Hurricanes and the 278th

Hurricanes:
To my friends who are convinced that God is judging our world with hurricanes: Yes, I understnad that gambling casinos (bars, etc. etc.) were destroyed by these hurricanes. So were churches. And synagogues. And day-care centers. And nursing homes. And schools. And businesses owned and run by God-loving folk. And the homes of disciples. And the livelihood(s) of untold thousands. And...and..and... Please, I'd like to hear your explanation of why the same God-sent-storm that ravaged a bar also ravaged a hospital. I'm not trying to be argumentative, and I don't have all the theological answers. I'm just saying, let's think through this a bit more carefully. I'm afraid you're digging a hole you don't want to be in. I'm really unconvinced, intellectually and theologically, by your pontifications. So are my Christian students from Louisiana, the ones living with relatives and friends in Nashville while their parents try to sort out how to rebuild life. There's a lot of help we can give in this crisis without playing the God's-judgment-on-the sinners-card.


278th:
The 278th National Guard Unit from Tennessee is mostly all back home (or at least on their way back, even as I type). Some will not return, ever. For them and their families I hurt the most. Come, quickly, King of Grace, Prince of Peace! Until then, teach us how to beat our swords into plowshares!

Grace and peace.