What's going on with this nuclear plant that was in the news a few month ago?

While the headlines have forgotten Japan for weeks, and my focus has been on any articles I can dig up about the emotional/mental toll it has been taking, especially among the thousands living in shelters, one of the top questions I'm asked is about the nuclear/radiation situation. And I realize more and more how little I actually know, and how hard it is to find, understand, and summarize anything nuclear related.

I mean, even Lady Gaga is all about helping Japan. Somehow praying for Japan has become the cool thing to do... but I digress. So in answer to all questions about the nuclear plant, this article is the latest info I can find. Check out the little animated slideshow at the bottom of the article for a play by play of what happened.

In summary, they have started a system of pumping in loads of water that "will solve the problem of contaminated water, which gave all sorts of worries to the world. Second, it will enable stable cooling of reactors," and keep them on the path to their goal of a cold shutdown of the plant by January.

"We don't want to be forgotten. We want to go home."

Check out this article for an update on shelter life in Japan, particularly the mental/psychological toll on those who have lost everything.

Pray that they would not be crushed during this hard time, but that God would be the strength in their weakness, hope in their despair, peace in their anxiety. And that same prayer not just for those in the shelters, but the believers (Japanese, American, whoever) who go to help and encourage.

When I run out of words, which happens pretty often, I find myself praying songs, like this one:

Update

Just Another Day - Japan Disaster Relief from Shane Burgett on Vimeo.

Just wanted to share that video update from the team in Japan. See more at their vimeo page

More to come, but for now...my heart is full, my body is tired, and sleep beckons. Pray for Japan!

Random Reflection

Normal. Simple. Mundane. We (or at least I) tend to think of those words as negative. Boring. Pointless. But I've been thinking lately about the all-the-time, every-day things, the wonderful things that are (or should be) normal.

Simple reminders to take joy in the small things. Like realizing while practicing that I am childishly thrilled by the reflections in the piano. Or more importantly, the reflection of God in me. Praying without ceasing, having a posture of repentance, living in grace, walking with God. When lived out like they should be, all these wonderful things become...normal. So normal and everyday, and like a child, these "normal" things never stop thrilling us with joy. Isn't that beautiful?

...let your light shine. Not necessarily fireworks or laser light displays or blazing majesty. Just...shine.