28 Feb, 2007
Are you contagious!
High school wrestling stopped...a ban on skin-to-skin contact was the only option.
7,500 state wrestlers had season put on hold
In a move thought to be a national first, the Minnesota State High School League halted competitions and practices for 8 days to stop a rash caused by a virus. Officials say a ban on skin-to-skin contact was the only option.
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) took the step after 24 athletes from 10 teams were diagnosed with the rash, which is caused by the herpes virus. It is believed to be the first time in U.S. history that a high school sport has been halted on a statewide basis in the middle of the season.
The ban, (now lifted) meant that more than 7,500 wrestlers and 262 teams could not compete or hold wrestling practices.
The skin infection, herpes gladiatorum, is caused by the herpes simplex virus, the one responsible for cold sores. Those who contract the virus often get sores and blisters around the face and neck.
And while the infection can be treated with antiviral medications, those who are susceptible have recurring outbreaks at the site of the original infection throughout their lives.
In the rare cases when the infection occurs in the eye, it can lead to blindness, said Dr. B.J. Anderson, a member of the MSHSL sports medicine advisory committee. Though that's uncommon, it is the leading cause of blindness from infection.
Herpes simplex is not more common among wrestlers than any other people, according to Anderson. He said research shows that about 30 percent of high school boys carry the virus.
photo & story courtesy startribune.com, 01/30/07
Matthew 8:14-17
Jesus Heals Many
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about Jesus' authority over disease and evil?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
8:16,17 Matthew continues to show Jesus' kingly nature. Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3,15); when he spoke a single word, evil spirits fled his presence (8:16). Jesus has authority over all evil powers and all earthly disease. He also has power and authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But in the future, when God removes all sin, there will be no more sickness and death. Jesus' healing miracles were a taste of what the world will one day experience in God's future Kingdom.
The ultimate disease the entire world faces is sin. But it's much worse than a rash! The wrestlers were ok once they stopped having contact with each other. But even if we had no contact with others, we would still find sin to be deadly. It is in each of us individually. Jesus' blood shed on the cross is the only cure.
As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege and responsibility to be contagious with His cure for sin.
Jesus alone is the only hope for the most deadly disease.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for Christ's blood that takes away your disease of sin. If you are reading this and realize that you're still dying....admit that to God right now and receive His gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He will come in to your life, forgive you, lead you, and He promises you eternal life in Heaven! (If this is you, please email us at 3Story so that we can send you info to help you grow in your new relationship with God.)
- If you are already a follower of Jesus, you have just read over the simple "cure" for the disease of sin. Ask God right now to show you how to be contagious and spread it, starting with one person.
- Whenever you continue to hear and see news reports of contagious diseases around the world, let it remind you to spread the "cure" of Christ.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Pray every day for God to lead you to be contagious with His Story and your story in Christ. Trust His Spirit to give you the opportunity to learn the stories of others who have not yet received Christ's cure for the disease of sin.
- Talk about today's story (about the hold on wrestling in Minnesota) with other friends who are followers of Jesus. Could you stay strong if you could not have contact with each other through your youth group, small group, or church? Form a team of 3 or more friends who get together regularly to pray, hold each other accountable, and help each other by contagious with your 3Story connections.
- With this same group, try to imagine what Christ's future Kingdom will be like when there will be no more sin, sickness, and death. Wow!
- May 2008 [8]
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