Tornado Response
Created on May 20th, 2013
About This Bin
Sadly, natural disasters like Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma happen all too frequently. Here, we offer insight from past disasters that prompted the perennial questions, "why did God let this happen?" and "what can we do to help?"
God and the Tornadoes
By Adam HamiltonThe devastation left in the wake of last Wednesday night’s tornadoes is mind numbing. Mile after mile of homes, businesses, and schools obliterated; over 340 men, women and… read more
Ministering to People in Crisis: Don't Just Stand There!
By Evon O. FlesbergWhat do you say or do when people's lives are falling apart? Feeling put on the spot may be uncomfortable, but as clergy and leaders, it is our role to have words and actions… read more
Prayer Service for Oklahoma Tornado Victims
By Robert SpainBishop Robert Spain spoke this morning at UMPH's prayer service for the Oklahoma tornado victims. read more
How to Help Children After a Crisis
By Delia HalversonIn times of crisis, more than anything else, children need our love. They need to know they are loved, not with a showering of gifts but in a physical way. Hug them. Hold them… read more
Worship for Communities in Crisis
By Matthew L. KelleyEarly one morning I was awakened at sunrise by someone pounding on my door. I was at the Methodist Seminary in San Jose, Costa Rica, on a mission trip, and I expected this day… read more
Love and Suffering
By Randy HorickEven for people familiar with the destruction tornados can inflict, the images from Joplin, Missouri, were horrific. Wide swaths of the city with a population of 50,000 were… read more
When We Can Only Ask 'Why?'
By Adam HamiltonThe images of devastation coming to us from Japan raise once again the question of why. Why would a just and loving God allow–or worse yet, cause–such human suffering? … read more
Does God Hate Joplin?
By Ministry MattersDoes God hate Joplin? Maybe the whole of Missouri, or the USA, or perhaps the whole world? There have been earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, volcanoes erupting in Iceland… read more
Answering Tough Questions: Tragedy and the Justice of God
By Edward P. AntonioWhen confronted with the reality of pain and suffering in the world Christians—priests, pastors and theologians included—have a tendency to launch into a search for… read more
FUNERAL, CHILD'S.
FUNERAL, CHILD'S.
The death of a child, whether suddenly or after prolonged illness, is an unanticipated and devastating loss. Inevitably, questions of theodicy arise, such as…