Remember

Do you remember where you were when you heard/saw the news of the towers crashing down?  I don't think I will ever forget.  I was in 11th grade, and I had just walked into my next class (if I remember correctly it was SAT Prep).  All the TV's were on (rare) and it took me until the second tower was hit to understand that this was reality.  Never in my life had I experienced anything so very evil, and it took me a while to understand that this wasn't some history show or something along those lines (although now it I can see it as history in the making).  About 6 months ago, Kris and I were watching a 9/11 special on TV, and as an adult, the horror of what really happened that day is so much worse than it was as a teenager.  I often have tried not to expose myself to those specials.  I am far to vulnerable to watch the pain, sorrow, terror, and evil over and over.  It just eats me up.  But I cannot forget.  We must never forget.  We must not forget that the evil one has plans to lie, steal, and destroy.  But mostly, we must not forget that Jesus came and died for us so that we may go to heaven and that he HAS ALREADY WON! And the devil doesn't stand a chance! Jesus will conquer him!  He already has! Today may be our last day on this side of heaven (as it was for too many people in the towers and surrounding areas, and many more from the affects of the tower dust...), don't waste it!  Tell your loved ones you love them, treat every person you meet with kindness, compassion, and understanding.  You do not know the walk God has put them on.  A true Christian is not judged by their words (Here I am, I am a Christian, I am good, watch me work), but solely on their actions of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and gentleness.  How often we forget these things when we allow the devil to whisper in our ears and to take our focus off of Jesus. Never forget friends. Never.

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..."

Matthew 12:28-31 (Message)

The Most Important Commandment

²⁸ One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”

^29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.