M Challenges

Creative Writing

SPRING 2012

Article 1. Josh Mathews (13 years)

Mr. Corn

Once upon a time there lived an ear of corn by the name of Mr. Corn. Mr. Corn was a wealthy hot tub salesman who cared only about himself. All that mattered to him were his worldly possessions.

One Sunday, he was at church listening to a sermon. The sermon was about the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:14-31). Now for quite some time a poor and sick pea had been begging for food around Mr. Corn’s mansion and Mr. Corn had been wondering what to do about him. So the moment he reached his mansion after church, Mr. Corn invited the pea, whose name was Pierre, in for lunch. He also agreed to get a doctor for Pierre the pea. On that day he decided to go to church regularly.

The next Sunday in church the pastor spoke about the young man who wanted to follow Jesus but didn’t want to let go of his worldly possessions. In conclusion, the pastor quoted from the New American Standard Bible. “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mr. Corn was upset upon hearing the sermon but, he decided to talk to the pastor to learn how he could get to heaven and follow Jesus. The pastor, who had heard about the way Mr. Corn had acted towards Pierre the pea, replied,” Repent and confess your sins to God and believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again.” Mr. Corn replied that he believed. The pastor said, “Then give your riches to the poor and follow Jesus.”
What will Mr. Corn decide to do? Will he follow Jesus or continue to hoard his riches? I think he knows what is the right thing to do!

Article 2. Nathan Mathews (11 years)

The Calling

Everybody knows the story of the 12 disciples and how they gave up their lives to become Jesus’ disciples. Their names were Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, Matthew, Phillip, Thomas, Judas, Thaddeus, Simon, Judas, and Bartholomew. In their lifetime these ‘’followers of Jesus’’ preached the word wherever they went and applied Gods word in their lives.

According to the Webster’s dictionary the definition of Disciple is ‘’ One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of Jesus”. Why I said that, you ask? Well, because that means that we can be disciples of God too. Have you heard the story of Samuel, and when he was a boy he heard God calling him in 1st Samuel 3? That can be the same with our lives too. First we need to truly apply God’s word in our hearts. To do this we can read and meditate on the Bible daily. Also, we can simply pray each day and ask God for his guidance. While doing these things think and ask God to help us have the courage to tell others about Jesus. This for me was very hard to do, but finally God gave me an opportunity to tell one of my friends about God. Every day I would tell him about the Bible and I would pray for him. Then one day he told me that he and his family were moving to California and he told me to pray for him. I was glad God gave me an opportunity to tell him about God.

This is an Acrostic called “The 12 Disciples”
During Jesus’ life on Earth he called 12 special men. When he said “come follow me”, they did so there and then.
Invited first to join the group, Simon Peter came. Peter’s brother followed too-Andrew was his name.
Several more were called by Jesus near the Galilean lake. James and John gave up their nets, just for Jesus’ sake.
Crowds that followed Jesus knew Phillip and Thomas too. But Thomas had doubts about Jesus [more than just a few].
In the group was Matthew, who wrote of Jesus’ life. His book tells many great stories –the love, teachings and strife.
Pleased to be a disciple, James joined the throng. Thaddeus and Simon also came along.
Later the one called Judas would betray his master’s name. Bartholomew [called Nathanael] was another one who came.
Each of the disciples went out in the world to preach, to tell the message of Jesus to every soul they could reach.
Since we’re saved by Jesus, we must follow too; so listen to Jesus calling- calling me and you.

— From The NIV Adventure Bible