16 May, 2011
Real Redemption
'Survivor: Redemption Island' winner crowned
LOS ANGELES – It took four attempts, but "Boston" Rob Mariano finally won "Survivor."
The trash-talking 35-year-old veteran of the CBS reality series overcame wacky 52-year-old former federal agent Phillip Sheppard and 19-year-old dancer Natalie Tenerelli to take home the $1 million grand prize on Sunday's finale of "Survivor: Redemption Island." Mariano said he earned eight votes from the nine-person jury of dismissed contestants.
"You don't know for sure until the votes are read, but I had a pretty good feeling," Mariano said during a phone interview following the finale. "I played my heart out. I love this game, but you've got to get lucky along the way, too. I know what it takes. It's really, really difficult. I'm really, really happy things happened the way they did this time."
Mariano, who previously competed on the "Marquesas," "All-Stars" and "Heroes vs. Villains" seasons, dominated the Nicaragua-set 22nd edition of "Survivor," securing his place in the final trio by winning four individual immunity challenges and calculating the demise of most of the season's newbie castaways, including several of his own allies.
"I knew from the very beginning that if I was able to get my foot in the door, and if I could get these people to at least play with me, that I would have a shot," said Mariano, who returned to the game with "Samoa" bad boy Russell Hantz. "They didn't realize how nervous that I was the first day out there. They held all the power, but they didn't know that."
Mariano joined the 39-day survival contest with Hantz, his 36-year-old "Heroes vs. Villains" adversary. The pair were sent to opposing tribes of new contestants, but Hantz was swiftly dispatched by his Zapatera tribemates, while Mariano became the undisputed leader of his Ometepe tribe, forming an impenetrable six-person alliance that never wavered.
This season's twist, which sent ousted players to Redemption Island, where they competed to return to the game, was mostly moot because 21-year-old college student Andrea Boehlke and 22-year-old college student Matt Elrod, arguably Mariano's biggest threat, were immediately voted back out of the game each time they overcame Redemption Island.
"He did everything, and most importantly, he managed to blindside Matt," said David Murphy, the 31-year-old Zapatera tribe member who became the first member of the jury. "In the process of doing that, he sent a message to his tribe that if any of you show any signs of not being loyal, you're gonna go home. He controlled all of you. He controlled your minds."
Jeff Probst, the show's host, said it was as "close to a perfect game as anybody's played." At the end of the finale, Probst revealed that the 23rd season would be strikingly similar to the 22nd edition: "Survivor: South Pacific" will feature 16 new castaways and two veteran players, and the return of Redemption Island. It premieres this fall.
Click Here for Full Story.
Story and Photo courtesy of news.yahoo.com.
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
What does God's Story teach us about Redemption?
There were a lot of similarities between this season of Survivor: Redemption Island and life in Middle School and High School. For instance, one of the keys to getting to the end in the game of Survivor is your Social Game, or your "Alliances." Who you "team up" with can make you or break you in the game. We often see our lives like this. We believe certain frriendship may take us farther in the "Social Game" of life. Another example would be Immunity Challenges. While we can't get "voted off" an island in our everyday life, we know that it can sometimes feel that way. We sometimes feel that we must compete to look better than someone else, hoping we might gain some advantage in life. Finally, Redemption Island. Today's God's Story scripture serves as a great reminder that Jesus gave himself to redeem us. Because of our sinful nature, we all deserve to be "voted off" the island, but because of His sacrifce we have been given a second chance to re-enter the game forever. Now that's Real Redemption!
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
- Ask God to give you friends who will encourage you and with whom you can offer encouragement today.
- Do you struggle with the desire to compete to gain an advantage over others in your everyday life? Talk with God about that struggle today.
- Take some time today to thank God for the Redemption that is offered in Jesus.
How can I connect Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story to Others?
- Look around your campus or community today for someone who may need a friend. Find a way to connect with that person and begin a friendship that may lead to you having a chance to share God's wonderful story of true redemption.
- Do you know someone who is an avid Survivor fan? Start a conversation with them today about the Redemption Island season finale. Talk with them about the true meaning of redemption as defined in God's Story.
Comments
Recently...
Archives
- 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]
SUBSCRIBE
OTHER LINKS
