July 18, 2025 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, July 18.
In the summer of 1975, 50 years ago this week, something truly remarkable occurred in outer space. An American spaceship docked with a Russian spaceship, and U.S. Captain Tom Stafford and Soviet Captain Alexei Leonov exchanged an historic handshake. Besides being a feat of engineering, it was an amazing cultural moment. Ten years before, our two nations had viewed the exploration of space as a fierce competition, a facet of the Cold War. We didn’t just want to get to the moon, we wanted to beat the Russians there.
After that handshake, Stafford and Leonov remained good friends for the rest of their lives. Alexei was godfather to Tom’s children, and Tom gave the eulogy at Alexei’s funeral. A remarkable relationship between two men. A remarkable reconciliation between two countries. Reconciliation - the Bible has much to say about it. Here are a few scriptures for you to ponder, as we come to the end of this midsummer week.
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 2:14 - He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.
2 Corinthians 5:18 - All this is from God, who reconciled Himself to us through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
Meet you back here on Monday,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
