I grew up in the area where the tornadoes struck on Friday. My mother had to wait for the one that later struck Henryville (an EF4) to pass by. I know Henryville well. There is a garden there with some of the biggest variety of plants I have ever seen. There is a little truck stop right off the interstate. It does not look like much, but it's a little hole-in-the-wall that all the construction workers go to for lunch (they know all the best secret places to eat). It was well worth going out of your way to drive there because they had the best pie.
Among the death and devastation, there are amazing stories. I have some friends that just a few days prior found out that their first child is a little girl. Now their home is destroyed, but they weren't home. They went to a friend's house because they had a basement.
The high school let the kids out early to attempt to race the storms home. That was a good call, as the high school was destroyed. One bus driver saw the tornado and turned back, offloading herself and the remaining eleven kids into the office, which was the safest place to be. Another three buses saw it coming and pulled into a hardware store. The store manager said they counted 81 people they housed through the storm. The store is the only building untouched in a large radius.
There was a man who threw himself over his wife. She survived because of his sacrifice. A mom threw herself over her two kids. They survived. She lost a leg but is stable. So many stories.
If you've never seen the damage of a tornado first-hand, it is really hard to imagine. The pictures seem fake if you've never seen it in person. I know it sounds cliche, but you just can't understand the power of a sudden gust of wind. It is unreal otherwise. I've seen it as tornadoes are all too common in that part of Indiana.
There is a worship song that says "I will praise you in the storm." There are miraculous stories of survival, people making it when there is no earthly reason they should have. But most of all, we can praise God for his church. One of the largest congregations in the world, Southeast Christian Church, is located close to Henryville. In fact, they have a church camp which was untouched. They are gathering the homeless and giving them a place to stay, a central point to get help: from clothes and a hot meal to minor medical attention for scraps and bruises, allowing the hospitals to deal with the overwhelming number of serious injuries. Other local congregations are teaming up together to help provide those hot meals and other things. The church (not a church, the church) is an amazing powerful thing. When earthquakes struck Haiti, it was the church leading efforts to help people while politicians had to deal with agreements and embargoes. The church was in New Orleans days before FIMA. The church was in Japan and Indonesia for the tsunami relief. And the church has ever been there for the earthquakes that hit our country regularly. Even the Salvation Army and Red Cross have roots as Christian organizations helping people. There is nothing greater than the church being what the church should be. So we praise God for this amazing gift of the church and for allowing us to be a part of it.
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
2011
This has been one crazy year. And I’m not talking football. I’m not talking politics. I’m talking about life. This year we saw Japan hit by a record quake (just a memorable one of many), and a record-breaking outbreak of tornadoes. Congressional approval ratings has reached an all-time low, as unemployment reached highs. Our president gave up on doing anything, as did congress and virtually everyone else.
In my life, I baptized more people this year than in my life so far. I prayed with a lot of people in hospitals. I started looking for a house. I knew a dozen women pregnant at the same time, including my sister who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Kate, a.k.a. the Wiggle Worm. I also knew more people who passed away this year. My mother’s work was plagued by women losing their husbands. I took part in organizing and speaking at my Dad’s funeral last January.
Those were the most significant events of the year. I had one date (big whoop). I worked a lot, which was mostly enjoyable. My vacations all took me to the same place, my childhood home. Christmas morning was classified by these significant events. The first thing my sister and I opened were called “Memory Bears,” a teddy bear made from Dad’s sweatshirts. We cried. We remembered. Last Christmas time was the last time I saw Dad. A snowy flight home, lack of sleep, the most difficult moment of my life. Doing his funeral helped me move on. Just a few weeks later, my niece was conceived. God was involved directly. Kate gave us something to look forward to and helped us have a future to look to. Though she cannot replace Dad, we love her so much, and this joy helped our hearts not to dwell on the pain.
This year was also classified by a lesson. In February, I heard a sermon on John 15. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in my will bear much fruit.” What I have been learning this year is that it is not my job to produce fruit. It is not my job to help my church produce fruit. It is not my job to help other people produce fruit. It is my job to stay connected to the vine. Ephesians 2:10 says that if we are created new in Christ Jesus, this will result in good works. Galatians 5 says that if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will change us. That’s what God spent a year teaching me. My job is not to do for Him. My job is to build a relationship with Him. The doing will result from my closeness to Him. That's a lesson I continue to learn, to stay close to Him.
In my life, I baptized more people this year than in my life so far. I prayed with a lot of people in hospitals. I started looking for a house. I knew a dozen women pregnant at the same time, including my sister who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Kate, a.k.a. the Wiggle Worm. I also knew more people who passed away this year. My mother’s work was plagued by women losing their husbands. I took part in organizing and speaking at my Dad’s funeral last January.
Those were the most significant events of the year. I had one date (big whoop). I worked a lot, which was mostly enjoyable. My vacations all took me to the same place, my childhood home. Christmas morning was classified by these significant events. The first thing my sister and I opened were called “Memory Bears,” a teddy bear made from Dad’s sweatshirts. We cried. We remembered. Last Christmas time was the last time I saw Dad. A snowy flight home, lack of sleep, the most difficult moment of my life. Doing his funeral helped me move on. Just a few weeks later, my niece was conceived. God was involved directly. Kate gave us something to look forward to and helped us have a future to look to. Though she cannot replace Dad, we love her so much, and this joy helped our hearts not to dwell on the pain.
This year was also classified by a lesson. In February, I heard a sermon on John 15. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. He who abides in my will bear much fruit.” What I have been learning this year is that it is not my job to produce fruit. It is not my job to help my church produce fruit. It is not my job to help other people produce fruit. It is my job to stay connected to the vine. Ephesians 2:10 says that if we are created new in Christ Jesus, this will result in good works. Galatians 5 says that if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will change us. That’s what God spent a year teaching me. My job is not to do for Him. My job is to build a relationship with Him. The doing will result from my closeness to Him. That's a lesson I continue to learn, to stay close to Him.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Apathy is the Opposite of Leadership
Ok, I try not to be overly political, mostly because I hate our political system. Yes, we have it better than most every other country. But we still have had several presidents that haven't been very good.
Right now though, we have a "do nothing" president. Japan gets hit with a record quake? Press conference mention it, but that's it. The military that is there can help, but let's not send more aide than that. Economy is terrible because of a weak dollar? Print more money and make it weaker. Gas prices too high? Ignore it.
Libya blowing up its citizens? Do nothing. Ok, I just learned that we did drop a few bombs (like Clinton did to Afghanistan) as of today, but only after France took the lead. (Interestingly enough, France doesn't actually have bombs, so they dropped champagne and caviar, confusing Qadaffi's forces. A friend asked, "I wonder how long until France surrenders?")
Our president walked in with a simple agenda: universal health care bill that we pay tons for and no one wants because it was 2000 pages and included death panels, etc; close Gitmo and end the wars, because we should be nicer to the terrorists; spends tons of money on a stimulus to ruin the economy, support the unions and kill small business. That's a simple agenda. Of course, McCain wasn't really any better, I should point out.
The problem is, now that the agenda is over... well... that's it. He doesn't know what to do. Yes every president golfs, but most of them actually have press conferences. Occasionally. About things that affect people's lives. Here's the really issue, being in charge does not make you a leader. I know. I'm in charge of many things, but I have a difficulty leading. I hate having to make those really tough decisions. Then again, that's why I won't run for president (so don't ask).
In order to be a leader, you have to be out front, and people have to follow you. Here's the problem with legislators. Presidents who came from the Senate or House only really want to create and pass laws. Obama having a background as a law professor is an exaggerated example of this. He really doesn't have the skills or leadership ability required by the position, and I think in frustration kinda became a lame duck. And again, McCain would not have been much better. He is also Senator. This is why voting in the primaries is important, to try to select leaders, not just a name you heard of before.
In final, I want to say if you are in charge of anything, at all, take this lesson to heart. You can have a position of authority, but it is for naught if you aren't out in front, and if no one is following you.
Right now though, we have a "do nothing" president. Japan gets hit with a record quake? Press conference mention it, but that's it. The military that is there can help, but let's not send more aide than that. Economy is terrible because of a weak dollar? Print more money and make it weaker. Gas prices too high? Ignore it.
Libya blowing up its citizens? Do nothing. Ok, I just learned that we did drop a few bombs (like Clinton did to Afghanistan) as of today, but only after France took the lead. (Interestingly enough, France doesn't actually have bombs, so they dropped champagne and caviar, confusing Qadaffi's forces. A friend asked, "I wonder how long until France surrenders?")
Our president walked in with a simple agenda: universal health care bill that we pay tons for and no one wants because it was 2000 pages and included death panels, etc; close Gitmo and end the wars, because we should be nicer to the terrorists; spends tons of money on a stimulus to ruin the economy, support the unions and kill small business. That's a simple agenda. Of course, McCain wasn't really any better, I should point out.
The problem is, now that the agenda is over... well... that's it. He doesn't know what to do. Yes every president golfs, but most of them actually have press conferences. Occasionally. About things that affect people's lives. Here's the really issue, being in charge does not make you a leader. I know. I'm in charge of many things, but I have a difficulty leading. I hate having to make those really tough decisions. Then again, that's why I won't run for president (so don't ask).
In order to be a leader, you have to be out front, and people have to follow you. Here's the problem with legislators. Presidents who came from the Senate or House only really want to create and pass laws. Obama having a background as a law professor is an exaggerated example of this. He really doesn't have the skills or leadership ability required by the position, and I think in frustration kinda became a lame duck. And again, McCain would not have been much better. He is also Senator. This is why voting in the primaries is important, to try to select leaders, not just a name you heard of before.
In final, I want to say if you are in charge of anything, at all, take this lesson to heart. You can have a position of authority, but it is for naught if you aren't out in front, and if no one is following you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"2011 sucks"
That is a quote from a friend of mine. This came when I called him with yet another prayer request. My notebook of requests has a longer list then usual. The particular request comes with a story.
My mother works at the same elementary school that my sister and I attended. One of the teachers there is a lovely lady, whose oldest daughter was a classmate of mine. They both came to the visitation when Dad passed. Dad had always kidded with everyone. This lady was a second grade teacher when I was a student there. Dad always told the kids that she was his second grade teacher too, even though she was younger than he was (kids aren't good at guessing ages, and always believed him). He even told my entire class that while accompanying me on a 2nd grade field trip.
Anyway, her husband Danny passed away suddenly from streptocaucal pneumonia, which is strep that turns to pneumonia (and no, I have no idea if that is spelled correctly). In a little country elementary school, she is the third lady to lose her husband since Christmas, all of whom I knew to one degree or another. One, named Ken (aka "Little Ope" to people who went to NHHS), died of cancer, Dad of heart, and Danny of strep. This was followed shortly by one of mom's best friends (who also works at this school) learning her mother had cirosis of the liver even though she has one drink of champagne at a New Years' party each year, and that's the only alchohol. Then the music teacher's mom died suddenly over the weekend. "What is going on here?" my mom asked in frustration.
Add into that my friend, that I was telling this to, whose car started having alternator problems, serpentine belt snapped, and started leaking coolant. His hours were cut back at work, his pregnant wife lost her job, and has been unable to find another. After all, no one is going to hire a very pregnant woman.
These may seem relatively small, but are fairly damaging to the people involved. Japan however, is large relative to... pretty much anything you want to compare it to.
As Kyle Idleman pointed out, there is a funny thing about birth pains. As it gets closer to time, they get more frequent and more intense.
Jesus said no one knows the day and the hour when he would return, so don't even try to figure it out. But, we know that the time is getting closer, so be ready. Have you fully committed yourself to Jesus? Have you shared the gospel with those around you who haven't accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord? Who do you want with you in heaven? What have you done to get them there?
My mother works at the same elementary school that my sister and I attended. One of the teachers there is a lovely lady, whose oldest daughter was a classmate of mine. They both came to the visitation when Dad passed. Dad had always kidded with everyone. This lady was a second grade teacher when I was a student there. Dad always told the kids that she was his second grade teacher too, even though she was younger than he was (kids aren't good at guessing ages, and always believed him). He even told my entire class that while accompanying me on a 2nd grade field trip.
Anyway, her husband Danny passed away suddenly from streptocaucal pneumonia, which is strep that turns to pneumonia (and no, I have no idea if that is spelled correctly). In a little country elementary school, she is the third lady to lose her husband since Christmas, all of whom I knew to one degree or another. One, named Ken (aka "Little Ope" to people who went to NHHS), died of cancer, Dad of heart, and Danny of strep. This was followed shortly by one of mom's best friends (who also works at this school) learning her mother had cirosis of the liver even though she has one drink of champagne at a New Years' party each year, and that's the only alchohol. Then the music teacher's mom died suddenly over the weekend. "What is going on here?" my mom asked in frustration.
Add into that my friend, that I was telling this to, whose car started having alternator problems, serpentine belt snapped, and started leaking coolant. His hours were cut back at work, his pregnant wife lost her job, and has been unable to find another. After all, no one is going to hire a very pregnant woman.
These may seem relatively small, but are fairly damaging to the people involved. Japan however, is large relative to... pretty much anything you want to compare it to.
Matthew 24:4-8
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
NIV
As Kyle Idleman pointed out, there is a funny thing about birth pains. As it gets closer to time, they get more frequent and more intense.
Jesus said no one knows the day and the hour when he would return, so don't even try to figure it out. But, we know that the time is getting closer, so be ready. Have you fully committed yourself to Jesus? Have you shared the gospel with those around you who haven't accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord? Who do you want with you in heaven? What have you done to get them there?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Japan
There are many things that I could and should write about. I should probably write an entry a week to catch up (man March is flying by). I'll start with the most urgent.
Friday I awoke to turn on the news, to watch about a 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan. This was the strongest to ever hit the nation made of smaller islands, and tied for the fourth strongest quake ever recorded. Let me give you some perspective on how strong this was.
Friday I awoke to turn on the news, to watch about a 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan. This was the strongest to ever hit the nation made of smaller islands, and tied for the fourth strongest quake ever recorded. Let me give you some perspective on how strong this was.
- Japan moved 8 feet, up to 13 feet on the island closest to the epicenter.
- It was felt in China, and recorded affecting things as far as St. Louis, MO, USA.
- It adjusted the axis of the earth a few feet, according to some experts.
- It actually sped the rotation of the earth.
- There have been hundreds of after shocks, with more than 100 registering as a 5.0 or stronger.
This quake also unleashed a 33 foot Tsunami, with tens of thousands dead as of today, with possible hundreds of thousands missing. Millions are homeless. What shelters there are stand well beyond capacity, with no food, water, electricity, clothes, or medicine available to survivors. The wave also struck California, wiping three onlookers out to sea. Two were recovered alive.
However, there is a measure of hope. Japan has less than 1% Christians. It is one of the hardest missions fields to reach. At this time, missionaries on the ground, as well as organizations like International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) and World Vision and many more are stepping in, providing help to a proud, stubborn, traditional people who need help for the first time maybe ever in their culture.
Governments are only able to help so much, due to red tape, pride, and the general waste that accompanies anything the government sticks their hands in. The government is helping with the nuke reactors that were damaged and seem to be exploding one at a time, but these missions organizations are uniquely primed, uniquely trained, and uniquely skilled at assessing and delivering aide to those who need it most. All the governments in all the world cannot do as much as the Church of Jesus Christ. Besides, no government has the blessing of God as the church, and no government can have the lasting impact of everlasting life that comes only through Jesus Christ. So please, give to one of these organizations.
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