Operation Snapback 1972!

The great multitude from all nations that stood before God’s throne, which John saw, cried out to ascribe salvation to God and to the Lamb of God. There has not been, nor ever will be, a human being of any nation or language or people group saved but by the blood of Jesus Christ. He alone, and the Father who sent Him, gain the glory for salvation, along with the Holy Spirit who applies that salvation to men’s hearts.

May we be among that great multitude, Lord, who will cry out eternal praises to you for the great salvation you have wrought. Let us look forward to that day, and yet, not wait till then to begin to praise you. Take away the stain of pride and self-praise, and let us joyfully give all the glory to you alone. Amen.

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:10

Hurricane Agnes It’s Pennsylvania

Share what you know about the year you were born.
June 1972

Hurricane Agnes, a Category 1 storm, hit the Florida panhandle and caused millions of dollars in damage.

In 1972, Tropical Storm Agnes caused severe flooding in Pennsylvania, including the Susquehanna River.
The storm hit Pennsylvania on June 22, 1972, and dumped 19 inches of rain from Florida to New York between June 19–24.
The Susquehanna River’s flood elevations reached the highest ever recorded in June 1972, surpassing flood stage by 15 feet on June 24.
The flood also caused billions of gallons of water to rush through Harrisburg.

1972 saw a number of events in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania:
June 1972
Tropical storm Agnes caused severe flooding in the Wilkes-Barre area, including South Main Street. Flood elevations were about eight feet higher than those of 1865 and 1936. More than 100,000 people were evacuated due to flooding, and 122 people died.
Summer 1972
The Flood Recovery Task Force, a non-profit organization, was formed to help rebuild the Wyoming Valley after the storm.

When Hurricane Agnes flooded the Wyoming Valley, Wilkes College sustained more than $10 million in damage to 58 buildings. In the immediate aftermath of the flood, however, Wilkes’ Second President Francis J. Michelini decided that the most important mission was learning; the relationship between students and faculty were more important than brightly lit classrooms.

With this in mind, the college’s first summer session reopened less than a week and a half after the flood, with a majority of classes held on the second and third floors of buildings. While some faculty and students resumed scholarly pursuits, other students gave up summer jobs and vacations to return to campus to shovel out mud-filled basements, remove and wash off dirty furniture and desks and assisted in overall clean-up efforts. Many alumni also pitched in with cleanup efforts as well as monetary support to aid Wilkes in flood recovery. “Operation Snapback,” Michelini’s action plan to fundraise after the flood, generated millions of dollars to fix building damages and provide financial aid for students affected by the flood.

Hurricane Agnes was the costliest hurricane to hit the United States at the time, causing an estimated $2.1 billion in damage. The hurricane’s death toll was 128.[1] The effects of Agnes were widespread, from the Caribbean to Canada, with much of the east coast of the United States affected. Damage was heaviest in Pennsylvania, where Agnes was the state’s wettest tropical cyclone. Due to the significant effects, the name Agnes was retired in the spring of 1973.

Hurricane Agnes

Agnes near peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico on June 18
Meteorological history
Formed
June 14, 1972
Extratropical
June 23, 1972
Dissipated
July 6, 1972
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds
85 mph (140 km/h)
Lowest pressure
977 mbar (hPa); 28.85 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
128 direct
Damage
$2.1 billion (1972 USD)
Areas affected
Yucatán Peninsula, Western Cuba, East Coast of the United States, Pennsylvania, Atlantic Canada, Iceland, British Isles
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1972 Atlantic hurricane season
Agnes was the second tropical cyclone and first named storm of the 1972 Atlantic hurricane season. It developed as a tropical depression on June 14 from the interaction of a polar front and an upper trough over the Yucatán Peninsula. The storm emerged into the western Caribbean Sea on June 15, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Agnes the next day. Thereafter, Agnes slowly curved northward and passed just west of Cuba on June 17. Early on June 18, the storm intensified enough to be upgraded to Hurricane Agnes. Heading northward, the hurricane eventually made landfall near Panama City, Florida, late on June 19. After moving inland, Agnes rapidly weakened and was only a tropical depression when it entered Georgia. The weakening trend halted as the storm crossed over Georgia and into South Carolina. While over eastern North Carolina, Agnes re-strengthened into a tropical storm on June 21, as a result of baroclinic activity. Early the following day, the storm emerged into the Atlantic Ocean before re-curving northwestward and making landfall near New York City as a strong tropical storm. Agnes quickly became an extratropical cyclone on June 23, and tracked to the northwest of Great Britain, before being absorbed by another extratropical cyclone on July 6.

Though it moved slowly across the Yucatán Peninsula, the damage Agnes caused in Mexico is unknown. Although the storm bypassed the tip of Cuba, heavy rainfall occurred, killing seven people. In Florida, Agnes caused a significant tornado outbreak, with at least 26 confirmed twisters, two of which were spawned in Georgia. The tornadoes and two initially unconfirmed tornadoes in Florida alone resulted in over $4.5 million (1972 USD) in damage and six fatalities. At least 2,082 structures in Florida suffered either major damage or were destroyed. About 1,355 other dwellings experienced minor losses. Though Agnes made landfall as a hurricane, no hurricane-force winds were reported. Along the coast abnormally high tides resulted in extensive damage, especially between Apalachicola and Cedar Key. Light to moderate rainfall was reported in Florida, though no significant flooding occurred. In Georgia, damage was limited to two tornadoes, which caused approximately $275,000 in losses. Minimal effects were also recorded in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Tennessee; though one fatality was reported in Delaware. The most significant effects, by far, occurred in Pennsylvania, mostly due to intense flooding. The hurricane severely flooded the Susquehanna River and the Lackawanna River causing major damage to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metropolitan area. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined, about 43,594 structures were either destroyed or significantly damaged. In Canada, a mobile home was toppled, killing two people

Hurricane Agnes was the costliest hurricane to hit the United States at the time, causing an estimated $2.1 billion in damage. The hurricane’s death toll was 128.[1] The effects of Agnes were widespread, from the Caribbean to Canada, with much of the east coast of the United States affected. Damage was heaviest in Pennsylvania, where Agnes was the state’s wettest tropical cyclone. Due to the significant effects, the name Agnes was retired in the spring of 1973.

caused approximately $275,000 in losses. Minimal effects were also recorded in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Tennessee; though one fatality was reported in Delaware. The most significant effects, by far, occurred in Pennsylvania, mostly due to intense flooding. The hurricane severely flooded the Susquehanna River and the Lackawanna River causing major damage to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metropolitan area. In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined, about 43,594 structures were either destroyed or significantly damaged. In Canada, a mobile home was toppled, killing two people.

We’re getting closer! I’m sure the prophecies we’ve been reading the past few days are the same ones that Jesus mentioned to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and have been examined over the years, as those that point to the Messiah. Malachi is not one of the Major Prophets, and this book is placed last in the Old Testament. He is upset that they Israelites upon returning from exile pick up where they left off with abuses by their leaders as well as by the people. They are impatient for the Messiah to appear. So Malachi gives us this prophecy which lets the people know that the Lord, whom they seek will appear. First, John, the messenger, comes to prepare the way, and then Jesus appears in the temple. John is the last prophet of the first covenant, and Jesus brings us the new. There was a time when people thought that we didn’t need the Old Testament, the old covenant, just the New Testament. But wiser heads prevailed! How could we understand the New without the Old. Jesus himself said that he had not come to abolish the law – the first covenant – but to fulfill it. This means that we can’t just throw out the old. How else would we know of Abraham or Moses, King David and Solomon, the prophets or the times they were faithful and the times they went astray and needed God to save them. All of this is important for us, as we also are sometimes faithful and sometimes we need saving from ourselves. We learn from both the old and the new and are called to follow Jesus, as he followed the teachings of the Law.

Love for God Made Complete!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Love for God Made Complete

1 John 2:3-5 (NIV®)
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.

I sometimes talk to people who are concerned their lack of formal training in theology will hinder their spiritual growth. I love learning, and I enjoy discussing theology. But some of the saddest and most frustrated people in religious circles are the ones who put their life’s efforts toward pondering things like, “just how big a camel can be and still fit through the eye of a needle” (Matthew 19:24). John says you can show your understanding of God’s Kingdom and your love for Him simply by being obedient to what you do understand. That means living a faithful, authentic Christian life in front of your family, friends, and neighbors. It means telling what Jesus has done for you. It means demonstrating Jesus’ love for people in the routines of your days. Do those things, and your love for God will be made complete.

THINK ABOUT IT
The greatest expression of faithfulness and your love for God is to be obedient to the truth that you know in the place where you are today.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, may Your Word come alive within me and my heart receive Your instruction. Grant me a willing spirit to obey and honor You in all my ways. Holy Spirit, help me see and understand the great privilege of loving God by obeying Him and loving others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your prayers for the ACLJ are making a tangible impact. God is visibly working through our legal cases both in America and abroad.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:10)

Here is a specific ACLJ prayer request that you can pray for this week:

This past week we had the privilege of appearing before the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of suffering Christians in Pakistan and Ethiopia. For years, we’ve pleaded with the international community to save dying Christians in nations that are hostile to the Gospel.

Please ask God to work through our lawyers and touch the hearts of world leaders who can enact policies to save Christians. Your prayers will help save brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide.

Yom Kippur: The Day of Repentance, Prayer, and Fasting

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you:  On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work … because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.  Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.  It is a Sabbath of rest [Shabbat Shabbaton], and you must deny yourselves.”  (Leviticus 16:29–31)

The holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year begins tonight: Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).

This day is so important that the Torah calls it the Shabbat Shabbaton (Sabbath of Sabbaths).

Even secular Jews observe it by fasting and refraining from all work, despite not observing other Jewish holy days.

As the sun sets tonight, all around the world, the Jewish People will begin a 25-hour fast.  It is traditional, therefore, to greet friends and family today and tomorrow with Tzom Kal, which means Easy Fast.

Yom Kippur is the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance that began with Rosh HaShanah, which is believed to be Judgment Day.

That judgment which was issued on Rosh HaShanah—in other words, our fate—is sealed in the Book of Life today.

This highest of holy days stands apart from all other days as the last day to repent and make amends.

The traditional greeting, therefore, is G’mar Chatimah Tovah (May You be Sealed for a Good Year)!

During Temple times, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to offer incense and the blood of the sacrifice at the mercy seat so the people would be cleansed from their sins.

Because the Holy Temple no longer stands, the purification offering outlined in Leviticus 16 can no longer be offered.

Believers in Yeshua (Jesus), however, can come confidently before God, knowing that His atoning sacrifice cleansed us from our sins.

Unlike the other high priests, Yeshua does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people.  He sacrificed for our sins once for all when He offered Himself.  (Hebrews 9:14)

Even though we live in a very troubled world, Jesus tells us we don’t need to worry. In Matthew 6:31-33, He says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

I don’t believe Jesus is scolding us in that passage. He’s offering travel advice, saying, “This is the way to make the journey through time. Don’t worry about that stuff. God knows you need it, and He will provide for you!”