Sam entered his parent's home to find his dad on the couch, blankets piled high, and seeming almost near death. Sam knelt beside his father, "Dad, you ok? I'm here now and I won't leave you."
The man weak and barely able to speak replied, "Oh, Sam I'm so glad you came."
"Dad, what can I do for you? I want to help you."
"Sam, I am so sorry I didn't listen to your Mom or the preacher. They tried for years to tell me about Jesus and I didn't want to be bothered." Samuel Benjamen was struggling through tears to get the words out and through his weakened state he exclaimed, "Sam, I have accepted the truth and I know I want to be with Jesus for eternity. I prayed and asked to be forgiven and that I believed He was the Son of God who came to save us, died on the cross and rose again. Sam, you must accept Christ as your Savior." He lay back on the pillow tears flowing down his face and gasping for breath.
Sam rushed to his parent's bedroom frantically looking for his mother's Bible. When he located it, he ran back to his father's side. He found the verse his mother loved which she called the Lord's prayer and began reading it to his father. "Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven......" as Sam read the verse he noticed a peace had come over his father's face. He took Sam's hand and squeezed it tightly, "I see your Mother, Sam, and she's more beautiful than ever and Christ has His hands open to receive me......I love you, Sam." His eyes looked crystal clear and unseeing of this world. Sam knelt holding his father's hand, reached over gently closing his father's eyes and knew he was now with his beloved Emma and his heavenly Father.
There was no need to cry because Sam was more at peace than he had ever been in his life. His father and mother would be together throughout eternity and they would be sharing in the brilliance of the Holy One. He kissed his father's cheek and began a prayer, "Jesus, I know I have sinned and turned away from you, but I would ask that you would forgive me of my sins and allow me to be your humble servant for as long as I may live. I know you are the true Son of God and I ask you into my heart. Lord Jesus send me where you want me to go and I will tell all the world that you are my Savior. Amen."
He wrapped his father's body in the blankets and placed it in his car to take to the local funeral home. As he drove down the street, he noticed the town seemed all but a ghost town. He knew everyone that lived in the small town of 804 and wondered if everyone had been raptured. He turned down Elm Street and into the parking lot of Wilson's Funeral Home. He walked to the door and when he entered he noticed the funeral director sitting in his office with a blank stare on his face. "Hey, Tom. Dad passed this afternoon and I brought him in for burial."
The man looked up at Sam and said, "An actual body?"
"Yes, sir. Mom was taken in the rapture and dad died this afternoon after a long illness. I just wanted his body buried and not left in the house."
"Oh, the rapture. Most everyone in town was taken and I was left here by myself. People in the caskets were gone, just their clothes left, and then the owner, he was gone, too. I used to listen to those preachers at funerals talk about going home to be with the Father and I would just kinda laugh to myself and say, yeah right. Now I know what I heard all those years was the truth. I haven't even gone home cause I know nobody's there. Just me and my stubborness......"
"Tom, we can still live for the Lord. You know of Him now and all you have to do is ask Him into your heart. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and please come into your heart. It's really so simple and yet..... we want to make it hard and do everything our way, not His." Sam knelt beside Tom and asked him to pray with him.
The two men knelt before Jesus and prayed. When they finished Tom said, "Come on we'll get your dad and put him in the best casket they make and bury him in the church garden."
The two men walked to the car, delicately lifting Samuel Benjamen, they carried him inside to prepare him for burial. Later Sam and Tom placed the casket in the hearse and headed for the church. After they buried Samuel, the two men said another prayer then together they decided they would live only to serve Jesus and spread His message.
Sam invited Tom to come back to the house for dinner and get some much needed sleep. Finally, the two men actually felt they could sleep for the first time in many days. Tomorrow would be a new day, a new beginning with an urgent purpose to spread the good news to all the world.
The man weak and barely able to speak replied, "Oh, Sam I'm so glad you came."
"Dad, what can I do for you? I want to help you."
"Sam, I am so sorry I didn't listen to your Mom or the preacher. They tried for years to tell me about Jesus and I didn't want to be bothered." Samuel Benjamen was struggling through tears to get the words out and through his weakened state he exclaimed, "Sam, I have accepted the truth and I know I want to be with Jesus for eternity. I prayed and asked to be forgiven and that I believed He was the Son of God who came to save us, died on the cross and rose again. Sam, you must accept Christ as your Savior." He lay back on the pillow tears flowing down his face and gasping for breath.
Sam rushed to his parent's bedroom frantically looking for his mother's Bible. When he located it, he ran back to his father's side. He found the verse his mother loved which she called the Lord's prayer and began reading it to his father. "Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven......" as Sam read the verse he noticed a peace had come over his father's face. He took Sam's hand and squeezed it tightly, "I see your Mother, Sam, and she's more beautiful than ever and Christ has His hands open to receive me......I love you, Sam." His eyes looked crystal clear and unseeing of this world. Sam knelt holding his father's hand, reached over gently closing his father's eyes and knew he was now with his beloved Emma and his heavenly Father.
There was no need to cry because Sam was more at peace than he had ever been in his life. His father and mother would be together throughout eternity and they would be sharing in the brilliance of the Holy One. He kissed his father's cheek and began a prayer, "Jesus, I know I have sinned and turned away from you, but I would ask that you would forgive me of my sins and allow me to be your humble servant for as long as I may live. I know you are the true Son of God and I ask you into my heart. Lord Jesus send me where you want me to go and I will tell all the world that you are my Savior. Amen."
He wrapped his father's body in the blankets and placed it in his car to take to the local funeral home. As he drove down the street, he noticed the town seemed all but a ghost town. He knew everyone that lived in the small town of 804 and wondered if everyone had been raptured. He turned down Elm Street and into the parking lot of Wilson's Funeral Home. He walked to the door and when he entered he noticed the funeral director sitting in his office with a blank stare on his face. "Hey, Tom. Dad passed this afternoon and I brought him in for burial."
The man looked up at Sam and said, "An actual body?"
"Yes, sir. Mom was taken in the rapture and dad died this afternoon after a long illness. I just wanted his body buried and not left in the house."
"Oh, the rapture. Most everyone in town was taken and I was left here by myself. People in the caskets were gone, just their clothes left, and then the owner, he was gone, too. I used to listen to those preachers at funerals talk about going home to be with the Father and I would just kinda laugh to myself and say, yeah right. Now I know what I heard all those years was the truth. I haven't even gone home cause I know nobody's there. Just me and my stubborness......"
"Tom, we can still live for the Lord. You know of Him now and all you have to do is ask Him into your heart. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and please come into your heart. It's really so simple and yet..... we want to make it hard and do everything our way, not His." Sam knelt beside Tom and asked him to pray with him.
The two men knelt before Jesus and prayed. When they finished Tom said, "Come on we'll get your dad and put him in the best casket they make and bury him in the church garden."
The two men walked to the car, delicately lifting Samuel Benjamen, they carried him inside to prepare him for burial. Later Sam and Tom placed the casket in the hearse and headed for the church. After they buried Samuel, the two men said another prayer then together they decided they would live only to serve Jesus and spread His message.
Sam invited Tom to come back to the house for dinner and get some much needed sleep. Finally, the two men actually felt they could sleep for the first time in many days. Tomorrow would be a new day, a new beginning with an urgent purpose to spread the good news to all the world.
- P4H
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Suburb of Atlanta, GA
Paul had been up since the Rapture and he was tired. His eyes were tired, his body was tired, but mostly, his soul was tired. There were several good Rapture websites with plenty of information on surviving the Tribulation, but none told him how to reverse time, no matter how much he wished they could. He printed off every article he could find and organized them alphabetically in a 3-ring binder, then he read and highlighted the pertinent parts of each, and finally, he made a list and a graph. The graph outlined The Tribulation and the list was all the things he would gather, and repairs to be made to his home.
Before he could start on anything, he needed sleep. He feel into his bed so tired that he actually reached out for Colleen, then he remembered. He cried himself to sleep.
Paul had been up since the Rapture and he was tired. His eyes were tired, his body was tired, but mostly, his soul was tired. There were several good Rapture websites with plenty of information on surviving the Tribulation, but none told him how to reverse time, no matter how much he wished they could. He printed off every article he could find and organized them alphabetically in a 3-ring binder, then he read and highlighted the pertinent parts of each, and finally, he made a list and a graph. The graph outlined The Tribulation and the list was all the things he would gather, and repairs to be made to his home.
Before he could start on anything, he needed sleep. He feel into his bed so tired that he actually reached out for Colleen, then he remembered. He cried himself to sleep.
- KL
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IT Has been 3 days....3 long days since Jesus Shouted "COME UP HERE"......Government Leaders struggle to provide answers to all the questions arising....Strife is everywhere..rumors of imminent wars fill the airwaves as Rogue Leaders seek to capitalize on countries more weakened by the rapture than others ....a grand stage is already being set....as pieces of this drama move quickly into place.
World Powers are set to convene .....the number one topic will be .....WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED?
Meanwhile ...a ferocious anger and resentment is already setting in.....satan knowing his time is short ...has dispersed his minions ....."hit them with every filthy lust you can imagine..engross them in fear...torment their minds.....make them desperate for who is to come? my man of peace"
The mood of the people has turned dark. Grocery and gas lines are long...prices are sky rocketing...people are mourning the world over. It will NEVER be the same....Major League Baseball just announced the cancellation of the upcoming season..The PGA TOUR as well....Disneyland...closed for good....Hollywood elites have taken to the airways ..making public service announcements...to proclaim a unifying message of tolerance
"Hello this is Tom Drives and Katie Holman"
"Hello this is Will Small and Jada Trinkett"
"Hello this is Joe Trapola and Kelly Prescott"
"We go to church and we are still here" "help us" "yes Help us" "please help us stop the hate"
"Hello this is Michael Morris"
"Hello this is Bill Moore"
Music from the 1984 song begins to play "We are the World..we are the children..we are the ones to make a brighter stay so let's start giving"
"please let us join our President in stopping the hate"
This has been a public service announcement....remember NO MORE HATE, NO MORE LIES
meanwhile at the Brad Tipp and Angela Jo home a great divide is taking place while dealing with all their missing kids and the fact tha all Brad's family is gone!!
Angela: "Brad you are talking crazy ...I can't believe you are falling for that non-sense...how dare you try and tell me that some god has taken our kids"
"Angela I swear if you don't just shut up... I TOLD YOU ....I know I mocked too but I TOLD YOU my parents had been telling me for years ..especially my mom that this was going to happen" "my mom begged and begged for me to listen... but NO I AM BRAD TIPP...my mom's value though sweet were so small town so Mayberry RFD....why couldn't she see that I had been exposed to greater truths of worldly wisdom???(Brad frantically running his hands through his uncombed hair cries) WHY? WHY? I TELL YOU WHY....Because I AM A FRAUD..and MY MOM was RIGHT and the BIBLE was right and IS RIGHT!"
Angela: "well I think you are losing it Brad..but if you are right then what's next? All I know is when I was a kid..going to church in Springfield Mo....I remember watching a movie called "A thief in the night" and there was only one way out!!! "And that was to die for JESUS CHRIST" "Angela begins to curse intensely ...I am outta here...there is NO way I am following that crap!
Suddenly in the midst of their arguing....A LOUD RUMBLING begins to occur....the house shakes violently....WARNING SIRENS SCREAM....a massive earthquake is shaking!
TRULY ...GOD WILL SHAKE EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE SHAKEN!
- STA
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At a sportsbar in Dallas, Tx ....two of the usuals mourn the cancellation of the Superbowl as well as the more serious events. One of there more intoxicated buddies walks over to them and says "Heck, Hank I figure you must be celebrating....."All you ever did was complain your old lady preached at ya" Hank stands up and pushes his buddy ...."shut your dang mouth now" "dont' be disrespecting my wife" "Chill Hank..CHILL" I wasn't dissn her Hank...I was serious...I really figured you'd be glad?" "Nah" hank begins to reply "I found comfort in all her preaching" "I figured if she was preaching at me ..it was cause she loved me" Hank finishes off his beer and flashes back to the scene......"Hank...I am off to prayer.....dinner's on the stove...sure you don't want to come?" his wife chuckles "TO PRAYER MEETING ARE YOU NUTS"..Hank replied ......"Love you honey" "yea...love ya too" Hank slid into his lazy boy......CLANK>...DINK....CLANK....."What the HECK was that?" Hank looked outside to see there Car backed into their brick mailbox....He rushes outside ready to unload on his stupid wife....flings open the door BUT all that was there were her clothes."
HEY HANK ...you need another cold one?....."Yeah...Sure" back to reality ..his new harsh ..lonely reality
HEY HANK ...you need another cold one?....."Yeah...Sure" back to reality ..his new harsh ..lonely reality
- STA
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On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Kristen woke to the feeling of someone breathing heavily in her face. They had the worst breath she had ever smelled. Milkey must have invited one of his friends over, she thought. She opened her eyes and had to press hear head back into the pillow so as not to go crosseyed trying to see who had the bad breath. She felt the tongue on her face and finally realized it wasn't a man breathing on her, it was a dog. She reached up and caught the big head and gently pushed it out of her face. Taking a breath of fresh air she slowly sat up. Her head ached horrribly. She looked around and realized she was in a room she had never seen before. It was clean and warm. She lay in a big bed with plenty of blankets. She hadn't slept in a bed in years. Mikey had always made her sleep on the kitchen floor with no blanket to keep her warm. Sometimes at night, when she was so cold she lay on the floor curled in a ball and tried to remember her mother. She had a fleeting memorys of hugs, and laughter. She could also remember her name. It was Kristen. Mikey had always called her Runt, and she hated it. Once she had yelled at him, "My name is Kristen." He had slapped her so hard she fell to the floor and then he had kicked her until she lay on the floor so bruised she couldn't move. Then he had...
Kristen woke to the feeling of someone breathing heavily in her face. They had the worst breath she had ever smelled. Milkey must have invited one of his friends over, she thought. She opened her eyes and had to press hear head back into the pillow so as not to go crosseyed trying to see who had the bad breath. She felt the tongue on her face and finally realized it wasn't a man breathing on her, it was a dog. She reached up and caught the big head and gently pushed it out of her face. Taking a breath of fresh air she slowly sat up. Her head ached horrribly. She looked around and realized she was in a room she had never seen before. It was clean and warm. She lay in a big bed with plenty of blankets. She hadn't slept in a bed in years. Mikey had always made her sleep on the kitchen floor with no blanket to keep her warm. Sometimes at night, when she was so cold she lay on the floor curled in a ball and tried to remember her mother. She had a fleeting memorys of hugs, and laughter. She could also remember her name. It was Kristen. Mikey had always called her Runt, and she hated it. Once she had yelled at him, "My name is Kristen." He had slapped her so hard she fell to the floor and then he had kicked her until she lay on the floor so bruised she couldn't move. Then he had...
Kristen broke off the thought. "Where am I?" she asked the dog. He jumped down off the bed and ran out of the open door. That was another thing she wasn't used to seeing. An open door. Mikey never left doors open. He didn't want her to escape. Kristen looked up to see a woman walk into the room. She tensed up and began to look for a way to get around the woman and out the door. The dog was behind her and jumped on the bed an licked Kristen's face again.
"It looks like you've made a new friend." the woman said. "Grumpy, stop licking the poor girls face. You're breath could knock a buzzard off a garbage truck at a hundred paces." she scolded the dog.
Grumpy just gave her a doggy grin and lay down next to the girl.
"I've brought you something to eat. Are you hungry?"
Kristen just stared at the woman.
"I'll just set the tray on your lap and if you're hungry you can eat, ok." Maddie leaned down to put the tray over the girls lap, and Grumpy bared his teeth at her. Maddie looked at Grumpy and slowly backed away from the girl.
- Zags
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On a Ranch in the Panhandle of Oklahoma
Maddie backed across the room out the door, keeping her eyes on the dog. She walked down the hall to the stairs and rushed down them. She saw her husband and son at the kitchen table. She sat down."Grumpy sure has taken a shine to the girl."
"Of course he did, Mom. He's just a big ole cuddly teddy bear." Matt said. "He knows the girl is no threat, he might be a good guard dog, but he's also a good judge of character. That's how Rottweilers are, great guard dogs, and good family pets. Unless they have lousy owners that is." Matt added under his breath.
"Matt, that's not what I mean. He's protective of her. I took her something to eat and set the tray on her lap and Grumpy bared his teeth at me."
"What? He bared his teeth?"
"Yes. He didn't growl but he didn't want me to touch the girl."
Shade stood up and headed for the stairs, Matt right behind him.
"Shade, it's ok. I'm sure he didn't mean it." Maddie said rushing to catch up.
Shade entered the girls room and saw her feeding Grumpy a piece of roast beef. She looked up at him and he saw her eyes widen in fear.
Grumpy immediately stood and placed his body between Shade and the girl. Shade snapped his fingers and Grumpy showed his teeth.
Shade took in the dogs posture and saw the threat there. He couldn't believe this was the same dog he had raised from a pup. Grumpy had never shown aggressive behavior towards him or any of his family. His mouth was hanging open in shock.
Matt pushed his way past his dad and took in the dogs posture. He met the girls eyes, looked at his dad's expression and burst out laughing. "Well if that don't beat all. Look's like you stole my dad's dog. Oh, this is priceless." he was laughing so hard he had to lean against the wall. "Oh this is great. Looks like you got your wish mom. He's not gonna be laying in the middle of the couch or sleeping with you and dad anymore." He was holding his stomach while he laughed.
Grumpy lay back on the bed, and gave Shade a doggy grin, as if to say, "See how quickly my loyalty can change."
Maddie pushed past her husband and looked at her son who was bent over laughing. She looked at the girl. "Please forgive my son, he has a weird sense of humor." She looked at her husband and began to giggle when she saw the look on his face. He looked half confused and half heartbroken. "It's ok Shade. I'm sure he still loves you." she said between giggles.
Grumpy let out a happy bark as if he wanted to join in the laughter.
Shade recovered himself. "His name's Grumpy. He's obviously decided to adopt you. He's very protective of those he loves and won't let anybody hurt you." Shade looked at his wife and son. "My name's Shade, this is my wife Maddie and the loon laughing his head off is our son Matt. You're safe here." he said softly.
The girl continued to look at them with suspicion. "Matt, lets go back downstairs."
When they had left Maddie looked at the child and her heart broke at the look of distrust in her eyes. "Do you need to use the bathroom." she asked the girl.
Kristen need to go, and slowly nodded. Maddie moved to the side of the bed to help the girl and Grumpy again took up his protective posture. Maddie backed away. "If you feel like you might fall, grab hold of Grumpy. He can help you."
Kristen got out of the bed and swayed a little. Grumpy took up position beside her and slowly walked with her to the door.
"Take her to the bathroom boy." Maddie ordered the dog.
With his stumpy tail wagging he helped the girl down the hall.
Maddie backed across the room out the door, keeping her eyes on the dog. She walked down the hall to the stairs and rushed down them. She saw her husband and son at the kitchen table. She sat down."Grumpy sure has taken a shine to the girl."
"Of course he did, Mom. He's just a big ole cuddly teddy bear." Matt said. "He knows the girl is no threat, he might be a good guard dog, but he's also a good judge of character. That's how Rottweilers are, great guard dogs, and good family pets. Unless they have lousy owners that is." Matt added under his breath.
"Matt, that's not what I mean. He's protective of her. I took her something to eat and set the tray on her lap and Grumpy bared his teeth at me."
"What? He bared his teeth?"
"Yes. He didn't growl but he didn't want me to touch the girl."
Shade stood up and headed for the stairs, Matt right behind him.
"Shade, it's ok. I'm sure he didn't mean it." Maddie said rushing to catch up.
Shade entered the girls room and saw her feeding Grumpy a piece of roast beef. She looked up at him and he saw her eyes widen in fear.
Grumpy immediately stood and placed his body between Shade and the girl. Shade snapped his fingers and Grumpy showed his teeth.
Shade took in the dogs posture and saw the threat there. He couldn't believe this was the same dog he had raised from a pup. Grumpy had never shown aggressive behavior towards him or any of his family. His mouth was hanging open in shock.
Matt pushed his way past his dad and took in the dogs posture. He met the girls eyes, looked at his dad's expression and burst out laughing. "Well if that don't beat all. Look's like you stole my dad's dog. Oh, this is priceless." he was laughing so hard he had to lean against the wall. "Oh this is great. Looks like you got your wish mom. He's not gonna be laying in the middle of the couch or sleeping with you and dad anymore." He was holding his stomach while he laughed.
Grumpy lay back on the bed, and gave Shade a doggy grin, as if to say, "See how quickly my loyalty can change."
Maddie pushed past her husband and looked at her son who was bent over laughing. She looked at the girl. "Please forgive my son, he has a weird sense of humor." She looked at her husband and began to giggle when she saw the look on his face. He looked half confused and half heartbroken. "It's ok Shade. I'm sure he still loves you." she said between giggles.
Grumpy let out a happy bark as if he wanted to join in the laughter.
Shade recovered himself. "His name's Grumpy. He's obviously decided to adopt you. He's very protective of those he loves and won't let anybody hurt you." Shade looked at his wife and son. "My name's Shade, this is my wife Maddie and the loon laughing his head off is our son Matt. You're safe here." he said softly.
The girl continued to look at them with suspicion. "Matt, lets go back downstairs."
When they had left Maddie looked at the child and her heart broke at the look of distrust in her eyes. "Do you need to use the bathroom." she asked the girl.
Kristen need to go, and slowly nodded. Maddie moved to the side of the bed to help the girl and Grumpy again took up his protective posture. Maddie backed away. "If you feel like you might fall, grab hold of Grumpy. He can help you."
Kristen got out of the bed and swayed a little. Grumpy took up position beside her and slowly walked with her to the door.
"Take her to the bathroom boy." Maddie ordered the dog.
With his stumpy tail wagging he helped the girl down the hall.
- Zags
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Trevor walked into his apartment, threw his keys on the table and saw the light blinking on his answering machine. He seriously considered ignoring it and going straight to bed. He had been on duty at the hospital for 48 hours straight and he was exhausted. He had no sooner gotten home after taking Zoe to her parents house when he was called back to the hospital.
He started to head for his bedroom, and then turned around and walked back over to the machine. He had been thinking about Zoe and thought maybe she had called. He had been praying for her off and on the last couple of days. He knew that she was probably alone and had been worried that the loss of her family and especially her sister might drive her over the edge.
He pressed the button the machine and listened to the message. "Hi. This is Zoe. I guess you're at work, but if you could give me a call, I have something I want to talk to you about."
Trevor walked into his apartment, threw his keys on the table and saw the light blinking on his answering machine. He seriously considered ignoring it and going straight to bed. He had been on duty at the hospital for 48 hours straight and he was exhausted. He had no sooner gotten home after taking Zoe to her parents house when he was called back to the hospital.
He started to head for his bedroom, and then turned around and walked back over to the machine. He had been thinking about Zoe and thought maybe she had called. He had been praying for her off and on the last couple of days. He knew that she was probably alone and had been worried that the loss of her family and especially her sister might drive her over the edge.
He pressed the button the machine and listened to the message. "Hi. This is Zoe. I guess you're at work, but if you could give me a call, I have something I want to talk to you about."
- Zags
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Zoe had spent most of the day reading the Psalms. She had taken a break to eat lunch and had been thinking about what to do next. She had called into her job and found out that the company was closing it's doors for the time being. They would call her when they were ready for everybody to come back.
She had hung up the phone and stood there mulling over what to do next. She knew that she had been left behind and that she faced the worst seven years the earth had ever seen. She remembered her visit last summer to her friend Steffi.
"You know things could get really bad before the rapture happens. If so you and your family are more than welcome to come stay with us. We're pretty self sufficent. Our own water well, the creek, windmills for electricity, my garden, and all the walking beef you can eat." she had said. It had gotten Zoe thinking. She had dialed Steffi's number not expecting an answer when Maddie picked up.
"Maddie. It's Zoe."
"Zoe. You're still here." she had sounded surprised.
"Yeah. I got left behind. I wasn't expecting anyone to answer."
"Gabe and Steffi were taken, but me Shade and Matt are still here." Maddie had said.
They had talked about everything that had happened the last few days.
"Maddie, the reason I called is that Steffi told me that if things got bad before the rapture I could come stay there. I know that the tribulation is gonna be really bad and wondered if you would mind if I came down there."
"Of course. You're more than welcome." Maddie said.
"Thanks, Maddie. I think I might ask a friend of mine to come too. Is that ok?"
"Sure. We're moving into the main house, because my niece and nephew are on their way here too. When can we expect you?"
"I still have to call Trevor and see if he's game. I'll call you and let you know, ok. Probably tonight or tomorrow."
"Ok dear."
They had talked for a little longer and then said their goodbyes with Zoe promising to call that night or the next day.
After hanging up with Maddie, Zoe had found the paper with Trevor's number on it and called. He hadn't answered so she had left a message. She had continued to read the Psalms until late and then headed off to bed.
- Zags
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Kyle and His evil co-hort finally pull into the coliseum parking lot..."woe dude...look at this place...I have been here to watch the A's but I have never saw it completely full" "ahhh shut the blank up" Kyle quickly becoming more and more edgy ..instructs him to pull over by the fence..."the guys are suppose to meet at LOT F the driver states"...."would you just shut up..look pull over by the fence I need to think" "ok .ok..chill dude..chill...everything is set" the suv stops and comes to a complete hault...Kyle jumps out gasping for breath under the weight of pressure he is all of a sudden feeling..."what is goin on with me" "when suddenly a Bright Light Knocks him to his knees..."Kyle" "turn it off...quit screwing around" "the Light grows more intense" Kyle "why are you persecuting Me?" "WHO ARE YOU?" Kyle looks up but has to turn away the brightness of His Glory is too bright!!! Kyle ..it is I ...Jesus of Nazereth who you are persecuting...but today I shall require your soul....Repent my child of that which you intend to do ...call upon ME and you will be SAVED!" Instantly the Light is gone and Kyle lies face down...his whole body trembling uncontrollably....kyle manages to get to his knees when he hears his cohort shut the driver door and run over to him oblivious to what just transpired.."dude you sick?...you gonna spew...come on man ...the stage is set....hey do you hear that? Kyle's head spins with all the gazillion thoughts that are racing through his mind but YES he hears ....it's the most beautiful sound he has ever heard...and it's coming from inside!
- STA
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Greenville, Mississippi
Nathan pulled the SUV in a parking place. He was worn out again. He looked at his sister and saw that she was still shaken up. He had gotten off the wrong exit and they had gone through Jackson. Big mistake on his part, they had driven around for two hours, lost in the city. At one point they had seen an elderly lady sitting on a bench, holding a gun on a younger woman. It had been completly crazy. Tori had suggested the stop and help the young woman, but about that time they saw her jump up and run to her car. They had driven on and finally found their way out of the city. When Tori had seen the sign for Greenville she had suggested they stop for the night. They really needed to get an atlas, as the navigation system of the SUV wasn't all that reliable. They had programmed it to keep them away from cities, but it had plotted a course through every city between Brewton, Alabama and Oklahoma City. They had finally shut the thing off.
The got out of the car and walked into the truck stop. Tori followed Nathan closely to the magizine rack. Her mouth dropped open at what she saw. Porn magazines filled the shelves. Nathan had quickly grabbed an atlas and headed for the cashier. They had paid for their purchase, and considered sitting down and ordering something to eat, but Nathan had decided against it. He didn't like the way the men looked at his little sister. They had left the truck stop and looked for a motel. Nathan had seen a convenience store and pulled in and ran inside to grab something to eat. He had returned to see a old man leering and saying suggestive things to Tori. He had been reaching in the open window and was grabbing her. Nathan had grabbed the guy and shoved him away from the car, thrown him to the ground and kicked him several times. Then he had walked around the front of the car jumped in and driven away.
Now that they were at the motel, he quickly looked to see if there was anybody around. He told Tori to stay put and got out of the car and unlocked the door to the room. He motioned Tori to come in, and she threw the car door open, jumped out and ran into the room, tears rolling down her face. He closed the door behind her and went back to the car to get their bags. He unlocked the door again and walked into the room. Tori had already gone into the bathroom and he could hear her loud sobs. He sat on one of the beds and dropped his head into his hands.
"Lord, I really need your help. Please let us get to Aunt Maddie's without anything else happening to scare Tori. Please comfort her. I can't believe how perverse things have gotten already, and I know it's just gonna get worse. But please, help up have a safe trip the rest of the way. I hate seeing her so scared. Open her heart to you, so that she will feel the peace you have promised. In Jesus name, Amen." Nathan continued to pray silently and looked up when Tori walked out of the bathroom.
She had put the same clothes back on and walked right past Nathan and pulled the covers back on the bed and crawled in. She lay there dry eyed staring at the ceiling.
"Tori? You ok?"
She didn't say a word, just turned over so that her back was to him.
Nathan could feel tears building and he began to cry. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone. Tori, please talk to me."
She lay there silent.
Nathan got up and went into the bathroom.
Tori lay on the bed, her eyes sore from crying. "Jesus, I hate this world. I wish I didn't know what's coming next." she whispered. "Please Jesus, make it all go away." and she cried herself to sleep.
Nathan pulled the SUV in a parking place. He was worn out again. He looked at his sister and saw that she was still shaken up. He had gotten off the wrong exit and they had gone through Jackson. Big mistake on his part, they had driven around for two hours, lost in the city. At one point they had seen an elderly lady sitting on a bench, holding a gun on a younger woman. It had been completly crazy. Tori had suggested the stop and help the young woman, but about that time they saw her jump up and run to her car. They had driven on and finally found their way out of the city. When Tori had seen the sign for Greenville she had suggested they stop for the night. They really needed to get an atlas, as the navigation system of the SUV wasn't all that reliable. They had programmed it to keep them away from cities, but it had plotted a course through every city between Brewton, Alabama and Oklahoma City. They had finally shut the thing off.
The got out of the car and walked into the truck stop. Tori followed Nathan closely to the magizine rack. Her mouth dropped open at what she saw. Porn magazines filled the shelves. Nathan had quickly grabbed an atlas and headed for the cashier. They had paid for their purchase, and considered sitting down and ordering something to eat, but Nathan had decided against it. He didn't like the way the men looked at his little sister. They had left the truck stop and looked for a motel. Nathan had seen a convenience store and pulled in and ran inside to grab something to eat. He had returned to see a old man leering and saying suggestive things to Tori. He had been reaching in the open window and was grabbing her. Nathan had grabbed the guy and shoved him away from the car, thrown him to the ground and kicked him several times. Then he had walked around the front of the car jumped in and driven away.
Now that they were at the motel, he quickly looked to see if there was anybody around. He told Tori to stay put and got out of the car and unlocked the door to the room. He motioned Tori to come in, and she threw the car door open, jumped out and ran into the room, tears rolling down her face. He closed the door behind her and went back to the car to get their bags. He unlocked the door again and walked into the room. Tori had already gone into the bathroom and he could hear her loud sobs. He sat on one of the beds and dropped his head into his hands.
"Lord, I really need your help. Please let us get to Aunt Maddie's without anything else happening to scare Tori. Please comfort her. I can't believe how perverse things have gotten already, and I know it's just gonna get worse. But please, help up have a safe trip the rest of the way. I hate seeing her so scared. Open her heart to you, so that she will feel the peace you have promised. In Jesus name, Amen." Nathan continued to pray silently and looked up when Tori walked out of the bathroom.
She had put the same clothes back on and walked right past Nathan and pulled the covers back on the bed and crawled in. She lay there dry eyed staring at the ceiling.
"Tori? You ok?"
She didn't say a word, just turned over so that her back was to him.
Nathan could feel tears building and he began to cry. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone. Tori, please talk to me."
She lay there silent.
Nathan got up and went into the bathroom.
Tori lay on the bed, her eyes sore from crying. "Jesus, I hate this world. I wish I didn't know what's coming next." she whispered. "Please Jesus, make it all go away." and she cried herself to sleep.
- Zags
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Dan and Daryl...had went back home ..sobered by the words Pastor Tim had shared. "He who endures to the end shall be saved" "Plagues... and ....WAR that wipes out 1/3 of all mankind" "Dad did Tim really say hail that weighs near a hundred pounds?" .....Fire...brimstone....earthquakes such as the world has never scene....signs in the heavenlies so scary that men's hearts fail them for fear" "DAD...where is hope?" "Son....it's not in what we are going to see..that is for sure...but son..LISTEN ....we are going to make it..don't you think anything otherwise..ya hear?" "Your mom RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE is probably cheering us on .....and Tim said that this nightmare if we live through will last 7 years from the time a treaty is confirmed in Israel...so let's look at this way.....8 years from right now...we will be dancing on streets of purest gold ..right along side JESUS Himself...I bet your momma is doing that right now" "and son...let me tell ya ....when your mom was young...she could cut a rug" "HUH?" .."Never mind" "my point son is ...there is no other choice ...there is no other plan but to survive the best we can ...and if we have to die...we die..but Just like Tim said..the bible said.. that Paul said..."to die is gain"...Dan laughs at himself..."son did you just here what I said"....ha ha "dad..HOW Can you joke at a time like this?" "Son ..I laugh lest I cry" "you have no idea how bad it hurts missing your ma the way I do..but come on son...WE STILL HAVE HOPE!" "Now let's get busy down yonder ....Tim and I both agree....our caves are going to be vitally important in the future" "Ya know son..ya almost got to wonder...did God make these caves for such a time as this?"
- STA
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Eric finally is able to take his foot off the gas as he slows to pull into the Oakland Arena....The only words Casey spoke as he drove were "can you please hurry" Neither had a clue what to expect and neither were sure what they were really looking for...but as they both stepped out of the car and heard the sound from inside...there was one thing for sure....they were dying to be inside!
almost stumbling over each other to get into the stadium ...Eric and Casey come to a stand still as AWE rushes over them....the site of literally thousands of people with arms held high and voices raised in unity..no instruments...just an angelic chorus of Allelujah ascending towards heaven fills the stadium...the chorus changes to "we love you Jesus....allelujah...we love you Jesus ....allelujah" Eric looks down at his arms goosebumps have coursed his body....he glances over to Casey...EMOTION and TEARS have flooded her cheeks....."what is happening" she ask...what am I feeling? An elderly woman takes her hand...HIS PRESENCE she whispers...His presence....Who's presence Casey ask? Just listen the woman responds...just sit right here and take it all in
- STA
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