30 Nov, 2009
What's In a Name?
LONDON (Reuters) - A London-based translation firm is offering parents-to-be the chance to check the meaning of prospective baby names in other languages to avoid inadvertently causing their offspring future embarrassment.
Celebrity couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes might have thought twice about naming their daughter Suri if they'd known that it means "pickpocket" in Japanese, "turned sour" in French, and "horse mackerels" in Italian, suggest Today Translations.
For 1,000 pounds ($1,678), the company's linguists will carry out a "basic name translation audit" of names, checking their meaning in 100 languages, or more for an additional cost.
While open to everyone, the firm said it expects the service is likely to attract celebrity clients, who are known for giving their babies unusual names.
Other celebrity baby names it has checked include Kai Rooney, the newborn son of English soccer player Wayne Rooney, whose name means "probably" in Finnish, "pier" in Estonian, and "stop it" in the west African language of Yoruba.
And while musicians Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale may have known Zuma meant "peace" in Arabic when choosing their son's name, they may not have been aware it also translates as "Lord frowns in anger" in the Aztec language of Nahuatl.
Some unusual celebrity baby name choices are beyond easy translation however, the company admits, such as Jermajesty -- the son of Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine.
(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Steve Addison)
Story and photo taken from: http://www.reuters.com
Acts 4:10 (NIV)
then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NIV)
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What's in a name?
As our story points out many people give names to their children without really knowing the meaning.
But as a Christian there is great power in the name of Jesus Christ. All throughout the New Testament the writers exalt the name of Christ. He is the author of our faith. He is the exact representation of God. It is Christ within us that we stand forgiven and holy before God.
I know this may sound trivial, but it is easy to forget what sustains us throughout each day. It is so easy to do things (even good things for God) on our own power. It is so easy to get prideful when things are going well and conversely discouraged when things do not. But the power of Christian living comes from calling out humbly for Christ's power working within us.
There is truly power in His name.
- How have you been living the Christian life recently? Have you been operating on your own power or have you been seeking the power of Christ within you?
- Take 5 minutes each day this week to start each morning humbly acknowledging the power of Christ at work within you. Trust in His name for the power of Christian living.
Pray for those around who do not know Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to move their hearts to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. Maybe you could offer them a New Testament and ask them to start reading the gospel of John. As they do, pray that the power of Christ would open their minds and hearts. It is only through His name and power can they be changed.
27 Nov, 2009
'Tis the Season of Giving
Charles Woodson donates $2 million to U-M hospital
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Charles Woodson wants to be known as more than a football player.
Donating $2 million to the new University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital gives him a chance to do that.
The school announced Woodson's gift on Thanksgiving before he played for the Green Bay Packers against the Detroit Lions.
Then, he intercepted two passes — returning one for a score — forced a fumble, recovered it and had a sack.
"It was a good day," Woodson said after Green Bay's 34-12 win in Detroit.
His donation will support pediatric research by The Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund in the $754-million, 1.1-million square foot hospital scheduled to open in 2012.
"He's really studied and tried to understand what the issues are in doing research in pediatrics," Dr. Valerie Castle said. "What most people don't know is that less than 10 percent of the National Institute of Health budget goes toward research in pediatric disease.
"When you study those patients, you often times get clues to adult diseases."
Woodson hopes to attract the world's best researchers who want to help children with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders and autism.
"I want to be part of that symbol of hope," Woodson said. "So that they can say, 'I know I can beat this thing and there's people out there who will help me beat it.'"
Woodson said during a visit to Ann Arbor earlier this month that becoming a father in January motivated him to make the gift, altering his outlook on life.
"It can change a lot," he said.
Lloyd Carr, his coach at Michigan, hopes Woodson's gift pushes his peers to also give back.
"I think it's going to have a significant influence across the athletic world that he decided to do this," Carr said.
Woodson acknowledged feeling awkward about allowing a Fox TV reporter and crew to follow him as he visited patients on a day off in November, but said it was part of his mission.
"Half of the battle is about awareness," Woodson said. "When I signed on board to be a part of this team, that was going to be part of the deal. Part of making it work is me being a face or spokesman.
"I guess what bigger days can we do it to bring awareness to the cause when everybody is watching a Thanksgiving Day game?"
The native of Fremont, Ohio, helped Michigan win the national championship in 1997. He won the Heisman Trophy as a cornerback who also played wide receiver and returned punts.
His memories from college on and off the field led to him giving back financially.
"It was probably best three years of my life that I can remember, other than having my son," Woodson said. "When people still see me, even though I have been in Green Bay and Oakland, they still talk about Michigan."
Story and Photo found at http://news.yahoo.com.
The Widow’s Offering
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
What does God's Story teach us about giving?
In the Lord's eyes, this poor widow give more than all the others put together, although her gift was by far the smallest. The value of a gift is not determined by it's amount but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. When you give, remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity. (Life Application Bible Study Notes)
As we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas in just a matter of
hours, the immediate focus seems to be on the biggest sale instead of
an amazing Savior. Stores are competing for the dollars we will spend
by luring us to shop at 4am for the best deals. Somehow that seems to
make even our giving seem to be more about getting - getting
the biggest present to give, getting the best deal on the best gift.
But what if this year, our thinking shifted? What if this year, we
thought more like the widow in God's Story and we were willing to give,
even if it hurts?
Connecting My Story to God's Story
- Ask God for to open your eyes and ears to the needs around you this Christmas Season.
- Check out the Advent Conspiracy website for some ways to make this Christmas more about giving than getting.
- Ask a friend if they heard about Today's Story and begin a conversation about giving. Ask, "If you could give away $2 million where would you give it?" Be ready to answer that question yourself as well!
- Talk with some of your friends to come up with some ideas about focusing on giving more than getting this Christmas.
- Talk to your youth pastor or campus club leader about how your group might get more involved in giving to the community where you live in the coming weeks.
- Is there someone in need in your school or neighborhood? Talk with your parents about some ways that you might help them anonymously this Christmas.
26 Nov, 2009
Native American Heritage Day
A day to honor Native Americans - by congressman Joe Baca
This Friday, Nov. 27, we celebrate the second national Native American Heritage Day, to honor the original native residents of this great land of ours.
American families gather together on the fourth Thursday of every November to celebrate Thanksgiving in remembrance of a feast hosted by the Wampanoag Native Americans for the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1621. While we always remember the feast of Thanksgiving, we seldom pay homage to the Wampanoag hosts or recount what happened to them afterward.
By the time the Jamestown colony was founded in Virginia in1607, the most accurate estimates are there were substantially more than 30 million Native Americans thriving in numerous tribes and cultures from the North American shores of Alaska to the tip of Cape Horn in South America. Unfortunately, the treatment of Native Americans over the next 300 years is one of the darkest chapters in American history.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that America began to right many of the wrongs committed against our land’s original inhabitants, and the first proposals were made for a day to honor Native Americans.
In conjunction with Native American Heritage Day, President Obama issued a presidential proclamation marking November 2009 as National Native American Heritage Month, and calling for all Americans to recognize Friday, Nov. 27 as Native American Heritage Day. The president also hosted the first ever Tribal Leaders Summit at the White House earlier this month.
Amid the Thanksgiving dinners, football, and shopping this week, let’s take some time to recognize Native American Heritage Day. We must never take for granted the very first inhabitants of this continent – Native Americans, and their many contributions that have greatly enriched the United States.
Story courtesy of: Indian Country Today
Photo courtesy of: Google Images
1 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
Today millions of Americans will gather together around their dining room tables to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families. While most Americans will celebrate the holiday by enjoying traditional foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, most of us won't spend much time thinking about the historical origins of the holiday itself.
This Thanksgiving let us all be reminded that everything, and most certainly everyone, that God has created is good and should be received with thanksgiving. While hundreds of years of American history might suggest otherwise, that people with white skin are more valuable than those with black or brown, the distinctively Christian claim is that nothing and no one is to be rejected, God's grace is equally available for all and the Kingdom of God is a family that spans every racial and ethic divide.
So while you're taking time to relax and enjoy good food and family today, take some time to reflect on the meaning of the first Thanksgiving and think about what you can do in the here and now to recreate the peace, harmony, and fellowship between cultures that we remember every fourth Thursday in November.
- Take some time today to think about things that have been discarded by our culture that God is calling you to receive with thanksgiving.
- If there are Native Americans in your community, find out how you can volunteer in a meaningful way on their behalf.
- Bring up Native American Heritage day in your Thanksgiving meal time conversation.
- Ask your older relatives how they feel about the "dark history" of American prejudice against minorities.
25 Nov, 2009
Free to Live Again!!!
Man 'Trapped in Coma' for 23 Years Was Awake Whole Time
Rom Houben, 46, spent 23 years in a coma, and it turns out he was conscious the entire time.
An engineering student thought to be in a coma for 23 years was actually conscious the whole time, it has emerged.
Rom Houben was misdiagnosed as being in a vegetative state after a car crash left him totally paralyzed.
But, in actuality, he was trapped in his own body the whole time with no way of letting friends and family know he could hear every word they were saying.
The 46-year-old, who can now tap out computerized messages and read books on a device above his hospital bed, has revealed: "I screamed, but there was nothing to hear.
Story Provided By: foxnews.com.
John 5:24-26 (New International Version)
24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about new life in Him?
This is a great scriptural reminder to us as we arrive at the middle of Thanksgiving week. I hope it reminds us of the grace God the Father has shown us. I hope it reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. Most of all, I hope it sets us up to be deeply grateful as we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow.
This passage of scripture comes right after Jesus has healed a man who has been paralyzed for 38 years. This healing happened on the Sabbath day, which raised a lot of concern for the legalistic religious leaders of the time. These religious leaders were so bothered they attacked Jesus for the healing.
This persecution launched Jesus into the discourse where these verses are found.
Unlike the paralyzed man, the leaders had not listen to the voice of Jesus. The invalid listened to the voice of Jesus say "get up," and his life was changed. The leaders didn't listen, and they remained hard-hearted, unable to see the good or the reason for gratitude that now stood in their midst.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
In each of our lives we have been one of the people in the stories. Maybe we have been more than one person? Some have been the invalid. They needed someone to help them into the pool, because they had a sickness (sin) that kept them away from God. Then one day they heard the voice of Jesus say "I can make you well" and they responded. In that moment, a friendship with Jesus started, and hopefully they have be growing ever since.
Then again maybe you were like the gentleman in today's news story and had been screaming for someone to help you, but no one seemed to hear you. Then one day Jesus came along and met you in your pain and frustration, and gave you new life.
Whatever the circumstances were, take time now to tell Jesus how much you appreciate Him meeting you at whatever place that was.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
Today's story is one of those made-to-order stories; it just tugs at your heart. We love to see people go from a bad circumstance to a better one. We love to see people gain new life. Today's story has words that come right from scripture: "It was my second birth" (think about Nicodemus in John 3). Anyone you would talk to would appreciate this story.
Every time you tell the news story, you have an opportunity to talk about the places in Scripture where Jesus brought new life to someone. This story leaves you an open door to talk about how Jesus gave you new life. Most of all, it is a chance to talk with your peers about where they see themselves in the story. Are they one of Rom's family members, filled with a sense of hopelessness? Maybe emotionally they feel like Rom, trapped in themselves?
Wherever they find themselves, you can introduce them to a Jesus who will meet them where they are and calls to them.
24 Nov, 2009
GREAT DEALS!!!...um...for a few
Black Friday 2009 Doorbuster Deals: The Dirty Secrets
Black Friday 2009 will be tougher than ever on both retailers and shoppers. The retailers need to make certain that they get the shoppers in their stores. Those great deals that we talk about are called doorbuster deals, and are not what they seem.
CNN Money has been looking into this and thought they would offer us an insight. We have to make certain that we read the small print on these doorbuster deals; this will normally be at the bottom of the circular. These products are usually limited to just two per store, so the odds of you getting that so called bargain are not in your favor.
CNN Money has been looking at a recent Black Friday circular, and some of their HDTVs were limited to just five per store. It is deals like this that causes chaos, as shoppers feel like they have been cheated. Some retailer experts agree with the shoppers and say that they have every right to feel cheated.
Customer Growth Partners retail expert, Craig Johnson has said, “It’s a sleazy practice.” He feels that an advertiser should not advertise something if they know they cannot fulfill the needs of the customers. He said it is stupid to hype a product on what is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
We know that this upsets shoppers and this is the sole cause of many arguments in stores on Back Friday, as they fight to be able to get that elusive deal before anyone else.
(To read this story by Peter Chubb, go to www.product-reviews.net/2009/11/20)
Hebrews 10:8-13 [The Message]
When Jesus said, "You don't want sacrifices and offerings," He was referring to practices according to the old plan. When He added, "I'm here to do it your (God's) way," he set aside the first in order to enact the new plan — God's way — by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.
Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.
What does God's Story teach us about the best "deal" of all times?
There I was...4:30am the day after Thanksgiving last year...freezing in the cold while standing in line...why? Because I could get a portable basketball hoop for nearly a third of its normal price!
Normally I would have been sound asleep. I had always laughed about people who were crazy enough to actually go shopping at such an insane time of day. But this deal made it worth it to venture out for my first time ever braving the early morning crowds.
When the doors opened there was a mad rush. People knew exactly what they were looking for and dashed straight for their respective treasures. I, on the other hand, casually walked to where the basketball hoops were and began inspecting each box to make sure I had the right model. As I did this, I noticed people placing a hand on certain boxes as they staked their claim to the one they were touching. In a split second I realized that I, in my hesitation, could possibly miss out on what I came for...I could have gotten up super early, stood in a long line and frozen half to death...all for nothing!
Quickly I searched for and found one of the 7 basketball hoops they had available as advertised. I placed my hand on it and, with great relief, claimed it for my own. Those who came after me were simply out of luck. The deal was limited. Only a few got to benefit. Just a small number of us received the gift that we really wanted.
Today's scripture teaches us that this is not the case with the best "deal" ever offered to man. Complete forgiveness for all of our sins...completely free...sounds like a deal that is just too good to be true. The truth is, however, that it is true...and not only that, it is an offer that never runs out! It is good to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
- What is the best deal you have ever gotten? Maybe it was a sale item or perhaps it was a used car that you picked up for way below what it was worth. Sometimes we are just fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and land a great deal. Still...no matter how good a deal may be...nothing compares to what Jesus offered us when He laid down His life for our sins. Talk to Him about how you feel about what He did for you.
- Scripture teaches us that, unlike Black Friday deals, there is no fine print on Jesus' offer. It is free. It is once-for-all. It is offered to everyone who will believe in Him. Not only that...Jesus won't "run out" of forgiveness. We all mess up and it is important to know that His offer is still good...4am, 4pm, any part of the day, every day.
Connecting today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story
- Ask a friend about the best deal they have ever gotten. Perhaps it will start a discussion that will lead you to have the opportunity to share about the best offer you have ever received...a relationship with Christ!
- If you venture out early this Friday, you may have the chance to spend a long time next to a perfect stranger while waiting in line. Ask them what they are "looking for" and see where the Holy Spirit takes that conversation!
23 Nov, 2009
Attention!
A TIME TO TALK
When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed.
And shout from where I am, “What is it?”
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.
Poem taken from the book: The Poetry of Robert Frost, pg. 124.
Photo taken from: images.google.com.
Ezekiel 40:4
The man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the house of Israel everything you see."
I have been thinking a lot lately about the word "attention". Webster's dictionary defines attention as the ability to concentrate mentally or courtesy towards others' feelings. What I have come to realize is how important paying attention or being attentive in life really is. There is virtually nothing of substance that can occur without it. If you want to play an instrument you must devote attention to practicing. If you want good grades you must pay attention in class and study. If you want good friends, you must show them attention. And most importantly, if loving God is our highest calling, we must give hime time and attention.
Think about it. Many of the problems we exprerience in life are a result of lack of attention. Our friends say we ignore them. Our parents and teachers say "pay attention!" The world is a very distracting place. This is even more true today than ever. As I have looked at my relationship with God and others I can make some pretty strong connections between attention to other things (tv, internet, eating, etc...) over my attention to God and others. Frost's poem encourages us to pay attention to those who are important in our lives. I am asking that we do that as well, but more importantly to give our attention to God.
- Take inventory of what you have given the majority of your time to this past week?
- How much time was given to God? Do we look for ways to give our attention to God during the day?
- Pray that God will send the Holy Spirit to you to give you the desire and ability to make time for him during the week.
Today's poem is perfect for showing attention to others (especially close friends). Make an effort this week to drop what you might consider important and truly listen to others (even if it's for 5-10 minutes). Ask God to help you really give them your undivided attention and use that time to love them in Christ. I think you will see the difference!
20 Nov, 2009
Crowds Have Gathered
"New Moon" aims for big bite from box offices
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Hollywood watchers think vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" could take a nearly $100 million bite from movie theater box offices when it debuts this weekend, and score one of the biggest openings ever for a non-summer film.
"New Moon," which debuts in the United States and Canada on Friday, is independent studio Summit Entertainment's sequel to last year's "Twilight," which surpassed expectations by making $69.6 million in its first weekend.
Exactly one year later, no one will be surprised if "New Moon" has a blockbuster opening in domestic markets, but the question is just how big it will be.
... The film is slated to debut in 4,024 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, which is not a record but is far more than the roughly 3,500 theaters in which major releases normally open.
Editing by Bob Tourtellotte.
Story and Photo found at news.yahoo.com.
Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)
Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds
23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
What does God's Story teach us about crowds gathering?
By the time this DailyBide posts, opening night will have come and gone for "New Moon." It will most likely be the talk of the entertainment news, along with many conversations on middle school and high school campuses across the U.S. Stories will be told of how long folks waited to get the best seat. The fame of the actors in the movie will have most likely grown even larger than before.
Jesus, too, drew massive crowds, but not for the sake of entertainment. Jesus drew crowds because of his message - a message of true hope and healing. Look at what the Life Application Study Bible notes have to say about today's God's Story Scripture ...
Jesus preached the gospel - the Good News - to everyone who wanted to hear it. The Good News is that the Kingdom of Heaven has come, that God is with us, and that he cares for us. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There's no sin or problem too great or small for him to handle. Jesus' words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God.
Now that is news that is worthy of drawing a crowd!!
Connecting My Story to God's Story
- Read through the life of Jesus in Matthew this weekend and note the number of times that Jesus drew a crowd.
- Grab a journal and write about Jesus' teaching and response to the various types of crowds that he experienced.
- Pray for the crowd that will gather at your place of worship this weekend to experience Jesus in mighty ways.
Connecting Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story to My Friend's Story
- As people you know begin to share their experiences with crowds waiting to see "New Moon," strike up a conversation about events that are worth waiting for.
- If you find yourself in a discussion about the movie, be ready to test it's themes in light of God's Story. Be ready for some great discussions about how only Jesus' offers true "freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God."
19 Nov, 2009
Jesus at the mall. Jesus in the manger.
Gap's Christmas cheer makes a boycott backfire
The Mississippi-based American Family Assn. last week issued a fatwa (judgment) against Gap Inc. -- the retailing giant whose brands include Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic -- calling for a "two-month boycott over the company's failure to use the word 'Christmas' in its advertising to Christmas shoppers."
The War on Christmas season has officially begun.
Gap "does not use the word 'Christmas' to avoid offending those who don't embrace its meaning," writes Buddy Smith, executive assistant to the president of the AFA, on the organization's website. "Christmas has historically been very good for commerce. But now Gap wants the commerce but no Christmas."
But here's the real question: Why attack Gap for not using the word "Christmas" in its advertising when in fact it does, and in a big way too?
Surf on over to YouTube and watch Gap’s latest 30-second spot, titled “Go Ho Ho". The spot -- which is in heavy rotation on network and cable TV -- features a group of insanely athletic dancers leaping and twirling and stomp-cheering around a white log-cabin set. They chant, "Go Christmas, go Hanukkah, go Kwanzaa, go solstice. . . . Do whatever you wannukkah and to all a cheery night."
There it is, right up front, enjoying pride of place: the C-word. In other words, Gap Inc. has demonstrably not banned the use of the word from its advertising or stores.
So how did AFA get this so wrong?
Story and photo courtesy of The LA Times.
Luke 2:12 (NIV)
"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
The author of today's story asks the question, "how did the AFA get this so wrong?" My guess is that they went wrong when they lost sight of what Christians ought to be doing to celebrate the birth of their king! Christmas is about giving new life to those around us in celebration of the new life that was given to us in the birth of Jesus. Rather than debating the amount of Christmas in our commerce, we should be spending our time, talent, and treasure building the Kingdom of God, which is the greatest gift that can be given and will never be available at the mall. In other words, Christmas is about giving away what we already have not buying what we don't.
In Luke's telling of the birth of Jesus the angels proclaim that the baby Jesus wrapped in cloths is a "sign" from heaven. What sign might it be? Could it be a sign that God is found among the dirty and suffering people of the world? Or that often people wealthy enough to shop at the mall and stay at "the inn" don't have any room for Jesus in their lives? Could it be that not being included in the consumerism of Christmas is exactly what Jesus wants?
Maybe we should trade our new winter fleece from the Gap for some old cloths and look a little more like Jesus this Christmas.
- Talk with your youth pastor or Campus Life director about the spiritual and social implications of an annual pilgrimage to the shopping mall to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
- Read the birth narrative in Luke 2:1-18. How do Christians today respond to the good news of Jesus' birth compared with how Mary and the shepherds responded?
- Talk with a friend about the Gap commercial. Ask them how they feel about Christmas and consumerism.
- Commit to "buying less, but giving more" this Christmas.
18 Nov, 2009
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Rock 'n' Roll May Help You Communicate
When tested against non-musicians, musicians demonstrated faster neural timing, enhanced representation of speech harmonics, and more
Turn up the freedom rock! A new study suggests that musicians may be better at hearing certain sounds, thanks to rock 'n' roll.
The Journal of Neuroscience published findings this week from a study conducted by neurobiologists at Northwestern University in Chicago. It's the first biological evidence that musicians' have a perceptual advantage for "speech-in-noise."
When tested against non-musicians, musicians demonstrated faster neural timing, enhanced representation of speech harmonics, and less degraded response morphology in noise. That is to say, they were more effective communicating in noisy environments.
Story provided by: foxnews.com.
James 1:19-20 (New International Version)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about listening before we react?
James is first written to Jewish believers who come out of a system that requires a lot of stuff to be done. Sacrifices must be made; checklists must be gone through. James is confronting that culture and not throwing it out entirely, but trying to bring a fresh light and look at how works function with faith when being led by Jesus. James is asking the question, "What is the outgrowth (or works) of following Jesus?"
One of the places where James encourages his readers to live out this faith is in their response to each other. He offers the challenge of staying calm and not reacting, but listening, and responding without anger. This is a tough admonition in a society that teaches us to react. If a restaurant gets your order wrong, throw a fit, and demand they fix it. If you get cut off in traffic, yell and scream, flip them the "bird." James would argue this is not how following Jesus is lived out, but rather it is through listening and the answering without rage or anger.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
How do we learn to have listening as our "knee jerk" reaction? I was talking with someone about basketball, and we were talking about how to speed up their hands, feet, and eyes when they were playing defense. The solution came down to practice. If they were going to improve their speed they would just have to practice more. Truth is, if we want our response to be listening, it has to be a practice in our lives. The more we listen when we aren't angry, the more likely that will be our reply when our temper flares.
You can practice by being the listener in a conversation with a friend; ask them more questions than you get asked. You can practice by developing listening as a spiritual discipline in your own life. Find time each day just to sit in silence; even just 5 minutes will make a difference when you are angry.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
The biggest connection you make with your friend is when they see a difference in how you respond to bad things. When you respond and keep your anger in check, they'll eventually want to know why and how.
Another place it connects is the opportunity it gives your friends to be heard. People want someone to listen to them; they want someone to hear their thoughts. It will mean a lot to your friends when you are willing to slow down and listen to what they are saying. That act of love might be enough to get them asking questions about why you listen.
17 Nov, 2009
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiip
Details.com recently had a Q&A session with Lord of the Rings star, Sir Ian McKellen. A portion of that interview included the following question and answer with the openly homosexual actor:
Details: Is it true that when you stay at hotels you tear out the Bible page that condemns homosexuality?
Ian McKellen: I do, absolutely. I'm not proudly defacing the book, but it's a choice between removing that page and throwing away the whole Bible.
In another article from August 28, 2007, on contactmusic.com, it is noted that McKellen, a longtime campaigner for gay rights, accepts he shouldn't vandalize the Bible, but finds it difficult to contain his outrage at the contents of Leviticus 20:13 when he spots the holy book in hotels. MCKellen says, "It's the one thing I find difficult to defend but do go on doing." The Leviticus 20:13 passage reads: "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination..."
Revelation 22:18-19 [NIV]
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
II Timothy 4:2-4
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
What does God's Story have to say about ignoring parts of His Word?
Sir Ian McKellen is not alone in his struggle with the words that God has placed in His authoritative Word. Mark Twain once said, "It's not the things in the Bible that I don't understand that worry me, it's the things that I do."
God's word is clear. It has been written by God and we are not to add to it or take anything away from it. We are to live by all of it...not just by the parts that comfortably fit our lives.
This world is getting increasingly further from God's design for our lives. There are more and more people who are "turning aside to myths". Most are not bold enough to actually physically rip out the parts of the Bible they don't like, but many are doing so by the way they live...by simply obeying the parts they like and ignoring the parts they don't.
We, as Christ-followers, need to stand (lovingly and gently) for the Truth in His Word. This is needed from us now more than ever!
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
Though the Bible offers a lot of encouragement, direction, wisdom, peace, advice and many other wonderful benefits...there are definitely parts that are difficult. The reason they are difficult is because we simply don't want to obey them! We eventually arrive at the point where we run into a verse that goes against either how we have been living or how we want to live.
At that point we need to decide...do we submit and shape our lives to what the Bible says...or do we shape the Bible to our lives...maybe even by ripping out the pages we don't like?!?
The answer is simple. If something needs to change, it is us...not His eternal and perfect Word.
So how about us? Are there parts of the Bible we have been ignoring? Have we found ways to justify lying to our parents, gossiping about our friends or looking at impure images? (And that is just to name a few.)
Spend time today asking God to show you what parts of His Word you have been "ripping out" through your lifestyle. It won't be easy at all, but it's always worth it to get our lives lined up with the Truth.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with their story
- PLEASE remember that though we are to "correct, rebuke and encourage" others with the Word of God, we are to do this with great patience and careful instruction. If you feel like God wants you to share a bit of truth with a friend, ask Him to help you do so with great respect and gentleness.
- One of the best ways we can communicate Truth is by living it...all of it! When we consistently live it out, others will be drawn to the Truth...even the hard parts.
16 Nov, 2009
I'm Better Looking Than You
LONDON (Reuters) - Britons are among the ugliest people in the world, according to a dating website that says it only allows "beautiful people" to join. Fewer than one in eight British men and just three in 20 women who have applied to BeautifulPeople.com have been accepted, an emailed statement from the website showed. Existing members of the "elite dating site" rate how attractive potential members are over a 48 hour period, after applicants upload a recent photo and personal profile.
Swedish men have proved the most successful, with 65 percent being accepted, while Norwegian women are considered the most beautiful with 76 percent accepted, the website said.
The way that BeautifulPeople.com accepts new members is simple. A potential member applies with a photo and a brief profile. Over 48 hours, existing members of the opposite sex vote whether or not to admit them, the site said. Options are: "Yes definitely," "Hmm yes, O.K," "Hmm no, not really" and "No definitely not." The site was founded in 2002 in Denmark and went live across the globe last month. Since then, the site has rejected nearly 1.8 million people from 190 countries, admitting just 360,000 new members.
"I would say Britain is stumbling because they don't spend as much time polishing up their appearance and they are letting themselves down on physical fitness," Beautiful People managing director Greg Hodge said. "Next to Brazilian and Scandinavian beauties, British people just aren't as toned or glamorous."
Only the male Russian and Polish applicants fared worse than British men, although Russian women had a 44 percent acceptance rate. Polish women did not appear in the table.
German applicants were slated for offering up unflattering photographs, which may have hindered their acceptance rates at 15 percent for men and 13 percent for women, the lowest rate in their category. "German men and women aren't faring well, but they are submitting stern images, they need to soften up," Hodge said.
Story and photo taken from: reuters.com.
Galatians 6:3,4 (NIV)
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
I have been going through a really tough time lately. God has been exposing many of my weaknesses and showing me how superficial I can really be. One of the areas of concern is constantly comparing myself to others. He's better looking, smarter, more confident, etc... Have you ever done that? My guess is you have.
What immediately comes to my mind is how I often don't value the same things God values. God sees beauty in all of us. He delights in those He has called to life in Christ. Sadly, I go from day to day not really believing this. My highest calling in this world is to love God with all my heart. More often than not, I value too much what other people think and don't delight in God.
Today's story focuses on outward beauty. Our society is infatuated with outward beauty. But God looks at our heart. He finds beauty in all of us and delights in us. By comparing ourselves to others we can dishonor what God thinks of us. The heart that has been transformed by God holds unfading beauty! Wow! We all want have unfading beauty! The problem often lies in that we don't look at ourselves and others through God's eyes. The beauty is in God delighting in us and hoping that we can delight in Him.
This is my prayer for you and I today.
- What is your take on beauty? Do you only look on the outside or do you also look on the inside?
- How might your understanding of God delighting in you affect your view of self and others?
- When confronted with the constant comparing of yourself to others recall how God delights in you.
- When hanging out with friends this week focus on their inward beauty. This will take some work. We all love outward beauty but really look for qualities such as patience, kindness, perseverance, trustworthiness, etc... others.
- Compliment them on their inward beauty!
13 Nov, 2009
I Must Confess!
"Mom?"
"What, son?" 
"I have to tell you something. Even if it means I get grounded for the rest of my life."
"What is it honey?"
"I did something really bad ..."
That was the conversation I heard through the wall in my office at home just last week. Our 7-yr.-old was taking a shower, and just lost it! He was crying so hard we could hardly understand what he was saying. He couldn't go on until he told us that he and his cousin had put something down a pipe in his great-grandpa's (Pop) back yard. He was afraid "Pop" would never love him again. He was afraid that we would be so mad at him that he would be "grounded for life."
I left my chair and headed in to talk with him when he got out of the shower. He proceded to explain to me exactly what he and his cousin had done. His cousin had taken the lid off of an underground fuel tank and put rock in the pipe sticking out of the ground. I immediately called his great-grandfather to let him know. He asked to talk to our son, but our son just felt too ashamed. We continued to talk about confessing and our love for him. We then talked about God's love and forgiveness.
Later that night our son said, "It feels so good to have told you the truth. I am so glad I'm not keeping that secret anymore!"
Photo found at: images.google.com.
James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
What does God's Story teach us about confessing?
Jesus has made it possible for us to go directly to God for forgiveness. But confessing our sins to each other still has an important place in the life of the church. (1) If we have sinned against an individual, we must ask him or her to forgive us. (2) If our sin has affected the church, we must confess it publicly. (3) If we need loving support as we struggle with a sin, we should confess that sin to those who are able to provide that support. (4) If we doubt God's forgiveness, after confessing a sind to him, we may wish to confess that sin to a fellow believer for assurance of God's pardon. In Christ's Kingdom, every believer is a priest to other believers (1 Peter 2:9). (Life Application Bible Study Notes, James 5:16)
Connecting My Story With God's Story
- Is there something in your life that you need to confess to God? Take care of that right now!
- Is there some secret that you've been keeping that you need to confess to someone in your life? Take care of that today!
- Is there someone in your life you need to ask to forgive you? Take care of that this weekend!
- Has someone committed a sin against you? Forgive them!
- Have someone asked for your forgiveness? Forgive them!
- Thank God for his incredible power of forgiveness!
Connecting Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story With My Friend's Story
- Do you know someone who is keeping a secret about something that they have done? Share Today's Story with them and start a conversation about forgiveness.
- Do you know someone who is not willing to forgive someone else? Talk with them about the relief that comes from confessing our sin.
- Move into talking about the forgiveness that God has to offer for our sinful nature, and the new life He offers in Jesus!
12 Nov, 2009
All Creatures of Our God and King
Who is a Jew? And who gets to decide?
LONDON — The questions before the judges in Courtroom No. 1 of Britain’s Supreme Court were as ancient and as complex as Judaism itself. On the surface, the court was considering a straight forward challenge to the admissions policy of a Jewish high school in London. But the case, in which arguments concluded Oct. 30, has potential repercussions for thousands of other parochial schools across Britain. And in addressing issues at the heart of Jewish identity, it has exposed bitter divisions in Britain’s community of 300,000 or so Jews, pitting members of various Jewish denominations against one another.
“This is potentially the biggest case in the British Jewish community’s modern history,” said Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle newspaper here. “It speaks directly to the right of the state to intervene in how a religion operates.”
The case began when a 12-year-old boy, an observant Jew whose father is Jewish and whose mother is a Jewish convert, applied to the school, JFS. Founded in 1732 as the Jews’ Free School,has around 1,900 students, but it gets far more applicants than it accepts.
By many standards, the JFS applicant, identified in court papers as “M,” is Jewish. But not in the eyes of the school, which defines Judaism under the Orthodox definition set out by Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Because M’s mother converted in a progressive, not an Orthodox, synagogue, the school said, she was not a Jew — nor was her son. It turned down his application.
That would have been the end of it. But M’s family sued, saying that the school had discriminated against him. They lost, but the ruling was overturned by the Court of Appeal this summer.
In an explosive decision, the court concluded that basing school admissions on a classic test of Judaism — whether one’s mother is Jewish— was by definition discriminatory. Whether the rationale was “benign or malignant, theological or supremacist,” the court wrote, “makes it no less and no more unlawful.”
The case rested on whether the school’s test of Jewishness was based on religion, which would be legal, or on race or ethnicity, which would not. The court ruled that it was an ethnic test because it concerned the status of M’s mother rather than whether M considered himself Jewish and practiced Judaism.
Story courtesy of The New York Times.
Photo courtesy of Google Images.
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
When we belong to God's family we have a brand new identity. No longer are we defined simply by our gender, our ethnicity, or our status in society, we are defined by our allegiance to the Kingdom of God, our membership in a colony of heaven here on earth.
The question currently being debated in Britain is an important one, what defines us, how do we create the boundaries that form our religious and cultural identities? The ancient hymn by St. Francis of Assisi, responds to questions like these by painting a radical picture of the family of God.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him! Alleluia!
St. Francis sings to the wind and the clouds, the moon and the stars, encouraging the whole created order to sing praises to the creator. As one part of that created order, the whole human race is simply one big family, all children of God, all creatures of our God and King. Often what divides us, the boundries that seperate us, the human institutions that "define" us, conflict with God's desire for us to see ourselves as nothing more than his children. Paul reminds us that when Our Story connects with God's Story even the boundries of gender no longer have their foundational meaning, only our connection to Jesus does.
In other words, no state, no religious hierarchy, no school, no human institution can truly define us and never should they divide us. We are all creatures of our God and king. And our task as Christians is to live in the reality that while earthly allegiances such as nationality, ethinicity, and class may give meaning, direction, and an identity to some, ours is found in Christ alone.
- What defines your identity? Make a list of five things that really shape who you are.
- Think about how you balance your citizenship between the nations of this world and the Kingdom of God. Are they always compatible or does one hold priority over the other?
- Ask a friend what they think about today's story. Ask them how they define who's a Jew, Christian, Hindu, etc.
- Find out what defines the identity of one of your friends, then engage them in an activity that nurtures them in that way — for example, if their identity is "basketball player" then go shoot hoops with them, if their identity is "nature lover" then invite them on a hike.
11 Nov, 2009
Did You Say Something?
Horses and mules are veterans too
Wednesday, the 11th, is Veteran’s Day, and while we take the day to remember and thank the many veterans who have defended and protected us through so many horrible wars, we can also take a moment to reflect on the animals that have aided our military in war, both past and present.
In war, horses have often been ridden or used to haul supplies. Mules are used to haul ammunition and supplies through rugged terrain that even military off-road vehicles cannot navigate.
Story provided by: examiner.com.
Picture provided by: sos.mo.gov.
Numbers 22:23-31 (English Standard Version)
23And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road. 24Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. 25And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So he struck her again. 26Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28Then the LORD(A) opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you." 30And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."
31Then the LORD(B) opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about God getting our attention?
First, I would like to address an important issue in this piece of God's story. Does it strike anyone else as odd that Balaam doesn't even flinch when the donkey starts talking? If my pets started talking to me there would be a hole in my door shaped like me running. Balaam acts like this is a common occurrence, that strikes me as funny.
As bizarre as Balaam's response is there are things to learn in his response (check the section below). For now here is some of the background for this story.
At this moment in the story the Nation of Israel has left Egypt and are moving into the land they were promised. They reach the land of Moab that is ruled by Balak. Moab is fearful of the people of Israel because they are numerous and they have heard about how the Hebrews have defeated all their other opponents. Out of terrible fear Balak sends some of his advisors to request Balaam to curse the nation of Israel.
Balaam at first rejects them, and says he can offer no curse against the Hebrews. Then after God gives him explicit instructions not to do anything except what he is told by God, Balaam acts disobediently, and starts the next day by doing things his own way.
That's when the donkey steps in and is a hero to Balaam. The donkey saves Balaam from judgement.
How can we connect today's God's story Scripture to our lives?
Balaam and his response in this situation offer a couple of lessons. First his lack of suprise when the donkey started speaking. Balaam apprently has had enough intereactions with the Most High that things like talking animals get his attention but they don't suprise him. Is the same true for you? Do you listen enough to what God is saying that you aren't suprised when out of the ordinary things open your eyes to God's work? I'm not at this point but I would love to be at the place where I see God in everything and expect Him to speak in every situation.
We can also learn from Balaam's lack of obedience. God doesn't mind if Balaam goes with the men who came from Balak. When Balaam goes though he is to do so God's way. When he didn't there were consequences. There are lots of good things in the world that God has placed parameters on. God didn't put those rules there to steal joy, but to make it better, or to give us more out of it, and sometimes to protect us. God asks us to be obedient because he understands things we do not.
Take time to listen to what God is saying to you, then respond in obedience.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
Today's God's story is a great story to share with a friend to peak their intrest. This is the kind of story that causes people to say things like, "You're kidding! Is that really in there?" It leaves you with an open door to share more pieces of God's story, and make sure you share a piece or two that connects with your friend's story.
Another way this connects to our friends is more about our connection to the Father. Are you listening when God tells you to share His story with your friends? Then are you acting obediently to what you are hearing? Learning to listen and respond to God will make a huge difference in sharing Jesus with your peers.
10 Nov, 2009
Tackle the OTHER team!
Las Vegas, NV — Local football player receiving national attention for tackling teammate
Cory Turner’s now-infamous play during a local adult football game will surely be part of sports blooper highlight packages for years to come. Turner, a defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Cobras, inadvertently tackled his own teammate during a punt return two weeks ago against the Henderson Wolverines. The play instantly drew laughter from everyone at Ed Fountain Park. That, however, was just the beginning.
Someone was filming the contest and put a 37-second video of the play on Youtube.com. The video was picked up on Monday by deadinespin.com — the nation’s most popular sports blog site.
It has since been shown on ESPN and other national newscasts and talked about on the Jim Rome syndicated radio show. As for the play, Turner quickly realized the ball carrier was his teammate. The video shows him putting his hands on his helmet and sitting on the turf in embarrassment.
Cobras coach Mike Howard, who has been coaching in the Wild West Football League for nine seasons and is part of the Minor League Football Hall of Fame, said the play will go down as the wackiest in his tenure. “That’s the funniest thing I have seen in 40 years of football,” Howard said. “We laughed, everyone at the park laughed. But, of course, the guy who got tackled wasn’t too happy.”
To view full story by Ray Brewer, go to lasvegassun.com.
To view video, go to youtube.com.
Galatians 6:10 [NIV]
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 5:14-15 [NIV]
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
I Thess. 5:11 [NIV]
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
II Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
What does God's Story teach us about how to treat our own team?
- We are supposed to take special care of "our own team". If someone is a brother or sister in Christ, then we should treat them just like a loving family member should be treated.
- Sometimes we, as Christians, can get in the habit of tearing one another down. It might be talking about someone badly, gossiping or just being mean...this should not be! If we aren't careful, we will end up "tackling each other" and eventually destroy our own family.
- What we should do is encourage one another. This might be through acts of kindness, praying for each other or just a word of encouragement, but this should be what we are all about as family.
- Remember who the enemy is...the devil, who wants to devour us...NOT each other...let's gang up and fight against HIM!!!
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
- Perhaps you have been wronged by a brother or sister in Christ. Maybe they have done or said something that really "tackled" you inside. I would encourage you to take some mature steps towards making that relationship right...even if it wasn't your fault...work towards forgiveness and restoration of the relationship.
- Perhaps you were the one who tackled a Christian teammate. Be honest before God. If you are truly sorry, He is ready to forgive you. Then, be honest with your brother or sister. It might be the hardest phone call you will ever make, but asking their forgiveness will help you fight against the real enemy together.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with their story
Think about what the other football team must have been thinking when they saw their opponents tackling themselves. Their first response, I'm sure, was confusion. Maybe they were asking questions like, "Aren't they supposed to be on the same team?" or "Why would they do that to each other?"
And do you think that any of the opponents would be really excited to join their team? Ummm...probably not. "Hey, come on over to our side where we tackle each other when you least expect it" isn't exactly a very enticing offer. In the same way, when non-believers see Christians saying bad things about one another or being mean to each other, it just doesn't make sense to them. Further more, they don't want to have anything to do with becoming a Christian.
So let's stop tackling our teammates and fight together against the real enemy!
9 Nov, 2009
Dirty Dancing
DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) — A local high school looking to crack down on sexually suggestive moves at school dances has come up with a solution to have students sign "dance contracts." The "Sponge Bob," the "Jerk" and the "Reject" are some of the popular dances of today's urban youth that won't get students in trouble at Downey High School. However, there are other types of sexually explicit dances called, "freak dancing," that Downey High School and other schools are cracking down on.
"Some people are too dirty, like they get too sexual and stuff and it doesn't look good on the school," said Alicia Zamano, a Downey student. "It got to the point where it was simulated sex on the dance floor, and we needed to make a stand on it," said Tom Houts, Downey High School's principal.
Administrators say that the inappropriate style of dancing has become a growing problem in school-sponsored dances. So they came up with the solution to require every student to sign a dance contract when attending a formal dance, agreeing not to dance inappropriately.
"You can't have a female turn around and the boy rub against her, and they boy's hands need to be in the appropriate place," said Houts.
Each student attending the dances will be required to wear a wrist band. With the first warning that you're dancing inappropriately, the wrist band gets snipped off. With the second warning, the student gets ejected from the dance. All of this patrolling is done by a group called the Freak Patrol. "We have four ladies that are like the drill sergeant types, and they're not afraid to speak up and say what the rules are and get between these kids and really give them stern warnings," said Gordon Weisenburger, the director of school activities at Downey High School.
Parents are having mixed reactions, and so are students. "I think it's pretty cool that they're trying to protect for our safety," said Stefani Lang, a Downey student.
"I completely disagree, simply because I feel that when you go to a party or when you go to a school dance, you should be free to express yourself within a limit," said Rosa Mendoza, a parent. School administrators say that they hope the contracts will keep the students dancing and busting the right kind of moves.
Story taken from: abclocal.go.com Photo taken from: images.google.com.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
The movie "Dirty Dancing" which featured Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze was a pop sensation back in 1987. It was a coming of age movie that took place at a summer camp in New York and featured some memorable dance scenes. But the term "Dirty Dancing" has nothing on today's high school dances.
I recently chaperoned a Homecoming Dance and was shocked at what I saw. A majority of the couples (as well as girls with girls) were basically simulating sex on the dance floor. I am not a party pooper. I love to dance! But as Christians we must ask ourselves, "How should we live?' in a world that has abandoned many morals for the sake of being free.
But being free in Christ means that we must strive to be free from our sinful nature. This is a daily battle. Sexual immorality is rampant in our culture. Through inuendos on tv, blatant sex on reality shows, and yes, our dancing. This article is not meant to say, "don't dance" or "don't have fun." It is quite the contrary. We do have immeasurable freedom in Christ but not when we play with fire. An recovering alcoholic would not recover in a bar. Nor should we think we can play with fire and not get burned.
Our relationship often suffers with God because we live dual lives. We confess Christ but don't work on putting to death sinful urges, desires, and behaviors. Dance! Dance! Dance! But dance so that Christ is honored as well as the partner you are with.
This goes for our speech and actions as well. I am constantly reminded how my speech can be too provocative and follow the ways of the world. As we bring all we do under the Lordship of Christ, we will find that God is honored and we will be much more aware of His presence during the day.
Consider how you behave at school functions. Do you believe it honors God? If not, ask His forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and actions in the future.
Pray for your friends who live loose lives sexually. Consider how you might encourage qualities in them that are other than physical. Calling someone "hot" is great, but often people need to hear positive comments about what's on the inside. Look to tell someone how you appreciate their kindness, intelligence, or thoughtfulness over just physical appearance. Look to honor the qualities that resemble being made in God's image.
6 Nov, 2009
"To Affirm The We Are God's Children"
November is National Adoption Month.
Here's an excerpt from President Obama's declaration ...
All children deserve a safe, loving family to protect and care for them. In America, thousands of young people are waiting for that opportunity. During National Adoption Month, we honor those families that have strengthened America through adoption, and we recommit to reducing the number of children awaiting adoption into loving families.
America is a country rich in resources and filled with countless caring men and women who hope to adopt. These individuals come from all walks of life, united in their commitment to love a child who is in need of the protective arms of a parent. We must do more to ensure that adoption is a viable option for them. By continually opening up the doors to adoption, and supporting full equality in adoption laws for all American families, we allow more children to find the permanent homes they yearn for and deserve.
Read the full proclamation at: whitehouse.gov
Romans 8:14-16 (New Living Translation)
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
What does God's Story teach us about adoption?
Do you know anyone who is adopted? Maybe you are one of the many in this country who have been adopted. I, too, was adopted. My mother remarried when I was eleven years old. My step-father adopted me when I was fourteen, making him my legal father. My name changed that day. As a matter of fact, I was issued a brand new birth certificate stating that my new name had been my name all along. It was almost as if my "old name" had never even existed.
When I read today's God's Story Scripture, and think about what it means to be adopted, I am even more amazed at God's Story. That when we begin our relationship with Jesus, the Heavenly Father adopts us as His own children. He forgives and forgets our "old name" of Sinner, and gives us a new name of "Christian." It's as if the old name never even existed. Definitely Amazing!!
- Thank God for adopting you as his own child today, for giving you new life!
- Are you holding on to something from your old life? Is it time to let go of whatever that might be? Ask God to help you forgive and forget your own sin, just like He has.
Connecting Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story to My Friend's Story
- Do you have a friend who has been adopted? Talk with them today about their adoption process.
- Allow that conversation to point you toward talking about God's Story and His desire to adopt "lost" children as his own.
- Talk to some parents who have adopted a child. Take a bold step and let that conversation lead to a conversation about God's Story.
5 Nov, 2009
Are you playing your part?
Everyone’s a Drummer for This Hybrid Group
Even before the concert by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on Friday night, a steady rush of rattling, whirring sounds, audible in the lobby, emanated from the auditorium. On entering the hall, every member of the audience was given a small Chinese hand drum with beads attached to two strings on the sides. By twirling the drum in your hand, you could produce a loud stream of rat-a-tats.
The plan was for the audience to participate in the climactic episode of the final piece, “The Yellow River Capriccio” by Cheng Dazhao. In anticipation most people tried out their hand drums as they waited for the orchestra players to take the stage.
Before “The Yellow River Capriccio” started Mr. Yan rehearsed the audience of hand drum players, explaining his cues and instructing us to add prolonged shouts to crucial moments of the score. During the performance people in the hall took their assignments seriously, twirling their hand drums, shouting like martial arts warriors and creating a glorious din during the ferocious climax.
Story & picture courtesy of — The New York Times
Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Our lives are much like a song, or a story. We have a beginning, an end, triumphant climactic parts, and tense emotional sections too. In today's story we have a picture of how God wants to involve us in The Story. We're like the audience at Carnegie Hall, invited to not only listen, but to participate in the making of a song, the telling of a story. For Christians, God's Story is The Story, and God is pursuing us, calling us to play a part. God is handing us a drum, asking us not only to sit back and enjoy the story that has been written for us, but to play along, to make music of our own!
As you connect with Jesus and you follow him with your life you will have countless opportunities to share that song with others. Today be encouraged to let that song be heard by those around you. God's Story is one that this world is dying to hear and Jesus is handing you the drum, asking you to play a part in making that story known to the world.
So let the light of Christ, let God's Story be known in how you love others, serve others, and may you "play skillfully" the part that God has given you.
- What part are you playing in God's story? Are you playing it with skill?
- Is there a "new song" that you'd like to be playing? Something new you'd like to be doing to serve Jesus?
- Ask a friend if their life was a story or a song what "part" you play in their life.
- Ask a friend if their life was a story or a song what "part" God plays in their life.
4 Nov, 2009
It's a Big Family
7th grader links Obama to past presidents, kings
(NBC) — A California 7th grader and her 80-year-old grandfather are allegedly the first people to discover that President Barack Obama is related to all other U.S. presidents except one.
BridgeAnne d'Avignon, who attends Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, traced that Obama, and all other U.S. presidents except Martin Van Buren, are related to John "Lackland" Plantagenet, a king of England and signer of the Magna Carta.
Story provided by: WALB News 10
Luke 8:19-21 (The Message)
His mother and brothers showed up but couldn't get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you."
He replied, "My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God's Word. Obedience is thicker than blood."
What does God's Story scripture tell us about the family of God?
This has always been an interesting story to me because in a single sweeping statement Jesus opens up the family of God. In these verses he challenges the traditional Jewish belief that the nation of Israel is the only accepted child of God. Jesus allows all those who walk obediently to God to enter into the family.
That is huge for you and me. It means God is welcoming anyone obedient to Him, Jewish or not, with open arms.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
As humans there is something we all share in common. At some point we feel insignificant. If you are anything like me you have felt that way a lot in your life. This scripture is were we can find encouragement, God wants us as part of His family.
Maybe your family is a wreck. This is a place where God meets you. He is offering you a new family, a big one.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
When I saw the headline for today's story lots of things went through my mind, as they probably are for you. It always strikes me how small our world can be and how interconnected we are with each other. That connectedness is a great place to start a conversation with your friends. Where are you alike? Do you have any relatives in common? I grew up in a small town where that happens often. It is funny sometimes how many connections we have.
As the conversation about the presidents' connections and your own connections grow you have a chance to talk about the biggness of God's family and how Jesus is always accepting new family. Maybe your friend is the one with a messy family situation and they need someone to show them the loving family of God. Today's scripture gives you an oppurtunity to invite a friend into God's family.
Spend some time praying that God would send you the friend who needs to hear about the family of God.
3 Nov, 2009
A Not-So-Welcome Reception
GREEN BAY, Wis. — He's the iconic quarterback who, for 16 record-setting years, symbolized the grit of the storied Green Bay Packers franchise.
Favre knows better than to expect a warm welcome (at Lambeau Field). Favre said, "...playing there with another team is obviously something new to me.
Signing with Minnesota made Favre "the ultimate traitor," says Krystina Engebos, 25, a bartender at Titletown Brewery Co. in Green Bay.
Dave Dushek, 45, a UPS driver from Rice Lake, Wis., and a shareholder in the Packers, the only community-owned big-time professional sports team, stated, "Now, it's like Brett went from the Hatfields to the McCoys."
Packers fans have found a variety of ways to express their feelings about Favre's return.
Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt selected four "tasteful" suggestions from among 1,000 to mark the occasion.
Schmitt declared today "Flip-Flop Friday," when city employees can wear flip-flops, a barb at Favre's on-again, off-again retirement.
Titletown Brewery will host a Saturday tailgate party featuring waffle fries with green and purple ketchup, tweaking Favre's Jets and Vikings incarnations.
Schmitt will rename Minnesota Avenue "Aaron Rodgers Drive" for Sunday.
"Some people wanted to change Brett Favre Pass to Brett Favre Interception."
Playing off the quarterback's uniform number, an Appleton, Wis., radio station will hold a mock "Funeral-4-Favre" at a Green Bay sports bar today with hearse, casket, pallbearers and a mannequin corpse.
"As soon as Brett became a Viking, he was dead to us," says WAPL disc jockey Rick McNeal, 51.
A sarcastic "We'll Never Forget You, Brent " T-shirt produced by a Madison, Wis., store provides a popular anti-Favre expression.
Sax came up with "Mourn4" black armbands, which are being sold for $5, with all the proceeds benefiting the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. He expects to sell 4,000 to 5,000.
(To see the full article by by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY, go to http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-10-29-brett-favre-green-bay_N.htm)
Matthew 13:57 [NIV]
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
I Peter 4:4 [NLT]
Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.
Matthew 10:22 [NIV]
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
What does God's Story teach us about the reception we will get as His followers?
Once a loved hero at Green Bay, Brett Favre is now an outcast. Those who cheered his name now curse it. Though today's article is full of many striking statements, "He is dead to us" certainly stands out.
Jesus had the same experience. He also was not welcome in his hometown because they just knew him as the kid from down the street. He was just an ordinary carpenter's son. "Who& is he", they thought, "to claim to be the Son of God?"
Jesus also warned his disciples that they too would not be received well. He told them in very clear terms that they would suffer for His name.
This message from Jesus was not just for the disciples standing before Him that day. It is true for you and me. All over the world brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted. While I was on a missions trip to Brazil, I remember a 16 year old girl who made the decision to follow Christ. She made this choice knowing that she would be kicked out of her house and that she would never get to speak to her family again. She would be "counted as dead". Other Christians around the world are even put to death for their faith...every day...even at the very moment you are reading this.
Praise God that His Word also says that he who stands firm to the end will be saved!!!
Connecting today's story, God's story and my story
- Stop and pray today for your brothers and sisters all over the world who are undergoing persecution at this very moment. Pray that God will give them the strength and faith to endure all things for His name!
- Re-read I Peter 4:4. This verse teaches us that our friends should notice a difference in us...and that it might not be well received. You may be getting pressure from your former friends (who don't know Christ yet) to continue living as you used to. Stand strong! If they speak badly of you, don't fire back at them...but humbly pray for them and count it a blessing to endure persecution for the One who endured all for you!
- You are "playing for a new team now" and it will take great courage. Remember that if you stand firm to the end, you will be saved!
I Peter 2:12 tells us to "live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
When you stand firm (with the help of the Holy Spirit), your lost friends may criticize you at first, but eventually they will see the reality of God living in you and want the same for their lives.
2 Nov, 2009
Just Be Yourself?
Be Yourself
by Audioslave
Someone falls to pieces
Sleeping all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
She finally drifts away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
And catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
And to be yourself is all that you can do
Hey... Just Be Yourself
To be yourself is all that you can do
Someone finds salvation in everyone
Another only pain
Someone tries to hide himself
Down inside himself he prays
Someone swears his true love
Until the end of time
Another runs away
Separate or united
Healthy or insane
And to be yourself is all that you can do
Yeah.. To be yourself is all that you can do
To be yourself is all that you can do
Hey... Be yourself is all that you can do
Image taken from: images.google.com.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Colossians 3:5 (NIV)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry
What Does God Say About Being Yourself?
We are often told in today's culture to "Just Be Yourself" or in the words of nike, "Just Do It!" These comments are based on the assumption that we have unlimited good within us to share with the world.
It is true. We are all made in God's image. But if we're honest, we all know that there are bad things within us as well. As Christians, we understand that Christ came expressly for the bad within us.
We must be careful of the notion to just be ouselves because it is our natural state that often deceives us. What we might judge as a godly impulse may in fact be the opposite. We are a new creation and the life of Christ is within us. However, we also have powerful urges to do bad within us as well.
Sometimes the confusion when we're in Christ is that even though we accept Christ into our heart, we still struggle with this tendency to stray toward fleshly urges that are not of God. Why? I don't know. There are many mysteries of the Christian faith and this is surely one. What we do know is that the apostle Paul struggled with the good he wanted to do and the bad within him just like we do.
The good thing about this is that even though we are often discouraged we can understand that this is a daily battle. If you feel insecure and want to give up because you think you shouldn't have bad thoughts or fight ungodly urges, then rest assured it is a struggle for every Christian.
But we must go to battle with these urges. To die to our flesh is a daily battle and dying is never pleasant. It is in this daily battle that God can work in us through His Holy Spirit to release the good that He is working in us. This is not a popular notion today. As Paul tells us, put to death today, this minute, those things that belong to our natural state. We can do this with the hope that God will join us and bring about the change of a new creation within us.
- Do you believe God is good enough to delight in you and love you even with sinful urges?
- Go to God with these fleshly parts of your nature and ask God to put them to death. Ask him for the virtues of being new in Christ and do this daily!
How can understanding the battle within you between your old and new nature help you to connect to those who don't know Christ? As God has loved you unconditionally, ask Him to give you the power to delight in others in the midst of their confusion and sinful behavior. Share with them the goodness of God and allow Him to work in their hearts.
