God punishing us with 9/11 and hurricane Katrina? If this were true, who inspired thousands of volunteers and missionaries to these places with care and rescue efforts, helping to rebuild homes and lives? Was it God? That would make God schizophrenic. I think the Body of Christ opens itself up to ridicule when it gets involved in politics instead of preaching the gospel.

What about the terrible typhoon in former Burma, where thousands of people perished? What about the recent major earthquake in China? Is God searching around the world for "evil and sinful" people to wipe out? The Bible already has addressed the issue of our sinful condition in saying "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

I don't claim perfect understanding why things happen, but I do rest in what Jesus said about things like these.

"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered such things? I tell you, nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them. Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish."