Overwhelmed by Disasters

Earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires—all in the last few weeks! Do you feel as overwhelmed as I do by all this news? Families left homeless, wildlife killed, crops destroyed, thousands missing. It’s more than I can really comprehend. It seems that each day brings news of fresh disasters; today we hear about a line of incredibly destructive tornadoes in the southeastern U.S.

I seem to be getting immune to the sense of horror that each situation should evoke in me. The disasters in Japan, coming one on top of the other—earthquake, tsumani, nuclear meltdown, and more earthquakes—simply seem surreal. What about you?

Bloom in the RIght Climate

I grew up in Southeast Texas, where azaleas bloom in abundance. My husband (our home gardener) has enjoyed only limited success with them here in North Texas because of harsher winters. This year’s record snow and ice and consecutive days of below-freezing temperatures resulted in near death to our azaleas. (Unfortunately, they look nothing like this pictureL)

If you find yourself struggling as a believer, consider whether you are in the right climate to bloom. Look at these factors for your present community (not just your church but your go-to friends):

A Tale of Two Trials

I saw the envelope, I knew what it was—a jury summons. For two days last week I sat in the courthouse hearing a DWI case. Because Easter is near and I have been reading in the gospels, I couldn’t help but compare the trial I observed with those of Jesus (Matt. 26:57-67; 27:11-26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:66-23:25: John 18:12-14, 19-40).