"Husker du" is a Danish / Norwegian phrase which was the name of a concentration game when I was a boy. I don't even know if the game is around any more, but the phrase stuck with me. It means, "Do you remember?"
It's an appropriate question for Americans to ask on this day in particular. Do you remember 9-11?
Growing up, I heard plenty of times people would say, "I remember where I was when I heard the news Kennedy had been shot." I was born in 1964, so that was before my time. But I still remember some historical landmarks. I remember being a rather small, five year old boy, sitting on my living room floor in the apartment we lived in, in England, where my dad was stationed in the Air Force, and watching on our little black and white set as the first man set foot on the moon. We were an Air Force household, so that was a big deal. Of course, it was a big deal in every American household, and every household of every nation, for that matter.
I vaguely remember Watergate. More fresh is watching Pres. Ford pardon Pres. Nixon and not quite being sure I understood what was going on, only that it was historic.
I remember our bicentennial, and enjoying lighting sparklers on my porch -- which was on the second floor connected to the flat in which I lived with my mom. The country gave itself a good birthday that year, as we should have done.
I was just about to board a bus home from campus when I first heard the news that the Challenger had blown-up. Another sad day. It was a cool and rainy day, as I recall. How appropriate.
And of course, I remember where I was when I heard the news of 9-11. I had driven about 3 hours that morning to attend a pastor's conference, way out in the country. The news reached us in dribs and drabs, and at first we only heard there had been a terrible accident, but the news kept coming in all morning long. It was strange and unsettling not being able to reach home via the phones during the mid-morning break. But by lunch time the full story -- the outline of the truth, at least -- was made known to one and all. We were shocked, grieved, and we prayed.
The drive home that day was surreal. The radio coverage was continuous and grim. There wasn't a lot of traffic on the roads, so I made good time. I remember pulling into the parking lot of our church / parsonage and there was my family. They had been scared by the sound of fighter jets overhead. We hugged a long time.
I went inside, and the pictures coming into our homes were stark, satanic, deadly. How could this be?
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At that time I was also serving as a "Pastor for the Day" on a local Christian radio network. In fact, I used to post my devotions here the same day they were scheduled to air on the network. Once a month, three times during that day, they would air a pre-taped devotion of about 3 minutes in length. My regular slot was the fourth Monday of the month. The first opportunity I had to tape and air a devotion after Sep. 11 was Oct. 22. In commemoration of the day, here's the text of that devotion. I think the words are still relevant, and I hope you find in them some blessing:
HELLO FRIEND, THIS IS TIMOTHY SHUMER, PASTOR OF COLOSSE BAPTIST CHURCH IN PARISH ~ YOUR PASTOR FOR THE DAY.
This devotion is the first messaged I’ve taped as Pastor for the Day since the Sept. 11 attacks. I’ve heard that, nation-wide, there’s been an increase in church attendance, but I wonder what churches are seeing an increase. Of the pastor’s I’ve spoken too, most haven’t seen a noticeable increase in either church attendance, or during the altar call. One pastor said they did have a large number of visitors on Sept. 16, but the following week it was back to business as usual.
Business as usual. Isn’t that what we’ve been encouraged to get back to, business as usual? The problem with that is that business as usual before Sept. 11 in America wasn’t that great, or Godly.
Business as usual for many of our political & religious leaders was to call good evil and evil good. Many reject the absolute authority of the Word of God, and promote pluralism in the place of absolute truth
Business as usual was to say any religion or belief was fine, as long as you were sincere, since all religions lead to Heaven ~ even though the Word of God teaches that that is a lie straight from the pit of hell
Business as usual was to promote all sorts of perversions as just an alternative lifestyle, and to exploit the poor by legalizing gambling
Business as usual was to say murdering the unborn was simply a choice, and if someone shot an abortionist, well, that’s justifiable murder
Business as usual was to pollute the t.v. and internet with all manner of profanity and immorality, defending it as freedom of expression
Business as usual was to say to God...we do not want You or Your Word in our schools, or our courts, or our government, or our homes...in fact God, Your Word is too narrow-minded and old fashioned, and we do not wish to risk corrupting our children or our selves with the dangerous, bigoted beliefs You represent. After all, isn’t that why we’ve built a wall between church and state?
Business as usual on Sept. 10 was for America to cry loudly to God, “Please remove Yourself and Your influence from our nation.”
Isn’t it odd that some would actually ask “Where was God on Sept. 11?”
Maybe God took us at our word, since we refused to take Him at His Word.
In Luke 13, Jesus is told about some Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
What happened on Sept. 11 was a terrible, terrible tragedy. I do not at all want to minimize the loss of life, or suggest that those who committed these crimes do not bear full responsibility for their actions. They do.
But I wonder if God allowed Sept. 11 to take place precisely because He does NOT want us to get back to business as usual. I think it is at least a thought worthy for us to consider.
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY, MY FRIEND. THIS HAS BEEN TIMOTHY SHUMER, OF COLOSSE BAPTIST, YOUR PASTOR FOR THE DAY.
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For today, may I say that I think it's a downright shame and disgrace -- though no surprise -- that most of the media outlets have so cozied up to Isalm that it didn't take long to remove all vestiges of the attack -- in their visual form -- out of the public eye, almost as if the media were hoping our memories would fade, and out of sight, out of mind.
But not everyone has forgotten. Jim Byers hasn't, and he's donig what he can to make sure you and I don't either, @ http://www.fdnylodd.com/9-11-Never-Forget/Memorials/Blood-Of-Heroes.html.
Have you forgotten?
We must never forget, and we must remember to thank God for the blood of heroes.
I strongly encourage you to go to the site and watch this powerful presentation. Here's the text Jim shares there, which I hope whets your appetite:
n October of 2002, after hearing all the nay-sayers whining about going to war to fight against terrorism, (and to protect our interests and defend our allies) I wondered; how exactly do we defend and maintain our freedom then? If not by the violent destruction of those who would threaten us, then by what means? There comes a time when even peace loving people have to fight. It seemed to me that far too many of us had forgotten the real issue in all of this - the people. More precisely, the American people - our Founding Fathers, our veterans, our military, our civil servants and even regular folk - those who have died or could die in the service of this country - in establishing, protecting and maintaining our freedom. If this isn't enough of a reason to go anywhere to fight anyone - to preserve the American way of life - then what is there left on this earth that matters at all? God help us! I made 'Blood of Heroes' to remind people that everything we enjoy in America today is the result of someone's sacrifice, that it is constantly threatened - and that it is still worth fighting for. Not a lighthearted thought, indeed. Hopefully, this site will remind us all of the human cost that has been paid for our freedom, our safety and our luxury. A price paid not just so you and I can vote and pray, but also so we can sit on the couch, watching TV, having 30 minute pizzas delivered to our doors. Even if you don't vote or pray, there is still plenty left worth fighting for. Think about that. With all the invective about "blood for oil", we are not only justified in going to war - we were obligated to do it - and to do it in every place on this earth that ever poses a threat to the American way of life. It isn't blood for oil. It's blood for freedom - the blood of our heroes. We owe it to them... and we owe it to our children. Period. We are lucky to live in the United States of America - and this privilege didn't come cheap. Our Founding Fathers were not cowards. They made immense sacrifices to establish this Great Nation in freedom - not the least of which was going to war with the enemy of that freedom. All of those who have fought in the subsequent wars and conflicts and those who are fighting today have continued to make sacrifices in order to defend those original ideals. Even now, our civil servants, particularly Firefighters and Police, are making sacrifices to maintain the quality of our lives in this freedom. If you are not willing to do everything in your power to defend this Great Nation, even taking up arms if it is necessary, then who will? If you will not defend America, that is your choice - but sit in silence and do not criticize those brave and valiant individuals who have the sense of duty, the measure of courage and the determination of heart to protect America... and, I might add, your cowardly soul.Some have written with criticism. One person said they thought that including the photo of the woman falling from the building was in poor taste. Well, I am sorry you feel that way, but reality isn't always pretty. That woman really did jump - and so did hundreds of others. Yes, the photos are offensive - not because they are graphic in nature - but because of what they represent. None of them are even close, visually speaking, to the level of violence on any major network during prime time. When I hear people make this charge, what I really hear them saying is 'I can't handle reality, I need to be in denial.' Well fine then, go back to sleep Virginia. Brave men will protect you. Just stop criticizing them for doing it the only way they know how, even if it is ugly. Some people would have us forget that a heavy price has been paid so that we can live in comfort and security, barely even noticing the reality of the world around us. But that privilege didn't just fall out of a box - it was established in blood. The fact that you are comfortable is no reason to take it for granted. On September 11, 2001 - taking it for granted was no longer an option. I am sorry if you feel that the depiction of actual events should be watered down into some kind of a Hallmark Card event, just so you can feel more comfortable. That kind of logic dictates that we may as well forget the whole thing. Sorry, not here. Not now. Not ever! If we cannot remember this for what it really is, then why remember it at all? I dare not take any real credit for this presentation. After all, it is only significant because of what it showcases. All I did was take someone else's photos, someone else's quotes and someone else's music and put it all together to try and remind us all of something we should never forget anyway. The email link is not here for my benefit, but only because I would hate to miss the opportunity to share this with even more people. Many viewers have contacted me through email to ask if they could have a copy to show at gatherings for emergency and military personnel, in their churches and at their schools. That is a huge blessing to me as it means even more people will be reminded.
I hope you will take a few moments to reflect on what we have and who paid for it. Look up and thank God that you live free in a nation that is blessed by Him and defended by heroes. Romans 5:8,9 May God continue to bless America and all who defend her. Fly the flag.
~ Copywrite Jim Byers 2003, "for non-commercial use only"
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Finally, may I say if you're looking for another unique patriotic presentation, try "America: Why I love Her" < http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm >, written by John Mitchum and recited by John Wayne. It's a really great presentation, and worth your time.
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In closing, I certainly hope God blesses America, but I think it's far more urgent for America to bless God. I don't think it's too late, but I do believe we are getting close to that point of no return.
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. Until next time, may the Lord richly bless you,
Timotheus, a brother in Christ
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