Churches Respond to Katrina

I receive a weekly update from a couple of churches in Louisiana. One is from a guy named Jason at Forest Park Church of Christ in Crowley, LA. This past update is sort of a thanks to the many, many churches from other states around the country that have sent donations, along with the many who have been down to assist or are making plans to do so. He sent a chart showing the amount of money that has come from various states. Indiana was a huge player here, with almost $21,000. The next largest amount came from North Carolina, around $7,000. In all, some 26 states have responded. Along with around $36,000 anonymous donations, their total gifts from churches throughout the US is around $110,000. Very cool. This is just the story from one church! They have an elaborate distribution center set up to help the community with various needs. Jason even sent a chart showing the distribution amounts and what they've gone toward. Very cool (if I knew what I was doing and could put an Excel chart on the blog, I would. As is, I'm inept...would value anyone's guidance on that for future reference!) All in all, there is NOTHING like the church when the church is working right. Nothing. Here's an interesting Katrina story about churches and their response, and of course the critics. My favorite part of it is the large distribution area where one church is helping folks, and back in the back corner at a small table doing nothing more than paperwork is the FEMA guy. Article is here; it's short.

End Of The Spear Update

END OF THE SPEAR WINS NATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL; STORY STILL CAPTURES HEARTS Releasing nationally in January, 06
OKLAHOMA CITY – End of the Spear, the first theatrical feature release of Every Tribe Entertainment, won the grand prize at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis last week. The Heartland Festival seeks Truly Moving Pictures, and recognizes filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life.

(Click here to see the trailer...helps if you have a subwoofer...)

End of the Spear is the true story of five young missionaries who were brutally speared to death by a savage Ecuadorian tribe in 1956 -- and the remarkable forgiveness and reconciliation that followed. As told through the eyes of Mincayani, a Waodani warrior, and young Steve Saint, the son of Nate Saint, the slain missionary pilot. Together, Mincayani and Steve find that what Nate accomplished in his death gave them both a new life, and Steve’s family becomes a part of Mincayani’s family.

With the Heartland honor for best dramatic feature, Every Tribe Entertainment takes the $50,000 grand prize, one of the largest single cash prizes awarded by a film festival. During the awards program, a record 24 dramatic, documentary and animated shorts and features were honored by Heartland. Four films were awarded Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Awards for best student films while 20 received Crystal Heart Awards. These films were selected from 558 submissions for demonstrating excellence in filmmaking and for best meeting Heartland's mission.

"We’re thrilled with this honor," said Bill Ewing, president of Every Tribe and producer of the film. "Our goal is to bring truth beyond imagination to our culture through incredible true stories, and we’re excited by our first product. Just as this story has impacted the generations that have followed it for the gospel, we think the truth of this film’s message will impact a new generation while reminding us all of the redemptive and transforming power of God’s Word.

"Our hope is that this story will touch the hearts of all who view this film, and honor the memories and legacy of five outstanding young men and their families."
End of the Spear will open nationwide on January 20, 2006, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the spearing raid on the five young men…an event that impacted American culture when it happened, and will again in 2006.
For more information about End of the Spear, visit http://www.endofthespear.com.
To learn more about the Heartland Film Festival, visit http://www.heartlandfilmfestival.com.

Quote from Len Sweet

"Jesus doesn't promise to still every storm in our lives; He does promise to still you and I in the midst of those storms."

Leonard Sweet

Leonard Sweet is one of those unique voices out there that beg for our attention. For many years, his writings have been a wake-up call for the church. He has an ability to see where we've been, where we are, and can help us chart a course for what lies ahead. He's here in my town this week and will speak several times. If you're around, it would be worth your time to check him out. For a detailed list of speaking times & places, click here.... http://www.anderson.edu/events/news/2005-10-21.html

Oh, and next Thursday, Donald "Blue Like Jazz" Miller will be here. Very cool.

A Reading Fiend

I've read a lot lately. Tons of thoughts to share as I've read, but too busy reading to sit down and type them out. Wanted to give a brief blurb about the books I've plowed through in the last month or less....

• 9 Things You Simply MUST DO by Henry Cloud. Had never read Cloud before. He's most noted for the Boundaries book and corresponding juggernaut of resources. Good stuff, so I've been told. Heard him speak recently, and was very convicted. So I grabbed the book, and found it very enlightening. It's far from Covey-esque, and includes a great deal of common-sense. But put togehter, its very good. Easy one for me to recommend. Great to read and talk through with a friend or group. Bottom line: a lot of us are messed up, and we can take some action to straighten our lives out. Of course, this isn't a magic cure-all book, but rather a psychologist who deals with folks with all sorts of life situations and has some things to share with the rest of us. Primarily, he looks at traits of folks who don't seem to be all that messed up, and tries to figure out the values and behaviors they have in common. It's good, and you won't be disappointed.

• God's Blogs by Lanny Donoho. OK, I know, its a book called God's Blogs. But I'm a big Lanny fan. He emcees the Catalyst Conference, and is responsible for much of the zaniness that takes place there (he came out dressed as a whoopie cushion and got 9,000 of us to sit simultaneously on whoopie cushions, which puts us in the Guiness Book of World Records. Really.) So, who wouldn't want spiritual insight from a guy like that? It is clever, and full of fresh thoughts. Great devotional book, designed to read in little chunks, though bulldozing through it like I did can be just as beneficial. Just a snippet from the book, during a section entitled "Light" (Oh, its important to note that it's written as though God actually had a blog...hope you can wrap your head around that concept" "I AM light. When you know Me, you can see better. How many of you are doing the same thing over and over, and you know those habits are what is causing your grief, your stress, your darkness? How many of you are stumbling, hitting your shins and your hearts, and swearing because it hurts so much? I AM the light. When you know Me, you see better. When you see better,... you don't get hurt as much."

• Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Wow, this book is tremendous. Lot to say, but I would rather my 10 or so blog readers just stop everything, go get this book, and read it. The subtitle is "Repainting the Christian Faith." Bell is an artist. His short films (Nooma) and sermons have been a favorite of mine for a while, and I just love the challenges he lays out in his book. Believe it or not, I even read the end notes. They're quite funny! NOTE: If your brand of Christianity is in some sort of box with no breathing room, well, you might want to stick with more conservative fare. On second thought, if that's you, READ this book. Again, great with a friend or a group to hash it out, agree & disagree, burn Bell (and me) in effigy, whatever...

• The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Ramsey is an extremely entertaining radio show host who invites callers to creatively shred their credit cards on the air (shredectomies). He makes an enormous amount of sense. His book is easy to read, but hard to implement. I'm attempting to implement. It's rather startling to know what your money can do for you, but equally startling how easy is it to be a slave to debt. We just want it all, and we want it now. Regardless of whether we have the $ or not. So we use credit, and before we know it, we become a slave to it. That is Ramsey's basic message, but he offers practical advice to help climb out or avoid the trappings of debt. This should be required reading! For those just getting started in the "real world," get this and read it. Then do it! If you have Ramsey on the radio (probably a conservative talk radio station, late morning to noon-ish), he's worth a listen.

Still Rockin' After All These Years

Went to a rock& roll concert last night. It's been a little while for me, and granted, I felt kinda old. But I survived! It was a great night. Five bands played (it felt like more!), and I of course was most interested in the last two bands. Pillar was next to last, and they just rock. Their rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is just the best (it's on one of my top 5 albums of the last five years, entitled "In The Name Of Love: Artists United for Africa". Bunch of Christian bands doing various versions of U2 songs, with proceeds going toward the Aids pandemic efforts in Africa...if you don't have this CD, you need to get it...). Anyway, pillar was awesome. But the Audio Adrenaline fellas are still able to get it done after all these years. It's a power-packed show with a little bit of everything. It was fun to take it all in with the whole family, which is increasingly hard (and expensive) to do. Having gone to school with the Audio guys, and being one of the 100 or so at their very first concert as A-180, its fun to see them still doing what they do. And, my kids think I'm cool that two of those guys know me. So I'll play that card as long as I can! Looking forward to Crowder & Shane/Shane in a month or so, and hoping to make it another family affair.

Buying A Car

A farmer had been swindled several times by the local car dealer. One day, the car dealer informed the farmer that he was coming over to purchase a cow. The farmer priced his unit as follows:

Basic cow $499.95
Shipping and handling 35.75
Extra stomach 79.25
Two-tone exterior 142.10
Produce storage compartment 126.50
Heavy duty straw chopper 189.60
Four spigot/high output drain system 149.20
Automatic fly swatter 88.50
Genuine cowhide upholstery 179.90
Deluxe dual horns 59.25
Automatic fertilizer attachment 339.40
4 x 4 traction drive assembly 884.16
Pre-delivery wash and comb 69.80
FARMERS SUGGESTED LIST PRICE: $2843.36
Additional dealer adjustments: 300.00
TOTAL LIST PRICE (including options): $3143.36

Movie I Want To See

The Gospel is currently in theaters. I know little about it, but did read a review that makes me interested. You can read it here in short fashion at http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/thegospel.html Appears to be a modern Prodigal Son parable.

Also, the Steve Taylor movie Second Chance is still alive, just pushed to a February release. I wonder how much of that move was in response to the release of The Gospel, which is also in a church setting. Anyway, read more about it and watch the trailer at www.sockheaven.com

No Narnia for Me (Yet)

I was sort of led to believe that I would get to be in on a premier of "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" at the Catalyst conference. I'm assuming that perhaps someone in the Catalyst marketing department spoke too soon, or someone at Disney made a promise that was impossible to keep. We did get to see 20 minutes or so of clips, and its going to be an awesome film. Resident film maven Barbara Nicolosi has seen the film (she apparently has a little more influence on Disney than the Catalyst folks...better sic some Maxwellian influence on them next time, Gabe...). Barbara has some interesting insights about the film and you can read those on her site....

Catalyst Highlights

I've been privileged to attend the Catalyst conference for 4 of its 6 years of existence. It's a no-holds-barred, high-octane leadership conference. It rarely disappoints, and this years was a grand slam. Some highlights from my trip include:

• Going early to check out 7:22, this incredible Tuesday night service at Northpoint Community Church. And who should be the guest speaker for the night? None other than Erwin McManus, one of my faves. Bonus! (Oh, and Chris Tomlin came out and led a coupla tunes at the end....x-tra cool bonus!)
• Hanging with some old friends, Rob Harris from Nash-Vegas, and Tracy Tooley from WV. Great to laugh, reminisce, etc. Rob has written a couple of kick-butt country songs, and I'm convinced one of them, if not both, will be huge. Both songs make me want to ask the T-shirt clad waitress for a refill of my bucket of peanuts - they're that stinkin' good (as far as my infininte knowledge of country music goes...) "What you talkin' 'bout, Smitty?"
• I will soon be in the Guiness Book of World Records. Well, me and 8,999 others. We all sat on Whoopie Cushions at the same time. I kid you not. Guiness people were there and everything. Who da thunk it??
• Andy Stanley saying "an open door is not always an invitation from God," and "our love of progress sets us up for some unique temptations and small compromises."
• Louie Giglio's analysis of worship consumers vs. consumees (no idea if I spelled that right); please Lord break me from consumerism (all about me)
• Donald Miller's refreshing perspective. Having read his books (what are YOU waiting for?), I was anxious to hear more from him, and he didn't disappoint. "Find the wound - everybody's got one - and take God to the wound."
• Incredible, incredible musicians and worship facilitators.
• Erwin McManus, and just about everything he said. Will outline him in another post...but one thought "I hate the word Relevant. That just means someone else got there first, and we're just catching up!" Oh, and one of the few times I've taken notes during someone's prayer..."Jesus, You are beautiful & magnetic & caring. We've made you look ugly and uncaring."
• Bill Hybels honesty. I could listen to him all day. (OK, many days I do....)
• Malcolm Gladwell reminding us its not just about the message, but its about the messenger, too.
• Last but not least, Stanley hammers it home regarding momentum, programming, et al. "Different doesn't mean better," "minor improvements in something that lacks momentum will not create momentum."
• OK, the REAL last but not least. One session in particular featured the African Children's Choir followed by a heart-grabbing rendition of that mission-related Newsboys song for which I've never really known the name, but it was powerful...followed by a woman from Rwanda (I think) who couldn't have been more eloquent. She simply painted a word picture for us of the unthinkable conditions in many African countries regarding something as simple as clean water. An offering was collected for an organization that digs wells in African villages. We collected over $100,o00 thusfar. It was powerful, and one of the most moving worship & challenge experiences for me in a long time.

So there. It was a few days will spent hanging with my wife and a few friends.

New Music/New Band

A couple of new CD's came in the mail late last week. First is "A Collision" by the David Crowder*Band. I love the humor, the quirkiness, the brilliance that is Crowder. I just think he does some things musically that are fresh and unique. It's good art and good music - not something I can honestly say about a lot of the "copy cat" Christian music that's around. I'm not sure if I would call it his best (at least not yet...give me some time to crank it in the headphones a little more). But its awfully good, and I like it a great deal. He has a live honky-tonk version of "I Saw The Light" that is really fun ( a song our band has done for a long time...we're trend setters?) The other CD that I'm enjoying is Shane & Shane. It's called "An Evening With Shane & Shane." Great stuff. Terrific vocals and guitar work. Comes with a DVD of the concert. This is one of the best live CD's I've heard. In fact, at first I didn't know it was live. If you're new to Shane & Shane, its a good introduction - sort of a "best of" compilation.
Last but not least, my new favorite band is pictured at the left....

Well Said

OK, so it's been a while. I knew this would happen when I became a nerd blogger. Not that I don't have a lot to say. Just time. But I read this and wanted to broadcast it a little more. Someone else's thoughts, but certainly some that have echoed between my ears more than once. Check it out....

Mark O's Blog

I promise I'll get back on the horse soon.

Our Tsunami?

Not sure who said this, or if it was a headline in some newspaper. I'm not underestimating the tragedy - I want to help and am looking for ways to do just that and mobilize others to serve. However, a couple of thoughts...

1. Latest death tolls for the most recent Tsunami are somewhere in the neighborhood of 250,000. As of February 2005, almost 2 months after the Tsunami, they were still finding 500 bodies a day in Indonesia (which lost some 160,000 people).
2. There was no advance warning for people to evacuate, unlike every hurricane we'll ever experience. Sure, the structural demolition is comparable, but think of the human lives saved because some did hear the warnings and evacuate. Just thoughts.

I think our country is learning a lot right now, and I'm excited to see so many people put others first.

BTW, if you haven't seen Hotel Rwanda yet, you should. One intersting quote from the movie that's worth discussion: there is a clip where a reporter says that Americans will just watch the news and see the tragedy and then go back to their dinners and say "Oh how awful."

I think we're guilty of doing that with disasters and famine and political genocide that happens in "other places." Well, we're getting a firsthand taste this time. I hope our hearts & eyes remain open.

Where Was God When Katrina Hit?

"Where Was God When Katrina Hit?"
Maybe you've asked that question. Perhaps you've heard that from others from time to time. Here's an interesting link with articles that address that question. One in particular to read and pass along was written by Luis Palau shortly after 9/11. It's very appropriate and addresses the conversations we're bound to have. Check it out here.

Ways To Help Churches In the Gulf States

Here's a post from IDES website, www.ides.org, where you can go to donate funds that will be distributed through local churches. Here is the latest bit of interesting stuff from their site:

HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF
URGENT NEED! Thank you for caring. It is heartbreaking to see the destruction that Katrina has caused. The hardest part for all of us will be waiting until it is safe enough to begin helping. We have been in contact with Rick Grover of Journey Christian Church in New Orleans. Rick Grover has been told it may be two months or more before they can get back to their church and home. You may get current information about this church by going to (www.JourneyNewOrleans.com) or(www.stadia.cc). You may donate online by going to IDES website: www.ides.org. Click on the 'PAY PAL' button and follow the directions. IMPORTANT: Please put your address in the SHIPPING ADDRESS box so we may send you a receipt. Checks should be made payable to IDES and sent to -P.O. Box 60, Kempton, IN 46049. Write 'hurricane relief' on the memo line of the check. 100% of funds designated in this manner will be used for hurricane relief. The following ministries are currently providing food and other items for evacuees/or relief workers. We recommend you contact these ministries to coordinate delivery of goods. 1. Garry Jones, minister, jones5446@bellsouth.net. Real Life Ministries of Louisiana, Pineville, LA 71360. Telephone: Home – 318-640-3635; Shop – 318-443-0029; cell – 318-613-0416. 2. Jason Corder, minister, Jason@forestparkchurch.org Forest Park Christian Church, Crowley, LA. Telephone # is 337-783-2754 or 337-581-9230. They could use the following items: Baby wipes Tissues Disposable diapers Blankets Pillows Air mattresses Tooth brushes & tooth paste Shaving cream, razors Feminine hygiene Bottled water Underwear T-shirts Shorts Towels, soap Please do not gather anything until you first contact one of these ministries to coordinate delivery. IDES does not have the resources to collect or store these items. IDES is considering sending $10,000.00 to -Bay Area Christian Church, Houston, TX to provide food for evacuees. At this time they do not have room for more items. MATCHING FUNDS OF $25,000.00 COMMITTED – Fern Creek Christian Church, Louisville, KY is taking a work crew to Sunbelt Christian Camp which is south of Jackson, MS. The crew will begin doing “clean up” work. Some from this church will be on the field for the next several months. If you want to take a work crew to Mississippi please contact – Katrina@crossroadsmissions.com. The communication person will be able to tell you what to bring etc. TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR SURVIVORS Many have offered their homes for evacuees. IDES does not have the resources to facilitate this kind of program. The following information was sent to IDES by Doug Delp. Doug was trying to organize our Christian Camps as shelters for survivors. “I have just been contacted by a V.O.A.D. director (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster shttp://www.nvoad.org) from Dallas, TX. He has said that a decision has been made to not encourage secondary temporary housing for hurricane Katrina victims. Secondary housing is no longer encouraged. They need roots to begin not “reshuttled.” He encourages us to promote the Red Cross’s program for relocating Katrina victims in homes. BUT THE FOLLOWING IDEAS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING. 1. Communities that have private or government apartments available with families, churches, or organizations that can help defray 1 – 6 months rent should sign up with the RED CROSS. 2. American and Southwest Airlines have free plane tickets for Katrina victims to relocate to other area of the country. 3. Any homes where Katrina Victims would not be left in the home during the day with your children can sign up to have them stay with you. 4. Katrina victims need to be incorporated into our communities, e.g. children in school, adults finding work and/or establishing an address. CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR MORE RESOURCES: (http://www.nvoad.org/links.php)

Benefit Concert

My friend Allan Rhodes has coordinated a benefit concert that will be held this Thursday from noon to 9 pm at the Anderson Town Center (across from the Paramount Theatre) in beautiful downtown Anderson, Indiana. If you're around, hope you'll come.

• Bands performing include:
• Souled Out, a rhythm & blues horn band
• Little Wing, classic rock
• Dan Daugherty, variety
• Mud Eye Joe, blues
• Bob Stephens, gospel
• Gregory Rhodes, country
• Gordon Brookes, saxophone jazz
• John Rinfrow, country rock
• Allan Rhodes, acoustic rock/gospel
• Dave Coplin and the Coptones, acoustic mountain punk

All donations will be accepted by the Anderson Fire Department and will be distributed to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. Several food vendors will be set up as well, and some have committed a portion of their proceeds toward the effort. Plenty of ways to contribute - here's another. Come enjoy some music and food on Thursday and show your support!

Top 10 Signs Gas Prices Are Getting Too High

TOP TEN SIGNS GAS PRICES ARE GETTING TOO HIGH By Dave Tippett
10. Can now swap farm animals right at pump as barter for fuel
9. Putting "kick me" sign on back of car as alternative way to get down road
8. Super heroes now car pooling to fight villains
7. Wildest police chases videos now reduced to about a block and half, then "Adam 12" reruns
6. Construction begins on giant, downhill Hotwheels tracks
5. Church tithes hiked for third time in four weeks to keep church bus going
4. To reduce drag, Jethro drives under low bridge, cleans Granny off top of truck
3. Blood conveniently taken from arm right at pump
2. Mortgage bankers set up tables at gas station entry for easy funding of fill-up
1. New hybrid vehicle, "Schwinn Prius"
Copyright 2005 Dave Tippett (djtippHA@yahoo.com).

Grassroots Gettin' It Done

This was an email from a church in Louisiana. Making it happen without asking for government handouts. Read...


Greetings from Crowley Louisiana,
The first loads of your supplies rolled into Acadiana this weekend from two different directions. A group of six students and professors from Johnson Bible College brought a truckload of donated supplies from campus and ministered in one of the areas larger shelters, the Cajun Dome in Lafayette. As with everyone who comes face to face with this disaster they were amazed by the numbers and needs of the refugees that have flooded into our area.

In addition to the Johnson group the Indian Creek Church in Indianapolis Indiana sent a truck loaded to the max with water, medical, and everyday hygiene and cleaning supplies. They were immediately unloaded at a local distribution point and put in the hands of refugees. Medical supplies were also delivered to a very thankful refugee nursing home and med center that are constantly in need of supplies.

The Forest Park Church currently has undertaken a number of ministries to help those stranded indefinitely by this disaster. We have since last Tuesday been helping to feed a thousand or more refugees here in the immediate Crowley area. Each evening we, along with other volunteers in our community, work to provide a hot meal and pass out supplies to all in need.

We are working to help fill the enormous gap left by the Red Cross by distributing your aid to those in great need all around Southern Louisiana. The Red Cross appears more interested at this point in assessing than they do in helping many areas around the State.

Even as I write this letter a team of our Church members are traveling to Bogalusa LA to meet a truck of supplies from Pineville Christian Church in Winston-Salem NC. This small town, near New Orleans hasn’t received any aid from FEMA, and only a few meals from the Red Cross, and are in great need of simple supplies like water and food.

A Church member’s step-mother is the mayor of Eunice a town to the North of Crowley. Their community has set up 15 shelters housing over 3000 refugees without receiving any outside aid from any of the relief organizations. We plan to funnel some of your help in their direction. The list goes on and on, but you get the idea.

Mrs. Priscilla is working with the Ladies of the congregation in what we call the "Laundry mission" an effort to provide washing machines at the local Laundromat free of charge so the refugees can wash what clothes they brought.
The students are working to organize school supplies for kids from kindergarten through college who have been forced by the situation to enroll in area schools.

If your Church would like to help financially we would appreciate that as well. We have ever growing expenses with the distribution of aid. The wide area of devastation and even wider area of refugee dispersion causes us to spend a lot of time and fuel to keep supplies going. We are also involved in buying food for meals, and laundry expenses as well.

Thanks to all of you who are working so hard to help us by gathering supplies and financial help. Below will be a list of needed supplies as well as addresses to send financial help to our relief fund (see the website listed below).

Before I wrap up this note I want to make a plea. For Christians it should be second nature, and yet sometimes we all need reminded. This weekend the load of aid from Indian Creek contained a few Bibles, as refugees got boxes of supplies the workers there told me that more than anything the people remarked "look they put a Bible in here". In this time of disaster many are turning to God and his Word. Before you close the doors of your trailer see if you can make some room for some Bibles, maybe take your Church stamp and mark the cover, or maybe let members write a short note inside. Let’s let them know that these gifts are to the glory of God.
Please continue to be in prayer for the work, and safety of those carrying out these tasks!
Jason Corder
Forest Park Church
http://www.forestparkchurch.org

So Much To Say

OK, so I've got so much on my mind, I'm going to let a few others do the talking for me.

Is anyone else just sick of the self-appointed social psychologists out there who seem to have figured out all on their own all that has gone wrong with the Katrina disaster? My first thought is "Why are they continually putting these people on TV?" Followed only by my second realization, "Because the people putting them on TV seem to be members of the same club!"

Not that its the case with all involved. Lots of objective reporting, people who care, those whose first concerns aren't to assign blame but help their fellow human beings. But the idiots are attempting to run the village. Just a few...

• Kanye West, a rapper who for some reason we assume has something to say so we let him speak (?). He speaks out on a benefit concert on NBC and shows his ignorance: " George Bush doesn't care about black people" and went on to say that America is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible." I guess Kanye thought instead of pulling people together during the worst natural disaster in the history of our country, why not just add some race fuel to the fire? Unfortunately, there are others who really believe this nonsense. I'm thankful that its a minority.
• Celine Dion. I'm not sure I should say any more, but it must be done. Her interview on Larry King Live had a lot of gems, including 'How come it's so easy to send planes in another country, to kill everyone in a second, to destroy lives," at a time when Americans need to serve their own country, she said. Hey Celine, that's a good point. So why don't you go back to CANADA? BTW, Celine did pledge $1 million to the relief effort. (not bad...that $832,500 she made per week at Caesar's Palace in 2004 should more than cover that...don't get me started on her wedding costs and her vow renewal extravagance).
• Of course Michael Moore. He writes " Dear Mr Bush: Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in
  New Orleans and need to be airlifted, Moore tells in a letter published on his website.Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?" I just hope Michael and his cameras do their homework a little better. The hurricane hit on Sunday. ABC News headline on Monday night was "New Orleans Saved." The flood wall broke Tuesday and the waters came in. In less than 48 hours, the place THE SIZE OF GREAT BRITAIN was engaged with federal government support. Is there some way Moore can move in with Celine and what's his name in Canada?
• Jesse Jackson. Showed up just in time to get his face on TV. Jackson says the change needs to come in the form of more food, more water and more rescues. He says there also needs to be a change in the way the world is viewing those hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. "The imagery of blacks as refugees and blacks as thugs and blacks as a threat has complicated the relief efforts," said Jackson.
  The Reverend Jackson told supporters they should consider holding off on making donations to the Red Cross -- if that agency refuses to set-up relief efforts in areas it deems too dangerous.
  "For the Red Cross to use as a reason for not going in at all 'fear..." they're reputation is for going into war zones! There is no evidence of a mass riot in the mud in New Orleans," said Jackson.

Well, Jesse, we all are very aware that New Orleans and other major cities are home to an unfortunately large number of urban poor. They also happen to be disproportionately black. Oh, and TV cameras captured a lot of them with guns, shooting at people who were there to help. Get your facts straight. Oh, and I hear there's room up at Celine's place in Manitoba.

• Last but not least, Oprah. She's apparently there doing her show today, so now we can all rest easy knowing that O is in NO. I'm sorry, but that just seems distracting, doesn't it? I'm sure she's one of many ("real" news people are all over the place and necessary). Isn't there a makeover somewhere that needs attention? Shouldn't she be in Paris shopping? Anyway, came across this gal for whom I'm unfamiliar. But I liked her blog. Read her stuff on Oprah, Kanye West, and others. It's hard hitting, amusing, etc. Her name is Debbie Schlussel, and apparently she takes on Bill Maher a lot on his show, and is a frequent guest on Bill O'Reilly (please don't confuse this blog entry with anys sort of commendation for his show...) Read Schlussel's take on Ophrah, Celine, Kayne, Jesse et all....

I'm extremely bothered by all that has happened, and my heart breaks for the people there that are affected. It's a time for our nation to unite and work together. The stories of how that is happening on a grassroots, no-red-tape level are very compelling (read my previous blog). But this will last a long, long time. So far, I'm very proud and pleased of what I'm seeing from God's people and how they are responding. Looking to put the serving towel over my arm and make a difference too. Hope some of these high-profile people will do the same, and stop dividing our country.

Dumb Things I Heard This Week

I guess I'm sort of glad I don't have cable. I'm addicted to the coverage of what's happening in New Orleans and surrounding regions. It's hard not to have your heart grabbed and squeezed by what has happened. I can't begin to even imagine what people are experiencing.

I've listened to a lot of commentary about the situation, some of which I agree with, some of which I don't. But there have been a couple of comments I heard that were just plain dumb.

#1 - Heard a guy in the locker room sort of flipantly say "Ah, they've been through it before." OK, so it was the first day, when we thought it was just another hurricane passing through. I'll give the guy the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't say that a few days after the storm hit. But so what? So what if they've had their lives uprooted and their houses destroyed once before? So what if its not the first time that dead bodies are littering their neighborhoods? Again, I can't imagine what the whole thing must be like for those folks. But for some to go through it multiple times? Like its supposed to be "old hat?" Sure, they live in an area where it can and does happen from time to time. And there are some who chose to live there that could move elsewhere (not true for many of the urban poor in most cities in the US). Nonetheless, its a calous attitude to have to off the cuff say "they've been through it before," as though somehow they're old pros at having their lives completely rearranged.

#2 - Guy on a talk show who asked "So where are all of the countries that we're constantly helping? Why aren't they stepping up to help us?" The absurdity here is rampant...

1. most of the countries we've helped are poor anyway;
2. we're only a few days into this tragedy - who's to say some countries might not help down the road?
3. we're the richest country on the planet - we have EVERY resource we need to help make this relief effort the biggest in history - IF and only IF we can see past "me" long enough to have our hearts engaged in what's going on with people in the region

If you want to help, there are many ways. World Vision is a good one. Our church is working mostly with International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES), a long-standing worldwide organization that works through churches in affected regions all over the world. Check them out and get involved.

If you want to see some amazing pictures, try this: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/new-orleans-imagery.htm