The CIS Mission Board of Directors has approved Colin Campbell, chaplain with the “War on Cancer” in Charlottesville, as a special ministry project. The decision was ratified at a regular board meeting in October, 2008. [read more]

For over 30 years Dr. Bray has used the YWAM Prayer and Planning Diary as a way to stay on track with his personal piety and as a prayer guide for the whole team. "Next to the Bible, this is the most life-changing devotional book I have ever used," says Dr. Bray. "It takes you right into the heart of Jesus for the lost world-it is like walking with God. Plus it helps you plan your daily apostolic action." [read more]

THE volunteers who serve at the CIS Mission Book Table Ministry are offering two free gift books this season as part of their 2008 holiday ministry to needy students, supporters and the whole body of Christ. [read more]

By Brother Charles

September 6, 2005

There are good and honest people who can't understand how a loving God, could allow something like Katrina to happen. Many others wonder if God actually used to storm to strike out at those who live in sin, and reject the One Who died on the cross to save their souls. Since God is God, He is the only One who fully understands all of this. I will make a few observations based upon things that have happened in the past, and biblical principles that may apply to this recent tragedy.

First, there are times when God got "fed up" enough to strike out in judgment, and wipe many people and places from the face of the earth. The great flood was certainly an example of this, as was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God even allowed His chosen people the Jews to be destroyed to a great degree, when they chose to live in sin and rebellion.

I lived in New Orleans for 30 years, and I can assure you the city attempts to make financial gain from allowing sin to flourish in the big easy. Many of the tourists that visit the city come to drink, gamble, and engage in heterosexual and homosexual activities, with people who dwell in, or frequent the French Quarter. While the city has (or had) a lot beauty and great food, it is better known as a party town. New Orleans is not alone in this regard, as Las Vegas and San Francisco have a very established "sin profile" of their own.

Does this mean God said enough is enough, and decided to make an example out of New Orleans? As I said, I don't know the answer to this question. But I will say if He did, people have noticed what happened. I read today that even members of the New Orleans city council, were wondering if this was in fact the reason their city was selected for judgment. They decided to begin praying about the matter, and seek God's guidance regarding the decisions they would make in the future.

Did you also notice how the places in Mississippi with government licensed gambling casinos were the worst hit? The governmental officials in Mississippi complained they were losing five hundred thousands a day, because the casinos were out of commission. Do they not realize the losses everyone endured in the area MAY have been resulted from the presence of this illicit and ungodly form of vice? Remember, if you gamble with a few friends in places where casinos exist, you may well go to jail!

If this was not a direct judgment of God, it may well have happened for other reasons. Before man chose to sin, he was under the total protection of God. When Adam and Eve decided to do their thing instead of God's thing, they opened the door to all sorts of terrible forces and changed the earth into a place with peril around almost every corner. Everyone wants a free will, but they only want to assume the responsibility for the good decisions they make in life. When we choose wrong, we invite the devil into our time and space and suffer the consequences. Even when we do right, others use their free will to make our life miserable. Sin is common to all mankind, and we do an excellent job of keeping it in place here on planet earth. It is like a kid who leaves a fine home, and moves in with drug addicts, and blames God for THEIR poor decisions in life. Our enemy is not God, it is US.

How could a God of love allow all of this, or punish us in such a severe manner? While God certainly has the right and the ability to punish sinners, He does not have to do so. All He has to do is withdraw His protection, and we will destroy ourselves. Because creation itself has been polluted by sin and rebellion, the natural forces that provide us with warmth, rain, and other essentials in life, can also work against us too. All God has to do is NOTHING, and we will do ourselves in! Most people have rejected God, and He may have decided He will honor their request.

Jesus suffered more than anyone in New Orleans, or anyone else since creation itself. Not only did he suffer unfairly by the hands of the Romans and Jews of His day, He was actually punished for OUR SINS by His Father in heaven, while He hung on the cross. Such love goes well beyond human understanding, yet we call God cruel and mean. This proves the unsaved are spiritually dead, and have no idea of how much God loves them.

The believers who died because of Katrina, are now walking on streets of gold. They would not return to earth if they could, as they are now in a much better place. Those who died in their sins are in torment, but even their death may have had a degree of mercy associated with it too. Since sinners are judged according to their works, the longer they live the more terrible their punishment will be after they die. Our short life here will quickly pass, no matter if there is ever a flood or storm again.

Instead of trying to accuse God or anyone else for what happened, we all need to secure our eternity by turning from our sins, and trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. If you do this, you will one day be able to ask God Himself, why all of this happened. When you see and understand things from His perspective, you will understand and agree it was just and beneficial in the long run. Many who had no time for God in the past, will be taking a second look at the Christian faith, and the "good news" recorded in the bible because of this tragedy.

Brother Charles

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