August 25th, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Remembering 911
On September 11, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell (from U.S. Army Headquarters) had just stepped into a Pentagon hallway when the fireball from the hijacked plane hit him. After recovering from the initial shock, Birdwell realized he was on fire. "Jesus, I’m coming to see you," he remembers praying. When doctors finally attended to him at the Washington Burn Center, they found second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of Birdwell’s body. To save him, they performed several skin graft operations. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura visited the Washington Burn Center on September 13. Among those they visited was Birdwell. Laura Bush went into Brian’s room and spoke to him for about a minute. They were life-long acquaintances. She then turned to Brian’s wife, Mel, who had been at the hospital for about two-and-a-half days. She was dirty, grimy, and wore a bloodstained shirt. Despite this, Laura hugged her for what Mel said seemed like an eternity, just as if Mel was one of her closest family members. Laura then told Brian and Mel that there was "someone" there to see him. The President walked in. Standing by Brian’s bedside, the President told Colonel Birdwell that he was very proud of them both and regarded them as heroes. The President then saluted Brian. Brian slowly began to return the salute, taking about 15 to 20 seconds to get his hand up to his head because of his bandaged arms. During all of this, President Bush never moved. He dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his. Birdwell lives now with renewed purpose. "I’m a walking miracle. Christ got me out of the fire. In him not taking me, I have a mission to complete. He’ll tell me what it is in due time."
-adapted
From the most devastating terrorist attack on American soil come numerous stories of miraculous survival and heroic acts by regular people. But for each of these there are multiple stories that of lives that did not make it. Families were shredded into rags by the loss of loved ones who just didn’t make it. There were even some people who were never found, but are assumed dead. In spite of the blend of happy and tragic endings, God was still there to help pick up the pieces. Many people turned to God for strength and hope. Briefly following this event it seemed as though our nation pulled together in unity and people began to live for God in droves.
However, it did not take long for the nation to slip back into old habits of self-centeredness, debauchery and divisiveness. What happened? Sadly, it appears that the turn toward God was not internalized. It wasn’t hearts that turned it was the flesh. Fear and heartache drove people to God, but not for revival. Reform took place outwardly, but revival of the soul was not widely experienced.
Many of us had hoped our country would unite under Jesus Christ, but that was not the case. If we as a nation are going to come together for healing it will take Revival of hearts and souls, transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ. How does that start? It starts with me and spreads to you and then to everyone.
Sunday at First Christian Church we will remember the lost, honor the survivors and look to Jesus Christ for healing from the wounds and scars of 911 and other national pain. Join us for this very special approach to healing. The message of the day will come from 2 Chronicles 7:14 and surrounding verses and will be titled A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION; “After 25 Years, Where Is the Healing?
God bless you as we look to Jesus for national and personal healing.
Remembering,
Jon
Remembering 911
On September 11, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell (from U.S. Army Headquarters) had just stepped into a Pentagon hallway when the fireball from the hijacked plane hit him. After recovering from the initial shock, Birdwell realized he was on fire. "Jesus, I’m coming to see you," he remembers praying. When doctors finally attended to him at the Washington Burn Center, they found second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of Birdwell’s body. To save him, they performed several skin graft operations. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura visited the Washington Burn Center on September 13. Among those they visited was Birdwell. Laura Bush went into Brian’s room and spoke to him for about a minute. They were life-long acquaintances. She then turned to Brian’s wife, Mel, who had been at the hospital for about two-and-a-half days. She was dirty, grimy, and wore a bloodstained shirt. Despite this, Laura hugged her for what Mel said seemed like an eternity, just as if Mel was one of her closest family members. Laura then told Brian and Mel that there was "someone" there to see him. The President walked in. Standing by Brian’s bedside, the President told Colonel Birdwell that he was very proud of them both and regarded them as heroes. The President then saluted Brian. Brian slowly began to return the salute, taking about 15 to 20 seconds to get his hand up to his head because of his bandaged arms. During all of this, President Bush never moved. He dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his. Birdwell lives now with renewed purpose. "I’m a walking miracle. Christ got me out of the fire. In him not taking me, I have a mission to complete. He’ll tell me what it is in due time."
-adapted
From the most devastating terrorist attack on American soil come numerous stories of miraculous survival and heroic acts by regular people. But for each of these there are multiple stories that of lives that did not make it. Families were shredded into rags by the loss of loved ones who just didn’t make it. There were even some people who were never found, but are assumed dead. In spite of the blend of happy and tragic endings, God was still there to help pick up the pieces. Many people turned to God for strength and hope. Briefly following this event it seemed as though our nation pulled together in unity and people began to live for God in droves.
However, it did not take long for the nation to slip back into old habits of self-centeredness, debauchery and divisiveness. What happened? Sadly, it appears that the turn toward God was not internalized. It wasn’t hearts that turned it was the flesh. Fear and heartache drove people to God, but not for revival. Reform took place outwardly, but revival of the soul was not widely experienced.
Many of us had hoped our country would unite under Jesus Christ, but that was not the case. If we as a nation are going to come together for healing it will take Revival of hearts and souls, transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ. How does that start? It starts with me and spreads to you and then to everyone.
Sunday at First Christian Church we will remember the lost, honor the survivors and look to Jesus Christ for healing from the wounds and scars of 911 and other national pain. Join us for this very special approach to healing. The message of the day will come from 2 Chronicles 7:14 and surrounding verses and will be titled A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION; “After 25 Years, Where Is the Healing?
God bless you as we look to Jesus for national and personal healing.
Remembering,
Jon
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