16 Oct, 2007
Has Paris changed enough to help change the world?
Jesus shows us how to make a difference.
Paris Vows to 'Leave a Mark on the World'
LOS ANGELES -- Meet Paris Hilton, grown-up.
The 26-year-old socialite has vowed to change her party-girl image after serving a 23-day jail sentence in June for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.
"There are a lot of bad people in L.A. Before, my life was about having fun, going to parties — it was a fantasy," she tells Newsweek magazine in its Oct. 22 issue, now on newsstands. "But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world."
Hilton says she is now committed to using her celebrity status for the greater good. Next month, she plans to pack her bags for Rwanda to bring attention to the African country.
"I'm scared, yeah. I've heard it's really dangerous," she says. "I've never been on a trip like this before."
Hilton, accompanied by a children's charity called Playing for Good, will visit schools and health-care clinics as part of a five-day charity mission. The trip will be filmed — not surprising, given Hilton's love of the camera.
"I love having everything documented," says Hilton, who hopes to turn the footage into a film. "It shows people what everyday life is like for me, how hard I work. There are a lot of misconceptions about me."
photo & story courtesy msn.com, 10/15/07
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)
In today's God's Story scripture, what does Jesus teach us about making a difference in this world?
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 Paris Hilton's real story or her current spiritual perspective, but you have to admit that her recent comments about doing something positive in the world (for a change) is a good sign.
Very few of Christ's followers will ever be famous or achieve greatness according to the world's perspective. But Christ-like servants always achieve greatness according to God's perspective. Let's do what Jesus taught about taking action and serving others!
- 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.
- Invite friends and family who need Jesus to get involved in a service project with you. This will give you a great opportunity to learn more about their stories and you will be demonstrating an important part of God's Story.
- July 2008 [18]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [17]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [19]
- August 2007 [18]
- July 2007 [13]
- June 2007 [11]
- May 2007 [14]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [12]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [5]
- November 2006 [14]
- October 2006 [18]
- September 2006 [12]
- August 2006 [17]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [4]
