24 Feb, 2010
I'd Like that Surprise
Woman Finds Unclaimed Insurance Check From 1978
An 85-year-old South Florida woman who went looking for a photo of her ex-husband says she found a $17,500 insurance claim check from 1978 instead. Barbara Cosgrove found the check, dated January 23, 1978, in an unopened envelope inside a nightstand drawer at her Lauderhill home. She said she doesn't know why she hadn't found the check sooner and had looked inside the drawer "a thousand times" before the discovery.
Story Provided by: wcbstv.com.
Matthew 13:44-46 (The Message)
"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic – what a find! – and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
"Or God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about the significance of the Kingdom?
This parable (story) that Jesus tells comes in the midst of several other tales. Each story paints a picture of what God's kingdom is like. They give insight into how God is moving in our world and how easy it can be to miss the work He is doing.
These two short parables show us just how important the Kingdom of God should be to our hearts. Is there anything so important to you that you would sell everything to make sure you got it? Or what would you have to find while walking in the woods to convince you to sell all you owned to buy the acres of land? That scratches the surface of how important God's Kingdom should be to us.
How can we connect today's God's Story Scripture to our live?
Recently my students and I watched some clips from the movie Finding Nemo. Of all the clips we watched, the one that stuck out in my mind was the one that takes place in the dentist's office. If you don't remember the scene, this is a good excuse to go watch the movie. In this segment, a Pelican lands on the office window sill. The bird begins telling the exploits of Nemo's father. The look on Nemo's face is what gets me. He is in complete awe of what his father has done to get him back. It paints a visual picture of how we should respond to hearing about what God does for us and how He has sought after you and me.
Just like in today's parables, God and His Kingdom are something to get excited about and that excitement should show to everyone we know. In some ways it should be a look on our face.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
I asked a student if they notice a difference at their lunch table when everyone is in an okay mood, then someone in a bad mood sits down. Does the attitude of everyone at the table change? Yes, it does. It is easy to be drawn into the emotions of the people around us.
The question becomes how would you alter your lunch table if you wore excitement for God in your attitude. Would that be contagious? Would people want to be around you? Yes. We like being around positive people. We like being around people who are genuinely excited.
Can you be that person? Will you ask Jesus to make you that person? Be the difference maker, not the one whose attitude is changed by someone else's bad mood.
- 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]
