The Lessons We Didn’t Learn From 9/11. Is America Mentioned in the Bible? Upate.

The Lessons We Didn’t Learn From 9/11

“Today a brand-new World Trade Center stands in the spot where wreckage smoldered 19 years ago. We’ve rebuilt, but what have we learned?

I was 11.

Mr. Dean and Mr. Blackwell had a clunky old CRT television mounted to the wall in the corner of their shared classroom. It was silver, I think, and had a VHS player.

We were in the middle of a lesson when a teacher rushed in and turned on the TV. There was smoke rolling out of a building I’d never seen before. People were panicked. They were saying someone had flown a plane into a building.

It was … surreal. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it. How could I? I lived in America. America. That sort of thing didn’t happen here. It happened in other countries, or in movies, or … somewhere that wasn’t here.

Memorializing 9/11 while forgetting the lesson

For the United States, 9/11 was the day the world stopped turning—the day we were reminded that, yes, that sort of thing can happen here. That we are vulnerable. That we can bleed.

Four years ago, I visited the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum with my wife and parents. One of the larger exhibits focused on the events and aftermath of 9/11. There, in a circular room, stood a warped and twisted support beam salvaged from the wreckage of one of the towers. Screens set into the wall were playing time-stamped news footage on a continuous loop—the same footage I had watched in my sixth-grade classroom 19 years ago.

There’s a new World Trade Center now. It’s taller, more impressive and more imposing than before. One of the new support beams bears an inscription from President Obama: “We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger!” But that gnarled beam in the presidential library was a sobering reminder:

It happened.

We can rebuild, but we can’t undo. We can come back stronger, but not invincible. We can remember what happened, but still forget the lesson.

Could something like 9/11 happen again?

For an extremely brief window of time, the collapse of the World Trade Center towers prompted many Americans to reexamine their lives and ask some probing questions. But it didn’t last. After 9/11, Gallup reported that church attendance in the U.S. jumped from 41 percent to 47 percent. Less than two years later, that percentage was down to 38 percent. Last year it hovered around 34 percent, with 79 percent of Americans agreeing that religion is losing its influence on American life.

For an extremely brief window of time, the collapse of the World Trade Center towers prompted many Americans to reexamine their lives and ask some probing questions. But it didn’t last. The effect faded with the shock, and nothing since then has left enough of an impact to replicate it. We’ve had mass shootings, we’ve had political and civil unrest, we’ve faced multiple moral issues contentious enough to divide the nation into staunch, unyielding camps—but through it all, our nation’s churches have only become emptier and emptier.’    Continue Reading at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/15-years-later-looking-back-on-9-11/?

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Is America Mentioned in the Bible?

“I just got off the phone with a friend from Portland, Oregon. He was describing to me the extent of the wildfires that are raging out of control in that state. You may have seen the pictures of reddish orange skies from the many fires, smoke and ash. Last night I heard one commentator call the scenes “apocalyptic.” That’s biblical language!

On top of the riots and political unrest in the country we still battle such natural disasters. It raises the question, “What is God saying to the nation?” Bible prophecy shows God does send waves of warning upon a nation before judgment falls upon it. Is that what we are seeing from God? Are we seeing warnings of a coming time of judgment?

Many students of the Bible have asked, “Is America mentioned in the Bible?” The answer is no, not directly by name. But when you look at the warnings to turn and obey God or face a time of trial and judgment, you realize the message of the Bible applies to all nations, but especially to America because it has been blessed by God. America has been blessed with the physical promises God made to Abraham. America has been great because God made America great.

This adds deeper meaning to all history for all people. It gives not only understanding but hope. It draws you deeper to the Word of Truth that God gave, "That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." God has not only fulfilled the spiritual promise through Christ but also the physical part of the promises as well. The two are part of the true gospel of God. We may say that we are a nation trusting in God but the reality is that we are far from a nation truly under God living by God's teachings.

What should you do? 

You should do what Scripture says to do. You should save yourselves from this crooked generation (Acts 2:40). It may be too late for America but it's not too late for you. You can do something. You can turn to God. Pray to him, ask Him questions, thank Him for the blessings in your life and tell him about the things that worry you.

There's a passage from the 18th chapter of the book of Ezekiel where the prophet records the words of God to the nation of Israel. It has bearing upon our time and our people today. In verse 26 it says, "When the righteous man turns from their righteous behavior and starts doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if the wicked people turn from their wickedness," God says, "Obey the law and do what is just and right, they will save their lives… Oh people of Israel, repent. Turn from your sins. Don't let them destroy you. Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, oh, people of Israel? I don't want you to die," says the Sovereign Lord, "turn back and live." 

This is what God wants! And it is a decision that you and I can make.

A recent Beyond Today program asks the question, “Has God Given Up on America?” (YouTube:  https://youtu.be/oUrg8PhCakg )    I think you will find this program compelling in light of what we are currently experiencing in our land. I hope you will take a moment to watch it.”    From:  https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=72c729d811&u=1d04480cefc2e7c4492fe4a04&id=788a418aa4

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Update.

Like most folks, I remember 9/11 very well.   My Johnnie was in his last days, but sick as he was, he was appalled.  What we were watching that morning was unbelievable.   It wasn’t long after that, that he didn’t really know what was going on around him, he died of cancer, eight weeks later.  But we will never forget…..

Another trip to the doctor here in Navasota to get a referral to see a podiatrist to get corns removed from the bottom of my feet.  I don’t know why I get them, but I have to get really thick foam insoles from Dollar Tree so that it doesn’t me hurt to walk.  I need to walk more, I have put on about 4 pounds.

My central AC did it’s thing again, or rather it didn’t, because it quit working. I had turned it off so that cold air wouldn’t blow on my newly washed hair, but then it wouldn’t turn back on again. I tried and tried to make it turn on but had to call the office.  At least we have a maintenance man again, and he checked the thermostat.  But with a lot of moving the switch back and forth, he got it going again, and has ordered a new thermostat.  Next time I wash my hair I will just move the temperature, not turn the system off.

A new neighbor moved in across the walkway to my apartment.  Boy, when I moved in I was teased for having so much stuff, but she beat me.  She introduced herself and we started talking, so it was soon discovered that we are both Sabbath keepers.  She said she wanted to go to Sherry’s on Friday morning and join our Sabbath school study in preparation for the study with the congregation the following day.  Neither Sherry nor I had a spare current study book, so I texted the ladies from the church who were handing out veggies and fruits at an apartment complex not far from ours, they do that every other Wednesday, to see if any of them had one in their vehicle.  No, no one had one, so I helped them distribute the food, and then followed them back to the church to get the study book. 

So, on Friday morning my new neighbor, June, and I walked down to Sherry’s and we went over this week’s study together.  On the Sabbath, I tried to get the Zoom thing going on my computer for the Sabbath School, but it didn’t do right, so the three of us went over to the church in my van and participated there.  The church is only 1.2 miles away.  June said that she enjoyed it and it was very interesting. There was a laptop hooked up to a TV so we could all see the others on Zoom.  Things are loosening up here, and there were more folks at church today.

Words Have Meaning. Saunas and the Psalms. Update.

Words Have Meaning

Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

“Keeping your word is important to God. The ability to speak, to make agreements, and to make things happen with words is one of the ways in which we were created in God’s image. He created through speech, and He relates to us by speech. When God spoke, the universe was. His interaction with us has primarily been through the spoken word and its fulfillment: the prophets, preachers, and most importantly, through the Word made flesh in the form of Jesus.

When we speak, like God, we make things happen. We create. We can change the universe by opening our mouths. “If you will say unto this mountain, ‘Be moved and cast into the sea,’ it shall be done.” Notice that Jesus did not say if we ask God to move the mountain. He said we can speak directly to the mountain, and it will obey. Our words have tangible effects on the world around us. Even if you speak without intent, there may be power in the mere sounds. The more significant your words, the more significant the consequences are sure to be.

If you say, “This country is going down the tubes,” that might only be your observation of what you see around you, but it isn’t necessarily true. By putting it into words in that manner, you reinforce a negative outlook in yourself and the people around you, causing you to behave as if the country is already lost. You are making a statement of faith that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Don’t say that America is doomed and leave it at that, especially not if you believe it to be true. Rather say, “America is doomed if we don’t repent and return to God and His Law.” You will accomplish three things by modifying your speech in this manner:

1. You will reinforce in yourself and those around you that there is a way out for America. If Nineveh could be saved, then so can America.
2. You will reinforce belief in the truth that America’s redemption will come only from God, and that He respects and rewards nations who obey Him.
3. Your words, spoken in faith, will have power to change reality.

Remember that your positive faith is in competition with the negative faith of millions of others, so it is important for all those who worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to speak in unity and in favor of repentance and obedience. We must not allow the voices of unbelievers to dictate our future.

In the end, it is possible that America’s demise is necessary in God’s overall plan. In that case, there is nothing we can do or say to prevent it. Like the national repentance of Israel under Josiah’s leadership, the most we could accomplish is a reprieve. That isn’t reason to give up hope, because we don’t know what the future holds. That generation or two of delay might mean the ultimate salvation of millions and the greater glory of God’s Kingdom.

Be careful what you say. Don’t speak hopeless negativity against yourself and your people. Let your words be full of encouragement and hope and repentance.

Words have meaning, frequently more meaning than we will ever know.”  From: http://www.americantorah.com/2014/07/19/words-have-meaning/

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Saunas and the Psalms

What do saunas have to do with a passage in the Psalms?

Transcript of YouTube: https://youtu.be/pqP1v0CS5d8

[Steve Myers] “Have you ever been in a sauna? I had an experience one time. I had never been in a sauna before, went in there, and it is overwhelming. I found out maybe I’m a little claustrophobic. Maybe that temperature and all the humidity in there was not for me. I was only in there a minute or so, and it’s, like, let me out. Open that door. And suddenly, oh, you can breathe again. And it was, like, this is fantastic. It was more fun getting out of the sauna than ever, for me, getting into it. Because I needed the breathing room. I just couldn’t take that pressure and that humidity.

And, you know, when you think about that, life is kinda like that at times. We may feel like we are in a compressed kind of a situation where humidity and stress of this world really weighs on us. And there’s an interesting passage that you could consider if you ever feel like this. It’s over in Psalm 4. Right at the very beginning. It kinda gives us this picture of this sauna of life, and how we can really get some breathing room. And it begins like this. It says, “Hear me when I call, oh God of my righteousness.” That’s where all righteousness is, with God. Then it goes on and says, “You have relieved me in my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” And I kind of envision opening that sauna door and getting out of all of the stress and the challenges, of the weight that might weigh on us, and getting out into the open where we can breathe again.

And when we turn to God, that’s really what He’s telling us. That He relieves distress. He relieves the challenges and stress that can weigh on us. In fact, at the very end of this Psalm, it says, “I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, oh Lord, make me dwell in safety.” You want peace in your life? You want to have that relief that only God can give? Call out to Him. He will hear. That’s the great part. Hear me when I call, oh God. And He does hear. And He is a God that gives us breathing room.” From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/saunas-and-the-psalms

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Update.

Still no church, so I watched sermons on the computer on the Sabbath. 

On the Monday I drove to Brenham (TX) and see if the drive there was more relaxing than the one to College Station.  It was a long hilly country road and as soon as you got to the brow of a hill, there lay a ribbon of more miles of country road ahead.  I thought I was never going to get there  Then I found out that the HEB and Walmart are way off on the opposite side of Brenham, so, of course, I got lost.  The lady at the Visitor’s Center marked my route on a map and I finally got outta there and home. 

I wish we had better stores here in Navasota.  It is mostly Victorian houses and antique stores so the town wants to stay quaint, and not commercial.  Even the Walmart is just a tiny little store, with no tires or groceries, not that I bought Walmart groceries anyway. There isn’t even a health food store.  For so many things you have to drive at least 20 miles to get to a big grocery store or big box store.

The organic vegetables that I had bought needed to be cooked, so I sautéed some on the stove, roasted some, made some in crockpots, and then froze most of them in Mason jars.  So now I am stocked up on cooked food, but then I usually am.

As I had decided to keep the window unit, I had to make space for it in my storage unit, so I took an old beat-up trunk that I was going to restore, to the mission here, and had a look-see in their thrift shop. I try to see what they have once a week anyway.  I am still looking for an armoire.

My oldest son, Peter, turned 63 on Friday.  Many Happy Returns, I remember that day 63 years ago very well.  Also on Friday, Cherry and I studied the church’s Bible Study for this week, even though there wasn’t going to be a service there the next day.  Then we went on a quick trip to this little Walmart. She wanted to get a book, and I needed to return some shorts that I had bought in Brenham.  Even though they were the same size, they were not made by the same manufacturer and didn’t measure the same as the ones that I had bought before.

Even though there wasn’t a service at the church, I went over there this morning anyway.  An elder and his wife are there every Sabbath morning to check the mail and receive any visitors, even if there is no church service.  The lady who usually sets up the Zoom Bible study wasn’t there, and we couldn’t get the sound to work on Zoom on their phone, so we had our own Bible study, which was very interesting.  Later a few more showed up to go to a park for a community program especially for the local kids.  It was good to be around these good folks.

The sermon was live on Facebook as usual, but we will have to watch it when we get home because we all had trouble hearing it on the elder’s phone today.