"Blessed Be the Name of the Lord"

And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.” - Job 1:21 (emphasis added)

All too often when we are blessed with something (be it a job position, status, wealth, health, etc.), we get proud and think it's of our own hard work or merit that got us there. We believe we must have done something good in God's eyes, or we just are that good. We forget that God is sovereign. We forget God is holy and mighty. We forget that we are nothing but a vapor that is here for a moment, then gone. We forget God can take whatever it is away from us just as quickly as He gave it to us, and that He doesn't owe us an answer as to why. Who are we to question God? Who are we to demand an answer for the Most High God? Who is the creation to tell the Creator how He must work? Who do we think we are to believe God must bless us? He's not a vending machine. He's not Santa Clause. We can't confine Him in a box or make Him do our bidding. And praise be to our Father for that!

When things are taken away from us, it's easy for most of us to quote the middle of Job 1:21 - "the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away" - but we struggle when it comes to the end of that verse - "blessed be the name of the Lord." Many ask, "How can I praise God during _____?" My question: How can you and I refrain from praising Him, especially during the hard times? Our Lord is worthy of praise and glory. He is a thrice holy God (Isaiah 6:3), sovereign (Psalm 115:3), King of kings and Lord of lords. Our God is terrible and mighty, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). The only reason we are here today is by His goodness and grace. Without Him we are nothing. We are fully dependent upon Him. He is God, and we are not. Praise and blessing be to our Father forever!

What Does God Say?: Sexual Morality

For the past few weeks the book we had been going over in Bible study was 'The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment' by Tim Challies.  In one of the final chapters, there was an optional assignment for us to put what we had learned about discernment into practice.  We were to come up with a statement that we've heard people give (such as, "God says not to judge, so don't be judging me," etc.) and find out whether or not it is truth (truth fully backed up by Scripture).  Below is a copy of a friend's submission for the assignment.

Written By: Sarah Iddings - March, 2015


Statement: "It is not morally wrong for me to live with my significant other before marriage."

What is at stake: Sexual morality, obedience to God.

What people say:
You need to live with someone before marriage because...
 
1.) There are all kinds of things you will never learn about a guy until you live with them. And vice versa.
2.) You should want to be with your guy because YOU LOVE HIM, period. Whether you get married or not is secondary.
3.) If you're too set in your ways to live with someone, you're too set in your ways to get married. There are compromises all over the place, even with someone you're really compatible with.
4.) Learning to coexist with someone, especially after you've been single and on your own for a long time, is difficult. Very difficult. Getting engaged also brings with it so many stresses and difficulties, that it seems like the worst possible time to move in together. It's so much better to learn how to coexist first, before you start tackling all of the issues that come with an impending marriage.
 

What the Bible Says:

• Genesis 2:23-25 - "The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife [NOT bf/gf or lover]; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed."

• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

• Hebrews 13:4 - "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5- "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God"

• 1 Corinthians 7:2 - "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."

• Romans 13:14 - “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

• Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

 
What other Christians say:
"'Does the Bible say it is wrong for unmarried, unrelated men and women to live together?' is not the right question. The right question to ask is, 'What is God’s will concerning an adult male and an adult female living together?'
 
According to Genesis 2:24, His revealed will is that only husbands and wives (or family members) should live together.
 
Why does God say this?
 
The answer is because living together is an intimate and bonding experience. Living together in the same home where men and women share the same kitchen, bathroom, etc., where they see each other early in the morning and late at night develops intimacy and bonding.

God allows that kind of intimacy only among family members. Why? Because between members of the opposite sex, it can lead to sexual intimacy.

It is very easy to start out as “just friends,” but when sharing an intimate home relationship week after week, talking and relating, seeing each other first thing in the morning and late at night, there is no barrier to that kind of intimacy leading to sexual intimacy.

God’s normal barrier to controlling sexual intimacy between members of the opposite sex is physical separateness, men and women living apart from each other.

When men and women live together intimacy naturally develops. Men can become sexually attracted to women even if they are “just friends.” They are visually stimulated and can be sexually tempted apart from any kind of relationship they have with a woman. Woman often do not realize this, but it is true. Women can become sexually attracted to men who are around them and listen to them especially when they feel vulnerable.

...

Romans 13:14 says, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

This verse means we are not to “make provision for the flesh,” that is put ourselves into a situation where we know that we will fall into sin. Living together provides a powerful opportunity for sexual lust.

Even though they may innocently say that circumstances are “forcing” them to live together, they will soon be sleeping together in the same bed. Then sex will follow. Men and women cannot live together when they are romantically involved and not eventually succumb to sexual temptation. It is too powerful. Since living together for a couple makes provision for the flesh, it is condemned by God and is sin." - Ron Jones, Titus Institute; http://titusinstitute.com/datingbible/livingtogether.php
 

Summary:
We cannot live with the opposite gender outside of a marriage/family relationship and do it "to the glory of God". He has stated in scripture that His desired will is for a man and woman to marry and then live together. We are to be "lights to the world" and to stand out from others with how we conduct our lives; if we are knowingly placing ourselves in a position that can easily lead to sinful compromise, we are not living in a way that will reflect God to those around us.

 * * * * * * *

This is the book we just completed in Bible study, for anyone who may be interested.

Respect

By: Stephanie Defoyd
July 31st, 2014


Respect is yet another one of the most misused terms and one of the most lacking traits in our society.  Far too many people have the arrogant attitude of, "I won't respect them until they respect me first."  There also seems to be this misconception that respect is allowing oneself to be walked all over by another in order to "keep peace" or to "gain friendship".  Regardless of what some may say this is NOT the definition of respect, and is most certainly not the attitude we should have about respecting others.

To respect someone is to have regard for them, their feelings, and to look out for their well-being.  It is to show someone kindness and humility and value them as an individual because they are created in the very image of God, regardless of whether or not you like or agree with the person's views, practices, etc.  Respect is to be given freely and without constraint.  It's not a "give-take" deal, or a "take-give" arrangement, as some view it.  One should give respect to all and not expect to be respected back.

Respect does not mean allowing someone to use you for their selfish desires just so you can "keep peace" and "gain friendship" with them.  That's called being manipulated, and what you gain isn't true peace or friendship.  It's called allowing yourself to become a slave and in the end, neither you nor the people you're supposedly "respecting" are happy.  Both parties end up miserable, and you're doing the opposite of respecting.  You're showing disrespect to them by not looking out for their well-being, and you're also disrespecting yourself because you're allowing yourself to be used.

When we have the attitude that people should respect us first before we should have to respect them, we fool ourselves.  It is a selfish and arrogant way of thinking.  It says we deserve something that in all reality we don't.  We don't truly "deserve" anything.  The Bible is clear on that.  I am no more worthy of respect or anything else than the thief in prison.  We need to get rid of this entitlement attitude so many of us hold, otherwise who is going to be the first to step up to the plate and give respect?  Matthew 7:12 says, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." We aren't told to wait for others to treat us right before we treat them right.  We are called to treat others the way we would have them treat us, even if they don't treat us the same way.

How Fellowship Works: The Grammar Edition

                                     By: Amy Richardson

Lewiston Tribune

[Richardson is co-director of young adult ministries at Valley Christian Center in Lewiston]

I'm a grammar girl.  Reading a passage in the Bible and dissecting the sentences to clarify or to learn something new is fun for me.

Inexplicably, grammar also makes me sassy and gets my finger wagging.  It's inevitable; you've been warned.

The word we're looking at today is "fellowship."  Fellowship is typically used as a noun, and nouns identify us and others.  In English, a fellowship is a group of people with shared interest.  Tracking so far?  Noun = identity.

Luke wrote in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  "Fellowship," the noun does work here.  In fact, the word in Greek is used as a noun.

So, we're good?  Fellowship is what we are.

Nope.

The problem with stopping there is that we only get half of the picture.  The Greek noun used is "koinonia," meaning, "a partnership, contributory help, participation, sharing in, communion, etc. ..."  Did you catch all of those verbs?  Unlike a noun, a verb conveys action.  I know.  You never dreamed you'd get this much grammar excitement on a Saturday, right?

So, why is this important?  If "fellowship" is both a thing that we are and a thing that we do then, per Luke, they devoted themselves both to an identity and to action.

"Sure," you say.  "The grammar is cool, but we all know that Scripture.  Why did you threaten us with sass in the intro?"

Well smarty pants, a 2012 Gallup poll reported that of the 77 percent of Americans who identify as Christian, 64 percent attend church regularly and 35 percent self-report that they attend their church seldom or never.

Wait.

If fellowship is both an identity and an action but we have seldom to zero involvement with our church family, then we're doing it wrong.  (Please direct your attention to my photo and imagine some finger-wagging.  If you think I'm up to it, you may also imagine a head wobble and some snaps.)

What if 35 percent of children attended school rarely or never?  What if, when they did attend, they paid partial attention to the lessons, left early and never did homework?  They would still be school children but by not participating, they would not reach the full potential of what they can and should accomplish.  My dear 77 percent, that's us.

We read passages like Hebrews 10:24-25, "... let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing ..." without realizing that we are the "some" Paul referred to.

If we can really get this, the potential of the church is astounding.  "Every day they continued to meet together ... They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" Acts 2:46-47.

Let's get this.

Christianese: What Are We Talking About?

By: Stephanie Defoyd
November 4th, 2013

Lately one of the topics between some of my friends and me has been Christianese.  The different phrases and words we Christians use when we talk to each other as well as to others.  Has anyone else ever noticed how odd some of these phrases or words sound when used in conversation?  Another thought: what on earth are we meaning when we say these things, and why don’t we just speak plain English?  Why do we always revert to using Christianese, and what purpose does it serve?

Yesterday morning, I joined a group of friends for a beginner’s Sunday school class at church.  One of our friends in the group is a new Christian, so the rest of us throughout the lesson were trying to help with explaining different points and concepts.  While talking about salvation and eternal life, God’s grace was of course brought up in the explanation.  The next question was how to break down and define grace more clearly.  We noticed right away that all of our answers we were giving were, in one way or another, reverting back to using Christianese, which wasn’t clearing anything up.  Finally with all of us working together, and with the help of a dictionary, we were able to explain with more clarity what it was we were trying to say.

When I got to work last night, I found myself still going over this in my mind.  And as I started copying down another friend’s Bible study notes during a lull in my shift, I noticed I was picking up on every cliché, every term we Christians use all the time and never really give any thought about – and some whose meanings we use far too loosely – throughout the whole page.  “To build up and edify,” “actively abide in Christ,” “God flows in us,” “fellowshipping,” “communion,” “spiritual fellowship,” “prayer warrior,” “born again.”  These are just a few examples.  Others I either hear people use, or hear referred to often jokingly would be “I’m praying for a hedge of protection around you,” and “so-and-so has a servant’s heart.”

Why is it that we don’t use simple language when we speak?  After a good sermon, a lot of the time we don’t just say something like, “That was a really powerful message Pastor shared today.”  No, instead it might go along the lines of, “Pastor was definitely filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Word was anointed.”  But that’s not all.  To quote Tim Hawkins, “It’s like we don’t say someone’s a gossip. No, ‘She has the gift of “discernment”.’  We don’t say, ‘No,’ we say, ‘I’ll pray about it.’  We don’t say, ‘He’s out of his mind,’ no, ‘That’s our youth pastor.’”  While what Tim said was in jest, there’s a lot of truth behind it.  For some reason, we Christians don’t seem to always just say what we mean.  Evidently we feel the need to spruce what we say instead of being blunt and telling it as it is.  I know a lot of Christians probably revert to Christianese because it’s something they grew up hearing from other Christians in their lives, and just have picked up on it over the years.  But sometimes I wonder if a lot of us feel the need to use these big words, certain terms, and clichés to make us at least sound better or more knowledgeable than others around us.

I think there are probably more of us than we realize who actually don’t know what half of the clichés we use even MEAN.  I know I’m pretty clueless on a good majority of them.  To top it off, Christianese causes many if not all Christians to use a lot of words far too loosely.  Take the word “fellowship” for instance.  A church announcement might say, “Come join us Wednesday at 6PM for Bible study, followed by a potluck dinner, and wonderful fellowship.”  What does this mean?  Well, almost always fellowship refers to casually chatting with fellow Christians about everything under the sun and participating in other various activities together.  You know what’s pretty interesting though?  That’s NOT the definition of fellowship in the Bible.  In fact, the meaning is very different.  The Greek word for fellowship is ‘koinonia’, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as follows: “intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community.”  It means having GOD at the center of our thoughts and conversations, sharing what He’s doing in our lives with one another, working to encourage and help each other, etc.  It’s not about Christians just “hanging out” together. (There’s a lot more involved in the meaning of fellowship, but I will save that for a later date).  Hmm…doesn’t sound much like our definition of fellowship, now does it?

We Christians really need to stop using Christianese.  First off, it has no other purpose than to make one sound like they know a lot about something.  Secondly, a lot of the meanings to these clichés can’t be explained and are hard to understand, not only for new Christians or for those who aren’t familiar with Christianity, but also for those of us who have been Christians for quite a few years.  Explanations about God and salvation and the Bible that should be fairly simple to give (this only applies to something things, since there are a lot of concepts that just are not and never will be comprehendible to man) become almost ten times harder to explain and understand, if grasped at all.  And finally, when we use Christianese, we tend to use words like “fellowship” so casually that their true meaning is lost.

Child Of The King (1 Peter 3:15) Parts 1 & 2

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." - 1 Peter 3:15

This skit written by Jonathan, Jacob, Alyssa, Trevor, Shannea, Sarah, and myself, with input/help from our moms. We (Jon, Alyssa, Jake, Trevor, Shannea, and I) performed this during our homeschool group's Presentation Night in 2009, and also for the residents at the nursing home the following April. At the time we ranged in age from 9 years old to 18 years old....hard to believe that was 3 years ago.

(NOTE: Bear in mind that this skit was supposed to be only 10 minutes long, so we tried to touch on as much as possible within the time frame given. Also, this skit is broken into two parts, and at the end of each part is a video recording of our first performance for PCHE's Presentation Night at the Lewis-Clark State College Silverthorne Theater).

CHARACTERS/ACTORS-ACTRESSES:

* Jessica: Stephanie
* Josephine: Alyssa
* Earl: Jon
* Phil & Dr. Maxwell: Trevor
* Zeke: Jacob
* Nurse Dorothy: Shannea


- Part I -


(Earl, Phil, Josephine & Zeke come onto stage tossing ball while Jess's reading Bible a ways away. Earl makes bad throw, accidentally hitting Jess. Jess stands as Jo hurries over. Phil or Zeke say something to Earl about his bad throw as they follow slightly behind.)

Josephine: "Sorry about that!"

Jessica: "Hey, that's okay! No problem!"

Josephine: "By the way, I'm Josephine."

Jessica: "Hi, Josephine! I'm Jessica."

Josephine: "Hey! Nice to meet you! Oh, and I want you to meet my friends, Earl, Zeke and Phil."

(Earl, Phil & Zeke all say something here at the same time.)

Jessica: "Hi!"

Josephine: "So, do you live around here? Maybe we could get together sometime."

Jessica: "I live in an apartment near here. It's not big or anything, but, hey, one day I'll be living in a mansion."

Josephine, Earl, Phil & Zeke: "A mansion?!"

Jessica: "Yeah, a mansion."

Earl: "Your family must be pretty rich to afford a mansion."

Jessica: "When God is your Father, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, you are rich. He's preparing a mansion for me in heaven where I'll live with Him for eternity."

Zeke: "God is preparing you a mansion in heaven?"

Earl: "How do you figure that?"

Jessica: "He told me so, through His Word, which is the Bible."

Josephine: "Really?"

Phil: "Where does it say that?"

Jessica: "Right here. In the book of John, chapter fourteen, verse two, Jesus says: 'In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.'"

Josephine: "Wow! I wish I could live in a mansion with God forever!"

Jessica: "Well, I have good news for you! You can!"

Josephine: "Are you serious?!"

Earl: "I don't think she is."

Jessica: "Of course I am! All of you can! It's simple: you just have to admit to God that you are a sinner, which everyone is, and that He is totally perfect in every way, unlike us, and turn away from your sins. Next, you need to believe that Jesus is God's Only Son who came to earth to die on a cross for all our sins and accept His forgiveness from sin. And last, but certainly not least, confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord."

Josephine: "That's it?!"

Phil: "No way! Nothing's that easy!"

Jessica: "Oh, but it is! Really, that's all there is to it! And once you have trusted Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, you can be sure that: your sin is forgiven; you are a Christian; you are the child of God, the King of all; God will always be with you, and you will go to heaven when you die. Everyone needs Jesus."

Zeke: "Says who?"

Jessica: "God does in the Bible. In the book of Romans, chapter three, verse twenty-three: 'For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.' That's explaining why we need Christ: because we've all messed up by disobeying God. Then if you flip a few chapters ahead, to chapter six, also verse twenty-three, He tells us what happens if we don't accept Him, and what we have if we do: 'For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'"

Josephine: "Are you sure that's all you have to do? I mean, it seems almost too good to be true!"

Jessica: "Yeah, I know it does. But honestly, that's all."

Earl: (Mumbled): "Whatever. I mean, how do you know if it's even true? How do you know that will get you to heaven?"

Phil: "Yeah."

Zeke: "How do you know?"

Jessica: "Because God, through the Bible, tells me so and I believe what God says. The reason being, I've seen things that prove both He and His Word are real and true."

Earl: "Have you realized that it's just a book?"

Jessica: "You're right. It is a book...but not just any book. It's God's Word. Yes, it was written by men, but they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They wrote what God told them to write, not just what they thought sounded good."

Earl: "What's the matter with the world we're in now? Isn't it wonderful enough?"

Jessica: "Well, it's full of greed, hatred, vanity, death, pain, sorrow..." (Voice trails off and Earl starts to speak, but Jessica interrupts.) "Yes, there are some good things in this world too, but can you imagine a place so perfect that there's no such thing as all of what I just mentioned, and then some? Revelation twenty-one four refers to the day when all of those who have trusted Jesus Christ will live with God for eternity in heaven: 'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.'"

Josephine: "Oh, this is so awesome! I want to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord!"

Jessica: "Really?! Do you really want to accept Jesus?"

Josephine: "Yes!"

Jessica: "Great! Okay, then pray this prayer in your heart: 'Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I know that my sin separates me from You. I understand that You came to earth to die for me because of my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and please come into my heart. Amen.'"

Josephine: (Repeats 'Amen,' then says): "Wow!"

Phil: "Hey, can I see your Bible a moment?"

Jessica: (Hands Phil Bible) "Sure."

Phil: "Thanks." (Flips through, glances at a few pages, then flips curiously to place where Bible is marked. Reads aloud): "'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.'"

Jessica: (Nodding) "John three, sixteen and seventeen. That passage describes how God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to be the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins." (Phil gives Jessica questioning look & she continues.) "We are all sinners, or wrong doers, and nothing we do is perfect. God on the other hand, is perfect in every way and is everything that is good and just. Sin is wrong, and the only just punishment for sin is death. But since God loves us so much, He sent His Son to die in our place. Jesus was whipped, beat, mocked, spat upon, humiliated before crowds who yelled for Him to be crucified, made to wear a crown of thorns and carry a cross, to which they later hung Him on to die, by driving nails through His hands and feet. After He had died, they pierced His side with a spear to make sure." (Takes Bible from Phil and flips to certain spot. Reads aloud): "Isaiah fifty-three, five: 'But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.'"

Phil: (Quiet for a moment, taking it all in.) "Wow! He loves me that much?" (Jessica nods, and Phil stands there quietly for a moment, head bowed. Raising his head, he announces happily): "I've accepted Christ!"

Jessica: "That's wonderful!"

Zeke: (Doubtfully) "He went through all of that?"

Jessica: "Yes. And if you want to see all that He went through, just because He loves us, you can watch 'Passion Of The Christ'. It's a longer movie, but it gives you a visual of what He did for us. As a matter of fact," (glances at watch) "it's going to be playing at the theater in about five minutes. Hey, why don't we all go?"

(All but Earl agree with Jess's idea)

Earl: "A movie? Whatever. Hey, I'll just meet you guys in front of the theater after it's over, okay?"

Jessica: "Okay."

(Everyone leaves stage then return to meet in front of "theater" a few moments later)

Zeke: "Whoa! That was intense!"

Josephine: "You can say that again!"

Zeke: "You weren't kidding when you told me 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son'! You know, that really staples my faith right there."

Jessica: "What?"

Zeke: "After seeing that, I've come to a decision..."

Earl: "And you come to it just by seeing a movie? Please!"

Jessica: "But what is the decision?"

Zeke: "I've accepted Christ."


- END OF PART I -

'Child Of The King (1 Peter 3:15) Part 1'

CREDITS:

Video: Dave Johnson

Cast: Jonathan Stormes, Stephanie Defoyd, Alyssa Defoyd,

Jacob Stormes, & Trevor Defoyd

Script: Jonathan Stormes, Stephanie Defoyd, Alyssa Defoyd,

Jacob Stormes, Shannea Defoyd, Sarah Iddings,

Arla Defoyd, & Debbi Stormes

Part II

(Cafe scene)

Jessica: (Mumbles & glances at watch): "Any day now Josephine! It's already 20 after!"

Josephine: (Rushes over to Jessica's table almost out of breath.) "Hey, Jess! Sorry I'm so late."

Jessica: "Hi, Jo!" (Sees worried look on Josephine's face.) "What's wrong?"

Josephine: (Taking a seat.) "Oh, Jess! You won't believe what happened!" (Jess gives Jo questioning look and she cont., worriedly): "On my way to meet you here, I got a call. Earl's in the hospital!"

Jessica: "WHAT?!"

Josephine: "He was in a horrible car accident yesterday morning! The doctors were saying it's a miracle he even lived through it!"

Jessica: (As she starts to stand, says): "I'd like to go over there...what about you?"

Josephine: (Also rising): "I'd really like to," (Glances at watch.) "but I have some things I need to finish up before a certain time. I'll try to meet up with you at the hospital later, okay?"

Jessica: "Okay." (Josephine starts to turn to leave with Jess following slightly behind): "Hey, thanks for letting me know!"

Josephine: (Pauses and turns.) "No problem!"

(Both girls leave stage. Hospital scene.)

Nurse Dorothy: (Walks onto stage with needle. Says cheerfully): "Good afternoon, Earl! How are you doing?"

Earl: (Mumbles): "Been better."

Nurse Dorothy: "Are you ready for your shot?" (Pushes plunger letting drop of water drip out).

Earl: (Hoarsely): "Shot?"

Nurse Dorothy: (As she walks over to Earl, says): "This won't hurt a bit!" (Calmly says '1' &'2'. More emphasis on '3'): "One...Two...THREE!" (Gives shot on 3).

Earl: (Ad lib) (yell of pain and nearly flies out of the hospital bed)

Nurse Dorothy: (Removes needle). "All done! Have a nice day!" (Smiles and starts to walk off stage. Calls to Jess): "You can see the patient now!" (Leaves stage).

Jessica: (Walks on stage to Earl). "Hey!"

Earl: (Relieved): "Hey, Jess! Boy, am I glad to see a familiar face!"

Jessica: "So, how are ya feeling?"

Earl: (Rubs arm & mutters): "Could be worse, I guess."

Jessica: "Josephine told me about what happened. Sounds like God was watching over you."

Earl: "Yeah, yeah. That's what you always say."

Jessica: "Well, maybe I always say that because it's always true. I mean, if God hadn't---"(Interrupted by Dr. Maxwell, who enters stage.)

Dr. Maxwell: (Cheerfully): "Well, I'm glad to see that my patient is doing so well! I'm Doctor Maxwell, by the way." (Turns to Jess.) "And you're---?"

Jessica: "Jessica."

Dr. Maxwell: "Nice to meet you, Jessica!" (Turning back to Earl.) "Well, Earl, you were in pretty bad shape when you arrived yesterday morning. It's a miracle that you're even here with us now." (Shakes head wonderingly.) "God obviously has a plan for you. That's the only explanation for your surviving that crash and doing so well now." (A slight pause, then):"Well, I'd better go. I have a few other patients that I need to check up on. Again, nice to meet you, Jessica. And Earl, I'll see you later." (Turns and leaves stage.)

Earl: (Mutters): "What is it with people? Always 'God' this, 'God' that! I was just lucky!"

Jessica: (Shakes head in disbelief.) "So you just base your life on luck and chance?" (Pulls out Bible & turns to 2 Tim. 2:19.) "If you want something rock-solid to base your life on, it's found in God, and Him alone. The first part of verse nineteen, in Sec. Timothy, chapter two says: 'Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.'"

Earl: "Sure, whatever. How in the world could somebody believe all of that about some invisible dude in the sky? It's like imagining your imaginary friend is going to jump out of nowhere and save your life. It doesn't make any sense to me, Jess."

Jessica: "There are some things about God that aren't meant to make sense to us, Earl. If we, the small, vulnerable human beings that we are, were able to fully understand God, He wouldn't be as powerful as He really is."

Earl: "Yeah...I guess. But if God cares as much as everyone says, why'd He put me in the hospital and cause these ginormous needles to suddenly have an undeniable attraction to my arm???"

Jessica: "Sometimes God allows trials to enter our lives. And look at it this way: you may be in the hospital, but you're not dead."

Earl: (Sighs.) "Good point. How can you possibly keep looking to the bright side in these situations, Jess?! I don't get it." (Laughs a little.) "Or maybe I don't get it because of something in that needle Nurse What's-her-face gave me."

Jessica: "Well, guess what? I didn't always see the good in situations. But then...back a few years ago, when my grandpa was on his death bed, he explained something to me: God cares." (While saying this, opens Bible to passage that's marked.) "He cares for us very much. He showed me a Bible and turned to Romans 8:28." (Reads verse from Bible.) "It says, 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.' I didn't believe it completely at the time...but when I accepted Christ a year later, I began to see things in a new light. Though not everything seems good in our eyes, it all plays out in the end and goes to complete God's perfect will. He has a reason for everything that happens. My grandpa's witnessing to me before he died planted a seed that lead me to Christ later on in life, and I know for a fact that there is a reason for your accident as well."

(Zeke enters stage before any more can be said.)

Zeke: "Yo!"

Jessica: "Hi, Zeke!"

Earl: "'Sup, dude!"

Zeke: "Hey, I just passed Doctor Maxwell on my way here. He's a friend of the family. So he's your doctor, huh?"

Earl: "Yeah, he is."

Jessica: "He was just here a few moments ago telling Earl that God obviously has a plan for him. That's what we've been talking about."

Earl: (Mutters): "I hope it's a plan to get me out of this hospital."

Zeke: (Reaches for Bible Jess has.) "Hey, let me see that a moment." (Jess hands him Bible & he flips to verse.) "Proverbs three, five says: 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.'"

Jessica: (Suddenly looking around, as if in search of something.) "Hey, does anyone have a piece of paper?" (Feels pocket, then says): "Ah, never mind! I have one..." (Scribbles something down as guys look on curiously. Hands note to Earl, then steps behind him.)

Earl: (Reads note to self, then asks, confused): "Huh? What's this about?" (Tries to turn slightly to look behind him.) "What are you up to, Jess?"

(Jess doesn't answer.)

Zeke: (Also puzzled.) "What does it say?"

Earl: "'Lean back and lay your head in my hands'?"

Zeke: (Shares a puzzled look with Earl, glances at Jess, then shrugs.) "Uh, I guess just...do it...?"

Earl: (Unsure, then does it.)

Jessica: "Okay you can sit up now." (Moves back to original position.)

Earl: (After sitting up, asks): "What in the world was that for?"

Jessica: (Instead of answering Earl's question, asks one of her own.) "Why did you lay your head in my hands?"

Earl: (Gives Jess an odd look.) "Huh? What do you mean, 'why did you lay your head in my hands'? You told me to, genius!"

Jessica: (Shakes head.) "I never said a word."

Earl: "Okay, you told me through the note you handed me." (Holds up paper.)

Jessica: "Okay. How did you know that my hands would be there?"

(Zeke looks on with understanding, realizing where this is headed.)

Earl: (Answers slowly, somewhat puzzled): "You said that they would be and I trust you...?"

Jessica: "Right. You read my words and trusted that I'd follow through. I am a human and a sinner, just like you. I have faults, I may forget things, I don't always keep the promises I make, I may be weak...yet, you trusted me. God is your Father and Creator. He does not and will not have faults, cannot forget anything, always keeps His promises, and is so much stronger than either you or I. So why not believe what He tells us through the Bible, His Word, and trust that He'll be there with you like He says He will be?"

Zeke: "Life has a lot of ups and downs, but you can trust God to be with you through it all. I've realized since I've become a Christian that that doesn't mean that everything is going to go 'A-Okay' all the time, but you can know that God is always right there with you. You just have to keep looking to Him."

Jessica: "He gives you a peace and comfort that you cannot find anywhere else."

Earl: (A slight pause, then): "Hmmm. I don't know, guys. I really don't know about this whole 'God' thing...but, do you think, when I get out of the hospital, I might be able to catch a ride with you to your church? I mean, it's not like I'm going to be able to drive for quite some time..."

Jessica: "Sure!"

Earl: "Well, thank you, guys. I really appreciate all of this. This means a lot."


- THE END -

'Child Of The King (1 Peter 3:15) Part 2'

CREDITS:

Video: Dave Johnson

Cast: Jonathan Stormes, Stephanie Defoyd, Alyssa Defoyd,

Jacob Stormes, Trevor Defoyd, & Shannea Defoyd

Script: Jonathan Stormes, Stephanie Defoyd, Alyssa Defoyd,

Jacob Stormes, Shannea Defoyd, Sarah Iddings,

Arla Defoyd, & Debbi Stormes

Give It To God

By: Stephanie Defoyd

May 10, 2011

Stressed, worried, frustrated, easily agitated over the silliest things, not very pleasant to be around, annoyed, hurting and not fully sure why, wondering how I was going to make it through the day – yeah, this was basically the story of my life for about two weeks or more. So many things were going on and happening all at once that I felt completely overwhelmed by it all. I wasn’t sure how to process everything or how I was supposed to handle it. Life just seemed really harsh all the sudden and I kept asking myself the same question over and over: “Why?”

“Just give it all to God,” I was told. “He will take care of everything. You should know that.” Oh, I knew it all right. I knew He could take this messy life of mine and turn it into something beautiful. I even recited a certain Bible verse trying to remind myself constantly of this fact – Romans 8:28. I prayed that God would help me, that He would see me through. I even asked Him to take the load that was weighting me down and turn it into something for His glory. There was one little problem though: I didn’t give it to Him. Not fully, anyway. Oh, I thought that I had, but I hadn’t, not truly. I was still holding on to it, trying to handle everything all by myself. My result: I was an even bigger mess than when this whole thing started.

Last night I broke down and started crying. I was so overwhelmed and I was noticing just how horrible I was acting toward others, mainly my own family. I started asking myself, “What is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this?” I blamed it on the fact that so many things were going on and I was just totally stressed. Well, yeah, that was part of it. Then it hit me: “You know, I wouldn’t be so stressed out if I had actually given it all to God and let Him take control of the situation in the very beginning instead of trying to do it myself. I wouldn’t be such a wreck right now!”

Tears streaming down my face, in my heart I cried, “God, take it! Please take control of this situation! I don’t want to take the lead anymore. Want to follow you. You know what is best for me, and you have a marvelous plan for my life. Help me to fully let it all go, and to trust in you wholeheartedly! …”

Not long afterward, I got ready for bed. My heart felt light, I was smiling for the first time in days, and, yes, I was actually humming to myself. (I decided not to sing out loud – even though I wanted to – in consideration of the rest of my family who had already gone to bed and for the fact that it was past “quiet time” at our complex). I hadn’t felt this good for so long! The burden had been lifted from my shoulders, and I felt truly free for the first time in quite a while.

At one point the same old questions tried to work their way into my mind again: “How will I be able to do this?” and “What if …?” I shook my head and said to myself, “So what? I’m in good hands. Why do I need to worry about that anymore? If this is His will, it’ll happen. If it’s not, then, I guess it won’t. He’s got a plan far greater than I know or can imagine, and God always keeps His promises. I have no reason to worry.”

You know, trials can either make you stronger or tear you apart. It just depends on how you decide to handle them. If you do as I did in the beginning and try to handle it all alone -- let me tell you friend, it’s a rough and scary road. But if you lay it before the throne and trust Him wholeheartedly, I can assure you you’ll not regret it. But don’t take my word for it. Give it to God. He can turn a complete mess into something beautiful…and save you from a whole ton of pointless stress and heartache. I know. I’ve been there.

Letting Go

"... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5b

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

You know that saying, about life throwing curve balls at us when we least expect it?  Sometimes it feels less like life is throwing them one at a time, and more like 100 of 'em all at once, knowing there's absolutely no way we alone can take on all of them without getting hit or missing the majority.  Situations and circumstances can be overwhelming and can easily make us lose our ultimate focus, especially when they seem to happen all at once.

For the past two months my life has been pretty crazy.  Picking up extra overnight shifts here and there at work, trying to figure out how on earth I'm going to make it this fall with an overload of classes and a full time job, situations resulting the the loss of those whom I'd once considered family, personal family matters, etc.  I've felt like I've been running in a thousand directions at once with other activities as well, but to be honest, if one were to ask me exactly what I've been doing lately to keep me that busy, I couldn't even begin to say.  While there's been many awesome happenings as well, the overwhelm of so much going on seemed to take precedence.

Last night I couldn't seem to focus on much else except for the one particular issue that's more of a "doozy" to me.  Without exactly intending to, I kind of vented a bit to one of my best friends about it.  The conversation ended with him saying something simple, but it meant a lot. He'd told me that he would be praying.  Not sure why, but when he said that, it was like through him God was whispering to me, "Hey, I'm still here.  I've not left you and I'm not about to.  Just give it to Me.  It's already been overcome and we're gonna get through this together.  You're not alone."

Sometimes situations and circumstances can overwhelm even the seemingly strongest of people. Especially when life decides to throw everything at you at once. And sometimes it's good to just vent out those frustrations through talking to a friend, writing, or some other means, so that they are off our chest. But to pray to God and lay it all before the throne at His feet...that is when the real peace comes. A peace that goes beyond all understanding of man, a peace that whispers truth, that tells us it's God who is in control now, and He will take care of it. We needn't carry that burden anymore. That's when we can look back at it and see God's work clearly, and learn and grow from what we've overcome by His grace.

Written By: Stephanie DeFoyd