5 Minutes for Your Day - Gifts, Talent and Abilities: Black History
Episode Title: Thank God For – Celebrating Black History
Show Notes:
1. Introduction: Honoring God’s Gifts
This episode begins with a powerful reminder that all knowledge comes from God. Through His wisdom, individuals have been blessed with talents and abilities that contribute to the progress of humanity.
2. The Innovators Behind Everyday Conveniences
Discover the minds behind essential household items, from G. T. Sampson’s clothes dryer to Sarah Boone’s ironing board. Their contributions have made daily tasks more efficient and accessible.
3. Pioneers of Science & Technology
We explore the impact of Lewis Howard Latimer, whose work with electric lighting and the telephone changed the course of history. Learn how Norbert Rillieux’s sugar refinement process revolutionized the industry.
4. Engineering and Transportation Advancements
From Frederick McKinley Jones' refrigerated trucking to Elijah McCoy’s lubrication system, Black inventors played a key role in industrial progress. We also highlight Andrew Beard’s life-saving contributions to railroad safety.
5. Medicine and Life-Saving Discoveries
This episode delves into groundbreaking medical advancements, including Dr. Daniel Hale Williams’ first successful open-heart surgery and Dr. Charles Drew’s creation of blood banks. Their legacies continue to save lives today.
6. Beauty, Fashion, and Daily Comforts
Learn about the transformative contributions of Madame C.J. Walker, the first Black female millionaire, and Lydia O. Newman’s patented hairbrush design, which shaped the beauty industry.
7. A Final Reflection: Your Place in History
The episode concludes with an encouraging message: even if your name isn’t written in history books, God has gifted you uniquely. You are a living testament to His work, and your impact matters.
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Black History Revised February 2025
The Bible tells us that all knowledge comes from God. You have blessed us with gifts, talents, and abilities. As we share God-given knowledge, resulting in inventions and progress, the word of God reminds us that wisdom and prudence give way to witty inventions. May these contributions remind us that we have a share that is sufficient, necessary, and important. Unction us by the orchestration of your Holy Spirit to push past our doubts and fears and make your contribution.
“Thank God For”
When you pull your clothes out of the dryer, thank God for G. T. Sampson, who invented the clothes dryer. If you use an ironing board, thank God for Sarah Boone.
If you turn on lights or use telephones, thank God for Lewis Howard Latimer who created the drawings for the light bulb and the telephone. (Bell and Edison would not be who they are without him)
If you enjoy sugar in your coffee or tea, thank God for Norbert Rillieux's process for making sugar into crystallized granules.
When you buy refrigerated foods from the grocery store, thank God for Frederick McKinley Jones, who invented refrigeration for long-haul trucks and railroad cars.
When your car starts, your engine receives oil from an oil-lubricating cup invented by Elijah McCoy. This cup is used in automobiles today.
If you locked your doors, thank God for W. A. Martin, who patented the lock in 1889, a forerunner of modern locks today.
As you admire manicured lawns, remember to thank God for his work through L.A. Burr, who patented the lawn mower, and thank God for J. W. Smith, who invented the lawn sprinkler.
When you see a fire extinguisher or hear of steroid use, thank God for Percy Lavon Julian, who invented fire foam from soy and steroids for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sometimes, a comb is not enough to tame this hair, and a brush is needed, thank God for Lydia O Newman who patented the hairbrush.
Should you touch your soft hair and remember that it was not naturally that way, thank God for Madame CJ Walker, who spent her life perfecting straightening products and became the first black female millionaire.
When you look at your watch, go to the Nation’s capital, or pick up a Farmer’s Almanac, remember to thank God for the contributions of Benjamin Banneker, who completed the architectural drawing for Washington, DC, and made the first almanac, and wooden clock with 30 years accuracy.
When you see a train, thank God for Andrew Beard, who invented the Jenny Coupler, which is used to hook railroad cars together. Though he lost his leg in a train accident, he persevered to make the railroad safer for future workers.
If you have had open-heart surgery or know anyone who has, thank God for the innovative first procedure performed by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams in July 1893.
Should you give or need blood, thank God for Dr. Charles Drew, who discovered the method of storing blood in blood banks. He died because a hospital refused to give him a white man’s blood.
If you enjoy ice cream, thank God for Augustus Jackson, known as the “Father of Ice Cream,” a confectioner from Philadelphia and the head chef at the white house from 1820-1830.
When you rise in the morning, thank God for what he is doing and will do through you. Your name may or may not appear on a history website, but if you have received Jesus as Lord, your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Your heavenly Father knows your name and made you a living Epistle known and read by all men. You are the living book of His works. Let’s thank God for giving us gifts, skills, talents, and abilities to glorify his name on earth. Amen
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