Last Year I Was In Afghanistan!!

This is a day that brings so much to mind...I look through my Facebook and see a clear divide in what people post today from 9/11 tributes and remembrances to "It's still all about me" postings. This isn't right or wrong, this is simply age. 11 years ago still seems like yesterday. I know where I was and I know what I did and how I felt....and things don't change much. Looking at the pictures and watching the History Channel brings back the hurt and the blurry eyes.

What would I say if I had my last phone call to make.....

I hear Romney and Obama are trying to respect this day by putting their campaigns on hold....but you know, tomorrow they will be as mean and vicious as ever....a real sad note because I for one thought this country would be forever changed for the better, but I guess I might still be in the minority. I think people should and can be a lot better than they are.... I've been called a fool before...and I know who my friends are as well...

It was 11 years ago today that, like an outpouring of God's character on the US, people began to care more for others than they did for themselves. It was unreal....perhaps surreal. the composure, the control and at times....the fear. I don't want to hear about people not understanding the true impact of the event. Two planes hit and destroyed the Twin Towers in New York! People understood very clearly Innocent people killed and in their clarity....they were concerned about others. Can you imagine...others were for, seemingly the first time more important, more of a concern, more valuable than we were to ourselves. Calls from the Towers to tell their families "I love you". Telling their families that it's far more important for me to tell you I love you, than it is for you to tell me the same. YOU NEED TO KNOW I LOVE YOU!!!! Just in case you someday might forget...these are my last words.

I am looking at crossing 23 years of service to our country next summer. I love the Army. I serve my country through personal sacrifice. The greatest and most amazing hero's I know are those who support those who serve. The families, the churches, the VFW, the American Legion, and all the support groups out there...but mostly, if you want to meet a hero.....talk to an Army wife...and respect them because their attitude has come from a place where most of you have not been....alone and separated from the one you most want to be with at this time.....alone and separate. Like a POW in your own world....I love them all....but mostly mine!

Quickly comes this day. 11 years later. 42 months away from Them. Memories forgotten. I am so appreciative for those who were there and those who remember....as I am for those in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Time seems to dilute any sense of grief, any sense of anger, any sense of self-sacrifice. I am worried that our young people will forget or worse, not be told about this time of tragedy and service. Even today, only 11 years after I have heard that "it's too painful to remember". Apparently people have forgotten how painful it was to live through. Some memories are supposed to be painful so that you do not forget!!! Innocent people killed and arrogant self-righteous people to blame.

Today, today is a surprisingly hard day. For a chaplain/ preacher, thinking of the loss of innocent lives naturally brings me to Jesus. Remembering our Army wives reminds me of Mary and Mary who went to the tomb. And all the tomorrows remind me of the Apostle John and Paul who continue to spread the word so that none can forget!

9/11 should always bring sadness and resolve. The Gospel message should always bring humility and repentance. 

Just the Beginning!

"A picture from Helpful Hearts Orphanage in Kabul, Afghanistan"

 

I always smile when I look at the changes that come in time. When some say that history is circular, always ending up in repeating itself at some point, I think about some of the ways it is and some ways it isn't.

Looking at the Centennial booklet of the BBC there is one theme that seems to flow through the pages: The desire to have a place of worship.

    First called the Lake Lillian Church, then Fahlun Baptist and now Blomkest Baptist, this church has been the hope of community people from the time it began at Lind Eric Olson's home in 1876. Through the years there have been building programs, moving to different land, many different pastors and a variety of directional changes for this church (I'm sure!).
   Today we are no different, and the while the direction of this church will continue to be consistent with the founders of BBC and to God's Word, the culture and community have changed. We will seek to meet the needs of those in the community and surrounding areas and all age groups who make up these areas. And just like those who built this church, we will envision the changes which need to occur while embracing the traditions so loved for the past 136 years.

Trying to reach people for Christ is the objective of the evangelical church. How we go about accomplishing this can be as different as the churches that make up this country. We are a unique rural church with a unique legacy.

We will continue to move forward following God's will for this group of believers and trusting in His grace to fulfill our mission. It's a great time to be at the BBC!