Scarborough Country

I was so exhausted, last night, after arriving home (late). Played with our black lab, Hope, and chatted with Michelle while she was watching a tv program called, "The Biggest Loser" where the contestants compete to see who loses the most weight. I believe this is a wonderful tv game compared to other reality shows because they encourage the hopeless that they have hope to lose unwanted pounds. After this program, Michelle just got ready for bed and I was flipping back and forth from the OU v. USC Orange Bowl football game to MSN News.

I stumbled into a news program called, "Scarborough Country" with former Congressman Joe bringing before us, viewers. a debate between a Christian woman representing women in the world, a Jewish rabbi, an American athiest, a Christian authors (I can't remember the woman's name and Tim Lahaye, author of Left Behind). They were all debating regarding the terrible disaster in Asia (Tsunami) and its relationship with God. Joe, a devout Christian, asked all kinds of questions such as, "Why does God allow this to happen? Would a "good" God do this to people? Could God have prevented this calamity?"

There were discussions that these were "signs" that the end is near. An athiest discussed why a good God would allow suffering to happen in the world. If there is a good God then there should be no evil in the world. Another commented that it is a form of punishment to the people/nation because of sin (sexual immorality, homosexuality) and God "allowed" natural disaster to happen in hope to bring people to repentance. The Christian woman mentioned that, in Asia alone, over 40 million abortions had been performed! How do you think God feels about it? The rabbi blatantly yelled at the Christians that God would never do that and He is never involved in any way! He argued that there are "righteous" people in these cities than Sodom and Gomorrah (when Abraham questioned God if He would destroy the city along with the righteous?). I wasn't too fond of the rabbi's attitude as he was very brute and annoying.

Congressman Joe opened a Scripture, Matthew 24 (NIV), ".."Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?... ...Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.... ...Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquake in various places.." We understand that Jesus is talking about the "end of the Jewish age", the destruction of Jerusalem which happened in 70 AD when Rome came. How do we know this had happened? Jesus said it would happen during that time (..this generation..), "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." Matthew 24:34 (NIV) There were all kinds of comments surrounding Matthew 24.

After the program ended, I took a quick glimpse into the Scripture. I prefer that God speak to me through the Bible rather than hearing many different views of what each believe. I made God speak to me this way, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV)

God loves us and that's the reason He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. When we gave our lives to the Lord in baptism, we are dead to self and alive in Christ. We feel His marvelous love. He promises us that, one surprising day, He will return to bring His children home in heaven. He gives us all an opportunity to repent from our sins and continue to walk with Jesus, our Lord. When a situation collapse around us, we need to be assured that there is a loving God who cares for us. Such situation helps us seek the Lord for His power and guidance. We ought to thank God for natural disasters because they bring us closer to God in prayer. Instead of looking at natural disaster as a curse, we look at them as a blessing!