Light In the Darkness
A quarter century ago, horrors hit our land: September 11, 2001 remains a day in which those old enough remember where they were when they heard the news. However, since 25 years have marched on, approximately 100 million Americans are either too young (or were not yet born) to have witnessed the day that changed our country forever.
With over 100 million Americans now too young to remember witnessing September 11, 2001, due diligence must be made to educate and equip them to honor heroes from that day and to prayerfully make efforts to protect our country from terrorism.
As we commemorate this twenty-fifth anniversary, a new generation must learn about the unimaginable loss of life and the depths of evil from radical Islamic terrorism. We must not forget: 2,752 died on 9/11. 2,752! These could have been your loved ones, your co-workers, your friends. (That's more than half of our hometown in Iowa.)
Recognizing the Reality. Walls of photos of the dead encircle visitors at the visitor's center near Ground Zero. One widow of a firefighter said something that stuck on our minds and hearts: "I knew that Terry would have been on one of the highest floors, that's just what Rescue 1 would do. When the building came down, I grabbed the dust on the ground and thought, 'He's in the dust." These words came from Beth Petrone Hatton, widow of Captain Terry Hatton, FDNY.
Oh, yes... 9/11 happened. Like it or not, we must remember...and act proactively to prevent future attacks and freedom losses.
Ways to Remember and Overcome Evil with Good:
Pray for the survivors, victims' families, kids who never knew their mom or dad, first responders, etc. Their lives have been forever changed. They are being flooded with memories and painful emotions. And, if you know someone who was personally impacted by 09/11, reach out to them. Show them your support. Send a card or give 'em a call. The point is, let them know that you care and that you are there for them. Let's unite together as Americans and pray for our country today. Educate your kids about heroes who lived and then and those who live now. Take action to help the USA.
This September, we also remember Charlie Kirk on the first anniversary of his martyrdom. Charlie was mercilessly assassinated on September 10, 2025. Charlie Kirk said, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith … the most important thing is my faith in my life.”
Simply stated, Charlie Kirk was special. He spoke in peace. He was especially trying to be there for college students and to answer their questions with truth. He wanted to share about Jesus and to help our nation’s youth to have character and be honorable men and women.
A single bullet silenced his voice. But it will never stop his impact, legacy, and his testimony for Jesus Christ. Only a few days before his death, Charlie posted on social media, “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”
Wow, that quote was profound and timely. He wasn’t afraid. He remained unashamed to talk about his faith. Charlie also posted, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life … Tell someone about Jesus this weekend.” What a challenge for us all. Let’s do it!
The Bible says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21, ESV). We live in a very dark and broken world but there is light in the darkness. Jesus Christ is the Light. Ask Him to shine through you.
We encourage you to pray for our nation especially now. We need Jesus. Turn to Him now. He is waiting for you with open arms. Experience His comfort, hope, and encouragement today as you take God's Word to heart: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).In God we still trust,Carrie and Stacie Sisters and Co-Founders of Unite the USA
With over 100 million Americans now too young to remember witnessing September 11, 2001, due diligence must be made to educate and equip them to honor heroes from that day and to prayerfully make efforts to protect our country from terrorism.
As we commemorate this twenty-fifth anniversary, a new generation must learn about the unimaginable loss of life and the depths of evil from radical Islamic terrorism. We must not forget: 2,752 died on 9/11. 2,752! These could have been your loved ones, your co-workers, your friends. (That's more than half of our hometown in Iowa.)
Recognizing the Reality. Walls of photos of the dead encircle visitors at the visitor's center near Ground Zero. One widow of a firefighter said something that stuck on our minds and hearts: "I knew that Terry would have been on one of the highest floors, that's just what Rescue 1 would do. When the building came down, I grabbed the dust on the ground and thought, 'He's in the dust." These words came from Beth Petrone Hatton, widow of Captain Terry Hatton, FDNY.
Oh, yes... 9/11 happened. Like it or not, we must remember...and act proactively to prevent future attacks and freedom losses.
Ways to Remember and Overcome Evil with Good:
Pray for the survivors, victims' families, kids who never knew their mom or dad, first responders, etc. Their lives have been forever changed. They are being flooded with memories and painful emotions. And, if you know someone who was personally impacted by 09/11, reach out to them. Show them your support. Send a card or give 'em a call. The point is, let them know that you care and that you are there for them. Let's unite together as Americans and pray for our country today. Educate your kids about heroes who lived and then and those who live now. Take action to help the USA.
This September, we also remember Charlie Kirk on the first anniversary of his martyrdom. Charlie was mercilessly assassinated on September 10, 2025. Charlie Kirk said, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith … the most important thing is my faith in my life.”
Simply stated, Charlie Kirk was special. He spoke in peace. He was especially trying to be there for college students and to answer their questions with truth. He wanted to share about Jesus and to help our nation’s youth to have character and be honorable men and women.
A single bullet silenced his voice. But it will never stop his impact, legacy, and his testimony for Jesus Christ. Only a few days before his death, Charlie posted on social media, “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”
Wow, that quote was profound and timely. He wasn’t afraid. He remained unashamed to talk about his faith. Charlie also posted, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life … Tell someone about Jesus this weekend.” What a challenge for us all. Let’s do it!
The Bible says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21, ESV). We live in a very dark and broken world but there is light in the darkness. Jesus Christ is the Light. Ask Him to shine through you.
We encourage you to pray for our nation especially now. We need Jesus. Turn to Him now. He is waiting for you with open arms. Experience His comfort, hope, and encouragement today as you take God's Word to heart: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).In God we still trust,Carrie and Stacie Sisters and Co-Founders of Unite the USA
Featured Quote
"My prayer today is that we will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us and that as we trust in Him we will know in our hearts that He will never forsake us.”
-Billy Graham (September 14, 2001, Washington National Cathedral)
-Billy Graham (September 14, 2001, Washington National Cathedral)
Featured Bible Verse
Remembering 09-01-2012
We also remember Ambassador Chris Stevens, Ty Woods, Glen Doherty, and Sean Smith who were the Americans killed on 09-11-2012 during the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. We will not forget.
Remembering 9/11: Sharing God’s Love in the Aftermath
Mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, with this Billy Graham Radio Special that reminds you of God’s love, mercy, and sovereignty—even in the darkest of times.
This program features two messages from Billy Graham, including his address to the nation three days after the attacks. Franklin Graham will also share how the tragedy led to the creation of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, a ministry that shares the hope of Jesus Christ with people in the aftermath of disasters around the world. Click here to listen to this meaningful message.
It is a powerful reminder that “the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7, NKJV).
This program features two messages from Billy Graham, including his address to the nation three days after the attacks. Franklin Graham will also share how the tragedy led to the creation of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, a ministry that shares the hope of Jesus Christ with people in the aftermath of disasters around the world. Click here to listen to this meaningful message.
It is a powerful reminder that “the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7, NKJV).
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Here is Billy Graham’s message from the Washington National Cathedral on 09-14-2001. He spoke powerfully on hope, faith and the love of Christ when he addressed the nation from Washington, D.C., after the 9/11 attacks.
Why Jesus’ Resurrection Changes Everything
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As we remember Charlie Kirk, we felt it appropriate to share a video of Charlie talking about Jesus and His resurrection.
Stop, in the Name of God
Charlie Kirk’s final book is a call to rest, reflect, and return to God.
Before his assassination on September 10th, Charlie Kirk completed his final book — unlike anything he’d written before.
It wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t about the culture war.
It was about the Sabbath — and the deep, human need to rest, to breathe, and to reconnect with God.
He called it: Stop, in the Name of God
In a world filled with noise, screens, pressure, and burnout, Stop, in the Name of God offers a way back.
Back to God. Back to peace. Back to the stillness that heals the soul. Click here to order your copy of Charlie's last book and support his organization Turning Point USA.
Before his assassination on September 10th, Charlie Kirk completed his final book — unlike anything he’d written before.
It wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t about the culture war.
It was about the Sabbath — and the deep, human need to rest, to breathe, and to reconnect with God.
He called it: Stop, in the Name of God
In a world filled with noise, screens, pressure, and burnout, Stop, in the Name of God offers a way back.
Back to God. Back to peace. Back to the stillness that heals the soul. Click here to order your copy of Charlie's last book and support his organization Turning Point USA.
Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: James McCloughan
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James McCloughan shares his experiences during the Vietnam War as well as the Medal of Honor and the values it represents.
The Day When the Unimaginable Became Reality
By Pastor Greg Laurie
Like many other Americans on September 11, 2001, I turned on the television to see the World Trade Center on fire. It was an unimaginable thing. Was it an accident? And then the second plane crashing into the other tower quickly answered that question.
Then we heard the Pentagon had been hit. And then we saw both towers of the World Trade Center collapse before our very eyes. It was clear that this was a terrorist attack on the United States of America.
As more intelligence came in, we discovered that the terrorists had more targets in mind. The breadth of what they were trying to do was worse than what it turned out to be, due to numerous acts of heroism that day.
For example, the passengers of Flight 93 were heroes as they overpowered the hijackers and forced the plane down in an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The first responders who rushed into burning buildings while everyone else rushed out were heroes as well.
Why Did God Allow This?
Of course, the inevitable question that arose was why did this happen? In the days following 9/11, I received a number of phone calls from the media. I remember one reporter asking, “Why did God do this?”
“God did not do this,” I said. “It was done by the wicked hearts of men. Deep inside, humanity is twisted and sick spiritually.”
The Bible says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). James reminds us, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. . .” (4:1–2 NLT).
God-Given Free Will When God created us, He gave us something called a free will. This means that we all have the ability to choose right or wrong. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to make choices, but far too often people exercise that choice in the wrong direction.
You might say that, in some ways, free will is our greatest blessing, and in other ways, it’s our greatest curse. This is because we were uniquely created in the image of God Himself, who gave us our ability to choose. But we usually make the wrong choices.
God could have created us as little robots, pre-programmed to do exactly what he wanted us to do. But God wants to be loved and obeyed by those who voluntarily choose to do so. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.
A Look at Scripture
After 9/11, I heard well-meaning but (I believe) misguided people say that it must have been God’s will. Others were even saying that God actually did it. I disagree. It wasn’t God who did it. Rather, it was Satan, working in concert with wicked men bent on destruction, who did it. The Bible tells us that “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19 NKJV).
But it’s also a reminder that when a tragedy happens, we don’t necessarily have to determine whether it means it’s the judgment of God. In the New Testament Book of Luke, for instance, Jesus referred to a tower in Siloam that fell on 18 people and killed them.
He said, “Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too” (Luke 13:4–5 NLT). The Jews were thinking the reason the tower fell on those people was because they were non-Jews. But Jesus was saying they had it all wrong. The people who died weren’t the worst sinners in Israel.
Horrible things happen in this world that we’re living in, and the point Jesus was making is that we are all sinners. When you get down to it, every one of us deserves the judgment of God. In fact, the Scriptures say, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22 NKJV).
Tragedy Happens to Christians and Nonbelievers Tragedies can happen to Christians as well as non-Christians. When a Christian dies in an accident or gets cancer, that doesn’t mean God is not in control or has failed them somehow. Nor does it mean that God is judging them. It simply means that death is a result of the curse of sin upon humanity. We all die. We all will have our lives on Earth come to an end one day.
Nothing happened to those people in the World Trade Center or on board those flights or in the Pentagon that will not happen to every other person eventually. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).
If you’re a Christian, you have hope, because you will go immediately into the presence of the Lord when you die. But everyone will die.
What if you died today? Where would you spend eternity? Or, what if the Rapture took place tonight? Would you be ready to meet the Lord, or would you be among those who are left behind?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ personally, if you haven’t asked Him to forgive you of your sins, I hope you’ll do that right now.
Jesus, speaking of end times events, said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV).
Jesus is coming soon. In light of this, how should we be living? Jesus went on to say, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly” (verse 34 NKJV).
In other words, look at the way you’re living. You don’t want to be doing something that’s displeasing to God. Be sure that your life is right with him.
Like many other Americans on September 11, 2001, I turned on the television to see the World Trade Center on fire. It was an unimaginable thing. Was it an accident? And then the second plane crashing into the other tower quickly answered that question.
Then we heard the Pentagon had been hit. And then we saw both towers of the World Trade Center collapse before our very eyes. It was clear that this was a terrorist attack on the United States of America.
As more intelligence came in, we discovered that the terrorists had more targets in mind. The breadth of what they were trying to do was worse than what it turned out to be, due to numerous acts of heroism that day.
For example, the passengers of Flight 93 were heroes as they overpowered the hijackers and forced the plane down in an empty field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The first responders who rushed into burning buildings while everyone else rushed out were heroes as well.
Why Did God Allow This?
Of course, the inevitable question that arose was why did this happen? In the days following 9/11, I received a number of phone calls from the media. I remember one reporter asking, “Why did God do this?”
“God did not do this,” I said. “It was done by the wicked hearts of men. Deep inside, humanity is twisted and sick spiritually.”
The Bible says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). James reminds us, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. . .” (4:1–2 NLT).
God-Given Free Will When God created us, He gave us something called a free will. This means that we all have the ability to choose right or wrong. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to make choices, but far too often people exercise that choice in the wrong direction.
You might say that, in some ways, free will is our greatest blessing, and in other ways, it’s our greatest curse. This is because we were uniquely created in the image of God Himself, who gave us our ability to choose. But we usually make the wrong choices.
God could have created us as little robots, pre-programmed to do exactly what he wanted us to do. But God wants to be loved and obeyed by those who voluntarily choose to do so. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.
A Look at Scripture
After 9/11, I heard well-meaning but (I believe) misguided people say that it must have been God’s will. Others were even saying that God actually did it. I disagree. It wasn’t God who did it. Rather, it was Satan, working in concert with wicked men bent on destruction, who did it. The Bible tells us that “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19 NKJV).
But it’s also a reminder that when a tragedy happens, we don’t necessarily have to determine whether it means it’s the judgment of God. In the New Testament Book of Luke, for instance, Jesus referred to a tower in Siloam that fell on 18 people and killed them.
He said, “Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too” (Luke 13:4–5 NLT). The Jews were thinking the reason the tower fell on those people was because they were non-Jews. But Jesus was saying they had it all wrong. The people who died weren’t the worst sinners in Israel.
Horrible things happen in this world that we’re living in, and the point Jesus was making is that we are all sinners. When you get down to it, every one of us deserves the judgment of God. In fact, the Scriptures say, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22 NKJV).
Tragedy Happens to Christians and Nonbelievers Tragedies can happen to Christians as well as non-Christians. When a Christian dies in an accident or gets cancer, that doesn’t mean God is not in control or has failed them somehow. Nor does it mean that God is judging them. It simply means that death is a result of the curse of sin upon humanity. We all die. We all will have our lives on Earth come to an end one day.
Nothing happened to those people in the World Trade Center or on board those flights or in the Pentagon that will not happen to every other person eventually. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).
If you’re a Christian, you have hope, because you will go immediately into the presence of the Lord when you die. But everyone will die.
What if you died today? Where would you spend eternity? Or, what if the Rapture took place tonight? Would you be ready to meet the Lord, or would you be among those who are left behind?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ personally, if you haven’t asked Him to forgive you of your sins, I hope you’ll do that right now.
Jesus, speaking of end times events, said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV).
Jesus is coming soon. In light of this, how should we be living? Jesus went on to say, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly” (verse 34 NKJV).
In other words, look at the way you’re living. You don’t want to be doing something that’s displeasing to God. Be sure that your life is right with him.
How to Know Jesus
Question: How do Stacie and Carrie know they'll go to Heaven?
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never leave you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.
Answer: It's not because of what they've done or who they are. It's because Jesus lives in them. Anything good in them is because of Jesus in them. They know God and His love in a personal way. They've followed what God said in His book: the Bible. They invited Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. You, too, can know God. Yes, He really does love you!
Take His Word for it:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. -John 3:16 (NKJV) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard.-Rom. 3:23 (NLV) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us... -Rom. 3:25 (NLV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Rom. 10:9 (NKJV)
Understand that God loves you with infinite love! God is good, holy and righteous and we fall short of His perfection. So we need a Mediator, Jesus, who lovingly took our punishment for all our mistakes.
Believe that Jesus is God's Son that took your punishment. He took your punishment for all your sins (anti-God ways) and that He rose from the dead for you, __________.
Repent (turn away from) your sins (anti-God ways) and submit yourself to Him as your Lord.
Receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Talk to God and give your life to Jesus.
Pray from your heart. If it helps, pray something like this:
God, I understand now...You sent Jesus to share Your love and make it possible for me to be Yours. Please forgive me for all my sins. Jesus, I believe you took my punishment on the cross and that you rose from the dead for me personally. I turn away from doing things "my way" and ask that You rule my life, Jesus. I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I put my trust in You not in the things I do. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Welcome into God's family! You are now His! Get connected with a loving, Bible-based church, enjoy the supreme joy of being baptized, and savor the Savior's love forever! Read the Bible. (If you don't have one, start reading the Gospel of John by clicking here.)
He'll never leave you. He'll never die. He'll never change. He loves you! Enjoy loving and obeying Jesus and experiencing His love forever and ever! If you'd like prayer or more information, e-mail us anytime.