and best jets! That just means that the job they are doing, preaching the gospel, is getting done faster. -Mary C. Koestner; El Mirage, Ariz.

I was a pilot for two of the men mentioned in your article, and have flown at one time or another five of the men listed in the sidebar ("High style," July 12). Is there anything wrong with a ministry having an aircraft? My experience with one individual, whom I flew all over the country for preaching engagements, is that he could not have done what he did on the airlines. Certainly there have been abuses, but if people are stupid enough to give to those ministries, let them. -Jack Watkins; Tomball, Texas

Phenomenal

Thank you so much for the article on Teen Challenge ("A seed in good soil," July 12). I know a number of couples who work at the TC Training Center in Pennsylvania. Their job satisfaction and the results they get are phenomenal. -David Hann; Woodbridge, Va.

Less is more

Kudos to Tom Strobhar and his pro-life shareholder resolutions ("David vs. Goliaths," July 12). That is brilliant! Now I see that writing letters to companies when I disagreed with their policies hasn't made any difference. But Strobhar has found the chink in their armor and caused Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice groups to lose corporate donations. -Cecil Davis; Jasper, Fla.

WORLD asks how much more a concerted, well-funded activist effort might accomplish. It might accomplish less. Perhaps Strobhar has been so successful because he is just an ordinary shareholder, not a group that might easily be labeled and dismissed, or sidetracked by other concerns. The headline says it all: did not David accomplish what the entire Israelite army could not? -Ranny Maurer; Huntsville, Ala.

Right on

Andrée Seu's insights regarding Isaac Backus are right on ("Freedom's champion," July 12). Many of us pay thousands of dollars in taxes every year to support the "established school" (ultimately as "religious" as any church) but also shoulder the financial burden of educating our children at home or in other institutions in line with our conscience. -Jeremiah Pent; Ft. Washington, Pa.

It'll end

"Uncommon bond" (July 12) depressed me. If marriage is now that "diverse," then what does it matter if there is same-sex marriage or not? I know that God is in control even in times like these, but I can't help thinking that this fight to secure our children's future is never going to end. I guess the encouraging thought in this case is that our struggles here on earth will end with His glorious return. -Phil Martin; Schroon Lake, N.Y.

Sorry to read

We were very sorry to read your report of Todd Bentley's ministry ("Same old scam?" June 28). We went to Lakeland in June and believe God is using Bentley to bring many people into the kingdom of God and to heal many people. -Karen Henderson; Tallmadge, Ohio

Wonder of the word

I too devoured the exciting account of Elspeth Huxley in The Flame Trees of Thika just as did Mindy Belz ("Redskinnery," June 28). I frequently buy books for our many grandchildren and strongly encourage them to enter other worlds through the wonder of the written word. -Beverly Uhlmer Roberts; Houston, Texas

First up

I am a homeschooled ninth-grader. We've always subscribed to WORLD, and maybe three or four years ago my brother Christian and I started reading it too. Now whenever it comes in the mail, Dad, Christian, and I always have an argument over who gets it first. -Kelly Jean Chapman; Raleigh, N.C.

Corrections/clarifications

A line was missing from the conclusion of "Soul story" (July 26, p. 39). The last sentence should read: Without more clarity, he says, "The poor become the losers because they are denied access to some very effective programs."

Sen. Barack Obama's economic proposal would provide a tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family ("Pocketbook policies," July 12, p. 44).

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals ("Ratings game," June 28, p. 83).

The truck shown in "Heckler's veto" (July 26, p. 9) was not the truck involved in the lawsuit the article reported, nor were the photos on the truck those displayed by the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. The truck and photos that triggered the lawsuit are available online at abortionNO.org.