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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write for the BIOGRAPHICAL Genre (12/04/14)
Faith Fighter In Friendship

Born in the small suburban town of Friendship, Arkansas, Sheree Morris had a happy childhood and grew up in what were peaceful times with a family that loved her, friends who encouraged her, a church where she learned of faith in God, love, and peace, and a community that embraced the concepts of family, church, and unity.

Although Sheree grew up on the outskirts of town she was quite accustomed to seeing the bright lights illuminating from the city of Friendship on the distant night horizon. She spent many a night in her youth dreaming of visiting such a happening place. Lingering outside until the mosquitoes would run her in; she would watch the twinkling lights and listen to the sound of blasting music mingled with that of blaring car horns as faint echoes of night life in the distant city.

Some of her most memorable moments from youth were of weekends going into the city, where she could see the fancy shops; hair salons, nail salons, department stores, restaurants, car dealerships and the like. She and her mother would greet folk on the sidewalks with a wave and a smile as they sashayed in and out of the various shops. Her favorite being the tasty freeze, because she knew a large vanilla and chocolate swirled ice cream cone awaited her there.

In adulthood her fond memories of her hometown were overshadowed by a scandal from what was perceived by some as an abuse of power within the police force against minorities. Uproar ensued and a new light loomed high in the skyline with a fiery orange hue that was not in celebration of the happy times of night life in the city, but a tumultuous time of rioting and looting. The sounds coming from the great metropolis were not sounds of music or car horns any more, but of bombs exploding, buildings crumbling, and police sirens howling.

Such sights and sounds brought great anguish for Sheree. The fancy shops were gone. There was nowhere to grocery shop, or to get her hair or nails done, or to buy vanilla and chocolate swirled ice cream cones. Worst of all there were no more waves or smiling faces to greet on the sidewalks of Freedom.


In her anguish, Sheree had prayed and wept for days while hiding in her home, before deciding to start a movement for peace to quiet the storm in her home town. Her desire for the camaraderie to be restored within her community moved her to rally others to pray for peace among its inhabitants.

Being raised in the church, not only did she know the power of prayer, but she also knew many Bible verses by which she lived. So she emailed Bible verses and sent text messages of love, peace, and forgiveness to her family, church members, and friends encouraging them to pray and send the messages to their families and friends as well. She put only positive posts on Facebook and Twitter encouraging other prayer warriors to pray with her for the violence in Freedom to cease. Her posts with messages and video’s went viral and drew the attention of national news media.

During one interview Sheree made the comment, “The church is still strong and will rally together for the peace of God.” The news anchor sadly reminded her that the church had been burned down. Then while looking straight into the camera Sheree confidently said, “We the people are the church! We are yet alive with breath in our bodies, we are strong and we will rally together! That building was only a place where we chose to meet. Although the building was burned down we; the church still stand! We believe in the sovereignty of God in every situation and we pray that the people will turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it as commanded in The Word of God. By faith we believe that the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”

Sheree’s comments and efforts caused her to be dubbed the “Faith Fighter” in Freedom. Her efforts to overcome violence with peace earned her the Christian Nobel Peace Prize, and induction into the Peace Hall of Fame. Sheree continues to date to rally believers around the world for the cause of Christ during tumultuous times. She has become a world renowned peace consultant,training in peace negotiations within churches, families and communities.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 691 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
12/11/14
Such an interesting and inspiring story. WEll done.

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
12/12/14
Interesting and engaging story. I did notice that the town's name switched from Friendship in the beginning to Freedom later on. I wasn't sure if this was intentional or an oversight. Thanks for your entry.
Larry Whittington
12/13/14
This is a very well written article - full of thought.

We need more Sherees who will promote God through FaceBook and promote the fact that it is God who give us our talent, abilities and interests.

And along with this, we are despising God's gift to us when we do not use the talent, abilities or interests that he has given to us. Shame on us.

Keep writing with your heart in heaven and your eyes in his word.
Sheldon Bass 
12/16/14
Oh wow, there is some really good stuff here. With some polishing this could easily be published. I hope to offer some encouraging suggestions towards that end.

When Sheree looked straight into the camera is a powerful moment, and one I would take time to describe in greater detail. You had the right idea to show her resolve and courage, but expound on that a little more to show us what she is feeling and her determination. Remember throughout to allow your readers to feel like they are right there in the story. Include: Sights, sounds, smells, body language, etc. What was she smelling in the shops and how did she respond to it? Did she close her eyes, tilt her head back and linger for a moment taking in the wonderful aromas of vanilla, mint and chocolate? New fabric smells, hair and nail salon chemicals? Did a chill run up her spine and make her tingle with fright over the bombs going off?

I hope that will give you some ideas, either for this or your next great entry. You have a remarkable talent and I pray you continue to stretch and challenge yourself to grow as a writer. I can't wait to read your next one!
C D Swanson 
12/18/14
Congrats on a great piece.

God BLess~
Sheldon Bass 
12/19/14
Congrats! I'm delighted that you took the prize for this well written entry!
Ashley Nicole 
12/28/14
I like this! At first, the girl's life was sounding too good to be true or of any real interest to me - and so I was wondering where the article was headed. When the tone changed from pleasant sites and smells to those of unrest, I appreciated the contrast you had built into the piece, evoking sadness for the turn of events. These events sound familiar to current events.

Within the chaos and loss, you effectively illuminated hope in God, and I personally appreciated the reminder of God's sovereignty.

Congrats!