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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

629.0. "Safety" by DEMING::VALENZA (I'm notes about you.) Mon Mar 29 1993 20:20

        "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
        rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for
        yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes
        and where thieves do not break in and steal."  Matthew 6:19-20

        "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
        eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. 
        Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"
        Matthew 6:25

        "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of
        its own.  Today's trouble is enough for today."  Matthew 6:34

        
    I am reminded of those passages from the Sermon on the Mount while
    considering, of all things, the pros and cons of living in various
    regions in the United States.  One consideration that I have given a lot
    of thought to has been the question of safety from the ravages of mother
    nature. Weather has almost become an obsession with me lately, what with
    the miserable New England winter that we are just now emerging from. 
    Yet, escaping the snow and cold weather, which are annoying and
    depressing, is no guarantee of goodness.  Aside form the dangers of
    extreme cold, there are other forces of nature that are also quite
    dangerous--things like lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes,
    and floods.  The question then arises--how do you pick a place to live
    where you can feel "safe"?

    Every part of the U.S. seems to have its own special brand of natural
    disasters.  I grew up in Indiana, where I can remember tornado drills in
    grade school.  Unfortunately, no one in Indiana worries about
    earthquakes, and when the New Madrid fault lets loose a big one like it
    did in the early 1800s, the Midwest will suffer a tremendous amount of
    damage.  The Pacific Northwest is also complacent about earthquakes, but
    it too is vulnerable to infrequent but devastating quakes.  My parents
    live in southwest Florida, and were lucky to have escaped the wrath of
    Andrew with little inconvenience; the residents of Homestead on the
    other coast were not so lucky.  Much of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts
    have the threat of hurricanes destroying homes and killing people; at
    least, thanks to modern technology, they can see hurricanes coming well
    in advance.  Such is not the case with earthquakes.  California, of
    course, has the mild weather, but the bay area is just waiting for the
    Big One to strike.
    
    If those concerns weren't enough, we could all avoid all those problems
    and be struck by an asteroid.  Far fetched, you say?  Not necessarily.
    An asteroid struck a remote region of Siberia in 1908--the world was
    lucky that it hit an unpopulated area.  It is said that a major asteroid
    was responsible for killing off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
    These things do happen.

    Of course, you can worry about "the Big One", or an asteroid hitting
    you, only for these events to bypass your life altogether.  The next
    major asteroid collision may be 1000 years from now; the next Seattle
    earthquake may be long after current residents are dead.  Who's to say?

    It makes sense for us to take precautions, to try to avoid unnecessary
    death and destruction.  There is no reason to be foolish.  But I also
    believe that the goal of absolute safety from harm is an illusion.
    Maybe we can worry too much about such things.
    
    When I was seven years old, my bike skidded on gravel after I hit the
    brakes too hard, and I lost control and found myself in front of an
    oncoming car.  The driver screeched it to a halt just as it hit my
    bike--I fell off and broke my wrist.  I was lucky.  There were kids in
    my neighborhood who were killed by lightning.  They weren't so lucky.  I
    once took a place to Chicago where it was icy, and the plane touched
    down on the runway only to pull back up; the next time, the plane tilted
    to one side, but somehow managed to come to a safe stop on the icy
    runway.  I don't know if I was lucky that time or not, but in retrospect
    it felt like it.

    Perhaps we are more fragile than we realize.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
629.1Overt Proselytizing veiled with humor!CSC32::KINSELLAit's just a wheen o' blethersMon Mar 29 1993 21:307
    
    Become a Christian so that no matter where you live if you get wiped
    out by a natural disaster you'll be permanently relocated to a 
    perfect place rather than an unbearably hot climate that you can
    never move away from.  ;^)
    
    Jill
629.2CSC32::J_CHRISTIERise Again!Mon Mar 29 1993 23:2325
Mike,

	You sound like you might be experiencing a little emotional
disorientation, too.

	Having moved around as much as you have, you've probably already
concluded that there are pluses and minuses to wherever you choose to take
up residence.

	I hear the weather in your region has been particularly harsh as
of late.  That may be a understatement.

	Every so often, I think about moving back to the sun belt; some
place where you don't have to grow mountain gills in order to breathe.  On
the other hand, Colorado Springs is set in the most beautiful country I've
ever seen.  And 3 or 4 months out of the year (once you put all the nice
days together), it's a very pleasant place to live (climatically speaking).

	Do you ever think about the Friends Meeting in Colorado Springs?
Well, you know, they no longer meet in the same location.  I've not visited
the new place yet.  Oobladee, Oobladah.

Peace,
Richard
629.3JURAN::VALENZAI'm notes about you.Tue Mar 30 1993 00:4737
    Richard,

>	Having moved around as much as you have, you've probably already
>concluded that there are pluses and minuses to wherever you choose to take
>up residence.

    Yes, I have.  The key is in figuring out which pluses are important to
    you.  The funny thing about Colorado is that when I moved there I
    didn't realize which of its attributes would be pluses for me.  It took
    a while for me to get used to the daily summer afternoon thunderstorms
    and the lack of well defined seasons.  By the time I left I was totally
    in love with the place.  The one thing I knew when I moved there was
    that it was the most beautiful city I could imagine living in; the rest
    came later.

    The problem with moving around so much is that no place really feels
    like home.  Actually, Colorado felt like home, but I left it.

>	I hear the weather in your region has been particularly harsh as
>of late.  That may be a understatement.

    Yes, a major understatement.  :-)  To be quite honest, even though
    Colorado winters are mild and the snow never stays on the ground very
    long, I think even a mild winter is too much winter for me.  I hate
    snow with an unbridled passion.

>	Do you ever think about the Friends Meeting in Colorado Springs?
>Well, you know, they no longer meet in the same location.  I've not visited
>the new place yet.  Oobladee, Oobladah.

    Life goes on, bra.  Tra la la la la life goes one.  :-)
    
    I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised.  They were talking about
    being kicked out of that building back when I lived there.  I hope the
    new place has better wheelchair access. 
    
    -- Mike
629.4JUPITR::HILDEBRANTI'm the NRATue Mar 30 1993 12:2516
    Re: .0
    
    Well, I really didn't find the weather this year that bad here in New
    England. SUre, we had/have snow big time...but....as a kid in the 50's
    and early 60's, we had lots of snow too.
    
    Safety comes from within and without. I have really found much more
    safety from being as self reliant as possible, and by finding safety
    through the Holy Spirit. Self reliant through learning how to fix up
    my house( 1830's handyman special) and having as much emergency
    stuff around as possible....i.e. permanent standby electric generator.
    
    Saying all that, I still would like to move out of New England at
    times. Key West in FLA sure sounds good.
    
    Marc H.
629.5AKOCOA::FLANAGANwaiting for the snowTue Mar 30 1993 13:3714
    Hi mike,
    
    You do sound a bit down.  I have lived in this area all my life and I
    love it.  Snow and all.  The best thing I ever did to appreciate the
    winter time was to take up skiing about five years ago.  
    
    But now it is Spring.  A time a renewal and regeneration. I hope your
    spirit is renewed with the season, the return of the light, and the
    warmer weather.
    
    
    Patricia
629.6JUPITR::HILDEBRANTI'm the NRATue Mar 30 1993 14:007
    RE: .5
    
    Good point. I started down hill skiing a couple of years ago. That,
    coupled with ice skating and cross country keeps me busy outside
    in the winter.
    
    Marc H.
629.7I like the seasons, but the transitions are harderLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO2-2/T63)Tue Mar 30 1993 15:0418
re Note 629.5 by AKOCOA::FLANAGAN:

>     But now it is Spring.  A time a renewal and regeneration. I hope your
>     spirit is renewed with the season, the return of the light, and the
>     warmer weather.
  
        It's funny, but for me this time of year is a downer --
        because I like skiing -- especially when we have had a good
        year for snow.

        However, by the time June rolls around, I'm quite ready for
        summer and its a downer when the kids have to go back to
        school.

        On the other hand, October is a wonderfully exhilarating
        month!

        Bob
629.8JURAN::VALENZAI'm notes about you.Tue Mar 30 1993 15:2313
    As much as I hate snow, I don't worry about it killing me, although
    perhaps I should, since I did once lose control of car in a snow storm
    and ended up in a median.  The thing I wonder about is whether, in
    seeking to avoid winter at all costs, I might be paying for it in other
    ways.  Much of California, for example, has the kind of weather I could
    enjoy--but the thought of having buildings crumble down upon me doesn't
    exactly thrill me.  On the other hand, Californians have the civil
    defense infrastructure and the building codes in place that probably
    make it a better place to endure a serious earthquake than those sites
    that aren't used to them and aren't prepared for them--such as the
    region near the New Madrid fault in Missouri.
    
    -- Mike
629.9MAYES::FRETTSat the turning point...Tue Mar 30 1993 16:5011
    
    Hi Mike,
    
    As I mentioned to you in another notesfile....have you considered
    Arizona or New Mexico?
    
    Also, if you want to get an appreciation of this area (N.E.), try
    living in New Jersey for awhile!  ;^)
    
    Carole
    (P.S.  I was born and raised in N.J., so I can say that!)
629.10where oh whereROKEPA::REINKEFormerly FlahertyTue Mar 30 1993 16:5316
Mike,

I empathize with you.  Don and I think a lot about where we want to 
move that has as little snow as possible.  We had given the Northwest 
considerable thought what with my son attending college out there (with 
the firm conviction that he won't return to New England) and Don's 
brother out there too.  But with that recent earthquake and scientists 
predicting further quakes (soon) along that line (from California to 
Vancouver), I don't think I want to live there.  Heck, I've got 
anxieties that my daughter will be visiting my son on spring break for 
a week and they'll both be in *danger*.

I guess ultimately one needs to tune into the voice within for a 
little help on where to live!!  

Ro
629.11JURAN::VALENZAI'm notes about you.Tue Mar 30 1993 17:0522
    Re: .9 (Carole),

    Yes, I've thought about New Mexico, actually.  I imagine that I would
    like Albuquerque quite a bit.  I never quite made it down there--I've
    been to Santa Fe, though.  I'm not sure if I could handle Arizona's
    heat, though--I guess I want moderation in all things!  No desert, not
    snowstorms.  I guess I'd take desert heat over snowstorms, but having
    visited Las Vegas in July when it was 107, I know what that kind of
    weather feels like, and it isn't very enjoyable.
    
    You have a point about New Jersey.  :-)

    Re: .10 (Ro),

    I know what you mean about the Northwest.  I was really keen on the
    area, but last week's earthquake has tempered that a bit.  They do have
    building codes in Portland now (I'm not sure about Seattle), but there
    are many old buildings unaffected by it, and I don't think the area is
    prepared for a big one.  Seattle had a 7.3 quake in 1949 that killed 8
    people.

    -- Mike
629.12in defense of NJLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO2-2/T63)Tue Mar 30 1993 17:5717
re Note 629.9 by MAYES::FRETTS:

>     Also, if you want to get an appreciation of this area (N.E.), try
>     living in New Jersey for awhile!  ;^)
>     
>     Carole
>     (P.S.  I was born and raised in N.J., so I can say that!)
  
        Well, I was born and raised in NJ, too, and I would go there
        in a minute if I had a good job opportunity there -- but you
        must choose your location carefully (as you must in almost
        any state).

        The parts of NJ I like the most are a lot like Vermont except
        the weather is milder.

        Bob
629.13.-)TFH::KIRKa simple songTue Mar 30 1993 18:0214
I'm reminded of little Alfie Singer in Woody Allen's movie _Annie Hall_.
He refused to do his homework because he learned that the universe is 
expanding, so...what's the point of finishing school.

And a guy I work with now sleeps easier since the general consensus of the 
physics world is that protons have a half-life of at least 10^35 years, two 
orders of magnitude greater than previous minimum estimates.

Serious concerns, but the croci and daffodil are sprouting all around my house 
and I need to live this day today.

Peace,

Jim
629.14JUPITR::HILDEBRANTI'm the NRATue Mar 30 1993 18:519
    RE: .12
    
    Bob...that was the *first* time I heard anyone praise new jersey!
    When ever I think of NJ, its always the turnpike/refineries/and
    pig farms.
    
    Is this area you are talking about the "piney" section?
    
    Marc H.
629.15I grew up in the Yucko part! ;^)MAYES::FRETTSat the turning point...Tue Mar 30 1993 19:0610
    
    RE: .12 Bob
    
    Yes, I agree, though I do like to use the stereotype sometimes....just
    for fun.  There are some very beautiful areas of NJ - the west/central
    part and the northwest part come to mind.  Bernardsville, Liberty
    Corners, etc.  Jackie Onassis has a horse farm in Bernardsville, I
    believe.
    
    Carole
629.16NWLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO2-2/T63)Tue Mar 30 1993 19:2611
re Note 629.14 by JUPITR::HILDEBRANT:

>     Is this area you are talking about the "piney" section?
  
        Actually, it isn't the pine barrens but the northwest that I
        have in mind (Sussex County).

        The pine barrens are close to true wilderness but nobody
        would confuse them with Vermont (they're quite flat).

        Bob
629.17Choosing fear or life?BSS::VANFLEETHelpless jelloTue Mar 30 1993 23:4215
    Let's face it, there just are no guarantees in life.  Regardless of
    where you live, stuff happens.  No matter how many precautions you take
    or how carefully you select where to live or how much you worry about
    it, there is no place on earth that is safe from the unforeseen.  Since a 
    meteor or a piece of Sputnik (for those Northern Exposure fans out there) 
    could strike anywhere at any time what's left is to trust in something 
    greater than ourselves to make sure that we're in the right place at the 
    right time for whatever it has in mind for us.  For me, that higher power 
    is God.  For others it's fate, karma, or even Gertrude.  ;-)
    
    So do you let your fears control your life or do you trust life enough
    to let go of the fears?
    
    Nanci
629.18MAGEE::FRETTSat the turning point...Wed Mar 31 1993 12:569
    
 >   So do you let your fears control your life or do you trust life enough
 >   to let go of the fears?
    
  
    Nanci, this is probably the greatest challenge we will face in our
    human experience.
    
    Carole
629.19Verses on FearCSC32::KINSELLAit's just a wheen o' blethersWed Mar 31 1993 16:276
    
    "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
     God."    Isaiah 41:10
    
    You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and
    surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalm 32:7