Today marks three months since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. May you draw comfort and strength from the following edevotions (or excerpts), written on the dates indicated these past three months. (Click on an image to see an edevotion.)
December 11 - Do not let the disillusionment of September 11th, the fright of
the anthrax scare, or your own wrestling with threatening illness or broken
relationships drive you away from God. Know that our self-giving Lord is with
those who suffer, and move toward them, and closer to God.
December 3 - Lay down your own inner impulses to violence. In their place,
take up productive, life-giving tasks. Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with us.
Thanksgiving Day - Because we in the United States are more attuned than before September 11 to our identity as Americans, this Thanksgiving looms large on the calendar. The Pilgrims lost many lives and braved many hardships, yet gathered to give thanks. Americans today do the same. No matter what losses you may be enduring, there is cause for gratitude in your life; look for it, name it, and offer it up as praise this week.
November 13 - Do not despair and do not fear. Instead, throw yourself upon the
mercy of our faithful God and know, deep in your soul, that whatever
happens - expected or shocking, next door or in your face, today or
tomorrow - you are safe in the hands of God.
October 11 - We see that when terrorist acts brought our country to its knees,
we tarried there to pray.
October 10 - When you think about our country's actions, call on the just and upright God: O Rock of our salvation, protect us from attitudes, desires, and behaviors that are false and perverse; enable us to wage war against evil, not against people, with deep distress and sorrow, and with the intent to deal uprightly and honorably with all peoples, even our enemies. How difficult it is, our God, to wield the sword of might with integrity. Help us to do so, with our feet firmly planted on the Rock.
September 25 - Although we may not have the courage of the
many heroes in our midst, we do
rest in the knowledge that we can commit ourselves to prayer.
September 13 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit."
September 12 - Even while yesterday’s tragic acts of destruction were going on,
and today, while we recoil from the horror of it all, the words of the
Psalmist ring out: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help
in trouble. Therefore we will not fear."