HELLO? Can you hear me now? By Michelle Rocker

We have all seen the Verizon commercial with the guy going all over the USA asking the question, “Can you hear me now?”  It’s become part of pop culture.  Everyone knows this phrase.  I’ve used it when I have told my kids five hundred times to pick up their shoes out of the middle of the floor.  Okay, well maybe it was more like five times, but it is frustrating when you feel like no one is listening to what you are saying.  You aren’t just talking to hear yourself.  You have a point.  I’m tired of repeating myself.

Have you ever thought that God feels this way?  We have His Word.  He speaks to our spirit and lets us know that He is here for us.  I feel like Isaiah 40:28-31 is like the commercial we know so well.  Isaiah is yelling, “Can you hear me now?”

“Do you not know?  Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

So, the next time you are tired and worn out, ask yourself how much time you have been spending with the One who gives you your strength.

Harold The Herald

In The Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, Harold the Herald, is a lovable character who is hard of hearing, but has an amazing announcer voice. He is confident in his gift and demonstrates to the children that everyone has a job to do. He uses a British accent. This actor needs a booming voice.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show!

Go to P226Productions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Jestor of Laughs

In the Fine Arts Festival full theater production, Kingdom Knights, the male actor, Jestor of Laughs, serves as the children's host on the journey. Jester loves the White Knight, but makes a bad choice at one point, only to come back and demonstrate how deep the love of Christ is and that no matter what we do, God’s love is unconditional. This character works best as a male but can be modified for a female. Jester is the host of the drama. He needs a huge personality with the ability to do physical comedy as well as stand-up comedy.

Kingdom Knights is a 10 week program that takes your children on a quest to discover their own God-given gift. This medieval journey introduces them to 8 quirky characters who help them realize how special they are to God and how to use their unique gift(s) in God’s kingdom. The program concludes with the children presenting a drama in which they run the entire show! 

Go to P226Producions.com to find out more about this exciting learning tool for children's Christian curriculum.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone By Michelle Rocker

Why? Why is it when I am comfortable does God feel the need to push me out of my comfort zone?

I hate being in front of people. I get such major anxiety, it is ridiculous. Most people have no idea I feel this way, but I do. I’ve learned to push through and ignore it and shove the nausea back down my throat. I’m a piano player. I’m a singer. I’ve been on stages and platforms and worship teams since I was thirteen. However, something always comes over me when I truly worship. I have peace and I forget about all the people. I feel God’s presence and I’m okay.

Last year, I was enjoying all my kids being in school and getting some time back to myself. But nope...that was comfortable. Without going into great detail, it became obvious that God was asking me to home school two of my children. I panicked. I didn’t want to. But I knew if it was God’s idea and not mine. He would get me through it, and He has. It has been the biggest blessing.

So, why does God put me in uncomfortable situations? Here are some verses that may answer that question.

Psalm 23:4: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 119:76: May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Isaiah 51:12: “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass,

2 Corinthians 1:3-7: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Revelation 3:16: So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

John 14:3