Looking At The Future With Hope by Dr. Eugene Habecker (NAPSA)—Those wholive in New York know the world will not be the same after Sept. 11. That’s true of us at the American Bible Society, a Christian organization dedicated to distributing the Scriptures. We’ve done this, without doctrinal note or comment and at a price all can afford, for more than 185 years. Many around the world share a sense of fear and foreboding about the future, OUR SHELTER AND STRENGTH not knowing even about today. The good news that we Habecker promote at the American Bible Society is that we serve a God of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Since Sept. 11 we at the American Bible Society, headquartered at 61st and Broadwayin the heart of New York City, have been more dedicated than ever to our mission of spreading this good news. Dr. Eugene More than a million Scripture Portions in English and Spanish have been distributed, in particular reaching New Yorkers and those in the Washington, D.C. area who were directly affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. One of the Portions, titled God is Our Shelter and Strength, features a cover photograph of three New York firefighters standing in front of the stark remnants of the World Trade Center. Inside are excerpts from the Bible, offering support for the troubled. We spread the word in the aftermath of this crisis through newspaper ads that provided Scripture quotes for the bereaved and the frightened. Radio public service announcements also spread the messageof consolation. In addition, our Scriptures Portions were distributed directly by American Bible Society staff to rescue workersat the World Trade Center and to New Yorkers on the streets. Many Scripture Portions adorned the makeshift shrines that memorialized the victims and have become a common sight around Manhattan. Words ofComfort and Hopefromthe Bible The American Bible Society began in 1816 to make the Scrip- tures easily available to everyone. It distributes millions of Scriptures each year. And the work will continue until everyone has the Word of God in a form they can easily understand. Despite our sadness at this time, the words of the Scriptures remind us that God is involved in our future. “At the time I have decided, my words will cometrue. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting. It will happen!” (Habakkuk 2.3, Contemporary English Version.) If you would like to assist with the work of ministering to the soul of the nation, call (212) 408-1200 or see the ABS Web site at www.americanbible.org. e Dr. Eugene B. Habecker, Presi- dent of the American Bible Society, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Temple University School ofLaw. He also is a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. His syndicated radio broadcast, The Open Book,is carried on radio stations across the U.S. Dr. Habeckeris the author of dozens of articles and four books.
