The growing relationship (Tim and Julia Nicole)

Julie Nicole Just graduated from an independent fundamental Baptist college. She had come home. There had been a spark of romantic interest between him and a man in the church ten years older then her.
Neither one had been  ready to admit there interest. Now she was 21 . Tim decided to ask her out. She accepted.  It had not ways been easy.there was pit falls. It was difficult at times. There were differences. They had different life experiences.  They saw things differently.Tim was more serious. Julie was more bubbly.at times it created conflict.
Despite the obstacles , it was working. They were growing closer together. They were learning how to interact with each other.  It was transforming from a crush to something more. Both of them began to feel that way.
Julie had some time before work.she decided to visit him. He had two business. He sold insurance.he also ran a used book store and antique store. One was a business to provide . the other was kinda of a monetized hobby as he called it.
He was aEither  used bookstore . she had never visited him at his work. She decided to surprise him. She liked to read. She might buy something.
She went inside. A customer had just cashed out. The customer left the establishment.
He heard the bell ring.he did not know who it was. He looked up. He saw that it was her. "Hey Jules." he said."hi I had a little time before I have to work. I figured I would come say hi. "She said.
"I am Glad you did. " Tim said. "This is the book store?" she asked. "It is. I am prety proud of it.it's smal but I like it. "He said.
A customer came in.they had a list of books. He had all of them. The customer was happy.while He assisted the customers. After the customers left She brought a couple books to the front.
"Hey you can just have them. I won't charge you!"he said. "Oh no I am a paying customer. " she insisted."it is not about deal. They are a filthy cents a peace. " he said.
"That is why I am going to buy them. "She declared."your not backing down on this are you?"he asked. "No not a chance!"she said.
"We seam to be at a stand still!" he said.she chuckled."we seam to be. " she responded. " ok I know how to settle this !"he said.
He took her hand. They went to a wal. "A dart bored?"she said in a sceptical tone. He took out two darts. " closest to the bulls eye wins. You win you pay. I win it's on the house. " He said.
"Alright! " she said. He let her go first. She threw the dart. It almost hit the bullseye.he threw his,hers was closer.she ringed her hand and said yes.
"Your happy about paying ?" he said."it's a dollar.it won't break the bank I promise."she said. They went to the cash register. "Can I give you my girlfriend discount?" he asked. "No I will pay full price. " she said. "That price is very arbitrary Jules."he said. "I hope this is not how you run the business !"she said in. Kiding tone. "Do you want your recept ?" he asked. "Yes I do!" she said. "You do know you are extremely silly?" he asked. "Yes I am!" she said.
He put in a bag and gave it to her. "I should be going."She said. "Come back again hunnie. " he said. "Count on it!"she said.
He walked her to the door. He hugged Her. They hugged her for a few minutes.  Then she left. He laughed then went back to work.
The next day he was at the insurance office. "You have a visitor. It is a young lady. She says she is your girlfriend. " the receptionist said. "Send Her in. "He said.
  She came in with a cooler. "You do know we are not oficialy dating?" Tim asked. "I know. I did not know what else to call myself " she said. "You could say your a friend?" he said.
"Oh! I am just a friend now! " she said. "Well!" he said . "you do know I brought you lunch. Including desert. " she said. "I am very appreciative. "He told Her. "No problem. Happy to do it.will your boss let you take lunch now?"she asked. "I think He might "he said.
He told his Secretary that he was on lunch. He took out the food. "Its chicken salid . it's the way you like it."She said.
He smiled. They held hands as they prayed. They then eat. They had a good time just hanging out. After they cleaned up. "Thank you I appreciate it. "He told her. "Don't get to use to it. "She said. He laughed."ok! I won't. "He said .
He walked her to her car. He hugged her. "I love you !"she said. She was afraid to tell him that. She knew He was not ready for things like that. "I don't doubt that at all. I know that's true. I love you."he said. She smiled. She got into her car.
To be continued.

Tim and Julia Nicole (the party)

In a small church,everyone knew every one else. Nothing was not noticed. Tim figured that. He and Julia Nicole 's new relationship would be noticed. He was glad that he had gotten the permison of her farther. It was easier now. He knew that people would notice. It was bound to happen. It was natural.
It would stil take time to a just. He did not like being the center of attention.he never did. He considered waiting for het to arrive . he decided not to. 
He sat down in the auditorium. He started to  look up. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked." couple of seconds! "She said. He smiled. She Sat down. She took his hand. He was not sure he was comfortable with hand holding especially at church. He decided to go with it.
"I heard you talked to my dad?"she said. "I have talked to your dad on many occasions. "He said. She poked him. "Yes we did. I got his permission to see you. I am not ready to become an official couple." he said.
"Why not? "She asked. "We should take it slow."he said. "Afraid you will get sick of me?"she asked. "Of course not. There Is need to rush this."he said. "Your right. "She said.
An older lady came over to her. "So do you two have something you want to tell me?"Mrs Osborn said. They both smiled. "We are informal for now but we will see."he said. "I am happy  for You two. I think you make a nice couple."She said.
They thanked her. She moved on. "Are you ashamed to be around me?"she asked."no of course not. It is just that you and I becoming a couple or potential couple is bound to be a topic of conversation. We might be a source of controversy especially given our age difference!"he said. "Because your so old?"she asked laughing. "No!"he said .
Mrs . Grainger saw them sitting together. Mrs.Grainger was a widow.she was a strong presence in the church. They had been missionaries to Argentina before his health forced them to return to the states.
She went over to them. "I have been praying for you two to get together to get together for a while now.I believe that the Lord will do great things with you two. "Mrs. Granger said . "thank you.we certainly want the Lord to use us and our relationship. "Julia Nicole said. "I know he will!"Mrs.Grainger said .
Julia Nicole laughed. "We are a smal church in a smal town. You are going to have to get use to The attention. It will die down . other news will take over. "She said . " ok!"he said.
After the service,many stayed around and talked for a bit. Tim and Julie talked to people. He walked her to her car. "Your a little uptight?"she commented. "Perhaps a little. "He said.
They said there good byes. He went to his car and drove home. The day seamed to be mixed. It probably could have gone better.
Julie was not sure how to process the day. Some of it went very well. Other parts was not as good. Perhaps that was how it was.
During the week,Tim was busy with his two business. He had an accounting firm and an antique store.that kept him buisy. Julie was kept buisy with her work.
Tim went home from work. His phone went off. He saw that it was sister. "Hi miss!" he said . "Tim I was hoping to have you and Julie over for dinner this week. " she said. "What day are you looking at?"he asked. "Wendsday if It is good for Julie but I am flexible."she said. "I will get in touch with Jules and get back to you."he said. "Oh ok! Sure!"she said.
He hung up with his sister. He immediately called julie. Julie was at home when her cell phone went off. She picked it up. "Hey Tim!"she said."hey Jules.missy wants to have us over for dinner. "He said.
"Oh! Yea that would be good!"julie said.julie was not expecting that. She did not know melisa well. She knew her from church. They had engaged in chit chat hear and there. They were cordial but not close.  She was not sure she was ready to hang out with her potentiall future sister in law quite yet.
"Are you available Wednesday night?"Tim asked. "Yea. Wendsday is good. "She said. She was nervous about it but did not say that. "Awsome. I will call missy back and tell her. "He said. "Ok cool!"she responded.
She was nervous about it she did not know why. Melisa seemed like a nice lady. She got the impreson that Tim and her were close. She probably needed to be on good terms with her. She wanted to be in good relations with his family .
She was surprised given that Tim seemed to wanted to slow down a bit.this seemed to accelerating things. She surmised that this was probably Melissa's idea. He was going along with it.
"So I will get back to you with any final details. "He said."ok sure!"she answered. Then they hung up.
She was really not sure about all this.perhaps it was because they had not had a particular good week.she decided she did want to go. She did hope that they would have a better week.
Wednesday arrived. She work until three thirty. She went home. She changed. She decided to go mostly casual. She hoped that she and Melissa would get along. Melisa had three kids. A six year old boy,a two-year old boy and a three mouth old baby girl. Melissa's husband was overseas in the army. She was ready to go.
As usual ,Tim was early. She anticipated that. She was ready. She went out. She went into the car. He hugged her. He was stil not sure about physical contact. He still did not get the courage to tell her that he was not comfortable with physical display of affections.
The drive form her house to Melissa's was a couple of minutes. Before they knew it they were there. He parked. They went inside.
"Hi Julia!"melisa said. "Hi!"julie said."I a really glad you can come. I know we don't know each other well but I hope to change all that."Melissa saId."I would like that too." julie said.
"So I am wondering who liked who first."missy asked at meal time. "I think I liked him first. "Julie said. "I suspected . I once asked him once but he hemmed and hawed. When you two decided to go out I figured it was only a matter of time. "She said.
"How did you meat your husband?"Julie asked. "When I was at college I went to a church near a military base. We met at church.I had no idea he was in the service. "She  said.
"I put him though the ringer. "He said "he was not that bad. They liked each other instantly. "Melissa said. "My parents like him. We have there approval. "Julie said .
"Our family is due for another wedding. "Melisa said . "so far only missy and my other brother are the only ones maried"he said. "No presue though. Just saying it would be nice to have another weeding."Melisa said.
After the meal,Tim was playing with the boys. Julie helped Melisa with clearing the table."so anything I should know about Tim?"she asked."well he spends an hour organizing his sock drawer and is still unhappy."She said. "I am not surprised."julie said. "If you borow a book from him return it exactly where you found it. He organizes book by dewy decimal syistom.I am not joking!"Melisa said. "I will keep that in mind."julie said.
"Do you think you will two will get maried?"she asked."I really hope so. I want to. "Julie said. "You would make a fine addition to The family. I would be pleased to have you as a sister in law."She said. "Thanks you that means a lot. "Julie said.
End of part 4

Blind date part ten

Abby decided to talk to Matt.she waited until the afternoon. She tried to get tons of worsk done so that the evening was free. She drove hesitantly.she did not see his car in the drive way. She considered coming back later. She decided to go in.
She parked in there drive way. She got out of the car. She knocked on the door. The door opened,it was his sister Kathy.
"Hi is mat home?"Abby asked. "No not yet. Mom has a family rule you have to be home before five. He should be home soon. " Kathy said.
"Maybe I should come back later. I don't want to disturb your family time. " she said. "Non sense come on in.you must be Abby.I'm Kathy his favorite sister. "She said. Abby laughed.
"Its good to meet you. "Abby said. "Come on. I will introduce you to the family."Kathy said. Abby was nervous. She wanted to talk to mat in private not meet his whole family. She was afraid they would hate her. She was very independent not exactly independent fubdimentle Baptist.
Kathy escorted Abby to the front room. " hi everyone this is Abby a friend of mat!"Kathy said. Abby was really embarrassed. "Hello I'm Bob Campbell this is my wife Anna."he said. "Matt told me your news congratulations"she said. "Thank you we are both really excited. "Anna said.
"How do you know Matt ?"Bob asked. "A matural friend of ours tried to set us up on a blind date. "She said. "I remember that he went on a blind date.he was pretty cryptic about it.we have presed him on. That was with you !"Bob said.
"Yes. We we're not what either of us expected. "Abby said. "How so?"Anna asked. "Well I am a student at a less orthodox bible college."she said. "How less ?"Bob asked. "I am going to a seminary that usually trains minister for United church of chrust!"Abby answered.
"Oh!"Bob said . "are you training to be a minister?"Anna asked. "Yes  am."She said. My goose is coooked she thought.
"Do you believe in the mericles in the bible ?"he asked. "Yes I do. I believe in a literal reserection of Christ. I believe that the children of Israel did cross the red sea not the reed sea!"she answered.
"Do you that Jesus is the only way or are there other ways of salvation " mats brother Tim asked. "I believe that there is only one way to salvation."Abby said.
"The u.c.c is rather wishy washey on the subject. "Bob said ."yes They are. They like to hem and haw on the subject. "Abby admitted.
"How would you handle such a topic?"Bob asked. "I don't know. I do feel strongly about it. "She said.
"Why did you join the u.c.c? There are denominations that are more orthodox yet ordain women ? Like the United Baptist?" he asked.
"My mother was an atheist .my farther had been a minister but left it before I was born. He stoped going. U to found his bible and read it. I went to the nearest church.it was u.c.c.the minister befriended me and I got scholarships so I went with them. "She said.
"So let me get this straight. You are a ministerial student who went on a few dates with my son.he broke it off now you want to resume it?"Bob asked. "Pretty Mitch! Look I have a great deal of respect for you.if you want me to leave I will. I don't want to step on your toes."Abby said.
"No that won't be necessary. I want to get to know you. "Bob said ."I am not totally sure why I am hear.I really wanted to talk to him. To see if something could be worked out."Abby said.
Matt drove home. He saw what he thought was baby's car in the driveway. He saw her bumper sticker."our church accepts everyone."  he knew it was her. Why was she hear? He thought to himself. He parked then went inside.
He saw Abby. There eyes met. He caught himself smiling.she always had that affect on him. "Ab? What are you doing hear?"mat asked. "I was hoping to talk to you!"she said. Alisha another daughter came in. "Am I setting another place for Abby?"Alisha asked. "Oh I can't stay. "Abby said ."we would love it."Anna said. "I don't want to impose !"Abby said. "Its not at all."Bob said.she looked at Matt. "You should stay!"Matt said.
She wondered was he inviting her to dinner or into his life ? "Ok I will stay!"she said. "Set an extra place at the table al!"her farther said.
Everyone went to the kitchen table."you can sit hear next to Matt and Kathy. "Bob said. They Sat down.Apearently they all joined hands during prayer. She was a bit uncomfortable with it. He extended his hand so she took it.
As everyone was getting food . she thought this feel right. She wondered was This something that could be later or something that could have been but never was. Would this be a great memory or would it haunt her.
"It will May take a little while for me to remember all your names."Abby said. "We have hard time remembering them at times. " Kathy said. "You did not give them all j or h names."Abby said. "We were not not planing but not planning to have this many !"Anna said.
"Do you have any siblings?" Tim asked. "I do. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. "She said.
After dinner everyone brought dishes to the dish washer. Abby helped alisha clear the table. 
Matt kinda took a step back. He kinda guesed why she was hear. He had no idea why he would do. His farther went over to him. "It took a lot of courage for her to come today. I can't believe I'm saying this but don't be so quick to walk away. " he said. "Ok I will keep that in mind."he said.
Things started to die down. Matt went over to Abby. "Do you want to go to the porch?"he asked."ok!"she said. The two went to the porch. They Sat down on the steps.
"So I came. To talk to you. Matt I know we have a lot of differences. I really like you. I don't want to loose you. Look if you really don't think this Will work or you just don't want to be with me I will walk out and you will never hear from me again. " she told him.
He thought it over. "No I'm not going to do that. That is not what I want. " he said. "Look I don't have any answers. I wish I did. I am not sure why I am hear. I can't just walk away.not without at least coming to you first. "She said.
"I want to take it slow. I do want us to explore a relationship. "He said. "I'm ok with going slow. I just want you in my life. I understand we have hurdles."she said. "I am willing to give it a chance . I'm in if you are. " he said. "I'm in !"she said. She started to hug him. She realized that this might not be appropriate so she recoiled.he hugged  her. They held on to each other for a while.
"I really like your family. " Abby told him. " I think you made quite an impression. "Mat said."oh great. "She said. "I think they like you. I hope they did not give you too much trouble?"he asked. "They we're fine!"she said.
After a while she decided she should probably go. "I should get going. "She said. "Ok I'm glad you stop by. "Matt said. "I am too!" she said .
He walked her to her car. " I will talk to you later!"he said ."you got it!"she said. He started to walk away then he stoped and hugged her. Then she got into the car and left.he watched her leave.
He went inside. He went to see his dad. "We are going to give it a try. "Matt said. "I knew That. Look mat it's not going to be easy. Who she is today may not be who she always is. Both your mom and I did not have it together when we started dating. Mariege is two sinners coming together. You two have hurdles. You wil have to get together and hash some of this out. Mayby that is the point ,together. Perhaps it time to think of each other as being on the same team. "He said.
Abby went home. "You have been gone a while! "Jill said. "I ended up having dinner with Matt's family. Then we talked a lot ."she said.
"are you too a couple again?"Jill asked "I think so. I did not bring my Matt to English dictionary but I believe so. "She said. "You two are either are the cutest couple or the weirdest or a little both of both. " Jill said.
That night matt' mom and dad talked. "So have we met our new daughter in law?"Anna asked ."I'm prety sure we have. "He said. "I figured. "She said.
End of part ten.
 

Blind date part 8

Mat and Abby have gone there seperate ways. It seemed perhaps never to reconnect.returning to what they knew.
Abby had reconnected with a fellow seminary student. A recent graduate named Michael clendon. He really liked her,he had for a while. She always held back. He never understood why.in his mind,they were perfect for each other. She did not see it that way. They were both interlecuals.
  He had a dream of them pastoring local churches and working together.he hoped he could convince her to date him. So far it had been less then successful.
She agreed to meat Mike at a local cafae. She went in and saw Michael.Michael was usually very serious. He was not sour but was usually serious. When he laid eyes on you,he smiled. He got out and shock her hand.
"I am so glad to see you ab!"he said.she tried to hide her shock and dismay at him using the Nick name mat had used. She was careful not to dwel on it. It was not his fault. She was not mad at him. She tried to move on.
"So are you going to accept a church or are you content to being the district superintendents lackey?"she asked. "I do enjoy my work for the district. Pastor richmount is planing to retire this year. I hope to be in the running. I must confess my heart is more in the administration of a district then an individual church. I suspect you will find a church and stay there for a time. "He said.
"I want to build up a local congregation. It take time!"she told him. "I am more about the big picture. I want to transform an area for the gospel I suppose."he said. "A big picture starts by developing a series of little pictures Mike !"she told him."true I suppose ab. I prefer to direct others to do the small picture!"he said.
She really wished he would stop calling her by that name. She did not want to sa anything . she did not want to explain why.
"I know we need those who direct the big and the smal. "She said. "That is why we would be a great couple Abigail. We would compliment each other. "Mike said.
If there was anything she hated more then being called ab by anyone besides mat,it was being Abigail.she felt like she was three. 
"That is an argument ."she said."are you Romantically involved with anyone at the moment ?"he asked.
"I was seing someone casually but it did not work out. "She said. "I am sort to hear that. His loss!"he said.
"So you are looking to take up a church?"she asked."for now. By my time till the superintendent is permoted or retires. "He said. "I figured. " she said.
"I see the value in building up local perished . I am interested in the administration the process. I will give the day to day operations to the local pastors. I know that that is your passion!"he said.
Odd she thought . she had come hear willing to give a potentle relationship with Michael a chance.while she had rebuffed him o. Previous occasions,she considered that she missed something. She wanted to give him a second chance.she inadvertently led him on. She decided that this was just not going to work. .Mike was not a viable option. She knew that now.
She wanted to leave but stayed for a bit. Luckily he  had a meeting and wanted to get ready. He walked her other car. "We should do this again soon ab! I do enjoy talking to you."he said.
"Look Michael,I am going to level with you,I just don't see it happening. I like you. I don't think we are a good match. I'm sorry to have led you on."she said.
"Its ok. I gues I a not surprised.if you change your mind,you know where to reach me!"he said.
She felt bad but felt she had to be honest with him. It was a mistake for her to agree to it.it did convince her that was a door that should not be opened.
She came in to her apartment. Her romate was waiting for her. Apparently she wanted a play by play report on what had occured.
"I have no idea why I did that. He is a nice guy but he really not my type. I was really considering perusing a relationship with him ! We are not a good match!"Abby said. "I could have told you that. Oh wait I did several times. I can't believe you were thinking of dating him. I thought you ruled that out ling ago!"she said.
"I thought I had too. I don't know what got into me!"she said. "I do! Your on the rebound form Matt!"she told her. "How can I be on the rebound,we never dated not really!"she said. "Every time you came home,you were glowing. You fr something for him. You still do. Micheal? He is the polar opposite of Matt!"she said.
"I know.Mike is conceited ,ful of himself. Mat is not like that. That ship has sailed.he made that abundantly clear. "Abby said.
"Mayby you should talk to him. Mayby he has changed his mind. "Her roommate said "he has probably found someone by now. She is probably a king James. Hyim singing dress wearing girl who has never spoken a word in church." Abby said.
"Your miserable Abby. Mayby he is too. You can understand his perspective. You are very different. You see things differently."her roommate told Abby.
"I don't think I'm cut out for his world.he is surly not cut out for my world.we are at an inpass. "Abby said.
  Matt was excited to go out with Heidi at first. As the  day Got. Closer he got second thoughts.she was sweet but there was really no connection.why was he suddenly trying to try again with her. As the time of the date got closer he found his thoughts heading towards abby.
He liked Heidi. She was sweet and she was godly. He just did not think that she was a good fit for him. He considered canceling the event but decided not to.
He met up with her at a restaurant.she smiled as he arrived. "How are things ?"she asked."good how are you?"she asked. "Good!"he responded.
They engaged in small talk.none of the conversation went anywhere. Mat found himself thinking about Abby. He tried not to.
After a while they left. He said his goodbyes. He went home.he went inside. He saw his sister Kathy."how did it go with Heidi?"she asked.
"I never should have gone.she is great but I don't think that she is right for me. I am not sure why I went. "He said.
"You stil have feelings for Abby?"she asked. "I do. I wish I did not. We can't be together. Yet I want to. I hate it."he said.
"Mayby this is not the time to date.perhaps it is time to take a step back.maybe it is time to reevaluate things. There Is something else you may need to consider !"she said.
"What is that?"he asked. "The answer may not be no but not now. Maybe later." Kathy said. "What if she does not wait.I can't ask her to wait."he said.
"If she is the one you may not have to!"she said. "Perhaps!"he said.
While Abby went to her contact list. She saw the name matty.she almost hit the send button. She decided not to do it.

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.