Messages from Houston
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).
For the past few days, one of the largest hurricanes ever to enter the U.S. mainland pummeled the Gulf Coast of Texas–reeking havoc on Houston–America’s fourth largest city. Ten people have died, thousands needed courageous rescues, scores of thousands are in temporary shelters, and billions of dollars are needed to rebuild after the rains cease and water recedes.
Living in the Northwest, my family didn’t experience Harvey first-hand, but our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, homes or businesses. We have a number of YWAM bases in Texas and we will certainly assist their efforts to help their neighbors emerge from the devastation.
What are the messages being sent via Hurricane Harvey?
Houston is an interesting city–one that sports a number of extremes.
Simply Redeemed–With A Smile and a Hug
On Friday morning, August 18, my beloved father-in-law, Charles Edward Cookson, breathed his last and was transported into the arms of Jesus. I’m sure his homecoming was marked with a big smile and warm hug.
Both were a trademark of Chuck Cookson. The other was simplicity of heart and life — two rare qualities in today’s complex world.
He is now simply redeemed.
Chuck Cookson was born on August 6, 1926, in Port Orchard, Washington during the Roaring Twenties. His father, Leonard Cookson, built a small home at 816 Sidney Street, only six blocks up the hill from the downtown waterfront.
His mother, Clara Dixon, was three-quarters American Indian and a gracious woman who worked extremely hard. Chuck was the youngest of three and said he was born in the “shack” behind the three bedroom house.
In 91 years, Chuck never moved more than eight blocks from his roots. Read More
Let’s Blame Sin–Not Race or Turn Signals
The violence in Charlottesville, Virginia over the past weekend is stirring many passions and story lines.
The Trump-Is-Wrong-About-Everything liberal press used the occasion to slam the president’s response on day one, then stayed cynical on day three when he got more specific.
Many newspapers created the impression that Nazi-sympathizers and white supremacists are taking over the nation–while progressive anarchist groups actually out number them by hundreds of thousands. Others painted the cultural battle as Left versus Right.
I have a better idea.
Let’s blame sin–not race or turn signals. That might bring revival and reconciliation to America.
In most of the news broadcasts or articles about the violence in Charlottesville, the action was framed with the words “Right” and “Left.” Read More