Haitian Earthquakes and Other Disasters---Why???

I wish you that I had written this but I didn't, it is from a very knowledgeable Bible scholar named Andrew Womack. I suggest you google him for more information. 


A number of people have asked me to comment on the Haitian earthquakes. Our local Sunday paper even had a collection of comments from local pastors about why all of this happened. Their responses ranged from "God did it" to "Satan did it" to "who knows who did it."

There appears to be a lack of clear understanding about why things like this happen. This isn't limited to the Haitian earthquakes either. The same thing happened with hurricanes Rita and Katrina and the terrorists attacks of 2001. It also happens on a daily basis with our individual lives. People struggle to understand why bad things happen.

Certainly bad things happen on an individual basis because of our poor choices. God gave us the choice between life and death, blessing and cursing (Deuteronomy 30:19). And sadly, the vast majority of people are making choices that give the devil dominion over them (John 10:10). In order to avoid Satan's devices against us, we have to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil (James 4:7).

And there are scriptural examples of God bringing judgment on a nationwide scale because of the sins of people. Classic examples of this are Noah's flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

BUT...there was a HUGE change in the way God deals with people after Jesus died for our sins. Jesus bore our sins and all of God's wrath against them (John 12:32). And this doesn't only apply to believers. First John 2:2 says Jesus, "is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

So, God isn't personally judging nations today for their sins. He judged Jesus for our sins. That doesn't mean that it doesn't matter how we act. It does. When we act in an ungodly manner, it makes us subject to Satan's control (Romans 6:16). The devil wants to devour everyone (1 Peter 5:8) but he can't do anything to us without our consent and co-operation.

I'm sure the fact that Haiti's national religion is voodoo is a factor in their poverty and social issues that made the devastating effects of these earthquakes even more severe. But I don't think the devil has the power to cause the earthquake.

There are just natural things that happen in a fallen world. And I think the earthquakes in Haiti were just the natural results of tectonic plates rubbing against each other. It was just natural. Those who are submitted to God have supernatural help to deal with life in a fallen world and those who don't have a relationship with the Lord find how limited their natural abilities really are. But this wasn't a direct result of sin or the judgment of God.

I could spend a lot of time justifying that statement but let me simply say, if you think this is God's judgment on those people, then you are totally wrong to try and help them. If God is punishing them, get out of the way and let them learn their lesson.

Of course, I don't believe anyone would agree with that approach, and that is not what I'm advocating. Therefore, I think it's inconsistent to  see this as an act of God and yet intervene in a way that would thwart God's purposes by giving aid to the Haitians.

Blaming God for this tragedy has turned some people against God. I read one account of a woman walking by a pile of burning bodies and she took the Bible out of her purse and threw it in the fire. But God didn't cause this nor allow it. Therefore, it is compassionate to reach out to those who have been hurt (1 John 3:17).

When Adam and Eve sinned, they plunged the whole world into sin. This not only includes mankind but the animal creation and the natural world. Animals were originally herbivores but now they are carnivores. Likewise, the original earth was in perfect balance. It didn't rain but there was a mist that went up and watered the whole earth (Genesis 2:5-6). Everything was perfect.

But all of that changed when man rebelled at God. Now we live in a fallen world where things aren't perfect. If an animal kills a person, God didn't do it, the animal did. This could be traced back to man's original sin but not always to an individual's sin. Mankind set the animal creation at odds with us. And if a natural disaster happens, we are the ones who set the whole course of nature on fire (James 3:6).

Through Jesus, we have been reconciled back to God (2 Corinthians 5:19) and with that comes authority and power. But it's not automatic. We have to believe and exercise our power and authority. I've prayed and seen weather, including hurricanes, change. I've taken authority over animals and I've seen miraculous healings. We aren't just helpless in this fallen world.

But it takes knowledge and persistence to grow and develop our God given authority to the point of making a difference on all the ungodliness that has been unleashed in this world. Jesus exercised His dominion over the forces of nature (Mark 4:39) and so can we (John 14:12).

Although I support helping those who have been devastated by the Haitian earthquakes, (Jamie and I have personally given to their aid), I am constantly moved by the devastation I see in people's lives daily. It amazes me that when people can see with their eyes the physical effects a natural disaster causes, they respond generously. But the devastating effects of sin and ignorance are all around us daily. I'm moved just as much to help those who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one or trying to figure out why they haven't seen their prayers answered.

We all pray the Lord will comfort those who have been left homeless and lost loved ones in Haiti. We pray those who don't know the Lord will turn to Him in this time of crisis and find Him to be their source of strength. I also pray the Lord will help us to see that everyone who doesn't know the Lord is hurting just as much as those who have been affected by the Haitian earthquakes. They may not realize their need as much as those in Haiti, and therein lies the problem. God make us all vessels to represent you to a lost world.
 

Anxiety Never Solved Anything!

Anxiety is an expensive habit. Of course, it might be worth the cost if it worked. But it doesn't. Worry he has never brightened the day, solved the problem, or cured a disease. God leads us. God will do the right thing at the right time.

Turn your anxieties over to Him and your load will not seem so heavy.

In fact, constant worry and  anxiety cause sickness. A case study by a well known medical research institute revealed that over 90% of sickness was derived from unhealthy emotions.

Is God the purveyor of unhealthy emotions? I think not. So, who is? That's easy, it's the great deceiver. He gets  us through our mind. Fear is the opposite of faith; it is a sin because it is doubting God's word! When you get anxious; just remember where it is coming from, cast it out, and put your trust in God. 

Taiwan Irritates China

Taiwan said today it would buy up to 20 military helicopters from a European manufacturer in a move likely to irritate China less than a week after Washington proposed a US$6.4 billion (HK$49.92 billion) arms deal with the island.

The Taiwan deal with Eurocopter, a subsidiary of German-based EADS, could strain China-European relations which, like Sino-US ties, have been hurt by trade disputes and the value of the Chinese currency.

European arms sales to the self-ruled island that Beijing considers a breakaway province of China have dried up in the past 17 years due to their political sensitivity, although EU-Taiwan trade ties are generally strong.

A French deal in 1993 to sell Taiwan advanced Mirage fighter jets infuriated China, prompting Beijing to close the French consulate in southern Guangdong province and cut French firms out of lucrative contracts.

China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong's forces won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.

Taiwan's defence ministry spokesman Martin Yu said the island would buy EC-225 search-and-rescue helicopters. He provided no further details.

Toyota Slow To Face Problem According To Dealer

Toyota launching huge PR campaign today.

Parts being shipped today, some arrive tomorrow. Small piece to be put into accelerator assembly to reduce friction and eliminate sticking.

Dealer in Florida says has not received instructions for fix nor  are his employees trained to do repair. He says he will go pick up people's cars who are afraid to drive them. Dealer says Toyota response time was slow and should have been quicker.

We Must Keep Moving Forward In Our Faith

Don't forget that every day must be a day of advancement in your spiritual maturity. If you have not made any advancement since yesterday; you are a backslider. There is only one way for you, and it is forward in your advancement towards the Lord. There are no days backward; it is advancement with God. It is cooperation with Him in the Spirit.

We must recognize these things, if we live on the same plane day after day, we become stale; our foundation loses it's zest. We must catch the vision of the Master day by day. We must control every passion that interferes with our relationship and growth in Him.

Often the most trying times are the most beneficial to our Christian growth. Remember Moses and the trials he faced. If you read the Scriptures, you will never find anything about the easy times. All the glories came out of hard times!

If you are to be really reconstructed by the Lord, it will be in a hard time. It won't be in a singing meeting, but at a time when you think all things are hopeless. That is the time that God makes the person. And out of the experience, we will have a story to tell about what God has done for you. When the trial is severe; when you think that no one could be tried as much as you; when the trial is so hard that you cannot sleep, and you do not know what to do; "Count it all joy" (James 1:2). You are in a good place when you do not know what to do; then you are to look to God for the answer.

It is when you are tried by fire that God purges you, takes that dross away, and brings forth pure gold. Give thanks for the hard times, the trials by fire, and the absence of easy times. This is when the real growth comes forth.

Life---Does It Begin At 40???

Ok, folks, let's get to the heart of matter.

• Does a pregnant woman have a life in her at the exact time that she becomes pregnant?
• Does it happen later on like in a month or six months?
• Or is it a life when it comes out of the womb?
• When does it become a life?
• And how do you know, is it relative to your moral code that gives you the answer?
• What does God say about when a life becomes a life?

I think we have to address this issue truthfully and stop beating around the bush. And who are we to decide the matter anyway.? My complaint is this, why am I paying for something I believe to be wrong. Why am forced to pay for it.?

I think the democrats need to look past their own intellect and consult what the Creator says on the matter. After all, He made us and everything around us. He would have a clue, in fact, He most definitely has the answer.

Let's quit deceiving ourselves and just give the issue an honest look. I mean we have only killed 50,000,000 million babies. And we have the nerve to talk about Hitler. Hogwash.

It's Time For Brett

The Vikings could just as easy be going to the Superbowl. The hands of fate went against them. Or their own mistakes, whichever you prefer. Saints won. They go.

I liked the game, watched it from start to finish. What I didn't like was that the Saints played the edge, they hit Favre late so many times with cheap shots it became sickening. Without question, they were trying to take him out. Sure, they probably were within the rules but they are still the dirtiest team I have seen in a long time. I don't like their ethics. If it is so close to almost legal; it gets by. They walked the tight rope of sportsmanship the whole game. Don't think Indy missed that. Peyton Manning will shred them.

That said, I hope Brett calls it a day. He's got a bowl under his belt. He really got beat up in this game and he has to be hurting today. Please Brett don't screw yourself over a game, sometimes a silly game. Part of being a good quarterback is knowing when to quit. Hang it up for your family, watch the replays of your wife's face when you got hit. Time to stop being selfish. Thanks for the memories.