When Kings Go Out To Battle

Dear Friends,

I find myself this Wednesday morning, April the 30th, sitting at my desk keenly aware of the fact that I haven’t written a word for today’s podcast.

Since the podcast of two weeks ago, Brothers & Sisters in Christ,* I’ve been preoccupied with my day job (and often nighttime!) as a dramatist. Specifically, as many of you know, I’ve been working on the development of a feature film, Mr Unknown, with my colleague at TGA Productions in Newport Beach, Dr. Sam Mayhugh, its CEO. We still have a long way to go to get it made, but “bit by bit, piece by piece,” we’re making progress. Often, though, it’s easy for the artist in me to become obsessed with the creative work at hand. While nothing gives me greater satisfaction than publishing The Church’s One Foundation, I can relate to the obsessive part of being OCD on occasion, which can interfere with a timely publication. Mea culpa.

But this affords me an opportunity to share another project with you that is close to my heart. In 2020, Dr. Mayhugh and I co-wrote the book, The Odyssey of King David—God’s Broken Vessel (beautifully illustrated by Amy Zaleta Martinez), still available on Amazon and other outlets (https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-King-David-Broken-Vessel/dp/1664201505). Drawing extensively from our book, in 2023 I wrote a one-man-show on the life of David, When Kings Go Out To Battle. It was meticulously researched, paying close attention to the books of 1 and 2 Samuel as a primary source, and, as a secondary one, to Robert Alter’s book, The David Story, unparalleled in its insight. Yes, I’ve taken “dramatic license” in writing it, but always with the intention of illuminating the text, never diminishing nor distorting it. Of the seven one-person shows I’ve written, performed and produced (from John Wesley to Dietrich Bonhoeffer), the magnificent story of Kind David of Israel challenges me as nothing has in many years.

It is time, I believe, for a final revision of the script, an audio/play version, and a professional mounting of the play, Deo volente. I am asking you, dear listener and reader, to join me in prayers for the strength (I’m not a “spring chicken” anymore!), the sustaining inspiration, and the resources necessary to finish this creative project. While not obsessed with it, I am under a spiritual mandate to see it through to completion.

In way of a teaser, below you will find a few moments taken from the early part of the play, suggesting what an audio/play version would be like. It was recorded very low-budget with my $69 dollar mic here at the house, and then underscored, without any editing yet, by the talented composer, Amanuel Zarzowski, whom I’m hoping will underscore the entire production for us.

Give the recording a few seconds for the music to lead you into an early movement of When Kings Go Out To Battle. There’s much more to come later in the full play, which moves past a Sunday-school version of David's story, revealing an intimate portrait of him in all of his humanity—sharing, in the first person, his doubts and fears, then ultimately celebrating his relentless faith in the unfailing love of God, which endures forever! Thank you for listening, and…

Thank You for Joining Me on the Journey!

D. Paul

The Church’s One Foundation Is Jesus Christ Her Lord!