Star Spangled

Eight years ago today, one of the most barbarous atrocities commited upon American soil shattered our world. It left us grieving, bereft of the citizens we will never regain. Some of us lost loved ones- others showed a universal love by shouldering the weight of each other's sorrow. For the weeks, months, and years to come, we recalled the first blood shed from those front-line soldier- the unmerited warriors of freedom- who were not so by choice, but rather just everyday people who happened to be there. It could've been you, and it could've been me.

But it wasn't. God allows nothing to occur by accident. Even the devil has to ask His permission before setting out on his missions. We might never know why so many had to die that day, but we do know this: that God opted to let us live for a reason. With every passing second we linger upon this earth, we may rest assured that He has laid a path before us; we are not finished here yet, and He won't take us to be with Him until we are. Please, keep that in mind as you pray for the victims of 9/11 today. Pray also for yourself, that God will show you His will in your life, for, just as those innocent people arose that dark morning with no premonition of their fate, so we as well, have no idea whether or not this our last day, hour, or even breath.

The cataclysmic events of 9/11/01 catalyzed a comparatively dark lapse of time as compared to the last few decades. Within a day, President George W. Bush officially declared to the world what had been crying out of our hearts- war. And here we are today, still sitting the ruins of a war that has proved catastrophic indeed.

Since 9/11, many have argued hotly against the battles occuring overseas, saying it was too much of a loss. Others still fervently defend it, because, even though they agree upon its monstrous severity, they deem it necessary that terrorism is confined.

Whichever side you happen to take, however, I think I can rightfully say that we all look upon 9/11 as a day that should've never happened. We all feel various degrees of sadness, pity...and, yes, a tinge of patriotism and perhaps even wounded pride. In commemoration of that bitter day, I made an album that I think sums up ever Christian's view on the past eight years of our history. The song selections begin with a reminiscience upon the above stated events, and move through melodies which dramatize sorrow that has stung so many. And, finally, through it all, we pick our tattered flag, set our eyes to heaven, and, knowing everything's in God's hands, loudly proclaim, "In God We Still Trust."

Where Were You (Alan Jackson)

If You're Reading This (Tim McGraw)

Just a Dream (Carrie Underwood)

In God We Still Trust (Diamond Rio)

I have named the album Star Spangled.