As we remember what can we NOT forget?

I had a friend ask me what I thought about the mosque thing in New York they are wanting to build 3 blocks from where the world trade center stood.....ground zero.  Of course, my first answer is an emotional one. It is based on my values, beliefs, biases and feelings.  I don't know the right answer. But it seems this is yet again another hot topic the talking heads are using to divide our nation. Even if you feel assaulted by radical Islam, which I do. Even if you feel people tiptoe around other faiths, while the purposely seek out to tear yours down. Even if, as a Christian, you feel frustrated, confused, and despair for the nation's future for a number of reasons that you can not blame on one guy in one office; I had to stop a minute and think. I let the initial emotions aside and realized...the controversy they are building up through the media only fans the flames of a country so divided.  I have a dear friend. I love her and would do anything for her. We do not agree on faith or God. We probably do not share a common ground when it comes to some political issues.  But I love her. Together we share the love of a nation that allows us to have liberties to raise our families with our own values, biases, opinions. We value the ability to have a safe place to raise our children without many fears that are very present in many nations around the world. We value the ability to speak our minds and not be imprisoned for it. We value the freedoms and liberties that our constitution laid out for us.  America is a great nation. It is undergoing a lot of strife. But I think the greatest danger that exists is we our losing our identity as Americans, what it stands for, and what so many women and men give up to provide for us to continue this life.  So as we remember this tragedy, remember the unity it brought. Remember how divisiveness was put aside for too short a time, but put aside and we were AMERICANS.  If we can hold onto that notion and not forget what that means, then I have a hope for this nation for my child and her children. If we continue to fight over petty things and tear each other down, we will face the fate many tribes and nations faced that were decimated......we must learn to put aside our differences from time to time and focus on our common bond- to live in a nation that allows a poor man to work hard enough to no longer be poor, that allows worship of your faith without fear of death and to raise your families without much fear....
As we remember , lest we not forget....what America really means....

On My Own

On my own
 I am anything but lost
On my own
 I cannot afford the cost
Each time I try to do it
I never can get through it
Just can't live this life
on my own

On my own
 I lose sight of what's dear
On my own
 I forget to draw near
So I fall on my face
I slip from your grace
When I try to live life
 on my own

How many times must I find myself lying
Face down on the floor?
Broken down, weary, crying
"I can't go anymore."
Can't get up, but I have to move on
Only way out is through this
But I know I just can't do this
On my own

In my weakest moments
When I have no strength to stand
You lift me up and carry me
My tears are in your hands
You quitely whisper , "Trust me, Hold on"
And "You can not do this on your own."

My soul's song

O God, you are my rock, my fortress, my strong deliverer

In you alone I place my trust

You will provide my daily bread

I need not and must not compromise

You hear the cry of my soul, the cry of my heart

You do not turn away; you draw me closer, nearer

You hold my tears in the palm of your hand

You comfort me and give me peace that no one can understand

You take my fears, doubts and failures and make them fade away

My hope is in You alone O Lord

For You are ever faithful, everlasting and unchanged

You are the God of Abraham, Moses, Jacob, and David

You never grow weary of us, though we turn from You

Time and again, in disobedience and doubt

You walk with us through the fire and we are refined

You carry us to the mountaintops that we must climb

You restore us in the valley and give us rest

You, Lord alone are worthy to be praised

Words are not enough, our hearts cry out and voices sing to You

Our God, our Creator, our Healer, our Comforter, our strength, our Hope

You are our only need and we are yours

Take me Lord, empty me and fill me up with You so I may give Your LOVE away.