21 Aug, 2006
SKI BABY SKI!
A WATER-SKIING BABY? WHAT'S NEXT?
MENOMONIE, Wis. - You may have to look twice, but yes, that's a baby water-skiing on Tainter Lake in western Wisconsin. Twenty-two-month-old Cole Marsolek of Menomonie took up water-skiing on a training ski.
"He absolutely loves it," Lissa said. "He popped right up the first time. He is a little showboat, waving to everyone and blowing kisses at people as we go by."
The parents' Mastercraft ski boat travels slowly, pulling his training ski, which is shaped like a sled.
Both Lissa, 26, and her husband Chad, 31, have water-skied since they were children. Lissa started at age 3.
"It's a little in Cole's blood," she said.
Before learning to ski, he was taught by his parents to float with a life jacket and hold his breath. He is not allowed near the water without his life jacket.
Cole has great balance and someone is always on the back of the boat if Cole falls, Lissa said.
When asked what the boy wants to do, he says, "Ski, please." He also is able to say "fall," and when asked if he is ready to ski he says, "Go," his mother said.
The couple also has a 5-month-old daughter, Kinsey, but she hasn't started skiing yet.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story forums.talkcity.com, 8/16/06
1 Timothy 4:12
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about what a young follower of Jesus can do?
Paul was a mentor to Timothy. (The Bible doesn't tell us if Paul taught Tim how to water-ski.) Paul gave Timothy some great advice that every young believer should apply.
We don't know exactly how old Timothy was, but evidently some people thought he was too young to be a pastor.
It's pretty normal for older Christians to look down on young people because they are...well you know...YOUNG! If older people are used to seeing immaturity in young people, it's easy for them to hold back on their trust of what young people can do.
Are you ready and willing to give the world a new perspective on young people?
Paul is teaching that younger Christians need to earn the respect of their elders by showing maturity. You can do this by being a Christ-like example in your talk, your love, your faith and in your purity of actions. No matter how old or young you are, God will use you to help build His Kingdom. He is simply waiting for you to live in such a way that the world around you will see Christ in you!
The mom of the skiing toddler said "it's in his blood". With Christ in our lives, building God's Kingdom is "through His blood", no matter how young you might be. Hit it!
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- Thank God that He uses everyone who is faithful to help build His Kingdom. Ask His Spirit to help you be faithful so that you might bring honor and glory to God. Ask His Spirit to help you mature in Christ daily. Offer yourself to be used by God in any way He chooses. Ask God to help you be honest about your maturity level if older believers don't seem to trust you yet. Ask Him to help you be patient as you strive to earn their trust.
- Every day, remember that abiding in Christ means that you focus first on being like Jesus and then serving like Jesus.
- Look for a weekly opportunity to serve Jesus with maturity.
- Memorize today's verse as a reminder to trust God to use you no matter your age.
How can we connect today's God's Story and our story to others?
- Sit down with an older follower of Jesus and ask him or her to tell you their story about what the Lord has taught them about living for Christ. If you're real brave, ask this person to mentor you by holding you accountable in your process of maturing in Christ.
- Encourage your small group or youth group by sharing today's DAILYBIDE with them. It's ok to be young and make a difference!
- Before summer is over, go water-skiing with friends and use today's story as a conversation starter. If you have never been skiing or don't have a way to go, do the same with a video game. You won't get wet and it won't hurt when you fall down!
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