16 Dec, 2008
Although their service is not often heralded, concierges can make a hotel stay an experience to remember, whether the guest is a celebrity or a mere mortal. It's the concierge's job to fulfill guests' requests, however outlandish. Take the Englishman staying at the Setai in Miami who asked its concierge to figure out how to move his girlfriend's pet tiger to London. Not surprisingly, celebrities often demand the out-of-the-ordinary, like the well-known Australian rugby enthusiast who asked the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown to provide a special satellite dish so he could watch a 24-hour Australian rugby television channel.
Not all requests, however, can be filled. For example, the concierge at the Beverly Hills Hotel was once asked to find replacement parts for an AK47 for a guest, a request that was turned down.
Wanting to surprise his wife on her 40th birthday, a guest at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos asked the hotel to arrange for some fake sharks to appear while he, she and their friends were snorkeling; the concierge declined to do this. Regardless, the best concierges continue to "try to make magic moments, something personalized," as Matthew Daubenspeck, resort concierge at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vt., explains. "...That's why we're here."
(To see the full story go to www.forbestraveler.com 12/08/08)
Please mail my pet tiger
John 14:13-14 (ESV)
13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about asking God for what we need?
These are some pretty bold hotel guests...asking for shipments of exotic animals, fake sharks and replacement parts for their assault weapons. It seems as if no request is out of bounds at the help desks of hotels now.
The same has been true of our God since the beginning of time. God has always been, is and always will be able to handle any request we may need to bring Him. This verse tells us that God wants us to ask Him for the things that we need.
Not only can we ask, but this verse teaches us that He is completely capable of fulfilling whatever request we may have. Jeremiah 32:17 reads, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You."
One other part of this verse that is very important is that it says that we must ask in His name...meaning that it must be according to His will...not ours. This is NOT a verse that says God will give us whatever we want. What it does say is that He is capable of doing great things if we will only ask according to His will.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story to my story?
If we are honest, we probably all have some pretty big requests that we haven't asked of God because they just seem to big...or maybe we have asked but not really expected them to be answered for the same reason.
- Is there a relationship that has fallen apart that seems to be without hope? Ask Him.
- Is there a fear you have that God could help you overcome? Ask Him.
- Is there a mistake you need forgiveness for that just seems to be too much for God to forgive? Ask Him.
- Whatever the emotional, physical, material or spiritual need is...just ask Him...in faith...and believe that He is able to answer!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and my story to my friend's story?
- Maybe you have someone you know who seems beyond even God's reach. Please know that this simply isn't true. God can change anyone's heart. Just ask Him.
- Maybe you have a friend who doesn't know God and is facing some pretty tough circumstances. You could go to the Father with them and ask for them! What a great way to introduce them to the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20) Remember, no request is too outrageous.
- February 2012 [5]
- 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 [21]
- 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]
