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The Coming Darwinism of iPhone Apps
Survival of the Fittest With 85,000 apps currently available for the iPhone, is it really possible that all are being used by a significant number of people, or will only the fittest survive? What makes an app able to survive? This article has a probable answer. —Linda Taylor
From the “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” Category These guys really really love bacon. So much so that you can order bacon-flavored envelopes—I mean, mmmvelopes—to make that lick-and-seal job so much more enjoyable. That next mailing will be much more fun this way . . . that is, if you love bacon! —Linda Taylor
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on this day in 1929.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a peacemaker. He believed that as Christians we are called to love our enemies. During his lifelong mission to gain civil rights for African Americans, Dr. King advocated nonviolent and peaceful actions as a way of change. To this end, Dr. King advocated sit-ins, boycotts, and other nonviolent strategies to end segregation laws that discriminated against African Americans. For his efforts, Dr. King was named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1963, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
Dr. King was well aware that this kind of love was difficult—impossible, even, if a person depends on his own efforts. Dr. King knew that love for those who hate you can come from only one source—Jesus. Dr. King called it “the love of God working in the lives of men. And when you rise to love on this level, you begin to love men, not because they are likeable, but because God loves them. You look at every man, and you love him because you know God loves him. And he might be the worst person you’ve ever seen.”
That, according to Dr. King, is what Jesus was talking about when he told us to love our enemies. For when we love like that, Dr. King said, that love has the power to change. He wrote, “We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way.”
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
Think of someone you consider an enemy. Do something nice for that person today—give her a compliment, save him a seat on the bus, or do him a favor. And in obedience to Jesus, pray for that enemy.
1777—The people of New Connecticut (now the state of Vermont) declared their independence from England.
1892—Rules for a brand-new game, involving attaching peach baskets to a suspended board, were first published in Springfield, Massachusetts. That game is now known as basketball.
1967—The first National Football League Super Bowl was played. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
Albert Schweitzer was born in 1875.
Albert Schweitzer was born in a small town in Germany. During his lifetime, he was known as a philosopher, a physician, and a humanitarian. At age 21, Schweitzer decided to dedicate the first part of his life to studying the arts, sciences, music, and theology. During that time, he became a respected writer on theology, an accomplished organist, and an authority on the life of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1905, Albert Schweitzer began to prepare for his other life—a life dedicated to serving others.
Schweitzer studied medicine, earned his degree in 1913, and then left for west Africa to establish a missionary hospital in Gabon. Except for a few short interruptions, Schweitzer spent his remaining 50 years in Africa fighting leprosy and sleeping sickness. For his work and dedication, Dr. Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. He later used the $33,000 prize to expand his missionary hospital and to build a leper colony.
But perhaps his most notable accomplishment was being called the greatest Christian of his time. Dr. Schweitzer served humanity through thought and action, what he called a “reverence for life.” In a speech given in 1935, Dr. Schweitzer advised students, “Those will be happy who are looking for, and are finding, how they can serve.”
Jesus said that serving others is the highest calling anyone can answer. He told his disciples that he had come not to be served, but give his very life in serving others. Should his followers do no less? Dr. Schweitzer didn’t think so.
“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Write down three ways you can serve others today.
It’s National Clean Off Your Desk Day
1784—The United States ratified a peace treaty with England, ending the Revolutionary War.
1952—NBC’s Today show premiered.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
Today is Blame Someone Else Day.
Do we really need a day devoted to blaming someone else? People have been blaming others since the very beginning of time. Remember Adam and Eve? When God confronted Adam in the garden and asked him if he had eaten fruit from the tree God had forbidden, what did Adam do? He blamed Eve. Then Eve blamed the serpent (check it out in Genesis 3:1-13). And the blame game continued on long after that. How about Aaron’s response when Moses asked why he had helped the people make a golden calf to worship? Here’s Aaron’s story: “They said to me, ‘Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moses, who led us out of Egypt.’ So I told them, ‘Bring me your gold earrings.’ When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire—and out came this calf” (Exodus 32:23, 24).
Have you ever blamed someone? For example, if you did poorly on a test, would you say, “I couldn’t study because my brother’s music was playing too loud,” or “I didn’t study enough”?
Maybe a better approach to “Blame Someone Else Day” is to step up and take responsibility for our actions. In fact, the Bible makes it very clear that we will be judged according to our own words and actions—not those of someone else. Jesus said, “The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
For we are each responsible for our own conduct (Galatians 6:5).
When was the last time you blamed someone else for something you did? Write that person a note or tell him that you take responsibility for what you did. Then see what kind of response you get.
1845—Anthony Faas of Philadelphia patented the accordion.
1928—Ernst F. W. Alexanderson gave the first public demonstration of television.
1930—The first Mickey Mouse comic strip was published.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
Hattie Caraway became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1932.
Born in Tennessee, Hattie Wyatt attended Dickson Normal College, where she met and married fellow student Thaddeus Horaitus Caraway. The couple soon moved to Arkansas. While her husband practiced law, Hattie cared for the family farm and the children. Thaddeus was elected to Congress in 1912, but Hattie couldn’t vote for him until women won the right to vote in 1920. Thaddeus was elected to the Senate, but died unexpectedly during his term in 1932. The Arkansas governor appointed Hattie to her husband’s seat, which was confirmed in a special election held on January 12 1932, making her the first elected woman senator.
Although Hattie maintained a “housewife” image in the Senate and made no speeches on the floor—earning her the nickname “Silent Hattie”—she learned much from her husband’s years of public service. Hattie took her legislator’s responsibilities seriously and built a reputation for integrity.
Centuries before Hattie Caraway lived, God had appointed a woman to represent him before the people. Deborah was the fourth and only female judge that God had appointed. All of Israel came under her jurisdiction, and from under a palm tree she dispensed wisdom and justice to the people. In addition, Deborah was a prophetess, an advocate for her people, and a warrior who helped her people successfully defeat a much stronger enemy. Deborah, like Hattie, took her responsibilities seriously and ruled with integrity.
When you have an opportunity to lead others you can learn from both Hattie and Deborah. As they did, take your responsibilities seriously and exercise your leadership with integrity and courage.
The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them (Proverbs 20:7).
Think of a woman whom you admire the most (it can even be your mom). Write down all the qualities that you admire the most in that person.
National Pharmacist Day
1773—The first public museum in America was established in Charleston, South Carolina.
1915—Congress established the Rocky Mountain National Park.
1966—Batman debuted on television.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
Today is International Thank You Day!
How are you at telling others thank you? Let’s take a quick thankfulness quiz.
Expressing thanks is not always our first response. Remember the ten lepers? Check out the Bible account in Luke 17:14-18. Jesus healed ten men who had leprosy, but only one returned to say thank you!
God is pleased when we say thanks and will teach us more about himself when we come to him with grateful hearts. Saying thank you to God and to others should be a part of our daily routine, like brushing our teeth or making our bed. Make it your habit today.
No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Who do you need to thank? Tell that person today—by email, phone, or handwritten note! You’ll be glad you did.
1755—Alexander Hamilton was born.
1770—The first shipment of rhubarb was sent to the United States from London.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
Ray Bolger was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1904.
Ray Bolger, the son of a housepainter, began his career as a song-and-dance man in Vaudeville back in the early 1930s. He brought his act to Broadway and eventually began making movies in 1936. Over the years he became known for his “rubbery” dancing style, which made him a natural when it came time to cast The Wizard of Oz. But Bolger at first refused the role assigned him—the Tin Man. Bolger said the part was too limiting for his talents, and thankfully, the directors agreed. Ray Bolger went on to make movie history as the endearing Scarecrow—a role that he became closely identified with in his lifetime.
As the Scarecrow, Bolger’s performance was unforgettable. We laughed at his clumsiness as he fell over himself trying to help Dorothy and the others. Our hearts were won over by his great concern for Dorothy’s situation and his cleverness in rescuing her from the Wicked Witch. Yet the Scarecrow believed, “I’m a failure because I haven’t got a brain.”
Sometimes we can fall into that same trap—believing that we are a failure because we aren’t smart enough, or fast enough, or tall enough, or whatever. But the truth is that God has created you and me exactly the way he planned from the very beginning of time. He has given us unique abilities and gifts to use for his work. So think about it. Are you like the Scarecrow, thinking you lack something that you already have? Ask God to help you see the unique gifts he has given to you.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well (Psalm 139:14, New International Version).
Ask one or two people who know you well (a parent, a teacher, or friend) to write down three things they admire most about you. How do their lists match with what you would write?
Volunteer Fireman’s Day
1863—The first underground passenger railway system opened in London.
1928—Children’s author Maurice Sendak was born.
1951—Donald Howard Rogers piloted the first passenger jet on a trip from Chicago to New York.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
In 1929, The Seeing Eye was incorporated in Nashville, Tennessee, with the purpose of training dogs to guide the blind.
Dorothy Harrison Eustis, an American living in Switzerland, was breeding and training German shepherd dogs for service to the Swiss Army and European police departments. While Mrs. Eustis realized the desirable characteristics of the breed—its alertness, stamina, and responsibility—she didn’t know the dog’s full potential. On a visit to a school, she saw German shepherds being trained as guides for blinded veterans of World War I. Deeply impressed, she wrote an article about the dogs, entitled “The Seeing Eye.”
That article reached a young man from Tennessee, Morris Frank, who wrote, “Thousands of blind like me abhor being dependent on others. . . . Train me and I will bring back my dog and show people here how a blind man can be absolutely on his own.” After training Mr. Frank in Switzerland with his dog Buddy, the three returned to the states and opened The Seeing Eye school in Nashville, Tennessee. Since 1929, the school has matched nearly 13,000 specially bred and trained dogs with nearly 6,000 men and women in North America.
During his three-year ministry on earth, Jesus didn’t just train the blind—he completely restored their sight (Matthew 9:27-31; 12:22; Mark 10:46-52). But Jesus’ mission was far more than just healing the physically blind. Jesus called those who were blind to their sin—the spiritually blind—to recognize their sin and turn to him for forgiveness. How is your spiritual eyesight?
Then Jesus told him, “I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (John 9:39).
Take a look at 2 Peter 1:3–9. Make a list of all the ways we are to grow if we have “spiritual sight.”
1913—Richard M. Nixon was born.
1902—New York State introduced a bill to outlaw public flirting.
1953—The United Nations opened its headquarters in New York City.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
In 1981, “Elvis Presley Day” was declared in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Elvis Presley was only 19 years old when he began his singing career in 1954. Two years later, he was an international sensation. Over the span of his 23-year career, Elvis sold over one billion records worldwide, more than anyone else in record industry history. He received 14 Grammy nominations (won three), 149 of his songs appeared on Billboard’s Top 100 Pop Chart in America, and he won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award when he was only 36 years old. He starred in 33 successful movies and made history with his television appearances and specials. But of all his many accomplishments the one Elvis reportedly treasured the most was being named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation in 1970—an award based on outstanding personal achievement, patriotism, humanitarianism, and community service.
Had there been such an award given back in 553 bc, certainly Daniel and his three friends would have been shoo-ins. Consider their accomplishments. The four Israelites were deported to a foreign country where they were forced into the king’s service. Alone, serving an arrogant king who worshipped idols, Daniel “made up his mind” to remain obedient to God despite his circumstances. He refused to accept the king’s food and wine, and his friends followed his example. God blessed their obedience and gave these young men special skills and abilities so that they found favor with the king. So it was not surprising that of all the young men in his service the king chose Daniel and his friends as outstanding young men of the day.
You don’t have to become an internationally known pop star to be an outstanding young man or woman. All it takes is what Daniel and his friends did—trusting and obeying God in whatever you do.
In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom (Daniel 1:20).
Read the story of Daniel and his three friends in Daniel chapters 1-4. Write down as many descriptions as you find of ways in which these four young men were outstanding.
National Bubble Bath Day
1958—Bobby Fisher won the U.S. Chess Championship for the first time at the age of 14.
From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.
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