Weather Forecasts & Jesus' Return

I watch KOTV for my weather news from the Tulsa TV market.  I really like their weather team, Travis Meyer, Alan Crone, Dick Faurot, and Mike Grogan. I trust these guys.

I know they do their very best to create accurate forecasts and present the public with up-to-the-minute updates when severe weather approaches. It's hard to do it, too, because weather predicting isn't an exact science; things change.

Take today, for instance. They've been telling us for the past several days that there is a good chance of severe storms this afternoon.  They've shown us graphics about it, blogged about it, and posted updates on Facebook and Twitter.

They really want us to take this seriously.  And, as an Okie, it "feels" stormy today.

(While I was typing the second paragraph, the National Weather Center in Tulsa issued a tornado watch for my area)

Last week, they told us all week about a storm that was coming in that would bring rain to our area. They showed us radar images from the storm that was still out over the Pacific. They presented us different frontal models several days in advance. The morning it was supposed to storm that afternoon, it was unbelievable that it was going to rain that afternoon. It was bright, sun shiny, and not a cloud in the sky.

Yet, because it was from the News On 6 WeatherTeam, I prepared for rain.  AND RAIN IT DID!!!!  A certified frog strangler.

It got me to thinking.

Why do people believe a forecast for rain and make plans around it, but completely ignore the words of Jesus where He says He's coming back to Earth?

Some people have made some fancy charts and others have erroneously predicted the exact date (which Jesus said would be fruitless to do), yet the "prediction" that He will return stands.

Some people humorously argue that if He hasn't come back already, what makes you think He's coming back?  That's like saying "it hasn't snowed yet this year, what makes you think it is going to snow?" (or rain, or get to 100º, or etc)

So far, we've had all the time in the world to prepare for the return of Christ. There are signs exactly according to the Bible that we are getting close, yet people treat it those predictions worse than promises from a disgraced politician.

Folks, it's getting close. I don't know when exactly, but, if we can look at the sky and know it's going to rain, we ought to be able to look at the signs that the Bible lists and know that it won't be long until Jesus returns.

Are you ready?

Helping the Tornado Victims in Moore, OK

Many of us feel a need to help in some tangible way. You are discouraged from self-deploying, or simply going down to help out. Quite frankly, you’ll most like just be in the way and become part of the problem.

The very best way to help is to pray! Pray for the ongoing rescue effort. Pray for the families who lost loved ones. Pray for the first responders and volunteers. Pray for God to be glorified in this tragedy.

In lieu of going, you can give. Everyone knows that the Red Cross provides meals to those in need during disasters. But did you know that the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief  (OK DR) is the organization that PREPARES a majority (if not all) of those meals?

OK DR is a volunteer based organization, but without the high priced CEOs that some of the relief organizations have been criticized for. The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma pays the modest salary of the director of OK DR, which is provided by Oklahoma Baptists.

When you give to OK DR, you can rest assured that 100% of your donation goes to relief efforts. Give at this link: http://www.okdisasterhelp.com/

Here in Wagoner, if you’d like to give goods, First Baptist Church is collecting items to give to victims.  They are currently asking for  bottled water, diapers, baby formula and baby wipes, and toiletries. Do not bring clothes!

Rather than duplicate the efforts of collecting and distributing, Immanuel Southern will be cooperating with FBC Wagoner. They are located at 401 NE 2nd, Wagoner, OK 74467.  Their phone is 918-485-2428.

If you’d like to go and physically do “hands-on” ministry, you are probably out of luck for this disaster.   Most disaster relief agencies, including OK DR,  require training. What you can do, however, is sign up with a disaster relief agency and be ready the next time a disaster strikes. Unfortunately, you probably won’t have to wait very long.

And it's not even storming here yet!

Rainbow!

Photo by Emily

Wagoner Tornado was EF-2 not EF-0

I saw on the news tonight where the tornado that struck Wagoner Saturday night was actually an EF-2! I had no idea! KOTV reported that it was on the ground for 4.4 miles.

Wagoner Tornado Damage (Photo by Kellie Jennings)

The Storm Prediction Center details the Enhanced Fujita Scale 2 (EF-2) has having winds between 113 and 157 mph and describes the possibility of "considerable damage."

For more information about tornadoes, go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center's (SPC) Online Tornado FAQ.

Further information about this actual tornado can be found at the National Weather Service site.

Wagoner Tornado Damage

A small tornado struck along 15th street in Wagoner, OK, May 24, 2011. Here are a few pictures:

The Storm that Rolled through Wagoner

Storm cloud that led the severe thunderstorm through Wagoner last night.

Storm Clouds

Spring Storm

Storm Clouds

Sunlight on Storm Clouds

Storms lining up

Radar for Henryetta storm

Dark Clouds

Scary Clouds

Mammatus Clouds

AKA Mammary Clouds

Storm Clouds

Some scary looking clouds

Before and After

click to enlarge

After

after the snow

Muskogee Residential Streets

"S" Street

Muskogee residential streets were still snow covered Monday morning.  By monday afternoon, this particular street was greatly improved.  However, Muskogee cancelled school for the 6th straight day for Tuesday, ahead of a major winter storm due in on Wednesday....