Lucky Larry and God’s Golden Interactive Bible

[NSMinistries]

Lucky Larry and God’s Golden Interactive Bible

By Gary Piper
Wouldn’t it be neat to have a bible that would somehow draw you into the story and be an eyewitness to the stories as they unfold? What follows are the chronicles of Lucky Larry a young boy who is given God’s Golden Interactive Bible as he grapples with life in 2008. So I invite you to turn up the power of your imagination and join Larry (in these fictional stories) as God’s Word comes alive.


Part One: “I’ve got God’s signature”
“Larry your curiosity is going to be your downfall,” Larry’s father said to him. Larry questioned everything his two favorite words were why and what. Why this? Why that? Why does the sun shine? What is the moon made of? What is outer space made of? Why is the world in such terrible shape? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is God? From the time he woke up until the time his eyes closed for the night he asked one question after another.

“There’s something wrong with that boy,” Larry’s father said to his mother one evening after Larry had gone to bed.

Lucky Larry as he was called was your typical 10 year old boy except he was more of a book worm than an outdoorsman. He didn’t look like a geek he just acted like one. Larry’s father was disappointed in him because he had an athletic body and a sponge for a brain, as he called it sometimes. But there really wasn’t anything wrong with Larry he just had a thirst for knowledge.

Larry was given the nickname Lucky because when he was only a baby he had a bout with rheumatic fever and died. But he did not stay dead because someone had other plans for Larry. So from then on he was Lucky Larry. Larry’s mother knew it wasn’t luck that gave Larry back his life. Larry’s father cursed God for making him sick in the first place. Larry knew in the back of his mind there was more to what happened to him than anyone knew. Perhaps that was why he had such an inquisitive nature. At any point that was all about to change shortly.

“No there’s nothing wrong with him he’s just a little bit inquisitive that’s all,” she came back.

“A little bit! He never says anything without a question. It’s not normal Helen, I tell you it’s not normal. He doesn’t need me to be a father he needs me to be an encyclopedia. Sometimes it really gets on my nerves.”

Helen knew something was going on with her husband. Larry was 10 years old and had always been over inquisitive so it was nothing new but this was the first time it had Gene upset this bad. “You’re over reacting Gene. What’s really the matter? What’s going on with you?”

“It’s all the Jesus and God questions. You know that don’t believe in all that Prime Benefactor or what ever they call him. Before all these religious questions I had a pretty good handle on his questions, or at least knew where I could find out at least. But not now! I don’t know nothing about Jesus, God, or the Bible and I don’t want to know. I’ve never needed any of that religious junk and still don’t. Let’s find him a church and let him pester them for awhile.”

Gene’s feelings went much deeper than what he was saying and Helen knew it but she wasn’t going to press the issue any further, “I understand your frustration but you can’t just find a church and that’s that.”

“I can’t. Give me the phone book and watch me,” Gene replied going for the telephone book.

“Not all churches are right Gene. You’ve got to be careful.”

“There’s only one God so what’s the big deal. Here’s one,” he said putting his finger on a line in the phone book, “The First Upright Church of Port Huron. And it’s close by. I’ll call them tomorrow and warn them before sending Larry to feed off them. On second thought I won’t warn them and let them experience him first hand.”

“Gene we should investigate the church first. There may be only one God but there sure are many different ways of thinking about him. Don’t you ever read the paper? Don’t you remember about the Hair Parishioners or whatever they were called? Don’t you remember reading about that last group the Heaven’s Gate Gang or whatever they were called? It’s dangerous out there Gene we’ve got to be careful we don’t want Larry turning into some religious nutcase or worse.”

“We’re sending him there to question and learn not to be converted. Have a little faith Helen. We’ll talk to him in the morning about it. Now let’s watch Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” Gene said turning up the volume on the television set.

“God,” Larry began, “It’s me Larry I know you must be very busy with running the universe and all but Ginny said I should ask you about religious matters. I asked my dad but he knew less than I did so here I am. Ginny also says that the Holy Bible has all the answers so if you’re to busy maybe you can get me a Holy Bible and I won’t have to bother anyone. I have a lot of questions God and I don’t want to hog all your time so other kids can’t ask you things so maybe the Holy Bible is what I’m looking for. Do you have an extra copy God? Oh, before I forget good night from Lucky Larry.” The 10 year old boy rolled over and fell asleep.

“Wake up Larry,” his mother called from the kitchen, “Breakfast is ready so hurry up before your eggs get cold.”

Walking into their modest kitchen, “Morning mom, morning dad,” he was the first to speak.

“Morning, Larry,” Helen replied.

“Morning son,” Gene also replied, “I’ve been giving those religion questions a lot of thought Larry and since neither I nor your mother seem to be any help we’ve come up with another idea.”

“Don’t worry about it dad. I talked it out with God last night and he is going to give me an extra copy of some book called the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible has all the answers to a whole lot of things,” the 10 year old replied.

“You talked to God?”

“Yep, I sure did.”

“Did he talk back to you?”

“Well not really but somehow I know I’m getting a Holy Bible from him,” Larry sounded confident.

Pulling the newspaper in front of his face Gene turned to Helen and whispered, “I told you there was something wrong with him. What are you going to do about it?”

“We’ll talk about it later Gene this is neither the time nor the place. Eat your breakfast Larry it’s getting cold and you don’t like cold eggs.”

“Okay mom. You can chalk these eggs up as history.”

Gene Isaiah looked at his son and smiled, “You really think God, or whoever he is really going to give you a Bible?”

“Yup,” the younger Isaiah answered between bites, “These are sure good eggs mom.”

Before Gene could answer the door bell rang. “I’ll go see who’s at the door this time of the morning,” said Helen heading for the living room.

Seconds later, “Gene you’re not going to believe this,” Helen said, from the living room!

“Believe what,” Gene countered.

“There’s a Bible sitting on the front porch!”

“A what?”

“A big Gold Bible with Larry’s name on it!”

“I knew it. I just knew God would give me a copy of his Bible,” Larry screamed as he headed for the front door!

Gene and Larry arrived at the front door at the same time. Standing in the doorway the three Isaiah’s looked at a big golden book lying on the porch. Sticking out of the book like a book marker was an envelope with Larry’s name on it. Before either parent could say a thing the young boy dashed out the front door and removed the envelope.

“I can’t believe it Helen, I just can’t believe it. Did you put that there?” Gene asked, watching Larry.

“No, I didn’t put it there,” came the reply.

“God put it there,” Larry said opening the envelope!

“God, shmod. There is no God. This is some sort of cruel joke!” Gene said sarcastically.

“No God you say. Well listen to this,” Larry replied opening the letter, “I’ll read it to you!”

“Now you two boys don’t argue,” Helen responded humorously.

“But, Helen. Really? God gave him the book?”

“He did mom, he really did listen to this,” Larry was getting more and more excited!

“Let’s go sit down first,” Helen said moving back into the house, “Pick up the book Gene.”

Gene bent over to pick it up but he couldn’t. No matter how hard he tried the book would not move. “The darn thing is too heavy for me or I’m too weak to lift it,” he said in frustration.

“Lookout dad, God gave it to me maybe I’m the only one who can pick it up,” Larry said pushing his dad out of the way.

The Bible was about 12 inches by 7 inches and was about 4 inches thick and looked very heavy. Embossed across the gold cover in 1 inch letters were the words The Holy Bible. On the left side at the bottom in much smaller letters were the words the Interactive Version. On the right side at the bottom in similar letters were the words Lucky Larry. “Look it’s got my name on it,” Larry shouted!

“It does Helen,” Gene replied.

Bending over, “well I’ll be darned so it does,” she replied.

Not being able to pick up the book Gene tried to open the book but it would not open. It was as if the pages and cover were glued together. Pushing past his father Larry asked, “Can I have my book now?”

“Oh, yea here,” Gene said getting out of the way.

Larry bent over and got a good grip on it and lifted it with ease. “It’s as light as a feather dad! What’s matter getting old are we?” Larry asked, while laughing. After standing up he stopped briefly to open the cover but he, too found it glued shut.

A few seconds later sitting in the living room Gene was the first to speak, “What’s the letter say Larry?” he excitedly asked.

Opening the letter Larry began reading, “Dear Larry. I was glad to hear your prayer last night. I was impressed with how much faith you have I can assure you it was far more than many who go to church. I am lending you a copy of my Bible. This Bible can only be opened by you. Only your parents can know of its existence. It is a special Bible that will be brought to life by my Holy Spirit and is interactive in a very special way. You can only use it in the privacy of your own room there can be no witnesses. You can tell others what you have witnessed but remember you cannot tell them anything about the book. You can not use the book to make to make money, you can not twist the stories, and you can not exploit the characters you will encounter. If you break any of these rules the book will be taken away and you will be punished accordingly. Enjoy your Biblical journey Larry.”

Skipping some the paragraphs Larry jumped to ending, “He signed the letter himself, I’ve got God’s signature,” Larry shouted excitedly!

“Boy! I’ll bet that baby is worth some money,” Gene said sarcastically.

“Are you crazy dad? Didn’t you hear the warning?” Larry quickly replied?

“You don’t believe that mombo jumbo do you Larry? This is some sort of practical joke! Don’t you think so Helen? You don’t believe this crazy letter from a God who doesn’t exist, do you?”

“To tell you the truth I don’t know what to think. It all sounds impossible but there’s something about it that has a feeling of reality. I just don’t know,” Helen countered.

“Well I don’t believe it and that’s that,” Gene replied indignantly, “Gotta get to work see ya’s later.”

“Remember dad, don’t tell anyone a thing about God’s Bible,” Larry called out.

“Don’t worry I don’t want anyone to know how dumb and gullible we are!”

“Mom?”

“Yes, Larry.”

“You believe it don’t you?”

“I don’t know what to believe Larry. I’d like to but it just seems so far fetched. God giving you a Bible and writing you a letter,” came the puzzled reply.

“It’s real mom. I prayed and asked God. He heard my prayer and gave me his special Bible. Can I go to my room now?” Larry asked impatiently.

“Of course you can go ahead,” she replied.

Larry was gone like a bullet fired from a rifle. Entering his room he carefully shut and locked the door behind him. Laying the golden Bible on his bed he opened up the letter again and began reading the rest of it to himself.

“It has been a long time since I have loaned my Bible out,” the paragraph began, “The last time ended in disappointment because the boy who had it used it for purposes other than what it was meant to be. You will not be able to communicate with most of the people you will see and walk with but there will be rare occasions when you will so be careful Larry. Some of the stories you will take part in may frighten you but remember the Holy Spirit will protect you as long as you ask and keep it in your heart. One last reminder do not break any of my rules.” The book was signed “God, the Great I am.”

Larry folded the letter put it back into the envelope laid it on the bed and picked up the book instantly the letter disappeared. With trembling hands the 10 year old question box slowly opened the cover. Larry heard a voice, “Welcome to the world of the Bible. Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime. Your companion will be God’s Holy Spirit and your imagination. The first three parts of your journey have been pre-programmed. Do not attempt to open the pages beyond your present journey. When you are ready please say, ‘Holy Spirit journey one please,’ and your journey will begin. To stop simply say, ‘Holy Spirit stop journey one please,’ and the journey will stop. To start up again say, ‘Holy Spirit resume journey one please,’ and the journey will restart. You will be instructed when to begin journey two. Proceed with journey two when you are ready. Thank you.” The voice stopped. Larry closed the book and just sat on the bed as if in a daze.

“Well what am I going to do now?” Larry asked himself.

“I’m just going to sit here and think about it,” he answered himself.

“Oh, my gosh I’m talking and answering myself.”

“Open the book. Begin the first journey,” he heard another voice whispering in his ear.

“Who said that?” Larry asked looking around.

“Never mind just open the book and lets get on with it,” the voice came back.

“Not till I find out who you are.”

“Oh, all right if you insist. I’m your impatience. Now let’s get on with it!”

“I’m talking to myself again. Just calm down Larry and get a hold of yourself. You’ve got all kinds of time. Take it easy,” Larry tried calming himself down.

Larry bowed his head and prayed, “God it’s me again, Larry. God I’m a little scared......”

He didn’t even get it finished when deep inside he heard a small voice, “Trust my Spirit Larry, trust my Spirit.”

Larry felt a peace like he had never felt before. It started at the top of his head and his feet at the same time and ended in his heart. Try as he could to describe it he couldn’t he just trusted without fear. “Thank you God,” he whispered.

Walking over to his desk and sitting down he carefully placed the bible in front of him closed his eyes and said, “Holy Spirit, journey one please.” Instantly the bible opened itself and Larry watched as page after page turned. Suddenly it stopped.