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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
Even before Jack Nicholson starred in the movie Bucket List in 2007 the term had taken hold in our society. According to ehow.com, the term refers to a list of events, destinations, and activities an individual wants to do before they die -- or “kick the bucket.” Whole books have even been written on the subject of how to make a bucket list, including thousands of suggestions for things that others believe are essential to be on that list. And the purpose of making a bucket list? Those who do insist it is to find joy through seeing and experiencing things outside the normal patterns of one’s life, and to feel a sense of achievement or accomplishment through these experiences.
Photo from images.google.com
Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
Revelation 4:11 (NLT)
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
What does God’s Story scripture teach us about bucket lists?
God has given us an amazing planet on which to live, and He has created so many beautiful things for us at which we can marvel and wonder! Doing something out of the ordinary, or seeing a beautiful place in our world, is certainly something that can bring happiness to a person. But a life spent pursuing that kind of temporary happiness is missing the mark of God’s purpose for us. When we seek Him to know the way He wants us to live, and when we make it our goal to bring Him glory in all we do, He promises that we will find joy in His presence and the pleasure of living with Him forever.
How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture to My Life?
We are reminded in Romans 14:12 that one day we will stand before the Lord to give an account of our lives. Will you have spent your life seeking to find the next great trip or cool experience for yourself? Or will you be able to answer that you made every effort to bring honor and glory to God in all that you did? Will you have found your greatest pleasure in the created world or in its Creator? A “bucket list” in itself is not a bad thing, as long as you make sure that it doesn’t consume you as your life’s purpose. Ask God to use your goals and desires to bring Him glory. And don’t forget to find joy in the beauty that He has created around you even now: the painted sky at sunset and the constancy of glistening constellations in a clear night sky, the feel of laughing until your cheeks hurt and the way your taste buds can turn good food into a good mood.
How can I connect Today’s Story, God’s Story, and My Story to Others?
Most people have at least a mental list of things they would like to do or places they want to visit before they die. Start a conversation about bucket lists and find out why they have chosen the things they have. If the above questions have helped you re-think your own bucket list, share that and explain why. Be prepared to share with them some verses from scripture about bringing glory to God in all that we do and how only He can give us true and lasting joy.
Why penguins stopped flying
Penguins are excellent swimmers. But even with wings, the aquatic flightless birds do not take to the skies despite having wing-like flippers.
In fact, a new study says that penguins became so good at swimming that they eventually evolved to specialize at that skill at the cost of airborne flight.
"Like many people, I've always been interested in penguins, and seeing them do these phenomenal marches across the ice, I've often thought: 'Why don't they just fly?' Professor John Speakman, from the University of Aberdeen and the Chinese Academy of Sciences...
The new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, says that at least five species of penguin have adapted into flightless birds...In fact, many studies compare penguins’ underwater prowess to being like flight beneath the waves. And just how good at swimming are they? They can swim at speeds up to 8mph over a distance of 100 miles, and up to six times faster under duress. And while most penguins catch their food near the water’s surface, some Emperor penguins have been known to dive 1,870 feet for more than 20 minutes.
"Basically the hypothesis is that as the wings became more and more efficient for them to dive, they became less and less efficient for them to fly,” Speakman said. "At some point it became so 'expensive' for them to fly, that it was better to give up flying altogether and make the wings into small flippers."
yahoo news and images
"Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
What does today's God Story scripture teach us about trust?
Moses was fearful and unwilling to trust and obey God, all because he didn't think he was gifted in speech. He thought of only his personal short comings and not of God's divine power and gifts. Moses questioned God plan, from a burning bush. A BURNING BUSH! If you cant trust God in a burning bush who can you trust??
If you read this passage in its entirety (I encourage you to do that) you see Moses make up excuse after excuse. Yet God reminds Moses to not believe in worldly things but trust God and trust in God's plan.
How can I connect today's story and God's story scripture to my life?
Do you feel like moses or the penguin these days? Is God asking you to do something and you are making up excuses why you CAN'T do it? Maybe we've become so accustomed to settling with the mentality that you are "as good as you can be" at doing things. It is only out of our own stuberness that we fail to tap into the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, which God's given us complete access to. Think about it, in the same way penguins have gotten so good at just swimming, and they never fly anymore. We too get so used to relying on our own abilities (or not) that we miss out on the excitement of "flying" with the Holy Spirit. We fail to trust or take risks that might be beyond our control .
How can we connect Today's Story, God's Story and My Story to others?
Allow God to use you in your friends life this season. Has there been something that God has been putting on your heart to share. Go and speak truth into your friends life. Speak to them of the faith Moses had to be able to overcome the things in his life that he was afraid of doing. Ask God to help you use the gifts he has given you. Use your wings as rusty as they might be to speak truth to your friends.
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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.
Read More5 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
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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