Last week I had the privilege of spending a few days in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was hit by a 7.0 earthquake on January 12, 2010. The earthquake brought death and devastation to a nation already struggling with poverty, disease, and a host of other problems. The good news is that the church of Jesus Christ is rising up in the midst of it all. Many Christian organizations are there ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Haiti is a nation with a history of the occult, voodoo, and black magic. And yet today, as a result of the earthquake, many are looking to Christ and His church. It’s a moment of great opportunity in Haiti!
This weekend we observe the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since nearly 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives as Islamic terrorists flew airplanes loaded with passengers and jet fuel into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, allegedly headed for the White House, was diverted away from Washington D.C. by the actions of brave passengers. It later crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA., claiming the lives of all onboard.
America was a nation immediately driven to its knees by this unprecedented event of seismic proportions. Churches were filled to overflowing as people came looking for refuge in God. Sadly, and strangely, it didn’t last. Church attendance spiked for a few weeks, then dropped below pre-9/11 levels. We remember the horror of 9/11, but somehow we’ve lost the sense of urgency and our national need for God.
Haiti was shaken to its knees by an earthquake. American was driven to its knees by a terrorist attack. One nation has awakened to its need for God. The other nation seems to have forgotten. This was evidenced yet again when the mayor of New York City banned clergy and prayer from the 9/11 ceremony at Ground Zero.
As we remember the tragic events of 9/11 and the loss of so many lives, let’s also remember this: America’s only hope is God. As we sing, God Bless America, let’s remember that words of the psalmist, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
Pastor Todd Weston
This weekend we observe the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since nearly 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives as Islamic terrorists flew airplanes loaded with passengers and jet fuel into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The fourth jet, United Airlines Flight 93, allegedly headed for the White House, was diverted away from Washington D.C. by the actions of brave passengers. It later crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA., claiming the lives of all onboard.
America was a nation immediately driven to its knees by this unprecedented event of seismic proportions. Churches were filled to overflowing as people came looking for refuge in God. Sadly, and strangely, it didn’t last. Church attendance spiked for a few weeks, then dropped below pre-9/11 levels. We remember the horror of 9/11, but somehow we’ve lost the sense of urgency and our national need for God.
Haiti was shaken to its knees by an earthquake. American was driven to its knees by a terrorist attack. One nation has awakened to its need for God. The other nation seems to have forgotten. This was evidenced yet again when the mayor of New York City banned clergy and prayer from the 9/11 ceremony at Ground Zero.
As we remember the tragic events of 9/11 and the loss of so many lives, let’s also remember this: America’s only hope is God. As we sing, God Bless America, let’s remember that words of the psalmist, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
Pastor Todd Weston
