1/17/2010 09:00:00 AM
Jeffrey K Radt ("JRed")
This is the type of story that forced me to add a new section to the Archives.
I know that there are plenty columns I've written in the past that could fall into this new "Apostasy" category, but I just fed led to do this today and to start documenting these types of things more.
Now, I would like to start by saying that I don't mean to instigate a debate on what exactly the prophesied "falling away" means, but I simply can't ignore things like this when they involve so-called Christians.
My mom called me to share a brief anecdote from her sister, my aunt. It embodies everything that's wrong with Christianity ("Churchianity") today especially in this country.
My aunt is a relatively new believer. She's also believed in God, but it wasn't until her husband, my uncle, passed away from cancer a couple of years ago when she began to explore what it means truly means to have a personal, life changing, and life saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Needless to say, she's still fairly new to her new found faith in Christ.
Apparently, she was appalled by the experience she had at her local church in Annapolis, Maryland (just outside of Baltimore, MD). After spending a week watching all the horror that was unfolding on her TV screen about the tragedy in Haiti she was very eager to attend church this week. Her spirit was craving the sobering reality of God's Word and she believed that an ordained man of God was just the person to point her in the right direction in the Scriptures despite all the hopelessness and suffering she was seeing and hearing about.
You can imagine her surprise when she left the service dumbfounded by the fact that not a single word was uttered from the pulpit about Haiti! When my mom first told me this story I thought I misheard her so I asked, "Wait, what was that? They didn't spend a lot of time talking about what's going on in Haiti?"
My mom immediately corrected me. "No! Jeff, it's not that 'they didn't spend a lot of time' because they didn't spend any time! None!"
As shocked as I was to hear that it was what she said next that really shocked me. My aunt told her that the Pastor was wearing a special scarf with colors she had never seen him wear before. As it turns out, it was a scarf being worn to show his public support for the National Football League's the Baltimore Ravens who were scheduled to play in a playoff game later that night.
She knew this was the case because from the moment the service started the guy went on and on about how "pumped" he was for the game, and how he was wearing in to "show his loyalty" to his team. The rest of the service felt like a social club gathering than a body of believers coming together to enrich one another because after the football talk he proceeded to ask the congregation to make some generous donations so that the staff could use it to cover some health insurance costs/medical bills.
The audacity! Maybe it's just the eternal optimist in me and my willingness to want to always expect to see the best from people despite my better judgment, but how about instead of showing your loyalty to "your team" you actually show some loyalty to your God?
Again, I know that this is nothing new to us, but whenever I hear stories like this, or experience things like this myself, I can help but cringe, shake my head in disbelief, and cry out to God heartbroken over the thought of how this must anger and displease Him more if it's making me feel the way that I do. For crying out loud, this is a Pastor people! Watching similar "un-Christian" behavior from so-called Christians is bad enough these days, but this is a whole new level of hypocrisy if you ask me.
My poor aunt and others like her. I think of them and really feel sorry that that's the brand of Christianity that they're exposed to on a regular basis. Wow. I just caught how I described Christianity as having several "brands". Isn't that the truth though? Pure Christianity has been reduced to nothing more than a collection of competing versions that you pick-and-choose based on your needs at the moment. It's no longer about opening the Holy Bible for yourself and immersing yourself in His Word like it should be.
What a joke! Plus, for a new believer like my aunt, it's gotta be enough to make you want to think twice about the faith you recommitted yourself to. I gotta think that for some people it's probably tough to have faith in God if they can't have faith in those who are supposed to be His ambassadors here on this earth.
Then again, any true believer in Jesus Christ is an "Ambassador" in a sense, so it will be up to me and my mother to help explain to my dear aunt that this is just another sad sign of the times. The sad reality is that this man missed a prime opportunity to share the Gospel, and to encourage others to share the Gospel!
I mean, when you stop to think about it, this should've been one of the easiest sermons he would give all year long! Any time there's a sudden tragedy of this magnitude -- one that captures the entire world's attention like the Haiti earthquake has -- it's one of those rare times when nonbelievers are looking for answers, and one of those rare times when they're actually open to any and all possibilities.
Regardless of what the Pastor believed about Haiti (i.e. whether or not "they had it coming" and/or whether or not this was "divine judgment from God"; and I really don't know that side of it), why in the world didn't he take a few minutes to point out to people how there are undoubtedly tens of thousands of people there who died without Jesus Christ if not the majority of the deceased?
Why didn't he hammer home the harsh reality (scare people if he had to!) that because of their choice to put off making a decision for Jesus Christ (thinking they had enough time to worry about that later in life), or their blatant refusal of the Gospel message despite numerous attempts by missionaries to share the truth, "the wages of sin is death" and they will now spend an eternity in Hell?
Oh, that's right. That's "too insensitive" at a time like this and "politically incorrect" I suppose. Is such a sentiment (if he was worried about preaching on the subject for this very reason) new to Christians who are attacked regularly for their fundamental beliefs let alone what they think about current events? That's nothing new.
No, there's no excuse, he should've mentioned it if even briefly. At the very least, spend the same amount of time talking about Haiti and the proper Christian perspective and response as he spent talking about the Baltimore Ravens.
I would've pointed out how the Haitians were simply going about their usual daily business without a care in the world (much like we do here week-in-and-week-out with school/work, family responsibilities, bills to pay, etc.) when suddenly, and without warning, their lives were turned upside down with some meeting their appointed time of death.
Why didn't this Pastor remind those in attendance (whether the message was intended for them personally or intended for them to absorb and later share with an unbeliever they know) that this is how uncertain life is, and that this is an example of how quickly life can change?
Why didn't this Pastor point out that even though life is uncertain, we can be certain of our current position and standing, not to mention our eternal future, if we'd only place our faith and trust in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Why, why, why? Of course, you and I know why. It's just another sign of the times I'm afraid.
Please pray for my aunt and others like her. Pray that they don't become disillusioned in their faith at such a critical stage by something like this.
Please pray for that Pastor. Pray that the Holy Spirit moved within him to rekindle that flame of passion and zeal I'm sure he once had for the lost, the dying, the hopeless, the poor in spirit. Pray that he recalls the importance of his role in that particular ministry and his need to feed his flock the Word of God whenever he can for as long as he's still able to.
Please pray for the survivors in Haiti. Pray that they'll fall to their knees and seek God's face for forgiveness of their sins, and place their full faith and trust for the future in His hands -- not the hands of some politicians and political organizations who come bearing gifts. Pray that they do this instead of shaking their fists in defiance against God for allowing this to happen to them.
Please pray for anyone who has been watching the drama unfold in Haiti from the comfort of their own home and their picture perfect life. Pray that such a tragedy wakes them from their slumber to the point where they realize that nothing in this life is as good as what the Heavenly Father can provide them with. Pray that they come to the realization of their need for Jesus Christ to be an active participant in their lives who's not just involved because of who He is, but who's there because they've willingly asked Him to be there.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to do that today. Why? Because for all we know, some of us may have our lives changed just as suddenly and we may never get this chance again.
Share
I know that there are plenty columns I've written in the past that could fall into this new "Apostasy" category, but I just fed led to do this today and to start documenting these types of things more.
Now, I would like to start by saying that I don't mean to instigate a debate on what exactly the prophesied "falling away" means, but I simply can't ignore things like this when they involve so-called Christians.
My mom called me to share a brief anecdote from her sister, my aunt. It embodies everything that's wrong with Christianity ("Churchianity") today especially in this country.
My aunt is a relatively new believer. She's also believed in God, but it wasn't until her husband, my uncle, passed away from cancer a couple of years ago when she began to explore what it means truly means to have a personal, life changing, and life saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Needless to say, she's still fairly new to her new found faith in Christ.
Apparently, she was appalled by the experience she had at her local church in Annapolis, Maryland (just outside of Baltimore, MD). After spending a week watching all the horror that was unfolding on her TV screen about the tragedy in Haiti she was very eager to attend church this week. Her spirit was craving the sobering reality of God's Word and she believed that an ordained man of God was just the person to point her in the right direction in the Scriptures despite all the hopelessness and suffering she was seeing and hearing about.
You can imagine her surprise when she left the service dumbfounded by the fact that not a single word was uttered from the pulpit about Haiti! When my mom first told me this story I thought I misheard her so I asked, "Wait, what was that? They didn't spend a lot of time talking about what's going on in Haiti?"
My mom immediately corrected me. "No! Jeff, it's not that 'they didn't spend a lot of time' because they didn't spend any time! None!"
As shocked as I was to hear that it was what she said next that really shocked me. My aunt told her that the Pastor was wearing a special scarf with colors she had never seen him wear before. As it turns out, it was a scarf being worn to show his public support for the National Football League's the Baltimore Ravens who were scheduled to play in a playoff game later that night.
She knew this was the case because from the moment the service started the guy went on and on about how "pumped" he was for the game, and how he was wearing in to "show his loyalty" to his team. The rest of the service felt like a social club gathering than a body of believers coming together to enrich one another because after the football talk he proceeded to ask the congregation to make some generous donations so that the staff could use it to cover some health insurance costs/medical bills.
The audacity! Maybe it's just the eternal optimist in me and my willingness to want to always expect to see the best from people despite my better judgment, but how about instead of showing your loyalty to "your team" you actually show some loyalty to your God?
Again, I know that this is nothing new to us, but whenever I hear stories like this, or experience things like this myself, I can help but cringe, shake my head in disbelief, and cry out to God heartbroken over the thought of how this must anger and displease Him more if it's making me feel the way that I do. For crying out loud, this is a Pastor people! Watching similar "un-Christian" behavior from so-called Christians is bad enough these days, but this is a whole new level of hypocrisy if you ask me.
My poor aunt and others like her. I think of them and really feel sorry that that's the brand of Christianity that they're exposed to on a regular basis. Wow. I just caught how I described Christianity as having several "brands". Isn't that the truth though? Pure Christianity has been reduced to nothing more than a collection of competing versions that you pick-and-choose based on your needs at the moment. It's no longer about opening the Holy Bible for yourself and immersing yourself in His Word like it should be.
What a joke! Plus, for a new believer like my aunt, it's gotta be enough to make you want to think twice about the faith you recommitted yourself to. I gotta think that for some people it's probably tough to have faith in God if they can't have faith in those who are supposed to be His ambassadors here on this earth.
Then again, any true believer in Jesus Christ is an "Ambassador" in a sense, so it will be up to me and my mother to help explain to my dear aunt that this is just another sad sign of the times. The sad reality is that this man missed a prime opportunity to share the Gospel, and to encourage others to share the Gospel!
I mean, when you stop to think about it, this should've been one of the easiest sermons he would give all year long! Any time there's a sudden tragedy of this magnitude -- one that captures the entire world's attention like the Haiti earthquake has -- it's one of those rare times when nonbelievers are looking for answers, and one of those rare times when they're actually open to any and all possibilities.
Regardless of what the Pastor believed about Haiti (i.e. whether or not "they had it coming" and/or whether or not this was "divine judgment from God"; and I really don't know that side of it), why in the world didn't he take a few minutes to point out to people how there are undoubtedly tens of thousands of people there who died without Jesus Christ if not the majority of the deceased?
Why didn't he hammer home the harsh reality (scare people if he had to!) that because of their choice to put off making a decision for Jesus Christ (thinking they had enough time to worry about that later in life), or their blatant refusal of the Gospel message despite numerous attempts by missionaries to share the truth, "the wages of sin is death" and they will now spend an eternity in Hell?
Oh, that's right. That's "too insensitive" at a time like this and "politically incorrect" I suppose. Is such a sentiment (if he was worried about preaching on the subject for this very reason) new to Christians who are attacked regularly for their fundamental beliefs let alone what they think about current events? That's nothing new.
No, there's no excuse, he should've mentioned it if even briefly. At the very least, spend the same amount of time talking about Haiti and the proper Christian perspective and response as he spent talking about the Baltimore Ravens.
I would've pointed out how the Haitians were simply going about their usual daily business without a care in the world (much like we do here week-in-and-week-out with school/work, family responsibilities, bills to pay, etc.) when suddenly, and without warning, their lives were turned upside down with some meeting their appointed time of death.
Why didn't this Pastor remind those in attendance (whether the message was intended for them personally or intended for them to absorb and later share with an unbeliever they know) that this is how uncertain life is, and that this is an example of how quickly life can change?
Why didn't this Pastor point out that even though life is uncertain, we can be certain of our current position and standing, not to mention our eternal future, if we'd only place our faith and trust in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Why, why, why? Of course, you and I know why. It's just another sign of the times I'm afraid.
Please pray for my aunt and others like her. Pray that they don't become disillusioned in their faith at such a critical stage by something like this.
Please pray for that Pastor. Pray that the Holy Spirit moved within him to rekindle that flame of passion and zeal I'm sure he once had for the lost, the dying, the hopeless, the poor in spirit. Pray that he recalls the importance of his role in that particular ministry and his need to feed his flock the Word of God whenever he can for as long as he's still able to.
Please pray for the survivors in Haiti. Pray that they'll fall to their knees and seek God's face for forgiveness of their sins, and place their full faith and trust for the future in His hands -- not the hands of some politicians and political organizations who come bearing gifts. Pray that they do this instead of shaking their fists in defiance against God for allowing this to happen to them.
Please pray for anyone who has been watching the drama unfold in Haiti from the comfort of their own home and their picture perfect life. Pray that such a tragedy wakes them from their slumber to the point where they realize that nothing in this life is as good as what the Heavenly Father can provide them with. Pray that they come to the realization of their need for Jesus Christ to be an active participant in their lives who's not just involved because of who He is, but who's there because they've willingly asked Him to be there.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to do that today. Why? Because for all we know, some of us may have our lives changed just as suddenly and we may never get this chance again.
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18 Comments:
Not only I saw on the net rage about dozens of christian missionairies fleeing Haiti,
the overall opinion is like this -
"letter from satan to Robertson"
http://www.surfingtheapocalypse.net/forum/index.php?id=234309
Lone
Jeff, I am so sorry your Aunt had to go through this. First times are always heartbreaking and yet the LORD will use this experience to your Aunts benefit! She will now know she does not (and really should not) look up to a man/leader to lead her, fill her and 'speak' a word to her. It was good for her to see the truth of where churches have ended up today.
I feel sad for that "pastor" because he like many others are going to be sorely displaced when we experience our Haiti.
But let us not dwell on this pastor, let us examine our hearts and attitudes. Many of our friends and people we know (including our own family) are already experiencing the loss of the American dream. We have lost our jobs, homes, been displaced, have had to start all over again. At times its been really hard on our kids.
I have discovered that I too am spoiled rotten. I want what I want. I want my plans to succeed, I want my dreams to come to pass, I want to feel that I am succeeding in something! But as I have learned is there is nothing NOTHING I need more than my JESUS! We are literally living day to day. No more selfish plans for the future. I have been sometimes so frustrated in my prayers that I end up with 'Your will be done'. And guess what? It will be done. No sense in being concerned with all these things. GOD has provided so much for our daily living needs. But more than that He has blessed us with His grace, peace, presence and sustaining.
We would be utterely appalled and furious beyond comprehension if we had to say goodbye to our loved ones while watching them being dumped like garbage in a truck! Many Haitians may practice voodoo but THEY ARE HUMAN TOO!! We cannot even imagine (even though we see the pictures; we are desensitized to reality to a degree) what these people are going through. We cant start to comprehend what all the missionaries are going through. These missionaries are tough!! We are wimps! But praise GOD He is preparing us for the things that are coming upon this country!
Like I have said before, there is an element to all the things you write about, but this is the first time I have seen you write about false teachers/preachers. These are more damning than all the rock music and funky movies in the world!
Church-let it go, give your stuff away, sell what you have and give to the brethren and the poor. Start living like the Acts church. Forgive each other quick!
Learn to live with less and embrace whatever it is that GOD is bringing into your life. HE is preparing you for the next thing!
Dee
Beautiful post and thank you. I must disagree with your comment that they were going about their daily business without a care in the world in Haiti. Please, everyone watch this documentary about Haiti http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/513.html and what the UN and the US led involvement into their government has done to their country. It remind me of Gandhi and his struggle (very Christ-like struggle I must say) against the injustices in South Africa and India. We as christians must open our eyes to the suffering in the world and how our western "christian nation" governments are involved.
This is the pathetic state of Churchianity today. Every day that goes by gives me a more clear understanding of what was meant by the word "remnant". There are very few of us left, and hopefully very soon, there will be none of us left : )
Right on, Brother Jeff! Repent and be saved, while there is still time through our Lord and Savior Yeshua!
I hope your Aunt will look past this hypocrisy found in many men and always weigh and test everything to know if it is from God. This is a lesson I learned over many years. I was reminded of
this last night while reading the story of Joseph and his request to the Chief Butler to 'remember' him when he was restored to his position. Joseph was not remembered then, because he had put his trust in man and not God.
Blessed are we that hear and learn from His instruction and His Word.
Tamra
I am sickened by our views as Americans on this Haiti tragedy. Our news media congratulates ourselve endlessly for all the help we are sending there. Are we doing it for the right reasons or to gain favor in the world's eyes once again? I am not blaming the Americans that truly want to help the Haitians, that cry when we hear the horrible stories about the loss of precious lives, that pray for the survivors daily if not hourly. I'm not speaking of our missionaries and our military that do such a wonderful job helping them. I am talking of our politically correct government that says we should treat everyone equally and then makes sure the Americans and UN leaders are saved first before the crying children. I'm disgusted with the media that tells the tragedies of people making splints out of broken debris and limbs that are being cut off to be free of the collapsed buildings; and then the news cuts away to the coverage of the health care debate where people are screaming that they will be taxed on their "cadillac plan."
I heard on the news a reporter says, "We are not generous, as Americans, because we are rich; we are rich because we are so generous." No, we are rich because of God; we should be generous because that's what the Bible tells us to be. Why after such a tragedy, do we have to hear how special and rich we are? In case no one is paying attention, WE ARE BROKE! We just keep telling ourselves we aren't and we are above such things happening to us.
Even a certain preacher, wearing his $5000 suit, as he judges these people for worshipping Satan. How wrong!
I am in so many ways thankful for my country and grateful to God for how He still watches over us. But in many other ways I am so ashamed at what we have become. We are not immune to this happening right here at home.
Let me ask you, how quickly would the coverage on Haiti disappear on the news if something like the death of Michael Jackson happened right now?
We need to pray for the Haitians and for our upcoming judgement here at home.
Whether people believe Haiti was judgment or birth pangs doesn't matter. What matters is that God ALLOWED this to happen and HIS ways are not OUR ways.
I have been going to a church for quite some time that alternates between two teachers. They have a competing interest in two different baseball teams. We are constantly listening to the two of them "dig" the other one from the pulpit about who wins or loses that week. It is BEYOND appalling. What is even more APPALLING, if that is even possible, is that I have been to the vast majority of churches in my town of 60,000 plus people and I have yet to find a decent church. I continue going to this one, because once they get on with the teaching it is very good. But I am at a point of trying to find a home church, although I haven't even been able to find ONE in this whole area. It is very sad indeed. There are very few indeed who will tolerate hearing the TRUTH in way, shape or form.
We have a lot of sports fans in my church but fortunately my Pastor doesn't use the pulpit on Sunday to cheerlead. He glorifies God throughout the service. Sure he uses anecdotes from time to time but all God-centered. Proper perspective is what this Pastor needs. Pray for him.
Jeff, thanks for another thoughtful post.
One benefit I see is that your aunt, even "new" to a personal relationship with god (beyond belief), had discernment enough to realize this. I shake my head in sadness that there were probably others who didn't even notice the lack of mention.
Our pastor talked about it for a bit today before the sermon. He was tactful, but truthful. Essentially that when you walk in darkness, it's hard to find the light in everyday life, much less when tragedy strikes. He did however remind us that to God's eyes we are all the same. No one is "better" because he walks in light of God. (No respecter of persons.) In fact, because we do walk by faith, we should be the first in compassion for their situation and while we do not condone the choice of "religion" (or brand, as you said) or even want to call Voodooism a religion, the fact remains that these people need to see the true face of God on earth now and we are his people. we also took a special offering with all of going to Haiti.
While I do not agree with their choices, they are our neighbors and God called us to love our neighbors. In fact, Christ said that's how people will know we are His disciples. Too often the church is too busy or too arrogant to remember that.
We continue to pray for the people of Haiti, mostly that they realize this is a wake-up call from Almighty and that their hearts are softened to hear HIm. also for their suffering and grief and that they can be restored, if they turn to Him. But we also will pray for the multitude around the world, who, like your aunt are confused by the lack of caring and compassion from those who should be first in line to serve.
May God show them that before following a man, who is very fallible, their relationship with Him comes before men, even good Godly men.
K&T Zimmerman
Dee said, "Church-let it go, give your stuff away, sell what you have and give to the brethren and the poor. Start living like the Acts church. Forgive each other quick!
Learn to live with less and embrace whatever it is that GOD is bringing into your life. HE is preparing you for the next thing!"
We are blessed to have teachers and pastors in our church who are preaching the same thing and how the church has fallen asleep, or worse, into apathy and we worry more about what man thinks of us than what God desires. We care more about the things we can buy than the needs of others.
the primary relationship in this life is our relationship with God. Our relationships to others reflect this main relationship. If we do not take our eyes off of ourselves and our own situations or desires then we cannot see the hurting and the need of the world that we are called to be light and salt to.
This morning, our pastor used the term "architect of separation" "builder of walls" regarding Satan. How when we focus on our own problems, offenses, etc. that wall gets built and shuts us off. sometimes to the point that we shut ourselves off to prevent getting hurt, and yet when we do that, guess who we are really shutting out of our lives. That's right, it's God. The giver of all life, the Living Water.
The Bible talks about forgiveness often. But one of the most memorable to me when it comes to forgiveness is Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV):
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We need to realize that as flesh, we will hurt others and get hurt--often unintentionally. But He heals all wounds and He is love. And each of us is accountable for our own responses. We will stand before Him alone. It doesn't matter what anyone else does or says. Yes, it might hurt our pride or feelings. It will not always be easy. But this is why we need to sacrifice our flesh and listen to His voice and not the others who say it's okay to feel upset or angry about it. Remember, the Bible also teaches that as a man thinks in his heart so is he. If you spend your time dwelling on the transgressions, it snowballs until you can be consumed.
We also need to realize that He is all we truly need. And through Him, we can show others the truth of His love so they can realize that no matter what the world, the enemy or everyday life throws at them, it will be "well" within their souls because He is the Almighty Savior of their lives.
I pray God blesses each of you with His love this week so you can pour it out and encourage the discourage and extend His strength to the weak. Seek His direction in all matters and trust Him to provide your needs.
K&T Zimmerman
Dear Jeff - I know where your Aunt is coming from - we live in the "buckle" of the Bible-belt and have experienced the same. We do church at home.
Perhaps she could try a Calvary Chapel near her (hopefully it wasn't a Calvary she attended...).
Here is a link to find a church near her home:
http://www.calvarychapel.com/
The church in America is in trouble and she doesn't even know it - Laodecia comes to mind.
Pat Robertson's comments were absurd. Is Haiti a dark place? Yes, indeed it is. So shouldn't we be PRAYING for the darkness to lift and many to come to Christ??? I do believe the same darkness is covering the USA only it is representing itself as an angel of light.
The Lord desires that NONE should perish.
I will be praying for your Aunt to stay close to her Savior and not be negatively affected by her ordeal.
In Jesus,
Linda K.
Jeff,
Your aunt has more spiritual sense than the apostate behind the pulpit. Evidence,I believe,that the Holy Spirit is at work in her life. Remind her to learn the lesson and not give up. The Lord is telling her she isn't where He wants her to be and to learn to be patient and follow his leading. This is a great opportunity for her!
As for Haiti, God has his elect even there. Bible believing missionaries have been going there for decades and there are many blood bought brethren there that need our prayers and support. It is a sad, heartbreaking event but it is a foreshadowing of what will soon happen worldwide during the tribulation.
What an opportunity for us to warn unbelievers and show them from God's word things soon to come.
I agree with Linda's comment about Calvary Chapel. The one in Costa Mesa, California, that began with Chuck Smith as the pastor, has taught the entire Bible verse by verse, beginning to end. It is a wonderful church, and he is a wonderful pastor. There are Calvary Chapels almost everywhere.
I too have decided years ago to do my praying and church at home. So many times I have been to churches and just have not gotten out of them what i was looking for. It always seemed like an assembly line of prayers and sermons that had no relation to everyday life. I can remember as a young girl being at church with my parents and hearing the priest give a step by step detailed account of how an abortion was performed. Yelling as he described each step. Obviously this has stuck with me as I remember it so clearly. I choose now to read and visit Christian sites, listen to sermons I enjoy on podcast and do my praying or "talking " to God at home. I worked at an assisited living facility not to long ago and one of the residents had there pastor from there church come in to give them oommunion on a Sunday. Another resident had seen the pastor and sked me to inquire with him about also receiving communion. Imagine my feelings when I asked the pastor and was told by him "no" because that resident was not a former parishioner of his. Our Lord would never turn anyone away for anything and I feel there will be alot of priests, pastors and so called evangelists that will have to answer to Him when there day comes.
I can't begin to imagine having my home and family crushed followed the only contact with the outside world being an American wearing designer clothes asking me how I feel and what am I going to do now. On day four of no help or aid the president lets the sec of state use the only airport for a photo-op. He also suggests we donate to the redcross who have administrative costs that are 70%. Every ten dollars you give turns into three. The connection between Haiti and katrina is that money that was sent for onfrustructure was looted by corrupt politicians. Pray for Haiti. The us government has virtually shut these people off from the rest of the world and allowed u.n. corruption to continue. How hard is it to get in a p.a. System to address and direct the people? Why does the media bring in Their designer clothes when the people need bandages?
I heard some amazing comments during an interview of a woman who had been trapped in the rubble of a fallen building in Haiti. Even as a Christian of many years, I hope that in the same situation, I could have such faith.
When the building fell around her and, I think, her daughters, there was a beam that protected them. While trapped there, she concluded that God must not have meant for her to die that day, and He must have had a reason for that, so, she told her daughters that they should all just remain calm and wait for help to come -- which it did.
Amazing, praise God.
Please be very careful of Calvery Chapel. They have a lot of latitude in their teaching and it just so happens that one of the CC here in our town is THE MOST worldly church you could imagine...just shameful. But I also know of one about 45 min from here that is very good. So just be careful.
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