Keep "Em At Any Cost

There is an article in the newspapers today about an Austrian priest who has given up a promotion within the Catholic church.

He was promoted to become the auxiliary bishop of Linz, Austria. He has stepped down from the promotion.

No big deal, I guess until we examine why.

Some time ago, Rev. Wagner suggested that God had used hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans because of the sins of the people of the city.

Now I'm not here to say that God did or did not use Katrina as a way of punishment, but I certainly think it is a valid idea that is worthy of consideration.

I feel like God certainly could have used Katrina as a punishment on the United States as a whole because we have all been affected by the aftermath of the storm. The costs associated with recovery efforts is in the billions of dollars and those dollars are coming from somewhere and that somewhere is you and me.

Christians should consider everything when disasters occur. God used these types of events in the past as recorded in His Word and He is certainly free to do so again.

Rev. Wagner said so and now has withdrawn from his promotion because the controversy could prompt people to leave the church.

This is where I have a problem. This man has put forward an argument that has basis in Biblical history, that God punishes people for their sins and that Katrina was possibly a tool of such punishment.

There is nothing wrong with starting and encouraging that thinking among people. The minute we think that God is incapable of, or wrong for, bringing punishment on Man, wherever man may be, by whatever means God would so choose, we no longer present God honestly as He has revealed Himself to us in His Word.

This pastor has withdrawn from his promotion to keep people in the church.

This happens too many times in our world today.

God's Word and character and ways are compromised in the name of keeping people in church.

People need to hear the truth. Only in the Truth are people set free.

Pray that we never apologize or withdraw from the truth just because it may seem challenging to someones sensibilities.

God's Word, God's Truth is supposed to challenge us, enlighten us and ultimately, free us. But we must first hear it and know it and consider all it's hard ramifications.

God does punish sin and sinners. However He chooses to do so.

We can never back away from that.

This world needs Jesus. Revival. Prayer. Please be a part of that. Pray and keep on praying.

In His Love
Walter