Fukushima Desolation Worst Since Nagasaki: "Takako Harada, 80, returned to an evacuated area of Iitate village to retrieve her car. Beside her house is an empty cattle pen, the 100 cows slaughtered on government order after radiation from the March 11 atomic disaster saturated the area, forcing 160,000 people to move away and leaving some places uninhabitable for two decades or more. 'Older folks want to return, but the young worry about radiation,' said Harada, whose family ran the farm for 40 years. 'I want to farm, but will we be able to sell anything?'... Fukushima’s $3.2 billion-a-year farm industry is being devastated and tourists that hiked the prefecture’s mountains and surfed off its beaches have all but vanished."

More cracks found in Washington Monument after quake: "The Lincoln and Jefferson memorials reopened one day after the East Coast's rare 5.8 temblor, but the Washington Monument will remain closed indefinitely.... It is the world's tallest obelisk....a U.S. Park Police helicopter crew spotted a crack 4 feet long and up to an inch wide in one of the stones near the top of the structure." More about obelisks

Heat Scorches Parched Texas... 35 Straight Days Above 100: "There's no relief in sight for Texans suffering through the worst one-year drought here in at least a century, as deaths mount, crops wilt and drinking-water supplies evaporate in record heat....Combined with a longstanding drought, the unrelenting heat is zapping moisture from the ground and creating desert-like conditions.... The Salvation Army, among other groups, is setting up cooling stations for people without air conditioning....In Austin, water lines and mains are cracking as the parched earth contracts." May our Lord bring relief to His people!

The nine billion-dollar weather disasters of 2011 (so far): "It's been an unprecedented year for weather disasters in the United States, with the dangerous portion of hurricane season still to come. We've already seen nine billion-dollar weather disasters so far in 2011. The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) June disaster report estimates that, through May, 2011 is the costliest year since they began tracking billion-dollar disasters in 1980."

Amazing pictures: Volcano erupts in Chile: "The eruption of the Puyehue volcano in the Andes mountains of southern Chile [last month] provided some spectacular images of the force of nature. Ash covers the landscape and thousands of people were evacuated from the surrounding rural communities."

Missouri Flood Carves 'Badlands' Landscape: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was forced open a levee near Bird's Point in southeastern Missouri....The resulting flood displaced acres of earth, leaving behind gullies and rills that resemble small versions of desert areas out west.... If local floods can carve small steep-walled valleys and leave behind miniature plateaus, then massive continent-wide floods might be expected to carve similar structures on a much larger scale.... Just as the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens did before this, ongoing geological and meteorological events continue to point to an earth that was catastrophically shaped by a global flood." See The Creator of all

Minot residents evacuate as historic rise in Souris River approaches: "What I see right now is probably the most devastating in terms of the number of people directly impacted and what it will do to damage homes as water begins to overtop the levees and fill in behind,' said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard."

Power should be restored by Thursday night: "...two days after a violent wave of storms that spawned at least two tornadoes and packed 80 mph winds at one point left about 440,000 customers without electricity throughout the Chicago area."

Many in S. Ariz. fire zone blame border crossers: "The two largest wildfires burning in Southern Arizona originated in rugged, mountainous corridors frequently used by cross-border people and drug smugglers. And the U.S. Forest Service has determined that both fires were human-caused."

Volcano billows giant plume for 2nd day in Chile: "A volcano in the Caulle Cordon of southern Chile erupted for a second day Sunday, shooting out pumice stones and pluming a cloud of ash six miles (10 kilometers) high."

Mo. officials say tornado killed at least 89: "A massive tornado that tore a 6-mile path across southwestern Missouri killed at least 89 people... ripping into a hospital, crushing cars like soda cans and leaving a forest of splintered tree trunks behind where entire neighborhoods once stood."

$300million a DAY: Cost of Mississippi floods revealed as 15 miles of river is closed to shipping: "Rising water has already caused millions of dollars worth of damage, inundating 3 million acres of farmland in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas and waters are continuing to rise in Louisiana after water was released onto flood plains to spare large cities including New Orleans. ...60 per cent of grain exports leave the country via the Mississippi."

April 201: historic U.S. extremes in rains, floods, tornadoes, and fires: "April was a month of historic climate extremes across much of the United States, including: record breaking precipitation that resulted in historic flooding; recurrent violent weather systems that broke records for tornado and severe weather outbreaks; and wildfire activity that scorched more than twice the area of any April this century."

Record floods on Mississippi mplain; 3rd EF-5 tornado verified: "Red River Landing [Remember the old song about "the Red River valley"]  is the site of the Old River Control Structure, the Army Corps' massive engineering structure that keeps the Mississippi River from carving a new path to the Gulf of Mexico.... Its failure would be a serious blow to the U.S. economy, and the great Mississippi flood of 2011 will give the Old River Control Structure its most severe test ever. Also of concern is the forecast for the Mississippi to crest at 19.5 feet in New Orleans on May 24....that is not much breathing room." See Isaiah 43:2-3, 5

Army Corps blows up levee to help fight unprecedented Mississippi River flood: "As the levee disintegrated, a massive cascade of muddy brown water from the Father of Waters gushed into the crevasse, thundering with the flow of eight Niagara Falls. The waters quickly spread out over 133,000 acres of rich farmland, rushing southwards along the 35-mile long Birds Point-New Madrid Spillway. The levee that was destroyed...was designed to be destroyed in the event of a record flood."

All Eyes on the Mississippi River: "The Mississippi River continues to rise, so much so that its tributaries are starting to flow backwards. ...the worst is still yet to come.....'Right now the Mississippi river is in the process of going through what we call an epic flood, meaning it's more than historic, it's more than a 100 year flood, it's more like a 500 year flood.' ...The river is more than two feet past flood stage; it rose two feet in the 24 hours following the storms. It's expected to crest at 45 feet around May 10th.... Tunica's nine casinos will shut down indefinitely, displacing about 10,000 workers and costing millions in lost dollars."

The Japanese Economy Is In Much Bigger Trouble Than Most People Think: "...the Japanese economy is in much bigger trouble than most people think. ...how does a nation that is already drowning in debt replace dozens of cities and towns that are suddenly gone? The truth is that thousands of square miles have been more completely destroyed than if they had been bombed by a foreign military force. The loss of homes, cars, businesses and personal wealth is almost unimaginable. ...seawater off the coast of Japan near the Fukushima facility was recently found to contain 7.5 million times the legal limit of radioactive iodine." Let us continue to pray!

Video:  Libya's Great Man-made River - The 8th Wonder of the World? Tapping an underground water source that apparently flows under the sands from southern Sahara to the shores of the Mediterranean. Will it turn Libya's deserts into agricultural gardens?

Deadly earthquake in the border area of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos: "So far the official earthquake toll (Myanmar/Burma state-run media) still stands at 74 with 111 people injured.... On Sunday 27/03, unofficial reports are mentioning already more than 150 dead." This article gives insights into Burma (now Myanmar): "In joy or pain, our course is onward still"

Satellite Photos of Japan, Before and After the Quake and Tsunami

Japan's apocalypse now: More pictures.

A Major Earthquake in North America Imminent? "JIM BERKLAND, GEOLOGIST: '...we are having on the 19th of this month not only the full moon, but within an hour the closest approach of the moon to the earth until the year 2016. The next day is the equinoctial tides. So you're bringing together three of the maximum tide raising forces. We know about the ocean tides. But there is also an Earth tide. And there is a tide in the ground water. All of these help to release sudden, built up strain, and cause earthquakes."

The flood came and swept them all away!  May this video -- like the very real disaster in Japan -- remind us of our own puny power compared to the mighty omnipotent power of our God! And may it prompt us to turn to Him and seek His will and strength in the midst of today's spreading corruption! See God's Warnings for our Times

U.S. Military Personnel Play Key Role in Response to Japan Crisis. "...more than 17,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are helping Japan deal with the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster. Among the tasks carried out Operation Tomodachi (“Friend”) are search and rescue, the movement of relief supplies and people... delivery of large quantities of foods and water, and massive cleanup operations."

Japan earthquake: disaster by numbers: "2,414 – Number of people confirmed dead. 10,000 – Likely final death toll figure is set to reach beyond that mark. 15,000 - Number of people unaccounted for. 50 – Number of Britons missing, presumed dead. 550,000 – Evacuated from their homes since the quake struck on Friday." Please pray with us that God will use faithful Christians in Japan to spread His peace, love, hope and eternal life to the suffering people.

Japan reactor fire releases radiation: "Although the number-four reactor was shut for maintenance when the quake and tsunami struck last Friday, 'spent nuclear fuel in the reactor heated up, creating hydrogen and triggered a hydrogen explosion'....'There is very little food and convenience stores nearby are all closed..." Let's all pray that God will comfort and meet the needs of these cold, hungry and frightened people.

Japan nuclear plant rocked by another explosion: "A hydrogen explosion Tuesday morning [Japan time]  destroyed the outer building of a quake-damaged Unit 2 nuclear reactor at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant....

     "About 2,000 bodies were discovered Monday at two sites.... Whole coastal villages were wiped from the map, and a full assessment of the extent of deaths and damage was expected to take weeks. Meanwhile, hardship and privation in the quake zone grew, with tens of thousands of people spending a fourth night in chilly shelters."

Japan tsunami: Lessons for us: "The quake...measured between 8.9 to 9.1 on the Richter scale, which was the largest one to hit Japan and within the boundaries of North American and Pacific tectonic plates in the last 1,200 years." See videos below:

    Death Toll Could Top 10,000

    Extraordinary new footage from Japan

    Ground video of massive tsunami in Japan

Earthquake Hazard Maps Show How U.S. Shakes With Quakes: "Earthquakes remain a serious threat in 46 of the United States. For some areas such as western Oregon and Washington, the new maps contain higher estimates for how hard the ground will shake compared to earlier versions of the maps released in 1996 and 2002."

Has The Tsunami In Japan Destroyed The Japanese Economy? "'There is no way to assess even the direct damage to Japan's economy or to the global economy. This is a sad day for Japan, and economic aftershocks could affect the whole world's economy .' ...The national debt of Japan is now well over 200% of GDP and there seems to be no doubt that they will need to borrow massive amounts of money to deal with the aftermath of this crisis."

We thank God for protecting our missionary friends in Sendai. Please pray with us that God will use them and other Christians to bring His peace, love, hope and eternal life to countless people facing pain, loss and hopelessness in the midst of the current crisis.

World Record Hailstone Weighed In Vivian: "...a line of thunderstorms fired up in central South Dakota....The damage is proof that it wasn't a typical South Dakota thunderstorm. Holes were punched through the top of buildings....massive hailstones pummeled the ground. Tuesday, the dents in the ground are still visible, some as large and deep as coffee cans. But when the hail stopped, a certain stone grabbed his attention...."  

      “Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble...?" Job 38:22-23

[Australia] Grave fears for dozens missing in deadly floods: "Eight people are dead and grave fears are held for more than 70 people still missing after yesterday's unprecedented flash flooding in southern Queensland." His strength in my weakness

Australia Floods Show No Signs of Retreating: "Rising waters have knocked out roads and several highways in northeastern Australia, trapping motorists, marooning entire towns and driving thousands from their homes.... More than 200,000 people have been affected so far by the floods....The dangerous floodwaters that have spread across roughly half the state of Queensland, on the continent’s northeastern coast, showed no sign of retreating on Saturday....

     "Mayor Brad Carter urged people to evacuate, and news reports said hundreds already had.... About 300,000 square miles have been affected by the flooding.... High waters cut road and rail links and forced the mining giant Rio Tinto to declare emergency exemptions from some sales contracts."

     Here is an article we wrote after visiting Queensland back in 1997: WORLD HERITAGE "PROTECTION": UNESCO's War Against National Sovereignty

Video. Lightning strikes three of the tallest buildings in Chicago at the same time!

     '"The Coast Guard came and shut them down,' Jindal said. 'You got men on the barges in the oil, and they have been told by the Coast Guard, 'Cease and desist. Stop sucking up that oil.'... The governor said he didn't have the authority to overrule the Coast Guard's decision..."

Some are asking this question: Obama admin is blocking Gulf clean-up: "Is the Obama administration intentionally scaling back clean-up efforts....'The BP oil disaster was custom-made.... The effective oil-skimmer systems utilized by the Saudis and others would work to greatly minimize the damage being caused to the US Gulf Coast. But, The Obama continues to drag his heels as States and lives are destroyed."

I don't know if this information is reliable: Nuke Only Option, Gulf 40% Covered By Underwater Oil Lakes: "Matthew Simmons, founder of the Ocean Energy Institute, talks with Bloomberg's Lori Rothman about BP Plc's oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and his views that the Military should takeover capping efforts and that the use of a "small-bore nuclear device" is now the "only option" to stop the flow of oil. He states the flow of oil is 120,000 barrels a day and also describes an underwater lake of oil 1100 meters below the surface, covering 40% of the Gulf of Mexico. Relief wells are useless he says, and will only triple the flow of oil and gas, and ultimately fail."

President in rift with reporters? "...the official pointed out how the White House provided communications and food to the Washington press corps but segregated the local media to an auxiliary room with nothing but a lone TV monitor and a pitcher of water. '"It was a disgrace,' confided the West Point official, who also admitted he was embarrassed by the episode....'If you are not White House press, they just don't care,' said a second West Point official.

    "The West Point bumbles came on the heels of Obama's visit to New York May 13 when press credentials were confirmed only hours before the president's arrival, leaving many to pass on media coverage.....Last Friday, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs... was asked whether the administration, in lieu of British Petroleum's failures in the Gulf of Mexico, 'just stands there as a spectator and hopes for the best?'" See Media Censorship

Obama’s incompetence: "...when Obama chose his alliance with the Homosexual Lobby over containing this environmental [oil] disaster, I was speechless. You see, Dr. Jonathan Katz was hired as part of think tank to resolve the oil spill crisis, but was fired for an article written against homosexuality over a decade ago. Now, I understand that it’s Obama’s decision on who is hired for this job. But....Dr. Katz is obviously competent, being a professor of astrophysics. He was hired as a consultant to resolve a crisis, not hold public office. And it’s a crisis with the potential to cost the surrounding gulf industries billions upon billions of dollars, not to mention the devastation it will cause to sea life.

      "So why was this highly qualified individual fired? Because of a non-related article advocating his beliefs on the immorality and dangers of homosexuality. ....it’s clear the Homosexual Lobby ranks higher on the list than the livelihood of the millions who depend on Gulf of Mexico." See Moral Corruption

How the White House destroyed the Gulf: "Even preventing the oil from reaching shore has been a matter of talk and no action.... Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal asked the government to have the Corps of Engineers push sand into the interstices between the barrier islands as a temporary barrier to oil. It would have been relatively inexpensive and would have prevented the oil from reaching the Louisiana coastline. It was ignored. Now the oil is on the coastline. Birds, plants, frogs, fish and other creatures are dying. Fisheries will be ruined for at least two to three years after the oil is finally stopped."