Hello ,

I purposely didn't send the Open Word e-Devotional for this morning, so that our readers would have time to reflect and pray for those who still struggle after this devastating loss that happened 15 years ago today. 

As I spent some time in reflection, I wrote down some of the things I was thinking and feeling. I hope they will be a blessing to you:

As a Native New-Yorker, I cannot describe the eery feeling that came over the state 12 years ago today. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news...my children were very small, and I was very concerned about what would happen to my family. 

It was just another "daily day." The sun was shining, people were going about their lives, and then we received the news. 

9/11 shockingly jerked us from our "every day was just like the last" slumber, and forced us to look at important things like bravery, cowardice, and shocked grief that tragedies can bring to good people when they are least expecting it. 

We were reminded that terrible things can happen to good folks, that the human spirit can stand up and fight during hard times, and that some of the things that we complain about just aren't THAT big of a deal. 

On that day, we didn't have to wonder whether we were proud to be Americans...we were. We cried, we stood in stunned silence, and we wondered how the world would ever return to normal. 

For some, it never did. 

If Bible prophecy is correct (and I believe that it is,) we're not finished with seeing pain, hurt, shock, and disbelief. 

Some recognize that it's coming. Others carry on as if nothing more could ever happen...willingly participating in a pervading ignorance that will one day shock them as never before. 

Sobering thoughts...especially when we remember that 15 years ago thousands of people woke up, went to work, laughed, drank their coffee, sat down at their desks, talked about last night's t.v. show, and thought that they had long futures ahead of them...but never returned to their homes. 

I was reminded, especially this morning, that TODAY is the day of salvation. TODAY is the day to embrace God's work in our lives. TODAY is the ONLY day that some people will ever have...to actually make that decision. 

Today, lets remember that we're not guaranteed tomorrow. Let's think about the eternal significance of that reality. It's sometimes a "needful" jolt back into the reality that contains a very real need for us to connect with a Savior.

Today I also spent time wondering how many people who perished that day 15 years ago actually had a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Sometimes we just get so busy with living our lives that we allow the blur of it all to blind us to our deepest need.  My heart aches for those who go down into Christ-less graves without the hope that we sometimes might take for granted. 

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Let's pray for all families that were affected by this incredible tragedy in our nation's history.

-- Pastor Mike