At the September

11 th Service of Remembrance and Hope this past Wednesday night

I shared again these thoughts with the good folks who nearly filled our

sanctuary. Many commented afterwards that they were helpful. I only pray

that they might be helpful again to you as you read them here.

The absolute

depths of our "fallen sinful world" flashed before our eyes

one year ago on September 11 th as we watched with horror the

events which unfolded. We, of course, still condemn and grieve those most

gruesome acts of sin, and we pray for God's peace to continue to come

in full measure to give help and hope to all who need it so desperately

because of their deep personal losses.

Even a year

removed, so many questions remain unanswered. And for some questions there

will never be answers. BUT there are still GOOD ANSWERS to several good

questions.

Question

One: Was this "God's Will?" Did He intend for this to happen

as a part of His plan?

Answer:

ABSOLUTELY NOT! God has made it wonderfully clear by His Holy

Word in Scripture that God's Will for us is safety and peace and love.

It is NOT "God's Business" to kill innocent people in such horrible

attacks. These hideous crimes were the willful sinful acts of deranged

people. Atrocities such as these, unfortunately, are a part of living

in our "fallen sinful world".

Question

Two: Why did God let this happen? Why didn't He come with "divine

intervention" and simply use His Power to stop the terrorists before

they even got started?

Answer:

God has made our incredible world as part of His whole marvelous creation.

He has given us remarkable freedoms and choices as his "creatures".

We enjoy great benefits through these choices. We enjoy great freedom

within our world with God's good and loving permission. We don't really

know "why?" God continues to give these freedoms to us, but

we know that God has chosen to let us make choices ­ and, again unfortunately,

some people will always choose the wrong and terrible things to do.

Question

Three: Why hasn't God done something about this "fallen sinful

world", these "hideous crimes" and "willful sinful

acts"?

Answer:

HE HAS! And that's the Best GOOD NEWS! He has redeemed our world!

He has destroyed the power of these to overcome us! This is the purpose

of Jesus coming to earth to live and die and rise again ­ in order

to grant the full salvation we so desperately need! This world IS REDEEMED!

It IS SAVED! On the cross and in the empty tomb of Jesus, God has fought

and WON the ultimate battle with sin, death, and the devil. And not only

is the "world saved", but WE are redeemed and saved as well!

This will all be fully revealed and made obvious to us when Christ returns

and brings his perfect and final rule in totality at the end of time.

In the meantime we simply say in faith, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Question

Four: So, where do we go from here? What do we do now, in the meantime?

Answer:

We TRUST ­ not in our government (though we have the best human

government possible!), not in "our way of life" (though we have

the best life possible!). These will ultimately fail us, as good as they

are. As they did yesterday. Rather, we TRUST IN GOD and the peace that

only He can give! We can have confidence that this world's sin and suffering

are nothing compared to the joys of eternal life we will have with God

and His Son and the Holy Spirit AND ALL the "company of saints in

light!" Despite tragedies and atrocities, we can move forward, living

each day in hope and assurance and even JOY! We can celebrate life knowing

that our greatest blessings in this life come from believing in God, worshipping

Him, and loving and serving one another in His Name!

Finally:

These words of Jesus are perhaps the most meaningful message to us

right now (from John 14:27): Jesus says, "Peace I leave with

you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Go in peace.

Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!

(Kollmeyer

is Sr. Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville between

Lowe's and The Pavilion. Those in our community without a church home

are invited to "try" either the Early Service at 8:15, or the

Contemporary Service at 9:30, or the Traditional Service at 11:00. For

more information please call 770-461-3403 or log-on at www.popdove.com)

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