20 Aug, 2010
Excuses, Excuses!
LONDON (Reuters) – Cricket star Graeme Swann told a police officer who stopped him for drunk driving that he had had to go out to buy screwdrivers to rescue his trapped cat, a court heard Monday.
The 31-year-old spinner had been out with friends when he returned to his Nottinghamshire home and discovered his pet trapped under the floorboards, he told police.
He said he then got in his white Porsche Cayenne and was driving to a supermarket in the early hours of April 2 when he was pulled over, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard, the Press Association reported.
Police constable Steven Denniss said he decided to pull Swann over initially because he was driving a high-performance car in an area where there had been a spate of burglaries.
"Mr. Swann stated he had been out that evening and had come back to find his cat trapped under the floorboards in his house. He had gone to Asda to fetch some screwdrivers to remove some floorboards," Denniss told the court.
"His speech was slightly slurred but he was compliant. He was slightly upset due to the fact of his cat and what had just happened."
The officer said Swann, third in the International Cricket Council's world bowling rankings, then admitted he "shouldn't have probably been driving." A blood test found he had 83 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The legal limit is 80 mg.
Swann denies one charge of drink driving and the trial continues.
Story and Photo found at http://news.yahoo.com.
10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about making excuses?
Paul uses Old Testament references to show that humanity in general, in its present sinful condition, is unacceptable before God. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Well, I'm not too bad. I'm a pretty good person"? Look at today's verses and see if any of them apply to you. Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone's feelings by your words or tone of voice? Are you bitter toward anyone? Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you? In thought, word, and deed, you, like everyone else in the world, stand guilty before God. We must remember who we are in his sight-alienated sinners. Don't deny that you are a sinner. Instead, allow your desparate need to point you toward Jesus.
The last time someone accused you of wrongdoing, what was your reaction? Denial, argument, and defensiveness? The entire world will be silent before almighty God. No excuses, or arguments will remain. Have you reached the point with God where you are ready to hang up your defenses and await his decision?
(Adapted from Life Application Bible Study Notes;Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)
- Have you been guilty of making excuses for holding on to some sin in your life? Ask God to forgive you and let go of whatever it is you are holding onto.
- Read the rest of Romans 3 in God's Story.
- Thank God for saving you from your sinful nature.
How can I connect Today's Story, My Story and God's Story to others?
In this 3Story way of life, we often say that "It's more important to tell our friends how much WE need Jesus, than it is to tell them how much they need Jesus." Do you have a friend you've been connecting with lately whose story is very similar to yours? If you haven't already, ask them if you can share your story a little more with them this weekend. Talk about how Jesus has met you in the midst of your sin. When you are able to make this conversation happen, ask a trusted adult in your life to pray for you and your friend while you are sharing. Don't underestimate the power of prayer!
- May 2012 [14]
- 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]
