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BY [ISA FIIIIEY l IIFEPOINT CHURCH
As our nation reflects this week on the
historic tragedy and loss of September 1 1,
as well the heroism of many individuals
and the progress seen this past decade on
the war against terrorism, I revised the
following article written nearly ten years
ago.
Terrorism is a mathematical miscal-
culation. Terrorism cannot subtract the
patriotism that has over time growndeep
within the soil of our souls, first planted
there by our valiant forefathers. America’s
patriotic spirit has a common bond from
a common ground of history.
Terrorism cannot add hatred where
there is a will to love by people who serve
a God of love. Terrorism cannot divide a
country that has already overcome divi-
sion through a civil war. Even our country's
name, the United States of America is a
visual and verbal aflirmation of the impor-
tance we place in unity. The USA’s first two
letters are US.
Terrorism cannot multiply one act of
violence into many others—as we have
proved true in the relative peace experi-
enced the past decade after September
11. Terrorism cannot calculate the way
courage always conquers. It has no answers
how tears do not dampen democracy,
but somehow, instead, irrigate it. Terror—
ists only have questions as they witness
our citizens continue to stand proudly to
salute our flag. They cannot silence the
Star Spangled banner from being sung,
nor take away one star from its splendor.
Perhaps they are becoming aware that the
events of 9/1 1 cannot reduce old Glory to
a gory story.
Terrorism cannot take into account the
strange phenomenon of young children
and teens who still choose to be firefight-
ers, healthcare workers, and police offi-
cers, even after watching first responders
heroically die. Terrorism cannot fraction
the way Americans live, nor the way we
generously give. They cannot take a ratio-
nal number of patridts and turn them into
an irrational number of bigots. For truth be
told, beinganAmericanis ournation’s least
common denominator, and our greatest
common denominator. ,
Terrorists cannot measure the height
that a wounded eagle can gain, nor its abil-
ity to fly more majestic than ever before.
They cannot estimate the unlimited pos-
sibilities of hope, strength, and peace that
comes from the Creator of these God-given
abilities that have exponential power.
Terrorism cannot total all that is found
America’s resolve, nor the sum of
its restoration. Most importantly it cannot
factor in fear to a people who have found
the formula of faith. Terrorists may change
the horizon, but they are powerless to
change the power that lies beyond it— the
power behind the phrase “One Nation
Under God".
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Religion & SpirituaI Thoughts
The After “Math” of Terrorism
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Lake Stevens Journal September 21, 2011
. Keeping the Faith:
No need to keepjumping
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BY IIOIIIIIE MCBIIAYEII I CONTRIBUTING WRITER
There’s a proverb that says if you love
something, let it go. If it returns, it’s yours.
Ifnot, well, it never belonged to you in the
first place. But had my son Braden written
that proverb it would go more like this: “If
you love something and it won’t cooperate,
stomp the guts out of it." >
A fewyears ago he and I rescued a frog in
our garage. I gently placed the little guy in
Braden's hands. We talked about the frogs
warts, his strong legs, and bulging eyes. Af-
ter the brief science lesson, we set him free.
Braden followed his new friend around
the yard for a half hour. He tried to catch
it, pet it, and steer it. He wanted it back in
the garage to do with it as he pleased. But
the frog wouldn't oblige.
In frustration Braden lurched forward
and crushed the little fellow beneathhis
foot. I was horrified! I momentarily con-.
cluded that my wife and I were raising
a sociopath. When I could finally reel in
my slack jaw I asked him, “Why did you
do that?” His answer was as telling as it
was simple: “Because he wouldn't listen
to me.”
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Some of us think that God is a lot like
Braden. If you don't stay one step ahead
of him, leaping quickly from his crushing
blow, God will maliciously scrub you into
the dust. God will eventually catch up to
you and squash you for every evil act ever
committed, every wrong thought that has
crossed your mind, and for every missed
Sunday service.
Maybe it stems from an anxious child-
hood or from bad religious experiences,
but we all too often see God for less than
he is.We Viewhim as some kind of irritated
old school master keeping a ledger of our
sins—anEbenezer Scrooge—selfish, stodgy,
and never to be crossed. Orwe think of him
as a vindictive bully, aneg at the world —— a
cosmic Simon Cowell — one who only lets
the best get by, and only then after a severe
tongue lashing. Sure, a few will make it
through the pearly gates, but God will b
none too happy about it. .
Or we may imagine God, sitting in a high
and mighty palace somewhere, breathing
threats and intimidation just waiting for
someone to cross the line, to be noncom-
pliant, so he can squash them like a bug.
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Rel. Ed & Youth Programs also on Sundays
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Youth Group: Wed: 7:00 pm.
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Programs for all age
Meeting at the Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club
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Meeting at:
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Pastor, Rick Johnson
Worship/Youth Leader, Jan Novak
Sunday School 9:40 am.
Wednesday Worship 7 pm.
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Preschool- 425-397-6374
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