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The Light of Ki’ Shara

Word Count - 1014

Progress was arduous while peril mounted by the minute! The swamp was humid and musty and the moon played hide and go seek through the tree tops as the couple moved furtively through the brush.

“Ka’diysh, do you really think we’ll get through this?” Sa’nah asked nervously.

“I’ve told you before, where Jzhan Chris'tell guides He provides.”

“But how can we be sure this is the right path?” She questioned.

The older man stopped and looked at his young charge. Taking her by the shoulder, his words were comforting and reassuring. “He's not called The Light of Ki’ Shara for nothing you know, He promised to show the way. He said that His Spirit would teach us and guide us in ALL things and I trust Him. This is what He said to do.”

She knew why her father trusted Ka’diysh. He was the most outstanding of all The Rab Ma’ghi and when offered the Office of High Ma’ghus he respectfully declined so that he could continue serving her family. This so impressed her mother that she asked him to become Sa’nah’s personal Mentor...

The howling snapped Sa’nah out of her thoughts!

Legend had it that the mere howling of a Baewolf was enough to stop a man’s heart!

She understood why!

The sound of each howl released a fear that seemed alive, a liquid terror that seeped through the skin, paralyzing the organs within. As the howling drew closer panic stampeded through her soul – She became rooted with fright.

The first beast leapt into view and Ka’diysh spun, eyes blazing, “FOUL TERROR! I SAY THEE NAY! STOP AND BE STILL!!” His hand outstretched and index finger pointing to a spot directly between the beast's eyes.

It slowed and began stalking. Two more creatures joined and formed a semi-circle around the Adept and the girl.

Ka’diysh had encountered the beasts before; He pulled Sa’nah close, wrapped his cloak around her and squared off with the Black-Hounds of Shi’ades!

The closeness of Ka’diyshs’ body alleviated her fright somewhat so that Sa’nah recovered her motility and peeked from under the cloak.

The beasts all looked the same, pure black with blood-red slits for eyes, saliva dripping off their razor-sharp fangs, with claws that could dismember a man in seconds.

The term “Baewolf” was actually a misnomer, as these creatures had almost nothing in common with traditional wolves. Their names were given on account of their legendary howling but if anything they more resembled the mythical black panther of folklore, although much larger and infinitely more ferocious.

They were growling as they circled now, so deep and low that it sounded like distant thunder.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything distant about the smell. The animals reeked of morbid fear and rotting flesh, a stench so putrid and thick that Sa’nah felt as though it was clinging to her, clogging her nostrils and suffocating her so that mere breathing became an unbearable exercise.

“What are we to do?” She whispered hoarsely.

Her Mentor did not speak. His entire body was tense, lips drawn back showing his clenched teeth, with eyes focused like a laser beam on the lead creature.

“These are no ordinary Baewolves!” Ka’diysh thought to himself. “They’re different, stronger somehow.” His first command should have disabled the leader but it was still moving, stalking... Thinking!

He knew that Baewolves were once humans in the service of The Nameless One, who through sorcery had their forms changed. There were supposed to be six in all, but now three of them were after his protégé and Ka’diysh had to act decisively.

“Ka’diysh, can you defeat them?”

“No, I can’t. Not alone! But WE can, TOGETHER.”

“WE?” She sputtered, “But I…”

“Remember your training, Sa'nah.”

“In times of peril one might do, but none can resist the power of two!” She quoted from The Fifth Scroll of the VeoCode without thinking.

Ka’diysh had insisted she memorized the Scrolls. “It’s the ONLY weapon The Nameless cannot defeat,” He instructed her.

“Know them or know death!”

Now, all she ever learnt would be put to test.

The Black-Hounds closed in and Sa’nah felt their thoughts.

Because they were once human they still had the ability to think and through the black arts of The Nameless One had mastered psychic manipulation.

This was a battle of the minds!

In unison the beasts began to roar with a deafening din while intensifying their psychic attack. Sa’nah resisted with every ounce of resolve but the beasts prevailed in their mental onslaught.

The psychic attack felt like millions of tiny ants crawling around the inside of her brain. She desperately cried! “Ka’diysh, help me! I can’t…”

“Fight them, Princess, you can do this!”

Now it felt like the ants were feeding, chewing on her gray matter. “I don’t… they’re too…”

“Be strong, Sa'nah, remember your training.” He commanded!

“I am with you always and My Spirit will teach you ALL things, follow My Spirit.” The words of Jzhan Chris'tell from The Fourth Scroll of the NeoCode flooded her mind as Sa’nah felt a surge of power within.

Ka’diysh was praying aloud in the Ancient Tongues as she heard The Spirit saying to her, “Sa’nah, thoughts CANNOT defeat thoughts, only your WORDS can prevail.” And she understood what she must do.

Sa’nah cast aside the cloak and stepped forward. She felt her spirit take wings as a holy boldness rose within her, “By the power of the Light of Ki’ Shara! In the name of Jzhan Chris’tell, I COMMAND YOU FOUL BEASTS… CEASE AND DESIST!!!

The animals faltered, backed away and bowed.

“IT IS WRITTEN,” she continued, “when two shall agree it must be done, to bind the power of The Nameless One! NOW BEGONE!!!”

The beasts scattered in terror as Sa’nah and Ka’diysh both breathed a sigh of relief.

This battle was over but the war had just begun.

Pronunciation Guide:

• Ki’Shara -       Key-SHAH-rah

• Ka’diysh -       Kuh-DEESH

• Sa’nah -         Suh-NAH

• Rab Ma’ghi -    Rahb-MAY-Gee

• Ma’ghus -       MAY-Gus

• Shi’ades -       SHE-Aids

•  Jzhan -          Pronounced like the French ‘Jean’

•   Chris’tell -      Kris-Tell

• Baewolf -        BAY-Wolf

Interview With The Carpenter

Word Count - 755

I awoke at 3:20AM and began writing! The dream was so real that at first I had to convince myself my waking state was the reality.

I dreamt that I was interviewing Joseph, Jesus’ foster father in heaven. The interview went like this:

His face was bronzed and character lined, his brown eyes reflected a deep wisdom that drew you in and set you at ease so that you relaxed in his presence without thinking about it.

The room was stark white and empty except for two chairs. We sat facing each other comfortably as the interview began.

Me: So, Joseph, tell me what prompted you to grant this interview.

Joseph: I was asked to.

Me: That’s it! That’s the only reason? You were asked?

Joseph: It’s like this, in all that we’ve been through, my wife, my family and I, no one ever seemed interested in my side of the story. Even when Luke came to the house he was more curious about what Mary had to say, so I allowed her to speak. Apart from asking me to describe the details of my dreams he didn’t seem to need much input from me.

Me: So, what is your side of the story.

Joseph: That depends. What exactly do you want to know?

Me: Well, for instance, what would you share with our readers about being a good parent.

Joseph: There are several significant lessons I learnt about being a parent, for instance; it’s very difficult to teach your children to become something that you’re not. What I mean is, you can preach from dusk till dawn about truth and righteousness but if your children don’t SEE you practice these things at home then your preaching is void.

Me: Can you elaborate on this?

Joseph: Sure! Do you know why your children disobey you?

Because there are things about you and your life that they reject, they see stuff in you that they don’t like and don’t agree with. And they don’t want to become like you so they reject your authority to tell them what to do for fear that if they follow you and your instructions they’ll turn out just like you.

Me: Wow! I’ve never heard anyone put it quite like that before. So, how do we constructively handle this problem.

Joseph: Excellent question, here’s the recipe for raising obedient kids.

You must become attractive to them as people!

You do this by modeling the virtues you want them to have. Only then, will they want to be where you are, have what you have and want to be like you.

So, they'll want to follow your lead and obey your instructions.

You see, if a leader cannot inspire his followers to obey, then he must manipulate them.

And a parent is nothing more than a leader of his/her children.

So, we find that manipulation becomes the technique of the average parent. Do as I say OR ELSE! If your child dares to ask why, your practiced response is, “Because I’m your father/mother and I said so!

This is not inspiration - This is manipulation!

So, from the time this child is old enough or FEELS old enough they will begin to challenge your authority. First covertly, then openly, next it’s on to total rebellion.

Is this making any sense to you, so far?

Me: Oh yes! Your words are pregnant with truth, Joseph. As a matter of fact I remember living through such experiences with my own parents. Please do continue.

Joseph: "Here’s the key: First, you need to spend time with your children. Loving is giving and the most valuable resource you have is your time. When you invest time with your kids you’re confirming your unconditional love for them and they will come to know and trust your love."

"Next, you build on this trust by fostering open dialog with them about discipline and punishment, eg. “You may NOT have this right now because this is not the time and place for you to have it.”

“But why can’t I have it, Daddy?"

“Because I love you and this will only hurt you if I allow you to have it and Daddy loves you too much to allow you to hurt yourself. OK, so you can’t have it right away."

"As they grow older they will come to understand that there is always a reason for denial of something they desired and the reason is always love."

I woke up with those words echoing in my head as I began to write.

The Missionary's Position

Word Count - 719

Brenda spilled the coffee on the brand new tablecloth in the kitchen. She couldn’t believe what she was reading!

“Oh my God! How could this happen?” She called out to her husband who was just descending the stairs.

“How could what happen?” Jason quizzed her.

“Do you remember that guy we met at the convention last month? His name was…”

“Marty somebody, yeah I remember him, he was kinda hard to forget. With all that in-your-face proselytizing about becoming Missionaries and spreading the word of God to the world and all that kingdom stuff! What about him?”

“He’s dead!”

“What??!!” 

“How…? Whe…?”

“It says here,” Brenda interrupted him, “that on the night of October 22nd Martin Cyznisky was robbed and shot to death by person or persons unknown. The police are theorizing that he stopped to give someone a lift and was carjacked.”

Brenda put down the paper and stared at her husband in awkward silence as he quietly sat facing her.

His face betrayed the guilt he felt inside, the same guilt he saw reflected in his wife’s eyes.

They had ridiculed Marty that night as he attempted sharing on the importance of representing Christ and spreading the "true gospel," as he put it.

They rationalized that he was simply naïve to think that one person could make any measurable difference in the world!

What, with all the famine and war and diseases running rampant globally it made more sense to secure your own position first, instead of running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off trying to right every wrong in the world, after all, “Charity begins at home,” Jason remembered saying to him!

“But it ends abroad,” Marty had countered. “The average Christian,” he continued, “gets all he can and ‘cans’ all he gets, it’s only about me, myself and I, his charity doesn’t end abroad it ends right where it started… At HIS home!”

“I don’t want to start preaching (“Too late,” Jason thought) but the great commission says GO into all the world and make disciples of men, if we…!”

“My point is this,” Brenda cut him short, “how can we leave our own homes undone and try to tell other people how to run theirs? What right do we have to tell other people to leave their religion and join ours when…?”

“That’s your problem right there,” Marty returned, his voice rising in pitch and volume, “you’re trying to convert people to a religion when that was NEVER God’s intention!”

Jason and Brenda stared at him quizzically.

“If the average Christian couple is in debt and their marriage is limping along how can they go tell Hakeem who owns a successful business and is happily married to stop serving Allah come serve Jesus?”

“So he can have what THEY have?!”

“Adam never lost a religion, he lost a kingdom!” Marty asserted. “That’s why your religion doesn’t work for you! Jesus never preached a religion, He preached about A KINGDOM!”

“REPENT! FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!” He declared evangelistically!

The conversation had started getting a little too uncomfortable for Brenda and Jason so they'd made excuses and left Marty still trying to convince them they were hearing and sharing the wrong message.

“Naïve and deluded,” Jason labeled him after departing his presence.

“Zealous and dangerous,” Brenda added.

But now he was dead.

And strangely, it seemed that in his death his message took on new life!

So, as they sat across from each other reflecting on that meeting with the Missionary, Brenda couldn’t help but wonder after his words, “Not a religion BUT a kingdom! The message of ‘The Kingdom’ is what the world needs,” He had pleaded with them!

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come,” He had quoted Jesus’ words from Matt. 24:14.

Now, with the darkening coffee stain as a reminder of the mess their life was in, Jason and Brenda found themselves seriously considering the Missionary’s position on the quality of the message they had been fed and why they were reluctant to share it with others.

It’s not about a religion that doesn’t work, it never was… It’s all about a kingdom lost and found!

Law and Order: Biblical Intent

Word Count - 685

My heart sank deep within me as the flashing blue and red lights illuminated my rearview mirror.

“Ohhhh nooooo! Awww, God! I can’t believe this! I DO NOT believe this.

“Not another one? Not another speeding ticket! I just paid the last one two weeks ago.”

I’d just left Jake and Suzy’s home after doing a business presentation highlighting my company’s wellness products.

I showed them how their health could be enhanced simply by switching to my company’s better, safer products and they agreed by setting up a Preferred Customer Account.

I, however, left with mixed emotions knowing that I’d just helped another couple begin a healthier lifestyle but realizing too, that I was now guilty of keeping God and my family waiting for me to start our family devotions that night.

And this wasn’t the first time!

So, as guilt laid heavy on my conscience I laid heavy on the accelerator.

That’s when the night lit up behind me like a Christmas tree.

My 2004 Toyota Corolla began slowing down as my foot automatically depressed the brake pedal, until I realized I was still on the main road and couldn’t make a safe stop there.

“Idiot,” I chided myself as I turned into the first side street and brought the car to a stop.

Those bright, cheerily, depressing lights followed me.

I fished in my seat pocket and deftly removed my Driver’s License and in one smooth motion flipped open the Glove Compartment and began rummaging through the assorted documents pretending to look for my vehicle’s registration – I knew it wasn’t in there.

It was somewhere back at my house but I never bothered looking for it so that I could keep it in the car.

The officer materialized with the customary, “License and registration please?

I handed him my license and continued fiddling with the papers in the Glove Compartment muttering to myself, “Where could this thing be?

He eventually gave up waiting for me to produce the document and assured me he’d be back as he strode back to his unit.

This is when I really laid into myself

“HOW STUPID COULD YOU BE?” The thought filled the inside of my head.

“You’re a man of God, you preach to people, you know better!

The irony was that I was speeding home for the family’s Bible Study hour, which should have begun 15 minutes earlier. How ridiculous was that?

“Obey every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, Preacher, don’t you teach this?” I scolded myself.

“What can you teach your family by getting a speeding ticket on your way home to expound the word of God, huh?

I sank deeper into depression as the officer returned and handed me the written judgment.

“Thank you, officer,” I offered weakly as I took the papers and put them on the seat beside me.

On resuming my journey the Holy Spirit broke through my thoughts with, “So, what did you learn?

“Huh?” I responded.

“Why did you get yourself in that situation, AGAIN?” He explained.

“I was driving too fast! I should have slowed down. I…

“Yes, yes, but WHY?” He demanded.

“I guess I didn’t prepare properly. I didn’t allow myself enough time to do the presentation and get back home on schedule.

“And, this demonstrates what to you?

“That I need to discipline myself and be more diligent in organizing my life?

“Uh huh.” He encouraged. “Go on."

“I need to pay attention to the little things in my life such as locating the car’s registration and keeping it in the vehicle.

“And"?

"I need to leave early to arrive early and obey the speed limit. You know, just generally do the right thing for the right reason at the right time.” I continued. “Because it’s more important that my family see me living the life than hearing me preach about it."

“Bingo!"

"You see son, if you police your own life the way you should, then, it won’t be necessary for me to use the Law to set you in order, got it?"

The Light of Ki’ Shara - Part II

Word Count - 736

Sa’nah awoke with a start! She felt cold. Not the external type that afflicted the skin but the one that chilled the soul.

Earlier that evening, they had sought shelter from the elements in an abandoned cave.

Now, as she sat up, her senses coming alive, the wisdom of that decision seemed dubious. She was sure she heard something stir from within the cave depths.

She got up, carefully laying aside the blanket and crept from where she was so as not to disturb Ka’diysh and ventured into the darkness.

It’s not as if she wasn’t aware of the danger - she was - but it’s as though there was this compelling force that wrestled her common sense to the ground and held it captive while she proceeded.

Stealing away she glanced back at her aged Mentor; the warmth of the Glow-Stones kept him toasty and comfortable so that his sleep was both deep and satisfying.

Sa’nah melted into the ebony shroud of the cave and continued until the only sound was that of her faint footsteps furtively falling on the floor.

What had she heard? Was it real?

Then she saw them.

They appeared to be hybrid Human and Black-Hound. She could, by the small light of the Moon-Stone necklace she wore, discern that there were two of them.

These beasts lacked the menacing demeanor of the former minions of The Nameless and exhibited uncannily human characteristics. For one thing, they walked uprightly and secondly, they spoke.

“Hello, Youngling,” crooned the first Were-Beast as it came within talking distance.

“You can speak?” Sa’nah asked, more a statement than a question.

“Of course we do young Princess, after all, we wouldn’t make good negotiators if we lacked speech would we?” The second Man-Hound replied.

“A proposal!” He declared. “Our Master has decided to offer you and the Priest safe passage to Ellendale for one small token.”

“What’s that?” Sa’nah asked, still not completely trusting her senses to the unfolding scenario.

“Do you know what The Elmerydian is?” Inquired the first of the two creatures.

“Of course.” Sa’nah said, some pride spilling over the edges of her words. “I am an Adept-in-Training. It is mine to know of such things. What is it to you, creature? I’ve dealt with your kind before and I’m not afraid of you!”

“Of course not, Princess.” Chimed the second beast. “You have Andalyon blood in your veins. You know no fear, right?”

Just then Sa’nah felt her chest beginning to constrict and became aware of the difficulty in breathing.

“Wha..? What’s h-h-hap…?” She gasped, sinking to her knees.

Why Princess, whatever is the matter? Beast # 2 asked, a sly smirk erupting all over his face.

“Sa’nah?” The voice sounded strange, as though coming from some unfathomable depth. “Sa’nah!” It began growing stronger. “Listen to my voice, Princess! Listen to ME!”

The Man-Hounds pressed in and Sa’nah felt like a vise was slowly crushing her ribcage.

“No weapon of fear shall afflict my soul, in Jzhan Christell I’m fearless and bold.” The words ascended from her spirit as though on wings. “I have overcome and conquered all, by the power of Jzhan mine enemies fall.” The Were-Beasts began dissolving into thin air right before her eyes as Sa’nah recognized the divine presence of The Light of Ki’ Shara releasing the healing balm of His words into her soul.

“Sa’nah!” The voice was insistent but reassuring. Slowly, she opened her eyes to the pastoral face of her Mentor, Ka’diysh. “You suffered another residual psychic attack.”

“The cowards attacked me while I slept this time.” Sa’nah responded. There were two of them, some kind of strange Man-Beasts but He delivered me just like He promised. I can still sense His presence with me!”

“The Light of Ki’ Shara is faithful to His word, Sa’nah. He will ALWAYS perform it!” Ka’diysh had that far away look in his eyes as though remembering some past personal promise performed by The Potentate.

“How long will the attacks continue?” Sa’nah’s eyes were hopeful.

“You’ve passed the worst, Princess; I sense his hold over you has weakened considerably. The Nameless One can only bully the ignorant and you are anything but. Keep meditating on the words of The Scrolls, in them is healing for your spirit and soul.”

“As I think on Him all strife must cease, for He will keep my mind in peace.” Sa’nah quoted from the VeoCode as they bowed their heads in prayer.



Pronunciation Guide:

• Andalyon – An-DALL-eon

• Elmerydian – El-meh-RID-ian

• Veo – VEE-Oh

For More Pronunciation See Part 1.

A Tale of 3 Gardens

Word Count - 733

“Uhhmmm… That looks gooood,” she thinks, as she stands in the midst of the Garden.

She stares at it longingly with a glazed look in her eye. Her pulse races as she reaches up a trembling hand and touches it. Eyes darting from side to side - She’s unobserved.

Her heart is hammering now as she pulls on it until it separates from the branch.

She’s done it!

Mouth watering as she looks at it and just for the most flickering of moments there’s a sadness that washes through her soul. “Can’t worry about that now, this is what I've been dreaming about ever since that first suggestion,” the thought caresses her conscience and lulls it to sleep.

“He’s not far away; I think I’ll share this with him.

“Oh, there he is.” She hurries to him.

“Look honey!” She bites into it, juice dripping down her hand as her eyes widen with wild delight and frightening realization.

“NO! What have you done?” He screams at her. “Are you insane? Don’t you know what’ll happen to you now?”

He’s faced with a dilemma.

“She’ll be destroyed,” he thinks to himself. “I’ve got to do something! OH GOD! How could I let this happen? It’s my fault.”

“I know what I have to do.” In desperation he thinks, “I’ll eat it too, I know HE can’t destroy both of us! HE’LL have to save us both.”

He takes it from her outstretched hand and bites into terror and pleasure all at once!

It’s silent in the Garden now. Stillness makes her home there and Death is a permanent guest.

Omniscient, HE knows exactly what’s taken place. HE walks in the Garden just like before, but they don’t come running, no smiling faces... Silence.

HE calls, they come kneeling, trembling, undone. “What did you do,” HE demands of him.

“I’m sorry, I knew it was wrong, but it’s the One that YOU gave me, I did it for HER!”

 ~~~~~

“Uhhhhhhh… This pain is unbearable,” He thinks, as He kneels in the midst of the Garden!

He’s alone, His mind races forward to the ordeal ahead. He understands the purpose and knows it MUST be done.

He sees the whip, the nails and the tree. Beholds the blood, the sweat and tears. He hears the cursing, taunting, threats. Misery weighs heavy on His soul.

He goes to where His friends are for some support, some strength, something. Nothing… They’re asleep.

He returns, kneels, bows, “OH GOD… PLEASE LET THIS PASS!!!” HE bleeds a prayer to God.

But then remembers the state She’s in. “SHE NEEDS ME, needs a Savior. Only I can do this."

“Nevertheless, as YOU will, Father,” He breathes a prayer to God.

 He surrenders, "I’ll do it for HER!"

 ~~~~~

“Ohhhhhhh… Where have they taken You, My Lord,” she wonders, as she stands in the midst of the Garden.

Heart aching with love for her Lord who was and is not, no longer a comforting touch, a smile or word in due season. 

“Why did You leave, why did You have to go away?” She sobs.

She goes and tells them. They run and come to see. He’s not there! “Where is He?” They leave wondering. She stays and looks and sees… Angels!

Then, He who was hidden appears. “Why do you cry?” His words are soft and scented. She pleads with him, “Where is He, where have you taken Him?” 

“Mary,” says He, and she knows.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the light of revelation dawns within and she begins to understand everything.

"He left for me that’s the reason why

He did it all for me, that’s why He died

Every drop of blood, every lash of pain

Was felt for me so that I could gain

What I lost in the Garden that fateful morn’

My joy, my peace, my life all gone

When I did what I did and my eyes did see

My fallen state and what became of me

How I hurt Him so, you’ve got to know

That’s why we reap the things we sow

But He’s kept His promise for all to see

The Seed of the woman brings victory!

So, from now on and through eternity

I’ll thank God for what He did for me.

He did it all for me!"

A Destiny To Fulfill

Word Count - 747

“When did you know that you were called to be a spiritual leader, Ka'diysh?” Sa'nah’s eyes sparkled as she asked the question.

He smiled. “That’s a loaded question my young friend, are you sure you have the time for an accurate response?”

“I’m all ears,” She replied.

“Well, two significant things happened that steered me into my destiny, the first at age eleven and the second at twenty-one.”

Sa'nah leaned forward as Ka'diysh began his narration.

“The day was sunny and the river looked inviting, so being the swimmer I was, I immediately dove in and started frolicking.”

“The water was deep, just the way I liked it. I grew up next to a river, so depth was not a problem but a welcomed feature for me.”

“I was totally enjoying my swim when without warning I was suddenly two feet under water sucked down by the strongest current I had ever felt!”

“Drinking copious amounts of water I desperately struggled for the surface and the chance at a lung full of fresh air. How I appreciated the awesome privilege of breathing air at that point."

"Some how I fought my way to the surface and thankfully thought, ‘Thank Go...’ Back under water again, acid-like fear cascaded through my soul eroding my last facade of calm as I clawed my way frantically through the water."

"The monstrous current hugged me a in a death-embrace sucking me down as I kicked for life!"

“When I got to the surface the second time I contemplated calling for help but something refrained me, later I found out it was my stupid pride. However, I was instantly cured of this when I was sucked under for the third time!

I surfaced screaming “HELLLPPPP! HELLLPPPP!”

"Thank God somebody heard and responded to my cries. Later I discovered it was a sixteen-year-old youth named Ta'erry who became my lifeguard that day."

Sa'nah had to remind herself to close her mouth every once-in-a-while.

Ka'diysh's storytelling was potent. His words arrested and drew you into the experience whether you were willing or not!

“At that age," he continued, "the spiritual significance of that incident was lost on me, but it was exactly ten years later when another experience brought it home.”

“My father had died five years before and my mother was living 6,000 miles away in another country. ‘Trying to make a better life for us,’ she told me, when I asked why she was leaving me at age eight.

Now, thirteen years later I was living (barely) on my own, eking out a meager existence and suffering much mental and emotional torment. I had no idea that The Enemy had targeted me for psychological assassination just like he had targeted me for physical death ten years earlier in the river.”

“Just like that day too, I had reached the point where I felt like I was going under for the last time, drowning in psychological despair. I was a morbid, brooding mess. No mother, no father, I felt totally forsaken! Alone! Abandoned! I truly believed that suicide was my only reprieve.”

“I was about to end it all, when one day my cousin asked me a questioned that stopped me cold… and saved my life.”

“Things were particularly depressing that day when I visited my aunt. (Visited) That’s a laugh; I just conveniently hung around her house hoping someone would offer me something to eat. I was unemployed for months, hadn’t eaten a hot meal in days and about to be kicked out on the street from my run-down apartment.”

“My cousin asked me, ‘How are you getting by these days, Ka'diysh?’ To which I glibly responded, ‘By the grace of God’ and was turning away when she pressed me again. ‘No, seriously, how are you REALLY making it?’ This second time, her words struck a chord within me and I had to stop and cogitate for a couple seconds. ‘BY THE GRACE OF GOD’ I replied, this time when I said those words a light turned on in my heart and I received a revelation.

Just like when He used that young man to save me from the river years before, I saw The Lord stretching out His hand to save me once again and give me hope I never had.”

"I realized, in that moment, that I was alive ONLY BY HIS GRACE and that I was alive for a purpose.

It took me several more years of truly amazing encounters to completely surrender my will to Jzhan Christell and embrace the Path He had chosen for me but these two experiences were instrumental in recognizing that my life had meaning and value and that I had a divine destiny to fulfill."

The Tempter's Fire

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