Friday, January 15, 2010

Earthquakes

This week a major earthquake hit the island nation of Haiti. Pat Robertson declared that it was because years ago the national leaders of Haiti made a "pact with the devil". Rush Limbaugh, a famous (or infamous) radio talk show host has talked about it, complaining that we have already helped Haiti in the past - at least inferring that the American public is tired of helping in these situations that require benovolence. I do not get tired of being benevolent - but I do not want to be taken advantage of by schemers and opportunists who devise ways to separate good people from their hard-earned and worked for incomes.

The Bible has much to say about earthquakes. There were earthquakes in Jesus day. Paul and Silas were freed from jail during an earthquake. It was of such magnitude that all the doors flew open and the shackles fell off.

I've been close enough to feel the rumblings of earthquake while I was serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in Adak, Alaska. A nearby mountain was an active volcano which we saw, heard and felt the results of on a rather frequent basis.

Earthquake is one of the signs that Jesus' coming is near. Reading the following verses and their contexts: Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

During this earthquake in Haiti, we had good friends and neighbors who were in Haiti and close to the epicenter when the quake struck. Lloyd Frazier, Lovell Carey and his wife Ginny Carey were there. In fact they remain in that Island as I type. I've seen the Carey's this morning on CNN (news) and they looked very much in need of personal physical attention to me. My wife Frances has talked to Edna Frazier today and she had had a phone call from her husband, who is also suffering from the devastation. Their driver (the overseer of the Church of God in Haiti) was killed by a 20 ft slab of a concrete wall that fell on the car they were traveling in, killing him instantly. The mood here today is sombre.

2 comments:

jack69 said...

I have not heard about the overseer being killed. Our ex-pastor bought us lunch today (AGAIN, BTW he said come on down!)
WE sorta switch times buying lunch.
He mentioned seeing Lovell on the news, said he looked frail.

Each time I see something like this I say every one you see has a story, a family someone they love just like us. Their hearts are torn like our would be for a child killed. We seldom turn on the TV, but we did watch about twenty minutes of the news. Terrible.

OUr expastor and dear friends are Wayne and Juanita Carter. They know Irma and Ed. Irma is from the area they are from here in Florida.They too think a lot of them. Amazing how small the world is sometimes.
Also you mentioned your mom, what was her maiden name? The CArters were wondering.
Good entry.
LOVE FROM THE REAL FLORIDA TODAY,
Jack & Sherry

Fred Alton said...

Jack, Mom's maiden name was Jones. Her mother was the preacher in the family and preached revivals in Zellwood and other places in central FL. The Carter's may remember Lula Lee Jones.

About Me

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Cleveland, TN, United States
I am Fred Alton Brannen, the son of Louis A. Brannen (deceased) and Bonnie Jones Brannen, Louis was an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. Bonnie is an Ordained Licensed Minister and at 89 years of age is still actively engaged in speaking and singing engagements. I am married to the former Frances Hildreth. We celebrated 53 years of marriage this past June and we are the parents of 3, grand-parents of 10, and great-grandparents of 10. I pastored in Tennessee for 24 years and served the Church in some capacity in missions for over 23 years. I retired from full-time ministry in August of 2008 but remain active, speaking and singing and teaching whenever opportunity affords itself. In January of 2010 I received a letter of commendation for having been credentialed as a minister in the Church of God for 50 years! My family is very important to me. Our get togethers are always noisy affairs and most times will include family sing-alongs. The children love their Mom's cooking so we have the privilege of seeing them regularly! WE LOVE having them over.

TheCabin on Day One

TheCabin on Day One
Fred Alton