"For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21

Friday, September 10, 2010

9/11

Notice the cross in the stars....
My nephew's birthday is tomorrow.  I'm sad that his birthday will forever stand for tragedy and loss,  something he is now acquainted with himself at the ripe old age of 10.  You see, his father passed away from breast cancer in July and this is his first birthday without him.

It is amazing how a date can be so full of meaning.  Thousands of people lost their lives that day 9 years ago and thousands more lost their way of life.  We all felt the loss and the shock of the tragedy of it all, but none so acutely as those who lost loved ones.

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “ - President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

And so, even more time has passed.  I hope we are wiser, stronger, kinder because of it.  I pray we have turned more toward God.  But I see that the human heart is still desperately in need of a Savior.  We are still lost.  We are still living our own way as though what we do is the only thing that matters.  "When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him."  Proverbs 16:7 (NIV)

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."  Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)  If we would, as individuals, truly live at peace with each other, with everyone, this world may be a very different, less terrifying place.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."  Isaiah 26:3  (KJV)

What can we, as individuals, do?  We can live lives that are pleasing to the Lord.  We can live at peace with everyone as much as it depends on us.  We can turn to God in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.  We can keep our minds stayed on the Prince of Peace.

Dear Lord,  Please be with those families who have lost loved ones on September the 11th 9 years ago.  Please be with a little boy on his birthday who lost his father just a few months ago.  Make us live lives that are pleasing to You, Oh Lord, so that even our enemies would live at peace with us...

Have a peaceful weekend!

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