As I was watching the events of the day unfold on the morning news, I had to stop and think, "Yes, today is September 11th". And, there has been so much that has happened since that day 9 years ago, that I had to wonder what it all meant for us today. I wondered if the same ceremony was as effective today as it was 8 years ago or even last year. Do we still need to bring it all back as if it just happened? Don't get me wrong. I never want to forget the 2996 lives that were lost that day. Just like I don't want to ever forget all the lives that have been lost due to terrorists, war, cancer, drunk driving, etc. And, for some reason, today I have been thinking about the lives lost at Pearl Harbor and those who died at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. When I think of the bombing in that city, I see the chairs. It may sound odd, but I believe those chairs brought healing. One hundred sixty-eight empty chairs crafted of stone, bronze, and glass sit peacefully at the Oklahoma City National Memorial representing the 168 lives lost and the 168 empty chairs at dinner tables, graduations, weddings, church services, and family gatherings. And, may we not forget the senseless attack on Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7th, 1941. A total of 2,403 lives were lost that day. And not all of them were military men who voluntarily signed up to put their lives at risk. Sixty-eight civilian lives were lost that day. Just for thought, 55 Japanese, also, lost their lives that day.
A week ago, my youngest daughter sat on my couch as we watched a documentary on the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team at the Munich Olympics in 1972. I don't know how much she knew about that horrible week prior to that day, but I saw the look of sadness on her face as she listened to the events of that week. Senseless? Yes, absolutely. Actually, is there a word in our language that means more than senseless? Anyway, if you are unfamiliar with this event, to be brief, in the early morning of September 5th, 1972, eight members of the terrorist group known as Black September took 7 Israeli Olympic Athletes and 2 Israeli Coaches hostage after killing 2 Israeli Athletes when they tried to stop them. Their demands were for the release of 234 Palestinians and non-Arabs jailed in Israel along with 2 German radicals jailed in Germany. Thus, one of the reason's the Olympics in Germany were chosen for their dirty deed. However, it all went horribly wrong. Instead of the release of these criminals, 17 people involved in this travesty lost their lives that week - 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, 1 German police officer, and five of the eight terrorists. I was soon to be 12 years old that summer and I may not remember the events of that week but I do remember the feelings. People in the media and within our community expressed shock, fear, and anger. I remember wondering how scary it would be to be Jewish. I won't go into the Holocaust but, numbers wise, it has the largest number lost in ANY terrorist attack. And, yes, I call that a terrorist attack for certainly it was an attack on the Jewish nation and instilled terror in that community.
I could go into many more senseless attacks such as the airplane hijackings of the 70's, the bombing of Pan Am Fight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, the July 7th London Bombings (aka 7/7), and the many school and workplace shootings. Here is a quote from Wikipedia's Munich Massacre page, "A West German forensic psychologist, Dr. Georg Sieber, had been asked by Olympic security experts to come up with 26 "worst-case" scenarios to aid them in planning Olympic security. His Situation 21 predicted with almost eerie accuracy the events of 5 September, but it was dismissed by the security specialists as preposterous". Preposterous because it truly was unthinkable. All of these attacks I have mentioned are preposterous. And, there are many more. Wikipedia is keeping a list - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents.
So, what is my point? I'm not really certain. I just know that the events of the past year, especially the last couple of months, has found me doing a lot of thinking/pondering. But, I am absolutely serious when I say I want these who lost their lives 9 years ago today as well as many, many others to be remembered today and everyday. I want to reach out and have everyone "think on these things". Let us never forget the evil men do and let us never give up the fight against this evil. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places". Paul goes on in the letter to explain spiritual warfare - our weapons and our uniform. In verse 18 he says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere". Here you have it: the hope, the solution, and the power. I may not be able to fight the evil men do in the physical, but I can certainly fight against evil in the spiritual. And I have no problem doing that.
Paul says this in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8), "And, now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise". So while I am encouraging you to "think on these things" I have mentioned, I don't want you to dwell on them. Think on them in order to learn and to know the truth of our world. But, then turn it around to dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Take time everyday to find these things and take note of them. Appreciate life, people, and God. Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) Allow the love and redemption of Jesus permeate your life. Interesting Note: Definition of Permeate - to pass into or through every part of, to penetrate through, diffuse through, and saturate. I like that word. I pray that Jesus will permeate my life and the lives of my family and friends. These sad events should be like a resounding alarm for the need of Jesus in our lives and in our Nation. In Chronicles the Lord told Solomon, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land". (2 Chronicles 7:14) I have a message for those who have taken up the cause to fight against, instead of with, Christians, "So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God your your ancestors, for you will not succeed!" (2 Chronicles 13:12) As in the days of old, so it is with God today. People of the United States, do not fight against the Lord for you will not succeed!
And lastly, to Pastor Terry Jones: I am very pleased to hear you say that you have had a change of heart and will not ever plan an event to burn the Quran - even if the Mosque is built near "ground zero". I would like to say that I do not believe God told you to do this. Take Jesus' words I quoted earlier, the thief's purpose is to destroy. Jesus' purpose is to give life. That is what the Gospel is all about. I pray that you spend your time, money, and resources in spreading the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ.
I know this was quite a collection of thoughts in this blog. If I was to sum it up I would say this: Love your neighbors, pray for your neighbors. Appreciate all that God has given to you. Fight evil as Paul taught in Ephesians. And, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Doing this will reap many rewards.
Love you, Debby
**All scriptures are taken from the NLT.
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