We must trust Him and continue to pray for our lawmakers. And, we must continue to use our voices and our votes to stand up for what we believe in!!!
Awake-Arise-Act
Remembering 9-11 ~ Where were you?
My daughter’s 6th grade Social Studies class was assigned a 9-11 family project to complete this week. We were to make a scrapbook about what happened on September 11, 2001. I thought this was a great idea, and we started looking around for news magazines that would carry stories and pictures of what happened eight years ago.
But the more we looked around, the more saddened I became. Not one single news magazine (that we could find in the many stores we scoured) had anything on its cover about that horrific event that changed our nation. Not one. Instead, something about Michael Jackson was consistently the featured story.
The sadder I got, the madder I became. As a nation, we have given media outlets the impression that we would rather read about Michael Jackson than to remember the loved ones lost and the heroes who arose on and after September 11th. They assume that all of us want dirty details on “celebrities” over inspiring reminders of united patriotism. And maybe, as a nation, we do… which saddens me further.
But as we searched high and low to find information about September 11, 2001, I grew more and more thankful for this dear teacher who made the 9-11 project a requirement of her students. Through the work on this project, I remembered ~ and Abigail learned ~ the sorrow our nation experienced, as well as the surge of unity in the days that followed.
As part of the project, Abigail interviewed some family members about where they were on 9-11, how they found out, how they felt it changed our nation, and what they remembered most. Every person spoke of the turn of our nation, as a whole, back to God. Flags were flown. Churches were filled. Bibles were read. Prayer was public. And many became Christians by putting their faith in Jesus Christ. We were one nation, united, under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all. We promised to “Never Forget”.
But we did. Within eight years. How quickly we forget.
The project was turned in today, and we will remember tomorrow. And we will pray for our nation, our leaders, our churches, and our children. We will not forget.
So I ask you: What do you remember about September 11, 2001? Did God do something good in and around your life in the midst of that tragedy? If so, PLEASE share with us. We want to give glory to God for all He has done. (Something good happened in our family out of this – my husband’s father and step-mother started going to church, became Christians, and are now in Heaven instead of in hell – all as a result of 9-11. Praise God!)
Lets make this a day of remembering… not just the tragedy of 9-11, but of our God and of how NOTHING is too big or too terrible for Him to use… if we will continue to remember…and not forget.
Alan Jackson wrote a beautiful song expressing how many of us thought and felt on that day. It’s called, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” A video with live footage and lyrics are below.
Remembering with you…Jennifer
“Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”
Alan Jackson
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that Bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love
The greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
One other moving video I found to the song “I believe”:
Bessings to each of you on this September day…
Nepal
When I opened my e-mail inbox this morning, I had a prayer update from the Voice of the Martyrs. I usually print these out and put them with my Bible and notebook so that I can pray for these requests during my quiet times. But this morning, the Lord prompted me to pass this particular one on to you.
VOM-USA Prayer Update for June 19, 2009
NEPAL – Extremists’ Warn Believers – (VOM Sources)
On June 10, The Voice of the Martyrs received a copy of a letter from the Nepal Defense Fund (NDF), threatening to bomb 10 Christian homes in Nepal, if believers did not leave in 30 days, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The letter written by R.P. Mainali, the supreme commander of the NDF, published in a local newspaper, said the Nepalese government should not have released 62 Christians, in 1989 and 1990, who had been jailed for actively proselytising. The letter warned that these Christians, who have continued their work, were threatening Hinduism.
“We are giving these unholy elements who are grabbing the authority of the people of the country under the cloak of religion, a notice of one month to leave the country, otherwise we will explode 10 bombs in the homes of the 10 Christians in Nepal, for which we take responsibility in advance,” the NDP letter said.
The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for believers in Nepal who are living under these threats. Ask God to protect them and for their courageous testimony to draw non believers into fellowship with Christ.
Revelation 12: 10-11 is what the Voice of the Martyrs has asked us to pray for these specific believers in Nepal:
Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,
“It has come at last— salvation and power
and the Kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters
has been thrown down to earth—
the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much
that they were afraid to die. (NLT)
I wouldn’t have believed it several years ago, but with the way our country is quickly heading – if the Lord tarries, this very thing could happen to us in the United States – and some of us may be alive to witness it.
Nevertheless, we are MORE than conquerors in Christ! And in the end, we know who wins the war! And it’s not the ungodly! It is Jesus Christ and His army of believers!!! Until that day, sisters and brothers, we must fight and defeat the enemy with the weapons given to us – The Word of God, the Blood of the Lamb, and the Word of our Testimonies – and Prayer for the Saints!
If you’re not receiving the weekly prayer updates from the Voice of the Martyrs and would like to know how you can pray for the persecuted church around the world, click here. From this site, you can join them on Twitter and get updates on your phone and be able to pray immediately when a need arises. You can also join them on Face Book. It’s an incredible privilige to be a part of these people’s lives and stories as we pray for them.
May the Lord strengthen His people and bless His people with peace. Much love to you all…
Jennifer
PS: And happy Father’s Day to God, our Heavenly Father, and to all of the wonderful men in our lives! 🙂
Now, we have news!!!
Although the case is not over, this is a significant victory because, in order to grant a preliminary injunction, the judge must believe that we will likely (not certainly, but likely) win the whole case. The judge is basically offering a prediction on whether he thinks we will win, and he has said yes.
How in the world can I thank you for praying with us and standing with us? When I heard this news, I was shopping at Hobby Lobby, and could hardly wait to get home and fall on my face in grateful thanksgiving to the Lord!
A few weeks ago, I memorized and claimed ahead in faith the truth in Psalm 59:9. But tonight, I saw this truth “fleshed out”. “Oh my Strength, I will watch and give heed to you and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower).”
Thanks for being our friends and for walking beside us in this battle. It’s not over, so please don’t stop praying! But, a little victory was won, and I wanted you to know about it and to glorify the Lord with us!
Here is the link to the ADF press release that went out tonight. At the bottom of the story, there is a link to the Judges’ decision (all 39 pages) if you’re so inclined to read them. 🙂
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4931
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any prayers you have lifted up on our behalf! We’re all so grateful for you!
Have a blessed weekend! We sure will. 🙂
No news yet…
We’re still waiting on the outcome of this hearing.
“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)
If our hope and expectations are in God, He will not disappoint us. Man might, but God never will, because He is working all things together for our good and His glory. Sometimes it’s easier than other times to really flesh out this truth. But it’s the truth, nonetheless.
So, as we wait, we keep praying. Would you please keep praying with us for the Judge and for the outcome of his decision to display God’s glory and love, no matter how he rules?
How about you? Where is your hope and expectation? Let’s ask the Lord to show us where we’ve put our hope and trust in man instead of in Him. He only is Trust Worthy!
May the Lord bless and keep you as you hope and expect in Him…