03/28/11

Update on Japan

Editor’s Note:

While some disasters have short-term effects, and only impact small regions or areas of the earth–a disaster such as the Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan on March 11th, with its subsequent Nuclear Plant catastrophes, has far-reaching effects for the whole earth. Thousands are dead in Japan, and thousands are missing and homeless.

While the effects of New Orlean’s Hurricane Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti, along with other disaster areas are still being felt, Japan continues to experience aftershocks of the 8.9 Richter scale quake. The devastation of Japan predominately came from the resultant Tsunami, and here it is 17 days later and a 6.9 quake occurred in Japan this morning.

As far away as the United States east coast there are findings of radiation in the rain. Clouds cover a circuit of the world due to wind currents, and while experts are saying that the radiation levels are not detrimental here in the United States, I pray that does not change.

The food chain is already affected. Milk, water, and plants have been tested for radiation in Japan and here in the United States, and the government is “keeping an eye on it all” in the middle of every other crisis it is dealing with. I am sure that other localities between Japan and the U.S. are also affected. So where does that leave us everyday citizens at this point?

We need to learn to apply diligent prayer to this situation, and to exercise caution and common sense in what we take for granted as clean and safe. Drinking bottled water has been a habit in my family for several years, and be mindful that the soil will be affected if radiation is in an area.

The long-term effects of this potentially enormous nuclear disaster would be in altering DNA, subsequently affecting the children of radiation victims. Not only that, but the victims themselves have higher risk of cancer and other degenerative diseases. No one has mentioned Hiroshima nor Nagasaki, but the Japanese populace has been here before. It is very sad.

I am not writing this to ask you to panic, I am asking you to pray that all will be well; to support the relief effort in any way that you can, and to pray that the offspring of those on this earth today would not have to suffer for the unfortunate lack of planning and insight on the part of governments.

Ultimately, the people bear the brunt of these mistakes. and while we cannot blame Japan for the earthquake and should do all that is possible to help the Japanese people–it is sad that modern industry standards still cannot protect the people that it intends to serve.  

 2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.

Charlene

03/13/11

Prayer for Earthquake/Tsunami Victims

Hello, Everyone.

If you have been watching the news you should be aware of the 8.9 Richter Scale earthquake that occurred in Japan on March 11th and the subsequent aftershocks. The devastation is horrible and unprecedented in Japanese history. This is the largest quake they have experienced and all of us are affected by it. Thousands lost or missing including Americans and Europeans living or visiting in Japan. I’m sure that there are other lost and missing from other nationalities.  Nuclear plants are in crisis and containment is shaky.

The tsunami waves reached California and devastated the harbor in Crescent City, California. One person was washed out to sea. Oregon has also been impacted heavily and FEMA is once again at work. United States service ships have been deployed to Japan to assist in evacuation, supplies, and removal of bodies and debris, and service men and women already stationed in Japan are assisting. Please let us keep our brothers and sisters in prayer today and forever, because but for the grace of GOD it could be ourselves.

                                                                                                                 Charlene

08/23/09

Giving: Proverbs 11:25

Re-Featured for April 13, 2015

The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25

Here is a great lesson, that to get we must give from our hearts; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful bring out our abilities for usefulness. We all have unrealized  talents and inactive abilities which are brought to light through exercise of our spirit. Our strength for labor is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the LORD’s battles, or to climb the mountain of difficulty. We do not know what compassion we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, or soothe the orphan’s grief.

We often find that in attempting to teach others we gain instructions for ourselves. The lessons to be learned at the side of a sickbed! We go to teach the Scriptures, we come away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our conversation with those in need we are taught the way of GOD more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. Watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked, and how much more knowledge may reside in the poor. Our own comfort is increased through comforting others. We try to cheer them and we are cheered.

There were two men in the snow. One rubbed the other’s limbs to keep him alive, and in so doing kept his own circulation going, therefore saving his own life. The poor widow of Zeraphath gave of her scanty store to supply Elijah’s needs, and from that day forward knew poverty no more. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.

 

Charlene’s Source:  Morning Devotionals–Quick Verse–Parsons Software

08/20/09

Update on Our Outreach Ministries

Mall Ministry

Members of the group have been diligently attending the Mall Ministry on designated Mondays. The main objective has been to hear from GOD and to do His will among His people. We have been allowed to touch people and to be touched. Please continue to pray for opportunities to bring others to Christ.

Children’s Vision International

Charlene and Jeannette went to help Anne Thicke sort and pack  on August 17th. It was sweat-breaking toting and lifting and organization of donated clothes and household items. The fellowship and especially the noon meal was a Godly experience, and getting to know one another and realizing that we knew so many people in common was really a great bonding situation. I pray that we made a difference and that further opportunities will open up to bless this ministry.

                                                Onward and Upward,

                                                               Charlene