Joni, my friend asked me the same thing this morning. I think that it has something to do with shock value. If it wasn't personal to you now, people just don't care and are loosing compassion. So much has happened recently people are just too overwhelmed. Pastor Parsley says it very well in his sermons about the "me generation".

We are loosing our personal freedoms and have lost perspective of what is important to us. Our politics are failing as well as our strength as a nation. Rogue nations have seen the weakness and are forcing their agenda upon us. Some still have hope and are praying for Jesus to save America. Bonnie Lou .....

Hi Miss Joni!
Wow! What a service we had last night!!! Fall in love with God! Sometimes people think that they are in love with God cuz they say it and don’t realize that to be in love with someone is to want to please that person. When you love your children, you just want them to have the very best! We may say we love God but do we give Him our best? Is is all about Him or is it if you do this…I will do that? Or do we go outta our way and try to do even a little extra for God to maybe get noticed? Ya know like we may do at work…it the boss watching me do extra? Well we certainly know though the boss may not be watching but God is! He notices every little thing that we do and even if the boss may not be watching, we know that God sees all, and besides, He is our Promoter anyway! Thank you Pastor for that powerful Word! If we seek first His kingdom…then…all is all!

I remember the word "surreal" being repeated a lot following the tragic events of 9/11. The love of God is "surreal," too. We saw it displayed everywhere in the aftermath. We thought twice about how we treated others, because when that person walked away you didn't know whether you'd see him or her again. Amid the pain and suffering brought about by this atrocity, we saw God's love. We Christians have that love in us all the time, but for a lot of us it's hard for it to emerge unless something happens to bring it about. We're all works in progress, and the more we walk with the Lord, the more we resemble Him.

Hi Mrs. Joni

How are you? I was thinking the same thing on 9/11 wondering where is the continuing coverage. After they showed the President and Mrs.Obama and Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden paying there respects,then they showed ground zero Were the names of some of the victims were being read and that was pretty much it. Like Bonnie said so much is happening so fast these days but when it comes to events that effect our entire country we should never forget to honor those lost. Last night worship service was highly anointed. People praising God like never before pastor was on fire thank God!

Love you!
LaRetha

Joni & JJ friends,

Being from Newfoundland this story really touched my heart! We (Newfoundlanders) have been know for hospitality and friendliness. As you read you will see it was proven on Sept 11, 2001. This truly shows the hearts of Newfoundlanders and I am proud to be one!!

Much love, Dawn

Here is an amazing story from a flight attendant on Delta Flight 15, written following 9-11:

"On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we were about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, flying over the North Atlantic. All of a sudden the curtains parted and I was told to go to the cockpit, immediately, to see the captain. As soon as I got there I noticed that the crew had that 'All Business' look on their faces. The captain handed me a printed message. It was from Delta's main office in Atlanta and simply read, "All airways over the Continental United States are closed to commercial air traffic. Land ASAP at the nearest airport. Advise your destination.

No one said a word about what this could mean. We knew it was a serious situation and we needed to find terra firma quickly. The captain determined that the nearest airport was 400 miles behind us in Gander, New Foundland. He requested approval for a route change from the Canadian traffic controller and approval was granted immediately--no questions asked. We found out later, of course, why there was no hesitation in approving our request.

While the flight crew prepared the airplane for landing, another message arrived from Atlanta telling us about some terrorist activity in the New York area. A few minutes later word came in about the
hijackings.

We decided to LIE to the passengers while we were still in the air. We told them the plane had a simple instrument problem and that we needed to land at the nearest airport in Gander, Newfoundland to have it checked.

We promised to give more information after landing in Gander. There was much grumbling among the passengers, but that's nothing new! Forty minutes later, we landed in Gander. Local time at Gander was 12:30 PM.... that's 11:00 AM EST.

There were already about 20 other airplanes on the ground from all over the world that had taken this detour on their way to the U.S. After we parked on the ramp, the captain made the following
announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, you must be wondering if all these airplanes around us have the same instrument problem as we have. The reality is that we are here for another reason." Then he went on to explain the little bit we knew about the situation in the U.S. There were loud gasps and stares of disbelief. The captain informed passengers that Ground Control in Gander told us to stay put.

The Canadian Government was in charge of our situation and no one was allowed to get off the aircraft. No one on the ground was allowed to come near any of the aircraft. Only airport police would come around periodically, look us over and go on to the next airplane. In the next hour or so more planes landed and Gander ended up with 53 airplanes from all over the world, 27 of which were U.S. commercial jets.

Meanwhile, bits of news started to come in over the aircraft radio and for the first time we learned that airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York and into the Pentagon in DC. People were trying to use their cell phones, but were unable to connect due to a different cell system in Canada. Some did get through, but were only able to get to the Canadian operator who would tell them that the lines to the U.S. were either blocked or jammed.

Sometime in the evening the news filtered to us that the World Trade Center buildings had collapsed and that a fourth hijacking had resulted in a crash. By now the passengers were emotionally and physically exhausted, not to mention frightened, but everyone stayed amazingly calm. We had only to look out the window at the 52 other stranded aircraft to realize that we were not the only ones in this predicament.

We had been told earlier that they would be allowing people off the planes one plane at a time. At 6 PM, Gander airport told us that our turn to deplane would be 11 am the next morning. Passengers were not happy, but they simply resigned themselves to this news without much noise and started to prepare themselves to spend the night on the airplane.

Gander had promised us medical attention, if needed, water, and lavatory servicing. And they were true to their word. Fortunately we had no medical situations to worry about. We did have a young lady who was 33 weeks into her pregnancy. We took REALLY good care of her. The night passed without incident despite the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.

About 10:30 on the morning of the 12th a convoy of school buses showed up. We got off the plane and were taken to the terminal where we went through Immigration and Customs and then had to register with the Red Cross.

After that we (the crew) were separated from the passengers and were taken in vans to a small hotel. We had no idea where our passengers were going. We learned from the Red Cross that the town of Gander has a population of 10,400 people and they had about 10,500 passengers to take care of from all the airplanes that were forced into Gander! We were told to just relax at the hotel and we would be contacted when the U.S. airports opened again, but not to expect that call for a while.

We found out the total scope of the terror back home only after getting to our hotel and turning on the TV, 24 hours after it all started.

Meanwhile, we had lots of time on our hands and found that the people of Gander were extremely friendly. They started calling us the 'plane people'. We enjoyed their hospitality, explored the town of Gander and ended up having a pretty good time.

Two days later, we got that call and were taken back to the Gander airport. Back on the plane, we were reunited with the passengers and found out what they had been doing for the past two days. What we found out was incredible.

Gander and all the surrounding communities (within about a 75 Kilometer radius) had closed all high schools, meeting halls, lodges, and any other large gathering places. They converted all these facilities to mass lodging areas for all the stranded travelers. Some had cots set up, some had mats with sleeping bags and pillows set up.

ALL the high school students were required to volunteer their time to take care of the 'guests'. Our 218 passengers ended up in a town called Lewisporte, about 45 kilometers from Gander where they were put up in a high school. If any women wanted to be in a women-only facility, that was arranged. Families were kept together. All the elderly passengers were taken to private homes.

Remember that young pregnant lady? She was put up in a private home right across the street from a 24-hour Urgent Care facility. There was a dentist on call and both male and female nurses remained with the crowd for the duration.

Phone calls and e-mails to the U.S. and around the world were available to everyone once a day. During the day, passengers were offered 'excursion' trips. Some people went on boat cruises of the lakes and harbors. Some went for hikes in the local forests. Local bakeries stayed open to make fresh bread for the guests. Food was prepared by all the residents and brought to the schools. People were driven to restaurants of their choice and offered wonderful meals. Everyone was given tokens for local laundromats to wash their clothes, since luggage was still on the aircraft. In other words, every single need was met for those stranded travelers.
Passengers were crying while telling us these stories. Finally, when they were told that U.S. airports had reopened, they were delivered to the airport right on time and without a single passenger missing or late. The local Red Cross had all the information about the whereabouts of each and every passenger and knew which plane they needed to be on and when all the plan

Hello Sis. Joni:
We are truly living in perilous times. But as you stated we are not without. Hope!!! God is not a man, He is slack concerning His promises... Throughout the Bible. God admonishes believers
"Fear not" Last Friday I heard someone said in passing 'not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says The Lord...those words hit me as though I was hearing them for the first time...so I have been meditating on them all week and the more I think.about them the more I realize
God rules and reigns supreme with perfect love and all power. As our lives and world get crazy and more complicated by the second as learned as we may think ourselves to be and as many devices plans and schemes we can conceptualize only the way of God will stand. His battle plan is always' PRAY AND TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS' meaning each person is personally responsible for his own praying and turning;Our strength is not in guns nor human intelligence Our strength is on our knees and in the word of God. Honoring
God in all we say and do He promise to deliver us from our many afflictions. As we remember Yom Kippur; history tells the storyas the Jews were honoring their Holy Day; the intellegence of men thought it was the oppertune time to attack but the ways of God stood, as 500 Israeli soldiers were victorious against 8000. So in my life I am encouraged because our Hope is of God who cannot fail
God's continued blessings of multiplied Grace and Divine Peace

PS: the rest of the story...

They coordinated everything beautifully. It was absolutely incredible.

When passengers came on board, it was like they had been on a cruise. Everyone knew each other by name. They were swapping stories of their stay, impressing each other with who had the better time. Our flight back to Atlanta looked like a chartered party flight. The crew just stayed out of their way. It was mind-boggling. Passengers had totally bonded and were calling each other by their first names, exchanging phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses.

And then a very unusual thing happened. One of our passengers approached me and asked if he could make an announcement over the PA system. We never, ever allow that. But this time was different. I said "of course" and handed him the mike. He picked up the PA and reminded everyone about what they had just gone through in the last few days. He reminded them of the hospitality they had received at the hands of total strangers. He continued by saying that he would like to do something in return for the good folks of Lewisporte.

He said he was going to set up a Trust Fund under the name of DELTA 15 (our flight number). The purpose of the trust fund is to provide college scholarships for the high school students of Lewisporte. He asked for donations of any amount from his fellow travelers. When the paper with donations got back to us with the amounts, names, phone numbers and addresses, the total was for more than $14,000!

The gentleman, a medical doctor from Virginia, promised to match the donations and to start the administrative work on the scholarship. He also said that he would forward this proposal to Delta Corporate and ask them to donate as well. As I write this account, the trust fund is at more than $1.5 million and has assisted 134 students in college education.

I just wanted to share this story because we need good stories right now. It gives me a little bit of hope to know that some people in a faraway place were kind to some strangers who literally dropped in on them. It reminds me how much good there is in the world.

In spite of all the rotten things we see going on in today’s world this story confirms that there are still a lot of good and Godly people in the world.
God Bless America... and the Canadians!

CAN I ASK FOR URGENT HEALING VERY VERY POORLY WITH PAINS IN MY BACK AND CHEST FOR THE LAST 5 WEEKS.
LOVE YOU AS ALWAYS
JANE XXXXXX

Believing with you. Sis. Jane!!! Be healed in Jesus Name!!! Isaiah 53:5He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we were healed. Father we thank you for the full manifested word in our Sister's life. In Jesus Name Amen!!!

Hi Mrs. Joni

How are you? I agree with you I'm just simply exhausted with all these shootings it's terrible seems everyday you turn the news on you hear something awful. Even the people who commit these terrible acts you feel for the families they have loved ones as well. Thank God the saints are people that have hope in Christ! That is truly what the world needs Jesus Christ. It's a choice each person has to make for themselves all we can do is pray that God gives his GRACE!

Love you
LaRetha

Thank God for a man Pastor who speaks on the power of repentance and truth!

To Jane,
Precious Heavenly Father,I ask you to turn Jane's weakness into strength, sickness into healing , and pain into comfort for others. May precious Jane ,trust in your faithfulness, even in the middle of this suffering. Let her be filled with patience and peace in your presence as she waits for your healing touch. I praise you Lord for your healing touch manifesting in her body in this very moment. I praise you for a good report on her blood work ! Thank you Jesus for removing all the pain at Jane's back and chest area ! Thank you Lord ! Amen!
Mark 5:34 "He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."
Love as always,Gabriella

Ms Joni,

I SO appreciate you and you sharing your heart. I can't say thank you enough!!! You are a treasure and Im blessed to have been apart of WHBC at the time and to follow you here.

Blessings,

Dani

Mercy Father mercy!!!

I AM PRAYING !

i am praying as well xxxx

I am praying.

Peace, Hope, Prayer.

I am praying!

I am praying.

I AM Praying

I am praying!

I AM PRAYING

I am praying

I Am Praying

No Weapon formed against you shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17

It has been a very sad week in England as well, a soldier was killed in a London street, he was murdered, he had fought for his country in al the war zones in the world, He was walking down the road when two men murdered him.

Life is a gift, life's too short for fallouts we need simply to love and accept one another for who knows what tomorrow might bring.

Love as always,
Jane xxxxxxx

I am praying more than you know....

I AM PRAYING

I AM PRAYING!!!

There is nothing more powerful than "going to where the crisis is" so thankful for Pastor actually traveling and showing up as a witness of how much we care! Its that model Jesus shows us - He came from the throne of Glory and walked amongst us...and then to listen to the heart of the people, to sympathize with their pain ...hugging them and telling them we will help - how powerful! I love how Lester Sumrall always partnered with churches on the mission field because he knew that lasting change comes from the house of God where the people can receive so much more than just aid, they can get wisdom, counsel, the Father's heart - the Shepherds ministry! Lord bless this ministry as we pray and partner!

Praying that instead of the usual blame; God will be glorified and numerous souls will be saved in spite of this hellish experience. Also that the Peace of God will so blanket the area affected that the citizens will experience the Love and Comfort that comes from God through the body of Christ as we let our light so shine before men that they may glorify our Father in Heaven. We release the Love of God (to the citizens of affected area), that drives out fear, anxieties, hoplessness; Father thank you for hearing and answering our prayers according to your will send ministering angels to help those providing aide; and those affected adversely. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

I'm praying

I AM PRAYING!

Thank you so much Ms. Joni for your wisdom and unique perspective as usual. Yesterday I prayed, and prayed and prayed and kept thinking that I needed to do something else. I felt so helpless. As I reflected on my lost loved ones along my journey in life and yes while some were tragic due to senseless acts as well, this was just something that my mind still cannot comprehend. I so appreciate just how you put it in perspective. "It's time like these that I choose to turn to God and pray in the spirit and just be still. It's a moment, spiritually speaking, to "Be still and know that I am God."
I guess that says it all, doesn't it? " Thank you for being here to lead us!!

Blessings to you,

Renee

There are no words, Joni, and yet we know through this awful experience someone's life will be touch by God through a kind word, gesture or simply seeing a kind face smiling at them.

The devil won't have the last word in this.

Love you all very much as always

Jane xxxxx

Selah!

Lord help us to work while it is yet day. For the night cometh . . .

Shalom

Dear Joni,
You basically said it all .My husband and I wanted to comment but we’re left speechless. Still numb from the tragic news . Seeing the graphic and gruesome pictures , and the shock on all the faces just breaks our heart. Sad to say but we live in a world where evil exists. Pastor Parsley preached a message “There’s a Devil Loose “. How true .
We saw many heroes that arose from the crowd from police officers , medics and civilians .They were all quick to respond to all the desperate needs. A midst of tragedy they captured a picture of a woman with her hands together looking up toward heaven praying. We don’t know if her prayer was thanking God that she is safe or was she praying for others . Like her many people paused to pray all over in this Country and around the World.
We must continue to pray for the families that lost loved ones and for all those that had suffered great loss through their injuries. Lives will never be the same !
This tragic event is a reminder for all of us how fragile life is. No one knows their tomorrow . Embrace today with thanksgiving regardless of the cares of the world or what you might be going through . Take it one day at a time. We often told our children “Until we have each other we are truly blessed”. Tell your loved one today how much you love them, offer a prayer for them or hug them if you can.
Have FAITH in God, continue in HOPE ,and reach out in LOVE !!!
With Love & Prayers ,Zoltan &Gabriella

When at day's end yesterday, with a Jimmy Swaggart closing prayer, I learned of the Boston bombing and purchsed local newspaper today for details. Learnd of two more deaths of former associates. And also my niece was admitted to Cleveland hospital. "Be still and know that I am God," confirmation.

Thank you Ms. Joni and BE BLESSED.

Praying strength for the people effected by the horrific event that happened & the enemies are captured quickly & justice to prevail mightily. Faith is being released for provisions spirit, soul & body for the people @ yesterdays marathon.

How richer this nation would be if such common sense ideas, wrapped with so much good-old-fashioned love and concern were a part of Monday's media coverage? Miss Joni, your words are impeccable, but the impact of seeing your face and your honesty as a commentator alongside a Brian Williams or ____insert your own network? As a nation grieves it also comes together as neighbors and friends, and we could use more of the "fireside chats" or "over the fence" common sense that hasn't been lost in another era. Share this important post with a friend.
MAB

Always love a new installation of your writing even when the subject is tragedy.A thread of faith,love and hope flow through the writing and to the reader.Thank you for you time and words. My prayers to those effected,justice to those who chose this path,and I expect at some point, America will take all this to heart.

I am praying for Boston, for the lives that are changed forever, and that God will send the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to bring peace. I don't like to watch or listen to much of the news, it is full of fear, trying to scare people by the events of this world. What I do is pray the news. My heart goes out to all those affected by this terroristic attack. I hope it stirs us all to action and we bring God into even the worst situations.

Thank you Abba Father in Jesus Name that your Love, Grace, and wonderful Mercy will be shed abroad in your people's hearts that are in Boston and may many souls be brought into the kingdom. That 8 year old went straight to Heaven and I claim the rest of that family in Jesus Name. I thank you Jesus that you will draw them unto you and may everyone involved in the Boston tragedy come to realize that they need you Jesus, that they need to know the Loving Savior. I also plead the Blood of Jesus over the bombers and claim their souls for the kingdom of Heaven in Jesus Name.

Hello Joni, I'm Joseph McKinley, I'm usually back with the kids (nursery, 1yrs, 2yrs) and just wanted to share a website with you and whoever else may see www.overflowingfavor.org

Thank you

May the God of all comfort and grace stengthen those whose lives are marked forever by the events of this day; even after most of the world go on with life as usual may Our God the mighty counselor and the Great Physician minister healing to the souls of all affected adversely; because the word also says in, 3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. So it is safe to say without soul healing prosperity, health and soundness of mind remain elusive. May Lord raise up a standard like a flood against the enemy (the devil and his minions) that has come in. May we the people of God be more fervent in prayer always cognizant of the word of God that says in;
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Because as
Jeremiah 17:9 states,"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" and "Prov 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Father have mercy. Move with Compassion like only you can and make a miracle out of this mess.
In Jesus name. Amen

Hi Miss Joni!
Can you imagine remembering alla these cities in the Book of Joshua-- I can’t say them much less memorize them! Ha! I have to say that I enjoy Pastor's daily prayer directives! Faith, Faith, faith! It’s all about FAITH in the GOD of the Universe! One who commands the sun to stay and the earth to stand in the midst of nothing, the waters to not overflow us and for the light to just BE! What a Mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him—What a Mighty God we serve. Mom and I have been going outside cuz we got good weather and we do ever take advantage of it and it’s amazing as I listen to the birds singing makes me glorify God! They are worshipping, doing what God created them to do, doing what pleases God and they sound so heavenly at that. The perfect breeze is the breath of God! And to see what God created is the evidence that God is and only God could create something as spectacular as what we see. The stars, the moon, and the blue skies, the clouds and how can we not believe in God as we take our next breath, as we see a little baby’s tiny hands and feet and most awesome expressions, as we watch a dog's action looking at you and what funny expressions those furry little creatures make! And no matter how we may try and figure it out…But O’ how can we deny that God exist? We will always be learning and never completely understand the creation of God. We really weren’t meant to understand, but to enjoy all the things that God has place in place for us! Though technology is great and to explore with the mind that God has given us is a most extraordinary benefit that we have been given from God. I thank God for an opportunity to seek the Most High and to remember all His benefits as the Psalm put it.

But what I wanted to say was from the scripture that Pastor quoted on faith how we must learn to speak with our mouth what it is we are believing for. That has been quite the challenge for me and I don’t know why, but I’m beginning to train myself that no matter what, when I think about speaking, I’m going to say what it is I am believing for, whether it be healing, finances or whatever I am believing for and if I’m not doing that, then I’m praising God, speaking in tongues getting mysteries, but I refuse to remain stagnant with my mouth. Yet it seems like the devil is fighting so hard against me using my mouth to speak! But as I continue to fight and cast down those thoughts that have come against me in order to keep my mind going in another direction, as I bind those thoughts, I find it easier for me to speak what is important. I believe therefore have I spoken! Our words are a powerful tool and when we speak His Word, then His Word shall BE! Call those things that be not. Call unto me and I will! The mouth is such a little piece and to open takes no effort on our part to do, but what power it can bring when we do! Life or death… In the beginning God said…

Dear Journal Family,
I would like to ask for prayer support for our precious Journal friend in England –Jane.
She is going through some difficult times and I know she would greatly appreciate all your prayer support.
There is power in agreement and I believe if we lift up our precious sister in Christ with our prayer God will do miracles in her life and the situations she’s facing. We all need encouragement time to time and I just feel in my heart that she really needs our LOVE and PRAYER support at this time.
“He said "Love...as I have loved you." We cannot love too much.” ? Amy Carmichael
Thank you so much !!
Love as always, Gabriella

Amen! Father for who you are we praise you. For your LOVE and all it provides oh Lord we praise you.
Help us to know what Love is; Father only you can show us. Wrap Sis Jane in your loving arms even now you know where the difficulty lies thank you Father that you are making crooked places straight and showing yourself mighty on the behalf of your dear children in Jesus name we ask and and thank you. Amen.

Gabriella,
Please know we are thinking and praying for Jane. Just as the sweet song goes, his eye is on the Sparrow I know God is watching her! He cares for her watchfully and affectionatly. Ist Peter 5:7. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. God bless

Hi Miss Joni!
Gotta few minutes! Today has been quite busy and still lots to do. I took dogs walking and what a beautiful day indeed! I’ll be praying for Jane and her strength and peace. We miss you Jane!!! Remember God is on your side and you have a big family who cares and who are praying for you! You have been such an inspiration to us all!
Love You!

Thank you all for your prayers, I can't say too much other then life is going to get very hard for me this year.
Love you all as ever
Jane xxxxxx

SHALOM