Nazarene Blogosphere Weekly Roundup - September 2, 2005
Please continue to pray for the victims and families affected by Hurricane Katrina. Please also continue to pray for those offering relief and disaster response. One of our regular Nazarene bloggers, Brad Mercer is on his way to help the rescue efforts by way of amphibious vehicle. Before I get into the roundup, let me draw your attention to these posts of mine regarding hurricane response:
This week's roundup is brought to you in alphabetical order by first name! :)
Beth Shurbutt blogged about alarm clocks and septic systems, the cares of life, and her parents' 54th Wedding Anniversary.
Billy Cox reminded us that every church is purpose driven.
bloganovel wrote about stress, public approval ratings, and the presidency, reflections on disaster, the best ways to provide disaster relief, and conservation.
Brad Mercer offered a message based on the prodigal son.
Brandon Hill's girlfriend Kristin blogged about their recent vacation to Florida.
Darren wrote about Psalm 18, not going to school, job plans for the fall, his visited states, a new opportunity, and Katrina.
Hans Deventer blogged about his aunt's funeral, and his chance to experience life as a cowboy.
Ian Gentles wrote about the power of prayer, Christians and integrity, the London City Mission, and disasters.
Jeremy Scott blogged his thoughts regarding the response to Katrina.
John Wright wrote about the passing of a man named Mike, and Mike's funeral. I realize that readers might be tempted to skip over these posts about the passing of someone who is unknown to them, but you absolutely must read this post about the Church's role as a burial society.
Kingomediocrity blogged about the things that he has learned in married life.
Larry posts several funny pictures (here and here), and writes about:
- Ecuador
- Saturday's activities
- Prayer for New Orleans
- the location of Camp Pallatanga
- Picture trivia and answer
- Nazarene response to Katrina
- his personal reaction to Katrina and other tragic events - Overwhelmed
WB9DHQ (aka: Marsha Lynn) offers some great lessons from Morse Code.
Matt Friedeman writes about a crazy zoo display, his own encounter with Katrina, and one way to provide hurricane relief.
Mike's Noise is new to the roundup this week. Instead of giving a post-by-post synopsis, I'll urge you to check out his multiple posts on Katrina and the Nazarene response.
Scott Cundiff gives an account of providing relief to Katrina victims, and continues to blog through the following Old Testament chapters in The Message:
- Leviticus 10
- Leviticus 19
- Leviticus 20
- Leviticus 22
- Leviticus 26 part 1 and part 2
Grace and Peace,
PastorJon
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posted by PastorJon @ 12:00 AM
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3 Comments:
http://markdoblesblog.blogspot.com/
Keep up the good work John...
From www.christiancadence.blogspot.com/
Our little church "adopted" three families displaced by Katrina. With a small giving base, we have reached out to help in every way we can to these families in a very generous manner. We will continue to do so into the future as the need warrants. It has been a marvelously humbling education for me to be involved in their welfare, their upkeep, and to observe their reactions.
It has now been determined that all three families lost everything. I'm quite certain two of the families will not be returning to New Orleans and instead, settle in permanently here in Lafayette, Louisiana.
What a blessing it was on Sunday, September 4, still in the shock of what all had transpired in their lives in the few days prior, to have them join us in worship of an Almighty God in whom they still professed great faith. They were so hurting, but so strong in their faith in God, and they worshipped vibrantly and openly and to my dismay, when the offering plates were passed, they gave. They had nothing left in this world, but still they praised their Creator and gave to His Kingdom. That was very hard on me to observe. This authenication of their faith was so very heroic.
We as a church body, did all we could to help them and are still in the process.
They showed up again the next Sunday, September 11. In the Bible teaching hour which precedes our Morning Worship, they jumped into the discussion with fervor as we explored Biblical Joseph's 9/11 & Katrina and how he dealt with all that by his response to his brothers. Probing questions were considered as to who was not only at fault in Joseph's "Katrina", but likewise in the aftermath of 2005's version. These questions included:
If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why does He allow such devastating events to occur?
Does God deliberately make them occur?
What should our faith response be to such horrific disasters?
How can we as believers, react when inequity goes on in the work place, the church, the doling out of governmental aid in the time of crisis, the world in general?
These "victims" -- I hesitate to call them that as they appear to be anything but that by their extreme and outward faith in the Savior -- were adament and unanimous in their assent that God would use these events to their better good and He would not fail them, but carry them through until the end!
Every philosophical question that comes to mind and are often squelched during such times because of their possible negative effect, were answered by the reflection of the One in whom they were voicing such steadfast hope and faith, shining forth from the very essence of what can best be described as their broken, powerless-to-change-anything humanity. God was in His people . . . these people, so broken and without hope . . . yet still claiming Hope as their refuge and strength!
What a powerful testimony to the overwhelming influence of the Divine upon His people! These images are etched indelibly upon my mind and I'll never forget them!
It proves yet again that crisis and disaster are futile times to question the efficacy of a Divine Being and His actions, and rather, openings through which to participate in agape love for those most affected.
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