It's 9/11 # 11

'...whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'
James 4:14-15

Today is a day we do not celebrate, but we do choose to remember. And we remember it with heavy hearts.

Most of us can also remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the awful news. I was at work in a large office with many other women. We had our radios on listening to our favorite stations in our cubicles. And then we all heard the news reports start to filter in. We all started talking and sharing what we had heard. And when we realized what had truly happened, we also shared the horror, and the worry that this attack might not be over. What about our families and friends? Were they okay? Where would the enemies hit us next? Was this 'dooms day'?

While we relive the terror & fear we felt that day, let's also remember that God was in the midst of the evil done to our people, and our nation. Out of this tragedy there also comes goodness. We still hear the stories of heroes. They were everywhere. Many were wearing the uniforms of those we expect to be heroic. But many were just like me...regular, everyday citizens. Many were of faith, but many were not. That day all people came together, doing what they could, to relieve suffering, to give comfort and aid, and yes, even to pray.

Let us all not forget that day. But also let us remember what we have in this country...freedom. It does come at a high cost, but is it not worth it to assure our future generations the same thing? Take time to remember, to meditate, and if you are a person of faith, to pray.

Blessings!

I Pray for Israel

As the news continues to pour out after the tragic bombing of a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria earlier today, I am prompted in my heart to cry out to God on Israel's behalf. Why?

As a Christian, I am grafted in to the Israel nation. I am happy about that. I love the people, the country, their customs and traditions. I am also so very impressed by those who continue to practice Judaism and Christianity, in that they are so very devout in their beliefs, and in their reverence of the Lord our God.

There are warnings throughout God's Word to do no harm to Israel. This nation is full of His people. That is not exclusionary in terms of His great love for all peoples. But He chose the Israeli nation to be the focus point in the Bible, from beginning to end, centered in that part of the world. So if any one of us does harm to Israel, or their citizens, then we are in direct contradiction to what we believe, and what God has commanded.

Today is just one more example of violence and disrespect towards this dear country. The people do not want violence. They simply want to live and work, and survive, on the land God gave them. They want their children to be safe, and they want to be able to worship freely, without fear of attack.

Three people were killed in this attack today, and others injured. I do not know how serious their injuries are. But I just got the news that Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, has made a declaration that Iran is directly responsible for this tragedy, and that retribution will be substantial.

What does this mean? It means that once again this nation has been pushed to it's limits. There will come a time that something is going to happen. There is no avoidance of it because the 'pushers' hate Israel, and want it literally wiped from the face of the earth. And Israel has the right to fight back.

At one time, America, the United States, was 100% invested in caring for and protection of Israel. We considered them our friends, allies, and a people and country we would fight for. This is no longer true. Most of the American people still feel that way, but our government looks the other way. It is clear that there is no real importance seen in Israel by our leaders. What a sad state of affairs. And how it must hurt the heart of God.

So, I will be crying out, all hours of the day and night, and I invite you to do so too. The greatest thing we can do for Israel is pray, ask God to protect, to lead, to guide. Ask God to show Mr. Netanyhu, who I am glad is in power at this time, great wisdom and to imbue him with power and strength. Pray for the people, the dear people, who only want to live in peace. My heart will not rest in this. I hope yours will not either.

I pray for Israel.