"God Is Love" Protest - Pictures and Thoughts

Tonight I chose to spend an hour of my time "protesting."  I'm not much of an activist, but when Westboro Baptist Church says they are coming to town, I'll take a stand for biblical truth and grace to counter their warped perception of the gospel.

If you are unfamiliar with Westboro Baptist, they have made national headlines for their anti-homosexual protests. They protest anything that even hints of "gay," including military funerals, because soldiers are defending America, which in their opinion accepts gays. Westboro is pastored by Fred Phelps, and hails from Topeka, Kansas, which is my wife's hometown.

Because my wife and I lived in Topeka for a time, I have unfortunately been witness to many of their pickets with their offensive signs.  I have driven by their church building with it's upside-down American flag and banners declaring "God Hates America" and "God Hates Fags."  I've heard the songs they sing at their pickets, which are sometimes popular tunes with the words rewritten to fit their theology.  I've read the twisted logic of Fred Phelps in his Letters to the Editor of the Topeka-Capital Journal.  And I've heard the response of media and non-Christians who lump Fred and Westboro in with the rest of the Church.

(By the way, I refuse to link to their multiple websites spewing forth their doctrine of hate, but a quick Google search will bring their ideaologies to your computer monitor if you are that curious.)

With the above in mind, when my friend, Mark Forstrom, told me he heard that Westboro was descending upon Cedar Rapids and had a plan to counter their signs of hate, I decided to join in his plan.  In fact, my 12-year-old daughter and a friend of hers chose to attend with me, making glow in the dark signs that said "God is Love (1 John 4:8)".

I wasn't entirely aware that so many groups of people were also planning to picket the picketers (it had apparently been all over Facebook this week, but I managed to miss it), so when I arrived, I was surprised at how many people were in attendance.

As you can see in these pictures, quite a wide variety of people were present.  Some were clearly there to defend their belief in gay relationships.  Some were there to mock Christianity and the Bible (because Westboro represents those in their minds). Some were there just to be silly.  And some were there to represent what they believe Christianity really teaches. (My thoughts on the night after the photos.)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

#1. I wish I hadn't gone.

What you don't see in the photos is the Westboro gang.  That's because they never showed.

Had I known Fred's followers would have been no-shows, I wouldn't have gone.  The only reason I went was to counter the messages Westboro's signs proclaim.  But because their message wasn't there, I would have rather shared the truth of the gospel in a different fashion.

Although, I did enjoy hanging out with Tiffanie and Colette and seeing other Christians I knew were there because of their faith and desire to see Christ represented correctly.

#2. I would have changed my sign.

I know many at the protest were there because they believe being gay is not a sin.  My "God is Love" sign probably made them believe I affirmed that.  What I affirm is their humanity and God's love for them.

However, had they known that I believe God says in His Word that homosexual acts are sin, they might have called me a bigot (as I learned by reading the comments on this blog post) and lumped me in with the Westboro Baptist gang, regardless of what I say.  As far as I am concerned, without Christ, I am just as much of a sinner as any gay man or lesbian - I don't see myself as better than them one bit.  But what they don't like is my belief that their behavior based on the attractions they have is sin (just as the behavior I exhibited based on my sexual attractions before marriage was sin).

In retrospect, I wish I had been with a group of people holding a variety of signs.  One would say "God is Love."  Another would have said "Jesus Loves You." Another would say "Jesus died for all sinners (including me)." And another would say "God Loves Fred Phelps."

#3. I wish I could have had some interaction with others.

I wanted to take my daughter because I thought it would be a good experience for her as a middle school student who desires to share her faith in Christ.  But the way the crowd was positioned, I did not want to take her into the mass of sign-holders, nor make her and her friend tromp through the snow.  So we ended up positioned below the majority of the crowd, which was an excellent spot for sign-holding (we were the first signs cars saw as they came north on 1st Ave.)  But this put us far from those who needed to know I stand with them against the hate-doctrine of Westboro, but I stand for the truth of Scripture and the power of the gospel for their lives.

#4. I wish Westboro Baptist really had been there.

As I stated before, I only went to counter the messages I've seen on Westboro's signs.  Their presence would have helped me justify my presence there (again, I'm not an activist).

I also had hoped they would be there so that we could run up to Starbucks and buy them all hot chocolate.  I wanted to show them I was consistent with my message - God is love, and He loves them, despite their erroneous beliefs and methods.  (Plus, I would have liked a hot chocolate for myself to warm my innards!).  Handing them a hot chocolate might have opened avenues for dialogue.  Of course, I am deeply doubtful they would even begin to listen to anything I would have to say - they've probably heard it all before - but I believe God could use this foolish Iowan to accomplish His purposes to change their hearts if He wanted.

$5. It was amazing to see unity among such diverse people.

No, the crowd wasn't united on the gospel.  No, they weren't united on the issue of gay relationships, marriage, or rights.  But they were united against the message of hate Westboro has become famous for.

Andrew Marin, through his foundation and book, has been striving to bring these divergent groups together so that they can stop talking past each other and actually understand one another.  But what he's been striving towards for ten years was achieved (albeit at a very shallow level) for one hour on a Friday night because of an infamous group known for their animosity for the GLBT community.

Conclusion

All in all, I don't regret going, because I believe I went with the right motives and made a decision based upon what I believed to be true. The GLBT issue is a divisive and important one.  It's definitely one the the BIG issues facing the Church and our nation.  Personally, I would love to interact with those embracing their gay identity as well as those questioning or wrestling with it.  I hope gays and lesbians will know that I, as a pastor, do not hate them.  I am nothing like the pastor from Topeka.  I would love nothing more than to sit down, hear about their lives, talk about Christ, grace & truth, open the Scriptures together, confess my shortcomings, make a friend, and perhaps welcome them as a brother or sister in Christ.  Because, as I said before, I affirm their humanity and God's pure love for them as seen by the cross of Christ.

Posted via web from erin bird's web nest

What a Celebration!

Last night New Covenant had their 2nd annual "Celebrate!" night. And wow - what a celebration!

2008 was a hard year - floods, closing the Wash campus, pushing back our building project, and more. Yet it was so evident last night that God has been working in our church family! The highlight for me was hearing the testimonies of the Olsens and the Novaks, and how God has so completely changed their lives through Christ. I found myself praying that we would have tons more stories like these in 2009.

I also loved the PowerPoint and time-lapse video that let our church family see the incredible work our volunteers put in at the Wash Campus. I will miss the Wash campus, but I'm looking forward to connecting more with people at our 46th St. Campus, especially in the ABFs (Adult Bible Fellowships) I oversee.

(Speaking of ABFs, we will be launching a new ABF targeting unmarried twentysomethings (but anyone else is welcome to join us!) on March 1. I'll share more about it on here, so if you are a single young adult, or know one, keep watching for more info.)

Last night was wonderful. God was praised - as it should be. It is such a joy to get to be a part of something where He is obviously choosing to work. My prayer is that He would do even more than we could ever imagine in 2009!

New Issue of The Connection

I just finished up another issue of our young adult newsletter "The Connection".  This quarter's issue focuses on New Covenant's mission of developing "caring community members".  Kristin Snodgrass has written an excellent article with helpful suggestions on how to show care to someone who has gone through a difficult time based on her family's own life experience.  You also get a chance to meet a Jeremiah and Rebecca Inwards.  And finally there is an announcement about the annual Valentine's Gala.

Hope you enjoy Issue 5 (Winter 2009) of The Connection.

Cedar Rapids Flood makes Top 10 in Time's Year End List

While I agree with Relevant Magazine that Time went a little overboard with their "Top 10" Lists for 2008, it was still surprising to see a photo from the Cedar Rapids flood as the #5 photo in the Top 10 Photos list.  It's too bad it took a flood to get a Cedar Rapids photographer attention for his talent, but congratulations to Brian Ray of the Gazette for having his photo make Time's Top 10 list.

(By the way, I don't know Brian, but in case one of my readers does (this is Iowa after all), please say "Congratulations" to him for me!)

photo credit: Brian Ray / Cedar Rapids Gazette / Rapport Press

It's been a long time...

...since I've rock and rolled... er, rather... posted.  My blog has probably been feeling quite lonely.  I've been having lots of thoughts and lots of activity, but either haven't had time to post or not quite sure how to share the thoughts I was having.  So finally the crowd of thoughts is rushing in, and the blog isn't so lonely for the moment...

• I helped out 2 days last week with Eight Days of Hope.  While I am extremely unhandy, it was a blast to help out.  In one home on Ellis Blvd. I helped rip out plumbing and old electrical wire that was still in the house 5 months after the flood (the photo here is from that home - you can see more photos on Facebook if you are one of my "friends") .  The next home (in Palo) I helped frame a bathroom, rip out old drywall screws, and do whatever they needed me to do so the rest of the team that actually knows what they are doing could do their job. :o)
• My friend and executive pastor, Kim Pagel, posted about each day of Eight Days of Hope.  Each post is worth reading. And if you click on each of the photos, you'll see some great photos of each day.
• So much work was done in just 8 days.  But not only physical work was completed.  Spiritual things happened as well.  At least two people we know of crossed the line of faith this week (they found the "Stairway to Heaven")!  And the couple that I got to help on Tuesday and Wednesday who hadn't darkened the door of a church in quite a while were at New Covenant this past Sunday! Kim said it well in his Day 6 post:

Who ever thought that people would come to Cedar Rapids from all corners of the United States with a common mission to bring hope and healing? Our city has been blessed, our lives have been enriched. Thank you for caring! Thank you for sharing! Thank you for coming!

• I was sharing with my best friend in Michigan over the phone about some of the work we were doing in the homes, and how we had to tear rotten wood out before we could begin framing the bathroom in the home in Palo.  He responded with a smile in his voice, "sounds like a song I've heard."  He was referring to a song I wrote 8 years ago in response to a prayer he had been praying.
• I played that song on Sunday, Oct 26th in all 4 services at New Covenant's 46th St. Campus and in the service at our Wash Campus on the 19th.  It fit really well with Bob Westfall's sermons from Romans 7.
• The chorus of the song is:

Take me apart

Remake my heart

I don't care what it costs

I just want to be like you

• I'll warn you - don't pray that prayer unless you are ready for God to rock your world! :o)
• I just heard another song today that rocked my world.  Here it is:

• Well, I slowly typed this as I watched election results tonight.  And now that Obama's been declared the winner (and my wife is asleep on my shoulder) I should head to bed.  I have more to share, but will do that at another time.
• And since I've slipped in a couple of Led Zeppelin references throughout this post, I'll end with one more...
  

All my love,

-E

Update on Cedar Rapids (Video)

One of the young adults here at New Covenant sent out an email with a link to a video by Metro Studios about Cedar Rapids, the flood of '08, and the current recovery.  I thought it was well done, conveyed some of the similar sentiments I shared on my blog about the flood and the response of the community, and gives people an idea that recovery is still ongoing (which is why I'm excited 8 Days of Hope is coming Oct. 26 - Nov. 2!  I encourage you to sign-up and come help, no matter where you live).

Enjoy the video!

Summer Blessings

With school beginning in just a few hours for my girls, summer break has officially come to a close.  As part of our family night this past Monday, we each shared highlights of our summer.  I thought I'd share some of my highlights here, but I'm going to share them in two sets - the "expected" highlights, and the "surprise" highlights of the summer of 2008.

Expected Highlights/Blessings

• Our trip to Topeka over the 4th
• Our trip to Indianola the first weekend of August
• Seeing K use her birthday as an opportunity to serve
• Officiating 4 weddings
• Celebrating T's 2nd birthday with lots and lots of balls
• Celebrating 14 years of marriage in June
• Swimming laps almost 3x per week
• Leadership Summit
• Some good family time

Surprise Highlights/Blessings

• The Flood of 2008 (because it allowed the Church to shine and serve this city like never before)
• LeAnn's broken leg (because it showed me I'm not as great of a servant as I thought I was - and gave LeAnn time to actually sit and read)
• Tsion's mysterious infection in July (because it forced us to rely on God)
• Officiating a funeral for a 5-month old (because I got to minister to his parents, who are also my friends, in a way I never would have otherwise)

In each of these surprise highlights, I think I would gladly give up the "blessing" so that others could have back their homes, legs, and children.  Yet I can't help but realize that even in the darkest of times, there are still linings of God's grace and blessing.  Romans 5:3-5 (which was just preached this past Sunday at church) encourages us to rejoice in sufferings, because of what they can lead to in the long run - endurance, character, and hope.

With this thought in mind, I'd like to close with a Franciscan blessing I've had hanging in my office for several years, and I heard shared at the Leadership Summit a few weeks ago.  It has a similar sentiment as my "surprise blessings" of this summer:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

8 Days of Hope is coming to CR!

This is SUPER exciting news - hot off the press!

God has orchestrated plans for a group called 8 Days of Hope to come to Cedar Rapids!  8 Days of Hope was originally supposed to be a one-time event to help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  Instead, several "8 Days" have occurred, and this non-profit organization has decided to make their 6th event the city of Cedar Rapids.  When I first hear about 8 Days of Hope and a potential event here in Cedar Rapids, I was rather cool to the idea.  But after hearing Stephen Tybor speak and his passion for Christ, I was really excited and prayed that God would work it out for them to come.  And He has answered those prayers!

This will be HUGE for our city, and an awesome way to open doors to conversations about Christ.  This will also be a great opportunity for you to help out, whether you have done anything yet to aid the recovery effort.  Rather than type out all of the details here about the event this fall, I'll post the email that 8 Days of Hope has sent out themselves:

Friends of 8 Days of Hope,

 

Wasn't this supposed to be a one time trip? Isn't our God awesome? Are you ready for 8 Days of Hope VI?

 

Today, it is with great excitement that we are able to share with you that tomorrow (Tuesday, August 12th) at 11:05 EDT/10:05 CST, we will be announcing our next trip on American Family Radio. Please tune in to listen on your local station or listen online atwww.afr.net. We will be announcing this trip on Today's Issues.

 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa here we come!!!

 

The flooding that hit this area back in mid June has caused over One BILLION dollars of damage. There are over 3,000 families that are not yet back in their homes! It is a very unique situation because this area is no longer in the news or national media with the Olympics, the election, the economy and with gas prices but this is where you and I come in!

 

Are you once again ready to make a difference for Jesus? Are you ready to serve these homeowners and show them the love of Christ? We pray the answer is YES!

 

There is great organization called "Serve the City".  This is a large group of churches in the Cedar Rapids area that is helping us as we prepare to go to America's Heartland. They are well organized and are preparing as we speak, for our visit in late October!

 

We desperately need people who know how to hook up furnaces, install water heaters and yes, we still need hundreds of volunteers to do the usual drywall, electrical, painting, carpentry and other jobs that we do at an 8 Days of Hope missions trip! We need skilled volunteers as well as the unskilled variety! This is an unique chance for the body of Christ to come and serve in HIS name!

 

We are modifying our minimum stay from three days to two days on this trip. To all of our past volunteers that live in the Midwest.....this is your chance to rally your church, your friends and your family to experience an 8 Days of Hope missions trip at a much closer venue!

 

Once again we will have a nightly devotional and worship time..... and YES, Mike Failla will once again be leading worship!

 

What can you do help us prepare for this trip?

 

1.) Pray that God will be exalted! Pray that when people see us they see Jesus!

2.) Pray that God will send His army of saints to 8 Days of Hope VI!

3.) Pray that God will show us favor in regards to travel mercies, safety and the logistics that will be different from what we are use to in past trips.

4.) Pray that lives will be changed. That not only the homeowners lives but us as volunteers, as we leave this area we are refreshed in HIM!

5.) Pray for our finances! We know that God will provide!

 

We are ready for you to sign up! Please go to www.eightdaysofhope.com and learn more about this trip! Click on the FAQ link for answers to your questions. Also, you can donate online if God leads you to do so! Also, please consider passing this email on to people you think might be interested.

 

We are so excited! This is going to be a unique trip like we have never seen before! I pray that you will be a part of 8 Days of Hope VI!

 

May God Bless your week!

 

Stephen Tybor III

1st Peter 4:10

Thousand Points of Light

The media gravitates toward news that will attract attention - which is why often the news is more on the negative side. We hear of some tragedy or scandal, and so we listen, watch, and read more closely than if it was a "positive" news piece. I think this is why we've seen barefoot people tromping through their toxic mud-filled homes rather than seeing the truly great things happening in and around this city.

I'm not immune to this. When I heard about the devastation brought to Aid to Women, I wanted to know more. When I heard about a couple of incidents that happened at the checkpoints, I listened more closely (and even mentioned it on my blog).

20 years ago, George Bush Sr. said in his inauguration speech, "I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding." While the media points to the moments of darkness and trial to attract eyes, I'd like to point to some of the "thousand points of light" happening in Cedar Rapids.

First, my very own church is one. I am so proud of my church family at this moment. They have simply been amazing. From organizing the North Water Distribution site outside of Sam's Club, to turning in hundreds of volunteer applications, to jumping into the muck with fellow church family members to clean their walls, basements, and more - the family of New Covenant have rallied like I could have ever dreamed.

Second, I'd like to mention Serve the City. Roughly two (maybe three) years ago, Serve the City (STC) began as a coalition of likeminded churches who wanted to see the city of Cedar Rapids be aware of who Jesus Christ is. Rather than be a bunch of blowhards who simply yell at others about Jesus, we wanted to truly build relationships with those who are living life without a relationship to Christ. So the 37 churches and 7 ministries that teamed up to form STC simply began talking about "prayer, care, share." And truly this is what they did. They began to pray for the city. And they began to care. So when the floods happened, God already had STC in place to extend that care in deeper ways than we could have ever imagined.

I talked with Officer Yardley (who I mentioned in a post on Tuesday, June 17) on the phone today. He was calling to thank me for my kind words (some how he found this blog - so I guess I have 4 readers now). As we talked, he went on and on about the incredible acts of kindness he saw happening all over the city, many of them coming from STC volunteers. He gushed about the STC volunteers he has interacted with this past week, and he said he truly could not have done his job without them. He pointed out that many of the stories of the amazing things STC volunteers have done might never be heard - and so I'm doing my small part to make them known. They truly have been a point of light in the middle of this dark time for Cedar Rapids.

Third, I have been very impressed with the Red Cross volunteers. I watched Peter Teahen of the Red Cross (and Cedar Rapids native) lead the Rompot Neighborhood meeting on Tuesday night. He was incredible. He empathized with people. He gave them permission to feel the emotions raging through their minds. He affirmed their questions as being good and valid. But he also wanted to help them move forward. His kind demeanor helped to keep the meeting calm, when it could have been volatile (why else do you think they had 10 chaplains and 10 cops there! :o).

As Peter and other leaders from FEMA, SBA, city, police, and other groups talked to the people, Red Cross volunteers were passing out waters and snacks to all those in attendance. Some of these volunteers have come from thousands of miles away just so they can hand someone a water bottle to keep them going another day.

Fourth, I want to mention Watershed. For the summer, they decided to make the 2nd Thursday a "serving Thursday" rather than gather for worship through song and teaching like they usually do. Because the floods hit on Thursday, they served together last Saturday in various ways around the city. They are also helping a local ministry both with donations and time. And tonight they are going to be praying for the flood victims (both those who lost homes, and those who lost jobs), volunteers, city leaders, and more.

As I think about these points of light in these 4 groups, I am wondering if what has happened in Cedar Rapids could happen in a larger or smaller city. Smaller towns usually don't have the resources a city of our size has. Yet larger cities don't have the relationships the way a city of our size has. I think this might be part of the reason why Cedar Rapids has been able to respond in such amazing ways to this epic flood. But another reason why Cedar Rapids has been able to rally like this is because of the thousand points of light God has either put in place, or brought in for such a time as this.

So while the tough things the news reports are probably true, know that for every tough story you hear about the recovery of Cedar Rapids, a thousand more positive things are happening. Cedar Rapids is truly shining bright! To God be the Glory!

Tour of the Cedar Rapids/Palo Flood of 2008

Here is one of the best (or maybe I should say "worst") collection of photos I've seen yet on the flood. It is a "tour" of the flood - before, during, and after - in both Cedar Rapids and Palo. Thanks to Charlie Snodgrass for forwarding this to me, and thanks to Andrea Lynn for the stunning photos. Hopefully Andrea will continue to add to it as Cedar Rapids continues the rebuilding process.

Serving our Servants - Flood Update

I had the privilege of serving as a "chaplain" yesterday at one of the checkpoints for re-entry into the flooded areas. Apparently those calling the shots thought the presence of chaplains at each location might help defuse any situations that might arise. I enjoyed serving alongside Tom Fogel, teaching elder/pastor of Cedar Valley Bible Church, and having two of us made the day more enjoyable.

But not only did Tom and I enjoy serving alongside each other, but both Tom and I were incredibly impressed by Officer Charity Hansel. When Tom and I received word as we got our assignment that they were not allowing anyone in to the restricted areas (which was a "pull-back" from yesterday's "escort" entry), we knew that frustrations might be higher than experienced the previous day (a new plan was put in place late last night which will hopefully encourage citizens and speed up the process of reentry). But Charity's attitude defused all of the situations at our checkpoint. She treated each person with dignity and respect, empathizing with them and their feelings, and yet she upheld the law as she was called to in her role. I could tell that the National Guardsmen serving at our check point were impressed with Charity, her "realness", her humor, and her respect for all people. Like them, I was honored to serve this civil servant, and my respect for the CRPD is at an all-time high.

After noon rolled around, things at our checkpoint slowed way down. So Tom and I headed over to another checkpoint that was busier. Once Officer Steven Yardley, the policeman in charge of the checkpoint, learned I was with Serve the City, he asked me to help a young couple who was stranded on the east side of the river and needed to get to a grandma's house on the west side. While I knew I could find someone to take them with a simple phone call, I figured it would take an hour just for someone to get there to pick them up, so I loaded them up myself and took them across the river. That was a great experience for me to see firsthand what so many Cedarrapidians are experiencing everyday in their travels. Traffic was backed up on I-380, as well as on Wilson Ave. (I felt like I was back in Denver on the I-25 parking lot.) As I dropped off the young couple with their two kittens and one tub of stuff (which was all they now owned), the young man turned to me and said "please thank that officer back at the checkpoint for us." They had experienced the same thing from Steven at their checkpoint as I had seen from Charity at the first checkpoint - dignity, compassion, and a respect for both persons and the law. As I watched those in line interact with Steven, I was again extremely impressed with the job Officer Yardley was doing.

When I read the KCRG article I've linked to above last night, comments were open. Many of the comments were horribly demeaning of our police department. Thankfully they've closed the comments because they weren't helping or shedding new light on the situation, but I felt that someone should know the great work our police are doing from at least one person's perspective. It truly was an honor to serve those serving our city in uniform. They are doing a great job. And while it is very likely there are a few officers on the force who don't treat others in nearly the same manner as I saw displayed by two fine police officers I worked with yesterday, our police force deserves some Kudos for the fine work they are doing overall. So if you see an officer in blue, be sure to thank them for their service.

Photo Credit: Jim Slosiarek of The Gazette

This is reporting?

I woke this morning to my alarm telling me to wake up much earlier than I wanted to. After one snooze, I tried to keep my eyes open. On mornings such as this, I check the weather and news headlines on my phone to get my mind going and help me wake up.

This morning the top headline feed on Google News was a New York Time's headline about the flood here in Cedar Rapids, so I clicked to see if anything had developed overnight. I was suddenly awake as I read the insulting New York Times article which almost seemed to mock the people and officials of Cedar Rapids, making it sound as if we had asked for this. Christopher Maag, the author, writes that we were cocky, thinking something like this would never happen. He even chides our forefathers for building our government buildings on an island in the river. Mr. Maag makes it appear we are like the godless people of Noah's time, laughing at the possibility of a catastrophic flood.

But what Mr. Maag barely points out is that the previous record, set twice, was 20 feet. The famous '93 flood didn't even break the 20 foot mark. How could anyone expect we'd break the record not by a couple feet, but by 12 feet? We are surpassing even a 500 year flood. How do you prepare for that? Yet Mr. Maag seems to think that we should have been ready for a 32 foot crest, and to not be ready for that huge of a flood is foolish. For Mr. Maag to paint the people of Cedar Rapids in this light under these conditions does nothing to encourage the people nor point out the resiliency and determination of this community. So let me give a more accurate picture.

Last night I was serving as a "chaplain" at the Red Cross shelter set up at Viola Gibson School. The people I talked with weren't in denial, they weren't feeling foolish, they weren't shaking their fists at God. They were taking this in stride - they weren't looking defeated. One 70-year-old man I talked with lost the home that he had grown up in since birth, and yet there were no tears. He knew that when he died someday, he wouldn't be able to take anything with him, and so his "stuff" wasn't worth worrying about. He just knew he'd have a lot of work awaiting him once he could return to the house. And he was fine with that.

Once the lights were turned out, I headed home. I had heard that they needed sandbaggers at the Edgewood well, so I planned to change clothes and head over to help. But as I was buying water at Wal-Mart, LeAnn called to let me know they no longer needed sandbaggers - so I headed home to stay. As I watched the continuing coverage on KCRG, I saw hundreds of volunteers helping sandbag around Mercy Hospital. They weren't quitting. Even as the flood waters continued to rise, shattering all predictions, the people of Cedar Rapids fought on.

This morning while calling people to recruit volunteers for today, I found out about people who were volunteering through the night yesterday. No one seemed to be thinking it was foolish to keep fighting on. No one is complaining about the water rationing. Even the civil servants of the city aren't complaining when they have to do extra work because of those who held out hope they could stay in their homes.

Perhaps Mr. Maag isn't really in Cedar Rapids. Perhaps he is merely receiving info from other sources (like this really bad article) and he's piecing it together, informing his writing with his perceived stereotype of Iowans. Because if he had spent just a little bit of time with the people I did last night and watched the efforts I saw on the news, I think his article would have a very different tone.

Photo Credit: Jim Slosiarek of The Gazette

A 500-year flood in my lifetime

I'm not posting this for the two readers who already live here in Cedar Rapids because you are already experiencing this. I'm posting this for the one reader who lives outside this area. Cedar Rapids (and the surrounding area) is experiencing floods of epic proportions (I won't say "biblical proportions" because I have a feeling the flood Noah experienced was a bit bigger :o). We are shattering river level records left and right, and the famous floods of '93 look like puddles compared to what's going on right now. No one really knows what the current level of the Cedar River is because the electricity for the gauges is out, as it is for the entire downtown area of Cedar Rapids and more.

The photo above (taken from YouNews on KCRG's website) is of a train bridge they feared might go under. So they parked a train one it as you can see in the photo, with the train cars filled with rocks, in an attempt to keep the bridge in place. Just an hour or so ago, I saw aerial footage on KCRG's running coverage of the flood, and sure enough, the train bridge was in the water despite the efforts to save it. In the same aerial footage, I also saw that the Czech/Slovak museum is submerged - all you can see is the roof line.

Cedar Rapids brags about being only one of two mainland cities in the world whose government offices are on an island. That island is completely inaccessible now as the unthinkable has happened and the 2nd and 3rd Ave. bridges, which access the island, are completely covered.

No one ever thinks they will live to experience a 500 year flood, yet here it is. My home and family are safe, and as long as electricity is on, my basement will stay dry. I've got a roof leak with a bucket in my attic catching the water until I can have some dry weather to attempt, yet again, to repair the spot where the water is entering the roof. But that is incredibly small compared to what many of my neighbors downtown and surrounding regions are experiencing.

One of the great things about Iowans is how resilient they are. They'll bounce back from this - and many will do it with a great attitude. We've seen it many times in our farming communities, we've seen it after the devastating EF-5 tornado in Parkersburg and surrounding towns over the Memorial Day weekend this year, and we'll see it here. My prayer is that those who do not know Christ will not shake their fist at God for allowing this horrific flood to occur, but rather that they will realize how fragile and temporary this life is and that they need to cry out to God and find true life in Christ.