iTell the Story

October/2014

iPray eVotional iPray eVotionals exhorts those who pray.  It's the glass of water held out around each month's turn for the runners who can use a quick and easy quench in order to finish strong. iTell the Story Approx. reading time: 7 minutes When I think about telling my God-story I am reminded of the chorus of a hymn I use to sing as a child:  "I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love." Story Telling Passion I just got a call from my son, Fosi.  It's lunch time at school and he was still hungry after eating, a quick reminder of a snack I packed solved the problem.  Right before hanging up he said, "This is Fosi's evil twin and Fosi is absent from school.  Ok?  Goodbye."  At age ten his love for creating stories and living them out invades every conversation. For years my son has been interested in story telling.  In my 2011 Christmas letter I wrote, "He also writes his own books, his favorite story-telling creations are a series called, "Golden Soot" where the characters are animals."  In my 2012 Christmas letter I wrote, "Being a creative boy that loves to make stories and draw pictures, Fosi finds ways to develop his Golden Soot series and map out his character's journeys."  In 2013 I wrote, "His love for creating stories and making books was enhanced this year as he drew from his Disneyland experiences."  By the end of that year Fosi had created a company name, movies, TV series, books, theme parks and more. Two summers ago Fosi asked me to help him write and film his movie.  We started on a script and then stopped short.  Last summer he had the idea of doing a film camp where we could do scenes from his movie and his sister, who loves to act, could be in it.  It never happened.  The disappointment of two summers without a film project started to weigh heavy on his heart.  I did not want him to lose that drive, that ambition and vision.  I decided that I would do something to aid him in learning how to tell his stories by buying annual passes to the giant of movie-making theme parks, Universal Studios in Hollywood. Visiting Universal Studios has increased Fosi's drive to make his ideas come to life, now he has vision like never before.  "I want to film all of my CrazyBopBoom movies on the Universal back lot, including the Golden Soot series!"  As the tram toured the sets I could see the stories running wild in his head. That passion to make something inside him come alive makes me think about our own God stories.  Each of us have them in there, waiting to come alive.    I missed organizing a film camp for my son.  Why let anymore opportunities slip by? We should be getting annual passes that lights a passion to tell our God-story. Story Telling Action A great example of someone living out their God-story is the talented writer Marshal Younger. Mr. Younger is a screenwriter with credits such as Adventures in Odyssey: Race to Freedom (2003), Meant to Be (2012), and A Greater Yes: The Story of Amy Newhouse (2009). In these films, Marshal Younger helps present a clear God-story for his audience.  One that moves them to live a worthy life and to make good strong choices.  He has clearly used his gifting to set others on a path of right choices. Perhaps the most intriguing example of Mr. Younger's commitment to telling the story comes from a recent script I read of his. Unlike the movies cited, the script was not labeled Christian.  Nobody gets saved and Jesus isn't even mentioned. So why do I see it as an intriguing example? Not only was it entertaining, made me laugh out loud and allowed me to think about the humor in my own daily life as a mom, what I enjoyed the most was how the convictions if what he believes were not compromised.  It even highlighted the very real conflicts we face when we strive to live lives of high moral value and presented an honest God-honoring resolve.  Marshal Younger told a story with great conviction and honesty which ultimately adds to God's story. "Now I'm glad- not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss." 2 Corinthians 7:9 (The Message) In a world bent on selfishness and egos, all of us face the temptations to conform.  To build a "golden calf" and create our own "festivals" out of fear of what might be done or said against us.  "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 In Marshal Younger's script proposal he wrote, "At times, we will be uncomfortable in our faith and in our family life.  We are compelled to make the uncomfortable choice, because it will lead us to gain." Love to Tell The Story I recently watched an interview with James Denton, known for his role on Desperate Housewives, after his second roll in a Christian film.  He explained that he was attracted to the character, adding that it was a coincidence that he had done two in a row. In his interview Mr. Denton said, "I'm always very private about what I believe." Still he was compelled to do these films when he was approached with something that spoke to him.  He explained why and how the two roles attracted him.  The first family film was about a father and daughter that he wanted his kids to see.  The other gave Mr. Denton the opportunity to play the dynamics of a "bad guy".  He also talked about another film he would be doing with the same film makers. James Denton's Interview on Access Hollywood We love to post publicly on social media the meals we just made, who we are engaged to, the latest accomplishments made, how we are spending our Friday night and so much more.  It is in our nature to tell our stories in some way or another. I believe that God provides us with compelling opportunities to honor and trust Him by telling our God-story.  When that means stepping out of our comfort zone, God's love and purpose will replace the fear and uncertainty. James Denton was invited to be a part of God's story and he said yes, even when it opened doors for public (and possibly uncomfortable) conversations about his faith.  Marshal younger said yes as well.  He honors God in his story telling, with opportunities to have an affect on a wide range of audience members.  The story of what God has done and is doing; the story of hope and freedom can be the most compelling thing we want to share.  Like my son, I want to have passion and a desire to talk about my God-Story.  With it on the front of my mind, I want the story to invade my every conversation; I want to be ready to take action when given the chance. I want a genuine love to tell the story. Praise the Lord that He values us greatly as His children, and helps us overcome any fears in our lives. Our "story-telling" can oozes out from the choices we make and how the positions, gifts and talents given to us are handled.  Let's not miss that every day we are given opportunities to tell His story, even when we are working on something that is not labeled "Christian."  From our first "good morning" to our evening "nighty nights." Let's love to tell the story! "I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love." iPray... Dear Lord, According to the way you have created us, bring out that passion again.  May we consider our story with You the most relevant, compelling and life changing post ever.  May we not give up, but find new and fun ways to keep that inspiration going.  May we not get distracted or let our fears become irrational phobias. Because our time is limited, may we consider who we are in Christ the main course and not just a side dish... iPray that we will long to tell the story, and that we WILL tell the story. In Jesus name iPray, amen ALL for Him, Michelle 818-268-5915

In This Issue iTell the Story Story Telling Passion Story Telling Action Love to Tell The Story iPray... Join iPray eMailing List Michelle Fozounmayeh Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International. Blog: 7tothirty7.blogspot.com Website: http://7tothirty7.com/ 4 Traditions 4 New Years 4 Traditions 4 Valentines 4 Traditions 4 St. Patricks 4 Traditions 4 Easter 4 Traditions 4 Mother's Day 4 Traditions 4 Father's Day 4 Traditions 4 Fourth of July 4 Traditions 4 Summer 4 Traditions 4 Back to School 4 Traditions 4 Halloween 4 Traditions 4 Thanksgiving 4 Traditions 4 Christmas iPray Links: Dec. 2011 iPray link: iTeeter-Totter   Jan. 2012 iPray link: iPray Newness Feb. 2012 iPray link: iLove DEEP and WIDE March 2012 iPray link: iPraise April 2012 iPray link: iEmbrace May 2012 iPray link:   iSmell a Stain June 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Purity July 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Protection August 2012 iPray link: iReminisce September 2012 iPray: iWork Out   October 2012 iPray:  iFollow November 2012 iPray: iThank God for That December 2012 iPray: iFinish Strong   January 2013 iPray: iNeed a Reminder   February 2013 iPray iPray in One Accord March 2013 iPray: iRest April 2013 iPray: iListen May 2013 iPray: iHold On June 2013 iPray: iStretch July 2013 iPray: iDream August 2013 iPray: iGet Dressed September 2013 iPray: iSurrender October 2013 iPray: iSpill November 2013 iPray: iMad Pray December 2013 iPray: iMine January 2014 iPray: iColor February 2014 iPray: iClip Show March 2014 iPray iShelve Not April 2014 iPray iKnow in Part May 2014 iPray iRespond June 2014 iPray iHope July 2014 iPray iPray Head To Toe August 2014 iPray iPromote Up September 2014 iPray iWill Grow Up Poem links: Time to be Free Ms. Marry McMoo Only You I Delight in You A Bat's Perspective The Ins and Outs Green Things Treasures in the Darkness To My Mom No Longer Hidden 70 Years of Marriage Saint Sadie Discovering Little One Wide Long High and Deep My Son Knowledge Hoard Short Stories: Cream of Corn Battle of the Food Face Singing the Night Away See You Later, Alligator Don't Touch Fried Nuts Annoying Brother Missy's Puppies High Dive Something Big! Stretching First Rainbow Promise

The Flying Bat meets Rodger Rabbit

It was close to midnight as Vader’s ship disappeared into the darkness of space.  The flying bat had defeated Darth Vader in the jungles of Jupiter with the lion, cheetah and werewolf.  The lion, named Frank, could tell that something still bothered the Flying Bat.  The Flying Bat had not trusted the lion at first, but now respected him for he fought with courage.  Flying Bat looked into Frank’s eyes and said, “I didn’t trust you at first because when a hard plum woke a sleeping lion on an earlier mission, that lion’s anger caused me to flee all the way to France.”

Frank understood and told him not to fear, the first lion was actually a spy of the dark side, it was his lioness cousin named Sue.  He then told him about a Rabbit who was wise in the ways of the force and could give the Flying Bat everything he needed for his next adventure.   His name was Rodger and could be found in Toontown.

Flying Bat flew all night back and as the sun rose he arrived on the sacred grounds of Disneyland and into Toontown.  There he found Rodger Rabbit having breakfast with his wife Jessica Rabbit.  Flying Bat  went inside the restaurant and told him that Frank had sent him.  Rodger’s whiskers twitched as he informed him that all the secrets of a successful adventure could be found by going on the Rodger Rabbit ride.  Flying Bat waited patiently in line until it was his turn.  Flying Bat climbed on the ride.  About half way through, when the twists and turns made it difficult to focus the ride stopped short and broke down.  He knew it was the work of the lioness, Sue.  The Flying Bat looked over his shoulder just in time to see the lioness.  He took out his light-saber and sliced through Sue.  After she was defeated her body suddenly disappeared.  Flying Bat helped start the ride up again and thanked Rodger Rabbit.  

Just then he looked up and saw a familiar sight... the Bat Signal!  It was time for another adventure...

Fried Nuts

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child...”

SHIRIN: 4 years old

FREDERICK: 2 1/2 years old 

Frederick enters the front room to play his drums.  Shirin is standing in the middle of the room pushing out her belly.

Frederick: Shaween, augh doooooooing? (Shirin, what are you doing?)

Shirin:  I think I am a big bully. (I think I have a big belly)

Frederick: Ot-a-in. (Not again)

Shirin:  I ate too much green strings. (I ate too much string beans)

Frederick: I-a-a Dreget Drum! (I’m going to drum on Frederick’s Drums!)

Frederick starts to play his drums.  Shirin dances to the music with her “big belly”.  A fly decides to join the fun.  Frederick spots the fly, stops drumming and screams.

Frederick:  Beeeeeee!  Beeeee!

Shirin: It’s a fry because it is back.  (It’s a fly because it is black!)

Shirin disappears for a second and reappears with a fly swatter.

Frederick: Shubel?  (Is that a shovel?)

Shirin: It’s a fried sweater that fights bugs! (It’s a fly swatter that fights bugs!)

Frederick watches Shirin as she tries to swat the fly.  Shirin uses her best fighting sounds as she swings the fly swatter around in the air and hits various surfaces in the room.  Shirin ends every swat with a fighter pose.  The “fight” makes Frederick giggle.  The giggles become a nervous cry-like giggle every time the fly gets too close to him.  After many attempts Shirin finally makes contact.  

Shirin: I got it!

Frederick points to the fly.

Frederick: Her name? (What is that?)

Shirin:  It’s a fry!  (It’s a fly!)

Frederick looks unsure.

Shirin: Bees live in big farts! (Bees live in big tree barks!)

Mom walks in.  Both kids are staring at the squashed fly on the floor.  Shirin is close to it and studying it intensely.  Frederick is not so close and looks unsure.

Shirin:  Mom, I squished a fry and it’s nuts came out! (I squished a fly and it’s guts came out!)

Mom looks surprised.  Shirin uses the fly sweater as a pointer.  She points to the fly with her chest out.

Shirin:  Fried nuts! (Fly’s guts!)

Mom:  Wow, good job Shirin!

Mom can tell Frederick is uneasy. He reaches for her.

Frederick: Old you?  (Will you hold me?)

Mom:  What’s wrong Frederick?

Frederick: Beeeee!

Mom:  Don’t worry Frederick, it’s just a fly. It can’t hurt you.  I don’t like bees too but it was not a bee.  And if it was we would have opened the window and let it fly out.  We don’t want that yucky fear in our heart.

Shirin: The fry made Frederick up-sweat so it had to supper the cwon-sin-quens-es. (The fly made Frederick upset so it had to suffer the consequences.)

Frederick: Like it.  (I don’t like it.)

Mom: I know you didn’t like it.

Shirin:  And I won it!  Pretend you ordered me from Shirin.com to fight the fry.  Pow!

Shirin makes power fighting moves in the air.  Mom giggles as she picks up the dead fly in a tissue and throws it in a nearby trash can.  Frederick becomes less tense and starts to smile. 

Mom: You are a worrier Shirin and always will be.  God will order up some Shirin as you grow up in your faith.  I pray that you will be wise in your fights!  Pow!

Mom tries to throw a power punch herself.  It makes both kids burst out in laughter.  She looks down at Frederick as he goes back to his drums.

Mom:  And you Frederick, as you grow up in your faith I pray God will give you courage and that you will trust Him.  He will use you and your drums to help others have courage too.

Frederick starts to play his drums and hums a rocked out version of “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star.”  With her fly swatter weapon in hand, Shirin dances a warrior dance all around the room.

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1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Don't Touch

Don’t Touch

“Even small children are known by their actions...”

MISSY:

Missy stood in the kitchen.  Her attention on the electric stove top.  The glowing red seemed to mesmerize her.  she remembered several months earlier when she was told never to touch it, especially when the stove top is glowing red.  “It will burn you,” her mother warned.  Although Missy knew she was not supposed to get near the stove when it was red, she would catch herself glancing up there.  “Why not?” she thought, “What did getting burned feel like?”

It was only last week when she had stood in the kitchen and saw the stove top was black, not glowing red. She had stood and wondered, “What would one little touch feel like?” just as she was now.  Obeying her mom and trusting her judgment is what had kept her from reaching out to touch it then.  She hated doing things that were wrong because of the feeling it left in her heart.  Missy hadn’t wanted to get hurt, she just wanted to know how it would feel.  Slowly she had reached out her hand and touched the stove which was surprisingly cold sending a shiver down her spine.  Her curiosity was satisfied and a glance around told her nobody had seen her.  Immediately Missy had recognized that yucky feeling in her heart.  It was not about the stove, that was uneventful, but knowing that she had secretly touched it sent a shiver down her spine, just as cold as the black stove top.

But today the stove was glowing and her curiosity burned again.  Missy paused,  “Would it feel the same as last week?  Would it be cold or would it be more cozy?”  She could tell it was cooling down, the glow was slowly going away and being replaced by the black.  With her opportunity slipping away, Missy moved her fingers with anticipation to make a move.  Then her mothers voice rang in her head, “It will burn you.”

Missy’s heart raced at the warning, she frantically flipped her head around the kitchen to see if she was still alone.  She was, but she knew it was probably not for long.  She had not reached up sooner and had paused to contemplate only because of her faint memory of a cold yucky heart feeling.

She loved her mom and didn’t want to let her down.  “But,” she rationalized, “I got away with it last week and my heart felt yucky for only a while.”  Curiosity slowly became stronger than her conviction.  Her thoughts raced, “Mom didn’t know and nothing bad had happened and even more... I didn’t get hurt.” Concluding that her mom’s warning was wrong she continued,  “What came of last week?  Nothing.  I touched and walked away just fine.”  Missy knew if she hurried right now she could satisfy her curiosity once and for all, the glow was fading and she didn’t know if she would have another chance.  “After all,” she concluded, “it’s better to be hot than cold so it couldn’t be bad.”

Deciding that it would be just like last time Missy reached up.  She knew that all this curiosity would be put to rest by doing it real quick, touching the stove and walking away.  Missy paused as she moved toward the stovetop continued to reason to herself, “Nobody would even have to know.”  And this time she knew she would be fully satisfied because she would finally find out what it felt like when it was red.  One thing is for sure, she would avoid that cold shiver.

Readying herself for a quick exit from the kitchen, Missy opened her fist with her fingers spread apart and pressed down on the stove top.  “Aughhhhhhh!”  Missy shrieked as she jerked herself back. The pain ran all the way up her arm and her hand was stinging like she had never felt before.  The shock of it made her fall to the floor and shake.  What is this???  She didn’t realize that it would hurt!  She didn’t know she would actually really get burned!  The pain was unbearable and all she could do was stare at her burning skin and scream.  Was her hand going to fall off?  Her mom rushed in and frantically asked what happened.  “Aughhhhhhh,  stow, stow, Aughhhhh!” Missy whimpered.

“You touched the stove!?!?!?!  Oh no!”  Missy’s mom exclaimed as she rushed over scooping Missy up and proceeding to run her hand under water.  It barely soothed the pain.  

“Why on earth did you touch the stove?” Missy’s mom asked in bewilderment.

Missy couldn’t stop screaming from the pain and her heart screamed even louder at her mom’s question.  As the water ran over her hand Missy thought maybe her scorched skin would just peal off.  After several minutes Missy was able to settle down but felt like her skin was ruined forever.  Maybe her hand wouldn’t fall off and perhaps her the skin was not peeling like she feared, but her entire arm felt the blow.  Maybe the muscles would never work again.

Then Missy noticed that her entire family stood in the kitchen staring at her as she sat on the counter next to the sink with her hand under the running water.  Her dad at the counter flipping through their phone book, her older sister Sherry rattling off stove safety, her younger brother Ralphy demanding to know how it happened and her little sister Candy just tearing up.  “So much for the quick exit.  So much for nobody ever knowing.”  Missy thought with dismay.  Now everyone was there and knew what she had done.  She realized that she had been foolish in disobeying.  Embarrassment creeped all over her.  The pain and the burn was proof.  Missy’s dad and mom called the doctor and followed the instructions of wrapping Missy’s hand up in a bandage that had to stay on for over a week.  She remembered her mother’s voice, “It will burn you.”  Now she understood what that meant.  With all her might she wished she could pull back time and trusted and obeyed her mom and found a way to kill her own curiosity.  But now the consequence was not going away.  She had to live with this pain and it felt like it would never subside.

Every day for the next week the pain did not seem to subside.  Her mom said it would and that she had to be patient saying that her hand would not stay hurt forever even though it felt like it would.  That little by little she would heal and feel better.  Never did Missy want this consequence.  The pleasure of feeding a curiosity was not worth the price she was now paying.  Missy heard her mom say it would be better but the pain told her she would never be better.  That she would never be the same.

About a week later while Missy laid in her bed, her mom came in to say goodnight.

“Mom.  I’m sowy foe tuchin thee stobe,”  Missy said with a large lump in her throat.

Missy’s mom gave her a hug saying  “I forgive you Missy.”  Those words of forgiveness lifted a burden Missy had carried all week.  “I give you rules so that you do not do things that will hurt yourself.”  Missy knew it was true.  The lesson ran deeper then her mom knew.  Deeper than the burnt skin.  It ran all the way to her heart and never again did she want to find out what disobeying would bring.  Maybe that cold yucky heart feeling was a warning.  She prayed that she would recognize that warning for all her life.

“I’m fewing bet-toe today mom,”  Missy exclaimed as she looked at her bandaged hand.  “Wen can de ban-dwidge can come off?”

“Soon Missy.  The doctor will probably take it off tomorrow.”  

When the bandage came off Missy had a hard time moving her fingers and using her hand at all.  It took several more weeks for complete healing.  But the day came when she didn’t think about her hand and she used it just as she did before, without protecting the sensitive spots.  Her mom was right.  She did heal from the pain.  But, on the other hand, the lesson she learned found a permanent home in her brain.

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Proverbs 20:11 “Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?”

Romans 4:7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

Throwing up H-A-T-E

Shirin: 7 years old

Mom: thirty7 years old

Two creative silly billies are alone together in the car, on the way to church…

Shirin:  (As mom pulls the car out of the garage) Mom, you know how Jesus came to save us from our sins?

Mom: yes

Shirin: Well what if he didn’t come yet.  I mean I know we are not Jewish but I’m just saying he didn’t come YET and we had to get rid of our sin by throwing it up.

Mom:  So when you throw up you’d be like, “Blaaaaa, oh there goes stealing!”

Shirin: (Laughter) Yea and like, “Blaaaaaaa, there goes hate!”

Mom:  (Even bigger) Blaaaaaaa-ya-yaaaaaa, Jealously!

Shirin: (Louder) Bllllllaaaaaaaa-ya-ya-yaaaaa, Bad Sport!

Mom:  Or what if you fart it out!

(Belly laughter from both)

Shirin: You could fart it out, or poop it out.  Tooooot! And the fart is like a puff of green smoke that says “Gossip” See ya!  Don’t ever come back!

Mom: Yea, good bye Rage, come back when you get some Self Control.  Or you could sweat it or it could be like ear wax!

Shirin: Yea and you get a q-tip and when you pull it out instead of ear wax you see a word that spells Cheating.

Mom: Or (Blowing noise) you could blow your nose and you see the word Jealously.

Shirin: (Blowing noises)

Mom: (Barf noises)

Shirin: (Farting noises) Or when you get a cut you can bleed H – A – T – E.

Mom: And when it’s all out, all that sin, you’re empty and hungry.

Shirin: Yea, but not your tummy.  Your heart is hungry.

Mom:  So instead of an apple tree you would see a Love tree. And you can pick some love.  Mmmmm, that sure does taste good.

Shirin: There can be a special tube that brings the Love to your heart.

Mom: Yea, you know in the inside of the stomach, instead of going to the intestines there can be a door.  And there can be body police to direct traffic.  “Mean spirited, this way, your going to be pooped.  Self control, right in here, a heart waits for your arrival!”

Shirin: Yea poop out that sin!

Mom: So a Love tree and in the garden instead of pulling up garden carrots you pull up Garden Self Controls.  Mmmmm!

Shirin: And instead of Lettuce it’s a head of Gentleness

(After parking the car in the church parking lot they get out)

Mom:  Look Shirin!  It’s a Love tree!  (Walking up to an invisible tree)  Here’s some love for you (Like picking an apple) and one for me!  Cheers!

Shirin:  I already ate it!

(Laughter)

Mom: (Taking Shirin’s hand and walking up to church) Good thing we don’t have to throw up our sin on our own.  Good thing Jesus did come and took care of our sins on the cross and He’s changing up our heart every day with kindness, goodness, gentleness…

Shirin: (Squeezing mom’s hand) Yea, good thing.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23