Remembering Tuesday, September 11, 2001

2,993 people, including the hijackers, died in the attacks

Early on the morning of  Tuesday, September 11, 2001, nineteen highjackers took control of four commercial airliners en route to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Boston, Newark, and Washington, DC.  At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower, followed by United Airlines Flight 175 which hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. Another group of hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. A fourth flight, United Airlines Flight 93, whose ultimate target was thought to be either the United States Capitol or White House, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m, after the passengers on board engaged in a fight with the hijackers.

The south tower (2 WTC) fell at approximately 9:59 a.m., after burning for 56 minutes in a fire caused by the impact of United Airlines Flight 175. The north tower (1 WTC) collapsed at 10:28 a.m., after burning for approximately 102 minutes.

The United States and even the world have not been the same since the terrorist attacks on Sept.11/01, it was a day that many will never forget,nor should we.

God Bless all of the families of those who lost their lives that day.

What do you see nurses? . . . .. . What do you see?
What are you thinking . .. … . . when you’re looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . .. . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food . . . . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . ‘I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice ….. .. . .. . the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. . . . . lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . . . The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? . .. . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . you’re not looking at me..

I’ll tell you who I am. . . .. . . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . . .. …. . with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . . .. who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . with wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . . my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . .. …. . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . .. And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . .. . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . . . . have grown and are gone,
But my woman’s beside me . . . .. . to see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . .. My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . .. . . . young of their own.
And I think of the years …. . . . . and the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old man . . . … … and nature is cruel.
‘Tis jest to make old age . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . . . a young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living . . . .. . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . .. . . . gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . .. . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . … . . open and see.
Not a crabby old man . .. . Look closer . . . see ME!!

There is a story that goes with this poem that has circulated via email, the story is fiction but the sentiments in the poem are all too real….that makes this “story” worth sharing in my humble opinion. Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there too!

Ever use the term “I’m starving to death?” Most of us have and yet most of us have NO IDEA what it means to starve to death.

This is what it looks like!

Famine-hit Somalia is facing a cholera epidemic amid poor sanitary conditions, World Health Organization officials say.

The suffering is compounded by the constant violence and strife in the region.

The United Nations estimates 30,000 people have died, and many more are at risk.

More than half the children in Somalia are malnourished, and one in three could die.

Money raised will provide food, water, shelter and medicine.

Americans are donating the most to help ease the suffering. The United States has given $580 million in aid this year. Britain comes second, contributing $205 million so far, while Saudi Arabia is the largest Muslim donor with $60 million.

The government of Canada has pledged $72 million in support funding for the region this year, apart from the current fundraising drive.

To make a contribution, visit:

humanitariancoalition.ca

redcross.ca

unicef.ca

worldvision.ca

A Zondervan Book by: Karen Spears Zacharias

“Author Karen Spears Zacharias believes Christians have been paying good money for a false doctrine—the Cash and
Cadillac Gospel.” (credit: Zondervan synopsis)

Intriguing title isn’t it? In “Double-Wide” Karen shares 19 stories from “The Evangelist” to “The Mogul” to “The Entrepreneur” and several others along the way, illustrating with laughter and tears the message that a relationship with God is not about (or should not be) what He can do for us, how He can prosper us and bestow His favor on us.

What is the prosperity gospel? It has been called the “name it and claim it” gospel, “gospel of success” – the “Cash and Cadillac Gospel” and so on. It is the “good news” that God wants believers to be materially wealthy. Dr. Robert Tilton is a well-known proponent of the prosperity gospel – according to his website “All of the books Dr. Tilton’s has written inspire the reader to Expect Greater Things from God.” A common message amongst the prosperity preachers is giving. They encourage their followers to give generously, which is all well and good, but the motive for giving generously is that God gives back more in return and then this leads to a cycle of ever-increasing prosperity. That is about the gist of it – it is all about you and you gaining wealth and prosperity because, you know, you deserve it! The thing is, it is these “evangelists” who are becoming wealthy on that money people are sending in to God.

Some details from Zondervan’s website on this book:

Description: 
What does it really mean to be blessed by God?

With Southern charm and razor-sharp wit in Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide?, author Karen Spears Zacharias shows how the “prosperity” gospel has led us astray from true Christianity and helped create people and churches focused on greed.

Zacharias unpacks story after story of families and individuals using the name of God as a means to living their own “good life.” You’ll hear shocking tales of those who exploit the gospel for their own gain, and mega-evangelists who live in million-dollar mansions with children groomed from the cradle to sell the message of Christ while their parents rake in the cash. Discover churches that have modeled themselves on Wall Street and unbridled materialism, and see what is happening to them now. Is this the good life?

You’ll also meet some unlikely folks who live with genuine biblical integrity. People who know that God is more than some cosmic genie who gives them an easy life, a fat bank account, and a second home in an exotic location.

Come discover stories about authentic Christianity and the true “good life” in Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide?

From the book jacket:

“We have this notion that God owes us better than we’ve gotten.”

“We treat God like a slot machine, yanking on the prayer cable, hoping that the triple 7′s will appear.” writes Karen Spears Zacharias

Endorsements:

“Behind this satirical title lies a book filled with insight and wisdom. Karen Spears Zacharias provides parables of people who confront their faith with truth and grit. It’s an honest and timely read.”          Michael Morris, author of Slow Way Home

“An honest, raw account of some who use God for their purposes and some who seek to follow God to use them – a huge difference!”
                                                                             Rev. Dr. Layne E. Smith, senior pastor, Viewmont Baptist Church, Hickory, North Carolina

You can also read Karen’s blog at: http://www.patheos.com/community/karenspearszacharias/

I enjoyed reading “Double-Wide” and regularly enjoy reading Karen’s blog. Looking for a copy of “Where is Your Jesus Now? Examining How Fear Erodes Our Faith” and “After the Flag Has Been Folded.” I cannot find any bookstore or Christian bookstore selling “Where is Your Jesus Now?” – maybe I’ll find a resale copy at Amazon?

Is it a mother’s duty to perjure herself in an attempt to save her daughter? I believe it was June 23, 2011 that Cindy Anthony did just that. She swore an oath, in court, to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I don’t recall if her hand was on the Bible or if she said “so help me God” – honestly I don’t remember but there she sat in the witness-box and lied to the lawyers, judge and jury and all of those watching on TV thanks to cameras in the courtroom. I could not believe it, although I am sure she is not the first or last witness to lie under oath.

Cindy is the one who reported little Caylee missing, she is the one who reported that her daughter’s car smelled like a dead body (“I found my daughter’s car today and there smells like there’s been a dead body in the damn car.” 911 call). It seemed like from the very first Cindy knew that Casey was guilty of murdering Caylee and disposing of her body – I think something inside of her knew and yet there was a part of her that did not want to accept it or acknowledge it – she didn’t want to lose her daughter as well as her precious Caylee. I think that she felt like she had to try to save Casey because it was too late to save Caylee – she failed Caylee, failed to protect her from the monster that she raised and now she felt like she needed to do whatever it took to save Casey from the death penalty.

During the trial, following Cindy’s perjured testimony, the prosecution impeached that testimony – they brought forth witnesses who proved that Cindy was lying when she claimed to have been the one who searched “how to make chloroform” and “neck breaking” on the family computer…they proved that Cindy was actually at work during that time. They proved that the term “neck breaking” was not a pop-up of a skateboarder but an actual search on the computer. They proved that the search was for “chloroform” not “chlorophyll” as Cindy had claimed.

I always wonder why people lie when they know their claims can easily be proven to be false. Why did she lie? I think she lied because she knew that Casey was guilty and she wanted to take the “premeditation” off the table – if the prosecutor could not prove that the murder was premeditated (she may have thought) then Casey could not be convicted of murder one.

I have read that Cindy is writing a book about this whole fiasco, the “missing” grand-daughter, the incarcerated daughter, the discovery of Caylee’s remains, the trial etc. I wonder what she will write about the perjury? What will she say about lying on the witness stand and subsequently being proven a liar? I wonder what Cindy will write about the defense’s false claim that George Anthony, Cindy’s husband and Casey’s father, sexually molested Casey when she was growing up and that is the reason that Casey turned out to be a liar with multiple fake friends? The defense repeatedly threw George Anthony under the bus during the trial, not only claiming the molestation but concocted an elaborate story of a cover-up by George. They claimed that Caylee had drowned in the family pool and George made it look like murder – WHY?! Why would anybody do that?? As interested as I am to know how or if Cindy will address these things in her book, I will not buy it. I will not spend one cent on a book, or watch an interview with any of these people – they are all trying to profit from the death of this little girl… and another reason is that they are proven liars. Could anything they say be trusted?

Cindy Anthony will not be charged with purjury. Cindy gets away with lying under oath and Casey gets away with murder. Was it a mother’s duty or did Cindy betray her only grand-daughter by lying for Casey?

In the end, maybe Cindy’s lies saved Casey or maybe the jury just wanted to go home?

Bella Vita = Beautiful Life/Good Life

Is there anyone in the world who does not know who Casey Anthony is?

June 15, 2008 was the last time little Caylee Marie Anthony was seen alive. Casey Anthony is Caylee’s mom. Thirty-one days passed and Casey never reported Caylee’s disappearance, instead she lied to her parents, making up stories as to Caylee’s whereabouts so that she would not have to tell them the truth about their beloved grand-daughter.

July 15, 2008, Cindy Anthony, Casey’s mom, called 911 to report Caylee missing and to report that it smelled like a dead body in Casey’s car. Casey still did not report her daughter missing – her mother did that. Caylee was to turn 3 years old in August.

What was Casey doing during those 31 days? She was doing everything but looking for her child – she was having fun and telling lots of lies and oh ya, she got a tattoo which is pictured above that says “bella vita” which I’ve read means “beautiful life” or “good life.” Your only child is missing and you get a tattoo which means GOOD LIFE??

When questioned by the police, Casey told them a bunch of lies. She told them that she left Caylee with a nanny, who, it turned out, didn’t exist. She made up a whole bunch of “friends” and also lied about her job – she claimed to work at Universal Studios as an event coordinator when in fact she had not worked at Universal for more than two years. Click “interview” and “affidavit” to read transcripts of the actual documents. Click “31 days” to see how Casey spent those days while her little girl was “missing.”

If Casey believed that Caylee was “missing” why didn’t she report it the second that she realized it? Why, instead, did she party, lie and get a tattoo? Why, when questioned by the police, did she continue to lie and send the police on a wild goose chase which wasted precious time and resources that could have been used to find Caylee? What mother would do that, who does that?

On December 11, 2008, Caylee Marie Anthony’s remains were found less than half a mile from her family home.

Fast forward to July 5, 2011, the jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child, but guilty of four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer. Anthony received a sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each count. With credit for time served and good behavior, she was released on July 17, 2011 at 12:10 AM.

Despite the strong circumstantial case presented by the prosecution, Casey Anthony was acquitted – found not guilty of killing her child. Just like when O.J. Simpson was acquitted, and most people believed that he was guilty – most people believe that the jury made a mistake and have freed a child killer.

There will never be justice for Caylee. Casey may be “free” to live the “beautiful life” but she will always live with what she is guilty of – even if she is not responsible for Caylee’s death (which I believe she is) she still NEVER reported that baby missing, she went partying – she is guilty of being a completely irresponsible and lousy mother.

Words of wisdom from a friend on Facebook: Casey Anthony is free – but she is still “entangle with a yolk of bondage.” Galations 5:1 She does not yet know true freedom.

The best comment I’ve read about Casey Anthony. By the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North
“One day, God will pour out justice on Casey Anthony. Or Christ will bear it for her. And so it is with all of us. Something in us longs for justice. Something in us begs for grace. Only at the cross are both preserved & perfectly displayed.”

If you want to read more details on the Casey Anthony case click “Orlando Sentinel” . What are your thoughts? Please feel free to comment.

Caylee Anthony is safe in the arms of Jesus.

Please pray for these adventurous young ladies as they embark on a life changing trip to Zambia.

This is Erika’s request:

We want to thank you all for your prayers, and ask you to continue to pray as we leave TODAY and begin this incredible journey God has given us the opportunity to experience! We love and will miss you all; please know that you are in our prayers as well. May God bless you and keep you ♥

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”" - Mark 16:15

These three young Christian women have decided to spend the next (almost) 7 weeks of their lives working at Sakeji Mission School in north western Zambia. Erika has just finished year 2 of university in her pursuit of a teaching career. Erika is my cousin’s daughter and the other girls are her friends from university. 

Please pray for their safety as they travel and for their time in Zambia, serving the Lord. 

This photo was taken on July 15, 2007 in North-Western, ZM

Please click here to read about their adventures in Zambia on their own blog “Voices of the Faithful”

Living He loved me

Dying He saved me

Buried He carried my sins far away

Rising He justified freely forever

One Day He’s Coming…

O Glorious Day!

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

Glorious Day (living He Loved Me) lyrics

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

(by: Anonymous)

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day.

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.

I’m blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

Let me continue to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil.

And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus’ example — to slip away and find a quiet place to pray.

It’s the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak..

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way.

I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.

I pray for those who don’t know You intimately.

I pray for those who don’t believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For every family member in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my

prayer.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

On March 12, 2011, our oldest son became a father!

I’m a grandma but not sure yet if that is what I will be called. I like “Mimi” but I haven’t decided yet.

This is our first grandchild and my husband is so in love with this baby boy, he is beaming from ear to ear!

I thank the Lord that he arrived safely and healthy. He is already home with his proud mommy and daddy.

I cannot wait to get to know this precious new member of our family.

Welcome to the world, little man ~ Mimi loves you!

The greatest gift that God could send He sends with love to you. A sweet and helpless baby boy an obligation too.

Each baby boy God gives to us is merely lent awhile to cherish, love, protect and guard from every snare and wile.

To form within his childish heart His image good and true. God bless this newborn baby boy and may He bless you too!