Not So Random Stuff for the Week of 9/2-9/8 (Special)

From this "Random Stuff" post onward, I will be making these every Friday unless necessary to make changes because of providential circumstances. * Don Elbourne (Locust and Wild Honey) is a pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA. He has written of his experience and shares his take on Katrina. Also, he has provided a means of support for him and his church. If you would like to donate to him and his church, please click here. Also, Kyle Claunch, fellow graduate of University of Mobile and co-seminarian at Southern is from Slidell, LA where his father is the pastor of First Baptist Slidell, which is located 1/2 mile from Lake Pontchartrain. The church is 10 under water. Please pray for the churches and ministers as they minister in these difficult times. * Dr. Mohler has given an update on the status of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a sister seminary of Southern. It is heartbreaking to hear of what has happened here. Yet there is hope as Dr. Mohler has shared. Many are planning to take short-term trips to volunteer in the rebuilding of churches, the seminary, and homes. * Last night I heard Franklin Graham, director of Samaritan's Purse, make a great challenge to churches and denominations. Thousands of families are displaced and now homeless and are forced to stay in tents, price-jacked hotels, or relief centers. Clearly, non-profit organizations and disaster-relief groups cannot handle the need. But the Church can. Franklin Graham has challenged churches to take in these families and allow them to live in their churches free of charge for a minimum of three months. They would receive meals, a place to call "home" (at least temporarily) and a community who would support them in their time of need. I think that this challenge needs to be heard and heeded, and we need to encourage our leaders to formally make this challenge along with Graham. It is high time that our churches truly be a "sanctuary" and a "refuge" for those battered and beaten by Katrina. Will the churches rise to the challenge? God helps to do that, and God judge us if we don't. * Along those lines Samaritan's Purse has detailed how giving to them can help victims of Katrina. To donate to Samaritan's Purse, click here. Here are some ways your gift can help victims of Hurricane Katrina: > $9 can provide a case of drinking water > $15 can purchase a Bible for a hurting family > $25 can furnish a sheet of roofing plywood > $90 can provide enough heavy-duty plastic to weatherproof a roof * John Piper has a helpful article called How To Minister When You Don't Know the Answer. In addition, Sam Storms of Enjoying God Ministries, has written an insightful reflection of Katrina called Katrina, Common Grace, and the End of the Age. Both these articles would be edificatory in these pressing times. Next Friday, I will resume back to the normal format of my "Random Stuff" posts. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and I hope that you have found something readworthy, "provocative", and "passionate" here. Have a safe Labor Day weekend! - t.n.b.