30 Jun, 2011
Not Too Young
29 Jun, 2011
Q Stands for Questions
Ever notice that when Jesus was on earth, sinners flocked to Him?
Luke 7:37-39 (NIV) - "A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."
Luke 15:-2 (NIV) - "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
Now...we are Jesus' hands and feet on this earth...but is this still true of us? Are people drawn to us or pushed away??
Take a look at the headlines...what do you think?
"Revival for Doubters and Jesus Victims"
"Pray the Gay Away?"
"I Don't Want Christianity To Be A Negative Word Anymore"
"Gays Face Persecution From Christians"
"God is Not a Christian"
So...what's the problem here? Are we missing something?
Are we loving others and sharing Jesus the way Jesus would??
Are we busy convincing people to agree with us rather than loving them and listening to them?
According to one Christian author, the answer to that last question is sadly yes...
Below is an article about Gabe Lyons, author of The Next Christians...
_______________________
A Gay Mayor, an Evangelist and an Imam Discuss Culture
"This is not your father's church conference. But the founder of Q Gathering, Gabe Lyons, insists he holds true to your father's teachings.
Lyons...rallied the faithful at the historic Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon last week for the fifth annual Q Gathering to ask questions, and search for answers together, while still reminding the 650 participants that he is not espousing a new Christianity, but actually returning to historic Christianity, a faith that engages and impacts culture for good.
He cites statistics diligently researched that a younger generation of believers is leaving the church in droves, most likely because of what Christianity has come to be associated with -- the Gospel of the religious, political right. One known for what it was against, not for what it was for.
...And unlike most Christian conferences, Q Gathering not only invites the faithful to present topics of discussion; Lyons opens up to hearing from leaders from all channels of culture, no matter what their faith or lifestyle background, and learning from them.
Included in this year's speaker lineup were Bobette Buster of the USC Film School; David Dark, poet and author; Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired Magazine; Jennifer Wiseman with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; Luis Palau, founder of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association; Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society; actor Mark Ruffalo; Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of Ground Zero fame; and local Portland gay mayor Sam Adams.
The letter Q stands for Questions, and by admitting he does not hold all of the answers and is willing to bring in movers and shakers to the table to discuss the big questions, Lyons models a new way to re-imagine how the Christian faith is lived out in a culture weary of Christianity represented by the likes of a Koran-burning pastor.
With Q staged this year in Portland, home of the first openly gay mayor in the country, Lyons allowed the story of the City's faith community to take center stage as an example of what can happen when the church humbly approaches the city with a question.
"How can we make the city a better place?"
During the opening evening of Q 2011 in Portland, while gay mayor Sam Adams was interviewed by Kevin Palau of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association, the democratic mayor was honest regarding his initial anxiety about partnering with the Christian community for its proposed "Season of Service" to help clean up the city three years ago.
Mayor Adams had the attendees in the historic Crystal Ballroom chuckling when he joked about his worry that the faith community might "carve crosses in the trees." Then Mayor Adams added, "But we were desperate for help..."
...He said that after working with the Luis Palau Association and Imago Dei Community and other churches who dug in and got their hands dirty to assist the city, with no strings attached, his initial stereotyping of all Christians as being judgmental was transformed.
Portland's gay mayor even shared that he has endured criticism from his liberal constituency for working so closely with the evangelical community. But, he forges forward and actually has grown to depend on them, as they are the ones who are showing up."
click here to read the rest of the article at The Huffington Post.
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Ask questions. Listen. Serve. Share. Help.
All aspects of how Jesus loved people and revealed Himself to them.
Where in Scripture do you see Jesus love in these ways?
How does this differ from the "Jesus" we see in the headlines?
In this country, Christians are sadly known for being pushy, opinionated, judgmental, close-minded, exclusive, etc...
How is Jesus' approach different?
How has Jesus drawn you to Himself? By making you an outcast? Or by loving you in your weakness and brokenness?
Does Jesus ask us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him? Or does He ask us to come to Him first so He can walk with us through our mess?
Seeing your story with this perspective, how does it change the way you love others?
How does this article challenge you to love Jesus and love others differently?
How did Gabe Lyon's approach impact the way the mayor responded? How did it impact his impression of Christians...and Jesus?
Think about your friends who may not know Jesus...
Where are they hurting?
How can you love and serve them?
How can you ask them questions and listen instead of just telling them what you think? What questions can you ask?
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Questions help us LEARN. Learning becomes understanding. When you understand someone better, you can better serve them, love them, and share with them.
The bottom line is: When your friends are hurting, ashamed, or have messed up...are you someone they avoid or someone they flock to?
If they are flocking to you, it's mostly likely because they see Jesus in you. :)
28 Jun, 2011
Alien Nation
By the year 2031, alien life will be discovered on other planets, according to the beliefs and claims of some Russian scientists.
"The genesis of life is as inevitable as the formation of atoms... Life exists on other planets and we will find it within 20 years," Andrei Finkelstein, director of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Applied Astronomy Institute, was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.
Speaking at an international forum dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life, Finkelstein said 10 percent of the known planets circling suns in the galaxy resemble Earth.
If water can be found there, then so can life, he said, adding that aliens would most likely resemble humans with two arms, two legs and a head.
"They may have different color skin, but even we have that," he said.
(Read the full story at Reuters.com)
Image courtesy of Google Images
1 Peter 2:11-12
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which ware against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about living life as strangers in this world?
Time and again, scripture tells us to live differently than those who do not love Christ. God is calling His people to live counter-culturally, knowing that their home and rewards are not of this world. It's easy to act like a Christian, to play that role, but if we truly know Christ, the power of His resurection, and the hope that can only be found in Him, the joy and desire we have to follow Him and His ways would be more than just a role we play. God's Word is living and active (Heb. 4:12) and it changes lives, thereby changing behavior. One's relationship with Christ should set him apart, just as an alien in a new land would be set apart.
How do I connect today's God's Story scripture to my life?
When you think about those around you, those who do not know Christ, and the way they act (the things they choose to talk about, activities they're involved in, etc.), does your behavior look any different? Are people in your class at school, or at work able to see the difference Christ has made in you? Are you playing a role, or is it genuine? Take some time to go back and truly study the life of Christ and the way in which his actions were so very contrary to the actions of those around him, even his disciples. He was set apart because of His loyalty to and love for God. As you continue to focus on and cling to Christ, your attitude and behavior will genuinely set you apart.
How do I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Though you are continually faced with temptation and sin, the way you choose to respond and your stand against it is what will truly set you apart from the world. Be honest with your friends about who you are and the nature of your struggles, so that you can share how Christ has helped you battle such things, and HE will be glorified. The best thing you can do for your friends is show them how you still need Christ, daily, to get you through life, and it is because of Him that you can live differently than the world.
24 Jun, 2011
Pick Me! Pick Me!
- Thank God for calling your name.
- Thank God for His presence in your life as you follow Him.
- Thank God for His purpose and plan for your life.
- Do you know someone who feels like they are always the "last pick"? Encourage them today by going out of your way to make them feel like a #1 pick.
- Do you know someone who feels unworthy to be in a relationship with God? Encourage them today by reminding them of the Father's unconditional love.
- Do you know someone who feels like their life doesn't have purpose or meaning? Encourage them today be reminding them that God sees their value and worth.
- If you find yourself in a conversation about the NBA Draft, start listening for ways to steer the conversation toward a conversation about God's Story. Share God's desire to call the names of "not-yet-followers" of Jesus to become followers!
23 Jun, 2011
Love Thy Neighbor
22 Jun, 2011
Super 8
Scene 1:
Summer of 1979. Five friends. The adventure of a lifetime...
They set out to make a zombie film, but are swept up into an even bigger adventure. They witness a catastrophic train crash that turns out to be anything but an accident...
Unusual disappearances. Inexplicable events.
They begin to investigate and uncover a truth more terrifying than they could imagine.
To survive, to save each other, to save their town, they will have to make sacrifices. They will have to work together.
_________
Scene 2:
A couple thousand years ago. Four friends.
There's a rumor that Jesus is in town. Their friend is in desperate need of healing. They will do whatever it takes.
Let the adventure begin.
"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”" Mark 2:1-5 (NIV)
Dug a hole...through the roof. What? Desperation. Teamwork. Persistence. Adventure. Love.
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Jesus says the two most important things are: 1) Loving Him 2) Loving others (Matt 22:37-40).
He tells us that the world will know His love through our unity (John 17:22-23).
He also tells us that we will do even greater things than He did (John 14:12). Whoa, really?
Jesus calls us into an adventure, a story bigger than ourselves. His mission is to redeem His creation. It's a big job and we are His hands and feet. He calls us to sacrifice, to take risks...and most importantly, He asks us to do it together.
Loving Jesus. Loving others. Adventure. TOGETHER.
Loving someone is powerful. Having your friends love them with you is life-changing.
MyStory becomes exponentially more powerful when it becomes OurStory.When you read Mark 2:1-5, what do you notice about the friends of the paralytic? What are they willing to do for their friend just to get Him to Jesus? Would anything have stopped them?
How is this a reflection of Jesus' pursuit of you? Of your friends?
A huge part of MyStory takes place in your community...in your group of friends. When you are a team, loving others together, it becomes OurStory. How does your story become more powerful in community?
Your friends need to know the love of Jesus. They may not have literal train crashes in their lives, but we all have our own catastrophes, wounds and brokenness. You do. Your community does. Your friends do. How can you, with your friends, better love others in their train crashes? To what lengths will you go to love them, show up in their lives, sacrifice for them? How far will you go to bring them to Jesus?
Loving others is always an adventure. What adventure is Jesus calling you and your friends on? WHO is He calling you to love and HOW? It could be as simple as taking them to coffee or inviting them to hang out with your group...or it could be as intense as digging a hole through a roof...
So, what's the adventure look like today?
21 Jun, 2011
Whispers of Wisdom
With all of the reality shows that now fill television prime time slots, it has become increasingly easy to drown ourselves out with the noise and drama in others’ lives, perhaps so as to not have to deal with our own. While Hollywood, continues its attempts to out-do itself by creating just a little more shock and drama with every next show, one Norwegian television network is going about things a little differently.
"For 8,040 minutes straight -- including all the boring bits -- viewers can follow the Hurtigruten MMS Nordnorge cruise ship and its roughly 670 passengers and crew as the vessel steams north along Norway's jagged coastline.
The "minute-by-minute" coverage started on Thursday and includes all on-board announcements and views from 11 cameras focusing on the spectacular fjords, boat traffic around the ship, officers on the bridge and the mostly elderly passengers strolling the decks and taking in the scenery.
"It is slow, it is very slow," said Rune Moeklebust, the project manager for the show running on the NRK2 channel. "It is the opposite to everything else on TV -- that's why it stands out and why, apparently, people want to watch." (Reuters)
It's not quite the type of show most would expect to be a success (especially according to Hollywood's standards), but with over a million residents tuning in to catch the show, they must be doing something right.
(Read the entire article here: Reuters.com )
(Image courtesy of Google Images)
1 Kings 19:11-13
The Lord said, "go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in teh earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
What does today’s God’s Story scripture teach us about silence?
Although it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and drama of life, God is constantly calling us away from the clinches of this world. In today’s scripture, Elijah goes out on a mountain top, as he was instructed, to see and experience God. While he was there, Elijah witnessed three incredible acts of nature and, while they were loud, dramatic, and exciting, God was not in them. Finally, when things settled down a little, Elijah heard a gentle whisper: the voice of God. God wasn’t in the dramatic and exciting events that demanded Elijah’s attention; God was in the silence.
How can I connect today’s story and God’s Story scripture to my life?
If God were trying to speak to you through a gentle whisper, would you even notice, let alone hear him well enough to respond? What do you need to do in your life today to escape the lure of drama and excitement, in exchange for the promise of silence and solitude? Make a plan, find an accountability partner, and make it happen!
How can I connect today’s story, God’s Story scripture, and my story to others?
Talk to your friends about today's story and ask them how often they find themselves wishing they could somehow, w/ the click of a button, change the channel on their lives to something a little less dramatic, chaotic, or just less busy? Share about the times in your life when it has been most difficult to hear God and when it's been the easiest . . . what's made the difference? If you have friends who are truly seeking answers to all this God "stuff," challenge them to get away with God, to truly listen for His voice, and to expect Him to show up. Tell him of the story of Elijah and encourage your friend to look for God in the most unexpected places - it's where He tends to make His appearances! Continually pray that God would reveal Himself to your friend.
20 Jun, 2011
P.A.P.A. Fest, Mother Bears, Fathers Day
I just returned from P.A.P.A. Festival. A five day gathering of Christians living in communities that are working to alleviate the symptoms and causes of poverty in our world. One night during worship the lead singer shared a beautiful reflection and song from Hosea that I thought was appropriate as we think about Father's Day. Here is the line that stuck out to me:
"O God, Mother Bear.
Roar Again that we may hear."
Below is the text from Hosea that the song was inspired by.
HOSEA 13:4-8 (NIV)
“But I have been the LORD your God
ever since you came out of Egypt.
You shall acknowledge no God but me,
no Savior except me.
I cared for you in the wilderness,
in the land of burning heat.
When I fed them, they were satisfied;
when they were satisfied, they became proud;
then they forgot me.
So I will be like a lion to them,
like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
Like a bear robbed of her cubs,
I will attack them and rip them open;
like a lion I will devour them—
a wild animal will tear them apart."
- Search the scriptures for the images used to describe God and identify the one's that speak to you the most. Think about why those aspects of God resonate with you the most.
- Make a list of names for God that come from your own personal experience. The Bible calls God, a "bright morning star", "redeemer", "savior", "rock of salvation". What image does your relationship with God call to mind for you?
How can I connect today's God Story to Their Story?
- Talk with your dad about how the image of God as father has impacted his fathering.
- Talk with a friend about the image of God as an angry mother bear.
17 Jun, 2011
"The Eternal Light"
"The darkness can never extinguish it" means the darkness of evil never has and never will overcome God's light. Jesus is the Creator of life, and his life brings light to humankind. In his light, we see ourselves as we really are (sinners in need of a Savior). When we follow Jesus, the true Light, we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin. He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live. He removes the darkness of sin from our lives.
- Would you say that you are walking in the light? Or do you honestly feel that you are stumbling around in the darkness of certain sinful behaviors in your life? Ask God to light up your life, so that the darkness that allows for that sin to be overcome by His Light.
- Take a bold step today and ask a close friend who isn't following Jesus how you shine Jesus' Light in your life. You never know where that conversation might lead.
- Find another friend who needs Jesus' Light in their life and "walk close to them" today by spending some time doing something together that you both enjoy.
16 Jun, 2011
Dad's Day!
15 Jun, 2011
Love Lessons from Dogs?
"Dogs do the types of things we should do more often, and the things they don't get involved in — well, we should really skip them, too” according to Harrison Forbes, dog trainer and author. Read on for five lessons you can learn from dogs.
1. The reassurance of forgiveness
In order to have successful relationships, letting bygones be bygones is crucial. An inability to get over issues and move ahead is a key roadblock to happiness. Dogs, Forbes notes, are always in the moment and therefore don't hold grudges or hang onto resentment. "Dogs wipe the slate clean many times a day," he explains. "If you are grumpy and yell at your dog, but then wait a minute and act like you never did, he will forgive you — many times over. If humans could let the little things go as easily as dogs do, their relationships would be better for it."
2. The security of unconditional love
Forbes says that as a rule, when a dog loves his owner, that bond is lasting and real. "It's interesting to note that celebrities are over-the-top pet lovers," he says. "This is because their dogs really love them for who they are, not their A-list status; a dog will always treat you the same. Dogs offer truly substantive relationships in a way most people don't," he notes. When it comes to relationships, humans should strive to emulate a dog's focus on what a person really offers in terms of love, kindness and warmth, he advises.
3. The comfort of consistency
In any relationship, consistency can be quite comforting. "We as humans understand there are different types of behavior, yet we crave consistency," Forbes says. "With dogs, regardless of your animal's personality, you pretty much get the same behavior unless he's ill.”
4. The need to be playful
Forbes notes that most dogs want to have a good time, keeping things light and not so serious all of the time. "The easiest way to burn out a working dog is to work him all the time — that pretty much goes for relationships as well," he says. In police-dog training, Forbes explains, training is balanced with play and fun. "The harder you go at it in a training phase, the more you have to counterbalance it," he says. "It's the same with a relationship — you have to relieve the pressure through play and good times.”
5. The importance of effective communication
While communicating is important in any relationship, it's not merely the act of communicating that will ensure your relationship's success, but finding the way to do so that best matches the other person’s needs. This is a skill that you can easily learn from working with dogs, Forbes says. "The different ways in which I communicate with my three dogs are suited to what works best for them … and for me with them," he explains. "Just as a hot-tempered dog won't respond to yelling and lots of commands, neither will a hot-tempered person. At the same time, some more sensitive types may need a gentler approach. Essentially, no one person or dog communicates the same way — each individual has a unique style, and taking the time to learn about someone else’s needs is the key to a strong bond."
Excerpts from article found at: lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articlematch.aspx?cp-documentid=16947053>1=32023
I Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it
is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it
is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
What does today's Story and God's Story teach us about love?
The dog story is a great picture of what real love looks like. Forgiveness, unconditional love, consistency, fun, and effective communication are all an important part of how we love others. More importantly than finding them all illustrated in the love of a dog, they are all modeled to us in how God loves us.
Forgiveness:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
Unconditional Love:
“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. “ Psalm 36:5
Consistency: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”Hebrews 13:8
Fun: Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Effective Communication:
“ He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. “ Psalm 107:17
How can I connect today's story and God's Story to my life?
I love my dog and I really like today’s article because it is so true that the ways that dogs love us is a good reminder for who we should be. Sometimes I forget how deeply God loves me or how unconditional his love for me is, but my dog reminds me everyday. She loves me when I am hard on her, she loves me when I am in a bad mood or forget to feed her in the morning. She waits for me to come home and through her wagging tail and joyful exuberance tells me that she missed me and is happy to have me home.
Now transfer those emotions to God. He loves me even when I am angry, when I forget to talk to him, when I go about my day without letting him join me, even when I try to push him away. Still he longs for me to come back and with much joy and mercy, he lavishes love on me when I return.
Forgiveness, unconditional love, consistency, fun, effective communication…. I get it all in my relationship with God.
Today, look for the ways you see God bestowing those characteristics on you. Now think about the ways you can bring each of those qualities to the people closest to you. In other words, how can you better show forgiveness, unconditional love, consistency, fun and effective communication to the ones you love?
Got a dog? Give him an extra treat for loving you so well.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story, & my story to my friend's story?
Talk to your friend about how a dog’s love can remind you of what real love looks like. Ask them what they think is important in relationships and then share the “big five” (forgiveness, unconditional love, consistency, fun and communication) that you are trying to do better in.
14 Jun, 2011
Luck Be A Lobster?
Blair Doucette, a 35 year veteran fisherman, was exstatic when he discovered he'd trapped the catch of a lifetime. Off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Doucette and his brothers pulled in a rare blue lobster, a result of a mutated gene. While most lobsters are a greenish/brown color, statistically, the blue lobster is only found once in four million lobsters. Furthermore, blue lobsters typically do not live as long as others due to the fact that they are not able to hide easily from their prey.
While Doucette hopes the lobster find has brought him some good luck, the lobster himself, "Fluffy," as named by the fishermen, might as well have won the lottery. While other trapped lobsters become a tasty meal in a fancy restaurant, Fluffy will be living it up in style at the Rustico Harbour Fishing Museum, on view for all to see.
(Story courtesy of Yahoo! News, picture courtesy of Google Images)
Proverbs 8:35
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about finding life in Christ?
Like the lobster who's life was ironically saved when he was caputured by Doucette, so are we saved from an inevitable death when Christ captures our hearts. It is only in Christ that we find life and experience the incredible blessings He has for us. God wants us to seek Him and find him, because life can only be found in Him (John 14:6). And, in the end, we are promised way more than a silly aquarium with awestruck on-lookers gawking and poking at us!
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
What are you doing today to actively listen to God? Are you doing as scripture says and watching for and waiting on Him? If you've already found Christ and chosen to follow Him, your job is not over . . . it is only beginning! Do not let your relationship with your Lord and Savior grow cold because you have become an inactive participant - continue to seek Jesus, strive to hear from Him and watch expectantly.
If you have yet to make a decision to embrace Christ and what he did, for you, on the cross, scripture says that you are harming yourself and choosing death. Spend some time seeking God today - ask him to meet you where you are, to reveal Himself to you. I pray that you would surrender your heart and life to Him; I pray that you would choose Life.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Share today's story with your friends and talk about how drastically and quickly the fate of the lobster changed. Use it as an opportunity to share about you, your story, and how your fate (hell) was changed all because you found God, through Christ.
Pray for your friends, by name, who are currently living without Christ. Pray that God would open their eyes to see Him and to find Him. May you be used, in the process, to bring every person you meet one step closer to His face.
13 Jun, 2011
Grubwithus
New York - The scene unfolding at the Thai restaurant in Brooklyn was like that of any other casual dinner party. A small group of people sat around a wooden table, passing large dishes of spicy red curry and fried rice, and swapping war stories about apartment hunting in New York.
But the twist was this: Before about 8 that evening, none of us had met before.
My newfound friends came courtesy of a Chicago start-up business called Grubwithus, an online service with the seemingly modest aim of bringing strangers together to have a meal. The concept is simple enough: People browse through a list of dinners in their cities and buy tickets, usually for around $25. Before the event, they can share a few online tidbits about themselves with their dining partners, a precautionary measure against awkward lulls in conversation and a way to ease fears about meeting up with a bunch of unknowns.
But the service has deeper ambitions. It is using contemporary techniques to foster a kind of social networking that predates the dawn of services like Facebook and Twitter: old-fashioned conversation among casual acquaintances, without keyboards and screens.
Image & story courtesy of - nytimes.com
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus used the dinner table as a space to celebrate, to wash feet, to forgive sins, to preach the good news of the kingdom, even to explain his death on the cross.
Whenever we eat a meal with the ones we love or take communion together, may we remember how important the dinner table was to Jesus, and work to create more space in our lives for the same Christ-like, life giving community to happen.
How can I connect today's God Story to my life?
- As you read the gospels focus on the stories where Jesus is around the dinner table. Make a list of all the ways in which Jesus used the space in his ministry and reflect on their meaning for your life today.
- Invite someone over for dinner. Cook them a great meal and ask them good questions about their life.
10 Jun, 2011
Can you see what's ahead?
Don't pull over...keep going!
Imagine yourself in a youth group that is taking a 100-mile bus trip to an event. With just 25 miles to go, your youth leader pulls the bus over to the side of the road. (No, this is not the usual breakdown of the church bus. It's something else.)
Your fearless leader explains that since it's now dark and the bus headlights only shine a distance of 500 feet, you'll have to wait for daylight. (Youth leaders can be kind of scary now and then.) You and everyone else on the bus are bright enough to know that by the time your bus moves 500 feet, the headlights will illuminate the next 500 feet, and so on and so on, until you reach your destination!
Why do you think people often misunderstand God's guidance for the future? What do you wish you knew about God's will and your future?
picture courtesy images.google.com
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
How could applying today's God's Story scripture help us see what lies ahead in our future?
This is the time of year when graduated seniors are being asked "what are your future plans?"
The truth is that everyone will always deal with this important question time and time again in their lifetime. As Christians, we want to know about God's guidance but we often have misunderstandings about it:
- We think God's will is hard to know. The fact is that God has already given us much of His will for our lives in His Word. We should follow what we know.
- We think God wants us to know our whole future. Today's verse makes it clear that God wants to lead us one step at a time. We must learn to trust.
- We think God wants us to be 100% sure before we make decisions. If we never step out in faith with God's lamp, we'll never move ahead on our path.
Don't misunderstand God's will. You "must understand" that He has a wonderful plan for your future. Let Him light the way for you.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
Thank God that He has a perfect plan for your life. Ask His Spirit to help you study His Word to learn His will. Thank Jesus that He will walk right beside you, lighting your path one step at a time. As you look at the picture below, thank God that He will lead you as you trust Him...
picture courtesy images.google.com
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Go for a walk with friends in the dark, but take a lamp or a flashlight. (Make sure you choose a safe area!) As you walk, ask your friends how they make decisions about the future? Share some of your story by talking about how God is leading your future plans. You can use today's "bus head lights" story.
- Share what you learned in today's DAILYBIDE with another friend, especially a graduating senior, or your youth group.
9 Jun, 2011
A Stones Throw Away
8 Jun, 2011
Crazy Parents!
Bus Waving Dad
Most teens will swear they have been cursed with the most hideously embarrassing parents in the entire universe. While some may be right, their horror stories would likely pale in comparison to the mortification to which one dad subjected his 16-year-old son, not once, but every day of a 180-day Utah school year.
Meet Dale Price, a father of three from American Fork, a city located about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. Last fall, on the first day of Price's son Rain's sophomore school year, Price and his wife, Rochelle, thought it would be fun to embarrass their son by waving to him as he boarded the bus.
"Later I overheard him talking to her, [saying,] 'Mom, don't let Dad go out there again.' What a challenge." Price told Utah Valley's newspaper, the Daily Herald.
For the next 179 school days, Price waved goodbye to his son. But not only did he wave goodbye, he kicked it up a level by wearing a different costume each morning.
It can be embarrassing when your parents wave you off to school, but when you are a 15-year-old teenager and your dad insists on dressing in a different comical outfit everyday, you have to feel for Rain Price. "Sometimes the driver says 'enjoy the show,'" Rain added. "We all laugh. Everybody else on the bus learned to like it a lot sooner than I did.
Both parents say they are happy their son has a sense of humor and that they gave him something to look back on and laugh about later in life. (weirdstories.aol.com)
Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him
Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
What does today's story & God's Story Scripture teach us about honoring our parents?
Ever get embarrassed by one of your parents? It is probably something we have all experienced. We hate the idea of people judging us by something our parents do. Likewise parents don’t usually like to be embarrassed by their children. I am sure every family has had an argument that started with someone embarrassing the other.
I love the story of this Dad. As crazy as he was, I think he wanted to teach his son two lessons. First, there are far worse things in life than being a little embarrassed and second, I think he wanted his son to know that he loved him enough to stand out their every morning. While his son’s first response was embarrassment, after awhile, the bus waving and the costumes become something fun that everyone enjoyed seeing every morning. It started their day off on a fun note.
I think there were probably even some students on that bus that thought, “I wish my Dad cared enough to put the time into dressing up and saying goodbye to me every morning.” Maybe you even thought that as you read the story.
See the other side of the perspective is all about love. This Dad loves his kids. So much that he was willing to put time into making a memory and making them laugh every day.
Honor your Father and Mother is a direct commandment to us from God. Its pretty important to him and it should be to us if we want to follow him. It means even on the days they embarrass you, or punish you, or don’t give you everything you ask for; God still calls you to honor them. And when we do he promises to look after us.
How can you connect today's story & God's Story Scripture to your story?
Having trouble honoring your parents? Maybe a change in perspective would help. Instead of being embarrassed by them, maybe you need to realize that what they do is out of love for you.
Perhaps you aren’t feeling very respected by them. Ever think that maybe they would show you respect if you should them respect first?
Loving your parents isn’t easy, but it’s a key part of following Jesus.
Stop reading right now and ask God to help you honor and love your parents better.
Are there “extra parents” in your life? For example, a step-mom or step-dad, a guardian or foster parent? Think about how well you are doing at honoring them. Do you need to ask God to help you?
Father’s Day is coming up on June 19. Start considering now how you can best honor your Dad or the “Dad-like-people” in your life.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story Scripture, and your story to your friends?
Tell some of your friend’s about the Dad in today’s story. Ask them how they would react if their Dad ever did anything like that.
Talk about your own parents and what you love about them and the part about them that is hard. Tell them how you are trusting God to help you.
Learning about your friend’s family will help you understand their story better. It may also give you opportunities to not only talk about your family but also tell them about your Heavenly Father.
7 Jun, 2011
Policy Over People?
Tragically, last week, a 50 year old man died in the cold water of the San Francisco Bay while a crowd of witnesses, which included firemen and the Coast Guard, stood by and did nothing. According to Alameda officials, rescue crews were bound by a policy that would not allow them to help the, apparently, suicidal man. It was a civilian by-stander that ultimately pulled the man's lifeless body from the icy water.
Interim Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi called Monday's incident troubling and said he directed staff to write a new policy that would allow commanders at the scene to attempt a water rescue in Alabmeda, a city of about 75,000 people across the bay from San Francisco.
The previous policy was implemented after budget cuts forced the department to discontinue water rescue training and stop maintaining wetsuits and other rescue gear, D'Orazi said.
"The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable," he said. "But I can also see it from our firefighters' perspective. Theyr'e standing there wanting to do something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point."
Fire crews and police watched as the man . . . stood up to his neck off Crown Memorial State Beach, witnesses told the television. Perry Smith, another witness, said the man was visible from the shore and was looking at people.
(Picture courtesy of Google Images, Story courtesy of Yahoo News and the AP - read the full story here.)
Matthew 12:9-14
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
What does today's story and God's Story scripture teach us about God's policy?
While the Pharisees did their best to silence Jesus and his ministry, their policies and traditions could not hold him back. See, God is in the business of loving people; His policy is people, and His love and concern for His children are bottom-line. Jesus' decision to heal the crippled man was not showing a lack of concern for the law, rather an example of his extreme love for others.
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
Are there times in your life that you get so focused on the "policy" that you forget about the people? Maybe it's not so much about rules and regulations, but perhaps you're just task oriented - when you begin to focus on the task at hand, you forget all about the people you run over/ignore/offend/look past . . . (you fill in the blank) along the way.
Ask God to change your heart and make it more like his. Pray for a hightened sensitivity to others and to always do the right thing in any given situation. Keep reading scripture and abiding; as you get to know the Word and continue to let the Holy Spirit guide you, you'll be amazed at how He'll use you!
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Tell others about today's story and talk about what you (or they) would've done if you'd been in the crowd that day, on the shore of the bay. Would you have acted any differently than the witnesses that were there? Why? Talk to them about what Jesus did when he healed the man on the Sabbath.
Pray and ask God to give you a tender heart and sensitive eyes to really see those He brings into your world every day. Then pray that He would give you a boldness to reach out and help those you see who need it, regardless of your fear or any policy that might get in the way.
Of course, God doesn't want us to go around behaving without any regard for the law (see Romans 3:31), but he also doesn't want us hiding behind it. Look for ways to help others and, as you're doing so, pray and trust that God will put you in the right place at the right times.
6 Jun, 2011
Graduation!
Bloomington, IN - Peeking out from underneath Bloomington High School North senior Latisha Burks’ graduation gown was a knee-high pair of black sneakers sporting gold laces.
“I’ve had them since my freshman or sophomore year, and I always change the laces,” she said with an impish grin. “A teacher dared me to wear them to graduation.”
And she did, sporting the flamboyant footwear while walking the line alongside hundreds of her fellow seniors at Assembly Hall on Saturday morning. Burks is headed to Japan this summer, and then plans to study at Indiana University in the fall.
Dad Randy Burks — himself a 1983 North graduate — couldn’t be more proud, saying, “She’s quite an accomplishment.”
Fellow senior Chelcee Ray likened Saturday’s graduation ceremony to “a sigh of relief, yet anticipation for what’s to come.”
She’ll get a jump start on her studies this summer at IU, where she plans to study nursing.
North principal Jeff Henderson declared Saturday the “culmination of four years of hard work on the part of this graduating class.”He said more than 85 percent of the class has indicated they intend to pursue acollege degree. Fifty-one students were named principal’s scholars for achieving a grade point average higher than a 4.0, and the overall class earned more than $1 million in scholarships, he said.
“You hold the power to impact your world in so many ways,” Henderson told the students.
story & image courtesy of - heraldtimesonline.com
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
What does God's Story teach us about Graduation?
In cities all across the U.S. high school graduations much like this one are taking place. Thousands of high school students are ceremoniously passing from one challenging phase of their life and into a great mysterious unknown. Before Jesus began his earthly ministry he first passed through a major phase of temptation and struggle in the desert. When he was finished he walked right into the mission that God had for him and began to work miracles, heal the sick, and challenge the status quo with his teachings. In many ways, the tempation in the desert was the rite of passage experience, just like high school, that was the final step in the preperation process for Jesus.
So.....it seems that if we're interested in following the example of Jesus, we've got to be ready to make some sacrifices too. To look some temptations right in the face and say, "No. I want God's plan for my life."
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
- Say a prayer for the graduates you know as they turn this major corner in their life.
- Refelct on the sacrifices Jesus is asking you to make to follow him.
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to others?
- Talk with one of this year's graduates about the "trials and sacrifices" they had to make to get through high school.
- Talk about the story of Jesus in the desert with your youth pastor or Campus Life Director.
3 Jun, 2011
"I'm Glad I'm Not God!"
A couple of weeks ago, our oldest child turned fifteen. To say that "time flies" would truly be an understatement. It seems like yesterday that we came home from the hospital, as new parents, not knowing what to do. A memory from those first few days at home was one of the most defining moments in my journey with Jesus. As I held our first born son in a rocking chair, staring at him through tears of joy, I was overwhelmed with this thought - "I'm glad I'm not God!" I remember thinking and praying, I don't know how God could give up His very own, firstborn son. In that moment, the very often heard words of John 3:16 came to life in my life and changed me.
Photo courtesy of Becht Family Photos.
It would be easy to answer this question today in one word ... EVERYTHING!
The message of the Good News comes to a focus in this verse. God's love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships - when you love someone dearly, you are willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life that he had bought for us. When we share the Good News with others, our love must be like Jesus' - willingly giving up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God's love.
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
- Thank God today for giving His one and only Son for you.
- Ask God to put a burden to share the Good News with others on your heart this weekend.
- Talk with your parents about their thoughts and feelings when they first brought you home from the hospital.
- Spend some time this weekend with those friends God put on your heart. Listen for opportunities to share God's love with those friends.
- Do you have a friend with whom you've been sharing God's Story? Gently ask a few questions this weekend to see what they are thinking and feeling about Jesus. Talk with them about today's God's Story scripture verse.
2 Jun, 2011
Plane Power
1 Jun, 2011
What is in a name?
App allows unborn child to pick their own name
At a loss for what to name your incoming bundle of joy? Flummoxed at all the suggestions made by friends and family and unwilling to go the route of a celebrity name that will scar the child for life?
Nathan Parks created the 99 cent "Kick to Pick" iPhone app for parents undergoing that conundrum of being responsible for that ultimate act of choosing a name for their child, placing the choice in the hands — and kicking feet — of the unborn child.
As parents, you do have to whittle down the choices a bit, from thousands of names, either by gender or by creating your own list of favorites.
With list in hand and on the iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad), mama-to-be lies down and puts the device over the baby bump, tapping the start button to activate the countdown. "Watch as Kick to Pick scans through your chosen list of potential names until it detects that all important input from your baby. Once your baby's choice is identified, you can either choose to accept the suggestion or put it down to hiccups and return to your search."
If the iPhone is the device you're using for the app, Parks suggests putting it in Airplane mode for the best shot of no interference from influences other than that baby's kick or punch.
Parks, in his release about the app, said:
"The idea for Kick to Pick came from a discussion about baby's choices and the fact they had no influence over the name they go onto keep for the rest of their lives. What started out as a light-hearted chat soon turned into a series of app ideas and we're delighted with the finished product we've designed. It's light-hearted, good fun and a great way to involve the whole family in what is a key milestone of a child's life.
(via Tecca's Mike Wehner) gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com
“Christ’s Friend” - John 15:15
“A member of a Royal Priesthood” - 1Peter 2:9
“One of God’s living stones” - 1Peter 2:5
“An heir of God” - Romans 8:17
“Redeemed and Forgiven” - Ephesians 1:6-8
“A Saint” - Ephesians 1:1
“A new creation” - 2Corinthians 5:17
“A minister of Reconciliation” - 2Corinthians 5:18-19
“An expression of life in Christ” - Colossians 3:4
What does today's story & God's Story have to say about names?
There may be a whole new generation of children coming into the world who have the opportunity to choose their own name, but for the rest of us, we are stuck with whatever our parents chose. Good or bad we had no say in what the world would call us for the rest of our lives.
Did you ever wonder what names God knows you as? He doesn’t just think “oh, there is Tommy or Susie or Sam”. The Bible tells us that we have new identities and names when we choose to surrender our lives to Jesus.
Some of the names we are called in scripture: (there are MANY more)
How can I connect Today's Story & God's Story to my story?
So, what does it mean to be known by a different name? Not the one that your parents gave you, but the ones that God calls you. Think about your own name for a minute. Do you like it? Where did it come from? Were you named after someone? What is the meaning of your name?
Chances are your parents spent some time picking out your name. They may have consulted books or ask family members. They may have chosen someone special in their life that they wanted to name you after. Most parents want to give their child a name with meaning. Often parents pick names with a meaning that they hope will describe their child. It isn’t about who they are, its about who they want their child to become.
Its just the opposite with the names God gives us. Look at the list above. Not one of those names is because of anything you have done. All of those titles are because of what God has done in your life. The names God gives us flow from who he is, not from who we are. And when we reflect those names in the world and people notice, that connects them directly back to the Father. For instance, when you live like you are a friend of Christ’s, that points people to Jesus.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story & my story to my friend's story?
Ask some of your friend’s who don’t know Jesus about their names. Do they know why their parents chose that name? Talk about your own name and then tell them about your favorite name that God has for you. Could be one in the list above or it could be another one you found in the Bible. Tell them why being known by God makes a difference in your life.
Want to check out other cool names God has for you? Google “in Christ I am” you will find all kinds of scriptural name lists.
