In 551 bc, teacher and philosopher Confucius was born.

According to Chinese tradition, Confucius was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of the Ru School of Chinese thought. His teachings, preserved in the Analects, form the foundation of much of Chinese thought on the education and behavior of the ideal man.

During his lifetime Confucius is credited with having taught 3,000 students, although tradition has it that only 70 were said to have truly mastered the arts that he cherished. Confucius was willing to teach anyone, no matter what their social standing, as long as they were eager and tireless. His curriculum included morality, proper speech, government, and the refined arts, which included ritual, music, archery, chariot-riding, calligraphy, and computation.

Confucius never lectured at length on any one subject. Instead, he posed questions and used stories or analogies until his students arrived at the right answers. But the hallmark of Confucius’s thought was his emphasis on education and study. Confucius believed that the only path to true understanding was through long and careful study. To Confucius that meant finding a good teacher and imitating his words and deeds.

Nearly 500 years later a teacher of a different sort came upon the scene. Like Confucius, he taught through stories and questions, but he taught lessons of eternal significance: love, mercy, forgiveness, obedience, faithfulness. What’s more, his teachings were the ultimate authority because they came straight from his Father in heaven. The teacher? Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Since Jesus’ time on earth, hundreds of millions have followed his teachings and imitated his life. While Confucius’ claimed his teachings led to true understanding, accepting Jesus as Savior and following his teachings leads to eternal life.

Jesus is the greatest teacher of all time. Imitate his words and deeds. That is the way to life.

Don’t ever let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters (Matthew 23:8).

To Do

Write down three things that you have learned from Jesus’ teachings and his life.

Also on this day

1892—The first nighttime football game took place under electric lights. The game was between Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming Seminary.

1924—The first around-the-world flight was completed when two U.S. Army planes landed in Seattle, Washington. The trip took 175 days.

1987—Hilary Duff was born.

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 World Tourism Day.

It’s fun visiting new places—new sights to see, new foods to taste, new people to meet, and wonderful memories to take home with you. Each time you visit another new city, state, or country, you broaden your horizons and become more of a world-class citizen. In fact, since 1979 the United Nations has worked to promote tourism by declaring this day World Tourism Day (WTD).

The idea behind WTD is to make the public more aware of the value of travel and tourism on all levels—locally, nationally, and internationally. To help achieve this goal, the UN suggests that countries around the world join this effort by declaring World Tourism Day as a “special day for the entire national territory.” Activities such as free entry for tourists and citizens to museums, national parks, and other sites of interest are suggested to promote the day. Special transportation, commemorative postage stamps and medals, Miss (or Mister) WTD competitions, and tourism fairs are all part of the ongoing celebration of this worldwide tourism effort.

While it’s fun to visit new places, it’s always good to come back home. The comforts of home await you—your own bed, familiar faces and foods, the freedom to kick back and just do nothing, and maybe the warm reception of the family pet. Coming home is always a welcome end to the traveler.

The writer of Hebrews says that the day that we arrive in Heaven will be our last and best homecoming. This world is not our home. Really, we are just tourists on this earth, visiting for a while, seeing the sights, meeting new people, having all sorts of different experiences. We will not feel completely comfortable and at home until we are with Jesus in the city of Heaven.

So while we’re on this earth, take advantage of all the world has to offer. But remember not to get too attached because it is only temporary.

One day we’ll be home. And it will be good.

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come (Hebrews 13:14).

To Do

Visit your local travel agency (or the library) and collect some brochures for places that you would like to visit some day.

Also on this day

1954—The Tonight Show made its debut on NBC-TV with Steve Allen as host.

1989—Two men in a barrel went over the 176-foot high Niagara Falls. Jeffery Petkovich and Peter Dernardi were the first ever to survive the Horseshoe Falls.

1998—Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals set a major league baseball record when he hit his 70^th home run of the season.

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 1774, John Chapman was born. He is better known as Johnny Appleseed.

John Chapman was born on this day in Massachusetts in 1774. Johnny Appleseed, as he became known, spent 49 years of his life walking the American wilderness planting apple seeds.

Johnny was a kind and gentle man—liked by everyone who met him. Even animals seemed drawn to his gentle ways. His clothes were made from sackcloth, and his hat was a tin pot that he also used for cooking! His favorite book? The Bible!

Many stories grew around this man who walked around the country barefoot, planting seeds wherever he went. The stories surrounding this man are legendary. It was said that he made his drinking water from snow by melting it with his feet. Another story had it that Johnny fell asleep and a rattlesnake tried to bite him, but the snake’s fangs couldn’t penetrate the tough soles of his feet.

Johnny Appleseed’s dream was for a land where blossoming apple trees were everywhere and no one was hungry. It is said that more than 200 years later, orchards in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio still have trees bearing apples resulting from the seeds Johnny planted.

The apostle Paul was also a planter of seeds. The seeds that Paul planted, however, bore a fruit of a different kind. Paul planted the seed of the gospel wherever he went. He told whoever would listen the good news of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life.

Think about it. You are reading this book today because of the seeds that Paul planted years and years ago! Someone heard about Jesus from Paul and told someone else, who told someone else . . .

Now it’s your turn to go and plant seeds for Jesus!

My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).

To Do

Enjoy an apple today in honor of Johnny Appleseed. As you do, think about “seeds” you can plant for Jesus at school and in your neighborhood.

Also on this day

1789—The U.S. Postal Service was founded.

1892—John Philip Sousa, the “King of Marches,” performed his first concert.

1985—Shamu was born today at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. Shamu was the first killer whale to survive being born in captivity.

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 Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, remains one of the most holy religious holidays in the Jewish faith. Since Old Testament days, the Day of Atonement is the day to ask God’s forgiveness for the peoples’ sins as a nation. The Hebrew word for atone means “to cover.” Since Old Testament sacrifices could not actually remove sins, the sacrifices made could only cover the sins.

Today, people of the Jewish faith observe Yom Kippur through confessing their sins together at the synagogue. Yom Kippur is also a day of “not” doing. The people may not eat, drink, wash, or wear leather shoes.

In Bible times on this day, the people would confess their sins as a nation and the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement for those sins. One of the events connected with the Day of Atonement was the presentation of two goats before God. One goat was chosen to be sacrificed as a sin offering; the other goat was chosen to be the scapegoat. In essence, all the people’s sins were placed on the scapegoat and then the goat was sent away into the wilderness.

The two goats represented how God was dealing with the people’s sins. God forgave the people’s sins through the sacrifice of the first goat. Through the second goat, God was removing their sins. This ritual had to be repeated every year. But for those who believe and follow Jesus Christ, his death on the cross replaced this system once and for all.

The moment we turn to Jesus, confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven. Because of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, our sins not only are covered, but are removed forever.

On this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the Lord’s presence (Leviticus 16:30).

To Do

Do some research and find out more about how Jewish people celebrate Yom Kippur today.

Also on this day

1690—The first newspaper was published in America.

1981—Sandra Day O’Conner became the first female Supreme Court Justice.

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 1869, thousands of businessmen were financially ruined after a panic on Wall Street.

This day in 1869 is popularly referred to as Black Friday—a dark financial day in which a small group of businessmen tried to control the gold market by selling gold for a much higher price than it was worth. The men connived to hike the price of gold more than $20 per share in just a day. When the government released more than $4 million worth of gold on the market, the price dropped dramatically.

Within 15 minutes, the price of gold had dropped from $162 per share to $133. Thousands of investors were ruined. Fortunes were lost. Many Wall Street businesses were ruined. The nation’s business community was paralyzed. That’s what happens in a panic. One action sets in motion another action—and soon thousands of people are unable to do anything.

When have you panicked? Maybe it was the night before a big test. You have studied as much as you can when panic sets in. You begin to worry you won’t remember what you have studied. You are so worried that you can’t sleep, and you start worrying about not being able to sleep and how that will affect your test-taking . . . you can see what happens when panic hits.

How can you stop from panicking? Well, first take a deep breath. Then (you know what’s coming next), pray! That’s what Daniel did when faced with the impossible task of not only interpreting the king’s dream but also telling the king what his dream was! (Read about it in Daniel 2.) Daniel could have panicked. He could have run around wringing his hands and crying, “Oh no! What am I going to do?” Instead, Daniel enlisted the help of his friends and asked them to pray!

There’s no need to panic when God is on your side. Prayer beats panic any day.

But I keep right on praying to you, Lord, hoping this is the time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation (Psalm 69:13).

To Do

Read Daniel 2. Look for all the ways that Daniel beat a possible panic attack.

Also on this day

1664—New Jersey, named after the Isle of Jersey, was founded.

1947—Kenneth Arnold reported seeing flying saucers over Mt. Rainier, Washington.

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 in 63 bc Augustus Caesar was born.

Caesar Augustus, or Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus as he was known earlier in his life, was the very first Roman emperor. Generally considered the greatest of all the Roman emperors, Caesar Augustus ruled for more than 40 years and ushered in an era of peace, prosperity, and greatness. During his reign, Augustus ended a century of civil wars.

Augustus, a title he was given in 27 bc that means “revered one,” created Rome’s first permanent army and navy. He rebuilt Rome from brick into marble, building the Senate a home and constructing numerous temples to Roman gods. But despite all these accomplishments that are credited to Augustus, his greatest contribution to all human history came as a result of his effort to reform Rome’s finance and tax system.

For as Luke records it, “About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.” What Augustus had intended as a means to tax the people to support his military operations, God used for a much different purpose. Augustus’s decree set in motion the events that were prophesied hundreds of years earlier concerning the birth of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. There Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son, Jesus, just as the prophet Micah had written in Micah 5:2.

Augustus’s decree went out according to God’s perfect timing and according to God’s perfect plan for bringing his Son into the world. Augustus, who was considered to be god-like by the Roman citizens, was really just a role player in the real drama of God coming to earth.

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire (Luke 2:1, The Message).

To Do

Read Micah 5:2, which was written hundreds of years before Caesar Augustus even thought about issuing his decree.

Also on this day

1838—Victoria Chaflin Woodhull was born. She became the first female candidate for the U.S. President.

1846—The planet Neptune was discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfired Golle.

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 Good Neighbor Day.

In the early 1970s, Becky Mattson from Lakeside, Montana, recognized the importance of having and being good neighbors. So she started an effort to make this a national day. Three presidents (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter) along with many state governors all issued proclamations calling for a Good Neighbor Day.

Finally in 2003 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to make September 22 National Good Neighbor Day. Here are some ideas for observing it: Bake some cookies and take them over to your next-door neighbor. Smile and wave hello to your neighbors when you see them outside. Do a chore secretly for your neighbors—rake their lawns, sweep their driveways, bring in the trash cans.

Even though this day has been set aside as Good Neighbor Day, the writer in Proverbs makes it clear that we should not ignore an opportunity to help our neighbor. In other words, we don’t need a Good Neighbor Day to help someone out. Whenever the opportunity arises, we should be ready to lend a hand, pitch in, and help out.

And since Jesus pointed out that our “neighbor” is anybody with whom we come in contact (see Luke 10:25-37), then that means we need to extend help to our classmates, the kids on the bus, and even people we don’t know. That means taking the time to explain a homework assignment, bringing home books to a sick classmate, or helping clean up after a project.

Think about it. We are to treat our neighbors as we would like them to treat us. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you” (Proverbs 3:28).

To Do

Read the story of the Good Samaritan again in Luke 10:25-37. Think about these questions: Who are my neighbors? How can I be a good neighbor?

Also on this day

Today is Elephant Appreciation Day.

1999—The record for drinking ketchup was set by Dustin Phillips on this day. He drank a 14-ounces. bottle of ketchup through a straw in 33 seconds.

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 Day of Peace.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1982 through the United Nations as a day set aside for the entire world to observe nonviolence and peace. Since 9/11, the world’s attention has been focused on terror, fear, and war. But behind the scenes, a worldwide movement for peace has been growing.

Organizers try to involve as many people as possible in observing the day. Videoconferences have been set up with children in countries that have experienced war. The World Peace Flag is raised during a ceremony at UN headquarters. An International Day of Peace Vigil, a 24-hour observance for peace and nonviolence, has been organized in places of worship, in neighborhoods, and communities.

People have worked tirelessly to have the entire world observe a Global Day of Ceasefire on this day. The UN has set a goal to involve as many as one billion people worldwide in peace activities. Their hope is that if “we can create one day of peace, we will realize that we can work together to create a culture of peace, one day at a time.”

Too often we think of peace as merely the absence of any conflict. We think about peacemakers as passive and nonaggressive. But peace does not just happen. We have to work at creating peace. In the Bible, Peter urged believers to “work hard” at living in peace with each other. That meant being active in forming good relationships, in resolving problems before they arise, and working with others to ensure a peaceful home, church, or community.

So what can you do today to make peace where you are? It starts one day at a time, one person at a time. Let peace begin with you.

Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others (1 Peter 3:11).

To Do

Make a simple peace pledge. How can you work at peace within your family or among your friends today?

Also on this day

Today is World Gratitude Day.

This is Deaf Awareness Week.

1937—J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was first 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.

Today is National Student Day.

What kind of student are you? When you come home from school, do you: (a) immediately crack the books; (b) grab a snack, watch a few TV shows, and then hit the books; or (c) What? Do we have homework tonight?

When you are given a chance to do extra credit assignments, do you: (a) thank the teacher and immediately get to work; (b) consider how much time is involved and how much you really want to raise your grade before tackling extra credit; or (c) figure anything that has the word extra in it means just that—extra work. No thank you.

When there is something you don’t understand in school, do you: (a) ask questions until you do understand; (b) wait until you see if it’s going to be on test and then ask your best friend to explain it; or (c) figure that eventually you’ll understand it by the time you graduate from high school.

If you answered mostly a’s, then good for you! You are a true student. But really, anyone can be a student—no matter how old. The dictionary describes a student as one who is an attentive learner and sharp observer. You can study anything—from bugs to rap, from computers to the arts. You also can be a student of God’s Word. Psalm 119—the longest psalm ever written—is all about the benefits of studying God’s Word every day.

Here are just a few of those benefits—we’ll be happy (v. 2); we’ll stay pure (v. 9); we will have understanding (v. 34); we will find comfort (v. 50); and we will find guidance (v. 105) and great peace (v. 165). Because of that we should, like the psalm-writer says, delight in God’s Word, meditate on it daily, put it into practice and live by it daily, and hide God’s Word in our hearts.

What kind of student are you of God’s Word?

How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word (Psalm 119:9, The Message).

To Do

Take the challenge and read Psalm 119. You may want to read it over several days. Or read it aloud with another friend or family member. Underline the verses that mean the most to you.

Also on this day

1881—Chester A. Arthur became the 21^st president. President James A. Garfield had died the day before.

1921—KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA became one of the first radio stations to offer a daily newscast.

1952—James Meredith, an African-American student, was blocked from enrolling at the University of Mississippi by Governor Ross R. Barnett. Meredith was later admitted.

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 Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Shivers me timbers! Today be the day that all landlubbers and me hearties join in and talk like pirates. A few pointers are all that’s needed before you be talking like a swashbucklin’ jack. So here you be:

First off, double up on all your adjectives. Pirates never speak of a big ship—it’s always a “great, grand ship.” It’s not a pretty girl—it’s a fine beauty of a lass. And remember, a pirate is never content to just say never. No, it’s “no nay ne’er!”

Next, all me hearties have to drop their g’s when speakin’. Now you’ll get words like rowin’, sailin’, fightin’. Drop your v’s (as in ne’er, e’er and o’er). Final lesson. No nay ne’er say, “I am” or “You are.” Any sailor worth his or her weight in doubloons of gold says “I be” or “you be.” Now put it all together, and mateys, you be fine swashbucklin’, dashin’ buccaneers. No swabbies around here, no nay ne’er!

Now there’s not much use for talking like a pirate (other than to impress your mateys!), but if you want to communicate with other who are different from you, it does help to speak their language. That doesn’t just mean knowing how they talk, but also what their interests are and what they like.

The apostle Paul discovered this as he traveled to different places to share the gospel. Wherever he went he did his best to fit in with those around him and speak their language.

That meant that Paul did what was best for those around him, not just what pleased him. That’s a good lesson to follow when we want to talk to our friends at school about Jesus. Are they into music? Then invite them to a Christian rock concert. They like sports? Speak their language, get on the team, and show them what Jesus is all about.

Arrrrrr!

That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33).

To Do

Go ahead. Talk like a pirate today. Here’s some words you may need to know: ahoy (hey!); aye (yes); matey (friend or shipmate); yo-ho-ho (a good pirate laugh).

Also on this day

1881—James A. Garfield died of wounds from an assassin. The 20^th president had lived for 11 weeks after being shot.

1982—Scott Fahlman became the first person to use : – ) in an online message.

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.