Thought for August 19

History:

• 1692: Five people hanged during Salem Witch Trials [19 total]
• 1909: Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens
• 1934: First All-American Soap Box Derby
• 1960: Sputnik 5 carries 2 dogs, 2 rats, 40 mice, 1 rabbit and fruit flies into space and safely retunr them alive
• 1995: Shannon Faulkner quits after 5 days as first woman at the Citadel
•  2020: Apple is first company to be valued at $2 trillion
• Born: Seth Thomas [clocks], Charles Hires [root beer], Orville Wright, Coco Chanel, Ogden Nash, Malcolm Forbes, Gene Roddenberry [Star Trek], Frank McCourt [Angela's Ashes], Bill Shoemaker, Renee Richards, Bobby Richardson, Jill St. John, Fred Thompson, Edwin Hawkins [O Happy Day], Bill Clinton, Tipper Gore, Peter Gallagher, Morten Andersen, Kyra Sedgwick, Matthew Perry, Kirk Herbstreit, 
• Died: Augustus Caesar, Blaise Pascal, Groucho Marx, Linus Pauling, Tony Scott [Top Gun], Dick Gregory, 

Thought:

Well, we have chosen the right path, chosen the right prophets and now must choose the right foundation. Matthew 7:24-27. In the parable, both builders heard the teachings of Jesus. They both were hearers of the words. And both builders built houses. But one was a wise builder and one was a foolish builder and the results were very different. Notice the requirement to be a wise builder:

• Hear the words of Jesus and act upon them. [7:24] For the guys reading this, we are familiar with thi teaching. We are provided instructions for constructing or assembling something. We look at the instructions and say, "I got this." We then do the assembly or construction our own way only to discover that the project fails. Or we forget one step--a critical step. Or we end up with extra pieces. Ladies, you have the recipe, but then don't follow the directions--the steps are out of order, or you miss one ingredient. And the dish fails. Between the ages of 12 and 16 I did a lot of painting because it was a job I could do riding my bike to the job site. I recall being asked to shellac the trim in my aunt's house one summer--natural wood finish. I was told to be sure and open the widows, but it was really hot and I decided I needed the air conditioning. Well, I got really sick about lunch time. I heard the instructions but did not put the words into practice and almost died. 
• Build on the rock. When I was with the 49er's, we were trying to build a new stadium at Candlestick Point next to the existing stadium. The Nashville stadium was being built about the same time and cost about $300 million. When the architects and contractor gave me the price, it was $600 million--why the difference? Well, the unions in California were one reason for higher costs, but not the main reason. We needed to drill a foundation over 200 feet deep to get to solid rock. To have a proper foundation required a tremendous additional expense. And then there were earthquakes--$100 million to provide the proper earthquake protection for the stadium. I learned then that having the proper foundation was essential, but also costly. Jesus is the rock, the firm foundation--and the foundation for our faith cost an unthinkable price--the blood of the Lamb. Jesus alone is the sure foundation for our lives--consider:
• Isaiah 28:16--God says He is placing a stone and whoever believes in that stone will not be shaken or disturbed. The stone is tested, proven by obedience to be the worthy stone. And the stone is costly, a price I could never pay. 
• Ephesians 2:20--Jesus Himself is the cornerstone of our faith--We align ourselves vertically with Him creating a right relationship with the Father, and we align ourselves horizontally with Him creating right relationships with others--the two great commandments--love God and love our neighbors.
• The foundation will be tested. The rains, floods and winds will come. Both builders faced the rains. This verse reminds me that Christians are not immune from trials and testing. We will have the storms of life, even floods that threaten to overwhelm us. Winds of doubt will try and shake us and cause us to fear--but the solid rock holds firm. And we sing "How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith in His excellent word . . .That soul though all hell shall endeavor to shake I'll never no never no never forsake."

Today, let's make sure we are firmly fixed on the foundation that is eternal and never fails. 

Blessings

Larry