Howdy –
Many people have remarked in my hearing there seems to be something going on with the cyclones, more tornadoes this year than usual, seismic events that don’t readily link to global warming upon which almost everything else seems to be blamed from errant politicians to allergies. There is no doubt we hear more about it than before. The Internet is a 24/7 news machine for good or ill.
I was just going through the account from CAA (China Aid Association) which deals with abuses of power in China. No matter how they encase it with a bamboo curtain, or simple stonewalling, China is growing to be the 1.2 million pound gorilla that sits where she wants to sit and acts like she wants to act. But aside from that China will have the biggest “carbon footprint” in the world and likely to remain foremost in that category for the foreseeable future.
In any case my thoughts were with the reports coming out of China since the beginning of May – We have documented cases of police overreaction and callous treatment of Chinese pastors and House Church members on May 2nd, 4th, 8th , 9th, 11th from various provinces and Beijing itself. Individuals have been imprisoned mistreated and expelled from the country. If you want more information so you may pray and support our brethren in China click on -- www.chinaaid.org -- and you’ll see what I mean. The Chinese government does not have a handle on keeping their populace calm and quiet during the Olympics. Signs of uncontrolled strife are appearing – especially in the areas away from the major population concentrations.
Meanwhile the old “Burma” we knew in WWII days is now Myanmar – and at this writing is facing *another* major ‘cyclone’ (as they call them out that way) which may further exacerbate the terrible conditions in that part of the world. It’s unfathomable that the Myanmar government is dragging its feet in letting relief supplies in. But NPR says it’s because the military junta running the country is more interested in keeping things stable than risking an uprising because of a disgruntled populace and a corrupt government.
All of that to say I believe *the very best and most important thing* we can do for our brethren in that part of the world is to pray. This headline comes on the latest report from China. CAA calls upon the world churches to pray for and provide aid for the victims of the earthquake in Sichuan province.
To that I sincerely and heartily add my Amen!
Jack Buttram
PS – Here’s today’s script below and below that an audio link plus a line for posting your comments.
“JUST A MINUTE”
HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA
Just A Minute – Just as I was preparing a script about House-Church arrests in China – news of a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China crossed the wires: Now prayer is increased beyond families roughed up by Chinese police, to all those in peril from disasters by government or from extraordinary causes.
Soon the number of 15 thousand dead flashed in news spaces only to be instantly replaced by larger numbers as the scope of the quake enlarged.
Further, another major sea-born storm bore down on the Burmese coast where the devastation from a previous “cyclone” was barely assessed and the Myanmar government drug its feet over allowing relief supplies into the country.
Everyone asks “Why should a government resist any efforts to relieve its people? An NPR correspondent attempted to explain it as the government putting its desire for “stability” ahead of responsibility to aid its people.
It’s my view, that’s what happens when rulers, un-enlightened by the love of Christ, hunker down to protect themselves. The citizens go un-aided, un-protected.
<> I’m Jack Buttram
Jebco Editorial Service
www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com
e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net
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