Tag: a story

Remembering Al Braca on Sept. 11th. A time when there was no debate.

I shared this Sept. 11, 2019. So much has happened since then. But so much is quite the same:

Today our world is overflowing with information of trouble and chaos. This breeds anxiety in hearts everywhere . . . and much debate.

But I can tell you a story where there was no debate.

September 11, 2001, World Trade Center.

There was a man named Alfred J. Braca who simply went to work—4th story from the top of a World Trade Center building. I knew him because he went to my church in NJ. Our sons were part of the same Boys Scout Troop.

He went to work on that day, but in a moment,  . . .

 great confusion and chaos made its entrance. There was no warning. No information.

The only debate was whether to stay put or to get out.

For the men and women on those upper floors, there was no way out.

Al Braca, had information.  The story’s told that he went into one of the big conference rooms, and he told everyone to gather everyone they could find to come into the room.

It is told, approx. 50 of his co-workers came into the conference room.

Al Braca knew the peace of God, the forgiveness of sin through Jesus and the power of salvation in His name.

He had information everyone needed to hear.

So, on that morning of September 11, 2001, this child of God stood up on a Conference table.

 This was a desperate moment. There was no good news about their circumstance. There was no way out.

Now was the time.

Al wasn’t worried about offending anyone. He wanted everyone to know what he knew. He wanted everyone to have life after this life was over.

Everlasting life. 

I don’t know the exact words he shared, but he told them about Jesus. How Jesus paid it all.

Jesus Christ came to this world and died on the cross to pay the debt that we each owe for our hard hearts against God, our stubbornness, our lies, our hatred, our impatience, cruelty, . . . our sin. 

Al knew Jesus personally. The risen Lord lived in him.

Al Braca was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes Romans 1:16.

There was trouble on every side. There was no time for debate.

The Bible has a verse that reads,

“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus . . . ” well on this day, comfort came. Not through Titus, but through a man named Al.

“What must I do to be saved?” Acts. 16:30.

Al Bracca knew the answer,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,…” Acts. 16:31.
On that day, people responded.

People on that day, were  like the criminal hanging on the cross next to Jesus. The criminal who said to Jesus,
“Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:42

Do you remember how Jesus responded?
‘And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43.

How did this story get told in the first place?

Many of the men and women that met in that conference room that morning, made phone calls to their families and told them. They not only said, “Good-by, I love you,” but they were able to say, “I will see you again soon.
I’m going to heaven to be with Jesus. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Alfred Braca wanted the truth to get out about eternal life when each turns his/her life to Jesus. So many didn’t know. There was so little time!

They needed to know Jesus:

“Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them until the end.” John 13:1.

Do we know Jesus? 

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God,
believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”John 14:1,2.

When I see the memorial with two lights shining straight up to heaven, I think of all those people who called on the name of Jesus that dark day. They now live a life everlasting with the Lord in glory. 

Thank you Al Braca for being a witness to the light of Christ. Many had the opportunity to receive eternal life because you spoke up in courage and hope.

“God had demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

Today, 20 years later, my heart breaks. But, I want to be like Al. He had a heart that broke for each and every person that didn’t know the hope and life in Jesus. In this world of strife and debate, . . . we’ve got to let the people know.

We need to tell them the truth about Jesus. What will we do when found in a moment of terror or crisis? Do we have the peace of God as Al did?

Jesus is the name that saves. There is no other. 

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

Is today the day for salvation? Call on His name. Jesus will answer.

And if you do, let someone know, today. 

This is a heavy article, but it’s full of hope and good news that many, on that day of Sept. 11, 2001, received eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ.  Today, I share John 3:16 & 17, the great promise and truth of life in Christ with the voices of children. 

Forever, THIS is the Good News: 

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” John 3:16 & 17.

"Cross-fitness! Step #1, Tie your laces and listen to a story!

“Cross-fitness! To be fit to know Christ and Him crucified. This is no time to be flabby, when it comes to eternity! The earth’s final days draw ever so near. Have you ever read the words:  “heaven and earth shall pass away…” (Matthew 24:35). ‘Logos’, the Word, came in the flesh and communicated this, and even more: “but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35). Jesus speaks very clear.
There’s no guessing, there are no ‘opinions’ about it,  do you want Cross-fitness? It will not always be ‘fun!’ This question must be understood:  “what is wise, and what’s a fool?” This IS Step #1! Don’t be offended, but it’s time to understand – this is the first step in fitness is to know God –  because the ‘way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.’ (Proverbs 12:15).
” Tie up your laces, get your ‘walking shoes on!’ ‘Listen to advise and accept instruction, and in the end, you will be wise.'(Proverbs 19:20, NIV). There is  communication from God, ‘Logos’, ‘the Word was God’ (John 1:1) has spoken. Come, there’s a story you’ve got to hear. It paints a picture of the wise and the fool  – making the meaning crystal clear.
“Now I know some of you are saying, (to yourself perhaps), “Hey, wait a minute, you’re moving way too fast! You’re killing me with pointed words – like wise and fool –  They’re poking and messin’, and my heart’s anger is full –  and “I really don’t like you, in case you wanted to know.”
“I know all about that, they rejected my Lord. But He loves you and  cares, Yes, He cares for your soul.”
‘So, this is the story, for whoever will hear: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like 10 maidens. They gathered their lamps to prepare to meet their  Bridegroom.’ (Matthew 25:1). This represents all who seek God. The words are in red and they say very clear that 5 were wise and 5 were’,…don’t be upset but the words are a bit ‘ish’ ,but the story is told:  ‘5 were wise, and 5 were foolish!’
“The 5 who were foolish took their lamps with no oil. Trusting in themselves and their own works to finish. But the wise filled their vessels with oil – knowing there is nothing in and of themselves to do it, so they called upon Jesus to fill them with His Spirit.”
“The Bridegroom was delayed in His coming, it is told, so the maidens, all 10, laid down and slept. But at midnight, the ‘Cry’ was finally heard: “Go out to meet Him! The Bridegroom is coming!” So the 10 maidens woke and made ready for the Wedding!
“After trimming their lamps and preparing to leave , the foolish 5 said to the 5 that were wise, “Give us some oil! Our lamps are going out!” But the 5 who were wise said to the foolish, “No, for there isn’t enough for us and for you, but rather go and buy from those who sell it! (Matthew 25:9). You have to ask Jesus, to fill you with His Holy Spirit!”
So, ‘the 5 with no oil, went out to buy…but the Bridegroom came,” the story unfolds! “And those who were ready, the 5 maidens with oil, went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was then shut!” This is exactly as the story is told, and it’s typed in red letters because they are spoken by the LORD!
“Oh my! I wonder what the 5 maidens were thinking: “It must have been true, when Jesus then said,  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). We  rejected His counsel! Oh, how we  hated those words! We believed many roads can lead us to heaven.” 
From Matthew 25 verses 1 to 13, we read the story written in red:  ‘Afterward, the maidens came to the door, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!’ “But He answered and said, “I don’t know you.”  Yes, these are the very words that were spoken by Him!
Verse 13 of Matthew 25 says, “‘Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” We must understand, while it’s still in our power, to choose to be wise and not foolish today. To listen to the Voice of the Bridegroom give warning and  have our lamps ready and filled with the oil, the oil of the Spirt, that the Father gives so freely! Have you called out to Him and believed in His Son? This IS Step #1!
This is hard stuff! This is Cross fitness!  The Father gave us ‘choice’ that we might choose to love Him. To listen to His word and believe on His Son! Yes, Wisdom calls aloud, in Proverbs Chapter 1: “Wisdom calls aloud…She raises her voice…How long you simple ones, will you love simplicity?’ For scorners delight in their scorning” each day “and fools hate knowledge” as the speak  loudly their own way. “Turn at My reproof; I will pour My Spirit on you…” (Proverbs 1:20-23). “Maidens, fill your vessels with oil, for without Me you can do nothing! (John 15:3). Be wise today, and call on My name!”
‘Watch therefore, please don’t be foolish’ I, the Bridegroom speak, hear My voice, even now, though I delay: “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all of my counsel, and would have none of My reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes…Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; They will seek Me diligently, they they will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the ‘fear of the LORD,…
“The Bridegroom is coming!” The cry will soon be heard! It is time for ‘Cross-fitness’! Yes NOW is the time! This is a hard story, but it was spoken by Truth in letters of red, that the whole world would know that the Marriage of the Lamb is soon!  And the Bride? If she be wise,  she will know in her heart, to ask God to fill up her lamp with the oil of the Spirit and make  herself ready!

"Tell the people to sit down…:

The story is told, and it would be good to imagine the pictures in our mind, that ‘a great multitude was coming toward Jesus’. (John 6:5). (How I pray that this would again be the case, today, that the hearts of men, in a ‘great multitude’ would come toward Jesus).
But before ‘a great multitude was coming toward Jesus’, the words are written, “After these things…”(John 6:1).
After ‘what’ things? we might ask. After – Jesus had changed water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana.  After – Jesus had given the promise of eternal life to a Pharisee named Nicodemus,  After – Jesus asked a  Samaritan woman for a drink of water, only later to tell her about her life’s decisions, and she speaking of the Messiah who will tell them ‘all things’ and Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”, (John 4:26), and then she went out and told her whole city about Him! After- Jesus healed a ‘nobleman’s son’ from a distance, a paralytic was healed and made well by the pool of Bethesda. And after speaking to the Jews who sought to kill Him because “He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” (John 5:18). “After these things… ‘a great multitude was coming toward Jesus!”(John 6:1,5).
Word got out about Jesus! People were talking about all His wonderful works!
Back to the story: “And Jesus went up on a mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. (John 6:3). “He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for all these people to eat?” John 6:5.
What would you say if you were Philip?
We would probably say just what he said: (my paraphrase), “a half a years pay wouldn’t be able to buy enough bread for this many!” But the brother that always had to be known as ‘Simon Peter’s brother, (Andrew) said, “Here is a boy with five loaves of barley bread and two little fish. But that is not enough for so many people.”John 6:8.
There is SO much in this story! The Bible is the most amazing living Book! But today, for me, I write what is magnified on the page. I write the words that totally knocked me over:
 Jesus said, “Tell the people to sit down.” (John 6:10).

The Bible tells us that it was a very grassy place and that there were about 5,000 men who sat down there. But there were women and children there as well, so we are looking at close to 10,000 people perhaps.
Have you ever tried to tell  even just fifty children to sit down? It is an effort. Now imagine telling 5,000 men plus more women and children – to sit down! I don’t think they had a megaphone, and we know that they did not have a microphone!
“Make the people sit down.” Jesus said.
These were His words,…for me. Are they for you too?
Today in this society we see the words, “Stay calm and …” Well, here in this story, Jesus doesn’t say, “Send them away to get their own lunches! He planned on having them sit and watch Him take the bread and give thanks to His Father and give them to His friends who then fed the crowd, and the same with the fish! (John 6:11).
Often times,obeying the Lord is hard. Often times, obeying the Lord  doesn’t make any sense at all.But EVERY TIME it is good to ‘trust and obey’ the Lord!
“Make the people sit down.”(John 6:10)…. This makes me think of Psalm 23, “the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me to lie down in green pastures…” (Ps. 23:2).
God’s word against the reality – often times leaves us with a struggle – the struggle  to trust and obey! Just to ‘be still’ and read His word and a  hymn these days is hard…but Jesus spoke to me this morning, and I feel instructed to ‘make the people sit down’, including myself, after this is all typed and written – yes, we will ‘sit’ and be fed, by Him –  by a hymn.
This  hymn written so long ago, is for today, timeless, forever powerful:Trust and Obey, by John Sammis in 1887:

  1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
    What a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    And with all who will trust and obey.

    • Refrain:
      Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
      To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
  2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smile quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.
  3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly repay;
    Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
    But is blessed if we trust and obey.
  4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
    Are for them who will trust and obey.
  5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
    Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
    What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey.”  And we’ve even got leftovers to share!