Recently I received an email from Milton Slater. Milton wrote about a man from Norfolk, Virginia and how on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001, he called a local radio station.
His name was Robert Matthews. Robert reported that a few weeks before Sept. 11th, that he and his wife found out they were going to have their first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, they prayed that God would grant her a safe trip. Shortly after Robert said 'amen,' they both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. By the time they had stopped and replaced a blown out tire they had missed her flight. Shortly after they returned home, they received a call from Robert's father who was retired NYFD. He asked what his daughter-in-law's flight number was. He informed Robert that the flight she missed was the one that crashed into the southern tower. He also shared that he was going to help. He said, "This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something."
His name was Robert Matthews. Robert reported that a few weeks before Sept. 11th, that he and his wife found out they were going to have their first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, they prayed that God would grant her a safe trip. Shortly after Robert said 'amen,' they both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. By the time they had stopped and replaced a blown out tire they had missed her flight. Shortly after they returned home, they received a call from Robert's father who was retired NYFD. He asked what his daughter-in-law's flight number was. He informed Robert that the flight she missed was the one that crashed into the southern tower. He also shared that he was going to help. He said, "This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something." Robert was concerned for his father's safety, of course, but more because his father had never given his life to Christ.
Before he got off of the phone, he said, "take good care of my grandchild." Those were the last words Robert ever heard his father say. He died while helping in the rescue effort. After receiving word that his father had died, Robert's joy over the safety of his wife quickly became anger. He was angry at God, at his father, and at himself.
Before he got off of the phone, he said, "take good care of my grandchild." Those were the last words Robert ever heard his father say. He died while helping in the rescue effort. After receiving word that his father had died, Robert's joy over the safety of his wife quickly became anger. He was angry at God, at his father, and at himself.
Several months later Robert reports that he was sitting at home with his wife and son, when there was a knock on the door. When Robert opened the door he saw a couple with a small child. The man looked at him and asked, "Was your father's name Jake Matthews. When Robert said, '"Yes", the visitor quickly grabbed his hand and said, "I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son."
He explained to Robert that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been trapped inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that Jake Matthews had been the one to find his wife and free her. He then said to Robert, "my wife has something else to tell you." His wife then told Robert that while his father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to faith in Christ. To this good news Robert shared, "Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that you will be able to thank him yourselves." To make the event even more exciting the couple shared that when their baby was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
Scriptural Guide: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures Forever." Psalm 136:1
Scriptural Guide: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures Forever." Psalm 136:1
8 comments:
this story is a beautiful story but it's just that a "story" not true. It's a common internet urban legend. There are a number of things in the story that don't add up. There doesn't seem to be any Jake or Jacob Mathews that died in 911. Also if the woman left from Northfolk Va that's 10 hrs away from Boston which is where the Actual flight that crashed left from. I think Jesus wants us to share inspirational stories not sentimental urban legends.
happyoliva: Although this story appears to be an "urban legend," the overall message of the story is what is really important. Jesus used "stories" called parables to relate his message.
Anyways, from my research on the internet, the "story" can neither be confirmed nor denied... only that through the retelling of the "story" some of the specifics may have been lost in translation.
Actually denied & proven no NYPD name of Jake Matthews in NYTC deaths was noted.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/j/jakematthews.htm
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_robert_matthews.htm
Not true..
In my search of the truth,of this story, I don't understand the obvious - why no one contacted the radio station!!
Philip, Olivia is right, we shouldn't repeat false stories (that claim to be true using detailed names, places and dates) even if they have a gospel message. This damages the credibility of the messenger and, unfortunately, the message. When Jesus told parables his listeners clearly understood these were teaching devices not historical accounts.
Probably because if they contacted the radio station, they would find out it is true, and let's be honest...there are very few people who want it to be true, because if it is true, there is a God who is in control. If Adonai is in control, then He has a right to tell us how we should live, and we will be held accountable for our actions. Whether this is a true story, or a parable of sorts, the message is the same. Adonai is in control, and His one and only son, Y'shua saves, both spiritually, as He did the father, and physically, as He did the wife. By the way, for those who are opposed to the story, because it's not known if it's true or not.....I recall one story told by Y'shua, about a poor man named Lazarus, and a rich man. Lazarus was eating the crumbs from the rich man's table. When he died, he went into Abraham's bosom, when the rich man died, he went to hell. To this day, pastor's debate whether this was a true story, or a parable. Both stories teach the wonderful truths of Yahweh's Word.....which is what He commands us to do....isn't it?
Shame on the author for telling lies. This story is an insult to the brave first responders who answered the call to help. One of the first clues was no family of a New York City firefighter would EVER call it NYFD. It is uniquely called FDNY. My brother was a FDNY Captain who was there that day. There was no one killed on 9/11 named Matthews. The author of this lie is a coward. The part that is shameful is the story starts "this is true."
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