Thought for July 31, 2024

• 1792: Cornerstone for the US Mint in Philadelphia  is laid. First US public building.
• 1912: Movies and photos of prize fighting are banned as immoral and violent.
• 1922: First water skis are used on a lake in Minnesota
• 1928: First women's Olympic track event--Elizabeth Robinson wins 100 meters.
• 1936: Gold plates with the name "King Darius" discovered. 
• 1970: Last day of official rum ration in the British Navy--started in 1740.
• 1973: Delta flight hits seawall in Boston and 89 die, sole survivor dies 5 moths later
• 1991: Senate votes to allow women to fly combat missions
• 2012: Michael Phelps wins his record 19th Olympic Medal and 15th gold
• Born: Milton Friedman, JK Rowling, Wesley Snipes, Hank Bauer, Evonne Goolagong, Sebastion Kresge, Curt Gowdy, Bill Callahan [coach], Mark Cuban, Zac Brown, World's only known spotless Giraffe born in Limehouse Tennessee
• Died: Andrew Johnson, Charles Hires [root beer], Bill Russell, Ayman al-Zawahiri [planned 9/11 attacks, killed by drone], Franz Liszt, Mitch Miller, Gore Vidal, 

Thought:

Well, I am back in Mark today thinking about 3 verses, 6:30-32. Monday we looked at Jesus sending out the disciples in pairs. These three verses describe their return. Here is what I am thinking about:

• The disciples gathered with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. We know that Jesus already knew what they had done and taught, but they gathered to report. Think about your day today. Tonight when you are ready for bed, what if we sat down with Jesus and reported all we had done and taught. Would He be proud of our report? Would there be some things I did not want to report? Would He have some questions about my report? As a parent have you ever sat down with your children or grandchildren and asked--tell me what you did today? Why would you ask? Because you loved them and were interested in their lives. Because you wanted to help them deal with issues they may have encountered. because you wanted to assure them of your love no matter what. Just because you wanted to know them better. Now why did Jesus ask them to report---probably for many of the same reasons. Maybe this is a good habit for us to get into--reporting to Jesus about our day.
• They gathered in a lonely place. I notice that they were in a lonely place, but that they were not alone. They gathered in a lonely place so they could focus on their communication with Jesus. So, I need to find a lonely place, a quiet place, to talk to Him and listen to Him. He often speaks in a still, quiet voice. I need to shut out the din of the world and listen. He wants to look me in the eye, so I need to get away from distractions and focus my attention on Him. But thank the Lord, the place was lonely, but they were not alone. Loneliness is a real issue for many people. Some feel alone because they are ignored, isolated. Some feel lonely even in the middle of a crowd. With Jesus, we are never alone. No matter the place, no matter the circumstance, He is with us. 

These verses make me think about a different context. When we gather together as brothers and sisters and share our lives, celebrate our blessings, pray for each other in our distress, we are gathering with Him. There is a special power, a unique spirit when we come together to share life. Thank you Lord for the body of Christ. 

Blessings

Larry