While We Were Away... Pics from our visit with The Jones Family

Allyson and Hannah

Lydia... Have you been eating chocolate?

Allyson and Abigail

Beth and Allyson cooking up a storm... no wait... please don't!

Abigail has a future as a taxi cab driver (Ned on board)

Cousins Galore! Ned 4, Max 2, Lydia 3, Abigail 9 Hannah 11, Daniel 13

Where Was God When Bridge City Flooded?

When I moved to the area a few years ago, I heard that one day a storm could come and all of Bridge City could be under water. But, that had never happened before and when Hurricane Rita hit, it didn’t happen then either. So, it really couldn’t happen... but it did.
From inches to feet, Bridge City flooded. The images that we received on the television and internet sites could only shock the residents of the Golden Triangle. It was true. Bridge City and parts of Orange were flooded.
It was a Sunday morning that I spoke to my neighbor to find out that my home had not flooded. I was thrilled, but others had suffered catastrophic loss. Then it happened. Someone said to me, “You must be living right, God spared your house.” Those words simply stunned me. I know this person was well meaning, but the Christian gospel message had simply flown by and had not been captured in the least. Good??? Good??? Good has nothing to do with it. Did this dear person not know that Jesus came and preached that it was no longer about being good? God’s favor is about another “G” word, grace! Matthew 5: 45-48 teaches, “This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (from the Message)
The lesson above is that the world is not a fair one or an equitable one. The rain falls on both good and bad people. The earthquake shakes, the tornado tears, the lightning strikes… with no discretion about who is good or bad. Famine comes, war ravages, violence erupts, crime hits, and disease disables… with no discretion about who is good or bad.
Bridge City is not the first town to suffer and it will not be the last. Again I turn to scripture to find words that comfort. John 9 tells the story of Jesus meeting a blind man listen to what is said, “Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines.” God did not send Hurricane Ike. (If anything, the ruler of this world, Satan, may be at work) In Jesus we see a man who never walked up to anyone and made them blind, or lame, or sick, or anything detrimental to people. Jesus was a healer, a teacher, a man who loved people, even forgiving those who would kill Him. In that, I find utter comfort. God will be here to help us pick up the pieces and rebuild lives. God was with those who were trapped… God was with those who responded… and God will be with us as we comfort and care for those in need. I believe God, while not causing these events, works through them to show us how to love one another. People are the treasure, not the stuff.
Until next time, God bless!

Video of Bridge City after Ike

click the link below and watch local news coverage!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1138292619/bclid1137896012/bctid1795036818
how will bc rebuild?
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1138292619/bclid1137896012/bctid1805534857

for more pictures... http://www.kogt.com/
go to photo gallery on main page on left.
click on events, then on ike.
what a site...

Pictures of the Flood of Ike

Bridge City Texas was flooded by the storm surge on the morning of Hurricane Ike. Everyone that lives in BC city limits was flooded and then some. Basically everyone from my house to the Neches River and Sabine Lake had inches to feet of water in their homes and or businesses. It is truly catastrophic!
Pizza Hut in Bridge City


Jack In BC

the road from my house to BC

Hurricane Ike Has Hit

It is now 3:00 a.m. I sit in my niece's home in Tyler, Texas watching the streaming internet broadcast from KFDM out of Beaumont. I have no idea what is happening at my home in Bridge City nor my office at St. John Lutheran Church in Nederland.
I am specifically worried about flooding in the B.C. area. I am also feeling a sadness. I have heard that some folks that decided to stay in the area are now suffering. One email received at KFDM is from a family that needs rescue from 4 ft. of water in their home.
It truly makes me think about story of Noah. Noah told people that the rain was coming. Some even doubted him and probably laughed at his preparations. But, you know the worst part of that whole story is the fact that Genesis 7:16 tells us, Noah and his family and all the animals went into the ark..."then God shut the door behind him." I don't think Noah could have done that to anyone begging to get on board, but I don't think God did either. I actually don't think anyone thought it would rain at all. But had the door been opened, it would have flooded the ark and the future would have been lost.
As I sit in my comfortable shelter, I feel terrible for those who thought they would "ride it out." My prayers are with them and I know God loves them dearly.

Some ramblings!

In the midst of this sorrow, I also find comfort in having recently read the book, The Shack.

Tragedies come in varies forms and to various degrees. The loss of property can be heart breaking, but it can be overcome. The loss of life however, is pain nearly beyond our capacity. If you have not read The Shack, I highly recommend you do so. Ironically, I have heard the majority of theologians who have loved it and a few others who think it is a heresy. Personally I thought it was wonderful. Hmmm... but you need to decide. Don't rent your opinion from someone else. Yes, we pastors try to lead in the right direction, but occasionally we disagree. Everyone I know who has read the book loved it. In fact, one said it was life changing. WOW! Life Changing! Isn't that what evangelism is about... getting individuals into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ?
No, it is not always absolutely perfect theology, but I have numerous books on my shelves that fit that bill and no one, other than another preacher, will ever read them! Thus, The Shack, has accomplished an important goal... it allows someone to read a story and find God's grace, healing, and restoration. While the story is fiction, it is a beautiful, and at times funny, portrait of who God can be and why we are here on this planet. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!

Take care and get out of the wind!