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On the Seventh Anniversary of 9/11/2001

Most of us remember where we were when we first heard that a commercial airliner had crashed into one of the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center.

Today we reflect, as best we can, on the immeasurable pain of those who lost one of the 2751 victims from 90 countries. We remember the courage and trauma of rescue workers, and of the survivors who walked or were carried out of the wreckage.

Before we go to sleep tonight, many of us will see a replay of at least two of the three skyscrapers that collapsed into their own foundations before the end of a day that changed our lives.

The world changed that day:

It changed for those families who were directly affected by the tragedy.

It changed for US citizens who now share a new sense of vulnerability.

It changed for people of Arab communities who have been unfairly associated with the hi-jackers.

It changed for US individuals and families who would end up making the ultimate sacrifice in the resulting war on terror.

It changed for citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq who have lost more sons and daughters than we have.

Seems to me that the best way to honor those who have died is not just by saying, “never again”, but by loving rather than hating, by listening rather than shouting, by reaching out rather than pulling in, and by valuing people for whom Christ died– wherever they live.


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13 Responses to “On the Seventh Anniversary of 9/11/2001”

  1. DAbraham says:

    I distinctly remember where I was and what I was doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. The world did change on that day, or did it? Perhaps what changed was our awareness of dastardly acts of terrorists perpetrated, in the name of religion, on people that represented a set of values with which they disagreed.

    My personal challenge is that, I, too, am no different in my heart since God’s Word declares it to be “more deceiptful than all else and desperately sick” (NASB Jer 17:11).

    Today, each of us can recommit to a life of integrity, humility, and simplicity in that every one of our immediate acquaintances may see a clearer reflection of Christ’s image on our lives.

    When the world changed on 9/11, how did I change in my attitude and my activity? May the Lord be pleased with the witness of His church in every nook and corner of this great land.

  2. sitsathisfeet says:

    So true Mart Our pastor has been teaching us that man’s problems are not financial, political, who our friends or enemies are, our problem is our hearts. That is the root of our problem that can only be cured or solved by God’s regenerative spirit in our lives and our world. Our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the authorites, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 And the offensive weapon God allows is the sword of the Spirit, or the word of God.

  3. rokdude5 says:

    ….and toughest one for me, learning to forgive your enemies.

  4. Mart De Haan says:

    rdrcomp, thanks so much for your comments. I’ve made a slight change in my post because you’re right about the importance of “due diligence” to protect against threat. I should have said that “The best way to honor those who died is not just to say “never again…”

  5. poohpity says:

    On that day my mother had just got out of ICU from a two month touch and go with death. After a lot of prayer was given a second chance at life. On my way to the hospital I stopped to watch the news and saw people throwing themselves out of the windows. I was so horrified that I still contend with the feelings of one person fighting to live and others taking the life’s of the innocent. That day with everything else that was going on it took my breathe away. I have always considered how we treat each other but the biggest hurts remain in the words that we say to each other those pains are the hardest to heal. James talks about how much damage a tongue can do when it is such a little thing but can cause the most damage. I struggle with the tongue and the effects of it too. So lets be kind because we never know what battle someone is going through.

    The people that did those things were taught that there is no respect for human beings unless they believe the way that they do, we have to watch that too. Their lessons were taught by word of mouth until they believed them in their hearts. Hate.

  6. poohpity says:

    rdrcomp,

    Thank you so very much for serving and my thanks to your family too. David a man after God’s own heart was a warrior it takes special people to serve in the military. Thank you again!:)

  7. pegramsdell says:

    thank you rdrcomp, i appreciate you

  8. GRANT says:

    Note: a Rabbi told me that the West was the future for Muslims from abroad, because of our schools, libraries, and technology. I’m saying that most Muslims are peaceful and here to make an honest living in the land of opportunity.

  9. rokdude5 says:

    At least here in the US, Muslims can hear the word of God if they allow themselves to do so. In the Middle East, they can be executed for doing so. I pray that God will chose them as He did with Paul and have them spread the Word to their friends and families throughout the Islamic world. Wouldnt that be cool?

  10. nhatc says:

    As I read throughthe comments, I see myself feeling very much the same. I wa recently convicted by a website I viewed titled “pray for a terrorist”. After reading through the ite, I registered and selected a person to pray for.

    I believe my “positive” prayers for hs salvation and conversion are more in greement with the will of God then the one’s I used to pray for all of them to be brought to judgement without chance of salvation.

  11. nitha says:

    As global citizen, I hate those terrorists even though they had many reasons to do what they believe. And on the other side, All Americans should think why those people hates Americans so badly.I hope there will be no terrorists and we all live in peace and harmony.But still today I heard JW Marriot hotel was bombed in Islamabad.

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