Manchester, England is often associated with football, a.k.a. Europe’s soccer. However, today’s song comes from a group based in Manchester. LZ7 was founded by Lindz West in 2005. LZ7 uses Christian electronic dance to share their faith through hip music. While there are a couple of different versions of Perfect Day on You Tube, I selected the one with Lauren Olds.
And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out. 39 [So] He went throughout the whole of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons, Mark 1:38-39.
When you wake in the morning, everyone has aspirations for having the day of your life. Movies like Dead Poets Society point to the Latin expression Carpe Diem: seize the day. This is exactly what Jesus does in the passage above. Beginning his day with a walk and time in prayer, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus to the exact place where God wants his disciples to go. The rest is history and the first of many Perfect Days. Unfortunately, when a human being exercises their own free will via a school shooting, days and lives are forever ruined. May a spirit of prayer lift up all families impacted by today’s tragedy in Uvalde.
While most industries have been ravaged by the Coronavirus, Television Streaming Services have expanded and prospered. Although not every service has survived this competitive field, consumers can now decide what they watch and when daily. The days of waiting for your favorite show or series to air are over unless of course you want to watch a live sporting event. During a recent episode of Mystery at the Museum, I learned that a famous composer’s life was saved by a button on his tunic before he’d ever written a note.
He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed, 1 Peter 2:24.
George Frideric Handel was performing of one of Matheson’s operas, Cleopatra, in 1704. Playing with his best friend, composer Johann Mattheson, the two of them suddenly argued while on stage. This quarrel escalated into a sword fight, a duel to the death. Immediately, Mattheson quickly took control, placing Handel on the defensive. As the audience watched in amazement, Mattheson gave the final blow, striking Handel in the chest. However, as the sword was about to pierce Handel’s skin, a large button on his tunic intervened, snapping the tip of Mattheson’s sword. This wardrobe malfunction ended this duel and saved Handel’s life.
For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (the Bishop) of your souls, 1 Peter 2:25.
Whether you call this luck or divine intervention, George Frideric Handel now had the time to compose The Hallelujah Chorus. King George III was so moved by Handel’s Messiah he stood up during this piece, at the premiere. Most of Handel’s adult life was spent in London, England, offered a position by Queen Anne with the princely annual salary of £200. Composing The Messiah in 1741, a scriptural text was later compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible to enhance Handel’s piece. This amazing selection would have been never composed if it wasn’t for a large button strategically placed on George Frideric Handel’s tunic.
I spent the first two years of my youngest son’s life, James, trying to start my own business. Well before the reality show Shipping Wars aired on A&E, I was making bids to deliver freight and important documents up and down the East Coast. My shining moment occurred when I made $3000 in 24 hours, delivering a few pallets from Wilmington, Delaware to Chicago, Illinois. Since my parents lived in Cleveland, Ohio at the time, I drove 7 hours, slept for 7 hours and finished the remaining 7 hours with a couple to spare. However, I did spent $1000 on renting a truck, gas and tolls so I only profited 2K. Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining two vehicles, driving 1000 miles a week and breaking down a couple of times finally inspired me to walk away from this business by entering the classroom as a teacher.
About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way (Jesus, Christianity). 24 Now a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [the goddess] Artemis (Diana), was bringing no small profit to the craftsmen, Acts 19:23-24.
According to Luke, the spread of Christianity had a negative impact on craftsmen during the first century. As followers of Artemis began to convert to Christ, idol worship gradually declined. Thus, requests for silver decorations, idols and shrines of Diana plummeted. This economic downturn inspired craftsmen throughout the province of Asia to gather together in Ephesus. Luke details the discussion in the passage below, trying to figure out how to restore the popularity of Artemis and idol worship throughout the world. Workmen in similar trades were panicking, fearful that if Christianity continued to spread, their occupation would no longer be in demand or needed.
These [craftsmen] he called together, along with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you are well aware that we make a good living from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost all over [the province of] Asia, this Paul has persuaded [people to believe his teaching] and has misled a large number of people, claiming that gods made by [human] hands are not really gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that this trade of ours will be discredited, but also that the [magnificent] temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and that she whom all Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned and lose her glorious magnificence,” Acts 19:25-27.
During more recent great awakenings, there are more examples of how the spread of Christianity was bad for business but good for the community. This is best detailed in a book and sermons by Leonard Ravenhill who spent most of his life as a Christian evangelist. Born in Leeds, England in 1907, Ravenhill reveals how the revival of the early 1900’s transformed parts of England. At the height of this spiritual awakening, crime disappeared causing police to be laid off. As attendance at evening church services skyrocketed, policemen were hired by churches to direct traffic. Meanwhile, mules from local mines needed to be retrained as transformed miners stopped curses causing mules to not know to respond to calm, gentle voices. Although recent revivals haven’t completely transformed nearby communities, when true awakening breaks out, God’s business of saving souls prospers.
There are certain classic movie lines that apply to life. One such scene occurs in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke. A captain played by Strother Martin is talking to a stubborn prisoner played by Paul Newman. Following a frustrating exchange, the captain comes to the realization that you can’t reach everyone. This dialogue ends with the famous words, “what we have here is a failure to communicate.”
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry, Colossians 3:5.
Last Sunday the National Football League played a game in London, England as the Jacksonville Jaguars soundly defeated the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to the game, both teams took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. Moments later, each rose to their feet to honor Great Britain’s anthem, God save the Queen. As I watched this live streaming the game on Yahoo, I was confused. While I heard the reasons for this public display during postgame press conferences, I feel like the captain in Cool Hand Luke, not sure why a foreign flag was honored with your home flag shunned.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you, Matthew 6:33.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what I think. What’s important is for leaders to come together, get into a room and come to a clear understanding. Instead of speculating on opposing views, exaggerating, gossip and slander isn’t helping anyone. Before healing begins, conservatives, democrats, progressives and republicans need to clear the air and start from scratch. Unless this conversation begins soon, I’m afraid America might not be able to recover from this divisive climate. May spiritual leaders see the big picture by seeking God’s kingdom and righteous first.
The 2010 film the King’s Speech is based upon a true story. As Hitler’s popularity grew during World War II, King George VI struggled to find his voice. Battling with stuttering throughout his life, this movie details the king’s progress with a speech therapist. When England needed a voice, this once speechless king overcame his fears to lead a nation.
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone, Acts 9:7.
Individuals blessed with the gift of conversation probably can’t relate to those inflicted with speech impediments. On the other hand, people who tend to be shy do not possess the desire and energy to speak for an extended period of time. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, there will be moments of silence. Times when even the most outgoing individuals become speechless.
For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything, Acts 9:9.
Looking back at my own life, I find that trials usually shut me down for a while. Whether its confusion, shock or uncertainty, it may take some time to sort things out. The sooner I can make sense of turmoil, the quicker my life returns to normal. Yet, life isn’t always fair, presenting difficulties that may push you beyond reason. Thus, as you battle periods of depression in life, hold on to a God who has a track record of transforming lives.
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech, Genesis 11:1.
A generation ago, anyone who claimed to have an encounter with an alien or observe a UFO was considered crazy. In recent years, the tide has turned inspiring shows like Ancient Aliens, Hangar 1 and Monsters and Mysteries in America. If you listen to the experts on these programs, aliens are given credit for unexplained technological advances discovered by archeologists. Meanwhile, the Bible and its historical records have been bypassed, disregarded and neglected as a source.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” – Genesis 11:4
Unfortunately, the Babel connection has not been included in this conversation. According to Moses, there was no language barrier prior to the construction of the Towel of Babel. Subsequently, people came together to achieve a common goal, to construct a building that would reach the heavens. Due to their selfish motives, the Lord sent a spirit of confusion upon the people of earth. Although this project was never completed due to language barriers, the words of Genesis 11:6 suggest technology in the Old Testament was much further advanced than first thought.
The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them, Genesis 11:6.
While most will focus on God’s response to the inhabitants of Babel, early civilizations developed a keen sense of unity. These spirit of teamwork led to amazing achievements once thought to be impossible. Following the flood, descendents of Noah made the Land of Shinar their home, making up for lost time, quickly exceeding beyond pre-flood life. Time and eternity will determine actually who built what, yet for now don’t be afraid to examine the Bible to uncover the mysteries in life.
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