In memory of September 11, 2001, I will link to a post that I wrote 9/11/2011 and have updated most years since. You can read it HERE. I really don't feel like updating it or adding anything further to it today, but perhaps pause in silence as we remember all those souls that perished on that infamous day 23 years ago.
I posted this picture of our sunrise this morning, with the following verse attached:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
"The Comfort of Christ’s Coming"
"13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words."
I thought that passage would be appropriate for today, as we think of so many who passed from this life into eternity on that terrible day. We don't know how many of those dear ones had faith in Christ unto salvation...we can only hope and pray that they knew Christ in their hearts and that they are with Him, safe in His loving arms today. For each of us it should be a reminder of just how quickly and unexpectedly our life can be taken from us, and we should be sure of our salvation now while there is still time. There is no time like the present to accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ His Son.
Acts 4:8-12 NKJV
"8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,
“Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man,
by what means he has been made well,
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead,
by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders,
which has become the chief cornerstone.’
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Yesterday we were headed to do some shopping at "Ollie's" ("Good Stuff Cheap"), and suddenly right before us in the parking lot was this yellow tape, thankfully barring us from going any further and right onto this sinkhole!
After we safely parked our car farther away from this area, I tip-toed up to the yellow taped off area and took a closer picture. I didn't dare get any closer, as sinkholes are notorious for appearing suddenly and swallowing up anything and everything within a close proximity to it. There's no telling how far down one would fall, possibly into a bottomless pit. One poor soul did die that way several years ago in Florida when a sinkhole opened up under his house and swallowed his house with him sleeping in his bed. They were never able to recover him. You can read more about that story HERE. Sinkholes are not that unusual here in Florida, especially during periods of frequent rains. You can read more about how they happen HERE.
Again, it just reinforces the fact that no one knows when something could happen to call us "home" quickly and unexpectedly. It's best to be sure that we are ready to go.
Well, to close this post on a more pleasant thought, little by little I am starting to get some fall decorations out and about here and there. I figure if I do a little something everyday, by the end of September we should be completely decorated for the autumn season! After all, fall doesn't really start until September 22nd anyway, so I'm right on time! So here are some of my "Wednesday Treasures" for today:
'Tis the season to be "grateful" and to "gather" with friends and loved ones and enjoy every moment we can! So why not come on over for a cup of Pumpkin Spice tea with me? Maybe, if I know you are coming, I will bake an apple pie! (better give me lots of notice! LOL)
May God bless you my friends!
Until we meet again...
Glad you stayed away from that sinkhole! They are dangerous, for sure. Hope that one doesn't get bigger!! I need to go to Ollie's to look at their rugs. Ours has a big selection of rugs in all sizes and fabrics. The runners in my bedroom are falling apart. Thanks for reminding me about Ollie's. I love your photos and your thoughts on 9/11. It does still hurt to think about it and to see how we came together in unity back then and are now so divided. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't go to close to that sinkhole. That's a terrible thing to think about.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will always remember 9/11. Terri is right about how we came together and now our country is so divided.
I love that wooden tray!
I've those same Grateful plates! How fun to anticipate the most wonderful time of the year!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about that man who was swallowed up in the sink hole -- how horrible! We've an Ollie's nearby, but haven't been there yet. I'm putting it on the list!
Breaks my heart to think of our Nation now v. then. Thank you for remembering.
What a horrible danger that sinkhole is, Pamela. It is all too easy for us, even Christians, to sink into the false comforts promised by this world instead of leaning upon God for His wisdom and guidance.
ReplyDeleteI do love your fall decor and your perfect eye for decoration with such simplicity and style. That is a gift!
Blessings, and stay away from those places that only want to hurt you!
That is fascinating about the sinkholes. You were awfully brave to get as close as you did. That story about the man who died when his house fell into a sinkhole is heartbreaking. Boy you hear this and you’re right - we never know. Gee I don’t know what is scarier: sinkholes or hurricanes or alligators! A California equivalent would be, earthquakes, fires and mudslides! Well I could add in Gavin Nonsense but I’ll leave politics out if it. 🙃
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Pam! Oh I love that pretty lamp-- don't think I've seen that before. I love going to Ollie's too!-- lots of great buys. Enjoying this cooler weather and got our boxes of Fall decor out but that's as far as I've gotten! Lol. Debbi at debbisfrontporch...not anonymous lol!!
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear from you, Debbi! Re: the lamp, I actually bought it from a dear 90+ year old lady in our church, who was selling her things and house and moving in with her son and daughter in law. She was very attached to this lamp and told me how much she had enjoyed it, and she was happy that I wanted it and would also enjoy it. And I do, especially now that it is staying darker in the morning longer, and getting dark earlier in the evening. I can turn it on and it glows and brightens the kitchen up and makes me smile.
DeleteI remember…it was my Latin Class…I had returned to WV to teach after five years in SC…one of the students said, I want to stay with Mrs. B. If they hit us,I know where she is going.” I almost cried…although I taught English, Creative Writing, etc. I did one Latin Class. What a day…I visited Ground Zero several times and also the new area…prayers for all. Brenda
ReplyDeleteLOVE the lamp and the teapot with the cozy. I don't decorate, but if I did, those two would be out for sure. Perfect scripture for 9/11 memorial and so true so true, things happen in a blink of an eye. I still shudder when I think of the man in the sink hole.
ReplyDeleteThat sinkhole did not look so bad on my phone, but on my computer it looks so scary. I love all your fall decorations. Take care and have a great rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteGlad you missed that hole. Your decorations are so cute. I am going to go over to see your post that you linked at the top of the page.
ReplyDeleteScary sinkhole and 9-11 is forever etched in my heart and brain. Knowing and working with a few of the NYC fireman that were involved (thankfully lived) that day puts everything in a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteLove your teapot and lamp. You have such lovely things.
Sue
Pam: 9/11 will always be in our memories and our hearts. We did not know what would happen next. God protected us from a larger disaster than what happened (that was bad enough.) That sinkhole looked innocent, but we have been educated about them. Glad you and John were mindful of the danger. Your fall decorating will look beautifu. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThose sinkholes are dangerous. I'm glad you stayed way back. I remember 9-11 vividly. It's a shame most in our Country did forget and vote for a known Muslim. Twice. The Fall decorating is so pretty. I'm not going to do anything until this massive rain passes through and we're done with the minor remodel in the Living Room. I can't do as much as I used to. That's OK. I'm still glad to be here and doing the best I can for the Lord. Blessings. 💙
ReplyDeleteWe have seen numerous roadway potholes that seem to reappear even after repairs, but thankfully no sinkholes (yet). I will always remember Sept 11 for many reasons.
ReplyDelete