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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FALSE (04/15/21)
God does not like anything that is false. He wants us to rely on His truth, alone. Even when things look bad, He wants us to lean on Him and not on ourselves.

Now when someone visits a new church for the first time, everyone there will be observing him and finding out what he is like. Let us suppose that in addition to finding out all about the church, this person has another motive in mind. He wants to sell products from his home business and all of his current customers have moved away.

So he obtains a copy of the church’s directory and starts calling members. He begins with those he met at church the few times he has attended so far. He also calls some of the heads of committees, thinking this might help garner friends from the rest of the members on those committees.

He invites all of the people he calls to his house for dinner. Each of them was invited on a different night of the week. When they arrive for dinner, he talks about church for a while, asking them how long they have been attending there. After dinner, he talks about his home business and how long he has been selling products. He talks some of his fellow churchgoers into buying a few items from him.

All of the orders arrive and all of them are given to the people who bought them. The seller waits a few days and then asks the buyers how they like their orders. Most people seem to like the products all right, but most think the price tag is on the expensive side.

After a few weeks he calls all of the people again, asking for more orders. Most do not want or need any more items so soon after their previous orders. A few act really surprised when they receive another call so quickly.

So this guy keeps on calling his clients until they get tired of his badgering them and quit answering his calls. When no one will buy any more items from him, he just stops coming to church.

This type of behavior makes you wonder whether this person has any relationship with the Lord at all, or if he is simply using his associates at the church for material gain.

Anyway, he will not use the people at this particular church any more. The pastor and many of the members tried witnessing to him, but he would have none of it. He told them he was not interested in spiritual matters at all. So after that, they simply left him alone. It appears this man got more than he bargained for, didn’t he?
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This article has been read 381 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laura Manley
04/23/21
This sounds like a series of events that you possibly observed in your own church, but that is merely a guess. I would like to have seen you put this into story form, but it still held my interest.
Bea Edwards 
04/24/21
Unfortunately your story is part of church gatherings and the world in general.

It seems like everyone is trying to sell a product or some get rich quick scheme on the internet, even interrupting inspirational you tube videos. ugh...

Only God is able to discern our true intent, but your main character obviously had ulterior motives.

If your entry is non fiction, you might have considered changing names and creating a story containing various points of view from several character's involved in the main characters deception.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/27/21
This is an interesting take on the topic. In today's world, there are scammers everywhere. I felt sad that one would abuse the church, but sadder still that the members weren't able to show him the truth. This piece is a good example of telling. I feel like we are talking on the phone. I'd love to feel like I'm watching it unfold on TV instead. You can do more showing by using body language (eye rolls, furrowed eyebrows, licking lips can all show emotion), dialog also helps move the story forward and will pull the reader in. Lastly the thoughts of the MC (make sure it's the Main character, not a minor one that would be a POV shift.) can speak volumes too and make the reader feel invested. Look at the first word of each paragraph. A couple of times you use the same words. Don't be afraid to switch up sentence structure to vary the patterns and help pull reader in. I can feel your passion and your desire to share God's glory with others. You've a unique idea here and with a bit of tweaking it has a ton kf potential. Keep writing!
Ruthie Alekseeva
04/27/21
Well written and you maintained my interest to the end.