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Miraculous Intervention: September
11, 2001 No
one knows why God allows some people to die earlier than expected, and
intervenes to save others, but intervene He does. This is not the big-picture, impersonal God that many claim
exists, but rather a personal Father who cares about every child equally. Grace
is a reality, not a concept. Earlier
this week, we asked our readers to share their stories of loving intervention in
the face of tragedy. Some are slight, some gripping and some are
thought-provoking, but all point to a loving God who seeks to guide all who
follow. As
our nation suddenly looks skyward for wisdom, here are sure signs that He is in
control. Thank
you to everyone that contributed. The Editors ------- On
the night of September 10th, both my sons (ages 23 and 21) felt a need to pray
and were soon deep in intercession. The
next morning we were notified by our youngest son of the tragedy.
We received a call from our son-in-law.
He had an appointment for an interview in the World Trade restaurant for
a position as chef on the morning of the 11th.
It was cancelled and I believe it was the mercy of Jesus that intervened
and saved his life. Kathryn Koch My cousins Annette and Philip were supposed to be preaching special services in New York City. And the preacher that they were preaching for had made them reservations at a hotel in the World Trade Center. They were supposed to be there three days from the day this all happened. Annette said, "If this all would have happened three days later I would have been in bed in my hotel room (during the tragedy)." Now she has a huge testimony to tell people and I know she has already told a bunch of people. We thank God that they are okay! Brittnee
Butler
My
brother, Jeff, was scheduled to fly into New Jersey and was not heard from the
day of the disaster. But later that night we found out he was in a meeting just
across the Hudson Bay, just 20 miles from the Trade Centers. Also, my uncle Jim
was supposed to have moved his office to the World Trade Center, but for some
reason the scheduled move was cancelled. He was in an office only two buildings
away when the attack occurred. Neither my brother nor my uncle have received the
full knowledge of our Lord and Savior. I pray that God has intervened so that
they will have another chance to know Him in the fullness of His power and
grace. To God be the glory for His protecting hand. Dennis
Fiorini
As
an assistant in a cardiology office, I've been told several testimonies on how
God has intervened in this horrible tragedy. Two testimonies stand out the most:
·
A woman who comes
from a solid Christian family works at the Pentagon and on her way to work she
realized she forgot her ID badge, so she turned around to get it from home. She
turned on her TV to check the time and saw the coverage of the Pentagon. Then
she realized that if she had not gone home to get her rarely forgotten badge,
she would have been in the section of the building where the plane crashed.
Praise God! Christina
Burk From the UPCI’s World Network of Prayer:
·
A man from Scotty Teets church worked in the office where the
plane hit the first tower. Yesterday he overslept and heard about the crash on
his way to work. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1)
My
father is a United Pentecostal minister and he¾along
with his brother, sisters and cousins¾
grew up in the church and around the ministry seeing that their grandfather was
the pastor and founder of their church. Although having grown up with such an
awesome privilege as to be a part of the ministry, through the years most of
them have backslid.
One
of my father’s cousins, having been a backslider for some time now, worked at
the World Trade Center. And still was working there as far as we knew.
Therefore, the tragic events this past Tuesday caused much concern and many
frantic phone calls to find out and make sure that Dereesa was okay. We soon
learned that just 5 short weeks ago Dereesa had returned to a previous place of
employment and therefore, was no longer working at the World Trade Center.
Of
course, we were all relieved and thankful that she had not been in the building
when tragedy struck.
Although,
I myself cannot help but think how that God surely had his hand on her in all of
this. She barely escaped sure death and has been given another opportunity by
God¾if
you ask me. Others may not see it as I do, but I call it a miracle! My
daughter and son-in-law, Sheila and Bob, had vacation plans to go to New York
City and would have been there that very week; but decided just a week or two
ago that the kids were just too small to travel so far! Kathy
Elkins An
email from Tim Cummings, Hazelwood, MO: This was in our daily Bible reading Sept. 11, 2001. This is from the New Living Translation.
Psalm
64 For
the choir director: A psalm of David. The Theme of this Psalm: A complaint against conspiracy. When others conspire against us, we can ask God for protection because he knows everything. O
God, listen to my complaint.
Dear Friends: So many of you have called us and written emails to us throughout the day expressing concern for our Bethel Church family who live and work in or near the World Trade Center in Manhattan. While we are able to receive calls, we have not been able to make any long distance calls due to damaged communications systems and overloaded circuits. Miraculously, it now appears that all of our saints have been spared any serious injury. Anthony C., who worked on the 70th floor of the WTC and survived the 1993 terrorist attack, was once again able to escape from the building before its final collapsed. Others who worked directly across the street from the WTC were slightly trampled and had to escape on foot, some of them losing their shoes in the process. (16 church members), and the rest of our precious people who work in or near the financial district have miraculously escaped harm by the grace and mercy of God! Robert L., who is employed by the World Trade Center Marriott Hotel (which has been destroyed) was not working at the hotel when the attack took place. Our hearts are deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy and we grieve for the many lives that have been lost and the many who have been wounded and injured. However, in the midst of this sadness we are also feel tremendously blessed and thankful that God has allowed our precious church family to be spared. God bless you. Pastor
Doug Davis, Jr.
I drive a semi for a living. Last week I had the
opportunity to go out to Philadelphia and On the Friday before (the run), I was asked if I would
take the load. I said no after a little thought on the matter. I had called home
to talk to my oldest son about where he would like to go. He was to go with me
on the next trip. I could not get in touch with him so I called my dispatcher
back and said that I would go to Minnesota instead. I believe that God had his hand on my family, for if I
took the load that I had wanted, I believe that my son and I would not be here
today, for we were to go past the Pentagon on Tuesday morning and I was going to
stop in for a tour and then on to deliver in Norfolk, Virginia. I just want to say thank you Jesus for being with my
family and me. Kerry Kelty
ã 2001, ninetyandnine.com --------
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