Up and Overcoming.

Dodger:  Hey there!  How's life?

Lilly:  Well, to be honest, I've been better.

Dodger:  Why?

Lilly:  I've been trying to shake a bad habit, and it's not working.

Dodger:  Well, that happens to all of us.  It's not unusual.

Lilly:  It is after you've been trying for six years and it STILL hasn't happened.

Dodger:  I didn't know you had a habit that old...

Lilly:  I'm just needlessly sarcastic.

Dodger:  You?

Lilly:  Yeah.  Like, the other day, someone asked me what I thought of their pizza with anchovies on it, and I told them that if you could get past the smell of the sewer system then it was just fine.  Obviously they didn't appreciate this much, and I apologized profusely.  Seriously, though!  Why do I say these dumb things?  I apologize to God, sure, and even say I'll never do it again, but then I do!  It's terrible.  How am I supposed to represent God when I can't get my act together after six years?!

Dodger:  Hmmm...well, the good news is that you aren't alone.

Lilly:  Okay, but even so!

Dodger:  No, really.  You aren't the only person who struggles with the same thing over and over!

Lilly:  Who else do you know that does?

Dodger:  How about Peter?

Lilly:  Peter?  We don't have any friends named...oh, that Peter.  The Apostle, you mean.

Dodger:  Yeah.  You know, he wrote parts of the Bible, helped lead thousands of people to Christ, and was one of Jesus' closest friends!

Lilly:  I know that.

Dodger:  You also know that at one point he denied Jesus three times.  He was afraid of what others would think, so he wasn't outspoken about being with Jesus.

Lilly:  Alright, but he only did that once.

Dodger:  Yes, but that wasn't the only time he was less than outspoken about what he believed.

Lilly:  Beg pardon?

Dodger:  I'll read you something from Paul's letter to the Galatians:

"Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.  And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (2:11-16 NKJV, boldface added))
Lilly:  I don't think I get it.

Dodger:  Essentially, Peter wasn't eating with certain people because he thought others would judge him.  He was backing down from principle to make others approve his actions.

Lilly:  I'm still not sure I get it.

Dodger:  Well, it's been years since Jesus returned to heaven.  Peter still struggles with what other people might think or say over fourteen years after Jesus forgave him (Acts 2:1)!

Lilly:  Fourteen years?

Dodger:  Yep.  He was a mighty man of God, and he still slipped in the same place years after being forgiven for it. I'm not saying for a moment that repetitive mistakes aren't bad, but let me tell you Lilly, they don't stop God from doing amazing things through you.

Lilly:  Wow.  Thank you, Dodger.

Dodger:  I struggle with bad habits too, you know.  Everyone does.  We just need to keep moving on when we make mistakes, ask God for forgiveness, and trust Him to keep us going.  Every day is a new opportunity.  We rely on him through success and failure.  Don't ever forget that.  Keep praying and asking God for help.

Lilly:  I will, Dodger.  Thanks for your help.

Dodger:  It's not me, it's God.  It's by His grace that we overcome our imperfections as we try to serve Him, pure and simple.  Well, looks like we'd better get going.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change, no matter what you do!

Lilly:  See you!





(NKJV Means New King James Version)

Not Dark to God.

Dodger and Lilly are going to talk about something pretty serious tonight.  If you don't usually, it'd be a good idea to read this with your parents.  Thanks!

Dodger:  Hi.

Lilly:  Um, is that it?

Dodger:  Is what it?

Lilly:  Is that all you're going to say?

Dodger:  Huh?

Lilly:  Our friend is here, and you didn't say anything!

Dodger:  I said "Hello"!

Lilly:  Barely.  What's wrong?

Dodger:  I miss someone.

Lilly:  Oh?  Who?

Dodger:  A good friend.

Lilly:  Which one?

Dodger:  My...cousin.  He's going overseas.

Lilly:  Okay, well,  is that a bad thing?

Dodger:  He's being deployed.

Lilly:  Oh.






Dodger:  Lilly, I don't know what to do right now.  What if something happens to him?

Lilly:  I...

Dodger:  Like, what if he gets hurt?  Or worse?  What will I do then?

Lilly:  What are you doing now?

Dodger:  I'm...praying, and hoping that he'll return safe and sound.

Lilly:  Good call.

Dodger:  That doesn't always mean people come back home safe and sound, though!

Lilly:  I- well...

Dodger:  What if God doesn't listen?!  What if my cousin doesn't come back?  What do I DO?

Lilly:  Dodger, listen to me for a minute, please.  Do you trust God to protect your cousin and do what is best for him?

Dodger:  Yes...I guess...I don't know.

Lilly:  Can I read you something?  I think you've heard it before, but now I want to do it again.

Dodger:  Okay.

Lilly:  "There are many who say,“Who will show us any good?”
                  Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
             You have put gladness in my heart,
                   More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
             I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
                   For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:6-8 NKJV)

Dodger, I want you to know that your cousin is in God's hands, and that he couldn't be in better, just as you couldn't be in better.  He has God's protection, and God will be with him every single day like He's with you.  Sometimes, just like now, we feel like maybe God's light can't penetrate our situation, but it can.  Just because we face a challenge or risk doesn't mean God isn't with us.  You need to remember how much God loves you and your cousin and trust that God knows exactly what He's doing.  Yes, your cousin may be facing danger, but we all do that.  The amazing thing is that God looks out for us.  Trust me, Dodger.  Your cousin isn't getting any farther from God by going somewhere else.  Psalm 139 makes that clear:

                 "Where can I go from Your Spirit?
                    Or where can I flee from Your presence?
                  If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
                     If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
                  If I take the wings of the morning,
                     And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
                  Even there Your hand shall lead me,
                     And Your right hand shall hold me.
                  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
                     Even the night shall be light about me;
                  Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
                     But the night shines as the day;
                  The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (v. 7-12 NKJV)

This same God, who is everywhere, died to give your cousin new life.

Dodger:  Thank you, Lilly.

Lilly:  Anytime, Dodger.  I'll keep your cousin in my prayers.  Please, can you also be sure to pray for those serving overseas and everyone in their families?  God is listening to us when we lift them up.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Dodger:  See you later.



(NKJV Means New King James Version)