I can hardly believe it's been seven years since the attack on the Twin Towers & the Pentagon. Seeing the images still makes me shudder. Where were you when you first heard about it?

I remember that day that I had just arrived at work (I lived in Washington state at the time, so by that time it had already happened out on the east coast), and everyone was glued to the televisions in the office. I don't listen to news in the morning or anything, so I hadn't even heard about it. What a shock. I think we were all pretty glued to the TVs most of the day. It was hard to think about anything else. And of course at that time we were all uncertain whether there would be attacks in other cities as well, so everyone was staying close to home, close to family. It was such a scary and uncertain moment in the history of our country, and of the world, really.

Today, what I am thinking about is not only the families of the 2,751 lives lost in those attacks, but the many soldiers who have died keeping our country safe, and all the families that each those people represent. I know there are lots of debates about the war and such, but I am personally glad we have so many dedicated soldiers willing to fight for our freedom, to fight for our safety, to go where most of us would never want to go - in harm's way - to defend our country and all that live within its borders. I don't want to ever take that freedom for granted.

So I say a prayer today for any of you out there that have been personally affected by the 9/11 attack - either by the loss of a loved one that day, or the loss of a loved one who has served in the armed services. May the Lord comfort you and give you peace that passes your understanding. I thank each and every man or woman who is in service to our country - for the way you lay your life on the line every day for the rest of us - and for each family that lives with their absence during the tours of duty they serve. May the Lord guard and protect you all, as you and your loved ones guard and protect our freedoms. I'm so proud to be an American!

May we continue to be "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all," and remember the things on which this wonderful country was first founded. Especially in light of the upcoming election, it's a huge reminder to me that we need to continue to pray for our country's leaders and those in places of power and authority. We need Godly men and women to lead this country in the years to come! May the Lord give them incredible wisdom and discernment as they make decisions that affect the entire globe. May God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

I also am praying for you all that are in the path of Hurricane Ike. May the winds die down and may your families, friends, and homes be safe.

I am so thankful that our God is aware of every circumstance, every hair on our head, every ounce of sorrow we feel, and every need or fear we face. I don't know what I would do if it weren't for the knowledge of God's love and presence in my life. He is the reason I get up each day and fight the good fight. He is the reason that when all looks bleak that I can still have hope. He is the reason that when I face persecution or trials beyond belief that I can dry my tears, laugh in the enemy's face, and declare that with the Almighty God on my side, the battle is already won. He conquered over death and hell by giving up Himself on that cross; He paid a price with His own blood that was large enough to ransom the world for all eternity. We have nothing to fear. May that truth permeate each of our hearts in the face of so many challenges we all face in these days!

May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be the source of your hope, determination, comfort, and strength this day!

Colossians 1:9-12

"Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."