'A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE'

KIM SHIPPEY, SENIOR WRITER

WHAT I SAY UNTO YOU I SAY UNTO ALL, WATCH. —JESUS

The Christian Science Sentinel was founded in 1898 by Mary Baker Eddy, and its mission remains the same: "to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love." The Sentinel continues to report on the unlimited ways that the healing power and presence of the Christ activates, uplifts, and transforms the lives of everyday people around the world.

In recent weeks, people everywhere have joined in prayer—and have been moved to action—in support of those affected by the September earthquakes and tsunami that changed the lives of millions of people in several countries in Asia and the Pacific, and those affected by monsoon flooding in southern India.

It might be interesting to note that almost exactly 100 years ago, a devastating earthquake and tidal wave laid waste many towns and cities in southern Italy. Then, as now, the Sentinel joined with people across the globe in offering generous and loving support to all those involved, including the firm assurance that this calamity was not a manifestation of "the wrath of God" (see Sentinel, January 2, 1909, p. 350). On the contrary, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).

Without hesitation, our Sentinel team has once again sprung into action. We postponed the issue on the drawing board, met with our colleagues in other departments, and contacted church members who live in the Far East for suggestions about coverage.

Our concern was to help Sentinel readers and their neighbors find immediate, comforting, spiritual solutions to these latest challenges—to help people discover or rediscover that God continuously provides the courage we need to rebuild and renew our lives, in any situation, at anytime.

You'll find some of these prayer-based solutions among our feature articles, which include an interview with Indonesian Djoni Darmadi, and excerpts from recent tmcyouth.com online discussions in which one young woman, writing from the Philippines, said: "The only 'super-presence' that's always here is God, and we can trust that His allness embraces everyone. This allness includes a shelter from the rains and other 'natural' disasters, provision for rescue, supply, and peace."

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