Pat Robertson brought a lot of response when he stated he believed the recent earthquake and 70,000 deaths on Haiti were the result of God's judgement for entering into a "pact with the devil" in the 1700's.  Is that what Christians should believe?  I don't think so, Pat.

The easy answers to other people's problems are rarely the Godly ones.  There are and have always been a lot of God's people in Haiti.  Judging the character of all when few are known isn't God's way (and shouldn't be ours). (see Matthew 7:12 for a guide)

Sadly, when the world around us looks to Christian agencies for compassionate leadership in places many rarely go (because they avoid poverty and difficulty), they sometimes hear statements that don't sound like Jesus.  This is a good time to ask, "What would I say if I had a microphone?"

Let's be careful when we assume we know how to interpret the events of the universe, especially when they involve people.  God loves Haitians as much as He does Americans.  I don't think Robertson's remarks, however intentioned at the time, accomplish anything for the Kingdom we love and seek.

Let's covenant together to build the Kingdom and grow its influence in all our days together.  Surely that's work enough.  God has equipped us to be part of His solution - let's do it!

I can be sure of one thing - that my role includes compassionate response to the thousands affected by the initial tragedy and who were struck again by another quake yesterday.

I am truly pleased that we were able to collect $3987.00 for aid to Haiti in our services Sunday and are forwarding it (as well as more that has come in after Sunday) through Baptist Global Response to the field.  Thank you for modeling a Christ-like response!

For more on this and other current issues in the news, you may enjoy Jim Denison's ministry, Godissues.org, as I do. 

Let's keep building the Kingdom together, no matter what the weather or event!

Kevin