Armored Angels Alliance

Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER TWO

PRAYERS

CHAPTER THREE

A SACRIFICE

CHAPTER FOUR

RECTIFICATION

CHAPTER FIVE

PARADISE

CHAPTER SIX

HEAVENWARD

EPILOGUE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PREFACE

This is a story about five close friends who form a bond with one another. They realize that everyone is born with a sinful nature. It is their desire to be there for one another, especially in times of great need.

As they step out into the fallen world, they are surrounded by the spirit of the enemy. They know that in order to conquer this foe, they must put on the whole armor of God.

These five born again Christians must battle the forces of evil as they set about spreading the gospel to the lost souls that they encounter, everyday.

The sinfulness that is depicted in this story is not sugar coated. Sin and it’s consequences are very serious issues and should not be dealt with lightly.

Many people continue to wander through the wilderness of life. They stumble around in the dark completely blinded by their own rebellious natures.

Jesus Christ is the beacon of light that directs our path to lasting peace and happiness. Our sins may have nailed Him to the cross, but it was God’s love that paved the way toward forgiveness.

The penalty for sin is death. Jesus died for our sins. On the third day, He rose from the dead. He ascended into Heaven where He sits on the right hand of the Father.

Jesus promises that He will return someday to judge and rule over us. His return will be when we least expect it. We must be ready and help others to learn the truth so that they will be ready when the appointed time arrives.

CHAPTER ONE

A VISION

Lake Erie was calm on a slightly cool evening. It was in the Autumn of 1996. On one of the many shores in Northeast Ohio, the Church of Faith in Christ’s singles Bible study was drawing to a close. Several gulls swooped overhead, and off in the distance, several children were tossing a bright red and blue frisbee back and forth.

The lingering smell of burning charcoal filled the air, as Denise Washington smiled at the others.

Stepping proudly, over to Adam Harrison, a tall dark haired man with a slight beard growth and a full mustache, Denise placed her arm inside of his, while searching the eyes of each and every person gathered before her. She announced, This will be the final Bible study that I will be teaching. Adam and I are getting married next month, as you all are well aware of.

Adam grinned broadly, as the group offered up their individual congratulations to the couple.

After several moments passed by, a young woman with long blonde hair, asked Denise, Who’ll be your replacement?

Samantha, Denise explained, that will be entirely up to Pastor Mark. He says that he will be approaching someone that he feels will be interested. He belongs to another church, but, it seems that this man has been growing uncomfortable with this church due to it’s lack of congregational support.

Well, Denise, a young slender man, with wavy dark hair, held out his hand toward Adam and his future bride, said, I must tell you, that I, for one, have truly been blessed by your classes.

Thank you, Scott, Denise smiled, shaking the young man’s hand, you all have truly been a blessing to me, also.

Adam shook everyone’s hands, warmly, as he explained, Well, Denise and I have an appointment with Pastor Mark, early in the morning. We really must get going.

After everyone said their good-byes, the group watched with glad spirits as the ecstatic couple made their way, arm in arm, up the beach, toward the stairs that led to the parking lot.

Samantha was the first to break the silence, I really feel God intends for us to do more than just live good and moral lives, attend Bible studies, listen to Christian music instead of secular music and so on…..

I agree with you, Valerie, the young woman sharing a beach towel with a man, who was holding a guitar, said as she brushed her auburn hair from her eyes.

What are you suggesting, Samantha? Scott asked, as he ran his right hand along the sand beside his towel.

I don’t know, Samantha began, I think that we should form some sort of support group. The Lord knows that it’s pretty tough out there. I think that we, as Christians, should be there for one another, especially during times of trials and tribulations.

Have you prayed about this, Samantha? The man with the guitar asked, as he softly strummed a chord on his instrument.

Yes, Lincoln, Samantha replied, eagerly.

Valerie smiled over toward Lincoln, as he played another couple notes, and then she commented, I believe that we should, as Christians, go even further. I believe that God wants us to go beyond helping each other cope with everyday life. I think He wants us to go forth and help those people we encounter in our everyday walk.

Scott sat straight up and almost shouted, I’ve been dealing with that very same issue. I see it as how we all come from different backgrounds, and we each deal with totally different sorts of people in the secular world, that we each have our own missions to spread the gospel in different directions. We’d sort of be like a tree trunk with branches spreading out every which way.

Exactly! Samantha shouted.

Lincoln stopped strumming his guitar, as he turned toward the man seated across from him. What do you think, Chris? Lincoln asked. You’re the only one who hasn’t spoken up, yet.

Chris replied, I think it’s great, but I have to emphasize the importance of Samantha’s original idea. We simply must be there for one another, when we stumble along. Because, if we are backsliding and suddenly find ourselves living lives that are not pleasing to God, then we will be defeating the whole purpose.

Right! Scott agreed. We need to be able to pick each other up when we fall. Those people, who we are attempting to bring into the fold, will be scrutinizing us very closely, for we are to be living examples of how Jesus Christ wants us to be.

Valerie giggled, We could be like guardian angels over one another.

Scott smiled, and said, We should always be ready for anything, because Satan will throw all kinds of obstacles in front of us. We should, each of us, put on the armor of God, before we step out.

Samantha concurred, That means we should be in constant prayer, not only for one another, but also for the people that we encounter.

Lincoln stood up, placed his guitar down upon the beach towel, and said, We should form some sort of united front, here and now.

Chris stood up and placed his hand upon Lincoln’s outstretched hand, and said, Let’s form an alliance.

Samantha, then stood up and placed her hand upon Chris’ hand, and said, Let’s call it an Alliance of Angels.

Scott stood up and said, Let’s call it the Armored Angels Alliance.

After Scott placed his hand upon Samantha’s, Valerie joined them. She smiled as she placed her hand on top of the others. Giggling, again, Valerie said, The triple A’s for short.

Looking toward heaven, the five young people lowered their combined hands, and then slowly raised them upwards, shouting, Praise…….God…….!

As Adam helped Denise into his small compact car, he laughed, as he commented, I’m going to miss all of those Bible studies.

Well, Denise said, before Adam closed her door, we can always join another Bible study. One with old married couples.

Adam laughed, loudly, as he gently closed the passenger door.

Once inside the car and seated, comfortably, behind the steering wheel, Adam looked over at his future bride. For one split second, he thought he noticed an eerie glow surrounding her.

What are you staring at, Adam Harrison? Denise asked, with a smile.

Oh, Adam sighed, only the most magnificent gift that God could possibly give me, that’s all.

Teasingly, Denise whispered, Please….

As Samantha and Scott gathered their towels up, they shook the sand from them, and watched as the others made their way up the beach.

Samantha started to wipe away some tears that were forming in her eyes.

I hope that those are tears of joy, Samantha, Scott said, as he folded his towel in a haphazard fashion.

Incredible tears of joy! Samantha replied, as she gave Scott a hug.

So, Scott asked, after Samantha removed her arms from around his neck, where are you headed, this evening?

I feel this need to go and visit my mother. She’s been acting a little strange, lately.

Scott nodded, and said, I’ve got somewhere to go, too.

Oh, where? Samantha asked, as they walked toward the parking lot stairs.

It’s rather personal, Scott explained.

Scott! Samantha warned, You mustn’t shut any of us out like this. It could be dangerous.

I’ll be fine, Scott assured his friend, it isn’t anything that I can’t handle on my own.

But, Samantha reminded him, you won’t be on your own, from now on. You’ll be taking with you all of our prayers, and you know that God is always the great observer.

You’re right, Samantha Taylor, Scott laughed, a bit uneasily, as usual.

As Adam turned on his headlights, he glanced over toward Denise, and asked, Do you have to go straight home, tonight?

Denise asked, as Adam backed his car out of it’s parking space, What did you have in mind, Mr. Harrison?

Adam made his way toward the main road that ran along the lake shore, and replied, Oh, I just thought maybe we could stop off at Franklyn’s Diner and have ourselves a little bite to eat.

You, my future husband, Denise laughed, are a bottomless pit.

What can I say? Adam laughed, as he pulled out onto the road.

Valerie stopped abruptly, and fell to her knees. Her hands were trembling and tears began to fall down her cheeks.

What is it? Lincoln asked.

Chris explained, Valerie sometimes has these ah…premonitions.

Premonitions? Lincoln asked. Of danger, or something?

I don’t know, Chris replied, as he knelt down beside Valerie and placed his arm around her slender shoulders.

Sometimes, I think of it as a curse, Valerie cried, as she rocked back and forth.

A curse? Lincoln shouted. I would think, that if this second sight came from God that it naturally would be a gift.

It is a gift, Valerie admitted. But sometimes, I can feel things so sensitively, that it can really hurt.

What are you feeling, now? Chris asked, while attempting to massage Valerie’s trembling shoulders.

It feels like someone is in danger. It feels like someone out on the streets tonight, doesn’t belong behind the wheel.

Maybe we should hold off, before we get into our cars, Chris suggested.

How often has she been right with these…these…premonitions? Lincoln asked, as a chill began to run down his spine.

Chris glanced over toward Lincoln, and with all sincerity, replied, She’s never been wrong, yet.

Adam turned on the radio and flipped a cassette tape into the player. The sound of Ray Boltz filled the car.

Denise commented, Ray Boltz will be performing here in October.

Maybe we’ll get a chance to go see him, Adam said, while a song was just finishing up.

Denise reached down to get her purse. Adam glanced over and asked, What’s wrong?

Oh, nothing, Denise replied. I think that I might have a schedule of concerts in my purse. I’m trying to find out the exact date of this concert.

I think it’s October 21st, Adam said.

Great! Denise commented. Maybe we can take my sisters along.

As Samantha and Scott caught up with the others, they found the three of them in fervent prayer.

Seeing that Scott was about to interrupt, with a question, Samantha whispered, Sh…., as they moved on, silently.

Suddenly, Valerie looked up and shouted toward Samantha and Scott, Hey! Wait a minute you two. There’s something dangerous out there.

Chris ran after the two as they began to ascend the stairs.

After catching up with them, Chris explained, Valerie has had another one of her premonitions.

Scott commented, skeptically, Chris, you know how I feel about Valerie’s so-called premonitions. They border on the occult, you know, like tarot cards and such. I put about as much credence into her premonitions as I would into those people who make millions of dollars bilking people with all their phony claims to having psychic powers.

Scott, Chris warned, with a deep serious tone, this one was incredibly strong. It almost rendered her totally paralyzed.

Scott replied, I’m not so sure, if this…gift…of hers is from God or from the devil.

Believe me, Samantha interceded on Chris’ behalf, saying, it’s from God. Valerie once warned me about going to church along the usual route that I always took. Well, it just so happens…that if I had traveled that road, on that very morning, I could have been killed.

What happened? Scott asked, skeptically.

A gas line exploded, for no apparent reason. It took out the entire street.

Samantha nodded, as Chris went on to explain, It occurred, precisely, at the very moment, that Samantha would have been passing through there, as was always her routine.

A coincidence? Scott asked.

I hardly think so! Samantha replied.

Denise glanced out of her passenger side window, and noticed the bright orange sunset, as it appeared, between a row of trees.

That…is truly beautiful! She commented.

It’s another one of God’s greatest gifts to us, Adam agreed. Just think about all of the couples all over this world who have fallen in love with each other, while watching the sun set.

You are truly a romantic, Mr. Harrison, Denise laughed, as she continued to look out of her window.

Valerie, slowly rose up from the ground, brushed the sand from her clothes, and apologized to everyone, I’m sorry. I never know when I’m going to get one of these…these…premonitions.

Do you think that one of us here is in any kind of danger, Valerie? Samantha asked.

Valerie, nervously, looked around, and replied, I’m not sure! The feeling is getting weaker.

Scott stepped over to Valerie and said, Perhaps, that is the blessing.

Valerie lightly punched Scott on the right shoulder, and said in a teasing manner, Oh, ye of little faith.

Lincoln announced, I’m going to walk along the beach for awhile. Would anyone care to join me?

I’m sorry, Lincoln, Samantha explained, but I’m going over to see my mother. She hasn’t been herself, lately.

Chris replied, I think that I had better drive Valerie home. She’s still pretty shook up. We can pick her car up in the morning.

Lincoln turned toward Scott, who said that he was going somewhere and that he didn’t have much time to get there.

Lincoln teased, For a newly formed alliance, we sure are all going off in different directions, right away.

Samantha apologized, once again, as she headed for the parking lot, followed by Scott and then, by Chris and Valerie.

Lincoln, while still holding his guitar, watched as his friends disappeared up the stairs. A cool breeze suddenly began to blow. Lincoln zipped up his blue suede jacket and turned up his collar as he started down the beach.

While waiting at a traffic light, Adam asked Denise, Honey, who have you finally decided to ask to be your maid of honor?

Denise replied, with a smile, I’ve asked my sister Rosalie. She’s so excited.

Adam smiled, and said, I like Rosalie. I think you’ve made a great choice.

Is Denny going to be your best man? Denise asked, as if she already knew the answer.

How did you guess? Adam laughed.

Could it be that you two have been the best of friends ever since the two of you could remember?

Elementary, my dear! Adam laughed as the light turned green, and then he proceeded, cautiously, through the intersection.

Scott could not shake the image of the young boy he saw wandering the streets late last night. He reminded Scott of himself, at that age. The boy was asking for nothing but trouble, but like Scott, he was not aware of it.

As Scott got into his car, he recalled the short conversation that he had with the boy. He had asked him, Why are you roaming the streets this late at night?

The boy, a thin boy with lots of wavy blonde hair, which lie beneath a blue and white baseball cap, replied, Because, my mother’s boyfriend is spending the night again, that’s why.

Scott could feel the boy’s pain, as he listened to every word.

When will you go home? Scott had asked the boy.

The boy replied, When I see that red truck out of our driveway, that’s when it’ll be safe to go home.

What’s your name, Son? Scott had recalled asking out of genuine concern.

Why do you want to know? The boy asked suspiciously. Are you some sort of weirdo?

Scott rushed quickly to his own defense, and answered, almost awkwardly, No, I’m not some sort of weirdo. I just simply asked you what your name is, that’s all.

It’s Shaun, as if it makes any kind of difference, the boy answered, rather rudely.

The image of the boy walking off into the night, alone and depressed, just about wrenched Scott’s heart to pieces, as he recalled his own nightmarish past alone on the streets late at night.

Scott started up his car and headed off toward the highway.

Lincoln began to strum his guitar as he walked down the sandy beach. The darkness was quickly enveloping the shore, as he softly sang a tune. The memory of his sweet grandmother singing to him and his brothers suddenly came to Lincoln. He smiled, as he recalled her sweet voice singing about the goodness of Jesus Christ.

Lincoln thanked God for his grandmother, as he vowed that he would visit her more often instead of taking her for granted like he had been doing, lately.