9/11

Three days and twelve years ago our nation was attacked by The Al-Qaeda. They hijacked three planes and flew them into previously targeted buildings. At the time I was only 2 years old, but I was told about it later. How could they be so cruel. The Americans that they killed had done nothing to them but they killed them anyway. I'm not sure whether the victims on the plane knew what their destination was but they knew something was going on. One plane flew into the Twin Towers while another flew into the Pentagon. However, there was a victory won by the true Americans that day. There was a third plane hijacked that day, but it never reached its destination.  All of the sudden, the patriots on that plane knew they were in a war. Even though it was against what they had planned they were fighting for the things they believed in. Freedom, Liberty, Justice no matter what the cost. So they banded together to take back the plane. They succeeded but at the cost of the lives on that plane. It crashed in a field. Lives were lost that day but lives were also saved. Who knows where the Al-Qaeda would have crashed that plane. Now I'm 14 years old and wonder what would have convinced those Al-Qaeda to crash a plane into a building. Was it fear of a superior officers' punishment had they not followed through. How did they feel with the targets in sight, probably very stupid. "Hey I'm gonna crash a plane with people on board into a building on purpose and kill myself willingly while everyone else dies unwillingly all because I wanted to." I'm still amazed that with all the threats and possibilities of death that befell them, that the patriots on that third plane were able to sum up the courage to fight back for their country's sake. The Bible tells us that we as Christians are to stand fast in the faith and be strong for God(1Co 16:13). Even though these patriots were fighting a physical battle they are a great example for our spiritual lives in that this world has been taken by the devil's lure. It is our job as Christians to fight with the Word of God and bring America back to God even if it means our very lives.
1 Corinthians 16:13 ¶ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

The Three Bidders

                 The Three Bidders

                  Author Unknown

     A true incident in the life of Rowland Hill.

Will you listen, kind friends, for a moment,
While a story to you I unfold;
A marvelous tale, of a wonderful sale,
Of a noble lady of old;
How hand and heart, at an auction mart,
Soul and body she sold.

'Twas on the broad "king's highway."
Near a century ago,
That a preacher stood, whose heart overflowed,
Telling the fallen and low
Of a saviour's love and a home above,
And a peace that they all might know.

All crowded 'round to listen;
And they wept at the wondrous love
That could wash their sin, and receive them in
His spotless mansion above;
While slow through the crowd, a lady proud,
In her gilded chariot drove.

"Make room," cried the haughty outrider,
"You are closing the king's highway;
My lady is late, and their Majesties wait;
Give way there, good people, I pray."
The preacher heard, and his soul was stirred,
And he cried to the rider, "Nay!"

His eye like the lightening flashes;
His voice like a trumpet rings --
"Your grand fete-days
And your fashions and ways
Are all but perishing things.
'Tis the king's highway, but I hold it today
In the name of the King of kings."

Then -- bending his gaze on the lady,
And marking her soft eye fall --
"And now, in His name, a sale I proclaim,
And bids for this fair lady call.
Who will purchase the whole --
Her body and soul.
Coronet, jewels and all?

"I see already three bidders --"
The world steps up as the first;
"I will give her my treasures
And all the pleasures
For which my votaries thirst;
She shall dance each day, more joyous and gay,
With a quiet grave at the worst."

But out speaks the Devil boldly --
"The kingdoms of earth are mine.
Fair lady, thy name, with an envied fame,
On their brightest tablets shall shine;
Only give me thy soul, and I'll give the the whole.
Their glory and wealth to be thine."

"And pray, what hast Thou to offer --
Thou Man of Sorrows, unknown?"
And He gently said, "My blood I have shed,
To purchace her for Mine own.
To conquer the grave, and her soul to save,
I bore the judgement alone.

"I will give her my cross of suffering,
My cup of sorrow to share;

But with endless love, in My home above, 
All shall be righted there; 
She shall walk in light, in a robe of white,
And a radiant crown shall wear."

"Thou hast heard the terms, fair lady,
That each hath offered thee.
Which wilt thou choose, and which wilt thou lose, 
This life, or the life to be?
The fable was mine, but the choice is yet thine,
Fair lady! Which of the three?"

Nearer the stand of the preacher
The gilded chariot stole, 
And each head was bowed, as over the crowd
The thundering accents roll;
And every word, as the lady heard,
Burned in her very soul.

"Pardon , good people," she whispered,
As she rose from her cushioned seat. 
Full well, they say, as the crowd made way,
You could hear her pulses beat;
And each head was bare, as the lady fair 
Knelt at the preacher's feet.

She took from her hands the jewels,
The coronet from her brow. 
"Lord Jesus," she said, as she bowed her head, 
"The highest bidder art Thou.
Thou gav'st for my sake Thy life, and I take
Thy offer -- and take it now.

"I know the world and its pleasures, 
At best they weary and cloy;
And the Tempter is bold, but his honors and gold
Prove ever a fatal decoy.
I long for thy rest--- Thy bid is the best;
Lord I accept it with joy.

"Give me Thy cup of suffering, 
Welcome earth's sorrow and loss,
Let my portion be to thank and praise Thee
For taking my place on the cross. 
I Gladly lay down this coveted crown,
And count the World's glory but dross." 

"Amen!" said the earnest preacher;
And the people wept aloud.
Years have rolled on -- and they all have gone 
Who formed that awe-struck crowd.
Lady and throng have been swept along 
On the wind like a morning cloud.

But the Saviour has claimed His purchase,
And around His radiant seat,
A mightier throng, in an endless song,
The wonderous story repeat.
And a form more fair is bending there, 
Laying her crown at His feet.

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Dear Friend :
These bidders three, still bid for thee,
Their terms remain the same.
Which wilt thou choose, and which wilt thou lose,
This life or the life to be?
Author Unknown
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