America's E-mail Forwards

America's E-mail Forwards
Unless otherwise noted, original authors are unknown.

Compiled and edited by Michelle Jones, editor@BlessingsforLife.com

Submitted by Rita...

Subject: Letter to bin Laden

Sir, I would like to thank you for taking the time out to send a few of your willing workers of hate and deception to this country to attempt to destroy us.

In the process of trying to terrorize us to death, the hand of God stepped in and still got glory within your evil and deceptive plan to put fear in the hearts and minds of the American people.

1. Thank you for showing and allowing our President and past Presidents to Worship and pray together in the same Sanctuary.

2. Thank you for having Congress bow at the Feet of Jesus and ask for forgiveness and ask for the Lord's strength in leading the nation's people.

3. Thank you for allowing Prayer in the schools once more and having our children across the nation be able to ask God for strength and protection throughout their school day.

4. Thank you for letting employers give workers time to pray and worship our Savior during their work hour.

5. Thank you for showing us that it is the hand of God that allows us to be here day in and day out, we are not just here on our own.

6. Thank you for leading more people back to church in one day to get things right with God than all the witnessing of all the Christians in this country could do in one year.

7. Thank you for waking us up and letting us know that people still care in this country and that we are bigger than the problems in this country.

8. Thank you for reminding us that racial, religious, and cultural hatred is useless and nothing good comes from harboring it.

9. Thank you for letting us again understand why it says IN GOD WE TRUST on our money, we sing God Bless America and know what true patriotism is.

10. Most of all Mr. bin Laden, now that the Lord is on our side, thank you for letting him take his rightful place on the battlefield, so you will know that He will have the victory His word says...If two or three are gathered in my name, it is done.

So, in all, we thank you very much for strengthening our faith in God and our love for our fellow American no matter what color, race, creed or religion.

A Proud American Citizen...
and a Soldier in the Army of the Lord

* * *

Subject: Powerful Prayer
DO IT AGAIN, LORD
Max Lucado
America Prays
Sept. 15, 2001

Dear Lord,

We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, "What a horrible dream."

But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad.

There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)

We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't.

And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, "Do it again, Lord. Do it again."

Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord.

Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.

And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselor! s today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord.

Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here last Tuesday, you saw there that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the smoke eclipsed our morning, so the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced.

And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.

But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September Easter.

We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Christians are praying with Jews. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity.

And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do.

Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and
the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.

And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to heal a hurting world.

Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

Through Christ, Amen.

* * *

Submitted by George and Dot...

WHERE WAS GOD?

(God speaking back to us)

I know you're mad at Me right now. That's all right. People have been mad at Me before and will be again. Being mad is part of being human. It's all right to be mad sometimes at injustice, for example, or the lack of charity.

You probably think I am unjust and uncharitable when an airplane goes down like that. All those people lost. The children gone. It doesn't seem right; it can't be loving. You ask, 'Where was God?' Why did He allow that to happen?"

"I allow it to happen because I allow you freedom because I love you so much. I want you to be free to decide when to dance and sing. Free to determine when you will come to Me in faith and hope. Because you are free, some of you choose not to dance or sing. Some of you select hatred over love, revenge over forgiveness, bombs over a helping hand. As you choose, I watch. I do not disappear. I listen to both the songs and the bombs. AND I REMEMBER."

"Where was God?" you wonder...I was there on the airplane. I whispered in the ear of a little girl, 'Don't be afraid, I am with you.' I held the hand of a business woman as tightly as she clutched mine. I cradled a pilot against my shoulder as if he were a baby again."

"Amid the paralyzing fear, I was there, as I was there with my Son in the garden. Amid the unbearable pain, I was there, as I was with Him as He was whipped. Amid the terrible realization that life was ending too soon, I was there with Him as He hung on the cross and asked, like you, "My God, why have you forsaken Me?"

"I had not forsaken Him. I did not forsake them. I was there as they fell, and as they rose to eternal joy. I listened to their anger, answered their questions and showed them why they had been created. Not to end that way, but to live with Me forever."

"In an instant, they came into existence. As you did. In an instant, they left this world. As you will. But beyond that last instant, I kept my promise...a little girl dances, a business woman sings, and a pilot keeps his wings forever."

* * *

I had a very dear friend question my faith in God right after the terrorist attack on America. Her question was simply put, "Where is your God today?" She was very hurt, as all Americans were, so I tried not to react defensively. Since that moment I have prayed and grieved over the disastrous events. However, I believe I have the answer. I know where my God was the morning of September 11, 2001! He was very busy. First of all, he was trying to discourage anyone from taking this flight. Those four flights together held over 1000 passengers and there was only 266 aboard.

He was on four commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who was called by a loved one on one of the hi-jacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background. On one of the flights he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hi-jackers.

He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings hold over 50,000 workers, this was a miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the WTC told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays?

He was holding up two 110-story buildings so that 2/3 of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted.

Although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I can see God's miracles in every bit of it. I keep thinking about my friend and praying for her every chance I have. I can't imagine going through such a difficult time and not believing in God. Life would be hopeless.

Thanks for letting me share this with you! (Thanks to my friends who have already heard all of this, and haven't told me to put a sock in it!)

The Grinch Version of Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Author Unknown

Every U down in U-ville liked U.S.a lot,
But the Binch, who lived faraway of U-ville, did not.

The Binch hated U. S.!...the whole U. S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch.
"They're raising their families! They're going to church.
They're leading the world and their empire is thriving.
I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"

Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's
Would put on their pant and their shirts and their dresses.
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,

And then they'd do something he liked least of all
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing U-ville's anthem,
"God bless us! God bless!"

All around their Twin Towers of U-ville they'd stand,
And their voices would drown every sound in the land.
"I MUST stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
and he had an idea-an idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U planes in U morning hours,
And crashed them right into the U-ville Twin Towers.
"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
"and how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"
The Binch cocked his ear, as they woke from their sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping.
But instead he heard something that started quite low,
And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow-
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it - they started to sing!
He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes,
What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!

Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!
He HADN'T stopped U-ville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young
Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride
And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.

So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.
For America means a bit more than tall towers,
It means more than wealth or political powers,
It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
So may God bless America!
Bless us! God bless!

A movement has been started like that from Desert Storm. During Desert Storm we tied yellow ribbons anywhere we could. Well, now the movement is to tie purple ribbons the same way. This is for two reasons.

1. In remembrance of not only the firefighters, police officers, paramedics who have died, but also for all who have died in this terrible tragedy.
2. Just as in the military, when a serviceman get injured, he is given he Purple Heart. Well, our country has been injured to its core.

Please pass this on to everyone you know, and let's see purple ribbons everywhere. Along with the flag of the United States of America.

We are keeping this candle burning for all the people & their families who were in the planes, buildings and anywhere near the explosions today. May God be with them and help them through this terrible time. God Bless

I asked God for water, he gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, he gave me a garden.
I asked God for a tree, he gave me a forest.
I asked God for a friend, he gave me YOU.

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This candle was lit on the 11th of September, 2001. Someone who loves you has helped keep it alive by sending it to you.

Lord Jesus,
You are our source of strength in the dark valleys. You alone can comfort those whose spirits have been broken today. You know the pain, the loss, the anger, the overwhelming sorrow felt by all the people of the US tonight and especially those who went home where a loved one will never return. Lord we ask, we beseech you to send your healing touch to those who are broken hearted. Comfort the children who have lost a parent, the husbands who lost a wife, the wives who lost their husband, and the parents who lost a child. Let them physically feel your holy and healing presence.

Lord we also ask you to be the guiding light for our leaders tonight and in the coming days. Give them the knowledge to do the right and honorable thing. Lord, realize that we are all angry and outraged that this horrible event happened, but please help those who make the decisions not to strike out blindly and bring more suffering to innocent people but to do so with the right spirit and attitude, to bring to justice those who perpetuated such horror.

And Lord, I realize I am only one, but use me, help me to do all that I can to ease the pain and suffering of my fellow Americans. Help me to be your instrument, to reach out with love and humility in your holy name. Amen (submitted by MJ)

Our Great and all powerful God and Father of all peoples, We come before you with tears in our eyes and sorrow in our hearts over the terrible events which happened in our country just today.

Many people have lost their lives today, and great property lost as the enemy of our souls seduced once again victims to do his evil work for him. Father, I join with the millions all over the world to pray a prayer of protection upon every state, city, nation, so this may never be repeated again. Stretch forth your holy arms to heal us all, to protect us from our enemies.

For all of those injured in these disasters today, may they live and be healed. for all of the loved ones who suffered the loss of their loved ones today, bind up their broken hearts, give them peace and comfort. Help the Leaders of the nations to be wise and all knowing from this moment, to know how to search out these killers, and to ward off their terrible crimes against your peoples, Lord.

Show the leaders of our country of America who this group is, show them where to find them, and how to put a final end to their wicked crimes against their brothers and sisters. Teach the terrorist groups and leaders how to shake away the evil thought and plans of evil, teach them how to defend our peoples instead of killing them.

I pray for a spiritual awakening over the whole world, over all peoples. Let us all join together in worship and reverence to God. and start praying for each other and for safety and protection of our world. I pray right now, "Let there be no more terrorism acts from this day forth. Let our Nations be safe. Let our people all live in safety. Allow no more blood to flow. I pray for the ones who committed these deeds today may their hearts hear the living voice of the living God. As he convicts them of their violence and sins, may they each have enough sorrow in their hearts upon seeing what they have done to our people, and may they fully repent of their wrongs. May they turn their selves in. This would be the right and manly thing to do.

Wipe the tears from our eyes, Lord. Heal us. Save us I pray. As one voice for the people, and I know that many voices will follow as I say, Jesus we count on you. We trust you. We love you. Amen

I've posted a large (8 x 11) flag for ANYONE to use. Printing it out in Landscape rather than portrait gives you a larger flag. If the page is busy, please try again. I am doing this for anyone who doesn't have the time or the money to buy a flag for tomorrow's US Color Day. If you know how to do iron on transparencies, you could iron this on your t-shirt, etc. Use your imagination, just be sure to show your COLORS tomorrow and who says we have to stop there?

Our Heavenly Father,

Please hear the prayers of the people of America,
Hold us gently in Your arms and comfort us.
Lord, we are wounded to our very souls,
Our pain tears at our hearts.

Father, we are a mighty nation that has
been graced by so many blessings from You,
and now in the hour of our need,
We pray for Your love and guidance.

Lord, cradle the injured and the families of
those who have lost loved ones,
In Your merciful hands,
and comfort them.

Soothe the searing anguish that our people
are feeling in our hour of confusion.
Lead us though our time of darkness,
Embrace us as if we were a little child.

Heavenly Father, send calmness were there is panic,
Help us get back on our feet,
Help us stand tall,
Help us take a deep breath
and know, that we, as great nation,
will survive this tragedy.

We are one nation, under God........

Amen

My Dear Friends,
Let us pray for our country and for each other.
May God bless you all.

This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing:

America: The Good Neighbor

Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional

Record:
"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth.

Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When the Franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles.

You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Dear Mom,

I wanted to write to you yesterday. I drafted lines in my head but never put them on paper. The images from the media crowded out clarity. Our executive staff met. Our entire staff met. We talked. We shared. We prayed - several times. Questions came as to what we should do, how we should respond, what difference we could make. We wondered. We thought. We prayed some more. And I decided to sleep on it.

It was a good decision. What I knew in the back of my mind yesterday has moved to the front of my thoughts today.

When I focus on the images of planes crashing into high-rises, when I hear the stories of sons calling mothers from hijacked airlines, when I learn of rescue workers crushed in the debris of the very ruin they were trying to save. I am convinced more than ever that we need each other. We mothers need one another. My morning e-mail underlined this truth with words of encouragement from MOPS groups in El Salvador, New Zealand, and Australia. "We're praying for your country, and for your moms."

No, we were never meant to mother alone. In the beginning, we were created to be in relationships, to mother with a husband, but when that isn't possible, certainly we were meant to mother with God. He hasn't left us and never will. Behind the carnage, above the flames, he is still present. And he is still in control.

Think about that. And if you're comfortable, offer a prayer for our nation, and for the mothers of our country. Then reach out to another mother. Call an old friend. Leave a note on a neighbor's door. E-mail a coworker. Ask your sister out to lunch. Connect with the mothers around you who are just as shattered and concerned about today and tomorrow. In the giving and receiving of relationship, we draw strength, courage and perspective for ourselves - and this we can pass on to the children under our care.

P. S.
In times like these, I often turn to the Bible. Psalm 46 is a great encouragement to me, as it underlines God's power in the face of what is surely beyond our understanding and control. Take a minute to let God encourage you with his timeless words.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the seas,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make
glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the Lord,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shield with fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The above letter was rec'd just a few days after the tragedy... we rec'd this additional note on Sept. 17th - "MOPS International is in deep prayer for America and for the families who lost loved ones. We recognize that the events that have unfolded in the past few days have affected us all. After much thought, prayer, and listening to you, we are canceling the MOPS International Convention that was scheduled for September 28-29, 2001. Updated information on our alternate event, the first-ever MOPS International Live Satellite Convention, will be published at www.MOPS.org as it becomes available."

I sit here with my hands trembling as I type. I have just been watching the terrorist attacks in the United States. The pictures look like a war zone. It is scary. It is unfair. It is so horrible. There is not much you can do to help. I feel like I need to do something, so I am starting a "prayer chain".

For the victims of the attack.
For the friends and families of the victims.
For all the lives lost.
For all those helping to rescue, save, and treat the trapped and injured.
For all of us who sit and watch the attacks of the television and listen to it on the news.

We pray for Understanding as to how and why this happened.
For the strength to deal with the loss.
For the courage to eventually pick up the pieces and move on with life.
For the ability to one day forgive those responsible for this great loss.
May God fill our hearts with love. Help take away the sorrow. Help heal the wounds.
May the laughter of the children help us to remember that there is still good in this world.
And, may the warmth of the sun, shine down upon us and help us find our smiles again.