Keep Your Eyes on Me

I've cried to God as I've beheld
The world wrapped up in fear
Of lack and death and war that looms
To snatch lives held so dear

I said, "My God! - Have you not heard
The newsmen on TV?!
Do you not know the shape we're in?!
Do you not care for me?!"

"I'm scared, Dear Jesus! - Help us! - Please!
There's news of fear and war
And I'm afraid, Lord - I admit! -
Of what might be in store."

"Peace, be still, My child," He said
"And hear now what I say
For I have seen and heard the cries
Of those who, to Me, pray.

"Keep your eyes upon ME now
Not what you hear or see
And, as you do, you'll keep My peace -
IF your mind stays on ME!"

"It matters not what one man says
Or even many more
For I am God, and I decide
Each day what lies in store."

"I've told you there would be such times
When, of these things, You'd hear
I told you so you'd be PREPARED
And FULL OF PEACE, not fear."

"For all these things MUST be fulfilled
Yet MY WORD fails not
For I AM still your Hiding Place
As all the fires rage hot."

"You're hid beneath MY shadow now
And you can rest in Me
Yes you can trust My Words of LOVE
To last eternally."

"For I'm your Father, Counselor, Friend
Your Alpha and your End
And if this was the world's last day
Be sure, for you, I'd send."

"I've promised I'd save you a place
If you would stay in Me
Stay pure and faithful, eyes on Me
And, victory, you'll see."

"I can't tell you if it's 'the end' -
NO human man can know
But I CAN tell you, it IS close,
So be prepared to go."

"Each day I give you, reach in love
To save another soul
For snatching them from Me for ****
Is truly Satan's goal."

"Occupy until I come
Live each day FULL in ME
Just keep your eyes upon MY face
And know that I DO see."

"I see the world, I see YOUR LIFE
And I DO care for YOU
And know, no matter WHAT occurs
My love for you stands TRUE."

"I'm Alpha and Omega - God -
I'm King and Lord of ALL
I'll be right near to care for you
As, on My name, you call."

"For I can change the hearts of Kings
And I, their hearts, do try
And I'M the one who formed this world
And says when it shall die."

"So, USE this time to SEEK THE LOST
And tell them of My Love
That they, too, may be saved and live
With Me, again, above."

"Don't listen to fear's voice - hear MINE!
Then STAND on what you've heard
Don't fear yours or the world's fate -
It's destined by MY WORD."

"Keep your eyes on ME, My Child,
And let Me wipe each tear
For I am God and IN CONTROL -
So live in peace, not fear."

A Police Officer from Freeport, LI, NY

Date: Friday, September 14, 2001

Last night at 6pm I and a contingent of officers from my department went into Manhattan. We were at "Ground zero" till 0400, digging, searching, etc. It was the most heartbreaking work I have ever participated in. The sheer destruction, horrible smoke, and stench of death were everywhere. There were constant cries of "we need a body bag here!" or "we need a dog up here!" There was despair, and anger on the faces of all of us.I saw the result of evil, I could not believe this was in America The death toll is horrific.One cannot comprehend the destruction and extent of death until you see it in person. It was worse than I could have imagined.

I also saw the face of America. I saw Police vehicles from Los Angeles, Boston, Newark, Cleveland, and other places from all over America. I saw blacks, whites, asians, hispanics, and others, all helping each other. I saw them lining the route to the scene, cheering all the officers and rescue workers who were on their way to the scene.I saw thousands of civilians handing out food and water to the rescue workers. Everyone was there for each other. There was no color barrier or race barrier. We were Americans, and it brought tears to the eyes of many of us.

I saw our flag flying proudly over all of this, and it told me: We will recover, we will persevere, and by God, we WILL win.

Jimmy Sumner

My Friend With The Black Eye

I have a friend. He's kind of a big guy, but with a real gentle personality. Oh, I have seen him get in the odd fight, but usually only if someone provokes him. Usually he is the type of friend that we all strive to make. He is helpful without being asked. Despite his size, he doesn't throw his weight around needlessly.

My friend got beat up today. I guess beat up isn't the right word. He got cold cocked by a little guy who hit him when he wasn't looking. This is not the first time. Some years ago another guy up and kicked him in the groin. That guy paid a terrible price for his action, but once that was done, my friend returned to being the nice guy he really is. He even helped the guy that kicked him.

Now, the guy that hit him today wasn't as brave as the one that kicked him. This guy sneaked up and punched him right in the face when his head was turned. He didn't have the guts to stand face to face. He was not the honorable opponent that his predecessor was. The guy that hit him today was a coward, who will
indeed pay a price when my buddy finds him. I don't think this loser realized what he was getting himself in for.

My friend has a black eye today, quite a shiner actually, and a great deal of pain. What the coward that hit him didn't realize was that any amount of pain simply serves to make my friend stronger. His resolve is without equal, and his friends have gathered around him.

My friend will be ok in a day or two, but I have looked into his eyes and I know he will never be the same. He even looks at me suspiciously now. While I am not responsible for what happened to him, he looks at me like I shou! ld have done something. I know that he doesn't really hold me responsible, but the trust will never be as complete between us as it has been until now.

Please, if you see my friend have a good word, and if he makes a mistake - be tolerant, because you know that if you need help he will be there.

My name is Canada; my friend's name is America.

A Poem for Our Country

As I stand with this nation
That I love and hold so dear,
Today I have to pause
And wipe away a tear.
There are so many of my friends
For whose lives I fear.

What can come of this tragedy
to justify the pain?
How can this sorrow be healed?
What can this country gain?

Now is the time to come together,
To face the world with pride.
Terrorists can take our lives,
We'll still refuse to hide!

Show that you love this nation,
Stand up for what you hold dear.
Freedom does have its price,
Do not be cowed by fear.
Put aside your petty differences,
Embrace your neighbors now.
They are the ones to lean upon
They are the ones who care.

We all share a common pain.
Let's face it united.
Show the terrorists they cannot win
For them there is no gain.

Let's stand strong America!
We know we can!
Keep your pride,
Do not hide.
We can rebuild our lives again!

Karen

NYC Firefighters

As most of us stopped, to see the fire in the sky,

You were in the trucks, passing us by.

As the unthinkable horror, makes us shed a tear,

You entered the building, in your rescue gear.

As we sat in panic, praying for no more

You were climbing stairs, floor by floor.

We sat confused, awed, and in strife

You were looking, hoping, and praying for life.

As the building came down, we feared you would too.

But God gave you wings, and instead you flew.

- Emily Dickenson

If I knew

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, to stop and say "I love you," I could spare an extra minute instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, And we always get a second chance to make everything just right. There will always be another day to say "I love you," And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you, and I hope we never forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."

And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

Open the Gates Lord

Thru the darkness and the ash,
I feel their spirits soar.
Hundreds by hundreds coming,
followed by even more.

Open up the gates Lord.
Open them up wide.
The Americans are coming, Lord,
marching side by side. There are mothers and there's fathers
There are daughters and there's sons.
They had so much left to do Lord.
Before their lives were done.

Open up the gates, Lord
Open them up wide.
The Americans are coming, Lord,
marching side by side.
Oh Lord, there are so many
that are coming thru the gate.
It was not their time, Lord.
They're here because of hate.
Open up the gates Lord
Open them up wide.
The Americans are coming, Lord,
marching side by side.

They come from out of the fire
and the ashes and the dark.
They're marching to the Light, Lord
On the earth they've made their mark.
So, Open up the gates Lord
Open them up wide.
The Americans are coming, Lord,

marching side by side.