10 Feb, 2009
LONDON - A British university has apologized to a Ph.D. student for throwing away his treasured, seven-year collection of lizard dung.
Daniel Bennett has told Times Higher Education magazine that he had collected the dung in the Philippines while studying the rare butaan lizard, a relative of the Komodo dragon. The material was to be studied as part of his doctoral research.
Bennett says the 77-pound (35-kilogram) bag was thrown away by cleaners at his lab at Leeds University in northern England. He says the dung represented seven years' worth of field work, and its loss "left me reeling."
The university said Friday it had apologized.
Bennett says he rejected the university's compensation offer of 500 pounds ($750) and will "see them in court."
(Story provided by app.com - weird stories 2/6/09)
Upset over dung
Philippians 3:7-9 [The Message]
Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant - dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ - God's righteousness.
What does God's Story teach us about the important things in life?
"Are you serious? Upset over 77lbs. of poop!" That is in quotes because I am guessing that this is what you are thinking...am I right?
Well, before we ridicule Daniel Bennet too much about his obesession with butaan lizard droppings, let's remember that it was 7 years of research that we are talking about...which is pretty substantial. On top of that, most of us have things in our lives that are just as ridiculous about which we are WAY too concerned.
Today's passage is written by Paul who is communicating to us that nothing...and he means absolutely nothing in his life is more important than Christ. He even goes so far as to say that the things he used to consider really important are like dung to him. (That's what I like about Paul...he always speaks his mind quite clearly.)
So why does the Bible teach us this? Because nothing that this world has to offer will last! It is all temporary...empty...meaningless compared to knowing Christ. It will all be gone one day and the only thing we will have left are eternal matters...like Christ, God's Word and all who have become a part of God's family.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story to my story?
- Be honest before God...make a list of all of the "things" in life that you have valued at one point or another. (Popularity, that starting spot on the team, money, a favorite car, that one guy or girl, the new clothes or shoes...) Now, look at the list again...what's on that list that will be of no value in eternity...ya know...almost as worthless as...well...dung?
- Ask God to help you fix your eyes on Him and Him alone. This world is full of tempting things to chase after...ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay focused on eternal matters alone.
- Look up Hebrews 12:2 and II Corinthians 4:18...maybe you could pick one and memorize it.
- The next time you find yourself upset about something...stop and ask yourself if it is of eternal importance or if you are getting upset over dung.
How can we connect today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story?
- If you see a friend obsessing over something that seems a bit trivial to you...rather than reprimanding them or thinking less of them for this...remember that this is just an indication that they are looking for something more...something meaningful. The good news is that you have what they are really looking for.
- Remember also that your responses to the disappointments in life are a huge witness by themselves. When you suffer loss and still have peace...that speaks volumes to those around you. When your material goods are lost, dented, torn or even thrown out and you aren't "left reeling"...your friends will know that your life serves a bigger purpose and they will want that too.
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