Catastrophe in Haiti

For such a catastrophe to occur in an already desperately impoverished area is so beyond my ability to even grasp the depths of the situation. I have, however, read some of the e-mails, blogs, tweets, etc. of Christian musicians & organizations that have been down there and continue to go through this with the Haitian people. I cannot encourage prayer enough for all those affected by this earthquake. I heard Michael W. Smith (Christian musician) on the radio a little while ago and he said: "Ten dollars is like a thousand bucks down there. We are pretty much rich compared to them." Families have been sleeping outside in the dirt for fear of another intense aftershock.

These people, these children who have so little already, have lost so much more. I am urging anyone who has a few extra dollars to take it and put it to work for God's kingdom--donate now to help bring emergency supplies, food, shelter, etc. to the affected areas. K-LOVE (http://klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5521) has a number of organizations listed that are in Haiti and bringing emergency supplies to the people now.

Below is an e-mail from Mark Stuart, lead singer of Audio Adrenaline, who's been in Haiti through this experience (taken from The Hands and Feet Project website):

Hi everyone....
Our internet is working finally. So I'm sending this to a few of you....
Everyone here is ok, but we are all very scared. The buildings held up great, but there are several houses right around us that have collapsed. Also, Hotel Cyvadier had major damage, while the brand new three story "peace of mind" hotel was demolished. Francine, one of our teenage nannies was in afternoon school and escaped while the building was collapsing around her because she was sitting by the door...however many of her classmates died yesterday. Many houses and and buildings have collapsed in Jacmel including the hospital. I know most of the news there is coming from PAP, but there is substantial loss of life here on the south coast. We need prayer for wisdom and strength. Its very chaotic here. We were able to buy diesel this morning and hopefully get more propane for cooking tomorrow. Last night was crazy...slept on the dirt in the center of the village...away from the buildings. Tonight we may venture back indoors, but that is yet to be decided. We go in and out to get necessities. The Haitian people are numb and sad to say very used to death, but this has created what seems to be a hypnotic state. I've never been in a situation were you feel SO helpless, fearful, and small. The tremors are coming again as i type this. Whoa!!!
Mark

Many of the websites listed also have current updates on what is going on and how they are able to get through this and help those in need.

K-LOVE How to Help Haiti site: http://klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5521

Another Good Read

Just finished reading Joshua and I feel so accomplished. Not just because I've made it through another book of the Bible in my journey, but because I've become that much more knowledgeable of the Lord--of His desires for us (to have all the good He has to offer), of His great strength and love that will carry us through what seem to be the toughest of battles.

Plus, one of my favorite scriptures is in the last chapter: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh 24:15). I just want to shout everytime I hear it.

Every part of this scripture has such significance to me and the world in which we live.

• "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose this day whom ye will serve..." If it doesn't seem good to you to serve Jesus, then don't. But make that choice. The Lord wants your whole heart. No lukewarm, riding the fence.

• "...whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood..." is like turning back to where God has brought you from, forgetting all that He has done. He brought us up and out from wherever we were for a reason. Choose Him and fulfill all that He has called you to.

• "...or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell..." Don't be moved by all that comes at you from every direction. Society will have you worship this, that, and everything in between. It can never replace the one true God, no matter how much Satan tries.

Make the choice and stand...don't turn back or falter under pressure. The Lord has more than enough strength to carry you when your feet just don't feel like they can anymore.

As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord. Amen!

Music Moves My Soul

There's nothing wrong with having a passion for God. Sometimes it seems people and the world just want you to keep your love for God on the down-low, but I say no way! I heard this song--Take My Life by Jeremy Camp (it was one the first Christian songs I fell in love with and is still one of my favs)--and it really hit me that my passion for Jesus is what makes me who I am. There are moments where I sing the lyrics to this song and every bit of my soul sings with me: Take my life, take my mind, take my soul, take my will. I am yours now, I give it all to you.

Give it all to Him and see what He does with it. Nothing short of miraculous, I say.