8 Mar, 2007

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Find out what Jenna and Jesus have to say about this...

Jenna Bush Challenges Kids To Get Involved

Jenna Bush, in a rare interview, says her forthcoming book for teens — about a 17-year-old single mother in Panama who is living with HIV — will end with a "call to action."

HarperCollins announces today that it's publishing Bush's Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope this fall. It will be illustrated with photographs by Mia Baxter, a former classmate of Bush's at the University of Texas.

The president's daughter, 25, says the book is not political. It's aimed at "getting kids thinking and involved," Bush said Monday by phone from Panama, where she has worked since September as an unpaid intern for UNICEF.

Bush, a former public school teacher in Washington, D.C., says: "I'm aware that not all kids can pick up and fly to Panama. I'm very lucky."

But, Bush says, "there's so much they can do" to deal with issues of "exclusion" — from research on HIV discrimination to "inviting new kids to sit with them in the cafeteria."

The book grew out of her UNICEF job to "put a face on statistics" and document the lives of children in Central and South America who live in extreme poverty.

Jenna and her sister, Barbara (who works at a New York museum), have tried to avoid publicity and have been protected by the White House. But, she says, "I'm willing to give up some of my anonymity" to promote the book and "start a dialogue with kids."

A book tour is planned in schools, libraries and bookstores. "This is not about me," she adds, "but the kids I met here."

photo & story courtesy usatoday.com, 03/07/07

Mark 10:42-45

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

What does Jesus teach us about greatness in today's God's Story scripture?

Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide some great insight:

10:42-45 James and John wanted the highest positions in Jesus' Kingdom. But Jesus told them that true greatness comes in serving others. Peter, one of the disciples who had heard this message, expands the thought in 1 Peter 5:1-4.

Businesses, organizations, and institutions measure greatness by personal achievement. In Christ's Kingdom, however, service is the way to get ahead. The desire to be on top will hinder, not help. Rather than seeking to have your needs met, look for ways that you can minister to the needs of others.

I don't know Jenna Bush's story or her perspective on following Christ and serving Him. But you have to admire her for her desire to serve others and encourage others to do the same.

Very few of Christ's followers will ever be the children of a President or people who achieve greatness according to the world's perspective. But Christ-like servants always achieve greatness according to God's perspective. Take action and serve others!

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
  • Thank Jesus for being the essence of greatness through service. Confess any way in which you may have been striving for worldly success rather than greatness in God's Kingdom. Ask Jesus to empower you with the humility needed to be great for God's glory.
  • Memorize today's passage as a reminder of how to be a Christ-like servant.
  • Read Peter's teaching on this subject in 1 Peter 5:1-4.

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?

  • Get together with other Christ-followers (maybe your youth group or small group) and write a "Top Ten" list of people you see as Christ-like servants. What are they doing that you think makes them great? Let this list motivate you to come up with a plan to serve others as a group and individually. It might be a missions project or sponsoring a needy child or.......
  • Every day, ask Jesus to show you how He wants you to serve someone.
  • Strive to serve one person every day right where you live. It might be an idea like Jenna Bush's "inviting new kids to sit with you in the cafeteria."
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.