28 Aug, 2006

Move over Willy Wonka!

Imagine getting stuck in a tub of chocolate.

MAN TRAPPED WAIST-DEEP IN CHOCOLATE

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - It might sound like a chocoholic's dream, but stepping into a vat of viscous chocolate became a two-hour nightmare for a 21-year-old man. Darmin Garcia, an employee of a company that supplies chocolate ingredients, said he was pushing the chocolate down into the vat at Debelis Corp. because it was stuck. But it became loose and he slid into the hopper.

"It was in my hair, in my ears, my mouth, everywhere," said Garcia, who has worked at the company for two years. "I felt like I weighed 900 pounds. I couldn't move."

The chocolate was 110 degrees, hotter than a hot tub, said Capt. Greg Sinnen of the Kenosha Fire Department.

Co-workers, police and firefighters tried to free the man but couldn't get him loose until the chocolate was thinned out with cocoa butter.

"It was pretty thick. It was virtually like quicksand," said police Capt. Randy Berner.

Garcia was treated for minor injuries and released.

After more than two hours in the chocolate, does he still have a taste for it?

"Not so much anymore," Garcia said.

photo & story courtesy sacbee.com, 8/19/06

Psalm 34:8

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV)

What do we find in today's God's Story about the taste of God?

We don't know if David, the psalmist, ever ate chocolate, but he knew how good it was to taste the goodness and faithfulness of the LORD.

David wrote this after pretending to be insane in order to escape from King Achish. In Psalm 34, his theme is that whether God delivers us in times of trouble, we can be sure that He always hears and acts on behalf of those who love Him.

When David writes, "taste and see", he is not saying "hey, check out God if you feel like it." He is saying, "trust God, I know you'll like it."

After being dipped and trapped in chocolate for two hours, Mr. Garcia said he didn't have much of a taste for chocolate any more.

It's just the opposite with the loving, faithful, almighty God. Obedience is the best way to taste and see that the LORD is good. This is another way to understand what it means to abide in Him. Obeying Jesus will immerse us in His love and according to Christ's words in John 15, this will make us full of His joy! As we trust and obey Jesus daily, we will continue to acquire an even greater hunger for tasting His goodness.

You can overdo it on chocolate, but not on Jesus!

How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?

  • Chocolate is one of the most addictive, pleasure-giving options in life. Write down a list of whatever gives you pleasure and perhaps has become almost an addiction for you. It might be anything from music to sports to alcohol to shopping to_______________. Is your taste for these greater than your desire to taste the goodness of the LORD? Are you trapped like the guy stuck in that vat of chocolate?
  • Pray right now...Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and your faithfulness to me. I confess to you that I have been tasting more of _________________ rather than obeying you and tasting your goodness. Fill me with the joy that comes when I abide in You. Use the power of your Spirit to help me get stuck in your love and grace!
  • You'll like this one: whenever you see or eat chocolate, let it be a moment of worship when you taste and see that the LORD is good!
  • Read all of Psalm 34 to learn more of God's faithfulness to David.

How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?

  • Pray that your life will be an example of someone who is full of Christ's joy rather than someone stuck in the pleasures of this world.
  • Give out chocolate bars to your friends and family. When they ask why, share your story as it relates to today's God's Story.
  • Forward this DAILYBIDE to some friends and family to encourage them. Invite them over for some chocolate and watch the Willy Wonka movie. Talk afterwards and eat some more chocolate!
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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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