Sail Astern

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Text Box: A discussion on the Biblical implications of Hurricane Katrina In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, many of us in the faith have questions about the role God has or has not played in all of this. Doubtless there is confusion over the issue of a compassionate, all-powerful Lord who appeared to look 'the other way' while so many suffered. I do not want to presume to know the mind of the Almighty, but I have learned some things this week that I feel compelled to share with you. On Wednesday, August 31st, the day after the flooding of New Orleans, the 34th Annual gay event called "Southern Decadence" was to begin and run through Monday, Sept. 5th. It has grown each year from 15 in attendance 33 years ago to 150,000 expected this year. The city would have been converged upon by homosexuals from all over the world to act out, in the open, lewd sexual acts. These vulgar spectacles have not only met approval of the mayors, present and past, but have been enthusiastically welcomed and praised, and used as a source of revenue for the government and merchants of New Orleans. A more complete statement about this event can found at the following websites which are concise and very informative: http://www.repentamerica.com/pr_hurricanekatrina.html http://www.answers.com/topic/southern-decadence The following is a gay-sponsored site which describes the events and activities which had been planned for this year [a word of caution: it may be a bit offensive] http://www.boysonbourbon.com/Preview/00a_Preview/00_Preview_Pgs/04aa_BP_%20Sponsor_Pg.htm It is also notable that on Easter Sunday of this year there was an "Easter Gay Parade" through parts of New Orleans [you can link to sites about it, with pictures and comments, at the bottom of the above page.] This was the 6th consecutive year! Remember, the number 6 is understood to represent 'man' in Biblical interpretation. Could it be that God has finally said, "Enough is enough!!" Consider the course that Katrina followed: she began as a depression, then named system, in the lower Atlantic. However, she became disorganized and pretty much 'off everyone's mind', drifting unnoticed into the warm, shallow waters of the Bahamas. But there, contrary to the usual nature of things, intensified - made a 90 degree turn to the west - and made landfall in south Florida. Again, against everyone's predictions, turned southwest instead of northwest, brushing the Keys including Key West (a well-known bastion of homosexuality). Now strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, rather than following the Florida coast and working northeastward (as all of the 'computer models' expected) she instead took direct aim on New Orleans. The devastation would have been severe enough, but at the last minute Katrina made a 'jog' to the east, whereas the eye would not pass over "the Big Easy". Thinking they had "dodged a bullet", I can only imagine the temporary relief the residents of 'sin city' were feeling. What if our righteous God had finally decided to bring to an end one of the most vulgar and profane displays of sexual immorality in our nation? What if He wanted the statement to be so undeniably His that even "mother nature" could not receive the 'credit'? Because of Katrina's last minute change of direction, and the rotation of a hurricane being counter-clockwise, now the torrential rains which flooded the Mississippi valley were being forced 'downhill' upon the levies of Lake Ponchetrain. The city which thought it dodged a bullet is now underwater, reminiscent of Noah's flood. I am impressed by the fact that mankind in the area of New Orleans, the very residents who tolerated, even welcomed openly, gross immorality now have to smell a stench of sewage, petroleum waste and, sadly, rotting flesh. Such a stench is only a small sampling of that foul odor which daily rises to the nostrils of the Almighty, whose patience over the impurity of this people may have run out. By the way, the name "Katrina" is Russian for "pure". This is not an exhaustive discussion - so much more could be said - but I would like to include this one other thought. The residents of Gulfport and Biloxi, Ms. have also been ravaged. It is so sad that the innocent have to suffer along with the guilty, but we must not overlook the burgeoning gambling industry that had found a comfortable home on their coasts. It seems significant that Casino barges contributed to the destruction of homes and lives. We must learn something from this if it is to be worth such a great cost: God is longsuffering [patient], but even He has his limits. It will "rain on the just and the unjust alike" - even the rains of wrath. We must take back what the devil has stolen, assume responsibility for our nation, and move ourselves back in the direction of morality. Otherwise, Katrina will be only one of many unwanted guests to come. ... David A.Goodrum compass

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I wrote the following article on Thursday, September 1st, after researching the issues and much careful prayer.  It is not meant to be condemnatory.  Nor is it intended to draw any absolute conclusions.  But if we are to believe, however, that our righteous God has both the will and the right to do anything about moral depravity in this world, especially to 'stem the tide' and thereby protect the young and the innocent from such growing evil, we must know that He will, indeed, act now or later.  It is imperative, therefore, that we soberly interpret the cataclysmic events of our time with a view to their Biblical ramifications, otherwise we will 'miss the message' and endanger ourselves along with the generations that follow.

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