And we actually have idiots in Washington who think we can't afford to spend any more on defense spending.....because in their words..."We don't face any serious threats in the world!!"

Can someone tell me the logical difference between the events of today and Pearl Harbor??? Today was an act of agression and war!!! Remember how FDR responded??

Today we will find out whether Bush is the "cowboy" he portrays himself as.

Oh....one more thing. Thanks again Bill Clinton for weakening us to this point.

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Answers

September Eleventh, Two Thousand and One, a date that will live in infamy ...

Sixty years ago, my father was a young naval officer on the battleship U.S.S. Pennsylvania, stationed in an island paradise known as Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. We were a country that was complacent, content to think that our own self-interests were all that mattered in the world. And then the bombs began to drop. Since that day, we said to ourselves that such a thing could never happen again. But it has.

In sixty years - no, in five thousand years - we have learned absolutely nothing. In the book of Judges, the Israelites went around complacently indulging in their own pleasures and "doing what was right in their own eyes," thinking God would wink at their sin, and the result was that national calamity befell them time and time again. It has been wisely said that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. As a people, we are dooming ourselves through our own selfishness, as we abandon God's truth and instead do what is right in our own eyes, setting ourselves up as our own gods, and setting ourselves up for a fall.

Christianity is not a game. Perhaps as many as fifty thousand people got up this morning. They had breakfast, had their morning coffee, read the morning edition. They kissed their wives, husbands, children, boyfriends, girlfriends, mothers and fathers goodbye, and went off to work. Shortly after 8:45 a.m., their lives ended, their eternal destinies sealed. We never know when that time will come to us, or to those we love dearest! We live out our lives day to day for ourselves, living for today, seeking what pleasures we can, bickering about trivialities, gossiping and tearing at each other, and giving no thought to God, when around us thousands are being lost! What fools we are! What utter fools! And those of us who can do the most, do the least! We need to stop living for today, living for ourselves, and live today as if it mattered for all eternity - because it does! Not only for ourselves, but for those around us, those we love dearest!

We may be entering the final chapter in human history. I'm certainly no prophet, but as it appears we may soon be entering a war in the Middle East - could Megiddo (Armageddon) be far from us? And Jesus' promised return? C.S. Lewis wrote, "When the Author steps onto the stage, the play is over." Surely that day is near! Jesus has been tarrying, desiring that none should be lost but that all might turn to Him, mercifully giving us chance after chance, day after day - but after that time, there will be no further "second chances." That day could be swift upon us all - are you prepared to meet Him, to give an account of yourself and what you've done?

Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto declared, "I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant." And I believe America is going to rise up in anger again. We have a right to be angry, and we do need to wake up! We need to rise up - and then fall to our knees! God promises, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). What a loving God we have, that even in the midst of our own selfishness and rebellion, He still desires to forgive us and bless us! Isn't it about time that we as a nation stopped playing church and finally got serious? May this event be the catalyst that brings us, our families, and our communities together as one nation under God in prayer.

One final note, and that is also a lesson from World War II. Vengeance belongs to God, and He has given our nation the sword to mete out His judgment (Romans 13). And I say may God bless our nation's military and their efforts in this regard! But on a personal level, God has not given it to the individual Christian to be agents of wrath, but rather agents of peace. Every Muslim, every Arab, is not our enemy. We should guard against the racist mentality that sent tens of thousands of Asian-Americans to internment camps in WWII because they "looked like the enemy." And even if they are the enemy, they need God's love; and as Christians we are called to pray, even for them. May we enter from this day forward into a spirit of repentance (returning our hearts to God), and prayer for ourselves, our loved ones, our nation, our armed forces, and yes, even our enemies. And may God have mercy on us all.

Behold, He is coming soon! Amen, come Lord Jesus!

For Christ and His Kingdom, John Wilson

My heartfelt prayers go out to those who lost friends and family in this cowardly attack, including several of my close friends. You know who you are. May the God of all comfort be with you in this time of grief and mourning and draw you close to His loving arms.

For those of my friends outside the United States, thank you for lifting up our nation and our people before the Throne of Grace. May God bless you and protect your nations as well.

Remember Pearl Harbor - and Remember Manhattan!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

It is the height of arrogance to suggest that the end of America....is somehow the end of the world....and the ushering in of the final stages. America is not that important. The nations are too nuermous to name....that have risen and then fallen.....just since the time of Christ.

"Every day with the Lord is as a thousand years....and a thousand years as a day"....therefore....in God's time frame.....it's only been two days since Jesus walked the earth. Jesus could tarry for thousands more years.

Whether America falls or stands....changes nothing.

Personal vengenance is wrong....but vengenance sought by the govt....is biblical....and one of their "ordained functions".... (Romans 13).

No...not every Muslim, et. al.....is our enemy.

But every Muslim that stands in their streets passing out candy to their children and shooting their guns in the air rejoicing over the loss of 50,000 American lives......qualifies for a "love package" from B-1 and B-52 bombers!!!

-- Anonymous, September 11, 2001

Danny;

I am not arrogant at all. I merely said "could." And I have no more idea that it could be the final days any more than you have any idea that it couldn't. The Pharisees of the first century were also arrogant when they said Jesus couldn't be the Messiah, because he wasn't supposed to come at that time, or in that way, or as a (supposed) bastard, or from Galilee ... isn't it also arrogant to categorically say the final stages of human history are not at hand? The truth is we don't know ... but it is certainly possible. And we are to live every day as if it were. Maranatha!

Personal vengenance is wrong....but vengenance sought by the govt....is biblical....and one of their "ordained functions".... (Romans 13).

No...not every Muslim, et. al.....is our enemy.

That's exactly what I said.

And as I was telling someone last night ... Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it; obviously these terrorists are not up on their American history. Ever heard of Hiroshima, guys? Perhaps we should drop them a nuclear history lesson.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Nothing personal John.

I just weary of those who use tragedy to indicate "the last days"....when in fact we have been in "the last days" since Jesus walked the earth.

In other words John....I resent "scare tactics."

Understanding that we are always a heartbeat away from eternity....should be enough to cause us to do our best to give every moment to Jesus.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2001

Brethren:

I just read something that I believe that you would appreciate. It is from a Cannadian and it seems to me that what others say about us is ofen negative and I must say quite wrong. But it is difficult for us to defend ourselves simply because to do so is merely expected an therefore ignored. But when someone else speaks it often has a different and more effective impact. And, I agree with Brother Danny that we have been in the "last days since our Lord ascended into heaven. He will come when he will come and along with the apostle John I say "even so come Lord Jesus". But you can rest assured that there will be no "hints" or warnings of his coming. For it will be like a theif in the night. And of that "day and hour knoweth NO MAN". ANd those are foolish who seek to know that which God has said they will not know. So, I too am sick and tired of hearing those who every time that tradgedy strikes claiming that the terrible events are in some ways "signals or signs" of Christ return and the end of time. THis nonsense is nothing more than the speculations of those foolish enough to believe in speculative premillienal theories. The source of such nonsense is not the word of God! These awful events which we have witnessed asuredly have absolutely no bearing whatsoever upon the coming of Christ. Christ is coming as he promised and we have no reason to think that the "time" of his coming will in any way whatsoever be effected by events in this world.

But this particular quotation of a friend of America living in Canada is positive and probably the fairest estimation of the majority of the American people that I have read in some time. ANd let me remind you that these times are not times for talk of "fear, dispair, and hopelessness". This kind of pathetic weakness is characteristic of the liberal media and pundits of our time. Not only are the majority of American's together a great people. But America is home to many faithful Christians who serve the only living and great God of the universe. All discouraging talk and expressions of fear is a shame for for any CHristian man or woman to speak. Our words should be words of courage and faith! THose of you who FEAR are lacking in love and faith! For "perfect love casteth out ALL FEAR! And men of faith are not moved by fear but rather by confidence in GOd. So, Brethren let me say to you what the scriptures say, "quit you into men and be strong"! And those of you who are weak and afraid get away from us until you find your strength we do not need you! YOU ARE A BURDEN! We will carry your burdens but we will not carry YOU. You just stand on your own two feet at the very least.

Now, having said all of the above please read the opinion of one Cannadian of his American neighbors.

"This, from a Canadian newspaper, no less, is worth sharing.

America: The Good Neighbor.

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from

Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television

commentator. What follows is the full text of his

trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional

Record:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the

Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these

countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it

was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward

was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of

Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now

newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the

Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Stand proud, America!"

Brethren I hope that you benefit from this Canadian's comments. I was encouraged to read them.

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Written in 1973... but still applicable. See: http://www.snopes2.com/quotes/sinclair.htm

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Thanks E. Lee and Robin!!!

-- Anonymous, September 14, 2001

Doncha just love revisionist history? And I love how so many non- christians know so well what "Christian" behavior ought to be.

Incidentally, there were six moon landings, not just one.

And soooooo many airliners fly Concordes today, don't they? It may be the "most advanced" airplane, but it is difficult to fly, difficult to land, horribly noisy, and fraught with technical problems. (In fact, aren't they all grounded right now?) Not to mention the fact that it has been shown they help deplete the ozone layer.

Boeing 700-class jumbo jets, on the other hand, have been flying for decades with an astounding safety record. And they are among the easiest planes to fly (which unfortunatly probably explains why the 767 was chosen as the terrorist's weapon of choice.) In fact, if it loses power on all its engines, the behemothic 747 can actually glide to a safe landing!

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001