Blaming the government

The news media are all over the US government for the delay and sloth in helping the hurricane victims in Louisiana. They charge President Bush with mismanagement and incompetence in not helping those who suffered under Hurricane Katrina. Blame is an even harsher sound when applied to John Howard and our Aussie officials in not sending consular staff to help stranded Aussies.

So who is to blame? Sure, sure, there was a hurricane and certainly the hurricane did some damage, they say, but really where is the US when her citizens are in need? The mayor is angry at the state, the state is upset at the feds, and blame shifting is not ever satisfying, certainly to the victims.

But it does seem comfortable. It seems so self-completing. It seems to make some sense of a senseless situation.

Or does it?

Blaming the US government for the situation is not only simplistic, it's simply wrong. The hurricane knocked out the electricity and the rails and the phone lines and the travel paths for millions of citizens and tourists. You cannot blame government for that.

The residual effect of the wind and the rain will leave the costliest bill in American weather history, billions of dollars so far, and they are just now getting to half the homes. How many will lie dead? How many will need surgery and replacements of homes and farms and property and goods and ...? Where will it end?

So where to look? How about government? That's easy, but it's simply ill-founded. And blaming a government 9,000 miles away in Canberra for the inefficient or slow response to the aching 40, the travellers from Australia who were holidaying overseas. What sense does that make? Why should Mr Howard be responsible to send people of government stature to a state without any basic services? What would those people have been able to do there? How could they have communicated with the folks who were in harm's way?

It's so easy to blame. It's often so wrong.

Listen, things happen. Hurricanes happen. Who blamed the Thai government for the situation in December last year when the tsunami hit on Boxing Day? Didn't the world simply reach out to help? Didn't everyone feel the pain of the victims and gather resources to help? Why would the world be so angry and blaming today?

Think about it. Write if you want.

Houston sounds terrific

I'm reading about the people of Houston taking in tens of thousands of refugees from hurricane torn New Orleans and I'm very happy to know so many there. I'm actually travelling to Houston Texas on Friday this week to preach in 11 places in 8 days, and hope to have a similar welcome. God bless the Texans.





_______________________
Bob and Patty Mendelsohn
Jews for Jesus PO Box 925 Sydney 2001 AUSTRALIA
Phone: 1.800.988.077 FAX 02.9388.0545 Mobile: 0414.754.180
(If ringing from outside Australia the free.call 800 will not work. So you have to ring +61.2.9388.0559. And ordinarily you must change the opening "0" for our country code "61")

http://www.jewsforjesus.org.au
or personal
http://members.aol.com/bobmendo

Ask the rabbi

On Thursday evening 1 September, Harold Vallins will be featured in an "Ask the Rabbi" session in Bondi Junction.

6:30 pm start time
576 Oxford St
at the Jews for Jesus Books and gifts shop

Harold was raised in the UK, got smicha (rabbinic ordination) there, and moved to Australia 20+ years ago. He came to faith in Jesus in 1998. You will want to hear his story and listen to the interaction.

Easy walk from the train/bus station. Also there is ample free parking after 5 pm in the Westfield car park

A free will offering will be received for support of the book shop ministry. Seating is limited; please call 9388.0559 to register your attendance. Thank you.

Gush Katif withdrawal

Will the withdrawal be good for the Israelis? This video highlights some of the pain of the settlers there.



Click here to view.





It may take a long time to open. But it's worth the wait.

Jewish Evangelism Seminar

This Saturday morning, 6 August, in Bondi Junction, we are conducting a Jewish evangelism seminar. From 10 a.m. (come at 9:30 if you want) a good class for serious Christians who want to learn how to share with others, specifically Jewish friends and colleagues. Cost is $15, ($5 for CMP members). One hour break at noon for lunch, ending at 3 pm. Morning tea includes bagels.

Address is: Church in the Marketplace
Corner Newland and Oxford Streets
Bondi Junction

9:30 for 10 a.m. Start.

Mendelsohn witnessing on the streets

Mendo NYSWC 05
Originally uploaded by bobmendo.

Shalom friends... I don't remember adding a photo to our blogsite before. Maybe this will help you to know us a bit, and want to be one of those folks who interacts with and questions us, either on the streets, or here on the blogspot.

It's that question again

It's a great time to consider Jesus as your messiah. If you want to talk to someone, we are willing to do so, but you can just talk to God about him. Who is Jesus?, that might be your question. Go ahead and ask ... you never know.