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But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to [...] Read More
There were two completely full tables of individuals that never looked at me. I stood behind the lectern and addressed an audience in Frederick, Maryland – only to discover that a significant group of individuals were paying no attention to me. In fact, their eyes and attention were locked on Jennifer. Jennifer was a competent [...] Read More
Hate was a word that simply wasn’t acceptable in the home in which I grew up. I don’t know if this was an outcome of deep pacifist roots from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – or a pragmatic view that the vast majority of the time that this word is used, it is wildly inappropriate, sinful, trivialized [...] Read More
Jazz singer Alexis Normand garnered a penalty before a Saturday hockey game in Canada after slashing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” SI.com reports.
Normand delivered an unforgettable version of America’s national anthem during a Memorial Cup round-robin game between the Halifax Mooseheads and the Portland Winterhawks in Saskatoon.
According to SI.com, Normand made it through the first few lines of the national anthem, but botched the line, “twilight’s last gleaming” with “twilight’s first gleaming.”
As Norman lapsed into a Hall of Fame meltdown, she mixed in various phrases at random, as well as mumbles and hums in an attempt to fill in the gaps.
While some – including the players -- seemed amused, the crowd skated to the rescue, singing the words in an attempt to get Normand back on track. After about 90 seconds, the performance ended.
After the spectacle, according to LarryBrownSports.com, Normand reportedly said she was only prepared to sing “O Canada,” which is the Canadian national anthem, and didn’t realize she would also have to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” because a team from Oregon was playing.
After the game, she tweeted: I’m embarrassed and deeply sorry. I wish I’d had more time to learn the American anthem. Thanks so much for the crowd’s help!
Read More: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/05/19/singer-performs-star-mangled-banner-at-hockey-game-in-canada/?intcmp=obnetwork#ixzz2TnUv9Rpu
Photo source: theglobeandmail.com
Story source: foxnews.com
Acts 20:24 (NLT)
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
What does Today’s God’s Story teach us about good grief and God’s grace?
There will be moments in our lives when we can exclaim “Good Grief!” This isn’t a perfect world and mistakes, as well as irritations, will arise.
There is work all followers of Christ must do. The last part of Acts 20:24 simply says, “the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” I would add that it is not always in the telling as in by word of mouth, but also in communicating grace with our actions.
How can we connect God’s Story to my life?
A few weeks ago I showed up for praise team practice at our church. It was quite dark and eerily quiet when I arrived. I had checked my messages and nothing had been sent in regards to practice being cancelled so I thought maybe everyone was running late.
A couple of minutes went by and Jimmy, our Worship Team Director, wandered onto the stage and looked surprised to see me. “Oh, no! Didn’t you get the text?” I told him I hadn’t heard anything and he replied that the practice had been cancelled. He profusely apologized and felt horrible that I had come out when I didn’t need to.
“That’s ok,” I replied and I really meant it. It wasn’t a big deal that I made it to practice and it had been cancelled without my knowledge. I understand sometimes things happen. “You were supposed to be contacted. I’m so sorry!” Jimmy continued to worry that it was an issue and I assured him that it was not.
I could relate to his plight, as I had inadvertently made mistakes in not reaching out to people in the past and I understood that grace was appreciated on both sides – as an offender and as one making the offense. Instead of responding with irritation and thoughts of “Good grief,” I was able to react in a godly way – with grace.
How can we connect today’s story, God’s story and my story to others?
The jazz singer in Canada received grace when she blundered the words to the US National Anthem. Others in the stadium tried to help her. She, in kind, didn’t blame anyone but herself and was gracious in thanking the ice hockey fans.
When someone does something wrong or slights you, how do you respond? Do you extend grace? Do you put yourself in their shoes?
Have you ever offended, even unintentionally, someone? It’s a relief when they respond with grace, isn’t it? Even if they don’t extend grace, continue to show God’s grace, as it’s only through His strength that it can be provided.
Today deliberately seek to give grace. Our responses to big and small matters matter to God. We share His Good News when we offer grace. Instead of good grief, extend God’s grace.
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No More FOMO: Fear of Missing Out Linked to Dissatisfaction
Worried that everyone else is doing something cool without you? You may have FOMO — Fear of Missing Out. Even worse, a new study finds, you may be less satisfied with your life than the average person.
People high in FOMO, as the online acronym would have it, feel less competent, less autonomous and less connected with others than people who don't worry about being left out, according to the study published in the July issue of the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
But what's bad for individuals may just be good for Facebook: People high in FOMO were also more likely to use social media, seemingly driven by a need to see what's going on when they're not around.
"Fear of missing out acts as an important kind of way-station," study researcher Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist at the University of Essex in England, told LiveScience. "It's the thing that connects a lot of what we think of as individual differences to social media."
Przybylski was inspired to study FOMO by a 2011 New York Times article on the phenomenon, in which a writer bemoaned her inability to enjoy a nice evening at home as her friends tweeted, Instagrammed and otherwise broadcasted their amazing evenings out right to her smartphone.
"I was stunned that no one in psychology or cyberpsychology or communications had actually done any research on this topic," Przybylski said.
First, Przybylski and his colleagues needed a way to measure FOMO. They tested a 32-item questionnaire on 672 men and 341 women, most from the United States and India and the rest scattered around the globe, and narrowed the questions down to 10 that focused on people's psychological fear of missing out. (A version of the questionnaire is now online at ratemyfomo.com.)
Next, the researchers used that questionnaire to rate the FOMO of a national sample of 2,079 22- to 65-year-old United Kingdom residents. They also asked the participants about their social media engagement, their life satisfaction and how autonomous, competent and connected to others they felt in their daily lives.
The less people felt autonomy, competence and connectedness in their daily lives, the more they felt FOMO, the results revealed. People high in FOMO also used social media more.
It's not completely clear from the survey whether using social media drives FOMO or whether FOMO drives social media use, Przybylski said, but a statistical analysis of the data suggests that the lack of autonomy, competence and connectedness drives FOMO, which in turn leads to the urge to check Facebook and Twitter constantly. It's likely that FOMO varies according to a person's experiences, Przybylski said, but the study couldn't get at how the feeling changes over time.
A third study of 87 undergraduates found that people high in FOMO had more positive emotional experiences and more negative emotional experiences when checking Facebook than people without much fear of missing out. In other words, FOMO is linked to more intense emotions around social media. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the high-FOMO students were also more likely than their low-FOMO counterparts to be checking Facebook and other social media sites during their class lectures.
Even more frightening, Przybylski said, was that high-FOMO students were more likely to admit to distracted driving habits, including texting or emailing while driving. Fear of missing out likely has to do with people's ability to self-regulate and focus on the moment, he said.
"For people who feel very secure in their relationships, their relationships are important to them, but they don't feel compelled to always be connected," Przybylski said. Social media may not create the tendency, he said, but it likely exacerbates it by making sharing so easy.
"Sometimes," he said, "it's good to insulate yourself from the world of possibilities."
By Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer
Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life and whoever has it rests satisfied.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about satisfaction?
God's Word tells us that we find satisfaction when we find life, and life comes from God through a relationship with Jesus. When we know him and are satisfied in him, he will help us to understand the value of looking out for the interests of others even above our own. When we are secure in him, there is no fear of missing out.
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
Am I feeling dissatisfied - how frequently must I tell others about my experiences and accomplishments? Consider my social media habits:
What can I do differently?
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Talk with friends about our social media habits. Suggest that they take the FOMO quiz (ratemyfomo.com) and see what level of fear they have. The solution for any fear of missing out is to stay humbly in awe of God - his power and holiness - and to stay obedient. He doesn't want us to miss out on anything he has planned for us. Share the verses from today and talk about the impact of being satisfied in God. Instead of the fear of missing out, we can remember to rest satisfied.
Porsche unveils plug-in hybrid 918 supercar
The car promises amazing perforance with both a V-8, electric motors and a light body
For almost two years, Porsche has tantalized with its concept version of a plug-in hybrid supercar, the 918. Now comes the real thing, and what a significant car it appears to be.
Porsche probably puts its best in its announcement, including the first photos:
The new 918 Spyder "demonstrates the potential of the hybrid drive to a degree never seen before: the parallel improvement of both efficiency and performance without one being at the cost of the other. This is the idea that has made the Porsche 911 the most successful sports car in the world for 50 years.
In short, the 918 Spyder will act as the gene pool for the Porsche sports cars of the future."
That future, as embodied in this single car due to come to market soon, will not be based on a single new technology, but several. Lightness from a body of carbon-fiber reinforced polymers. Separate electric motors on each axle. The latest V-8 engine that developed 608 horsepower.
Yet, as a plug-in, the 918 should be capable of driving 18 miles on electric power alone -- about as far as many executives need to get to work every day. On electric power alone, it can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds. It can be recharged from a standard wall socket in about seven hours.
Between its gas and electric power plants, the end result for the 918 should be amazing quickness. The Porsche 918 Spyder prototype was 20 seconds faster than a Porsche Carrera GT in completing the north loop of the famous Nurburgring race course in Germany.
Why so nimble? The car weighs only 3,715 pounds and all the heaviest components are situated low to give the car more ground-hugging characteristics. Also, the rear axle is steerable to make cornering more precise. The car is all-wheel drive.
Story and Photo source: usatoday.com.
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being plugged in?
Unlike a car that needs to be recharged after every trip, Jesus wants us to remain "plugged in" to Him all the time. The word he uses for this is Abide. Abiding means to remain with someone, to live so connected to someone else that their life provides the life-giving nourishment needed for one's own existence. To abide in Jesus is to dwell with Him and make our home in Him. Jesus wants us to be intimately connected to Him every day so that My Story intersects with His Story moment by moment. The most important dynamic in our lives as followers of Jesus is our abiding relationship with Him. When we abide in Him and stay near Him daily, we will be able to bear lasting fruit for His kingdom. (adapted from YFC's "God's Story [As Told By John]")
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story to Others?
5 Practical Ideas for Thanking Donors http://t.co/w3GvGv22gr #youthmin #stumin
Military Teens: Can I Really Like Middle Schoolers? http://t.co/q69bxXtxHe #youthmin #stumin
Friday Fragment: The Smell of Jesus http://t.co/54UyI0SjMW #youthmin #stumin
Moral Therapeutic Deism…What? http://t.co/o6gOyoHioW #youthmin #stumin
Moral Therapeutic Deism…What? http://t.co/TI037mjz7y
Thanking The School http://t.co/pT8RFNgKYU #youthmin #stumin
May 21, 2013 | admin
By: Dave Ramseyer Most people give to Campus Life ministry because they are compelled by the mission or the people living out the mission. So when you thank them it would make sense to... continue reading.
May 16, 2013 | admin
What’s that term? Moral Therapeutic Deism? What a mouth full, but it hits the nail on the head in my world. It’s how I grew up. It’s what I see in Christian students today. We use the Bible... continue reading.
May 14, 2013 | admin
By: Matt Coppess Before you begin thanking teachers, administrators, security guards, and lunch ladies, ask yourself this question, "How well do you know them?" Do you know that the head... continue reading.
May 08, 2013 | admin
By: Matt Coppess Chances are you really need your volunteers. Hopefully you can see the impact they have had on students. No matter their role, age, and ability, we should greatly... continue reading.
May 02, 2013 | admin
I heard this in a fresh way the other day. It was at a memorial service for a man of God. Roy Smith, ordinary by fleshly standards, but made a pretty big splash in this world for the... continue reading.
April 30, 2013 | admin
By: Allison Johnson Kids are more messed up than ever before. One in five preteens – children aged six to 12 – have been medically diagnosed with either ADHD, anxiety, depression or... continue reading.
April 23, 2013 | admin
By: Allison Johnson I had no friends. A few years back I resigned from YFC. For a couple years prior to leaving I had become aware that much of my identity and community was found in... continue reading.
April 18, 2013 | admin
As I sat with my crosshairs on the elk, I was thanking God for putting me in the right place to shoot my elk for the year. My family and I love the meat plus it is very rewarding to get... continue reading.
April 15, 2013 | admin
By: Ken Schmidtke Midnight has been coming to our door wanting to bike ride with my son. Cali’s family needs food to make meals for the coming week. Daniel, a parent of a couple... continue reading.
April 09, 2013 | admin
By: Ken Schmidtke Josh was one of those six graders that immediately grabbed your attention: jovial, helpful and always eager to please! Josh, however, faced challenging obstacles in... continue reading.
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