Monday, January 6, 2020

A small bit of our History


Proverbs 78:34-39


On September 11, 2001, the United States of America witnessed a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.  The attack killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others.  

The morning was like all others; I was listening to the radio in my car going to make a call on one of the refineries in the Houston, Texas area.  I was on Hwy 45, in heavy traffic and they said a plane hit the world trade center, my first thought was, some inexperienced pilot in a small plane, but it was no time till they said, it was a big commercial airliner.  I was now alarmed, how could that happen, and had not gone a mile in that traffic, when they said another plane is going to hit the trade center.

I exited U.S. 45 and headed for the closest mall and I was not the only one, many were coming to the closest place they knew would have a T.V.  I stood with many that day in a Sears store watching over and over the pictures of the two planes hitting the towers, and then the third plane hit the Pentagon it was American Airlines flight 77.  We watched a partial part of the building’s west side collapse and stood in shock as to how this could be happening in our amazing Nation.

It was not long before we learned of a fourth plane that crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  It was much later at home that I learned about the brave men that took the plane back and did not allow the Islamic terrorist to complete their plan.

Why am I telling you this history lesson that many of you have forgotten, in fact, have allowed one that is now in our Congress who I would not be surprised was like so many of the Muslim community rejoiced all over the world that the great Satan was hit a blow?  I only make that judgment on her actions in Congress and what she has voiced.

Do you recall the number of people that filled the Churches after 9-11, where are they today, most were back to living as they were before 9-11 within just a few weeks?  That is why it’s clear that we learn very little from history, and if we did, we would not keep repeating it.

With that information, shall we explore Proverbs 78:34-39, and have we learned anything to this point?

“Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.  But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.  Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them.  Time after time, he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.   He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.”

I bet you're glad I’m not God, I’m sure glad you are not, for we would have destroyed everyone, and I’m not sure we would have allowed humans to return to planet earth.  One clear thing, we have all sinned and fallen short, we tried self-improvement it fell short, we tried religion, and that does not work, but Jesus does have a plan for your life and mine.  My friend Bill Gilliam often would say “it is not too late to make something beautiful of your life (in Adam).  When we enter into a relationship with Jesus, something has to die, and that something is your old self, it has been crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6).  Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be Lord over your life?  I’m living proof that joy and peace are only in Jesus, in the world we will have many troubles, but rest and peace are in Christ.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

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