27 Jun, 2007
Too many dogs!
Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi, who has won six straight Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contests, suffered a serious jaw injury while training for the July 4 event, according to Agence France-Presse.
The Japanese eating legend was diagnosed with jaw arthritis and can barely open his mouth. In an entry on his blog entitled "Occupational hazard,'' Kobayashi said: "My jaw refused to fight any more.''
Kobayashi, 29, set his first world record as a rookie in the Nathan's Famous contest in 2001. He ate 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, nearly doubling the previous record. He upped the ante last year with 53¾.
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., recently broke that record by downing 59½ dogs in a Nathan's Famous regional qualifier, setting the stage for a showdown next month.
Kobayashi's injury puts his status in doubt, though he said on his blog that he wants to compete at Coney Island. "I want to be the pride of my mother,'' he said.
Kobayashi's mother died earlier this year and he halted his competitive eating activities for several months while mourning.
A niche celebrity in Japan and America, Kobayashi still holds world records in many eating competitions, including hamburgers, bratwurst sausages, lobster rolls, cows' brains and rice balls.
photo & story courtesy foxsports.com, 6/26/07
Proverbs 23:19-21
19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among drunkards
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags. (ESV)
What do you think today's God's Story scripture is teaching us?
That hot dogs are bad for you? Yes, they may be processed and unhealthy, but I think if Jesus were walking planet Earth today, He would love to come to your place for some hot dogs and onions on the grill!
Actually, I think there are several truths for us to think about:
God has a path that He wants His children (Christ's followers) to stay on.
Overeating is a problem, just like drinking too much.
Getting drunk and being a glutton are signs of a lack of discipline, which lead to poverty, which is more than just a lack of resources - it's being bankrupt of the peace that comes with being on the right course with God.
- Be honest with yourself and God (even though He already knows your real story) about anything in your life that shows a lack of discipline. It might be food, drinking, or____________?
- Be careful about judging others. Teenagers and alcohol is a serious problem, but let's remember that way too often, food is the "fix" or "party" for many of us who follow Jesus.
- In your journal, write down anything that is getting you off of God's path. Let Him help you make needed changes.
- Whenever you eat hot dogs this summer, let it remind you of the truths in today's scripture.
Talk to God right now... Thank Him for the right course He has for you... for His Spirit to give you the discipline you need to stay on it... confess any struggle you are having with food or alcohol... ask Jesus to build intimacy into your life so that you will be satisfied in Him and Him alone.
- Invite them over to your place and grill lots of hot dogs! Seriously, always look for the opportunity to deepen your relationships. Jesus often hung out with people and got to know them while they ate together.
- Use the hot dog eating champion's story as a conversation starter with your friends. Ask them what they like to fill up on or what makes them sick when they do? Then, do a gentle nudge with their thinking and ask them what fills their heart or soul? This may be an opportunity for your to share part of your story. You can talk about how you have discovered that only Jesus can really satisfy your soul.
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