watercress words by Dr Aletha

How we remember the Oklahoma City bombing

The Survivor Tree, an American elm, survived the blast and is part of the Memorial.What was once an ignored, unassuming urban tree is now an iconic symbol of hope.

At 9:02 am April 19, 1995 a bomb exploded at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, destroying the front side of the building, damaging several adjacent buildings, injuring 680 people, and killing 168 people, including 19 children.

Until September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil; it remains the worst domestic terrorist attack.

A memorial and museum now stand in silent tribute and remembrance.

ABOVE: The Reflecting Pool and Field of Empty Chairs; the museum entrance, and window overlooking the memorial

a chainlink fence with mementos-girl photo, teeshirts, wreaths, flag, toy

the chainlink fence displays mementos

a chainlink fence with mementos-stuffed dog, wreath, photo, plaque

a chainlink fence with mementos-wreath, photo, flag, ball cap

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.
mission statement of the memorial and museum

sections of the original building as they were immediately after the bombing, left standing as a reminder of the violence

There is a chair for each person who died that day, 168.

*The Survivor Tree, an American elm, survived the blast and is part of the Memorial.*

What was once an ignored, unassuming urban tree is now an iconic symbol of hope.
Museum website

a statue of Christ, hand covering His face — Jesus grieving at a church across the street

"We seek for the truth, we seek justice" — *words written on the remaining wall of the Journal Record Building, also damaged that day*

Tiles painted by children from all over the country, gifted to the museum, and displayed at the outside entrance.

The 9:03 Gate

The 9:01 Gate

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is privately funded. The memorial is free and open to the public. An admission is charged to tour the museum.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization that owns and operates the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

It does not receive any annual operating funds from the federal, state, or local government.

sharing the HEARTS of those we have lost to violence

Dr. Aletha

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The HEART of Easter

Modern choirs perform Messiah at Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. The lyrics of the songs in Messiah explore the HEART of the Bible with passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

Job 19:25

He is Risen-praise, honor, glory, power, king of kings-Hallelujah — graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, an affiliate link

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “

1 Corinthians 15:56-57

“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”

Dr. Handel and his son

I know families with multiple physicians, including parents, siblings, or children. My grandfather was a dentist, but he died before I was born. My sons had no interest in medicine and instead chose technology careers.

Georg Handel was a barber-surgeon in northern Germany in the 17th century. Barber-surgeons were physicians in medieval Europe who only performed surgery, often treating wounds from war injuries. Eventually, surgery and barbery became separate occupations.

His son George did not follow his father into medicine. Instead George Frideric Handel followed his HEART and studied music and eventually composed his masterpiece , Messiah, first performed in 1742, and presented countless times since then.

Modern choirs perform Messiah at Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. The lyrics of the songs in Messiah explore the HEART of the Bible with passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

The London Symphony Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah

Find Handel’s Messiah on iTunes.

The scripture references in this post are used as lyrics in songs from Messiah, including the song that brings the audience to its feet, Hallelujah.

Text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in the New Testament.

Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”
Revelation 11:15 reads, “And he shall reign for ever and ever.”

The kingdom of this world;

is become the kingdom of our Lord,

and of His Christ

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and Lord of lords

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah