Thought for October 8

 History:

• 451: Council of Chalcedon
• 1860: Telegraph line between LA and San Francisco opens
• 1871: Forest fire destroys Peshtigo Wisconsin killing between 1200-2500 people
• 1871: Great Chicago Fire destroys 4 square miles and kills 300
• 1906: First permanent wave for hair demonstrated in London
• 1918: Alvin York kills 25 German soldiers
• 1933: Coit Tower dedicated in San Francisco
• 1942: Albert & Costello radio show begins
• 1945: Microwave oven patented
• 1957: Dodgers announce  move to LA
• 2001: Office of Homeland Security founded
• 2004: Martha Stewart begins serving 5 month sentence
• 2020: FBI charges 13 men for plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor
• Born: Frank Duryea [first auto built in US], Eddie Rickenbacker, Jim Eliot [missionary], Pepper Rodgers, Paul Hogan [Crocodile Dundee], Jesse Jackson, Chevy Chase, Johnny Ramone, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Elliott, CeCe Winans, Matt Damon, Bruno Mars, Bubba Wallace
• Died: John Hancock, Franklin Pierce, Willy Brandt, Al Davis [Raiders], Roger Williams [pianist], Paul Prudhomme [chef], YA Tittle, Whitey Ford, 

Today is the anniversary of Jim Eliot's birthday. Jim was a missionary to Ecuador. Jim was born in Portland Oregon listening to stories of missionaries travels. He left for Ecuador in February 1952, spent a year in Quito learning Spanish then moved to Shandia to minister to the Quichuas. After 3 years of successful work among the Quichuas, Jim decided to try and reach the Aucas, the enemies of the Quichuas. For several months, gifts were dropped to the Aucas by plane and speakers on the plane were used to speak friendly words to the tribe. Finally the Acuas placed a gift for the pilot in a bucket lowered to the ground. Jim thought the time had come to meet the Acuas in person. Five missionaries landed and spent 6 days on a beach hoping to tell the people about Jesus. On day 2, a man and two woman came and shared a meal although communication was difficult. On day six two women appeared, but when Jim went to meet them, warriors attacked with spears and all 5 missionaries were killed. Operation Auca appeared to be a failure. But less than 2 years later, Elisabeth Eliot and her daughter Valerie and Rachel Saint [sister of the pilot who was killed] returned to the Aucas and many accepted Christ. The movie "Through Gates of Splendor" tells this story. In my Bible is a quote from Jim Eliot--"It is no fool who gives up everything he can't keep for something he cannot lose." 

Thought:

Perhaps 1 Kings 8:56 is appropriate for Jim Eliot's birthday--"Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promises, which He promised through Moses His servant." 

Most of you know that the first thing I try and say every morning is "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." [Psalm 118:24] Maybe I should add this statement by Solomon because every day is a battle to believe and claim the promises God has made to us. So perhaps I should remind myself of those promises every day and then say--not one word has failed of any of God's promises. For all the promises of God are yes and amen in Jesus. Think about what the day would be like if I had those promises, believed those promises, relied on those promises without fear or doubt--joy and peace would reign in my heart and mind all day. 

So today, let's try that--God has made many precious promises to me. Not one word of those promises has failed or will ever fail. In Christ all of God' promises are confirmed and fulfilled. I choose today to believe that, to live like I believe that, and to tell others about those promises. It will be a great day. 

Blessings

Larry