There are two major tragedies in the news – the airliner that disappeared over two weeks ago and, closer to home, the mudslide in Washington State.

John Pennington, Snohomish County's emergency management director, said “I am a man of faith and I believe in miracles.”

Imagine the possible statements that might be made if our entire culture became totally secularized, with no reference to faith because there were no more people of faith.

Mike Smith, Richland County's director of emergency management:  “This is a great tragedy, but since there is no God and thus no reason to pray – it is what it is.  There's no reason to hope.”

Allie McAdams, reporting on 9-11 for WNBC news in NYC: “What we've witnessed today is the total worthlessness of organized religion!  Since the Muslim extremists flew into the towers, we should prepare for what the Bible believing Christians might do – because all religions are the same – a danger to society.”

James Horn, commenting on MSNBC regarding the loss of Malaysian Flight 370: “In the light that once a person dies – that's it, there's no afterlife, so what is the real purpose of tears and anger?  People should just focus on the living.”

You get the idea.  What a hopeless world this would be – especially in times when the Creator of the universe sends the Holy Spirit to comfort and give hope to the grieving AND uses His church to minister in tough and tragic times!

“God, give us more John Penningtons!”

Blessings!

Pastor Mark