Voices from the Whirlwind
09/01/2005 22:21 Filed in: Miscellaneous
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said... (Job 38:1, NASB)
The good news is that I have heard from two of the four friends who lived in New Orleans or the surrounding area. They are safe and for that we rejoice.
My lifelong friend Bryant Shaver gave me permission to quote him here. Bryant and I have known each other since we were in kindergarten. We went through grade school, college and even seminary together. Most recently Bryant has been pursuing a doctorate in American History from University of New Orleans. Today, I got this email from him:
I am safe and sound in Ruston. We are waiting for the green light to re-enter the city in order to see the damage. They will allow us in to gather possessions but then we have to leave for at least one month. As for school, I don't know what will happen. Unfortunately, it looks as though I will lose a semester and not graduate as planned in the spring. That will really mess up PhD plans. The good news, however, is that the sun is shining and life continues.
Bryant's attitude shines through in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Then earlier today, I checked the website for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary , and I saw this reflection on the timing of recent events:
In spite of our present circumstances we are still seeing the evidence of God's mercy. New Orleans did not get a direct hit from the storm. The levee did not break until the storm passed and rescuers could get out to help. Those evidences of mercy are but illustrations of the grace that will sustain us all the way through this challenge.
I had not thought of this. If the levees in New Orleans had broken at the same time as as the hurricane hit, loss would be even greater, especially in regard to human life. Fortunately, the levees broke after the worst of the storm passed. We don't always know why certain things happen, but we can still find God's grace when we look for it.
The good news is that I have heard from two of the four friends who lived in New Orleans or the surrounding area. They are safe and for that we rejoice.
My lifelong friend Bryant Shaver gave me permission to quote him here. Bryant and I have known each other since we were in kindergarten. We went through grade school, college and even seminary together. Most recently Bryant has been pursuing a doctorate in American History from University of New Orleans. Today, I got this email from him:
I am safe and sound in Ruston. We are waiting for the green light to re-enter the city in order to see the damage. They will allow us in to gather possessions but then we have to leave for at least one month. As for school, I don't know what will happen. Unfortunately, it looks as though I will lose a semester and not graduate as planned in the spring. That will really mess up PhD plans. The good news, however, is that the sun is shining and life continues.
Bryant's attitude shines through in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Then earlier today, I checked the website for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary , and I saw this reflection on the timing of recent events:
In spite of our present circumstances we are still seeing the evidence of God's mercy. New Orleans did not get a direct hit from the storm. The levee did not break until the storm passed and rescuers could get out to help. Those evidences of mercy are but illustrations of the grace that will sustain us all the way through this challenge.
I had not thought of this. If the levees in New Orleans had broken at the same time as as the hurricane hit, loss would be even greater, especially in regard to human life. Fortunately, the levees broke after the worst of the storm passed. We don't always know why certain things happen, but we can still find God's grace when we look for it.