26 Oct, 2006
What's that smell?
Spoiled milk sparks school evacuation
Swartz Creek, Mich. - A plastic bottle with foul-smelling contents that was found in a men's bathroom at Swartz Creek High School two weeks ago prompted an evacuation and a visit by the bomb squad. But lab results show that the bottle contained spoiled milk.
The bottle had been sitting in a student's locker and was left on the ledge in the bathroom, The Flint Journal reported Tuesday. It was found Oct. 9 and officials initially said they believed it contained a mix of household chemicals.
"It looks like it was chocolate milk, old, spoiled and under pressure," Superintendent Jeff Pratt said.
Pressure from the spoiled milk apparently caused the bottle to expand, making it look more suspicious. Pratt said school officials erred on the side of caution, noting that possible threats can't be taken for granted.
"Two police officers and three members of the bomb squad refused to go near it or touch it, and that was good enough for me," Pratt said.
Students were evacuated to the football field and later dismissed. It turns out a student had cleaned out his girlfriend's locker, found the bottle and accidentally left in the bathroom, the newspaper said.
Swartz Creek Police Chief Rick Clolinger said the milk was inside a clear, nearly 16-ounce water bottle.
"I know that after the fact it makes us look on the silly side, that we sent kids home because of spoiled milk on the shelf," Clolinger said. "But all of the right decisions were made."
photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 10/25/05
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about the important issue of how we smell?
Paul lived in the day of the Roman Empire. When the Roman army would return from another battle victory, the Roman general would show off their prisoners and loot in a parade of triumph. The streets would be lined with people burning incense to honor their false gods. This aroma was sweet for the victors, but it was a foul stench for the captives because they faced slavery and death.
When we (followers of Christ) talk about God's Story and our story, it smells great to some and to others - it stinks!
Other believers will like the fragrance of Christ in us, unless they're not living to please Jesus at the time.
For those who are not followers of Christ, it may smell like death at first, because deep in their souls, the Holy Spirit will convict them of their eternal destination without the forgiveness of Christ. But this is good - it's part of God's Story - His Spirit is pointing out their need for spiritual rescue and will attract them to the sweet smell of life in Christ!
But do we smell like new life in Jesus Christ? Jesus will use our lives to be like a sweet aroma to others if we are full of His grace and love. Be honest. How do you smell?
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- Remember today's story - how the students had to leave the school because of the stagnant milk? Be honest. Has your relationship with Jesus been sitting on the shelf like the milk? If your life in Christ is not fresh and you suddenly try to be a "witness" for Christ, it may cause an evacuation of the area. Don't drop a religious "bomb" on others!
- Talk to God right now. Praise Him for the sweet aroma of Christ's forgiveness which keeps you from the stench of eternal death! Confess any way in which you have been smelling more like the decay of this world rather than new life in Jesus Christ. Ask God's Spirit to keep pointing out anything unclean in your life so that you will give off the fragrance of Christ to others. Thank Jesus for keeping you spiritually fresh every day!
- Memorize 2nd Corinthians 2:15 as a daily reminder of the need to smell good!
- Whenever you put on perfume, cologne, or some body spray, pray that God's Spirit will empower you to give off the aroma of Christ to others. Or the next time you smell the milk carton, let Jesus remind you to be His aroma!
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to the lives of others?
- Use today's DAILYBIDE as a resource for your next youth group meeting or small group time. (Be sure to start off the discussion with sharing the smell of some rotten milk!)
- The next time you're having a meal with friends at school, at work, or with your family and milk is a beverage of choice, use today's story as a way to turn the conversation toward today's story. You can follow this up by asking the others, "How would you describe the smell of people who claim to be Christians?" This should create some interesting discussion which may give you the opportunity to share how today's God's Story affects your story.
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [16]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [10]
- May 2007 [12]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [3]
