(John 1:14)
“My wife asked me once, where did evil come from,” Pastor Landris said on the first Sunday in the new sanctuary. “I know there are some things some of us don’t like to talk about. I’m not going to speak for long today, but I have so much to thank God for. So much. As we look around this facility, we can see the work of the Lord. If you look at the person sitting next to you, you can see the work of the Lord. We take so much for granted. We beg God for things, and when we get them, we can’t stop long enough to tell Him thank you, for being too busy begging Him for more stuff.
“I’m not coming today to ask God for anything. I just want to stop and say, ‘Thank you.’ I know I’m not the only one here God has blessed—I’m not that naïve or foolish. You may not want to say it, but God has been good to you. Things might not have come about the way you thought they should have, but God does what He wants, when He wants, how He wants. I’m so grateful because around this time yesterday, my world was going through some real changes. Do you know, somebody sitting next to you today might have had a rough night last night, and you don’t even have a clue? Then we walk around hating one another. For what? Just because somebody has more stuff than you? Because somebody has a few more friends than you?
“Then why be mad at them? Why don’t you go to God and tell Him what you need? And mind you, I said need, not greed. There’s a difference in desiring something for its own sake and desiring something because somebody else has it, and you don’t think they deserve it, so therefore you ought to have it, too. But I’ve strayed a little off the subject.” He smiled. “My mother is here for our first service celebration. Stand up and wave, Mom. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Virginia LeBoeuf.”
The congregation clapped as Virginia stood and did the “Miss America wave” with precision.
“She gave us a scare yesterday afternoon, but I thank God that He is still in the healing business. Yes, she had to take some medicine, but scripture tells us that one plants, one waters, but only God can give the increase. Man can develop the medicine, ingest the medication, but only God can give the…” He did a quick little dance, spinning around once like a top. “God did some increasing yesterday.
“My oldest brother, whom some of you know, is here with us today. I’m thankful because I know that God not only heals, but He’s also in the restoration business. There is no name under the sun that doesn’t have to bow to the name of Jesus. Sickness has to bow. Cancer has to bow. Heart disease…has to bow. Division amongst God’s people has to bow. Alzheimer’s has to bow. Mental illness has to bow. Sickle cell has to bow. Diabetes has to bow. Poverty has to bow. Discord has to bow. Depression…has to bow. If it has a name, it has to bow to Jesus.
“We have other blessed folks with us. I’m only pointing out a few because I saw the hand of God move in a powerful way yesterday. I want God to know, I thank Him. I’m like the Samaritan woman at the well. ‘Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?’ I must tell it because there is somebody here today who needs to know: God is still in the mind-regulating business!” He paused for the shouts.
“I’m only going to call her by the name of Trinity. After what she’s been through, today she is truly a blessed Trinity. And God is not finished with her yet. As He did with her, God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make us whole again. I know, without a doubt, there is nothing too hard for God. Hope is good to have in life. So hear me: I’m not knocking hope. Faith is good and necessary to have in life, especially if we want to please God; I’m not knocking faith. We teach on faith. We believe faith without works is dead. But without charity…without love—hope and faith are nothing. Have hope. Have faith. But not without charity. First Corinthians 13:13 says, ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but’…‘the greatest of these is charity.’” He smiled at Charity, sitting near Johnnie Mae. “Whatever we do, know this: Without love, to God, it means nothing.”
“Amen,” the congregation said as they raised the roof with shouts of praise.
“I would also like to recognize another guest for coming to celebrate with us on this day: Reverend Poppa Knight.” He nodded at Reverend Knight as they lightly applauded.
“I suppose you’re saying, ‘Pastor Landris, I thought you were going to answer the question your wife asked.’ Well, I’m going to do that right now. In Genesis, chapter 1, verse 2, it says, ‘And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.’ Over in the book of John, the first chapter, beginning at the first verse down through the fifth, it reads, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things.’” Pastor Landris paused a minute and scanned a sea of faces. “What kinds of things?”
“All things,” the congregation said.
“What kinds of things?”
“All!”
Pastor Landris continued. “‘All things were made by him; without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.’” He closed the Bible and glanced around the magnificent edifice, now filled past capacity with God’s people.
“Where did evil come from? If all things were made by Him, without Him was not any thing made—then who is Him?”
“God,” the congregation said with a weak voice.
“Who?” he asked. He wanted them to say it as though they were sure.
“God!” they shouted louder.
“I know you’re probably thinking ‘Pastor, are you saying God created evil?’ Well, I’ll tell you what I am saying, and please hear me and get it right. I don’t want you out there spreading lies about what Pastor Landris said. What I am saying is, God is not surprised about anything that was, is, or will be on this earth. I know this may come as a shock to some of you, but God was not surprised when Adam and Eve ate from the tree. Not the omniscient, omnipresent God I’ve grown to know.
“Having said that, I’m struggling not to touch on this subject since I promised I wouldn’t be long, but here’s what I want you to know about evil. Evil is darkness. That’s why people refer to evil as ‘the dark side.’ Darkness was here before the world was formed. Darkness is merely the absence of light. When we think of light, we think of the sun. In Genesis chapter 1, the very first thing God spoke into existence was light. That’s in verse 3. Not the sun, which came in verse 14. Evil is darkness, and darkness is the absence of light. Church, Jesus is The Light. When you get home, read the entire first chapter of John to verify it for yourself. Where there is light, there can be no darkness. If you don’t believe me, prove this scientifically as well when you get home. Equally, where there is darkness, there is no light. The knowledge of good and evil is to know a world with The Light—good, and a world without The Light—evil.
“We know the sun gives light and warmth. The sun is essential for life to exist. Without the sun, there is no natural light. Without the S-U-N, there is no light. And without the Son S-O-N, there is no Light. Therefore, evil is a condition, position, or place without the Son…S-O-N. So where did evil come from? It was here before the world began. God called forth The Light, ‘Come here, Son S-O-N!’ And God saw: it was good!
“There are scriptures throughout the Bible that show how God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost worked together blessing the earth. There is evidence of the three from the beginning. Don’t believe me? Okay: God Spoke, the Spirit Moved, and the Word Walked. Yes, all three, beginning in Genesis. The Word was walking on the earth back in the beginning. Genesis 3:8 says, ‘And they’ (referring to Adam and Eve after they had eaten from the tree) ‘heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.’ The voice of the Lord God walking…walking. The voice of the Lord God is the Word. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was made—”
“Flesh!” the congregation shouted and began a thunderous applause.
<
br /> “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. God in three persons—Blessed Trinity.” He held one hand in the air to thank them as they gave him a standing ovation, lifted holy hands toward heaven to thank God, and sat down next to his wife and family.
Chapter 56
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(Galatians 6:9)
“Here, you can have this scripture back,” she said.
Pastor Landris held the paper in his hand. Psalm 113:9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
“So, you’re giving up?” Pastor Landris asked.
“After two and a half years, what do you think?”
“I think, Mrs. Landris, that you should believe God.”
“For how long?”
“For as long as it takes.”
“And if it doesn’t happen, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, then what?”
“You wait on the Lord.”
“Pastor Landris, is waiting enough? What if God has merely said ‘No’?”
“What if God is merely saying ‘Not now’?”
“What if people look at you like you’re crazy just because you believe in something so strongly, yet they don’t see anything that even resembles triumph in your life?”
“So who are you going to be mindful of? Whose report are you going to believe?”
Johnnie Mae started grinning. She pulled a white stick the size of a pen from behind her back and handed it to him.
“What is this?” he asked, looking down at it.
“I suppose it’s my way of saying to you, dear Pastor Landris: I choose, chose, have chosen, and will continue to choose to believe the report of the Lord.”
“Come again? This is a plastic stick with a plus sign in a tiny window.”
“Are you positive that’s all it is?”
He was getting a little weary of this game. “Yes, I’m positive it’s a plastic stick with a plus sign in a window-looking thing.”
“If that’s true, then we no longer need faith for Psalm 113:9. We’re pregnant!”
He looked at the stick, then back up at her. She was jumping up and down the way Princess Rose does when she’s about to get something she really, really wants.
“We’re going to have a baby?” Pastor Landris asked. “We’re going to have a baby?”
“Yes!”
“You and I…me and you…we are going to have a baby?” He jumped up off the couch, picked her up, and started swinging her around. He stopped suddenly. “Oh goodness. What was I thinking? I didn’t hurt you, did I? I didn’t upset the baby, did I?” He touched her stomach gently. “When is he or she due? When did you find out? I should have known something was up. You got sick Saturday while we were in the parking lot. I should have sensed something, but so much was going on. Then Sunday, we had our first service in the new sanctuary. Monday, we got Thomas into a hospital of his own free will. Charity started seeing Sapphire to get the help she needs. Mom went home Thursday morning…it’s just been crazy. Well, tell me. Don’t keep me waiting. When?”
She laughed at how he was carrying on. “I haven’t been to the doctor yet. In fact, I just did the test. My best calculation is that it will be some time in August.” Her eyes got wide. “Wouldn’t it be something if the baby came on my forty-fifth birthday? That would be a grand present.”
“I’m going to be a father?” Pastor Landris said. “My mother is going to have her first grandchild? You and I…we…together…we’re going to have a baby! God is awesome! Oh, I’m so glad I’m saved and know the Lord for myself! And He makes it so easy for everybody, Johnnie Mae. All they have to do is say, ‘Lord, I’m a sinner. I want to be saved. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. God, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus. I believe He died on the cross for my sins. I believe You raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart today.’ They don’t have to sit on a mourner’s bench or turn cartwheels. Just believe in their hearts, confess with their mouths, and receive salvation.
“It’s too simple to be saved for people not to be. Maybe they think they’re going to miss out on something, but oh, the joys of the Lord…the things He blesses us with! There is no comparison. Turning my life over and allowing Jesus to be Lord of my life was the best thing that ever happened to me. Then he double-blessed me with you.” He looked in Johnnie Mae’s eyes as he saw tears begin flowing. “I just wish everybody knew all they were missing simply because they refuse to open their hearts. Jesus stands and knocks; all they have to do is open up and invite Him in. Just say yes.”
“Just say yes,” Johnnie Mae said, crying as he leaned down and softly kissed her. “Yes, Lord. My soul says yes. Yes to Your will; yes to Your way. We’ll just say…yes.”
A READING GROUP GUIDE
BLESSED TRINITY
Vanessa Davis Griggs
The following questions are intended to enhance your group’s discussion of this book.
Discussion Questions
What were your initial thoughts regarding Faith Alexandria Morrell? Did those thoughts or feelings change as the story progressed? How so?
Should Pastor Landris have taken the deal offered to him by Reverend “Poppa” Knight for the building? To come work with him in his ministry? Why or why not?
Do you agree with Johnnie Mae’s decision(s) regarding the care of her mother?
How did you feel about Rachel? Was Johnnie Mae correct in allowing her to come live with them? What are your views about family living with family that way?
Was Landris wrong for not helping Thomas, especially that last time when he asked for a short-term loan?
What were your thoughts on Poppa Knight? Reverend Walker? The other ministers?
Were the “preach-brothers” ministers correct in how they felt about other ministries?
Was Pastor Landris wrong for the way he responded to Faith when she was merely offering to help him out in the quest for a baby?
What were your thoughts or feelings regarding Faith, Hope, and Charity?
Was Sapphire’s managing of the situation with Thomas handled correctly? Trinity?
Rachel and her family caused a lot of havoc. Discuss some of those things.
Discuss Charity’s relationship with her grandmother. What were your thoughts?
Was Johnnie Mae wrong for wanting a child at her age? Do you feel waiting the way she did originally was a good or bad thing? Why or why not?
What were your feelings concerning Angel and Brent?
Was Pastor Landris wrong for building a bigger house while in the process of building a larger church since he already lived in a very nice home?
Were the people who thought Pastor Landris greedy for building his house justified in their feelings?
What did you feel when you learned the truth about what was going on with Thomas? Trinity? Poppa Knight?
What do you see as the pros and cons to having or being a member of a small congregation? Large congregation? Mega church?
What was your favorite scene?
Do you have a better understanding of anything you may not have had after reading this book? If so, please expound.
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Copyright © 2007 by Vanessa Davis Griggs
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-4972-2
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