Little Rock, Big God

Little Rock 9

“But here’s the real reason my heart is so free,
I don’t fight for God. My God fights for me.”

~ Little Rock, Big God

I have the Dr. Seuss gene. I’m not sure which oddball aunt or uncle bequeathed it to me, but it’s definitely there. So when a church asked me to retell the Bible story about the wharton-finds-a-whatzit_340_340ancient Hebrews living off a strange substance called manna (literally, “what is it?”), I came up with a version entitled Wharton Finds a Whatzit. That story, with Seussical pictures by my illustrator wife Trudy, has since been used as a teaching tool by hundreds of churches.

Then I decided to re-tell the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The essence was this: David, a zealous young musician in love with his creator, reversed the all-too-human formula of fighting for God. When a giant Philistine snarked, “I’m called Goliath and I would just love for someone who’s anxious to die to come up here and face me and fight me today!” David fearlessly offered to go.

Little Rock 13“Shut up, shepherd boy!” they all said. “It’s too late!
There’s no one that big. We’re all doomed! Terminate!”
But David just grinned and said, “Gee, now, that’s odd,
‘cuz there’s someone way bigger than him, and that’s God.”

Little Rock 12Confident this was God’s battle, David refused sword, spear and armor, marching up the hill with nothing but a few stones and a sling.

“I fight for my gods!” roared Goliath, “but Jews have only one God!” David answered, “That’s true. But here’s the real reason my heart is so free,             I don’t fight for God. My God fights for me.”

You probably know the end of the story. But here’s how David sums it up:

Little Rock 16And he said when they asked, “How’d you keep us all safe?”             “I speak softly and carry a really big faith.”

Now that beats fighting for God any day!

To read or download Little Rock, Big God, click here!

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
This entry was posted in Books, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

25 Responses to Little Rock, Big God

  1. joyroses13 says:

    This is great and so glad God fights for me!!
    Also I have always loved Dr.Seuss. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Are you saying that God doesn’t need me to go to war, to kill other nations, to victimize non-believers…..God doesn’t need me to defend God? Oooooh, a path to peace.

    Liked by 4 people

  3. revruss1220 says:

    Excellent! I am glad I read beyond the title to find out what you were up to. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what the capital of Arkansas had to do with God’s size.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Have you ever wonder, if you were born in some Muslim majority country you will be a Muslim and you would be preaching Islam and stories from Quran! If you would have born in Hindu family, you might be preaching Gita or Vedas! Is it not wise to search truth first before starting preaching or even following any religion? Most of us must be wrong because there can only be one true religion from True God.

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Nancy Ruegg says:

    Thank you, Mitch, for the memorable lesson, taught with creativity and humor. ‘Especially appreciate: “Carry a really big faith.” Yes, sir, that’s the bottom line!

    Liked by 3 people

  6. nancyehead says:

    Love this! So engaging!

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Where can I get a copy of this book?

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Chandra Lynn says:

    Perfection! Sharing with my guys tonight.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Your story reminds me of what my mentor, a priest says: Don’t say, Oh God, how big my problem is. Rather, say, problem, see how big my God is.
    I must add that this same priest has fought off cancer that had metastased and is still fighting fit despite a one week prognosis by the docs… All through the power of prayer.. How great is our God!

    Liked by 3 people

  10. My Way Home Life says:

    Clever and sure to hold kid’s attention.😊

    Liked by 3 people

  11. What an awesome team you and your wife make!! Love this!

    Liked by 3 people

  12. YourLastDayOnEarth says:

    Love this! Planning to share this with my bible study group.💛

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Pingback: Whatever you may call it. – Nicolas Heartmann

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