Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Business and Media Institute]

Sometime you really have wonder at what cost some are willing to see their political ideology advanced. To liberal documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, the bounds are seemingly endless. Moore has made a recent career out of attacking President George W. Bush, bashing conservatives and criticizing business. His latest outrage occurred on MSNBC’s August 29 “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and when he commented about the coincidental timing of an unfortunate disaster – the potential for Hurricane Gustav to make landfall at the beginning of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

 “I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven,” Moore said, laughing. “To have it planned at the same time – that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for day one of the Republican Convention, up in the Twin Cities – at the top of the Mississippi River.”

After that comment, Moore backed off a bit and did say he hoped nobody got hurt and he hoped everybody is taking cover. However, he failed to make note of the $43.625 billion in damage the last hurricane to strike New Orleans caused – Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – and the billions of dollars the storm cost taxpayers.

Read more of his stupid comments here.

[From me]

Sometimes I wonder where people get their lack of judgment.  I’m sure Mr. Moore was trying to be funny. But I don’t think a natural disaster that will affect millions of people is funny at all.  In fact, most of the people who live in New Orleans are democrats so Moore is happy that people in his own party are going to be hurt.  

Now in fairness, Chris Knight pointed out that Focus on the Family prayed for rain the night of Obama’s speech at the DNC.  I think that is wrong too.  

I lived through Hurricanes Bertha and Fran on the East Coast.  Then we were wiped out financially by Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina.  Hurricanes don’t pick which political party they are going to affect. They are equal opportunity disasters.  There is nothing funny about “Hurricane deductibles” with the insurance companies.  No matter how much damage the homeowner pays 2% deductible of the value of their home for “EACH” hurricane.  Lets just say with 3 hurricanes in a 13 month period our savings was wiped out.  We were fortunate compared to people who didn’t have savings.

So, Mr. Moore and Mr. Shephard think next time before you start laughing at other people’s misfortunes.  I wouldn’t laugh if your houses burned down or you had some misfortune come your way.  Shame on both of you.

What do you think?

Last night we went out to eat and had voodoo rolls.  Ummmm….   We walked across the street to see the progress that has been made on the pumps to the levies but it was cold and the wind was coming off the lake.

Today there is a group from Maryland working with us.  It is great to see so many churches and Christians coming together to help people they don’t even know.  I can’t put into words how bad it still is in the Gentilly area and the lower 9th Ward.  I would say in Gentilly only every 10th house is occupied and that may be an exaggeration.   Edgewater has been ministering to these people since Katrina hit.  This church is very important to the community.  I’m glad we got to be a small part.  This is my 4th time down here.  I’m very passionate about helping these victims because I lived through Katrina and 5 other hurricanes.  As I read about Cyclone Sidr slamming  Bangladesh, killing at least 1,100 and forcing 650,000 to flee I am heartbroken for them.  When you see how it affects people in person it moves you.

We were able to get the doors finished on the front of the church.  We stained and glossed about 30 doors.  We fixed holes, hung sheet rock, did plumbing and electrical all week.  We are tired but I wouldn’t trade this week for anything.  My 13 year old son Jacob was able to come because he is homeschooled and it was special to work with him.

Well, we are headed back to the Riverwalk–maybe we will see another New Orleans wedding.

I love the song by REO Speedwagon (I know I’m showing my age) “Rollin with the changes.” Mainly because it rocks. But as most people know I’m a change agent. I thrive in changing environments. I changed my blog design 2 months ago and it was ok. Then Joe Kennedy made a new design for me. Thanks Joe, I like it a lot.

Sorry I didn’t get to come to Angela’s birthday party. Angela, you are a fine young lady and I appreciate your hard work. You are very talented and have a great heart for God. You deserve a great day! It would have been fun to see you, Whitnet, Soupie and others.

I’m sorry for all of the destruction that is occuring to people in LA and TX. We’ve been thru our own share of bad weather in Mobile. I sure hope there are no more storms this year.

I am pumped about going to Catalyst in a week and half. For one, I love Atlanta! 2 the speaker will be inspiring, John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, Louis Giglio, Donald Miller and more. The music is 2nd to none! This is my 3rd one to go to. I missed the last 2 because of $$ in the church. I wouldn’t miss this year for anything!

Man, I’m getting tired of this! I hate to wish pain on anyone else, but I hope it continues this path or dies off. Hopefully it will just be a tropical storm at worst. New Orleans certainly doesn’t need this. Also, it sure doesn’t need to hit Houston or Beaumont because there are more oil refinerys there than anywhere.

Soup is leaving for Louisiana today. I pray for his safety and am glad for his $$ situation. Honestly, I was tempted to do it myself. God has been faithful to us eventhough others have not been. He continues to amaze me how He takes care of a sinner like me.

I visited a gentelman in the hospital this morning that is dying. That was hard. He is a sweet man and often brought the staff cappachinos. All I could do was pray with him and hug him. Thankfully, he will be with Jesus soon. Moments like that put things in perspective. Life is fragile and I’m thankful for the life God has given me. Wayne Cordeiro wrote about a trip he took to China to teach the leaders of the house churches there. He said there are over 2 million people people meeting in house churches in China. They are persecuted and can be killed if the government finds out about their churches. One of the leaders prayed that the Chinese churches could be more like the churches in America because we are free to worship here. Wayne said no, I pray American Churches will be more like China because we take our freedom for granted. How true. I’m very grateful for my life. I have more blessings than any man deserves! Moments like my hospital visit remind me of that!

Just as we start cleaning up and getting things back to normal, I hear on the news that Tropical Storm Phillipe has been declared. But they said T.D. 18 is more of a threat. The experts believe that it will be a threat to the Gulf Coast. It is times like these when you realize you have no control over life. It stinks! But I think that is the way God likes it. I don’t, but He does. He doesn’t want us relying on our own power but on his. My prayer is that all of the weather systems just die off. But I have no say so on the matter. All I know is that God is in control.