Now look here...

Let's be talking about something else other than your romantic, self-obsessed BS, OK?



I was reading this verse from 1 Corinthians 3:10-15



10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.



Now, I won't pretend I'm a great interpreter of Bible verses, but from what I can see, the foundation here means the foundation Christ has laid for His work. That means, Christ is the foundation of all our work. Matthew Henry's commentary states that:



"The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the foundation, of all the rest."



With regards to all the materials mentioned:



"I. Some build upon this foundation gold, silver, and precious stones (v. 12), namely, those who receive and propagate the pure truths of the gospel, who hold nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, and preach nothing else. This is building well upon a good foundation, making all of apiece, when ministers not only depend upon Christ as the great prophet of the church, and take him for their guide and infallible teacher, but receive and spread the doctrines he taught, in their purity, with out any corrupt mixtures, without adding or diminishing.


II. Others build wood, hay, and stubble, on this foundation; that is, though they adhere to the foundation, they depart from the mind of Christ in many particulars, substitute their own fancies and inventions in the room of his doctrines and institutions, and build upon the good foundation what will not abide the test when the day of trial shall come, and the fire must make it manifest, as wood, hay, and stubble, will not bear the trial by fire, but must be consumed in it."



And the rest of the scripture pretty much explains itself.



SO! What work have I been doing? Sure, i've debated with some people about Christ, always ready to eke out a few paltry words of wisdom from my pathetic knowledge of the Word. I don't even have a testimony. None that I can recall. I should write one. Note to self: Write a testimony.



The only real decent effort was 2 Christmas plays and my outreach to my grandma, God rest her soul.



Our passion should be God's heart. And that means obeying Him, and labouring for Him. Treasures in heaven... No shame in wanting treasures in heaven. Cause these treaures.... they good and pure man. Not the kind of monetary rubbish the word is so concerned about.... Treasures in heaven.



So I gotta step it up. And the first thing that comes to mind is to create yet another play to be staged for non-believers. Why? Cause it's what I'm good at! ... I guess... So let's start planning!



First of all, publicity's gotta be good. Gotta be flashy and attractive, elaborate and huge, something that catches the eye, and something people can be proud of inviting friends for. Some food for thought for that.



One thing we always miss out, or put a sad amount of emphasis are counsellors, people who would talk to people wanting to know God more. And people who would do follow ups. This time, alot of effort and work MUST MUST MUST be placed into this area. We gotta step up our evangelical efforts. That is not to say we want to see results, but we want to increase our faith in God. We want to labour with gold, silver and costly stones. Because, look, if we put up a flashy play and entertain people, and people just go away feeling entertained, I ask you, what's the point then? We want this play to touch lives and reach hearts.



Christmas is a good time to stage a play. Think about it: It's a time of good feelings (invoked by the media of course, which is a double-edged sword) and people are less pre-occupied. They are even less resistant with going to church because it seems to be the "right" thing to do.



The most important thing has gotta be the message. This, we gotta squeeze more brain juice thinking. Think in terms of what kinds of people will come:



1) There are those fervent in their own faith. That, by God's grace, they are led into church for whatever reasons there are. These guys will be cautious, wary and extrememly skeptical. Of course, we do not want to attack their own religion. These are the people we need to pray especially for God to open up their hearts and minds. It probably takes alot more work and follow up and sensitivity while we're at it to reach to these people.



2) There are those who have broken hearts, those who are going through difficult situation. Indeed, His strength is made perfect in our weaknessess. Through God's grace and through the story, may they find the solace and peace they are seeking in God.



3) There are those who are nonchalant, who lead peaceful lives, and senses no need for God. These guys are difficult cause they are contented. These are the people who needs to see the evil in their lives (that is not to say, the other 2 groups don't have evil in their lives, we all do!), to see that all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Through the failings of the characters, we'll hope to help them see their inperfection in their supposed perfect lives.



These are just some of the many groups that we will face. People are unpredictable and only God knows the hearts of man, so let us never stop beseeching God for his grace and mercy upon the people who will come.



So, that said, how should the story be like? I know the usual story structure will be problem presented, then solution. But of course, there's always room for something else. Something more imaginative. Of course, the story has to be "mainstream", im using the word even though i hate it, if our story is too abstract, not all can understand right? Then there's no point right? But the main thing is to get them to think. Hit them on the emotional level, perplex them abit, start them on some self-examination and give them a story that will stay in their heads. Often, the story has to be close to home. However, speaking on a personal level, the stories i've read or watched that really struck my heart are often out-of-this-world. Stories such as Lord of the Flies, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump. But, they have powerful characters, they have very human characters. They have people with failings, and people who struggle against the predicament.



So, what i was thinking was this:



We have three men. One, a rich, comfortable shopping mall chain owner who suffers from agoraphobia. If i want, I can make him OCD as well, so this is a man with many, many fears. He's not social so his attempts at being nice to his only contact, Sally (his secretay), is awkward at best (but adorable, for that "awww" effect). Eventually, he finds the courage (by some Divine motivation) to step out. Slowly, the events that follow teaches him the joy of "living". But then, his perceptions are once more adjusted when he faces the reality of losing everything (maybe he suffers a mild heart attack, or something milder). Then, through yet another divine intervention, he discover what true living is about: Living for Jesus Christ.



Two, we have a humble office worker working for the same shopping mall. He's quiet and hardworking and keeps to himself. However, deep inside, he is a man with strong views and strong beliefs, but his inability to express himself has given him a complex. Hence, he never speaks his mind and chooses instead to please people. Test after test after test, and he still refuses to stand up for the truth, when he finally finds himself nothing more than a mimic of what people want, a conformist, someone who has no ability to make his own choices.