Just when you thought it was safe......

As our nation struggles to recover from Katrina, look what may be on the horizon :

Avian Flu are we ready?

If a pandemic should strike how will we respond? It seems that almost daily we are faced with challenges that require us as Christians to take action, not just sit back like we used to and say: "I am glad I live here and don't have to suffer like those poor folks in (a) Africa (b) Middle East (c) China (d) India (e) any where else people don't look like us."

The Battle of New Orleans

I found an interesting article about New Orleans and it's constant battle with nature.

I have always been perplexed by how we continually rebuild hurricane ravaged areas with our tax dollars only to have them washed away again, and again.

The fact that many of these areas are high value ocean front properties has not escaped me. Yet we always rebuild.

I found it interesting that some politicians proclaimed that New Orleans should not be rebuilt and I would agree, since I have always held it folly to have taxpayers bail out property owners who will eventually be wiped out again and again.

I also wondered why now do they not want to rebuild? When the affluent areas of the Carolinas and Florida were hit no one suggested that those areas should not rebuild.

It seems we have set a precedent for rebuilding what should not have been built in the first place.

Read the article and see if you think New Orleans can win the battle or not.
The Battle of New Orleans

Blame Game

Lots of finger pointing about the emergency response or lack thereof. Let's remember that 3 states have been affected. I am sure people in all the states wish more could have been done quicker, but the loudest outcry is coming from Louisiana.

I am somewhat familiar with emergency response, both to terrorist acts and natural disasters, so I so know some of what I speak (or write) on the subject.

New Orleans is where the most suffering occurred, logically because there are more people there and the geography of the area along with the levee failure combined for more tragedy. The question is could more have been done? Assuming no one wanted to pony up for larger levies, then the people in power must have a plan to protect as many citizens as possible. They had a plan and did not implement it.

When it became apparent how widespread the damage would be the governor should have stepped in. In fact it is the governors responsibility in this situation more so than the mayor, though I feel he dropped the ball as well, this was more than the City (Police, Fire) could handle.

So I concur with the Wall Street Journal:

In addition, unlike the governors of New York, Oklahoma and California in past disasters, Gov. Blanco failed to take charge of the situation and ensure that the state emergency operation facility was in constant contact with Mayor Nagin and FEMA. It is likely that thousands of people died because of the failure of Gov. Blanco to implement the state plan, which mentions the possible need to evacuate up to one million people. The plan clearly gives the governor the authority for declaring an emergency, sending in state resources to the disaster area and requesting necessary federal assistance.

I am not attempting to excuse some of the delays in FEMA's response. Congress and the president need to take corrective action there, also. However, if citizens expect FEMA to be a first responder to terrorist attacks or other local emergencies (earthquakes, forest fires, volcanoes), they will be disappointed. The federal government's role is to offer aid upon request.

Wall Street Journal

Regardless of who is to blame, this is an opportunity to show Christ's love to those who really need it. And hopefully those in charge will take seriously their charge to protect their citizenry.

Why Should I Care?

With the devastation that has occurred in the Gulf States, with finally the attention on New Orleans, because that is where the "action" is now, some may say or believe that God is somehow "judging" New Orleans for her immoral behavior. Have you seen what goes on during Mardi Gras?

Well I can't say whether God is judging the "Big Easy" right now or not,(pretty sure he isn't, after all I am sure there are some Southern Baptist affected by this deal) but I do know that God will judge us as a nation for how we respond to this situation. Scripture is clear that if we do not care for the helpless we will be punished. Now whether we view the biblical parallel for Israel as the U.S. as a nation or Christ followers who happen to live in the U.S. does not matter, God has been clear that He requires His people to help the widows, orphans and feed the poor.

So for you Rapture watchers and prophecy fans out there, hear this:
41 But give to charity what is within,and then everything is clean for you.
Luke 11:41 (HCSB
42 “But woe to you Pharisees! You give a tenth of mint, rue, and every kind of herb, and you bypass justice and love for God.(actually Love of God in the original manuscript) These things you should have done without neglecting the others.
Luke 11:42 (HCSB)
In the book of Habbakkuk, Israel was judged for neglecting the helpless. When we make remarks about the racial makeup of those most damaged by this tragedy and somehow conclude that they are to blame for this desperate situation, to me is tantamount to bringing judgement down on yourself. So be careful.

Actually be obedient and do what you can to help your neighbor, regardless of social status, race or religous affiliation. And if you aren't bothered by what is going on, (people dying because they are poor).....may God bring you to repentance.