STILL REMEMBERING

We all remember where we were on 9/11/2001; and a national slogan was imprinted on a new generation: NEVER FORGET! This was not the first time we were called upon to remember. The Alamo, The Civil War, Pearl Harbor, The Holocaust, The Civil Rights Movement and many, many more. Families who lost loved ones never forget. Those who carry physical or emotional scars never forget. Nor should we as a nation forget. We learned a lot on that day, now let us remember the grace we needed and received that day.

And, let’s recall some of what we learned from 9/11:

        

We Learned We Need To Stand Together

• This was a patriotic moment, but it really touched us at a much deeper level. It revealed our need to draw closer to God and draw closer together as a nation in spite of our differences.
• People who never attended worship services nor saw the need, suddenly went somewhere to gather with the  faithful

We Learned that While Others Rush Out, Some Rush In

• We found courage and sacrifice that informed and challenged us.
• We became more appreciative of those who protect us. The number of firefighters killed that day: 345. The number of police officers killed that day: 23. Many more have died since then with related illnesses directly tied to working on that site.
• We learned we should be MISSIONAL in how we live: John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We Learned We Should Not Be Naive About Evil

• We often ignore the spirit behind evil.
• It is convenient to blame circumstances.
• We are uncomfortable with the very idea of evil.
• Wrong priorities invite evil. Isaiah 47:8-10 (NIV) “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.’  Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day.
• Evil must be openly called out: Matthew 7:11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" By defining the enemy in stark terms and facing the problem realistically, we position ourselves for safety.
• We learned that confronting evil opens new opportunities:  Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Evil is not driven out, but crowded out ... through the expulsive power of something good.” Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Our duty is to offer hope in the face of evil: Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

HAPPY 4TH

On this day of celebration of the birth of this great nation I am thinking of those who left their homelands; crossing vast seas and overcoming incredible hardships to live on this soil. I am thinking of their enormous courage, hope and for many, the desperation that drove these pioneers. There was passionate pursuit of a new life, of freedom, of a new nation where those who chased such dreams could abide.

On this day of celebration of the birth of this great nation I am thinking about all of the men and women serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines around the world who are standing the watch of freedom. I am thinking about the men and women serving in the Coast Guard who on this day will keep us safe on the waterways while defending our coastal borders from our enemies.

On this day of celebration of the birth of this great nation I am thinking of all of the first responders who guard our streets, attend to our injuries and protect our families and homes from harm. For all these and for all others not mentioned who lead our nation, keep us safe, attend to our spiritual needs, educate our citizens and work for our prosperous future, I pray: May God’s richest blessings, eternal comforts and divine guidance be yours today and always. 

DC - MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Growing up as a lower middle class southerner in the fifties and early sixties provided an interesting lens through which to see and perceive Washington, DC. First of all, there wasn’t a lot of difference in my young mind between the Emerald City in the Land of Oz and Our Capital City. They both seemed mysterious, curiously interesting, powerful and not even remotely related to my life in any tangible way. My earliest memories are in grainy, black and white period movies. There was Shirley Temple, that once in a generation, cute bundle of talent, singing and dancing her way into President Lincoln’s heart. There was the constant revisiting of our historical march across this continent, from early colonists to pioneers, to settlers and miners, industrialists, inventors, warriors and the list goes on. A very idealized version of who we are as a people seemed to always pass through DC at some point or another.

The word “abstract” refers to something existing in thought or as an idea, but not having a physical or concrete existence. Washington, DC is most definitely a city of abstracts; what really powers this town is a kaleidoscope of ideas, conversations, speeches, dreams, concepts, strategies, greed, education…and the list goes on and on. While DC can be a pressure cooker, it is also energizing in very unique ways, as well as thought provoking. For instance, there is the District of Columbia’s plethora of fowls.

The official District bird is a crane, and they are clearly seen in every direction. No, not the kinds of crane you would see in marshes, these are cranes used to build huge buildings. And boy, are they ever building a lot of them! The DC skyline is a flock of cranes. Seated in the Delta Sky Club at Ronald Reagan National Airport overlooking the Potomac and our capital city beyond, I counted 19 huge cranes.

Another fine-feathered species in Capital City is “The DC Songbird”. It is a sound you will hear at anytime and in every place; the screaming cacophony of the most bizarre sirens I have ever heard anywhere. I have no empirical evidence, however, I am fully convinced sirens for emergency vehicle use around the world are first tested in DC…constantly and loudly.

Then again, there are the “Whirlybirds”, regularly passing overhead in such a hurry. Marine One is a common sight, but so are many others in the same species. Occasionally they even flock together as they perform low-level passes, shaking the ground and adding deafening noise to the clamor of the DC Songbirds. But I digress. Most of these Whirlybirds seem to come and go from the big white house at the dead-end of 16^th street; you know, the one with the huge lawn and lot’s of scary looking guys who hang out on the rooftop. I figure they must be hunters.

And I cannot leave the subject of DC fowls without at least mentioning the “Floaters”. Oh, you know them. They get on the Government payroll and just float through for a lifelong career in DC. They are nested in buildings throughout.

Yes, DC has become my home away from home, and while there are many things to dislike, it is a beautiful, busy, quirky place that holds a special place in my heart.