Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • show

    —

    Dana

    I’ll be in Ecuador next week and won’t be able to write. After I sent yesterday’s message, a good friend sent this piece about the show. NBC interviewed us the weekend we tried out and one of my quotes was used at the end of the article. Rock Center comes on tonight with a story on Jeff Foxworthy’s game.

    Have a great weekend!

    Comedian Jeff Foxworthy turns Bible verses into a hit game show

    Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:08 PM EST
    By Jay Kernis
    Rock Center

    “If you don’t know your Bible, you don’t have a prayer!”

    With tongue-in-cheek, so warns comedian Jeff Foxworthy, host of the hit quiz show, “The American Bible Challenge.” About to begin its second season in March, the program broke all records when it premiered last August on GSN, the Game Show Network, debuting as the cable network’s #1 program of all time with 1.7 million viewers for its premiere show, and more than 13 million viewers for the first season.

    “The American Bible Challenge” really is a game show in which three teams of three contestants answer questions based on stories from the Old and New Testament. At the end of the season, the championship team wins more than $100,000. But all prize money goes to the winning teams’ charities of choice.

    QUIZ: Are you smarter than a Sunday school teacher? Take the quiz!

    Foxworthy, the largest-selling comedy recording artist in history, told Rock Center’s Harry Smith that with each question he asks, he must balance being funny with being respectful to the material. He said, “I don’t want to ever hurt anybody’s feelings. I don’t ever want to offend somebody. But there’s, there’s a lot of humor in this, too. And so it’s that fine line of: hey, can we laugh at this, without being irreverent or disrespectful?

    New this season is the addition of gospel star Kirk Franklin, winner of nine Grammy Awards. He leads the on-stage gospel choir and banters with Foxworthy during the show. Franklin told Harry that his work with the choir involves “to just bring a little more sauce to it, you know? Kind of get them out of the Sunday clothes, kind of swag ‘em up a little bit.”

    Casting sessions for the second season were held in Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, Memphis and Los Angeles. Some 223 teams auditioned, including the show’s first two teams of the Jewish faith. One of the teams, “The Rockin’ Rabbis” from New York State is made up of two rabbis and a theological student. Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham said, “We feel like, within the Old Testament, we know what we’re talking about. And we should be able to show that to the rest of the world.”

    WATCH: Comedian Jeff Foxworthy preps for ‘Bible Challenge’ season 2

    All potential contestants had to take a 30-question written test and only if they had high enough scores were hopefuls then taped by casting directors.

    Greater Atlanta Christian School teacher and cancer survivor Dana Davis said that passing the audition test is more than just a chance to be on TV. He explained, “It’s not just about reading the Book, but to know that God cares about us, that he actually walks with us, that he has the power to overcome the things that we have no control over.”

    Editor’s Note: Harry Smith’s full report airs Friday, February 15 at 10pm/9c on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.

  • Psalm 23

    —

    Dana

    Back In December, our athletic director received an invitation to bring a team of coaches to try out for Jeff Foxworthy’s American Bible Challenge game show. Four of us went to a small building in downtown Atlanta to compete for a spot. There were probably thirty other teams trying out too, but being the humble coaches we are, we knew we were the best group there.

    First we had to take a written test on Bible knowledge and we all were sure we scored above 95%. Next we had to interview on camera to allow the decision makers to see how we would handle the bright lights and glory. All four of us were relaxed and comfortable as we answered  questions on camera.

    Not only were there representatives from the game show, but NBC also had representatives in the room who wanted to do a story on the Game Show Network. Deep down we believed NBC and GSN were in the room with a stellar team… smart, witty, good-looking… we were in our element.

    After at least twenty minutes of questions, the interviewer said he wanted us to close with a brief testimony regarding the place the Bible had played in our lives. Tim, Kristy, and Taylor all shared great things, giving credit to parents and teachers who taught Scripture as a way of life.

    I was the last to be interviewed so I decided to share about being diagnosed with cancer in 2000. “As I prepared for a dreaded stem cell transplant in 2001, a dear friend gave me a note that looked like a doctor’s prescription: Read 100 X – Psalm 23. This is the chapter in the Bible that says, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.’” (vv 1-3)

    The dozen strangers in the room were listening intently so I continued, “We all love the Bible and it does contain a lot of trivia, but we want you to know that it is true.

    “Jesus did go with me like a Shepherd through ‘the valley of the shadow of death.’ God is real and his Word gives us life. We’re talking about more than just a book.”

    After we were dismissed, one of the guys from NBC pulled me aside and asked if he could have a word. “First,” he said, “I’m sorry about your health. How are you doing now?” I told him I felt great and was thankful for the last twelve years. The man then looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Was what you said in there true? Is there really a God who walks with you that way?” I had about one minute to encourage him with the the hope we have in Christ.

    We’re still waiting for a call from Hollywood. There are only two possibilities I can entertain: Either they lost our file or we were overqualified. Oh well, I guess ‘that’s show biz…’

    “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever.” Psalm 23:4-6

  • Psalm 121

    —

    Dana

    David often looked up and saw his enemies encamped in the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. When your enemies are in the high places you are at a distinct disadvantage, but David looked beyond the physical.

    I lift my eyes up to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4)

    In another psalm, David lets the mountains remind him of God’s encompassing presence.

    As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:2)

    “Lord, let us think like David… and every now and then, let us see like Elisha.” It was only natural for Elisha’s servant to worry and fret when he saw the enemy all around. “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh, my lord, what shall we do?’ the servant asked.”

    But Elisha saw the supernatural and knew they were safe. “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (see II Kings 6:8-23)

    We know we are to walk by faith and not by sight, but God has an uncanny way of helping his children. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and part of his strategy is for us to encourage and pray for one another. “God is with us!” “His love never fails!” “Let’s not doubt, but believe.”

    The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8)

  • Psalm 143

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    Dana

    I have a friend younger than me who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last Fall. He is finishing up his fourth round of chemotherapy and preparing to go through a stem cell transplant. Though I don’t think King David ever battled cancer, he did face many fierce enemies in his lifetime. His honest songs and prayers give words that my friend (and all of us) can use in dark days.

    The enemy is chasing me, crushing my life in the dirt, forcing me to live in the dark like those who’ve been dead forever. My spirit is weak inside me — inside, my mind is numb. (vv 3-4)

    It is a terrible feeling when your mind is numb. Trauma, intense anxiety, emotional strain, tragic news, or harsh drugs can bring such a state. What do you do when you can’t think? David knew his hope was not in his mental capacities. He cried out to the Lord and lifted up honest pleas to the One he knew holds all power.

    I stretch out my hands to you; my whole being is like dry dirt, thirsting for you. Answer me, Lord — and quickly! My breath is fading. Don’t hide your face from me or I’ll be like those going down to the pit! Make me live again, Lord, for your name’s sake. Bring me out of distress because of your righteousness. (vv 7, 11)

    David also teaches us a discipline to practice in hard times. Though the spirit suffers and the mind is cloudy, we can still dig deep and remember God’s faithfulness.

    I remember the days long past; I meditate on all your deeds; I contemplate your handiwork. (v 5)

    God hears us and answers our heart cry. “Draw close to Me, and I will draw close to you” — these are the words of a perfect Father who can always be trusted.

    Tell me all about your faithful love come morning time, because I trust you. Show me the way I should go, because I offer my life up to you. Teach me to do what pleases you, because you are my God. Guide me by your good Spirit into good land. (vv 8, 10)

    (All Psalms 143 quotes are from the Common English Bible)

  • seed

    —

    Dana

    Early one morning before Christmas, our faculty at school joined in prayer on behalf of two families with sudden life and death health emergencies. We understand God wants us to approach Him in faith… the type of faith that knows He is going to answer. But when the natural evidence is totally negative and our human minds say, “This is hopeless,” it is often challenging to pray with much confidence.

    We’re not the first to struggle with such weakness; the apostles also desired more faith. “Lord, increase our faith,” they said to Jesus one time. We might be tempted to write an essay in response to such a request or hold a conference or at least preach a sermon, but Jesus simply spoke a matter-of-fact sentence. Our faculty read his response before we prayed, recalling that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God.” Another translation reads: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

    Jesus said: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” (Luke 17:6) That was the Word of God to the apostles and the message of Christ to us.

    God answered the prayers we prayed that morning. I believe He has received much glory as many have recounted His faithfulness and power toward these two families.

    Kristhel, Dana, and Kinsey
    Kristhel, Dana, and Kinsey

    A few days later, on New Year’s Eve, two of Karlyn’s friends came to stay at our house during the Passion Conference in Atlanta. Several of us gathered that evening to pray and give thanks for God’s blessings and I shared the story above. The next morning our guests were the first to rise so I prepared a simple breakfast and we visited together.

    These two girls from different countries are going to college as a result of scholarships instituted by the late Sam Walton, who died of multiple myeloma in 1992. Kristhel is from Costa Rica and Edith is from Belize.

    Card
    Card

    As we finished eating, Kristhel said, “I have something for you,” and left the kitchen. She came back with a little card containing a tiny seed with words in Spanish above and below. Fe was above the seed and these words were below: Grano de mostaza. “I carry this in my Bible, but I want you to have it. It is the story you told last night.”

    I’ll carry this gift in my wallet this year… God knows what we need.

    Written on the back of the card: “Es, pues, la fe la certeza de lo que se espera, la coneccion de lo que no se ve.” Hebreos: 11.1

    “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

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