9/11

"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy,  do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it"  (Isaiah 8: 12).

     Where were you on 9/11/2001?

     Today is the12th anniversary of the taking down of the twin towers--the "coming of age experience" of most Americans in realizing that radical Islam desired the end of western civilization.  America woke up to realize the threat of a "new" enemy.

      Zach and Hannah had just enrolled at Sarepta School and were staying with grandparents while Julie and I were finishing packing in Alexandria and preparing for our move.  It was a tough day to be separated from family and to be making a major transition in life.  We held to our faith and trusted that God was on His throne.

     Later we saw how our faith became sight in a very real way.

       Hannah had a man enter her 5th grade classroom on that same fateful day, to deliver a red New Testament with the date 9/11/2001 inscribed in the front.  The timing of this faithful Gideon and the gift of God's Word serves us still to know God is in control and remains vigilant in the watch-care of His own.

     Wars and rumors of wars of the past twelve years remind us that Islamic terrorism remains real.  But Isaiah, having witnessed the awesome presence of God enthroned in chapter 6, reminds us in chapter 8 not to fear what others fear and not to quake at every conspiracy theory we hear.  Isaiah testifies that when we have a holy, healthy, and reverent fear of God then we need not fear anything or anyone else.

Blessings as you pursue the Sabbatical Life experience and the comfort in knowing that peace is coming to the Middle East (and to your heart) when the Prince of Peace leaves His throne to call us to the new place He has prepared for His own . . .

Tim