I Will Never Forget

There are a few days from my past that stand out.  The one’s that are hard to forget.  Getting baptized, feeling God’s call on my life to go into ministry, meeting my wife for the first time, asking her to marry me, and our wedding day.  Those are all days that I will never forget. 

There are two dates, however, that are etched in my mind, that were not good days.  For some reason, they stand out so much more.  June 4, 1999, the day I lost my dad to a massive heart attack when I was 15-years old.  That day was a shock, and one that will always stand out.  I have a feeling that the other day that stands out in my mind is one that many of you remember well.  September 11, 2001 is my generations December 7, 1942.  The day airplanes were used to crash into buildings, on purpose, and kill thousands of people. 

I was a senior in high school on 9-11, and I do not think I will ever forget where I was, what I was doing, and the general emptiness that I felt when I heard about the World Trade Center and Pentagon.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day in East TN that day, and the sky was a crisp fall blue color.  But it was so erie seeing that beautiful day, knowing what was happening in our country. 

I will never forget the pit in my stomach the next week at a high school football game, when an airplane, coming in to the local airport for landing, flew over the stadium, and it got dead quiet.  There is something more that I will always remember, however, about 9-11 and the response to this tragedy.  Local churches were a little fuller the next few weeks.  There were community wide prayer services.  This nation forgot our differences and came together supporting one another and crying out to God. 

This Sunday, we come to the 15th anniversary of 9-11.  Can it really be 15 years?  I long to see a return to unity and crying out to God in this country.  No, I do not want another 9-11 type event, but we need to come together again, and turn to God.  Jesus is the only hope we have in this world.  That is why this Sunday, at Central Christian Church, we are starting a sermon series about becoming a follower of Jesus. 

We are also following that service with a cookout, and would absolutely love for you to join us at 10:30 for our worship service.  There will be hamburgers and hotdogs provided by the church, and church members will be bringing sides, desserts, and drinks.  You are welcome to come, and just bring yourself.  Better yet, bring some friends.  It is time that we come together and cry out to God, not because of a tragedy, but because we realize our great need for Him.  Join us!

Thoughts From a Crosseyed Jesus Freak