Serving publishers by bringing Bible-centered ideas to life
Vampire Titles a New Vein in Christian Stores
Who could have guessed it? A couple of years ago, few of us would have seen that the next trend following on the heels of Christian Amish fiction would be Christian vampire fiction. If only I could see into the future—but then, no one would have believed me. Hey, I know! How about an Amish vampire? —Linda Taylor
On the Ropes? Robert Darnton’s Case for Books
Books Are Not Dead! Mark Twain declared, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." Well, Robert Darnton says the same is true of books. Reports that books will soon be like the dinosaurs are, well, greatly exaggerated. Good news for us! —Linda Taylor
A Shout-Out to Editors Editing is a job made in heaven for us word lovers. And Beth Wareham’s commentary in Publishers Weekly helps me remember why I love my job. It’s nice not to have to say "no" all the time; I get to just help the writing be better. —Linda Taylor
Exciting Announcement about the NIV Translation
Making a Great Thing Even Better There’s no doubt about the popularity of the NIV. President and CEO Moe Girkins announces an update to the popular version. Also check out the accompanying link, www.NIVBible2011.com —Linda Taylor
This is World Smile Day.
Have you ever had one of those days when everyone seems to be in a bad mood? When that happens, we feel yucky—the bad mood seems to spread from person to person. Smiles are rare on days like that.
On the other hand, think of the difference a smile makes. Imagine you’re walking home from school after a hard day. Head down, you’re shuffling along. Coming toward you is someone you haven’t seen for a couple of days. This person greets you by name and with a huge smile. Immediately you feel better, and you may even smile back.
If a bad mood is contagious, smiles are even more so. When you smile at someone, that person probably will return the smile. And the smiling will help raise your mood, even if it’s just a tiny bit.
“Isn’t that phony?” you ask. “Should I smile even when I don’t feel like it?”
That’s a good question. The secret is to think of a reason to smile. You will feel like smiling when you remember everything good that God is doing in your life.
You’re reading this, so God must have given you sight. He gave you the ability to learn to read. And where did you get this book? If it was a gift, God gave you someone who thought enough of you to buy something for you. If you bought it yourself, then God gave you the money and the time and the opportunity.
Those reasons for smiling may seem small, but they’re important. Add to that list your other physical and mental abilities, family members and friends, and church, school, special groups, clothes, food, entertainment, and transportation. Don’t forget love, peace, freedom, and friendship.
But the best gift of all is Jesus. He left Heaven to live and die to pay for you, so you could have forgiveness and eternal life. Even on the worst day, that’s a reason for joy, and a reason to smile!
For sure God has smiled on you—pass it on.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you (Numbers 6:25).
This is an easy one. For the next 24 hours, try smiling at everyone you meet. Watch how they react. Then thank God for one of his amazing gifts to you.
This is National Come and Take It Day. (I hope “it” is free!)
1921—The World Series was broadcast on radio for the first time.
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.
This is International Toot Your Flute Day.
You’ve probably never celebrated Toot Your Flute Day, or even heard of it. This sounds a lot like “blow your own horn,” an old expression that means bragging or boasting about yourself and your accomplishments. Neither of these sayings is about music—just talking. The basic idea is that we ought to broadcast our accomplishments and let people know what we’ve done.
That may sound tempting to do when no one seems to notice our victories or good deeds and others seem to get all the credit and recognition. We can feel like screaming, “Hey! Look at me! Here’s what I did!” And having an International Day like this one seems to give us permission to let everyone know how good we are.
The Bible has another idea, wrapped up in the word humility.
As you read Scripture, you will come upon this word and idea quite often—everything from “The Lord . . . shows favor to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34) to “Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
Being humble means doing what we know is right and not caring who gets the credit. It means working on the fringes, outside the spotlight. It involves serving faithfully.
Having humility is difficult in a world where pride rules, where people trash talk, flaunt their accomplishments, parade their trophies, and strive to be No.1. It doesn’t seem fair that no one notices or appears to care about us or what we do.
But God sees . . . and he cares.
Today’s verse provides a powerful reminder—God is “mighty” and “in his good time” he will honor us. And his honor is the only one that really matters anyway.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you (1 Peter 5:6).
Today, purposely do something for someone anonymously. In other words, do a good deed without ever letting the person know that you were the one who did it. You could give a gift, clean a sibling’s room, pick up trash in the park—be creative. Remember, no matter how tempting, never tell anyone what you did. The point is not to get credit but to know the pure joy of humble service.
This is National Denim Day. Can you say jeans?
1648—The first volunteer fire department was established in New York City by Peter Stuyvesant.
1957—The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I into orbit around the Earth. It was the first human-made satellite to enter space.
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.
This is Techies Day.
The nickname techie implies someone who knows how things work—especially computers, cell phones, PDAs, and other technical devices. We tend to think of such a person as intelligent, though maybe weak in social skills or relationships. That’s because many techies wrap their lives in technology just about every minute. So they don’t have time for playing sports, singing, or messing around with friends.
While there’s no doubt that our lives ought to be balanced, we need to be careful about pre-judging others. Remember that God created each person, including you, with unique characteristics, abilities, and potential in every area of life. Every individual is strong in some area and weak in another. We need to celebrate each other’s strengths and accommodate each other’s weaknesses.
Several years ago the United Negro College Fund began using the slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” as they raised money for their cause. It’s true! God gave us our brains, our minds, and he wants us to use them, not waste or abuse them.
Jesus told his followers that they were to love God, “with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Using our minds the way God intended involves thinking (what we dwell on, daydream about, and focus on), studying (learning about ourselves, the world, and God), and doing (putting into practice what we learn). Our minds control just about everything else that we do—no wonder they’re so important. Want proof? Check out today’s verse.
You can be smart, intelligent, and use your brain without becoming a techie. Love the “Lord your God . . . with all your mind.”
If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace (Romans 8:6).
In honor of Techies Day, spend time with a techie today. You may want to grab a snack after school with him or her. Ask what he or she has been working on lately. Probably you’ll learn something. Oh yeah—ask God to help you use your mind for his glory.
This is National Carmel Custard Day (sounds yummy).
1955—The Mickey Mouse Club premiered on ABC-TV.
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.
This is World Farm Animals Day.
“That’ll happen when pigs fly!” You’ve probably heard that expression and may even have used it a time or two. It means, “It will never happen!” Just think how thrilled all those chickens, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs are! You could check every farm, all over the world, and you’d never find that a pig has ever sprouted wings and then flown across the barnyard. If it ever happens . . . now that would be news!
Tons of things can seem impossible, almost as far-fetched as a flying pig. That’s what the disciples thought after hearing Jesus one day. Jesus had said that a camel could go through the eye of a needle easier than a rich man could get into Heaven. As you might imagine, the disciples exclaimed, “Then who in the world can be saved?” (Mark 10:26).
That’s when Jesus said, “Everything is possible with God.”
Does that mean we should be on the lookout for flying pigs? No. But God could give them wings if he wanted to—he can do anything and everything. What is means is that we should never give up on people or situations that seem impossible to us.
God tells us to pray, to bring all our requests to him (Mark 11:24; Ephesians 6:18; 1 John 5:14, 15). So we should be talking with him about everything, even impossibilities: a relationship that has soured, a sick friend, an unbelieving friend who seems so far from the Lord—all our fears, hopes, and dreams. God specializes in the impossible.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” (Mark 10:27).
What seemingly “impossible” situation do you face at home, at school, with friends, or some other situation? Spend time, right now, praying about it. Then thank God for his answer and be ready to accept it.
1869—Mahatma Gandhi was born.
1950—The Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schultz first appeared in newspapers.
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.
On this day in 1952, the show This Is Your Life began airing on NPC TV.
You may have heard of this popular television show. Each week, Ralph Edwards, the host, would walk in carrying a large book and say to a shocked person: “________ (person’s name), this is your life.” Then for the next half-hour, significant people from the past would be ushered in one at a time, much to the surprise and delight of the guest. Edwards might say, for example, “This person was your closest companion for three years . . . your babysitter!” Then the former babysitter would walk in and the two would hug, and the babysitter would tell something about the honored person. That may sound boring, but it could be a very emotional show, especially when family and old friends would be reunited.
How would that show play out for you if it were held today? Who would you like to see from your past—people with whom you were close or who played important roles in your life. They could include a friend from your old neighborhood, a favorite teacher, your former piano teacher, a distant relative, or even a babysitter.
Now think of those who should have you on their shows. Have you been that close to anyone in the past? Have you made a significant impact on anyone’s life?
It’s always good to think about this as we live each day because the days pass so quickly, and, before we know it, the years fly by too. Think back to the wall plaque we talked about in August that said “Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” It’s true.
That means we should be living each day as though it counts for eternity. So think about it: If God were to surprise you with “This is your life,” what important events would he highlight?
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35, 36).
Get the addresses from your parents for a few of the significant people in your past. Then write each one a thank-you note.
This is National Heart Magic Day.
This is International Day of Older Persons.
1971—Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.
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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