What is Easter?
(12:00AM)
The church Pastor is giving the children his yearly Easter Children's Sermon. Three of the children are more vocal than the rest.
The Pastor asks the first child, "WHAT IS EASTER?"
The child replies, "Oh, that's easy, it's the holiday in November when everyone gets together, eats turkey, and are thankful."
"That's Thanksgiving, not Easter", replies the Pastor, and proceeds to ask the second child.
The second child replies, "No, Easter is the holiday in December when we put up a nice tree, exchange presents, and celebrate the birth of........ of Jesus."
The pastor looks at the second child, says, "It is about Jesus, but that is Christmas, not Easter." He looks at the third child and asks, "WHAT IS EASTER?"
The third child smiles and looks the pastor in the eye.
"I know what Easter is. Easter is the Christian holiday that coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the last supper and Jesus was later deceived and turned over to the Romans by one of his disciples. The Romans took him to be crucified and he was stabbed in the side, made to wear a crown of thorns, and was hung on a cross. He was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed off by a large boulder. Every year the boulder is moved aside so that Jesus can come out, and if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter."
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
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Pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny
(06:41PM)
Introduction
- Can you pin the cotton tail on the Easter Bunny?
Description
- In this Easter variation of "Pin the tail on the Donkey", youth will need to pin a cotton ball tail on to an Easter bunny. Only there is a surprise twist!
Materials
- Drawing of an Easter Bunny
- Drawing of an Empty Cross
- Cotton balls
- Double sided tape
Preparation
- In this Easter variation of "Pin the tail on the Donkey", you'll need to find an image of an Easter bunny. Place the picture on a wall or flat surface.
- Prepare a cotton ball for each youth with a piece of double-sided adhesive tape attached
- Find or make an image of a cross as well, but keep it hidden until needed.
Instructions for Playing this Easter Game
- Each youth is given a cotton ball with a double-sided piece of sticky tape attached to it.
- Blindfold all of the youth and while everyone is blindfolded, replace the rabbit with a picture of a cross without them knowing it.
- Explain to the youth that they are to be completely quiet for this game and to make no comments when their blindfolds have been removed or to give those still playing any clues.
- Spin them around 3-5 times, (so they are a little dizzy) and point them in the direction of the cross (2-3 feet in front of it).
- Tell the youth to walk forward and place the "tail on the rabbit".
- Remove the blindfold from the youth and repeat the process with the next youth in line.
Discussion
I understand that some in the church prefer to avoid anything related to rabbits and eggs in the celebration of Easter and this kind of plays with that idea. I thought of other ways of doing this game, but to "pin Christ on the cross" seemed a little sacrilegious to me. Even though it is true that every time we sin we are in some ways putting Christ on the Cross, because our sins were what put him there in the first place.
But I chose to use this "Pin the tail on the Easter Bunny" game as part of an overall theme on expectations, replacement, and searching. We expected a rabbit, but it was replaced with a cross. Unfortunately, the world today has done the opposite. They have replaced the cross with a rabbit! The Romans expected the death of Christ to end his following. But his followers grew stronger and more numerous after the resurrection. The women went to the tomb expected to find Christ's body. Instead they found an empty tomb. We sometimes fear that death is the end. But as Christians we are only beginning an eternity with God! In the world today, a lot of people are searching for some place, to leave their mark, like you left your mark on the poster. But Jesus says Seek Me and you will find me. I have sealed you. And with my blood I have marked you as my own. You will leave your mark in the world when you follow me!
Closing Application
Imagine that the cotton ball is representative of your sin. When we repent and accept Christ, we are placing our sins on Christ, our sins on the cross with Him. But the story of Easter is that He is no longer there on the cross and God did a switch on us as well. Instead of us taking the punishment for our sin - death, Christ took that punishment in our place. And through his blood our sins have been forgiven! Through Christ, death has been replaced with life. Just as Christ has risen from the grave, we will also if we have repented and accepted his forgiveness!
In closing, say a prayer of confession for the sins you have committed and one of thanks for his forgiveness through the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross. But more importantly remember that he has risen from the grave and we will one day rise to be with Him!
Don't replace the cross with a rabbit!
Variations
You could just as easily do this game in reverse from what I have shared above. Start out explaining what Jesus did on the cross, taking the sins of the world on his shoulders and giving youth the cotton ball as a representation of their sins to pin on the cross. Then while all are blindfolded, replace the cross with an Easter bunny. Then for discussion have people share how they felt when they discovered the switch! Does God feel the same way when we replace the cross and the resurrection with a rabbit and eggs? Might create some interesting discussion.
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
Or just visit
www.CreativeEasterIdeas.com
Easter Egg - Follow the Leader
(03:27PM)
Introduction to this Easter Game
- Can you follow all the actions of the leader without dropping your Easter Egg?
Description of this Easter Game
- Youth must follow a leader while keeping an Easter egg balanced on a spoon the entire time.
Materials
- One boiled and dyed Easter egg for each youth. (Prepare a few Easter eggs as spares in case some are dropped and mutilated beyond use.)
- One tablespoon for each youth.
Preparation
- Boil and dye Easter eggs the night before the Easter event.
Easter Egg Game / Activity Instructions
- Form all the youth into a single line.
- Each youth holds his or her spoon from the handle and carefully balances an Easter egg in the spoon.
- Youth may not use another hand or body part to balance the Easter egg.
- The youth at the front of the line is the leader.
- The leader moves into a location where everyone can see and then can move around, hop, or do any other crazy movements as long as he or she doesn't drop the Easter egg.
- The rest of the youth must follow the leader's actions while continuing to balance the Easter egg on the spoon.
- If one of the youth in line drops the Easter egg or is unable to perform the action she or she must go to the end of the line.
- If the Leader drops the Easter egg they also move to the end of the line and the next youth in line becomes the leader.
- Whichever youth is the leader at the end of a designated time, wins the game.
Discussion and Applications
Use this game along with these other Easter Egg activities for a meaningful Bible Lesson:
- Use plastic Eggs with Easter Symbols inside to Tell the Easter Story
- Have a traditional Easter Egg Hunt with a twist that tells the Biblical Easter Story
- Use Egg Tragedy and discuss how the Easter events may have seemed like a tragedy to the Followers of Christ at the time, but after they faced the heat they become much stronger and were used by God to change the world afterward.
- Replace the Colored Jelly Beans in Jelly Bean Salvation with colored Easter Eggs for an evangelistic lesson
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
Or just visit
www.CreativeEasterIdeas.com
Peter Cotton Tail
(07:05PM)
The song by Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins, focuses on the Easter Bunny, also known as Peter Cottontail. In essence they have turned the Easter Story into a Spring Santa Claus, who goes gives gifts to children. For somebody, he’s got jellybeans, while for others; he is carrying a basket full of Easter joy.
Here's the Lyrics:
Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping' down the bunny trail,
Hippity, hoppity,
Easter's on its way.
Bringing' every girl and boy Baskets full of Easter joy,
Things to make your Easter bright and gay.
He's got jellybeans for Tommy,
Colored eggs for sister Sue,
There's an orchid for your Mommy
And an Easter bonnet, too.
Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Happy Easter day.
Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping' down the bunny trail,
Look at him stop, and listen to him say:
"Try to do the things you should."
Maybe if you're extra good,
He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.
You'll wake up on Easter morning
And you'll know that he was there
When you find those chocolate bunnies
That he's hiding everywhere.
Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Happy Easter day.
But what if Peter Cottontail knew the real meaning of Easter?
Have youth write a new version of the popular song and relate it to the true meaning of Easter!
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
Or just visit
www.CreativeEasterIdeas.com
Easter Auction
(11:46AM)
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.
Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand.
He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist,"said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.
With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?"
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all!"
Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter day, the message is still the same-the love of a Father-a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.
Jesus: His Ministry Today
(11:40AM)
If Jesus were to do His same ministry on earth over again today, He would be wanted by...
The FDA for turning water into wine without a license,
The EPA for killing fig trees,
The AMA for practicing medicine without a license,
The Dept. of Health for asking people to open graves, for raising the dead and for feeding 5,000
people in the wilderness,
The NEA for teaching without a certificate,
OSHA for walking on water without a life-jacket and for flying without an airplane,
The SPCA for driving hogs into the sea,
The NATIONAL BOARD OF PSYCHIATRISTS for giving advice on how to live a guilt-free life,
The NOW for not choosing a woman among the 12 disciples,
The ABORTION RIGHTS LEAGUE for saying that whoever harms children, it is better that they had never been born,
The INTER-FAITH MOVEMENT for condemning all other religions,
And by the ZONING DEPT. for building mansions without a permit.
Easter Holiday
(10:09AM)
Easter Holiday
Easter holiday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ!
Jesus Christ, The Son of God bled and died for us in a sacrifice.
This spring day's celebrated, generally in the month of April.
All of the bright and pretty colors, of the Easter outfits with frill.
Women and children will wear their Easter bonnets.
In the spring, you'll hear the various musical sonnets.
April will bring many rain showers.
That'll bring us various beautiful flowers.
One special flower for this day is the Easter lily.
Its color is white, and yet snowy & milky.
The birds will sing their songs of praise.
As we begin to feel the warmth of the sun's rays.
As we say "Goodbye" to the winter's gloom,
The flowers and trees have already begun to bloom.
All of life's beauty, The Lord created, for us all to share.
Spring breezes begin to flow, sending fragrances through the air.
The winter's thawing will let the rivers, lakes, and streams rise and flow.
The beauty of the Earth will make us all feel aglow!
Farmers and gardeners will start to hoe.
And then they'll begin to sow.
On Sundays, we'll hear the various church bells ring.
Let's be grateful for the LORD, let's rejoice and sing.
If it wasn't for the Lord, we wouldn't have anything!
Author unknown
Missing
(06:30PM)
"Missing"
Based on this verse in Matthew 28:4: "The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men"
Cast: 3 guards
If technically possible, start sketch with a flash of light or stage pyrotechnic explosion, and/or sound effect of explosion, earthquake, etc.
Scene: A garden; the guards are lying on the ground, 2 of them perfectly still, and one (Guard 1) shaking slightly.
Guard 1 (slowly gets to his feet, still shaking and looking around in fear; walks over to Guard 2 and shakes him) Wake up, wake up.
Guard 2 (jumps to his feet, bolt awake, thinks the angel is still there) I'll be good, I promise I'll be good...(breaks off when he realises that the angel has gone, and turns to Guard 1) Did you see it, I mean him, I mean that, that BEING...?
Guard 1 I'm not sure, I think we must have imagined it.
Guard 2 (looking behind Guard 1) Well, we didn't imagine THAT (pointing) - look, the stone's been rolled away.
Guard 1 Oh no - you know what that could mean - someone's stolen the body!
Guard 2 We'd better check - I'll wait here while you pop inside.
Guard 1 No way - you go inside!
Guard 2 Not me!
Guard 1 Well one of us has got to do it...unless (they both turn and look at Guard 3, who is still lying on the ground, then look at each other, give each other a grin and a thumbs up sign, and walk over to Guard 3)
Guard 1 (bending over Guard 3) Oh Theo, wakey wakey...
Guard 3 (starts sucking his thumb) Oh mummy, please can I have another 10 minutes in bed...
Guard 2 (Tiptoes up, leans over and shouts in his ear) NO!
Guard 3 (jumps up) Whoa, what, where, who, when, why, how.....Oh it's you two. I was having the weirdest dream - there was an earthquake, and an angel, and a rolling stone, and...oh! (breaks off as he realises, looking around, that it wasn't a dream)
Guard 2 Now Theo, we were just wondering if you'd be kind enough to pop over here (they start to guide him towards the tomb - which is offstage)
Guard 1 Just have a quick peek inside, and we'll be right behind you.
Guard 3 Hang on, wait a minute, I mean...aargh! (they push him offstage)
Guard 2 Now I'm sure the body will still be there - that angel chap was only here for a moment, and I didn't see him go inside, and besides he'd have needed some help to carry the body away...
Guard 1 Yeah, I mean it's not as if he could have got up and walked away, is it?
Guard 2 Now that WOULD be unusual...!
They both laugh, as Guard 3 walks back on. They're still laughing, then they catch sight of the expression on Guard 3's face and stop laughing immediately.
Guard 3 (points back inside the tomb and finally stammers) It's EMPTY
All freeze.
USED BY PERMISSION
The script may be used freely (ie. printed, copied and acted out in church services or other free events) with no permission required, or royalties due. However, it remains Copyright © 2000, Mike Burn and may not be published or sold without prior permission of the author at http://www.familyworship.org.uk
Youth Sunrise Service
(09:42AM)
Description
An Easter sunrise service for a family or youth group is a great way to do something a little different this Easter.
Resources
- Bible
- Blanket to sit on
- Breakfast - Prepare a simple breakfast of boiled eggs, Hot cross Buns, rolls, juice, etc. Add a little fun to breakfast by packing a breakfast for each person in an individual Easter Basket with each person's name on it. You can even hide a prize in the bottom of each basket.)
Preparation
- Scout around your general location for a special, quiet place from which the sunrise can be seen. Arrange transportation as necessary to the location.
- Find and mark the Easter story in the Bible. (John 20: 14-18, Luke 24:1-12)
- Choose one or two songs the whole family can sing about the risen Lord. You can bring along a portable music player with speakers, a guitar or sing without music. You might also want to create handouts with the words for each participant.
Find out the approximate time of sunrise for Easter Sunday from the newspaper. [You can use this online link or earthtools to find out according to your longitude and latitude]
What to Do - Easter Morning
- Set your alarms so that you have enough time to get up and get ready. You might want to set clothes and other things aside the night before so you can just grab them and run in the morning.
- Get up early enough in the morning to get everyone to your chosen location before the sun comes up.
- Encourage youth to dress appropriately for the weather and comfort.
- Spread out the blanket(s) and encourage everyone to take a seat on the blankets
- Before the sun comes up, read the account of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and possibly other women going to Jesus' tomb and what they experienced.
- As the sun starts to peek over the horizon, sing or play a victorious song.
- Then thank God with your eyes wide open for the Resurrection and share what the resurrection means to you. A good outline for your short testimony is: 1) This is what I was, 2) this is what happened, 3) I cried out, and 4) this is what He's done...You might also invite some of the other youth to share.
- Share a simple breakfast together with the food you have brought. [One of the defining acts of Jesus’ ministry was table fellowship.]
- Head back to your homes with enough time for everyone to get dressed in their new Easter clothes and go to church.
Added Meaning
- Study the Biblical events leading up to Easter (Matthew 26 and 27) the week before you have the Easter Sunrise Service.
- If you are doing this with your family, or in a church locking, the night before Easter, talk about how the disciples must have felt on the Saturday night before the Resurrection; how Jesus' mother must have felt; what Mary Magdalene and those who had known Jesus were feeling.
Adapted from "Let's Make a Memory" by G. Gaither & S. Dobson"
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
Or just visit
www.CreativeEasterIdeas.com
Easter Communion
(04:33PM)
Description
Do something special with your family or with your youth group this year by having an Easter Communion with them.
Resources
- An easy to understand Bible
- One loaf of unleavened Bread
- One cup filled with Grape Juice
What to do
- Read through the Biblical account of the Jewish Passover and discuss what it meant to the Jews in the Bible. (see Exodus 12).
- Explain the significance of the use of unleavened bread when Jewish families remembered the Passover.
- Read the Bible passages leading up to the account of Jesus sharing the passover with His disciples (John 13). You might also want to include Jesus' last words to His disciples (John 14-16) and Jesus' prayer for us (John 17).
- Explain the significance of Jesus as the Passover Lamb as a sacrifice for each of our sins.
- Discuss the significance of sharing His cup and what it means to us today (John 18:11).
- Discuss what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. (I Corinthians 12)
- Forewarn the youth that communion is to be a time of reflection and reverence before God in remembrance of what he has done for us.
SHARING THE ELEMENTS OF THE FAMILY COMMUNION
(If it is your conviction that only a clergyman / pastor / minister must administer communion, invite one to do so in the circIe of your family or youth group.)
- Use one loaf of unleavened bread and one cup so that the family may share "One Body"
- and "One Cup." You can make this time more meaningful by sharing with each person with whom you break bread why you feel that person has been a gift from God to you. Jesus said "I love you" with a cross. We need to practice freely saying "I love you" to each other as well.
- Thank God together for the gift of His Son, for God's forgiveness through His Son, and for adopting each of us into His own family, making us sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters with the Lord Jesus, who brought us to the Father with His own Life.
Looking for some Creative Easter Ideas for your Easter Party or event?
Easter icebreakers! Creative Teaching Ideas! Easter Children's sermons, Easter illustrations and Devotions and MORE! Get more than 80 creative youth ideas for Easter in the Creative Youth Ideas Easter Collection.
Or just visit
www.CreativeEasterIdeas.com
Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt
(04:09PM)
Description
In this Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt, youth must find a series of valentine's by following a set of clues. When they reach the final Valentine the youth will also find a very special Valentine Gift.
Resources
Buy a packet of inexpensive Valentines. These usually include a variety of simple valentines for youth and children to share with their school friends. If you want to have more than one hunt, you can different Valentine's day cards in different themes or different colored envelopes and hide more than one set of cards. (i.e. great for more than one youth or teams of youth)
Preparation
- If you have more than one set of Valentine's cards be sure the different themes are easily distinguishable from each other or indicate different teams with a different colored envelopes.
- Write a different love note on each valentine card (ten to 15 cards). You can also write one word per card and number them to form a single message of love.
- Hide the Valentine cards throughout the house or in other suitable places. As you hide each card, write a clue on the outside of the card to direct the youth to the next hidden card. These can be simple clues or riddles.
- Along with the last Valentine, include a small love gift like a box of chocolates, etc.
An important Rule
If you are hiding more than one set of Valentine's day card, be sure to tell the youth that they may only touch their own cards. They may not take cards that belong to another team if they happen to find them.
What to do
- Divide everyone into two or more groups and give them a time limit with which to find the Valentine's Day cards.
- Give the kids the clue to the first valentine and let them search until they have found all of them. Remember to tell them there is something special hidden with the last Valentine.
- The first group that returns with the all the cards AND the final gift within the limited time wins.
"
Creative Scavenger Hunts: Once Lost, Now Found" is a 160 page e-book that explains everything you need to know to easily plan your very own scavenger hunt: Item Lists, Rules, Riddles, Safety Tips, Guidelines, Scoring, Tips for Facilitators and MORE! There are more than 50 complete ideas (scavenger hunts, photo hunts, video hunts, amazing race, etc.) to use at home, around the neighborhood, at the mall, in the park, on the beach, at church, and around town!
Worst Defeat
(11:20PM)
It was a dark and dreary day in 1916, a day well suited to the most brutally devastating rout in all of American football history.
One look at the two teams showed trouble ahead.
On the Georgia Tech side were semi-human monsters, gorilla-like behemoths trained by John Heisman, the man football's highest award was later named after. Heisman was a fanatic. He would not let his Yellow Jackets use soap or water because he considered them debilitating. Nor could they eat pastry, pork, veal, hot bread, nuts, apples, or coffee. His reason? "They don't agree with me," he growled, "so they'd better not agree with you." The Yellow Jackets, with eight All-Southern players, were intent on building their reputation. They lured lowly Cumberland to the game with a $500 guarantee.
The Cumberland team had several players who had never played football before. The official who accepted the offer had long since graduated and left the team in the hands of the team manager. Even the trip to Atlanta had been a disaster: Cumberland arrived with only 16 players. Three were lost at a rest stop in Nashville.
The game began. Georgia Tech scored 63 points in the first quarter, averaging touchdowns at one-minute-and-twenty-second intervals. Even after such a lopsided start, the rest of the game was filled with tension and drama! No one questioned who would win, of course. But could Cumberland players be convinced to finish the game? The manager, George Allen, paced the sidelines, exhorting the team to "hang in there for Cumberland's $500." They did, and with it collected the honor of the worst loss in American college football history: 222-0.
Cumberland also left posterity one of its most memorable football plays. A Cumberland kickoff returner fumbled, probably from sheer weariness. He yelled to a teammate, "Pick up the ball!" Replied his teammate, "Pick it up yourself! You dropped it!"
Cumberland was only in the game for the money. But Georgia Tech was in the game to WIN!
Cumberland was in the game to simply survive. But Georgia Tech was in the game to Win!
Cumberland was disorganized, but Georgia Tech organized everything to Win!
Cumberland was unskilled, but Georgia Tech developed their skills to Win!
Cumberland functioned as individuals. But Georgia Tech was a team united to win!
When it comes to the game of life, why are you in the game?
Are you focused on simply acquiring riches?
Or are you focused on living the Victorious Christian life?
Are you focused on simply surviving the game?
Or do you want to leave a legacy, to build your reputation as an ambassador of God?
You need to choose your goals in life carefully.
It is possible you may achieve your goals, yet lose the game.
Maybe the reason you feel defeated is because your goals are not the right ones!
Grave Inscriptions - Well done?
(03:12PM)
Here lies Captain Ernest Bloomfield. Accidentally shot by his orderly, March 2nd 1879. Well done, good and faithful servant.
-- grave inscription of a British soldier, in Northwest Frontier of modern-day Pakistan.
Giving
(12:02AM)
"In God's sight, my giving is measured not by how much I give, but by how much I have left after I make my gift. Not by its size is my gift judged, but by how much of me there is in it. No one gives at all until he has given all! No one gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice."
A.W. Tozer
Circle of Learning
(12:38AM)
You cannot believe what you do not know.
You cannot respond to what you cannot understand.