Forward to the Kingdom!

This week Google released its “Zeitgeist 2009: The Collective Consciousness” report, its attempt to read the world’s mind based on search patterns. Marissa Mayer, VP Search Products and User Experience, wrote:

“Since 2001, we’ve been releasing our annual Zeitgeist—our view into the spirit of the times—which includes the fastest-rising Google searches (those that had the greatest surge in the past year) and most popular (those that are consistently searched in large volume, like [weather])…

“So what has captivated the minds of searchers around the world this year? As millions of fans said goodbye to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson led the list of our top 10 fastest rising queries across the globe. And a new star was born, too—quirky pop singer Lady Gaga became a search sensation the world over…

“This year’s Zeitgeist also confirms that the social web is alive and well. In a sweeping confirmation of the web’s ability to connect us, both Facebook and the Spanish social-networking site Tuenti appeared on the fastest rising searches at #2 and #3 respectively. Twitter also made our global list for the first time at #5 [actually it was #4 when I went to the list]—undoubtedly propelled by celebrity tweeters from Ashton Kutcher to Miley Cyrus.”

Marissa Mayer also pointed out that the swine flu epidemic was a popular search around the world, and in the United States it was searched even more than the inauguration of President Obama.

So here’s the global top 10:

Fastest Rising (Global)

1. michael jackson

2. facebook

3. tuenti

4. twitter

5. sanalika

6. new moon

7. lady gaga

8. windows 7

9. dantri.com.vn

10. torpedo gratis

Sanalika? TechCrunch Europe says: “Sanalika is a virtual world where you can play multiplayer games and join realtime events. It was launched on November 2008 and has already reached over 3 million users.”

Dantri.com.vn is a Vietnamese Web site, and, best I can tell, torpedogratis.net looks like a Twitter for Portuguese. (Anyone care to enlighten me?)

But what I really wish we would see, what I pray for, is a fast-rising spike in searches for Kingdom of God, salvation, Christian church, Bible prophecy, free Bible study and other truly important things like that! That’s what the world needs.

What do you think?

I have written before about an exciting new project I’m coordinating of producing hundreds of Bible Study Guides to give practical answers and real hope from the greatest book ever written, God’s Holy Bible! Our team of dedicated writers has already written 45 lessons on everything from the armor of God to dealing with unemployment, and we are eagerly waiting to get them up on the Web!

Yesterday, we moved moved closer to that, as the site is now up, and a sample lesson has been posted! Check it out at http://freebiblestudyguides.org and you’ll see that the projected date for launch is January. But in the meantime you can get ministudies and other updates by following us on  Twitter. We’ll also be posting information on Posterous and Tumblr if you want to follow us there.

I’ve also updated the Blogroll in this blog’s sidebar with a link. The dormant WordPress Bible Study Guides blog has now been superseded, but will now point to the new site.

Your input and suggestions are welcome! We’d appreciate your prayers for this effort to help people and honor God’s Word.

By guest blogger Edmond D. Macaraeg, United Church of God pastor, the Philippines

The Philippines (particularly Metro Manila and much of Luzon Island) was hit by a series of destructive typhoons recently. On Sept. 26, Typhoon Ketsana poured 16 inches (40 centimeters) of rain in about six hours, flooding 80 percent of Metro Manila. (See our prayer request from Sept. 27.)

A series of typhoons hit the northern Philippine island of Luzon.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said more than 4,000 people had been rescued—many clinging to each other on roofs. Pictures also showed people clinging to electric posts and wires. More than 250,000 people were driven from their homes, and the government declared a state of “calamity.” Ketsana was called the worst typhoon in more than 40 years.

While Manila was still reeling from Ketsana, a week later a second typhoon named Parma struck northern Luzon. It dumped an additional 36 inches (92 centimeters) of rain as it hovered over the area for about a week. All together about 55,000 houses were destroyed and more than 600 people were killed.

The continuous rains forced administrators to order the release of great volumes of water from three dams. As a result, 32 towns and two cities were flooded, with about 35,000 more people fleeing to evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the four access roads to Baguio City (a famous mountain resort and a UCG Feast of Tabernacles site) had become impassable, causing food supplies to dwindle critically low. By the end of that week, U.S. military helicopters helped by dropping food and other supplies to that area.

One of the most disaster-prone countries in the world

A 2004 briefing regarding the Philippine Disaster Management System states: “There are about 300 volcanoes in the Philippines…twenty-two (22) are active. An average of 22 tropical cyclones hit the Philippines every year, five (5) of which are destructive.”

According to the Red Cross, 5,809,986 Filipinos were killed or injured by disasters in 10 years. “The Philippines is a natural laboratory for floods, typhoons, monsoon rains, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides,” Philippine National Red Cross governor Dante Liban said (Philippine Daily Inquirer). 

Lawrence Agcaoili wrote: “Insurance claims from the damages on real estate properties and motor vehicles caused by [both storms] could reach at least P15 billion [about $320 million], Insurance Commission chief Eduardo Malinis said yesterday…

“The 87-member Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA) earlier said only 25 percent of all insured motor vehicles in the Philippines have ‘Acts of God’ coverage. In Metro Manila, only 10 percent or 30,000 of the 300,000 motor vehicles are covered by ‘Acts of God’ coverage” (Philippine Star, Oct. 22).

“Acts of God”?

Most insurance policies carry an exclusion from claims considered “acts of God.” This is a legal term to denote events outside of human control, such as sudden floods or other natural disasters, for which no one can be held responsible.

But Philippine Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. claims that “the widespread heavy flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces was due partly to man-made causes. ‘In other words, the non-cleaning of drainages, the precipitate opening of the dams are acts of men, not of God.’”

His point has validity. Besides, I believe there is a substantial error in the common use of the term “acts of God.” Why?

“Acts of God” makes it sound like our benevolent God is ruthless, uncaring and destructive. This term is obviously contrary to the true nature of God. Scriptures like John 10:10 contrast two beings. One kills and destroys, while the other gives life and gives it more abundantly.

Indeed, there is an invisible spiritual power, who also claims to be “god” and who is ruthless, evil, unloving and destructive to all of humanity. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is referred to as “god,” and this present age is also described as evil (Galatians 1:4).

If the true God is good, loving and powerful, why does He allow sufferings and calamities? To understand this dilemma, please download or request your free copy of our booklet Why Does God Allow Suffering? And to identify the perpetrator of calamities, please also download or request Is There Really a Devil?

David Baker, United Church of God senior pastor for Asia and the Philippines, sent the following report about conditions in Manila, Philippines. Manila has experienced its worst flooding in 50 years. Your prayers would be appreciated.

“If you have seen the news you probably noticed that the Manila area received record rainfall and flooding this weekend. I spoke to Rey Evasco (pastor in Manila) and many of the homes of our members were flooded. Rey had to move up to the second story in his home. He currently has a few inches of water in his first floor and water in his van. Even his guitar got soaked. He has not heard from everyone but most if not all of the members are safe at this point. They were not able to have Sabbath services yesterday. They are hoping to have Atonement services tomorrow as the waters are receding.”

We all have many things we pray about, but today I thought I’d share five things that are on my mind.

1. People facing famine. Tim Waddle, a UCG elder, recently returned from visiting congregations across Kenya, and wrote: “As I traveled around the country, it was obvious that the crops are failing and food is in short supply.” A Good Works project for famine relief was started. And drought and famine are being felt in many other areas. The Economist reported on India’s failing rains in the Aug. 22 edition. Two clear signs that farmers are in extreme distress are steeply rising cattle sales, though prices are very low, and “many more farmers are committing suicide” (p. 38). Please pray for all those affected.

2. The unity of God’s people.

3. A long list of people who are ill, discouraged, unemployed or lonely. We receive requests every week from readers of our Good News e-mail newsletter.

4. More laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38). The job God has given us to do is overwhelming! He will supply the need, but we have our part in finding and training more laborers. I am most acutely aware of the need for more writers, editors, proofreaders, Web and video professionals, and pray that the efforts we will be making in teaching an Ambassador Bible Center module starting Sept. 14, and other plans for workshops will be effective and helpful. And I always welcome ideas and guest bloggers!

5. Jesus Christ’s return to save this world from itself and set up the Kingdom of God!

What are you praying about?

I received an e-mail today from Shoukat in Pakistan requesting prayers.

“It is sad news that in Pakistan’s city Gojra and village Coreina some people (who are not Christians) burn Christians’ houses… In city Gojra eight persons die, six are burned by fire and two die with gun. Two [were] children, 7 and 4 years age…

“So please pray for all Christians families who live in a hard time.”

The LA Times reported that a mob of more than 1,000 people shouting “Burn them alive!” set fire to more than 40 Christian homes last Saturday.

BBC reported that the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the violence was “premeditated.”

“The HRCP found that announcements had been made from mosques in Gojra town the previous night calling upon people to make ‘mincemeat’ of local Christians for their ‘blasphemous’ acts.” The rumor was spread that the Christians had desecrated the Koran.

Your prayers are requested for those seeking to follow Jesus Christ in this very dangerous part of the world. We also request your prayers for our efforts to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God “in all the world” and “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 24:14; 28:19). Pray “Your kingdom come”!

Thanks to Herb Teitgen and his daughter Carla Erickson for these updates, photos and reflections about the flooding he asked us to pray about:

“We need volunteers to sandbag!” That was the call to action heard on the radio stations in the Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota, areas, during the flood in March 2009.

Volunteers filled thousands of sandbags.

Volunteers quickly responded in the communities up and down the Red River. Sandbags went up around homes, subdivisions, schools and businesses that were in harm’s way. 

In the Fargo/Moorhead area the Red River crested at 40.6 feet on March 28. Flood stage is 18 feet; major flood stage is 30 feet.

Mr. Teitgen’s house was spared. He said, “I was grateful that God was merciful and held back the rain that was predicted, so it wouldn’t flood so much.”

One couple who lost five company buildings, but whose house was spared, stated, “We were grateful for God’s protection with only minor seepage, but the sewer backup really stinks!”

An elderly United Church of God member had to be evacuated for two weeks, uncertain when she would return to her apartment, and stayed at another elderly lady’s home.

One young man mentioned he was encouraged to see people responding so quickly, neighbors helping neighbors, as well as the local hotels providing rooms for evacuees. 

Another member mentioned that she is grateful for being protected from the floodwaters. She explained, “I think America saw the ideal when this area went into action. People didn’t blame…strangers just showed up to help. I wish everyone could know how amazing it is to have faith in people restored!”

Here’s what a Bismarck/Mandan Church member had to say about her area, where the Missouri River flooded, “It was heartwarming to see everybody pitching in with cheerful attitudes to support one another in a time of need.”

Scene of the flooding in the Fargo area.

She added, “There will be lost revenue for…farmers. This is due to water still standing on fields [that] won’t dry up for several weeks.  This will affect food supply of the USA.” She stated positively, “Thy Kingdom Come (today would be good!).”

Jim Servidio, pastor of the Houston North, Texas, United Church of God congregation sent this update about Carol Zamora who was featured in one of our most read blogs:

Carol Zamora, of the Houston North, Texas, congregation, who recently lost both arms and legs, is back home and attended services for the first time last Sabbath. She is doing very well and will be fitted for prosthetic limbs in the near future. She thanks everyone for the prayers and cards that were especially helpful. She is in good spirits and a great example to us all.

Carmelo Anastasi, United Church of God pastor from Bergamo, Italy, sent this update about the deadly earthquake in Italy on Monday:

I would like to inform you all in regard to the recent earthquake that has hit an area up in the mountains, 60 miles north of Rome.

The magnitude 6.3 earthquake has hit the province of Aquila. This earthquake left more than 200 people dead and 1,500 injured.

A temporary tent city is now being set up to accommodate survivors whose homes were ruined in the disaster. The government has immediately secured funds so that the people of that province can rebuild their houses as soon as possible. We hope the reconstruction is initiated soon, even if this means that the tax burden will become heavier for our nation. But that is necessary.

Please join in our prayers for the survivors so that they can restart living with renewed hope.

All the United Church of God brethren are safe, as they live far away from the hit area.

Thank you for your concern and prayers. What a blessing we have for the understanding of God’s plan when such tragedies occur. We know that no one is lost forever.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a very holy Passover season.

Your Italian brethren thank you and send their love.

Warm regards to all of you,

Carmelo Anastasi

Herb Teitgen, a United Church of God pastor in Moorhead, Minnesota, thanked everyone for their prayers on the flooding in the Fargo/Moorhead area. Here’s his update:

Thank you so much for your prayers and messages of concern and also encouragement.

The level of the Red River has dropped form the crest of 40.8 to 35.6 feet. The dikes have held for the most part and a relatively small number of homes were lost or damaged. Our hearts go out to those who experienced loss. No lives have been lost though.

The 10 inches of snow that fell in the Fargo-Moorhead area earlier this week is slowly melting with temperatures in the 30s during the day and 20s during the night.

I can drive into my subdivision again through a small opening made by removing a small number of sand bags in the dike. Many roads are being opened to traffic again in the area. But most of the dikes and sandbag levees are being kept in place for now.

Also, most of us are leaving the items we moved from the basement level to the upper level in our homes in place for now. The National Weather Service is predicting a secondary crest to arrive near the middle to end of April because of the tremendous amount of snow that fell in the last two snow events in the large basin that feeds into the Red River. The secondary crest could rise to the 40-41 foot levels again. Please pray that the levels will not rise to damaging levels and that spring rains will be moderate.