Awake

The Crises Before the Disaster

The urgency of addressing the fiercesome circumstances created by injustice and poverty, toil and disaster is pressing in on the heart of the Church. To demonstrate the truth and love of Jesus to a person before she is faced with death seems to become more critical in the mind and heart of the Church in a week such as this.

But what of the people groups affected by the December 26 earthquake and killer waves? Looking at "yesterday's" news (news from the past year or two) we can see that many people in quake- and tsunami-affected regions were in dire need years before the Indian Ocean pulled back from the shore.

Aceh (pronounced ah CHAY):

• The Australian: Jakarta rules Aceh off limits [November 15, 2004]: "About 2300 suspected rebels and civilians have been killed in Aceh since Jakarta launched a military crackdown to crush the separatists in May last year, following the collapse of peace talks in Tokyo. The oil and gas-rich province is now operating under civil emergency status, yet thousands of Indonesian troops remain stationed there."

• Indonesia badmouths international community over Aceh [June 30, 2003]: "On May 19 [2003], Aceh's fragile peace process collapsed, and the Indonesian government declared a state of emergency in the rebellious province.

  "Little over a month later, military operations have resulted in hundreds of deaths, hundreds of arrests, intimidation of government critics, controls on the press, and restrictions on access."

• VIEWPOINT: Aceh's war centres on resources [July 23, 2003]: "While world attention is focused on the postwar chaos in Iraq, Indonesia has launched an invasion of resource-rich Aceh (pronounced ah CHAY), in the country's biggest military assault since the 1975 invasion of East Timor."

Sri Lanka:

• CRISIS PROFILE: Sri Lanka grapples with peace process [October 27, 2004]: "Despite a two-year ceasefire, violence and suffering are still a fact of life for many in Sri Lanka. Some 64,000 have died in 20 years of bitter civil war. An uneasy standoff between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels has left the country deeply fractured and the after effects of the war linger.

  "Hundreds of thousands of refugees are unable to return to their homes. Millions of landmines and explosive debris have left large areas of land uninhabitable. Malnutrition is widespread among children in conflict-stricken areas, while boys and girls under 15 continue to be abducted and trained for war.

  "Routine killings and suicide bombings are no longer an everyday occurrence, but they’re still a part of life for many. Nobody wants a return to all out war, but with deep divisions on both sides, a permanent peace seems a long way away."

• Fact Sheet on Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka [2004]: " The LTTE has used children as soldiers throughout the conflict. In the 1990’s some studies found that 40-60% of LTTE soldiers killed in battle were children under the age of eighteen. Children have also been used as suicide bombers. ...Children are typically 14 or 15 years old when they are recruited, though some are as young as 11. Over 40% of the LTTE's child soldiers are girls."

Please get informed, pray, give, and get going in whatever way you can.

Shift in tectonic plates may have shortened Earth days

According to a theory proposed by Richard Gross, a geophysicist with NASA's Jet Propolsion Laboratory, the effect of a huge tectonic plate being forced under another is that of making the Earth more compact and consequently spinning faster. The 9.0 Asian earthquake may also have increased the tilt in the Earth's axis. All of this means that an Earth day is now a tiny fraction of a second shorter than it was before. When these tiny fractions accumulate, scienctists will have to add a "leap second" to the end of the year.

This is a very small effect and things like this have happened to the Earth many times before. But it is intriguing to find oneself in the midst of a geological event such as this.

Full story here:
Reuters AlertNet - Quake may have made Earth wobble--US scientists

(Also, found some frequently asked questions about the Asian quake and tsunami on USGS's Earthquake Hazards Program site.)

Update and Focused Prayer Requests on Asia quake/tsunami crisis {24-7 Prayer}

24-7prayer.com: 24-7's Kim Hughes in Asia quake

Virtual prayer room created for Asian tsunami crisis

How should we pray for those deeply affected by the Asian tsunami crisis? Head over to Messy Christian's post, Virtual prayer room: Asian tsunami crisis and post your prayers, pictures, or what you think we should pray about. (A wonderful idea for lifting up prayers with one voice and in agreement with on another.)

Local aid to Tsumami/Earthquake victims

The news of the earthquake and resulting tsunami has been difficult if not impossible to comprehend.

Two Northwest relief agencies have been mobilized to send aid and support the efforts of their partners in the hard hit regions of SE Asia:

Mercy Corps - Massive Earthquake Devastates Southeast Asia

NW Medical Teams accepting support to send teams, medical supplies and support the efforts of local partners

Also, many updates at AlertNet (a news service "alerting humanitarians to emergencies." This is where most of the news stations will be getting their info.)

And Leah posted an update to her blog.

And Messy Christian is blogging on the disaster from Malaysia. (Hat tip: Andrew Jones.)

Post a Quicktime movie on your blog

Quick! Get the camera. It's time to post a QT movie on your blog. TSK shows us how:
TallSkinnyKiwi: Your Christmas QT movie on your Blog

Thank-you!!!!!!!

Of note: symphony commissioned to honor 1945 Nagasaki victims

Excerpt from the Oregonian's Kyr will write a symphony honoring Nagasaki victims:

The symphony is entitled "Ah Nagasaki: Ashes Into Light" and will present four vocal soloists, a chorus that includes children and full orchestra. The work, Kyr's 10th symphony, incorporates Western music, Japanese taiko drumming, and Noh chanting to depict the devastation and to offer a prayer for peace. A brief section of the work will be performed on the 60th anniversary next August. The full work will debut in two years' time, Kyr said.

The text of the symphony is a collaboration between Kyr and Tanahashi, and is written in both English and Japanese. "The entire project is intercultural," Kyr said.

Full article here: Oregonlive.com | Kyr will write a symphony honoring Nagasaki victims

Far away, so close

wed·ding
2 : an act, process, or instance of joining in close association

The Angel said to me, "Write this: "Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.'" He added, "These are the true words of God!" —Revelation 19:9 (The Message)

rec·on·cile
1 a : to restore to friendship or harmony

If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! —Romans 5:10 (The Message)

It has occurred to me, through participation in various family gatherings in the past two weeks how weddings and funerals bring people together—albeit in different ways and for different purposes. Although a dim one, I have seen both the wedding and the funeral as a reflection of how God has chosen to bring us into close friendship with himself. How? Through the pictures of family members, some of whom have not been seen together in many years. Though it is difficult to make clear to you, I have seen in my heart a glimpse of how and why God uses a death and a wedding to bring us together with him.

Grandma Faye: Out of Suffering and into Paradise

On Sunday, December 12, 2004 at a few minutes before ten o'clock in the evening my Grandma Faye died. I was with her on Saturday and Sunday, just trying my best to be present with her. The only way I could think to do that was to read to her out of Scripture. She was in a lot of pain and it was one of the hardest things I hope I'll ever have to witness.

This picture was only recently found in the house and was placed on the bookcase by her bed which was in the living room. On Sunday afternoon, I was watching over my Grandma and trying to keep her mouth clear of the secretions that were coming up from her lungs. I asked my Dad to find some Psalms for me to read over her. Dad told me later that day as we were driving home that the moment that I began to read Psalm 103, this picture fell from the bookcase and onto the floor. I think the angels were crowding close to hear the words of God spoken over her and accidentally knocked the picture off the shelf.

Praise the LORD , O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD , O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Grandma Faye: run and jump and dance with Jesus in Paradise. Someday, I imagine the King puts you in charge of choosing the spices and herbs for his renowned feasts and celebrations. I can't wait to see you at the banqueting table in the everlasting days to come.

Indigenous politics and Britain

On the subject of the rights of indigenous people groups...

Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Quest for Inuit collective land rights

The big night: round one of pics

The Gallery at Sleepyhead City :: Brant and Jackie's Wedding

Wedding Rehearsal Pics are Posted

Posted pics from tonight's wedding rehearsal. The rehearsal was chaotic, as it should be, the food delicious, as it should be, and fellowship delightful, as it should be.

The only thing that isn't quite right is the fact that my Grandma Faye is dying. Please pray for my mom and Grandpa Doug especially. This is not easy for any of us, but they are hit especially hard by this.

Brant and Jackie to be wed this Friday

My youngest brother, Brant is to marry Jackie Vandehey this Friday, December 10 at 7:00 pm over at Village Baptist Church in Beaverton, Oregon. More information can be found at BrantandJackie.com

I am a bridesmaid and get to wear a princess-dress. (No tiara, unfortunately.) The dress is red, but not the same red as in Seth and April's wedding. (Warning, factoid: Both my brother's betrothed chose red for their bridesmaids dresses. Hmmm...what could it mean?)

I'm excited to get another sister-in-law. The brother-sister balance of power in the Dale/Martha Himes clan will finally be restored. And if Brant and Jackie have as many daughters as Seth and April, the girls will win the day for certain. (Of course, they are expected to have boys in order to restore the niece/nephew-grandaughter/grandson balance of power. And all of this childbearing will hopefully take place after the pair of them have finished with their undergrad (Jackie) and grad (Brant) studies.)

This message was inspired by a panicked e-mail from a friend who shall remain nameless. ;-)

Listening to...

"I want the world on a string
But confusion hit me right between the eyes"

This, and other lyrical gems courtesy of Eugene-based Alpha Charlie, three-quarters of whom are practically cousins (family friends—that sort of thing.) Anyway, they've got quite a few live tracks and their CD available for downloading. (They have their CD for sale too and I'm sure they'd be happy to take your money and send you a CD if you drop them a line.)

Anyway, thanks guys for getting me through another day of code slavery!

Happy to You

"Happy to you!"

That's what my two-year-old niece Adalie says when she is wishing someone happy birthday. "Happy to you!" And that's what she said five minutes ago when she called. (Yes, she's 2. She uses a cell phone. She can also navigate through pictures on my digital camera with more skill and dexterity than my mother.)

So yes it's true. It's my birthday. I'm 29. I think 29 will be a little easier to remember than 28. I didn't realize I was 28 until June. I was at my cousin Heather's baby shower and her brother was there who hadn't seen me since I was 12 or 13.

So he asked me, "How old are you now?"

And I furled my eyebrows and thought for a moment and said, "27?"

To this he replied, observing my puzzled coutenance, "What year were you born?"

I said, "'75."

"You're 28."

"Oh." said I. "28. Huh."

But those days are over now. Now I am 29. I think I'll stop counting now, in the tradition of aging American women everywhere.

"Happy to you," says Adalie Grace. "Happy to you."

The idea of another person

Over in schmetzger-land, Shawn posts an excerpt from Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller.

Shawn's post is timely for me personally because it helps me to remember the big picture of why family members insist on praying oh-so-fervently for the marriage of the single daughters and sons. As much as I'd like to roll my eyes and groan at their effort, I must concede that perhaps they understand better than I the awe and wonder of a God-planned intimate relationship.

All insight and intensions aside, the harsh truth is I really don't have the time for the humiliation of intimacy right now.™

Maybe next year. ;-)