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	31 Jan, 2008 How can you stay on the road? Look out for distractions! Many teens admit risky driving habits Teen drivers admit that they're prone to text messaging, talking on cellphones and hauling their friends around in the car. A joint survey conducted by AAA and Seventeen magazine of 1,000 teens last year showed young drivers engage in risky behavior behind the wheel, prompting safety advocates to call for parents to be more aware of what their kids are doing when they leave with the car keys. On average, 10 teens die every day in vehicles driven by themselves or other teens. Fatal accidents for 16- and 17-year-old drivers jump 20% in July and August, making them the deadliest months for teen drivers. The survey showed 61% of teens admitting to risky driving habits. Of that 61%: •Nearly 50% said they text message while driving, and 51% talk on cellphones. •58% say they drive with their friends in the car even though having other teens in a car can dramatically increase the likelihood of an accident. •40% say they speed. •11% say they drink or use drugs before driving despite years of attempts to educate teens about the dangers of drinking or using drugs and driving. photo courtesy images.google.com & story usatoday.com, 1/30/08 Psalms 25:4-5 - (NLT) ⁴Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. ⁵Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how to stay on the right road? Take a look at the study notes from Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE: 25:4 David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's primary guidance system is in His Word, the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God's Word. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from His Word, and obey His commands, then we will receive His specific guidance. The study on teenage driving proves that distractions often result in crashes. If we trust God's guidance from His Holy Word, we will be on His right road and be able to avoid spiritual crashes. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for His Word and the presence of His Holy Spirit in your life! Confess anything in your life that you have allowed to distract you from staying on the road that God wants you to take for your life. Thank Jesus for providing the forgiveness you need right now, because He died for all of your sins. Ask His Spirit to keep you on the right road every day. Start each day by spending time in God's Word. Entrust your day to the power of His Spirit in you to keep you on God's road for your life. Make a written list of what distracts you from living to please Christ every day. Review it every day until you are back on God's road again. Whenever you are driving or riding in a car with another person, let Jesus remind you to look out for any distractions that get you off God's road. Read Psalm 119. How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others? The next time you are in a car with someone in your storysphere who needs Jesus, talk about today's story about the study on teenage driving habits. Ask your friend if they think there's a right road and a wrong road to follow in life? Talk about the distractions in life that get you off the right road sometimes. Ask your friend to describe the road he or she is on in life? Remember to be honest and a good listener. Permanent Link 30 Jan, 2008 Tiger on the loose! Can taunting be forgiven? San Francisco Zoo Tiger Attack Victim Admits Drinking, Taunting Animal, Police Say SAN FRANCISCO — One of the three victims of San Francisco Zoo tiger attack was intoxicated and admitted to yelling and waving at the animal while standing atop the railing of the big cat enclosure, police said in court documents filed recently. Paul Dhaliwal, 19, told the father of Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, who was killed, that the three yelled and waved at the tiger but insisted they never threw anything into its pen to provoke the cat, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle. "As a result of this investigation, (police believe) that the tiger may have been taunted/agitated by its eventual victims," according to Inspector Valerie Matthews, who prepared the affidavit. Police believe that "this factor contributed to the tiger escaping from its enclosure and attacking its victims," she said. photo courtesy san francisco zoo/ap & story foxnews.com, 1/18/08 Luke 23:33-37 (The Message) 33When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34-35Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!" 36-37The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: "So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!" What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about taunting? Simply put, Jesus received the ultimate in taunting and responded with an attitude of forgiveness. God answered Christ's prayer to forgive His taunters by opening up the way of salvation to everyone, even to those who crucified Him. BUT (there's a lot of these in scripture), every single person ever born eventually must face the fact that the tiger has been loosed! Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, is gracious and forgiving, but will some day judge the "living from the dead". Those who have received Christ's forgiveness will live with God's family forever and those who have not will live in eternal separation from God's love. God's amazing grace is His gift of love...even to those who taunt Him and His followers. The taunted tiger at the zoo was not very forgiving and it resulted in death. Our taunted Savior is very forgiving and people can escape certain death. If we are taunted for our faith in Christ, will we forgive? It may result in new life! How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Ask Jesus to give you His attitude toward anyone who taunts you. Confess any way in which you have taunted others and receive Christ's forgiveness. Go to them and ask for forgiveness. How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to the lives of others? Look around at what is going on at your school, at work, at church and at home. Taunting is often a form of real injustice. Ask Jesus to give you both the courage and compassion to defend those who are being taunted. Get ready, because this will be noticed and give you opportunities to learn the stories of others and connect them to your story and God's Story. Use today's story about the young men taunting the tiger as a conversation starter about taunting with your friends and family who need Jesus. Ask them for their opinions on the story. See if God gives you the moment to talk about the ultimate story of taunting - when Jesus hung on the cross. Permanent Link 29 Jan, 2008 Where is your eternal home? If you know Christ, you know. Heath's final homecoming GRIEF-stricken family and friends of Heath Ledger vowed to give his two-year-old daughter Matilda the "beautiful life" he had planned for her, as the body of the 28-year-old Australian actor last night began a sad final journey to his home in Perth. Tears flowed as his parents, Kim and Sally, and his older sister, Kate, arrived in Los Angeles to await the arrival of the casket carrying his body. Actor Abbie Cornish, who starred opposite Ledger in the movie Candy and remained a close friend, accompanied the family to the US for the grim task of bringing the body home after he was found dead in his Manhattan apartment from a suspected drug overdose on Wednesday. The funeral is expected to be held in Perth this week, but details have not been released. There also was speculation yesterday of a public memorial service in LA within the next few days, likely to be attended by many of Ledger's Hollywood A-list friends. Toddler Matilda, who's tender age has protected her from fully understanding that she has lost her father, was being shielded by her actor mother Michelle Williams, who was engaged to Ledger until the relationship ended six months ago. Matilda and Michelle were "the two true loves" of Ledger's life, friends said last night. As Matilda grows up, she also will have the comfort and support of a loyal and protective circle of Hollywood friends. Meanwhile, Australia's Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith – who is in New York for meetings at the United Nations headquarters – said he was satisfied about the handling of the inquiry into Ledger's death by US authorities. The authorities said they would not make a final determination on the cause of Ledger's death until toxicology tests are completed. photo & story courtesy news.com.au, 1/27/08 Romans 8:35-39 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) Why is today's God's Story scripture so comforting for anyone who is a follower of Christ? Paul says that God promises His children (those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior) His ongoing presence. They will have an eternal homecoming in Heaven! All of us who are followers of Christ face some hardships in life. It might be illness, suffering, persecution for our faith in Christ and for some around the world - imprisonment. The final hardship is death, BUT (this is one of the most powerful words in Scripture!) it is impossible to be separated from Jesus Christ! His death and resurrection for us proves His ultimate power which means that He keeps all of His promises to us. The Heavenly Father gives this promise of unending love to us so that we will feel secure in Him. His children are assured of eternity in Heaven. There's no need to be afraid. ARE YOU ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN? THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM BEING ONE OF GOD'S CREATION. Today's story about the death of Hollywood star Heath Ledger is sad and troubling. Please understand that only God knows for sure whether Heath was was of His creation or one of His children, adopted into God's family through receiving the forgiveness of sins through Christ. I have not found a single article or quote where anyone has said anything that would indicate that Heath Ledger was a follower of Jesus Christ. Remember, according to God's Story (found in the Scriptures), without Christ, there is no hope for eternity in Heaven. If Christ is in you (1st John 5:11-13), the homecoming that is out of this world is waiting for you! How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for His love which never fails. Thank Him for His promise to never let you be separated from His love for you. Memorize Romans 8:39 to make this eternal hope in Christ a permanent part of your thinking and feelings. If you have never trusted Christ to be your personal Savior, you can do so right now. Simply admit to Him that your sin separates you from Him. Let Him know that you believe Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead to pay the penalty for your sins. Trust Him to be your Savior and take over the controls of your life. (Be sure to contact us at 3Story.org so that we can pray for you and send you some materials to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.) How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others? Pray for comfort for the family and friends of Heath Ledger and that God will use his death to draw people to the cross of Christ. Thank God that you don't have to fear death or the loss of someone who knows Jesus as Savior. Ask Jesus to show you how to share this incredible hope with others who need to know what God offers beyond the grave. The next time you are connected as a friend or family member to someone who dies, ask Jesus to give you caring, listening ears and the right words as you may have the opportunity to make a 3Story connection. Remember that when others see your love and perspective, they may ask you about the source of your hope. Because the Heath Ledger story will continue to be in the news, pray for God's Spirit to help you to be ready for conversation about this with your friends and family who need Jesus. Though you can't say you know for sure about Ledger's eternal home, you can use this as an opportunity to tell others that an earthly farewell is nothing compared to the Heavenly welcome for anyone who is a follower of Jesus. Permanent Link 28 Jan, 2008 How does she look? God thinks you look great, no matter what you think. Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund crowned Miss America 2008 LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday in a live show billed as the unveiling of the 87-year-old pageant's new, hipper look. Haglund, of Farmington Hills, Mich., sang "Over the Rainbow" and walked a crowd-pleasing strut in a black and gold bikini to clinch the title. She beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up for a $50,000 scholarship and year of travel that comes with the crown. Haglund, a cheery, classic blond who studies music at the University of Cincinnati, grew up in a pageant family. Her mother is an active volunteer, and her grandmother, Iora Hunt, competed for the crown as Miss Michigan 1944. Hunt, 82, joined Haglund at a post-pageant news conference. "The only words that come to my mind is that this is a dream come true, not just for me but for my family as well. I'm not just standing up here alone," Haglund said. As her platform issue, Haglund promised to advocate for awareness of eating disorders, an illness from which she has recovered. The crowning at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was aired for the first time on cable TV channel TLC. It capped a four-week reality series, "Miss America: Reality Check," that followed the contestants as they were pushed to shed the dated look of Miss Americas past and adopt a more updated style and irreverent tone. The show was the latest in a series of attempts to find an audience with a younger demographic after more than a decade of declining ratings. photo courtesy images.google.com & story lahontanvalleynews.com, 1/27/08 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (NLT) 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Psalm 139:14 (NLT) 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. What does today's God's story scripture teach us about God's perspective on how we look? In today's passage, we find Samuel being directed by the LORD to find a man to be the king of Israel. Evidently, Eliab was HOT! He was tall and good looking - you know the kind - someone sure to be admired by the people! (But he didn't make the cut!) Thankfully, God judges by faith and character, not our looks or lack of them. Since only God can see our true inner qualities, only He can accurately judge people. Do you tend to judge people by outward appearance? Do you feel judged by others for your appearance? God warns us about judging by outward beauty. Most of us spend hours every week trying to look good! Now, there's nothing wrong with trying to look nice and take care of our bodies, but we should do even more to let God develop our inner character and beauty. What are you doing to maintain and improve your inner qualities? This is way more important than looking like Miss or Mr. America. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for creating you to be so unique! If you struggle with your self image as it relates to your physical looks, ask Him to give you His perspective - that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made"! If you have been judging others because of their appearance, ask God to forgive you and give you the desire to get to know the inner qualities of others. Every time you look in a mirror this week, thank God for His creativity, because He sees you as beautiful! Memorize Psalm 139:14 for God's perspective on you! How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture to the lives of others? Think about someone you know who is often seen by the crowd as not one of the "beautiful" people. Look for ways to get to know his or her inner qualities and then affirm this person for one of those characteristics. This is part of getting to know some one's story and looking for ways to connect it to God's Story. Permanent Link 25 Jan, 2008 Who ya gonna be like? There is someone we need to impersonate. Take a look at my new grandson doing his Yoda impersonation... I (Byron, the DAILYBIDE writer) am very proud of Reagan Tyler Emmert who is now almost one month old! He would be amazing just because he's another miracle of new life, but he's also cute - and so talented! How many babies do you know who can do impersonations? I'll let you know if he does more! photos courtesy Grandma's camera & images.google.com Colossians 3:10 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (ESV) What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about God's desire for each of us? The LB paraphrase of today's verse really helps us understand what God's Spirit inspired Paul to write in Colossians 3:10: You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right and trying constantly to become more and more like Christ, who created this new life in you. God's desire for new Christians (spiritual babies) is that they grow up to become more and more like Christ which brings glory to God. Are you a growing impersonation of Jesus Christ? My little grandson Reagan accidentally screwed up his face and folded his hands in such a way as to remind us of the infamous Yoda. As followers of Christ, you and I must daily and intentionally trust God's Spirit to help us be obedient in our attitudes and actions because He has called us to be Holy, just as He is Holy. Looking like Jesus should come out of character, not by accident. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Confess any way in which you have been ignoring the goal of becoming like Christ or any attitudes or actions which you know are not Christ-like. Thank God for His complete and amazing forgiveness. Commit yourself to some daily disciplines that you know will help you focus on impersonating Christ - such as time in the Word, prayer, serving others, and perhaps most important - worship! Praise and thank God for who He is and for what He does so faithfully. Whenever you see a baby, ask yourself if you are growing in Christ-likeness or are you still in the infant stage? How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others? With your friends and family, have some fun talking about impersonations. Have they seen someone on TV who is good? See if anyone in your group can impersonate famous people or other friends and family members. Look for the opportunity to share how part of your story connecting with God's Story is that you want to impersonate Christ. Permanent Link 24 Jan, 2008 This kid went to bat! Are you ready for BATtle? Teen attacks burglar with baseball bat MESA, Ariz.—A burglar who broke into a Mesa home got more than he bargained for when 14-year-old boy attacked him with a bat. Ninth-grader Michael Six locked himself in his bedroom, grabbed an aluminum baseball bat and hid in his closet and after seeing a man use a screwdriver to break open a sliding-glass door of his home. Six dialed police and was talking to a 911 operator when the intruder used the screwdriver to get into his room. As the burglar rummaged through Michael's backpack, Michael stepped out and swung the bat. The burglar cursed as Michael nailed him on the back and shoulder, and Michael can be heard on the 911 tape yelling, "Sorry, man!" The intruder took the bat from the boy and fled. Police later arrested Thomas Gonzales Garza, 30, of Chandler. photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 1/17/08 Ephesians 6:10-20 The Whole Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (ESV) After reading today's God's Story scripture, why would you say every follower of Christ must wear the whole armor of God all the time? If you have been a regular reader of the DAILYBIDE during the past three years, you know how important it is for believers to wear "God's armor". I have used today's scripture several times to remind us about the spiritual battle we face every day. God's power and protection is the only way to win the fight against Satan. In today's story, the 14-year-old kid went to "bat" to protect his home from the burglar. This took courage but it also required a weapon. I doubt that the young man would have taken on the enemy without the bat being so handy. You and I face spiritual attack every day from Satan, our enemy. He is constantly trying to break into our lives and steal what our loving Heavenly Father has given us. If we're not wearing "the whole armor of God", we can forget about having the courage we need to do BATtle and receive the spiritual victory that the LORD wants to give us. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God that you can be protected against Satan by wearing His armor every day. Right now, confess to God any way in which you have not been using His armor. Has this affected your thought life? How about your relationships with friends, your parents, or boyfriend or girlfriend? Is pride or jealousy defeating you? Is your focus on worldly possessions rather than serving Christ? Confess your struggle and He will forgive you! Thank Jesus that He will help you suit up and win the battle tomorrow! Read the entire passage of Ephesians 6:10-20 again. Read through Paul's list of armor and ask God to help you focus on the piece you need most this week. His Spirit will help you put it on. Put a baseball bat in your bedroom (this is for girls too) as a reminder to wear God's armor every day because the enemy is out to steal your peace and joy and purpose. How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others? Use today's story about the kid using the bat to take care of the burglar as a conversation starter with those in your storysphere. Share part of your story of how God has given you armor to protect yourself from the enemy. If you aren't already in a prayer/accountability group, start one with two others at your school, church or work place. Did you notice that in Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul points out that wearing God's armor means that God's Spirit will give him the right words and the courage to tell his story and God's story to others. Remember this as you trust Jesus to help you learn the stories of others this week. Permanent Link 23 Jan, 2008 He died but no one cared Where were his friends? Man's death goes unnoticed in Sydney SYDNEY, Australia—A man lay dead in his apartment in Australia's largest city for a year before anyone noticed, officials and news reports said recently. The body of Jorge Chambe, 64, was found in his single bedroom, government-owned flat in the Sydney suburb of Yagoona when police and firefighters broke in, after concerns about his welfare were finally raised. Decomposition of the body was advanced and bank records indicated Chambe died about a year earlier, officials said. "It's amazing," Detective-Inspector Ian Prye told reporters. "This guy lives in the suburbs and he dies and no one notices for a year." In news reports, neighbors at the apartment block described Chambe as a quiet man who was friendly but who kept mostly to himself. He had received federal government welfare payments and his rent was paid automatically by direct debit from his bank account. His mailbox had filled to overflowing, but no one had noticed a smell or other clues that he had died, the reports said. A worried neighbor finally called housing officials and authorities broke in when Chambe did not respond. photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 1/10/08 Proverbs 18:24 Some friends don't help, but a true friend is closer than your own family. What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being a friend? Today's verse touches on some very important truths to remember about relationships. There are some people who pretend to be "friends". The relationship is superficial. Often this "friendship" is a taking relationship rather than a giving one. We all need friends who will stick close, listen, forgive, encourage and offer help in both good times and bad. If you need a genuine friend, try to become one to someone. Without knowing the story about the man who lay dead in his apartment for a year, I'm guessing he was a lonely person. How could he not be missed for that long? Didn't he have any friends or family? Loneliness is all around us. Someone you know probably feels cut off and friendless. Maybe it's you sometimes? Who is someone you know who is lonely? Will you reach out to him or her? How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for the ultimate friend you have in Jesus Christ! Ask Jesus to show you someone who needs you as a friend. If you are lonely, ask Jesus to give you the courage to start a friendship with someone and trust Jesus as your true friend while you build relationships with others. Pray every day for Jesus to enable you to be like Him in your relationships with others. How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others? Pray for the opportunity to befriend a lonely person and watch God work! Use today's *DAILYBIDE* as a topic for discussion in your youth group or small group. Together, come up with a plan to reach out to one or several individuals you know are lonely. Permanent Link 22 Jan, 2008 How do you think God views abortion? Look at Samuel's story... This week is the anniversary of "Roe vs Wade". Look at the example of some parents who chose not to abort their child with a disability. SAMUEL ALEXANDER ARMAS'S STORY Take a good look at this picture. It's one of the most remarkable photographs ever taken. The tiny hand of a preborn reaches out from a mother's womb to clasp a surgeon's healing finger. It is, by the way, 21 weeks old, an age at which it could still be legally aborted. It is a medical development in the control of the effects of spina bifida ... Your first instinct is to recoil in horror. It looks like a close-up of some terrible accident. And then you notice, in the center of the photograph, the tiny hand clutching a surgeon's finger. It shows Samuel, a 21-week-old preborn, in its mother's womb, about to undergo a spine operation designed to save it from serious brain damage. At that age the mother could have chosen to have the baby aborted. Her decision not to, however, led to an astonishing test not just of medical technology, but of faith. Although Samuel Armas is believed to have been the youngest patient for such an operation, it was apparently routine enough for Dr Bruner and paediatric neurosurgeon Noel Tullpant to talk about the weather during the operation. An hour later, the womb was gently eased back into place. photo & story courtesy tennessean.com, 09/07/99 Psalm 139:13-16 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (ESV) What does today's God's Story scripture tell us about God's view on the value of a preborn baby? ASK SAMUEL.....A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! THIS IS SAMUEL FOUR YEARS AFTER HIS PARENTS CHOSE LIFE FOR HIM: THANK YOU GOD FOR CREATING SAMUEL IN SUCH A WONDERFULLY COMPLEX WAY! YOUR WORKMANSHIP IS MARVELOUS - AND HOW WELL WE KNOW IT! photo courtesy freerepublic.com How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for the gift of life! Praise Him for your life! Thank Him for making you so wonderfully complex! Ask Him to help you see yourself the way He sees you - a work of art! One of a kind! Priceless! Pray that His Truth that every life is sacred and has eternal value will be recognized by our culture. Pray against abortion in our culture. Ask God to show you how to make a difference in a way that would honor Jesus. Commit yourself to praying for the unborn in our culture at least once a week. Write a thank you note to God for the marvelous way He created you. Place it where you will see it regularly as a reminder to thank God for the life He has given you! How can you connect today's story, God's story scripture and your story to others? Use today's story and picture about Samuel to talk to friends about the value of every life. Ask your friends what they think? Be careful to not get "political" or "preachy", but simply share today's scripture and ask your friend what he or she thinks about it? It may give you the opportunity to talk more about your story and the way God sees you and your friend. Look for ways to volunteer at a pro-life ministry. Choose one that shows love, grace and forgiveness. Those who are struggling with a decision about abortion need the love of Jesus, not condemnation from angry people who call themselves Christians. Write a letter to your leaders in government, encouraging them to protect the lives of the unborn. Make sure you write with the love and grace of Christ. Permanent Link 21 Jan, 2008 Do we share his dream? Today, our country observes the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Are we doing our part to break down racial barriers? "I Have A Dream...." Martin Luther King, Jr., emerged as a leader of the American civil rights movement after organizing the famous 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Throughout his career he pressed for equal treatment and improved circumstances for blacks, organizing nonviolent protests and delivering powerful speeches on the necessity of eradicating institutional racial inequalities. In 1963 King led a peaceful march between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, where he delivered his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” photo & text courtesy images.google.com & encarta.msn.com, 01/19/08 Philemon 1:10-12 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. Philemon 1:25 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (ESV) What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the key to experiencing racial reconciliation? Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide this insight: 1:25 Paul urged Philemon to be reconciled to his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God's family. Reconciliation means reestablishing relationship. Christ has reconciled us to God and to others. Many barriers come between people - race, social status, sex, personality differences - but Christ can break down these barriers. Jesus Christ changed Onesimus's relationship to Philemon from slave to brother. Christ can transform our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships. Martin Luther King's dream can become a reality only through the power of Jesus Christ. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God that in Jesus Christ, all of His followers are truly one family. Confess any prejudice you have toward others because of racial, economic, or political differences. Ask Christ to work through you to remove barriers between others. Pray every day to be like Jesus to everyone you know and meet. Write down specific ways you are allowing barriers toward other people to keep you from being like Jesus. Keep this on your prayer list and let God's Spirit change your heart. Read the book of Philemon to get the whole story. How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others? Get together with friends and/or family members and go online to listen to the "I HAVE A DREAM" speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. Afterwards, talk about what you learned in today's DAILYBIDE. Identify someone with whom you need reconciliation. Start today. Ask Jesus to give you His insight in looking for the opportunity to learn the stories of three people with a racial background different than yours. Permanent Link 18 Jan, 2008 Old Testament Idol? He was a good looking musician with style and... 'American Idol' premiere hits high notes Any doubts about the strength of "American Idol" were erased Wednesday when Nielsen reported 33.4 million viewers watched the season premiere Tuesday night. While the figure was 4 million off last season's premiere and the lowest "Idol" premiere in four years, the figures were huge in the current TV climate. "I woke up thrilled," said Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative entertainment. "This show amazes me every year. It's a phenomenon. It's still an unbelievable phenomenon." Put another way, bad singers still pay off in huge ratings, especially for a show in its seventh season, a time when most are on a steep decline. As in each of the previous seasons, the first "Idol" was filled with auditions from truly bad singers and some promising hopefuls. The mix paid off. Tuesday's "American Idol" was the biggest entertainment telecast of the season. The previous high was CBS's season premiere of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which averaged 25.4 million viewers. photo & story courtesy nydailynews.com, 1/17/08 1 Samuel 16:14-22 (NLT) David in Saul's Service 14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. 15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” 17 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” 18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” 20 Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. 21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about God using talented, good-looking people? God can and He does! Now for those of us who don't fit this 'American Idol' winner mold, I better write a little more... In the verses prior to this passage, the LORD has led Samuel to anoint shepherd boy David (behind the scenes) to be the next king of Israel. King Saul has been disobedient and God is dealing with him and His perfect plan will go on. God brings a tormenting spirit to Saul and he's depressed and gets word about this kid who is a talented, brave, good-looking musician. David is brought in to audition on his harp - remember that this king is acting insane - talk about pressure! God's Story is never boring! But King Saul is pleased and God's plan continues....of course! So God uses talented, good-looking people to accomplish His plan but He uses the rest of us more often (because there's more of us)! Thankfully, we don't have to audition before God because most of us are sort of wacky and short on talent just like the contestants during the early phase of 'American Idol'. God is looking for people who are willing, obedient, and committed to His plan. David's success was not because he was talented and good-looking. It was because "the LORD was with him". Is He with you? How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Read 1st Samuel, chapters 13-31. It's like a movie (but true) and it will give you the rest of the story. Thank God that He wants to use you and your story to accomplish the continuation and the eternal completion of His Story. Offer yourself to be used by God in any way even when you're not feeling brave, talented, or not looking so good! Look for at least one practical way you can serve God on a regular basis. This might be at your church or in your youth group or as a volunteer in some other way....pray about this and the LORD will lead you and it probably won't be as difficult as playing harp for a king who is crazy! How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others? Get together with some other friends who follow Christ and talk about today's *DAILYBIDE.* Come up with a plan or service project for using your talents (or lack of) to serve God together - you'd be amazed at what a bunch of wacky (but willing) believers can accomplish together! Watch 'American Idol' with some friends and family who don't know Christ. Laugh...a lot! Ask them what they'd do to audition if they had the talent? (Maybe laugh some more!) Trust the LORD to show you how to weave the story of David's audition before crazy King Saul into your conversation. Listen to their response and you may have the opportunity to share a little more of your story and how you're connected to God's Story. Permanent Link 16 Jan, 2008 Courage anyone? Being a soldier is about sacrifice and discipline. 3,200 Marines prepare for Afghan tour WASHINGTON - Military officials said that about 3,200 Marines are being told to prepare to go to Afghanistan — a move that will boost combat troop levels in time for an expected Taliban offensive this spring. Once complete, the deployment would increase U.S. forces in Afghanistan to as much as 30,000, the highest level since the 2001 invasion after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The notices come as explosions rocked Kabul's most popular luxury hotel Monday, killing at least six people, including one American and a journalist from Norway. Officials said the assault on the Serena Hotel by militants may signal a new era of Taliban attacks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the deployment announcement has not yet been made. If approved, the deployment to southern Afghanistan would be a "one-time, seven-month" assignment, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Friday. The decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan represents a shift in Pentagon thinking that has been slowly developing in recent months. Commanders faced with increasing violence have said they need as many as 7,500 more troops, but Gates initially pressed for other NATO nations to fill the void. NATO countries, however, faced public opposition to deeper involvement there and were slow to respond, leaving Gates to acknowledge recently that the U.S. may have to consider providing the extra combat troops. Currently, there are about 27,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, including 14,000 with the NATO-led coalition. The other 13,000 U.S. troops are training Afghan forces and hunting al-Qaida terrorists. photo & story courtesy news.yahoo.com, 1/15/08 2 Timothy 2:3-7 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (ESV) In today's God's Story scripture, what is the apostle Paul teaching us about sacrifice and discipline? Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes give us great insight: 2:3-7 As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used a comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline...But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory...We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him. Regardless of our political view of whether or not our country should be at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, we would all agree that our soldiers serving there are making a sacrifice and for some it is the ultimate sacrifice. If we're followers of Jesus Christ, we have been enlisted in God's "army". Are we willing to endure suffering and sacrifice all? How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Praise God that in Christ Jesus our eternal victory in the spiritual war has already been won when Jesus died and rose again! Thank Jesus that even though you lose some of the daily battles, He will forgive you and strengthen you to carry you on. Ask His Spirit to give you the faith you need to obey the "Commander" every day and be willing to sacrifice worldly comfort for the sake of Kingdom glory. Make a written list of some "things" in this life you could give up so that you could devote more time to serving God's purposes. As you see news reports on Afghanistan and Iraq this week, let God's Spirit help you evaluate your willingness to sacrifice your own desires in order to serve Christ. How can we connect today's story, God's story and our story to others? Pray for our troops and for God to bring glory and people to Himself in the middle of rampaging evil in our world. Pray for the soldiers' loved ones back home to experience God's strength and peace. For them, today's news story is about individual lives, not numbers of troops. The topic of sending more troops to Afghanistan may come up in conversation at school, home, and at your job. Look for opportunities with those in your storysphere to talk about courage, discipline, and sacrifice. Mention that you have enlisted in an army. This should make for some interesting discussion as you try to explain that God's Story scripture talks about being a soldier for Christ. Permanent Link 15 Jan, 2008 Sticky lesson! How can you avoid going to class? Boy glues hand to bed to avoid school MEXICO CITY—A 10-year-old Mexican boy dreaded returning to school after Christmas break so much that he glued his hand to his bed. Sandra Palacios spent nearly two hours Monday morning trying to free her son Diego's hand with water, oil and nail polish remover before calling authorities, police chief Jorge Camacho told The Associated Press from outside the northern city of Monterrey. "I didn't want to go to school because vacation was so much fun," Reforma newspaper quoted the boy as saying. Palacios said Diego sneaked into the kitchen in the early morning to get the industrial glue, which he then slathered on his right hand. She didn't hear him get up, but later awoke and found him watching TV with his hand stuck to the bed, she told Mexican newspaper El Universal. "I don't know why he did it," she told Reforma. "He's a good boy, but mischievous like all kids." Diego's hand was fine, and paramedics managed to unstuck him in time for class. photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 1/7/08 2 Peter 3:18 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (ESV) What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being willing to learn? Keep in mind that the writer of this scripture was Peter (through the inspired leading of God's Holy Spirit). This guy was that rough and tumbled, former fisherman (often obnoxious) disciple of Jesus who had to learn the hard way. In fact, this is the disciple who denied Jesus three times but then was chosen by Jesus to get the early church going. Peter was willing to keep learning from his mistakes and keep growing in his understanding of God's truth no matter what! The kid in Mexico took cutting class to a new extreme! (I'm surprised the skin didn't peel off his sticky little hand!) His reason? Vacation was so much fun that he wanted to blow off school and keep watching TV. This makes for a good laugh but it also begs this question - what do you and I do to avoid letting God teach us? If we're honest, we'll admit that we often are just too lazy to spend time studying God's Word or we prefer our own pleasures rather than pleasing God by learning to know Christ in a deeper way. Learn to know Jesus...abide in Him every day...He's the glue that holds your life together! How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Make a list of whatever you do to avoid taking the time to study and grow spiritually and then reflect on why? Share this list with a couple of friends who follow Jesus and see if they will join you in a study prayer group for a few weeks where you will encourage each other and hold each other accountable to learn to know Jesus more deeply. Memorize 2 Peter 3:18. Put a bottle of glue next to your bed to remind yourself to take the time to learn God's truths rather than trying to skip spiritual growth. How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story with others? With someone in your storysphere who is really warming up to God's Story, talk about the kid's attempt to avoid school and then be honest about some of your attempts to avoid God's "school". Ask him or her what they would like to learn about God if they could? Use this *DAILYBIDE* as a resource with your small group or youth group or forward it on to a friend to encourage them with what you learned. Permanent Link 14 Jan, 2008 Smackdown talk? Yes, with the TV warriors...none with the apostle Paul. "Gladiators" a gift for "Smackdown" crowd "American Gladiators," is a first cousin of professional wrestling with its glitzy costumes, bombastic names and trash talk. This time, just as in the original, a group of mostly muscular men and women contestants compete against the house gladiators, a team of six men and six women with such names as Titan, Militia, Mayhem, Crush, Venom and Stealth (the latter three are women, by the way). In each hour, two men and two women compete. One out of each pair moves to the next round. The grand prize, given after an entire season, is a paltry $100,000 to the last man and woman left standing. Someone should tell them they could do so much better by conserving their energy and just opening a few briefcases. The well-padded players take turns battling the gladiators in games that make dodge ball look like hopscotch. The eliminator is the Eliminator, the name given to a rugged obstacle course that ultimately decides which of the two men or women stays on the show. The producers have updated the show with all the usual reality bells and whistles: flashing lights, dramatic music, two tons of product placement and a studio audience warmed up. The action is taped to eliminate the long, dull parts while they change the set. Short videos try to coax viewers to develop a rooting interest in the contestants. The co-hosts are pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, Muhammad's daughter. They encourage and commiserate with the contestants, sometimes in bewildering ways. In the opening minutes of the show, a divorced mother of three suffers a disqualifying leg injury during the first contest. "You're a great role model to your children," Ali consoles. Later in the show, a male contestant says he is dedicating his victory to "my buddy, who passed away a year ago." Responds Ali, "I'm sure you made him proud." The show is at 8 p.m. Mondays. photo & story courtesy news.yahoo.com, 1/8/08 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NLT) 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the ultimate source of strength and how do we get it? Paul is simply telling us that God's supernatural power shows up in weak people! So you might say that there's no room for us to do any spiritual "smackdown" talking. Though we don't know exactly what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was, it probably was some sort of disease of the eyes, or perhaps epilepsy. I'm pretty sure that he would not have done well in "Gladiators" competition (though he probably saw more than he wanted to in Rome). Whatever it was, it was a serious enough to keep him from working in his ministry at times. Even though Paul asked God to remove his problem, God allowed it to continue so that Paul would remain humble and rely on God for his strength. Let's be honest. Haven't we noticed that when we're feeling strong in our own abilities, we often tend to forget about relying on God's Holy Spirit to give us strength? When we're weak, we turn to God and allow Him to fill us with power. This is an ongoing theme in God's Story! Our story needs to be about abiding in Christ...then in Christ's strength, we are more than "Gladiators" - we are more than conquerors! How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Rather than boasting of any strength, be honest about a weakness that you wish God would remove? Are you willing to trust Him like Paul did? That's pretty good company. Try reading reading today's passage every day for one week so that this truth of God's Story becomes a discipline that you apply daily to your story. Memorize 2nd Corinthians 12:10. Pray a pray of thanks to God for giving Paul the words to write down His Truth! Confess any way in which you have been talking (or thinking) smack about your own strength. Ask His Spirit to help you simply recognize every day that in your weakness, Jesus provides His supernatural strength. How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others? Remember that the 3Story way of living will become more and more natural for you as you consistently abide in Jesus. He will fill you with His love, insight and strength. Jesus will help you connect your story to their story and God's Story. If you're up for some fun, have some friends over to watch "American Gladiators". Laugh a lot and make fun of it! Ask your friends about what makes them feel strong or weak? Be ready to share a little of your story and how you find strength in God. If you can't stand the idea of watching "Gladiators", use what you learned in today's DAILYBIDE to encourage someone who is feeling weak about something in his or her life. Permanent Link 11 Jan, 2008 Chasing the wind? Tom Brady is chasing another Super Bowl, but what else? Patriots Quarterback Discusses His Career And Other Aspects Of His Life Tom Brady has been called the most eligible bachelor in America. “It's very flattering. But, at the same time, I don't think I sleep any better at night being that. No way,” says Brady. His all-American image took a hit last year, when actress Bridget Moynihan, his longtime girlfriend, announced that she was pregnant with Brady’s son shortly after the couple broke up. Brady is supporting the child but is now dating supermodel Giselle Bundchen. In addition to his success on the field and his sex appeal off it, there is a $60 million, 10-year contract to play for the Patriots. He has turned down multimillion-dollar endorsement deals because he didn’t think they were right for him, and many of the ones he does, he shares with his teammates. But with all of Brady's fame and career accomplishments, he said in a CBS 60 Minutes interview, “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘God, it's got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be.” What's the answer? “I wish I knew. I wish I knew,” says Brady. "I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I’m trying to find." With three Super Bowl rings, he already has Hall of Fame credentials, even if he never played another game. But he's only 30 and just entering his prime. “My favorite ring? I've always said, you know, I always said the next one. The next one is the best,” Brady says. photo & story courtesy thunderstruck.org, 1/6/08 Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (NLT) The Futility of Pleasure 1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. 4 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! 9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. In today's God's Story scripture, what does Solomon teach us about his search for life's meaning? Here's some insight from the study notes in Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE: 2:11 Solomon summarized his many attempts at finding life's meaning as "chasing the wind." We feel the wind as it passes, but we can't catch hold of it or keep it. In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are found, not in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God. Think about what you consider worthwhile - where you place your time, energy, and money. Will you one day look back and decide that you too, were "chasing the wind'? Look again at Tom Brady's statement: "God, it's got to be more than this. I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be.” Solomon, Tom Brady, you, me....we have something in common - without the love of God changing our lives, life is meaningless. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Read today's passage of scripture again, aloud. Let God's Spirit use His Word to challenge, change, and encourage you. Write down at least three things you do that are probably robbing you of some of the richness of life that God wants you to experience through His presence in you. Every morning for one month, start your day by thanking God that this day will be meaningful because He loves you and has a purpose for you. How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others? Pray that God will get use His presence and the stories of His followers to connect with Tom Brady so that he will find the answer to his search for life's meaning in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Use the NFL playoffs this weekend (even if you're not a fan) to talk about today's story about Brady's search for life's meaning. It could make the Patriots' game more interesting if they are blowing out Jacksonville! Permanent Link 10 Jan, 2008 Don't fall! This story is hard to believe, but it's true. ‘Miraculous’ Recovery for Man Who Fell 47 Floors Rosario Moreno, center, the wife of Alcides Moreno, with the medical team that has helped her husband. Alcides Moreno plunged 47 stories that morning last month, clinging to his 3-foot-wide window washer’s platform as it shot down the dark glass face of an Upper East Side apartment building. His brother Edgar, who had been working with him on the platform, was killed. Yet somehow, Alcides Moreno, the man who fell from the sky, survived. In his hospital room, amid all the machines that helped keep him alive, his wife, Rosario, lifted his hand again and again to stroke her face and her hair, hoping against hope that a simple tactile sensation would remind him, would help bring him back. Then on Christmas Day, Alcides Moreno reached out — and stroked the wrong face. “Apparently he tried to do it to one of the nurses,” Rosario Moreno said on Thursday, describing how she chided him, gently, when she was told what had happened. “I looked at him and said, ‘You’re not supposed to do that. I’m your wife, you touch your wife.’” For the first time since the accident on Dec. 7, he spoke. “He turned around and, in English, said, ‘What did I do?’” she said. “It stunned me because I didn’t know he could speak.” Surrounded by doctors who had helped save her husband, Mrs. Moreno told her story at a press conference at which medical professionals with long years of experience in treating traumatic injuries used words like “miraculous” and “unprecedented” to describe something that seems remarkable: a man who fell nearly 500 feet into a Manhattan alleyway is now talking and, with a little more luck, a few more operations and some rehabilitation therapy, may well walk again. “If you are a believer in miracles, this would be one,” said Dr. Philip S. Barie, the chief of the division of critical care at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, where Mr. Moreno, 37, is being treated. Optimistic though they were, the doctors tempered their discussion of Mr. Moreno’s prospects with some pragmatism. He will undergo surgery today to stabilize his spine. Sometime after that, he faces another orthopedic operation. Then there will be long months in rehabilitation. But they predicted that his recovery would be complete in about a year. photos & story courtesy nytimes.com 1/4/08 Jude 1:24-25 (NLT) Doxology 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. According to today's God's Story scripture, why can we trust God to keep us from "falling"? Obviously, Jude is not talking about falling from high places but he warns of something even more dangerous. God wants us to know that we don't have to be afraid of falling prey to false spiritual teachers if we trust Him and keep connected to Jesus (abide in Christ - John 15). Jude wrote to people like you and me - they were vulnerable to false "religious" ideas and to temptations to live an immoral lifestyle. Think about our culture. Every which way we look, we are bombarded with spirituality, most of which is from Satan, our enemy, not from God's Holy Word. The basic philosophy of the secular world is that you should believe anything you want to believe about God, regardless of truth. If your belief is true for you and feels good to you, then you will be happy. If there is life after death, your chances are good. That sounds much worse than a 47-story fall and it could last forever. Following Jesus every day can seem risky at times and you will experience some spiritual "highs" now and then, but you can be assured that God won't let you fall from His grace. As we abide in Christ, He empowers us to remain faithful no matter the temptations and false teachings that the enemy throws at us. We have already survived "the fall" (through Adam and Eve, we were born sinful) through receiving Christ's forgiveness made possible on the cross. The final miracle for us is when we come into God's presence in Heaven forever - that's as high as it gets! How can you connect today's God's Story scripture to your own life? Stay spiritually secure with the "the belt of truth" (Ephesians 6:14). God keeps us from "falling" as we remain in Christ. We remain in Christ by knowing and obeying His Truth - God's Holy Word. If you're spending time with Jesus in His Word every other week, try for weekly. If once a week, try three times a week. Soon, it will be every day, because Jesus knows your struggle and will help you. The next time you see a skyscraper, let Jesus take that moment to remind you of the scriptural truth we looked at today. God won't let you fall! Read the book of Jude (it's short) for a deeper understanding of today's scripture. How can you connect today's story and God's Story and your story to others? Use today's story about the guy surviving the 47-story fall as a conversation starter with friends to talk about how God will bring us to recovery from sin through Jesus and how He will protect us from falling away from Him spiritually. Permanent Link 9 Jan, 2008 Obsession for possessions Christmas is over, but what's your material mindset for 2008? Man nails Santa to cross to protest commercialism BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) - Art Conrad had an issue with the commercialism of Christmas, but instead of just shunning the malls and turning off his television, he decided to share his distaste with his West Bremerton neighbors by displaying a 15-foot crucifix bearing Santa Claus in place of Jesus. "Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be," Conrad said. "Now he's the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff." He photographed the crucified Santa for his own Christmas cards, bearing the message: "Santa died for your MasterCard." Conrad said he got the idea for his homemade display from an article he read years ago about Japanese merchants mistakenly mixing up symbols in preparing for Christmas, putting Santa on the cross. A visit to the Snopes urban legend Web site casts doubt on the origins of the Japan story. "As parody it's believable; as an honest mistake we find it unlikely," wrote the Snopes author. The article does mention that an artist once displayed a similar image in New York City as a statement about Christmas commercialism. Conrad thought the story was funny - true or not - and decided that one day he'd have to put up a similar display. He created it by stuffing a Santa suit and borrowing the head off a motion-activated Santa that dances and sings Christmas carols. photo & story courtesy komotv.vom, 12/24/07 Matthew 6:25-33 Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV) What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about earthly possessions? First of all, Jesus makes it clear that our focus must be on Heavenly values rather than earthly values. If we are obsessed to possess, we will find ourselves empty-handed and needy. Secondly, Jesus said that the Father knows our needs and will supply them in His way. Can we be patient and trust Him to be our loving Father? Today's story about the guy nailing Santa to a cross happened before Christmas but it's something each of us need to think about in 2008. Our culture is so focused with material bling and things - it's all about bigger and better - about having the most - or at least more than the other guy! Look around you. It's pretty obvious that having nice stuff does not equal a life of purpose or happiness or meaningful relationships or of bringing honor to God. Priorities are the problem. A Godly view of life after death is the key. Christ's death on the cross makes this possible not just at Christmas but every day. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Do a little honest evaluation. How are you doing with our culture's perspective of 'the one with the best and most stuff - wins'? What are your priorities on a daily basis? Pleasure or serving? Possessions or giving? The earthly or the heavenly? Talk to God right now. Ask your heavenly Father to forgive you for ways in which you have been selfish or impatient about needs and wants. Ask His Spirit to help you depend on Him completely and see your needs and desires from His perspective. Thank your loving Father for His promise to take care of you in a way that He knows is best for you. For one month, keep a written record of what you want and buy. Every time you think of something you want to buy, ask yourself if you really need it or do you just want it? Could the money you spend be used in a better way? Do you think God would be pleased with the purchase? Honestly evaluate your attitude and actions - you might be surprised how this affects you and others! How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others? Use this *DAILYBIDE* as a resource for your youth group or small group to get other followers of Jesus thinking about what He taught in Matthew 6:25-33. Email this *DAILYBIDE* to a friend or family member and then follow it up with a conversation to see what they think? The next time you go shopping with friends who need Jesus, ask Jesus ahead of time to help you model His values to your friends. Maybe you could even tell them that you are cutting back on your purchases because you want to do something more lasting with your money....like helping others in need. Get ready for some interesting looks and comments and hopefully some questions about why? Be ready for Jesus to help you listen to His lead and to their story as you answer. Permanent Link 8 Jan, 2008 Give a shout! The LSU football team knows how to win! Do we? LSU dominates OSU to win BCS title NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Too easy. No. 2 LSU danced, dodged and darted its way into the end zone Monday night, turning the BCS national championship game into a horrible replay for No. 1 Ohio State. It was over early, with Matt Flynn throwing four touchdown passes in a 38-24 win. Playing at their home-away-from-home in the Big Easy, LSU (12-2) became the first two-loss team to play for the title. Shouts of "SEC! SEC!" bounced around the Superdome as the Tigers won their second BCS crown in five seasons. They are the first school to win a second title since BCS rankings began with the 1998 season. And in a season of surprises, this was hardly an upset: Ohio State once again fell apart in college football's biggest game. A year after the Buckeyes were routed by Tim Tebow and Florida 41-14 in the Arizona desert, they barely did better. Yet while LSU got to hoist the $30,000 crystal trophy, certainly many fans around the country were peering into their crystal balls, wondering if someone else was worthy of the title. Southern California, Georgia, West Virginia, Kansas and Missouri all put on impressive shows in bowl games, and will be among the favorites in 2008. photo & story courtesy foxsports.com, 1/7/08 Ezra 3:10-12 (NLT) 10 When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. 11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. In today's God's Story scripture, why are God's people shouting and celebrating? Finishing up the foundation for the Lord's Temple was a major accomplishment! Rather than displaying pride in themselves, everyone praised God for what had been done. It's the same today. All accomplishments ultimately come from God. He provides the talents, abilities, strength and motivation. We should always thank and praise God for what has been done in and through us! You have to say that the LSU football program has laid a foundation for winning championships. For the first time in history, a college has won two BCS national championships in football. Almost makes me want to get a Tigers' shirt so that I can get in on that winning feeling! In Jesus Christ, we have more than a winning feeling. We have a foundation to always experience victory in the Christian life if we rely on His power. On our own, we lose. When we abide in Jesus, we win! The physical Temple of the Lord is gone. The championship status of the LSU football team will some day be gone. But God's victory always has been, still is, and will be forever more.... How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God that He will accomplish His perfect will in and through you. Praise Him for Who He is and for the victory He gives you! Ask His Spirit to help you serve Him with all your heart. Whenever you see reports of LSU's championship, remember that you are part of God's victory which will last forever! It starts with you relying every day on God to build on the foundation of Christ in your life. Keep a written list of the ways that Jesus gives you the victory in your daily life. At the end of each week, spend some time worshipping Jesus in celebration! Give a shout! How can we connect today's story, God's story scripture and our story to others? Use the topic of LSU's championship to ask those in your storysphere about their experiences with winning and losing. You will learn more of their stories and you may have the opportunity to talk about how you are part of a team that is guaranteed to eventually win forever! Permanent Link 4 Jan, 2008 Stop fighting! Are your passions producing quarrels and fights? Charges of genocide as Kenya's killing continues The head of the African Union, Ghana's President John Kufuor, is planning a mediation mission to Kenya, to try to stem the post-election explosion of violence. Western powers, including former colonial ruler Britain, have called for restraint and dialogue, with hundreds killed in country-wide bloodletting. Kenya's simmering tribal tensions erupted after President Mwai Kibaki claimed victory in last week's elections. Many of the victims have been Kibaki supporters in the west of the country. The government accuses the opposition of genocide. Opposition leader Raila Odinga blames the president: "What is happening is genocide on a grand scale. We are seeing the security forces of Mr Kibaki shooting innocent civilians who are just expressing their democratic right of protest against the rigging of elections." The government rejects that. President Kibaki's party spokesman George Nyamwea said the opposition should restrain its people and accept the result: "The elections are over. Our constitution says that once the electoral commission has declared the results, those are the results we accept. If we have any disputes, the normal way of resolving them is through petitioning the High Court." Up to 100,000 people have been forced to flee by roaming gangs of vigilantes. The border posts with Uganda are besieged. The Red Cross has sent patrols to help recover bodies, while many terrified survivors head for the Ugandan border in the hope of escaping the killing. photo & story courtesy euronews.net, 1/3/08 James 4:1-3 (NIV) 1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the reason for quarrels and fights? Perhaps James could have been a news reporter about the horrible story coming out of Kenya, but he is writing today's scripture to followers of Christ. He makes it real simple. Quarrels between believers are always harmful and come from the evil desires within us. There are lots of evil desires being expressed in Kenya that are resulting in senseless violence and killing, even of women and children. We would never do anything like that....or would we? We often let our self-centered passions go wild. When we focus on worldly values like possessions, money, status, power and popularity, we develop an attitude that anything but Christ-like. Then we drag these attitudes into our friendships, families and churches. When we don't get our way, we quarrel and fight. Even if we don't plan a physical fight or think about killing others, we often throw hurtful comments and display actions that are evil and displeasing to God. So what do we do? James says we need to pray with the right motives. Rather than selfishly reaching for what we want, we must reach out to each other with Godly attitudes and actions. This will happen when we surrender our way to God's way and trust Him to give us what we really need. Abiding in Christ means we focus on Him, resulting in a passion for Jesus and compassion for others. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Talk to God right now. Confess any part you have had in a quarrel or conflict with another person. Ask God to give you the humility and courage you need to go to that person and ask for forgiveness. Ask God to help you surrender your passions to His desires for you. Thank Him for empowering you to do your part to get along with His family and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray every day for God to help you focus on His plan for you rather than your plan for pleasures. How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our stories to others? If you've been "fighting" with someone in your youth group, church, school, work place, or family - take the first step to make the relationship right again. Remember that it's better to do this face to face rather than online. This will speak volumes about how God's Story has changed your story! Pray for God to bring peace in Kenya and to use this to draw people to Himself. Permanent Link 3 Jan, 2008 Appearances can be deceiving If it looks bad, it could be bad. Passenger accused of brandishing toy gun (Can you tell if this gun is real or fake?) ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio—A passenger in a car accused of pointing a toy gun at the head of a friend who was driving was charged with inducing panic, authorities said. Justin Carman, 23, brandished the toy along Interstate 70 last month and caused a stir with at least one passing motorist who called 911, said Sgt. Jason Greenwood with the State Highway Patrol. Carman and three friends were driving back to Ohio after attending a football game the previous night between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, authorities said. From a distance, in a moving vehicle, the toy gun appeared to be real to the 911 caller, Greenwood said. "At that point, we didn't know what was going on—if it was a stolen vehicle, a kidnapping with a stolen vehicle, or if the vehicle was going to stop," he said. Carman was in the back seat of the car when it was pulled over in eastern Ohio. He told authorities he was a student at the University of Cincinnati, Greenwood said. A student directory on the university's Web site doesn't have a listing for Carman. No other listings could be found, and there was no immediate information on whether Carman had an attorney. Carman posted bond and was released from the Belmont County Jail, authorities said. photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 12/4/07 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NLT) 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being careful about how our lives look? Today's story about the college kid with the toy gun could have had a tragic ending. Numerous times this past year, the news included stories of kids getting shot because someone thought they had a real gun. My purpose for giving you today's story is to challenge all of us to think about how serious the appearance of evil can be. In some translations of the Bible, the wording in today's verse is "avoid the appearance of evil". I believe this detail is an important part of Paul's challenge with this verse. As followers of Christ, we should avoid tempting situations. Because we live in a sinful world, we can't avoid every kind of evil, but we shouldn't make it easy to fall (or walk) into sin either. The result of being near to what appears to be evil can be devastating. Not only will we find ourselves more vulnerable to Satan's tempting attacks, but others around us will not be able to tell if our faith in Christ is real or fake? To be genuine, we must focus on being like Christ rather than being like the world around us. How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives? Thank God for His Word. Thank Him for the simple but profound truth in today's verse. Ask His Spirit to help you avoid even the appearance of evil. Memorize today's verse.