Most adults can remember very vividly where they were and what they were doing; just as those did who experienced news such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the JFK assassination, the Cuban crisis, and when Elvis died.
But more recently, eight years ago, we can still see in our mind’s eyes the smoke, the ash, the buildings falling down like a sand castles toppled by a wave. We can vividly call to our remembrance the faces – the frantic faces of those fleeing the scene – the faces of those standing and looking up with shock and disbelief; and the faces of people running frantically through the rubble with pictures in their hands begging that someone had news of their loved ones – the faces of the policemen and the firemen and the other volunteers.
So easily we can remember that our nation was brought to her knees temporally seeking the face of God. As the days passed, we loved each other more – we hugged each other and reverenced each other more. Flags were flying at every home and every street corner and the news carried the heartbreaking stories all those who had lost a loved one – the many funerals attended – the many men and women widowed; and children orphaned – some who had not yet been born.
People from all walks of life were brought together as brothers and sisters – and then an anger rose up in the hearts of young men who joined the military devoting themselves to the love of God and country; and how can we forget the thousands who have died and many more thousands who are severely wounded. We saw the faces of loved ones near a flag draped coffin – we have seen the faces of pain from physical and emotional wounds.
The churches were filled that next Sunday seeking God’s forgiveness for individual and collective sins as a country. And then the stories began to emerge of the thousands of acts of heroism and self sacrifice – one giving their life to help another – some who could have escaped the falling buildings; but would not leave their incapacitated fellow employees. The fireman running into the buildings past those fleeing the building. Our emotions on tender hooks for weeks and months to come. Who can forget all of our elected officials who stood to the task over and beyond the call of duty – Mayor Giuliani and President Bush? And now eight years later we are once again at each other’s throats and how soon we forget a President who kept us safe the next eight years with his strength, courage and determination to lead a broken nation to a place of safety and healing. Who can forget the fortitude he had while being criticized and attacked; and the dignity he and Mrs. Bush brought to the White House.
Where were you when the world stopped turning? Where are you now? After eight years has there been a lingering desire in your heart to see a united America, a stable America – or just as soon see all the buildings crumble as to work hard to make a difference. We still have soldiers fighting and dying. Do you support them with more than just rhetoric? We still have homeless, hopeless, and hungry faces in our lives – what are we doing about it? Are we holding fast to the experience of renewal this country faced when we saw elected officials stand on the Capitol steps and sing “God Bless America,” unashamedly? And where are they now?
We saw the working man and the movie star come together to raise money for the families left in devastation because of their deeply personal loss that we all felt as our own personal loss.
Where will you be this Friday September 11, 2009 – eight years later? Are you a better person? Are you working to claim America back as one nation under God? Are you a better parent, teacher, or preacher – are you determined to never forget that day when the world stopped turning.
The Presidential Prayer Team has dedicated this September 11 - this Friday - as a day to push back complacency and to encourage prayer around the country for our leaders, our President, and our troops. Please mark your calendar now to join us for a special day, this Friday, September 11, 2009. http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/
Some one still cares and wrote this e-mail that has been circulating around.
“On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends, and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.
In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.”
We heard the songs and tributes from different artists; but none touched our hearts any more than Alan Jackson’s song and video “Where were you when the world stopped turning?”
Listen once again. May your heart be as stirred today as it was the first time you heard this. May you once again fly that flag of freedom and bend those knees once again in prayer asking once again that God would bless this country just one more time?
Remember the gifts of God – faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.
Many people today are hurting from poverty, foreclosures, job loss, family strife, and serious illnesses. Where are you in the lives of these people? There is little we can do for the thousands who left this earth that day – but these people are still with us. Let us honor the living in memorial to the dead. Where were you then? And where are you now? Where was America then and where is she now?
Matthew 25: 42-45
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Pick one of the charities on the bottom right and support it – or find one of your own; or cut someone’s lawn, or take a bowl of soup to a sick neighbor, find something to do this Friday, September 11, 2009 and do it to honor those who perished that day and for a country that will perish without God and love. Adopt a soldier who defends our country. http://soldiersangels.org At this writing, there were 1,297 soldiers who have signed up to be adopted – will you reach out to one? Will you do one of the projects they offer - to bring love, encouragement and appreciation to a soldier so far from home? That is one way we can honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
But know remember back as you listen to Alan Jackson’s song – Where were you?
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