We remember Pearl Harbor and we also remember that it was ultimately our Great God who gave us victory!

A happy Wednesday to one and all as we get ready to work with the only day we have at this time, today, December 7, 2011. Yes, December 7 is a historical monument where we remember Pearl Harbor. Today marks the 70th anniversary of this fateful event. I don't know how many times I have watched the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! but it is, in my opinion, the best documentary on the calamitous attack against our nation. Tora! Tora! Tora! was the Japanese code words that translated means Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! indicating total surprise. Many of us who were not born or too young to remember might find it difficult to appreciate the sense of horror that accompanied the report of this murderous attack. Some 1282 Americans lost their lives as a result of the attack and another 1282 were injured. It was the 'shock' heard round the world. Today we can pinpoint where we were when we first learned about the assassination of JFK, or the 9-11 attack, as well as other calamities that impacted our lives. An entire nation had this same recollection seared into their collective memory on December 7, 1941. Our nation reeled in response but we also reacted. The Japanese Admiral who actually planned this attack had deep reservations about the longer term impact and implications of this action. He had studied in the US. He had a sense of what our people were made of. After the attack while all his officers were celebrating this monumental victory, Isoroku Yamamoto refused to party and seemed almost depressed. His famous prophetic words were recorded and if you've seen the movie, you no doubt remember them, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." May God bless the memory of all those who fell on that fateful day. And, may God bless our nation who fulfilled that prediction with the help of Almighty God. That's right folks. Our entire nation united as a driven people to Remember Pearl Harbor, but we also were a people driven to our knees. These are lessons for us all to contemplate as we think back on this crucial time in our nation's history.

Those were some tough times for our country. When the Pearl Harbor attack occurred my mom was just a little over a week away from giving birth to her first child. With dad in the Army, she was no doubt greatly concerned about what the future might hold. She along with millions of others persevered and came out on the other side stronger and with a sense of God's protection and provision during this most challenging time. This experience along with many others she has faced has made her a living testimony to our family and to others. Today our nation faces some pretty daunting challenges. To summarize it all, folks, we are in a mess. There's certainly enough blame to go around but America can recover and she can become that shining light on the hill again. But we cannot do it on our own. We need God's help. We needed His help to defeat the evil that threatened our way of life in WWII, we needed His help to get back on our feet after 9-11, and my way of seeing it tells me we need Him more than ever today. I fear, however, that far too many of us are looking to the political system to help get us by, or hoping for a charismatic leader who will help bring us prosperity and peace. Nothing of our own volition or ingenuity will fix what needs to be restored, we need to see our nation return to the God who birthed us and has been with us all the way, through the night, with the light, from above. Amen and Amen.

Last night I was able to be with our Crosstrainer kids again. It had been a few weeks for me and it was good to see all those smiling faces again. Little kids are so genuine. They have not fully acquired that skill of pretentiousness that we all learn as we go through life. They were glad to see me. And, it showed. They had missed me being with them. Many people tell me from time to time how blessed they are to have me come and work with them in this ministry. You must be kidding. Right? The blessings are there but I see them overwhelmingly in my favor. That's not to say it isn't challenging and after a long day, I do at times feel some reservations about making that drive into the inner city. However, when I go it is always a blessing and I thank God for Brother Kim Williams and all of his folks there who take the time to try and make a difference in the lives of these children, a difference that will last for all time and eternity. They do like the idea of Santa Claus being a part of their program there. A young woman from our local fellowship is currently a kindergarten teacher over in the middle east. She put a photo of herself and some of her little students up on Facebook. The children were all dressed in their native garb but their little faces just jumped out at me. I was reminded again of how much our Savior loved everyone including the little ones when He was here on the earth. Yes, they are precious and His sight and they should be in ours as well. Have a great day and may God bless each one. Amen.  ....More later.