Another "Greatest Storm"

Typhoon Haiyan has dominated the news the past few days having wrecked havoc upon the Philippine Islands.  Meteorologist have been hard pressed to find the right words to describe this super-storm, but most have settled upon just stating that it was the largest and most massive storm ever recorded.  Wind speeds exceeded 200 miles per hour with a storm surge over twenty feet.  Initial estimates were that the storm was nearly 500 miles in width.  The satellite imagery showing the storm looked impressive.  Now the clean up begins and the search for survivors.  The threat of disease is becoming the new enemy as sanitation conditions are poor and water quality and availability is even poorer.  Nations from around the globe are sending relief supplies and teams to help with the recovery. 

Is it just me or does it seem that we are seeing too many of these "largest storms?"  This typhoon was the 30th one of the year, yet there has hardly been a hurricane in the Atlantic or Caribbean.  And the tornado count in the States has almost set a record low for the year.  It was not long ago we were talking about Super-storm Sandy that destroyed most of the New Jersey shoreline.  Then there was the massive earthquake and tsunami that brought devastation to Japan.  We have had volcanic eruptions.  Heat and drought.  Rains that have created massive flooding.  Snow storms that have come early.  I know that some would blame these weather phenomena on "climate change."  But I am more inclined to believe that God is trying to get our attention.  Whenever I see these massive storms or weather that is not normal, I am drawn to those words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8 - "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:20-23).  I think the natural world is telling us that the trumpet is about to sound, that its redemption from the curse placed upon it in the Garden is about to be removed and those marvelous days of the Millennium will be ushered in.  (Of course there are some days of tribulation the world must go through first). 

Are you following the 'bouncing ball" that is the Iran Nuclear Negotiations taking place in Geneva?  The talks are between Iran and the P5+1 group (5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - France, Britain, China, Russia, and the United States) plus Germany.  Excitement reigned this past weekend as Secretary of State John Kerry made his way to Geneva as talks were nearing a final stage.  Then suddenly the talks collapsed.  According to Secretary Kerry, the Iranians were not able to accept the proposal.  According to the Iranians the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius halted the talks.  The question upon the minds of many was "is this a good deal, or just another hurry up and get it done?"  From what I read in several Israeli papers, Prime Minister Netanyahu thought it was a very poor deal - Iran getting what it wanted without really giving up too much of its nuclear capabilities.  Now we are in a cooling off phase with talks scheduled to begin again next week.  Fortunately members of our Congress are calling for even greater economic sanctions on Iran.  If you remember my comments last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu believed such economic sanctions were beginning to have a desired effect upon Iran.  Now does not seem to be the time to release pressure from the valve, but perhaps to even increase the pressure more.  Anyway, keep you eye on what is happening in Geneva.  I think it is about to get very interesting.

There is so much happening all around us these days.  Let's be in prayer for God to do a mighty work in the Philippines and that the church of Jesus Christ there will seize this opportunity to be the "hands and feet of Jesus."  And you can help by supporting those organizations who are sending help and helpers to that island nation.  Together we can bring hope to the hopeless.  We can bring encouragement to the downhearted.  Remember those words of Jesus, "As much as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me."