Dear Church Family – Fire in Maui. Earthquake in Morocco. Flood in Libya. Hurricane in Cuba. These disasters have all taken lives and destroyed homes. And they have all happened in the last month. Jesus was once asked if disasters were God’s judgment on certain people. He was asked about a man-made disaster, a crime, but He went on to add a natural disaster to the discussion. Here’s how Luke told the story in Luke 13:1-5: “Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’” To sum it up: Life is uncertain. Tragedy is indiscriminate Judgment is coming – Tragedy pictures judgment to come. Repent – Tragedy reminds us to always be ready. We pray and grieve for people affected by these recent tragedies. We pray that they will turn to God, the Savior who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and who has grace to help in time of need. The 20th century missionary statesman, J. Oswald Sanders wrote, “If we are to experience serenity in this turbulent world, we will need to take a firmer grasp of God’s sovereignty and trust His love even when we cannot discern His purpose. We must remember that the hand molding our clay is nail-pierced.” Grace to you – Pastor Tim