Scripture reading
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not from us.
–2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Thought of the Day
A friend of mine, knowing that I am a lover of the arts, recently gave me a magazine article about one of my favorite artists. I guess you could call C. M. Coolidge, one of my Great Masters of Art. Mr. Coolidge is one of America’s most famous artists. I am sure you are familiar with his work. Are you kidding me? You mean you don’t know his work? That is hard to believe. I don’t mean to dog you but you really ought to know who C. M. Coolidge is. (That was a hint.)
OK, OK, I will enlighten you. C. M. Coolidge is the genius who painted the classic, “A Friend in Need” c 1870. Still clueless? Well, to keep you from barking up the wrong tree, (another hint), I will tell you the name that the painting has become to be known. It is “Dogs Playing Poker”. Now you know. Cassius Marcellus Coolidge ran a backroom gaming parlor and also liked to paint. When you add his love of dogs, the magic was just destined to happen. “Dogs Playing Poker”, has been reproduced on calendars, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and in game rooms across the world. Guess what the original is worth. It recently sold for over half a million dollars. Isn’t that amazing? I want to meet the guy who bought this painting. (Sorry ladies, I am not being sexist here, there is just no way a woman is buying that painting.) I mean isn’t it a little absurd to see seven dogs sitting in chairs, smoking, drinking, and playing poker? I mean, dogs don’t even have thumbs. How are they holding the cards?
I love C. M. Coolidge. Hard to imagine that there is so much value and treasure in that old painting. I also love our scripture for today. Back in the olden days, people would keep their treasures in clay jars to disguise its value. There is no disguising God. We all have an amazing power and treasure from God in Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Lord, All power belongs to you. Amen.