Strength

Dear God,

So much has happened since the last time I wrote. That Sunday in April, I had an idea of some of the change that would happen, but no clue as to everything that would take place. You moved us. You sent me to school. I've seen wonderful times. I've had my heartbreaks. But, Lord, one thing has stayed constant through all the upheaval of life. You are always the same. You're always with me. You always care. You are my strength in weakness.

You have given me two amazing verses this year have really shown me how little I can do for myself when rough times roll around. One is II Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The other is Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Thank You, Lord, for handling everything beautifully in Your strength and Your time.

Remembering...

Dear God, can it really be that CIT was now almost ten months ago. Today You pressed upon my heart to go back through my notebook and review a lot of the things that you really convicted me about. But first, I had to include a song that I love--the theme song from The Wilds '05.

Holy, Holy
Herbster, arr. Lynch

Vs.1
In the throne room of heaven, high and exalted, sits the King on His throne.
Seraphim flying; loudly they're crying unto the Lord God alone.

Vs.2
To a hill called Mount Calvary, love took our Savior so all men could be free;
Satan defeating, wounded and bleeding, our spotless Lamb on the tree.

Vs.3
Here am I, send and use me, fit me for service, purge my spirit anew.
Search me and try me, cleanse, purify me, so I can be more like You!

Chorus
He is holy, holy; the earth is full of His glory.
Holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts.

Some quotes during the sessions on Joseph's life really caught my attention. With some of the things that you have been doing in my life recently, reviewing them has been very encouraging.

During Joseph's stay at Potiphar's house, he was faced with a lot of adversity and temptations, but he never gave in to sin.

"Your place of greatest ministry is your place of greatest pressure."
"God does not use people who cannot say 'no' to themselves."

Repeatedly, Joseph saw his life thrown up in the air, but he never lost his faith in God. He knew that God's plan is always best.

"God doesn't need our permission for Him to mess up our lives."

Joseph went through way more difficulties that I have been through, but He continued to do what was right and focus on how he could help others.

"You can't be obsessed with your own misery and have any ministry."

Thank you, Father, for these wonderful reminders of how You are constantly working in my life.

The Seed Planted

Dear God, I know that prayers don't usually come in the form of high school dramatic narrative scene writing assignments. I hope You don't mind. This scene is really an outpouring of my heart for a specific prayer request.

Love,
Me.

The Seed Planted

Lights come up on Narrator

Narrator:
Kamy had been searching for a new violin teacher when God brought Mrs.Enna into her life. After only a few lessons Kamy began to realize how spiritually lost her teacher was. From that point on she would bring her teacher Gospel tracts and pray for opportunities to witness. God helped her perceive and seize every open chance.

Narrator head down.
Lights up on Studio.
Mrs.Enna fiddling around on her violin, a knock sounds and Kamy enters the studio.

Kamy:
(cheerfully) Hi Mrs.Enna! How are you today?

Mrs.Enna:
Oh, I’m doing pretty well. This orchestration for the third movement of the Barber violin concerto is giving me fits, though. (taking music off of stand and putting it into case) How has your week been?

Kamy:
(taking music out of case and arranging on stand, hands notebook to Mrs.Enna) Well, I’ll tell ya right off, my practicing has been a little less than usual because I have been going to church every night to hear a special speaker.

Mrs.Enna:
What kind of special speaker?

Kamy:
(setting up violin) He’s called an evangelist. He travels the country preaching in a bunch of churches. The meetings this week have reminded me of just how awesome it is to have purpose in life and hope for the future.

Mrs.Enna:
(uncomprehending, but interested look on her face) Yes. I, uh…I, uh, guess so.

Lights stay up, but Kamy and Mrs.Enna drop their heads

Narrator:
At this point Kamy sees an opportunity. She silently begs God for the exact words to say so that Mrs.Enna might start to understand.

Narrator drops head. Kamy and Mrs.Enna start conversing again.

Kamy:
(starts out slowly with a nervous but excited tone of voice, eventually feels God’s strength and presses on with more boldness) I mean, Jesus, Who is God’s Son, came to die because I have done bad things. He didn’t stay dead though! He rose again. The Bible says that everyone has done bad things and are not worthy to enter Heaven when they die, but it also says that whoever believes in the Lord Jesus for their hope will be saved from Hell and will go to Heaven when they die. I am so thankful that God helped me believe in Him and accept Him as my hope so many years ago.

Mrs.Enna
(uncomfortable, but contemplative) Yes…uh…well, we better get on with your lesson now, so that we make sure your sisters get their full time.

Lights down on Studio. Narrator, head up.

Narrator:
That year Kamy graduated from high school and started studying music at a Christian college a long way from home. For a while she and Mrs.Enna stayed in touch, but as life got busier for both, their communication gradually disappeared.

Kamy met a young preacher at school, and they married the January after she graduated. Together they were called to minister to a church that her dad had planted, and there they raised six children who all grew up to serve the Lord (and played stringed instruments).

One day, while serving faithfully, Kamy heard a trumpet sound and was instantly caught up into the sky to meet her Jesus. She stood amazed in the presence of her Lord and paused to look around her

Narrator head down.
Lights up on Heaven.
Kamy- dressed in a simple, elegant, flowing white robe looking around as if seeing people she knows.
As she is speaking, Mrs.Enna (who was standing, head down behind her) slowly walks up behind Kamy.

Kamy:
Oh! There is my earthly husband and all six of my children! Mom and Dad! It has been so long since I have seem them. Those must be my brothers with them. And there are my sisters and their families! All my friends are here, and there are my grandparents! I will never have to miss them again! Look! There is…(jumps as Mrs.Enna taps her shoulders) MRS.ENNA! I prayed that I would see you here!

Mrs.Enna:
(tears of joy in her eyes) I know, I know, Kamy. Thank you for your perpetually joyful spirit on earth and your boldness in giving me the Good News. After you left for college and we lost touch, my life felt emptier than ever. One day I was sorting through the stacks of music in my studio when I came across one of your tracts that had gotten tucked away. Memories flooded back of when you would tell me about your Hope. That day I read that tract and asked for the same Hope to come into my life. The emptiness filled up with joy. Because of you, dear Kamy, not only am I here, but my mother, husband, children, and grandchildren are here celebrating with me thisresurrectionssurection!

Kamy:
(sobbing tears of joy, hugs Mrs.Enna) Oh, Mrs.Enna!!!

Both look up as Unseen Voice sounds.

Unseen Voice:
My daughter Kamy—Well done my good and faithful servant!

All lights go down.

The End.