Extremes

The local weathermen have been just gitty. After weeks without rain, the Panhandle finally had a chance of rain several days this week.

It's usually at this time of year that the weather guys go out into the area storm-chasing, but we haven't had any strong storms in the Panhandle. We haven't had any storms at all. So one TV station sent a weatherman out to report on sprinkles outside the studio. Then, he drove all the way to New Mexico to find actual rain. He looked desperate.

It has been a desperate situation. Since the beginning of the year, most of the area has had less than an inch of rainfall. Pampa finally picked up nearly an inch of rain in an overnight thunderstorm this week, but it's still really dry.

It's going to be a long, hot summer! It's only early June, and we've already had several days of 100-degree weather. It was 104 one day last week. It's been an extreme year all around. Remember the below-zero temperatures we had in January?

Then, there's Oklahoma and parts of the East, where there's been record flooding. There have been earthquakes and wildfires, strong winds and tornadoes. I've never seen such weather extremes as we've had this year. What's causing all this weird weather?

It's another sign of the end times. The earth is being shaken. The earth's not going to end like that crazy Harold Camping predicted. But the earth will continue to be shaken with violent earthquakes and tornadoes. The Bible says it is like birth pangs. The shaking will get stronger and stronger as the end gets nearer.

The best thing we can do is pray. Pray for rain. And pray for God's protection from the violent storms. The storms are sure to come, but God will protect His faithful. If our country will turn back to Him, He will protect our land.

As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."