China earthquakes

There's been an earthquake with many casualties in Tibetan populated China. Several years ago when there was a massive earthquake in China, some people gloated (incredible!) that is was some sort of "karma" (which is phony) "for Tibet."

Who will gloat today about the poor in the Tibetan city who received the brunt of this earthquake?

God will not be mocked.

Chile aid donors

Before you give, especially you young people, read this article. Look up the AP story Chile military delivers aid but 1st to their own.

Read the whole thing, especially where gov't is refusing deliveries to desperate poor neighborhoods because they broke into stores to "loot" food, while they are delivering to people who have had food since the earthquake.

Hmm.

(And nothing like those "compassionate women who make better leaders" huh?)

Spiritual direction: being "of the world" or not

I'm going to reduce a "faith and reasoning" question that is worthy of books of material to examine into a few sentences! Many have pondered the question of how Christians, in particular, can be in the world but not of the world. The answer is actually pretty easy but it requires clarity of thought and context. Let me share that from two bases of discussion, starting with the example of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ was fully of human body. God could have sent the Messiah in any form, such as God himself appeared to Moses, for example, in the burning bush or the glowing cloud that descended to the tent. However God chose to send Jesus within the womb of Mary, formed entirely as a human, with a human upbringing and with a family lineage (recorded in the Gospel through his stepfather Joseph's side). Thus Jesus was both of the flesh and of the human family (he had a normal human body and he could identify his ancestors, both biologically and through the marriage of Mary and Joseph making Joseph's lineage his own). Therefore God validated the "goodness" of the human body and of the geneological family. If human bodies and family lineage were not "good," then God would have sent Jesus as a burning bush or an angel in glorified body.


Further, in the Old Testament it is prophesied that the Messiah will have milk and honey so that he will know them. Now, a lot of people don't understand forms of speech from Biblical times. When the Bible talks about a married couple "knowing" each other, that means they are intimate in sexual relationship. So the Bible expression to "know" means to take part in the activity. It does not mean that this was a previously unknown activity, as in the modern usage to "know what it is like." So many people misunderstand that Jesus somehow didn't know what the good stuff is in life (being all poor and that) and so he'd have some milk and honey in order to "find out" what the goodness of life is (milk and honey representing abundance of sweet and rich food and therefore lifestyle). The promised land "flows with milk and honey," for example. But the modern slang approach of understanding is wrong. What this meant is that the Messiah will engage in the activities that validate the goodness of a rich and prosperous life, ie. he will have milk and honey. The reason it is said like it is is so that no one will think that the Messiah will live as a rich person, but likewise they will know that he did not come to tell people to reject "milk and honey." Thus the Messiah will "know" milk and honey and again, validate the goodness in principle of life.

So Jesus in both the reality of his birth and lineage (human) and in the prophecy is clearly sent by God in a form that validates, not repudiates, being within the world, which is, to live in the world with meaningfulness, fullness and appreciation for its goodness. So Christians are definitely able to point to Jesus as God's validation that the human body, its ancestral lineage, and the ability to experience material goodness and abundance are all correct and normal.

The second example I give is of the teachings of Jesus. I need only point to one example here, which are The Beatitudes. Each beatitude is a pairing, expressing the current state of a person, and the poorness or suffering they may be experiencing, and the reward and comfort that God will give them. If God meant Jesus to teach some sort of great "detachment" from the "suffering wheel" of the world, the beatitudes would not have been taught in the form that they were at all. The beatitudes recognize the meaningfullness of even painful real life experience, and their reward when one is in God's hands, even if that only happens at the end of life. Compare the real beatitude with hypothetical "total detachment" ones:

Real beatitude:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
If you feel poor in spirit that is because you care too much about the material world and those around you, and you should detach from them.

Real beatitude:
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.

Example of "extreme detachment" "beatitude":
Everyone should feel meek instead of proud because there is nothing to be proud about, and nothing to possess, including feeling like God's heirs, on earth.

You see what I mean? I don't want to do any more examples because the fake ones make me want to puke, but I know that an example is the best teaching tool.

Therefore you can see that Christians are taught through both the words and the living example of Jesus, that one can be and should be part of the world and its goodness. The difference is that one should not allow one's self to be ruled or dominated by earthly (human made) measures and standards. That's totally different from being detached from either human or God's measures!

Humans are especially challenged in understanding this today because they have a quantity control problem. Abundance has created an inability to enjoy the simple and good things in life. Likewise, some in abundant countries have a totally negative and inappropriate backlash to that, now wanting people to feel guilty about enjoying "milk and honey." You see that with the carbon counting craze. It is wrong to have abundance skew your thinking in EITHER of those directions, to be unappreciative or to be its opposite, which is to become a guilt ridden spoil sport nag of others.

I often think about a young Chinese man who was trapped by the earthquake face down, so he could talk and receive help, but he could not be freed for eight days, and then he perished. He told people that all he wanted out of life was to be with his wife and future to be born baby, a simple life, the happy family with a simple job. That was the dream he held onto until he died. I grieve every day for him, even though I know his goodness has merited him heaven, for he gave quite an example for the world to see even as he died a slow death. I shed tears for him every time I think of him, including now. He, a poor young Chinese man, but with hope for a normal life of marriage, parenthood, and a paying job, set a better example for everyone than anyone I can think of in the laity in the past year. To him, he wanted the milk and honey of his wife, their baby, and being a provider. That is being in this world and wanting what is good. Abundance had not clouded his mind of what is the most important in life, which is family and the ability to support them and to thrive. That is not "detachment" and that is not being ruled by the world. That is being of the world and understanding that life and committed love with children are the most important thing. If he had lived, and he'd worked his way up from worker to manager, that would have been fine too. That is being real and being in the world, but not being a manmade entity of the world.

I hope this is helpful. Much could be (and has been) written, but I needed to help people set the record straight about Jesus. It is obvious that Jesus validated, not denied, the goodness of life and everything he said and did was exhorting people to appreciate life within the context of God's design and purpose. Buddhist type thoughts are not Christianity, they never have been and they never will be. Christians don't "detach" from either the goodness and reality of life in God's creation or the reality of eternal life within God's presence, after a clear and final judgment of their life, no squishy spiritual "recycling." People are sometimes confused by the vows of poverty, including that of Jesus. Where did he impose that on others? He did not and in fact visited with equal affection the rich and the poor. Poverty is a special grace that some do for their own and the world's behalf, and it is very powerful (you see that whenever Jesus speaks of or performs fasting, because fasting is a quick "poverty of the body" if you think about it). But that does not mean that Jesus came in human body with human lineage and prophesied to know the goodness of life just to tell people that life is mean and bad and everyone should feel negative and morose and nagging and guilty about it and ruin it for everyone. What thanks THAT would be to God's generosity and goodness of creation! But that's exactly the mindset of many living today. As a result they glom onto manmade and man defined pleasures and then turn around and have a crisis because they no longer can enjoy the simple pleasures of real life. What a mess.

Very interesting update China quake Catholics

http://www.ucanews.com/2008/06/04/rural-catholics-in-quake-hit-areas-try-to-resume-normal-life-harvest-crops/

***
Hopes and prayers for their steady rebuilding and recovery, and for a very good wheat harvest, now ongoing. Gratitude that the damage to them wasn't worse than it was. The priests sound like really good guys.

In the field report from China by priest

This is also a very good report, giving details about Catholic survivors and those who perished, but most importantly how recovery efforts are proceeding. Notice the great contribution by nuns. Reading between the lines you can see how the Chinese government is doing a great job at getting food, water and medical care to survivors, and that nursing of their spiritual and emotional wounds are the priorities of the Catholics. You can also read how the tent donations that Catholics received were given by the Catholics to mostly non-Catholics. I'm really proud of them all.

http://www.ucanews.com/html/ucan/f_dishpatch.asp?title=%20%20Parish%20Assesses%20Human%20Cost%20From%20Quake%20As%20Catholics%20Continue%20To%20Serve%20Suvivors&ucalang=English_../news_report/english/2008/05/w5/fri/CH05086Rg.txt

Continue to be so pleased with China officials

I continue to be so impressed and pleased with the collective and individual responses and participation of the Chinese government officials. They are reacting with leadership, sincerity and warm heartedness to the earthquake victims and community during the disaster and recovery, and are thus showing much honor.

Here is an up to date example of what I am speaking about, the visit, with pictures, of China's top legislator Wu Bangguo:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/26/content_8257780.htm

I am also so very pleased that the government has moved swiftly to announce relaxing of the one child rule for those parents who have suffered the loss or injury of their child. They have shown much compassion at quickly making this announcement to ease the pain as best they could of loving parents who are suffering so very much.

As I read of the brave men who are each one marching with over twenty pounds of explosive to try to break dangerous quake lake debris jams and clogs I continue to marvel at the courage and strength all of the rescuers demonstrate with hardly any rest.

I know that everyone is going through a terrible time, especially with continuing aftershocks. The area is very unstable and will continue so for a while. I know that the government and volunteers will do all that they can to soothe those who have survived such terrible trauma and are physically and emotionally scarred. I have always had a very warm place in my heart for the Chinese people and I continue to pray for your safety and recovery, and for continuing wisdom by officials as they make crucial decisions for the next few years of recovery and rebuilding.

Meanwhile, I wish I was in China to help

Although I am there with the greatest spiritual attentiveness, I feel a great frustration and urge to be there in physical person to help with the earthquake recovery. People who are very child oriented and deeply love their families have gone through a terrible, terrible thing, something I, of course, deeply understand.

I also pray that those in China who have grown up in atheistic surroundings and who now experience this terrible loss can derive comfort from the knowledge that the tragic death of even one child surely does not end in nothingness. There is a heaven, there is a loving God, and all children there are treasured. Those who died to protect and save children are heroes in heaven, for Jesus said that no greater love is there than one who lays down his life for another.

Anyway, I continue to read the fine news coverage, praise the Chinese government leaders for their hands-on management and condolences in this tragedy, and pray for the best that can be achieved in rescue and recovery.

3,669 villages impacted by quakes

It is mindboggling that Chinese rescuers within the seven days after the quake have reached all 3,669 villages that were hit by the earthquake. The scope of people who had to be reached is mindboggling. Over one quarter of a million people have been injured.



Folks, you might want to have second thoughts back here in the USA about being anti-military or National Guard. While we here in the USA are involved in a painful conflict, the military and National Guard are essential in peacetime too. Who was it who eventually did reach those cut off in New Orleans by the waters of the broken levee system? The Army. Think about how China was able to mobilize 100,000 soldiers and 16,000 police in order to accomplish their rescue efforts that was demanded of them in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Amazing teachers sacrifice in quake

Here are the stories of teachers, some of whom died, some who survived, saving children during the China earthquake. One male teacher died shielding four children, who survived, with his body. The heroism of the teachers described in this article is truly humbling, inspiring, and such a sad loss for their families.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/20/content_8211550.htm

President Hu, Russian team rescue, Rebuild ideas

Here is a very useful article about progress as of Saturday in the quake rescue and recovery efforts. It mentions that there are still some people holding on alive in the ruins being rescued even though it has been six days and one of them, a 61 year old woman, was found and rescued by the Russian rescue team.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/18/content_8196898.htm

The article also covers President Hu's activities and comments since he too is on the scene along with Premier Wen. I agree with President Hu that everyone has conducted themselves with extraordinary bravery and dedication to save lives.

snip

In the meeting, Hu urged local governments at all levels and relevant central government departments to take quake relief as the most important and pressing issue in their work.

He called for unremitting efforts to search for and rescue the trapped people though more than five days had passed after the disaster.

"We should put people first and saving people's lives is still the top priority of the relief work," he said.
Troops, armed police, and public security personnel should reach villages and search every collapsed buildings to save the people, he said.
Hu also called for all-out efforts to save and cure injured survivors, urging to transfer them to hospitals with better conditions.
Hygiene measures in the quake-hit areas should be beefed up to prevent the spread of diseases, and more medical experts should be sent to these areas to help prevent and control possible epidemics, Hu said.
During the meeting, Hu expressed his concern for the people in the quake-devastated areas, calling for arrangements of supplies of daily necessities to meet people's demands.
Food, clothes, drinking water and temporary shelters must be ensured, he emphasized.
Hu also underscored social stability in quake hit areas, ordering officials to give considerate comfort and condolence to people to ensure a peaceful social environment.
"We must keep highly alert" against aftershocks and avoid further losses, he warned.
Hu also called for tightened monitoring and prevention measures on geological disasters such as landslides and mud-rock flows.
He said early planning is important for reconstruction as the country now faces a challenging task in this regard.
He also ordered early preparations and arrangements to deal with the issues of orphans, seniors and disabled.

***
I agree with him and think there is some real opportunity for positive urban and rural planning and public policy to rebuilt and provide solace and meaning to the survivors. Dangerous areas need to be identified as no build zones and be left as natural zones and buffers. Industries located in the safest areas must be encouraged to rebuild, expand and employ survivors. When they have identified where these centers of commerce and agriculture will be encouraged they can plan the housing that is needed for so many. I suggest that students and other professionals be employed to test different designs for traditional and modern earthquake resistant homes for both villagers and city residents. There will also be places where new and safe hospitals and schools can be built for those who have been relocated. Social workers should be compassionate with families who have lost their child to explore whether the family can have another child or adopt an orphan. These are just a few of my thoughts.

China: 100,000 soldiers 16,000 police rescuers

The enormous rescue efforts in the most incredibly difficult conditions continue. Soldiers have had to march on foot carrying packs of supplies up quake destroyed roads into mountainous areas. Elite troops parachuted in bad weather into mountain areas with no landmarks or ground support crew. I think they are doing an incredible job saving victims and recovering the lost under such harsh conditions and tragedy.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/15/content_6685857.htm

***
I'm not ignoring the situation in Myanmar (aka Burma) but like everyone else all I can really do is wring my hands over how poorly and wickedly the cyclone disaster has been handled. I blame the military junta in control, of course, but I also have disapproved of the political role of the monks. People, you must understand that when the religious become involved in political rebellion there is no faith between parties and so when disaster falls a vital channel for aid is broken. So there is no way that fresh after the marching monks rebellion that paranoid junta members would utilize such channels for aid. This is why I wish religious would stay out of activism against governments no matter what the circumstances because ministering to the flock and a life of prayer, especially within oppressive circumstances, must be the first priority. If religious refuse to be political then they have integrity that might be useful in reaching the hearts of even the most oppressive regime.

Chinese army working with their bare hands

I'm following the progress of the earthquake rescue and recovery effort. Prayers of support for the army personnel who are having to march by foot into these destroyed and remote areas, where roads and bridges are out, only to arrive and have to work often by hand only on the tons of concrete that has buried thousands. I think everyone should pause in their thoughts and prayers and give them some real credit. They are demonstrating great honor.

I don't know if the Chinese People's army has service badges but I think each serviceman should receive a special one issued by the government for this earthquake rescue mission.

China earthquake; impressed with Premier

My thoughts and prayers to all who are lost, who survived, who are suffering, and who are working so hard at the rescue and recovery.

I am especially impressed that Premier Wen Jiabao arrived at the epicenter six hours after the quake and is personally supervising rescue and recovery efforts. This is his style, not politics or posing, as he did the same thing during the terrible snowstorm last winter, reassuring in person those who panicked during the fuel shortages. He's a geologist by training, and even as a politician spent much time in the field meeting average people. A very interesting man and leader.

Article and pictures in China Daily:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-05/13/content_6678227.htm

Wikipedia about Premier Wen Jiabao:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wen_Jiabao

Earthquake strikes Rwanda and DRC

Two hours ago. Early reports say a church collapsed as Mass was being said, killing or injuring at least 10. Hundreds are said to be injured in the area.

1 Kings 19:11-12 Then the Lord said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord-but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake-but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire-but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.

13 when he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"

EZ Nuclear Power Plant checklist and guide

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070719a1.html

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070721a1.html

Two interesting articles about the earthquake in Japan that whacked one of their nuclear power plants. After reading these articles I prepared a quick checklist for nuclear plant operators:

1. Don't build a plant right on top of an earthquake fault. Actually check if one exists before building.
2. Earthquake proof the entire power plant, not just parts of it.
3. How about actually having fire extinguishing equipment on site? What a concept. Did people think there might never be a fire?
4. Teach employees to actually follow the safety manuals. When the emergency instructions say "Turn off" it means to actually turn it off.

This could have been Godzilla bad... I'm sincerely glad to see that it wasn't and that the government seems really serious about ensuring all the power plants are inventoried and secured. I'm a nuclear power plant advocate, but not if people are being irresponsible dummies.