Belly Flop

Joey Chestnut is a man's man.  He is the reigning Hotdog Eating International Champion, having downed 66 dogs and buns in 12 minutes...setting a new World Record.  Normal men can't even stomach the thought of comparing with or competing against this hotdog eating freak.  Joey is in a class of his own.  


Each July 4th, Nathan's sponsors the International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, New York, which has become so popular that ESPN carries it as a holiday sports television staple.  On the day America celebrates freedom, crazy people belly up to the hot dog stand and start woofing em down into their Man Cave by the dozens.  The crowd goes nuts, cheering on these super humans as they loosen their belts and and go where no man has ever gone before.


It's entertaining.  Beyond that, you would be hard pressed to find much more value in those 12 minutes of making Hotdog Hall of Famers.


"I have food to eat that you know nothing about.  My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work."  John 4:32, 34 

When you look into the context of Jesus making this comment to his disciples, he probably could have enjoyed a good Chicago Dog.  On a long journey, tired and hungry, Jesus deliberately situates himself in a not by chance meeting with a soul thirsty soul.  The conversation is captivating.  In a few short minutes, (less than 12 I am thinking), a weary woman, beaten down with guilt and trapped in cultural judgment has a captive audience with the very Son of God, and her life is transformed.  She is met with God's grace when she had become accustomed to self-condemnation.

Jesus was nourished by that encounter as he was 'completing' yet another eternal assignment, joyfully. The hunger pains of Jesus just could not be satisfied at any drive thru.  His disciples would learn a lesson about real appetite that afternoon. How about you?

Awakening 21 is a three week intensive, drawing folk like me and you into the heart of God for a closer, more deliberate look.  It is an invitation to feast on His truth and to be nourished by being about what matters most...His agenda.  It's good 'food'!  Visit www.clearpointchurch.com and browse through the Awakening 21 page for how you can get in on some really fine dining!

Chestnut's new World Record of 66 hotdogs meant that he ingested nearly 10,000 calories in just 12 minutes, (men are supposed to max out at 2,500 each DAY!).  Add to that a cumulative 858 grams of fat and 450 mgs of sodium, not to mention the carb overdose and you have to be happy that July 4th at Nathan's on Coney Island happens only once a year.  I wonder how Joey trains...