Mailbag

"Finding the strike zone"

(April 7) Thank you so much for your uplifting article about major league baseball players Justin Masterson and Jeremy Affeldt. It seems as though every few weeks newspaper headlines are screaming about an athlete caught abusing drugs or assaulting teammates, so it is very refreshing to hear of their Christ-like attitudes on and off the field.Anna Heinz, 17; San Diego, Calif.

Positive role models in teens' lives are often missing and we know many teens idolize the sports world, so this was a refreshing article.Clark Schultz; Johnson Creek, Wis.

"Into the depths of the sea"

(April 7) This column lifted my heart to Christ and reminded me of the gospel's power. Every point is encouraging but the one that grabbed my heart was, "he remembers the cost, not the debt." How true, and how extraordinary!Steve Byrd; Richmond, Va.

About 10 years ago someone hurt me very badly. Forgiveness felt genuine only after I approached and was kind to him, instead of avoiding him. Thank you for helping me to see something deeper.Anthony Racchini; Rose Hill, Kan.

Like a large filing cabinet, the brain records and sorts and retrieves information when needed (except during history tests). The memories of my sins or the sins of others never go away. Only with God's help can we ever hope to live with them.Janis Vitolins; Fishers, Ind.

"The trades alternative"

(April 7) As you pointed out, there are plenty of jobs available, just not enough skilled workers to fill them. I often ask service providers, such as appliance repairmen, what sort of training they needed. I want my children to include vocational career possibilities in their dreams for the future.Tamara Holschen; Anchor Point, Alaska

I have a postgraduate degree and struggle to make ends meet. My daughter, a senior, attends a local tech center for cosmotology. When I tell people who ask about her college plans that she really likes doing hair, the conversation often drops as though I have somehow failed as a mother. However, I suspect that she and her classmates will still be "doing hair" and other trades long after my grant-based position at a nonprofit fizzles out.Pat Jacobs; Putnam Valley, N.Y.

"Viral crusaders"

(April 7) To understand the events surrounding Joseph Kony's downfall, I recommend a documentary called The Unconventional War. It shows how radical forgiveness, reconciliation, and the power of Jesus Christ are the real weapons that chased him off and transformed afflicted communities in Uganda. I was in tears watching an old lady throw her ancestral charms into a fire while she renounced her spiritism.Greg Tighe; Umatilla, Fla.

For the last four years I have lived as a missionary in areas of Africa that Kony affected. Yes, he has left Uganda but he is still terrorizing other countries. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the agony of men, women, and children whose lives are being destroyed, I support the efforts of the various organizations trying to end these atrocities. Without an internationally backed effort to capture him, thousands more will be affected.Wendy Atkins; Harrisburg, Pa.

"Conscience killer?"

(April 7) Thank you for your insightful review of The Hunger Games. As a teenager, I am accustomed to hearing peers rave over the books and movie, but most don't seem to think about the violent premise at all. They say that when they watch movies with questionable content they "kind of block it out" so they can enjoy the rest of the movie. That's scary, because it shows exactly what you pointed out: That movies have uncanny power to desensitize undiscerning people to issues that have enormous effects on society.Joanna Horton; Arkadelphia, Ark.

"The gardener"

(April 7) I love Andrée Seu's column, but she is mistaken when she said that the woman who anointed Jesus' feet did not know she was preparing His body for burial. Mark quotes Jesus saying that in anointing Him, "she has done what she could," even while the disciples were oblivious to His message that He was going to die. That is why Jesus memorialized her-let's not take that away from her.Dwight Oswald; Council Bluffs, Iowa

"Faith-based farce"

(April 7) This article illustrates two dangers of relying on government programs and funding, even for good purposes. First, President Obama's misuse of the Bush-era Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives shows us that no matter how noble the ends or how good the design of a government program, there is no guarantee the program will stay true to its original purposes once others are in power. Second, Jim Towey's fear that Obama may "move to end the religious hiring protections of faith-based groups receiving federal funds," should remind us that government funds come with strings attached.Kevin Schoonmaker; Wheaton, Ill.

"Law and orders"

(April 7) It was right for us to protect our borders and ban companies from hiring undocumented workers, but this is only the beginning of our task. We need to address glitches in the system and we need a clear idea of the demand for skills that cannot be met from within our borders. For a multitude of reasons, we are producing too many people for jobs that don't exist and too few for jobs that do. We should also assess the degree to which employers are attracting illegal workers because they want to pay lower wages and avoid having to provide a safe workplace and accident insurance.Judith Weber; Houston, Texas

"Tax time humor"

(April 7) Once again, Marvin Olasky's pre-Tax Day rib-tickling humor brightened my day. While my newspaper background likely helped me appreciate the jokes, I think anyone with a sense of humor can enjoy this column.Ken Walker; Huntington, W.Va.

"Chasing down truth"

(April 7) I loved this column. It is forthright, humble, and a tribute to the sovereignty of God.Laura Smith; Mishawaka, Ind.

Notable Books

(April 7) There is sadly much truth to the charge, from The Next Generation, that the older generation of Christians is "judgmental, separationist, culture warring, and damaging to the Christian brand." For too long the church has not done enough to address ills such as orphans, sex trafficking, and dirty water, according to the author. But when Christians try to address the root causes of these ills, such as a culture with few sexual restraints, they are accused of being judgmental, divisive, and unloving. Is it more loving just to pick up the pieces after the fact or be controversial and confrontational in attempting to prevent these ills?Rick Ross; Owosso, Mich.

"Animals as idols"

(March 24) I too have noticed how our culture increasingly glamorizes owning a "rescue dog." We now couch pet ownership in "adoption" terminology, which used to be reserved for human relationships. I have stunned many friends who encourage us to have a dog by responding, "Frankly, I would rather have another child than a dog." The energy, attention, and resources that I would pour into a child would make them a productive member of society (and prayerfully) of the Lord's kingdom. A dog never grows up and leaves home.Martha Kasper; Alpharetta, Ga.

"Nowhere to run"

(March 10) Mindy Belz, reporting from Kano, did a fantastic job describing the horrific situation in Nigeria where Muslims continue to kill and persecute Christians. When will this killing of Christians stop?Roman G. Golash; Palatine, Ill.

Corrections

Central Community College is in Columbus, Neb. ("The trades alternative," April 7, p. 49).

The actor who cut his hand during the filming of Shaken was Kevin Sizemore ("Whirlwind production," April 21, p. 59).

WORLD around the world

Chin State, Zautal Village, MyanmarSubmitted by David Servant

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