2010 CHALLENGE 11: NATURAL DISASTERS

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Thankful for trials? Peter says that they are there to refine us like gold is refined by fire (at 1,102 degress Celsius). On this blog, we are talking about challenges that stretch and grow our faith in the goodness of God. Being involved in a natural disaster is like firing up the degrees on the refining furnace!!! Yet, Peter reminds us to REJOICE!

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1 Peter 1:6-9 says,

"In this you greatly rejoice,

though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief

in all kinds of trials.

These have come so that your faith

-of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire-

may be proved genuine and may result in

praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him;

and even though you do not see Him now,

you believe in Him and are filled with

an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls. "

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My first knowledge of the Nashville, Tennessee flood, of May 2010, was in an email message from my friend, Benja. She described the flooding and said that they were able to save all the furniture from her sister's house, but not the house. Two of her sister's neighbors' houses burned because of the water causing electrical shortages.

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Over the last week, I've received pictures and videos from friends in Nashville. I'd like to share two videos with you.

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VIDEO ONE: As I viewed this video, my thoughts were many.... here are five:

• To the background music, in my mind, I replaced "Here comes the sun..." with "Here comes the Son..."
• To the comment of "no looting", I thought "Praise God! This is how it should be in a city known to have "possibly the most churches per capita of any city".
• To the pictures, I often responded with "I've been there!"
• To the overwhelming thought of the enormity of the situation, I whispered, "Rejoce in trials! God be with them!"
• To the last slide, "We are Nashville!" , I thought "It would be nice if it said "We are christian!"
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VIDEO TWO: This second video (down below) is taken on Interstate 24 (at Bell Rd.) in Nashville, Tennessee. You will see many cars submerged. There is a semi truck in the left foreground. I do not know if when this was taken (from a helicopter) if there were people in any of these vehicles or not. What I do know is that this classroom building from Lighthouse Christian School came off it's foundation and floated down the highway. If you don't have time to watch the entire video, scroll the little cursor over to almost halfway and watch a little over the last half. I cried!

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Please join me in praying for Nashville. Andrew Krinks, who grew up in our church family here in NJ, has been committed to serving the poor in Nashville (with his wife, Lindsey) since they were students at David Lipscomb University. Nashville's Tent City, it's largest homeless encampment, has been completely flooded over . As a result, the Red Cross has set up a temporary site for them on the University's campus until more permanent housing can be secured. Andrew and Lindsey are very involved in this effort. Can you rally forces to help? Contact Andrew at AndrewKrinks@gmail.com

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Please join me in begging God to let them see all the reasons for rejoicing in these trials. Let them see that GIGATTAATTGIG.
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Scroll down a little to see the videos!


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