“The safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will” – Bahama Bob

“Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then The Lord will relent and not bring disaster he has pronounced against you.” (Jeremiah 26:13)

Where were you on 9-11 when the planes crashed into the terrorist targets?

What will you do today and this weekend to honor those who died and those who risk their lives to protect yours every day?

Today, as I write this message, I’m filled with sorrow. I intensely feel the pain of those who lost loved ones in the horrible terrorist attacks that took place on that fateful day of Sept 11, 2009.

According to Wikipedia, “Early in the morning on September 11, 2001, nineteen hijackers took control of four commercial airliners en route to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Boston, Newark, and Washington, D.C. (Washington Dulles International Airport). At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower, followed by United Airlines Flight 175 which hit the South Tower at 9:03 a.m. Another group of hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. A fourth flight, United Airlines Flight 93, whose ultimate target was thought to be either the United States Capitol or White House, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m, after the passengers on board engaged in a fight with the hijackers.”

When the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center’s (WTC) North Tower, I was on my knees praying with Pastor Mark Jarvis in his office at Open Door Baptist Church. I distintly remember one of the church staff members running into the office to tell us what happened and to look at the TV.

It turned out that my brother’s life was spared that day, but one of his estate planning clients was on the very first plane that crashed into the WTC North Tower.

Larry has worked as an estate planning attorney in Manhattan for about 15 years now. It so happened that in 2001 he was doing estate planning work for a Jewish attorney on Tuesdays in the North Tower. All other days of the week, he worked in mid-town Manhattan. On 9-11, my brother didn’t go to work because his Jewish boss had flown to Texas for some meeting there.

Larry lives in Glenridge NJ and was referred by one of his neighbors to do estate planning work for a lady who lived in Rhode Island or Massachusetts. She met with Larry in the North Tower shortly before 9-11 to ask him to help with estate planning for her husband who was dying from terminal cancer. On 9-11 she boarded Flight 11 in Boston with her 5 or 6 year old child intending to fly to CA. However, she ended up crashing into the same building she had met my brother in.

In 2001, I had been praying faithfully every day for my family and God honored those prayers.

On Wednesday Sept 12, 2001, I went to my very first FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) huddle of my life. What happened was extraordinary. See “The Impact of the FCA on My Life.”

Yesterday, Bahama Bob shared with me his shocking 9-11 story and asked me to post an audio recording of the story which I did. Through an exraordinary sequence of events, Bob actually flew in a small plane from Maine to Boston with Mohammad Atta, the ringleader of the 19 hijackers, who was flying to Boston to hijack Flight 11. If you don’t believe in God or angels, Bob’s story might well change your mind and heart.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, forgive us in this nation for allowing prayer and the Bible to be removed from much of public life. Forgive us for all the idols we have allowed into our lives that prevent us from putting you first in all areas of our lives. Restore a culture of prayer in our homes, businesses, and communities. May we reform our ways and our actions and obey the Lord our God. Thank You for all the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us on a daily basis. May you bless in a very special way today the families and friends of those who lost loved ones eight years ago on 9-11. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Blessings of the Day

1) 9-11 Shocked me: I Saw a Terrorist on 9-9 – Bahama Bob’s incredible story of angels

2) My 9-11 Experience and a tribute to my friends – by coach Deborah Smith

3) New “USA Today” Video – by Rod Stone with vocal help of Ron Hembi in Nashville

4) Code Honor – An extraordinary community event on Sept 12, 2009 for Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Madison & Rappahannock Counties to honor Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement & First Responders

Blessings to reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God!

P.S. If you have comments to share, please post them publicly on my blog rather than sending me emails. Thank you.