The News You Can Use

Perhaps its just me. But it sure seems like stress levels have been cranked up a wee bit over the past few years. Can I afford to fill the gas tank this week? What’s going on with Hamas? Did my daughter eat salmonila tainted peanut butter? Does global warming mean I need to fertilize my lawn early this year? Will Tom Hanks start making good movies again?

I don’t have the answers to any of these questions. Not sure if anyone does. But a recent experiment conducted by Wendy Hill, a professor of neuroscience at Lafayette College, may clue us in on how to lower our stress levels. And we need look no further than our lips.

Professor Hill studied the levels of various chemicals in the blood and saliva of college students before and after pecking their partner. Men and women alike experienced a decline in the levels of cortisol, which is associated with stress, after they kissed. Call it “pucker power” if you will, but kissing unleashes chemicals that ease stress hormones and can even encourage bonding.

Unfortunately, when I am feeling stressed, there isn’t always someone around that would appreciate a smooch from yours truly. But my stresses are small compared to what Daniel must have experienced. Remember Daniel? He was faithful to his king and served him honestly and diligently. But some of Daniel’s enemies tricked the king into signing a law would cast anyone caught praying to God for thirty days into the lion’s den.

What did Daniel do in response? In Daniel 6:10, we find that he, “..continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” When confronted with the evidence, the king had to carry out the law even though he knew he had been tricked and loved Daniel. But the king told Daniel , “…’Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you’.” (6:16)

So Daniel spent an evening in the lion’s den. I imagine it was stressful. And there was nobody around to kiss. But I believe Daniel sent lots of “prayer kisses” to God, his Deliverer. Our prayers are kisses to God’s ears. He craves fellowship with us. I don’t understand why. But David, another guy who experienced a lot of stress, knew it to be true. In Psalm 34:17-18, he writes, “The righteous cry and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Daniel survived his night with the lions. God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. And the king was so amazed by God’s grace, he made another decree. He proclaimed of Daniel’s God “…He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.” (Daniel 6:26)

Hopefully this Valentine’s Day you have someone to share a kiss of two with. But more importantly, let’s remember to send our kisses to God every day. Tell Him how much you appreciate all He has done, and promises to continue to do, for you. He alone delivers and rescues. And if that doesn’t do something for your stress levels, no smooch will ever be able to help.

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Happy New Year! I look forward to another year of finding ways to talk with and teach my family about the truths in God’s Word by examining the news of the day. And for me, the first story of 2009 couldn’t be any better. Batter up!

Bernice Gallego, and her husband Al, are packrats. And since 1974, they have made a profession out of the practice. They collect and sell music memorabilia at an antique shop they own in Fresno, and auction off anything else they believe someone might buy on eBay.

This past summer, Bernice was sifting through a box and pulled out a dirty, worn baseball card. She listed it on eBay for $10. By that evening, she had received a couple of inquiries. One wanted to know if the card was real. The other wanted her to end the auction immediately and sell the card to him.

Bernice confesses to being a baseball novice. She can’t recall ever going to a baseball game. But the immediate interest got her thinking that her discovery was more than just a card. So she took it off her laundry room wall, out of the sandwich bag she had placed it in, and to a trusted card trader. Good thing. Her suspicions may be leading her to a six-figure payday.

It turns out her card is 139 years old, and is considered to be one of the first baseball cards. It is a photo of ten men, with their socks pulled up to their knees, who comprised the Red Stocking Baseball Club of Cincinnati. These Cincinnati Red Stockings, photographed for an advertisement in 1869, were the first professional baseball team. Formed in 1868, they set the foundation for today’s Major League Baseball.

“‘I find it so hard to believe that this little card is worth so much,’ Bernice says. ‘We don’t want to expect the world out of this find. It’s good enough that we’ve found it, and have been able to enjoy it and share it with a few of our friends. That for us is more of where it’s at.’”

If you are making resolutions or setting goals for the New Year, maybe the story of Bernice Gallego will inspire you. It has me. This year, I don’t want my treasures to simply be things of the past. Nor do I want my treasure to be what’s in my PayPal account. Instead, I want what Jesus taught about treasures.

Matthew 6:19 - 21 says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

So this year, volunteer to help teach the 5^th grade boys Sunday School class. Memorize a verse each week with your kids. Take time to help a refugee (or newcomer) in your community become acclimated to their new home. Or take some underprivileged kids to your local professional baseball teams Christian Family day.

Each new day is a gift from God. Let’s use them to create treasures in heaven. Please write in with your thoughts on how you hope to do just that.

Do you remember your wedding day? How about all the decisions that you and your spouse made concerning that glorious event? Is it okay to have the wedding at the Legion Hall, or should we get married at the church? Do we really have to invite our crazy uncles? Can we find someone to sing the old Meat Loaf song “I’d Do Anything for Love”? Is it wrong to serve our guests pork fritters at the reception?

Fortunately for all who attended RB’s wedding, my beautiful bride was so prepared I never had a chance to ask any of those questions. But for many, the questions that must be answered can be exhausting. And often, the toughest decisions revolve around who will be in the wedding party. For bride-to-be Kelly Gray, she put that question to the worldwide web.

Feeling strapped for cash, Ms. Gray offered a spot in her bridal party to the highest bidder on eBay. Much to her surprise, the winner of the auction was not one of her friends or family. It wasn’t even one of her contacts from classmates.com. Rather, it was the Dr. Pepper beverage company! And in addition to providing a bridesmaid for Gray’s 2009 wedding, Dr. Pepper is donating $10,000, as well as drinks. Suddenly, many of her wedding day decisions got a whole lot easier to make!

The first miracle that our Lord Jesus performed was at a wedding. It was at that ceremony where two people become one that Jesus demonstrated He was the Messiah, the Son of God. He alone is the source of creation, and the sustainer of life. We can read about this miracle in John 2:1-11.

At the wedding, to which Jesus and His disciples were invited, Jesus’ mother informed Him that all the wine had been consumed. Jesus told the servants to fill six pots with water, which would total well over 100 gallons. He then told the servants to take the water in the pots to the headwaiter. The headwaiter tasted the water, which had been turned into wine. Unaware of the miracle, he told the bridegroom in verse 10, “…’Every man serves the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then that which is poorer; you have kept the good wine until now.’”

So how can we use this good news in our lives? Well, here is my personal challenge for the week. Every time I pop the top on a Dr. Pepper or shower my taste buds with Mountain Dew, I want to think about the miracles of Jesus. I’ll be doing a lot of thinking, as my dentist can attest. Maybe you’ll join me. We might consider Jesus raising a widow’s son (Luke 7:11-15), or calming a storm (Mark 4:35-41), or feeding 5,000 (Matt. 14:24-33), or walking on water (John 6:16-21). We’d have to drink a lot of six-packs to get to all of Jesus’ recorded miracles!

Please leave your thoughts for others to use on wedding stories, Jesus’ miracles, or the everyday miracles we enjoy, like sugar water. Till next time, please choose to use the good news.

A few years back, Regis Philbin reinvented the television game show with his humongous hit “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. The show was so popular for a while, it seemed as though it aired every night of the week! Contestants on “Millionaire” had to correctly answer a series of multiple-choice questions to work their way up to the one million dollar prize. Along the way, if the contestants were unsure or simply stumped, they could use a “lifeline”. They could either phone a friend, ask the audience, or have two of the three incorrect answers eliminated.

A story this past week reminded me of those “lifelines”. Except instead of winning money, a little girl has won more time with her mommy. Jessica Eaves is a 24-year-old mother who has a medical condition that can cause frequent fainting. So she taught her daughter Madelyn, now 3-years-old, a simple song to help her remember how to call for help if mom faints.

On May 27, this scary scenario played itself out. Jessica, who was also three-months pregnant at the time, fainted. Madelyn remembered the special song, “911 Green”, to pick up her mom’s phone, punch in 911, and then press the green send button. Dispatch received the call, and emergency workers arrived in time to help Madelyn’s mom. Most of us would agree that call was more valuable than a mere million.

As Christians, we seek a life greater than one merely defined by material possessions and gaudy portfolios. God wants to give each of us the blessings of a Spirit-filled life, a life of victory, a life of living in the Promised Land. We can read about this Promised Land in the book of Joshua. God calls Joshua to lead His people across the Jordan River and into Canaan. In 1:3, God says, “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.”

But our great God didn’t just tell Joshua what to do. He told him how to do it as well. In 1:8, God says, ” This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

What a fantastic promise! If we read the Word of God, think deeply about it every day, and apply it to our actions, we are promised success. And that success is a life of living in the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

So this week, in honor of Madelyn’s 911 call, maybe we should take a deeper look at what we think about and memorize to help us when conflicts arise. Do your kids know who to call for help? Do they know the evacuation plan if your home is on fire? Just as important, do your kids, and you, know Biblical principles that you can call upon to help you get through turbulent times? Do you know any songs that your family can hum, whistle, or sing when the going gets tough to sooth the nerves and realign your thoughts.

I hope you find Good News that you can use this week to make your life a little better. Please share any thoughts or ideas you may have on Madelyn’s story, Joshua, or any other topic that might be of interest to others. Thanks for reading.

If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you might agree with me in believing that these are fairly stressful times. Jobs are getting whacked. The cost of living is leaping higher and higher. A big election is looming. The Kansas City Royals still can’t win as many games as they lose. How are we supposed to get through? Let’s look at some “good news” for an answer.

Humans aren’t the only animals that experience stress. Apparently, chimpanzees experience some conflicts that can cause some serious scratching and self-doubt (stress manifested!). They bite, chase, hit, rush, and trample their comrades, just as us humans do on a daily basis. But according to a recent study, that stress is greatly reduced when a third chimp steps in to offer consolation in the form of a hug or kiss.

Frans de Waal of Emory University in Atlanta says the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is important because it shows the relationship between consolation and stress reduction. “This study removes doubt that consolation really does what the term suggests: provide relief to distressed parties after conflict.” Or as researcher Orlaith Fraser surmised, a friendly gesture, like a kiss on top the head or an arm wrapped around another’s shoulders, consoles and calms.

That’s good news, and it echoes the “Good News” found in God’s Word. It reminded me of the prodigal son in Luke 15. There was a man with some stress in his life! He squandered a lifetime of money. He was hanging out with pigs. His diet was disgusting. I’m sure he was lonely, thought himself a failure, and was ashamed of what he had done. And when he was at his lowest he decided to go back to the home he left, face his father, and plead for mercy.

“And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.” What a verse Luke 15:20 is! Our Savior does this for each of us. Regardless of the mistakes we have made, the shame we feel, the stress that permeates our souls, Jesus will wrap His arms around us and calm our fears when we come to Him.

This week may be a good time to take your stress and your concerns to Jesus. And it would be a great time to hug one of the throng of people around you fighting the same battles we all fight. Someone you know may be frustrated that their friends are getting on the soccer field more than them. Or concerned that their lesson plan fell on deaf ears. Or terrified that their life savings will dwindle to nothing. You may not be able to solve their problems, but a kiss or a hug can go a long way in changing a life.

Please tell us how the news affected your life this week. What about this story? Any ideas on how to help with a hug? Till next time, I hope you chose to use the news.

My family is a little odd. We enjoy watching the television show America’s Funniest Home Videos. And without a doubt, the videos that elicit the most laughter from us couch potatoes are ones that involve animals. Snoring dogs. Bears getting tangled in hammocks. Ducks terrorizing picnics in the park. Pigs trying to scratch that curiously placed itch.  Cats climbing the curtains.

So it is no surprise that the story of Tama caught my attention this past week. Tama is a nine-year-old tortoiseshell cat who resides in western Japan. And six days a week, she works from nine to five as a “stationmaster” for the Wakayama Electric Railway at the Kishi Station.

Tama has been kept and cared for by Toshiko Koyama, who runs a grocery store next to the train station. For much of 2006, the station went unmanned as the line was losing money. But despite the dire circumstances, Tama continued to hang out at the station. So in 2007, the railway formally appointed her as “stationmaster”.

Since Tama began greeting passengers at the station, business has seen a big boost. And because of her on-the-job success, Tama has been rewarded with promotions and perks. Wakayama Electric spokesman Keiko Yamaki jokingly says, “She now holds the fifth highest position in the company.”

Tama is without a doubt one talented tabby. Some may not see greeting others as much of a job, or a talent. But because of Tama’s talent, her passengers enjoy their travel experience, and her company is successful.

Similarly, the body of Christ relies on each and every one of us to utilize our spiritual talents to carry out God’s work on earth. In 1 Corinthians 12- 14, Paul writes extensively about the varieties of spiritual gifts and the need for each of us to carry out our purpose. In 12:7, he writes, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

So this week, along with the amusing story of Tama, my family might read about what the Bible has to say about spiritual gifts. We might learn about gifts of teaching, healing, helping, and managing. We might talk about how the body of Christ is not just one member, but many members working together in harmony. And we might talk about how the greatest gift of all is not performing miracles or becoming a prophet, but rather having love for another. And sometimes that love can be as simple as a greeting to a stranger.

I hope that you will choose to use the news this week. Find something inspirational, or educational to share with your family or friends. Do something to make your life, or the lives of others, a little better. And please share your thoughts here with others on how you used the news.

Do you remember your high school graduation? How about any of the scintillating speeches delivered on your day of diploma? Do you remember who any of the speakers were?

I only graduated high school once, and have attended perhaps two or three other high school graduations during my existence. So I am not an expert on the events of graduation. But it seems that most graduations have a number of speakers, often including a school official like the principal, the valedictorian, and a motivational speaker of some kind.

Despite thinking about my graduation for what must have just been ten seconds, I cannot name any of the speakers on my graduation day. But I do remember that our “motivational” speaker was a former professional football player (whom no one could ever remember seeing play) that had a mullet for a haircut and a microphone that kept malfunctioning.

Jeff Greenwood will probably have much better memories of his commencement address than most of us. Jeff was the only student to graduate from Opheim High School this year. Opheim is a rural town in northern Montana with a strong Norwegian heritage and a population of nearly 100.

While such a small class has its’ drawbacks (”…you can’t get away with anything”, says Jeff), it also has a number of advantages. Jeff was able to be the senior class president, the student-to-teacher ratio is great, and the governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, came to deliver the final speech of Jeff’s high school period.

Jeff’s determination to graduate is very admirable. But for this week’s news lesson with my family, I want to focus on Gov. Brian Schweitzer. This year’s speech at Opheim High School marked the second straight year he has delivered a commencement address to a school with one graduate.

The story reminds me a parable in Luke 15 that illustrates Christ’s love for each and every one of us. Verses 4 and 5 say “‘What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.’”

So this week I hope my family will accept the challenge to reach out to a lost sheep. Maybe they will help a classmate who is having trouble understanding an assignment. Or invite their neighbor’s kids to Vacation Bible School. Or stop and offer a ride to someone carrying a gas can back to their car on the shoulder of the freeway. Or call up that friend who just lost a loved one to see if they need anything or want to talk.

Please take some time this week to talk about the Good News of Christ Jesus with your family or friends. Maybe a news story, like the story of Jeff Greenwood, will provide a starting point. And please leave your comments on this story, or how you chose to use the news, for others to read and find inspiration. Thank you.

Some people love to shop for shoes. I am not one of those people. My sneakers have holes above my big toes. The soles in my loafers are cracking. My dress shoes are scuffed. Normally, if someone gives me grief for my lack of fancy footwear, I point out the positive attributes of using what one has and desiring to be frugal. (Not that I really do either….just lazy!)

Now, the news is making me rethink my reticence for shoe shopping. According to a new poll from Mindset Media, people who buy more than three pairs of sneakers a year are much more likely to have the qualities of a modern leader than people like myself. The data says that these spendthrifts are 61 percent more likely to have ideas and vision, along with an inclusive and decisive style around others, than the common-sense consumer like yours truly.

Lauren Arvonio, a spokeswoman for Mindset Media, says, “It is often said you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear, and now we have some hard data to back that up.”

So where do you stand on the shoe buying issue? Do you have a cobbler on your speed dial, or a shoehorn in your car for spontaneous shoe searches? Are the foot fashionistas in your office the leaders or the followers? Do you judge people by their footwear, or any other article of clothing?

Regardless of my thoughts on the poll, it’s an interesting idea that spurred a little conversation among my friends. And I started wondering how I might use the news story to teach my family about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

There is no greater leader for us to follow and emulate than our Lord. In John 13, Jesus gives us an example of true leadership. And it involves feet. This was the last evening of Jesus’ life. His disciples were arguing about their place and importance in Christ’s coming kingdom. Jesus took the opportunity to illustrate that His kingdom is not about pride or prominence, but humility and service. Our Creator and Savior washed the feet of His disciples!

So maybe the next time you go looking for shoes with your family, you might consider talking about the leadership qualities of Jesus. Maybe you can talk about forgiveness. Each of you could ask God to help you forgive someone you may be holding a grudge against. Maybe you’ll start a tradition of service. Every time a family member gets a new pair of shoes, they wash Rescue, the family dog. Or Grandpa’s car. Or maybe you can give a matching gift to Shoes for Humanity, which provides sandals for the world’s poor. As a Christian, what’s important isn’t necessarily what is on your feet, but where your feet take you in service of Christ’s call.

I hope this week has brought you Good News! Please share any stories or scripture that God has brought to your attention this week. And weigh in with your thoughts on shoes and leaders. Till next time, I hope you use the news!

Life can be lonely. Each of us has gone through times when it feels like we are all alone in facing the challenges that confront us. Where am I going to find my next meal? Will my boss ever recognize the work that I do? How will I be able to cope as my physical condition gets worse? These can be tough questions to ask, let alone answer, through our own means.

When I face tough times and need some comfort, one of the first things I turn to is baseball. So it can get tough for a few months each year. Winter, with it’s freezing temperatures, murky skies, and absence of baseball, is torture to my spirit. Thankfully, the Major League Baseball season begins in earnest this week, and my hope renews once again. As a bonus, like the riddle inside a box of Cracker Jack, we get some news to use from America’s pastime this week.

The 2008 Major League Baseball season commenced on March 25 in Tokyo, Japan, when the Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s took the field. This is the third time that MLB has sent two of its’ teams to Japan to begin the season and spread the jubilation of high heat, run-downs, and doubles hit high off the wall.

But this year’s game almost didn’t happen. Due to the demands of the trip around the globe, the two teams had negotiated extra compensation for players, coaches, and support staff. Among other things, the players were to receive $40,000. The managers, coaches, and trainers were to receive $20,000.

When the players learned of the disparity in compensation, members of the Boston Red Sox voted to boycott their final spring training game in Florida as well as the trip to Japan. Said Mike Lowell, the third baseman for the Red Sox, “We didn’t think that was correct. Giving them half of that is not equal.” Jason Varitek, the Red Sox catcher, speaking to how valuable the work of the coaches and staff is, said, “They’re the basis of what takes care of us.”

Fortunately, MLB, its’ Player’s Association, and the two teams involved resolved the matter in a couple of hours after the Red Sox refused to take the field in their final spring training game. All staff was properly compensated. Both teams made their way to Tokyo, and each team won one game in the two-game series.

But the play on the field will long be overshadowed by the actions of the players off the field. Dave Magadan, one of coaches for the Red Sox, said, “[The player’s support] means as much as the money itself.” Manager Terry Francona agreed, saying, “It wasn’t about being greedy. It was about trying to be unified.” In a long and trying season, the players and coaches and staff of both teams can take comfort in knowing they are all looking out for one another.

The Apostle Paul knew the value of encouragement and standing up for another. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he writes, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (2:3,4)

So there we have our news to use this week. Let’s see if we can make a point of looking out for the interests of someone else. Make sure a co-worker’s accomplishments get noticed when you have the bosses’ ear. Sit next to an ‘unpopular’ kid on the school bus and try to strike up a conversation. Write a letter to the editor to defend your city council, or a group of people who may need to be defended from that council. Pay the league dues for a child on your daughter’s softball team whose parents are in a financial pinch.

Please take the time to read the news this week, and see if there is something there for you to use to make in difference in your life and the lives of others. Let us know how things go.

How many of you have ever had a bad day, or a bad week? Maybe your big brother took the only cherry popsicle in the freezer, leaving you to snack on a stale Fig Newton. Or you spent the last $20 in your wallet to enter the office pool for the NCAA basketball tournament only to see your pick to win it all, Duke, lose it’s second game. Has someone at work led you on to believe a nice promotion or bonus was coming your way, only to never see it materialize?

Truth be told, we have all had bad days. Lots of them. And no matter who you are, those days of despair can be difficult to handle. But a man from Australia has come up with a response to his life’s losses that may provide us all with a bit of “news we can use.”

Ian Usher has encountered a rough spot in life. His marriage has fallen apart. His house, job, clothes, and friends are not offering sufficient comfort. Usher says, “…I have had enough of my life! I don’t want it any more!”

So the forty-four year old has decided to start a new life. To begin his new being, Usher is auctioning off his current existence to the highest bidder. His life auction includes a number of his material possessions, such as his house, car, and spa, as well as his job at a rug shop and an introduction to his friends. “When it’s over, I will just walk out the front door, take my wallet, my passport and start a new life,” says the anguished Aussie.

We should all be praying for Ian Usher. And then we might consider turning our thoughts inward to examine our own lives. After all, Ian’s story isn’t unique to him. Many of us place our self-worth in things of this world. We seek comfort and happiness in our houses, our cars, our families, our friends, our achievements, our appearance, our stock of goodies in the ice chest.

Jesus offers a different, more eternally satisfying option than the life that Ian is ridding himself of. He tells us to put our hopes in Him. In Luke 9:24, He says, “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” Our life begins when we lose it, to Him.

This week you might challenge yourself and your family to put this principle into practice. Try losing your life to someone else. Rather than continue to ignore the neighbor who “borrowed” your hedge clippers permanently, give up the grudge and invite him over to slurp some soda and prep your mowers for the summer ahead. Instead of locking yourself in your room to catch another episode of “The Hills”, give up your time and help mom cook dinner tonight. Already planning on how to spice up your wardrobe with your rebate check? Give up the money and use part of it to send Bibles to China, or to the Red Cross to help the recent flooding victims.  Tired of striving for more and more on earth, only to find heartache?  Give up your life and turn it over Jesus Christ.

Please leave your thoughts on this week’s story. Did it bring any Biblical passages to mind? Are there areas of your life that you constantly cling to? Until next time, I hope you choose to use the news to make life better for you and those around you.