Out of the Rubble

A friend commented that most of my recent posts have been rather depressing--too much talk about tornadoes and earthquakes and the deaths of children and soldiers. Well, there's a lot of depressing stuff going on. The good news is that in the midst of it all God is at work to bring about something good, and he works through people. Here's an example from a friend in China who was in Beijing at the time of the quake and is now helping with the recovery efforts:

"This is just one of thousands of similar stories of my team's earthquake experience last Friday. First let me say that the Chinese government is doing an AMAZING job here, and meeting 80% of the needs of say 70% of those most affected. We set out to find and assist some of the other 30%. There are more than 67,000 dead, untold still missing and 5 million homeless. This quake shook so hard that the ground moved over a meter underfoot. It's hard to imagine.

The trip starts with planning in our agency's emergency response center in Chengdu about an hour south of the epicenter. Under the Red Cross umbrella our team loaded up 2 4WD's and set out to find a village that earlier reports said was not yet accessible due to massive land slides. We kept driving when told that you could not get through. Over and around land slides and through rivers where there were no roads.

We met our match when a living-room-size bolder blocked the pass between a river and a massive land slide. The mountains came down and flung boulders right through the back of the homes, through the living rooms and out on to the front porch.

The army had just arrived and set up 4 tents and strung a phone line. The villagers beyond the land slide had run out of food 3 days ago. One girl, gripped in fear, sprinted the 50 meter "gauntlet" where the ominous rock slide teetered waiting for the next aftershock to claim its next victim. We unloaded our supply of tents, tarps, food and medicine and the villagers helped to trek the supplies in over the rocks and through the rivers. I was humbled how these mountain people, young and old, grabbed 110 lb bags of rice and tirelessly negotiated the dangerous landslides. After an hour we made it to the village, a mystical cascade of rich green semi-tropical forest and kiwi fruit plantation. Paradise shattered by grief and despair—200 families starving and grieving.

We met the party secretary and asked if we could help, she just wanted to talk but it didn't take long before she was sobbing profusely in front of her broken people. The soldiers armed with picks and shovels were on their way out, they had just buried 18 victims. She welcomed us, and next we met the village doctor, his house was totally destroyed, and he could only dig out a hand full of medicines. He probably had not slept in a week, there was a sort of glazed look on his harrowed face as if to say "everyone needs me to help them and I have nothing to help them with". I looked down at his feet, he had hand-made a pair of make shift sandals from a tire. I could barley compose myself to ask a few questions. The doctor on our team took over.

We stocked the shelf in his tent with the few supplies we had, and his countenance lifted about a mile. After 9 days he finally had a few medicines and bandages to help heal the scores of injured. That moment was one of the most fulfilling moments of my live here in China. Then the lady who lost her only two children (teenagers) came in to the medical tent.

Thank God for D., one of our team members. A woman began to share her story and started balling within moments. D was just the right person for the task. She went up the mountain to her home, now a pile of rubble, and within minutes the word was out that "the counselor" had arrived. Out of the thick foliage dozens came and mobbed her with their stories. She listened and prayed with each of them. They begged her not to leave.

We found a couple teenagers cleaning up their kitchen and we jumped in with a hand moving rubble and saving bricks. The party secretary joined the "assembly line" until we cleared out a pile of rubble. Then a fit elderly man came down from the mountain where 800 survivors lived, 100% of the homes were uninhabitable. Tile roofs had just rattled to the ground. We helped to carry up roofing materials and tarps. Because of the 4 days of rain right after the quake there wasn't a dry bed in the village.

On the way out we stopped on what used to be the road for a rest. We plan to return with some coworkers who will live with these guys for the next year or two and we will supply them with the materials to start building temporary bamboo housing, kitchens, and then more permanent housing.

Training is already underway for over 300 of our national partners to care for emotional needs as well as physical needs, starting with those most at risk; the injured, very young and widows. Our task is to find as many of these villages as we have people to serve and then support them with the materials and training to restore lives and transform communities."

~ "For we know that in every situation, God is at work through those who love Him, to bring about good." (Romans 8:28)

In Memorial

---

Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. It originally began to honor those who lost their lives during the Civil War, then expanded to include those whose sacrifices helped secure victory during World War 1. Now it includes all those who have “made the ultimate sacrifice” and given their lives in military service to the United States of America.

Today my family honors the memory of Sgt. Robert Sweeney III, family member and friend, who lost his life on January 10, 2005--at the age of 22-- while serving our nation in Iraq. Rob graduated high school in 2001 and was a college student pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. He served as a member of the 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) of the Louisiana National Guard.

Rob was killed in action when the Bradley Fighting Vehicle in which he was riding was destroyed by a roadside bomb.

At the time of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 he was a college freshman and already serving in the Louisiana National Guard. In an interview with his home town newspaper a few days later he was quoted as saying, "People like to say our generation are slackers that don't care about anything, but they'll see that's wrong. If they call me up, I'm ready."

Rob is a true American hero who died fighting for his country. We honor his memory today, and our thoughts and prayers go out for all the men and women serving in the military, for their families, for their safety, and for their quick return home.

Tragedy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Maria Chapman, the 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother.
(This undated family photo shows from left to right: Will Franklin, Maria, Steven Curtis, Shaoey, MaryBeth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily Chapman.)

Steven's manager, Jim Houser, wrote the following on the musician's website: "Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again."

I was stunned to hear the news this morning and join with friends, family and fans in grieving the loss of this precious little girl. Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favorite artists primarily because he is a singer/songwriter who, rather than just performing someone else's material, pens his own words, pouring his soul onto paper, putting melody to his moods.

I first heard his song "More to This Life" back in the mid-nineties at a particularly low-point and began listening to his other works. I'm reminded of the chorus at this tragic time in the Chapman family's life:
"But theres more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And theres more than this life alone can be."

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who fall asleep; for we grieve, but not like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

"We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence... Therefore we do not lose heart... we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:14-18)

Bush Disagrees with Jesus?

Jerusalem: May 15, 2008
U.S. President Bush gave a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament today.
Part of his remarks were interpreted by many as a political swipe at Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama:

"Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."

It could possibly be taken as more of an unintentional swipe at the teachings of Jesus than a jab at Obama, which would be ironic since Bush is a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian.

Talking to those with whom we disagree is "false comfort", "appeasement" and "repeatedly discredited by history"?

Bush believes strongly in redemptive violence; that retaliation is helping God in his work of judgment and vengeance. Jesus taught that violence doesn't redeem violence, it only accelerates the downward spiral of human depravity.

Jesus, Gandhi, King--just a few who rejected the notion of redemptive violence and sought to show us a better way of "combating" our enemies.

Consider the radical teachings of Jesus:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48)

Unspeakable Grief

The last time I stood on Chinese soil I was boarding an airplane in Chengdu in Sichuan Province. My heart aches as we hear the latest news from that region following the 7.9 magnitude earthquake on Monday. Over 12,000 deaths, over 18,000 still missing, over 26,000 injured...thousands more now homeless.

Unspeakable fear and horror. We have friends in the region that we have still been unable to contact via e-mail. We contiue to pray for the victims' families.

Learning to Travel Light (part 3 of 3)

I've really been challenged by the book "The Treasure Principle.

Yesterday I mentioned the PBS TV special a while back about America's possession obsession: “Affluenza, the modern-day plague of materialism” which reported that collectively Americans comprise a small percentage of the world's population, but own a disproportionate amount of the world's resources.

If AFFLUENZA (materialism) is a disease, then perhaps giving is the antidote. Gandhi once said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.” He "preached" and practiced simple living.

In political conversations, we'll often hear talk about "reparations" and "redistribution". When this is forced, it's fuel for bloody revolutions. But when those who have more than enough learn to love love those who don't have enough, a beautiful thing happens. When those with more than enough give to those with too little, two problems are solved. When they don't, two problems are perpetuated.

What if 'abundance' isn't God's provision for us to live in luxury, but his provision to help others live? Just because money comes our way doesn't mean it's suppose to stay with us. What if we're just to be the "delivery man" to get it to person who really needs it?

The challenge: What if I determine a basic level of income sufficient to live simply for the year, and simply give away everything beyond that amount that comes my way?

Earthquake!

We are in shock, and grieving, as we are hearing the news reports of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake the shook China today. The epicenter was in Sichuan Province where we have done some traveling. We have friends in the area--some of whom we have heard from, and some of whom we have been unable to contact at this point. Please join us in praying and mobilizing aid to our neighbors in China.

Learning to Travel Light (part 2 of 3)

The little book by Randy Alcorn entitled "The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving" has some challenging (and freeing) ideas.

Consider the advice of Jesus: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

There is joy in surrendering lesser treasures in order to find greater ones! Jesus said it's good to store up treasure, just make sure it's the right kind and you put it in the right place.

Years ago a popular bumper sticker read, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins!”

The truth is, “Whoever dies with the most toys still dies—and never takes his toys with him!” If we die after devoting our lives to acquiring things, we don’t win—we lose!

The American Dream says die with as much in your hands as possible, and leave it for the kids. My family and I love to play a card game called "UNO" the winner is the one who runs out of cards first. Any cards you’re holding in your hand when it’s over count against you. Perhaps we should think of material possessions the same way.

There was a PBS TV special a while back about America's possession obsession: “Affluenza, the modern-day plague of materialism”. It reveled that collectively Americans comprise a small percentage of the world's population, but own a disproportionate amount of the world's resources. The advice of scripture is worthy of consideration:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
(1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Learning to Travel Light (Part 1 of 3)

I've been reading and teaching through a little book entitled "The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving" by Randy Alcorn. While I do not agree with all of this guy's theology, the basic ideas in the book are very challenging...and freeing.

I admit it's tough to read while feeling the economic pains in the grocery store check-out lines, at the gas pumps and in the housing markets. Is it possible that part of the pain I'm feeling in the pocketbook is because I've bought into some lies about money and possessions and the place they hold in my life?

Jesus warned his listeners, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

King Solomon, arguably the wisest and wealthiest man in the world, observed that making possessions and material things the center of one's life was futile, like chasing the wind. Consider his observations (found in Ecclesiastes 5:10-15):

"Whoever loves money never has money enough";
(The more you have, the more you want.)

"Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."
(The more you have, the less you are satisfied.)

"As goods increase, so do those who consume them."
(The more you have, the more people (including the government) will come after it.)

"And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?"
(The more you have, the more you realize it does you no good.)

"The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
(The more you have, the more you have to worry about.)

"I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,"
(the more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding on to it.)

"or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him." (The more you have, the more you have to lose.)

"Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand."
(The more you have, the more you’ll leave behind.)

Physics teaches us that the greater the mass of an object, the greater the hold (gravitational pull) the mass exerts. Money and things have mass, and mass exerts gravity, holding us in orbit (our lives revolve around) the things we possess. The more stuff we own, the greater the mass of our possessions, the greater the pull on us, setting our lives in orbit around them.

Giving brings freedom, it breaks us out of orbit around our possessions.

Into the Wild

Last weekend some friends, along with my son and I, went camping. We paddled into a swamp to a primitive campsite and spent Friday and Saturday enjoying kayaking, hiking, hunting snakes, making S'mores, and the male-bonding ritual of "tick checks".

Devastation!

On Monday, April 28th, an F3 tornado swept through neighboring Suffolk, Virginia. The tornado, which measured a quarter-mile at its widest, reduced homes to piles of sticks and bricks and tossed cars into buildings. It cut a path of destruction 10 miles long and packed winds at over 160 mph.

The storm damaged over 1,200 homes, 145 of which were later condemned as uninhabitable. Dozens of families have been displace. Damages are in excess of $20 million. Miraculously, there were no fatalities.

The village of Driver in northern Suffolk was hardest hit. Sentara Obici Hospital treated 70 patients, and no one had life-threatening injuries. During the past week local churches, military personnel, the American Red Cross and local relief agencies have tirelessly tried to meet the physical and emotional needs of those who've suffered loss.

We've heard many remarkable stories and tales of survival. In several cases, people were inside when their homes were swept away, but they walked away with scrapes, bruises and maybe a few broken bones.

In the days that followed residents were given escorted, limited entries into their homes for 30 minutes to assess the damage and retrieve whatever personal items they could carry. Four families in our church live in Suffolk, but none suffered any damage from the storm.

Was Wright Right?

From April 25-28, Barack Obama's former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright was ubiquitous in the mainstream media. He appeared on PBS's Bill Moyer's Journal on Friday night, and preached at the NAACP convention, and again at the National Press Club on Monday.

Most people were not impressed. They rarely are with prophets. The prophets of the Old Testament often taunted political and military leaders for the nation's sins and shortcomings, and then paid the consequences for their boldness. Then later generations would realize the truth of their words, repent, and erect a monument to honor their new spiritual hero.

Dr. Wright proclaimed an unpopular message, taking on the world's political and military super-power along with her leaders. He even had the audacity to challenge presidential contender Barack Obama, a member of the church Wright once pastored, "If you get elected, November the 5th I'm coming after you, because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people." Bold.

On the Bill Moyer's interview Dr. Wright went into detail explaining some of his comments made in a sermon he delivered on September 16, 2001--just five days after the horrific loss of life during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. His text for the day was the ancient Psalm 137, and his application to the immediate post-9/11 situation, when taken in context, was brilliant.

Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites (in this case, the terrorists) did on the day Jerusalem (the WTC twin towers) fell. "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to it's foundations!" O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us-- he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 137:1-9 (NIV)

He spoke about the desire for revenge in the aftermath of intentional terrorism. But as revenge is being exacted even the innocents get caught up in the wake of retaliation, while the loss of innocent lives gets labeled "collateral damage" in order to soothe the revenge-takers conscience or justify their cause.

He pointed out that in our nation's history and expansion that innocent peoples have been victimized, and they, too, have sought (and will seek) revenge against their oppressor when the opportunity presents itself. He reminded his listeners that violence never brings peace, it only breeds more violence. He challenged an angry, hurt, and revenge-hungry people to seek a better way--the way of Jesus:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 5:38-48)