Friday, May 1, 2009

Captain's thoughts on Swine Flu H1N1 Update

To Salvation Army Soldiers, followers of Jesus, friends, and family,

A recent report on swine flu says the following...
SEE WHY I MENTION IT BELOW...

Some Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:
  • Deaths: 159, all in Mexico, seven confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected.
  • Sickened: 2,498 suspected and 19 confirmed in Mexico; 66 confirmed in U.S.; 13 confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland; 14 confirmed in New Zealand; two confirmed in Spain; and two confirmed in Israel.
  • Confirmed U.S. cases, by state: 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, according to CDC and states.
  • Public health emergency declared and roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu from federal stockpile to be delivered to states.
  • Cuba bans flights to and from Mexico; Argentina suspends flights from Mexico; U.S., European Union, other countries discourage nonessential travel there. Arriving travelers questioned at Mexico's U.S. border and world airports. Cruise lines avoid Mexico ports.
  • Mexico suspends all schools until May 6. In U.S., some schools closed in New York City, Texas, California, South Carolina, Connecticut and Ohio.
  • In Mexico City, surgical masks given to the public, venues closed and public events canceled. President assumed new powers to isolate infected people. World Bank loaning Mexico more than $200 million.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) alert at Phase 4 of 6, meaning disease spreads easily but isn't pandemic.
Scary? All over the news? Why I mention it...

If you are looking for a way to share your faith today...

1. Everyone is talking about "swine flu". Just like swine flu, sin is a disease that knows no boarders, can be carried by anyone, can be deadly, and the best defense is to continually wash yourself clean (with the forgiveness of Jesus).

2. If there is a cure, or treatment to make someone less susceptible to a disease, wouldn't you want to get it. There is a cure for the destructive consequences of sin, it is to repent and turn from sin (quit playing with swine like activities), ask God's forgiveness, and then accept His power to live above sinning. We won't ever be perfect - true, but we can live a life without any know intentional sin against our Lord. (see Titus 2:11-14 as just one example of many).

3. If you need a conversation starter or a way to transition into a spiritual conversation - after "so what do you think about all this swine flu stuff", or "have you heard about all the illness and death this 1 disease is causing", simply ask one of the following...

  • "It's amazing to think we can't even guarantee we will wake up tomorrow"
  • "what do you think happens when you die"
  • "what do you think happens when someone leaves this world"
  • "whether it's swine flu or not everyone (100% - 10 out of 10 people) will die someday and eternity is a really long time"
  • "we will be dead a lot longer than we are alive on this planet make sure you have the right answer"

All of these are ways to get people thinking about eternity, and then we can share our hope that for all who call on the name of Jesus (trust in Him alone for our salvation), who repent and turn from their sins, and agree to live for God on His terms, we have the hope of avoiding hell and finding heaven for eternity. We also find God's Holy Spirit to give us strength, comfort, and peace in the middle of every "scare" of life.

Share your faith in Jesus today - tell your salvation story - and tell how you repented and accepted Jesus so they could do it too.

100% of everyone you meet today will die and face eternal death, but Jesus has provided a cure for all mankind. Let's win the world for Jesus, share your faith, and plant a seed, God can make it grow.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

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