Case of the next door neighbor (stay at home mom)

Chapter two
Tessi and her husband when they heard a noise. "Its coming from Ron and becca's house. " she said. He got out his gun. "Stay hear!"her husband  said.
Tess understood his need to protect her. It was not always easy. Tessi had served in the us military.He  was a cpa who flunked out of boy scouts. She had no doubt that in a pinch no one could get pass him if they threatened her or there children.
He went stelthaly to the home of there neighbors.his gun was branded. He was ready for anything. He went inside.
Tes called 911. She told the dispatcher that they heard possible gun schots at the home of Ron and Rebecca Kent. She gave as much details as she could remember.
Tes's husband entered the home. He saw a man on the ground dead. Becca was leaning over his corpse. She had a gun.
The man was shot in the head. He was careful not to interfere with any evidence.  Becca was in shock. He saw in the other room. Ron was bleeding.he had been stabbed but the wound looked superficial.
Ron started to tell his story. "Lets wait for the police!" the husband said. "Ok!"Ron said.
The husband checked upstairs. The kids were Stil asleep. They had slept though it. The police and ambulance arrived at the home. Not long after.
The body was looked at. The crime scene officials got right to work.
The witness were taken to separate rooms. The police knew almost nothing. Just that a man was dead.
"Please Mrs Kent tell me what happened?" detective Warren asked. "We had gone to bed. I went downstairs to use the rest room. I heard a noise. I grabed a gun we keep in a safe in the closet. I took it out. He charged me so I shot him " she declared.
"You have never seen this man before in your life?" the detective asked. "No never!"she answered. "You have no idea why he came hear?"the detective asked. "No I don't. "She said.
"Beck told me she was going down stairs. She. Went.next thing I knew I heard the gun shot. I went down stairs and saw her hovering over the body. She told me he attacked her so she shot him!" Ron said.
"You did not see her shot him ?"detective brigs asked. "No I did not.I came at the tail end. "He said.
"What did she tell you about it?"the detective asked. "She was stunned. She did get out that he lunged at her. She said she had no choice!"he said. "She said those exact words?"the detective asked. "Yes or something like that.
"She said something to that affect?' The detective asked. "Yes she did!"he said. "Who owned the gun?"he asked. "It is in my naime. We have both passedback ground checks. "Ron said. "Have you ever been robed before?"the detective asked. "No!"he said.
Tess' husband was interviewed.he told how he heard the shot. They wanted the precise Times. They asked his occupation. They als asked how well he knew the Kent's. He explained that they just moved in a mounth earlier.
"So were they a happy couple ?"the detective asked. "As far as I could tell. They were very quiet. They kept to themselves. "He explained.
Tess was interviewed as well as others neighbors. Tessi and her husband tried to get some sleep.

  The next day Tess got a knock at th door."earnie hi!"she said."I heard you have not completed the vetting of the Sudan relief group?"earnie said. "It is taking longer then I anticipated. I want to be the rough!"she said. "I don't understand. The people of south Sudan need our help. "The older man said.
"I understand but I can't rush this. "She said. "Is there a problem?" he asked. "I can't discuss It! " she said. "Alright. "He said.
The scene next door was Stil chaotic.she wished she could be a fly on the wall. She figured she would find out eventually.
End of part two.

Blind date past seven

On a fluke,Matt an independent Baptist ministerial student and son of a pastor went on a blind date. The date was with Abby. Abby was attending a seminary for those in mainline denominations.
Despite there differences,they tried to make a go of it. Mat decided that It would probably not work  out.they went there separate ways.
They both got involrved in there studies,work and being involved in church .this included preaching in there churches.
Mat found it difficult to even come up with an idea for a message . he agonized over it. Finaly he came up with a message. He thought that it is prety good. He hopes that the Lord would bless It despite his unworthyness.
  Abby had the same difficulty coming up with a message. She has the lectionary to bank on. She had a theme. She developed a message. Based on the periscope found in the lesson plan. The outline turned out well.
Matt did not not have the same peace he had in other occasions. He had prayed about this message. He trusted in the lords strength and ability. In truth that is how it always is.
"We see in our text that preachers are commanded to be faithfull to God's word at all time. The word is what must energize the preacher. It gives him strength and power.  "
"The job of a preacher is to communicate the word to those he ministers to. He shares what the Lord has  laid on his heart. He Is to preach to the whole council of God. Every word of God is pure,it's true. He is to do it when the bible is popular and when it is not!"
"We know today the word of God is out of season. It is marginalized or mocked or dismissed. It is attacked or explained away. Those who are true to the word of God must keep this in mind. All of  US are ultimately acountible to Him. It is especially true of preachers. "
"Preachers do not just have to deal with the outside world being out of season. They do not only have to deal with Christendom being out of season or even the church they serve,they must also deal with themselves. "
"What do we do when we are out of season. Preachers can be off there game. There could be multiple reasons why. Tiredness . Paul tell us in Galatians not to be weary in well doing. When Jesus was tempted he was tired we are told "
"Saten attacks us when we are physically tired. YOU can get tired.we all do. He takes advantage of our weekness. "
"There is also unconfesed sin. It gas been said,the bible will keep you from sin or sin will be keep you from this book. Preachers must be on guard against sin. We may ask God as David did for Him to search our heart and see if there be wicked ways in us. As it has been said we must keep short accounts with God"
"There can be distraction. Augustine said that sometimes it is not choosing the wrong thing but the not as good. Sometimes good things can hinder the besT things. "
"You may wonder where am I going with this. This week I was a bit out of season. I had trouble even getting the first sentence written. I wanted to stop. I wanted to run away. I then realized that God wants us to meditate on his world. Sometimes that requires us to wrestle with his word. Just as Jacob refused to let God go until he blesed him,we must not yield"
"What is  your role? You the members of this church? You need to be in prayer for those in leaderShip. My dad,myself the deacons and trustees. We desire your prays. They are needed. We are in this together. "
V
"We know that preachers get tired. They are tempted to sin.sometimes they surcomb to that temptation. Sometimes the good enough tries to get them to not strive for the very besT. I say thus not to scare you but to inform you. To say that those in leadership need your prays. These are difficult days. They may get harder. They work together. Lets work together!"mat said.
" our reading today is a Daimler story. The story of the epheopien eunic. This official who was The treasurer for queen of epheopia was traveling. "Abby said

"He was reeding what we refer to as the book of Isaiah from the Hebrew scriptures. We don't know how he got the scrol and why he was reeding it. He got confused "
"Philip shows up . Philip comes up Nd says hey do you u understand what your reeding. I have been in Landry mats or break room or libraries and have been tempted to ask someone what they reeding. I have had. It cod be anything from romance novels to vampire fiction to I don't know me in kamph. You never know. "
"I have never asked and I never would.I don't recommend it. Hear Philip asked him if He understands what he is reeding. He said he does not. So Philip goes on to explain the passage"
"How can we as Christians In 2016 interpret this passage? What lessons are hear for us today? God told Philip to steak out this official. This Ethiopian minister of finance if you will. God wants his people to be multi cultural. We should not be ethnocentric but embrace all cultures. "
"Philip was Jewish. Jewsish people if his days did not Like non Jews. Non Jewish people were called gentiles. They were outcast. Paul told the Ephesians believers that they we're at one cut cut I'd from the common wealth of Israel. Philip was to reach out to this foreigner. This foreger who may have been a castrated slave. We are to embrace everyone."
"We cannot exclude anyone.the United church of Christ welcomes everyone. Diversity makes us stronger. We want all ritch poor,young old and in between. We need to welcome people from all nations cultures. "
"Philip reaches out to him. Many Jewish people beloved that the Hebrew scriptures was only for them. Christ welcomes all. He is einger for his children to come to him. " she said.
Mat emotionally and physically exhausted after the message. Heft that God has used it. Msyby inspite of him. That was ok. He just wanted to proclaim the word. He trusted that God would bless his word.
He schock people hand aS They left afterward. The message appeared to be warmly received. After a while he saw someone he did not know was present.
It was retired pastor Douglas Wilber. With him was his grand daughter Heidi ."hello sir. I did not know you were hear. "Mat said.
"I wanted to surprise you. I knew if  you knew I was coming,it might make you nervous !"the older gentleman said. "Your right,it probably would. "He said. "Many of my messages came out of struggles.some times God uses times of sprituel drought to make us seam him. At the time they are unpleasant . I look back now now on these Times fondly. Christ showed him strong in those days. I believe. He will for you. I suspect he already has. " the elderly pastor said.
"He has. I thanked you for those words."Mat said. "The Lord has a plan for your life. I know that. "The older man said.
"Thank you sir!" the younger man said. He realized that he had not said helo to pastor Wilber. Heidi was also a student at the same Baptist college. She was sweet. He suspected she might have a crush on him .she was very shy. He found it difficult to talk to her.
"Hello Heidi!"mat said.she smiled."hello Matthew!"She said. "My messages usually are not quite as melincolly. "He assured her. "It seemed very genuine. I did not view it as melincoliy!"she said. "I am glad of that. " he said.
"We all experience dry Times. " she said. "True!"he said. "It was a good message!"she said. He thanked her. "Do you want to get together at some point this week? "He asked. She smiled. "I would love to !"she said.
He could see that pastor Wilber wS quite agreed to them getting together.
Abby did not think that this was her best message. She was mostly happy with it. She shock people's hand as they left. She saw recent graduate of the auburn theological. Reverend Michael clandon.
"Michael I did not know you were hear."she said. "I wanted to keep a low profile ! You did really well. "He said. "I hope so!" she said ."you have a bright future I think. "He said. "That is kind of you to say!" she said.
"Would you be open to going out for coffee this week?"he asked."I would love to!"she said.
Mat and Abby separated and were heading in opposite directions. Would this last forever. Would they be back together?
End of part seven.

Blind date part six

Just after Matt left,abby's phone went off. She wondered if maybe it was may. She checked the caller I'd. It was pastor Madelyn.She was her mentor.
"Hi pastor !"she said."look I  hate to do this to you on short notice but my aunt is In the hosital. She is not doing well and she lives in Chicago. Can you conduct the service and preach on Sunday? I assume you have the lectionary and you can look at my notes?"she said.
"Yes if course. No problem!"Abby said."are you ok? You seam off?"the older lady said. "No I'm fine. "She said.
"Well I really appreciate this. This is a huge help!"she said."no problem. I do enjoy preaching. "Abby said. "I appreciate this !"she said. "No problem. You have been a big help to me. I am happy to help!" she said. "Great! "She said.
Mat went right home after being at abby's .weird he thought he had never been inside hee apartment before. On the ride home he had sports radio on.he switched it to a hmmm CD. It was a short drive back to the parsnege.
He went back inside. "Where did you go?" his dad asked. "Oh I had something I had to take care off!"mat said. "I had something I wanted to ask you. "His dad said. "Ok!"he said."mom and I want to take the weekend off . go away on an impromptu get away. I was hoping you could take the services. I know it is on short notice. "He said.
"No I would love to. Not a problem !"he said. "Great! Mom hoped you would !" his dad said .his mom came in. "Are we a go?"his wife asked. "We are a go!"his dad answered. "Any reason for this get away?"mat asked. He did not really get an answer.
Matt realised that this was harder then he thought. He felt out of shorts.this was the worst time to prepare a surmon. He Sat with a blank peace of paper at his desk.
"How is it coming?"his sister Kathy asked. "I have the note paper !"he said."that US a start !"she said. "I might have to go to surmon suggestions .com !"he said ."I really hope your kidding!"she said. "So am I!"he said.
"What is the problem?"she asked. "I am more persuaded then I have ever been . I have made the faith my own. Yet recent events could call that into doubt!"he said.
"There is always push back. I am note sure this was a falling away just stumble. One you corrected. "She said. "When it said "be instant in season out of season I never expected me to be out of season. " he said.
"I think we all struggle with that. There are road signs warning. It I s besT to stop and head them. Search my God and know my thoughts I pray!"she said .
"See if There may be any wicked way in me ok!"he said. "You will figure it out or surnon ideas.com will!"she said."funny!"he said. "I thought so!"she said.
"So why is mom and dad being so cryptic. Just going on a weekend off is not like them. "He said.
"Msyby they just need to get away."Kathy said. She had a theory but didn't want to express it. "The last time they did this was when she found out she was having Philip. "He said.
"I remember! You don't think .."he said. "You never know!"she said. "I should get back to this. " he said. She left.
Abby looked over the lectionary. The theme that week was on the ephopian eunic. "Ok I can do this!"she thought. She decided to go on diversity,inclusiveness. Don't leave anyone out. Look for optunity to share God's Grace. She let the ideas flow and wrote them down.
"How it coming ?"her roomate Jill asked. "Very good. It is the ephopian eunuc.I imagine if mat were preaching it,he would talk about how he was reading Isaiah. How he used Isaiah and preached the gospel. He would go on about how Jesus is clearly revealed in the old testament. " Abby said.
"Instead your going to preach about how we are to be inusive and accept everyone. Diversity is beutufull and so on!"Jill said. "I think that diversity and acceptance is clearly seen in this passage!"she answered.

"Do you deny that Christ is portrayed in the old testament?"Jill asked."no but I don't need to emphasize it. "She said. "Because it is very. Congregational of you!"Jill said. "Some might object to that emphises.some do disagre that Christ is depicted In isaiah. I disagree. Unity is a command also "she said.
"Philip shows him Christ from Isaiah. Everyone knows your a literalist. Just explain that this from your perspective!"she said.
"I want the gospel message to be edifying .helpful for every day life. Acepting others is a a worhwild goal. " she told her. "Yes it is !"Jill said.
Both got there Simon's written. Now it was time for them to deliver them. Were they ready.
They were going to separate ways. Was it forever? Would they end up together?
End of part six.

Blind date part five

During the date ,Matt was very happy.he was enjoying his time with her. As he went home his mood seemed to change. He began to think that this was not what he was supposed to do. They should not be together even though he really wanted her to.
He parked the car. He left the car and went up the stairs.he went inside the house.
He saw his sister. "You know you broke another record ? "She said. "I can't be with her can I?"he asked. "First question has to be,do you believe that she is redeemed?" she asked.
"That is the question I have been dancing around havint I? There are some things that definitely make me think that is a blood bought believer.there are other things that make me question that. The fact that I have doubts is not a good sign. " he told her.
"If she is redeemed, is she growing In her faith. Where is this going? Do you see you and her getting married . not to sound crass but will you too wake up and she go off to your church and you to yours. There are things that don't add up. I think you know that!"she told him.
"I tried to date at college. None of them worked out. Nothing clicked. I have dated someone I met at camp. Nothing ever worked out. I like her.something clicked. I don't know why. I wish it could be but it can't."he said.
"I'm sorry mat. I don't know why some times these things happen. Some times doing the difficult things is not defines us. Make us who we are. " she told him.
"I know. "He said. "Your doing the right thing. "She told him. "I do know that. " he told her.
He was convinced that this was the right decision. He also knew that it was a hard decision. Perhaps one of the hardest he would ever make.
He waited until Monday night to visit her. He was so scared but he knew he had to. He nervously went to the door. He knocked on the door.
She had no idea why he was coming.she had not been expecting him. She just wore a blue tank top and jeens and was bare foot.she realized that she was been around him Waring pants. "Hi!"she said
She could tell something was up. "I was not expecting you!"She said. "I figured that you we're not."he said."so what brings you hear. ?"She asked.
"I really like you. When I am with you I don't want to be any Where else. You stimulated me In a way no one does. "He said.
"I sense a but coming!"Abby said. "Ab I can't do this. You and I are too different. I grew up in a fundimentilist church. In a way it all I know. A few years back,I realized that I was just going though the motions. I went though soul searching. I wrestled with the issues. I am a fundimentilist by his own conviction. I believe in a literal translation of the bible. I don't believe I can be with you. I have to call this off!" he told her.
"Well I gues I am not too suprised. I respect you a great deal.I respect your decision. I am not happy about it but I understand. "Abby told her.
"Look I should be going! "He said. "Of course! Good night !"He said. She nodded.
He left the apartment. She waited for him to leave. She then went to her bed room. She cried a little bit. She really liked him.
Now this chapter was closed. Was this closed forever? It was hard to know. Time would tell.
End of part five.

Stay at home mom

Stay at home mom
The case of the next door neighbor.
Teresa graves. nickname tesie is a stay at home mom. She has four kids.her oldest is eight ,her youngest a year old and she has one on the way. While some would say her life is boring. She does not have to find excitement,excitement finds her.
  She always held her Tuesday play date. She had baked cookies. Her best friend Clare and her close friend rylie brought other baked goods.they had everything set up.
Then the guest started to arrive. The first was becca. Becka was New in town. She had just moved next door. Tesie had tried to befriend her.
"Hi I'm glad you came !"Tesie said. Becka had a young two year old and one on the way."thanks! "She said. She was very shy and reserve. "This is Becka and her daughter moya. This is Clare and rylie.Clare is extremely silly!"tess said.
"It s not totally true mostly but not totally "She said. Everyone laughed except for the New comer she was very serious. Then several other ladies came in.
All of the ladies had young children. There husbands were at work. They were old members of an independent Baptist church. While there was no edict against women working in I.f.b but many did not.
Becka seemed uncomfortable. Out of place. They tried to include Her whenever they could. She talked a little bit.
"Where did you live before you moved hear?" Clare asked."I grew up in Indiana. We move hear from Iowa?"she said."what brought you hear?"ry asked."my husband's businessm. He works for edwel cooperation." she said. "I see !"one if the other mom said.
She seemed uncomfortable opening up . she tried to answer there questioned. Tessie tries to calm the other ladies down. Most of them were open books but that did not mean that everyone else had to. She respected other people's privacy. She wanted everyone to feel comfortable.
The get togethers were very informal.there were a time for the children who were not yet in school while the moms talked . it Was a time where moms could interact.
After a while things started to die down. They began to clean up. Then the ladies bagan to gather up there kids and begin to leave.
"Thank you for inviting me!"Becka said."I hope you will come again. Mayby you and your husband could come for supper!"tess said."I Will mention it to him  "she said. Then she left..
After a while everything died down. Tessi was alone.her kids were all home schooled. She checked on there progress. Then she went down in the basement. She went inside.
She had an office.she used her cell phone to open the door. The door opened. After a few minutes there was a knock at the door. It was pastor Ron Darren.
"So ! You said it was urgent?"the pastor asked."the Sudan relief fund spears to be ligit . 97 percent of raised funds is going to the people of Sudan and south Sudan. Three books check out!"she said
"I hear a but coming on!"he said." everywhere the s.r.f is there has bean increased violence. Where they go guns and other  minunition seams to be show up. I am gusing they don't use any funds from the think charity to ship the weapons. I  they are moonlighting. "She told him.
"Its unthinkable. A charity used as a front to sell guns to terrorist or rebels."he said. "Right now I can't prove any of it. I think it is a distinct possibility. I am going to do some more diging. "She said.
"I appreciate that. "The pastor said. " do you know anything about becca Grant and her family?"she asked."they seam like a nice couple. Very quiet,reserve. Mr. Grant is not quite as reserve. She seams even more so."he said.
"I got that same impresson !"she said."we will keep on being kind. Hopufully we can build a bridge with them!"the pastor said. She hopped he was right.
That night tesi and her husband were in bed.her husband had fallen asleep.tess had not. Her mind was racing.from family and church to her detective work and becca. Then they heard a noise. It sounded like a gunshot. It was coming from the home of Ron and becca Grant.
To be continued.