Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Actions Speak Louder than Words" (without using the actual phrase). (02/21/08)
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TITLE: Bob and Marcia�s Sticky Adventure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
02/25/08 -
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hoping that God’s message will ‘stick’ with those to whom they witness. While
these believers may be sticky, they’re not all the same...
The Baileys visited the First Friends Church for the first time on a gorgeous,
sunny Sunday morning. Bob Bailey and his wife Marcia met 7 types of
Christians.
It was an adventure the Baileys will never forget.
In the Church entrance, they met Roxanne the Red Tape Christian:
“Good Morning. Welcome to First Friends. We’re so happy to
have you-all here this morning.”
She seems to be friendly, thought Bob. Then, before Bob and Marcia
could walk toward the sanctuary Roxanne blurted,
“Wait! Wait a sec! We need you to fill out the ‘First Friends
First Time Friendly Visitor forms’! We’re so happy you came.
We just love first time friendly First Friends visitors!”
As Marcia dutifully filled out the forms Bob couldn’t help but think,
This woman sure talks a lot. Finally they stepped toward the sanctuary
and Daniel the Duct Tape Christian stopped them:
“Hi ya’ll. Weee’re so glaaad to have you folks heeere--”
Draven the Drywall Tape Christian interrupted them, “Hey this is an
awesome church. Everyone is so friendly and talks to you, and you can talk
to anybody. Hey--isn’t that cool?"
Whew! That guy has some serious bad breath, thought Bob.
Melissa the Masking Tape Christian jumped in to cover up the other two,
“Oh, you must be the Baileys! You’re friends of the Tatums? The Tatums
are such WONderful family and such great friends--Primo—as they say!
I know you’ll really love our church!”
Oh no, what now? Reporters? Bob thought.
Sporting an outdated video camera, Victoria the Videotape Christian
matter-of-factly said, “And the awesome thing is we videotape and record
ALL of the sermons! If you want a copy, see Roxanne after service and
she’ll give you an order form.“
NO WAY, we ain’t fillin’ out any more forms!
Parker the Packing Tape Christian immediately added, “And we’ll
put the tapes in a real nice First Friends package for ya at no extra charge!”
That was strange, why did he wink? Bob thought.
Powerful singing started, echoing through the church, spilling out
into the entrance. Roxanne, Daniel, Draven, Melissa, Victoria and Parker
marched robotically into the sanctuary and sat as a group, stuck together
in the same section.
“Why didn’t anyone invite us to sit with them?” Marcia asked.
Relieved to finally walk into the sanctuary, they looked around anxiously.
There were only a couple of empty seats in the front and center labeled
‘For our honored First Friendly Visitors.’
As they sat down Bob said to Marcia, “This music is awesome!”
After several songs and a couple of announcements, Pastor Travis the
Transparent Tape Christian greeted everyone.
“And we’re so glad to welcome the Baileys here for the first time this morning!”
All the First Friends politely clapped. “The Scripture I’ll be preaching from is
found in Proverbs…”
The verse was professionally projected on the screens everywhere.
“A man that hath friends must shew (show) himself friendly:
and there is a friend that sticketh (sticks) closer than a brother.” Proverbs 8:24 (KJV)
“All Christians strive to be friendly and loyal, just like this verse says.
While all Christians may be sticky, we’re not all the same! I want to be
transparent with you today, is that all right?”
In the midst of the “Amen” and “Preach it!”, Marcia thought, This is cool.
I like this guy.
Pastor Travis pressed on, “Praise God! Yes, it’s easy to say ‘I’m your friend’
here at First Friends church on a Sunday--especially a sunny Sunday—but
what about Monday? Or Tuesday?”
He paused for effect. No Amens then.
Sure is quiet all of a sudden.
“Okay--I know you’re listening now. Let me help make this proverb stick
in our hearts: Recently on a Tuesday I met one of you at the food store.
While we were chatting, I noticed an elderly lady struggling to get cans
off of a high shelf. Both of us ignored her. Poor thing, I thought.
But I felt a check in my spirit--so I lifted my hand and said, ‘Excuse me,
we need to help her’.”
He went on but ended with, “I hear a lot of love in this place every Sunday,
Christians, but if we want that love to stick, we’ve got to SHOW IT!”
Amen!
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That was strange, why did he wink? Bob thought.
GREAT for the topic and very entertaining to read. :)
For a few of your "tapes", I didn't understand the connection between the kind of tape and the behavior of the Christian.
But I loved this idea, and the fact that you ended it with hope and transparency, not anything cynical.
The same thing could happen to other people, I'm sure... People who aren't so willing to seek out another church.
Thank you for writing this. It was brilliant!
However, I really enjoyed this piece. It was very unique, and the message being conveyed was very clear. I have gone to several churches that had people just like this.
You have great writing talent. Keep up the good work.