same heart has been the joy of my life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book is a long journey which for me began in 2007 when the Lord inspired me to try and take the truth of Scripture about the invisible conflict that goes on around us and picture it in such a way that people could have a better understanding of this reality which affects their daily life. My attempt has in some cases been futile, but hopefully what is shared within the pages of the book is Biblically accurate and will open eyes to help answer the why questions for much of what we face today.
Many people have encouraged and helped me along the way. In 2007, Matt and Kim Clark read each chapter as the book progressed giving me valuable input and perspective as the story and characters developed. As a trial lawyer, I was used to telling stories and being sure that the stories matched the evidence, but as this book continued the characters took over the story and drove it in surprising directions. Later others including Mel Sauder and Jerry Jagoda would read revisions, there were seven in all, and similarly gave input and encouragement.
For me, the “hero” in this process has been my editor, Catherine Barrack whose insight and discernment was invaluable. Her maturity as a Believer enabled her to ask the right questions to be sure that the story did not go beyond what was Biblically possible as have others who attempted to write similar stories. Her skill and sensitivity gave new life to some of the characters at critical points in the story and gave me insight that only a third person reading the story can give. It is a much-improved story because of her partnership in the process.
Special thanks must also go to Buzz Leonard, who introduced me to Bryan Heathman and Made for Success Publishing. They quickly understood what I am trying to do and have been helpful at each stage of the process working patiently with a first-time author.
Ultimate thanks go to the Lord, who despite me having stage four cancer has enabled me to finish the book in between this past year of chemo treatments. I am hopeful that the book will bless the reader even as writing it has blessed and taught me. If it does bless you, please share it with others.
INTRODUCTION
“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
—2 Corinthians 4:18
“WHY ME?” OR “why not me?” are questions which seem to pervade life for all of us. Much of what we face at times seems unfair and totally beyond our control. Often our best efforts are not enough, or we succeed when we know we should have failed. Is there some purpose at work in our lives beyond mere chance? Could there be something beyond our control, something of which we may be completely unaware that influences the decisions we make and arranges the circumstances we face? If there were, that would provide the answer to much that cannot be explained in our lives.
The Bible speaks of parallel worlds–one visible, the other invisible. They are said to exist separately, but not independently. We are told that in our lifetime we occupy the physical world, the place of flesh and blood. The other world is described as being spiritual and is inhabited by eternal beings invisible to us who are in constant conflict over control of the physical world and those who live there. The frightening thing for us who live in the physical world is that if the Bible is true, the invisible can influence us and the events that affect our lives without us even being aware of their activities. When we die, we leave the physical world and occupy our place in the spiritual world, having become one of the invisible. The answer to the question “what happens then” is beyond the subject of this book, although our story will picture some who make the transfer from one world to the next. For them, the answer will be obvious, as will the reason for their future placement.
The author asks that as you read this book, you be willing to assume that the Bible is true and that what it says about the visible and invisible is, in fact, the reality in which we live. You are invited to consider what you would see if the curtain which separates the visible from the invisible were suddenly opened, revealing the conflict, tactics and methods of the opposing forces–and how they actually impact your life.
The reader is cautioned that although this is a work of fiction, it often crosses the line to truth if what the Bible teaches is true–not in personalities or in the events described, but in how those events would be viewed if we could actually see everything that happened as it happened in both the visible and invisible worlds simultaneously. For those willing to search for the truth about what really affects their life, this book will be an adventure.
As a reader, you will also no doubt find descriptions that may be personal as your eyes are opened to the forces said to be daily contesting over you. It is the author’s hope that the events detailed herein, and the characters’ response to those events, will help you to better understand the biblical view of the reality of the world in which we live, so that if it is true, you can live in response to what is and not be a victim of what it only seems to be.
Draw your own conclusions, but be open-minded to the reality of the invisible. It unquestionably exists and impacts everything we do.
Chapter 1
The Fight for Friday
Wednesday, February 13–MD minus 26 days
Everything accelerated in the visible and invisible worlds as America careened toward the fast approaching MD date. Powers wrestled over events they could see coming, from the planning for the Thursday attack on Kingdom Daycare to MD now scheduled for March 11th. As important as these events would be, the only day of true significance was Friday when America and Americans would be required to consciously choose whose side they were on. It was D-Day, “Decision Day,” and America’s future depended on those decisions. Unfortunately, few truly understood what was at stake.
Some had already decided. The president had made his choice and issued the call for America to follow him in prayer and humbly choose God. The Senate majority leadership had made their decision; they would ignore the president’s call and continue with business as usual. For them, religion was a “private matter” that should not interfere with their politics. At that moment in history, they saw what they perceived to be a vulnerable president and were circling in for the kill.
Businesses had to decide whether they would allow their employees a day off on Friday — the day for national prayer. Workers had to determine what they were willing to do and at what cost. Churches had to decide whether they wanted to have services on Friday where people were to gather and confess sins. The word “sin” had become the most unpopular word in modern American Christianity. Who could lead such a service since those who called themselves Christians were not in agreement on what was sin? But then again, many of them weren’t born again, so how could they know? Those without the guidance of the light inside argued over what was acceptable, ignoring what the Bible called sin. For them, confession would be impossible because they didn’t consider their conduct to be wrong.
The battle in the invisible world centered in America, for the forces of darkness recognized the opportunity to turn America further away from God. The hoard of Keepers and Tempters were released in all directions in an attempt to influence every person in America to reject the president’s call as unimportant and inconvenient. He was pictured as a “good man” who was becoming a little fanatical about his religion. After all, hadn’t the so-called leader of the enemy offered to meet and discuss peace? There was really no need to call out to God to help America. He was obviously already helping.
Likewise, Guardians and Providers acted to draw every person in America to join with the president, or at least make a reasonable choice whether to stand before the Lord with some understanding of its importance. The battle raged person by person; dividing homes, families, and friends. It was like oil and water as the two views found no place to compromise. Either it was important to stand before God and seek forgiveness for offenses to God, or it was neither important nor necessary.