For those of you wanting to do something for the City of Houston and the surrounding areas to help the devastated victims of flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, you might want to check out this website set up by Houston Texans JJ Watt. https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053. Amy Adams Strunk of the Tennessee Titans just donated $1,000,000 to this fund.
This info came over my CBS news feed so I’m pretty sure it’s legit. You can of course verify this by going to CBS.com. The foundation has already amassed three million dollars. $20 might be a drop in the bucket (a figurative amount… the amount is up to you); but, if you get enough drops you get a whole bucket.
I know it won’t be a personal face-to-face ministry, but we can still minister to those in need. And there are some pretty needy people here. It is as bad or worse than Hurricane Katrina. Some will argue that last statement. I’m just saying it’s bad…. really, really bad.
I am reminded of Matthew 34:31-46 which happens to be one of Jesus’ last sayings. it says:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father,inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, e‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [Italics mine](NIV84)
So often when we hear this parable of the Sheep and the Goats we rarely get to the goats part. I think most people want to stay positive when they preach. But Jesus said it. These people have no clothing, water, transportation, or adequate shelter. Imagine only having one set of underwear… the ones you’re wearing. Sheep or Goat? It’s your choice; and I think most of us can cough up a couple bucks for the least of these.
Maybe the victims of Hurricane Harvey are not who you wish to support; or, your resources are already dedicated to a different mission as the Holy Spirit directs. That’s okay; but, please, please, prayerfully consider ways in which you might be able to help these victims. Maybe you don’t want to go through JJ Watt’s foundation. There is the Red Cross as well. This blog was originally called “The Way I See It.” That being said, I’m not a big fan of the Red Cross; but, you might be. The needed items will get there anyway. That is what counts.
Sadly, insurance is not going to come anywhere close to covering this as ground water damage is not covered by homeowners policies. Personal possessions are not covered at all in flood insurance policies; so, everything like clothing, cookware, couches, TV’s, etc. are not protected. (I used to be an insurance agent.) These folks are going to need a bunch to overcome the damage caused by Harvey.
Anyway, that’s the way I see it. Again, I urge you to prayerfully consider giving a helping hand to these needy folks.
Blessings,
Casey