Thought for November 30

 History:

  • 1215: Fourth Lateran Council ends--first use of "transubstantiation" regarding the Eucharist
  • 1782: Britain acknowledges US independence
  • 1864: Battle of Franklin begins
  • 1876: Mask of Agamemnon discovered at Mycenae
  • 1900: Front wheel drive automobile patented
  • 1938: Germany bars Jews from being lawyers
  • 1956: First use of videotape on television
  • 1971: "Brian's Song" airs for the first time
  • 1982: Michael Jackson releases "Thriller"
  • 1993: Jacksonville announced as 30th NFL franchise
  • 1993: "Schindler's List" premiers
  • 1995: Operation Desert Storm ends
  • 2004: Ken Jennings loses on Jeopardy
  • 2017: Longest recorded rainbow--8 hours 58 minutes
  • Born: Jonathan Swift, Oliver Winchester, Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Shirley Chisolm [first black Congresswoman], Joe B Hall, Dick Clark, G Gordon Liddy, Bill Walsh, Ridley Scott [Alien, Blade Runner], Bo Jackson
  • Died: FJA Hort [Bible scholar, worked on Greek translation that is the basis of most English New Testaments], Oscar Wilde, Zeppo Marx, James Baldwin ["Go Tell It on the Mountain], Tiny Tim, Evel Knievel, Jim Nabors, George HW Bush
Thought:
I have marked Psalm 34:12-14 in my Bible because it asks a great question: Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Is that a trick question? Who wouldn't like to live a long and full and good life? I think this is something we all would list as a goal or hope. Now notice what it doesn't ask--Who would like to live a life of wealth and ease? Who would like to live a carefree life? Who would like to live a life of position and power, or worldly recognition and fame? The question is--would you like to live, really live, a long and good life---not measured by the world's standards, but measured by what God defines as life and good. I think its Vineyard Vines that sells the "Life is good" shirts---God has those shirts too, but He has a totally different meaning for life and good. 

Here are the things that lead to a good life according to Psalm 34:
  • A tongue that does not follow evil. James reminds us of the power of the tongue like the rudder of a ship to direct us into good or evil. When I would start spouting off about what I was going to do, my Dad would say, "Son, your mouth is writing checks your body cannot cash." Took me a while to catch that. A good life controls the tongue and uses it to bless and not curse.
  • Lips that do not speak deceit. Why add this? The devil is the great deceiver--so lips that deceive are the devil's instrument. We color the story, slant the truth our way, fudge on the truth to get what we want. Want a good life---honesty, integrity, let your yes be yes.
  • Turning from evil. Another place the scripture says, flee from evil. When evil creeps up close, turn and run. 
  • Doing good. The good here is what God defines as good--love mercy, seek justice, walk humbly with God.
  • Seeking peace---really pursuing it. To the extent it depends on me, I want to be at peace with all men. This is not compromise, it is seeking shalom--the peace of God, the blessings of God for my enemy. Not peace as the world gives peace, but the peace that passes understanding--love those that persecute you.
Want to really live---here is a good place to start today--a tongue that blesses, lips that speak truth, body and mind that flee evil, and a heart that seeks peace. 

Blessings
Larry

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