24 Dec, 2008
Israeli archaeologists find rare gold coins
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Some Israeli archaeologists are having a particularly happy Hanukkah, thanks in part to a British volunteer who took time off from her job to work on a dig.
The Israel Antiquities Authority reported a thrilling find Sunday -- the discovery of 264 ancient gold coins in Jerusalem National Park.
The coins were minted during the early 7th century.
(For the full story visit: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/22/israel.rare.coins/index.html)
Finders keepers!
Matthew 13:44-46 (New Living Translation)
44 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
What does God's Story Scripture teach us about how we treat the "treasure" we find?
This parable, a simple story used to teach a moral, emphasizes how important the gift God gave us in Jesus is. The gospel writer wants his readers to know that there is nothing material that has greater worth than the Kingdom God is building through Jesus. In these stories we see two people giving everything they have for the treasure they have found. God longs for us to have the same enthusiasm for His Kingdom and the relationship we can have with Him.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
We set aside tomorrow as a day of celebration for Jesus coming and taking on flesh. As you prepare to open the gifts you receive and the presents you give think about these question...
- How important is the gift of Jesus to you?
- Like the parables suggest, are you willing to give everything for the Kingdom of Heaven?
- What do you want to keep back and not spend for Jesus?
How can we connect today's story, God's Story Scripture, and our story to others?
This is a great time of year to share the love of Jesus with your friends. It is natural to talk about the gift Jesus is to you as you are giving gifts. Here are few conversation starters for you.
- As you and a friend exchange gifts share with your friend how God gave you new life in Jesus.
- Ask your friend if they have ever found something that excited them (like finding their Christmas gifts early). Then share these two parables with them.
- 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]
