Tag: disasters

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A Good Measure

Last night the local Extreme Makeover aired as the season finale.  It was quite an inspiring show, and I guess even more so since we now can drive by this new house on the way home from soccer practice.  It’s always so good to see how people in the community will come together to help people in need.  So, here are two thoughts from the airing last night.

First, I have to wonder what the world would be like if we didn’t need a TV show or a disaster to help people in dramatic ways. Hmmm.

Second, I was reading this article today from the local television station.  It is absolutely fantastic to see that this family has been giving back in the community during the recent tornadoes in our area.  I think that is doubly inspiring, and something that can spurn us all on to action.  It’s always good to see people recognizing the blessings they have been given and using those to help others.  (It’s seem this chart in this old post describes the power of passing along acts of kindness quite well)

It all sounds sort of biblical, even though this teaching is a little bit opposite, its still a pretty good thought to consider as you go about your day.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38, New International Version)

Use whatever you have been given and give it to others today.

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Bin Laden and Lookie Lous

What a week of news and activity. My mind is swirling with toughts and emotion as the sight of bucket trucks and the sound of chain saws fills my head. My home is still without power which although is a minor inconvience, does make it hard for a blogger:)!

So just a few simple thoughts today, as my online time is a bit limited right now.

First of all there’s the bittersweet news from the war zone – Bin Laden has been killed. When I read that on Facebook on my tiresome Windows Mobile phone last night, I was surprised on my reaction last night – which was sort of “oh well”. I was a little more surprised by the  joyous celebrations of others. I am just not convinced that is the right reaction. Yes, its a good thing, but it is also a somber event.

   Saying 28

 17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
   when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
   and turn his wrath away from them. (Proverbs 24:17-18, New International Version, ©2011)

I sort of like The Message on this one as well:

 17-18 Don’t laugh when your enemy falls;
   don’t crow over his collapse.
God might see, and become very provoked,
   and then take pity on his plight. (Proverbs 24:17-18, The Message)

And then there is this. After putting in our volunteer time at the Corn Bread Festival in South Pittsburg yesterday we decided to be “Lookie Lous” and come home through Trenton and Flinstone to see the damage. Let me just say that pictures do not do it justice. The devastation in those areas is enormous from just the little bit we were able to see. If you can help, in any way please do so. There are so many ways to help from money, to giving blood to moving debris, to cooking food.

Really, do all you can to be a light for those in these communities that have been hit so very hard with damage.

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13, New International Version, ©2011)

And well The Message is pretty good here as well:

 12-13What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, The Message)

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Earthquakes

You may be aware of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday.  A friend of mine who is trying to adopt some Haitian children and travels there several times a year sent me a few pictures last night that I thought were worth sharing.

Before

Presidential Palace Before
Presidential Palace Before

After

Presidential Palace - After
Presidential Palace - After

Wow!.  Can you imagine?  This is just an example of the damage and despair that has occurred on that troubled island.  Likewise some of you may be experiencing earthquakes in your lives.  Its not something we can take a picture of, but the devastation, and despair are equal.  You may feel like your life is like this palace – destroyed.  It may be your job, your relationships, your children, your financial position and many other things that rock our foundation.  What do we do?

We could look at James 1

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (NIV)

or
Romans 5

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. (NIV)

Both of these are good things to know.  These lifequakes will build up our faith, and create, and in our weakness create a leaning on God.  However, I usually take strength in these two passages.  from Job

9 His wife said, “Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!”

10 He told her, “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?”

Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God. (Job 2:9-10, The Message)

and from Romans 8

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.(NIV)

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(NIV)

The last one, brings the most hope. A message that even when the world falls in around you, we still have a promise of life eternal with our Lord and Savior. So if today, you world is shaking, remember this. If you are blessed with peace, pray for those in Haiti and find way to build up the people right around who maybe in the middle of the devastation of a lifequake.