Susan's Blog: Face of September 11th

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Face of September 11th

With September 11th just around the corner...each day in September I want to focus on something about that horrific and transforming day in the life of my beloved country. It has impacted American's in ways we will never fully comprehend.

Today...I'd like to start with a picture that has graced my walls since the day it first appeared in the paper. The gentleman in this photo is named Tony James. This photo was taken at the funeral of Father Mychal Judge...also known as the first victim of the tragedy we now know as 9/11.

I don't know much about Tony James...except that he was a New York City Fireman...and was attending the funeral of Father Judge when this photo was taken.

This photo has touched me to my very core. This man's face is so beautiful...the humanity, the pain, sorrow, the overwhelming horror of that day, the loss, it's toll and the personal impact it made, is visible on Tony James face.

I ask God to bless this man abundantly. He has been the face of September 11th that I treasure each day.

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My Colors Will Be Clear

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight seeing, smooth knees, color-less dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, "chinchy" giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need position, promotions, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my destination is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of the One that gave me life, drew the line in blood for me in the hour of my destiny.

I am one of Christ's remnant people. I belong to Him and none other. All I do to bring this life to another is done because of that blood covenant poured out for me.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. I must share will all that one more might hear and be drawn from the flaming darkness that longs to consume. Reach for another, touch but one more!

Until that moment...He will have no problem in recognizing me- my colors will be clear!!!

Not only are the words inspiring but so is the man behind them. The above letter was written by a Pastor in Africa who was undergoing severe persecution. On the eve of his execution he sat down and wrote the above note.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Face of September 11th

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The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay – Fascinating, Compelling, Filled with Intrigue