Friday Snippets and Soundbites

It's Friday! The last Friday in February! And since that seems like something we should celebrate, we thought we'd get the party started with this week's online edition of "Snippets and Soundbites." We just can't wait to fill you in on some of the crazy stories we found among this week's headlines!

Let's go!

GOAL!!!!!!

Soccer is exciting. . . but apparently one student took his love for soccer a little too far—and that decision had its consequences. While secretly listening to a soccer game during class, he got a little excited. Why don't we just show you the rest?

Thin mints in jail? 

Members of a Georgia Girl Scout troop may have wondered if they'd be munching on Girl Scout cookies in jail this week after a strange run-in with a local police officer. Apparently, the girls and their leader had set up a stand to sell cookies at a strip mall near Atlanta on Wednesday when the police officer approached them and asked if they had a peddler's permit. They didn't, and he then told them to pack up and go home. The younger members of the troop were convinced they were headed to jail and very frightened by the experience. Of course, the story hit the local news and both the city's police chief and mayor have now spoken with the officer in question. They say the whole incident was a "misunderstanding" and are planning to make it up to the girls with a pizza party. To read more about this story, go here.

Run, Robot, Run!

Once upon a time, we thought robots would rule the world—or at least do our household chores like on the cartoon "The Jetsons." And robots are doing a lot of cool stuff these days. There are robots used in medical fields and surgery, robot vacuums, and robots who do a lot of basic tasks in manufacturing that we'd never even dream of. And there are robots who run. Yep, run. The world's first robot marathon got underway yesterday in western Japan. According to the story we read, 5 two-legged robot participants are racing on an indoor track as a way to “demonstrate the machines' durability and maneuverability.” The race is sponsored by a Japanese robot maker, and the robots are 1-foot-tall and battery-charged. They will have to cover 26 miles and it's expected the race will last through Sunday. To learn more, go here. Check out a video here.

As always, if this edition of “Snippets and Soundbites” isn't enough for you, check out page 38 in this month's (and every month's) issue of ec. You can subscribe to the print edition of ec here.

What we wish we'd known in high school: Dating

Recently, we asked some people who are a little older and a bit wiser than you to share with us what they wish they had known when they were in high school. Here's what they had to say about dating:

“You’ll be just fine if you haven’t had a boyfriend, girlfriend, first date, or first kiss by the time you graduate from high school.”
—Emily Cole

“I wish I’d known that purity in every form of the word—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically—is so very important and to be guarded and protected.”
—Kaylan Christopher

“Girls, if a boy doesn’t call you back, don’t keep calling him. Let him pursue you.”
—Emily Cole

“I wish I had known that in the large majority of cases, high school sweethearts and boyfriends do not last. If I could do it all over again I would spend way less time worrying about my dating life and more time focusing on my GPA, dental hygiene, and driving skills because those are things that affect and stay with you forever.”
—Julie Sallee Partin, ec writer

“The reality that high school relationships usually don’t last forever doesn’t give you permission to be a jerk. Your friends may break up and go out with a new girl every week. That doesn’t mean you should be flippant about how you treat who you’re dating. No matter how long it lasts, treat her with respect. It’s a good thing I did; I married my high school girlfriend.”
—Scott Latta

“I wish I’d known that when you give your body to someone, you’re also giving a piece of your heart.”
 —Pam Gibbs

“Having a girlfriend or boyfriend should not define you. Our identity and our worth is found in Christ and Christ alone, not in a guy or a girl who likes us. Dating can be an important part of your teenage years, but it should never become your primary focus.”
—Will Snipes, ec writer

If you'd like to see more articles like this one, subscribe to the print edition of ec at www.lifeway.com/ec.

The truth about exercise and YOU

by Kevin McKechnie, M.D.

Exercise may be the cheapest and one of the most effective medicines available. But unfortunately, among children, teens, and adults, it’s often ignored.

Definitions, Please!
By exercise, I mean cardiovascular or aerobic physical activity that raises your heart rate for at least 30 sustained minutes. A simple example is a brisk 30-minute walk. Other possibilities include cycling, spinning, swimming, running, jogging, aerobics, aerobic dance, water aerobics, jumping rope, hiking, stair climbing, and cross country skiing. There are many more activities from which to choose. Some team sports also qualify as exercise. Playing soccer, lacrosse, and hockey certainly count, unless, of course, you are the goalie. The examples of rugby and ultimate frisbee show how diverse and fun cardio exercise can be.

Pump that Iron
I often am asked about weight lifting. Lifting a few sets or seeing how much you can lift does not count as aerobic exercise. However, circuit training—using higher repetitions of lower weights with little or no break between sets—can provide a good cardio workout. Circuit training also builds strength and muscle tone.

Keep trying
Many people are quite active and yet do not exercise by the definition above. Activity is better than inactivity, but activity and exercise are not exactly the same thing. The walking you do between classes or at the mall is good activity but does not qualify as aerobic. Even going up a few flights of stairs is great activity but not the cardio workout that you need. Again, sustained heart rate elevation is a requirement for the activity to be called aerobic.

No excuses
Unfortunately, too many people make excuses to avoid exercising at all. “I don’t have time” is the most common excuse that I hear. Most of us are busy and have to set aside the time. Two or three hours a week may sound like a big time commitment, but it is less time than many of us spend on the computer and watching television. The habits you start now are likely to continue long into adulthood; the first and most important step is starting. Do not put it off until January 1 next year.
If you have not been exercising, I would suggest you start slowly with walking and work your way up to more intense forms of cardio.

Make Time
Each of us must set aside the time to get our formal exercise. Spread the exercise over several days each week rather than a 3-hour workout on a Saturday. Getting together with friends also helps make it more interesting and helps with accountability. Vary your choice of exercise. As one of your exercise options, pick one that you have access to all year and under any weather conditions. Do not forget to warm up and stretch out.
Many of my patients who have started to eat healthier and exercise regularly not only feel better and look better, but also need fewer medications. There are benefits to exercise! I caution you, though: if you are unsure if it is medically safe for you to exercise, consult your physician before starting any kind of exercise program. 

Dr. Kevin McKechnie is an internal medicine physician. He’s originally from Houston, Texas, and currently lives in Nashville, Tenn.In his spare time, he enjoys medical missions, spending time with his wife and three kids, coaching sports, and, yes, exercising. You can find this article and more in the February 2011 print issue of ec, available at www.lifeway.com/ec and some LifeWay Christian Stores.

Want to subscribe to ec? Go here.

Friday Snippets and Soundbites

Happy Friday! In honor of Friday (or as we like to call it, FriYAY!), the ec team thought we'd get things started right. . . with some of the strangest stories we could find in this week's news. Ready?!

It's a record! 

When Phyo Min Min Soe, 26, gave birth to her daughter Le Yati Min she asked the nurses if she was born complete with all her fingers and toes."They replied that the baby even has more than she needs," she says. That's because Le Yati Min was born with 12 fingers and 14 toes! (Yes, you read that correctly.) The little girl is now 16-months-old, and the family, who lives in Myamar, is seeking a Guinness World Record. According to the Guinness World Records website, the record for most fingers and toes for a living person is currently held by two people in India, who have 12 fingers and 13 toes each. Le lives with her family in a small wooden house on the outskirts of the Southeast Asian country's former capital of Yangon, where she runs around with seven toes on each foot. To learn more about polydactylism (being born with extra digits), go here. To read the original version of this story, go here.

Real-life Survivor

Henry Morello, 84, may never appear on "Survivor," but he's a survivor just the same. The 84-year-old was driving home from a restaurant in the Phoenix area last week when he realized he had made a wrong turn. So he made a U-turn and ended up with his car stuck in a ditch near Interstate 17 in the Arizona desert for five days. His car and cell phone batteries soon went dead. Morello couldn't get out and had to figure out how to survive, so he drank windshield wiper fluid when he got thirsty, used his car mats to stay warm—and read the car manual from cover to cover to pass the time. A group of hikers found Morello last Saturday morning, 5 days after his ordeal began. Doctors  said he arrived in good condition considering what he had been through. Morello will remain there for a few days while he is treated for kidney damage. Morello lives on his own, but a caregiver visits each day. His family and friends said he won't be driving on his own for a long time. Read all about it here.

No more headaches!

We'll end with the tale of a man from China who had been suffering from severe headaches, but won't be anymore. That's because doctors discovered the cause: a rusty, 4-inch knife blade that had been stuck in his skull for four years. A little back story: 4 years ago, Li Fuyan, 30, had been stabbed in the lower right jaw by a robber four years ago and the blade broke off inside his head without anyone realizing it. Surgeons successfully removed the blade this week. Read the whole story here.

As always, if today's dose of strange stories isn't enough for you, check out page 38 in this month's (and every month's) issue of ec. Subscribe to ec here.

Facebook: "Like" it or leave it?

Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Reality, before MySpace invaded our virtual kingdoms, Facebook took over the world, and Twitter conquered our online existence, people actually had to communicate their thoughts through spoken or written words.
 
Oh yes, gone are the days of actually having a face-to-face conversation with someone unless it’s absolutely necessary. 
Know what I’m saying?

Status Updates
A good friend of mine says, “If you wouldn’t say it in real life, don’t be sayin’ it on Facebook.” That’s the truth.

So what are you saying about yourself through your Facebook account? Think about these questions:
• Do your statuses make Jesus famous or make you famous?
• Is what you post building people up or shredding them to pieces?
• Are you laying out all your dirty laundry or the truth of God’s Word?

Facebook seems like a good place to vent and get it all out there. But, if you’re a believer—especially if you’re a believer—people are watching. And they notice your attitudes, words, and actions.
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word is a gift” (The Message). Before you hit “Share” or “Comment,” check your motives. 

Profiles
It’s dangerous to feature every detail about yourself online. Increase your privacy settings and leave out personal stuff.

Overall, your profile should reflect the image of Christ in you. What can people tell about your life from it? Does it say you’re a committed Christ-follower or an overly obsessive Twilight fan? It doesn’t mean you can’t be a fan of things, but if your page says you’re more in love with Edward (girls) or your girlfriend (guys) than Jesus, then that’s a problem.

Here’s the deal:
• Indecency and Facebook shouldn’t be friends. Really, no one wants to see that.
• Alcohol/drugs/partying and Facebook do not mix. And frankly, you shouldn’t be mixing with them either. End of story.
• Vulgarity and filthy language do not make you look cool. Seriously. No exceptions.


Facebook Misuse
Nobody likes a stalker. (This also applies to those of you who like to log in as someone else and hijack his or her profile.)

Just because you know about somebody doesn’t mean you know him or her. If they haven’t given you complete permission to invade their lives, then don’t. Even then, so much information out there is false.

Are you keeping tabs on someone else’s activity? Are you preying to stock up on the latest ­gossip to pick apart and share with your friends? Understand this: tearing someone down in private or publicly defaming someone is miles away from what the Bible tells us to do. (See Colossians 4:6.)


Take a Break
Are you addicted to Facebook? Here’s the test. Answer yes or no to the following:
• I can’t stay away from Facebook for five minutes (except when required).
• I can no longer hold a conversation with a real live person.
• I live to post my next status update.
• I don’t know what’s going on with my friends unless they update their pages.

If you said yes to any of these, you likely need a vacation from Facebook in a bad way. Like everything else in life, it has the potential to become an idol and take over. That number one spot in your heart is reserved for Jesus. 


The one thing we want you to get out of this article:
Start looking at Facebook as a virtual ministry instead of an online gossip column. This is your chance to glorify God in a public setting, live out your faith, and encourage others toward Jesus. “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).


If you'd like to see an expanded version of this article by Kaylan Christopher, check out "Facebook: "Like" it or leave it?," ec magazine, February 2010, p. 46-47. 

Image © istockphoto / cristian lazzari.

 

POLL!

If you read Snippets and Soundbites this month (pp. 38-39), then you know that it's time for you to tell us what you think about Valentine's Day. Here's your poll:






"We love because He first loved us." –1 John 4:19
Happy Valentine's Day!

Friday Snippets and Soundbites

Good morning! And greetings from a freezing cold Nashville! No matter what the weather's like where you are, we know you're ready to get this Friday off to a good start.

And the best way to do that, you ask? Well, "Snippets and Soundbites" on the ec blog! Let's see what random news and weirdness this week's news sites holds in store!

Flashing lights mean stop. 

Especially if they belong to a police car and an officer who's alerting you to that fact that you're speeding. But the police in Sandusky, Ohio, can't take much credit for nabbing a woman who was drinking and driving there this week. Apparently, the woman thought she saw flashing police lights in her rearview mirror and pulled over. The lights actually came from a nearby skating rink. Then, the woman's car got stuck in the snowbank (near the sign) that she'd pulled into. A passing motorist called the police, who came to the scene and arrested the woman on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. For more info on this story, go here. 

Help! I'm trapped! 

The flight was set to leave Washington's Reagan National Airport for Hartford, Conn. Everything seemed to be going well. The baggage had been loaded. The cargo doors were shut. It was time to push the plane back from the gate, but no one new where the tug driver was. The man had also been one of the bag handlers in charge of loading passengers' baggage into the cargo compartments. At some point in the confusion, the co-pilot heard screaming and pounding coming from the cargo area. The crew investigated—and found the missing baggage handler. He had crawled into the cargo area while loading the plane and another baggage handler closed the door on him. He was quickly freed and wasn't hurt at all. The flight left on time. . .but we bet that guy has a talk with his coworker! Learn more here.

Good manners are important. 

Your parents have probably drilled manners into your brain. It's just polite to say thank you, yes ma'am and yes sir, right? Well, apparently, it's even important when robbing a convenience store. Seattle police made an arrest in a weekend robbery committed by the "polite robber." The man entered the store and politely informed the clerk: "I'm robbing you, sir." He explained and apologized, saying that he had bills to pay and a family to feed. He even promised to pay the money back if he ever got back on his feet. The man left the store with $300. Police quickly identified a suspect and arrested him after the surveillance video went viral and people called in with tips. You can learn more by clicking here.

If this edition of "Snippets and Soundbites" isn't enough, be sure to check out page 38 in this month's (and every month's) issue of ec. You can subscribe to ec here.

What we wish we knew in high school: The parents edition

Recently, we asked some people who are a little older and a bit wiser than you to share with us what they wish they had known when they were in high school. Here's what they had to say about parents:

“Believe it or not, your parents know what it’s like to be in high school. They do know what it’s like to have an exam, get dumped, or want to hang out on Friday nights. They’ve been there. When they make decisions about what you can and cannot do, they’re shaping them around their experiences, too. Don’t think they don’t know what it’s like.”
—Scott Latta, friend of ec

“I wish I’d known that my parents’ wisdom, leadership, and protection was for my own good and only served to bless and benefit me.”
—Kaylan Christopher, ec writer

“I wish I’d known that my parents missed me and wanted to spend time with me. I wish I’d known that they wanted to talk to me but didn’t have a clue how to start.”
—Pam Gibbs, friend of ec

“I wish I would [have] known that my parents were not always against me.” —Kaylie, ec reader




What are your thoughts on this topic? Is there anything you wish your parents understood better about you? Let us know in the comments!

Vantage Point

POINT OF VIEW
The first 23 minutes of the suspense movie Vantage Point (Columbia Pictures, 2008) is the apparent assassination of the American president during his speech at an anti-terror conference in Spain. For the next 67 minutes, viewers watch various portions of those 23 violent minutes re-played from the vantage point of others who were present on that Spanish plaza: a Secret Service agent; an American tourist with a video camera; a Spanish plainclothes cop; a mom and her young daughter. We get to see, through their eyes, a new perspective of the event. In the end, we learn the truth.

It would be nice if we could see a Hollywood version of our lives. Or better yet, a DVR version, where we could pause live life as it happens, back it up and see it again, maybe this time from another perspective. That way we could figure out why we didn’t make the cheerleading squad or why our parents never get along or why our lives seem to be so much harder than everyone else’s.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE
There is another vantage point, though. Actually, we’re closer to it than we think when we ask God why. The problem is that we often don’t stop and listen long enough when we ask Him that question. I don’t know if it’s because we’re afraid to see another vantage point, don’t want to, or don’t think God cares enough to show us. The reality is, if we’ll open our eyes and gaze upon the God who loves us, it’s like the camera angle on the movie spins, revealing to us a different perspective of our circumstances.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk asked, “How long, LORD, must I call for help and You do not listen or cry out to You about violence and You do not save?” (Hab. 1:2). The rest of the book is like a spiritual journal, Habakkuk asking God the tough questions and hearing God’s answers. In the end, Habakkuk saw God’s perspective and proclaimed, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” (Hab. 3:17-18).

In other words, Habakkuk learned to view his circumstances through God’s perspective.

NFL quarterback Drew Brees has asked God the tough questions. The final game of a disappointing 2005 season turned into huge uncertainty for Brees. Scrambling for a fumbled ball, Brees dislocated his shoulder, suffering what most believed to be a career-ending injury. Looking back, he reflects: “I truly believe that God can use anything—even an injury—for good. I believe that God has a plan for people’s lives, even when that plan doesn’t work out the way we think it should. I don’t think God dislocated my shoulder, but in the normal processes of life, he allowed that to happen. And I have the faith to believe there was a reason for it. But in that moment in the middle of the exam room with the tears flowing, my worldview was clouded. I was struggling. I felt right on the edge.”1

Clinging to their faith in Jesus, Brees and his wife refused to give up on life or on God. Five years later, having learned through faith the hidden power of adversity, Drew Brees was voted the Most Valuable Player as the quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions. The fact that he became a Super Bowl champion isn’t the point, though. The fact that he found perspective through faith in Jesus is the point.

Maybe you started reading this article hoping to find answers for your questions. Life’s not that easy. The power of hope in God is that it’s most often realized in the middle of adversity. We cannot guess, predict, or determine what challenges we will face tomorrow or even later on today. We can, however, determine, in the Lord’s strength, to view those challenges through the vantage point of God’s unchanging love and powerful presence. Ready for a change of perspective?

We know that you’re probably dealing with some pretty tough situations right now. A divorce. A death in your family. An illness, a disappointment, grief over a broken relationship, or a failure.

Take some time right now to think about the biggest problem you’re currently facing. What is it?
Why is it such a big deal? How is it affecting your life? What is your current attitude toward it?

Take some time to pray about your problem. Tell God what’s going on,
how you feel, and why this is so difficult. Pour out your heart to Him; He can handle
whatever you have to say.

Now, take some time to be silent before God. Focus on who He is and how He has helped you in the past. Ask Him to help you see your problem from His perspective and to open your eyes to how even this experience could be used for His glory.

Has your perspective changed at all?

1. Drew Brees, Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2010), 13.

Daily Bible Readings: February!

If you're craving some daily Bible readings, here they are for February:

Tuesday, February 1: Exodus 27–28; Matthew 18:1-20
Wednesday, February 2: Exodus 29–30; Matthew 18:21-35
Thursday, February 3: Exodus 31–32; Matthew 19:1-15
Friday, February 4: Exodus 33–34; Matthew 19:16-30
Saturday, February 5: Exodus 35–36; Matthew 20:1-16

Sunday, February 6: Exodus 37–38; Matthew 20:17-34
Monday, February 7: Exodus 39–40; Matthew 21:1-22
Tuesday, February 8: Leviticus 1–3; Matthew 21:23-46
Wednesday, February 9: Leviticus 4–5; Matthew 22:1-14
Thursday, February 10: Leviticus 6–8; Matthew 22:15-46
Friday, February 11: Leviticus 9–10; Matthew 23
Saturday, February 12: Leviticus 11–13; Matthew 24:1-31

Sunday, February 13: Leviticus 14–15; Matthew 24:32-51
Monday, February 14: Leviticus 16–18; Matthew 25:1-30
Tuesday, February 15: Leviticus 19–20; Matthew 25:31-46
Wednesday, February 16: Leviticus 21–23; Matthew 26:1-35
Thursday, February 17: Leviticus 24–25; Matthew 26:36-56
Friday, February 18: Leviticus 26–27; Matthew 26:57-75
Saturday, February 19: Numbers 1–2; Matthew 27:1-31

Sunday, February 20: Numbers 3–4; Matthew 27:32-66
Monday, February 21: Numbers 5–6; Mathew 28
Tuesday, February 22: Numbers 7; Mark 1:1-15
Wednesday, February 23: Numbers 8–10; Mark 1:16-45
Thursday, February 24: Numbers 11–12; Mark 2:1-13
Friday, February 25: Numbers 13–14; Mark 2:14-28
Saturday, February 26: Numbers 15–16; Mark 3:1-12

Sunday, February 27: Numbers 17–18; Mark 3:13-35
Monday, February 28: Numbers 19–21; Mark 4



Here are some highlights from this month's readings. When you come across them in your daily Bible readings, leave us a comment and let us know where you found them in Scripture!

"Moses slaughtered it, took some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot."


He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Notes from the editor: February issue

That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Queasiness. Clammy hands. Deep, overwhelming regret.
That’s the way I usually feel in the moment when I realize my careless words have hurt someone’s feelings or my inattention to detail caused me to make a big mistake at work. But none of that really compares to the way I feel when I recognize and admit that I have sinned against God. Devastated might be a better word.

I’ll admit that it hasn’t always been that way. There was a time in my life that while I understood I was a sinner in need of forgiveness, I’m not sure I comprehended the depth of my sinfulness or the fact that sin didn’t just displease God, it dishonored Him. That choosing to sin was like throwing God’s grace and goodness back in His face and telling Him I knew better. There came a point, though, when I realized my attitude toward sin didn’t quite match up with God’s. I found myself facedown on the floor repeating David’s words from Psalm 51, crying out for forgiveness.

I finally understood in that moment that sin really is a big deal. We like to think it isn’t or justify our actions by saying we can always ask for forgiveness later, but those attitudes mock a holy God who can have nothing to do with sin. We don’t take sin seriously. But God does.

But God also takes restoration seriously—and if there’s one thing you get out of this issue of ec, I hope it’s that. That God takes sin seriously, but He also takes loving you seriously and is willing and able to forgive and restore you. You’ll find that message of hope and restoration in Cynthia Hopkins’ cover story, “What’s the big deal with sin?” and in nearly every devotion this month. Take it to heart and dwell on it. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s true for everyone but you or that God couldn’t possibly still want you with all your flaws, sins, and bad choices. He loves you, and His love is relentless.

Let His relentless love overwhelm you this month. Let it change your attitude toward sin and challenge you to a life of obedience. Let it show up in the way you treat others and what you do and say on Facebook (see p. 46). February is the month of love, and I couldn’t think of a better time to celebrate the God who gave His one and only Son so that we could have a relationship with Him than now. Jesus loves you—and that’s a fact, not just a song you sang as a child. Believe it. Trust Him. Live in the overwhelming power of it.

You are the one Jesus loves. Be loved.