A sequel to “Jamie and the Lazarus Theory”
This story, in two parts, tells what happened to Jamie Button, the young A level student, after his Coffee Shop conversation with Charlie Parker. That story, “Jamie Button and the Lazarus Theory” was posted on the blog earlier in March this year. Jamie’s discussion with Charlie seemed a poor replacement for the planned first meeting with a potential new girlfriend, Lauren – but she had not turned up! His conversation with Charlie took on a new significance as it ended with him unexpectedly becoming a Christian!
In today’s new story Jamie begins to learn more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He finds himself in not one but two new relationships! But first he gets some parental advice!
Jamie, Lauren and God
Part 1: Jamie gets some parental advice
I wasn’t expecting Lauren to phone, but she did. I was halfway up the High Street, heading home when the phone went. I hadn’t put Lauren in my contacts – we hadn’t exchanged phone numbers yet. I wondered how she had my number, but I was quietly pleased that she did.
But I recognised her phone number from those texts she had sent me earlier. Especially that last one, the one that just said: “Praying for you! Lauren.”
I pressed “Reply”, my heart suddenly beginning to thump. I stuttered a “Hi Lauren. It’s good to hear your voice!”, aware that it didn’t sound like the normal me speaking.
There was a pause. And then: “Jamie, something has happened this morning, hasn’t it?”
I nodded. Then I realised Lauren couldn’t see me. I needed to say something. I blurted it out: “Lauren! Today, about 20 minutes ago, I became a Christian. I gave my life to Jesus!”
For a moment it was quiet. Then Lauren spoke. “Jamie, I’ve been praying for this day! That you would become a follower of Jesus! Ever since we first met, I’ve been praying for you every night – and sometimes behind your back at College, that He would become your friend too!.” She continued: “So how has it happened?”
“It all happened so quickly, Lauren! I still can’t believe it! And I never thought I would hear myself saying this, but the whole event was just one supernatural thing after another. I’m a scientist for goodness sake. I don’t, well didn’t until this morning, believe in such things! But Lauren, can we meet up! We need to discuss this – me and you, and God! What about tonight?” The questions poured out, but even as I suggested meeting I realised I was already invited to supper with Charlie and his wife.
“ Oh, I can’t I’m afraid! I’ve just promised someone I met in the Library, to go and have a Chinese takeaway with her tonight.”
I heaved a sigh of relief, but at the same time I was disappointed we couldn’t get together today. But then Lauren came up with a suggestion! “Why don’t we meet up at my church tomorrow morning? Then after the service we can spend some time together, just the two of us.? What do you think?”
I found myself nodding again. “OK, that sounds a plan! Where shall we meet and when?”
“I’ll text you the details of where we meet and wait for you outside the church. Jamie, I’m so looking forward to this!”
“Me too! But what on earth is happening to me? Lauren, this was not how I planned my life to unfold at all!”
I heard her laugh. “OK, see you tomorrow! I must get back to the Library to finish writing my essay – its due in at nine am on Monday morning and I don’t work on a Sunday! So bye for now! See you tomorrow…. I’m excited Jamie!”
“Me too!” was all I managed before she disappeared.
Oh my! I had lots of unanswered questions! And the thought flashed into my head that maybe life was getting a bit too exciting. But then I quickly abandoned that idea, because suddenly life seemed full and purposeful, in a way I had never experienced before.
I continued my walk up the High Street and then turned left into our road. In a couple of minutes I would be home – and I would have some explaining to do to my Mum and Dad. Goodness knows how they will respond to my news!
Our two cars were parked on the drive, so I guessed both Mum and Dad were at home. I let myself in the front door and called out, “Is anyone in?”. “We’re in the kitchen Jamie, having our pre-lunch Prosecco. Can I pour you one?” – that was my mother. “Or something stronger perhaps? “ – that was my father. He knew I didn’t drink alcohol, but he always asked – it was a sort of veiled criticism.
“No thanks”, I said, “I’ve been drinking coffee all morning.”
“With that Lauren girl?”- that was my Mum again; she took great interest in my non-existent love life. Dad was less interested– anything that was a distraction for my studies was a bad idea as far as he was concerned. “Just concentrate on Cambridge!” were his words of advice at every available opportunity!
“Sorry, Mum, but no Lauren!”
I joined them at the kitchen table. My lament at missing Lauren was greeted with an audible side relief from Dad and a disappointed look on Mum‘s face. I realised this was going to be an interesting conversation, but I decided to tell them exactly what had happened.
I launched straight in: “So I was due to have my first coffee ever with Lauren, but she couldn’t make it. Somehow, instead, I got into conversation with a chap called Charlie. We got talking about God and Jesus and, and I can only say it was miraculous, supernatural, but at the end of two coffees, a large piece of cake and a long discussion, Charlie helped me become a Christian. And tomorrow I’m meeting up with Lauren to go to her church.”
There was a stunned silence. Then Mum said “Oh!” and Dad helpfully added, “So you found religion and a girlfriend all in one morning – that sounds like a recipe for academic disaster!”
I had no real answer to that. Because it was true that my mind was full of Jesus and Lauren, and, at that moment, nuclear physics was relegated to the far recesses of my mind.
I answered: “The thing is that my whole outlook on life has changed and I see the rest of my life opening up before me, full of excitement and challenge and purpose. I can feel a purpose to my life that I’ve never experienced before!”
Dad grunted in that disgruntled manner that only he could. “Jamie! Stay away from these cults, they are only after your money!”
Mum was very quiet. Dad looked at his watch. “I have a round of golf to play, so any further discussion will have to wait till later on. Then he reiterated what he said before: “Jamie, I say it again; stay well clear of all this, it will distract you and ruin your life if you aren’t careful!”.
He got up from the table, went into the hall to put on his golfing shoes, and then I heard him open the front door and fling his clubs into the car boot. He drove quickly away. Whoops!
I looked across at Mum. “That was a bit of a bombshell, Jamie! So sudden! But your Dad is right – be very careful.”
There was a pause, then: “So this Laura, is she a Christian too?” I nodded. “It’s Lauren, Mum! Believe it or not, Mum, she’s been praying for me every day, that I will become a Christian! And then to cap it all, Charlie arrives in my life already knowing things about me, and Lauren; things that he couldn’t possibly know except supernaturally. He called it a word of knowledge – I think that’s what he said. And he has an infectious and enthusiastic approach to Christianity that just exuded truth and love. That’s the only way I can describe it!”
Mum listened carefully. Then she said, “Jamie, I haven’t even told your father this, but when I was your age I too got involved in Christianity. I was as excited as you are, but all it led to was abuse from a priest who I initially trusted but shouldn’t have. There were rules and regulations, ways of doing things I had to try to follow. It was difficult, but the priest was friendly – too friendly! And quickly he became quite abusive. At first the abuse was just verbally suggestive, but then it became physical. And so I ran, ran as far and as fast as I could, from any form of religion and church attendance. And although I still believe in God, there is no way, even after all these years, that I could ever go into a church again. So please Jamie, be very careful who you get involved with, who you decide to trust. Don’t make the same mistake I made. Please!”
I looked across at Mum, her nearly empty glass of Prosecco tightly grasped in her hand, her eyes moist with tears. My heart went out to her. “Oh, Mum! I’m so sorry. I didn’t know! But I promise I will be very careful. I have been invited to dinner with Charlie and his wife tonight, so I will be able to ask them the questions we both need answers to. I will be careful Mum. For your sake as well as mine!”
I hugged her and disappeared up to my room to think and to do some research.
******
The afternoon that was scheduled to be Physics revision, changed to wondering what I had done and wanting to know more about this Christianity and the man Jesus. I looked through my parents’ book collection for a Bible – but in vain. Then just as I was about to turn to the internet there was a text message from Charlie, confirming dinner at their house tonight, starting at half past six. I googled the name of the church Charlie had spoken about. Mum’s word of warning had saddened me and I needed to know what I was getting involved in. The short description on the website was helpful but brought another question: “We are a Spirit-filled family church for people of all ages and all backgrounds.”
“All ages and all backgrounds” didn’t sound at all cliquey or like the cult my Dad had mentioned in our short conversation. But what was this Spirit-filled bit all about? I tried to remember what Charlie had said that morning – I knew I should have taken notes! All I remembered clearly was Charlie more than once talking about someone or something called “Holy Spirit”, that showed him things he could not have known and was an important part of his life. I resolved to ask more about this at dinner tonight.
My thoughts then turned to my short but exciting conversation with Lauren – and how I was so looking forward to meeting her tomorrow morning, at church. And finally I found myself mulling over the reactions of my Mum and Dad. And then I guess all the excitement of the morning caught up with me, and I fell asleep, fully clothed, half way though the afternoon, on my bed.
********
To be continued. The second part of the story will be posted on the blog next Monday. It tells of Jamie’s meeting over an evening meal with Charlie and his wife Becca and the start of some new relationships.
All references are from the NKJV unless specified otherwise.
John Partis
bearing-kingdom-fruit.com
Text copyright © John Partis 2026
John Partis asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
