A neighbor lady died last week. To my shame, I didn’t find out about it until late Saturday night. So on Sunday morning I felt like I should go over there, bring some lunch, and spend some time with him while he is grieving.

But since it was Sunday, I had to go to church. Besides, I didn’t know either of them very well, and I’m sure he was having lots of friends and family coming over. I would just be the way. I will make sure to offer some extra prayers for him during the Sunday Service.

After church, I got home, changed, ate some lunch, and mowed my lawn. As I was mowing along the fence, I noticed that the neighbor’s drive way was empty. Through the window, I saw him sitting in a chair in his living room, all alone. I really need to go over there.

So I went back inside and took a shower. As I was getting dressed, I saw the clock on my bedside stand. Crap! I was running late for the Sunday evening service! And the pastor had asked if I would lead the “Prayer and Share” time. I would have to wait until tomorrow to go see my neighbor, but would make sure I shared about his tragedy at church tonight. Maybe one or two members from church could put together a meal, and we would take it over there on Monday night to show how much we cared.

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I clearly remember where I was on 9/11, ten years ago. I was buying AAA batteries in the Radio Shack on Highway 93 in Whitefish, MT when I saw it on one of the TVs they had on in the store.

Ten years later, we are still dealing with the aftermath of that horrible event. We are in a war because of it. People live in fear because of it. Many people despite Muslims because of it. And that, I think may be one of the greatest tragedies of the whole event.

Don’t get me wrong. I am grieved over all the lives that were lost on 9-11, and in the ensuing war. I support our troops in every way possible. I love my country. I love the people of the United States. I think this is the best country in the world, and I thank God every single day that I was born here. Someone has said that being born in America is the equivalent to winning the lottery of life. I couldn’t agree more.

And yet I am troubled by the hatred that many feel toward Muslims because of the events that happened on 9-11. I was troubled then, and ten years later, I am still troubled.

I think that what happened on 9-11 was a terrible event, but I often wonder what Jesus wants our response to be. Somehow, I just don’t think that response would have included bombs. Remember when the disciples wanted to rain down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village for rejecting Jesus (Luke 9:54). Jesus rebuked the disciples and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”

Of course, just a few verses later, when Chorazin and Bethsaida reject Him and His followers, Jesus announces judgment on them which will be greater than what happened to the people of Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon. But He doesn’t actually call down this judgment right then.

What am I saying?

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The following comes from Tom Davis of Children’s Hope Chest. Since I love CS Lewis and Narnia, and I have a passion for helping orphans around the world, I thought I would pass it on to you.

“Aslan is on the move.”

That is one of my favorite lines from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Those five simple words inspire the inhabitants of Narnia. They know the true King has returned to break the power of the White Witch and end winter in Narnia.

Aslan is on the move to end another winter…the cold winter of the soul experienced by orphans in Russia.

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