5 Jan, 2009

The 54th edition of the Guinness World Records book has been released. In the 2009 version we can find a few interesting world records such as:

  • The World's Oldest Bridesmaid (105 years old)
  • The Most Expensive Ice-cream Sundae ($24,000)
  • The World's Longest Dog, with a nose to tail length of 2m 32cm (7.61 feet)
  • Oldest living person (114 years and 115 days - Edna Parker, US)
  • Largest underwater press conference (61 journalists)
  • Most rotations hanging from a power drill (141)
  • Worlds fastest talker (655 words per minute)
  • Fastest suitcase escape (7.04 seconds)
  • Oldest DNA (800,000 years)


Many of the records in the book were set on last year's Guinness World Records Day (November 9) when 200,000 people around the world joined in to make or break records as part of the international event.

Story courtesy www.funnymos.com & picture images.google.com 01/04/2009

Chasing After the Wind

An exhausting pursuit
Ecclesiastes 2:11
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about life's accomplishments?
I don't know why, exactly, but I've always enjoyed hearing about all of the crazy things people do to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. I can only imagine how much time and dedication each puts into accomplishing such incredible feats! If you're like me, you probably will never find your name printed in the Guinness Book of World Records (I just don't have any super cool tricks to share!), but if you're most honest with yourself (and God) there are things you often find yourself working pretty hard for. Maybe you're putting your energy into becoming the school's next Valedictorian, being the best dressed or the most popular person in your class, the most successful business man/woman in your office, or maybe even biggest rebel or trouble maker! Whatever your goals are, Solomon (the author of Ecclesiastes) shows us just how meaningless it all is without God.

Solomon was a man who had it all: wisdom, wealth, beautiful women, success in the eyes of men, etc. You name it, he'd accomplished it! But look, again, at what his response was to it all: "everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Through it all, Solomon came to realize that unless the things he chased after were of God and through God, they were pointless; no amount of money, recognition, or success would make him less miserable.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

Take a few minutes to reflect on your life:
- What would you say is the most important thing to you right now? Be honest.
Is it God? Your friends? Being accepted by others?
- What are you putting most of your time and energy into, and what are you reasons or motivations for doing it? Is it for your own satisfaction or recognition, or is it to glorify God?

Pray and ask God to help you make better decisions about the things you're doing and where you're spending your time. Ask God to help you make the most of the days He's given you so that the things you do and accomplish would reflect Him and bring Him glory.

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?

  • Ask God to bring someone to your attention this week who is putting his time and energy into things that don't really matter in the long run - someone who needs to hear the story of Solomon. Ask God to give you the boldness to share it!
  • Pray for those around you who do not know Christ and the abundant life that He gives. Pray that God would give you influence in their lives as you continue to share and connect stories. Find some way to encourage and love on at least one of these individuals today.

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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.