BETHLEHEM ECLIPSED

December 21, 2010Read: Matthew 2

"...where is the one born King of the Jews. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." --Matthew 2:2

It's been 372 years since the last lunar eclipse occurred on a solstice, so last night's celestial phenomenon was as rare as it was spectacular. But if you're like me, you missed it. Chances are we were all asleep, exhausted from work, school and Christmas shopping. Who has time for star gazing anyway?

It was 2000 years ago this week that God placed the star in the east to announce the birth of Jesus. But much like last night's midnight miracle, most everyone missed it. The calendar on Bethlehem's Blackberry was booked -- too busy, too stressed, too in control. Things had to get done and nobody else could do them. And yet, Jesus came to earth. Despite a limited live audience, life's main character was born.

Simply put, a lunar eclipse occurs when our world gets in the way of the sun. Lord, may we never let the same happen to us.

--J.P.

FIRST LADY: ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHY KIDS

Regardless of what side of the aisle you are on politically, there's reason to cheer one of the latest bills signed into law by President Obama. With his wife at his side on December 13, 2010, the president put his John Hancock to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which reauthorizes the federal nutrition program, a $4.5-billion measure that expands free school meals for the needy. The biggest difference is that it sets nutritional standards for all food in schools, including what appears in vending machines, and is designed to fight the growing epidemic of child obesity.

Opponents of the bill claim that it is another example of America becoming a Nanny State, wherein citizens need their lifestyle choices made for them. But advocates of the legislation believe that simply making better choices available to our kids where they spend a great deal of their time each day is a good first step that can help stem the tide of a growing problem.

Urging people to depoliticize the issue, the First Lady said: "“We can agree that in the wealthiest nation on earth, all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow," she said. “Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children. Nothing."

>> For the full story from the L.A. Times, click here.

MARCHING ORDERS

August 10, 2010Read: Joshua 6

Joshua could relate to our steep challenges. His neck cramped as he surveyed the impregnable wall of Jericho. "Gonna need a bigger army," he whispered out of the side of his mouth. You might be saying the same about your predicament. Does something at school or work have you hoping for reinforcements? If so, stand next to Joshua as he listens to God's strategy.

"But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. Then the wall of the city will fall down flat."

"That's it?...That's the plan?," this time out of the side of your mouth. I wonder if Joshua paused when he heard the order. After all, he was among men of war (v. 3) and probably dressed for the occasion. Not sure if he hesitated, but I know we sure do. When we have to respect a less than respectful boss, or when it seems the rules only apply to us, obeying God's marching orders is sometimes the last thing we want to do (or actually do), especially if we're ready to fight.

But we all know the story. Joshua's army walked around Jericho for seven days without making a sound or saying a word. Then when it was time: the trumpet, the shouts, and the walls came tumbling down. God's enemies might have laughed and scoffed for a week, but being obedient has never proved popular or easy, just effective.

So the next time we feel like taking the wall ourselves, let's wait with Joshua. He listened, walked without talking, then praised God on day seven. Sooner or later, like Jericho, the world will see we're not just walking in circles.

--J.P.

HEALTHY, HUNGER FREE KIDS U.S. Senate takes steps to curb the spread of child obesity

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act which is designed to improve the nutritional standards in schools and to increase the number of low-income children that receive free or reduced cost meals. The price tag? A hefty $4.5 billion over the next 10 years.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

All 100 Senators sped the bill through by way of unanimous consent, meaning that there was no need for a voice vote. The House of Representatives would need to pass its version of the bill in time for President Obama to sign the legislation before Sept. 30, when it is set to expire, or the programs risk losing the newly found funding.

The bill is lauded as a great first step in the battle against child obesity which has soared to alarming heights in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. An advocacy group called Mission: Readiness has cited the rising obesity statistics as a national security threat, suggesting that greater numbers of potential recruits are unable to meet the physical standards of the armed forces.

"I think the news of this legislation is wonderful and long overdue," says PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena, MS, CSCS. "It's great that the government recognizes the need for action. Now, we need to make sure that we support the bill by sending our kids to school with healthy offerings and making good, nutritional choices when dining together as a family."

>> What do you think about the legislation? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or e-mail us at [email protected].