PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE by SONGWRITER JANET IRENE THOMAS

ADAM AND EVE

THE FIRST MARRIAGE

THE MOST HONORABLE MARRIAGE EVER

 Verses 2:21-25

The making of woman, to be a help-meet for Adam.

Adam was first formed, then Eve (1 Tim. 2:13), and she was made of the man, and for the man (1 Cor. 11:8, 9), yet man being made last of the creatures, as the best and most excellent of all, Eve’s being made after Adam, and out of him, puts an honor upon that sex, as the glory of the man, 1 Cor. 11:7. If man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation.

Man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double-refined, one remove further from the earth. Note:  That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved. Adam lost a rib, and without any diminution to his strength or comeliness (for, doubtless, the flesh was closed without a scar); but in lieu thereof he had a help meet for him, which abundantly made up his loss: what God takes away from his people he will, one way or other, restore with advantage. In this (as in many other things) Adam was a figure of him that was to come; for out of the side of Christ, the second Adam, his spouse the church was formed, when he slept the sleep, the deep sleep, of death upon the cross, in order to which his side was opened, and there came out blood and water, blood to purchase his church and water to purify it to himself. See Eph. 5:25, 26.

MARRIAGE: The marriage of woman to Adam. Marriage is honorable, but this assuredly was the most honorable marriage that ever was, in which God himself had all along an immediate hand. Marriages (they say) are made in heaven: we are sure this was, for the man, the woman, the match, were all God’s own work; he, by his power, made them both, and now, by his ordinance, made them one. This was a marriage made in perfect innocency, and so was never any marriage since…

·      God, as her Father, brought the woman to the man, as his second self, and a help-meet for him. When he had made her, he did not leave her to her own disposal; no, she was his child, and she must not marry without his consent. Those are likely to settle to their comfort who by faith and prayer, and a humble dependence upon providence, put themselves under a divine conduct. That wife that is of God’s making by special grace, and of God’s bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help-meet for a man.

·      From God, as his Father, Adam received her (Gen. 2:23): "This is now bone of my bone. Now I have what I wanted, and which all the creatures could not furnish me with, a help meet for me." In token of his acceptance of her, Adam gave her a name, not peculiar to her, but common to her sex: She shall be called woman, Isha, a she-man, differing from man in sex only, not in nature—made of man, and joined to man.

THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDINANCE OF MARRIAGE…

 …and the settling of the law of it, Gen. 2:24.

The Sabbath and Marriage were two ordinances instituted in innocency, the former for the preservation of the church, the latter for the preservation of the world of mankind. It appears (by Matt. 19:4, 5) that it was God himself who said here, "A man must leave all his relations, to cleave to his wife;" see how necessary it is that children should take their parents’ consent along with them in their marriage, and how unjust those are to their parents, as well as undutiful, who marry without it; firm is the bond of marriage, not to be divided and weakened by having many wives (Mal. 2:15) nor to be broken or cut off by divorce, for any cause but fornication, or voluntary desertion.

·      The affection ought to be dear between husband and wife, such as there is to our own bodies, Eph. 5:28. These two are one flesh; let them then be one soul.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

SARAI - WIFE OF ABRAHAM

MOTHER OF THE JEWISH NATION

Genesis 17: 15 – 18: 1-15

Sarai (Hebrew: שָׂרָי, Modern Sarī Tiberian Śāray), was the wife of Abraham and his half-sister (two different mothers).  She was approximately ten years younger than her husband, and the mother of Isaac.  

According to Genesis 17:15, God changed her name to Sarah as part of a covenant after Hagar bore Abraham his first son, Ishmael. The Hebrew name Sarah indicates a woman of high rank and is translated as "princess" or "noblewoman".

She was considered beautiful to the point that Abraham feared that when they were near more powerful rulers she would be taken away and given to another man. Twice he purposely identified her as being his sister so that he would be "treated well" for her sake.

Departure from Ur

The LORD had told Abram to leave his country and his father's house for a land that he would show him, promising to make of him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, bless those who blessed him, and curse "him" that curses him.[9] Following God's command, Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and the wealth and persons that they had acquired, and traveled to Shechem in Canaan. Abram was 75 at this time.[10]

Pharaoh's harem

There was a severe famine in the land of Canaan, so that Abram and Lot and their households, travelled south to Egypt. On the journey to Egypt, Abram instructed Sarai to identify herself only as his sister, fearing that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take his wife, saying, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'this is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." When brought before Pharaoh, Sarai said that Abram was her brother, and the king thereupon took her into his palace and bestowed upon the latter many presents and marks of distinction. It is possible that Sarai acquired her Egyptian handmaid Hagar during this stay. However, God afflicted Pharaoh's household with great plagues. Pharaoh then realized that Sarai was Abram's wife and demanded that they leave Egypt immediately.

In Genesis 17:15 Since both names mean "Princess", Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah served to bring her into the covenant in her own right. 

17:17 Abraham…laughed because all of this was incredible. His laughter is somewhat ironic in that Isaac means "Laughter."

18:9-15 Abraham earlier had and now Sarah laughs also. God’s harsher reaction with her (see 17:19) indicates that Sarah was in persistent unbelief, not mere astonishment.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org. 

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: THE NEW CHILDREN'S TV SHOW - KORRY'S BEARS STORIES...

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: THE NEW CHILDREN'S TV SHOW - KORRY'S BEARS STORIES...: The "World's Most Dedicated Bible Storyteller" Shares A Sneak Peek At Her New Children’s TV Show ... SEASON ONE   DAVID ...

IT'S OK TO FLIRT _

AS LONG AS EVERYONE'S JUST HAVING FUN

IT’S ONE THING to remain physically pure by not engaging in sex outside of marriage or having an extramarital affair.  It’s quite another thing to remain emotionally pure-not to flirt with another man, become emotionally attached to him, or talk with him about topics appropriate only between a husband and wife. Too often we ignore these "lesser" acts of impurity and justify them by saying "we haven’t actually done anything." But Jesus said we are guilty all the same if we let impure thoughts infiltrate our minds (see Matthew 5:28).

What sets Christians apart from the rest of the world is not a list of "do’s and don’ts." It’s our hearts. Is it time for us to undergo a spiritual cardiogram so the Great Physician can diagnose any heart disorders? Consider taking these steps:

 

• Ask God to monitor your motives and attitudes regarding your sexuality. God gets to the heart of the matter-your motives, thoughts, attitudes. Take a realistic look at why you dress or act the way you do. What are your communicating about yourself and why?

• Decide ahead of time to excuse yourself from questionable conversations at work. Set some boundaries for yourself, lines you will not cross, and stick to them. Your first boundary shouldn’t be physical touch (that’s already too far)-it should be guarding your thoughts and your conversations. That will help protect you from acting on impure thoughts.

• Refuse to demean your sexuality by using it to manipulate people and situations. Let’s face it-as women, our sexuality can be a powerful weapon. Will you abuse it, or will you use it for good? It’s all too easy to spin your behavior in such a way that you can justify anything. Flirting is OK as long as it gets you the job. Fantasizing is OK as long as don’t act on it. False!

  

• Get practical. Be accountable to a Christian girlfriend or mentor for your physical and emotional purity. Be completely honest with each other.

"FOR THE LORD SEARCHES EVERY HEART

AND UNDERSTANDS EVERY DESIRE

AND EVERY THOUGHT"  1 Chronicles 28:9

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

KORRYS BEARS STORIES LANE THE NEW CHILDRENS TV SHOW

IN THE END_

…all that really matters isn't the things you did, but what its effects are today, not the knowledge you have learned_____

_but how you applied it, not the words that were said, but how they made you feel, and most of all, not the moment of occurrence, but how it’s now just a part of our memory... 

Every day, we make memories... 

Let's paint lives with happy ones...”

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

TODAY I TRUST MYSELF_

…BUT THAT WASN’T ALWAYS ME

Once upon a time, I should have talked less and listened more.

I should have had more dinner parties even if there was no carpet and the sofa faded sunk- in and outdated.

I should have eaten ice-cream in bed and worried far less about dirtying the sheets.

I should never have ducked down in the car so my friends couldn’t see me riding in my Dad’s old Chevy station wagon. 

I should have cried less while watching television and laughed more while watching life.

I should have gone to bed when I was sick instead of fantasizing that the earth would go moving if I didn’t go to work.

Instead of hating my strict up-bringing I'd have cherished every teaching moment realizing that today I am the dignified lady that I am because of it.

THOSE WERE ALL THE YESTERDAYS.

TODAY I AM A PRINCESS WITH GOD!

Sound familiar?

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

A COWBOYS SAVING GRACE

For years I’ve known my maker

And he’s known me long before that.
Between his knees glides a gallant steed
And upon his brow rides a cowboy hat.

I never understood until just recently
The outcome of certain events.
All my sin and the fixes I’ve been in
Are forgiven, because His son He sent.

You see, Satan took the shape of a 1600 lb. Bull
And I being a mischievous cowboy, good-humored,
and full of sin
Pulled the flank strap, jumped on his back,
And out in the arena we did spin.

There was 8seconds of silent battle,
Just him and I alone.
He bucked me down, I lit on my crown
And decided I had broken every bone.

It was about then that fear set in
As I tried to climb out of the dirt.
The bull lunged with a flash and the
whole crowd gasped
Because they all knew that I was hurt.

It was pure adrenaline driving me
As I jumped to make my break.
I was almost there when I felt horns and hair
Just five feet from the darn gate.

I thought “now’s my time, I’m a goner for sure,”
As I frantically searched all around.
But my Savior appeared in costume and gear
Dressed as a rodeo clown.

I’ve never been a wanting man
Of help or God’s free grace,
But at that time I made up my mind
And was relieved to see Christ’s face.

He stepped between the bull and I
And I knew he took my place.
For every gore the crowd groaned more
And the life drained from his face.

I know that fellow Cowboy
Was God’s Saving Grace,
Because when he died I was on his mind
I could read it on his face.

Ya know it has taken years of my life
Before I was able to see
That it took a life laid down by that rodeo clown
To be forgiven of sin eternally.
written by Kayci Sears

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE OLD TESTAMENT STORY

OUR GOD SPEAKS

 Most of us know the names of people in the Bible, and we remember stories about them.  But sometimes the Scriptures seem to be more of a riddle than a clear message. Thus, how does one explain what the Bible is? What exactly makes it different from other books?

The heart of the Bible can be summed up in two words.

God speaks.

In the Bible, we learn that God speaks and works through great deeds of people, and through the words of persons who explain and interpret. The very heart and mind of God are found in the words spoken to a chosen people.

God still speaks through the Scriptures to show us what life is all about. God speaks an answer to the problem of our sin. God gives us the good news that "true light" has come into our lives.  That is why we call the Bible the Word of God.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

ONE GOD _ONE PEOPLE

ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB (Israel)

From the Bible, we learn that there is only one true God, not many gods. We read about individuals to whom God spoke-persons like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Moses, Miriam, and Deborah. They did what God asked them to do, and from them came a people known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Bible’s story of the chosen people is filled with ups and downs. They had great gifts for doing good. But they also disobeyed God and failed to carry out their mission. The Bible is a record of their successes and failures, and their victories and defeats. God did not choose them to be pampered favorites. Israel was to be God’s suffering servants to bless the world.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

HOW TO STOP FAMILY QUARRELS

Genesis 13: 1-18

New International Version (NIV)

     Abram and Lot Separate

How to Stop Family Quarrels

The herdsmen of Abram and Lot quarreled about using the land and where to graze and water their flocks. There just wasn’t enough room for both groups to live and raise their animals. Abram decided to stop the quarrel. (read in full Gen. 13: 1-18)

Most brothers and sisters quarrel at times. We have the Bible to give us examples on how to stop the quarreling: Abram and Lot gave a perfect solution. Give the other person first choice, be satisfied with what is left, no name-calling and no hitting (with insult or slander).

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

GOD’S OLIVE TREE (2)

  

RE-CAP: When Paul speaks of "branches," "he is talking about either individuals or nations specifically, but only about the masses of Jew and many Gentiles."

and

God has ceased to call many Jews, instead extending His call mainly to Gentiles, "grafting in" those who believe on Christ.

RESUMING: It is unnatural to graft wild olive branches into a cultivated tree. The Jews were natural branches in that they were "set-apart ones," part of the people to whom God gave great gifts and blessings (Rom.9:4-5). But these things constituted only the outward call to faith. In His providence, God has now chosen to allow most Jews to remain in their sin and to call many Gentiles to faith in Christ. And so, the Gentiles came out of their spiritual darkness and became partakers "of the root and fatness of the olive tree.," As Paul put it earlier in Romans, they became spiritual children of Abraham, the father of the faithful (4:13-18).

CORAM DEO

We Gentiles ought to consider again the blessings we enjoy as we partake of the "the root and fatness" of the household of faith: adoption by God, the presence of God, the covenants, the law, worship, divine promises, a magnificent heritage (Rom. 9:4-5), and much more. Let’s take time today to thank God for grafting us to His olive tree.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist/Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org