The Day We Prayed

The day we prayed...

When I woke up this morning, like millions of America and others around the world; I couldn't help but to remember that today is the 6th anniversary of 9/11. That day when a group hateful individuals attacked our freedom, in hopes that they would crush our spirits.

We hurt because of this tragedy... yet we still stand. Looking back at those horrifying pictures, tears flooded my eyes, my heart broke... yet my faith remains unshaken. Why? Because God heard our cries and will not allow evil to have the final say.

I want you to take a notice... in these pictures, people got together and with one united voice and cried out to God. Not the god of hate... not the god of destruction... but to a God of love... who is... and has always has been watching over His people.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) "Then if my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

And that's what we did; once again... people of different origins... different backgrounds, got together with humble hearts... sought God's face... and God is restoring our land. God never back peddles when He makes a promise.

I know that we may never forget that day... and I hope that we never forget how people got together with others for prayer as this nation returned to God...bowed in unity... and sought God's face. Restoration starts here... healing start here.

There are so many people who are God haters today... they are working to destroy your faith. You can see this reality by people actions... by the information they put in the media and even in the world of cyber space. We may not see it, but God is working on our behalf and will continue to do so if we will just remain humble.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT) "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don' t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) "For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

I don't like what those cowards did on 9/11... but I do know that they are just being used like pawns by evil forces they can not see. Jesus came and gave His life so that can live... the devil, our enemy as long as we're here; is still working to steal... kill and destroy us. As we continue to seek God's face... God's word is; "the same yesterday... today... and forever" and His word will continue to give us power... love and sound mind.

All I can say is God Bless America.

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

UNITED

On September 11, 2001; a day most of us have not forgotten, our country the "United States of America" was attacked by a radical group of terrorist who planned and then carried out their mission in an attempt to bring this country to our knees. They were able to carry out this mission because they worked together in unity.

We lost a lot of loved ones... normal everyday people, who just got up on that day, and went to work... working to earn a living so they could take care of their families.

We lost Fire Fighters and Police Officers... we lost moms and dads... uncles and aunts... brothers and sisters... we lost friends... some we may have known personally and some we may have never met. We all suffered pain on that day.

In the midst of this tragic event... people who may have never attended church before... joined with others all around this world for prayer. In a sense... this day did bring a lot of us to our knees. We cried out to God in pain... we stood united in prayer before God... and He heard us. His ears have always been attentive to our cries.

Our government and it's freely elected Representatives... stood in unity; and together with one voice, they made the decision that it was time to defend ourselves against these individuals; against the terrorist who carried out their mission. Their mission was... to destroy our foundation's... to shake our dreams. A hateful desire that they hoped would force us to live in fear.

The Bible... the inspired Word of God (the foundation in which the United States of America was founded and built on) says; "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline (self control, sound mind)"

When we stand in unity we stand in power. When we allow division to rule; the direction that the government is heading again, "divided"; a direction our people are heading for... then we see once again the Bible holds even more truth; "A kingdom that is divided cannot continue, and a family that is divided cannot continue."

As a united country... we have to stand together in unity, and in reality, the best way to be united is to stay before God. The early apostles were a great example that we could learn from.

On several occasions, they began to argue with each other about who was going to be the next in charge... can you see it... they were trying to jockey for position. When they finally got together and discovered their unity was in Jesus Christ... they put down a lot of their differences and come out of their room in power... love and sound mind. Why, because they were unified. I believe we can still learn from the Bible.

My heart and prayer is for our country, and for people around the world to realize... that as we prayed in unity... we stood in unity.

We still want the same thing... to be free. Free to love and free to live. If you really study your history, you would see that's why we came to this country.

I will never forget that day, or the individuals who lost or gave us their lives. I will continue to pray for the families all over our world that lost loved ones. My prayers will always be for the United States of America... and for our leaders who have to stand together in unity, so that we may continue to live together in freedom.

What can we learn from all this... "United we stand... divided we fall." If we don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything.

Pray and remember... God still hears our prayers and He still offers wisdom to those who are seeking true freedom.

God Bless America

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

Role Model's

Role model:

Definition (Unabridged) "A person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people."

Our world is full of "Role Models" and accept this fact or not... our children are copying the examples that are set by others in our society. Not only children... but a lot of adults too!

Recently, 6 new members were inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. Some of those introduced we may be familiar with, while others, we only know from what has been reported to us concerning their records and accomplishments. This year I listened as these men shared a little about their lives and they all gave recognition to others who have been involved in their lives or have been a role model for them. What I heard was most of these men gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and realized that they would not be standing in that place if Jesus Christ did not lead the way. You see Jesus Christ is 2,000 years later; still truly a role model.

Micheal Irvin for me was the most inspiring, not because I am a Dallas Cowboy fan because I'm not... I am still ...yes, I'll say it... a Buffalo Bills fan. In his acceptance speech Micheal publicly admitted he came to a place in his life where today; he understands his role model is Jesus Christ. While he played in his career... he made a lot of bad choices. Choices that could have cost him his family, and now knows that it was God; all along, that was trying direct his steps that would allow him to be truly a great "play maker".

Deon Sanders... Thurman Thomas, and a huge rooster of others today realize that need for this role model. They all came to realize that you can have great abilities in life; but it's your character that really reveals who you are.

This moves me and even today... people like Micheal Vick's are accepting the fact that they have made some serious misjudgements or bad choices because today they know and understand that they need mercy and forgiveness and accept that this really comes from Jesus Christ.

You may have to pay a price for bad choices... but it's not the final judgement or the final chapter of your life.

Jesus still forgives when we call out to Him with a sincere heart... and it's not up to us to decide who is sincere or who's blowing smoke... the fact is still this, Jesus is full of compassion and moved with mercy when we call out to Him. The Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), the inspired word of God says; "... anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced... Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10: 11, 13 (NLT).

Here's the only catch... you have to believe and call... you believe with your heart and call with your mouth....

You don't have to make a lot of bad choices before you call. God knows what's going on in your life and He has a heart for you to succeed. Why not do it now before your in serious trouble. (I wish I know this before I made the some of the choices I made).

My question is... who is your role model? We all are following someone.

If you've read this far... you now know that you have been given choices and freedom to make those choices. You don't have to do anything else to be accepted into God's Hall of Fame, except make that call.

These two were great examples of individuals who made that call... Jesus Christ is the best role model you could ever emulate. It's up to you. If you don't believe me... just ask Micheal.

God is standing by waiting for you to pick up that phone... He'll answer as soon as you call.

I love you all;

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady