Gettin’ to Know a Gurl
Hey Guys, I was reading the article about how to get a female’s attention [February issue] and thought I should give you a great tip — me being a “gurl” and all. Here’s the biggest thing you should know: Most gurls don’t really care how cool or popular you are. We focus on personality and how you think. We also care about looks from a grooming standpoint. (It’s important that you take care of yourself.) There you have it — from the mouth of a gurl.

—Danielle Volheim, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Trapped in a Porn Web
I need your prayers, guys. When I was younger, I thought I was above pornography and lust. I never believed it would be a problem for me. But I have recently learned the hard way to “take heed least ye fall.” I live in a Christian family with godly examples all around me, so I’m not really sure how I ended up giving in to lust and porn. Yet, recently I’m struggling with this evil stuff. It is my dream to be a great evangelist one day, but I know my first challenge involves overcoming my lust problem. I feel like I’m on a roller coaster: One morning I’m right with God, heading on the straight and narrow. By the end of the day, I’m a broken and defeated guy. I’m encouraged that God forgives me and will give me strength for the battle. So pray that I will be able to stand the next time temptation comes knocking.

—Name Withheld

What About Group Dates?
Michael and Tiffany Ross’ book The Little Book of Great Dates has some good suggestions for fun dates. However, why didn’t the Breakaway article about it [“Dating Survival Guide,” August issue] recommend that guys and girls get to know each other through group dates vs. our culture’s way of going out? Some great books that would bring balance to the topic include I Kissed Dating Good-Bye (Joshua Harris) and Passion and Purity (Elisabeth Elliott). Thanks for providing a venue through your magazine that strives to “swim upstream in a downstream world.”

—B.Guertler, Nashua, N.H.

Editor’s Note: The Little Book of Great Dates actually does include sections on group dates and all the ideas emphasize purity. We’ll include some of that material in an upcoming issue. And we can’t agree more: The books you mentioned by Joshua Harris and Elisabeth Elliott are excellent choices, too.

Worth Waiting
In sixth grade, I chose not to date through my junior high and high school years. That included no dances or anything of the sort. I am now a high school senior, and I have never regretted my decision. Being friends with girls is so much easier because they know my convictions. I can get to know them better, and I can give compliments without them thinking I am hitting on them. So to any guy out there who is wondering whether or not he should date, I say WAIT! Waiting never costs.

—Joshua Bixler, Clovis, Calif.

Well Read, Well Said

C.S. Lewis is my favorite Christian author. His insights are amazing, and he speaks with a gentle and whimsical spirit that makes me think of a kind, old grandfather. Truly amazing is the simple logic he uses to defend his Christian faith. But Lewis doesn’t lose you in stiff intellectual jabber; his clear-cut approach is a boon to a simpleton such as me. I recommend all his books to you guys out there, especially Mere Christianity and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

—Zach McNay, Newberg, Ore.