In 1820, an American ship sank after being attacked by a whale.

The story goes, there was this great big fish that weighed over 80 tons. A whale actually, and it attacked this ship off the coast of South America and sank it!

You’re probably saying, “Oh yeah, sure. What a fish story.” But this one is true. The 283-ton Essex was a whaling ship that hailed from Nantucket, Massachusetts. It was out at sea in pursuit of sperm whales, which were hunted for their bone and oil. When the crew went after a bull whale, it rammed the ship twice. The 80-ton whale was able to capsize the ship. The 20 crew members were able to flee the ship in three open boats, but only five of the men survived to tell the tale.

If this story sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because the incident became the plot for another famous whale of a tale, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.

The Bible has its own fish story. A wayward prophet named Jonah once had a very close encounter with a large fish of his own. You remember—God told Jonah to go one way, but Jonah got on a ship and went off in the opposite direction. Then God sent a tremendous storm and the sailors, frightened for their lives, threw Jonah overboard to stop the storm.

God calmed the waters and then sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah to save him from drowning. Talk about your fish tales!

Some people think that the story of Jonah and the whale is just that—a fish story. But if we believe that God is who he said he is, then we need to trust everything about him. Jesus himself used the story of Jonah living in the belly of a fish for three days as an illustration of his death and resurrection (Matthew 12:39, 40).

And that’s no fish story!

For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40).

To Do

Read the book of Jonah, all four chapters. What do you think is the most amazing part of that story? Share it with someone in your family.

Also on this day

Today is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day.

1941—The U.S. State Department started requiring photographs for passports.

1959—The United Nations adopted the Declaration of Children’s Rights.

1967—At 11 AM, the Census Clock at the Department of Commerce ticked past 200 million people.

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 Have a Bad Day Day.

We all have had our share of bad days. You remember—like the day when you got up late for school, you couldn’t find a pair of socks that matched, your hair wouldn’t lie down straight, and then you discovered that your dog really had eaten your homework.

And that’s before you even walked out the door! It got worse. You ran into your first class only to hear your teacher say, “Put your books away. We’re having a pop quiz.” Then you discovered at lunch that you picked up your brother’s lunch instead of yours. And he likes sardines with peanut butter! Do you need to hear more?

The apostle Paul had a couple of very bad, no-good, horrible days. In fact, he probably could claim he had some bad, no-good, horrible weeks, months, even years. Listen to some of what Paul experienced as he carried the gospel of Jesus Christ from place to place: “Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked . . . “ (2 Corinthians 11:24-25.) Paul lived with weariness, pain, sleepless nights. He went without food, clothing, or water.

Talk about your bad days! And what was Paul’s reaction to all that he experienced? He was glad. Why? Because Paul had learned that through his weaknesses, through his very worst moments, Jesus’ strength and power were demonstrated. At his very lowest, Paul was able to have confidence and courage because of Jesus’ words: “My power works best in your weaknesses.”

The same is true for you. Jesus promises to be there when all else is falling apart in your life. So bring it on. Have a Bad Day Day—and don’t sweat it.

Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

To Do

Ask someone in your family to tell you about their “very bad, no-good” day. Then tell them why it really wasn’t so bad, after all.

Also on this day

1863—Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

1895—The “paper pencil” was patented by Frederick E. Blaisdell.

1954—Two automatic toll collectors were placed in service on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey.

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 2001, the GameCube® home video game console was released in the United States.

In 2001, Nintendo launched the sales of its latest video game console—the GameCube®. Unlike the flat reception the video game console received in Japan, the U.S. launch smashed all previous sales records. GameCube became the fastest-selling console of all time.

Video games can be fun and exciting. With the help of state-of-the-art graphics and special effects, players can jump into the cockpit of a space ship or explore an ancient fantasy world on horseback. And no matter what happens during the course of the game, if you need to stop, you simply hit the pause button, save your game, and pick it up again on another day.

And here’s the beauty of video games—there are no consequences. Or at least no real consequences. Sure, you might lose points for not hitting enough targets. Or you might not make it to the next level. But you get as many chances as you want to go back and replay the game.

Real life is nothing like the video games we play. When you make a choice or decide to take a certain action, there are consequences. For example, maybe you choose not to study for the math test. Possible consequence? A failed test. Or maybe you decide you don’t have time to help your friend. Consequence? A hurt relationship that needs fixing.

Sometimes we get a retest, or our friend forgives us and gives us another chance. But as the writer of Proverbs advises, it is wiser to consider the consequences of a particular action or decision beforehand.

A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences (Proverbs 27:12).

To Do

It’s time for “Decisions and Consequences.” Think of the decisions you made today. What were the consequences? What might be some possible future consequences?

Also on this day

1820—Captain Nathaniel Palmer became the first American to sight the continent of Antarctica.

1928—Mickey Mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie.

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 1913, Kaiser Wilhelm banned the German armed forces from dancing the tango.

The tango was born in the back streets of Buenos Aires among the hundreds of thousands of Europeans who emigrated to South America looking for a new life. The dance was a combination of the many different cultures and dance styles represented in that mix of backgrounds.

Despite its humble beginnings, the dance was quickly adopted by the high-class Parisian dance salons and took Europe by storm. It became fashionable to throw tango parties and tango tea dances. By the early 1900s, the dance had become so popular that it attracted the attention of many church and government leaders.

Because of its daring character, Cardinal Amette in Paris declared that “Christians should not in good conscience take part in it.” Then Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany forbade his officers to dance the tango while in uniform, describing the dance as “an affront to common decency.”

Despite these bans the tango survived, particularly through the First World War, as people sought distractions from the horror of war. Today the tango is part of any ballroom dancing repertoire, and its effects on “common decency” are no longer feared.

Dancing, in all its various forms and styles, has frequently been a source of controversy. King David came under scrutiny by his wife Michal when he danced with abandon before the Ark of the Lord. As Michal watched her husband (and king) leaping and twirling with joy, she had nothing but contempt for him. In her eyes David was making a complete fool of himself, and yes, was even “an affront to common decency.”

But David saw it differently. How else could he express his irrepressible joy before God? After all, he had much to celebrate. As he told Michal, he had been chosen over her father Saul to be the next king of Israel. It was worth acting like a fool to David in order to show his joy in the Lord.

How can you show your joy to God today?

I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord (2 Samuel 6:21).

To Do

Close the door to your room, put on your favorite praise song CD, and dance before the Lord to show him your joy.

Also on this day

Today is National Remembrance Day.

1869—The Suez Canal opened in Egypt, linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

1973—U.S. President Richard Nixon told the national press, “people got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a crook.”

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, in the Peanuts comic strip, Lucy first held a football for Charlie Brown.

Any fan of Peanuts knows the scenario: Lucy promises to hold the football for Charlie Brown as he runs up and kicks it. Charlie Brown approaches the ball, and just as he is about to boot it, Lucy pulls the football away. Charlie Brown flies into the air and lands on his backside.

The gag started back in 1952, and it never changed. Lucy would promise, Charlie Brown would trust her, and then BOOM! He was back on the ground. When you see Charlie Brown hand his football to Lucy you want to shout, “Don’t do it, Charlie Brown! She hasn’t kept her promise yet! Don’t trust her!”

You probably can think of a time when someone broke a promise to you. Maybe a friend promised to come to your volleyball game and never showed up. Or your parent promised to take you to the movies and then didn’t. Whenever a promise is broken, it feels as if someone has just pulled the football out from under us. We’re disappointed, hurt, and we’re a little reluctant to trust that person again.

That’s why we need to be good promise-keepers, so we don’t pull a Lucy on someone else. Our words are important.

When Moses gave God’s laws to the Israelites, he made sure they understood that the promises they made were binding. No one was going to force them to fulfill their vows, but a broken promise meant a broken trust and a broken relationship.

If you want others to consider you a trustworthy person, make sure you keep your promises. Do exactly as you say you are going to do.

A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do (Numbers 30:2).

To Do

So how are you doing in the promise-keeping department? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest promise-keeper ever. What can you do to improve your ratings?

Also on this day

Today is National Moms and Dads Day.

This is Life Writing Month.

1864—Union General William T. Sherman and his troops began their famous March to the Sea during the Civil War.

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 1901, Miller Reese Hutchinson patented an electrical hearing aid.

Up until the early 1900s, people who suffered a loss in hearing had to rely on ear trumpets and hearing tubes that were designed to amplify sound. Early hearing aids took on many styles. Some were large and cumbersome; others were smaller in an attempt to make them inconspicuous. Some were inexpensive, made from materials like tin, while others were crafted out of silver.

However, all the devices operated on the principle of collecting sound from a relatively large area and funneling it into a smaller space. As the sound moved into a progressively smaller space and into the ear, the sound strengthened. Hearing tubes served to conserve sound energy by restricting it to a smaller space as it moved from a sound source to a person’s ear.

In the 1890s, inventors wanted to create a hearing device that would be more powerful than trumpets or tubes. Miller Reese Hutchinson was the first to patent a practical electrical hearing aid in 1901. Hutchinson’s hearing aid used carbon to transmit sound. Although it caused a lot of static and sound distortion, the electrical hearing aid indeed provided more powerful amplification. And it was the basis for the modern-day hearing aid.

Although such devices are undeniably helpful in assisting people in hearing, there is no man-made device that aids in listening. Jesus made a great distinction between hearing and listening. On several occasions Jesus referred to people as having ears that did not hear (Matthew 13:14, 15). They heard what Jesus was saying, but because they had closed their hearts to his message, they didn’t obey it.

Jesus talks about a different kind of hearing that requires listening with your mind and your heart. It means taking time to reflect on what God’s Word says and then to act on it.

Do you hear Jesus now?

Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! (Mark 4:9).

To Do

Spend some time listening to Jesus with your mind and your heart. What do you hear him saying?

Also on this day

Today is America Recycles Day.

1806—Explorer Zebulon Pike spotted the mountaintop that became known as Pikes Peak.

1849—The first U.S. poultry show opened in Boston.

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 1972, Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike®.

One of the most successful sports companies ever, Nike® began as a small distributor of Japanese running shoes, operated out of Phil Knight’s car. But founders of Blue Ribbon Sports, Bill Bowerman and Knight, had a greater vision: to design a lighter, more durable racing shoe for runners that would make them go faster.

The two combined marketing strategy and their own design for a “waffle” running shoe that eventually caught on in the running community. The company took off in 1972, when Knight developed the trademark swoosh (which he bought from an art student for $35) and changed the name to Nike. Years later, the company got its biggest boost when they signed NBA rookie Michael Jordan to endorse and launch the new Air Jordan shoes—the longest lasting line in all of shoe history.

Nike began selling running shoes not only to athletes, but to everyone. Its motto, “Just do it,” has become one of the most successful ad campaigns ever, lasting more than 12 years. The slogan was Nike’s way of telling people, no matter who they are, that if they wear the shoes, they can do it!

It’s not a bad slogan for our faith. If you believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit, you will be able to “Just do it!” Paul says that to Timothy in his parting words to his young friend. Timothy had been facing opposition to his leadership and his message because of his youth. In what is essentially a fired-up pep talk, Paul urges Timothy to be bold—to go for it, to just do it. Because Timothy had the Holy Spirit, he had a faith based in power, love, and discipline.

If you have the Holy Spirit, you do too. Just do it!

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).

To Do

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength and boldness to share your faith with your non-Christian friends.

Also on this day

1832—The first streetcar went into operation.

1889—New York World reporter Nellie Bly began an attempt to surpass the fictitious journey of Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Bly succeeded by finishing the journey in 72 days, 6 hours, and 11 minutes.

1969—Apollo 12 blasted off for the moon from Cape Kennedy, 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.

Today is National World Kindness Day.

Remember a time when someone acted kindly toward you? Maybe someone stopped to help you pick up your books when you dropped them in the crowded school hallway. Or maybe someone noticed you sitting by yourself in the lunchroom and sat with you. Or maybe someone gave you a cold drink of water while you were outside on a hot summer day.

We rarely forget such acts. A little kindness can get us through a bad day, or help us to finish a task. Kindness by its very definition is doing something that pleases others—not ourselves. When we receive an act of kindness, it means that someone is more concerned about us than they are themselves. Kindness is treating others with love and respect. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

What’s even more amazing is that God acts with kindness toward every one of us. Think about it. What have you done today that makes you deserving of God’s kindness? The answer is probably nothing. On a daily basis none of us is deserving of God’s unending kindness.

How does God treat us kindly? First, by sending his Son Jesus to die for us and to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. Second, by giving us time to recognize this fact and to turn from our sinful ways. God is infinitely patient, infinitely loving, and infinitely kind.

So next time you have an opportunity to show a little kindness to someone else, remember God’s kindness toward you. And take the time to stop and lend a hand, listen to a friend, or befriend someone who is looking a bit down.

Kindness goes a long way.

Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? (Romans 2:4).

To Do

Go ahead. Show God’s kindness to someone by conducting your own “kindness raid.” Do something nice for someone else, but don’t tell!

Also on this day

1789—Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to a friend in which he said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except for death and taxes.”

1805—Johann George Lehner, a Viennese butcher, invented the frankfurter.

1907—The first helicopter flight lasted 20 seconds and took place just a foot off the ground.

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 1954, Ellis Island, the immigration station in New York Harbor, closed after processing more than 20 million immigrants since 1892.

During its peak years between 1892 and 1924, Ellis Island received nearly 12 million immigrants hoping to enter America’s “front doors to freedom.” Thousands of immigrants arrived each day, standing in long lines waiting to be studied for any signs of disability or disease.

From the moment they arrived the immigrants were under inspection. Public Health Service doctors looked for anyone who wheezed, coughed, shuffled, or limped as they climbed the stairs to the great hall of the Registry Room. Following that initial inspection, another group of doctors examined each immigrant, checking for 60 different symptoms.

Passing that inspection, the hopeful immigrant then waited in another line for five hours to reach the next station. Here inspectors verified 29 bits of information, such as age, occupation, martial status, and destination, in order to determine an immigrant’s “social, economic, and moral fitness.” During the peak years of Ellis Island’s operation, nearly 20 percent of all immigrants were detained before being allowed into the country.

Imagine if we had to go through an intense entrance examination before entering Heaven. God could ask such questions as these: Are you healthy enough? Have you helped anyone recently? Do you obey your mom and dad? When was the last time you sinned? Can you name all the books of the Bible?

Thankfully for us, there is only one question that we need to answer when we arrive at Heaven’s doors. Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? For, as the Bible tells us, it is by faith in Jesus Christ, in believing that he died for our sins once for all, that we gain entrance into eternal life.

That’s it. Test over. How would you do?

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved (Romans 10:10).

To Do

Nearly 100 million Americans today can trace their roots back to Ellis Island. Check into your family history to see if any family members passed through Ellis Island.

Also on this day

1859—The first flying trapeze act was performed by Jules Leotard at Cirque Napoleon in Paris, France. He was also the designer of the garment that is named after him.

1915—Theodore W. Richards of Harvard University became the first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

1940—Walt Disney released Fantasia.

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 Veterans Day.

In 1921, an unknown American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similar ceremonies had occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (Westminster Abbey in England and the Arc de Triomphe in France).

These memorial services all took place on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Armistice Day was recognized as a holiday and 12 years later it became a national holiday. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all war veterans.

In issuing his Armistice Day proclamation, President Woodrow Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.”

The day is a solemn occasion to honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice—giving up their lives for their country, for peace, for justice, and for the end of tyranny. While the death of any soldier is tragic, we can more readily understand the loss of life when the cause is, as President Wilson said, peace and justice. We would find it harder to accept dying for a cause that is evil or bad.

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t die for just people, or even good people. He died for sinners—people who were weak, who ignored God, and who did wrong things. He died for us because he loved us.

That is the greatest sacrifice.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

To Do

Visit your local cemetery and honor a war veteran by placing flowers on the grave.

Also on this day

1620—The Mayflower Compact was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower when they landed in what is now Provincetown Harbor. The compact called for “just and equal” laws.

1938—Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” on the radio.

1946—The New York Knickerbockers (now the Knicks) played their first game at Madison Square Garden.

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.