When my bride and I lived in Oklahoma for four years (attending Oklahoma Baptist University), we became a bit more familiar with the seriousness of tornados. More than once we were ushered into one of those underground cellars (they call them by a variety of better names now), dark, damp, and crawling with spiders (I think they are better kept now too).

I have never feared the weather. I believe that God is in control of everything, and so I attempt to rest in His authority over my life and death. I have been in a couple of situations where I thought I might be a “goner,” but so far. . .so good.

I do fear, however, that we will not be faithful to pray for those who have suffered such great loss. My bride and I know first hand the incredible loss of “everything” through fire, and such devastation leaves the mind concerned about others who experience those tragedies.

Take time to pray today - and contribute financial resources if you wish – for those who are struggling now, for those who have lost family members and friends, homes, possessions, and who face some dark days because of lack of insurance or preparation for such loss. Pray for those who sent their kids off to school – never to see them alive again. That is pain almost beyond compare.

If you don’t understand how things like this can happen – join the multitude. God provides no explanation. He does provide comfort, hope, peace, and yes, even joy in the midst of the greatest struggles.

PRAY.

I think we have returned to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” philosophy of the past.

President Obama’s staff deliberately kept him in the dark about an impending report on the Internal Revenue Service scandal. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Monday during his daily briefing with reporters White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler had been notified a Treasury Department inspector general’s audit report was on the way but decided it “wouldn’t be appropriate” to tell the president.
(United Press International)

Now, I understand that perfectly. We just experienced the same problem here at the Church. Last week our Building and Grounds Superintendent advised me that heavy, black smoke was coming from under a door on the South side of the building. He wasn’t sure it was fire – he had seen no flames. I asked if the fire alarm was going off. He assured me it was, and the Fire Department had been dispatched. He has chosen to silence the alarm before it began – it causes such a disturbance.

I had to make a decision about letting the Pastor (in his office doing whatever it is he does) know about the possible fire. I concluded that he was in the opposite end of the building, busy (???), and surely had more important things to think about than a fire down a hall and in an area he seldom frequents. There would be plenty of time to inform him after the fire personnel arrived (I am pretty sure he can still hear a siren) or when the building could no longer be saved.

Now, there. See how much sense that makes!!

(For those of you concerned about the building (and the fire alarm- and the silencing stuff, and the Fire Department) this is an allegory.