8 Jul, 2008

2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Results - Joey Chestnut Wins Again

The 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest results are in and for the second year in a row - California's Joey Chestnut wins it.

Actually it was a tie between Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi at 59 hot dogs each, leading to a sudden death show down.

Legend has it that the hot dog contest has been held annually at Nathan's Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island since 1916, according to Fox 5 New York.

The contest traditionally lasts 12 minutes and includes up to 20 big eaters. This year's event was cut down to 10 minutes. Joey Chestnut, gulped down 66 franks.

Prior to Chestnut's record - Japan's Takeru Kobayashi had been the crowning champ for five years straight.

Chestnut trains by fasting and by stretching his stomach with milk and water. Three days before winning a chicken-eating contest in Boston, in November 2005, Chestnut drank gallons of water in under one minute and ate buffalo wings to get his stomach accustomed to them. As of July 4, 2006, his competition weight was 220 pounds (100 kg).

The San José State University student entered the competitive eating scene in 2005 with a break-out performance in the deep-fried asparagus eating championship, in which he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating 6.3 pounds of asparagus in 11.5 minutes.

photo & story courtesy gambling911.com, 7/5/08

This takes guts!

How often do you eat too much?

Proverbs 23:19-21

19 Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way.
20 Be not among drunkards
or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
21 for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
and slumber will clothe them with rags. (ESV)

What do you think today's God's Story scripture is teaching us?

That hot dogs are bad for you? Yes, they may be processed and unhealthy, but I think if Jesus were walking planet Earth today, He would love to come to your place for some hot dogs and onions on the grill!

Actually, I think there are several truths for us to think about:

God has a path that He wants His children (Christ's followers) to stay on.

Overeating is a problem, just like drinking too much.

Getting drunk and being a glutton are signs of a lack of discipline, which lead to poverty, which is more than just a lack of resources - it's being bankrupt of the peace that comes with being on the right course with God.

How can we apply today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
  • Be honest with yourself and God (even though He already knows your real story) about anything in your life that shows a lack of discipline. It might be food, drinking, or____________?
  • Be careful about judging others. Teenagers and alcohol is a serious problem, but let's remember that way too often, food is the "fix" or "party" for many of us who follow Jesus.
  • In your journal, write down anything that is getting you off of God's path. Let Him help you make needed changes.
  • Whenever you eat hot dogs this summer, let it remind you of the truths in today's scripture.

Talk to God right now... Thank Him for the right course He has for you... for His Spirit to give you the discipline you need to stay on it... confess any struggle you are having with food or alcohol... ask Jesus to build intimacy into your life so that you will be satisfied in Him and Him alone.

How can we connect today's story and God's Story and our story to our friends and family who need Jesus?
  • Invite them over to your place and grill lots of hot dogs! Seriously, always look for the opportunity to deepen your relationships. Jesus often hung out with people and got to know them while they ate together.
  • Use the hot dog eating champion's story as a conversation starter with your friends. Ask them what they like to fill up on or what makes them sick when they do? Then, do a gentle nudge with their thinking and ask them what fills their heart or soul? This may be an opportunity for your to share part of your story. You can talk about how you have discovered that only Jesus can really satisfy your soul.
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