10 Oct, 2006
Man sets sights on eye-popping record
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Claudio Paulo Pinto is looking to break an eye-popping record. Literally. Pinto can pop his eyeballs out of their sockets at least 7 millimeters (0.3 inches), a national record for eye-popping according to RankBrasil, an organization modeled after the Guinness Book of World Records that lists Brazilian records.
A former driver, Pinto got a job scaring visitors in a commercial haunted house in Belo Horizonte, 210 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. But he recently was laid off, and now he seeks international recognition for his ability.
"I was measured by an opthamologist on television in January. I could pop my eyes out 7 millimeters," Pinto said by telephone Saturday. "Since then, my capacities have improved over 50 percent."
That could put Pinto close to the record. The title of "furthest eyeball popper" in the Guinness Book of World Records currently belongs to Kim Goodman of Chicago, who can pop her eyeballs 11 milimeters (0.43 inches) out of her sockets.
Pinto's ability is called "globe luxation." Doctors say it can strain blood vessels and nerves between the eyes and the head and feels unpleasant but usually doesn't cause lasting damage.
Pinto says he's been luxating his globes since he was 9 years old and "it doesn't hurt a bit."
photo courtesy images.google.com & story twincities.com, 9/15/06
Eyes wide open?
Why should today's God's Story open up our eyes?
Part of our sin nature (which all of us are born with) includes the selfish perspective that we don't want or need anyone or anthing telling us what to do. We think that rules get in the way of our "personal freedom". They keep us from doing what we want to do.
But the psalmist is obviously excited about God's laws. Why?
It's because God's law (the instructions and guidelines found in His Holy Scriptures) were given to us because of His great love for us! God knows what is best for us and He wants us to find ultimate freedom which comes only when we surrender our will to His will. The Bible shows us how to do that. God's Word leads us in His path and helps us stay away from our own worldly paths which only lead to destruction.
This eye-popping truth was discovered by the psalmist and God wants us to see it too!
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- You know how TV shows featuring wild stunts always do a disclaimer like "don't attempt this at home"? Well, you should not attempt to pop your eyes like the guy from Brazil, but each of us should attempt to let God help us discover today's "eye-popping" truth at home. It starts with your eyes being wide open! Talk to God right now. Be honest. Have you resisted seeing His Story (God's Word) as the authority in your life? Confess this and ask Jesus to forgive you and take over. Thank Him that His Word is not only perfect, but God has given it to you because He loves you so much and wants you to experience His best.
- Read Psalm 119:12-24 to see the bigger picture of the eye-popping truth of God's Word.
- Keep a written journal for at least two weeks (warning: this can become a habit!) for your daily Bible reading. Every day, look for and write down one "to do" that you find in God's Word. The effect on your life will open up your eyes even more to God's incredible Story and love and plan for your life.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story, and your story to others?
- Pray every day that Jesus will open up your eyes to see His Truth and the need for His Truth in the lives of your friends and family members who don't know Him as Savior. Ask Jesus to enable you to live like Him in a way that will allow the "eyes" of others to be open to seeing God's Story.
- Use today's story as an illustration to talk to someone in your "storysphere" to help explain your story - how Jesus helped you see your need for Him.
- May 2012 [11]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
