My thoughts on Katrina
It seems that every blog under the sun -- from political, to music -- has a posting about this. I have been bouncing off several sights, and I have found one that really seems to put the correct perspective on it all.
I sat down tonight to outline a few topics that were on my mind as of late, but I couldn't get very far. Instead, I found Phil's site again, and it really struck a chord with me.
Now, I'm in Oklahoma, which is quite a far shot from New Orleans. But even here, there are the same undertones about Katrina.
First: It's God striking out against the sin and rebellion. They brought it on themselves.
Oh really? If God is that kind of God, you'd better start running. My God says "for I have come to seek and save that which was lost.", not "I'll strike them for their unwillingness to listen." See my previous posts, and you'll see that I agree God can use this to get people's attention, but I am firmly against that God would do this "to teach the city a lesson." When it comes to punishment, I believe God works on a one-on-one basis. To say that they "got what they deserved" implies that God will always give what is deserved. I don't know about you, but I deserve Hurricane Katrina. (I really do. My past hasn't been Godly in the slightest.) But I praise God that, as Relient K so eloquently put it: "the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair." God is graceful, not vindictive, and it is by his grace that I trust he will not unleash all that he could on me. I doubt he would unleash that on others, just because they're "not me". I am not that special. 'Nuff said on that.
Second: It's all Bush's fault. Okay, I am with you on the "The Government could have responded better." The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) failed it's people. No, you won't hear me argue that point in the slightest. But to say that the deaths of thousands are because "President Bush stinks as a president" is a heaping Pile of Male Bovine Dung. That would be equivalent to saying it was all MY fault. It wasn't one person's fault, but a system of red-tape that let it's people down. Have you had to file anything with the government lately? I have. In order to get just PERMISSION for my wife to file for residency (she's Canadian) took a year, and my sources say that's an amazing rate!! NOTHING moves quickly through bureaucracy when it is so thick. Do we need to fix it? OF COURSE WE DO! (Duh!) Write your congressman. Vote. Propose new ideas (why do legislators have to do it all? Aren't you a citizen of this country?? If so, it's not just a priviledge to participate, it is expected.) Join a political action committee. Do something. But this is NOT the time to pile salt on their wounds by burying them in red tape AND hateful arguments. And to put the blame on one man because he's a popular scape goat is ridiculous, unjust, and plain-old asinine. Get over it people! Whether you like Bush or not, the fact that FEMA failed isn't his fault. It's FEMA as an organization who is to blame.
And finally: Wow... those people need help. Yes! Exactly! Those are real humans, not political, religious or emotional statistics. Even in Oklahoma, Falls Creek (a youth campground that has dormitory-style housing for its scheduled attendees) cancelled all fall and spring events to house over 3,000 refugees from the wake of Katrina, with schooling, medical care, and all essitials provided. The residents of Oklahoma, (and other surrounding states... I don't want to leave people out) are pitching in, politics be hanged, donating and helping these people restore their lives. The outpouring of releif dispite the national rumblings is incredible to see.
I just want to say thank you to all of those willing to lay aside the doctrinal boundries, politics, hate, stabbing words and division long enough to at least put people's lives back together.
Parties fade. Politics waver. Doctrines and religion crumble. But relationships last forvever. Make those relationships you DO have count, and pitch in to helping people you don't know... build new relationships and put yourself in their shoes. Thanks, Phil, for your words and for sparking Truth when others want to spread hatred.
I sat down tonight to outline a few topics that were on my mind as of late, but I couldn't get very far. Instead, I found Phil's site again, and it really struck a chord with me.
Now, I'm in Oklahoma, which is quite a far shot from New Orleans. But even here, there are the same undertones about Katrina.
First: It's God striking out against the sin and rebellion. They brought it on themselves.
Oh really? If God is that kind of God, you'd better start running. My God says "for I have come to seek and save that which was lost.", not "I'll strike them for their unwillingness to listen." See my previous posts, and you'll see that I agree God can use this to get people's attention, but I am firmly against that God would do this "to teach the city a lesson." When it comes to punishment, I believe God works on a one-on-one basis. To say that they "got what they deserved" implies that God will always give what is deserved. I don't know about you, but I deserve Hurricane Katrina. (I really do. My past hasn't been Godly in the slightest.) But I praise God that, as Relient K so eloquently put it: "the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair." God is graceful, not vindictive, and it is by his grace that I trust he will not unleash all that he could on me. I doubt he would unleash that on others, just because they're "not me". I am not that special. 'Nuff said on that.
Second: It's all Bush's fault. Okay, I am with you on the "The Government could have responded better." The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) failed it's people. No, you won't hear me argue that point in the slightest. But to say that the deaths of thousands are because "President Bush stinks as a president" is a heaping Pile of Male Bovine Dung. That would be equivalent to saying it was all MY fault. It wasn't one person's fault, but a system of red-tape that let it's people down. Have you had to file anything with the government lately? I have. In order to get just PERMISSION for my wife to file for residency (she's Canadian) took a year, and my sources say that's an amazing rate!! NOTHING moves quickly through bureaucracy when it is so thick. Do we need to fix it? OF COURSE WE DO! (Duh!) Write your congressman. Vote. Propose new ideas (why do legislators have to do it all? Aren't you a citizen of this country?? If so, it's not just a priviledge to participate, it is expected.) Join a political action committee. Do something. But this is NOT the time to pile salt on their wounds by burying them in red tape AND hateful arguments. And to put the blame on one man because he's a popular scape goat is ridiculous, unjust, and plain-old asinine. Get over it people! Whether you like Bush or not, the fact that FEMA failed isn't his fault. It's FEMA as an organization who is to blame.
And finally: Wow... those people need help. Yes! Exactly! Those are real humans, not political, religious or emotional statistics. Even in Oklahoma, Falls Creek (a youth campground that has dormitory-style housing for its scheduled attendees) cancelled all fall and spring events to house over 3,000 refugees from the wake of Katrina, with schooling, medical care, and all essitials provided. The residents of Oklahoma, (and other surrounding states... I don't want to leave people out) are pitching in, politics be hanged, donating and helping these people restore their lives. The outpouring of releif dispite the national rumblings is incredible to see.
I just want to say thank you to all of those willing to lay aside the doctrinal boundries, politics, hate, stabbing words and division long enough to at least put people's lives back together.
Parties fade. Politics waver. Doctrines and religion crumble. But relationships last forvever. Make those relationships you DO have count, and pitch in to helping people you don't know... build new relationships and put yourself in their shoes. Thanks, Phil, for your words and for sparking Truth when others want to spread hatred.
posted by Jerry Hanel @ 9/13/2005 09:00:00 PM
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