Ironically, I don’t have a heart wrenching Hurricane Katrina story. I had been a student at Xavier since the beginning of my college career and the summer of the hurricane I decided to take summer classes at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), mainly due to tuition cost. Having already registered for classes at Xavier in the fall, I was certain that I would be returning; but at the last minute I decided that ULM was a good opportunity for me and a few days later Hurricane Katrina plowed through the Gulf Coast. I believed that God spared me from experiencing this disaster so that I could be a safe haven for many of my friends and family who were fleeing from the storm. And although I lost some of my things I left behind, my story is miniscule compared to others. Which brings me to my thoughts and the things I expect out of this course. I look forward to a deeper understanding of God’s word and how it relates to me personally. And I am excited about the transformation that I anticipate in many of my beliefs. I know that this course is going to require some commitment from me and while all things require a certain level of commitment; in order to obtain the results and knowledge I want its going to take more dedication than I expected. However, I am up for the challenge because, I believe the only way to reach your opinion and position on certain important issues is to be knowledgeable in every aspect of that topic. As a Christian I want to be educated on my beliefs because so often we ignorantly believe things told to us instead of hearing the facts and formulating ideals of our own. I believe that the bible is God’s way of providing an illustration with lots of colorful examples on how to handle life and its experiences, so it is important to understand apply its teachings. Like most young people my age I have been hauled to church since I can remember, so the knowledge I have is based on traditional Baptist teachings. I have done some studying of the bible in recent years but not extensive learning like I should. Sadly my reasons for taking this course were purely objective, lacking a credit that I need but, I figured that learning about the bible while receiving a grade has to be a good ideal. One day I hope to become a pharmacist and work in the lab creating a drug that might rid even one person of the suffering that serious ailments cause. The field of Pharmacy is a consumer driven market stimulated by the needs and wants of the populace. It is a pharmacist job to provide a service that will allow a consumer to enhance their life whether it’s from disease or other types of aliments. I believe this is in accordance with god and his will for our lives. I know that God wants us to live full and joyful lives, and I believe that this course will enable me to better understand God’s will and therefore understanding the average consumer. God’s word also teaches love and compassion for others. And I know I will encounter someone in need of these things while working as a pharmacist.
Lamentation is a real account to suffering in its ultimate form. It illustrates the despair and devastation of the Hebrew people’s fall from grace. The once beautiful city of Zion that was ranked high among cities, filled with priest, kings, feast and joy was now deserted. The enemies had their way with them, killed the soldiers, cleanly virgins, it was a rampant spread of evil and pain. Their enemies were now their masters. The evil doers who invaded Jerusalem had even corrupted God’s temple which was once a divinely holy place for praising God. So God left his people alone for many years to feel desperation, loneliness, death, and starvation. He burned the city to the ground, because he was no longer King. This event is important because it shows God’s power and how he is omnipresent in times of extreme desolation, much like the freeing of his people from Egypt. God used the collapse of Jerusalem to show his people that he is the answer to all things, even in times of suffering he can be there easing the pain. There are some major similarities between Hurricane Katrina and the God’s destruction of Jerusalem. One major parallel is the fire and water used to destroy the cities. Many would say that the breaking of the levies was God’s way of washing away the sin committed by his people, just as he burned Zion to the ground. I’m not exactly sure if I agree with this assessment but I do recognize the connection. Because if God made all things as stated in his word, that includes the city of New Orleans so therefore are we saying that God created the city below sea level and wanted this to happen to his people. I don’t believe that he would plan failure. Similarities can also be found in the anguish, helplessness and devastation new orleanians felt as they waited for days for help, which is symbolic of the years God left Zion and its people. During the years of exile, God’s people experienced murder, poverty, and theft which similar to the experiences of Katrina’s victims. It Lamentations it also talks about how the priest and kings had become corrupt and dirty and cowardly tried to save their own hides. Ironically this is very reminiscent to the actions of some the city and state official; or rather people in a so called position of power. It is amazing to me how God knows everything and that issues from the beginning of time are still relevant today. God did eventually bring restoration to the people of Jerusalem as he did in New Orleans, although a tragedy had to take place first.

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