2003 Publishers of Truth Essay Contest Winners

Cover Stories: In The Spotlight: Features:
A Trip of Purpose In The Spotlight
 
 
 
 
 
   VBS: Marketplace 29 A.D.
   Relections on Hurricane Isabel
   Fall Notes


Congratulations to both of the E.F.I.-N.A. Publishers of Truth Essay Contest Winners from Eastern Region. Below are the essays of the winners in the Senior Division.

E.F.I.-N.A. is also pleased to announce the theme for 2004, "Keeping it Simple: How Jesus helps me live what I believe". For more information...

Facing The Fear Factor
First Place Winner:
Rachel Grimm
Grade 12
Damascus Friends Church

God has helped me tremendously through many tough times. He has given me strength to overcome difficult situations.


Rachel Grimm read her winning essay during Yearly Meeting. The Alliance Review also featured the story of her testimony of courage during a robbery at the store where she worked.
A year ago at age sixteen, I started my first job working at a card shop, I went to work on what I thought would be just another normal night. I was working by myself while my co-worker went next door. I was standing by the registers never thinking my life would soon be in danger. A masked man came into the store. As soon as I saw him I felt myself being overcome with fear. Not knowing what was going to happen, I knew I had to be calm and trust God completely. As I stood fearful behind the register he came around the desk, facing close to me with a knife pointed at my face. As the man instructed me to open the drawers of the register he forced me to the ground. I began to pray to myself over and over, "Protect me God."
 
God poured his love and protection over me at that moment, helping me to be calm. After the robber retrieved the money from the drawers he left quickly. When he had gone I sat on the floor feeling paralyzed by my emotions. I am still in awe of how God helped me to hold back the tears and terror of that moment. In the hour to follow God provided me with assurances of His love and protection through people He sent to help me: a woman who entered the store and called the police, a friend who "dropped by" to see me at work, and my family who were just down the road and able to come quickly.

Because of this situation I have been able to be a witness to my co-workers, sharing how God was my protection and strength. I still have times when I am fearful because of this situation. God has helped to me know that He is in control. Isaiah 26:3-4 has been an amazing and helpful verse to me this past year: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal." This verse had helped me to know that all I have to do is trust in God and He will give me the peace to overcome any obstacle.


Facing The Fear Factor
Second Place Winner:
Leah Webb
Grade 9
East Richland Friends Church

Fear. Everyone experiences it at one time or another. Why do even Christians have a fear of standing up for what we believe in and showing where our faith stands with God?

I remember when I was in 8th grade. It was the end of the day of school and I was so happy. I was going to spend the night at my best friend's house. I couldn't wait. But after school, I had to ride a public school bus to my house. And believe me, it was not fun. Every day when I rode the bus, I saw the same exact thing: people were cussing, hitting each other, boys and girls were flirting, and they were acting like they had things on the bus that I highly despise...drugs.

I was sitting on the bus that day, waiting impatiently for the bus to stop at my house, when a really cute guy looked over. I had talked to him before, but I really didn't know him that well. He started talking to me. He asked for my phone number, but right when I was going to write it, he asked if I ever did drugs. I was really surprised because I was starting to like him. But I thought in my head, "What Would Jesus Do?" So I told him, "No, I don't." He looked at me like I was a freak. But I told him that I knew what was right and wrong, and I told him that taking drugs is very wrong, and harms the body. I told him I knew where I stood in my faith. He just said, "That's cool." And to my surprise, he continued talking. He is now in rehab and trying to get off drugs and do something with his life.

So fear was not a factor for me. I stood up for what I believed in. I helped a new friend and I witnessed to him. I made a small difference in his life and I helped put God in his life. I was scared at first to do the right thing, but with God's wisdom, He helped me face my fear. Without God in control of my life, fear would definitely be a factor for me. I am thankful that God gave me a chance to make my friend's life a little bit better.