[Basilissa]

My and Brothers and Sisters, I am requesting that you pray for our beloved Brother Derick Alemany (a.k.a. Derick Ion), who just lost all of his possessions in a fire that also took lives of 28+ people (but that last part isn't really that important).

For those who do not know the details of this dreadful story, Derick Alemany is a entrepreneur, who has been leasing an old warehouse in Oakland, California, also known as the "Ghost Ship" within the bohemian/hipster/artist-adjacent segment of the local population.

As a entrepreneur, Derick Alemany sub-leased this property to the aforementioned bohemian/hipster/artist-adjacent segment of the local population:

Originally Posted by The Mercury News

The building is owned by Chor N. Ng, of Oakland, but former residents say Derick Alemany and his wife, Micah, were raising three young children there, although they weren’t in the building when the fire broke out. The couple were the creative force behind the labyrinthine menagerie and collected monthly rent from other artists of between $300 and $600. They held dance parties with live electronic music and charged at the door to help raise money for rent. (Source)

The "labyrinthine menagerie" the cited article talks about, was a unique living space arrangement, which, while not recognized/allowed by city officials, did appeal to the hipster artist wannabes:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Fire department officials described the building as maze-like and cluttered with objects, including wooden pallets and makeshift structures.

The former resident of the warehouse said at least 10 RVs and trailers were inside the warehouse, on top of which people built makeshift shelters, studios and living rooms while using the vehicles for storage.

Throughout the building, she said, were wooden-framed couches, pieces of furniture and other objects, including “over 100 old-school wooden pianos” and “all these little wooden trinkets”.

People would often smoke cigarettes, she said, and they would sometimes fall asleep with them still in their mouths. (Source)

The only staircase leading from the first to second floor was another work of art:

Originally Posted by The Mercury News

The staircase, which had two switchbacks to get to the second floor, was built of pallets, plywood and footholds — like a ship’s gangplank — and was like “climbing a fort” to get up and down, say people who had visited the building.

The vile Hell-bound hipsters enjoyed that precarious structure when it was not on fire, but they didn't like it that much when they got stuck on the second floor with no way to get downstairs!

The city has been receiving complaints from the neighbors about the noise, the trash, and the fact that there were people dwelling illegally in a warehouse that didn't even had sprinklers installed, for at least a couple of years, but besides a long list of citations, the city did pretty much nothing about it. After all, this is not the first nor the last building in Oakland to violate the whole book of fire safety codes, so why should this one have been taken more seriously than the others:

Originally Posted by The Guardian

City councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district, said building hazards and fire code violations were not uncommon in Oakland.

“It’s throughout these neighborhoods,” said Gallo, who lives near the site of the fire and surveyed the damage early on Saturday morning. “We need to enforce the rules. This is the not the first and maybe not the last.”

"Enforcing the rules," as the city of Oakland officials understand it, is to politely knock on the door and then get lost when nobody answers:

Originally Posted by The Mercury News

The “Ghost Ship” was under investigation by city building inspectors just weeks ago amid reports of blight and illegal structures inside. When they knocked on the door to get inside the building Nov. 17, however, no one answered, so they left, according to city officials.

While at least 28 people died in the fire (there are still some people missing, and the search for bodies continues), the important thing is that Mr. Alemany and his family were Saved™. Mr. Alemany expressed his gratitude to God for sparing his and his family's lives in a Facebook post:

Originally Posted by Derrick Alemany

Confirmed. Everything I worked so hard for is gone. Blessed that my children and Micah were at a hotel safe and sound... it's as if I have awoken from a dream filled with opulence and hope.... to be standing now in poverty of self worth.

Yes. Poor Derick, standing in poverty of self worth. Let's pray that he'll be able to recover from that terrible loss that he has suffered, and continue in his business of renting old warehouses, remodeling them with no regard for fire safety regulations, and illegally sub-leasing them to despicable hipsters.

We have to note that there are clear parallels between the story of Mr. Alemany and the story of Lot. Lot, too, was spared from a death in fire, when God showed His Holy Wrath on the repulsive bohemian/hipster/artist-adjacent population. Lot, too, has lost most if not all of his possessions in the process.

Genesis 19:17-25
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

The only difference is that Mr. Alemany's wife survived the ordeal, as she was safely away in a hotel and therefore did not look back (Genesis 19:26). Indeed, Mr. Alemany was truly blessed by our . Praise for that!

Praise !

[Faith_Machine]

I'm sorry, but if Derrick was such a good Christian, why was he involved with a bunch of artists? Show me an artist, and I'll show you somebody who sits around smoking dope all day long.

[Basilissa]

Originally Posted by Faith_Machine

I'm sorry, but if Derrick was such a good Christian, why was he involved with a bunch of artists? Show me an artist, and I'll show you somebody who sits around smoking dope all day long.

Good business is good business, my beloved Brother in Christ. He was getting some really good money for renting out a place which would be deemed unsafe to inhabit even in a third world country. That's what good Christian entrepreneurship is all about.

The same we could ask of Lot - why was he living surrounded by such miserable sinners? The point is, that God spared the righteous man and his family, while the sinners burned to death and will burn in Hell forever.

EDIT:
It seems like the most recent body count is 33 dead (and the search team has barely scratched the surface). If anyone cares.

[Faith_Machine]

I'll bet you dollars to donuts not one of those dead people had a relationship with Jesus Christ.

But if they did, well, you can never hope to fully understand God's majestic plan. If the Lord, in His wisdom, decrees that you should be burned to death before He calls you home, He surely has a good reason.

[Brother Gonzalez]

All this noise for only 28 dead people. This would not make it on the news in a third world country.

And Mr Alemany, thank you very much for gathering this group of harlots and then set the unsafe place on fire. You did a great job. A godly job.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

It always amazes me whom the Lord chooses to be his tool in His dispensation of Justice.

Those attending the club run by Mr Derick Ion - Alemana experienced at first-hand the Eternal Fires of Damnation (albeit on a smaller scale and for a shorter time.)

These "clubs" are no more than license for lascivious and wanton behavior and obviously come with a caveat that at any time you can become a horrible, yet godly, example for the edification of others. (We need only think of Sodom and Gomorrah.)

I know nobody who would ever think of going to such a club and have never been to one myself - nor would I. As such, this is evidence that they are abominations unto the Lord.I am reminded of
2Th:2:10: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th:2:11: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th:2:12: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th:2:13: But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th:2:14: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mr Derick Ion - Alemana was the unwitting tool of God and we may be sorry that he has lost his livelihood and may yet lose his freedom: and yet we know in our hearts that those who serve God, wittingly or unwittingly, are rewarded after death in Paradise.

[WilliamJenningsBryan]

Originally Posted by Faith_Machine

I'll bet you dollars to donuts not one of those dead people had a relationship with Jesus Christ.

But if they did, well, you can never hope to fully understand God's majestic plan. If the Lord, in His wisdom, decrees that you should be burned to death before He calls you home, He surely has a good reason.

Right you are Brother Faith - God mockers every last one of them, what with Tibetan prayer flags, Buddha statues, Mary idolatry, elephants (I doubt they were Republicans), dragons along with statues of Jesus. No fire sprinkler system on earth was going to save them from God's wrath - much like the unquenchable Lake of Fire.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The death toll from a fire that tore through a warehouse hosting a late-night dance party climbed to 33 on Sunday as firefighters painstakingly combed through rubble for others believed to still be missing.

. . .

Photographs from before the fire showed that the Bohemian community of musicians, painters, woodworkers, dancers and other artists had decorated the scene with Tibetan prayer flags, Christmas lights and scores of wooden statues of Buddha, the virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, elephants and dragons that sat atop pianos and turntables. Tapestries hung from the walls, mannequin legs and arms stuck out from the ceiling and a small wooden spot of floor was used for art performances.

. . .

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12...-more-missing/

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Originally Posted by WilliamJenningsBryan

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2016/12...-more-missing/

A fitting choice of website there, Brother WJB.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Originally Posted by Derrick Alemany

Blessed that my children and Micah were at a hotel safe and sound.

AMEN!
May the LORD be forever blessed, He loves His children!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself,
and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore;
and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Genesis 22:16-17

[Faith_Machine]

Meanwhile, the lying liberal media is attacking those of us who would use this tragedy as a teaching moment to bring people to Christ.

Get a load of this biased headline:

Trump supporters cruelly troll Facebook page of woman missing in tragic Oakland fire

You have to get past the deadlines and take a deep dive into the story to discover this is really just about us good Christians ministering and witnessing to the bereaved, as we are called upon to do:

Another person named Emily Warren wrote, “Karma!! All these anti-TRUMP anarchists are burning in HELL. quite literally I’d say!” Warren’s comment has since been removed.

I personally have been posting nonstop on the Facebook profiles of the dead, as well as the Facebook event page associated with this ill-fated party.

I could not forgive myself if I missed any opportunity to remind these people's grieving friends and family that if their loved ones did not know Jesus, they are surely burning in the lake of fire at this very moment.

[Didymus Much]

Originally Posted by Faith_Machine

Now hold on a fleeping second here. What religion has Hell AND karma?

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Originally Posted by Didymus Much

Now hold on a fleeping second here. What religion has Hell AND karma?

The same one that says: "Proverbs, the chapter 'never bend to envy.' I've had that thing all of my life where people are bending to envy."

Look it up.

[Faith_Machine]

It is unfortunate that Hindu terms like "karma" have made suck inroads in our culture, to the point that even Bible-believing Christians use those terms. I'm sure my sister in Christ who posted that comment meant it in the most general way, however, like she was basically saying "As ye sew, so shall ye reap."

And indeed, those workers of iniquity who congregated for an all-night booze party, and who voted for Hillary Clinton, sewed some terrible sins. Now they are reaping the harvest of their misguided, Satan-inspired labors.

[Alvin Moss]

I have to say that I have seen pictures of this man and my suspicion is that his claim to being a Christian is a false claim. He doesn't even look like an American, much less a Christian. He wears ear rings which don't even match and I saw a picture of him wearing some kind of ridiculous hat. He seems to be some kind of foreign homosexual of the type that flaunts themselves in godless San Francisco, which is close to Oakland. Oakland is sort of like a San Francisco for perverts, dope fiends, thieves and other Democrats who can't afford the real San Francisco. In summation, I am very suspicious of this man.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Originally Posted by Alvin Moss

I have to say that I have seen pictures of this man and my suspicion is that his claim to being a Christian is a false claim. He doesn't even look like an American, much less a Christian.

But Brother Alvin, when I saw his picture I was immediately reminded of our own beloved Brother James Hutchins. You could not wish for a more Godly American gentleman than Brother James, though obviously he has no truck with stupid hats and would never wear earrings, matching or otherwise.

YiC
Joanna

[Alvin Moss]

Originally Posted by Joanna Lytton-Vasey

But Brother Alvin, when I saw his picture I was immediately reminded of our own beloved Brother James Hutchins. You could not wish for a more Godly American gentleman than Brother James, though obviously he has no truck with stupid hats and would never wear earrings, matching or otherwise.

YiC
Joanna

Obviously, I could be wrong. I distinctly remember being wrong once a few years ago and it could easily happen again. One of the hats I have seen perched upon this man's head was some sort of homosexual looking floppy cap. Another was purple. I have never seen a Christian who looked like that, but, of course, we are talking about California. It could be some kind of disguise that he wears to try to avoid beatings from the muggers, dope salesmen and artists who are much in evidence.

I am certain that we should be praying over this, but I am not sure what we should be praying for. Was this a pillar of fire meant to herald the coming cataclysm which will soon consume California? Does this man need our help, or should we be praying that he gets a quick trip to Hell? I am conflicted and I have asked the Lord for guidance.

[Basilissa]

Originally Posted by Alvin Moss

I have to say that I have seen pictures of this man and my suspicion is that his claim to being a Christian is a false claim. He doesn't even look like an American, much less a Christian. He wears ear rings which don't even match and I saw a picture of him wearing some kind of ridiculous hat. He seems to be some kind of foreign homosexual of the type that flaunts themselves in godless San Francisco, which is close to Oakland. Oakland is sort of like a San Francisco for perverts, dope fiends, thieves and other Democrats who can't afford the real San Francisco. In summation, I am very suspicious of this man.

Brother Alvin, the way I understand it, he had to do these things to himself in order to establish rapport with these abominable hipster wannabes. I believe the term for that is "going native," and he had to do so in order to squeeze some dough from these lowly creatures.

[Joanna Lytton-Vasey]

Originally Posted by Alvin Moss

Obviously, I could be wrong.

Brother Alvin, I don't need to spell this out but obviously it is FAR more likely that I am wrong.

I am certain that we should be praying over this, but I am not sure what we should be praying for.

These are uncertain times. When in doubt, my family has a favorite prayer:

Dear , please grant me the wisdom to pray for the thing that Thou deemest to be the right thing to pray for. But if Thou art too busy to do that, , then I beg Thee to take my prayer for the right thing as prayed.

[Nobar King]

Do you have any idea how hard it is going to be to get a building permit in Oakland, after this?