31 Jul, 2008
Hollywood's Richest
Will Smith was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood last year, according to US business magazine Forbes.
The I Am Legend star earned $80m - Cameron Diaz led the ladies' charge by topping the highest-grossing actress table with takings of $50m.
The magazine pulled together lists of Hollywood's big earners for its special Entertainment All Stars issue.
Smith, Johnny Depp and Eddie Murphy were the best paid Hollywood actors in the past year, according to the magazine.
Smith, 39, made $80m (£40m) between 1 June 2007 and 1 June 2008, thanks to films like I Am Legend, Hancock and The Pursuit of Happyness, for which he was nominated for best actor in the 2007 Oscars.
Story courtesy of bbc.com & photo images.google.com
Romans 1:16-17
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Ephesians 2:7
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
Today's God's Story is about His power making those who receive His forgiveness very rich! What are you doing with this good news?
The apostle Paul knew exactly what to do with the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. He would tell others about it. He was not ashamed to tell everyone, because it is only the POWER OF GOD that can forgive sins and make a person right before God.
Will Smith will receive a paycheck telling him how much money he has earned. Do you know how rich you are spiritually?
What's really sad is how many people don't realize that God is waiting to make them rich with His grace and mercy. And His wealth lasts forever!
Don't you want others to know about the best thing that's ever happened to you?
You don't have to be a multi-million dollar movie star to receive Christ's riches. The POWER OF GOD is available to all!
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- How often are you in awe of monetary wealth while disregarding the true riches you have been given?
Take a couple of minutes to meditate on what God has done for you through His Son, Jesus Christ. Pray and thank Him for His power to save you....to help you live each day....to give you the courage to be identified as a follower of Jesus....to lovingly learn the stories of others...and to make the connection with your story and God's Story.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?
- When you are talking with your friends about their favorite movies or TV shows ask them how much they think their favorite actor gets paid.
- Share with them the immeasurable riches you have been given.
- Let someone in your "storysphere" know how they can become rich.
30 Jul, 2008
Are you shrinking or growing?
Numbers 33:1-2 (NLT)
Remembering Israel's Journey
1This is the itinerary the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2At the LORD's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places they stopped along the way.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about spiritual growth?
The world's biggest fish is getting smaller. Researchers know this because they keep records. This got me wondering about my own spiritual growth, or lack there of. (That's bad grammar, but you get the point!)
Once again, God's Story has practical insight on just about every topic, including the importance of checking our spiritual maturity (or lack of). Look at the lesson to be learned from Moses and the Israelites in today's Old Testament scripture passage:
33:2 Moses recorded the Israelites' journeys as God instructed him, providing a record of their spiritual as well as geographic progress. Have you made spiritual progress lately? Recording your thoughts about God and lessons you have learned over a period of time can be a valuable aid to spiritual growth. A record of your spiritual pilgrimage will let you check up on your progress and avoid repeating past mistakes.*
*study notes courtesy Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
We read in the opening story that the researchers describe the shrinking fish as being "vulnerable".
- Are there areas in your life where you are vulnerable to spiritual shrinking?
- If you aren't keeping a written journal, try it for at least two weeks. One month would be ideal, because new habits can be formed in thirty days. Here's a sample of what to write down: (1) Something that God taught me today... (2) I will apply it in my life with Jesus by... (3) Prayer requests... (4) Prayers answered...
- Find a pastor, friend, or trusted adult to be an accountability partner to help keep you on track.
Pray right now... Admit to Him your spiritual "shrinking". Renew your desire to grow in spiritual maturity and admit your need to totally depend on Jesus. Thank Him. He will grow you.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Ask your friends and family about their journey. Listen and be willing to share times when God has made an impact on your journey.
- Ask your friends or those in your "storysphere" what they keep record of, journaling, blogging, etc.
29 Jul, 2008
Here Kitty Kitty!
117 cats, raccoon, and rabbit found at Omaha home
OMAHA, Neb. - Humane society workers have found 117 cats, a raccoon and
a rabbit in a north Omaha house. The discovery came Wednesday after Council Bluffs, Iowa,
police caught the 54-year-old woman who lives at the house reportedly
stealing cat food. Officials say she smelled like cat urine.
It isn't the first time the woman has been in trouble for having too many cats. At one time the humane society pulled more than 200 cats from her house.
Many of the cats taken Wednesday were sick and the floor was covered in feces. Some of the cats were dead.
The woman faces possible citations for cruelty to animals and other charges.
Photo courtesy images.google.com & story news.yahoo.com, 7/23/08
Ecclesiastes 5:13 (NLT)
13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.
King Solomon was the wisest man in the world, according to the Bible. Actually, I'm not super smart, but I know enough to not keep 117 cats in our house! (Dogs would be OK...just kidding you cat lovers!)
Sol's point is simple. If we get too focused on riches, it will cost us! He's really talking about hoarding. What is hoarding? Hoarding is when we obsess to possess! Keeping too much of anything earthly can hurt us.
I don't know if anyone would consider cats to be like "riches", but today's story is a great example of keeping too much.
You and I are poorly mistaken if we think that hoarding some earthly possessions will not be a problem in our lives. We may never go to extreme cat collections, but maybe it's something else like...money...clothes...CDs...video games...food...DVDs...
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
Answer this question honestly: Are you trying to possess or letting God control your possessions?
- If you think you have a problem with hoarding (that is getting out of control) please talk to your youth leader, your pastor or a Christain counselor.
- Do an inventory of your possessions. Be honest. Is there something that you accumulate that gets in the way of your focus being on Christ?
- The next time you go shopping and you're looking for something you already have a lot of...ask yourself why you want to buy it?
Pray right now...Thank God for His blessings in your life. Praise Him because "every good gift is from above"! Confess anything in this earthly life that has gotten in the way of your relationship with Jesus. If you have been hoarding some possessions, ask God to forgive you and He will. Ask His Spirit to enable you to daily pursue intimacy with Christ rather than earthly possessions.
- If you have a friend or family member in your "storysphere" who owns a cat, use today's story to start a conversation about earthly possessions.
- When you are talking with your friends about possessions, look for opportunities to share part of your story about what God is teaching you about the "obsession for possessions".
28 Jul, 2008
Big fish...big lesson!
Imagine being swallowed by a whale!
(Note: This is not an actual photo of Jonah being swallowed by the great fish sent by God...as far as we know, Jonah was not using snorkel gear.)
Photo courtesy images.google.com
Jonah 1:1-7
Jonah Flees the Presence of the Lord
1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”
Jonah Is Thrown into the Sea
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Jonah 1:15-17
15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
A Great Fish Swallows Jonah
17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:9-10
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
Jonah 3:1-5
Jonah Goes to Nineveh
3:1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. (ESV)
What are some lessons we should learn from Jonah and the whale in today's God's Story scripture?
There's a bunch of possible lessons to learn here:
- God has a plan for each of us to serve Him
- God wants us to get the Word out about His loving message
- God knows us and sees us - You can't run away from God
- God is in control of all the elements around us
- God will use our actions (bad and good) to impact others around us
- God does amazing miracles
- God brings consequences when we disobey Him
- God hears our prayers
- God is full of compassion and forgiveness
- God is a God of second chances (sometimes third and fourth and...)
- God will do whatever it takes to get our attention
There's nothing "fishy" about God's commitment to us - He wants us to make Him the focus of our life story.
Just think of the incredible story we have to tell!
Like Jonah, we may try to find excuses to not tell others about God's Story, but....God will get our attention.
- Thank God for His commitment to you. Thank Him that He will do whatever it takes to get your attention on Him and His plan for your life. If you've been "running away" from God in any way recently, confess your attitude and thank Him for His compassion and forgiveness! Ask His Spirit to make your life a story to share with the world around you!
- For the next month or whatever, every time you see a fish, pray for God to keep showing you His plan for your life.
- Sit down with an older Christian and ask him or her to share their story with you. Find out what God used in their life to get their attention on Him and His plans for their life.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to the lives of others?
Use today's photo and the story of Jonah and the whale to talk about your story with those in your storysphere who are really interested in God's Story. Tell them how there have been times when you have wanted to talk to them about your story being connected to God's Story, but you've been putting it off. Ask them if you can share your faith story with them? Tell them that your story may not seem as incredible as Jonah's story, but to God, it's just as important!
25 Jul, 2008
Have you trashed the treasure?
It's better to be Godly than rich.
Treasure in the trash: $20K earrings found in NYC
NEW YORK -- Diamonds in the rough? Try a $20,000 pair of the glinting gems in a reeking truckload of trash.
A Staten Island jeweler has gotten her 3-carat diamond earrings back after she, her husband and city sanitation employees sorted through a smelly heap of garbage. The studs were in a small jar of cleaning solution, which a worker at the couple's jewelry store had accidentally thrown away.
The earrings were recovered Thursday at the site of the former Fresh Kills landfill. The giant dump closed in 2001, and the earrings were in a load of trash destined to be compacted and shipped out of state.
Owner Haya Sharon is calls the find "a miracle." The earrings were an anniversary gift from her husband.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story seattlepi.com, 7/19/08
Ezekiel 7:18-20 (NLT)
18 They will dress themselves in burlap;
horror and shame will cover them.
They will shave their heads
in sorrow and remorse.
19 “They will throw their money in the streets,
tossing it out like worthless trash.
Their silver and gold won’t save them
on that day of the Lord’s anger.
It will neither satisfy nor feed them,
for their greed can only trip them up.
20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry
and used it to make detestable idols and vile images.
Therefore, I will make all their wealth
disgusting to them.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about a Godly perspective on possessions?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
7:19 God's people had allowed their love of money to lead them into sin. For this, God would destroy them. Money has a strange power to lead people into sin. Paul said that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). It is ironic that we use a gift of God - money - to buy things that separate us from Him. It is tragic that we spend so much money seeking to satisfy ourselves and so little time seeking God, the true source of satisfaction.
Someone in NYC cleaned some expensive earrings and didn't realize they had trashed the treasure.
Do we take a close look at the "treasures" God has given us? If we're pursuing worldly possessions rather than Godliness we're trashing the relationship and blessings that are part of being a follower of Jesus.
If we're willing to let God help us clean up our perspective on possessions, we will clearly see that we are rich beyond description.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for giving you, His child, the treasures of Heaven. Confess any way in which you have been trashing your relationship with Him.
- For two weeks, keep a written journal of how you spend your time and what you are focusing on each day. Let Jesus use this evaluation to help you see if there are any changes needed?
- Whenever you see someone wearing some expensive bling, let Jesus remind you that you're already rich!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Use today's story about the expensive earrings found in the trash to start a conversation with others about the pursuit of possessions in this life. If your friend is pretty open to God's Story and your story of faith, you could talk about the fact that though much of the world likes to trash Jesus, you know that He has made you rich.
24 Jul, 2008
Cheesy face!
Big cheese carving
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A sculpture of the signing of the Declaration of Independence made from a one-tonne block of cheddar cheese glistened on the sidewalk of Times Square in New York on as an artist's tribute to the Fourth of July.
"It's very patriotic, using the signing of the Declaration of Independence, bringing Americans together for the Fourth," said Troy Landwehr, who carved the sculpture for cracker company Cheez-It to celebrate U.S. Independence Day.
He worked eight hours a day for a week in a 40-degree cooler carving the block of Wisconsin cheddar.
"The cheddar has been pasteurized and will not melt," Landwehr said. "What I spray on it is cooking oil and that stops it from drying out and cracking," he said. "That's why it looks sweaty. It actually preserves the cheese."
The replica of an iconic painting by John Trumbull shows John Adams, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and others standing around a table signing the historic document.
The work is not the first time Landwehr has recreated U.S. history with cheese. Last year he carved a cheese version of Mount Rushmore, which depicts U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln.
photo courtesy ap & story au.news.yahoo.com 7/5/08
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about becoming more like Jesus?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
3:17-18 ...When we trust Christ to save us, he removes our heavy burden of trying to please him and our guilt for failing to do so. By trusting Christ we are loved, accepted, forgiven, and freed to live for him. ...By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like him. In the Good News, we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. Through learning about Christ's life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what he is really like. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming Christlike is a progressive experience. The more closely we follow Christ, the more we will be like him.
The world around us may think that becoming like Jesus is sort of a "cheesy" idea, but it's what our loving God wants for each of us.
Let His Holy Spirit carve the likeness of Christ into our faces and every part of our being.
How can we apply today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- In your daily prayer times, ask Jesus to show you what changes are needed in your life for you to be more like Him. Trust Him to use his loving power to make it happen as you obey Him.
- Make a written list of what changes are needed in your life in order for you to be more Christlike. Check this every day for one month. Ask another follower of Jesus to pray for you and hold you accountable.
- Whenever you see pictures of famous people monuments or eat cheese this summer, let Jesus remind you that He wants to carve out His likeness in you.
How can we connect today's story and today's God's Story scripture and our story to others?
The next time you are eating cheese (cheese pizza, cheese balls, cheese curds, cheese whiz, just plain cheese...) with a friend or family member who is (or isn't) a follower of Christ, bring up today's story about the "cheese faces". You could ask the other person, "Be honest, do you ever see the likeness of Christ in me? Why or why not?"
23 Jul, 2008
Olive lived in three centuries!
World's oldest blogger posts final message before dying at age 108
An Australian woman described as the world's oldest blogger has died at age 108 after posting a final message about singing "a happy song" in her nursing home. Olive Riley "passed away peacefully on July 12 and will be mourned by thousands of Internet friends and hundreds of descendants and other relatives," a note on her Web site said. Ms. Riley had posted more than 70 entries on her blog from Woy Woy, north of Sydney, since February last year, sharing her thoughts on modern life and her experiences in three centuries. Born in the outback town of Broken Hill on Oct. 20, 1899, she lived through two world wars and raised three children while doing various jobs, including ranch cook and barmaid. "She had people communicating with her from as far away as Russia and the United States on a continual basis, not just once in a while," said her great-grandson Darren Stone. "She enjoyed the notoriety -- it kept her mind fresh."
photo courtesy ap & story nationalpost.com 7/15/08
Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)
32 “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how we should treat the elderly?
God gave the Israelites a direct command to show respect for the elderly, because this brings honor to them and to God. This instruction is timeless, meaning we must also apply it today.
A lot of jokes are made about the elderly in our culture. It's often easy to ignore them and not spend time with them. When their memory fades, their hearing goes, their eyes fail, and their ideas are different than ours - we often disregard their opinions and God's command to give them honor.
Every old person is precious in God's sight. If we spend time with them, we will learn from their life experience and wisdom. And it will make their day!
I love today's story about Olive, the world's oldest blogger. She obviously had an incredible will to keep living. Think of the stories she told before she died.
Wouldn't you love to hear her story and how it connected to the stories of others? I wonder if Olive knew about God's Story?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- First of all, be very honest. How about you and your friends? Do you show respect for the elderly like God's Word teaches?
- Talk to God through prayer right now. Thank Him for His instruction for us to care for and respect the elderly. Pray for one elderly person (other than a relative) you know. Ask God to show you how to encourage this person. Now thank God for your grandparents and remember to pray for any of them who are still living.
- Try keeping a daily journal for thirty days. Write down a daily example of God's Story in your life and a daily example of what you learn from or see in elderly people.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Once a month, help out an elderly person in your neighborhood.
- Write a letter of appreciation and love to your grandparents, even if they live nearby or you see them quite often. They love letters and email. If you don't have living grandparents, do this for another older couple or single.
- In your small group or youth group, develop a plan to reach out and honor the elderly in your community. It might involve visits to a nursing home or the homes of some older folks in your church or community.
- Use today's story about the world's oldest blogger to start a conversation with someone you know who needs Jesus. You could ask, "If you lived to be 108-years-old, what would you hope to know about God by that age?"
22 Jul, 2008
Somewhere, over the rainbow...
A Rainbow "Cold As Ice"
Rare "Rainbow" Spotted Over Idaho in 2006
It looks like a rainbow that's been set on fire, but this phenomenon is as cold as ice.
Known in the weather world as a circumhorizontal arc, this rare sight was caught on film on two years ago as it hung over northern Idaho near the Washington State border.
The arc isn't a rainbow in the traditional sense—it is caused by light passing through wispy, high-altitude cirrus clouds. The sight occurs only when the sun is very high in the sky (more than 58° above the horizon). What's more, the hexagonal ice crystals that make up cirrus clouds must be shaped like thick plates with their faces parallel to the ground.
When light enters through a vertical side face of such an ice crystal and leaves from the bottom face, it refracts, or bends, in the same way that light passes through a prism. If a cirrus's crystals are aligned just right, the whole cloud lights up in a spectrum of colors.
This particular arc spanned several hundred square miles of sky and lasted for about an hour, according to the London Daily Mail.
picture & story courtesy nationalgeographic.com/news, 6/19/06
Genesis 9:8-17 (CEV)
8Again, God said to Noah and his sons:
9I am going to make a solemn promise to you and to everyone who will live after you. 10This includes the birds and the animals that came out of the boat. 11I promise every living creature that the earth and those living on it will never again be destroyed by a flood.
12-13The rainbow that I have put in the sky will be my sign to you and to every living creature on earth. It will remind you that I will keep this promise forever. 14When I send clouds over the earth, and a rainbow appears in the sky, 15I will remember my promise to you and to all other living creatures. Never again will I let floodwaters destroy all life. 16When I see the rainbow in the sky, I will always remember the promise that I have made to every living creature. 17The rainbow will be the sign of that solemn promise.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the spiritual significance of a rainbow?
Check out the study notes from Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE:
9:8-17 Noah stepped out of the boat onto an earth devoid of human life. But God gave him a reassuring promise. This covenant had three parts: (1) Never again will a flood do such destruction; (2) as long as the earth remains, the seasons will always come as expected; (3) a rainbow will be visible when it rains as a sign to all that God will keep his promises. The earth's order and seasons are still preserved, and rainbows still remind us of God's faithfulness to his word.
Many people think about the classic movie, THE WIZARD OF OZ, when they see a beautiful rainbow. Come on, be honest - right now you want to hum Dorothy's infamous 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.
But poor Dorothy could only hope that the "Great Oz" would fulfill her dreams and give her what she wanted.
As God's children (through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ) we can base our daily and eternal hope in the fact that our Heavenly Father always keeps His promises. We dare not treat Him as some sort of "Great Oz" who should give us what we want. But we should take heart in knowing that God is perfect, that He loves us unconditionally, that He knows what is best for us, and that we can trust Him to keep His word all the time.
The next time you see a rainbow, let God flood your mind and heart with His loving promises!
- Praise God for Who He is.....thank Him for being a perfect, loving, Heavenly Father...thank Him that you never have to wonder if He will keep His promises....to keep loving you....to keep forgiving you....to lead and guide you....to strengthen you...to use you....to bring you to His eternal Heaven....(you fill in the next)....
- Whenever you see a rainbow this summer, praise God for Who He is and for keeping His promises.
- Use a topical study Bible to look up at least ten of God's promises to His people.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Send today's DAILYBIDE to someone to encourage them, or use it as a conversation starter with someone who is interested in God's Story.
- With those in your storysphere, ask questions about promises kept and promises broken. Find out how they feel toward others who have broken promises or those who have kept promises. Look for the opportunity to share part of your story, which includes God keeping His promises to you.
21 Jul, 2008
What do your clothes say?
Paul makes a fashion statement.
It's the law: No sagging pants in Chicago suburb
LYNWOOD, Ill.—Be careful if you have saggy pants in the south Chicago suburb of Lynwood. Village leaders have passed an ordinance that would levy $25 fines against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public.
Eugene Williams is the mayor of Lynwood. He says young men walk around town half-dressed, keeping major retailers and economic development away. He calls the new law a hot topic.
The American Civil Liberties Union says the ordinance targets young men of color.
Young adults in the village, like 21-year-old Joe Klomes, say the new law infringes on their personal style. He says leaders should instead spend money on making the area look nicer.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 7/20/08
Colossians 3:9-14 (MSG)
9-11Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about making a fashion statement for Christ?
What does the saggy pants style reveal about today's youth culture? How low is too low? How much should be seen by others?
After reading Paul's words you have to think about the fact that maybe our clothes aren't revealing enough - of our new nature in Christ.
Even if you wear your pants too high, we need to understand that God, our designer, has a selected clothing line for us to wear. Don't worry. Christ's fashion is not seasonal or trendy. Just holy.
Paul is challenging us to wear our brand new nature which is what Christ gives us when we receive His gift of salvation for our sins. It means that our actions should match our faith. If we claim to follow Christ, our "look" should be like Jesus. Christ-like clothing will not match the world's "look", but Jesus calls us to make a "fashion statement". Besides, wouldn't it be fun to start a new trend?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for the new nature He has given you through your faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God's Spirit to daily help you clothe yourself with Christ's holy wardrobe.
- Memorize Colossians 3:10 as a reminder of what to wear every day.
- Paul mentions 8 items of Christ-like clothing. Pick out the one you have trouble "fitting into" right now and make it a daily prayer focus until you look Godly in it.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- This next week, every time you stand in front of your closet trying to decide what to wear, briefly pray for Christ-like character and for others to see Jesus in your style.
- Listen for conversations about clothes (try to count how many in one week) and listen to Jesus giving you the nudge to share a little about your story and the new "clothing line" He has given you.
18 Jul, 2008
Dog gone it!
Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics
BEIJING - Canine cuisine is being sent to the doghouse during next month's Beijing Olympic Games.
Dog meat has been struck from the menus of officially designated Olympic restaurants, and Beijing tourism officials are telling other outlets to discourage consumers from ordering dishes made from dogs.
Waiters and waitresses should "patiently" suggest other options to diners who order dog, it said, quoting city tourism bureau Vice Director Xiong Yumei.
Dog, known in Chinese as "xiangrou," or "fragrant meat," is eaten by some Chinese for its purported health-giving qualities.
Beijing isn't the first Olympic host to slap a ban on the dish.
South Korea banned dog meat during the 1988 Seoul Olympics by invoking a law prohibiting the sale of "foods deemed unsightly." After the Olympics, the ban was not strictly enforced.
Dog meat is also eaten in some other Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos.
photo & story courtesy news.yahoo.com, 7/11/08
Leviticus 11:7-8
7 And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about sin and tempting situations?
Come on now, how often do any of us read from the book of Leviticus? I don't. Do you? Usually, we think this is just one of those Old Testament books that doesn't apply much to our stories today. BUT, I think you'll see that all of Scripture is holy because God's Spirit wrote it and it is timeless because it is full of practical lessons to help us abide in Christ.
Here's the deal on today's verses from the study notes found in Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE:
11:8 God had strictly forbidden eating the meat of certain "unclean" animals; to make sure, he forbade even touching them. He wanted the people to be totally separated from those things he had forbidden. So often we flirt with temptation, rationalizing that at least we are technically keeping the commandment not to commit the sin. But God wants us to separate ourselves completely from all sin and tempting situations. Perhaps this passage has made you aware of areas of your life where you have "technical" innocence but in which you have actually been involved in sin. It's time to cross back over the line and stay there.
If you and I knew that a dog meat noodle dish was sitting in front of us, we'd leave this "unclean" meat alone unless we wanted a real dining adventure that we could tell our friends about.
Though the Bible does not address every food in the world, it is very clear what God wants us to do when faced with "unclean" situations in our lives.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Take a few minutes to talk and listen to Jesus. If you are willing to be totally honest, Jesus will help you recognize the "unclean" areas in your life right now. Confess them and let His forgiving grace (made possible through His sacrificial death on the cross) get you clean again. Thank God and worship Him!
- Let Jesus help you write down the 5 main areas in your life that when you think about it, are as troubling as eating dog meat. In humility, ask Jesus every day to help you rely on His power to live clean.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
The way to apply this is obvious. BUT be careful to not make your friends and family throw up! You can use today's DAILYBIDE to share more of your story with other Christians and with those in your storysphere who are not yet followers of Jesus. When you talk about this subject of God's instructions on the "unclean", be careful to be real about your own weaknesses, without judging the other person.
NOTE: You might want to talk about today's story (eating dog meat) after you are done eating.
17 Jul, 2008
Are you in your write mind?
Pencil removed from woman's head after 55 years
BERLIN – A woman who had a pencil lodged in her head for 55 years after a childhood accident finally had most of it removed, which should end her chronic headaches and nosebleeds.
Margaret Wegner was four years old when she fell while carrying the 3.15-inch pencil, which went through her cheek and into her brain.
"It bored right through the skin and disappeared into my head," Wegner, now 59, told Germany's best-selling newspaper, Bild. "It hurt like crazy."
At the time, the technology did not exist to safely remove the pencil, so Wegner had to live with it – and the ensuing chronic headaches and nosebleeds – for the next 5 1/2 decades.
But Dr. Hans Behrbohm, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Berlin's Park-Klinik Weissensee, was able to identify the exact location of the pencil so that he could determine the risks of removing it, and then took most of it out.
The operation was difficult because of the way the pencil had shifted as Wegner grew. Although a piece of a pencil about four-fifths of an inch long could not be removed, Behrbohm said it does not pose a danger.
And now Wegner, the wife of German boxing coach Ulli Wegner, will no longer have the headaches and nosebleeds, and her sense of smell should return soon, Behrbohm said.
photo & story courtesy kvue.com, 8/7/07
Proverbs 7:2-3 (CEV)
2Obey me, and you will live! Let my instructions be your greatest treasure. 3Keep them at your fingertips and write them in your mind.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about obeying God's commands?
The context of Proverbs chapter 7 is that Solomon (with words given him by God's Holy Spirit) is warning God's people about immorality.
While this is a clear warning against sexual sin, the big picture is that Christ followers must obey all of God's commands. If we do, God says we will experience life the way He intends for us. Why would we want to risk everything and do life our way?
God says this is so important - we have to remember it and guard it. How? By writing His instructions in our minds.
Think about it....
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Write down a prayer of confession to God for any instructions from His Word that you have not been following and remember to thank Him for His loving forgiveness.
- Keep a written list of how you are experiencing real life in Christ when you obey God's commands in His Word.
- For the next week, whenever you read the God's scriptures, tape a pencil to your head as a reminder to obey and apply what you learn. (Be ready for some interesting conversations if your friends or family see you doing this!)
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others who need Jesus?
This is real simple but it could be fun, practical and meaningful - think about someone you know who is really thinking about God's Story and becoming a follower of Jesus - tell him or her about the German woman having the pencil removed from her head and then talk about how you're going to try to start writing more and more of God's Story in your mind. Be sure to explain why and then ask your friend what he or she thinks?
16 Jul, 2008
Fast thumbs!
Texting champ wins $50,000 prize
A 20-year-old student of Cleveland State University won the $50,000 grand prize for a national texting contest, CNET reports.
Nathan Schwartz's winning text was: "Does everybody here know the alphabet? Let's text. Here it goes ... AbcDefghiJKlmNoPQrStuvWXy & Z! Now I know my A-B-C's, next time won't you text with me?"
Not only did Schwartz complete the text in 50 seconds, he also did not make a mistake, according to the AP. Schwartz qualified for the competition after winning an MTV contest. Schwartz learned about the contest while watching MTV. The contest was sponsored by cell phone maker LG. JASON HIDALGO.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story blogs.rjg.com, 7/14/08
1 Corinthians 12:12-22 (NLT)
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about our importance to the Body of Christ?
Paul communicates God's Story very clearly. Do you get his point? God has given each of His children (those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior) an important part to play in the body of Christ!
All of us will always know other believers who seem like they should get noticed because they seem more spiritually gifted, more talented, and more likely to be used by God to accomplish His plan. But we're all an important part of His team!
Even if we're like the little toe in Christ's body, God sees us as a winner!
And we should never be a sore thumb! If we resent someone else for their gifts or abilities, we are not responding to today's text message from God.
Of course it's tempting to be envious of the guy who won $50,000 for having the fastest thumbs in cyberworld! The key is to see the opportunities we have to serve God using His gifts to us. We may never receive earthly prizes, but God has some waiting in Heaven for us.
- Thank God for the body of Christ and your part in it. Ask His Spirit to show you how to encourage others in their gifts. Thank Jesus that He will show you how you can best serve Him by using the gifts He has given you. Ask Jesus to show you how you can serve to reach others because they need the Good News.
- Read Romans 12:1-8 to learn more about Christ's body and spiritual gifts.
- Ask your youth leader or pastor to help you discover your spiritual gifts.
- Whenever you receive text messages or text someone, let Jesus remind you that He has gifted you!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- In your youth group or small group, do your own texting contest followed by a discussion using this DAILYBIDE.
- Send a text message to other followers of Christ and affirm them for their gifts or abilities.
- Send a text message to someone who needs Jesus and encourage him or her. Set up a time to get together and talk. Tell him or her about the text champion and start a conversation about the God-given abilities you see in your friend. Listen to their response and you may have an opportunity to share more of your story and God's Story.
15 Jul, 2008
Looking good!
Miss Venezuela crowned Miss Universe 2008
NHA TRANG CITY, Vietnam, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, an interior designer, was named Miss Universe 2008 on Monday, after outperforming and outsmarting 14 other young women in the final round of the 57th pageant held in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city.
Mendoza, 22, said she likes design, photography, advertising and wave surfing. The Venezuelan girl with the height of 1.78 meters can speak Spanish, Italian and English.
Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori handed over the crown worth 120,000 U.S. dollars to Mendoza, who will continue Mori's work of traveling around the world to promote education and HIV/AIDS research.
The 80 candidates worldwide, competed for the Miss Universe in a grand show, which was live televised to 170 countries and regions, with exciting performances of the beautiful women in swimsuits and evening gowns, and their quick responses to the judges' questions.
photo & story courtesy news.xinhuanet.com, 8/14/08
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 Universe.
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.
14 Jul, 2008
Make Good Choices
Teen Dies After Car Full of Friends Crashes
Almost two years ago (July 2006), with a good-night message to deliver, Dale Mozena walked out his back door in Kimball, Minn., about 10:30 p.m. and over to the large tent where his daughter Krysta, 13, had practically been living this summer.
"[Krysta] said, 'Good night. I love you, Dad,' " Mozena said. "I said, 'I love you, too.' And that was the last that I heard from her."
About sunrise the next morning, Mozena got the news that Krysta had died, not long after she had sneaked out of the tent with a friend and gotten into a car with four other teenagers.
The car, which had been headed south on County Road 35 in nearby Wright County, veered off the road at about 2 a.m., hit an embankment and rolled over at least once in the ditch.
Everyone was taken to area hospitals, and all but Krysta suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Krysta was pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center just after 5 a.m.
"She had a long life ahead of her," her father said.
Authorities had yet to determine exactly why the young people had been out at that time or where they were going. They said they believe alcohol was a factor in the accident, although it was too early to know what, if any, charges would be pursued.
Mozena said he couldn't remember a time when Krysta had sneaked out before.
Since the accident, the father learned that Krysta had met a teenage boy, also in the car accident, a few weeks before and that she was interested in him. He wishes his daughter hadn't made a mistake.
Said Mozena: "It's just a young kid experiencing something different who made a wrong choice."
story courtesy startribune.com, 7/21/06
Proverbs 3:21-26
21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about our need for Godly wisdom?
First of all, keep in mind that the word "son" does not mean this isn't for girls. (Sorry, ladies, this is one of those cultural deals where the word really does include everyone, even though it wasn't translated this way in the ESV.)
Wisdom is one of the mega themes of Proverbs. One reason God gave us this book and this passage is because He wants His children to be wise.
Every day we can choose one of two paths. We can be independent, rebellious, or just ignore God and stumble along the path of the fool. Or, we can choose God's way and He will give us wisdom. God's wisdom comes to us through His Word made clear to us through His Spirit living in us.
This is what abiding in Christ is all about. Staying connected to Jesus provides us the Godly wisdom we need to live right, have right relationships, and make right choices.
Please understand that I do not know the spiritual perspective of the teenage girl killed in the car accident, nor am I judging her. But her father said she "made a wrong choice". Heartbreaking. If only she could have made the right choice.
Godly wisdom can be the difference between life and death.
How can you connect today's God's Story scripture to your life?
- Remember that choosing Godly wisdom must be daily. If you find yourself wandering over to the path of "the fool" during the day, then choose God's path of wisdom hourly, every 15 minutes, or....
- Stay on the path of Godly wisdom by staying connected to Jesus through time in His Word, praying, and spending time with others who desire to abide in Christ.
- Keep a written journal. Record your Godly choices and foolish choices. After one month, review your journal to see if you have been walking the path of Godly wisdom.
- Talk to God right now in prayer. Spend a few minutes in complete honesty with Jesus. He will show you where you've been making unwise choices and how to make Godly ones...
How can you connect today's story and God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- Pray for your friends or family members who are making wrong choices. Ask Jesus to show them His love and to use you to be an example of Godly wisdom.
- Use today's story as a conversation starter with your friends about the idea of making good choices.
- Pray every day for Jesus to give you the courage you need to make Godly choices in front of others who don't know Jesus. Walking the path of wisdom can be very lonely.
11 Jul, 2008
Small but nasty!
Woman loses 10 lbs of flesh after spider bite
A hobo is small, non-aggressive spider that seldom bites. But when one does, the bite can cause huge problems -- such as losing 10 pounds of flesh and skin.
That's what happened to Hermiston, Ore., resident Cindy Pettey. A couple of years ago Pettey woke up after being bitten on the stomach in the middle of the night. No problem, she thought, until she came down with a fever, felt weak and ached all over and the bite sore grew larger.
Now, Pettey has recoverd from surgery that left her stomach covered with stitches and took away 10 pounds of flesh and skin.
"It looks like I was bit in half by a shark," said Pettey.
Rob Hendrickson, a physician and director of the Oregon Poison Control Center, said the hobo bites only when cornered. For example, when someone puts on a shoe with a spider inside.
Hobo spider venom may cause necrosis, or death of the skin. When a spider injects venom below the skin, it reddens, swells, then turns black. But there is some doubt in the medical community about whether venom causes the skin death, Hendrickson said.
Pettey isn't taking any more chances. "I put hobo spider traps all over my house," she said.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story xinhaunet.com, 12/12/06
Isaiah 59:1-5
Evil and Oppression
59:1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood
and your fingers with iniquity;
your lips have spoken lies;
your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one enters suit justly;
no one goes to law honestly;
they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,
they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
5 They hatch adders' eggs;
they weave the spider's web;
he who eats their eggs dies,
and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the power of sin, even the little ones?
This whole passage is a warning from God through His prophet Isaiah.
Since God is holy, He can not put up with sin, no matter how small it might seem to us. Our sin cuts us off from the relationship that God desires for us to have with Him.
Sin, even if it is tiny from our perspective, is like a powerful poison of a spider bite. It's small, but nasty! One little sin can grow keep growing into many sins that damage our intimacy with God.
That's why Isaiah's long list of sins (not all are included) in verses 1-14 make the holy God angry and force Him to turn away.
But God is so loving that if we are His children (followers of Jesus), and confess our sins, He will forgive us completely and restore our relationship.
The sobering reality is that unless people receive God's forgiveness through Christ's death and resurrection, they remain separated from God for eternity. BUT! Saying yes to God's gift of forgiveness (the most amazing part of His Story) means that a person can be in relationship with God in this earthly life and forever!
Is this part of your story?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Talk to God right now about the sins that His Holy Spirit points out in your life...yes, even those little ones...apply 1st John 1:9 and receive God's loving forgiveness....If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- If you have a journal, (start one if you don't have one) for one month, write down those "small but nasty" little sins that Satan uses to catch you in his web. Remember that if you are abiding (staying connected ) in Jesus, He will empower you to "take every thought captive".
- Whenever you see a spider's web, let it remind you to let Jesus guard you from those little sins that "bite".
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
The next time you see a spider when you're with someone in your storysphere, use it as a conversation starter about today's "hobo spider bite" story. Remember to use it as a way to talk about your own struggles and not judge your friend or family member for their struggles. This will allow you to learn more of their story and share more of yours and God's story.
9 Jul, 2008
Up...up...and away!
Take a ride in the clouds? God does.
Flying in lawn chair is relaxing, til balloons pop
GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Soaring over Eastern Oregon at 15,000 feet in a lawn chair rigged with helium-filled party balloons, Kent Couch felt like he was relaxing in his backyard – serene and peaceful – except when a balloon would pop unexpectedly.
“First it would make a noise like a gunshot, then it would shake the whole chair,” Couch said Monday from his home in Bend, safely back on the ground after flying 235 miles in nine hours from his gas station in Bend to a farm field in Idaho. “Every time it happened, even though it happened about 15 times during the whole trip, I'd just reach for the handles of the chair.”
But Couch had plenty of balloons to keep himself aloft: more than 150 of them.
After just two hours of sleep and a breakfast sandwich of egg and bacon on a biscuit from his gas station convenience store, Couch took off at dawn on Saturday. Dozens of volunteers helped him inflate and rig the balloons and hundreds of onlookers cheered as he safely cleared light poles and buildings.
“We thought we were having a hard time getting off the ground, but there was a guy behind me hanging onto a tow rope who wasn't letting go,” said the 48-year-old Couch. “Then when he did let me go, I shot up fast.”
So fast that a chase plane and helicopter couldn't keep up. They waved as he flew by.
Cruising at 15,000 feet, Couch flew over the Strawberry Mountains, the town of John Day, past the community of Halfway, and across the Snake River marking the Idaho border.
“It's different than looking out from an airplane. It was like looking with God's eyes down there. Not to take anything away from God. It was like being outside the Earth looking in.”
Couch said his main worry was clouds – pilots had warned him about the turbulence – but found nearly all of them parted to let him through.
Even passing through one, he never got the childhood feeling he was looking for of floating on a cloud. Instead, he said it was “just like sitting in your back yard in your lawn chair.”
Couch kept busy during the flight: using his Red Rider BB gun to pop balloons to control his elevation, checking his oxygen level, “or looking at the view.”
At times he got a “sensation of just pure peace. Kind of a tranquil or serenity feeling, looking at what God created down there.”
photo & story courtesy signonsandiego.com, 7/7/08
Psalm 68:4 (NLT)
Sing praises to God and to his name!Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence!
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about worship?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide us with this insight:
68:3-6 With shouts of praise and the sound of trumpets, David and his people took the holy Ark toward Mount Zion. It was a time to sing praises to the Lord, whose presence brings great joy...If you are lonely or disadvantaged, join David in praise, and discover great joy from loving and praising God...David was praising God for his protection and provision...It should also be our song of faith. We must continue to trust God because, in time, he will fulfill all his promises.
It's often said that we shouldn't have our head in the clouds because that means we aren't dealing with reality.
But as we often face the reality of walking a difficult path, we will find hope in remembering God's presence as we look at the clouds that He created and rides.
Let's worship our Lord! He is in control and will renew our dreams.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Memorize today's verse and let the Lord use it to remember His presence in your life and to trust Him to give you His perspective.
- Make a written list (how about a weekly Top Ten?) of how you see or experience God's presence in your life.
- Once a week, go for a walk and worship the Lord as you enjoy a ride with Him in His clouds!
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Use today's story about the lawn chair guy riding the clouds with balloons as a conversation starter with others to learn their story and discover an opportunity to share your story and talk about God's Story. You could ask questions like: If this guy offered you a ride in his balloon chair, would you take it? His childhood dream had been to fly in the sky with helium balloons....what are your dreams for the future? I learned this verse in Psalm 68:4 that talks about God riding the clouds...do you ever picture God with that kind of a description? May I tell you what I'm learning about this?
8 Jul, 2008
This takes guts!
2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Results - Joey Chestnut Wins Again
The 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest results are in and for the second year in a row - California's Joey Chestnut wins it.
Actually it was a tie between Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi at 59 hot dogs each, leading to a sudden death show down.
Legend has it that the hot dog contest has been held annually at Nathan's Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island since 1916, according to Fox 5 New York.
The contest traditionally lasts 12 minutes and includes up to 20 big eaters. This year's event was cut down to 10 minutes. Joey Chestnut, gulped down 66 franks.
Prior to Chestnut's record - Japan's Takeru Kobayashi had been the crowning champ for five years straight.
Chestnut trains by fasting and by stretching his stomach with milk and water. Three days before winning a chicken-eating contest in Boston, in November 2005, Chestnut drank gallons of water in under one minute and ate buffalo wings to get his stomach accustomed to them. As of July 4, 2006, his competition weight was 220 pounds (100 kg).
The San José State University student entered the competitive eating scene in 2005 with a break-out performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship, in which he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating 6.3 pounds of asparagus in 11.5 minutes.
photo & story courtesy gambling911.com, 7/5/08
Proverbs 23:19-21
19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among drunkards
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags. (ESV)
What do you think today's God's Story scripture is teaching us?
That hot dogs are bad for you? Yes, they may be processed and unhealthy, but I think if Jesus were walking planet Earth today, He would love to come to your place for some hot dogs and onions on the grill!
Actually, I think there are several truths for us to think about:
God has a path that He wants His children (Christ's followers) to stay on.
Overeating is a problem, just like drinking too much.
Getting drunk and being a glutton are signs of a lack of discipline, which lead to poverty, which is more than just a lack of resources - it's being bankrupt of the peace that comes with being on the right course with God.
- Be honest with yourself and God (even though He already knows your real story) about anything in your life that shows a lack of discipline. It might be food, drinking, or____________?
- Be careful about judging others. Teenagers and alcohol is a serious problem, but let's remember that way too often, food is the "fix" or "party" for many of us who follow Jesus.
- In your journal, write down anything that is getting you off of God's path. Let Him help you make needed changes.
- Whenever you eat hot dogs this summer, let it remind you of the truths in today's scripture.
Talk to God right now... Thank Him for the right course He has for you... for His Spirit to give you the discipline you need to stay on it... confess any struggle you are having with food or alcohol... ask Jesus to build intimacy into your life so that you will be satisfied in Him and Him alone.
- Invite them over to your place and grill lots of hot dogs! Seriously, always look for the opportunity to deepen your relationships. Jesus often hung out with people and got to know them while they ate together.
- Use the hot dog eating champion's story as a conversation starter with your friends. Ask them what they like to fill up on or what makes them sick when they do? Then, do a gentle nudge with their thinking and ask them what fills their heart or soul? This may be an opportunity for your to share part of your story. You can talk about how you have discovered that only Jesus can really satisfy your soul.
7 Jul, 2008
Pray for our country...
A celebration of freedom this past weekend, but what about tomorrow?
Are we willing to humble ourselves before God?
In 1996, Pastor Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate. Everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities. But what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling our country to repentance and righteousness.
"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe on those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.
We confess that:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism; We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism;
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
We have abused power and called it political savvy;
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free....
I ask it in the name of Your Son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen."
photo courtesy images.google.com
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV)
How can we apply today's God's Story scripture to our country?
Today's scripture is often used to refer to our country's need for spiritual revival. The context for this verse is about the story of King Solomon praying a prayer of dedication for the temple constructed for the LORD.
After a time of worship and dedication, the LORD appeared to Solomon to tell him the conditions for His people to experience His forgiveness. God was promising His people His blessings if they would follow His plan for them.
America has been greatly blessed by God, but Israel was God's chosen people. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 was written for Israel, but 1st Peter 2:9 says that those of us who follow Jesus Christ are also God's people! So, as "God's people", we should apply the instructions in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 in our own lives. We should also use the truth of this verse to pray for America, because it's obvious that our country, as great as it is, has drifted away from God and is in need of forgiveness and spiritual change.
How can we apply today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
If we’re honest, we will admit that the problems in America begin with each of us. We must personally respond to God’s Story by getting right with God and then modeling a life of following and abiding in Jesus to those around us. Imagine if every follower of Jesus lived out the truth of today’s scripture! Maybe God’s plan is for you – the young people of America – to lead the way?
- For yourself and for America, pray that we would....
- HUMBLE ourselves before God
- ADMIT to God our need for Him to forgive us for our sins
- SEEK Him continually
- TURN from our sinful behavior
- Finish by thanking and praising Him for His blessings on you and our country.
- Pray for our country every day for one month. Watch how God uses your prayers. Write a list of ways that God has blessed America and save it as a reminder to keep praying for our nation.
- Memorize 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as a reminder to pray for America.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Remember that the best way to connect our story and God’s Story to their Story is to start by praying for others and then learning their story. When the subject of America’s problems come up or political issues get personal, look for those moments when you can talk about personal needs rather than what is “politically correct”.
4 Jul, 2008
Celebrating Our Independence
Should we be celebrating our dependence?
Think of all the fireworks God can watch tonight!
photo courtesy images.google.com
Joshua 24:14-15
Choose Whom You Will Serve
14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about dependence on God?
Today's scripture is the story of Joshua challenging the Israelites to choose to always honor, obey and serve God. Though they talked like they would always follow God, they soon started worshiping other "gods" and idols. As a result they faced God's judgment.
When our country was first founded, our leaders declared a dependence on God. Now our culture is following many other "gods" and idols.
We have the incredible privilege of celebrating our nation’s birthday today, but God wants us to stop declaring our independence from Him and live in dependence on Him in every way.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
The best way is to daily declare a personal dependence on God. Each of us must choose between living for ourselves or for Jesus Christ.
Make a written list of how you practice independence from God and confess it to Him. Keep it where you will see it every day for the next month. Let Jesus help you make the necessary changes. As you abide in Him, He will abide in you. Depending on Jesus will become a great habit!
If you see fireworks tonight, thank God for your freedom in America and pray that she will come back to a dependence on God.
Pray…..God, thank you for our freedom in this country. Thank you for the freedom from sin you have given me. I confess the ways I have been living in independence from you. Jesus, help me to stay connected to you every day…that’s when the real “fireworks” will be displayed to this world! Amen….
How can we connect today's God's Story and our story to others?
When you go see fireworks tonight, do all the “oohs and ahas”, but you might have an interesting conversation with someone by asking them:
- Do you think God is watching fireworks? How many?
- What do you think God wants from us – independence or dependence?
3 Jul, 2008
Planning a Picnic in Thirty Years?
Our weather is under control.
Japan plans 30-year supercomputer forecasts
Officials: Earth Simulator will predict all types of inclement weather. A simulation image of a typhoon approaching Japan, created by the Earth Simulator supercomputer. Harnessing the supercomputer, one of the world's fastest, Japan is beginning 30-year weather forecasts that will predict typhoons, storms, blizzards, droughts and other inclement weather.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com
Psalm 135:5-7
5 For I know that the Lord is great,
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. (ESV)
This one is so easy, yet so hard for people to understand. GOD CONTROLS THE WEATHER! It’s not “mother nature”, or “old man winter”, or “the rain gods”, or even your beloved or hated weather-caster on TV.
God is sovereign (in control) over all of nature, meaning that He ultimately directs, preserves, and maintains His creation.
This Truth should remind us that He also has the ultimate control over each of our lives. He loves us so much. Even the detailed parts of His creation (like good weather and bad weather) should remind us of His power in every aspect of our lives. God cares about us. He created us in His image! Trust His purpose and plan for your life.
Where did the smart people who invented a supercomputer to predict weather for next 30 years get their brains? GOD! Do you think He might have a few surprises that won’t be tracked on some software program?
- Ask Jesus to remind you every day that He is in control, not people or technology.
- Keep a written journal where you keep track of how God is affecting the details in your life with Him.
- In your journal, write a thank you note to God, expressing your praise and willingness to trust Him with every part of your life.
- Whenever you watch the weather reports on TV this week or you’re outside feeling the weather, talk to God about His control over nature and your desire for Him to control your life.
- Talk to God right now by letting His Spirit help you know what words to pray….if you’re not sure…just wait and listen….
- During your July 4 weekend picnics, bring up today’s story about the supercomputer that Japan is going to use to predict the weather in 30 years. Have everyone check their schedules and plan another picnic in 30 years, but make sure the weather will be good! Seriously, this topic could be lots of fun and it could open up an opportunity for you to share part of your story or part of God’s Story.
- You know how weather is usually just small talk or chit chat when there’s nothing else to talk about? The next time the subject of weather comes up, use it as a way to talk about what you learned in today’s DAILYBIDE.
