In these very difficult times we want to be very careful not to say things that bring more pain and intolerance to others. We must be careful what we say because we cannot take back our hurtful words. America suffered a terrible blow on Sept 11. Fanatical fundamentalists attacked us. Murderers attacked us. They are cruel, inhuman and violate every standard of human behavior. They fund their power base by drug running and financial cunning. They are immoral and illegal in their behavior. While they accuse America of greed and not helping the Arab world they fail to help their own Arab brothers though they possess much wealth. Their hypocrisy exposes them as they themselves war and destroy one another without any thought of brotherhood. These people are a blight to the whole world as they seek to prove that their cause justifies violence and hatred. If we permit every cause to solve its problems by violence we will be plunged into barbarism and world war continually. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for theirs is the kingdom of God." We as a world must rally around those who have no voice that they would not rely on such extreme means to justify their ends.

America was struck because of her basic premise of giving freedom and opportunity to all. In our open society we welcome all peoples, cultures and religions. This openness has left America vulnerable to evil not only physically but also spiritually. Her diversity is one of her greatest strengths. Her unity in diversity is one of her greatest powers. In saying this we can never forget America's great foundations. The Christian ethic is the skeleton of this country. It framed our rights and freedoms. It was the morality of the Bible that made us moral and good. Surely there have been failures and violations but it is the core of our democracy. In truth Christianity is responsible for Americas' greatness and glory. It is in Christianity that all people are welcomed, loved and accepted. In Christ we have learned tolerance, love and unity. Our ancestors came and established this country as they were escaping from religious intolerance. In their escape they brought with them the Bible as their guide, their rule of law, for human dignity and freedom. Let us continue to revel in diversity and pluralism, as it is our great strength. Yet let us not turn from the Bible being our moral and ethical foundation. We must remember it is by faith that men are accepted into God's grace. We must believe in the Book as the word of God and inspired to deliver man from heartache, pain and failure. It is in believing this we will be accepted and received by God as His people. It is this truth that the Bible is the word of God that is being eroded and diluted in our culture. As we accept other cultures and religions under our roof, let us remember what created the house and what foundations made it strong and safe.

Some see the Bible just as intolerant as radical Islam. Nothing is farther from the truth. The Bible deals with the motives of our heart. Our selfishness and evil motives are exposed. The good of the individual while upheld is subjected to the good of the whole. Abraham Lincoln during the civil war knew America must preserve the union. He understood that individual rights are of great importance, but the union must be preserved. He understood slavery was evil. Many claimed it was a right to own salves, the right of individual landowners. They argued it was their economic right to prosperity. Yet this evil, this scourge was removed from our land because men who knew the Bible knew it was wrong. The slave owners claimed the Bible as their own and quoted its pages. God forgive those who quote the Word of God, twisting it's plain meaning to serve their own ends. Let us with honest heart read its plain meaning into our lives and accept it. The Bible causes us to face the evil in our own hearts, if we have the courage. This is not fundamentalism but truth. Truth is needed if we are going to survive as human beings on this earth. How to treat one another is the great truth that will deliver us all from destroying each other. Learning how to love God and others is what the message of the Bible is about.

There are many who in this time of hurt and tragedy want to assign blame.
Some are saying, "It is God, it is His judgment, it is what we deserve." "We sinned against God so He struck us." I hear these words over and over again. I have read newsletters and internet reports with scriptures to prove our separation from God and our deserving of God's judgment. While we have sinned against God I do not believe it is God or what we deserve. What causes these people to make these statements is their ignorance of the understanding of what God's judgment is.

Theologically, God uses judgment as a last resort. It us used only to destroy, eradicate and remove from the earth an evil people that will no longer listen to God. It is used only when evil far outweighs the good actions and people cannot be turned from doing evil. God uses judgment to stop the propagation of evil that is destroying others and cannot be brought to a halt by any other means. Like an operation to remove cancer it is used to stop the spread of evil, after all other means have been exhausted, to save the infected part.


This scripture fits the terrorist organizations more than America; maybe it is time for their judgment.

I do not believe America has reached this place. While it is true no nation or individual will escape the judgment of God for his or her disobedience to God, let us remember not to be so quick to judge, for with the same measure you judge with that same intensity will you be judged. Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone. America, like the women caught in adultery, is waiting for her accusers to help redeem not reject her. I am united in this one thing, America the beautiful God shed His grace on thee. She has failed God miserably but she is my country and I will fight for every soul to live, prosper and know God as their God and friend. She has deviated from the truths and morals that made her great but like Jesus I will declare, "I have not come to judge America but to save her." Let us not be so quick to welcome the judgment of God but like Abraham plead for the many in her who serve the living God. Remember the power of one. One man who honors God can be heard for a nation, a people, and a country. Let us be like Moses who pleaded for a nation not to be judged but delivered from an angry and just God. Let us be intercessors, people who are standing in the gap for our land, not quick to condemn but to cry out to God to save. O God, stand beside her and guide with the light through the night from above.

To those who believe this attack is from God let us read these words. Judgment begins in the house of God. If judgment begins in the house of the Lord then why did it hit the World Trade Center? Why is the church crying judgment when it is the church herself that is in need of cleansing? The church has many of the same standards as the world. You will be hard pressed to find disagreement between the secular world and the church. It is the church that has left the truth of what is good and evil for comfort and acceptance. The church cries judgment while its ineffectual and powerless to change our sinful country.


The day will come when all men will see the infinite wisdom of God.
To discern good from evil is one of the greatest acts of love given to man and is why the God of the Bible stands head and shoulders above other gods and religions of the world. The Bible is against those things that steal, kill and destroy the human soul. Our message is not of hate or prejudice but of love. Jesus said, "They hated me they will hate you." The world hated Jesus because He declared the truth of man's sinfulness and the need to turn to God for forgiveness. He said this. "Light came into the world but they loved the darkness rather than the light." Let us declare in this time of national tragedy and sorrow a God who is waiting for us to restore Him and His truths to our lives. Let us bring the light in meekness, gentleness and kindness, knowing we ourselves have barely escaped the power and corruption of sin.

Jesus Christ did not come in a long line of moral teachers and prophets but as God, offering Himself sinless and perfect for the sins of the world. Jesus came as God explaining Himself to a lost and dying world. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. God came in human flesh bringing forgiveness, restoration, His life and power.

If it is God's judgment, then I plead mercy. If its God's judgment, I plead send revival and your Spirit to turn us to you. If it is just evil in us and in control of our world, then I cry O God deliver us. If it is the triumph of evil, whether in our souls or in other men, to destroy each other, I cry O God deliver us.

Let us unify in three causes:
America for whatever reason, evil has come; let us turn to God through Jesus Christ for truth. Let us live in obedience to the Word believing its loving precepts will save us from harm and destruction. Let us rebuild America, as God had intended, to be a city on a Hill where God's light would shine out to all the nations.