We got word this morning that our grandson's stepmother (our ex-son-in-law's wife) was killed in a motorcycle accident last night. Apparently she was thrown off the motorcycle and broke her back.
It was just the day before that she had reconciled with our ex-son-in-law (they had recently seperated). She was only 25. What a shame.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Saturday, October 22, 2005
A Struggle In My Heart
Ninety-three years ago on her maiden voyage, the grand ocean liner Titanic sank into the icy depths of the North Atlantic. The real tragedy here is that the ship had been mistakenly deemed unsinkable. As the dying ship began its descent, there were still people on board who didn't believe they were sinking.
I fear this is what is happening in my church as well. Rumors started circulating a few years ago that the Conference was seeking to close our church. Our current pastor was brought in hopes that his experience in urban ministry would help keep the church afloat. When he first came in, there was a bit of exuberance in the laity of the church. He started a contemporary service on Sunday mornings which has helped bring in some new faces.
But the exuberance has waned. The membership is declining (and oddly enough, our contemporary service is drawing more attendance than the traditional). Several key members (those who gave substantially to the church, that is) have left. Even before this year's stewardship campaign started, the church staff was warned to expect a reduction in salaries.
We used to be a grand old church. Decades ago, there were three services on Sunday - all filled to capacity, with people standing outside listening to the loudspeaker. Now we look as if to be another statistic in the decline of mainline churches. Clearly we do not have the membership base that requires a large church facility. And clearly we no longer have the financial means to support a large church facility, either. I think that will become more apparent to more people when our stewardship campaign is over.
I came to the church thirteen years ago to join the choir. It was only a matter of months when I came to a point when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I attended my first Walk to Emmaus (and served on many teams thereafter) at my church. I got married there. My stepdaughter was married there. My grandson was baptized there. I've celebrated the lives of both my inlaws and several other friends who have passed on there. Since joining the church, I've been involved in other ministries and I have grown tremendously in my faith.
But I still have a long way to grow in my faith, and I no longer have the confidence that I can do it in my own church for much longer. Choir is still a joy, but it isn't enough. And in the other ministries I'm involved with, there seems to be a futility to it all. It's not that I'm not being spiritually fed - it's just that I seem to only be getting crumbs. There are times when our church truly acts as the church should, but those times are getting fewer and farther between. Pretty sad when you consider the distance we drive to church and how many churches we pass on the way.
A friend of mine attends a nearby church. He and his wife decided to just try it out once - they've never looked anywhere else nor have they gone back to their old church. I've met others from the same church. One in particular just happened to go with his wife on the day his teenaged stepdaughter was supposed to be baptized (she had been killed in an auto accident the day before) - they both came to Christ as a result of that one visit.
It's difficult and painful to leave your home church. It's just as difficult to watch it die before your very eyes. I fear the ship is sinking and the time is approaching to abandon it. The time has come for S and I to discuss an exit strategy. I think the first step is to visit our friend's church and see what it's like. Then it's time to figure out when to make our move. But until that time comes, we will continue to support our church through our gifts, our talents, and our prayers. Your prayers are coveted.
I fear this is what is happening in my church as well. Rumors started circulating a few years ago that the Conference was seeking to close our church. Our current pastor was brought in hopes that his experience in urban ministry would help keep the church afloat. When he first came in, there was a bit of exuberance in the laity of the church. He started a contemporary service on Sunday mornings which has helped bring in some new faces.
But the exuberance has waned. The membership is declining (and oddly enough, our contemporary service is drawing more attendance than the traditional). Several key members (those who gave substantially to the church, that is) have left. Even before this year's stewardship campaign started, the church staff was warned to expect a reduction in salaries.
We used to be a grand old church. Decades ago, there were three services on Sunday - all filled to capacity, with people standing outside listening to the loudspeaker. Now we look as if to be another statistic in the decline of mainline churches. Clearly we do not have the membership base that requires a large church facility. And clearly we no longer have the financial means to support a large church facility, either. I think that will become more apparent to more people when our stewardship campaign is over.
I came to the church thirteen years ago to join the choir. It was only a matter of months when I came to a point when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I attended my first Walk to Emmaus (and served on many teams thereafter) at my church. I got married there. My stepdaughter was married there. My grandson was baptized there. I've celebrated the lives of both my inlaws and several other friends who have passed on there. Since joining the church, I've been involved in other ministries and I have grown tremendously in my faith.
But I still have a long way to grow in my faith, and I no longer have the confidence that I can do it in my own church for much longer. Choir is still a joy, but it isn't enough. And in the other ministries I'm involved with, there seems to be a futility to it all. It's not that I'm not being spiritually fed - it's just that I seem to only be getting crumbs. There are times when our church truly acts as the church should, but those times are getting fewer and farther between. Pretty sad when you consider the distance we drive to church and how many churches we pass on the way.
A friend of mine attends a nearby church. He and his wife decided to just try it out once - they've never looked anywhere else nor have they gone back to their old church. I've met others from the same church. One in particular just happened to go with his wife on the day his teenaged stepdaughter was supposed to be baptized (she had been killed in an auto accident the day before) - they both came to Christ as a result of that one visit.
It's difficult and painful to leave your home church. It's just as difficult to watch it die before your very eyes. I fear the ship is sinking and the time is approaching to abandon it. The time has come for S and I to discuss an exit strategy. I think the first step is to visit our friend's church and see what it's like. Then it's time to figure out when to make our move. But until that time comes, we will continue to support our church through our gifts, our talents, and our prayers. Your prayers are coveted.
Friday, October 21, 2005
A Whole New Look
Hey, sometimes even bloggers get bored. So I spent a better part of the afternoon and evening working on a new look for this blog. So what do you think?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's. [Matthew 22:21]
Today was the start of our annual stewardship campaign at church. Pastor D kicked it off right away during the children's sermon.
Each child was given a Ziploc bag containing one dollar in dimes. They were then told that since everything comes from God (as represented by the dimes), we can show our gratitude by giving back ten percent - or one dime. We would still be left with nine dimes apiece while the church would receive many dimes which would help in doing God's work.
In a previous post I mentioned that technically there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament. However, we are still obligated to give back to God - with our time, our money, and our hearts - as a response to the wonderful Grace that has been given us (even though we don't deserve it).
I know it's not easy for some to come up with ten percent to give back. Many of us are slaves to consumer debt. I speak from personal experience on that point. Fortunately, I have been working to free us from that yoke, and we have been able to give almost a dime's worth back to the Lord. That in itself is liberating, as well as a blessing.
I implore you to give what you know in your heart you can give. I know you'll be blessed just as much as those are being blessed by your offerings. Brother (and sister), can you spare a dime?
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Oh, And Another Thing
I don't do chain e-mails either.
Nothing good is going to happen to me just because I forwarded a chain e-mail. If God intends for me to win the lottery, he will give me the winning numbers and when to place them. He will probably do that through the still small voice in my heart. I don't foresee that happening; I can't see how my being a millionaire would necessarily bring me closer to God.
Nothing bad is going to happen to me just because I deleted a chain e-mail. If that were the case, then I should have died many times over or surely I would have endured the tribulations of Job at least several times. I've come close, but not to the degree Job has.
God is in charge of my life. He knew me before I was born [Psalm 139:13-14]. He knows what I'm going through now [1 John 3:20]. He has a marvelous plan for me [Jeremiah 29:11]. I have found my life goes so much easier if I fully trust in Him.
If you wish to send or forward chain e-mails, that's your business. Just don't include me - you're only wasting your time and bandwidth (or however they measure the cyberspace we use up).
Nothing good is going to happen to me just because I forwarded a chain e-mail. If God intends for me to win the lottery, he will give me the winning numbers and when to place them. He will probably do that through the still small voice in my heart. I don't foresee that happening; I can't see how my being a millionaire would necessarily bring me closer to God.
Nothing bad is going to happen to me just because I deleted a chain e-mail. If that were the case, then I should have died many times over or surely I would have endured the tribulations of Job at least several times. I've come close, but not to the degree Job has.
God is in charge of my life. He knew me before I was born [Psalm 139:13-14]. He knows what I'm going through now [1 John 3:20]. He has a marvelous plan for me [Jeremiah 29:11]. I have found my life goes so much easier if I fully trust in Him.
If you wish to send or forward chain e-mails, that's your business. Just don't include me - you're only wasting your time and bandwidth (or however they measure the cyberspace we use up).
Urban Legends: The Truth Shall Set You Free
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. [1 John 4:1-3, NIV]
Do you ever see something on the internet or get one of those e-mails forwarded from a friend making some outlandish claim? Here's some of the latest: Picture of President Bush and his father fishing in the streets of New Orleans; Gas Rationing is Planned in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; Strange Sea Creatures Washed Up From the Tsunami. Obviously these are all quite intriguing - some even plausible - but are completely and totally false.
It pains me to see people - even the intelligent ones - believe everything they see on the internet. Why do they do it? Do they believe everything they see on TV? Of course not! (at least I hope they don't) Dan Rather proved you can't even believe everything you hear on the news!
The internet is a wealth of information - a tremendous source of reference and facts. I also see it as a microcosm of society in general. There is a lot of good to be had out there. But Satan - the Great Deceiver - uses it, too. As far as he's concerned, the internet is the superhighway to your soul - especially when you consider all the crap out there in cyberland.
We who read the Bible on a regular basis are given the armor of truth to fend off Satan's arrows. Armed with Bible knowledge, we can "test the spirits" against the Bible to discern whether someone is telling us the Gospel truth (literally) or trying to deceive us away from the Gospel with their snake-oil sales pitch. Jim Jones and David Koresh come to mind - those trapped in their web got trapped because they didn't know their Bible. I can name other examples that are considered more "mainstream" and I would be labeled (correctly) politically incorrect if I did so. But the point is that no matter how insignificant or harmless it may seem, or the intent of the messenger, - that leads away from God is just that - it is intended to lead you away from God. Sadly, more and more people don't know the Bible.
What floors me are Christians who won't help someone who is down and out because "they don't believe their story" yet they'll believe all the crap they read on the internet. Just because it came from the internet doesn't make it true. And just because your best friend forwarded it to you by e-mail doesn't make it true either (by the way, I don't blame my friends - it just means that the originator of the message "got to them").
My suggestion to you is that before you forward any story to others, just check it out first. One really great resource is TruthOrFiction.com, a link that I have placed permanently on this site under US/World News. Hey, I've been "gotten to" before. It's not fun begging for forgiveness when I should have checked out the story first.
Some of the amazing stuff on the internet really is true! Also consider this wonderful Creation that God made for us and the amazing Grace He offers us (though we certainly don't deserve it, it's free for the asking). Why make stuff up when the Truth shall set you free?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Answered Prayer
Our daughter E was offered the full-time position we were all praying for; she started yesterday. Praise God!
De Colores! Walk to Emmaus #157
And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way and while He opened the Scriptures to us? [Luke 24:32]I've been pretty busy since I last posted. I was serving on the team for a
Walk to Emmaus weekend which ran from last Thursday evening through Sunday evening. And I've been recovering since.
As a member of the talk team, I served as one of two table leaders; we helped facilitate the learnings at our table of six pilgrims. I must say it was a very gratifying weekend as I watched these men grow in their Christian faith. We are all in different places in our experience and knowledge, but nonetheless, we are all on the same path towards Christ's throne.
The Walk to Emmaus experience is typically a very good vehicle for Christian growth, especially the pilgrims (a term used to refer to those attending for the first time). I've calculated that I've participated on these weekends sixteen times (including my pilgrim walk in February 1993). I still walk away from these weekends learning something new and a little bit stronger in my own faith. The bonds I form with the other participants are also most precious.
It's kind of funny how this all came about on this particular Walk. I had been praying for some time that I be on the talk team again. I felt I had a story to share; God was telling me yes, but wait - the story was still being written. That particular story involved a boy I had been working with at music camp for the last couple of summers. The story came to a happy ending. Ironically, I got the call to serve just a couple of days after camp was over. Well, maybe not so ironic - after all, God has a splendid sense of timing, and I had the sense to recognize it.
Not that it was an easy decision to say "yes." As much as I wanted to serve, I was praying about it just as my wife S went to the hospital with her latest bout of pancreatitis. With my wife's health a concern, I decided not to play the "what if" game and entrust her health to God. I decided to just trust God completely to God and do what I was called to do.
I have to say that it was the most blessed experience I've had for quite some time. There have been many times I've served on a team with other distractions (including my wife's health) going on, and this was no exception. But during the two-and-a-half months of preparation up to and then including the actual weekend, I said an overwhelming sense of peace flowing over me. And the weekend itself was a wonderful exclamation point to punctuate the end of the whole process.
This particular weekend has been an abundant blessing to me. My fellow table leader, T, and the other men at my table - B, T, D, C, J, and J - were a tremendous blessing to me. It is my hope and prayer that it was and will continue to be so for them as well.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Another Bonehead Maneuver by FEMA
In another bonehead maneuver, "The Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team has been suspended from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for deploying armed police officers to protect firefighters in violation of the agency's rules." (full story)
Excuse me?
Phoenix's Urban Search and Rescue Team has been instrumental in rescue efforts after some of our country's most difficult moments. They were there after the Oklahoma City bombing. They were in New after 9/11. And they were in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina swept through - while some of New Orleans finest took it upon themselves to loot from the people and properties they were sworn to protect. (full story)
Needless to say, Phoenix officials may refuse to deploy the Urban Search and Rescue team to future disasters if they are not allowed to protect themselves adequately.
Besides, doesn't the 2nd Amendment allow us to bear arms to defend against threats to the U.S.? I would think that includes shooting back at the wingnuts who were shooting at rescuers.
Excuse me?
Phoenix's Urban Search and Rescue Team has been instrumental in rescue efforts after some of our country's most difficult moments. They were there after the Oklahoma City bombing. They were in New after 9/11. And they were in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina swept through - while some of New Orleans finest took it upon themselves to loot from the people and properties they were sworn to protect. (full story)
Needless to say, Phoenix officials may refuse to deploy the Urban Search and Rescue team to future disasters if they are not allowed to protect themselves adequately.
Besides, doesn't the 2nd Amendment allow us to bear arms to defend against threats to the U.S.? I would think that includes shooting back at the wingnuts who were shooting at rescuers.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Jesus Christ Our LORD and Savior
Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. [Luke 9:23, CEV]
I find it interesting that, according to some polls, about 85% of all Americans claim to be Christians. In other words, they claim that Jesus Christ is their Savior. But do they claim Christ to be LORD of their lives?
If 85% of all Americans claim Jesus to be LORD of their lives, then why does our country seem to be falling apart? Why do we have 16% of our children living in poverty? Why does our prison population increase? Why are issues such as declining moral values, same-sex marriages, violence and sex in our television shows, movies, music, and video games even issues? If Jesus Christ is truly the LORD of 85% of all Americans, then I should see my church filled to capacity every Sunday for three services and once again on Wednesday night.
But that's not happening. It's easy to say that Jesus is our Savior. But to say that Jesus is LORD over our lives is totally different. Too many are not even willing to take up a cross, let alone actually pick one up.
My own church is going through a struggle right now. Our senior pastor is technically retired as of July 1, but is serving as interim pastor until the next July 1. Part of the reason our Bishop and District Superintendant have not appointed a new pastor is because they're trying figure out what kind of pastor we need. Another part of the struggle is that the church is trying to find its identity and purpose in the community. I'm not certain that our church as a whole is able to discern its priorities (something I find hard to believe when you consider that Christ helped define our priorities).
At the risk of ruffling some feathers, I believe we have too much focus on the arts (of which I'm heavily involved in) and worship that some feel need to be just so; we don't have enough focus on outreach and stewardship. We have a wonderful choir, but frankly it's not filling the pews. We have a wonderful contemporary service which actually draws more than the traditional service. But it's not enough.
I think it's time we take a hard look at ourselves and make it a priority to take up our crosses - daily.
I find it interesting that, according to some polls, about 85% of all Americans claim to be Christians. In other words, they claim that Jesus Christ is their Savior. But do they claim Christ to be LORD of their lives?
If 85% of all Americans claim Jesus to be LORD of their lives, then why does our country seem to be falling apart? Why do we have 16% of our children living in poverty? Why does our prison population increase? Why are issues such as declining moral values, same-sex marriages, violence and sex in our television shows, movies, music, and video games even issues? If Jesus Christ is truly the LORD of 85% of all Americans, then I should see my church filled to capacity every Sunday for three services and once again on Wednesday night.
But that's not happening. It's easy to say that Jesus is our Savior. But to say that Jesus is LORD over our lives is totally different. Too many are not even willing to take up a cross, let alone actually pick one up.
My own church is going through a struggle right now. Our senior pastor is technically retired as of July 1, but is serving as interim pastor until the next July 1. Part of the reason our Bishop and District Superintendant have not appointed a new pastor is because they're trying figure out what kind of pastor we need. Another part of the struggle is that the church is trying to find its identity and purpose in the community. I'm not certain that our church as a whole is able to discern its priorities (something I find hard to believe when you consider that Christ helped define our priorities).
At the risk of ruffling some feathers, I believe we have too much focus on the arts (of which I'm heavily involved in) and worship that some feel need to be just so; we don't have enough focus on outreach and stewardship. We have a wonderful choir, but frankly it's not filling the pews. We have a wonderful contemporary service which actually draws more than the traditional service. But it's not enough.
I think it's time we take a hard look at ourselves and make it a priority to take up our crosses - daily.
Here's Something You Don't See Everyday
This was pretty cool. Our daughter E was at some luncheon a few weeks ago where Arizona Diamondbacks leftfielder Luis Gonzales spoke. There were pictures afterwards, and so she got to meet him.
A Pretty Good Week For Our Daughters
J, our oldest daughter had an interesting conversation with her ex-husband. He apologized for what he put her through before, during, and after their divorce. Turns out his #2 wife is doing the same to him. Nonetheless, J feels vindicated. However, I don't feel vindicated; I actually pity him. My prayers go out to him.
Meanwhile, E, our younger daughter has been working as an intern for an architechtural/ engineering firm since she graduated from ASU West last May. The company she works for really seems to like her and have been doing everything they can to keep her. She had an interview on Thursday which could land her a job as an administrative assistant as early as this week. This would be a real job with benefits and everything.
E has also been part of an Irving Berlin musical review which will be playing at our church the next two weekends. Today in church, she and another cast member performed "Easter Parade" - it was pretty awesome!
Meanwhile, E, our younger daughter has been working as an intern for an architechtural/ engineering firm since she graduated from ASU West last May. The company she works for really seems to like her and have been doing everything they can to keep her. She had an interview on Thursday which could land her a job as an administrative assistant as early as this week. This would be a real job with benefits and everything.
E has also been part of an Irving Berlin musical review which will be playing at our church the next two weekends. Today in church, she and another cast member performed "Easter Parade" - it was pretty awesome!
Disappointing Week in Sports
Well, the Arizona Diamondbacks put up a great effort in the last couple of weeks, but it was too little, too late. They did end up in 2nd place in the NL West, 5 games behind the Padres. THere's always next year.
Meanwhile, there was a lot of hype over the ASU - USC game. As I expected, ASU did not win, but not after putting up a spectular effort against USC in the first half; USC faced its largest point deficit - 18 points - of its current winning streak. Wait till USC creams UofA next week - hee hee hee hee.
Meanwhile, there was a lot of hype over the ASU - USC game. As I expected, ASU did not win, but not after putting up a spectular effort against USC in the first half; USC faced its largest point deficit - 18 points - of its current winning streak. Wait till USC creams UofA next week - hee hee hee hee.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Diamondbacks: Just Not Ready To Die Yet
It's been a pretty mediocre season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But it's been pretty mediocre for the NL West as a whole. And in spite of it all, the D-backs aren't out of it yet.
It will take a combination of two Arizona losses and/or San Diego wins to eliminate the D-backs. In fact, if Arizona sweeps its remaining games, and San Diego gets swept in its remaining games, Arizona will win the division. Looks good on paper, but I'm not counting on it.
As of now, the Diamondbacks just beat L.A., and the Padres are leading the Giants.
Remember, there's no crying in baseball.
It will take a combination of two Arizona losses and/or San Diego wins to eliminate the D-backs. In fact, if Arizona sweeps its remaining games, and San Diego gets swept in its remaining games, Arizona will win the division. Looks good on paper, but I'm not counting on it.
As of now, the Diamondbacks just beat L.A., and the Padres are leading the Giants.
Remember, there's no crying in baseball.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Rising Tensions
The situation in Palestine continues to worsen. While Hamas continues to rocket Israeli civilians, the IDF has gone into the West Bank and arrested 206 suspected terrorists. There were also additional Israeli airstrikes on suspected weapons manufacturing facilities. (related story)
Whether you believe that there was an accidental explosion at a Hamas rally (as Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other eyewitnesses contend) or that it was an Israeli airstrike (as the terrorists contend), it is blatently obvious that someone does not want this peace process to succeed.
Nice to see that Israel is not taking all this sitting down. If it comes down to it, I don't think they'll hesitate to reoccupy the territory they just gave up.
Whether you believe that there was an accidental explosion at a Hamas rally (as Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other eyewitnesses contend) or that it was an Israeli airstrike (as the terrorists contend), it is blatently obvious that someone does not want this peace process to succeed.
Nice to see that Israel is not taking all this sitting down. If it comes down to it, I don't think they'll hesitate to reoccupy the territory they just gave up.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The Game is Up - Maybe
It was only a matter of time before the Palestinian appeasement process failed (see source article). After last month's pullout from Gaza and West Bank settlements, it was hoped that peace would settle in over Palestine. Right - and I've got a levee in Louisiana I'd like to sell you.
It all started Friday afternoon after an explosion during a Hamas rally killed at least 15 people. Israel denies any involvement, and the Palestinian Authority (whatever that means) blames Islamic militants for mishandling explosives during the rally. Hamas claims Israeli warplanes fired missiles into the crowd.
So Hamas retaliated against their own stupidity by firing 35 rockets into Israeli towns. Israel in turn has begun retaliation by launching airstrikes at suspected Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli troops are now massing at the border awaiting orders for a ground incursion should it come to that. The Israeli government is putting a lot of pressure on PA President Abbas to get the militants under control - or else. A unanimous decision by the Israeli cabinet would get the IDF moving.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in danger of losing his job as early as Monday. His most likely successor would be Benjamin Netanyahu, one who has said all along that the recent Israeli pullout would be a threat to Israel's national security.
Naturally, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is alarmed that the peace process seems to be falling apart. Like that was a surprise?
It all started Friday afternoon after an explosion during a Hamas rally killed at least 15 people. Israel denies any involvement, and the Palestinian Authority (whatever that means) blames Islamic militants for mishandling explosives during the rally. Hamas claims Israeli warplanes fired missiles into the crowd.
So Hamas retaliated against their own stupidity by firing 35 rockets into Israeli towns. Israel in turn has begun retaliation by launching airstrikes at suspected Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli troops are now massing at the border awaiting orders for a ground incursion should it come to that. The Israeli government is putting a lot of pressure on PA President Abbas to get the militants under control - or else. A unanimous decision by the Israeli cabinet would get the IDF moving.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in danger of losing his job as early as Monday. His most likely successor would be Benjamin Netanyahu, one who has said all along that the recent Israeli pullout would be a threat to Israel's national security.
Naturally, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is alarmed that the peace process seems to be falling apart. Like that was a surprise?
Friday, September 16, 2005
Katrina Is Just a Warning - And An Opportunity
Some people who were there at that time told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had mixed their blood with their sacrifices. Jesus said, "These people from Galilee suffered greatly. Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too. Or what about the 18 people in Siloam? They died when the tower fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too." [Luke 13:1-5]
I want to expand on what I shared with the choir last night in my devotion.
According to a recent story, in a sermon delivered on September 6, a Jewish rabbi said "that the devastation wrought by [Hurricane] Katrina 'was God's retribution' for pressuring Israel to relinquish Gaza and the northern West Bank to the Palestinians.."
In fact, there are some intriguing correlations between major disasters and the treatment - or rather, mistreatment - of Israel. Coincidence? Maybe.
But consider that Muslim extremists also believe that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment against the U.S. for its evil ways and it policies in the Middle East.
Now wait a minute - if these are to be believed, then it sounds to me like we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't. How could God be punishing our nation for acting in ways that are contradictory to each other?
That's the point - He's not. Jesus tells a completely different story. I urge you to read what he had to say about the End of the Age in Matthew 24.
Jesus specifically mentions, in verses 6-8, of what would happen before the End of the Age and His coming: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." [New King James Version]
Jesus also made it clear to us that the signs of his coming would be as obvious to us as the changing of the seasons. Verses 32-33 state: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!"
By the way, the use of the fig tree as an example is no accident; it is the symbol of the nation of Israel.
Here's one last quote which describes how the Christ's return will unfold (verses 36-44): “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
The 20th Century certainly has been the bloodiest in recorded history. The things we have witnessed just in our lifetimes have to give us reason to pause. The 21st Century has not yet rendered much for our troubled world to hope for - 9/11, bombings in London, Madrid, and Bali. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hurricane after another stirring up devastation in Florida. A tsunami that snuck up and killed a quarter of a million people. Millions in Africa dying of AIDS and/or starvation. And Hurricane Katrina.
These disasters do not discriminate - just as the fallen tower in Siloam did not discriminate.
In my opinion, God is not punishing anybody. In my opinion, these are the "beginning of sorrows" that Jesus spoke of. These are warnings to those who have not redeemed themselves to Christ. This is an opportunity to come to Jesus.
For those who know Jesus, and the peace that surpasses all understanding, these are signs of hope - that he will soon come for us. In our lifetime? Perhaps. If things keep going the way they are (and I only see them getting worse), I'd hate to see what this world will be like in fifty years. Or ten for that matter.
To those who know Jesus, this is also an opportunity. An opportunity to testify to God's love. To give hope to those are otherwise hopeless. To bring healing where there is hurt. An opportunity to serve and show what a Christian is.
For some, this latest disaster has served to polarize race relations in this country. But I also know for a fact that we've come a long way since the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. Most of us truly believe that we can all get along - and we do get along. What a golden opportunity to let the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. come true in its fullest glory!
Meanwhile, let me remind you that the fig tree which symbolizes Israel was thought to be long dead. Toward the end of World War I, with the Balfour Declaration, it began to sprout buds. In 1948, the fig tree was in full bloom. Surely it must be summer by now.
I want to expand on what I shared with the choir last night in my devotion.
According to a recent story, in a sermon delivered on September 6, a Jewish rabbi said "that the devastation wrought by [Hurricane] Katrina 'was God's retribution' for pressuring Israel to relinquish Gaza and the northern West Bank to the Palestinians.."
In fact, there are some intriguing correlations between major disasters and the treatment - or rather, mistreatment - of Israel. Coincidence? Maybe.
But consider that Muslim extremists also believe that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment against the U.S. for its evil ways and it policies in the Middle East.
Now wait a minute - if these are to be believed, then it sounds to me like we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't. How could God be punishing our nation for acting in ways that are contradictory to each other?
That's the point - He's not. Jesus tells a completely different story. I urge you to read what he had to say about the End of the Age in Matthew 24.
Jesus specifically mentions, in verses 6-8, of what would happen before the End of the Age and His coming: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." [New King James Version]
Jesus also made it clear to us that the signs of his coming would be as obvious to us as the changing of the seasons. Verses 32-33 state: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!"
By the way, the use of the fig tree as an example is no accident; it is the symbol of the nation of Israel.
Here's one last quote which describes how the Christ's return will unfold (verses 36-44): “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
The 20th Century certainly has been the bloodiest in recorded history. The things we have witnessed just in our lifetimes have to give us reason to pause. The 21st Century has not yet rendered much for our troubled world to hope for - 9/11, bombings in London, Madrid, and Bali. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One hurricane after another stirring up devastation in Florida. A tsunami that snuck up and killed a quarter of a million people. Millions in Africa dying of AIDS and/or starvation. And Hurricane Katrina.
These disasters do not discriminate - just as the fallen tower in Siloam did not discriminate.
In my opinion, God is not punishing anybody. In my opinion, these are the "beginning of sorrows" that Jesus spoke of. These are warnings to those who have not redeemed themselves to Christ. This is an opportunity to come to Jesus.
For those who know Jesus, and the peace that surpasses all understanding, these are signs of hope - that he will soon come for us. In our lifetime? Perhaps. If things keep going the way they are (and I only see them getting worse), I'd hate to see what this world will be like in fifty years. Or ten for that matter.
To those who know Jesus, this is also an opportunity. An opportunity to testify to God's love. To give hope to those are otherwise hopeless. To bring healing where there is hurt. An opportunity to serve and show what a Christian is.
For some, this latest disaster has served to polarize race relations in this country. But I also know for a fact that we've come a long way since the Civil Rights movement of the sixties. Most of us truly believe that we can all get along - and we do get along. What a golden opportunity to let the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. come true in its fullest glory!
Meanwhile, let me remind you that the fig tree which symbolizes Israel was thought to be long dead. Toward the end of World War I, with the Balfour Declaration, it began to sprout buds. In 1948, the fig tree was in full bloom. Surely it must be summer by now.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
One Nation Under God
Well it appears that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals - you know, the one located in the Peoples' Republic of San Francisco - is at again. This time a judge there has declared that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools is unconstitutional. (story)Can we secede from the 9th Circuit?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Why Hurricanes Always Used to Have Women's Names
It used to be that hurricanes were named after women because women were considered unpredictable. Then again, this idea was hatched in the male-chauvinist-pig era of the mid-20th Century (and now male names are included in the rotation).
But do consider the hurricane that shares the name of a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet - Ophelia. Since becoming a named storm in the waters around the Bahamas last week, Ophelia has been upgraded to a hurricane three times, then downgraded back to a tropical storm three times. Now for the fourth time, Ophelia is back to being a hurricane.
Looking at her track can literally make you dizzy. She charges at the coast, then backs off, spins around some, sits around for a little bit, then makes another charge at the coast. Her expected landfall has shifted the whole time. First it was northern Florida, then Georgia, then South Carolina, then North Carolina. Now it looks she'll make most of her trouble over the barrier islands off of North Carolina (which fortunately, they're used to). In any case, Ophelia has been taunting us just off of the coast for a whole week. Pretty ironic when you consider that in the same span of time, Katrina was born in roughly the same waters and was pretty much used up - but only after destroying a considerable part of the Gulf Coast in the process.
Pretty darned unpredictable if you ask me. But men can be that way, too.
But do consider the hurricane that shares the name of a character from Shakespeare's Hamlet - Ophelia. Since becoming a named storm in the waters around the Bahamas last week, Ophelia has been upgraded to a hurricane three times, then downgraded back to a tropical storm three times. Now for the fourth time, Ophelia is back to being a hurricane.
Looking at her track can literally make you dizzy. She charges at the coast, then backs off, spins around some, sits around for a little bit, then makes another charge at the coast. Her expected landfall has shifted the whole time. First it was northern Florida, then Georgia, then South Carolina, then North Carolina. Now it looks she'll make most of her trouble over the barrier islands off of North Carolina (which fortunately, they're used to). In any case, Ophelia has been taunting us just off of the coast for a whole week. Pretty ironic when you consider that in the same span of time, Katrina was born in roughly the same waters and was pretty much used up - but only after destroying a considerable part of the Gulf Coast in the process.
Pretty darned unpredictable if you ask me. But men can be that way, too.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The Governor Comes to Church
Do you remember the episode of M*A*S*H when General MacArthur was coming to inspect the camp? There was so much hoopla over the preparations and they went to a lot of trouble to keep Klinger out of sight. They went as far as rehearsing it with Radar playing the part of the general, complete with his trademark corncob pipe. When MacArthur did arrive (earlier than expected), he never got out of the jeep as it drove through the camp. In fact, he barely even looked up. Only when the general's jeep passed by Klinger - dressed like the Statue of Liberty with a sparkling torch - did he take notice and returned a crisp salute to the dogface in drag.
That's the thought that crossed my mind this morning as our church service was starting. We've known for over a month that our governor, the Honorable Janet Napolitano, was to attend today's service and deliver a message. Predictably it was a three-ring circus - there's just enough uptight people in our church to make that happen.
For starters, our choir director picked some music to perform along with a brass quintet (we don't usually have a brass quinted - just at Christmas and Easter for the most part). The anthem was a screamer. We can usually handle screamers when we're well into the season. But this was the first Sunday of the season, and speaking for the 1st Tenors, our throats aren't quite ready sing screamers.
During rehearsal this morning, I was standing between two rookie(-ish) choir members. We were struggling to find the notes in the final chord progression (it was a rather odd progression). After looking at the score, I advised them, "The brass are doubling our part - just pick one of their notes and go with it."
The service didn't start off well. Our liturgist hadn't shown up yet, so N, the lady in charge of scheduling the liturgists (and the liturgist's mother!), took over. The choir wasn't lined up for the procession. The uptight folks were even more so. I was telling some to just relax.
Even with the minor hitches (the liturgist finally showed up) it turned out to be quite a lovely service. Our anthem went very well (we hit the right notes, and I got goosebumps) and the contemporary singers (of which my stepdaughter sings with) were awesome. Then Governor Napolitano delivered a wonderful message.
She commended the efforts made in our state towards helping the victims from Hurricane Katrina. She mentioned that is hoped that all who are being sheltered in the Veteran's Coliseum would have found more permanent housing by the end of the week. She commended efforts that churches around the state have been made and challenged us to continue those efforts in dealing with our own homeless population, which is estimated at about 30,000.
Did I actually meet her? Not really. I did pass within a few feet of her as the choir processed in and again as we recessed. As a matter of fact, during the recessional hymn I ignored the fact we were in church. I turned to her and said, "Thanks for coming." She smiled back.
I don't agree with our governor's politics - in fact it's likely we're opposites. However, she has addressed some pretty sticky issues that Arizona is facing and has kept politics out of it. For that, I'm impressed with the job she's done. Her message today was at least a subtle affirmation.
While there was quite a bit of fuss over this visit, I suppose that some of it was necessary. After all, a state governor is entitled to the appropriate amount of respect. But I'm not easily impressed by celebrity or position. I figured that Governor Napolitano is otherwise a regular person like the rest of us, which is why I was telling some of those around me to relax. Through her message today, watching her as she greeted members of the congregation after the service, and through my own brief interaction with her, I was proven right. I appreciate that despite her busy schedule, she took the time to be with us for the entire service (and didn't plow through like General MacArthur did on M*A*S*H). If she wants to come to my church again, I'd gladly welcome her.
That's the thought that crossed my mind this morning as our church service was starting. We've known for over a month that our governor, the Honorable Janet Napolitano, was to attend today's service and deliver a message. Predictably it was a three-ring circus - there's just enough uptight people in our church to make that happen.
For starters, our choir director picked some music to perform along with a brass quintet (we don't usually have a brass quinted - just at Christmas and Easter for the most part). The anthem was a screamer. We can usually handle screamers when we're well into the season. But this was the first Sunday of the season, and speaking for the 1st Tenors, our throats aren't quite ready sing screamers.
During rehearsal this morning, I was standing between two rookie(-ish) choir members. We were struggling to find the notes in the final chord progression (it was a rather odd progression). After looking at the score, I advised them, "The brass are doubling our part - just pick one of their notes and go with it."
The service didn't start off well. Our liturgist hadn't shown up yet, so N, the lady in charge of scheduling the liturgists (and the liturgist's mother!), took over. The choir wasn't lined up for the procession. The uptight folks were even more so. I was telling some to just relax.
Even with the minor hitches (the liturgist finally showed up) it turned out to be quite a lovely service. Our anthem went very well (we hit the right notes, and I got goosebumps) and the contemporary singers (of which my stepdaughter sings with) were awesome. Then Governor Napolitano delivered a wonderful message.
She commended the efforts made in our state towards helping the victims from Hurricane Katrina. She mentioned that is hoped that all who are being sheltered in the Veteran's Coliseum would have found more permanent housing by the end of the week. She commended efforts that churches around the state have been made and challenged us to continue those efforts in dealing with our own homeless population, which is estimated at about 30,000.
Did I actually meet her? Not really. I did pass within a few feet of her as the choir processed in and again as we recessed. As a matter of fact, during the recessional hymn I ignored the fact we were in church. I turned to her and said, "Thanks for coming." She smiled back.
I don't agree with our governor's politics - in fact it's likely we're opposites. However, she has addressed some pretty sticky issues that Arizona is facing and has kept politics out of it. For that, I'm impressed with the job she's done. Her message today was at least a subtle affirmation.
While there was quite a bit of fuss over this visit, I suppose that some of it was necessary. After all, a state governor is entitled to the appropriate amount of respect. But I'm not easily impressed by celebrity or position. I figured that Governor Napolitano is otherwise a regular person like the rest of us, which is why I was telling some of those around me to relax. Through her message today, watching her as she greeted members of the congregation after the service, and through my own brief interaction with her, I was proven right. I appreciate that despite her busy schedule, she took the time to be with us for the entire service (and didn't plow through like General MacArthur did on M*A*S*H). If she wants to come to my church again, I'd gladly welcome her.
Friday, September 09, 2005
FEMA Chief Relieved of Duty
FEMA Director Michael Brown has been relieved of his duties in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Taking over is his deputy in the operation, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen. (story)
It's not a surprising move when you consider the criticism over FEMA's handling of this crisis. It's been reported that many church-based agencies were actually on the scene well before the Feds arrived (those who are critical of faith-based agencies please take note). There was even a team from Canada that arrived before FEMA did.
Is the criticism of FEMA warranted? This is the largest disaster ever to strike the U.S., after all. The logistics are too vast and complex for any one organization to handle on their own. The relief efforts going on there - and across the nation - depend on a massive group effort on the part of many people. I wonder how many people unaffected directly by the storm are or will be directly involved in the relief and recovery efforts when all is said and done. But it still doesn't explain why it appears that FEMA - whose job is to be first on the scene (after local agencies) - didn't make it until it was too late. I wonder if we'll ever know.
Perhaps it's a good thing - something that needed to happen in order to make FEMA better prepared for something that may happen in the future.
Meanwhile, the news out of New Orleans seems to indicate that perhaps not as many lives were lost as initially feared. Praise God.
It's not a surprising move when you consider the criticism over FEMA's handling of this crisis. It's been reported that many church-based agencies were actually on the scene well before the Feds arrived (those who are critical of faith-based agencies please take note). There was even a team from Canada that arrived before FEMA did.
Is the criticism of FEMA warranted? This is the largest disaster ever to strike the U.S., after all. The logistics are too vast and complex for any one organization to handle on their own. The relief efforts going on there - and across the nation - depend on a massive group effort on the part of many people. I wonder how many people unaffected directly by the storm are or will be directly involved in the relief and recovery efforts when all is said and done. But it still doesn't explain why it appears that FEMA - whose job is to be first on the scene (after local agencies) - didn't make it until it was too late. I wonder if we'll ever know.
Perhaps it's a good thing - something that needed to happen in order to make FEMA better prepared for something that may happen in the future.
Meanwhile, the news out of New Orleans seems to indicate that perhaps not as many lives were lost as initially feared. Praise God.
If You're Bored With the Weather, Just Wait a Minute
Yesterday, for a few hours, we had three hurricanes in the Atlantic - Maria, Nate, and Ophelia. As of now, we have three tropical storms in the Atlantic - Maria, Nate, and Ophelia. It's enough to make life especially interesting to those who forecast the weather and those who thought it would be fun to track hurricanes on their blog (moi'?).Anywho, I also think it's interesting to see where these storms are going - or not going (in Ophelia's case). Maria appears to be headed for Iceland, then Norway (I just think it's fascinating for a tropical storm to hit Iceland - gotta love that Gulf Stream, eh?). Nate was headed for the British Isles but has veered a little northward. In any case, plan on packing extra barf bags if you plan to sail the North Atlantic in the next few days. Meanwhile, Ophelia seems to be just languishing off the Florida coast. Around and around she goes; where she stops, nobody knows. She became a hurricane yesterday, now she's a tropical storm again (maximum sustained winds of 65 mph) and probably will become a hurricane again.
Current models suggest Ophelia will make landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday close the South Carolina - Georgia border. But Ophelia is hard to track because she's moving so slow, so anything could happen. Oh well, what can you do?
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Opportunity to Help
Our Wednesday night service this week is dedicated to discussing what we can do to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I sure hope it will be more than just talk.
Looks like we'll be getting about 1,000 evacuees here in Arizona. Looks like an opportunity to me!
Looks like we'll be getting about 1,000 evacuees here in Arizona. Looks like an opportunity to me!
Friday, September 02, 2005
The Fall of New Orleans
Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. [Matthew 7:26]
What an interesting place, New Orleans. The Mississippi River has an average annual highwater level of 14 feet above sea level with a floodwall along the river that's 23 feet high - just in case. Lake Pontchartrain has a normal level of 1 foot above sea level with a levee that's 17.5 feet high - just in case. Most of New Orleans sits at or below sea level (to an elevation of 8 feet below sea level). Do the math. And remember that water flows downhill.
Several years ago I saw a program on the Discovery Channel about cataclysmic natural disasters that could occur - in fact, there was a good chance any of these could occur. The last segment of the show illustrated what a Category 5 hurricane would do if it made a direct hit on New Orleans (something that hadn't happened before). In this scenario, most of the city - being below sea level - would be swamped by the storm surge.
This is nothing that should be a surprise to anyone living in the Big Easy. FEMA has been working on how to deal with this very scenario for a couple of years now. There are public service announcements every hurricane season in New Orleans warning that "this could be the year of the Big One." Many have become desensitized to this warning.
The worst case scenario played out on the Discovery Channel did not play out this last week. Instead, Katrina had weakened into a Category 4 storm just before grazing New Orleans. (Models show that a slow-moving Category 3 hurricane could flood New Orleans - see link). But the result was the same - and perhaps even worse than anyone had foreseen.
"There's no food. There's no water. There's shooting. They're killing people," evacuee Tishia Walters told CNN. "They're robbing men in the restrooms, they're raping women trying to go to the restroom. So people have resorted to defecating on the floors. You can't walk. There's babies without Pampers, mammas without milk. It's chaos total chaos."
It's a frustrating situation to say the least. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was addressing the Federal government in an interview with radio station WWL when he said, "Now get off your asses and do something, and let's fix the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country." (see entire transcript)
But one has to realize it has been extremely difficult to get in and out of New Orleans. The National Guard had to literally cut their way through Mississippi down Interstate 55 with chainsaws and heavy equipment. Hurricanes tend to leave things behind on the highways - like trees and houses and God only knows what.
And here's the part that really pisses me off. Once anyone gets there, they're liable to get shot at. Let me tell you something. If I come to rescue you and some wingnut is out there taking pot shots at me, then the rescue is off. And I won't be back until I bring some friends with me who have bigger guns with a longer range. What the hell business does anyone have shooting up a medical convoy anyway?
The New Orleans Police Department has had a long reputation for its corruption. However in recent years, they've been working to try and reverse that. Certainly, some of them truly are New Orleans' finest, and this week is perhaps their finest hour. Certainly it is a trying time for them. According to CNN, "One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks." I'm sure the criminal element of New Orleans is pretty much operating in a manner which they are accustomed to. I'm also willing to bet that many them deliberately ignored the evacuation order so they could take advantage of all the folks leaving town.
CNN reports that, "Mayor Nagin said except for a few 'knuckleheads,' the looting is the result of desperate people just trying to find food and water to survive.
"Nagin blamed the outbreak of crime and violence on drug addicts who are cut off from their drug supplies and wandering the city 'looking to take the edge off their jones.' "
I agree with both of those points. Keep in mind that one of the stores looted was a new Walmart - it was completely cleaned out of guns and ammunition. I also think there are more "knuckleheads" than Mayor Nagin realizes.
Not every citizen packing heat is bad - I think most are carrying a gun just to protect themselves from the dangers out there. Many people arriving at evacuation centers such as the Superdome are gladly surrendering their weapons as well.
But what I fear we have in New Orleans now can almost be categorized as an insurgency. But they are under martial law, are they not? Why not send in some helicopter gunships? A burst from a 50-caliber machine gun into the truckbed full of these predators should send a pretty strong message, especially if repeated against similar truckbeds across the city.
Interfering with a rescue operation? That's a capital crime as far as I'm concerned. And you don't need a judge and jury to convict. Any dope firing a weapon at a rescue operation needs to be dropped right then and there - no questions asked (the answer would be pointless anyway).
I've also heard one intriguing opinion as to another factor that may have exacerbated the situation - our welfare system. I heard this during a radio talk show this morning. One of the guests, originally from New Orleans (and who has two cousins still unaccounted for) pointed this out. He said (and sorry, I paraphrase), "Not to sound racist, but look at the faces. It's like Mogadishu." He went on to say that a lot of these people have been told all their lives that the government would take care of them and still fully expect the government to help them now. Nagin said the government was "feeding the people a line of bull." They probably didn't have the means to get out when the evacuation order came, nor did they have the means to help themselves until help arrived.
Then he asked the question, "Do you know how much a Greyhound Bus ticket from New Orleans to Baton Rouge costs? Twenty-seven dollars." He then went on to say that on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (when it was clear that Katrina was coming), those buses were mostly empty.
It also appears that there are contradictions between what was being said and what was actually happening. Mayor Nagin has every right to be angry. He should be. We have seen how Katrina has brought out the worst in people. It's time to end the pissing contest. This morning, before touring the Gulf Coast region, even President Bush was not happy with the progress of relief efforts, stating, "The results are not acceptable."
Now that the convoys are arriving to bring in supplies and evacuate the populace, perhaps we will see more of how this disaster is bringing out the best in people.
Meanwhile, if you'd like to help out, may I suggest a donation through UMCOR or the American Red Cross?
The Fall of New Orleans
Everyone who hears what I say but doesn't obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. [Matthew 7:26]
What an interesting place, New Orleans. The Mississippi River has an average annual highwater level of 14 feet above sea level with a floodwall along the river that's 23 feet high - just in case. Lake Pontchartrain has a normal level of 1 foot above sea level with a levee that's 17.5 feet high - just in case. Most of New Orleans sits at or below sea level (to an elevation of 8 feet below sea level). Do the math. And remember that water flows downhill.
Several years ago I saw a program on the Discovery Channel about cataclysmic natural disasters that could occur - in fact, there was a good chance any of these could occur. The last segment of the show illustrated what a Category 5 hurricane would do if it made a direct hit on New Orleans (something that hadn't happened before). In this scenario, most of the city - being below sea level - would be swamped by the storm surge.
This is nothing that should be a surprise to anyone living in the Big Easy. FEMA has been working on how to deal with this very scenario for a couple of years now. There are public service announcements every hurricane season in New Orleans warning that "this could be the year of the Big One." Many have become desensitized to this warning.
The worst case scenario played out on the Discovery Channel did not play out this last week. Instead, Katrina had weakened into a Category 4 storm just before grazing New Orleans. (Models show that a slow-moving Category 3 hurricane could flood New Orleans - see link). But the result was the same - and perhaps even worse than anyone had foreseen.
"There's no food. There's no water. There's shooting. They're killing people," evacuee Tishia Walters told CNN. "They're robbing men in the restrooms, they're raping women trying to go to the restroom. So people have resorted to defecating on the floors. You can't walk. There's babies without Pampers, mammas without milk. It's chaos total chaos."
It's a frustrating situation to say the least. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was addressing the Federal government in an interview with radio station WWL when he said, "Now get off your asses and do something, and let's fix the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country." (see entire transcript)
But one has to realize it has been extremely difficult to get in and out of New Orleans. The National Guard had to literally cut their way through Mississippi down Interstate 55 with chainsaws and heavy equipment. Hurricanes tend to leave things behind on the highways - like trees and houses and God only knows what.
And here's the part that really pisses me off. Once anyone gets there, they're liable to get shot at. Let me tell you something. If I come to rescue you and some wingnut is out there taking pot shots at me, then the rescue is off. And I won't be back until I bring some friends with me who have bigger guns with a longer range. What the hell business does anyone have shooting up a medical convoy anyway?
The New Orleans Police Department has had a long reputation for its corruption. However in recent years, they've been working to try and reverse that. Certainly, some of them truly are New Orleans' finest, and this week is perhaps their finest hour. Certainly it is a trying time for them. According to CNN, "One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks." I'm sure the criminal element of New Orleans is pretty much operating in a manner which they are accustomed to. I'm also willing to bet that many them deliberately ignored the evacuation order so they could take advantage of all the folks leaving town.
CNN reports that, "Mayor Nagin said except for a few 'knuckleheads,' the looting is the result of desperate people just trying to find food and water to survive.
"Nagin blamed the outbreak of crime and violence on drug addicts who are cut off from their drug supplies and wandering the city 'looking to take the edge off their jones.' "
I agree with both of those points. Keep in mind that one of the stores looted was a new Walmart - it was completely cleaned out of guns and ammunition. I also think there are more "knuckleheads" than Mayor Nagin realizes.
Not every citizen packing heat is bad - I think most are carrying a gun just to protect themselves from the dangers out there. Many people arriving at evacuation centers such as the Superdome are gladly surrendering their weapons as well.
But what I fear we have in New Orleans now can almost be categorized as an insurgency. But they are under martial law, are they not? Why not send in some helicopter gunships? A burst from a 50-caliber machine gun into the truckbed full of these predators should send a pretty strong message, especially if repeated against similar truckbeds across the city.
Interfering with a rescue operation? That's a capital crime as far as I'm concerned. And you don't need a judge and jury to convict. Any dope firing a weapon at a rescue operation needs to be dropped right then and there - no questions asked (the answer would be pointless anyway).
I've also heard one intriguing opinion as to another factor that may have exacerbated the situation - our welfare system. I heard this during a radio talk show this morning. One of the guests, originally from New Orleans (and who has two cousins still unaccounted for) pointed this out. He said (and sorry, I paraphrase), "Not to sound racist, but look at the faces. It's like Mogadishu." He went on to say that a lot of these people have been told all their lives that the government would take care of them and still fully expect the government to help them now. Nagin said the government was "feeding the people a line of bull." They probably didn't have the means to get out when the evacuation order came, nor did they have the means to help themselves until help arrived.
Then he asked the question, "Do you know how much a Greyhound Bus ticket from New Orleans to Baton Rouge costs? Twenty-seven dollars." He then went on to say that on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (when it was clear that Katrina was coming), those buses were mostly empty.
It also appears that there are contradictions between what was being said and what was actually happening. Mayor Nagin has every right to be angry. He should be. We have seen how Katrina has brought out the worst in people. It's time to end the pissing contest. This morning, before touring the Gulf Coast region, even President Bush was not happy with the progress of relief efforts, stating, "The results are not acceptable."
Now that the convoys are arriving to bring in supplies and evacuate the populace, perhaps we will see more of how this disaster is bringing out the best in people.
Meanwhile, if you'd like to help out, may I suggest a donation through UMCOR or the American Red Cross?
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