by Bill Martin         "The opposite of fear is faith", pastor said. Those words echoed in my head as I left the church. All day long I felt a call to be there. It was for just me, a moment of silence. Some time to be with God. I didn't really have any questions or really anything to say. I just wanted to be with God for a moment. Fear was not a part of me but I still cried. I cried to all of those lost and for my weaknesses.

       I'm not such a morning guy. So I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, watched my 10-year old get on the bus, and whisked off to school. There were a few words from the neighbors while the bright morning sun beat down. What I needed was a hot cup of tea to get me going.

       Back inside the house, hot tea in hand, along with the morning paper, the phone rang. In a shaken voice my wife said, "Turn on the TV now". What could be this important?

       I walked slowly over to the television, grabbed the remote and clicked away. The World Trade Center was burning. I didn't understand what was happening. Then out of the corner of the screen I saw the second plane crash into the other tower. Nothing I was watching made any sense.

       Dear God, what is happening?

       Remarks by the President Upon Arrival at Barksdale Air Force Base Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana

        "I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families

The resolve of our great nation is being tested. But make no mistake: We will show the world that we will pass this test. God bless."

       With so many people praying for the first time, others for the first time in a long time and moved into places of worship, I wanted to go back and again read the words of our founding fathers. What is this nation all about?

        "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shall not fight alone. God presides over the destinies of nations. The battle is not to the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, ALMIGHTY GOD! Give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry of the Constitutional Convention

        "A general dissolution of Principles and Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader . . . If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security. "Samuel Adams, 1779

        "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible" President George Washington, September 17th, 1796

       And finally in a child's simple letter to God,

        "Dear God, I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well, I just want You to know but I am not just saying that because You are God already."-Charles

       God Bless America!

Bill Martin is a multiple winner of Emmy and Associated Press Awards for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. He was also inducted into the Ohio Television/Radio Hall of Fame in 1999.