9/11 – Twelve Years Later
	If you are over 20 years old, you probably remember where you were & what you were doing when you first learned of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Those who are younger have undoubtedly seen the horrifying pictures of the Twin Towers burning, desperate people jumping out of windows, and finally the collapsing, first of one tower, then of the other. On this 12th anniversary, we also think of the jet that the terrorists crashed into the Pentagon, as well as the one that was sent hurtling into the ground in Pennsylvania when the terrorists realized that passengers were trying to take back control. All together, over 3000 people lost their lives in those incidents. Families were devastated, this nation was devastated, and for a short while we collectively became a little more spiritually-minded. People went to church who hadn’t been in awhile. We prayed more, and we prayed more fervently.
	I’d love to say that the revival of spirituality was permanent, but you know as well as I do that it was terribly temporary. As the shock wore off, so did the interest in God and in spiritual matters. Now we’re back to begging people to come to church, read their Bibles, & pray. As a nation, over the last 12 years we’ve slaughtered an additional 13 million babies in the abortion mills. Homosexuals and Lesbians serve openly in our military, even getting “married” in military chapels. I’m not certain if military chaplains are required to officiate at same-sex weddings, but I do know they are forbidden to invoke the name of Jesus in their prayers.
	I bring these things up, not to blame you (to the contrary, I expect that you are as outraged as I am). Nor do I want to be a prophet of doom! But I do want to be realistic. Our nation has lost its way; it’s been a long time coming. I don’t know how much longer God will keep us free. If we are to find our way again, it must begin with the people of God. We should not expect the world to do anything but be worldly. But you and I can still have an impact. We can be the salt of the earth and light of the world. We can be the ten righteous people for the sake of whom God will hold off His judgment. We can teach our children the truth, and help them to stand up for it in the face of overwhelming opposition. Under the guise of being inclusive and tolerant, our children are being brainwashed into believing that immorality and godlessness are legitimate alternatives to Biblical morality, and that they must not only tolerate immorality, but affirm and accept it. Personally, I’m not terribly concerned about being persecuted myself. But I am concerned for my children & grandchildren. We must teach them not only right from wrong, but also that there may be a high price for defending the truth, and that they must be willing to pay that price. It may be an economic price – already, standing for Biblical values can get you a ticket to “sensitivity training” or, in some cases, can get you a pink slip. Or it may be a political price. Try running for office today on a platform that says “I oppose gay marriage and abortion.” You will be labeled a hater, an extremist, “Christian Taliban,” etc. Or it may be a social price. Former friends may shun you when they find out you uphold Biblical morality. Now, we can whine and feel sorry for ourselves about this, or we can listen to what Jesus said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).
	We may feel like there is little we can do to stem the tide. Certainly the momentum of the country is against us. But that was the case in Ezekiel’s time also. Yet God looked with favor upon the minority of people who “sighed and cried” over the sins of Jerusalem (9:4). So let’s stand firm. Do so in love and kindness, with graciousness. But definitely stand firm!