Posted on 09/01/2005 7:20:09 PM PDT by LifeSite News
NEW ORLEANS, September 1, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The popular adage, "there are no atheists in the trenches" sums up the truth that in times of disaster it is natural for people to turn to God, for help and also for an explanation. The devastation wrought by hurricane Katrina has brought that reality home to the United States, particularly in the affected regions.
. . . New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas after witnessing the horrors first hand and hearing talk of Sodom and Gomorrah commented, "Maybe God's going to cleanse us."
The theme of cleansing or purification has become a frequently discussed topic as the tragedy in the affected states unfolds. European papers have suggested that Katrina was the punishment the US received for failing to sign onto the Kyoto accord, Islamic militants have rejoiced that "private" Katrina has joined in the holy war against the U.S. for - among other things - the Iraq war. Some have even suggested that the hurricane was God's punishment on the U.S. for cooperating in the removal of Jews from the Gaza strip.
However, beyond these speculations is a more general acknowledgement that New Orleans, the epicentre of the disaster, was a "sin city" which harboured few rivals. The New Orleans "southern decadence" festival which was to take place Labour Day weekend, is described by a French Quarter tourism site as "sort of like a gayer version of Mardi Gras" which is "most famous (or infamous) for the displays of naked flesh which characterize the event," with "public displays of sexuality . . . pretty much everywhere you look."
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesite.net ...
Now this one is cool.
Sometimes we people get too passive to think that life is endless... "do all you can, do all you want" stuff...
I can agree with that aspect, yet my belief in a Sovereign God requires me to believe He is in control. We must also remember this "all things work together for those who love God," even those things we do not fully comprehend or have all the answers to. If we love Him here and now, we are safe regardless of our plight in this world.
"work together for the good of those who love God"
Very positive. Thanks for the link NnB
"yet my belief in a Sovereign God requires me to believe He is in control."
Being in control, and causing a hurricane to hit something are two entirely different things.
Saying outright or intimating that the area hit deserved it is accusing God of wrong doing.
Why attribute to God what is due mainly to patterns in the writhings of a fallen world?
There is a difference between being in control, and making something happen.
No argument from me on that. We are surely witnessing it.
Okay, then show us...
Then do not say 'they deserved it' but rather say 'this might give someone a chance to hear about God that they didn't have before.'
And hope the people who are men of the cloth are up to snuff and capable of showing Christs love and sacrifice to those who need to hear it.
Must be nice to have the inside track with God. I've been seeking his guidance in my life for 40 years. I never asked him to reveal the contents of another man's heart to me. He keeps me pretty busy keeping track of my own failings.
Maybe someday I can reach your level of perfection.
As opposed to affluent rich white people?
Anyone who truly turns to Jesus Christ will be saved. No matter how ungodly he or she may have been. Now, there is a lesson on God's grace.
The Khmer victims were overwhelmngly non-Christian, and therefore going to Hell forever, if I understand your religion correctly.
So your religion would say that the Khmer murderers are headed to eternal paradise, and their victims are headed to eternal Hell. Yes?
Feel better?
No?
Oh well, it never helps me either.
Maybe what the entire country should worry about . . . watching filthy garbage on that moving picture box most of us have setting in the corner in our house, supporting the Hollywood "star" culture and its ever-increasingly violent and lewd creations by our box office ticket purchases, the elevation of sports to the level of a religion, purchasing pornography on the internet so that the porn pushers are enriched and increased - along with the hordes of depraved child molesters, dressing our little girls like little prostiTOTS to further entice such depraved creatures, listening intently night after night to the filthy "jokes" spewing from the funny mouths of talk show hosts with a "we're all adults here" attitude . . I mean, I don't know about that particular town, but isn't this just a small part of the description that generally fits the majority of places?
Is God all-powerful? If He had chosen to do so, could He have stopped the storm? Does prayer work? Is God able to change our situations and circumstances? I do not suggests that the sins of NO nor MISS are greater than anyone elses in this country. I do believe that NO is a good example of why God may be somewhat displeased with America as a society. I think the aftermath is even more revealing of just what man is made of. Both on the light and dark sides of man. Ever read the Book of Revelation? There is no clearer indication that God will rain His wrath in huge proportions upon this planet. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He judged yesterday, He still judges today, and will judge in the future.
Knowing God and knowing the mind of God are two different things. The latter is impossible for man.
"I do believe that NO is a good example of why God may be somewhat displeased with America as a society."
He said of Sodom, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
Are you saying that there aren't ten believers in NO?
I never said "they deserved it." I did say we all deserve it. By for the grace of God, it may have been my city or home. I'm well aware of that!
If it is impossible, why did Paul command us to "put on the MIND of Christ?
Who set you up as the Judge of my heart?
Helpless? They're doing pretty well against the neutered police and national guard.
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