Ground Zero -- One Year Later
Preaching
Windows For Life
Inspirational And Devotional Illustrations
Listening to and watching television on September 11, 2002, as that long list of over 2,800 names was being read, of persons who lost their lives on "Nine/Eleven Day," we could sense some of the soul force people felt that day at that site in New York City. It was more than emotional.
And when the names of people from other countries were read as well, we were reminded that it had been a World Trade Center. The consequences of the tragedy affected representatives from nations around the globe. Enough were there to create an awesome spectacle. Now, the result seems to be deadly silence.
Parallel to that thought, as one visits the Dead Sea in the Holy Land, one sees and touches physically a body of water so loaded with chemicals one could hardly drown in it. No marine life can exist in such a place. Since it is far below normal sea level, and there is no outlet, one understands why it is named the Dead Sea.
But this unusual sea has something to give up to us. There is so much salt, sodium chloride, in the Dead Sea, the water can be piped out to flat ponds and allowed to evaporate in the hot sun. The result is then refined for various uses. Other chemicals are there also, just for the taking.
Centuries of water flowing down from Mount Hermon in Lebanon, through the Jordan River, have brought these precious resources to the Dead Sea.
Back to Ground Zero, one can see how much it is like the Dead Sea. Though once a site of lively trade offices, it has become a place of remembrance. These memories have developed a soul force that can have far-reaching consequences. After due respect is given to those who died through no fault of their own, it will surely give impetus to those who may develop that space in the midst of a great city.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "It is for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion."
And when the names of people from other countries were read as well, we were reminded that it had been a World Trade Center. The consequences of the tragedy affected representatives from nations around the globe. Enough were there to create an awesome spectacle. Now, the result seems to be deadly silence.
Parallel to that thought, as one visits the Dead Sea in the Holy Land, one sees and touches physically a body of water so loaded with chemicals one could hardly drown in it. No marine life can exist in such a place. Since it is far below normal sea level, and there is no outlet, one understands why it is named the Dead Sea.
But this unusual sea has something to give up to us. There is so much salt, sodium chloride, in the Dead Sea, the water can be piped out to flat ponds and allowed to evaporate in the hot sun. The result is then refined for various uses. Other chemicals are there also, just for the taking.
Centuries of water flowing down from Mount Hermon in Lebanon, through the Jordan River, have brought these precious resources to the Dead Sea.
Back to Ground Zero, one can see how much it is like the Dead Sea. Though once a site of lively trade offices, it has become a place of remembrance. These memories have developed a soul force that can have far-reaching consequences. After due respect is given to those who died through no fault of their own, it will surely give impetus to those who may develop that space in the midst of a great city.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "It is for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion."
