Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning? 9/11 Tribute

Departing from my customary practice, this week, I do not celebrate the "song of the week" sung at Gateway. Rather, I publish herewith the text of Alan Jackson's tribute to 9/11, "Where were You when the World Stopped Turning?" I put together a presentation over the song. For a copy of the presentation go to the following link.

9/11 Tribute - PowerPoint

If you can't get the musical background, go to my Facebook page and download it.

For a YouTube of Alan Jackson's premier of the song, see:
Alan Jackson Video


Of 9/11, Dr. Charles Stanley observed:

When Foundations are Shaken

By Dr. Charles Stanley

"One decade ago, the United States of America experienced a massive attack by terrorists. Our people were shaken by the realization that the country is not as safe as we once thought.

"Of course, it grieved me to learn of the events that occurred and the lives that were tragically lost. But at the same time, the horrible situation led to some positive outcomes. For example, our nation unified and people served with courage and selflessness.

"One of the biggest benefits, I believe, was that many of us realized our great dependence upon God. Safety in this world is an illusion. Sadly, the peace and blessing we have experienced in America has led to much complacency and self-dependence. Sometimes we need to be shaken out of our forgetfulness and into reliance upon Jesus Christ.

"Just listening to the news these days can rattle our sense of well-being. There is always something unsettling taking place. But as believers, we should look at life from a biblical perspective. We are children of the living God, not people who seek security only in the natural, secular world. Our hope and refuge is firm: through Jesus Christ, our relationship with the Lord is eternal. Everything else we possess could be destroyed in a moment.

"Worldly circumstances—natural disasters, wars, and assorted turmoil—may have an effect on everyone, but they can't control the believer's heart. Let your hope rest in Christ alone. Only by finding security in the arms of Almighty God can you remain unshaken in times of uncertainty.”

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NASB)

The Unshaken Kingdom

 ²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. ²⁶ And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for our God is a consuming fire.

Follows text of the song.

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" Story of the Song

“How deep the Father's love for us,” by Stuart Townsend, The Story of the Song

Stuart Townsend is a British Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include "In Christ Alone" (2002, co-written with Keith Getty, Townsend's first collaboration with any other songwriter),"How Deep The Father's Love For Us"(1995), "Beautiful Saviour" and "The King Of Love".

 In 2005, Cross Rhythms magazine described Townsend as "one of the most significant songwriters in the whole international Christian music field".  The Christian website Crosswalk.com commented that, "the uniqueness of Townsend’s writing lies partly in its lyrical content. There is both a theological depth and poetic expression that some say is rare in today’s worship writing". This theological depth runs in the family.

Townsend, son of a Church of England vicar in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was the youngest of four children. He studied literature at the University of Sussex. Townsend started learning to play the piano at age 7. At the age of 13, he made a Christian commitment, and began songwriting at age 22. He has led worship and performed events across the world, at many conferences and festivals.

The depth of “How Deep” derives from Ephesians 3:14-19 wherein the Apostle Paul declares:

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

There is more to the depth aspect than the theological depth of Stuart Townsend. Townsend’s touching anthem points to the depth of God's love for us, that He would sacrifice His only son to save us, and to Christ’s love that he would willingly submit. The song is a powerful reminder that "His wounds have paid my ransom."

The Prince of Prophets, Isaiah fore spoke of this depth of both suffering and love in Isaiah 53:3-5.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.  Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

The prophesy finds its fulfillment in the passion narrative recorded in all four Gospels.

Angela Mackey observes of both the song and the depth of Christ’s love: 

My eyes pricked with tears – tears seem to come frequently – as I choked out the words to the song. Grateful, humbling, overwhelming tears. The kind that come from deep joy, deep sorrow, and the awe of amazing grace. The joy that God would save me, the sorrow that my sin would cost Him so much, and the awe that He gave it all for me. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us we sang while taking the bread and the cup. Reminders of what He did for us. His body broken, His blood shed, to make “a wretch His treasure.” 

Hear a YouTube video presentation at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV2zMZ-nZ7k

Lyrics: How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)