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