Today is National Play-Doh® Day.

How long has it been since you’ve dug your hands into a great big glob of blue, red, or yellow Play-Doh®? Remember how much fun it was to craft a whole host of creations by squeezing, rolling, and molding the colorful substance in the bright yellow containers? Maybe you even had a Fun Factory, where you inserted the modeling dough into molds and then squeezed out the fun shapes.

Play-Doh brand modeling dough has been around since 1956 when brothers Noah and Joseph McVicker invented the compound. Originally it was designed to be a wallpaper cleaner (don’t try that at home!), but its similarity to modeling clay, without the toxicity or mess, made it a better toy. In fact, Joseph McVicker became a millionaire before his 27^th birthday after re-releasing the product as a toy. Since that time, more than 700 million pounds of the modeling dough have been sold.

Over the years, sparkling, scented, and glow-in-the-dark versions of this product have been produced. But the real attraction is how easy it is to sculpt and fashion any number of creations using this soft, malleable dough. Then when you’re done, you simply squish your creation into one large lump and stuff it back into its can to use for another day.

Imagine how much fun God had in shaping us. He had all the colors, the variety, and the shapes imaginable at his fingertips to mold each one of us. Isaiah writes that God is the potter and we are the clay. God forms us and shapes us not only in the way he created us, but also through our experiences and the circumstances in which he has placed us.

He is the sculptor. We are his modeling dough.

And yet, Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand (Isaiah 64:8).

To Do

Have some fun with modeling dough today! You can even make your own by using a recipe from www.kinderplanet.com/playdo.htm.

Also on this day . . .

1709—Samuel Johnson, the creator of the first dictionary of the English language, was born.

1947—The U.S. Air Force was established.

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 Citizenship Day.

This day honoring all U.S. citizens, whether native-born or foreign-born, was originally celebrated on the third Sunday in May as “I Am an American Day.” But in 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill establishing today as the Citizenship Day, moving the celebration to the day on which the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787.

The intent of the day is to recognize all those who have become American citizens during the preceding year. The day typically is marked with pageantry and speeches to impress upon these new citizens the privileges and the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen.

To become a U.S. citizen, you must have lived in the United States for five years. You must be a person of good character, have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and government, and can read, write, and speak basic English. You must be 18 years old, legally competent, and express your allegiance to the United States. You must fill out the proper forms and pass a citizenships test.

It can be a long, hard process, and not everybody who wants to become an American citizen is accepted. That’s why this day is so meaningful to the hundreds of thousands who do become citizens during the year.

But did you know that if you are a follower of Christ, then you are a citizen of a kingdom far greater than America? The Bible tells us that when we believe in Jesus we join the kingdom of God, and we will someday live forever in Heaven. We don’t have to live there a certain number of years, be a certain age, pass a test, or fill out any forms. Our citizenship in Heaven becomes official the very moment that we confess our faith in Jesus Christ.

For that privilege, you receive God’s love and forgiveness, his guidance and protection, and life with him forever. Not a bad deal.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior (Philippians 3:20).

To Do

Write down three things you enjoy because you are an American citizen. Now write down three things you enjoy because you are a citizen of Heaven.

Also on this day . . .

1796—President George Washington’s Farewell Address was read before the Congress.

1872—Phillip W. Pratt patented a version of the sprinkler system.

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 1620, the Pilgrims left Plymouth England on the Mayflower.

We typically think about the Pilgrims once a year when Thanksgiving rolls around. And then it’s usually about the great feast they had with the Indians. End of story. But did you realize that the story—and the importance—of the Pilgrims is more than that? The Pilgrims left us a legacy not just of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, but of the freedom to worship as we please each and every Sunday.

In 1608, it was apparent to this group that they could no longer live in England and worship as they were told. They wanted to worship in a church that placed its authority solely in the Bible. They longed for the opportunity to choose their own church leaders by a common vote. So they left for Holland in order to live by the principles expressed in 2 Corinthians 6:17: “Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.”

After 12 years, the group decided they had to move again because of the hard life and discouragement that they had found in Holland. Even in Holland, the Pilgrims discovered that they were losing the simplicity and purity of lifestyle and worship that they wanted. So they returned to England, and on this day in 1620, 102 Pilgrims set out for America in search for a better life for their children and for the freedom to worship as they pleased.

Because of the Pilgrims’ determination to worship and live as they deemed right in God’s eyes, we now enjoy the freedom of religion. America’s founding fathers saw the importance of religious freedom and made sure that was preserved in the Constitution. We can worship how we please, in whatever church we deem appropriate, without any thought of persecution or danger.

You can thank the Pilgrims for being willing to “earnestly search” for God.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1).

To Do

If you can, read more about the Pilgrims. Write down three things that you appreciated most about this group of people.

Also on this day

Today is Collect Rocks Day!

1782—The Great Seal of the United States was impressed on a document to negotiate a prisoner-of-war agreement with the British. It was the first official use of the impression.

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 Born to be Wild Day!

Since today is Born to Be Wild Day, let’s take a look at the Bible’s “wild boy”. Remember him, the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32? According to Webster’s Dictionary, “prodigal” means reckless, extravagant . . . in a word, wild.

So here’s the situation. A father had two sons. One day the younger son asked the father for his inheritance right away. The father agreed, and the son took off. The son spent all his money on wild living. Soon his money ran out and he had nothing to eat.

The son was so desperate that he begged a local pig farmer to hire him to feed the pigs. But no one gave the son anything. Soon the pig’s food even looked good to him. The son, with all his wild living, had hit rock bottom.

Finally the son came to his senses. He decided that even his father’s hired men were better off than he was. Maybe if he begged his father for forgiveness, his father might hire him. So he headed for home. When the boy was still a way off, the father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to hug his son. The story ends with the father holding a huge party to celebrate his son’s return.

Even though the son had messed up big time, the father still loved him and welcomed him back. That’s good news because we all have our “wild” days—those times when we do what we want to do and forget about God. When we do, the best thing to do is remember that God is always waiting with open arms for us to return.

“We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” So the party began (Luke 15:23, 24).

To Do

Read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Imagine that you are one of the characters in the story (the younger brother, the father, the older brother). How would you have reacted?

Also on this day

1857—William H. Taft, the 27^th president of the United States, was born today.

1928—Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin in a mold.

1982—The first issue of USA Today was published.

1984—Prince Harry of Wales 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.

In 1741, George Handel completed Messiah in time for an orphans’ charity concert.

At age 56 George Handel had given what he had considered his farewell concert. Discouraged and dejected, Handel felt a failure. That’s when a wealthy friend, Charles Jensen, gave Handel a libretto based on the life of Christ, taken right from the Bible. At the same time, Handel received a commission from a Dublin charity to compose a work for a benefit performance.

With the libretto in hand, Handel set to work on August 22, 1741. He became so absorbed in his work that he never left the room of his small London house, rarely stopping to eat. Within six days, he had completed part one. In nine more days, he had finished part two, and in another six, part three. The entire orchestration was completed in another two days. In all, 260 pages of manuscript were filled in 24 short days. Handel’s title for the commissioned work was simply Messiah.

With tears running down his face, Handel recounted that while writing what has become the hallmark of that work, the “Hallelujah Chorus”, “I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God himself.”

Handel’s awe-inspiring composition, with its inspiring lyrics and stirring sounds, may be the closest we come on this side of Heaven to experiencing what John—and indeed Handel himself—saw when the doors of Heaven were opened to them:

“Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns” (Revelation 19:6).

It is the victory song that resounds in heaven when Jesus comes to judge the wicked and joins with his bride—the faithful believers from all time.

You won’t want to miss that!

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns (Revelation 19:6).

To Do

Spend some time today listening to George Handel’s Messiah.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Cream-Filled Donut Day.

1901—President William McKinley was assassinated.

1999—Walt Disney World closed down for the first time in its 28-year history because of Hurricane Floyd.

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 Commodore John Barry Day.

Name some heroes from the American Revolutionary War, and men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and Paul Revere come to mind. But what about John Barry?

Did you know that Commodore John Barry was also a hero of the American Revolution and the holder of the first commission in the United States Navy? Most likely not. But in 1981, President Ronald Reagan designated September 13 as “Commodore John Barry Day.” In his proclamation, President Reagan noted that Barry became a national hero after capturing the British warship Edward on April 7, 1776. He further distinguished himself as a fighter and a seaman.

But according to President Reagan, Barry’s greatest contribution went beyond his heroics and patriotism. He was a “man of great insight who perceived very early the need for American power on the sea.” Barry had the ability to see the bigger picture and what was truly important for this young nation.

The ability to discern—to tell the difference between right and wrong, between what’s important and what’s not—is valuable not only in founding a nation, but also in daily living. In Philippians, Paul urged young believers to understand what is truly important. Why? So that they would be able to live according to Jesus’ standards and values.

There are many voices telling you how to live and what’s really important. Judging from society’s messages, you may be tempted to think that what’s important is to drive the right car, wear the right clothes, and hang out with the cool people. A better place to discern what’s important is in God’s Word and what Jesus has to say.

Be like Commodore Barry today and look for what’s really important.

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns (Philippians 1:10).

To Do

Stump your friends and family today. Ask them if they know about Commodore Barry. Tell them why he is important to remember.

Also on this day

1788—New York City became the capitol of the United States.

1916—Author Roald Dahl was born today.

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 1984, Michael Jordan signed a seven-year contract to play basketball with the Chicago Bulls.

No one could have foreseen the impact that Michael Jordan would have on the game of basketball when he signed his name to that first contract with the Chicago Bulls. Just consider a few of his accomplishments during his career:

• Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986–87 to 1992–93, 1995–96 to 1997–98)
• Selected in 1996 as one of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
• A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98)
• Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player

The list of Michael Jordan’s accomplishments goes on and on. But did you know that, while growing up, Michael Jordan was continually beaten by his older brother, Larry, in one-on-one pickup games? Or that he was cut from the high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore? Yet, instead of giving up, Jordan used these failures to motivate him to greater achievements, practicing hour after hour on the court. “Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it,” Jordan said. He eventually made the team and led it to the state championship.

We all have dreams and plans for our future. And we all can work hard to make those dreams come true. But unless we include God’s plan for us in our endeavors, we are going to miss out on a lot. God alone knows what is best for us. He alone can fulfill his purposes for us. We need to entrust our goals, our plans, and our dreams with him.

What are your dreams? What are your goals and plans for the future? Tell God about them, and as the psalm-writer says, let God “work out his plans for my life.”

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever (Psalm 138:8).

To Do

Write down three goals you have for the future. Now write today’s Bible verse underneath those goals. Talk about your plans with God.

Also on this day

Today is Video Games Day. Play one of your favorite games!

1609—English explorer Henry Hudson sailed down what is now the Hudson River.

1873—The first practical typewriter was sold to customers.

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 1847, “Oh, Susannah” was sung in public for the first time. Stephen Foster sold the rights to the song for a bottle of whiskey.

Stephen Foster, who became the first composer of distinctly American popular songs, got his start in the business in a most unusual way. The youngest of nine children, Foster taught himself to play and write music because his parents did not approve of his interest.

Foster’s big break in composing came when he was 18. At the time, Foster was a bookkeeper, working for his brother. He had written a song, “Oh Susannah,” that was performed for the first time in public. Legend has it that Foster sold the rights to the song for a bottle of whiskey. The song went on to become the most popular tune in the country, adopted as the theme song of the California Gold Rush. Now some say Foster received $100 for the song. Either way, Foster had sold himself short.

Esau, twin brother of Jacob, did something similar. You remember the story. Tired and hungry, Esau had returned from hunting looking for something to eat. For the price of a bowl of stew, Esau sold his birthright to his younger twin. Esau gave up his inheritance because he was “starving.”

At that moment, Esau was only concerned with satisfying his hunger. He lost sight of the “big picture” and sold something of great value for mere stew. Foster too might have felt pressured to do whatever he could to sell his first song.

Maybe we feel pressured to get good grades, so we cheat on the test. Or we feel pressured to be popular, so we do something we know is not right to fit in. We sell ourselves short because we have lost sight of what’s really important. Keep your focus on God and what pleases him. That way you will always come out ahead.

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau. He traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal (Hebrews 12:16).

To Do

Find a recording of Stephen Foster’s songs. Listen to the songs that were popular back in the late 1800s.

Also on this day

1936—Boulder Dam (now called Hoover Dam) was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1941—The groundbreaking ceremony for the Pentagon took place.

2001—Terrorists attacked the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D. C..

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 1953, Swanson began selling its first TV dinner.

What became a basic part of the American diet back in the 1960s (and was the forerunner of today’s fast-food culture) was actually a hasty solution to a big problem—what to do with about 270 tons of leftover Thanksgiving turkey! Gerald Thomas, a C. A. Swanson & Sons executive, had 10 refrigerated railcars full of unsold turkeys. So, Thomas decided, why not package the turkey, along with some side dishes, in segmented trays that were used for airline food service?

To market the idea, the Swanson exec named it TV Dinner—the perfect meal to enjoy while watching that new phenomenon, television. Swanson came out with 5,000 TV dinners featuring turkey, corn bread dressing and gravy, buttered peas, and sweet potatoes. It cost 98 cents and came in a box resembling a TV.

The original 5,000 dinners was a gross underestimation. Swanson went on to sell 10,000,000 TV dinners that first year. Of course, not everyone was thrilled with TV dinners. The Swansons received their share of hate mail, mostly from upset husbands who missed their home-cooked meals.

Those early TV dinners were among the first convenience products offered to American households. Convenient and time-saving products have become an essential part our time-pressured culture. We have convenience stores, drive-through banks, drugstores, cleaners, and fast-food restaurants. Any number of products and services promise us fast, quick, time-saving solutions to our problems.

But there is no such thing as a drive-through church or an instant Christian. The Christian life requires a lifetime investment of daily growth, patience, and perseverance. There are no shortcuts to faith.

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding (Philippians 1:9).

To Do

Think back on last week. How many times did you eat fast food? Use a drive-through service? What convenience products do you use every day?

Also on this day

1846—Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.

1913—The Lincoln Highway, the first paved coast-to-coast highway, opened in the U.S.

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 490 bc the Battle of Marathon took place between the invading Persian army and the Athenian army. The marathon race originated from the events surrounding that battle.

The very first marathon, a long-distance footrace then of 25 miles, was held in 1896 at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The race was staged to celebrate the run of messenger Pheidippides from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens in 490 bc.

The story goes that Pheidippides ran the 25 miles to announce the victory of the Athenians over the Persian army. Upon reaching Athens and proclaiming, “Rejoice. We conquer!” he fell down dead. Some 2,000 years later, his countryman, Spiridon Loues, won the 1896 marathon.

Since that time, the marathon has been a staple of every Olympic competition. The race was imported to the United States, when the Boston Athletic Association held its first ever marathon in 1897. The Boston Marathon remains the oldest continuously held marathon.

The distance of the marathon was later established at 26 miles, 385 yards at the 1908 Olympics in London, because that was the distance between the start at Windsor Castle to the finish line at the Olympic stadium.

Running a marathon understandably requires great stamina and a strenuous training regimen. But it also requires that runners follow the rules and finish the course. Running 24 miles won’t cut it. Jumping in at the last two miles and crossing the finish line isn’t acceptable. Anything less than running the full course is cheating.

It’s understood by any athlete participating in any event that in order to qualify for the prize, one has to follow the rules and perform according to the accepted standards. Cheaters are disqualified. The same is true in living the Christian life. Like athletes running a marathon, we have to train hard, follow the rules, and keep to the course that God has set before us. At points along the way, we will grow tired. We may even feel like quitting, or perhaps even cheating, to finish the race. That’s when we need to rely on God to help us maintain the course and finish the race.

Only then will we win the prize.

Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize (2 Timothy 2:5).

To Do

Create a training schedule for following God’s rules each day. You might want to include a time for prayer, a time to read the Bible, and time to worship God.

Also on this day

Today is Teddy Bear Day.

1850—California became America’s 31^st state.

1890—Harlan Sanders was born. He was the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

1999—The Sega Dreamcast™ game system went on sale. By 1 pm, all Toys “R” Us locations in the United States had sold out.

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.