Pray for the people of OK. They're gettting hit again!

[steveo777]

Haven't these people had enough? They're getting tossed again by tornados. Why, God, why?

[tater1977]

The Tornado Hunt vehicle after being thrown nearly 200 yards by the El Reno Tornado in Oklahoma City tonight. Tornado Hunt crew and Mike Bettes are okay! Photo Credit: @SeanSchoferTVN Sean Schofer at 8:25pm. "We stopped to help & they are OK," said Schofer.

Tornado Hunt.JPG

Size of hail in El Reno....

El Reno..JPG

[steveo777]

The Tornado Hunt vehicle after being thrown nearly 200 yards by the El Reno Tornado in Oklahoma City tonight. Tornado Hunt crew and Mike Bettes are okay! Photo Credit: @SeanSchoferTVN Sean Schofer at 8:25pm. "We stopped to help & they are OK," said Schofer.

Tornado Hunt.JPG

Size of hail in El Reno....

El Reno..JPG

Holy crap! Hail exceeding the size of a baseball? That's gotta hurt!

[tater1977]

This was the weather channel's vehicle before the tornado flipped it a time or two...

B-4 OK. tornado.JPG

[RPM]

I was shocked to learn that 95% of the homes there have no basements.
I would think in area where this is so common year after year code would require either
a basement or a shelter. They had to do something similar in florida, requiring hurricane
resistant construction in areas they had to keep rebuilding every year. Its terrible to see the horrible
suffering these people are going through. They will certainly have my prayers!

[RPM]

Thats an Amazing photo....

[artist4perry]

I actually watched as it unfolded on Fox News, I thought if it is on National News it is BAD! It was so sad for those who deal with these storms so often. We get tornadoes too but not as near as often. Most go around or over us. We have been hit a few times ourselves but as I said we have been lucky. I have seen what it did to Marmaduke...half the town looked liked it had been erased and nothing was left but the foundations. I have hid in a closet and prayed most fervently some nights because storms were so intense.

Never be in a car during a tornado storm...it is a death trap!

[ebake02]

Don't know why Mother Nature has her underwear in a bunch but she needs to calm the fuck down and leave Oklahoma alone, those poor people have been through enough.

[Rick]

There's a website.. actually, it's right here..
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/storm ... racker.htm
where you can see who all are chasing storms and you can click on any of the chasers and see what their cameras or cams are seeing. It gets really interesting at times, and scary too. Sometimes any one chaser will have thousands of people watching them.

I'm not sure, after this weeks events, that I am going to continue though. I don't want to support anything that is as unnecessary as this is and which puts people's lives in danger. And when I say unnecessary, I mean that the technology in the weather stations now is so good, that these chasers efforts are, minus the live video, simply redundant.

[RPM]

There's a website.. actually, it's right here..
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/storm ... racker.htm
where you can see who all are chasing storms and you can click on any of the chasers and see what their cameras or cams are seeing. It gets really interesting at times, and scary too. Sometimes any one chaser will have thousands of people watching them.

I'm not sure, after this weeks events, that I am going to continue though. I don't want to support anything that is as unnecessary as this is and which puts people's lives in danger. And when I say unnecessary, I mean that the technology in the weather stations now is so good, that these chasers efforts are, minus the live video, simply redundant.

That's a good point Rick, These guys are taking risk that years ago may have been invaluable .
Now it's just not nec. I can see how it would be interesting but way to risky.

[Rip Rokken]

Haven't these people had enough? They're getting tossed again by tornados. Why, God, why?

Very good question. Your topic and related question remind me of a billboard I saw on the way home from Texas today that said, "Pray For A Cure to Cancer!" My first thought there was, why not cut out the middle-plague and just pray to eliminate cancer altogether? That would truly be an awesome miracle that would lead to millions and millions of new believers. But seeing a human create a cure for cancer and giving the credit to someone else... not so impressive. Another problem... there will never be a single "cure to cancer" because cancer is very complex, and manifests itself in different ways and forms from person to person. It's kinda like saying "Pray For a Solution to Crime".

Back to your question... I can think of several explanations to the tragic storm in OK from a Christian perspective, and they all conflict with one another:

1) "The Lord works in mysterious ways", and He has a plan in store for those people that is much greater than anything we can comprehend. By the way, this phrase doesn't actually come from scripture. The verses that seem to indicate this are:

Isaiah 55: 8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

and

John 3:8 "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

2) Catastrophes of this scale are the result of the 'Lord' lifting his "shield of protection" in punishment for all the homosexuality, abortion, and various other forms of rebellion in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK_hYsCkDH4

3) Increasing natural disasters are a sign indicating the end of the age:

Matthew 24:6-7 "And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places."

Luke 21:11 "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."

The only sensible and most likely explanation for all this extremely unfortunate tragedy? Nobody 'upstairs' is pulling the strings and orchestrating any of this. We're all at the mercy of nature, and the absolute randomness and impersonality of sheer chance. Understand that, and every tough question in life makes all the sense in the world.

My heart goes out to all affected by these storms.

[RPM]

Haven't these people had enough? They're getting tossed again by tornados. Why, God, why?

Very good question. Your topic and related question remind me of a billboard I saw on the way home from Texas today that said, "Pray For A Cure to Cancer!" My first thought there was, why not cut out the middle-plague and just pray to eliminate cancer altogether? That would truly be an awesome miracle that would lead to millions and millions of new believers. But seeing a human create a cure for cancer and giving the credit to someone else... not so impressive. Another problem... there will never be a single "cure to cancer" because cancer is very complex, and manifests itself in different ways and forms from person to person. It's kinda like saying "Pray For a Solution to Crime".

Back to your question... I can think of several explanations to the tragic storm in OK from a Christian perspective, and they all conflict with one another:

1) "The Lord works in mysterious ways", and He has a plan in store for those people that is much greater than anything we can comprehend. By the way, this phrase doesn't actually come from scripture. The verses that seem to indicate this are:

Isaiah 55: 8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

and

John 3:8 "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

2) Catastrophes of this scale are the result of the 'Lord' lifting his "shield of protection" in punishment for all the homosexuality, abortion, and various other forms of rebellion in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK_hYsCkDH4

3) Increasing natural disasters are a sign indicating the end of the age:

Matthew 24:6-7 "And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places."

Luke 21:11 "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."

The only sensible and most likely explanation for all this extremely unfortunate tragedy? Nobody 'upstairs' is pulling the strings and orchestrating any of this. We're all at the mercy of nature, and the absolute randomness and impersonality of sheer chance. Understand that, and every tough question in life makes all the sense in the world.

My heart goes out to all affected by these storms.

I would respectfully disagree with this view, which is filled with half truths. The debate of which would certainly
derail the fine intention of this thread. We are only here for a very brief time, we are not promised a life free from
pain and suffering or tragedy. That promise is for the eternal life.

[JRNYMAN]

Watched this week's ep of Nova last night which was about last week's tornado(s) in Oklahoma as well as an in-depth look at how and why it's the hardest hit area of the entire Tornado Alley. Extremely interesting.
Last week's tornado was on the ground for 42 mins. and cut a path 17 miles long and at its widest point stretched 2.5 miles.
It's available to download via all the usual torrent sites as well as streaming on PBS' site.

I agree with you Rick about the idiots who are out there strictly for the thrill of it and the rush. However, a lot of those storm chasers are doing it to collect data which will hopefully at some point give scientists the insight needed to be able to predict tornadic events much sooner than they are able to presently which will ultimately save lives. As one of the scientists said on this week's Nova, "we've come a long way in being able to alert people over the past 20 years but we've got a long way to go." The folks of Moore had roughly 30 mins. warning. As recently as the late 60's the best they were able to do was report what the tornado was doing as it was doing it.

[artist4perry]

Rip Rokken I loves ya man but let folks have their faith if they want. Trust me we got your stance on it quite clear! I do disagree with your points and your insight on God. But that is why we all have a choice right? If someone needs to pray, ask God why, or any other expression that is their way of dealing with things in their life. I appreciate everyone's right to be an Atheist, Buddhist, Jew, or whatever they see fit. In times of trials that is when these things become quite personal. It is that freedom of expression of ones beliefs that help each of us deal with what we deal with. If a tornado is bearing down on me believe me I will be praying, I won't worry about how anyone else tries to "reason" my faith as needless to them. Bill Cosby once criticized his Grandfather for having such long prayers at family dinners...he also criticized how he could not understand him when he talked because he mumbled...I like his Grandfather's response...."I wasn't talking to YOU now was I??"

[BigOkieChris]

I was up there during all of this....... it got a little hairy. Oklahomans that grow up with this don't find this kind of weather to be a big deal. It's an every day way of life. It's a little scary, but the media hype is more so.

[Duncan]

If a tornado is bearing down on me believe me I will be praying,

So, if God does send a tornado in your direction, will you be praying for your life to be taken, or spared?

[Michigan Girl]

lol ...

I'm w/the big okie ...OK is tornado alley. Just like living in a basin, on the coast, in hurricane city and not carrying flood insurance ...one must be prepared for the weather their area is likely to experience. That said, I cry watching these things on the news ...the little ones, especially, really tug at my heartstrings. Thoughts and prayers, OK!!

[Duncan]

Try sending money.

[RPM]

That's pretty rude and disrespectful.

[artist4perry]

If a tornado is bearing down on me believe me I will be praying,

So, if God does send a tornado in your direction, will you be praying for your life to be taken, or spared?

That would be between him and me would it not? Stop your faith baiting Duncan.

[verslibre]

I can think of several explanations to the tragic storm in OK from a Christian perspective, and they all conflict with one another

And here I thought you were at home sacrificing a billy goat inside a chalk circle every full moon in the hope that Don Dokken would sing at least as well as Geoff Tate does now.

[verslibre]

Try sending money.

Why don't you?

[Duncan]

If a tornado is bearing down on me believe me I will be praying,

So, if God does send a tornado in your direction, will you be praying for your life to be taken, or spared?

That would be between him and me would it not? Stop your faith baiting Duncan.

You brought the subject up! If you don't want to be questioned on it then don't post about it on a public discussion board.

[verslibre]

No, Rip did.

[artist4perry]

No, Rip did.

And my main comment is the fact that everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It is bad enough when someone of a religious faith tries to bible belt you over the head, it is no better for an atheist to try and force their beliefs on others either. I don't see that much from Rip, because he is not a jerk and he does not try and force his feelings on others. He might discuss it with you, but he won't be ugly about it. I have had dinner with Rip and my husband has said grace at the table. We asked Rip if it would make him uncomfortable because we knew he did not believe, we were willing to forgo it for his sake. He was truly nice about it and said go ahead. I don't have a problem with someone believing differently than I do, but how you do it does reflect on the type of person you are. Rip is a class act.

[verslibre]

No, Rip did.

And my main comment is the fact that everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It is bad enough when someone of a religious faith tries to bible belt you over the head, it is no better for an atheist to try and force their beliefs on others either. I don't see that much from Rip, because he is not a jerk and he does not try and force his feelings on others. He might discuss it with you, but he won't be ugly about it. I have had dinner with Rip and my husband has said grace at the table. We asked Rip if it would make him uncomfortable because we knew he did not believe, we were willing to forgo it for his sake. He was truly nice about it and said go ahead. I don't have a problem with someone believing differently than I do, but how you do it does reflect on the type of person you are. Rip is a class act.

However you color it, Rip brought up the whole shebang. Actually, I think he's a cool guy but he does like to stir the pot, albeit nowhere near as often as some people. The thing is, you can tell who isn't and who IS deliberately being a talking phallus.

[artist4perry]

No, Rip did.

And my main comment is the fact that everyone is entitled to believe what they want. It is bad enough when someone of a religious faith tries to bible belt you over the head, it is no better for an atheist to try and force their beliefs on others either. I don't see that much from Rip, because he is not a jerk and he does not try and force his feelings on others. He might discuss it with you, but he won't be ugly about it. I have had dinner with Rip and my husband has said grace at the table. We asked Rip if it would make him uncomfortable because we knew he did not believe, we were willing to forgo it for his sake. He was truly nice about it and said go ahead. I don't have a problem with someone believing differently than I do, but how you do it does reflect on the type of person you are. Rip is a class act.

However you color it, Rip brought up the whole shebang. Actually, I think he's a cool guy but he does like to stir the pot, albeit nowhere near as often as some people. The thing is, you can tell who isn't and who IS deliberately being a talking phallus.

Rip usually just wants an intellectual debate over the subject, I took the whole statement "Why God Why?" as rhetorical. I take it and I may be reading this wrong, as though Rip thought they had a legitimate question awaiting an answer. He gave his opinion. I don't think he meant any disrespect. I gathered that because he has been nothing but respectful of Dan and I any time we are all hanging out with him. I could and would debate and discuss it with him, because it would be a discussion on an intellectual level, not a "I THINK YOUR STUPID BECAUSE YOU DON'T THINK LIKE ME" attitude. He would not be angry with you for not agreeing with him at the end of the discussion and would part with you as a friend. He is a nice guy and I never take offense to his posts.

[verslibre]

No explanation necessary. I wasn't referring to Rip with that one remark.

[artist4perry]

No explanation necessary. I wasn't referring to Rip with that one remark.

Gathered as much.

I bear no ill will towards Duncan...just wish he would be more mature.