Annus, the head of all the dark creatures, called a meeting at his headquarters. He had spoken with loneliness after his meeting with Grace in Chicago and commended the creature for his astounding deception of one that belonged to the Maker. It was exceptionally rare for one of the Maker’s own to be deceived, but Grace had fallen into the trap, and now the whole of the dark side was preparing to win her over. The dark side was made up entirely of those that had fallen from the Makers favor and winning another over was more to hurt the Maker than to benefit darkness. Annus’ whole goal was to make the Maker miserable, as long as his days continued. He knew his time was short, and he was counting the minutes.
As the creatures of darkness gathered, Annus scanned the crowd. He saw some of his personal favorites, Fear, Pride, Hate, Deception, Rejection, and Rebellion, sitting close to the front in their reserved seats. They were talking about their most recent expeditions on the human planet. "I have completely taken over the lives of a woman and her family," said Fear with a snarl. "The woman has cancer and instead of turning to the Maker, they turned to me. I’ll keep them wondering and waiting in agony every minute of their life!" He sat back in his chair with a humph, satisfied that he had outdone all other creatures. "That’s nothing compared to mine," said Rebellion. I have succeeded in causing 300 teenagers to run away from home in the last month. They’re out on the streets, weeping and moaning, but too prideful to go home." "I’ll take credit for them not returning," said Pride. "I was the one who put arrogance in their heart."
Silence reigned over the previously restless audience as Annus stood, his power overcoming them all. He was not as one would expect the leader of darkness to be. In contrast, he was a very beautiful creature. His robe was made of white satin and he glowed in tranquility. When speaking to his subjects he was forceful, but when engaged in deception his voice was as soft as that of a whisper. He had an aura of peace about him that attracted even the Maker’s most loyal servant. His powerful voice boomed as he spoke to the crowd. "I have called you here for a very serious matter. We have succeeded in deceiving one of the Maker’s own. Now we must convert her." Hate rose, shaking, and in his squeaky voice volunteered for the job. "Silence!" shouted Annus. "This will be a job for many, but only the strongest will go. You will be battling the powerful forces of the Maker. Although we will win, we must not underestimate his power." The dark creatures stared in wonder, each pleading in his heart to be chosen. Anyone who succeeded in this task would be forever in Annus’ favor. "You will step forward as I call your name," said Annus, now more calm. "The ones I have chosen are Fear, Doubt, Insecurity, Rejection, Rebellion and Self Denial. Your leader will be the one who has made this possible, the one who met Grace in Chicago and led her astray. His name is Loneliness."
As his name was mentioned, loneliness stood and approached the front of the auditorium. Annus stepped back to watch his plan unfold. He was curious to see what kind of a leader this new favorite would be. If Loneliness was nervous no one could tell. His features were firm, set in a frown. His dark cape hung low, almost dragging on the ground, as he walked toward the stage. A hush fell over the crowd as this powerful creature stood to speak. "I have always been powerful," he said, "but we are in the dawn of a new era in which I will have great dominion!" Fear shook involuntarily. Was this new favorite of Annus’ going to dominate darkness? Loneliness continued, "We will conquer the whole human race with a new strategy. No longer will our main forces be rebellion, hate, and violence. From now on we will use fear, insecurity, and loneliness to destroy the Maker’s creation. His "children" as he calls them will be utterly and completely destroyed to the point of submission. Are you with me?" The creatures of darkness stood and cheered. They were all beginning to see the reality in the new strategy. Annus smiled slyly as he watched his subjects. This could very well be the best thing to happen to darkness since Nazi Germany.
Copyright © 2005 by Jamie Madera. Reproduction is forbidden without permission. Contact me at jamielynne87@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Chapter One: The Fall
Grace wandered through the dark and dreary streets of downtown Chicago, wondering if she had taken a wrong turn. The Maker had told her that she would find a child, lost and alone on a deserted street. She had been wandering around for hours with no sign of a lost child. Suddenly, as she rounded a corner, she came face to face with a hideous being of inferior proportions. With a sinister laugh this creature called loneliness confronted Grace with his opinion of the situation. "I have already found the child, and it belongs to me now," said loneliness. Grace did not know what to say. She had never felt failure so strongly. She stared for a moment at the creature before her, then turned away, disappointed that she had failed. What she did not know was that she had believed the lies of loneliness, and chosen failure instead of hope.
As Grace made her way back to the Maker’s residence, she wondered what his reaction to her failure would be. Would he be angry? Would he still love her? She could see the Maker’s house from the end of the street, it’s diamond windows gleaming in the sunlight. The beams were made of pure gold, inlaid with precious stones. The satin shades on the inner windows were drawn back, revealing the Maker speaking with someone. "I shouldn’t bother him," she thought. She debated whether this was a good enough excuse to avoid confronting him, but as she approached the doorway she saw his visitor, another of her kind, leaving the house. Hope, who had just been to speak with the Maker, said a few simple words, "I missed you yesterday. Why did you not call for me?". These words penetrated Grace’s heart as the two passed on the golden walkway. Grace now had no choice but to enter.
Relief flooded her as she saw the Maker come to the doorway and smile reassuringly. He turned to walk in the house and she followed. Although she had been to his residence countless times, the fineries never ceased to amaze her. The tapestries were braded gold, silver, and bronze, the walls were covered in gems, and the furniture was made out of pure lace and satin linens. The Maker invited Grace to sit in her usual chair, but this was not like her usual times of fellowship with him. In the past she had sat in her favorite royal purple linen chair, talking and laughing with him, but now she was unsure of herself. The lies of doubt and insecurity were creeping into her mind. She saw everything as through a fog, confusing and indistinguishable. The Maker spoke. "You could have told him no," he said. "I don’t understand," said Grace nervously. "who are you talking about?" The Maker let out a sad sigh and continued. "When you met loneliness last night in Chicago you could have said no to his lies and continued on your search for the child." "How could I? The child already belonged to loneliness, I had no power to take it back," said Grace. "Maybe you did not have any power," said the Maker, "but if you had only asked, I would have come and helped you." Grace was again flooded with guilt as she realized the depth of her mistake. She knew all the time that loneliness had no power over the Maker, or even herself, but she had fallen when she believed that hideous creature’s lies. A child’s life was forever changed because she had forgotten her Maker’s precious words, "I will never leave you or forsake you." The Maker’s voice brought her back to reality as he explained that all she needed to do was to ask for forgiveness and her mistake would be wiped from his memory. She knew this was true, but she felt the need to think about it. "I have to go," she said standing up suddenly. She was not yet ready to accept his love. She felt her mistake had been too big. The Maker allowed her to go, but his heart was torn apart as she walked out the door. He looked at the wounded hand he had rested on the doorpost, and wept.
Copyright © 2005 by Jamie Madera. Reproduction is forbidden without permission. Contact me at jamielynne87@yahoo.com.
As Grace made her way back to the Maker’s residence, she wondered what his reaction to her failure would be. Would he be angry? Would he still love her? She could see the Maker’s house from the end of the street, it’s diamond windows gleaming in the sunlight. The beams were made of pure gold, inlaid with precious stones. The satin shades on the inner windows were drawn back, revealing the Maker speaking with someone. "I shouldn’t bother him," she thought. She debated whether this was a good enough excuse to avoid confronting him, but as she approached the doorway she saw his visitor, another of her kind, leaving the house. Hope, who had just been to speak with the Maker, said a few simple words, "I missed you yesterday. Why did you not call for me?". These words penetrated Grace’s heart as the two passed on the golden walkway. Grace now had no choice but to enter.
Relief flooded her as she saw the Maker come to the doorway and smile reassuringly. He turned to walk in the house and she followed. Although she had been to his residence countless times, the fineries never ceased to amaze her. The tapestries were braded gold, silver, and bronze, the walls were covered in gems, and the furniture was made out of pure lace and satin linens. The Maker invited Grace to sit in her usual chair, but this was not like her usual times of fellowship with him. In the past she had sat in her favorite royal purple linen chair, talking and laughing with him, but now she was unsure of herself. The lies of doubt and insecurity were creeping into her mind. She saw everything as through a fog, confusing and indistinguishable. The Maker spoke. "You could have told him no," he said. "I don’t understand," said Grace nervously. "who are you talking about?" The Maker let out a sad sigh and continued. "When you met loneliness last night in Chicago you could have said no to his lies and continued on your search for the child." "How could I? The child already belonged to loneliness, I had no power to take it back," said Grace. "Maybe you did not have any power," said the Maker, "but if you had only asked, I would have come and helped you." Grace was again flooded with guilt as she realized the depth of her mistake. She knew all the time that loneliness had no power over the Maker, or even herself, but she had fallen when she believed that hideous creature’s lies. A child’s life was forever changed because she had forgotten her Maker’s precious words, "I will never leave you or forsake you." The Maker’s voice brought her back to reality as he explained that all she needed to do was to ask for forgiveness and her mistake would be wiped from his memory. She knew this was true, but she felt the need to think about it. "I have to go," she said standing up suddenly. She was not yet ready to accept his love. She felt her mistake had been too big. The Maker allowed her to go, but his heart was torn apart as she walked out the door. He looked at the wounded hand he had rested on the doorpost, and wept.
Copyright © 2005 by Jamie Madera. Reproduction is forbidden without permission. Contact me at jamielynne87@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Starbucks and the World of Coffee
I stepped into a new world today: the world of gormet coffee. Yes, I am now an employee of Starbucks Coffee Company. It's so much fun!! Come read a book and sip a mocha!
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Harry Potter...
Some time ago I was considering the effect that the Harry Potter books and movies are having on children. Witchcraft and sorcery are accepted as ok, and even fun. This is SO damaging to our culture and to the very truth that needs to be taught to these children. While considering this, I thought about a way to counteract this negative influence. I decided to write a book of my own that shared truth and light instead of lies and darkness. I have been writing it off and on over the past few years, and I thought I might share the first few chapters with you. Would anyone be interested in giving me an honest critique? I would really apprecitate it! I find that inspiration is exciting, but I don't know if what comes out of it is readable or enjoyable.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Quiet
As I listen to the quiet evening, I wonder what life will be like in a few days, when finals are finished. My dad has told me several times this month "You know that old saying, 'If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you buisy'?" Well, maybe that's what happened, and maybe not, but I know that I have been far buisier that anyone ever should be. I think we all know the feeling of running from one thing to another with no time to breathe in between, much less time to stop and pray. During these times I find myself praying mostly for peace (while I'm in the car, headed to the next activity) The difficulty in this is the "fact" that all of these activities are important. Have you heard of the book There Were Two Trees? I know there must be so many things that I am doing that are "good things", but not "God things". So now that the semester is over, and this endless Monday that has lasted for the past three weeks is finished, I will have time to sit, rest, and ponder. What will I ponder? Well, there is my book that I plan to finish, and my other book that I plan to start, but I want to put a particular book on the top of the list. One that has special meaning for my life. (Can you guess which one I'm talking about?) Yes, you guesed right (at least I think you did). I want to study the Bible. I have felt so, well, crunched for time lately that the most I have gotten is my daily portion before I go to bed. I am so excited about having free time to spend just reading and praying, but most of all I want to develop a dependence on it that will last a lifetime. Yes, I know I should already be totally dependent on God and his word for sustenance, and in a way I am, but I want to go deeper. I want to reach a point where I am so dependent on Him that to miss a morning spent with Him would cause me deep distress. I suppose we all reach this point at some time in our lives, and my time is now. I am ready to go deep sea diving, but with this diving suit the only way to replenish your oxygen is to go deeper. In one of my favorite songs Steven Curtis Chapman says it perfectly: "I'm divin' in!"
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