Wednesday, June 25, 2008

What's the Difference?


A couple of summers ago, when Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast of Texas, Luoisiana and Mississippi, there was mass hysteria. People blamed President Bush for the destruction, and even politicians from those states couldn't help but ask for a free piece of the American Pie to help "make things right."

So, with the flooding in Midwestern states, most notably Iowa right now, where is the Hollywood (and Liberal) outcry? I got the following questions in an email, and it kind of made me mad. I guess al of those Iowans (even the black ones) just live in the wrong part of the country.

Very Good Questions

Where are all of the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods?

Where are all the media hounds asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are?

Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowans to free hotels in Chicago?

When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines? Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks?

Why haven't we heard from the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, complaining about the plight of the flood ravaged Iowans?

How come the Federal government hasn't handed out free credit cards to displaced Iowans?

Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes, liquor and big screen television sets?

When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a "vanilla" Iowa, because that's the way God wants it?

Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

Where's the stadium that the Iowans have turned into a filthy, crime ridden sty?

How come in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?


These are, indeed, very good questions. I guess in a presidential election year the media is too busy telling us why Barack Obama is the savior of the U.S. to ask any of the above questions. And, since it isn't a popular tourist destination that is under water, I guess no one in the "important" places really cares. I wonder if the flooding in Iowa is my fault? After all, I drive a gasoline powered vehicle, I drink water from plastic bottles, I use electricity from coal- and oil-powered power plants, and I voted for George Bush in the last election. Surely this is causing Global Climate Change which is the root of the Iowa flooding. Stay tuned to Hollywood for the "real" answer. . . .

Monday, June 23, 2008

Healthy Faith

(From the Flora Christian, June 27, 2008 edition)


I have been leading a group of exercisers on Sunday nights as part of our summer Sunday night program here at FCC. To say “leading” is probably a bit of an exaggeration. Until this week, I have been preparing a devotion and then leaving to head out to church camp while the group exercised. There are some who walk, some who have been doing some aerobics, and a few others who have hinted that they might come in and ride their bikes. Preparing the devotion has been a bit of a challenge.

This reason why it has been a challenge is because I don’t like what I should say. You see, while I do NOT believe that one should have a “perfect” body in order to please the Lord, I DO believe that our physical well being is important to Him. Mostly, the poorer our health, the more distractions we have that keep us from worshipping and serving Him the way we should. I also believe that health is as important when it comes to stewardship as what we do with our finances. The problem with all of this is that I don’t always live what I believe in this area.

I guess it’s a good thing that God is patient with us and puts up with our shortcomings and struggles. Believe me, this isn’t the only area of my Christian walk that isn’t up to par! But thanks be to God that He is gracious and loving, and forgives us of our faults when we ask Him. I also believe He will continue to help me grow in my faith as I continue to try and get my physical health in order.

There’s room in the class for anyone of any ability level. I invite you to come to our class if you are not currently involved in a study on Sunday nights.

See You Sunday! Rob