Thought for October 28, 2024

  • 1492: Columbus sights Cuba
  • 1636: Harvard University founded to prepare ministers and religious educators
  • 1646: First Protestant church for American Indians established in Mass. 
  • 1726: "Gulliver's Travels" published
  • 1793: Eli Whitney patents cotton gin
  • 1831: Michael Faraday demonstrates his invention--an electirc generator
  • 1858: RH Macy opens a store on 6th Avenue NYC
  • 1867: Maimonides University is first Jewish college in the US
  • 1886: Statue of Liberty dedicated
  • 1900: Second Modern Olympic Summer Games ends after 5 months--no opening or closing ceremonies
  • 1919: Congress overrides President Wilson's veto and prohibition begins
  • 1965: Gateway Arch completed
  • Born: Erasmus, Eliphalet Remington [gun maker], Evelyn Waugh ["Brideshead Revisited"], Jonas Salk, Bowie Kuhn, Jim Beatty [1st sub-4 minute mile indoors], Charlie Daniels, Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Brad Paisley, Joaquin Phoenix
  • Died: John Wallis [introduced ♾️ as the symbol for infinite], John Locke, Abigail Adams, Edward Bouchet [first African American to receive a PHD in America], Helen Magill White [first woman to receive a PHD in the US], Red Auerbach, Porter Waggoner, James MacArthur [Hawaii Five-O], Jerry Lee Lewis, Matthew Perry
Thought:
Reading Romans 1:32 this morning. This verse comes at the end of Paul's summary of the fall of man. Man refused to acknowledge God and instead yielded to a depraved mind. Look at the result of a mind of fleshly desires--unrighteous, wicked, greedy, evil, envious, full of murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, arrogance, boastful, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful. The list reads like the news. But this morning I am looking at the phrase in verse 32--"they give hearty approval to those who practice them." In Christ we strive to allow the Spirit to produce His fruit--love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, self-control. But, do I approve of those that evidence depraved minds as described by Paul in 1:28-31? 

Do I like entertainers, politicians, leaders, athletes who display these qualities? Do I buy their wares, tickets, jerseys? Do I excuse their conduct because they promote or support some cause, idea, team that I like? Then I read 2:1--do I practice the same things? Am I greedy or generous? Do I have a heart of envy or contentment? Do I harbor anger that leads to malicious thoughts? Am I truly merciful and forgiving? Look down at 2:5--do I have a stubborn and unrepentant heart? Or am I selfishly ambitious [2:8]? Or am I doing good, honorable things with a goal of immortality and eternal life with God? 

These verses challenge me to consider who I admire, cheer for, support, but also to a time of self-assessment--do any of these vices corrupt my life? And then I read Jesus' sermon on the Mount and find out what murder really is, what adultery really means,  what true prayer and worship really are. Lord, help me love the things that You love and hate the things You hate. 

Blessings
Larry

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