When epic things like the war in Ukraine happen, I honor in my heart all who die and give their lives unselfishly for others. They save countless lives by their sacrifice.
It takes me back in time and memory to 1995 when the A.P. Murray Building in Oklahoma was bombed. At that time, my niece and namesake, Judy, was working there as a DEA agent. she was very young, just out of college and embarked on a very promising career in law enforcement. On the morning of the bombing, Judy had an appointment at the U. S. District Attorney’s office two blocks away from the Murray Building. Otherwise she would have been at her desk on the 9th floor. She would have perished with all the others in her office. Only Judy and one other man in her office survived. He was in Washington, D.C., and she was two blocks away. Her floor suffered the most damage, and all of her friends in the FBI Office also perished. What a difficult time for America, survivors like Judy, families like ourselves as there was nothing we could do but pray. Judy was called upon to give seven eulogies for her friends. The stories are legion in an historical event such as this. This is just one person’s story.
As time went on and we learned more about what happened, it was hard to know that a fellow American had wreaked such havoc.
When these things happen, those left of a lot of heart searching, and resolve that such things can never happen again. Friends, we live in a dangerous age. Pandemics and wars and nuclear weapons. Some nations possess such weapons and have declared their hatred for America and Israel.
I grieve over our divided government, the party spirit and the divisions in our society. Only God can heal these schisms.
The prayer warriors and watchmen on the walls have special responsibility as God calls us to pray for our nation, our leaders, churches and families.We do not have a God far removed from our daily struggles. He cares. He knows. He is doing something. He still loves us. He has redeemed individuals at great cost to Himself. He is still calling and wooing and will answer our prayers.
Yes, I am a patriot. I don’t apologize for it. I believe God established this nation and wants to bless us if we will honor Him. Because of that, I just don’t see how our nation can thrive without God. But He has promised to bless us and protect us if we will turn to Him.
He says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by name, shall humbles themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” Psalm 33:12.
Thoughts From the Garden 