Refreshing Times In Our City

November arrived pleasantly Tuesday morning. It brought rain. Not a lot, not enough to mess up unrepaired homes, not enough to shut down construction and cleanup work all over the city, but enough to settle the dust. We’ve had almost no rain since Katrina hit, over 2 months ago. October had 0.04 inches of rain, which is about as near to none as you can get.

The New York Times reported that the Bring Back New Orleans Commission which our mayor appointed, of which Pastor Fred Luter is a member, has been experiencing in-fighting. Horrors. Do you mean to say that this group of strong leaders, each with definite convictions on what should be done, actually disagreed? All I can say is, Lord, I hope so. I’d hate to think we had one or two strong leaders and a bunch of “yes-men” on that board. They say the most efficient form of government is a dictatorship. Under Saddam, Iraq had almost no dissension, certainly none that lived to tell it. And these days, over 225 separate political parties have registered to represent Iraqi voters. Sounds a little strange to us, but it sure looks like democracy. Eventually, those folks will find commonality with each other and form fewer, larger parties. But the road from here to there is plenty of discussion, some arguments, debates, and attempts to get together. That is what is happening in New Orleans on a quieter level.


Commission member Oliver Thomas is reported to have stunned the other members by asking them to agree up front, before anything else is done, that “the 9th Ward will be brought back as a residential area.” Which is a lot like saying, “Before we discuss a matter, can we go ahead and agree on the conclusion?” Thankfully, the other members refused to play that game. The mayor has suggested this lowest place in the city be devoted only to industry, and never again to housing.

There are certain sounds which rank as the audio of good health. The laughter of a child, the cheer of fans, the praise of a congregation, amens from the same crowd, and open frank discussion from committees given hard assignments. Far from indicating failure, disagreements and differences can signal that honest progress is being made.

When we ask our friends to pray for us, for our pastors and our churches, let us remind them to pray for what the new city will be, what the new New Orleans will stand for, that it shall be a community that can never again be called “the city that care forgot.” It is absolutely true that “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

I spent a few hours Sunday afternoon and again Monday night at two churches which were providing alternative Halloween programs for the children in their neighborhoods. First Luling and Highland in Metairie brought in hundreds of children and their families, most of whom, it feels like, I drew. I do hand exercises every day to enable me to draw for hours at a time with no lingering problems, but it finally hit me late Monday night that there is no remedy for the tiredness of three hours of total concentration on the persons sitting across the table. Well, no remedy but sleep. Next morning, I was good as new. I told Margaret that it really is a sobering thought that there are a couple of hundred people carrying around drawings of them which I knocked out in two minutes, and are adjusting their self-image up or down, accordingly. Little wonder I pray before beginning that the Lord will strengthen me and help me to do no damage to anyone.

6 thoughts on “Refreshing Times In Our City

  1. Thanks so much for sharing. I was born and raised in Port Sulphur LA and after marriage, lived in several areas of New Orleans and attended Rio Vista B.C./Calvary Bapt Ch/and my last was Oak Park Bapt church which I was pastor’s sec for several years. It breaks my heart to know that damage has been done, but it sounds like God is using bad to accomplish His purpose in many ways that we cannot fully understand. You have blessed me through your reports and my husband and I pray for you and many friends that we have there in N.O.

    Can you tell my how Parkview church faired the storm? You may have mentioned it, but I can’t remember = sorry, a senior moment. 🙂 My sister-in-law attends/ed that church.

    Thanks again!

    Marjorie

  2. I pray your hands will never tire. You have drawn scores of pictures for me and my family and they are all tucked safe away or displayed appropriately and proudly. After all, a master artisan drew my picture.

    Bryan

  3. I pray your hands will never tire. You have drawn scores of pictures for me and my family and they are all tucked safe away or displayed appropriately and proudly. After all, a master artisan drew my picture.

    Bryan

  4. I have appreciated all of your journals, but this one sounded so encouraging. Praise the Lord for the pastor who now wants his church to be S.B.C. May his tribe increase. All of the folks are gone from our Beech Springs Camp, except for one couple, and they are looking for a place to settle here. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to meet many of them who came our way and could minister to them. The first group who came were from the ninth ward and got out on their old church bus.

    You mentioned two churches where my children, have been members. They are now members of First Baptist, Covington, and were in the ’80’s members of Wayne Jenkins’ church, First Baptist, Morgan City. They were close friends and have children the same ages. I pray for you and your plans for the churches.

    Thanks for such thorough coverage.

    Irma Glover–Smackover, Arkansas

  5. Thanks, Bro. Joe! I read this every day and forward it to 4 or 5 people, hope that is ok, Reading this every day reminds me to pray for you and Margaret. Tricia lost her Mom during the storm and it’s been real hard on her. Could you please put her on your prayer list? thanks, Lee.

  6. Thanks for keeping us updated on what is going on in New Orleans. I have wept and rejoiced as I have read your journal. We are praying for you. I am pastoring out in West Texas at FBC, Merkel. We have been involved in helping people at Lake Stamford rebuild after a flood on August 15th. When we finish there, we will hope to go to East Texas or perhaps New Orleans. The needs are great everywhere. Keep up the good work. God is so good.

    Jimmy Griffith

Comments are closed.