[Faith-talk] Chapter 8 of my novel

[Gloria G]

I am really enjoying your novel so far.
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Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 3:42 PM
Subject: [Faith-talk] Chapter 8 of my novel


> Chapter 8
>
> "What do you mean; we're expecting a new Pastor Ed? We haven't even 
> received
> any applications, figured out a salary or found a way to pay this balloon
> payment! How are you going to make that kind of announcement to the 
> church?"
>
>
> "Ed's back stiffened at the tone of Ben's voice. Ben I had to. Right 
> before
> the service I heard the vice governor tell a group of folks that if 
> Richard
> was going to be continuing to speak here, he wouldn't stay here. Richard
> apoased his election by doing all of those campaigns against him a few 
> years
> ago. We can't afford to lose someone like the vice Governor. We have 
> members
> who come just to see him alone. I had to say something, or we would have
> lost him, and with you bungling up the books we can't afford to lose him!"
>
> Ben in voluntarily put his hands over his face and tried to squeeze some 
> of
> the tension out of his mind by slowly moving his fingers over his closed
> eyes and forehead, while at the same time letting out a grown. Ben, what 
> did
> you want me to do? Your bad record keeping has almost crippled us."
>
> Just then footsteps were herd and Richard appeared with a not so pleasant
> expression on his face. Ed looked a little nervous but quickly composed
> himself as he said, "Hey Richard, great message today!" Richard was
> obviously in a temper, which could be seen by the accelerated breathing 
> and
> slightly flared nostrils. "What's going on ED I thought you said I could
> lead the talks here for at least a few months, and now you get up in front
> of everyone and make me look like a fool? People from the college come 
> here
> just to hear me; I have even given school assignments based on me being 
> here
> for the semester."
>
> A small spark of indignation rose up from the ashes of Ben's once fiery
> faith as the thought arose somewhere in his mind, "This isn't an academic
> platform, or some political arena, this is supposed to be the house of 
> God."
> As quickly as the spark flickered it was put out and smoldered by the 
> years
> of ashy residue which had accumulated over time with its routine religion
> rather than a relationship which was not routinely attended to in order to
> become strengthened with the constant communication with the Lord and His
> ways.
>
> Ed forced out his excuses, he hated to have to explain anything that might
> be taken as an apology, because that meant that he had done something 
> wrong,
> and that was impossible in his mind. "Richard, running a church is a 
> complex
> business and things can often change overnight. The fact is we have to 
> make
> sure that the congregation is happy, and right now some of the 
> congregation
> isn't pleased with the fact that you are giving messages here." "I all 
> ready
> know who you are talking about Ed! That vice flop of a governor can't 
> stand
> me! What, did he expect me to support his rigid fundamental views during 
> the
> election?"
>
> Ed's feet nervously shuffled back and forth as he thought how he might
> appease the highly charged professor. But before Ed could construct an
> acceptable spin to put on the situation Richard twisted up his face and
> said, "so long Ed, you won't see me in this circus tent again to be your
> clown!" With that said he turned and stomped off.
>
> This was a blow that Ed was not prepared to receive. Ben could not even 
> look
> at Ed. Ed's shoulders drooped but only for a split second and then his 
> face
> took on a spiteful glare of its own. Before either could speak, more
> footsteps were herd coming down the hall. A pretty figure dressed in an
> autumn colored dress with thick stockings looking somewhat old fashion
> appeared, but with a face that was as bright as the sun and as young as 
> the
> morning dew, it was Alli.
>
> "Hello you two. I heard you say that we will be getting a new pastor. It
> sounds exciting. Can you tell me a little about him?" Ed started to speak,
> and Ben feeling that Ed was going to continue to spin his thread of
> falsehoods promptly cut him off and said, "Alli, we have a problem, we
> haven't found a pastor yet." Alli looked a little bewildered a she stared
> back and forth between the two. "But I thought Ed said." "Yes Ed did say
> that, but he made a mistake, and that mistake has left us without anyone,
> Richard has decided to leave."
>
> Ben would not have typically been so blunt, but he was overcome with a 
> wave
> of righteous indignation and was seeking to chasten Ed, and he felt that a
> bit of shame might serve. It was true, Ed was embarrassed, but whether or
> not any genuine fruit could be gathered from his discomfiture was yet to 
> be
> seen. Perhaps a consoling hand on the shoulder may have done more, but 
> both
> shame and a turn of compassion can do a work that leads to the same end,
> that is, a desire to be at the feet of the Father to receive His
> forgiveness. So often shame and compassion work hand in hand to draw the 
> man
> who has been choked by riches or the woman cot in adultery out of their
> dissolution into the reality of their sin and the perfect love of the Son 
> of
> Man. When your "Shame has found you out," what other refuge can be safely
> reached and actually console and nurture the barren heart?
>
> Alli, a bit startled to find the two            elders of the church in 
> such
> apparent conflict with each other, but not inclined to pry, impulsively
> said, "I might know where to find a pastor." Both men involuntarily opened
> their eyes a little wider, looking at Alli as if she was an Alien. Ed, the
> first to recover said, "Oh really?" His words dripped with sarcasm. Ben 
> felt
> like hurling his roe ton form into Ed, he hadn't been angry for a long 
> time,
> but Ed didn't have any ground to stand on and Ben didn't want Ed's haughty
> conceit to snap this last thread of hope.
>
> Ben mustered up his courage and said, "Well that is a surprise Alli. What
> can you tell us about him?" At this point Alli was a bit perplexed because
> as she attempted to put the relationship into words, she came to the
> realization that she had just briefly met Luke, and only checked in on him 
> a
> few times. Even though this was the case, she instinctively was drawn  to
> his calm and yet confident manor, so she plunged ahead and told them as 
> much
> as she could about Luke and what she knew of his work in the village, 
> along
> with an account of how he came to be at the hospital.
>
> Ben's eye brows raised a little throughout the story, a little impressed
> here and there, and a little surprised as well. Ed felt that by the whole
> account that Luke sounded like a small time laymen who had taken a liken 
> to
> the quiet village life, and was content to labor amongst a few uneducated
> natives, for that was how Ed characterized most Alaska natives. Ben on the
> other hand was now as desperate as he had ever been, and said, "Can you 
> set
> up a meeting with him?" Ed had strong objections, and could argue over
> anything that he didn't suggest, but at this point of the game what could 
> he
> do. They were near financial ruin, in the process of cutting costs and had
> just lost their temporary speaker. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try this
> village bumpkin out for a few weeks, and who knew, perhaps they could get
> him to work for half price.
>
> Later on that afternoon Alli made her way back to the hospital to see 
> Luke.
> Walking into the hospital she received a questioning look from the
> supervising nurse because it wasn't her shift and she never made social
> calls to any of her fellow workers and all of the staff new as much and 
> they
> also knew that Sundays were a non work day for Alli. Alli feeling a little
> abashed stammered out her desire to talk to Luke, and the supervising 
> nurse
> gave a small nod of consent.
>
> As she made her way to the room she heard voices talking in low tones. She
> lightly tapped on the door, which was answered by Marvin who was looking
> better since the last time she had seen him. He greeted her with a small 
> up
> turn of the corners of his mouth, which were the only indication of a 
> smile,
> but besides that point of politeness he seemed rather reserved and stand
> offish to her. The Alaska native generally may not be used to showing the
> same type of excited and warm outward emotions as other cultures, but 
> other
> gestures of affection accompany their culture that often prove to be a
> stronger bond than your typical quick surges of outward emotion.
>
> Upon entering the room she found Luke sitting up with a bible in his lap 
> and
> a pleasant look on his face. When he looked at her he immediately noticed
> that she was not in her nurse's uniform, and the quaint and simple style 
> of
> her attire was a refreshing sight to his keen eye. He was accustomed to 
> see
> the trendy form of tight fitting pants and low cut shirts on any woman who
> had any semblance of attractiveness whenever he was in a city, so his
> appreciation for the wholesome outfit was stimulated as he glanced up at
> Alli from the words of his bible which lent more value to his observation 
> of
> her clothing as the current passage that he was reading rendered him able 
> to
> admire her modesty in the right way without any polluted overtures.
>
> In contrast to Marvin's seemingly stiff reception a large inviting warm
> smile flashed across Luke's face as he welcomed her, which was instantly
> returned by Alli. Without a word Marvin quietly slid a chair up behind her
> and Luke pointed to it and asked her to take a seat so she could be more
> comfortable.
>
> Alli not knowing how to broach the topic simply said, "So how are you 
> doing
> today?"  "Marvin and I were just fellow shipping and reading the Word."
> Sounds interesting," was Allies reply. Not sure what to say next she
> continued in the same vein, "What were you guys reading about?" At this it
> seemed to Alli that there was a small twinkle in Luke's eyes as he glanced
> down to the text in the open bible on his lap.
>
> "We were looking over an encouraging passage found in Paul's letter to the
> Philippians. It is found in the 4th chapter and begins in the 8th verse,"
> and with this short introduction he started to read in a strikingly 
> personal
> tone, "8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever 
> is
> right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if
> anything is
>
> Excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." After he read the
> passage he slowly raised  his eyes to hers as if he was reveling in some
> delight that Alli wasn't familiar with, and it made her feel somewhat out 
> of
> place, but in spite of the cross feeling she kept her composure and said 
> the
> first thing that came to her mind. "That is a very pretty verse." Beyond 
> the
> quick remark, she gave no more thought to the verse than if she were
> glancing at a billboard on the highway, while for the last hour the two 
> men
> had pored over the verse, lifting their souls up to meet the giver of such
> words and thank their hearts as they meditated on the privileges and
> opportunities that the words offered them.
>
> Unfortunately some, or rather many Christians hold a common place attitude
> similar to a group of spectators who gather to watch a great event 
> commence,
> but do not actually take part in the struggles, preparation, meditations,
> planning, sacrifices and passion of the unfolding scenes. Many hear the
> master's words but are still not acquainted with the depts. and riches of
> the tender love letters of the sacred book, they are those who sit on the
> out skirts with in an arms length of the riches of the bible, but can only
> look at the Holy words with a mild and fleeting understanding. They are 
> like
> a child looking at a post card of a beautiful far off land that though as
> glorious as it looks, is still out of the grasps of the little fingers 
> that
> complacently hold the card, who only too quickly give it a passing glance
> and then sit it down and move on to the next distraction. Thankfully, 
> though
> this may be the current state of many, the work is far from finished, and
> the Master continues to draw His shy and silly lambs to His bosom with
> tender and firm hands.
>
> All though Luke would have liked to have found a more informative response
> from Alli, he only closed his bible in an easy manor, handed it to Marvin
> and then spoke to Alli. "What brings you to our neck of the woods?" 
> "Well--
> I mean-- a, I believe that I heard you say you were a pastor?" Luke had 
> seen
> much in his short life, and expected just about anything to come up, so 
> was
> not thrown off by Alli's nervousness and replied, "Yes, I am considered a
> pastor, is there something that I can help you with Alli?"
>
> Alli had not expected to be so nervous, but she felt like Luke's eyes,
> words, just his whole presents seemed to unsettle her in some way. A 
> strange
> feeling came over her, her tongue felt like it grew one size bigger, and
> wanted to stick to the top of her mouth. How humiliating she felt. She
> seemed to sit there as if mute for at least five seconds while the eyes of
> Luke and Marvin rested on her with patient and sympathetic expectations.
> Little did she know, Luke was silently praying for her to pass whatever
> struggle she seemed to be undergoing. Perhaps an invisible skirmish  was
> taking place behind the hidden vales of the universal battle of good and
> evil, arch fiend and ark angel, but whatever the phenomenon, the struggle
> passed and she was able to speak.
>
> Quickly recomposing herself, she said, "My church is looking for a 
> preacher,
> and I mentioned to two of the elders that I had a patient at the hospital
> that was a pastor." Alli reflecting on the conversation between Ben and 
> Ed,
> remembering that they had said that they were without pastor, all of the
> sudden started to feel an overwhelming  obligation to help fix what she 
> saw
> as a possible crisis for their church, and added, "We have no one to fill
> the vacancy and if--- if!" All of the sudden her eyes filled with tears 
> and
> she started sobbing. Before she knew it Marvin was by her side with some
> cleanex.
>
> Now she felt like she had made a complete fool of herself, and blowing her
> nose, she started to rise. "I apologize, I don't know what's a matter with
> me, and I am usually not like this."
>
> Luke's gentle eyes rested on her with a consoling power that seemed to 
> help
> restore Alli to a more composed state. She was able to sit back down and
> stop the temporary rush of tears. They all 3 sat silent for a few minutes
> and then Luke quietly said, "I would like to meet the board of elders at
> your church and discuss it a little more. I would like to help in any way 
> I
> can, but I am not sure that my views would be accepted by your church."
>
> Luke was from a background of faith that was based on the ultimate 
> obedience
> to Christ's teachings and he lived his life as such as far as his spirit
> could discern, and throughout his life he had found out that many 
> religious
> people were completely opposed to his thoughts and views. His perspective 
> of
> the world was much different than that of many contemporary Christians and
> without vanity, though he did not always think his way the best, he was
> confident enough to stick to his coarse and keep his eyes on the Savior 
> and
> live his life in accordant with that Man who walked by the sea of Galilee.
> For these reasons he did not want to accept a position with such little
> forethought, not giving the church a chance to know who they would be
> excepting as their spiritual guide and he did not want to assume that he
> could even help this church without consulting the Father.
>
>  Alli had mixed feelings at this point. She understood that it would be
> rash to give an answer on the spot, and at the same time she was so drawn 
> to
> this man that she just wanted to
>
> Sit there and look into his heavenly eyes and be in his peaceful presents.
> With the realization of her feelings she inwardly laughed at herself and 
> her
> weakness. What was coming over her? She hardly knew this man and she was
> feeling like he was her father, brother, grandfather and best friend all
> rolled up into one. She shook off the ridiculousness of her feelings and
> assented to the request and left the two men to continue their journey 
> that
> she had so little understanding of.
>
>
>
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