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Towne Lake Salutes

NEVER TO BE
FORGOTTEN

AMERICA GRIEVES...

AMERICA PRAYS

by Todd Castleberry,

Firefighter City of Woodstock

As a pastor of one of Towne Lake's churches, I have felt the great burden of this community's grief, tears, anxiety, fear and anger during the week following the terroristic acts in New York City and in our nation's capitol. I have also been encouraged by the courage of fightfighters, police officers and citizens that have risked their lives to save others and those that have sacrificed to comfort the broken and wounded. I have been inspired by a nation at prayer and the resolve of our people to not cower in the face of tyranny.

These are certainly the times that try our souls. My parents' generation experienced these same strong emotions in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. The events of September 11, 2001 will forever be a part of our national memory. In many ways, we will never be the same again. This can be both negative and positive. The down side is that in the process of protecting our nation from terrorism, we will now have to give up some freedom and make significant sacrifices to insure liberty and freedom for future generations. But America is stronger today because of these senseless acts. We can and will make the needed sacrifices to defend our great land. Let no one question our resolve to defend and protect our own.

On the positive side, all Americans can work to bring about good from the ashes of this tragedy. Our nation has been called to prayer by our president. I have seen the Hillside sanctuary packed in the past weeks. Surely, our people can grow in faith and become stronger as "one nation, under God." My hope is that our prayers will not be solely tied to our fear, but become grounded in the faith of the living God. The temptation is to pray only because we are scared and in grief. But the Bible teaches us that we are to "Fear not!" The good news of Jesus Christ is that he is with us in bad times and in good times. He is the Lord over life and death.

Many people are asking, "How can God allow such an evil thing to occur?" First, let me answer with faith and conviction that these acts were not of God. They were not the result of his punishment or his judgment on America. We are not a perfect nation; we suffer from sinful ways and selfishness, but God will not deal with us through brutality and the shedding of innocent blood. God will deal with our hearts, and right now that is exactly what he is doing.

God is calling all of us to radical faith and action. Radical faith will change America for the better. Let our prayers turn into decisions to live as God wants us to live. Let us commit our hearts, minds, hands and feet to being people of highest character and morals. Radical actions mean avoiding revenge and working for God's justice for all people. We can pursue the perpetrators, but let it be not

My name is Todd Castleberry, and I am a firefighter with the City of Woodstock. It is hard not to get disheartened by the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. My heart goes out to all of the survivors, victims and their families. The thought of so many innocent people losing their lives is a harsh and sad reality.

Being a firefighter and knowing that 315 members of the FDNY lost their lives during these events upsets me more than anything. Unfortunately, we must accept the fact that firefighters will lose their lives in the line of duty; however, it is hard to comprehend that we lost 315 brothers and sisters in one day.

Losing one firefighter is losing one too many, and 315 is a nightmare. The fire service lost 315 of the bravest men and women to ever walk the face of the earth. With little regard for their own lives, these brave men and women were inside and outside the World Trade Center building doing everything possible to help save as many people as possible.

These brave souls will never be forgotten.

America Grieves, continued

for vengeance but to rid the world of those that despise liberty and freedom and would deny basic human rights to all who disagree with their ideologies.

Let us "stand in the gap" for those families that know grief, pain, separation and despair. Many in our community will be affected for months and years by this tragedy. Many of our sons and daughters could be called to battle. Let us be good neighbors to those that know the costs of terrorism, war and economic hardships. Pray for our president and world leaders that God will give them wisdom and discernment. Step up to assist someone in need. Let your faith grow in radical commitment to bring peace and mercy to all people.

I believe America is waking up to a new day. Our way of life is changing and our myths of safety and invincibility are disappearing with the clouds of rubble in New York. We can become a better people if we choose to approach the new day with faith, not fear; with love for one another and not selfish ambition; with reverence for God and not worship at the altar of nationalism, greed or hatred.

I challenge you to memorize the last verse of our National Hymn: "Our fathers' God to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light. Protect us by thy might, great God our king!"