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Hurricane Katrina

It is an act of God. We are fooling ourselves if we blame the loss of the wetlands for the degree of devastation. Katrina remained a hurricane 10 hours after landfall. The eye itself was 35 miles diameter. The storm was a formidable, highly dangerous, horrific category 4 hurricane ~200 miles wide. It is ridiculous to blame the president or anyone else. This was the storm everyone had discussed with dread for years. It had the destructive power of multiple nuclear bombs. Historically, storms of that magnitude have basically been once in a lifetime events. No one could stand in its way, no one except God.

Amos 3: 6 When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

But why?

Jeremiah 18: 15 Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways and in the ancient paths . They made them walk in bypaths and on roads not built up. 16 Their land will be laid waste, an object of lasting scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. 17 Like a wind from the east, I will scatter them before their enemies; I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their disaster."

 

"If God is for us, who could be against us?"
This quote was spoken one day after hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans by a Catholic priest in a prayer service called by the governor of Louisiana.

These may be comforting words. So true, although only partially quoting Romans 8:31. Perhaps it was not quite accurate in this setting, though. Reading verses in context clearly indicates the quote pertains to Christians who have been chosen by God, not others.

In this context, however, we assume this pertains to us when, sad to say, it may have only pertained to a very few. Is God really for us? Why should He be?

We have turned our backs on Him. We try to kick Him out of our schools and government. Our churches ignore the clear teaching from the Bible. We have clergy speaking 'peace and safety' (1 Thessalonians 5:3) when the truth is anything but. We worship ourselves and care only for personal prosperity and comfort. God is ignored or dismissed. We love sin.

We pride ourselves in our greatness even though that attribute has long since passed. Our arrogance and pride spits at God. We see people hurt and killed resulting from the greatest natural disaster ever to hit America.

Let us ask the unthinkable question.  Could this be judgment from God?

In a word, yes.

It isn't that simple, though. Even though the next weekend was designated as "Southern Decadence XXXV" or known as the "Gay Mardi Gras" (August 30- September 4) was this judgment? Even without that, New Orleans was known for its sinful pleasures (but also for other things such as great food). Even though Biloxi, MS was known as a haven for gambling, surely God wouldn't have judged these areas through Katrina and the aftermath. Although this could be seen more as an example of the Tower of Siloam, perhaps this hurricane was directed specifically to these areas, maybe?  Were they more sinful than the rest of us?  No.

Today, the idea this could be judgment is forbidden.  At the time of our founders, it would have been accepted.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1781:
God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just that His justice cannot sleep forever.

George Washington wrote in his 1789 Inaugural address:
The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.

George Mason (known as the father of our Bill of Rights) wrote in 1787:
Every master of slaves (similar to the abortion ‘issue’ today) is born a petty tyrant. They bring the judgement of heaven upon a country. As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins, by national calamities.

God's judgment (chastisement) should be expected when we trust in men and not God. God wants, and deserves, preeminence. If God loves us, and He says He does...

John 3: 16 " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

and shows us through His creation and other ways, he wants no one to perish but all to receive everlasting life. We read that man's heart is inherently evil. None of us deserve salvation, no not one.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

But God wants each of us to repent and turn to Christ. We would never choose to do that unless He draws us to Him. If He loves us, God will draw us to Him.

Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

How can this be accomplished when we refuse to seek Him? By pain and suffering causing us to fall on our knees and beg His forgiveness.

Leviticus 26: 14 "`But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you. 18 "`If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19 I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze... 40 "`But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers--their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, 41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies--then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

Without this form of chastisement as was seen with Israel, we would be left to our own sins and we foolishly see no reason to repent. Therefore, God would not love us if He did not judge us. If God wants some to be saved, which He does, we must expect this. This works to our favor.

There is one other way to accomplish the same salvation. It is by the Holy Spirit working on the hearts of men through the biblical preaching of the fear of God and the coming final wrath of God. The churches must be about warning all of the coming judgment, both warning of the present chastisement as well as the final judgment. Only then will we understand the depth of His love for us as we see our desperately fallen nature.  His love for us continues despite our despicable state.

Unfortunately, this is not occurring. We will feel additional events and circumstances causing pain and suffering since the pulpits refuse to follow the direction of the scriptures and the historical evidence seen in the past Great Awakening and other times of revival. We are doomed to His judgment because the American 'Christians' will not do what God expects us to do, warning of the future judgment.

We have condemned ourselves to experience more of God's chastisement. It could be another hurricane, more terrorist attacks, possibly including nuclear weapons.

'Christians' foolishly cheer when a nominee of President Bush for the Supreme Court refuses to stand unabashedly for ending abortion and we dare to endorse him and worse, lobby for his confirmation. Wasn't the overriding reason Christians voted for this president and filled both houses with Republicans to clean the courts? We could have chosen better with Peroutka of the Constitution Party.  We deserve judgment.

Is judgment increasing? Of course.

Check out the cost of gasoline/oil. This will affect the cost of virtually everything. Katrina has grabbed hundreds of billions of dollars, easily being the costliest natural disaster in our nation's history.  This disaster may be the costliest in the number of lives damaged and lost. This follows only a few years after the September 11 attack that cost our nation many lives and untold tax costs for 'security' against terrorism.  It is more costly than any previous attack on our country in lives, freedoms lost and dollars.

Our freedoms have been systematically truncated in the name of security. It is seen all around us now. We have increasing problems with drugs, alcohol, crime, corporate greed, judicial tyranny, increasing governmental oppression, and natural disasters including record forest fires.  We have increasing danger for our children just going to school and from sexual predators.

Matthew 24: 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

We find judgment in the New Orleans disaster.  Of great hindrance in rescuing those trapped in flooding waters were the criminals in their lust of great evil. This simply would not have occurred 50 years ago. Nearly all would have helped their neighbor. There would not have been so many of the bad guys. Instead, we find some of the young men leaving elderly family members behind as they high tailed it out, concerned with only themselves. Nursing home patients were abandoned.

We see the Robert's hearings as a microcosm of our fallen nature and the great offense to Almighty God, abortion. We deserve judgment. We see the great divide is a moral issue, abortion. Our government is spending countless dollars and effort trying to deal with sin. It isn't trade with Europe or military action. It is the killing of unborn babies that our Senators are concerned about. How much lower must we go? We clearly spill innocent blood. We deserve judgment.

It is clear that abortion matters to God Himself. He will hold us accountable for every one of the 40,000,000 or so individuals sacrificed to the god of convenience since our nation has, as Judge Roberts has often put it, made Roe the "settled law of the land". We now have to account to God for accepting such a nominee.

Deuteronomy 19: 13 Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you.

Isaiah 59: 7 Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.

Proverbs 6: 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood , 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

2 Kings 24: 3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive.

We will want to fall on our knees at some time. All shall bow. Wouldn't it be better to have this occur before we have been driven through pain to this point? What God asks of us is not too great.

Isaiah 45: 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. 24 They will say of me, `In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.'" All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.





Hurricane Katrina as Judgment and Confusion seen in the Governmental Response

Let us be free of confusion. Because of our government, hundreds, possibly thousands of additional people died. These were mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Our government killed many. Many individual governmental employees tried their best and should be commended. Yes, many are heroes! Yet, our government killed many. People wanting to help were turned away by 'authorities' of government who pretended to have the situation under control. Our government did kill many citizens

Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

We see the impotence and confusion of the government. We heard rhetoric from government 'officials' who are anything but official. We have abandoned reason, yielding to the supposed learned knowledge of those in the government. Ultimately, we are at fault as their position in the government is because of our voting and our lack of diligence. As we have now seen, neighbors die because of the government's incompetence and our foolish dependence on such a fractured system.

Some more examples:
-poor planning prior to such a storm, as dollars were allocated to projects that either were not useful (such as huge amounts of money in updating communication equipment for first responders that did not work)
- floodgates planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960's for protection of the levees were defeated by an environmentalist group, "Save Our Wetlands" in a lawsuit that lost track of who needed protection the most, the poor in New Orleans
- the local government did not act appropriately. The city failed.  The state failed. The federal government failed.  No one to save the people.
- But...it was a storm of biblical proportions.

At the same time the 'leaders' were failing to act, they were actively stopping others from acting. They turned away people offering to help. They stood in the way of folks who would help.

While people were drowning in their attics, the government told people with boats not to show up. While the governmental rescue teams stopped rescues due to snipers and disgusting violence, others were not welcome and more citizens died. When anyone with even a half a will could get food and drink to the places of refuge (the Superdome and the Convention Center) that became places of death, rape and violence, the government stood in the way and people died.

Is this judgment? Of course. The government we now have is judgment on we who allowed it to get to the condition it is in. We now have hundreds of criminals who escaped during the storm including sex offenders, who are now free to do more harm, rape and murder. Our failed court system also allows their release over and over to harm and kill additional victims. Judgment on us again. Many of those who looted (~3000) and fired on rescuers have been jailed before.  Liberal thinking and early release also caused deaths! It could have been some of your family members. Judgment.

What about the soldiers who were deployed to the city? They were in danger in Iraq. The enemy wanted to kill them because of their commitment and love of this country. They came home only to be fired upon by criminals. The best of us were put in danger of the worst of us. The soldiers ask themselves, just who are they risking their own lives oversea to protect? The American way of life? To protect our country of people like that? This is the epitome of injustice.

As the state of Louisiana Attorney General charges the owners of the St. Regis Nursing home in St. Bernard parish for negligent homicide for the 34 deaths why isn't he charging the mayor, governor and others? It was a storm of biblical proportions. As long as we have a legal system seeking others to blame, we will continue to deny the truth. It was sad. It was an "Act of God", as insurance forms put it.

So, what is the answer?

First, we must repent of our sins. We are at high risk for additional pain, suffering and death. More judgment, unless we repent.

The government should have joined hands with all those willing to help. There should have been a call, as would have occurred years ago, for all able-bodied men, those with boats and those with guns to help.

The police could have deputized a rider on each boat, overwhelm the city, parish by parish, street by street, by many boats.  This could be organized by the leaders of each parish and good guys would then greatly outnumber the bad guys. There are many such individuals in the bayous of Louisiana and elsewhere within a few hours drive. Many would be thrilled to help. Lives would have been saved. The bad guys would have disappeared under the rock they came from. 

This principle was proven by one of the hardest hit parishes, St. Bernard parish.  Even though there was an initial loss of life by the storm surge from a horrific storm, within two days all who could be saved were. Henry "Junior" Rodriguez, the St. Bernard Parish President, didn't wait on the 'authorities'. He gathered up folks to do what they could. They saved many.

Instead, in New Orleans, most waited for the government. The mayor and governor waited for the feds. The feds were waiting on 'appropriate' permission. The bureaucracy killed many. Our government, with a voracious appetite for our hard-earned money, once again didn't know what to do. We now have calls for donations to various relief organizations yet we are also taxed to feed hurricane relief such as it is, at least $100 billion and probably twice that. We are again judged financially with little to show for it and some other similarly devastated gulf coast areas are ignored.

The church groups?  They are helping where help is needed.

Is this a role for the federal government to give relief? Our founders would not have agreed. They recognized the need for limited government involvement and no federal role. Troubles, as they arose at that time, were recognized as something for the church and individuals to deal with but there was no governmental bail out.

As Christians, we want to give to our fellow citizens in the name of Christ so that He gets the glory He deserves. The decision making process of who needs the funds or other aid is in the hands of caring folks who are willing to give.

Can you imagine how much extra money we could each donate if the taxes were limited to funding the minimal legitimate role of the government as seen by the founders? This would free up individual's money so that it could be used efficiently and appropriately. The church was mandated to do just this by God.

Mark 9: 41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

We have no business supporting the government usurping the church's (and even other benevolent groups) role.  This is seen with an exchange of Davy Crockett as he was campaigning.
 

The people of New Orleans who were left behind had largely lost self sufficiency over the years, the results of years of entitlement spending. This had made them (and even ourselves!) expect governmental salvation. The government made them more dependent on the government and this lack of independence added to their failure to leave the city as they trusted the untrustworthy.

The people were ordered to leave their properties by the same 'authorities' who failed to protect them. Some undoubtedly had ample supplies to stay and wisdom enough to avoid contamination yet the 'authorities' claimed the power to force such an evacuation. They have no such constitutional power. Their power is assumed as people become complacent. Sure, it probably would be a wise move to get out of town, the government, while previously blocking rescuers out, now blocks citizens out. This is, of course, unless you are an 'official', such as Rep. Jackson. They forgot that they were really 'civil servants' of the people as they receive special consideration at the cost of those fighting for their lives.

Jeremiah 22:1 This is what the LORD says: "Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and proclaim this message there: 2 `Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, you who sit on David's throne--you, your officials and your people who come through these gates. 3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people. 5 But if you do not obey these commands, declares the LORD, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.'"

So, now, ask yourself. Are God's commands so horrible that we shouldn't repent? We are running out of time.

Psalms 119: 52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.

1John 5: 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,...
 

Addendum:

God deserves great glory!  There are thousands of imperfect Christian volunteers serving in the devastation.  Please give Your people words of comfort, strength and wisdom as they perform acts of grace in Your name.  Show pity on the victims that are homeless, losing family members and helpless and may they recover victorious and praising You!  Bring us all closer to you and may we share others burdens and the grief and loss to rise victorious with great healing.  Call us to repentance.  Impress our need for You and Your great love for us.  May You be seen in the honorable acts of Christians imparting a portion of Your great love given to us.  We Praise You. 

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Point of clarification of this above statement:

Nothing is being done regarding ending abortion.  Yet, all the posturing by the senators is over one 'issue', the killing of unborn babies.  The Democrats have a litmus test of someone who will uphold Roe v Wade.  Republicans claim to be on the other side and their questioning in the judiciary committee hearing was all over this point.  My point, that probably was poorly made, was that abortion was a foundational moral value that should be automatically embraced by both liberals and conservatives (and even neo-conservatives as all the Republicans seem to be).  Everyone should say murder is wrong, all similarly should say abortion is wrong.  The sentence prior to that implies that as well.  Senators should be concerned with spending and governmental things like trade and war, not spending hours and tons of money debating what should be a "given", abortion is wrong.   This is indicative of how far we have fallen.