Listed below are extracts from the book with statements of faith. But not using words like a preacher would. Here they occur in ordinary conversation, usually between two or more struggling teenagers. Click Read more... to see any additional information. Use the Search box in the sidebar. E.g. Entering forgiveness will bring every post containing this word.
We could challenge God by telling him what's worrying us and asking for help
He believed in God, but Janet had told him something new. About a God who loved him. This girl wasn't just offering her help. No, it was help that she believed had God behind it. Wow! Could he really believe this? Why should Peter figure in any of God's plans?
But as St. Paul says in the book of Ephesians, absolutely everything that happens on this earth is for a purpose that fits God's plan... God never makes mistakes, and nothing thwarts what he wants to happen. The Bible tells us that God is good in many places, and therefore his plans must be too.
[Peter] And then a voice inside him shouted back. ‘No, she isn't! This is the girl who looks after you. Loves you like nobody else ever has, not even your mother. Yes, you do care what she thinks. Very much. You've let her down by lying and your behaviour.’
‘Oh, God, what have I done?’ Peter cried as he slid to the shower floor, unable to hold back the tears any longer.
[Janet] ‘Peter, I'm sorry, but I'm not always truthful. I've lied to you. And what makes it worse is that I then go and play the perfect Christian, telling you how wicked lying is. That's why I can't sleep. Your light was on, and I wanted to confess, but my nerve failed. So instead, I came down here. And then had to listen to the honesty in what you said to Benj. I couldn't slip back to bed. I knew God was telling me I had to own up, say sorry and ask you to forgive me.’
Janet smiled. Opening the picnic bag, she pulled out two slices of cake and passed one to Peter. ‘You should go to Uni if you can. That's what you need to get a good job. There's one in Exeter, so you could still live with us and come home at weekends. You'd meet people like yourself—more than you can round here.’
‘Maybe I don't want that.’
‘God has a plan for your life to use the gifts he's given you. And often, it isn't hanging on to something, even if that's what you feel comfortable with.’
Her emotions in turmoil by cruel treatment from her parents, Janet tricks Peter into having sex. He runs out ashamed by what he's done...
As the minutes passed, she knew he wasn't returning, and for a little, she lay complaining to God that something she'd longed for had ended so badly. But her words brought no comfort. What she'd done was wrong and entirely her fault. God wanted her to admit that before she'd get any peace.
She got out of bed and began to read some of her favourite Bible passages to remind herself that God is always listening when we've messed up, provided we are honest and sorry. Then, shivering, she put the Bible down and, kneeling beside the bed, began to cry.
Father, please forgive me... for all I have done wrong today. Particularly with Peter tonight. I thought only of myself... I let my lust lead me to do something... terrible. I'm so sorry.
I've hurt Peter. Please help him to see I meant no harm. I never thought I'd behave like this... It frightens me. I feel all alone now. But, Father, please don't abandon me.
I love Peter so much. But not now in the way you wanted when he came to us. Help me to get back to loving him in the right way. And please help me love Dad again. I'm so ashamed. I hated him today.
I'm scared of going home after what's happened, but I know I must and that you used Peter to make me see sense.
Lord, I want to serve you. But Dad has taken everything away. It seems nobody wants me around, probably not even Peter now. I don't know how to put things right.
Oh Lord, I love that boy... so much... Please don't let me lose him because of what I've done.
The following morning, alone and walking Penzance sea-front, Janet reconsiders her plan to run away from home...
But she couldn't deliver another blow to Peter, not after hurting him last night. Yes, his manner with her that morning was cold and distant, and right now, he probably would have wished her away. But deep down, she was sure that wasn't what he wanted. And anyway, his arguments that she should stay were still valid, even after what she'd just done. He was right. God doesn't support running from problems.
If she wasn't leaving the Vicarage, she wanted to confess to someone. Perhaps she should go and see Mum and Dad and admit what had happened.
‘Yes, I am now a girl with loose morals. I've slept with a woman, and now I've done the same with a boy. You have every right to be ashamed of me. You can refuse to forgive me. Everyone can hate me, but I'm not running because I know the God I believe in has forgiven me, and he'll give me a chance to put things right.’
‘I thought God is supposed to love us all, even those who are really wicked. So, how can he send people he loves to hell?’
‘God doesn't send anyone to hell. It is the just consequence of the things we've done wrong. Every one of us will die with a long list. You, me, my mum, your parents. We all deserve hell, and that's where we'd end up if it weren't for Jesus' death at Easter. He paid for our sins by suffering unjustly for things where we should be punished. This is why accepting Jesus means we can be sure we will be with God forever when our life down here ends. But each of us must make a conscious decision to do this, and you can't buy salvation for someone else, as the Catholics once believed.’
Last night, you said something like God's got his eye on me. Well... that's sort of what I felt as I sat alone...
God's power is unlimited and beyond our comprehension.