Sunday, September 12, 2010

Memories - The UGLY Ones

This weekend has been such a flurry of emotions. The memory of the tragedy that happened 9 years ago yesterday. Although I remember vividly where I was, how I found out, the emotions of finding out what was happening (and I will never forget); The fervor of committment has lessened as time goes by. For instance, I saw a disturbing tweet today saying "Wishing all of our Muslim friends a happy Eid ul-Fitr. Let's all forgive and forget. http://bit.ly/aKclej" (via @123RF). Now first of all, I'm not bashing on 123RF (although I do consider the tweet completely inappropriate - IMHO). Jesus tells us in the bible "...we are to love our enemies." (Matthew 5: 43-44 ESV) So the forgiveness part I can completely get and accept as a Christian. But we are never to forget what happened on that infamous day. A terrible, pre-meditated crime of hate was carried out against innocent people in the name of a false religion who believes in a false God. I do forgive, I pray that all people of the Muslim faith will hear the Gospel and accept Jesus as their Lord and personal Savior. "He is the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father accept thru him." (John 14:6 ESV).



The other thing that sruck me fairly hard (square on the chin), was talking with my children about that tragic day in 2001. You see my kids were 11, 5, 3 and 1 at the time. They don't really remember - not even the 11 year old (he's a Junior at NGU now). Much as I don't really remember when JFK was shot (I was almost 2 yrs. old at the time). So we spent a great deal of time discussing what they "knew" about the events of 9/11/2001. I found out that some of what they knew and much of what they understood was incorrect. Scary thought - needless to say we spent a great deal of time discussing the truth of what happened and how those events have lead to where we find ourselves today.

So in closing, I would like to encourage you to not take for granted that your children fully understand what went on and what is going on. Talk with them and make sure they know the truth - not what this new age of "tolerance" would like everyone to believe. What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

Matthew 5:43-44 (New International Version)
Love for Enemies


43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you,..."