Friendly Fire.

Dodger:  Right, then.  I can understand that, but I don't really think it makes a whole lot of...oh!  Sorry.  I was just talking on the phone.

Lilly:  Who was that?

Dodger:  Just an old friend.

Lilly:  Old friend?  Who?

Dodger:  You guys never had a chance to meet, actually.

Lilly:  Well, you didn't need to hang up on him.

Dodger:  Her, actually.

Lilly:  Her?

Dodger:  Yeah.  Her name is Zippy.

Lilly:  Zippy?

Dodger:  Short for Zipporah.  That's kind of a mouthful, so I just call her Zippy.

Lilly:  Oh.  Why didn't you mention her before?

Dodger:  She never came up in conversation, I guess.

Lilly:  Well, you could have at least said she existed.  Does she know about me?

Dodger:  Sure!  I've told her tons about you.

Lilly:  So she knows all about me, and I didn't even know she existed until now.  Thanks a lot.

Dodger:  Hey...it's not on purpose or anything.  I live right near you, but she's in another state, so when we talk I can't just chat with her about what we've been doing, which I can actually do with you.

Lilly:  Well, yeah, but...couldn't you have told me you have another friend who knows all about me?

Dodger:  I guess it was just a miscommunication.

Lilly:  Ehm-hm.

Dodger:  I never meant to keep her a secret or anything.  Hey, please don't let it get to you.

Zippy:  Yeah, Lilly.  Dodger meant nothing by it.

Lilly:  Who's that?!?

Dodger:  Oh, Zippy!  I'm sorry, I must have forgot to hang up!

Zippy:  It's perfectly fine.  No problem.  Lilly, it's great to actually hear you.  I always hoped I'd get a chance to meet you, even over the phone.

Lilly:  Hi.

Zippy:  Dodger actually didn't tell me about you until about three weeks ago.

Lilly:  Oh?

Zippy:  Yeah.  I asked him what he'd been up to and he said "Just hanging out with Lilly and some other friends" and then I stopped him and asked who that even was and then he told me about you, so, it took a while.  It wasn't personal.  Really.

Lilly:  ...wow.  Well, thanks, Zippy.  I, um, guess I owe you both an apology.

Dodger:  Nah.  You didn't do anything.  It was really my fault, actually.

Zippy:  I wasn't even bothered.  You have nothing to apologize for.  No worries!

Lilly:  Well, actually I do.  You see, I became a little jealous just now.

Dodger:  Why?

Lilly:  Well...I was a little bothered that you had another friend I didn't know about, and my imagination made me think maybe you'd done it on purpose and, well, now I'm just embarrassed.  I shouldn't hve allowed myself to get to worked up over something so silly.

Zippy:  Totally forgiven.  Truth be told, I had the same problem when Dodger told me about you.

Lilly:  Really?

Dodger:  Yeah.  She sounded a little suspicious at first, but quickly warmed up to you.

Zippy:  I also realized, just like you, that jealousy is a dangerous matter.

Lilly:  No kidding.  It's destroyed a lot of really good things in the past.  I'm glad I got mine under control quickly.  Proverbs isn't kidding when it warns us about jealousy.

Zippy:  Which verse?

Lilly:  I...can't remember the exact reference. The verse mentions other unpleasant things.  Dodger?

Dodger:  Let me think.  Yeah, I got it.  Proverbs 27:4-

"Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (ESV)"

Zippy:  Hm.  Sounds pretty intense.

Lilly:  It IS intense.  We both know how quickly jealousy can grab hold if a person isn't on guard against it.  We were both upset with Dodger, and I nearly became upset with you for no good reason.  Jealousy will wreck lives if it's not checked.

Zippy:  Wreck lives...oh, the Bible has a pretty sad story on that.

Dodger:  Lilly and I talked about it once.  In First Samuel 21-22 we read about King Saul of Israel and the priests of the Lord.  A servant of Saul named David is running away because Saul wants to kill him.  Apparently Saul is jealous of David for several reasons, including David's fame and the fact that God promised him the throne.  Saul tries chasing him down, and one of the earliest examples of the events brought on by this tragedy is an ordered massacre of peaceful people.

Lilly:  I remember that story.  It's really terrible.  Not only are people killed, but it shows just how far from God Saul had become.  He had priests killed because one of them had talked to David while he was running away.  He gave David food and a sword without knowing that David was actually running.  In other words, he did nothing wrong, and he and his entire city were slaughtered all because Saul's jealousy made him into a cruel and senseless villain.  Thankfully jealousy doesn't always end that way, but it does show how powerful jealousy can be.  I guess it's a pretty sober reminder, huh?

Zippy:  Yeah.  Of course, jealousy isn't something to be scared of.  Instead we just need to not let it into our lives.  After all, we're all faced with decisions on how to act.  It's just up to us to choose what's right, and jealousy is pretty easy to avoid when you focus on God and what He's done for you.

Dodger:  Being jealous isn't even the same as being tempted to be jealous.  We all sometimes feel a little jealous, but when that happens we can take it to God, and He'll help us to get rid of it.

Lilly:  He really does have all the answers.  Well, Zippy, I hope I can meet you in person sometime!

Zippy:  Likewise, I'm certain!

Dodger:  I need to head out.  Thanks for talking with us!  Don't ever forget that Jesus loves you, and that's NEVER going to change.

Zippy:  Zippy, out!

Lilly:  Ciao!

Happy Memorial Day...and Thank You.

Dodger:  Happy Memorial Day.

Lilly:  Yes indeed.

Dodger:  We wanted to say thank you to those who gave their lives to keep us safe and free.

Lilly:  To those who lost family members or friends, thank you as well.  We'll remember your sacrifice.

Dodger:  Indeed we will.  Jesus said "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13 NKJV)."  Thank you for showing such sacrificial love.  God be with you.

Waiting Time: God-determined.

Dodger:  Whoo-hoo!!!

Lilly:  I haven't seen you this excited in weeks.  What's up?

Dodger:  Well, I've made plans to go camping right after school lets out.

Lilly:  Neat!  Where at?

Dodger:  Yellowstone National Park.  I can't wait to go!  It's going to be awesome, living life on the rugged edge.

Lilly:  Rugged edge...heading there with your folks, then?

Dodger:  Yes indeed.  My dad put it all together.  Only thing is that he won't say exactly when we're going.  Wants it to be a surprise or something, I guess.

Lilly:  Well, that's kind of cool.

Dodger:  Frankly, I find it kind of irritating.  Why not just tell us when we're going?  That sure sounds a lot easier, at least logistically.

Lilly:  Yeah, but the last time your dad surprised you with the departure time for a trip it was because he went and arranged it just when your favorite band was performing.  He's got a real knack for excellent timing.

Dodger:  That's true.  I can't disagree with that.

Lilly:  Say...that reminds me of something I read today in 2 Peter.

Dodger:  Hm?  You mean Peter talks about camping?

Lilly:  No, he talks about timing.  It's right near the end of his second letter.  Check it out:

"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”  For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (3:1-9, NKJV)

Dodger:  That's a lot to take in.

Lilly:  Well, basically what Peter is saying is that people will question God and doubt that Jesus is coming back because earth seems to just keep on spinning.  In other words, it's been so long in human years that some people just don't believe or even laugh at the concept that Jesus is coming back.  Peter reminds us, though, that God doesn't always just immediately do things.  In fact He always has a reason for His timing.  In our case, God keeps the world spinning because He really wants people to come to Him and be saved.  That's not the only example, of course, but it is an important one.

Dodger:  So...God wants people to be saved so much that He'll wait for them?

Lilly:  God waits for us a great deal, actually.  So it follows that we should be willing to wait for Him.  You see, God plans everything for our best.  Sometimes He waits a long time for us to come around and actually let Him work in us.  Other times He just kind of drops the evidence of His work right in our laps.  That being said, He always works on His timing, so it's not like we can hold up God.  The important thing is to remember that He always knows what He's doing, and has the big picture set up for our benefit.  We can't always see it, and we may have to wait for it, but God is always at work.  He'll keep His promises, even if it seems to take a while.

Dodger:  I guess that that's a bit like what my dad does.  He plans things a certain way without telling me everything so I'll be even more pleasantly surprised and blessed.

Lilly:  Yep.

Dodger:  Well, if I can wait for God, I can definitely wait for my dad.  They both know what they're doing, after all.

Lilly:  You got that right.  Just look at the times God uses timing in the Bible.  A few examples include Abraham, Sarah, and their son Isaac, the Exodus of Egypt, and even the birth of Baby Jesus!  It may not always be obvious why God chose the timing He did, but it always worked out for the best.

Dodger:  Well, sweet!  Thanks Lilly!  I'll remember to wait on God in the future, even if it feels like I'm waiting a long time.  Who knows?  He might even help me grow closer to Him with His timing.

Lilly:  Amen to that.  Well, I think we'd better call it.

Dodger:  Yeah.  Thank you for hanging out with us today!  It's awesome to have you around.  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Ciao!



(NKJV Means New King James Version)

First Person First.

Dodger:  Hey there!  How are you?  Is life treating you well?  Things have finally begun calming down this past week, so Lilly and I should be stopping in more frequently for a while.

Lilly:  It's good to be back.  Say, Dodger, didn't you get a text message asking for help recently?

Dodger:  Um...I dunno.  Haven't checked...how would you know?

Lilly:  Um...a friend of mine wanted to ask us some advice and said he would text you.

Dodger:  Why me?

Lilly:  My phone broke.

Dodger:  Oh.  Okay.  I'll check in that case.  Hmm...here's something.

Lilly:  Is it a new number?

Dodger: Yep.  It says, "Hi, d&l. Question. How do i keep doing prayer and the Bible? I can't fit it in my schedule, but there might be something i'm missing. Any tips? Thx!

Lilly:  Interesting question.

Dodger:  So you hadn't heard it before?

Lilly:  Nope.  That's my friend, though.  No doubt about that.

Dodger:  Cool.  Well, let's see.  I guess the answer to that isn't perhaps as simple as it sounds.

Lilly:  Not when everyone's doing a hundred things a day.

Dodger:  I wonder if that's the problem.

Lilly:  Come again?

Dodger:  Well, time management is a skill that takes time to learn, time many of us don't have.  It doesn't help that there are distractions available to take up the time we do have.

Lilly:  How do you mean?

Dodger:  Well, for example, even if I'm doing nothing, I can still check my email, social networks, shop online, verify appointments, or watch cat videos, just to name a few options.  Those tasks often consume more time than we realize, and although they aren't bad, they aren't as important, really, as setting aside time for God.  Of course, this isn't to say that your friend is doing those things, or that everyone who does has their priorities all wrong, but I think we often think we have less time than we do.

Lilly:  The illusion of time travel...traveling away from us, that is.  Some sort of personal time and relative dimension in space.

Dodger:  Sure.  What it comes right down to is that taking time to read God's Word and talk to Him is essential.  Even if one's schedule is hectic, reading engaging with God needs to happen, not because God will come down on you if you don't, but because He wants to be with you.  You see, we often think of spending time with God as if we're setting apart a time and place for him.  Considering, though, that he runs time and owns all places, it becomes apparent that in actuality God has set aside the entire day to be with you.  All you need to do is accept the invitation, and when you do, you get closer to God and vice versa.

Lilly:  That's pretty awesome!

Dodger:  Yeah, it is.  It's not like you have to super-regulate yourself.  Being with God requires self-control, sure, but it's important to remember that it's not a religious ceremony, and there's not one right way to do it.

Lilly:  So what do you recommend, then, for someone who hasn't found time yet?

Dodger:  Well, here are a few ideas, a list that is by no means exhaustive.

Dodger's Tips on God Time

1. Downsize - Find things you really don't need to be doing and toss them.  There might be more than you realize!
2. Prioritize - Determine that you will not do a certain thing (or things) until you've had the time to engage with God.
3. Early Rise - Try waking up a few minutes early to be with God.
4. Be Time Wise - In your "extra" minutes (the kind you have while waiting for the school bus) try talking or listening to God.
5. Use Retries - If things don't go as you planned, don't give up.  Try again next time.
6. Ignore Lies - You can do this.  Don't let anyone, especially the devil, say otherwise.

Of course, these don't work for everyone.  I've tried early rising, and, to be honest, I think that only God could want to talk to me first thing in the morning.  Find a niche that works and stick with it.  You'll be glad you did.

Lilly:  Thanks for the ideas, Dodger.

Dodger:  No problem.  I'd be willing to bet our friend here has some ideas of his own.  Hey!  Maybe you can tell us about them!  If you have any ideas, tweet us @dodgerandlilly, and tell us what you come up with!

Lilly:  I guess we'd better get going, Dodger.

Dodger:  Yeah, we should.  Thanks for joining us!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  TTYL!

Keeping You Near.

Dodger:  Good grief!  What a week!

Lilly:  I think you mean, what a month.  We haven't been in since the beginning of April!

Dodger:  Oh.  Well, it's still been a long week, and a rough one at that.  Yikes!  Where are my manners?  Good to see you again, friend.  Sorry it's been so long since we hung out.  I've been kept on the move for a while.

Lilly:  He's not kidding.  Dodger has barely had time to breath since we saw him last.  I've never seen anyone so ready for summer vacation.

Dodger:  If only it wasn't still so far off.  Oh, but I'm tired.  I don't think I can take any more of today, or the last week.  I, really don't know what to say.  I'm so exhausted.

Lilly:  Hang in there.

Dodger:  I've been doing that!

Lilly:  No need to snap, Dodger.

Dodger:  You know, I've just about had it with trying to remain calm!  Do you have any idea what my week was like?  Even the weekend was brutal!

Lilly:  Okay!  I understand.

Dodger:  I don't think you do.

Lilly:  Hey, Dodger.  What...what's wrong?

Dodger:  Aside from the fact that I had two loved ones in the hospital this weekend, nothing!

Lilly:  WHAT?!  Dodger, why didn't you tell me?

Dodger:  I didn't want you to worry.

Lilly:  But I'm your friend!  It's my job to know what's bugging you!  Who cares if I might worry?  Isn't it more important that I know and try to help?

Dodger:  I guess.  Whatever.

Lilly:  Now, none of that.  Who was it?

Dodger:  My cousin and my grandma.  Car accident.

Lilly:  My goodness...I'm sorry!  Are they okay?

Dodger:  Yeah.  Some broken bones, nothing more.  Except a great deal of anxiety and nervousness.  See, it happened two days ago.  They were supposed to visit, but the time came and neither of them had arrived.  I thought it might be just that they forgot, so I called, but they didn't answer.  So then I called my uncle and grandpa, and they said that they had both headed here together.  I began to get real nervous and then my mom came up and said we needed to go visit them at the hospital.  That scared me.  They're okay, but...good grief!  That was way too close for my comfort!  What if something worse had happened?

Lilly:  I...I'm sorry.  That's rough.  At least they weren't too badly hurt.

Dodger:  THEY WERE IN A CAR WRECK!

Lilly:  Yes.  That's scary.  Really scary.  I hope that something like that never happens again.  Ever.  Since you know they're okay, though, why are you still scared?

Dodger:  Because I never expected it.  It was beyond my control, and I didn't know how to handle it when it happened.  The car was totaled, Lilly!  I...the...oh, forget it.  Where was God in this?  I know He did something, but I couldn't really feel Him!

Lilly:  Yeah, that's kind of rough stuff.  I don't blame you for being freaked out.  When things like that happen it can really sometimes feel like God's not even in the same place, huh?

Dodger:  Kinda.  I mean, I'm not really angry with God...not at all.  In fact, I'm thankful that all He let happen was some broken bones.  But, it didn't feel like He was there.  I knew He was, sorta, but, it was just too surreal to really...I dunno.  God is our Father, so why didn't He, you know, at least prepare me for the news, or help me keep calm, or reassure me that everything was okay?  Why did He let me sit in suspense?

Lilly:  Ehm...would you have wanted God to tell you there was an accident?

Dodger:  I dunno.  Probably not.  That might have made it feel even weirder.

Lilly:  Did you get a chance to pray when you found out?

Dodger:  Of course.  I always have a "chance" to pray.

Lilly:  Did you?

Dodger:  Yes.

Lilly:  Did you hear God say anything?

Dodger:  I might have.  I felt like I was being told that it wasn't as bad as it sounded and I didn't need to be afraid.

Lilly:  That sounds like it could have been God.

Dodger:  It didn't really calm me down, though.

Lilly:  Perhaps not, but, at least what you heard ended up being true!

Dodger:  Yeah.  That did happen.

Lilly:  You know, Dodger, sometimes scary things happen and we cry out to God and you know what?  It doesn't always make us feel better right away, at least, not apparently.  Sometimes we're still afraid and even panicky.  That doesn't change God's presence, though.  He was still in charge of the situation.  He still had your relatives in His hands.  God heard your prayers and your fears and you know what?  Even though He knew He was in total control of the whole thing, He was still sad for you and your relatives.

Dodger:  Really?  How do you know?

Lilly:  Well, have you ever read about Lazarus?

Dodger:  Who?

Lilly:  You know, the man in the Bible that Jesus raised from the dead in John 11!  Mary and Martha are friends of Jesus and send for His help when their brother Lazarus is sick.  He comes and sees Lazarus dead, and even though He can and will bring him back, Jesus still cries (John 11:35, NKJV, please read in context).  He's got everything in His charge and still has sadness for His creation, the people He loves.  Dodger, God was not aloof during this crisis.  He was involved, He was there, and He felt for you, your cousin, and your grandma.  You might not have felt it, but it still happened.  Does that answer your question?

Dodger:  I hadn't thought of it like that.

Lilly:  When we don't feel God it can seem like He just isn't there.  God is always there, though, and He is constantly looking out for us.  When things go wrong, He's just as sad as we are.  We need to remember that sometimes.  There's no shame in needing to take time and remember.  Hard things happen and it takes time to get the reminder, but when we turn to God for comfort, even if we aren't aware of it, He is still working in our hearts and making things better.  Don't forget that.

Dodger:  Thanks, Lilly.  I needed a reminder.

Lilly:  I'm glad I could help.  Remember, Dodger, Jesus loves you.

Dodger:  And that's not about to change.  Yep, I understood that reference.   I guess we need to head out.

Lilly:  Yep.  Ciao for now!

Dodger:  Later!







There You Are
-Lilly


God, why did this happen here?
Can't you see it's caused me fear?
I can't stand this kind of stuff!
Lord, please, stop it!  It's too tough!
Can't I at least see your hand?
God, just help me understand!
I know you're there. I'm sure it's true,
BUT I'M UNABLE TO SEE YOU!

"Dear child, I promise I didn't leave.
It's hard to suffer or be bereaved!
Believe me, I know, it's happened so oft,
It has hardened hearts that were once soft.
Yes, I'm still here, and I love you.
I'm sorry that this happened, too.
I promise it'll work out for the best.
Keep trusting me. I'll take care of the rest.
You might not feel me, but I'm still here.
I completely understand your fear.
I'm holding you now. We'll make it through.
Believe me, child, that's what I do."