Why 9/11 is a great day…
Hi Friends in Christ,
Before you start emailing me saying how wrong I am let me explain. I am writing this message today because just earlier I was sitting in my office watching the memorial services on TV and I started to get very emotional. As many of you know, I live in NJ and I lost several friends and colleagues 7 years ago today. I will never forget that day as I was getting dressed and the phone rang. At that time I was the Assistant Chief of our local rescue squad and the Chief called and told me to turn on the television. As I watched the television in disbelief I didn’t wonder “how could this happen”. I just knew what I had to do. I knew that New York was going to need help. I immediately got into my car and headed to the rescue squad building. As I pulled out onto the road a police office pulled me over and told me “I wanted to let you know that you guys are being called out” and I told him I was heading to the building now.
I immediately started to strip down some rigs and load them with medical supplies and our rescue gear. I knew we might be called out as we had one of top confined space rescue teams in the state and I was on that team. By the time I got that rigs all geared up, we got that call that we were to be the staging ground for our county. EMT’s from all over started to arrive. After checking everyone out, we moved out in a convoy to head toward Liberty State Park. We had our orders. We were to build a hospital and that we did in record time. We treated a few people but unfortunately our hospital remained empty. As we all found out, the people left in the Twin Towers and some of the nation’s best rescue personnel were not going to survive.
For the next two weeks, we were on 12 hour shifts going back and forth to New York. During the time that I, and our teams, were not in New York, we were going to businesses to get supplies. Store owners and people were giving without even thinking about it. “Take what you need and God be with you” was the reply I heard over and over again. They were not being selfish and people were regarding others as more important. They had the opportunity and they were doing good to all people. If these statements seem familiar, look at Philippians 2:3 and Galatians 6:10.
The next day when I was lying in bed that evening I received another call. Our Confined Space rescue team was being called in. It didn’t make a difference as I couldn’t sleep anyway so I packed up my gear and my team and I headed into the city. When we got there we were told to put our Social Security number on all our limbs. We all knew what this meant but we did it anyway and headed to ground zero. I will not go into detail about what I saw or what we did; I just want you to know that people from all over were putting the needs of others ahead of themselves.
I remember the phone calls I got when I was in New York and the one I received from my mother. I knew she would worry about me and I didn’t want to worry her and yet I could not lie to her. I know I stretched the truth but I felt for the time being it was what I needed to do. I told her “Don’t worry Mom; I am on this side of the river”. I didn’t lie but I knew that she thought I was safe in NJ.
I don’t remember what day it was as those two weeks all seemed to blend together, but one evening around 3 in the morning we were heading out of the city and I broke down in tears. The reason is this. We were in one of our rigs, and as we turned the corner, there was a sea of people there. I couldn’t believe my eyes as it was after three in the morning. People were there clapping, saluting, holding flags and giving us food and drinks. I received drinks from an Asian woman, food from an African American man, water and supplies from every race, creed and religion. You see at that moment, our skin color didn’t make a difference. Our political party was not on anyone’s mind. Race, religion or political parties meant nothing. On that early morning there was no African American, no Asian American, Hispanics, Caucasians, Democrats, Republicancs, Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals or anything. On that morning there were just American citizens who for the first time I could remember were acting and caring for each other as Jesus would have done. As I am writing this my eyes are tearing up as I remember that early morning and think why we had to have such a tragedy for people to act like we should.
In my mind, that day was a great day for America. It is a shame that my friends, colleagues and the thousands of others had to lose their lives to make that day happen. Today as we reflect on what happened 7 years ago I challenge you to make a commitment to live as it says in Galatians 6:10. I want all of you who have a story to share to go to www.ChristianLivingMinistry.com, log in and write a comment about this message. It will be under the sermon category.
I love you all and remind you, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Bob
Sr. Pastor, Christian Living Ministry
Dean, ChristianLivingBibleInstitute.org
PS
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September 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I think your message today was great. I was also there as I worked @ 30 west broadway and was on my way to work. I had just come back from a prayer retreat and was feeling strange all that morning. I went to put on a skirt and top when I felt in my spirit no pants today. I didn’t know why I just put on pants a top and went to train still with bugs in my tommy not knowing why.When I came up out train staion on park place I found out why and just started holding folk and praying out loud for them as I ran to safteywith them. The police told us to keep going north and on my way I saw several things and helped a lot of folk all while praying and moving.
When I was getting ready for work and they called the roll of those lost then I couldn’t listen as I too still well up and yes at work even now it comes. I even found that all durning the day as I tried to get back home people were in need and I thank God I was there to be able to help for you see God was talking to his children and let us all know be still he was/is with us. I am not a perfect christian as God must still pull out of Dawn to make Dawn better but I was able to get that and all of us need to know when we develop a relationship with Him He will alert us to all we need to know and prepare us to be a help to others.
Have A blessed Day Dawn
September 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Some may think your response, reverend, is a bit unchristian and others may think a little brash but it does hit the nerve and that is what is needed in a secular, worldly society today. I do think what is good for the goose is good for the gander and many of these journalists need to look to their own home and conditions surrounding their own families before they can comment on others and their conditions. I do believe in forgiving and forgetting when individuals make an attempt and do change. We are called to forgiveness and love and charity which is love. Let us know that none are perfect, but God and we must strive to help one another and look at the “heart sincerity” of the individual(s) portraying a message. It is difficult for politicians to succed these days because they are so scrutinized, and put under a microscope. If everyone was put under the microscope - probably most of us would fail the tests needed to be a so-called politician. We are not TOO JUDGE OTHERS, AND MAYBE THE MESSAGE EXCLAIMED IN THIS SERMON IS A LITTLE JUDGEMENTAL BUT I DO BELIEVE IT HAS VALIDITY AND SHOULD STRIKE A NERVE IN ALL OF US. LET US PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER WITH EARNEST AND FORGIVENESS.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Yes, I do agree with your view it was great that everyone came together in such a great way. But I have a question that I don’t mean to sound down or doubtful in asking. Why does it take such great tragedy to get this nation as a whole to see the way they saw right after 9/11? Right now everyone is took caught up in something whether it be skin color, religion, polotics. You name it and there’s an excuse. Talking about God that day was fine cause “everyone” knew we needed something. But on a regular basis it’s like we don’t need to do such. That’s why I don’t understand why it takes such to get people to wake up only briefly.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Great message today and so very true. It shouldn’t matter what race, what religion, where from, etc. We should all try to be helpful and caring to everyone.
I really enjoyed this message very much.
Debbie Savoie
September 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
God bless you Pastor ,I set this morning and I also was watching the events that happened those seven years ago. It all seemed so long ago until today it comes back to my memory,memory is an amazing thing thank God for it.As I sit watching I began to tear up also( By the way great message)Then I began calling
my family just to let them know that I love them, well they all that I called, asked this one question was anything wrong.Well I do try to stay in touch with my family,so I call pretty often just to say hi and I love you.As I sit watching the events as they unfolded I began to think how many of us take life for granted.
This question might seem wrong but there is a point to it.I wonder how many of those that lost their lives took life for granted as I so often do.What made me call my family and tell them I love them today, and why did they ask me was I alright.I think the answer is that we take life for granted.I got up this morning
and prayed did some work on the computer,went to the track to walk,then to the church to pray ,came back and ate,then started to watch the news and as I watched I began to cry because I felt fortunate enough to see what had transpired seven years to this day.I didn’t want another day to go by without telling those I loved goodbye or see you later not knowing whether I would or not because my life is in Gods hand,so I did what I felt, I called but also thought
what we don’t do when we should I thank God for your courage to print the truth,For those that read my story today don’t take life for granted take a look at 9/11 and live like today is your last day but work for Jesus like you got all day.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
This passages was very helpful to find out where my heart was at that time and where my heart is now. I feel very good how things have turned out since then, but I wasn’t Christian when this happened, and I am veteran and wanted to go over Afagastain and kill them all. But a friend of mine gave me the scope about the people over there and how they where being held hostage in thier own country and it was the Taliban who held them hostage.
It was special that all of those people came together and worked as one team who didn’t hold color or religion or any other markers deter us from a common goal. I wish that we could have that sort of understanding through out the world.
September 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I was a police officer during 911 however I was not one who responded to ground zero during the emergency. I was busy in my patrol area. I came to see the site after the fact and felt an awkward sense of guilt with mixed emotion of gratitude. I thought that I was lucky or rather blessed to be alive. My next door neighbor die there that day along with many other collegues. I too watched the memorial services this morning and then some of the documentaries which were being shown on TV about 911. It seems like it was only yesterday as I watched those scenes replay again on the tube stirring up some old emotions within me. I read Galations 6:10 and understand your message. He wants us to reach out and help one another. It seems God uses catastrophy to bring about good in man. He brings together two total strangers in need of assistance and demonstrates Christ’s love through each ones kindness toward each other. Sometimes it takes these unfortunate circumstances to bring people together in prayer and to acknowledge God.
Your message was very touching and inspirational. It surely had many interesting aspects as well as your personal account of events. Thank you for the message which the lord had inspired you to share with us today. God bless!
September 12th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I wasn’t a Christian back then, but I am now. William Rodriguez wasn’t Christian, either, before the buildings started falling. saved as the building he was in fell. God answered his prayers as he unlocked doors for people to get out. Bombs were going off everywhere around him. He speaks on Univision and around the world. The FBI wants him dead. 9/11 is a day of darkness. It was sad how the survivors were not believed when they told of what they saw as the bombs went off. It was sad, because firefighters like John Schroder were told by the EPA that the air was safe to breathe, but that was a lie. His lungs filled up with soot. He didn’t get any benefits. All the other firefighters are quieted by the mass media when they speak the truth. If you watch the mainstream news, you’re being deceived. Why can’t they tell the story straight?
September 12th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I was on my mother inlaws roof and heard the news on the radio (99.7 Family Life Radio) and I to beleive it was a great day, because I saw fulfillment of the Word, for it is written “IT is I sayeth the Lord that bringeth a people from a far off nation a land and off a language you do not under stand to bring down the high walls in wich you trust, and I will put it in their hearts that they are doing it for me ‘. Never before has any walls so high been brought down in that manner. Ity is also written ” In one hour her riches will come to ruien, her ports will be shut and ships turned away”. It was just a few day before when in my devotion time I was in those passages. I was aw struck because of the things that was going through my mind, and very thankfull I had turned to the Lord previously that I might be able to under stand that it was a repent call to this nation to turn back to the Lord. Not all people will see not all people will understand but blessid are those that do. Your Brother Bonded in Christ. Kevin
September 13th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Lewis H. Crow.
I had just gotten home from work, turned on Sally Jesse Raphel, started up the computer, and got comfortable. I was alone in the house, as my wife had sent one of my daughters off to school, and had taken the other one to day care. Then she had gone off to work…..As I was playing on the comp., I turned to see what was going on with “Sally” (I had the volume turned down), I watched as the 1st tower was smoking. I was tring to figure out what Sally was up to, as the news commentators came on. It was at that moment that I realized, this was real world. I watched in horror and stunned disbelief, as the second plane crashed into the second tower….to this day I still remember my heart beat speeding up and the tears flowing down my face. I had been out of the Air Force about 6 yrs., at that time, but I knew what needed to be done by me, but I was living in North Carolina…..I could not help those who needed my help. So I just prayed. I am thankful for those who could help. I still cry. I cry for the dead, I cry for the living, and I still pray. September 11th will be with me until I pass into Glory. I can never truley put into words or voice how that day has affected me, but this is a good try. But I do agree, for awhile, September 11th, 2001 was a good day….as flags were proudly displayed, and people of all colors were brothers and sisters. But I fear that as a nation, we are starting to forget. Just as those who were alive on Dec. 2, 1941 are passing, and the rememberance of that day is only in the history books, I fear that 9/11 is already heading that way. Least we forget.