Thought for Today

1864: Battle of Jonesboro GA  1881: First U.S. men's singles tennis championships 1888: Body of first victim of Jack the Ripper discovered--Mary Ann Nichol 1925: Margaret Meade arrives on Samoa 1946: Foghorn Leghorn premiers in "Walky Talky Hawky" 1965: Department of Housing and Urban Development established 1972: Olga Korbut wins Olympic Gold in beam and floor exercise 1997: Princess Diana dies 1997: Titans play first game in Tennessee--Liberty Bowl Born: Caligula, Maria Montessori, Alan Lerner, Itzak Perlman, Richard Gere, Larry Fitzgerald Died: Rocky Marciano, John Ford Thought: Yesterday we looked at the Word, scripture, the Bible. In chapter 4 of Second Timothy, Paul gives a rapid fire charge to Timothy. With the Bible as the instruction book, the Spirit as the guide and teacher, get busy working. Sometimes I get this out of order--begin working before reading the scripture and listening to the Spirit. I need t0 make sure to do it in the right way. In 4:1-8, Paul urg

  1146: Crossbow outlawed in Europe to end all wars 1682: William Penn leaves England 1963: Direct "hotline" installed between Washington and Moscow 1976: Tom Brokaw becomes anchor of "The Today Show" Born: Mary Shelley, Ted Williams, Cameron Diaz Died: Vera Ellen, Charles Bronson, Mikhail Gorbachev Thought: Reading a couple of familiar verses today--2 Timothy 3:16-17. Yesterday we looked at the characteristics of people living in the last days. Now Paul tells Timothy that he has been given a guide for godly living in the scriptures. Look at what Paul says about the Bible: ALL. All of us have our favorite passages, our life verses, passages that we memorized, verses underlined in the Bible. In fact, that is the exercise I have been following for months--go back to those scriptures I once underlined, marked or bracketed and explore again what they mean. And all of us have those passages or books of the Bible we never read, never study. Here Paul reminds us that ALL s

 1833: Britain abolishes slavery 1862: Second Battle of Bull Run 1898: Goodyear founded 1928: W.A. Criswell ordained 1967: 78 million watch the final episode of "The Fugitive" 2005: Second and third landfall of Katrina--1800 die, $115 billion in damages Born: John Locke, Eliot Gould, Robin Leach, Bob Beamon, Temple Grandin, Michael Jackson, Neil Gorsuch, Charlie "Bird" Parker, John McCain Died: Brigham Young, Lee Marvin, Archie Campbell, Gene Wilder, Ingrid Bergman [died on her birthday] Thought: Reading about the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. These verses were written to warn and prepare us for difficult and challenging times to come. And while we do not know when we are in the last days before Christ's return, we live in the last days. As we age we are close to our last days in the flesh. But these verses are also a challenge to me to examine my own life--have any of these things slipped into my life, have I conformed to the world rather than being transformed

  1837: Lea & Perrins begins manufacturing Worcester Sauce 1898: Caleb Bradshaw renames his soda drink--Pepsi Cola 1963: Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech 1968: Democratic convention in Chicago 1981: Reagan shot by John Hinckley Born: Goethe, Elizabeth Ann Seton [First American Catholic Saint], Ira Sankey, Jack Kelly [created X Men, Hulk, Spiderman, Captain America], Scott Hamilton, Shania Twain, Todd Eldredge,  Died: Augustine of Hippo, Frederick Law Olmstead,  Thought: Reading 2 Timothy 2:14-26 today.  Most of us remember this passage from 2:15-- be diligent to present yourself as one who does not need to be ashamed because you handle the word of truth accurately. Think about the implications of that statement. If you are not able to accurately handle the word of truth, you will be ashamed. This means we know the word of truth and are ready to present it accurately at the right time and in the right manner. Paul instructs Timothy on how to accurately and

 1498: Michelangelo commissioned to create the "Pieta." 1682: Edmund Halley first observes his comet 1874: 16 African American men seized from the Gibson County jail in Trenton Tennessee by mob of 80 white men. The prisoners were accused of shooting at two white men. Six prisoners were found riddled with bullets and the others at the bottom of the river--assailants never identified. 2016: Colin Kaepernick kneels during the National Anthem Born: Albert Sabin, Mother Teresa, Bradford Marsalis, Macaulay Culkin Died: Andrew Mellon, Charles Lindbergh, Ted Knight, Neil Simon Thought: Reading Second Timothy 2: 11-13 as I finish the week. Here are truths that I need to remember every day: Living with Jesus means dying with Jesus. I want all the riches of living with and for Jesus, but sometimes want to avoid the dying part--dying to self---sacrificing my wants and desires and conforming to His.  Reigning with Jesus means enduring with Him. I want to get the prize without waiting or e

325: Council of Nicaea ends with adoption of Nicene Creed 1609: Galileo demonstrates his first telescope 1875: First observed swimming of the English Channel 1950: Truman calls out military because of threatened railroad strike 1958: First packet of precooked instant noodles marketed [Chikin Ramen] 1968: Arthur Ashe is first African American to win U.S. Open 2017: Hurricane Harvey hits Texas Born: Ivan the Terrible, Leonard Bernstein, George Wallace, Althea Gibson, Sean Connery, Tim Burton, Allen Pinkerton, Ruby Keeler Died: James Watt, Michael Faraday [devout Christian who produced the first samples of liquid Chlorine and Ammonia and the developed the process for refrigeration; discovered benzene and electromagnetic induction], Friedrich Nietzsche, Neil Armstrong, John McCain, Truman Capote, Edward Kennedy,  Thought: Reading 2 Timothy 1-7. These letters to Timothy were written by a senior to his mentee, from the old soldier to the young soldier. Paul starts with grace---for by grace a

410: Rome overrun by the Visigoths--fall of the Roman Empire 1456: Printing of Gutenberg Bible completed 1662: Act of Conformity requires use of Book of Common Prayer--Puritans ousted from pulpits 1814: British capture Washington 1989: Pete Rose banned from baseball for life 2006: Pluto named a dwarf planet Born: Robert Herrick [Gather ye rosebuds while ye may], William Wilberforce [submitted bills to end slavery in Britain for 18 years], Yasser Arafat, Mike Shannahan, Cal Ripken Jr., Marlee Matlin Died: E.G. Marshall, Richard Attenborough, Isaac Backus [Baptist who fought for religious freedom in Massachusetts] Thought: Reading the first chapter of Second Timothy today, particularly 1:6-12. This passage includes truth that we all know. Paul is concerned that Timothy and Larry will be ashamed of the gospel causing us to shrink back when challenged, retreat when confronted, compromise rather than stand firm. So Paul gives instruction: Paul recalls the sincere faith with which Timothy wa

 79: Vesuvius begins eruption 1305: William Wallace executed 2005: Hurricane Katrina forms over the Bahamas Born: Gene Kelly, River Phoenix, Kobe Bryant, Barbara Eden,  Died: Rudolph Valentino, Bobby Bonds,  Thought: Chapter 6 of First Timothy is often preached, particularly on the subject of wealth, greed, riches. I think this chapter really answers the question, "what is real life." In 6:19, Paul ends by saying this teaching will allow me to take hold of, grasp, comprehend, understand what is real life. So what does Paul teach in this chapter? Want to know how to find and take hold of real life? Obey the words of Jesus leading to godliness [6:3-4] Accept only the doctrine presented by Jesus. Why? It is truth. Paul warns that when we try and devise our own doctrines we are acting conceited, not humble. We think we are God. In addition, creating our own doctrine leads us to start asking controversial questions and arguing about words. Boy, Paul knew what was going on in 2023-

1849: First air raid--Austria uses balloons against Venice 1864: First Geneva Convention signed by 12 nations. U.S. was not a signatory 1775: George III declares that the colonies are in open rebellion 1901: Cadillac Motors formed 1902: Teddy Roosevelt is first sitting president to ride in an automobile 1945: Viet Nam conflict begins as Ho Chi Minh leads a coup 1959: American Football League founded with Dallas, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York. 1966: The Beatles arrive in New York Born: Claude Debussy, Dorothy Parker, John Lee Hooker, Honor Blackman, Norman Schwarzkopf, Carl Yastrzemski, Bill Parcells Died: Huey Newton, Richard III, William Mackay ["Revive Us Again"] William McKay was the son of a pious mother who prayed for him and gave him a Bible with many passages underlined in hopes he would read and accept Jesus as his Savior. He sold the Bible for money to support his alcohol habit. Despite his drinking , he became a doctor. A laborer was brough

1831: Nat Turner, Baptist preacher, leads a rebellion 1858: First Lincoln-Douglas debate 1888: William Burroughs patents the adding machine 1911: "Mona Lisa" stolen from the Louvre; recovered in 1913 1942: The movie "Bambi" is released 1947: First Little League World Series 2012; Total eclipse seen in Nashville 2015: Three American Servicemen subdue Ayoub El Khazzani on a train from Amsterdam to Paris 1959: Hawaii becomes the 50th State Born: Count Basie, Jack Buck, Wilt Chamberlain, Kenny Rogers, Usain Bolt Died: Leon Trotsky, Ernest Thayer ["Casey at the Bat"],  Thought: Reading chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians today. Our associate pastor, Matt Longworth, preached from this passage and passages in Proverbs back in July--his topic was laziness. My New American Standard warns to be aloof from those who are "unruly," but the Christian Standard Bible says from those who are "idle." Read verses 6-15 with me. Notice: 3:6--the command here is di

1909: Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens 1934: First All-American Soap Box Derby Born: Charles Hires [root beer], Orville Wright, Coco Chanel, Malcolm Forbes, Gene Roddenberry [in addition to Star Trek, he flew 89 combat missions in WWII], Bill Clinton,  Died: Augustus Caesar, Blaise Pascal, Groucho Marx, Linus Pauling Thought: Well, I thought I had finished 1 Thessalonians yesterday, but one more verse caught my attention. "Faithful is He who calls you and He will bring it to pass." [5:24] Reading all the applications from yesterday made me feel inadequate, unproductive. As I examine where I am and compared it to Paul's instructions, I find a lot of room for improvement. This verse is an assurance and a promise that I need to recall every day. He is faithful. Every promise is true and I can secure my life on His promises. He never fails. He has the power and authority to do all He has said He will do. My future and hope, my joy and my peace, my today and my tomorrow all a

 1872: First mail order catalogue--A.M. Ward 1894: Bureau of Immigration created 1909: Mayor of Tokyo sends 2000 cherry trees to President Taft who plants them along the Potomac 1920: Harry Burn casts deciding vote as Tennessee approves the 19th amendment--woman's suffrage. Tennessee's approval ratified the amendment. 1968: James Meredith is the first black graduate of the University of Mississippi Born: Antonio Salieri, Virginia Dare [first English birth in America], Meriwether Lewis, Rosalyn Carter, Robert Redford, Shelley Winters, Roberto Clemente Died: Walter Chrysler, Elmer Bernstein, Genghis Khan,  Thought: Finishing 1 Thessalonians this morning reading 5:12-22. As with most of his letters, Paul ends with some applications for life---instructions for living. Appreciate  and esteem in love your leaders in the Lord. [5:12-13] We should pray daily for our pastors, elders, leaders of the faith. Pray for those that write Christian books and produce Christian movies. Pray for t

1890: First recorded ascent of Mt. Rainier 1891: Electric self-starter for automobile patented 1903: Joe Pulitzer donates $1 million to Columbia University to establish Pulitzer Prize 1945: Korea divided along the 38th parallel 1957: Richie Ashburn hits Alice Roth twice with foul balls--one breaks her nose, second hits her on the stretcher 1969: Hurricane Camille hits the Gulf Coast killing 259 1998: Bill Clinton admits an "improper relationship" with Monica Lewinsky Born: Mae West, Robert De Niro, Davy Crockett, Leslie Groves [led the Manhattan Project] Died: Frederick the Great, Ira Gershwin, Rudolph Hess, Billy Friske [first American killed in action in WWII] Thought: All of us are familiar with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. Many of us have heard these verses used during a funeral service. The church at Thessalonica anticipated that Christ would return soon and was concerned about those that might die before Christ returned. Paul wants to comfort and encourage them. In 4:13-1

 1896: Gold first discovered i the Klondike 2008: Usain Bolt sets world record in the 100 meters to win Beijing Olympics Born: T.E. Lawrence, Menachem Begin, James Cameron, Madonna, Steve Carell Died: Babe Ruth, Margaret Mitchell, Bela Lugosi, Elvis Presley [maybe], Aretha Franklin Thought:  Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 this morning. Paul is praying that his long planned return to Thessalonica will happen soon. In the meantime, he prays that the Lord will cause the church to increase and abound in love for each other and for all men so that the Lord can establish their hearts holy and blameless at the coming of Jesus. Think about that for a moment this morning. The Lord wants me to be holy and blameless at His coming. The means to that end are to pour out love through me in an increasing flow of love. God wants to use me as a conduit of His love to the world--both the church and those that are lost. It seems to me that there are two things necessary for me to flow out an increasing

 1792: Formal abolition of the French Monarchy 1922: Warren G Harding signs a joint resolution approving the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine 1936: Francisco Franco named Supreme Commander and Generalissimo 1937: "The Hobbit" is published 1949: Communist proclaim the People's Republic of China 1982: NFL players go on strike--lasts 57 days Born: Larry Hagman, Stephen King, Bill Murray, Faith Hill Died: Virgil, Jacqueline Susann Thought: From Innsbruck Austria Reading Hebrews 11:8-10 today--the faithfulness of Abraham. Here is what I notice: Abraham heard God's call and obeyed. What a simple statement! He was called by God and answered "yes." Sounds like Isaiah. God asks "who will go for me and who shall I send." Isaiah answers, here am I Lord, send me. Now Isaiah and Abraham have a lot in common. God does not detail the assignment, tell them where they will be going, how they will get there, what they will encounter until they say yes

  1620: Mayflower sets sail from England with 102 Pilgrims 1635: First recorded North American hurricane hits Plymouth Colony 1911: Crisco shortening unveiled by P&G 1914: Panama Canal opens 1969: Woodstock opens in Bethel NY Born: Napoleon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Child, Melinda Gates Died: MacBeth, Wiley Post, Will Rogers,  Thought: Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 this morning. Paul is telling the church at Thessalonica that he thanks God for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope. Paul is writing from Corinth so it should not surprise me that he is thinking about faith, hope and love--the focus of 1 Corinthians 13. The first thing I notice is that the presence of these three characteristics in the life of the church was founded on "God's choice of you."  If you are in Christ this morning, chosen and beloved by Him, what should your heart and soul look like today. If Jesus performed a CT scan on my heart today, what would He find?  Would

  1945: VJ Day Born: Doc Holliday, Steve Martin, Gary Larson ["Far Side"], Halle Berry, Mike Vrabel, Magic Johnson Died: David Farragut ["Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead"], William Randolph Hearst Thought: Looking at Colossians 3:17 and 3:23 which I have underlined. Today I am focused on the fact that both verses say "whatever." Last Friday we considered verse 17, today look at 23.  Whatever work you are doing, do it heartily as for the Lord, not for men. What work do you have planned for today? This verse is written in the context of a slave working for a master. We often hear sermons using this verse to describe our work for our earthly bosses--give them a full days work, honestly, sincerely. But Paul repeatedly calls himself a bond-servant of Christ--a slave, owned by the most loving and gracious Master. So when I read this verse I think about my work for the Lord--do I approach it heartily? "Heartily" can mean fully, completely, entirely

  1658: First police force in America formed--New Amsterdam [NYC] 1851: First America's Cup Race; Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine 1865: Joseph Lister performs first antiseptic surgery 1908: First Model T produced 1927: The movie "Wings" opens--one of two silent films to win an Oscar 1930: Clarence Birdseye patents process for quick freezing 1981: IBM introduces the first personal computer Born: Cecil B. DeMille, George Soros, Jane Wyatt, Pete Sampras Died: Cleopatra, William Blake, George Stephenson [father of the railroad], Loretta Young, Lauren Bacall, Henry Fonda,  Anne Heche Thought: Chapter 3 of Colossians has been said to be a refrain: If you have been raised with Christ, or since you have been raised with Christ, how should you live. Paul gives several short answers to this question. To get the full effect, a commentator suggested that before each of the following commands, we first say, "Since I have been raised with Christ." Consider my flesh de

 1866: First roller rink opens--Newport RI 1919: Curly Lambeau founds the Green Bay Packers 1956: Elvis releases "Don't Be Cruel" 1965: Watts riots begin 1988: Al-Qaeda formed 2008: Airnb founded Born: Alex Haley, Steve Wozniaki, Hulk Hogan, Chris Hemsworth Died: Andrew Carnegie, Herb Brooks [Miracle on Ice], Robin Williams, Jackson Pollock, Lowell Mason [tune for "Nearer My God to Thee," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "My Faith Looks Up to Thee"] Thought: Reading Colossians 2 this morning. Paul is concerned that the church be deluded or deceived about their salvation in Christ [2:4, 8]. He doesn't want the church or us to be deluded by a persuasive argument or deceived by philosophy or empty deception. Think about that. Deluded means believing something that is not real or true. Paul does not want us to be tricked by hearing an argument that is based on things that are not real or not true. Think about the arguments you hear today--

612 BC: Nineveh falls to the Babylonians 70: Temple set fire by Titus  610: Date Muhammad said to begin receiving the Quran 1675: Cornerstone of Royal Observatory in Greenwich laid 1787: Mozart completes "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" 1793: Louvre officially opens as the Museum des Arts 1846: Congress passes Act creating the Smithsonian Institution Born: Henri Nestle, Herbert Hoover, Antonio Banderas, Joe Cimino Died: Robert Goddard, Isaac Hayes, Estes Kefauver, Joseph Scriven ["What a Friend We Have in Jesus"], William Walsham ["For All the Saints"] Thought: Thinking about Colossians 1:27 this morning and really just a phrase--"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Paul says that this is a mystery "manifested" to the saints. Manifested means made visible, proved with evidence, made clear or open to perception. In Jesus, God has revealed and provided clear evidence that our hope of glory is in Christ and in Him alone.  Paul says that in order to

1483: Sistine Chapel opens in the Vatican  1898: Rudolph Diesel patents internal combustion engine--the diesel 1945: "Fat Man" dropped on Nagasaki Japan 1974: Nixon resigns 2012: Usain Bolt wins 200 meters in London Olympics becoming first to win 100/200 meters in back to back Olympics Born: Whitney Houston, Bob Cousy, Rod Laver, Brett Hull Died: Trajan, Sharon Tate, Jerry Garcia, Dmitri Shostakovich Thought: Colossians 1:15-23 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible because it describes the incomparable, incredible, indescribable Jesus. Just let your mind focus this morning on Jesus--how would you describe Him? What names would you apply to Him? What does Paul say? Jesus is the image of God [1:15]. We cannot see God. Concepts are difficult for me, especially those that exist outside the physical world. What does love look like? The Bible says God is love. When Jesus came in the flesh, He tried to show us, reveal to us what God looks like and how God acts. When Christ com

1805: First African American Baptist Church is organized in Boston 1844: Brigham Young selected to succeed Joseph Smith 1898: Will Kellogg invents corn flakes  1974: Nixon announces he will resign at noon on August 9 Born: Dustin Hoffman, Roger Federer,  Mel Tillis Died: Patricia Neal, Glen Campbell, Olivia Newton-John, Fay Wray Thought: This morning read Paul's prayer over the church at Colossae in Colossians 1:9-12. These verses are all marked up in my Bible. It is a prayer I have prayed for my class, for my church, and for others. I even pray it for myself. This morning pray this prayer--Lord God Fill me with the knowledge of Your will for me today [1:9]. Give me the wisdom that only You can provide and allow me to understand all that You want me to know about You, about Your plan, about what pleases You. Fill me so much with Your will that my will and Yours are identical. Help me walk worthy of Christ [1:10]. Let me live a life worth the price you paid.  Let me bear fruit [1:10

1771: Francis Asbury volunteers to go to America when John Wesley asked, "Who is willing to go over and help" our brethren in America. He had a 45-year ministry for the Methodist Church traveling 300,000 miles by horseback 1782: Washington creates the Badge of Military Merit, now the Purple Heart 1990: Operation Desert Shield begins 2010: Jerry Rice inducted into the Hall of Fame Born: Mata Hari, Louis Leakey, Charlize Theron Died: Oliver Hardy, Peter Jennings Thought: Philippians 4:8-20 are so rich and in them we find several scriptures that many of us quote regularly. In it we find a secret revealed. How can I be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in? [4:11] Paul suggests how to be content always: Focus your mind on the right things [4:8]. As a person thinks, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7] We are renewed by the renewing of our minds. [Romans 12:1-2] Here Paul tells us that if we want to be content even when hungry or suffering need, we should think about the right t

1305: William Wallace captured 1864: Admiral David Farragut yells, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" at the Battle of Mobile Bay  1884: Cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty laid 1914: First electric traffic light installed 1936: Jesse Owens wins his third gold medal at the Berlin Olympics 1957: "American Bandstand" premiers on network TV Born: Neil Armstrong, Herb Brooks, Maureen McCormick, Patrick Ewing Died: Richard Burton, Alec Guiness Thought: Reading Philippians 4:6-7 this morning. All of us are anxious at some time in life. Anxiety is defined as painful uneasiness about an anticipated ill; disquieted over a future event or the unknown. The English word comes from a root that means to cause pain or choke. Anxiety is worry that becomes obsessive and often causes physical symptoms. Paul says that when circumstances, fears, worries attack us, disturb our peace, disquiet us, here is what we should do--pray with thanksgiving. Interesting that Paul would add &qu

1693: Dom Perignon invents champagne  1790: U.S. Coast Guard founded 1821: William Blair, Presbyterian minister, begins a 2500 mile horseback ride lasting 12 months during which he establishes 61 Sunday Schools, revives 21 more, and encourages 35 in six states from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Later writes an apology to the Sunday School Union for doing so little. 1944: Anne Frank arrested 1956: Elvis releases "Hound Dog" 1958: First Billboard Hot 100 published--Ricky Nelson at #1 with "Poor Little Fool" Born: Louis Armstrong, Barack Obama, Roger Clemens, Meghan Markle Died: Hans Christian Andersen, Marilyn Monroe Thought: Reading Philippians 3:12-16. Another familiar passage. Here is what I see today: I'm not there yet. Yesterday we looked at putting knowing Christ ahead of everything else--placing more value on it than anything. Yesterday, we thought about sharing in His suffering and being conformed to His death and saying, knowing Him in those was was of

  1492: Columbus sets sail from Spain 1829: Rossini's "William Tell Overture" premiers 1852: First intercollegiate sporting event--Harvard v. Yale in rowing 1881: First U.S. immigration law 1921: 8 White Sox banned from baseball for life 1943: George Patton slaps a private 2019: 22 killed in Walmart shooting in El Paso Born: Elisha Otis, John Scopes, Tony Bennett, Tom Brady Died: Joseph Conrad, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Thought: Yesterday we decided to put no confidence in the flesh, but to place all our confidence in God. In chapter 3 of Philippians, Paul recites all the reasons he should have confidence in the flesh [3:4-7]. A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the 8th day, a zealous Pharisee, blameless under the Law. Then Paul makes a profound statement, a statement that often eludes me in both thought and action---I count everything I have in my flesh, all my achievements, all my good deeds--I count them all as garbage. Now Paul tells us these things are not ga

 1776: Formal signing of the Declaration of Independence 1790: First U.S. census--3,939,214 1937: Marijuana becomes illegal in U.S. 1973: "American Graffiti" premiers Born: Pierre L'Enfant, Frederic Bartholdi, Myrna Loy Died: Wild Bill Hickok, Enrico Caruso, Alexander Graham Bell, Warren G Harding Thought: Looking at the first three verses of Philippians 3 today. I have underlined a couple of things in these verses. In verse one, I have underlined "rejoice in the Lord." Then if verse 3, I underlined "put no confidence in the flesh." Today, I am thinking about these two concepts. Rejoice in the Lord. In the Old Testament the word for "rejoice" expressed a temporary  and spontaneous jubilation caused by an external stimulus that required some type of external act. So the people would rejoice at God's actions and blessings, but often only temporarily. And the rejoicing was accompanied by an external celebration.  In the New Testament, rejoic

 1774: Joseph Priestly "discovers" oxygen 1831: London Bridge opens replacing the original completed in 1209. 1944: Adam Clayton Powell becomes the first African American Congressman 1966: Charles Whitman kills 16 and wounds 31 from a tower at the University of Texas 1972: Woodward and Bernstein publish their first article on Watergate Born: William Clark, Jerry Garcia, Herman Melville Died: Anne Stuart, Calamity Jane, Mark Antony Thought: Yesterday, I was thinking about the if/then of my life. In Philippians 2: 3-11, Paul describes the "then" of a life in Christ. If I claim to be in Christ, then I should have His attitude, His humility. So Paul says: Regard one another as more important that yourself. [2:3] Christ lived and died for others. So if I am following Him, I regard others needs above mine. Well, that doesn't sound like fun; but think for a moment. If other Christians are regarding your needs as more important than theirs, what happens. Well read Acts