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On this day in history, two significant leaders left this earth to be with Jesus. Nov. 22, 1963 President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. That same day author C.S. Lewis died of kidney failure at the age of 64.
Born into an Irish Protestant family in 1898, the world renowned author and apologist was curious about reading from an early age. Multitudes of people around the world today know Lewis for his hit books like “Mere Christianity” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” It was through overcoming his hardships and trials that God used him for greatness.
After his mother passed away right before his 10th birthday, Lewis was struck by grief and lost faith in the God he once believed in. It wasn’t until years later that the fellowship of his close friends who were devout Christians, softened Lewis’ heart to the gospel again. He used his talents as a writer to publish apologetic books to convince the world of the reality of Jesus.
His first apologetic book was “The Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason and Romanticism” in 1933. His work for God only continued, including “The Screwtape Letters,” “Mere Christianity,” “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Great Divorce” to name just a few of more than 20 published books.
John F. Kennedy, like Lewis was also used by God to make an impact. He was the first Catholic to ever be elected President of the United States. During his campaign trail, Kennedy addressed the Protestant community to share his heart on the importance of religious liberty for all churches and faith communities.
JFK was an advocate for ending religious intolerance and moving towards an America where all men and churches were treated as equal. He was a proponent of a president keeping his religious beliefs a private matter, not a vehicle for how they ran the country, destabilizing the First Amendment.
After a rocky start to his presidency, JFK gained popularity after his successful resolution to the Cuban missile crisis. He is remembered as a charismatic president who led the country during a season of great challenges.
It was just after noon on Nov. 22, 1963 when JFK was assassinated while riding in his motorcade at Dealey Plaza. On Nov. 25 the world gathered around their televisions and watched as he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
Whether you love to write books, are in politics, teaching or a stay-at-home parent, God has a plan and purpose for your life. Psalm 139:16-17 says, “Your eyes saw me unformed, yet in Your book all my days were written, before any of them came into being. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” {eoa}
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Shelby Bowen is an assistant editor for Charisma Media.
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