Stay Safe in a World of Terrorism

ACTS 19:21-41

There are two brilliant men, who are brothers of this preacher of the Word. Respective of the birth order, one is a chemical engineer and the other a bio-chemical engineer. On another day may the writings reflect the distinctive difference between the two areas of study and work. Today, the bio-chemist emailed to people close in relations a note under the subject: "Stay Safe". Sensing the deep sincerity, I paused to prayerfully read his words of shame and pain with compassionate concern.

Shame must we be to continue a world of terrorism on our neighbors and relatives. Pain comes with the reality that "... there's trouble all around us these days ... one (you and I) must never take life for granted ... I don't know who the guys below are yet, but I am familiar with Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville ... My first assignment in Demilitarization was as a sub-contractor with" TB, "also out of Huntsville ... Along with being the Engineers for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (engineers for all shuttles), they manage all scientific efforts at Redstone Arsenal ... At the end of my first assignment in Utah, I opted to return to a Maryland Project and passed on the opportunities at Redstone Arsenal (Mother and Daddy were ailing) ..." (written by BJR, Sr., my brother, the bio-chemist).

He followed the above noting Mother's Day less than two days away at the time of his reading an article reporting a chemical explosion today (May 7, 2010) on Redstone Arsenal. Two men were taken from Huntsville, Alabama to medical facilities of the University of Alabama. Mothers boys blessed to become men have received heroic attention in Alabama during 2010. The University of Alabama football team heard fans cheer: "roll tide" as they became the National Football Champions in the NCAA. On this day in Alabama, pause came upon us, and we acknowledge two heroic sons as men of courage and honor. Injured for the sake of peace and aim for safety - yours and mine.

The work in the early movement of Christianity among Jews and Gentiles, alike, found men of Mothers in daily need of safety as they represented the "Way" - Jesus as the Christ. Men and women confused by the challenge to their cultural practices and spiritual understandings rose against sons, who became men of the Way. In the midst of them, it was the teacher Paul, who was allowed to bring peace unto them in words on reality. It was a fellow Jew that was pushed through the crowd to stand and deliver a call to listening and order as he said: "... we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion." What are we to fear? Alexander could not represent Paul or the essence of the Christian movement over against the worship of idols. Alexander did represent the human calm in the midst of the storm. Because he was pushed forward, he became the source of calm for the sake of safety for all. In the end, he led the terrorizing crowd to a blessed dismissal and the assembly came to a halt.

Brave are the men burned for our safety in the search for peace on earth. May we pray for them as they lay in pain given the shame, which still rocks our nation and world.

Mother, born on May 13, 1928, died on April 15, 2002. What days of smiling must be in heaven. She is a witness to her "knee baby" and bio-chemist (a sandwich of delight to her between the elder son and baby boy) calling for prayer. One of Mother's favorite singers was Marvin Gaye, who once delivered a song relevant for the ages: "What's Going On." There is no justification for the violent state of living in our local communities, nation, and global existence. What can we do to stay safe? (I pause to ask my brilliant brothers and you)

Alexander was pushed to take a stand for righteous, and used cognitive reality to bring a people to calm and dismiss the outrage caused by some who were refusing to hear the plea for the violence to end. Do all you can to stay safe in a world of terrorism. When you have done all that you can for safety, then STAND and be not a contributor to the hate. STAND and be assured that you are not alone, because the Lord, who arose and lives is standing with you. We are winning, are you with US?

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy and grant us peace on earth. Amen.