September 11th, Conspiracy Theories, Radical Islam, Freedom... Or, Simply Put, What is Going Through My Head Right Now.

As I was reading everyone's posts on Facebook this morning about the September 11th attacks, something just hit me.  Maybe a couple things hit me, not just one.  First,  we live in a world of constant information. The majority of America saw the attacks happen in real time, BUT, there are people who say it was a facade.  A giant conspiracy.  The government did it.  The Jews did it.  Whatever people come up with, it's ridiculous.  The Boston bombings are recent in our memories. There was the same conspiracy theory reactions to them.   Are we at the point in life that we believe what someone wrote on a computer more than what we see and hear with our own eyes?  Yeah, this is a real still photo of the plane hitting the building.  Unfortunately, it did happen and to far too many people it was their last day on this earth.

Photo Courtesy of http://images.nationalgeographic.com/

I think we do this for a reason. I think we don't want to believe there is that kind of evil in the world. We want so believe we are all good and want the best for each other. We don't. We want what we want.  These radicals want an end to civilized society. They want Sharia law.  Look at what is happening in the middle east right now.  Look at what happened a year ago in Benghazi.  We can go back further than that, but why?  Again, it's painful to look at because it's the worst parts of humanity.  It's real.

We can go into the theology of all this,  but here is the thing.   We are all made in God's image.  That's the good side of us.  The side that is heroic and runs to save people in a burning building.  The side that overcomes fear, to keep others safe.  We are also given free will.  God didn't want a bunch of mind numbed robots walking around.  He gave us the choice choose Him and choose life, or choose evil and choose death.  Far too many of us choose death.  When it happens, we suffer as a whole. 

I will say briefly, that there is a better way.  God made it by sending His Son to die for us all.  If you want to know about it, here is a passage that might help you.  It's pretty simple, actually it's very simple: Romans 10

So today, while we remember September 11.  Pray for wisdom to see through the conspiracies.   Pray for the people all over the world who are being oppressed by radical Islam.  Christians who are being killed because they will not renounce their faith in countries like Egypt and Syria.  Churches that are being burned down.  Pray for the children who live under such brutality.   Pray for freedom for these people.  Not just American freedom, freedom in God. While you're praying, thank God for your freedom, because as September 11 showed me, it's not to be taken for granted.

What is Christmas?

I know as a retail sales person, I should be saying Christmas is about the gifts, but honestly, I know it isn't.  I know it isn't about Black Friday or Cyber Monday.  It's not about who gets the most toys.  I know it is about family and friends.  I know it is about cherishing the things that are the most important to us.  I know it is, above all things, about salvation.

This year could have been a very tough one for me.  Multiple people in my family have been in major car accidents.  One was yesterday, in fact.  By God's grace, they all came out of the accidents safe and sound for the most part.  Yesterday's accident was actually a miracle in that no scratches- none at all, were had in an accident on a major highway!  I had a very good customer pass away this year.  I've seen many families struggle, some so much that they have broken apart.  I've had friends and family in and out of the hospital.  I could easily be discouraged if it wasn't for one thing, I know there is more to life than this moment.

I know we are living for eternity.  I know my customer is with God in heaven and one day I will see him.  I know God has a purpose for each of us.  Mainly, I know he has given me the gift of salvation through His son, Jesus who was born as a baby and ultimately gave his life for me.  I know that as tough as life can be, he's walking with me each step of the way.

So this Christmas, I choose to rejoice.  Not in the economy, the political atmosphere, the gifts I am receiving...  I choose to rejoice that God knew me before I was born.  That I can pray for people who come in my store and share their joys and sorrows with me.  Mainly, I can know that no matter what happens to me on this earth, I will one day be in heaven with the Creator of the universe because of the "Christmas story".  Because, God sent his son to reconcile man to him.  I leave you with a link about the song "I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day".  Longfellow knew there was more to this life than the pain he was going through.  He knew that one day, there would be Peace On Earth!  May God bless you with that knowledge this Christmas.  May you know him more that you ever have this year.  Merry Christmas to you and your family!

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/12/18/the-original-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day/

Here's a link to the song as well...

Danny...

Hey, Miss Stace!  That was the greeting I heard each time Danny came into my store.  I will miss it.  Danny went on to be with the Lord this last week after a battle with cancer.  I just returned home a little while ago from his memorial service.  I just wanted to take some time to tell you about him.

He was a kind man.  He was always concerned about how I was.  How my family was doing?  Was everything ok with the business?  We would talk about his family, whom he dearly loved.  He was so proud of them.

We would talk about fishing.  What were the fish biting on?  Had I been out fishing lately.  He would tell me about the tournaments that were upcoming for him.  He would tell me about the guys he was fishing with that week.  He always talked about them as if they were pros and he was just there for the ride.  Humble.  Yeah, those guys were great, but so was he!

He invited me to fish with him once (actually twice- I fished a tournament with him also).  I had never been on a bass boat.  My brother's birthday was coming up.  I asked if he could come along.  "Of course", Danny said.  We got over to the river and it was an amazing day.  If you have never rode in a bass boat, DO IT!  It's spectacular!  When the driver of the boat says hold on to your hat, you better listen!  As we went through the day, I learned so much from Danny.  My son recently said, "Mom, I think I could learn so much just from sitting and talking with Mr Danny."  He was right.  I fished so much that day, my arm hurt.  It was awesome though.

In the last few months I have cherished each visit from Danny.  We have sat in the store and talked about his journey.  We have talked about God's plan for us.  He suggested a book to me that he had recently read.  It's called "Heaven is for Real".  Read it if you get a chance.  Danny spoke about how blessed he was.  He never complained once.  I knew each moment was a gift from God and I am thankful for those talks.

Finally, but this is the most important.  Today, my pastor gave a quote about a painted portrait not being so much a reflection of the person in the portrait, as much as it is a reflection of the painter.  Well, Danny was indeed a reflection of his Creator.  He believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  He had no fear of death.  I know that Danny is in heaven right now.  All through today's service, people spoke of how Danny wanted people to know that God sent Jesus to save us from our sins.  How he didn't want people to wait until the last minute to give their hearts and lives to the Lord.  So, I will finish with this verse in honor of his wishes:

Ephesians 2:4-9
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.