Our Stories of Relentless Obedience: Our Stories

By Deborah Gatchel

They arrested Peter three days after they killed my James. Johanna and I, the widow and the soon-to-be widow, comfort each other while the rest pray for Peter's release. Then Peter is there in the room. I should be happy for Johanna, but it's not fair.
Meet some of your favorite Bible characters as they tell their stories of pain, despair, anger, and relentless obedience. You'll find their lives weren't much different than yours.

These twelve short stories are perfect for family time, Sunday School, or your personal quiet time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eternity Imprints
• Release date: Nov 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223325468

Deborah Gatchel

Deborah is a dedicated Christian, wife, mom, and homeschooler. She holds a Bachelor's in education from Southern California College (now Vanguard University) and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. She actively serves in her local community and has ministered in Ghana, West Africa. Alongside her husband, Daniel, they are raising five daughters, three of whom have graduated from their homeschool.

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Copyright © 2023 by Deborah Gatchel

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Deborah Gatchel has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Oral readings of this work are allowed for non-commercial purposes, provided that 1) the author is verbally acknowledged, and purchase information is made available to the audience, and 2) if the reading is disseminated electronically, it does not constitute more than 10% of the total production. Any use outside of these limits requires express, written permission from the author.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

First edition

Interior art © Christina Gatchel

Maps from BibleMapper.com

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May I introduce you to your favorite Bible characters

I had the most amazing Sunday school teacher through my elementary school years. She also happened to be my mom. She regularly reminded us that the characters in the Bible were real people with real lives and real struggles. They felt fear, relief, anger, bitterness, and joy. The snippets of their lives that we read in the Bible didn't happen in isolation. Many of the lessons we learn in history class were happening at the same time that the Bible was being written. While Naaman was being healed of leprosy, Homer was writing the Iliad and Odessey. Rome was founded a few years before Sargon II of Assyria conquered the Kingdom of Israel. About the time the Exiles returned from Babylon, the city of Pompeii was founded.

My mom's influence on my understanding of scripture planted the seeds of Our Stories. As I read the Bible, even the boring genealogies and prophesies, I find myself wondering about the people and places listed. What were their lives like? How did they react to the prophets? Where were their children? Why wouldn't they listen? How did those who did listen feel about being included in the punishment? As I consider their lives, their story is born.

Most of Our Stories are told from the perspective of the supporting Biblical cast, so Noah's wife tells us about the flood and Naaman's servant recounts his master's journey to healing. Some stories you won't find in the Bible, such as Shadrach's account of meeting Nebuchadnezzar in Jerusalem before he is taken to Babylon.

The stories are not scripture and should never take the place of Bible study nor be used to establish doctrine. Always read the scriptural account of the incident for a complete understanding of the Word of God. With that established, I pray Our Stories do help you relate to the people in the Bible and better understand how their stories are not much different from ours. If you would like a deeper understanding of the Biblical, cultural, and historical context of each story, you can download the study guide from the Eternity Imprints website.

Grab a cup of tea and get ready to hear from some of your favorite Bible characters.

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Dig Deeper

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about the historical and cultural details of the stories, check out the "Dig Deeper" section of my website, www.eternityimprints.com.

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Washed Away

Genesis 6-7

Everything changed the year Mama died. Noah’s Mama, not mine.

One of the neighbors set fire to the field. Mama died putting it out. I was left as the only woman with my boys: Noah, Papa, and Grandfather. Noah’s Papa and Grandfather, not mine.

I spent my days cooking for my family, tending a small garden, spinning wool, and weaving it into beautiful fabric. And I always kept an eye out for neighbors. Nothing was safe from them. One day, while I was fetching water, someone broke up my loom and tossed my yarn into the trees. They took the plow and scattered all the seeds we had saved for planting. Another time, I went to town to sell my tapestries. I was attacked and all my goods were destroyed. The elders refused to do anything about it. I never went back.

I didn’t need to. I had my boys. Papa and Grandfather did most of the fieldwork while Noah kept the flocks and herds. He would come home and talk about the cows and sheep as if they were people – how they got in a fight over a particular clump of grass or how two lambs played chase with him all afternoon. His eyes sparkled when