The LA Fires
I couldn’t watch much coverage of the fires in and around Los Angeles.
Having lived through something similar here a few years ago, just the pictures took me to a place of anxiety and stress.
i prayed for those I knew and for those I don’t who might be in the path of the flames…I know all too well what a spark and strong winds can do.
It was a time for us all to be on our knees…and unfortunately, a time for some to stand and accuse.
For many pastors this was prime political fodder…another chance to rip on the “godless” left and stir up hatred for political opponents.
I’m not an expert on California politics…I do know that it is a difficult and often unfair environment for small businesses, but beyond that I’m happily ignorant.
I do know something about church and Scriptures and tradition and boring stuff like that.
I do not know how keeping people angry and viewing their neighbor as the enemy fits within anything godly.
There will be a time to do a detailed post mortem on this tragedy…but not when people are still looking for a place to stay tonight…and not in a place where God’s people have come to lament and find hope for tomorrow.
Never miss a chance to blame Christians.
Xenia,
That’s one way to look at it…though I didn’t blame anybody for anything other than what they say.
The way I look at it is that what is being lived and taught is a grossly deformed version of Christianity and we should all be concerned about the effect it’s having on both the world and the church.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/12/us/white-christian-nationalism-du-mez-cec/index.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
They’re kind of right (mayor Bass has a lot to answer for), but out of bounds. They should be promoting how to help the victims. And on the leftish side… glee about millionaires losing their homes and talk about how Cali should not send a dime to red states (while some in red states talk like these guys).
I mean kind of right about policies, not the punishment by god nonsense.
I live in CA. I’ve lived through two horrific fires in just the last few years in my area – twice been evacuated to shelters to watch one fire come to within 2 blocks of my home. Watched my neighbors houses burn to the ground. Know what it’s like to have to rush out of your home, grabbing what you can, and sitting in a shelter for 1.5 days wishing you’d had time to get that thing that you now remember is precious to you. Know what it’s like to breath smoke for days and days, not able to go outside and not able to open windows during stifling summer heat. Know what it’s like to see scorched earth all around you.
I know. My heart goes out to those who have lost and those who have almost lost.
Jerk.
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted President-elect Donald Trump’s response to the California wildfires in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” recorded Saturday, saying, “Mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us.”
Newsom appeared to be referring to Trump’s posts on Truth Social blasting Newsom, President Joe Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass since the fires broke out Tuesday.
In one post, the president-elect baselessly claimed Newsom had blocked a measure that would have allowed water to flow from Northern California to Southern California.
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump wrote, using an insulting nickname for Newsom.
In another post, Trump wrote, “NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!” and appeared to falsely claim, as he did last year in the aftermath of several hurricanes, that money had been drained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.”
At a time like this, Trump decided to not offer comfort or condolences, but to threaten the state and call the governor “Newscum”. And to lie. Again. To score political points. Cuz that’s all he really cares about.
And we as a nation, including a whole hella lot of Christians, elected him.
Jerk.
TNV,
There will be time to address political failures…when we know what they were.
Those things can and should be addressed…this isn’t the last big fire …
Alex,
It goes without saying…I concur.
My language is a tad more colorful, however…
So sad that every event turns into a political fight. Whatever happened to compassion for the hurting?
I remember when government and religious leaders used to speak words of reassurance and hope during national disasters (Cuba missile crisis, JFK/RFK?MLK assassinations, 9/11). Now they spend time screaming at each other while weary people try to salvage what they can from their burned out homes. It’s disgusting. I’m not saying that the postmortem might not include some fault-finding, but now people need some assurance that they can rebuild their lives and get some semblance of normalcy back. We were burned out of our home when I was in middle school, and what helped my “recovery” the most was my school schedule. It was “normal” there, my teachers were encouraging, and I had something to do vs. sitting in our dumpy motel room while my parents tried to get our house put back together again. It would be a long year while we get our house back together (it wasn’t too bad on the outside, but most of the interior was affected, as well as lots of stuff), but having homework, a bus ride, and friends to see made a big difference.