Over a five day period of time, Louisiana received a monstrous amount of rainfall and experienced a flood variously estimated to be a 500 or 1000 year flood. In those five days, Louisiana received more rainfall than Bakersfield, California, does in five and a half years.
It’s not the kind of history you want to make.
It has given us an historic opportunity. It is a time for the church and for caring people everywhere to shine.
What can we do to help our neighbors?
First, we can pray. Paul urged Timothy and others to pray. “I urge, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. . . . [God] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1, 4). Let us pray urgently for people in need. Let us pray that they might experience the truth through those who come to help.
Second, we can give. Where should you give? Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Southern Baptists make up the three largest relief agencies in the country. Any would be fine. You can give to the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention, or to FBC Covington. Any funds you give through FBC will go directly to people who have been flooded.
We all know the needs are very great. Let’s not withhold the goods of this world when we can seek to meet their needs. “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions” (1 John 3:17-18).
Finally, we can get directly involved. You can be trained to participate with an organized effort to help people by going for training (Sunday, August 21 at 3:00 PM in the Worship Center) to help people clean out their flooded houses. When people return to their homes, the most common feeling after shock and grief is being overwhelmed at what has to be done. You can help them get the job done.
Let us be faithful to God and to our neighbors.
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3 Responses
Please pray for my grandson, Michael Palmer, and his family who lost everything. Michael’s mother is Michelle Phillips. Michael spends every other weekend with is dad, my son James Britton Palmer and his wife, Jennifer Kuhn Palmer. When seven year old Michael visits his Dad and Step-mom, I get to see him for a short while.
Michael, the child in this circumstance needs to feel our love. Thank you.
Alta, I will pray. The needs are so great for so many people.
Pastor. Will you be sending a group this weekend? I’ll be coming in from Dallas and am looking for a group to help on Denham and need a place to crash if possibe.