9-11

To most places around the world, this day is called September 11th. But to us here in the US, it will forever be called 9-11. A day of horror, a day of unmitigated cruelty, a day of where the jealousy and hatred of another country unleashed itself on the innocent people of America.

It is a reminder to all believing Christians, that satan is in charge here on earth and we must stay tightly connected to our Lord and Father to survive until He calls us home to our real home in Heaven.

For ages, all around this planet, there have been acts of cruelty and atrocities to fellow mankind that were never the intention of God. God’s intention was the Garden of Eden, but satan found a way to destroy that beautiful garden throwing mankind out where he can continually torment him in an effort to strike out at God.

I am in continuous prayer against the cruelty of war and oppression that is everywhere on this earth. And as we, in the US, mourn again on this day where over 2,000 lives were senselessly lost, it is a reminder of the damage hate can cause.

In February, my daughter and I visited the site of the twin towers where now a large hole still remains in the ground. It has been turned into a memorial fountain with granite walls engraved with the names of the lives lost…people that were never found. Some were just ordinary people going to work, some were bystanders as the buildings began to fall and some were people sworn to protect others with their very lives, which they gave willingly trying to save as many as they could.

Even though the busy city still moves about today, there is a reverent quiet all around the square of the memorial fountain. People move quietly about as they remember the horrors of the day and pay their respects to those they lost. Even today, strangers weep over this devastating act of cruelty.

May we forever understand that this is no way to be and lift our voices to Heaven for the cruelty to stop. If it means that Jesus needs to come back…then come Lord Jesus and save us from ourselves.

For through kindness, understanding of our differences, and working together as one in Love, then and only then will we find Peace.

Interesting Buildings

I enjoyed the post from woollymuses about interesting buildings. When my daughter and I went to New York City in February, we saw many interesting buildings. I have shared some of them off and on but not together so I thought I would do that even if sharing some pictures more than once.

It was amazing to me the mixture of very old buildings along with new modern buildings all throughout the city.

Besides the amazing churches we saw, there were two building in particular that made me do a double look. One was the Oculus Building that was built at the World Trade Center after 9/11 disaster.

The inside is just as amazing.

Another building that I have no clue what its name is or what it is used for we saw from a distance but it made me stop for a picture.

It looks like the game of Jenga. But you can see in this picture a mixture of old and new. New York City, ever-changing. The Chrysler building is an amazing building and to me more interesting that the Empire State Building, which we did not get a chance to see. The new 1 World Trade Center is impressive and thought provoking as well for why it was built because of the unneeded disaster. Over 2000 lives lost.

But we need to remember that buildings don’t last forever but love and kindness do. They get carried with us to our eternal home. So make an extra effort to always be kind. Kindness opens many doors to many situations.

9/11 Never Forget

Will We Ever…

Will we ever be able to stand by one another in unity and peace?

It would be like fresh cool water from a spring being poured over our heads to cool the unrelenting heat of anger that we don’t even understand.

Will we ever be able to support one another in unity and peace?

It would be like adding a soothing ointment that softens the wounds of war and heals the ugly scars we cause on one another.

Will we ever be able to love one another in unity and peace?

It would be like the valleys of heaven descended upon us to show us the beauty and kindness of life that we all were supposed to enjoy.

Will we ever be able?

This poem was first published in Reflections & Revelations, The Short of It, Volume 2, 2022.

It was based on Psalm 133 of the Bible, NIV version. So many of the Psalms are prayer songs that tried to understand the meanness of the world while hoping for better days.

We will never understand the meanness, hurt, and desolation of war. Our inner nature is to love…as he first loved, so war makes no sense.

When we visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, the immensity of that place was hallowed. No loud sounds could be heard from other onlookers. Even the sounds of the city seemed muted. Soft cries from people were heard as they placed their hands on the memorial wall that surrounded the massive holes in the ground. The walls surrounding the fountain was filled with the names of loved ones who were killed in the towers or rescue workers who were killed trying their best to save at least one person. Memories of that day still fill my mind, as I was in the Atlanta airport getting ready to board a plane when the airport was shut down. Knives and box cutters were later found in the trashcans around the airport proving another plane was scheduled to be used. How could that much hate be filtered into people against other people? In my mind and heart, I know why but I still ask the questions of why. Below are pictures I took while we were at the memorial. While we don’t want to dwell on this particular travesty, we need to pray for the hatred and unrest filling our planet in so many locations. And we lift our arms to God above to come quickly before we fully implode in anger.

The massive holes in the ground from the destruction of these two building were turned into fountains. In the background is the new 1 Tower World Trade Center building.

More than 2,000 lives were taken that day.

This is a bronze memorial for this horrific day and the many rescue workers that tried to make a difference. They did.

The Oculus Transportation Hub of the World Trade center.

Around the Oculus are wonderful statues by Gillie and Marc proving the beauty of wildlife and animals. Their whimsical art statues of animals doing things humans do gives you a light smile for a very sad place because people are not the only creatures on this planet that are purposely attacked.

Rabbit and Elephant share a book and a coffee

The entire gang is out for a ride in the big city leaving an open seat for anyone to join.

We should always remember that if we try, truly try, we can find goodness in each of us and can work together to find and maintain happiness. It starts with being kind.