This is the first meeting and Teri is excited.  Sister Kelly walks into the front of the room and greets everyone.  “Lets begin with a scripture.  The scripture that I want you to write down and meditate on this entire week is Mark 16:15-19.”  She pulls out her bible and reads it aloud verbatim without looking down at the bible.  Then she asks everyone to get a bible and, she has everyone read.  “I would like you to meditate and study these verses.  Although I want you to concentrate on these verses, I must also emphasize that I would like you to make reading the four gospels a standard.  I want everyone to read these four gospels so many times that each one of you are able to quote each book from heart.”  Then Sister Kelly grabs a chair and pushes it center front, sits down and begins talking in a very stern and sincere tone.

“Beloved, we hold onto such things on this earth that in the scheme of things do not matter.”  While looking around the room, Sister Kelly makes her point.  “Understand this and meditate on it.  Often we become so concerned with clothes, titles, desires, material things, and many other things in your life.  It is easy to get so wrapped up with your hair, nails, overall appearance, your career, money, financial status, your house, your feelings, your overall status, setting or maintaining or even breaking fades and trends.  Think about it Beloved, just how often these things, any of these things are consuming of your time, space and consideration in your mind.”  She pauses allowing everyone time to think.

            “Then there are others that you will hold on to that will matter, but in the scheme of things...” Sister Kelly smiles as she stops again.  “I must clarify that when I say things I am really saying heaven and hell.  There are things that you will hold on to that matter, but in the scheme of heaven, hell and eternal life, they also should not be your top priority, or should I say, they should not be above GOD.  Things like, your life, your children, your man, friends, partners, family, parents, siblings or even your time, all of which, may have your heart.  They can, and in some cases should have a special place in your heart, but do not give them your soul.” 

            A big offender that can sabotage your relationship with God is your life and those things and people that are extremely close to you.  It is very easy for us to get so caught up in them.  Please watch yourself because if you think you are immune just think about death.  As soon as the devil throws the loss of life in front of you, watch how you buckle under the pressure.  People have gone through extreme lengths to preserve life.  Some hurting or stepping on others just to keep their own lives, others take it to the extreme and try to kill, while others will drain the life out of others to preserve their own.  Before you take what I am saying and decide that this is for someone else remember that until you face the fear of death you do not know the depths that you are willing to go to, to preserve yourself.  If you do realize that your fear of death is strong remember that Jesus went to get the keys to death and hell, so Jesus is your savior even at deaths door. 

            You need to examine yourself at all times.  Everyday you need to examine yourself.  I know that this may sound excessive, but think just how many times you look at yourself in a mirror.  When you first wake up and before you leave the house you make sure you look at yourself.  If there is an important event you look even harder at yourself.  When you pass by any mirror, even if it is brief, you tend to automatically look at yourself.  This is the same that needs to be done with your soul.  You need to examine yourself first thing in the morning.  You need to examine yourself before you present yourself to others.  Whenever there is an opportunity you need to examine yourself.

With that she turns toward the door and begins walking out, then she stops and says, “Everyone who is new to this needs to come tomorrow at the same time so that you can learn some basics and receive a sound foundation.”  Then she walks out of the room.

            It is quiet as everyone thinks over things, and where they stand.  Personally, Teri is stunned as she thinks over her life.  Teri thinks about just how much she cares about things.  Then she bumps them up against eternal life and it amazes her on just how unimportant they are.  Ginny, LaQueia and Teri stay after and talk over things and decided to meet next weekend after they all has time to prepare themselves for the next meeting.

As Teri goes to her car, she can not help but to think about Jason.  He will always put Christopher in his baby car seat for her.  Teri appreciated this especially when it is drizzling, like it is this night.  Although she hates Jason, Teri still knows that she is still in love with her husband.  As she straps herself in for the first time she bumps up her feelings for her husband up against eternal life.  This thought really tears at her heart, as she recognizes for the first time that she can spend eternal life in hell over unforgiveness, hatred or revenge regarding him.  Instantly that thought helps to quench her thirst for his blood.  Teri feels peace as she decides to make sure her divorce is handled peacefully.

Driving home Teri remembers her dream and how she felt when she realizes that her baby was lost because she had gotten so caught up.  Teri looks in her mirror to look at little Christopher’s angelic sleeping face.  She loves him so much.  Teri shakes her head in disbelief, on how she use to live and believe before.  How can she have followed a religion out of tradition instead of through reassurance and understanding.  The more she sits under Sister Kelly the greater Teri feels regarding really seeing results and living a transformed life.  Teri is excited to know that she will be coming tomorrow so that she can get a better understanding.  Everyone seems so wise.  Teri grins as she swells up in pride knowing that she will be counted apart of such an intelligent group. Teri makes it up in her mind that she can no longer live her life like she did before.

Teri is excited to go to the next meeting with Sister Kelly to really find out the nuts and bolts.  All night and throughout the day her enthusiasm is written all over her face, even her walk has a pep in her step.  When the time finally comes, Teri quickly picks up Christopher and stops by a quick fast food chain to get them a quick bite.  When Teri walks into the room for the next meeting, and Sister Kelly is already up front writing and everyone is sitting already engaged in the meeting.  Confused, she looks around and didn’t think she is late.  Teri looks at her watch--just like she thought she is right on time. 

Teri quickly goes to a table sets little Christopher up so that he can play and promptly begins writing.  Two other ladies walk in and do the same thing that Teri does, when they see that things have started and they are only 3 minutes late.  After five minutes Sister Kelly turns around and continues teaching.  Teri is still trying to catch up, hastily writing and trying to hear everything that was being taught.  Sister Kelly notices many people are not looking at her but instead are writing, so she stops and stands in front of the board.  She purposely is blocking everyone’s view.  She waits until she has everyone’s attention again. 

“Beloved, what I write on the board will stay on the board, but what I say will vanish away if you are not paying attention.”  She says this patiently as she walks away from the board.  “I really want to make sure that everyone understands what I am saying because it is so important and there is so much that we need to get through for you to be caught up.  I will continue to teach this every week, but if you can get it the first time the better.”  Sister Kelly smiles, “Don’t worry if you don’t get it the first time, most people don’t, that is why I do this so often.”  Sister Kelly sits down on a stool and using a long stick to point to the board she continues.

“The verses I wrote on the board are some references you can look up later.  I also have other references outside of the bible but we can and will get to those later, when you are ready.  This is the skeleton groundwork of being a believer.  First you must have a personal relationship with God.  Second, everyday, every hour, every minute, every moment you must believe.  Thirdly is personal and is between you and God. Now lets breakdown those three things.”  Sister Kelly points back at the board.

            “Having a personal relationship is so important.  You first need to know who you are in a relationship with.  That is why you need to read the four gospels as if they are gospels.  This will help establish your absolute basic knowledge of your partner.  Next you need to read through the entire bible.  It is nice to read the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John so that you can read about Jesus, but then you need actually read the entire bible to have a sound foundation—the before and after.  Now during your process of learning more you will need to receive the Holy Spirit, which will help with your understanding of your relationship with Jesus.  Finally you must effectively communicate within your new relationship, which will help build up your relationship. 

Okay, lets think this through together.  I want you to think of a perfect relationship.  Remembering that this new relationship of becoming a Believer is not like your normal relationship—husband, wife or girlfriend, boyfriend.  The reason why I say this is because so many people have such a twisted view that it will hurt you if you transfer those damaged thoughts into your new Believers relationship.”  Sister Kelly smiles full of compassion.

            There is so much more that I would like to say but if you have not read the entire bible you will not fully grasp what I am trying to get across to you.  Therefore, I will break things down another way.  Since this is a personal relationship, it is hard for me to just give you a straight path that you can follow bit by bit.  I do not know why, but I am being led to educate all of you in a very different way than what I usually teach. 

Normally I start by tearing down peoples prior relationship with Jesus.  I will say things like, you are not in an abusive relationship, you do not have to make excuses for Jesus.  He is not so pathetic or frail that you have to cover up or even help him out, by giving him undo credit.  Or I will speak about how Jesus is a gentleman, he is not loud and obnoxious or forceful making you believe in him against your will. 

However, today, I am leaving that discussion for another time.  Nonetheless, I do want you to know that Jesus is perfect and you need to see him as such.  The three things that I am discussing, I really need you to be fully committed to and understand.  Your relationship will have it’s basis there, but since it is personal there will be more added to build it up.”  Looking around the room Sister Kelly abruptly stops.  With an inquisitive look on her face, Sister Kelly looks at the board, then her bible, which was on a chair, and finally she looked around the room.

            “Please stand up if you have read the gospels—all four more than three times.”  Everyone looks around, however no one stands up.  Smiling gently Sister Kelly asks the question again but this time she wanted to know if anyone has read any of the four books all the way through even once, and again no one stands up.  Sister Kelly sits back down on a stool and sadly frowns as she surveys the room.  She pauses before looking up, with her eyes lifted upward she whispers a prayer that no one is able to hear.  With a sad smile Sister Kelly adds, “That’s what I thought.”  There is another long pause, before she gently speaks again.

            “Beloved, I will start back at the beginning and I am going to be extremely straight forward with you.  I am about to say some things that are not going to give you a warm feeling and might even make you feel very uncomfortable.  With that being said, I also want you to understand that if you are honest and truly desire the truth you will know that I am not being mean, vicious or unkind.  I am just being extremely direct, real, and above all caring toward you, your life, and your situations without giving you a fake pat on the back or making you feel good knowing that you are on a path that is hurting you.  I love you too much to allow you to hurt when I know that I can provide you information and resources to stop your pain.  I want to say this to you in advance so you are prepared for what I am about to say.”  Sister Kelly put her hands behind her back and she walked back and forth with a heavy look on her face. 

“First I need you to understand that your prior relationship with the lord is not personal, so this is going to be a new and exciting revelation for you.  I say this simply because, until now you have not done everything within your power, to get to know the God you say that you serve.  There is no need to feel embarrassed, however, I do want you to understand that what you know about Jesus has been hearsay.  Your prior relationship, can be compared to and is similar to gossip.  You don’t know, you have only heard. 

All of your triumphs are purely from mercy and grace and your many pitfalls are vast.  Each one of you are so confused about so much.  You have heard so many things through so many sources that we are going to really have to start from a pure beginning.  I need everyone to forget everything.  Everything!  Erase everything that you have heard or know about God, Jesus, Lucifer, Religious traditions, The Devil, Angels, Demons.  Also delete who you feel they are, how they act, where they live, what they do, did, didn’t do and what they want, don’t want, like, feel, say….You get my point—become a blank sheet of paper and lets begin writing a fresh new, uncorrupted start.

            Now I know that you can not just erase everything in an instant, but I want everyone to be aware of the importance of throwing out the old and re-establishing the new.”  Sister Kelly smiles, “This one meeting today regarding ‘The Believers foundation’ has now turned into a minimum of five meetings.  This prologue meeting today will need to be followed up with at least four more meetings and I will need you to all read the gospels from front to back immediately.  I also must stress that when you read them do not read as if you are trying to memorize anything.  Just read them like a story.  I want you to read the books one at a time just to get an overview not like there will be a quiz.  First start with Matthew then Luke, Mark and finally end with John. 

If you are going to have a real relationship, first I need you to be a participator and not a spectator.  What I am about to say next I’m sure several women have either thought or have actually said to a man.  Ask yourself right now, ‘if you really want to be in a serious, and committed relationship?’  Funny how women say or at least think this when it comes to men, but the ultimate man is asking this of you.  Normally I would not ask this, but if you have not taken the time to read the entire bible at least twice, then how can you expect to have any knowledge or any type of relationship with him?

            I am about to be very pure with you, so brace yourself.  Imagine this with me…. 

You are on trial and being accused of a heinous crime in which death is the punishment.  Now think to yourself—I want you to really think long and hard about this, I want you to go home and meditate on this…..You are sitting in jail, where you do not know anyone, and you are facing a trial that could end with your death.  With that in mind, decide if the relationship you have with God is the relationship that you would like to have with your lawyer. 

Your lawyer has not read your file expect when someone points it out.  Your lawyer knows you through a couple of friends, your cultural leaders speeches and what one of your family members has said about you.  When your lawyer does speak to you, you never have the opportunity to reply.  He hears a couple of people on television and radio briefly taking about you.  Once a week he’ll try to hear a sermon about you.  Your lawyer is extremely busy and has a very robust life outside of your case.  All of your lawyers assumptions has become fact and your life depends on this person. 

Will you feel that, that person knows you at all?  Think about this.  I need you to really think about just how distorted your lawyers views will be about you.  If you have ever been accused of something that is not true, you will want to make sure that your defender is a true friend that can clear you or at least do everything within their power to get you off, all the while, making you feel better. 

In the scenario I just stated you are that lawyer.  You can have a good heart, have the best intentions and be a very kind person, but when someone’s life is on the line, none of those things are important.  A lawyer defending a person on death row needs to be, at the very least, knowledgeable of the case, their rights and the system.  Therefore we will start our ground work on obtaining knowledge.  I want everyone to go to the back and get a bible if you did not bring one.”  While more than half the group stands up to get a bible Sister Kelly continues to speak on the importance of reading the bible which she calls “God’s love letters to us.”

When everyone is seated, Sister Kelly says a short prayer, tells everyone a brief history of the old and new testament, then has everyone open their bibles to Matthew.  Sister Kelly begins quoting the first chapter of Matthew and explaining important verses.  As Teri follows along, she is astonished at how accurate Sister Kelly is, in quoting the names and verses verbatim without actually reading from a bible.  Teri is mesmerized as she follows along.  After some time Teri starts to feel as if she is following along by reading what Sister Kelly is saying as if waiting for a mistake.  Therefore, she stops reading and pays attention to what is being and just starts taking notes and highlighting. 

Halfway through Sister Kelly abruptly stops and kindly tells everyone to make sure that they follow along with their bibles.  She explains that everyone needs to know what they are learning and reading and not again learning by hearsay, that is why she had everyone get a bible.  Embarrassed, Teri opens back up her bible and begins to follow along with what Sister Kelly is saying and makes sure what is being spoken is actually in the bible.

Ending at the fifth chapter, Sister Kelly stops and looks around the room at all of the attentive faces.   Because of the various points that Sister Kelly interjected as she quoted the scriptures, for the first time, Teri feels that she really understands what is happening.  Before Sister Kelly dismisses everyone she stands in the middle of the room lifts her head and prays in a whisper then lifts her head and says, “I do not want you to be impressed by my quoting of this book.” 

Sternly she also adds, “I also do not want you to go around trying to memorize verses so that you can quote them—showing everyone just how religious you are like a Pharisee.  I quote only because I have read it so many times that, like a favorite movie or a song that you adore, it is inevitable that you begin to memorize.”  Then Sister Kelly prays aloud and ends by telling everyone “Commit yourself to the Lord for the first time, and lose yourself in that commitment to Jesus and his Father.”  Then she dismisses everyone.