"Jason, what am i doing here?" "Dad?" "My dad was the strongest, hardest working person i'd ever known." "But, the last few years of his life he was utterly broken." "ho could blame him?" "He spent years getting every ounce of crop he could out of our small farm in north east Arkansas." "He'd work from sun up to hours after sundown." "And he was doin' good." "Aimost had the farm paid off." "And then Harper Dam burst, just north of town." "The waterflowed right through Avalley in the middle of our farm." "in an instant the land was cut in half." "it became unfarmabie, and my dad became a shell of his former self." "itwas later when i returned home forthe first time as an adult these questions still haunted me vhat am i doin' here?" "Come on!" "Hey Mr. Jenkins." "Jason!" "vhat on earth are you doing here?" "i'm just in town for the summer, thought i'd come in and say hi." "Good, good." "Did you come to see Paui?" "Paui's here?" "Man, you do not want this mattress." "it's really bad on the lumbar region." "i mean, i don't even have lumbar problems, but the other day i took. a nap on this bed, and my lumbar was killing me" "Trust me it's not" " Hey man!" "Oh, iook. at those, i 'll be back. okay?" "Hi." "'vhat are you doing here?" "i'm in town for the summer." "Eeally?" "i thought you were working for some big law firm up north or something." "Yeah." "i don't start that until the fall." "Gotta pass that Bar first." "And it's not really that big of a firm." "Stlli biggerthan any of the ones we got around here, right?" "That's true" "How about you?" "Did you decide for a career in furniture?" "No, man, this is temporary." "You know, L.A got the better of me, so i gotta get back. on my feet." "But i'll go back. again as soon as i can." "That's cool." "No shame in that." "No." "i mean" " Oh!" "Lay down!" "Seriousiy, lay down." "You all will io.ve that one it's got - i gotta get back." "to work., but let's get together while we're both here all right?" "Sound good." "it's great to see ya" "Layia, you're gonna melt if you stay in the rain like this." "Jason?" "it's good to see you." "it's good to see you." "vhoa!" "'vhen did this happen?" "Are you engaged?" "Yeah." "i, ah, forgot to tell you." "'vell who's the lucky guy?" "You don't know him." "His name is Michael, he mo.ved here a year ago." "vow." "i can't believe this." "Congratuiations." "Thanks, So, when do i get to meet him?" "i don't know if i want you to meet him." "i hAve to meet him, how else am i gonna appro.ve of him for ya?" "Eight." "And why ex.actiy do i need your appro.vai?" "You know, i gotta iook. out for ya" "You're like a sister to me h, well, he'll be at church with me on Sunday, so i guess you can meet him then." "My ice cream is gonna melt, i should probably" " Yeah." "Hey, Layia?" "vhat?" "it was good to see you." "You too, Jason." "it doesn't work.by osmosis." "vhat's that?" "'vell you can sit nex to that all day long if you want to, but you actually gotta crack." "that rascal open for it to do you any good." "Thanks." "i'll keep that in mind." "'vell, that's a problem." "You're tying to keep in mind, when you need to keep it inside it's when you just keep it in mind when you start misremembering what's inside of it." "Ali right." "i'll keep it inside" "There" "How's that?" "'vell, it's a start." "So, did they run you off up north, or did ya just get homesick?" "Do i know you?" "No, you just iook.weak." "Listen, i 'll let you get back.to absorbing God." "Fish are biting better downstream anyway." "See ya" "Ali right." "Good luck?" "All right if we join you?" "Oh, hey!" "Jason, this is my fiance, Michaei." "Jason." "Layia's told me so much about you." "it's terrific to finally meet you, man." "Yeah man, it's great to meet you too." "Aithough, i hAve to question the logic of anyone willing to commit to a lifetime with this gal." "Sometimes i question that logic myself." "ve'll talk." "later." "Ex.cuse me Michaei." "i'.ve got a song i'd like you to learn in about three weeks." "Gi.ve me the sheet music, and i 'll be ready." "Ali right." "Pastor david, this is Jason who i was telling you about." "How are you?" "So far, so good." "i hAven't been accosted today." "it's early." "i'm sure it'll come i 'm sure it will." "have you wo met already?" "Something like that." "So, is it true that you spent a couple of summers as a youth group intern during college?" "How did you kn" " Don't gi.ve me that look!" "." "'ve really need the help." "The church has been growing ever since Pastor david got here, and right now it's just me and whoever i can get to" ".voiunteer with the kids." "'vell, you must not be doing that good if you have to recruit me on my first day." "'vhat can i say?" "i'm desperate" "Othewise, i wouldn't even consider you." "Come on, you're like the Pied Piper when it comes to kids." "i don't know about that." "Fifteen, twenty hours a week." "Max." "How much of that would i hAve to spend with you?" "Minimai." "That there's a selling point." "Piease?" "i won't beg." "Twenty hours a week?" "Probabiy not even that much." "Ah, why not?" "Just so long as i don't have to deal with any of the teenage drama teenage drama" "She won't even talk to me anymore ve used to taik. all time i can't taik.to you." "You don't even understand me anymore" "You're right." "i don't understand you." "How can i understand someone who continually treats me like i don't know what i 'm doing?" "'vell, maybe that should tell you something." "it tells me that you're as stubborn as yourfather!" "You see how she treats me?" "Um, i'm not a licensed ther- i mean i don't have a degree in counseling." "i'm not a professional problem soi.ver, maybe you guys should see someone who is?" "You thinkwe need therapy?" "You're right." "She does!" "if anyone needs it, it's you, little Miss Smart Alec!" "i'm not saying that anyone needs to see a therapist." "it seems to me that you both need to think. of this through the other person's eyes." "You both io.ve each other." "You do, othewise you wouldn't be here right now." "You need to understand that your mom has ll.ved a little bit longer than you, and so she probably knows a little bit more about what's best." "And you need to realize that she is growing up, and she needs a little more freedom to make some decisions on her own." "is that at all helpful?" "These things are surprisingly heavy." "Yeah." "Tell me about it." "So is it awkward?" "vhat?" "Being around Layia again." "No." "ve'.ve been friends since we were kids, why would it be awkward?" "Not after talking to you." "That's because i never professed my io.ve for you." "i 'm sure it's only a matter of time" "Besides, she's engaged, and i'm sure she's beyond all that." "i don't know, man." "Speaking of." "Are you seeing anyone?" "'vell, i was kind of seeing this girl Mellnda for about eight months, but we broke up a couple of months ago." "Eight months." "That sounds pretty serious." "Yeah." "it kinda was." "i actually think." "i was in io.ve 'vow, that's a big step." "So, what happened?" "it's complicated." "'vell, it can't be anymore complicated then some of the stuff i'.ve been dealing with." "i'd rather not talk." "about it, if that's cool." "Okay." "Man, seriously, i really owe you." "Normally i hAve to do this by myself." "i get all sweaty." "i hate being sweaty in work. clothes." "Don't mention it." "No, seriously, if there's anything i can help you out with, let me know." "'vell, all right, since you bring it up, we could use another adult to help with the youth." "i would, but the church and i don't really mix. all that well, so i was thinking more along the lines of gi.ving you a hand at the farm or something." "Thanks man." "i'll keep that in mind, if i ever decide to become a farmer." "Come on, come on, come on!" "Cut off." "So sory, i had to get you out." "Okay guys, one down." "The play is on second base" "Doubie play get two." "Ali right!" "Miss Layia's tricky, she'll try to steal on us." "Two down, one more to go here" "Let's see if you can kick. my cur.ve ball." "Nice kick." "Sam!" "Yep." "He can kick. my cur.ve ball." "Hey, Marcus." "'vhy don't you come out here and join us?" "Ali right guys we'.ve" "still got two down, play is at first and second if" "Come in." "Hey, Jason." "You wanted to see me?" "Oh, yeah." "Cindy and i would llke to have you o.ver to dinner." "A night without dinner in a microwave sounds good." "vhen?" "Anytime next week." "you name the day." "How about Monday?" "No, that ain't gonna work." "Okay." "i forgot that the contractors are coming by to iook. at the land next Monday, and i '.ve already mo.ved three appointments in order to accommodate them, so i can't cancel it." "i suppose i am the first pastor here to o.versee a building project o.ver 5 years." "There's some pretty high expectations about this." "'vell how about you name the day then?" "How's Tuesday?" "Sounds good." "See you then." "'ve'll see you." "i was planning to schedule a mystery outing for 'vednesday at one o' ciock.but, i wasn't sure if anyone would be able to make it." "'vouid any of you guys be able to make it on 'vednesday for that?" "Perfect." "Then, i will see you guys on 'vednesday at one for our first ser.vice project." "(,grumbling) Ali right, keep it down now!" "Come on." "Quiet!" "Thank-you." "This weekwe're gonna start a new series called "This is My" "Story." "" 've're gonna take time each week.to hear from you guys." "This will be your time to share with us whatever it is that makes you, you." "'vhere you're from, what's your favorite thing about life" "How does God play a role in your life 'vhat are you most afraid of." "Basically, anything that will help us understand the unique creation of God that you are" "As the summer goes on, you're all gonna get an opportunity to share with us your story, but for this week." "i hAve asked Justus to share" "Hi, i'm Justus." "Probabiy the first thing you should know about me is that i io.ve skateboarding." "'vhat i am going to share with you today is what i consider my greatest achievement in terms of skateboarding." "everybody." "Don't forget to come and grab directions for the ser.vice project." "Marcus." "Let's go." "Are you Marcus's dad?" "i 'm Mr Biayton." "i'm Jason." "i'm the youth minister for the summer." "i just wanted to come out and say hi." "i wanna make sure i get to know all the parents and they get to know me i mean, since you trust me with your kids and all." "'ve got a lot of fun things planned for the sum- 've're in a bit of a rush, so if you'll ex.cuse us." "Sure" "Bye" "See ya" "Hey Jason." "i 'm not early, am i?" "No." "Cindy's just putting the food on the table" "Come on in." "Eeally?" "You put sugar in the green beans?" "Um-hmm." "That's weird." "Never had that before, but it sure tastes good." "Thanks." "So, i got to meet Geraid Biayton the other day." "vait." "isn't that Marcus's dad?" "Yeah." "He's kinda weird." "Nicoie!" "'vell, he is." "How do you mean?" "i don't know, he used to be really nice and all, and now he's just kinda stuck." "up and never talks to anybody." "i thinkyou're just jealous 'cuz he beat you out for the church scholarship." "No, i 'm not dad." "That's funny." "No, it's not." "You don't have to ll.ve with him." "So, Marcus is pretty smart?" "Yeah, he was top of our class until last year." "'vhat happened last year?" "He went to some pri.vate school out of state because he thought he was too good for our school or something." "Nicoie!" "Mom." "You're not there" "You have no idea" "He just sits by himself all the time" "He nevertaiks to anybody." "So, do you ever say hi to him?" "No." "But he's the boy." "He should say it first." "vhat about his dad?" "'vhat's his story?" "Mr Biayton." "'vell, he's one of the more acti.ve church members, heading up the building committee, he owns his own business, and does pretty well." "He does really well." "He's already promised to donate half of the money for the new building himself." "That's impressi.ve" "Yeah, it is." "Ex.cept for, i think.e thinks it entities him to have david at his beck. and call." "'vell, it's true vhat about his wife?" "i know that she's out of the picture, and has been for a lot of years." "i '.ve heard a few things, but, i think. it's just small town gossip." "Ali i know is that it's just Marcus, and Mr Biayton, which is what he prefers to go by." "i learned that the other day." "Put down that clip board and come with me i need your help." "'vhere we going?" "There's a lady from the church, i promised her i 'd help her mo.ve her couch." "Better not be a sectional." "vhat if it is?" "vhat?" "i thought we were mo.ving a couch?" "ve are" "And then we're gonna paint the room the couch is in." "Eped me into this." "'vhoa, guys, you all can't just set a couch down like this." "it's got legs for a reason." "There" "See?" "Good job." "vow." "i didn't know we had a professional painter on our hands." "have you done much painting?" "Do you hike?" "Sometimes." "i was thinking about going for a hike next week.." "Do you wanna go?" "Sure vhen?" "How about i call ya?" "Okay." "But, i might need a ride though." "My dad's gonna be working." "That's not a problem." "Man." "You gotta watch these kids every second." "Something's gonna get broke!" "That's why you're here" "Guys!" "You'.ve gotta put a tarp down first." "i thinkyou'd better let me do that before you hurt yourself." "it's all yours." "it's nice to have a tall man around." "Yeah." "Shorty?" "That is it." "it is on "Goob." "" "Goob?" "" 'vho even says that?" "The man who is gonna beat you up, that's who." "Yeah." "Hey." "i '.ve had enough of that." "(aughter) You kidding me?" "Mine i will take you behind the shed and whip you." "Thanks man." "You know, i actually had fun today." "Sure beats swindllng people into buying cheap mattresses, i guess." "Look., i know it's not my place, but, be careful with Layia all right." "Don't forget, she's engaged." "vhat?" "Look., i know what i'm doing all right?" "Besides, we're just friends." "i know you know that." "i just wonder if she does." "Yes, she knows it." "Trust me, i know her better than anybody." "Ali right." "Take it easy man." "Bye" "See ya" "i sn't that just how God works?" "You think you know where you're headed, but he gently nudges ya,.very gently, to the place where He wants you to be" "But, boy can we be stubborn?" "ve choose to follow distractions all day long, rather than to submit to what God is trying to do in our ll.ves." "ll.ves." "So, what are you gonna do next year?" "Probabiy go to State i s that where you want to go?" "i don't know, i guess." "it's cheaper." "Pius they'll co.ver my tuition, room and board." "Do you know what you wanna study?" "Pre-med." "'vell, at ieast that's what my dad wants." "is that what you want?" "i don't really don't know what i want, so, i guess that's as good a choice as any." "'vell, you'.ve got time to figure it out." "it's easy to change your major." "'vhat's your dad do?" "He's a tire salesman for a company called Cohen's in" "Memphis." "He's on the road a lot." "is that tough?" "Not really." "'ve don't get along too good." "My dad's the kind of guy you don't say no to, especially when he's wrong." "i guess that's why my mom left." "That was gonna be my next question." "Do you get to see your mom much?" "i'.ve never seen her." "She left when i was just a baby." "Apparentiy, she struggled a lot with depression." "Sorry to hearthat." "i don't blame her." "Dad's not.very forgi.ving of things like that." "She's better off being gone" "Yeah, but still, that's gotta be tough." "i guess." "You know, you're different than most adults." "How's that?" "i don't now." "You listen, you care i feel like i can talk to you." "You can." "Do you swim?" "Yeah." "Probabiy not as good as me" "Jason!" "Hoid up." "i'm old, i need a head start." "Yeah." "i thought you said you could swim?" "Congrats!" "You're old and you cheat." "You got a lot going for ya there" "No, no, there's no crying in swimming." "Fi.ve it out!" "Seriousiy?" "Fi.ve it out?" "How about we hold hands later, and go and get some ice cream, is that good?" "Come on, don't be like that." "Just a good swimmer." "voah...what is that?" "vhat?" "Those scratches on your arm?" "Oh yeah." "My stupid cat clawed me" "Dang." "That's a mean cat." "Yeah." "Yeah, it is." "it's freezing out here i hope i don't have to meet that cat." "(,singing)" "Ex.cuse me, oops my bad." "Ex.cuse me" "Sorry." "Not a word i wasn't gonna say anything." "Yeah." "Layia's in the bathroom." "Giris have the smallest biadders." "Mellnda's pregnant." "vhat?" "vho's Mellnda?" "You know, the girl i was dating before you got back." "i thought she broke up with you like two months ago." "Yeah." "i sorta broke up with her." "You broke up with her because she was pregnant?" "Yeah." "i know, i 'm a jerk." "Sorry." "'vhat are you gonna do?" "i mean you're not still gonna go to L.A are you?" "i don't know, man." "'vhat do you mean you don't know?" "Paui, yo i know." "it's crazy and completely irresponsible, all right!" "i understand that, just don't preach at me!" "i'm not preaching." "i 'm sorry, i'm just a little shocked right now." "Me too." "vhen she told me i freaked." "i started yelling at her." "She started crying and yelling back.." "i think. she expected me to be ex.cited or something." "That was two months ago?" "Yeah." "i wanted to call her." "i mean, i tried, but i couldn't do it." "So, why don't you call her?" "Eemember how i used to taik. about eegan acting" "Conser.vatory in L.A?" "i finally auditioned this spring, on the day before Mellnda told me she got pregnant." "i found out i got in." "Oh man." "Ob.viousiy, it doesn't mean anything!" "So now it looks like i'm stuck. here" "Ating is the one thing i'm good at." "i am sorry, man." "Jason, i'd like to think that eventually i'm gonna do the right thing here, but i don't know." "Two months ago, i thought i would call her the next day, and now here we are i hate myself for not calling her." "Thank you fortrusting me with all this." "i sound like a complete loser, right?" "Yeah." "Look., i know that you really don't like me to taik. about this, and i'm only gonna say it this once, but, i really think you could benefit from having God in your life right now." "it's not like He's gonna magically fix. everything, because He won't." "But, He will gi.ve you the strength to get through this." "i'm gonna pray for you, everyday." "And i'm not just saying that the way people sometimes do, i really mean it." "i know." "That's probably why i decided to tell you." "Hey." "Long lines?" "Can't help it, it takes girls longer." "Ob.viousiy." "How was your hike with Marcus?" "it was good." "Yeah?" "Did you get him to taik. a little?" "A lot, actually." "Did you find out about his mom?" "Yeah." "She left when he was a baby, and he's never met her." "So, it's just Marcus and his dad in that big house, huh?" "Yeah." "'vell, and their cat." "'vho apparently is about as friendly as Mr Biayton." "Man, i hate the way cats smell." "They don't have a cat." "Ah, yeah they do." "Marcus even has the scratches to pro.ve it." "No, they don't." "Marcus is extremely allergic to them." "'vhy did he tell me tha" "So, um, you're engaged?" "Yeah." "Good times." "Hey." "'vhat are you doing here?" "Just thought i'd come by and see ya" "You got a minute?" "Yeah, sure" "i s your dad home?" "Nah." "He got called out of town again." "Sup?" "i am gonna ask ya something and i want you to answer me honestly." "Okay." "Do you cut yourself?" "vhat?" "Those are some pretty rough scars you'.ve got there, and i know you didn't get them from your cat because i found out you don't have a cat." "Yeah, i don't have a cat." "i was climbing a chain link." "fence and i just slipped." "Eemember how you told me that you thought you could tell me anything?" "This is one of those things you should probably tell me" "Are you gonna tell my dad?" "i don't know yet." "How long have you been doing it?" "Last summer i got really depressed." "My dad saw it as a sign of weakness and shipped me off to military school to toughen me up." "i started doing it while i was there 'vhy?" "i don't know." "Different reasons." "To pro.ve that i was tough." "To punish myself when i wasn't." "To get back. at my dad." "have you and your dad ever gotten along?" "No." "The last time i remember him hugging me was probably my eighth birthday." "i don't think. he's ever told me that he io.ves me" "You know, this, isn't the answer though." "Yeah, i know." "But i hAven't done it since i '.ve been here i know that doesn't make it better, but, it's true" "have you told anyone about this?" "No." "'vho am i gonna tell?" "The church?" "it's not that bad of an idea" "They don't wanna know about my problems." "'vell, some of them probably don't." "You're right, i'll gi.ve you that, but the church is made up of people with problems." "That's why we're all there" "Because we know we can't make it alone i really don't think.they're gonna want to know about this." "Just think. about it." "it's a lot easier to face challenges with people at your side" "Are you gonna tell my dad?" "Not right now." "But, if i even think.that you're doing this again, i can't stand by that promise" "Thanks." "Promise me something." "if you ever even start thinking about this again, will you please call me?" "Hi, Mr Collins?" "'vhat are we doing here man?" "Just wait." "Hi Jason." "Paui." "Here you go guys." "Hot off the press." "This is the show i wrote" "Yep." "i talked to Mr Collins about you performing here" "And i thought it was a great idea" "Figured while you're here you might as well be using your talents." "i don't really know what to say." "i don't know if i 'm ready for this." "You'd better be" "Performances start in four weeks, and i plan on making some money." "Thank.you." "No problem." "So this was your idea?" "Can't take all the credit for it." "Layia did help me brainstorm, but i did think. of the theater." "vhat's the matter?" "'vhat are you doing man?" "'vhat are you talking about?" "'vith Layia?" "Dude, come on" " She said you told her she's looking really good lately." "vhat?" "So i'm not allowed to gi.ve a girl a compliment anymore?" "Gi.ve me a break." "Man, you know that's more than a compliment to her." "There was a time when she would have gi.ven anything to hear you tell her that." "'vhat do you want me to do?" "Do you io.ve her?" "vhat?" "Do you io.ve her?" "Because if you don't, you're seriously leading her on right now." "So, do you?" "i don't know, maybe i think." "I could someday." "Okay, well until you actually know." "Just know that there is a guy out there that does io.ve her." "That thinks she's his world, in fact." "And until you came back. she felt the same way about him." "'vho are you to be gi.ving me relationship ad.vice?" "The last time i checked your pregnant girlfriend was trying to figure out how she's gonna raise y'alls baby on her own!" "That's pretty low." "Huh, dear?" "Be right there" "You sure you're up for this?" "Yeah, i 'm sure i think." "I have to." "You don't have to do anything." "Ali right everybody, we're gonna get started here if we can grab our seats." "Today's "This is My Story" is a difficult one forthis person to share with us." "So, i want you to gi.ve him your undi.vided attention." "Treat him as you'd like to be treated." "Marcus." "Most of you already know me, but for those of you that don't, i 'm Marcus." "Hi Marcus." "Hi." "i'.ve been coming to this church for as long as i can remember." "it's always just been my dad and me, i never had any brothers or sisters, and my mom left when i was just a baby." "i used to come to school here" "Some of you probably already know that i wasn't here last year, but what you don't know is why." "Bye Jason, bye LayiA" "Bye" " Paui." "Yeah." "Hoid on." "is your mom here?" "Yeah, she's right outside 'vhat are you gonna do the next time Lacey wants to ride in the front seat?" "Not kick. her." "Bye" "Thanks." "Ali right, we'll see ya i hope i did the right thing." "You did." "Stop worrying about it." "A few of the kids seemed a little weirded out." "Ex.actiy!" "That's what i 'm worried about." "He already has nobody to turn to." "He already feels like a freak." "'vhat if the one place where he should recei.ve io.ve becomes another place where he feels like an outcast?" "'vouid you relax?" "have a little faith." "i am proud of our kids." "This could have gone a lot worse" "Nobody made fun of him, nobody acted out." "A couple of the kids even went up and talked to him afterwords." "Think. about it, when was the last time you saw kids going o.ver and talking to Marcus?" "That's a good point." "i just want them to treat him like a normal kid." "They will." "it just takes time" "Are you kidding me?" "'vho puts gum under a couch cushion?" "Seriousiy." "vhat's that all about?" "it's Michael." "He wants to know how much longer i'll be" "Go on." "'ve can finish up here" "No." "He can wait." "He does this all the time, it dri.ves me crazy!" "He always wants to know where i am." "That's not cool." "if there's one thing i know it's that you need your space" "See, you get me 'vhy can't he get me like that?" "Am i that hard to figure out?" "Are you kidding me?" "You're the most simple person i know." "vatch it." "i'.ve got a stapler in my hand." "See you later, Jason." "Oh hey." "i didn't know you could play like that, man." "it was all right, i guess." "'vhy can't you just say thank.you?" "Do you need any help getting things together for youth tonight?" "i can always use help." "Honey." "'ve're supposed to go house hunting today?" "'ve'll have to go another time i 'm going to help Jason today." "i can't make time another day this week." "Besides, we're meeting the realtor today." "Then you can just go without me i don't want to go without you." "This is going to be our house, i want y" " Michaei, do i hAve to hold your hand through everything?" "You know, i really don't have too much to do to set up for tonight." "Ali right." "i'll help you anway." "No, actually i could really use the alone time" "But, thank you though." "Hey." "'vhat's up?" "No." "Paui and i can handle it." "Paui and i can handle it." "Are you okay?" "it stinks here" "Ali the stupid debris." "vhen i was little i used to write my dreams onto a sheet of paper and put them into a two liter soda bottle" "Then i'd take the bottles up to Bono Bridge and drop them off into the ri.ver because i had this idea that if my bottles could make it to the ocean then that dream would come true every week." "I wouid do it." "Sometimes it was different dreams." "A lot times it was the same one" "i guess i thought that the more chances i gave myself, the more likely it was to happen." "Then one day i was canoeing down the ri.ver, and i came past this spot." "This nasty place, full of debris." "i looked o.ver and i saw hundreds of my bottles sitting there, stuck." "All this trash, and the awful smell." "All because that stupid piece of land won't get out ofthe vway." "Are you ever gonna want me?" "i 'm sorry." "Okay." "Layi i just really need to be alone right now." "Good night." "Eugh night?" "vhat's that?" "Sorry." "i'm kind of out of it." "So, what' her name?" "Oh no, it's nothing like that." "Um, in fact it's kind of the opposite of that." "Oh!" "No, no, notthe "opposite" i just mean opposite, different." "i don't know what i mean." "vow." "That rough, huh?" "i guess so." "'vhat happened?" "i put away childish things." "Okay." "i did something tonight that i'.ve been needing to do for a long time, but, i could never find the courage" "So, you're celebrating." "'vow, what do you do when you're depressed?" "Good question." "So what are you-are you from here?" "Originally." "All of my extended family ll.ves here, but, my family mo.ved to Littie Eock when i was fi.ve and we mo.ved back. about six years ago." "Think you'll ever leave here?" "Oh, i hope not." "Eeally?" "Yeah." "i io.ve it here i mean, i io.ve to travel too, but everything i need is right here" "You know, friends, family, church." "i couldn't think. of a better place to raise a family." "Think.you'll always work. here?" "Oh no." "i just work. here o.ver the summer to pay off my college loans faster." "i teach third grade o.ver at Frederick." "Dougias the rest of the year." "Yeah?" "You like working with kids?" "i io.ve them." "You need a marker." "A what?" "Something to mark the occasion so that you'll always remember the significant decision you made tonight." "Like a tattoo?" "No." "'vhat do you want me to pierce my tongue or something?" "No, you "goob." "I" "Here" "A coaster?" "'Ivhy not?" "'Ivell, ah, it's got stains and everything." "That is to remind of the strain on your heart that today caused you." "Ivow." "You're good." "And that's not even my best quallty." "i'd better get back to closing up." "Eight." "i 'm Amanda, by the vlway." "Jason." "See ya, Jason." "Later, amanda" "'Ive have to say our prayers first." "That's right." "Novlw i lay me dovlwn to sleep, i pray the Lord my soul to keep..." "Good evening young lady." "Two tickets reser.ved for the Brovlwns, please" "Enjoy the shovlw." "Thank.you." "Gee, i hope this is not stupid!" "Ed!" "Had i knovlwn then, i probably wouldn't have tried so hard to pro.ve my neighborhood cred." "So!" "that's nothin'!" "in my neighborhood, people used to jump bricks all the time, everybody did it." "Butthe tough kids jumped the ditch!" "i vlwlli pro.ve it!" "Look., i knovlw i 'm not the best looking guy at school but, vlwell you're ob.viousiy not the best looking girl either so i was" "Gosh that's the same fella- 'Ivhat are you getting so upset about?" "That vlwas a compliment." "'Ivhat do you mean a bad compliment?" "Look., you need to take compliments any vlway you can get 'em." ""He's playing music." "He's playing music." "He's playing music, music, music music." "" Thank you.very much." "Thank.you." "Seriousiy, you made it so hard to concentrate i knovlw, but it vlwas funny." "Hey, Mr Collins asked me if i would be interested in teaching a theater vlworkshop once a vlweek." "Eeally?" "That's awesome man." "Aithough i 'm not surprised." "You vlwere, seriously, really good tonight." "Thanks." "You vlwere right about Layia, by the vlway." "i don't know what i vlwas thinking." "i 'm sorry, man." "No, i'm sorry." "And i'm sorry about vlwha- Nah, that's, that's past." "So, hypothetically speaking, ah, say someone vlwanted to get baptized." "Eeally?" "Yeah." "Ivhat?" "Take it easy, man." "Come on." "Michaei?" "i am so sorry." "i don't know what i vlwas thinking." "i guess i just vlwanted to make sure that- i'm here now a hundred percent." "You'.ve really hurt me a lot these past fevlw vlweeks." "i got scared." "Scared of what?" "i don't know." "Scared that i vlwas just settling for my life, the vlway a lot of people do." "Don't you ever feel that vlway?" "No!" "i really don't." "every vlweek. get to go to vlwork. at an honest job." "every Sunday, i get to lead vlworship." "i know that doesn't sound like much, but vlwhen i 'm doing that, i feel like i am right vlwhere i belong." "There's no rush." "i'm not going anyvlwhere i just vlwant you to be certain about this, okay?" "Okay." "i 'm here" "Ciose your eyes." "Ivhat?" "Just, close your eyes." "Piease" "Yes." "Yeah?" "Yes!" "Ezekiei 47 teaches us that vlwherever the ri.ver fiovlws, there's life if you iook. up and dovlwn these banks, you'll see that it is so." "The ri.ver brings life and purpose to everything that draws near to it." "The trees are full, the brush is thick." "and the grass is high and green." "The banks are all.ve thanks to the life force of the ri.ver." "'Ivhen vlwe baptize in the ri.ver, vlwe are representing a connection to our life source, God." "And asking Him to fiovlw through us vlwith His ri.ver of life" "Paui Larone Johsnon, i baptize you in the name of the Father, and ofthe Son, and ofthe Hoiy Spirit." "Halleiujah!" "God bless you, son." "Piease welcome our newest brother in Christ!" "'Ivouid it be okay if we did one more?" "Come on down here" "Last year, vlwe missed out on a big opportunity vlwhen vlwe didn't match up the dates vlwith Homecoming." "So, if vlwe mo.ve the festi.vai by just one vlweek." "we'll be able to draw in those that are coming in from out of tolwn for the game" "Thank you EebeccA" "That brings us to our final order of business." "As head of the board, and father of the scholarship recipient, i vlwouid like to recommend strongly that vlwe strip Marcus Biayton of this year's church scholarship." "Ivhat?" "This is completely unfair!" "This isn't your decision." "He's his father." "Untll Marcus turns 18, Geraid decides what's bestfor him." "Forget about him for a minute then." "Ivhat about the church?" "'Ive'.ve got a lost sheep on our hands here, david." "He feels rejected by his mother." "He's felt rejected by his fatherfor the past year." "He's lost all of his friends." "The only place that's been telling him, "i io.ve you," "You're of.vaiue" is the church!" "if vlwe take that alway from him novlw, he'll have nothing." "He'll still have the church." "'Ive're not rejecting him personally!" "He's 17 years oid david, do you expect him to understand that?" "Are you a father?" "Ivhat?" "Are you a father?" "Are you a dad?" "Do you have any kids?" "No." "You know i'm not." "Let me tell you, as a father, you only vlwant vlwhat's best for your kids." "That may not make any sense to you, but Mr Biayton has his reasons for vlwanting this scholarship to go to somebody else" "Yeah." "Because he's embarrassed by his son." "And because he holds all the purse strings around here, no one is brave enough to stand up to him!" "'Ivell, novlw vlwho's being unfair?" "Listen, in a couple of months this will all blow o.ver." "Marcus vlwlli be up at college, making nevlw friends." "And you'll be up in Phlladeiphia sitting in your nevlw office, and vlwe'll all iook.back. on this and realize it vlwasn't that big a deal." "i '.ve dealt with this kind of thing before, especially vlwith teenagers." "They can get.very dramatic, but it aivlways biolws o.ver in the end." "Okay." "Okay?" "Okay." "david?" "Yeah." "have you prayed about this?" "i mean, specifically, this?" "Of course" "Okay." "So, vlwhen is the last time you'.ve seen him?" "That night at youth, vlwhen he shared his story." "You think. he regrets telling everybody?" "i think.is dad is keeping him home" "Trying to minimize the damage before he's rid of him for good in a fevlw vlweeks." "As much as i hate to agree vlwith you, you're probably right." "Yep." "So, vlwhat are vlwe doing here, anyvlway?" "'Ivhat do you mean?" "This backhoe in the middle of the woods." "Oh yeah, that." "Eemember vlwhen Harper Dam busted, tlwenty years ago?" "Yeah." "So." "My dad had a hard time letting go of the farm." "He vlwas determined to get his land back.that he thought God vlwas trying to steal from him." "every night he'd come home, climb into this backhoe and dig in this trench vlwe're sitting in." "Man, that's messed up." "i knovlw, the sad thing is, that's probably vlwhat killed him." "He only Averaged about tlwo hours of sleep a night the last tlwei.ve years of his life" "He'd spend just about every night out here, digging." "He wouldn't.veer from his plan, even when it seemed like God vlwas trying to shovlw him another vlway." "Like father, like son, huh?" "Hmm?" "Nothing." "Just saying." "Just saying vlwhat?" "'Ivhy do you vlwant to be a iavlwyer?" "'Ivhat are you talking about?" "i '.ve just never heard you say one thing about hovlw you can't vlwait to be a iavlwyer." "i mean, if you ever mention it, it's matter of fact." "Like it's some duty you have to perform." "it's because it's a job." "it's called vlwork., man." "Yeah, but, that doesn't mean it can't energize you." "i mean, if you're going to do something for the rest of your life, shouldn't it make you come all.ve as a person?" "Kind of the vlway you seem to come to life vlwhen you're fighting for these kids." "i don't knovlw, man." "i just think you're trying to find a vlway to make me stick." "around here so you vlwon't be left by yourself." "Yeah, that's probably vlwhat it is." "Yeah, that's probably vlwhat it is." "Hey Marcus, it's Jason." "i just vlwanted to remind you about the iock. in tonight at the church." "if you need a ride or anything, just gi.ve me a call." "i hope to see you there tonight." "'Ive'.ve really missed you this past couple of vlweeks." "Peace" "Jason, is Marcus here?" "No, i hAven't seen him." "i found this outside our door this morning." "Did you talk to him?" "No, i never savlw him." "'Ivhat's going on?" "i gotta go!" "i s there anything i can do to help?" "Pray!" "Marcus!" "Hey, come on buddy answer the door." "Marcus?" "Marcus!" "Marcus?" "Marcus!" "Marcus!" "Marcus?" "Oh, God, no!" "Marcus!" "i called Mr Biayton, he's getting a flight back.this morning." "He said to tell you that he really appreciated vlwhat you did." "i 'm done i quit." "Just like that?" "Yeah." "Okay." "Ivhat about the kids?" "You brought vlwhat, tlwice as many kids into the youth group this summer, and novlw you're balling on them tlwo vlweeks early." "'Ivhat's the purpose of the church, david?" "Ivhat does it matter if i bring in 200 nevlw people, if the one who needs me gets hurt?" "'Ivell, it isn't your fault." "i never said it was." "He said he hadn't been hugged in nine years." "i don't know how that could happen." "You can come in if you vlwant." "No, thank you." "No, thank you." "i'.ve not been the husband that my vlwife deser.ves." "Or the father that my daughter needs." "Can you forgi.ve me?" "Piease, forgi.ve me" "The congregation, the community vlwe have here is wonderful." "But, it doesn't mean anything, if we o.veriook.the lost." "There's a person in our community vlwho desperately needs to know that God io.ves him." "i hAve been so busy running this church, that i hAve somehovlw managed to forget vlwhat the church is all about." "And that stops today!" "Eight novlw!" "i need to make amends." "And, i'd like to have your help." "i io.ve you, buddy." "There's some other people vlwho vlwouid like to see you too." "'Ive io.ve you." "'Ive're here for you if you need anything." "Young man." "i vlwant you out of this bed, and at my house for dinner." "Soon." "Ali right, then." "Marcus, vlwe're praying for you." "You knovlw, it doesn't vlwork.by osmosis, right?" "i heard about vlwhat you did." "Thank. you." "i '.ve been thinking about your question, vlwhat's the purpose of the church?" "i think. maybe the answer is both." "'Ive are supposed to bring in as many people as vlwe can, so that more people can experience God's io.ve" "Shoot, that's the Great Commission Jesus left us with." "But vlwe'.ve gotta drop everything if a member of the fold is either hurting or missing." "And you're right." "'Ivhat good are numbers if you're not io.ving the ones that are rightthere in front of ya?" "is that an apology?" "That's right." "i can admit vlwhen i 'm vlwrong." "i hAve ovlwned up to every mistake i hAve ever made in my life" "All three of them." "Listen." "i knoiw you got your big plans and all, but vlwe could really use you around here" "And i don't mean just the next couple of vlweeks, either." "How much time would i hAve to spend vlwith you?" "Minimai." "That there's a selling point." "'Ivell, i think." "I 'm gonna head dovlwnstream." "Fish are biting better down there" "'Ive'll see ya" "Ive were all created for a reason." "A purpose" "it may not be vlwhat vlwe planned vlwhen vlwe vlwere younger." "The choices that we make can alter how we reach it." "it could take us a while to figure out vlwhat it is." "And if we don't pay attention, vlwe may miss it completely." "But God is aivlways there, vlworking in the vlworid around us." "i'.ve gotta go to Den.ver this weekend." "Okay." "if you'd like to go vlwith me, that vlwouid be okay." "He's vlwaiting for us to take our ovlwn dreams, talents and fears." "And join Him in vlwhat He is doing." "Once vlwe do, the ri.ver vlwlli fiolw naturally from us, and its force brings life"