On this day in 1881 the American Red Cross was founded.

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has donated blood, time, money, food, medicine, and other forms of relief to people in need. Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse, helped found the organization after hearing about the Swiss-inspired International Red Cross movement while visiting Europe. She returned home to campaign for the formation of a group that would provide lifesaving services and relief during times of war and in times of disasters.

For 23 years, Barton headed up the Red Cross. During that time, the organization conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, providing aid to the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War. Since then the Red Cross has added first aid, water safety, and public health nursing programs. In World War II alone, the Red Cross recruited 104,000 nurses, shipped over 300,000 tons of supplies, and initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces.

Organizations like the Red Cross provide vital services for people in need on a large-scale basis. They provide welcome care and relief for those who are hurting, hungry, or homeless because of war or a disaster. The kind of help they offer is basic and essential.

Jesus loved and cared for the poor and the sick, and his followers should also. We may not be able to travel across the country or to other parts of the world to help people in need like those in the Red Cross. But it won’t take too much time to find someone who has fundamental needs—food, clothing, medical help, or a place to stay—in your own community.

When we care for those around us in need, no matter how small or simple an act, it is as if we have given it directly to Jesus himself.

“I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40, The Message).

To do

Come up with a list of ideas of how you can become more involved in caring for others.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Waiter/Waitress Day.

1819—The first bicycles in the United States were introduced in New York City.

1964—The first nuclear-powered lighthouse began operations at Chesapeake Bay.

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 1506 Christopher Columbus died.

Christopher Columbus, the great Italian explorer, was the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings in the 10^th century. But it was not an easy undertaking. Columbus’ bid to explore the New World was rejected once by the king of Portugal and at least twice by the Spanish King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella before he found support for his journey.

In all, Columbus made four voyages to the New World. On his last voyage in 1502, he sailed for what is now Central America, searching for gold and a strait to connect him to the East Indies. But his ship was in such poor condition that Columbus and his crew were marooned on Jamaica for a year before a rescue ship arrived. He returned to Spain to discover that Queen Isabella had died three weeks earlier and that the king would no longer see him. Columbus died two years later a disappointed man, without fully realizing the scope of his achievement and how it had changed the world.

In Hebrews chapter 11, we discover that many of God’s people died without fully realizing the promises that God had given to them (Hebrews 11:13). Abraham died without seeing the nation that his descendants would one day become. The prophets died without seeing the Messiah, whose birth they had predicted. But what they did have was faith—”The confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen” (Hebrews 11:1). They did not die disappointed because they had a vision of heaven, “a better place, a heavenly homeland.”

It’s easy to get discouraged when circumstances get tough or when our plans don’t work out. That’s when we need to take courage from such heroes of the faith as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, and to live in faith as they did.

All of these people we have mentioned received God’s approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised (Hebrews 11:39).

To Do

Read Hebrews chapter 11. Then compose an acrostic for F-A-I-T-H that helps you understand what it means to live by faith. For example, F could stand for Future dreams; A for Always believe, and so on.

Also on this day . . .

1837—Levi Strauss and his partner patented jeans.

1927—Charles Lindbergh flew his historic solo nonstop transatlantic flight.

1932—Amelia Earhart made her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

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.

About midday on this day in 1780 near-total darkness descended on much of New England. The cause is still unexplained.

The days preceding May 19, 1780 in the New England region had featured unusually colored skies—a dirty yellow tinge with a reddish-brown hue. But no one was prepared for what was to take place on this particular day. During the morning hours the region became unusually dark.

By noon, complete darkness had taken hold. The birds began their evening songs, then stopped singing completely and disappeared. The frogs began to peep. Chickens returned to their roosts, and the cows began their slow walk back to the barns from the pasture. Travel became nearly impossible. Professor Daggett of New Haven, Connecticut reported: “The greatest darkness at least equal to what was commonly called candle-lighting in the evening. The appearance was indeed uncommon, and the cause unknown.”

On three different occasions, the Bible refers to the conditions of complete darkness: during Creation when the earth was empty and “cloaked in darkness” (Genesis 1:2, 4); during the ninth plague when God brought upon the Egyptians a “deep and terrifying darkness” (Exodus 10:21); and when Jesus hung on the cross, from “noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock” (Matthew 27:45).

In the Bible, darkness has always been associated with judgment of God and with evil. In fact, during the darkness that fell upon New England that day many people thought it was the final Judgment Day and attended hastily assembled church services.

The Bible also warns us to not only stay away from the “works of darkness” but to expose them. How do we do that? By remaining connected and by being willing to speak out against what we know is wrong. To do otherwise is to remain in the dark.

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them (Ephesians 5:11).

To Do

Sit for about five minutes in total darkness. Afterward, reflect on how that felt being in darkness. How did it feel to come back into the light?

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Do Dah Day.

1884—Ringling Brothers opened its first circus.

1995—The world’s youngest doctor, Balamurali Ambati, 17, graduated from Mount Sinai Medical School.

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 Visit Your Relatives Day.

What’s your first reaction to the news that you will be spending the weekend with your relatives? Do you immediately want to jump in the car and say, “Let’s go!”? Or are you desperately thinking of any reason as to why you just can’t make it?

Maybe you are fortunate to have “relatively” (pardon the pun!) normal aunts, uncles, and grandparents. But if you are like most people, you probably have one or two relatives that are challenging to be with. You know the type: the aunt who insists on sending you the Christmas sweater with Santa on it and wonders why you’re not wearing it. Or the uncle who tells the same jokes over and over and over. Or the great-aunt who can’t help but pinch your check and say, “My how you have grown!”

The good news is that families—and that includes all your relatives—are one of God’s greatest resources! From the very beginning, God made us to live in families (Genesis 1:27, 28). God commanded that our families help teach us about him (Deuteronomy 4:10). We worship with our families (1 Corinthians 16:19) and celebrate with them (Deuteronomy 14:26). Families are where we go for acceptance, encouragement, guidance, and advice. When everyone else disappears, our families are there for us.

So when you think about it, our families are a wonderful gift from God. Celebrate your family—and the relatives, too—by giving them the honor and respect they deserve.

Everyone will live quietly in their own homes in peace and prosperity, for there will be nothing to fear. The Lord Almighty has promised this! (Micah 4:4).

To Do

Write letters to (or email) a couple of your relatives. Ask them to share a story about their family when they were your age.

Also on this day . . .

Today is Armed Forces Day.

1642—The Canadian city of Montreal was founded.

1986—David Goch finished swimming 55,682 miles in a 25-yard pool.

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 Pack Rat Day.

Consider yourself a pack rat if you have: more than a dozen stuffed animals under your bed; if you have worksheets from first grade in your desk drawers; or if you still have five-year-old magazines tucked away in the closet.

By definition, a pack rat is a person who can’t bear to throw away anything. Now, we all have our pack rat tendencies—some items that we just can’t part with. You may have the box of swim team ribbons that you hold on to long after you have quit the team, or the Pokémon cards you’re saving . . . just in case they make a comeback.

Did you know that a person can be a spiritual pack rat? Take the Pharisees, for example. These were a group of religious leaders during Jesus’ time who were the keepers of the rules. They strictly followed the Ten Commandments, but then they had also added hundreds of their own rules, traditions, and teachings to God’s law. And they believed that their rules were just as important as God’s rules. Like pack rats, they had collected all these rules over the years and then tried to force others to follow and live by their rules.

By Jesus’ day, the people were under a terrible burden trying their best to keep all those rules. Jesus said, “[The religious leaders] crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden” (Matthew 23:4). Thankfully for the people then (and for us today), Jesus came to take that burden away.

Believing in Jesus is what connects us to God. It’s all you need to have eternal life. No amount of rules—no matter how many you accumulate or follow—will earn your way into heaven.

For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light (Matthew 11:30).

To Do

Take a look in your closet, or under your bed, or in your desk. Throw out anything you haven’t used in a long time!

Also on this day . . .

1804—Napoleon became the Emperor of France.

1875—The first Kentucky Derby was held at Churchill Downs.

1989—The longest cab ride ever was recorded at 14,000 miles and cost $16,000.

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 1770 Louis married Marie Antoinette.

When Louis, the French heir to the throne, married Marie Antoinette, the daughter of the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, he hoped the union would strengthen France. Four years later, following the death of King Louis XV, those plans took a step forward as the two were crowned king and queen of France.

The plan, however, was doomed to failure. Louis was unable to deal with the severe financial problems his country faced. Even worse, his wife had adopted an extravagant lifestyle that was greatly criticized by the French people. Under Marie’s influence, the two became dangerously indifferent to the plight of the people, many of whom were struggling to feed their families from day to day. In what has become a legendary episode, Marie reportedly responded to news that the French people had no bread to eat by declaring, “Let them eat cake.” The king and queen of France paid for their arrogance and indifference to the poor people in their country with their lives.

It was this same attitude that God condemned through the prophet Amos: “Listen to me, you “fat cows” of Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy . . .” (Amos 4:1). God’s heart has always been for the downtrodden, the oppressed, the poor, and the needy. Consider what God told his people: “There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need” (Deuteronomy 15:11).

If we love Jesus, we need to obey God’s commands to share what we have and help those less fortunate than we are. What can you do today to reach out to those who need your help?

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty (Proverbs 28:27).

To Do

Collect some canned food and other items from your family and neighbors. Take several bags of food to the nearest food bank.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Bike to Work Day.

1866—Charles Elmer Hires invented root beer.

1965—Spaghetti-O’s went on sale.

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 True Confession Day.

When some people think about “true confessions,” they think of the outrageous headlines of the supermarket tabloids: “I was a Teen-age werewolf,” or “I weighed 500 pounds and never left my house” or “I was raised in the forest by a pack of wild dogs.”

For a Christian, “True Confession Day” is every day. When we confess our sins, we are in essence telling Jesus that we know what we’ve done is wrong and that we are willing to turn from it. We are recognizing that we have this problem called sin and that we need Jesus’ help in overcoming it. Through confession we are making sure that we don’t try to hide our wrongdoings from God.

And confession is not just for “sensational” sins. It includes the most basic of wrongs we’ve done (“I called my brother stupid”). True confession for a follower of Jesus is all about reconnecting with God, because we understand that our sin separates us from him. We not only admit our past sins, but we commit ourselves to try not to sin again in the future.

So what happens as a result of confession? That’s the wonderful part. When we confess our sins, the Bible tells us that God “is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” We are restored into fellowship with him again. It means we don’t have to confess the same sin over and over again. It also means that we don’t need to be perfect before God in order for him to accept us. He knows we can’t do that. It isn’t humanly possible. That’s why he sent his Son to die on the cross for us.

True confession brings true forgiveness and restores true fellowship with God.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong (1 John 1:9).

To Do

Take a few minutes to think about what you need to confess right now before God. Don’t worry—he’s listening and wants to forgive you!

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Hug Your Cat Day (if he or she will let you!)

1602—Cape Cod (MA) was discovered by Bartholomew Gosnold.

1940—Nylon stockings hit the market 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.

Today is Astronomy Day.

Across the country, people who have never looked through a telescope are getting their chance today to gaze at the heavens. The day was first proclaimed in 1973 by Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, with the idea of sharing the joy of astronomy with everyone. Berger’s idea was to take “astronomy to the people” and set up telescopes where the people were—shopping malls, street corners in the city, parks, and other public places.

It was an instant success. The public was hooked on stargazing. Once people got a glimpse of the stars through the portable telescopes, they wanted more. So when the local observatories held open houses, hundreds flocked to see more through larger and more sophisticated telescopes.

Throughout the centuries, humankind has been fascinated by the stars and the planets. From the time that God promised Abraham that he would have as many descendants as stars in the sky, we have fixed our eyes on the skies. Ancient stargazers thought they could foretell the future by looking into the skies, much like today’s astrologers. But God warned his people back in Bible times (and us) not to be “seduced by [the stars] and worship them. The Lord your God designated these heavenly bodies for all the peoples of the earth.”

Rather, when we gaze into the night sky, we should remember the One who named and placed each star there. Such heavenly contemplation should instill in us wonder at God’s awesome handiwork and his regard for us. Upon such reflection, the psalm-writer concluded: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have set in place—what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us? (Psalm 8:3, 4).

He counts the stars and calls them all by name (Psalm 147:4).

To Do

Find a telescope so you can do a little stargazing tonight.

Also on this day . . .

1607—Jamestown was established by English settlers, led by Capt. John Smith.

1804—Lewis and Clark left St. Louis for their trek to the Pacific Coast.

1973—The United States launched Skylab 1, its first manned space station.

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 1940 Winston Churchill said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”

These were Winston Churchill’s memorable words to his fellow countrymen as he took power as Great Britain’s new prime minister. It probably was one of the darkest moments in Great Britain’s long history. With the threat of war with Germany at their doorstep, Churchill promised to give his all—his blood, toil, tears, and sweat—in fighting their enemy.

Churchill vowed that his new policy in fighting Adolph Hitler would consist of nothing less than “to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime.”

Churchill recognized that his country was facing a foe that would require all the resources that the people of Great Britain had. Anything less would mean certain defeat for their country. Within weeks of this speech, Churchill placed all “people, their services, and their property” into the hands of the government to use the war effort.

While we do not use the same weapons or methods in fighting our foe, the Devil, we certainly need to have the same attitude as Churchill. We are in an all-out daily struggle against Satan that will continue until Jesus returns. But we are not without resources to fight that battle.

At our disposal we have “God’s mighty weapons, not merely man’s weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4). And what are those weapons? Prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit. By using all these powerful resources that God graciously gives to us, we will be able to defeat Satan and break down the walls he builds up to keep people from God.

We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).

To Do

Think of what might be “the devil’s strongholds” in your life. Then pray specifically for God’s help in those areas.

Also on this day . . .

Today is Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp, California.

Today is also National Apple Pie Day.

1637—Cardinal Richelieu of France created the table knife.

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.

Florence Nightingale was born this day in 1820.

Florence Nightingale was the daughter of a well-to-do family in England. Her family wanted Florence to live the life of a society girl—giving big parties, going to tea, and other activities fitting a wealthy lifestyle. But early on, Florence was determined to do something worthwhile with her life—despite her parents’ objections.

At age 16, she was certain that God was calling her to serve others. So she secretly began to collect books about nursing. She visited hospitals in London and in the surrounding area to learn more. Her parents tried to discourage Florence, but she was determined. Finally, they agreed to send Florence to a hospital in Germany to study nursing. That way, they thought, they could avoid having their daughter “embarrass” the family.

After graduation, Florence returned to London to work at a hospital. But it was during the Crimean War that Florence made her mark. She went to the battlefield with 38 other nurses and began setting up a hospital for the wounded soldiers. Each night she would walk the hallways of the hospital with a lamp, and so she became known as “the lady with a lamp.”

Florence Nightingale’s life was a light for others. She helped save thousands of lives by establishing cleanliness standards for health workers and training other nurses. She established the model for military hospitals and for modern nursing. Despite the many obstacles she encountered Florence devoted her entire life to serving and helping others.

That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do as well. We are called to help each other and share each other’s problems. When we see someone who needs help, our first thought should be, “What can I do?” When a friend calls and says, “I’ve got a problem,” we are called to listen and offer encouragement. And when we are faithful in obeying this command, we shine Jesus’ light and love with all we meet.

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

To Do

Do you know someone who needs help? Think of what you can do to reach out to that person with Jesus’ love.

Also this day . . .

Today is National Limerick Day. Recite a favorite limerick to your friend!

Today also is International Migratory Bird Day.

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.