http://www.rbc.org/ http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/20/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/20/devotion.aspx Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for Western Oregon University, hit the first home run of her life in a game against Central Washington. But she nearly didn’t get credit for it. As she rounded first base in excitement, she missed it! When she wheeled back to correct her mistake, she injured her knee. Crying, she crawled back to the base. By rule, she had to touch all four bases on her own for the home run to count. Her teammates could not assist her in any way. David C. Egner Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/19/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/19/devotion.aspx How much would you be willing to pay for a piece of fruit? In Japan, someone paid more than $6,000 for one Densuke watermelon. Grown only on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, this beautiful dark-green sphere looks like a bowling ball. The nearly 18-pound watermelon was one of only a few thousand available that year. The fruit’s rarity brought an astronomical price on the market. Dennis Fisher Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/18/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/18/devotion.aspx In a 1950s novel, there is a scene in which four village men confess their sins to one another. One of the men, Michelis, cries out, “How can God let us live on the earth? Why doesn’t He kill us to purify creation?” “Because, Michelis,” one of the men answered, “God is a potter; He works in mud.” Marvin Williams Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/17/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/17/devotion.aspx Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury and watched as people walked by and deposited their gifts for the temple (Mark 12). Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. Just then a poor woman came by and threw in two “mites.” David H. Roper Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/16/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/16/devotion.aspx The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was stuck with tepid, mineral-laden water that tasted like sulphur. Not hot. Not cold. Just gross. Joe Stowell Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/15/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/15/devotion.aspx Andy Warhol, the pop-art painter of such American images as the Campbell’s soup can, once said, “In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” But he was wrong. There are millions of people who will never grab their moment in the spotlight. Some of them are the men and women who spend their lives doing things like working hard, raising godly children, faithfully praying for others, sharing their faith with those who don’t yet know Jesus. They teach Sunday school, bring meals to the sick, drive senior citizens to doctors’ appointments, and do countless other kindnesses. Cindy Hess Kasper Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/14/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/14/devotion.aspx After only a few art lessons, 10-year-old Joel decided to try his hand at painting a flower. By looking at a color photograph of a Rose of Sharon, Joel was able to paint a beautiful mixture of blue, purple, red, green, and white. This made the flower, which had been photographed on the day Joel’s aunt died, seem to come to life. To the family, his painting symbolized a bittersweet mixture of feelings. While it provided a lasting reminder of the loss they had suffered, it also carried a celebration of Joel’s newly discovered artistic gift. The painting gave joy in the midst of grief. Dennis Fisher Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/13/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/13/devotion.aspx We’ve all seen and heard advertisements that entice us to take shortcuts to happiness. Buy our product and make no payments for one year! Instant gratification! C. P. Hia Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/12/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/12/devotion.aspx The geological features at Yellowstone National Park fascinate me. But when I walk among the geysers, I’m aware of how close I am to danger. I am walking atop one of the largest, most active volcanoes in the world. Julie Ackerman Link Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/11/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/11/devotion.aspx A report by the Chicago Tribune said: “Scores of Americans, from clergymen to lawyers to CEOs, are claiming medals of valor they never earned.” Fabrication of war records and bogus claims of bravery are more widespread than imagined. One man, who falsely claimed a Navy Cross, later felt shame and said that real heroes rarely talk about what they’ve done. David C. McCasland Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/10/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/10/devotion.aspx Soon after her family left for the evening, Carol started to think that her hospital room must be the loneliest place in the world. Nighttime had fallen, her fears about her illness were back, and she felt overwhelming despair as she lay there alone. Cindy Hess Kasper Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/09/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/09/devotion.aspx Pastor A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) read the great Christian theologians until he could write about them with ease. He challenges us: “Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him the finding was all the sweeter for the long seeking.” Marvin Williams Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/08/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/08/devotion.aspx One October morning in 2006, a woman and her six children were forced to witness an attack on their husband and father. His assailants tried to force him to deny Jesus but he refused. He continued to proclaim Christ as Lord and died praying for his family. The family is determined to follow Christ, even in their grief. Anne Cetas Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/07/devotion.aspx @/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/11/07/devotion.aspx It was high-school concert season, and the music students were preparing for the big Christmas extravaganza. The teacher had clearly communicated every detail to the students and to the parents—on two different occasions—and the time for mandatory rehearsal was clearly spelled out. Dave Branon Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST