Brave Temple Run

So here's the game she's been playing on the Kindle.  Merida is alive and well, pretty much in a perpetual state of running for her life in this version of "Temple Run."  "I've got to keep running," she says, jumping and diving under things.  She's given power-ups and boosts, but there's never any rest for this Disney Princess.  It's run, run, run!  Ach!  This simple game inspired an upcoming message that Daddy has written for KidPak, based on the genre of games like "Tomb Raider," "Temple Run," "Pitfall" and even "Lego Indiana Jones."

“Pitfalls”

     Adventurers have been running in video games for years.  Pitfall Harry, Lara Croft and even Lego Indiana Jones have been making temple runs for treasure, taking us along for the thrills and excitement.  There are a few things we can learn from these seasoned explorers, and they are all related to what these games have in common:  the jungle, the treasure, and all that running!
     Firstly, you’ve probably heard it’s a jungle out there.  Pitfall Harry has his hands full, jumping over scorpions, swinging over crocodiles and dodging venomous vipers.  But the world we live in can be tricky too, if we’re not careful.  As Christians, we have to remember what Jesus told us:  we are in this world, but not of it.  Life is an adventure, but you have to ready for pitfalls.
     Make a temple run if you feel tempted to sin!  If you want to stay safe, you have to be quick to jump, dodge and flee from doing those things God isn’t pleased with.  The Bible tells us to run away from evil things:  picture that fleeing adventurer in Temple Run. He’s doing everything he can to stay away from trouble.  We should be no different!

     The thing to remember is that treasure awaits us in heaven.  You race for the prize.  And you don’t have to be a tomb raider to find the real treasures that await us in heaven.  At times we become distracted by the world around us, but we should never forget this:  the richest treasures here on earth won’t be worth a thing at the end of the game.  So think twice about what you’re running hard after.
     You’ve got a lot in common with these adventurers.  As you head out into the jungle out there, be good to remember where that real treasure is – and watch out for pitfalls!

  

“In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.” Proverbs 22:5 NIV

“Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you. You have received him from God. You do not belong to yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NIrV

“As soon as the angels had brought them out, one of them spoke. He said, ‘Run for your lives! Don’t look back! Don’t stop anywhere in the valley! Run to the mountains! If you don’t, you will be swept away!’” Genesis 19:17 NIrV

“God lives forever! You can run to him for safety.  His powerful arms are always there to carry you.” Deuteronomy 33:27 NIrV

“The Lord hates how sinners live. But he loves those who run after what is right.” Proverbs 15:9 NIrV

“The name of the Lord is like a strong tower. Godly people run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NIrV

“But you are a man of God. Run away from all of those things. Try hard to do what is right and godly. Have faith, love and gentleness. Hold on to what you believe.” 1 Timothy 6:11 NIrV

1. It’s a __________ out there. We are in this world, but not of it.  Life is an adventure, but you have to watch out for pitfalls.

"They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to it.” John 17:16 NIrV
a.  jungle        b. treasure                 c. leap

2.  Flee from __________! Make a temple run if you feel tempted to sin!  Get with the right friends, the right church and the right book:  His word.  If you want to stay safe, you have to be quick to jump, dodge and flee from doing those things God isn’t pleased with.

“Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NIrV
a. temples      b. sin   c. adventure

3.  Treasure awaits in __________.  You race for the prize, and don’t have to be a tomb raider to find the real treasures that await us in heaven.  The richest treasures here on earth won’t be worth a thing at the end of the game, so think twice about what you’re running hard after.
“So run in a way that will get you the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIrV


Daddy is in the middle of writing messages for this video game-inspired series - this one has a fun theme, which brings to mind that old game "Pitfall!"  Daddy still has that Atari 2600 cartridge - and the Atari 2600 for that matter.  It's hard to believe we spent so long playing these games when you look at them now.  Of course, we didn't know any better, and didn't have any better.  But things have come a long way since then.  And although certain games stood the test of time, some of them are pretty hard to play again these days:  they're best left in our sweet memories.

As for today, you can tell it was pretty uneventful.  Madison and Daddy did stay up a little later, watching movies and playing games, although not too late.  We've got plans to take a trip tomorrow, hopefully to a museum (to celebrate our theme).  There is temptation to go to a Disney Infinity Power Disc trade event at Toys R Us - such is the power of our latest addiction:  Daddy found three more rare discs for the nephews at Christmas.  That is, unless they're reading this.  In which case, I found nothing at all.  Nope.  Not a thing.