September 11th, 2025
by Mark McAdow
by Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
Today, Sept. 11, 2025, is the anniversary of 9/11. Most of us reading this are aware of that fact and remember where we were exactly 24 years ago. I was in a small prayer group at Asbury Church in Tulsa that morning. The report coming in of airplanes flying into buildings and the implosion of the World Trade Center towers was horrific. People running for their lives and firefighters and first responders running into danger. Lives lost and heroes born.
Many wondered if the world was ending, and for nearly 2000 people, their lives did end that day. It was a very frightening, upsetting and sad day. We saw clearly what evil can do to innocent people. We pray every Sunday to our Lord, “Deliver us from evil ...”
We saw it again this week with the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on a light rail train in Charolette, North Carolina, by a deranged man seated behind her. And yesterday, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, as he was engaging with students on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Charlie was a strong Christian, husband to Erika and father to his young daughter and son. He was a conservative influencer who loved to debate with students about Truth. You heard me say last Sunday, “Truth is under attack in America,” and those who speak Truth are as well. Charlie Kirk died doing what he loved to do – speak Truth into the lives of this generation. He was murdered ultimately because he was an effective witness for Jesus Christ, who is The Truth. It costs to stand up for Christ.
We’ve brought the study “Truth Rising” to Willow View and the Enid community because Truth is under attack. Last night we viewed the excellent documentary “Truth Rising” together – a very timely series. You can watch it online at TruthRising.com. The five-week study begins next Wednesday evening, Sept. 17, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in our sanctuary. We’ll see a 20-25-minute video teaching and then have questions for open discussion on the topic. Study No. 1 is about “hope.” We certainly need that encouragement right now. There is always hope with Jesus because He is our Blessed Hope! I challenge you to join us for this significant study about the rise and decline of American society and what we can do with the Lord’s help to change the current trajectory. God is willing. Are we?
I urge you to set aside the next five Wednesday evenings to engage with your brothers and sisters in Christ to make a real difference. Be informed! America is at a “tipping point,” and God has called each of us “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
Remember, we will all be together this Sunday, Sept. 14, for one combined worship service at 10 a.m. with our all-church picnic immediately following at 11:30. Why not invite a friend or neighbor to join you this week? Who will you invite?
Yours in Christ’s amazing grace,
Pastor Mark
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
Today, Sept. 11, 2025, is the anniversary of 9/11. Most of us reading this are aware of that fact and remember where we were exactly 24 years ago. I was in a small prayer group at Asbury Church in Tulsa that morning. The report coming in of airplanes flying into buildings and the implosion of the World Trade Center towers was horrific. People running for their lives and firefighters and first responders running into danger. Lives lost and heroes born.
Many wondered if the world was ending, and for nearly 2000 people, their lives did end that day. It was a very frightening, upsetting and sad day. We saw clearly what evil can do to innocent people. We pray every Sunday to our Lord, “Deliver us from evil ...”
We saw it again this week with the stabbing death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on a light rail train in Charolette, North Carolina, by a deranged man seated behind her. And yesterday, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, as he was engaging with students on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Charlie was a strong Christian, husband to Erika and father to his young daughter and son. He was a conservative influencer who loved to debate with students about Truth. You heard me say last Sunday, “Truth is under attack in America,” and those who speak Truth are as well. Charlie Kirk died doing what he loved to do – speak Truth into the lives of this generation. He was murdered ultimately because he was an effective witness for Jesus Christ, who is The Truth. It costs to stand up for Christ.
We’ve brought the study “Truth Rising” to Willow View and the Enid community because Truth is under attack. Last night we viewed the excellent documentary “Truth Rising” together – a very timely series. You can watch it online at TruthRising.com. The five-week study begins next Wednesday evening, Sept. 17, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in our sanctuary. We’ll see a 20-25-minute video teaching and then have questions for open discussion on the topic. Study No. 1 is about “hope.” We certainly need that encouragement right now. There is always hope with Jesus because He is our Blessed Hope! I challenge you to join us for this significant study about the rise and decline of American society and what we can do with the Lord’s help to change the current trajectory. God is willing. Are we?
I urge you to set aside the next five Wednesday evenings to engage with your brothers and sisters in Christ to make a real difference. Be informed! America is at a “tipping point,” and God has called each of us “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
Remember, we will all be together this Sunday, Sept. 14, for one combined worship service at 10 a.m. with our all-church picnic immediately following at 11:30. Why not invite a friend or neighbor to join you this week? Who will you invite?
Yours in Christ’s amazing grace,
Pastor Mark
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
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