Godspell=Gospel=Good News

Wow, God is amazing isn't he?
This is the first year I've been able to watch the growth of a play. From those first rehearsals when everyone was first learning their lines and figuring out where they were supposed to be on stage to the proud moment they took their bows has been such an experience. God has truly blessed each and every cast member, even if their part was humble, and spurred them on to do their best. Trials have come: sickness, forgetting lines, and such, but with trials come growth, not to mention much laughter and joy. There were moments of tension where all we could do was pray for the cast, times when people may have been tempted to doubt whether the play would come out. But through it all God overcame and put a strength in each person's heart to follow through. As the photographer I got to observe all this, the laughter, the confusion, the dark circles under peoples eyes. And through it all not once did I hear anyone complain, not once did I see someone give up. When mistakes were made, no one mocked, instead they helped and jumped in when it was needed. When someone was sick the understudies were more than happy and able to jump in and take over the roll with enthusiasm. And God came through, because he always does, because he always wants to bless his children.
On opening night as I sat in the crowd I was truly proud to call members of the cast friends, not because I could boast in knowing the actors and actresses, but because I can see that this generation has a firm conviction about God. I can see through this play how much glorifying God means to each individual. The play was amazing. Because each person went on stage with the hope of bringing glory to God instead of themselves He truly blessed their performance. And through them blessed the audience, myself included, with a funny, joyful, sometimes tearful, and all true story about our Lord and Saviour. It became real, and it didn't take professional actors to do it, just a bunch of high school kids who trusted God enough to make the journey. There was laughter at all the right moments and tears when James was carried up the aisle and the cross was left empty. That picture was the most emotional for me, to see the cross standing empty and to realize what it symbolizes is the most real reminder of what they play is really portraying. The gospel! The good news of Jesus Christ!
In the end they sang like angels because they were praising God alongside with his angels in heaven. They danced beautifully, like cripples who have just been healed completely, because they knew that as sinners we were crippled but we are healed by Gods saving grace and mercy. They brought to life the story that has affected millions and affected many themselves. Praise be to God who gave them the talent and for saving them so they could bless us with this wonderful play. To each of you: Thank you for using your talent to the glory of God, this may not earn you eternal fame or glory on earth but God will remember it and bless you in heaven. I'm grateful, and I'm sure many others are too, that all of you chose to serve God rather than man.
I also want to thank those who have worked for hours behind the scenes, the ones who may never get any more recognition than their name printed small in the program. To all of you, your work is much appreciated! Once again, God will reward you in heaven for your humility, your perseverance, and your willingness to never be noticed for all your hard work.
I look forward to another week of rehearsals and precious memories, and to going to Friday nights show. It will be the highlight of my week!
Love you all...

2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.