911 Today and Yesterday
All kind of articles are on the web about 911, celebration, remembrance, and so on. For the first time about two days ago I turned off the radio station I listen to, it got a bit perturbing. What happened that day was terrible but there comes a time to heal and put the past behind you. This will make a few people mad to hear this but let it pass.
So I thought and reflected back the other day and we all wonder what is wrong with the world and I think this is the biggest part, we're being taught wrong. It is past time to stop the hate. To stop putting salt in a wound and let it heal. Let people heal. That is one of the biggest changes I see these days. As the old people use to say, "Let sleeping dogs lie". Churches don't. Conventional media don't. Conspiratorial media don't. Government don't. Influential people don't. It seems like nobody that influences people will not let it be over. No matter if you believe the given story or the conspiratorial story, let it be.
There was another terrible event and it was Pearl Harbor. Many say there was a big difference, and they are right, just wrong on what that difference was. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher, Agnus LaRoue (spelling ?), told us in school about Pearl Harbor. Now this was in the sixties, so bear that in mind, back when free speech was real and we actually studied our own country and states. Anyway, she was teaching us history and came to World War 2, and then Pearl Harbor. She told us about her best friend who was to be married, but that never got to happen. Her soon to be husband was at Pearl Harbor that day and was one of the people who died. She told us of the pain and grief that her best friend felt, and those around her.
Now Mrs. LaRoue could have stuck straight to the history books, but her tale brought us all in the moment, much like what is done today. What she said next though is what separates us from how we once were to what we are now. She rushed, as did other friends, to this lady's side in her anguish. For days on end she wept, as this was the love of her life. They all felt anger and then suddenly the lady looked at them and said she prayed and asked them to remember to pray with her. She prayed though for not only God to help her and to be with her and his family, but for forgiveness to those who had attacked. Mrs. Agnus said at first her and the friends refused, as the country was in shock and disbelief of what had just happened, but their friend was insistent on them to pray as much for the enemy and forgiveness. She said that through that, they slowly began to heal. At the time we listened but did not hear, but in time we did. I'm not sure if this teacher had a clue just how much she positively influenced us back then, but I'm grateful that she did.
Later on I had another teacher, Mrs Harrison, in high school in the seventies. We approached the Pearl Harbor thing and she told us of when she was young and this happened. I want to say she had a friend or relative there, but it has been so long now I forget. Her and some others held a prayer group for the families of those who lost loved ones that day, and the ones who had attacked us. Her message to us was the same. Remember what was learned but at the same time forgive those who committed it. Heal and forgive. Get past the pain, past the hurt, and move forward. She also had the same message as Mrs. LaRoue. In order to heal we must forgive and move on.
My grandfather that raised me, I called him dad, fought in WW2. He was in the medical unit and went through Pearl Harbor and worked with wounded there, then they were sent overseas. He would not speak of war only to say it is horrible. Once, one of his friends her served with came to see him, in the seventies. I listened to them reminisce of their days in the war, more ease dropped when I could. They both sat and talked with me though as I was a big war buff and history fan. What I was taught by these two great men was that they harbored no hate for those who they fought against as far as the people went. They served together and were some of the medical unit that went in the Nazi Concentration Camps, but they did not want to much talk about it. They were later sent to Japan after the bombs were dropped. I distinctly remember asking if they hated Germans or Japanese, they said no. They did not like the Nazis though and said they were evil. As far as they people went though they said they were people, just as nice and polite as we were here, just different in their ways. I also remember their answer when I asked what they had learned that they could teach me, and their answer was simple. People are people and war is the worst thing that could ever be, though they were proud we defeated the Nazis. They both had the same advise. Learn from the past but let it be. Forgive.
So all forms of media and people in influential places should take the advise that once made our country shine. We once were taught that lesson, one that has been lost today. Almost all faiths, save a few, talk about and encourage forgiveness. The true Christian faith is suppose to be know for forgiveness. That leads me to wonder what is being taught wrong in the Christian world today. If we are to be a nation that stands as a beacon and blessed by God the Father, we have to follow His rules that He gave through His Son Jesus. That is to say, if we claim to be Christian, which I do. These not always easy rules to follow sometimes, but they actually work. I finally figured that out with the murder of my cousin. Had it not been for the people in my life who had gone through strife and came out unblemished, who knows. So what impression are we leaving on our kids? What are we doing to ourselves? What are we doing to others? What is the world seeing? All in the name of revenge and hate.
So I'm hearing of this place who has a piece of one of the building or something in a state that isn't even close, and they are placing a piece there as a remembrance to the event. The radio lady on the station says they are debating on if they should rope it off or allow people to touch it. She thinks to allow people to touch it so they will feel it. Now this is suppose to be a Christian Station that is part of Billy Grahams network. I turned off the radio, I'd had enough. This is nothing more than salt in the wound and hate, along with idol worship. We often think idols as a statue but clearly it can be anything that we hold in high reverence, be that money, things, houses, careers, stuff. Anything that gets between you and God. But to place a shrine? So I end this writing with a few scriptures to explain what I am saying. Christians and others can heed this writing, most religions and beliefs have very similar morals. So for your own sakes as well as those we attack in the name of justice who are as innocent as the victims of 911 were, FORGIVE. Let it go. Move forward. Show what the Glory of God is. Be the light you want to see in others so others can see the light in you.
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Luke 6:27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I encourage you to read the whole parts to get the context of what is going on. If you don't have a Bible handy, here is one online. LINK
So I thought and reflected back the other day and we all wonder what is wrong with the world and I think this is the biggest part, we're being taught wrong. It is past time to stop the hate. To stop putting salt in a wound and let it heal. Let people heal. That is one of the biggest changes I see these days. As the old people use to say, "Let sleeping dogs lie". Churches don't. Conventional media don't. Conspiratorial media don't. Government don't. Influential people don't. It seems like nobody that influences people will not let it be over. No matter if you believe the given story or the conspiratorial story, let it be.
There was another terrible event and it was Pearl Harbor. Many say there was a big difference, and they are right, just wrong on what that difference was. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher, Agnus LaRoue (spelling ?), told us in school about Pearl Harbor. Now this was in the sixties, so bear that in mind, back when free speech was real and we actually studied our own country and states. Anyway, she was teaching us history and came to World War 2, and then Pearl Harbor. She told us about her best friend who was to be married, but that never got to happen. Her soon to be husband was at Pearl Harbor that day and was one of the people who died. She told us of the pain and grief that her best friend felt, and those around her.
Now Mrs. LaRoue could have stuck straight to the history books, but her tale brought us all in the moment, much like what is done today. What she said next though is what separates us from how we once were to what we are now. She rushed, as did other friends, to this lady's side in her anguish. For days on end she wept, as this was the love of her life. They all felt anger and then suddenly the lady looked at them and said she prayed and asked them to remember to pray with her. She prayed though for not only God to help her and to be with her and his family, but for forgiveness to those who had attacked. Mrs. Agnus said at first her and the friends refused, as the country was in shock and disbelief of what had just happened, but their friend was insistent on them to pray as much for the enemy and forgiveness. She said that through that, they slowly began to heal. At the time we listened but did not hear, but in time we did. I'm not sure if this teacher had a clue just how much she positively influenced us back then, but I'm grateful that she did.
Later on I had another teacher, Mrs Harrison, in high school in the seventies. We approached the Pearl Harbor thing and she told us of when she was young and this happened. I want to say she had a friend or relative there, but it has been so long now I forget. Her and some others held a prayer group for the families of those who lost loved ones that day, and the ones who had attacked us. Her message to us was the same. Remember what was learned but at the same time forgive those who committed it. Heal and forgive. Get past the pain, past the hurt, and move forward. She also had the same message as Mrs. LaRoue. In order to heal we must forgive and move on.
My grandfather that raised me, I called him dad, fought in WW2. He was in the medical unit and went through Pearl Harbor and worked with wounded there, then they were sent overseas. He would not speak of war only to say it is horrible. Once, one of his friends her served with came to see him, in the seventies. I listened to them reminisce of their days in the war, more ease dropped when I could. They both sat and talked with me though as I was a big war buff and history fan. What I was taught by these two great men was that they harbored no hate for those who they fought against as far as the people went. They served together and were some of the medical unit that went in the Nazi Concentration Camps, but they did not want to much talk about it. They were later sent to Japan after the bombs were dropped. I distinctly remember asking if they hated Germans or Japanese, they said no. They did not like the Nazis though and said they were evil. As far as they people went though they said they were people, just as nice and polite as we were here, just different in their ways. I also remember their answer when I asked what they had learned that they could teach me, and their answer was simple. People are people and war is the worst thing that could ever be, though they were proud we defeated the Nazis. They both had the same advise. Learn from the past but let it be. Forgive.
So all forms of media and people in influential places should take the advise that once made our country shine. We once were taught that lesson, one that has been lost today. Almost all faiths, save a few, talk about and encourage forgiveness. The true Christian faith is suppose to be know for forgiveness. That leads me to wonder what is being taught wrong in the Christian world today. If we are to be a nation that stands as a beacon and blessed by God the Father, we have to follow His rules that He gave through His Son Jesus. That is to say, if we claim to be Christian, which I do. These not always easy rules to follow sometimes, but they actually work. I finally figured that out with the murder of my cousin. Had it not been for the people in my life who had gone through strife and came out unblemished, who knows. So what impression are we leaving on our kids? What are we doing to ourselves? What are we doing to others? What is the world seeing? All in the name of revenge and hate.
So I'm hearing of this place who has a piece of one of the building or something in a state that isn't even close, and they are placing a piece there as a remembrance to the event. The radio lady on the station says they are debating on if they should rope it off or allow people to touch it. She thinks to allow people to touch it so they will feel it. Now this is suppose to be a Christian Station that is part of Billy Grahams network. I turned off the radio, I'd had enough. This is nothing more than salt in the wound and hate, along with idol worship. We often think idols as a statue but clearly it can be anything that we hold in high reverence, be that money, things, houses, careers, stuff. Anything that gets between you and God. But to place a shrine? So I end this writing with a few scriptures to explain what I am saying. Christians and others can heed this writing, most religions and beliefs have very similar morals. So for your own sakes as well as those we attack in the name of justice who are as innocent as the victims of 911 were, FORGIVE. Let it go. Move forward. Show what the Glory of God is. Be the light you want to see in others so others can see the light in you.
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Luke 6:27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I encourage you to read the whole parts to get the context of what is going on. If you don't have a Bible handy, here is one online. LINK
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