Thoughts on the Tsunami
by Daniel Valles

The new year dawns upon a year already grieving over incalculable loss of life.  The earthquake tsunami in the Indian Ocean is most saddening as most of those souls were eternally lost.  It brings to sharp focus that life, as the Bible states, is like a vapor.  James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."  If you are not trusting in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins, then time is short.  Romans 6:23 reminds us, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  If you have never put your faith and confidence in Jesus Christ alone to save you, then the wages (result) of your sin (disobeying God) is death (eternal separation from Him.)  If you have trusted in Jesus Christ to save you, time is running out where you can help save others.

In a matter of seconds, lives, homes, businesses, careers, cars, pools, sports, clubs, bars, condos, luxuries, trinkets, furniture, stores, and more were erased for miles upon miles.  We are taking nothing out of this world when we leave it.  Get your eyes off of your quaint little reality bubble here on this world, and look toward a future in eternity.  Time here is short.  What are you doing for eternity?  Have you spent more time building a little world that can be washed or burned away in seconds?  Or have you invested time, money, work, and action in following God?

Mark 13:8 says, "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."  Talking about the last days, earthquakes in diverse places is given as a sign that Christ is soon to return.  The earthquakes will increase in intensity and devastation as God reminds the world that He is returning soon.  As Christians, especially those with families, we should notice that famines and pestilences (Matt. 24:7) are also listed as signs of His return.  Get ready for famines, more large earthquakes, and even more pestilences (disease/plague).  We are already seeing a sharp escalation of disease and plagues spreading (and it will get worse).  We will most assuredly will see more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (as the one has an affect on the other).  One thing we have not yet seen fully is famines.  Yes, Africa has pockets of famine, but regional famines are nothing new.  They were even recorded in the Bible.  For it to be listed as a recognizable sign, it would have to be a famine outside of normal proportions.  Perhaps we may see more pestilence infecting vast food supplies.  Right now I would very strongly recommend you get a durable, high quality water filter.  The British Berkfeld is very reliable, does not need electricity, and is very durable.  I have one.  Whatever may affect a food supply has a high chance of affecting your water supply.  Also, stock up on canned goods and long term food storage items.  In our Prudent Living section, we have additional information regarding food and water provisions.

It was interesting to note that the Mormon church was able to donate huge stores of food supplies to the relief efforts.  They have food banks, food storage programs, etc., and can quickly rally supplies to help themselves and others if need be.  However, it is to the Christian church's shame that the Mormons grabbed the headlines, witnessing opportunities, and testimony opportunities because they are always ready for disasters!  Acts 11:28 tells the story of how the early church was able to greatly help out during a famine, yet today the churches spend more money on their Christmas programs, CCM music equipment, opulent buildings, recreation facilities, etc. to have money left over for helping the needy, let alone missionaries!!  I hate for it to be so, but I give more money to local missions work and similar venues than I give to churches, because I know my money will be used to spread the gospel and make a difference in people's lives instead of going to some frivolous church activity!

The tsunami disaster is peculiar and suspicious.  The reason I state that is because it happened one year to the hour as the last major earthquake in Bam, Iran.  To the hour!  While you can make a good point that God is using it to get our attention, I also know that it serves as a great distraction to get everyone's eye off of Iraq, Afghanistan, domestic problems, the falling dollar, our huge deficit, etc.  Contrary to popular opinion, earthquakes and other weather phenomena can be manipulated.  With earthquakes, proper radio frequency manipulation can oscillate quartz in the earth's crust creating tension in regions and along fault lines, etc.  HAARP and other similar facilities are capable of producing these effects.  More information, patents, etc. can be found on the Internet from certain reliable sources.  Such a large-scale disaster gives the perfect pretense for UN involvement on a large scale.  Recall that informedchristians.com has always stated that the UN will probably get involved in our country at some future date in response to some 'natural' disaster (real or contrived).  Already the UN is putting out the call for global cooperation, warnings centers, and more.  Russia is also renewing calls for a European emergency center that would increase multilateral efforts.

From one point of view, the world's nations will be most resistant to global efforts on a political framework.  It is rough and awkward.  However, if you can get nations to work together about natural events, reservations and red tape disappear.

There was an interesting article regarding how the government should not be the one to give foreign aid for this disaster.  Individuals, private organizations, and churches should, and can, be the one to give financial and relief aid.  To take one's money via taxes under the pretext of using government expenses, and then give it away is not right, nor efficient.  The article reminded me of what Col. David Crockett, US Representative from Tennessee, stated in his "Not Yours To Give" speech:  "We cannot without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as charity. Mr. Speaker, I have said we have the right to give as much money of our own as we please. I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week's pay to the object, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks.

...In the first place, the government ought to have in the Treasury no more than enough for its legitimate purposes. But that has nothing with the question. The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be entrusted to man, particularly under our system of collecting revenue by a tariff, which reaches every man in the country, no matter how poor he may be, and the poorer he is the more he pays in proportion to his means.

...If you have the right to give at all; and as the Constitution neither defines charity nor stipulates the amount, you are at liberty to give to any and everything which you may believe, or profess to believe, is a charity and to any amount you may think proper. You will very easily perceive what a wide door this would open for fraud and corruption and favoritism, on the one hand, and for robbing the people on the other." [To read the full story, check out http://www.house.gov/paul/nytg.htm]