Family and Friends,

Today marks the day of a National tragedy, when our country was maliciously attacked.

We were returning from the Philippines where we had been missionaries at that time

for 2 years in Angeles City.  We were coming to the U.S. for a seminar on 9/11.  As we

were about to land at SeaTac, the pilot came on the intercom and told us our flight was

being diverted to Vancouver, B.C. as our country was under attack.  The news met

stunned  passengers as we sat in shock trying to assimilate the pilot’s dire words.

We were  inconvenienced but unharmed.

*     *     *

As no other event in U.S. history, not even Pearl Harbor, the deadly assaults on New

York and Washington that took the lives of almost 3,000 people on 11 September 2001

shattered the nation’s sense of security. The utter destruction of the Twin Towers in

New York and the severe damage done to the Pentagon by Middle East terrorists

signaled a changed world in the making, one that poses a constant threat of attack that

the United States must guard against and defeat if its people are to live in freedom and

safety. The nation responded first with stunned surprise and overwhelming grief, then

with outrage and stern refusal to be intimidated.

What happened at the Pentagon that day and for days afterwards is a compelling story

of trauma and tragedy as well as courage and caring and an instructive case study in

coping with such appalling contingencies. Any history of this event must relate the

resolve and fortitude exhibited by the military and civilians most immediately affected

as well as the indispensable help that came from thousands of responders in the

aftermath. In the first terrifying minutes after the plane crashed into the building the

swift actions of survivors and rescuers helped save the lives of many who would

otherwise have perished. The prompt response and subsequent performance of

federal, state, and especially local agencies, in particular their coordination and

cooperation with each other and with Pentagon authorities.

~ The Navy Department Library

*     *     *

This is a precious account of the Lord making the  difference in Lieutenant Colonel Brian Birdwell’s life.  He survived.

He shares, “About that time, a woman ran down the stairs to escape.  But when she saw me lying there, she felt led to pray with me….She asked my name and then told me, “Brian, my name is Natalie.  I feel the need to pray with you.  Would that be alright?

“Yes, please!”  I couldn’t believe a Christian was there beside me.  Even more, she had thought to grab her Bible before she left her desk.  My body was in shock.

Then she began to read Psalm 91 to me.

*     *     *

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth

in the secret place

of the most High

shall abide

under the shadow of the Almighty.

  I will say of the Lord,

He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

 He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;

nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

 A thousand shall fall at thy side,

and ten thousand at thy right hand;

but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes

shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

 Because thou hast made the Lord,

which is my refuge,

even the most High,

thy habitation;

 There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague

come nigh thy dwelling.

 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

 They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:

the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

 Because he hath set his love upon me,

therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high,

because he hath known my name.

 He shall call upon me,

and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him,

and honour him.

 With long life will I satisfy him,

and shew him my salvation.

*     *     *

Many miracles rose from the ashes.  There is no real reason for me to be alive,

except God.  I was only fifteen to twenty yards from the point of impact.  That’s two  car-

lengths!  I know things would have been very grim if I hadn’t had God protecting me

that day.  His plan for me was finely detailed, from a trip to the men’s room to Natalie

Ogletree’s prayers and proclaming of scriptures – all for God’s glory.  I may not have

known what the next step was, but He did.  God had a great plan for me, and He sent just the right people who would be able to help me survive.

~ Brian Birdwell

 

*     *     *

Thank you for stopping by and please pray for America the Beautiful

and for spiritual awakening as in days gone by!