12/7/11

Today is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, that “day that will live on in Infamy” as then President Franklin D. Roosevelt put it. In the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, 353 Japanese planes attacked the Hawaiian Islands, launching our country into World War !! It was the previous generation’s 9-11, for more than 2,400 Americans were killed by that surprise attack that shocked the nation. Only WWII veterans and families and those older than 70 would have experienced the day; yet we remember it because it teaches us how vulnerable our security is. It is an occasion to renew our faith in the only real security in this world: God, Our lives, our hopes and dreams, our futures can change in a moment; yet no sudden turn of events should make us dismay or surrender to despair. Whatever happens was known to God long before it took place, and that assurance and the assurance of God’s love should give us courage and confidence for all our tomorrows.

I noticed a neighbor of mine putting up Christmas lights today. I was rather surprised because it is an Asian family and I would bet money that they are not Christians. That just goes to show you that this whole dispute about “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” is rather ludicrous. As far as I know, there is not Asian “holiday” at this time of year, so my neighbors are just getting into the “Christmas spirit” regardless of what their religious preference is. If we Christians were a little less paranoid, we might convince a lot more people to join Jesus. After all, it’s not what we say, but what we live that makes a difference for the Lord.