2005-9-1 06:23:00
Perhaps it is time to say a few words about the disaster in New Orleans and surrounding area. I read over the article [Keys Of Knowledge, message 21970, dtd Aug 31, 2005] Blayne posted and certainly hope that the number of dead will not be as many as predicted there. One thing seems true is that almost hourly we are finding out the disaster is worse than assumed. It is quite possible that the worst is yet to come through disease, deprivation and unsanitary conditions.
Some people think that the weather is altering so much that it is a sign of the end of days or global warming, but this is far from the worst year for hurricanes. The 30's and 40's were much worse. What makes Hurricane Katrina so severe is that it hit a very vulnerable area, much of it below sea level and depending on dikes for protection.
In fact, experts thought it was going to be a category five, but was deflected at the last minute and slowed to a category four. You wonder how it could have been worse, but it cold have. Many more people would have been instantly killed if it hit with category five force.
No matter how bad things get there is always opportunity for good to shine though. It is interesting that in this calamity we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly.
The "bad" are obvious. These are the looters and the me-first bunch that only look out for themselves and bring shame upon their once glorious city.
The ugly. These are they who sit around pointing fingers of blame for personal or political reasons rather than seeking to aid the afflicted as a prime directive.
The good. These are many. Some of these were directly involved in the catastrophe and many from neighboring communities who lend a helping hand, often at risk and sacrifice to themselves. These are the type of people who are carriers of answered prayers and renew the faith in God for many.
Perhaps there is one more category. We could call these the ignorant. These are they who forestall the helping hand because they either resign themselves to the will of God in the suffering of their brothers or they pray for help instead of being a carrier for prayer requests.
This last category is beautifully related in story of Jesus in the Aquarian Gospel, Chapter 46:
1 "It was a holy day and Jesus walked upon the Athens beach.
2 "A storm was on and ships were being tossed about like toys upon the bosom of the sea.
3 "The sailors and the fishermen were going down to watery graves; the shores were strewn with bodies of the dead.
4 "And Jesus halted not, but with a mighty power he rescued many a helpless one, oft bringing back to life the seeming dead.
5 "Now, on these shores were altars sacred to the gods supposed to rule the seas.
6 "And men and women, heedless of the cries of drowning men were crowding all about these altars calling on their gods for help.
7 "At length the storm was done, and all the sea was calm, and men could think again; and Jesus said,
8 "You worshippers of wooden gods, how has the fury of this storm been lessened by your frantic prayers?
9 "Where is the strength of these poor, weather-beaten gods with painted swords and crowns?
10 "A god that could abide in such a little house could hardly hold a frantic fly, and who could hope that he could hold at bay the Lords of winds and waves?
11 "The mighty powers of worlds unseen do not give forth their help till men have done their best; they only help when men can do no more.
12 "And you have agonised and prayed around these shrines, and let men sink to death who might have been, by your assistance, saved.
13 "The God that saves dwells in your souls, and manifests by making use of your own feet, and legs, and arms, and hands.
14 "Strength never comes through idleness; nor through a waiting for another one to bear your loads, or do the work that you are called to do.
15 "But when you do your best to bear your loads, and do your work, you offer unto God a sacrifice well-pleasing in his sight.
16 "And then the Holy One breathes deep upon your glowing sacrificial coals, and makes them blaze aloft to fill your souls with light, and strength and helpfulness.
17 "The most efficient prayer that men can offer to a god of any kind is helpfulness to those in need of help; for what you do for other men the Holy One will do for you.
18 "And thus God helps."
May we follow the example of the Master and always be a giver of true assistance and not expect God or man to do for us what we can do with our own strength.
"If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead."
-- Johnny Carson (1925 - 2005
Copyright © 2005 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved