Thursday, March 17, 2011

Japan: from Hiroshima to Fukushima










Picture of a petroleum-refining plant on fire




When I was in New Mexico a few years ago I drove up to Los Alamos and toured the museum there. As I looked at the replicas of the war time atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan, I marvelled that something so small could create devastation so complete.

But that was the world of 1945.

Now, a generation later, with daily images of the smoking reactors at Fukushima, news comes of American and Japanese engineers working together to prevent a nuclear meltdown.

In the 1940's I was brought up on a daily diet of "Hate the Japs!" 

It has taken a long time to forget those war-time slogans.

Perhaps today's news of such co-operation between the nations is a happy harbinger of the time when "The lion shall lie down with the lamb."

Hasten the day!

Ian

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Japan: rescue at sea

Picture of a boat resting on a building after the Japan tsunami





Among the bizarre sights beamed to us from Japan, none was stranger than a ferry sailing at full speed up main street at Sendai.

Washed inland by the tidal wave it ran aground surrounded by cars, houses and other sea-borne debris and there she sat. 

Occupants safe and sound.

Meanwhile, two days later and ten miles from the coast, another survivor was picked up floating on the roof of his house.

What drama there is in a single rescue!

We all know the scale of the devastation in Japan, but what a joy when we read of a miracle of rescue.

Truly the best of things can happen in the blackest times of human calamity. Thus I mention these two 21st century sequels of Noah's Ark: one where the occupants were still inside the boat the other where one was on the roof.

Matterless, all were safe and all will have stories to tell and, without a doubt, their favourite Bible passage will be Genesis chapters 6 and 7.

Ian

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Japan. A moment of relection.











Just be glad that you live where you do!

This week, Pauline and I prayed at our breakfast table. Among other things, we simply thanked God for our home in Canada.

Sometimes it is good to remember the things that you HAVE and quit reminding God of the things that you want!

I Thessalonians 5:18. (Giving thanks in everything, for this is the will of God for your life) is my recommended verse for the day.

Enjoy it.

Ian

Monday, March 14, 2011

This week in Japan.



Maybe I'm reading more into these news headlines than I ought. Forgive me if I am.

But think with me, if you will, about the signs that Luke's gospel gives of the imminent return of Christ to the earth. We read of seas and waves roaring, of dissensions among the nations and of man being at an end of himself because of calamities.

 It does not require a leap of the imagination to connect these portents with the earthquakes in New Zealand, upheaval in Egypt, civil war in Algeria and nuclear fall out and tsunami in Japan. 

 It's been quite a month  and continues to be.

Could I recommend as part of your personal meditation this week that you associate the present convulsions in nature and wars among men with the promise of Jesus return.

He said that He was going to come back and fix things and He may just be telling you the truth.

Ian

Sunday, March 13, 2011

This week in Japan


Around 2-30 p.m. on a serene early spring day it took place, an earth quake of unimaginable power. Centred 140 kilometers off the Japanese coast, it took two minutes for the tidal wave to hit the nearest beaches.

We know the rest of the story.

Seismologists tell us the quake was caused by a slow build up of stress between the tectonic plates, which suddenly let go. Such an explanation is of scant comfort when a 30 feet high wave is speeding towards you!

"BE READY" is the repetitive warning to people who live on fault lines across the earth. "THE BIG ONE IS COMING."

Yet, let me say, that all of us live on a deep and massive fault line. The point where pressure between the patience and mercy of God and the obstinacy of mankind continually builds.

This week we entered into Lent, the Christian "Be ready" season which culminates at Easter.

Easter when Jesus was crucified at the great fault line caused by human sin. Easter when He died to reconcile men to their so gracious Creator.

Have you thought about that because there is a "Be prepared" warning gone out and the stress is continuing to build?

Ian