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.
Charlene looked thoughtfully at Peter. ‘I think Janet has helped you understand God's promises. And you believe them. But what you've got to do now is to trust those beliefs. Nobody can do that for you. The only way is to start trusting God and then find out he doesn't let you down. But this doesn't mean he'll always see things the way you do. Sometimes you must hear what you don't like... You said you made a deal with God but that's not what you do in a trusting friendship, is it?... Peter, if you really trust God, you'll stop struggling with things on your own and let him guide you.’
She smiled. ‘The Warden put it like this. You've got to give God the steering wheel in your life and not snatch it back when you think he's driving too fast or taking you where you don't want to go.’
So, let's promise to share everything from now on. Good and bad. Everything. And if either of us feels God's gone away, let's find him again by praying together.’
Charlene squeezed Peter's hand. ‘How's about we start that right now?... At the Mission, they often use the Lord's Prayer to bring people back to God because the words have all the bits that acknowledge belief and trust. I'm sure you know it, but it wasn't until one of the pastors explained each line that I began to understand what it really meant... So why don't we talk through this prayer together?’
Peter nodded, although he couldn't see how a prayer, he'd said a thousand or more times could solve his problems with God. But this girl told him he had to trust. He might still be struggling to do this with God, but not Charlene.
She got out of bed, rummaged around in her case and then jumped back with a crumpled paper. ‘After Pastor Robbie had explained it, I wrote down everything I could remember.’
Charlene looked at the paper and then back at Peter. ‘Our father, who lives in heaven... Here we tell God that we acknowledge him as a father of all of us on Earth. We're his children. One big family that includes Jesus. And father means he's like an earthly pa. Remember what we said about the Prodigal Son? Someone who gives love, companionship, teaching, and discipline. But this father is perfect, unlike earthly dads who may do their best but sometimes get it wrong. However, because we say in heaven, it doesn't mean God's remote. He's here with us now. Isn't that lovely?
‘Holy is your name... That's much more than a statement of fact. It's saying that we honour God's name above everything else. We are showing him respect, just like you should for your earthly father or a king. These words help us to get our relationship with God right. And that's important because, like in all our prayers, we must never forget who we are talking to. Someone of greater significance and power than anyone else in this world. It acknowledges our privilege to speak to him and confirms our belief and acceptance of his authority. Over our bodies, every action we take, all our thoughts and every word we speak. So, we're making quite a promise! Are you comfortable with that?’
‘Yes, I am,’ Peter said when Charlene's expression made it clear a nod wasn't good enough.
‘Your kingdom will come... One day God will reign over all of us. And that's something we should be excited about. But in the meantime, we must do all we can to live as God wants because our bad behaviour hurts him, not just ourselves. Wow! A real King of kings. How would it feel to talk to an earthly king? I'd be a bit scared, I think.’
‘I don't suppose we'd talk to an earthly king lying in bed. Does God mind?’
‘God doesn't judge by outward appearances, so I reckon he's happy with us like this if we are truthful and give him the respect he deserves. But a few at the Mission believe they need to be on their knees when they pray to emphasise humility. And that's fine too.’
‘Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven... We want God to help us make the world a better place, more like heaven, as we look forward to everyone living in peace and harmony when King Jesus rules over us. We are trusting God completely. No messing!’
Charlene looked up from the paper. ‘Still with me?’
Peter nodded.
‘Give us this day our daily bread... Although God's big and mighty, he also cares for our mundane needs. But it's more than just what we eat. We're asking for spiritual food. And that means God's presence with us through his Holy Spirit to understand more about him and receive strength and guidance when life gets stressful.’
‘Is that what keeps you doing what's right?’
‘It's what helps me, Peter. Too often, my own will gets in the way. Which is why the next bit's so comforting.
‘Forgive us the things we do wrong as we forgive those who do wrong things to us. We are saying to God that we believe his promise of forgiveness for our mistakes and telling him that we will try and do the same for other people.’
‘But I haven't done this, Charlene,’ Peter groaned. ‘It's only today that I stopped blaming you for us breaking up. Is this why God hasn't forgiven me?’
Charlene smiled. ‘I thought God worked like that until Robbie explained. God's forgiveness isn't dependent on us forgiving every wrong that anyone has ever done us. That would be pretty impossible. He just wants us to try. And when he puts into our mind someone where we are withholding forgiveness, he expects us to do something about it. Peter, God's forgiveness—and our salvation—never depend on anything other than admitting our mistakes and recognising that Jesus paid for them on the Cross. That be really important.’
‘Are you sure?’
She nodded. ‘The Bible says this in many places. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
Charlene's eyes sparkled as she turned to Peter. ‘I just love that verse. That's why I know it by heart. When Janet first showed me those words, I can still remember hearing a voice inside me, crying out that this promise was made for me... It can be tough to forgive people who have hurt us. Like with my pa. But God didn't say to me, 'Go away and work at forgiving him and then come back when you have and receive my forgiveness.' Instead, God's gift of grace forgave me immediately for all the sins that I have ever done or will ever do. Including those I am still struggling with.’
Charlene smiled. ‘And what's fantastic is, yes, now I do forgive Dad. I thought I'd never. But it wouldn't have happened without God making the first move. Forgiving me for the mess I'd made of my life. He didn't just tell me to forgive. He showed me by example.
‘Do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil... We are asking God not to allow us to be tested. But, sometimes, he can only teach things by letting us be put through some trial even though he knows we may fail. But he does this because he loves us and not as a punishment. So that we can understand our weaknesses and put them right before we get into serious trouble. Like the disciple Peter who, despite being warned, said he never knew Jesus. Before it happened, Peter was sure he'd never do such a terrible thing, but Jesus knew different.’
‘But that's just what God's done to me,’ Peter groaned. ‘He has put me where I've failed. With you and Janet. He has led me into temptation... but he hasn't done the delivering bit.’
‘Peter, that was me. Not God. I started all this the night I got you to sleep with me. That's where all the trouble you and Janet have been through came from... All of it.’
Charlene sucked her lips, her face full of sadness. ‘You think it was just down to you that Janet nearly drowned. But it wasn't... Remember what I said about unmarried sex not being harmless? If I hadn't hurt you so much by ending our relationship, you'd never have done the things you did. I didn't think sleeping together would affect either of us in the way it has. To me, it was just a bit of fun. Like I was giving blokes every day... That night, I took away your innocence like my stepbrother did with me. I was used to sinning like that, but you weren't. Which is why it hit you so hard when we split up.’
‘But if it really was that bad, why didn't God stop it?’
‘Because he wanted to teach us stuff.’
‘Stuff?’
‘For me... to see the sinful life, I was leading and what I was losing by being on the streets. Hating rather than loving and being loved. You taught me that. And I'd never have given my heart to Jesus without Janet, the scary time we went through together and what happened afterwards. And I think he wanted you to experience falling in love and so understand the feelings you were hiding from Janet.’
Peter shook his head. ‘Charlene, blokes are sleeping around all the time. But they don't then nearly kill someone who's looked after them and try to break the faith of another person they love. OK, good did come when you accepted Jesus, but I don't see how you could be to blame for the bad things I'm doing. It's like Janet said... the devil's got hold of me.’
‘No, Peter, he hasn't.’ Maybe Charlene saw his look of despair and the tears in his eyes. Sliding her arm under his shoulder, she hugged him whispering, ‘remember how the Bible story ended. Peter learned his lesson, Jesus forgave him, and he went on to do great things. In the end, God did deliver him. And that's exactly what he's doing with us. But it's painful like it was for the disciple.’
Charlene closed her eyes. ‘Lord, please help us both as we struggle to behave together as we should. Help Peter understand I love's him as much as in Dublin. And I'm sorry for what I did then and how it's still hurting him. This is my fault, not Peter's. Please, Lord, don't let what I did that night go on, damaging the way Peter thinks about you.’
‘No!’ Peter cried, ‘Charlene's not to blame. I can see how she's changed. That's what's making me think about you. And why I'm with her now, asking for help. Don't blame her. Please don't let her feel guilty. Please. It's me, it's...’ He couldn't continue as tears ran down his face.
She put her hand on Peter's shoulder. ‘Lord, we've both done bad things. We're sorry. Please forgive us. Heal the hurt that remains and help us grow our love and trust in you and each other. Please give us a new start together and the strength to face what's ahead as we try to help Janet. Please, Jesus... please... help us.’
Charlene was crying quietly. Why? He was the one with the shame. ‘I need this new start... not Charlene. I still love her so much. Maybe that's wrong, I don't know. But it's agony when I remember how I behaved today. I've hurt her, let her down. I hate to see her cry. I'm sorry. Father, please help me put things right and stop me from ever doing this again.’
Peter wiped his eyes. ‘And... Janet. Please tell me what to do to get her well again. What she's suffering is all my fault.’
‘Lord, take away this guilt, Peter feels. Help him to understand that you have forgiven him. For everything. Draw Janet, Peter, and me close to you, as brother and sisters with you as our father. Help us to share every worry with each other and you. Thank you for bringing the three of us back together. Make us into a team that honours you in everything we do. Thank you for all the things you give us and help us feel your presence every moment of every day. Amen.’
As Charlene held him, her prayer and the comfort of being in someone's arms again released the anguish that had driven him to ask her for help. Tears poured out uncontrollably. Charlene's tear-stained face was lit up with her lovely smile when they finally let go of each other. He smiled too as she kissed his head.
He'd just had a conversation with God. A conversation! Incredible. And this time, they weren't words spoken into empty space. He'd been talking to someone he knew oversaw everything. With the power to do anything.
Why should he feel so different about a God entirely out of reach just a couple of hours ago? Peter couldn't answer that, but as he gazed into Charlene's glistening eyes, he knew she was a big part of what had happened. They lay smiling at each other. No need to talk anymore. He had Charlene back as a friend, and God was no longer an enemy. Peter felt warm and relaxed.
He should go back to his own bed. But the trust he now had in God wouldn't have come about without Charlene. Being with her was special, just like it had been in Dublin. And she was right. Nothing was going to happen between them. He still loved her enormously, but his earlier uncontrolled passion was now replaced by admiration and respect. In that comfort, he kissed her cheek and turned on his side, closing his eyes.
Peter sighed. ‘I just wish God would change me into the good person he's made you. Honestly, I do. But after what's happened, I don't think he wants to know anymore.’
‘Yes, he does!!! More than anything... Like the story Jesus told of the shepherd who went after one lost lamb even the rest of the flock was safe… Peter, we all do things we shouldn't, but we mustn't give God up when this happens. Definitely not! Because that's exactly what the devil wants. We have to say sorry, try again, and let God put our relationship with him back where it was before we slipped.’
‘Is he really that forgiving?’
Charlene nodded. ‘Do you remember the Bible story about the son who wanted his inheritance while his pa was still living?’
‘Is that the prodigal thing?’
‘Yes, the parable of the Prodigal Son. But the story is really about the father who took his son back, forgave him, and restored him, just as if he'd done nothing wrong. The son thought his actions had wrecked things for good, and all he could hope for was to return as a servant. But the father's love wouldn't let that happen. And that's exactly how it is with God when we go back and say sorry.’
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... But things haven't gone well since. I've given up on him now, so I'd have been off his help list.’
‘Nobody is ever off that. But for it to work, you've got to treat God as your friend. And like any friendship, you do this by talking with him and hearing what he says.
I don't know how I'll make out as a mum. But if we love each other, sharing hopes and fears. And both want to create a family where we all trust God, then I don't think there's too much to worry about. Sure, we'll make mistakes and hurt each other, but if we can say sorry...’
Kneeling by the side of the bed, he reached for her hand. ‘Janet Carter, will you marry me? For better, for worse.’
‘The better, worse bit is in the marriage ceremony, not the proposal,’ she said, grinning. Then, ruffling Peter's hair, she struggled out of bed and knelt beside him. ‘Yes, Peter, with all my heart.’
‘Why are you kneeling too? That's not the way I've seen it done.’
‘To remind us both, we need God in this. In the service, we promise to worship each other with our bodies. But, just as important is that we continue to worship God together.’
‘OK,’ Peter said as he kissed her on the lips. ‘That's a deal.’
Your husband is ill, and you running off has made him worse. Janet isn't well, either and your leaving home is a big part of what's pulling her down. She's your daughter. He's your husband. You promised before God to look after him, which means his family as well... Your place is back at the Vicarage. Not living with someone else and letting your son run wild.
‘And there's something else I learned.’ Peter sipped his drink. ‘Janet, I would like to get into bed with you now.... And...,’ he blushed, ‘love you the way I did, Charlene. But I won't... Not because I'm scared anymore. Rather I now understand why God says 'no' to that stuff if you're not married. Charlene made me see that much of the pain both of us felt when we split up—and the trouble that followed—happened because we'd slept together. And I never want to risk going through anything like that again... Never. Once you've had sex, you keep wanting it. A bit like a drug. That's the way it should be if you're married. But if you're not, you'll go looking for it... Like I did with those girls from Penzance. And then the day Charlene arrived.’
‘God always gives us a chance to put things right.’
Mrs Carter looked up. ‘Are you one of them too? They're full of advice about what God wants. But they don't follow it... Look at Janet... And what she's up to with that woman at the garage. I suppose you're her new playmate.’
‘Janet's my friend. And no, I'm not into anything like I think you be meaning. Neither is she. Not anymore. And this wouldn't have happened if you'd showed her the love she longed for.’
‘It's not my fault she's a lesbian. And there's none of my blood in her.’
‘That shouldn't have stopped you from loving her. Her friend provided the love you didn't. And then it went a bit further because sometimes, the need for the physical stuff gets the better of us. With Janet, it was another girl. With you, a man.’
‘How dare you! What does a little kid like you know about that anyway?’
‘More than you might be thinking. A few months ago, I was a prostitute. So, I know what sex can drive people into and where it leads.’
‘You were what?’ Harriet's forehead wrinkled. ‘And you come here to lecture me on what God teaches. I wonder if you've thought what he's going to do with you someday.’
‘He still loves me, as he always has. Even when I was selling myself. But now Jesus is part of every moment of my life, and I know I'm forgiven.’
‘Ha! Where do you get that from?’
‘The Bible,’ Charlene continued as she pulled the book from her bag and turned the pages. ‘I've got a little girl. She's nearly a year old now, but I couldn't keep her. My sister's looking after Betsy. She's a bonnie lass.’
‘I suppose your Jesus has forgiven you for that too?’ Harriet sneered.
‘Yes, he be forgiving me, certainly.’ Charlene moved her chair closer to Harriet and read. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his ….’
‘That stuff's for the good people,’ Harriet interrupted.
‘I'm alive today because God loves me, not because I'm good. Peter saved my life. And Janet saved me from eternal death by leading me to Jesus.’
Charlene smiled. How she loved telling this story. ‘You know, I saw one of his angels. I was standing on a bridge. About to jump. And there he was... on the water, clear as anything. I knew he wanted to save me, but I didn't understand how. Or why. So, Janet explained, and that night I gave my life to Jesus in return for what he'd already done for me. Things that I didn't deserve.’
There was silence as Harriet stared at Charlene.
‘Mrs Carter, God will forgive you everything if you ask. Simply saying sorry and believing what Jesus did for you on the Cross is enough to get his help to begin changing your life around.’
Harriet reached over and pulled the Bible towards her. Charlene pointed to the passage she had just read.
Shaking her head, Harriet pushed the book away. ‘Not after what I've done.’
‘Nothing ever puts God's forgiveness out of reach. Provided we really want to change. But often, that can be tough... And maybe that's where you be standing now. Trying to find the courage to admit what you are doing is wrong and begin to put it right.’
Janet ran on ahead. ‘Charlene, where are you?... He forgave me... he understands... he's back as my old Dad. We can get married... he hugged Peter, he...’ Janet broke off as she collided with Charlene.
‘Oh, Charlene, it's going to be OK. It's like you...’ Her words ended in sobs of joy as they held each other.
‘I was telling you it'd be alright,’ Charlene whispered. ‘When God wants something to be happening, then it does. And he sure wanted this!’
Charlene never forgot her gratitude to God, sharing her conversion story whenever possible. Hearing this sometimes made Janet feel guilty because her life had been a comparative joy ride. Maybe that's why Charlene had been so successful at helping Peter find his faith again. She was a living example of the monumental changes that God's transforming love can bring about.