Death by Lightning

[Richard Myers]

Have you ever been concerned about being struck by lightning? When researching another topic, I came across the number of people killed a year by lightning in the US. The NOAA keeps track. In the world, we do not have a good record, so there is no accurate figure. I have seen quite a large variation. In the article I am going to quote for the U.S. fatalities, they present two figures, 6,000 and 24,000. According to the NOAA, over the last 20 years, the United States averaged 51 annual lightning strike fatalities. 

So, here in the Healthful Living Forum, we suggest one think about their safety when the lightning is flashing. Not all who are struck by lightning are killed. How many are injured? Around 300 every year in the United States.

I also discovered something I had wondered about for many years. One night while flying my small plane, the cockpit lit up as if it were mid-day. There was not a cloud in the sky....around me. But, as I looked forward about 40 miles, I could see lightning. It caused me some concern since I had never heard of any danger from a storm when not flying into the storm.

On the NOAA site I read

"Almost all lightning will occur within 10 miles of its parent thunderstorm, but it CAN strike much farther than that. Lightning detection equipment has confirmed bolts striking almost 50 miles away."  NOAA

They did not teach me that in ground-school!

What lesson have  I learned today? There is no safety in being outdoors during a thunderstorm. It is dangerous. It is not rare for one to die from lightning. Think about the number of states there are in the US. Then divide the number of deaths by 50.    An average of one death per state per year. Pretty good odds, unless you spend a lot of time outdoors during a thunder storm.

The site did not report on how well protected we are when in a car. Because the car sits on tires which would provide some insulation, it is surely better than being outside unprotected.

[Dorine]

My Mum loved thunder and lightening storms so I grew up the same way but with a healthy respect for it. She taught us the dangers and precautions we should take. To this day I love to hunker down beside a wood fireplace or stove and listen to the thunder and watch the lightening. It brings back so many happy family childhood memories.  In fact each night I go to sleep to a recording of thunder and rain in the distance. If I don't I will not sleep through the night. Very soothing. 

I feel sorry for the people who have to work outside in such storms but there are many who are plain careless.

I was interested Richard to read of you owning a plane. While we were living in the States hubby was a pilot and had his own plane for a time.  He misses it terribly. Here in Canada only the lawyers, Dr.'s etc. are able to afford such luxury.

I can't imagine having an experience like you did. Your angel was watching over you.

[JimB]

Dorine, like you I've always enjoyed a good thunderstorm. I'll sit by a window and watch and listen. A couple of years ago during the night my room light up like daylight along with the a horrendous boom. I practically jumped out of the bed and all my dogs jumped up and started barking like never before. The next day I went to see if I could find any damage and my huge oak tree had a big old had about a 3 inch stripe down the whole tree.

However, as Richard has pointed out it is something to be careful of. 3 or 4 generations back my family found out the hard way. Kind hard to read but if you click on it, it'll get bigger.

[Dorine]

How terribly sad Jim. Do you remember this or were you too young or even born? How was she related to you? So young! and to leave behind two young children. Sometimes the fingers of lightening almost seem demonic.

I remember one weekend years ago on a camping trip when my husband, myself and our two young daughters were canoeing in the middle of a huge lake and a terrible thunder and lightening storm suddenly struck. I was terrified because I knew we were in a very vulnerable and dangerous situation and we were a long way from camp.  The girls and I prayed for safety all the way back to camp. Our prayers were answered but we didn't get much sleep that night because we were camping under some huge trees and the storm hung around. 

It reminded me of the story of Jesus asleep in the boat while the disciples fearing for their lives frantically did all they could to save themselves.  Why were we so fearful if we really believed Jesus was with us?

[JimB]

How terribly sad Jim. Do you remember this or were you too young or even born? How was she related to you? So young! and to leave behind two young children.

Dorine, this happened about 70 years before I made my entrance into the world. She was my great-great grandmother. Until I found that article I had only heard stories.

It reminded me of the story of Jesus asleep in the boat while the disciples fearing for their lives frantically did all they could to save themselves.  Why were we so fearful if we really believed Jesus was with us?

You sound like me Dorine, always trying to apply spiritual lessons to things that happen in "real life". I older I get the more I realize that the spiritual world and the "real world" are more intertwined than I thought. I might have been fearful if I had been in the canoe, I don't know. What I do know is that I don't mind a good storm while in my tent if I put it up properly and making sure that I'm not camped near a widow maker. Always look up before setting up your tent.

What lesson have  I learned today? There is no safety in being outdoors during a thunderstorm. It is dangerous. It is not rare for one to die from lightning. Think about the number of states there are in the US. Then divide the number of deaths by 50.    An average of one death per state per year. Pretty good odds, unless you spend a lot of time outdoors during a thunder storm.

Richard, I haven't yet been backpacking in real mountains where there is a tree line but I've read a lot about them. Most backpackers while hiking in the mounatians try to schedule their hikes so that they are below tree line when the afternoon thunderstorms hit. Above tree line is a very dangerous place to be. If you wish to see how devastating lightning can be look at this sad story about 300 Reindeer that were killed.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/norway-reindeer-lightning-weather/

[Richard Myers]

I was interested Richard to read of you owning a plane. While we were living in the States hubby was a pilot and had his own plane for a time.  He misses it terribly. Here in Canada only the lawyers, Dr.'s etc. are able to afford such luxury.

I can't imagine having an experience like you did. Your angel was watching over you.

Yes, Dorine, we all have a God who will not allow our temporal life to be taken before we have rejected His love for the last time. I was not a converted Christian then. When I was converted I sold the plane. They are expensive to own and maintain. I could not justify the expense as a Christian.

I did lose an engine on the plane and had to land dead stick.....before I was converted. God knows the end from the beginning. I did not know Him, but He knew me. We all have so much to be thankful for. He came into the world and rescued me and so many others!! We owe Him more than we can repay. But, we can make sure He gets His reward for His suffering and death. When He sees His character reflected in His children, this is His reward!

[Dorine]

Richard I know this is off topic but have you ever posted your testimony on TRO? I would like to read it if you have.

[Richard Myers]

Bits and pieces. Since we are public, there are some concerns I have that involve other people that would be affected by what I say. I cannot share my testimony without involving them. And, if you have ever gotten involved in the judicial system, you would understand the Bible has revealed a truth that is easily grasped. I can talk about it, if I do not talk about what I experienced because it would then identify those in high places that will one day have to face God for what they have done.

In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment." Isaiah 59:13-15 

When we walk in the light of God's love and grace, we will be treated in the same manner as was Christ by both the world and a Laodicean church.  When this involves family members being hurt, there is a temptation to tell all. But, when we look at the life of Christ, we will do otherwise. It is our part to work for the salvation of those who have mistreated us, despitefully used us as the Bible puts it. It is a difficult task to love others, yet to reprove sin. Only God can lead us in the right way and at the right time.

I have boxes of documents that reveal the truth, but am convinced that they will never see the light of day. It does not bother me, for I know God sees all and vengeance belongs to Him. Justice will be done in His time. As we watch the immorality all around us, we understand God revealed ahead of time what the world would be like in our day, both the world and the church. We know the world will continue its fall downward, but not so with God's church. It will see revival and reformation. But, the shaking that brings it about will be painful.

Are we not thankful we have a God who loves us and has revealed to us what is just in front of us! There are some who will read this and understand. I know that you and your husband understand perfectly well what I am saying. It is the life of the Christian to suffer for Christ's sake. There is no more weighty trust or higher honor. I wish the Sabbath School lessons would have taught this as we study the life of Job. Let us in our Sabbath Schools around the world make an attempt to the correct the error so that our people will be encouraged when they face the same difficult trials we have when abiding in Christ. What a God we serve!!

[Dorine]

I do understand Richard.  I appreciate your attitude toward those who are in the wrong. That is a testimony in itself. (especially to me) It is hard and it is painful but what satisfaction would really come from revealing all?  What would you call it?....an oxymoron or dichotomy to say we are doing all we can to reach those who have despitefully used us and then blow the whistle and reveal the truth about them. All it would accomplish is to reveal that we are not a child of God and that our testimony is fake.