Fourteen years ago today the world changed; none of you need me to tell you that because you are all old enough to remember the world as it was. You were there.

Most of us led vastly different lives. Our children were young, our dreams were new and then, in a moment, like the New York City skyline, everything changed. Looking back at what the world was on that beautiful bright September morning all those years ago with its hope and promise and contrasting it to what it is today I remember the words of then president, George W. Bush who said, in a speech to a joint session of congress on the Tuesday following the attacks, “we shall not falter and we shall not fail.”

I wonder, on this 9/11: have we lived up to that pledge? Sadly, I don’t think so. What 19 Muslim terrorists set out to do that day, they accomplished. Oh, not right away to be sure. On the contrary, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks Americans stood united, resolved, it was something none of us had ever seen in our lifetime. There was no road rage, strangers greeted on another on the streets, our churches we’re full and the world stood on notice; America was that shinning city on the hill. But like steam escaping from a pot of boiling water, soon the pot was empty its bottom forever scorched by the heat.

I fear that is where we are today, a people whose hearts, like that empty pot have been forever scorched by the heat of a single moment it time. Looking at America today, 14 years later, as we prepare to sign a treaty or agreement with the world’s leader in state sponsored terrorism I must conclude that the Muslim terrorists have won. It took time to be sure. But that scorch mark, that wound, moved like a cancer through the foundations of our country weakening them until they eroded away on their own or were removed all together by well-meaning, or maybe  not so well-meaning leaders. In short our country looks like America, on the outside but on the inside she has rotted away and at its center – that wound that is 9/11.

I chose the picture below to accompany this post because it represents hope. America can rise again just like the flag but we must remember who we are. We are here because of God’s divine providence. In the words of President Regan, “if the light of freedom goes out here, there is nowhere to run to. America is the last best hope for the world.” We can not look to politicians we must look to ourselves. Kiss your children, teach them the truth and pray. Turn to God and ask for healing. We the people still have a voice but the hour is getting late – speak now. Change starts with us. We must resolve not to allow the great experiment that is America to be swept into the dust bin of history.  As long as there is one person who will humble himself, fight from his knees and then stand and be counted among the righteous we will rise up from the ashes, the scar tissue of the scorch mark stronger than the original tissue. How do I know? Because God promised it.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/2ch.7.14.NKJV

Grace and Peace,

LD