Ditch the Resolution

Once again, it's the start of a new year. People all around me are making new resolutions, setting new goals, defining new ambitions. Me? Nah. I've never been one for new year's resolutions. I've tried them in the past; lose weight, write more, gripe less, blah, blah, blah.

This year, I'm doing something different. Rather than saying "I'll do such and such," I'm simply going to do the things I need to do; lose weight, write more, gripe less.

When I work with managers and other leaders in training, I tell them to focus on the positive actions that need doing, rather than the negative actions that need stopping. It's time I try a little of my own advice.

I think I'll also play with the word itself; "Resolution. To decide or to determine. A formal, group decision." How about we add a hyphen and call it "Re-solution." I want to "re-solve" some of the issues I've had to deal with over the last year. Written in this manner, it simply means to "solve again", which means whatever solution I thought I had come up with, apparently didn't work. Therefore, it's time to "re-solve" the problem.

What does that really mean? I need to look at what I chose to do about the issue, examine why it didn't work, and find a different solution. I need to do this over and over until the issue is no longer an issue and is truly "re-solved, and resolved."

How does this differ from previous years? Action. I'm moving beyond "saying" and into "doing." I will also "do" in the present. It's not about what I'll do tomorrow, it's about what I am doing today. Action can only take place in the present. The past is done, over, complete, kaput. There is nothing I can do to change anything I did five minutes ago, much less, days, weeks, months, or years ago. The future is only a possibility. There is potential in the future. There is promise in the future. There is no action in the future. That is reserved for the present. Today I can act. Right now, I can act.

Ditch the new year's resolution merry-go-round. Determine what action you can take today, right now, to re-solve whatever is going on in your life. Forget the past, pencil in the future, but take action NOW.

Happy 2016.

IF I DARED

If I dared to laugh with abandon, would the world call me insane?

Would they whisper and wonder and question, if I dared to dance in the rain?

If I dared to run for no reason but the joy of the wind in my hair

If I dared to roll in green meadows, to play with the butterflies there.

If I dared to look at the mountains and choose to see giant’s grand towers,

If I dared to look at a garden and see the fairies that live in the flowers.

If I dared to believe the impossible and see beauty where none should exist,    

If I dared to choose my own pathway and see promise that others have missed.

If I dared to replace “oh dear” with “oh my” and be awed by the grace in a storm

If I dared to believe that peace is real and war could be overcome.

If I dared any of these, much less all, and dared you to dare along with me,

Would the world be changed, would a difference be made, if we just dared to be?

 

 

R W Ley © 2014, Jan 21

The Great Unanswerable Question

“Why did God let it happen?”

That is a question that has been asked by believers and non-believers alike for centuries. When tragedy strikes, the question is always “Why?” Often, there is no answer. At least, no answer that makes sense to the human mind.

A young man I knew for many years made a choice to end his own life. In this situation, the one person with the answer to the “Why” is the one person no one can ask. And yet, I’m not sure even he would have an answer that would satisfy the pain felt by those left behind. That choice is an act of such profound desperation, that I’m doubtful he would be able to answer his own question of why. If he could, perhaps he would have chosen another path.

As to the reason that God “let it happen” there may be a very simple answer, even though many will still not like the answer. The answer may very well be “because He is God.”

That probably sounds arrogant on the surface, so let me take you a little deeper in to that answer, at least to the measure I can understand it. I believe in a God that is holy, divine, complete, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is, was, and is to come. If something exists, it is because God caused it to exist. The universe as we know it does not exist by random chance or accident. Individuals are born on purpose, no matter that circumstances may seem to prove otherwise. All that being said, every individual born into this world is a creature of free will. Every day, we as humans, make choices that affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us as well.

I believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, sees and knows every choice every individual will ever make in his or her given lifetime, good and bad, right and wrong. And He sees all the repercussions of every decision made by every individual since Adam and Eve first breathed the life He gave them. He sees the consequences of the decisions we don’t make. He sees every single “what if” scenario there could possibly be, no matter how many options may exist. He not only sees the “big picture”, He sees the infinite alternatives and sees every “big picture” that could possibly occur. He knows all the “shoulda, coulda, woulda” outcomes. He simply knows everything.

And yet, we still get to choose. He allows us to choose our own way through this world. He offers to help us, to show us the path He designed us to take. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to make the choices that will lead us to become the exact individual He had in mind when He first planned our existence. Yes, sometimes He seems to interfere with our choices. Miracles, happy accidents, coincidences; whatever you choose to call them, things happen that deter us from one path or guide us to another. Ultimately, however, every individual life is up to the individual. We choose and He allows us that choice. He has a perfect plan in mind. But he wants willing followers, not automatons. He wants us to choose Him and His way. He wants us to be completely devoted and knows we cannot be that if we do not choose to be devoted. No one can force one individual to love another, not even God, for that is not love. We are allowed to choose.

The human mind is powerful. The experts will tell you none of us use our minds to its full capacity. Its complexity continues to confound science and medicine. Every time the experts believe they have the answer, they find something new and realize there is still more to learn and discover. Yet for all its power, it is fragile. It can be damaged and even destroyed. And when a mind gets broken, the human spirit within that mind gets lost.

I don’t know the circumstances in the life of this young man I knew. I had not spoken to him for a long time. I don’t know what caused him to reach that breaking point. I do know that God was not surprised. He was not caught off guard. He knew the choice this young man would make, although He also knew the many other options that were available to him. So why did He not interfere? Because to do so would be against His very nature. If He does not allow one person to make their own choice, He cannot allow anyone to make their own choice. If He shows preference to one, He must show preference to all. If He forces one to alter their path, He must force all to alter their path. Free will vanishes and God becomes what He is not. It is His infinite holiness that grants us the power to choose.

Those of us who choose to believe in Him, in His plan of salvation, in His mercy and grace, are still allowed to choose our paths in this life. We still have free will. This young man made a choice to remove himself from this world. Those left in pain and grief do not know why. God, in His mercy and grace, gathered that young man into His arms at the very moment his spirit left his physical body and granted him an eternal peace that immediately healed whatever had broken within him. I believe this because I believe that young man knew God’s grace and had accepted His salvation. I believe God welcomed him home just as He will welcome all of His children home when our time comes.

Why did God let it happen? Because He is God.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

The Perfect Christmas Gift

What to give, what to give? It's the same question every year at this time. What do you give to those people closest to you? Does your family really need one more gizmo, gadget, bangle, bauble or bead? I doubt it. I know that no one in my family really needs any more stuff. So what do you give? What can you give that they will actually enjoy and benefit from?

I have an answer, but if you know me you guessed that already. Seriously, there is something that you can give and it will actually cost you very little and will be as unique as you are. What is it? Simple. Give them . . . you.

Uh, okay. How?

Simple. Make the choice to invest yourself in your friends and family. For the next year, purposefully make time to spend time with those people who mean the most to you. And I don't mean simply send more text messages or watch more TV together. Turn off all the outside distractions. Turn off the TV. Turn off the phone. Turn off the computer. Sit together in the same room and have a real conversation with them.

Do you really know your spouse's secret dream or ambition? What about your children? Do you know what they are really interested in? What about your parents? What was it like when they were children? Are your parents WWII generation? Korea? Vietnam? The first Gulf War? Disco? Have they fulfilled the dreams they had when they were your age?

Most importantly, talk about eternal matters. Where are you in your relationship with Christ? Do you even have one? Do your family memebers? Do you even know?

Read the Bible together. Talk about it. If you disagree on something with each other talk about it and find out why. Is it a serious disagreement? Can it affect your personal eternity?

Some of these are pretty deep questions. But they will lead to deeper understanding and better communication with each other.

Give the perfect gift to your family. It costs almost nothing; maybe some time. It won't wear out; it won't go out of style; it won't break or become obsolete. It doesn't need batteries or an instruction manual. Give them you.

Christmas: accomplished.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Nicholas' Christmas

Nicholas' Christmas

I wrote this a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it. RWL


Twas the week before Christmas and all through the town
The people were scurrying up streets and down
They chatted and laughed, they hurried and hustled
They shopped and they worried, they bought and they bustled.

A man walked through town and saw all the throngs
He saw the commercials and heard all the songs
He wasn't quite dressed like the ones at the mall
Some glanced, some glared, and some saw not at all.

He wandered the streets of both rich and the poor
Saw signs of the season on most every door
But something was missing among all the noise
It wasn't the presents, it wasn't the toys.

At last as he wearied of all the commotion
He saw an old friend and with such great emotion
They embraced with much joy and old hearts aglowing
They sat and they talked as the sky started snowing.

"My friend you look sad", the second man said
As he looked at his friend with a droop to his head
"There's so much not right in this town at this time,
The season is here but no reason or rhyme

To the things they are doing in their rush just to buy
All the latest and greatest." He said with a sigh.
"It's sad to see them so busy and hurried,
They rush in confusion, they're anxious and worried.

"What to give, what to get, what to eat, what to wear,
What to say that will not offend someone somewhere."
He looked off again at the light bedecked streets
Saw bells, trees and reindeer and sugar plum treats.

There were stars, there were candy canes, elves, a few angels
But he saw not one shepherd, no wise men, no manger.
"They've forgotten the reason there's Christmas at all"
The man said to his friend as a tear tried to fall.

"They've even mistreated the things I once did
And turned it to something meant only for kids.
I gave not for glory, I gave not for fame,
I tried not to let anyone know my name

"And here they now say I'm a Saint just for giving
But they do not remember my reason for living.
I wanted to help those who had nothing but sorrow
To show them that hope would still be here tomorrow.

"I wanted to show them that love was not dead.
I wanted to lead them to find You, instead."
"I know that my friend, I saw all your deeds.
How you simply looked round, saw and met needs.

"Your heart overflowed with your love for your neighbors
With no regard for ability to return any favors."
They sat awhile longer, the snow kept on falling
When somewhere outside they heard a broken heart calling

They both leaped to their feet to find the lost soul
And found a young child crying out in the cold.
Nicholas took off his coat and enclosed her
In warmth and in love as he reached to just hold her.

The Savior reached down and wrapped up her feet
As He brushed off the snow, the mud and the sleet.
They carried her back to their table and shared
Their food and their drink, they showed her they cared.

Her tears stopped their flowing, she smiled at the love
And reached out for help and salvation from above.
Her heart overflowed with the joy of the season
As she saw in her presence the real Christmas reason

She thanked both men soundly and ran outside singing
Calling to everyone to start the bells ringing.
"The Savior has come" she cried to the skies
"He's brought back the light and rescinded the lies!"

She took all she had, the few sole possessions
And gave them away to those who had less ones.
She found another lost soul and shared her warm coat
She told him the story that she knew now by rote.

He saw in her eyes and her heart it was true,
And he started sharing the Christmas warmth, too.
The two old friends watched as the light began heading
Across the old town and to neighboring towns spreading.

Nicholas smiled, a tear slid down his cheek.
He looked at his Savior unable to speak.
The Savior reached out and took His friend's hand
"Come home now, dear Nicholas," and started to stand.

"You've once again showed a people that love
Comes from the heart, but is sent from above."
Nicholas looked out the city so bright
The stars were now shedding a heavenly light

The snow simply sparkled as the clouds rolled away
And he knew Christmas dawn was not far away.
"I fear it won't last," he whispered to his Lord.
"Something will happen, they tend to get bored,

"With being so loving and caring and kind
It just doesn't last much past New Year's night."
"It's alright" Jesus told him as they walked down the street
"I love them no matter if bitter or sweet.

"My children are mine and will be forever,
And someday in Heaven we'll all be together."
Nicholas took one last long look around
Christmas had finally come to this town.

"Merry Christmas" he said, "Peace on Earth to all men.
I pray you remember, till Christ comes again.

The Choice to Sin

Rebellion. Disobedience. Disrespect. These words are often used to describe the actions of teenagers as they progress through those adolescent years. As parents, we know the signs. We know that our children are going to exhibit this qualities. As Christians, though, do we associate these words with our own actions? I believe that at some  point in every Christian's life, you will go through a sort of adolescence. There will be something in your life, whether an old habit or a new temptation, that is going to make you behave just like that rebellious teenager. You know very well that what you want to do is wrong. It goes against everything you believe, every value you stand on and every thing you've ever taken a stand against. You know it's wrong. And yet, you blatantly and openly choose to do it anyway. It doesn't matter what it is; the specifics are immaterial. It is the attitude.

When this happens, how do you react? God promises that for every temptation offered, a way is provided. Will you take it? If you choose to act upon whatever temptation or sin is in your way, do you understand that there will be consequences? Are you willing to risk what those consequences are going to be?

God will not force you to obey. He is the ideal parent figure and He will tell you the rules. He will establish the boundaries that define your life. You already know His standard is perfection and that you need the saving grace offered by Jesus to be seen as that perfect standard. You know what you are supposed to do. You choose, however, to fly in the face of right and do wrong. I'm not talking about the normal everyday slips and slides we all have. I'm talking about a deliberate choice to do that which is sin. Will grace cover that? Does grace cover deliberate disobedience?

I believe the short answer is 'yes' because Scripture promises forgiveness of not only all sins, but forgiveness of the sin nature itself. The long answer is a little less cut and dried. Ultimately, in the big picture of eternity, yes, those sins are forgiven. In the here and now, however, you could be letting yourself in for a world of hurt. When you choose deliberate sin, you step outside of the Father's protective hand. You choose to put yourself in a position of harm. Not from God. He will never harm you. He will not make bad things happen to you or cause the bad things in your life. But He may allow those things. You have chosen to step away from Him and that is a dangerous place to be. God also will not make you obey. He allows you free will. You choose to obey or not.

If you find yourself facing this situation think of a few things before you make a decision you can't turn back from . Remember, most things in life cannot be undone. There is no delete button, no do-overs, no mulligans. Once you commit that sin, it's done. You are now in the position of having to deal with the consequences. The problem is, those consequences may not manifest themselves until much later down the road of your life. Rest assured though that your choices will come back to bite you. Recognize that God does not tolerate deliberate disobedience. There will be consequences. You will be disciplined if you step out of His will.

Make sure you understand what you are letting yourself in for before you make that choice to be deliberately disobedient. There will be a way out. If you choose not to take it, don't whine and cry and shout 'not fair' when the hammer falls and you have to deal with those consequences.If you choose deliberate disobedience, you better take your medicine silently and thank God that His grace is as complete as it is. Is that sin worth the risk? Only you can answer that.

Cotton Candy Diet

Cotton candy is a wonderful thing. It’s sweet, it’s light, and it comes in different colors. It’s also mostly air and has no nutritional value whatsoever. No person in their right mind would live on a diet of cotton candy.

Why then, do many Christians expect to live on diet of spiritual cotton candy? Church services and so-called Bible studies that are nothing more than air and fluff, with no spiritual nutritional value whatsoever.

If your personal and corporate Bible study leaves you hungry and empty, you need to think about changing your diet. Bible study should challenge you. It should make you ask more questions. It should sometimes make you hit your knees in brokenness and repentance. If the only thing you ever feel is the ‘warm-fuzzies,’ you’re spiritually starving.

Jesus called himself the Bread of Life and Living Water. Bread and water. Staples of life. The physical body needs balanced nutrition to be healthy. The soul needs proper nutrition as well. If you’re not regularly feasting on the Bread and Water, you will not be spiritually healthy. Like a regular diet of cotton candy, it will do little more than make you ill and rot your teeth.

Don’t be afraid to let your Bible study be high impact, calorie loaded, and full of fat. Isaiah 55:2 tells us to let our souls delight in fatness, defined as the profuseness of spiritual joy. Make your time with the Lord a feast. Fatten your soul, keep it nourished with Bread and Water, and delight in that fatness. A skinny soul is not pretty.

The Next Phase

It has happened. I tried to avoid it, but it was out of my hands and it has happened. I have entered that next phase of life. I am now a mother-in-law. My oldest son got married this past weekend and my family has expanded by four. Yes, four. No, he did not marry four women and start his own harem. His new bride brings three children to the family; two girls and a boy. They are wonderful kids and she's a beautiful, charming young woman and I'm over the moon happy for all of them.

It's going to be a transition though for me. I wasn't always the most patient of moms, and I don't think I'm going to be the most patient of grandmothers, either. Did I say that g-word? Yes, I'm having issues. It's all me, though. I just don't want to get old. Older, that's inevitable, but I don't want to be OLD. Yes, there is a difference.

My mother is a grandmother six times over and a great-grandmother eight times over but she is not old. She travels, teaches, writes, and has a great quality of life. I've known other people who were old before they ever had children, much less generations beyond. I don't want to be those people. I want to be more like my mother.

How do I plan to not get old, even though nature demands I get older? I'm not sure yet, but I have some ideas. One, I will never stop writing. If I stop writing, my head will explode and I will die. Very simple. Two, I shall remain socially active in some way, most likely through Toastmasters and my network of friends there. I will find a church wherein I can grow my faith, share my experiences and learn from others. I will laugh at cartoons, dance a little now and then and go barefoot in the rain. I will sing songs from old musicals and drive my husband crazy. I will play. I will watch football and yell for and at my favorite teams. I will refuse to allow past disappointments to color my expectations of future endeavors. In short, I will LIVE. I will THRIVE. I will not get old.

Yes, I am now a grandmother. Thank you David and Shannon and Joslyn and Emmy and Kenny. Welcome to the family and know that you are and will continue to be loved and cherished for the simple fact of who you are. You are family.

The Confrontation

The man who sat in the high backed throne made from rich, dark wood inset with many large multifaceted stones of varying colors was a man of the most marvelous appearance. His close cropped hair was silver in color, his features flawless. He had the hands of an artist; slim, tapered, perfect. He wore close fitting trousers of fine cut cloth, with a tunic of the same fabric. The trousers were dyed a brilliant turquoise, the tunic was bright white and belted about the waist with a beautifully tooled leather belt. His boots were the softest kid leather and were a custom fit. On his left hand he wore a heavy signet ring set with what looked to be a single large, square cut blood ruby. On his head, he wore a gold circlet set with more of the red stones. The single guard who stood behind his chair wondered if anyone else realized the stones were merely glass.

A second man stood facing him across a large stone table. This one was dressed much simpler, in loose fitting beige linen trousers, soft shoes and a plain linen tunic of dark green. His hair was a deep auburn color and in need of a trim. His eyes were clear gray, almost silver. His hands were rough, those of a working man, a smith of some sort perhaps. In his hands he held a very small book. The guard knew this man as well, and wondered how he had come to be in this place.

The man on the throne sneered at the one standing.

“So that’s it, is it? If you’re here, then it means they finally found something on you. Just enough to keep you here. What was it? What was your downfall? What finally caused the mighty prince to stumble? A woman?” His voice came out harsh and grating. The guard knew those flawless features were not quite so perfect. On more than one occasion he had seen those black eyes fill with scorn and contempt for whomever he was with and he had heard the bitterness and bile that could spew forth from the cruel set mouth.

“I’m here because my Father sent me.”

“No, you’re here because you’re guilty of something, anything. You finally made that fatal mistake and you’ve been beaten and now your father wants terms of surrender.”

“No. He has no intention of ever surrendering to you, or to anyone.”

“Then he’s just lost that much more, because you are here now and you are mine. Everyone knows once you walk in here you never leave."

“Ah, but I can leave. Anytime I choose.” The man laid the small book on the table in front of the throne. “I have here the key to my exit.”

The silver-haired man stood.

“What is that?” he tried very hard to sound disinterested and unconcerned, but the guard could hear the change in tone and did not wonder that his lord was afraid.

“This,” pointing to the small book, “is the evidence gathered against me and the evidence by which I was sentenced. It was produced by those who wished me out of their way and ruled on by a man who has no love for my Father. You may examine it if you like.”

Suddenly not quite as sure of himself, the silver-haired man picked up the small book and began to leaf through it. He dropped it as if it had suddenly burned his fingers.

“It’s empty,” he whispered harshly.

“Exactly.” The other man still spoke softly and surely. “And now we will deal with this.” He pointed to a large ledger on the table. He reached across it and opened it to the first page. He ran his finger down the list of names and began to speak again. “This one can go, as can this one. These do not belong here, nor do these next few.” He continued down the page. The man with the silver hair became angrier the more names were indicated. He soon realized that every name was being indicated.

“But they are all guilty. They are here by right of judgment. You cannot change that.”

“But I can. I was convicted of crimes I did not commit. You held the evidence in your hand. There is none. I am innocent of any wrongdoing. But I was sentenced all the same. By that token, I now have the right to claim their sentence paid.” He continued to move his hand down the list and on to the following pages. As he did, the names began to disappear from the ledger. The silver haired man howled his rage and tried to grab the ledger.

“They’re mine!” he screamed. “All of them! I was promised all the guilty!”

“And you will have them, in time. But there is a new system for judgment now. Father has chosen to offer mercy to anyone who wishes it.” Silence filled the great hall for one eternal moment. The guard, now fully alert, paid very close attention to every word exchanged between the two men. From behind the throne, two more guards had quietly appeared and they too listened carefully.

“They don’t deserve mercy. If he offers mercy to everyone, how can you say I will get the guilty?” His eyes were frantic, his rage barely held in check. A muscle in his cheek ticked.

The simply dressed man pointed to another book on the table. It had not been there a moment before. The black eyes widened and his guards could feel his fear. They felt their own fear as well. They knew the atrocities their lord was capable of when angered. The gray eyed man continued.

“This is Father’s Book of Lives. It contains the names of every single individual that ever has or will ever draw breath upon Father’s creation. He has written them all down, just for you. Now, you cannot keep me here, for I am completely innocent and you have no cause for keeping me in your prison. But each of these names is guilty. They are all guilty of the same crime, the same sin. They are not perfect. It is that simple. They have failed to be perfect. Or will fail to be perfect. In your position, you have every right to demand that Father condemn each and every one of them to be imprisoned here with you. But Father has a different idea.” The man paused a moment and smiled quietly. A light emanated from his features in such a way that the silver-haired man had to turn away. The guards also turned away. “From this moment on, every individual in this book will have a chance to proclaim a choice; to follow Father and His ways, and accept that I have served their sentence for them or they can continue to follow their own ways and follow you. They have their entire lives to make that choice and not until their soul separates from their physical body will that choice be denied them. It will not matter if they choose early or late, young or old. Those who choose Father will remain listed in this book. Those who choose against Father will have their names forever erased from this Book and you can add them to your ledger. But not until their death. As long as they draw breath, they have the right to choose.” He paused again and let the man across from him take in his words.

“When Father decides that time for humanity must end and calls them all to His final court, there will be an accounting. All those who chose me and remain in the book will be free of your prison. You will have no claim on their soul and Father will restore their perfection. Those whose names have been erased will be yours. Here. Forever.”

“That’s all? They just have to choose you or me?” the silver-haired man began to laugh and returned to drop into his throne, all tension and fear evaporating from his being. “That’s it? Then I win! The humanity your Father so adores is so self-seeking and weak that I will be able to keep all of them from choosing you. You offer nothing but self sacrifice, dependence, and subservience. I can show them that by following me they will have riches and power and all their basest desires fulfilled. And I can make that easy for them. Which of those simpletons wouldn’t choose me?” He laughed some more. “Go. You’re right, I can’t keep you. I don’t want you. I’ve already won. Go back to your Father and tell him to start getting ready to hand over his crown. It will be mine.”

The auburn-haired man picked up the large book. He walked around the table and approached the man on the wooden throne. On the armrest lay a large iron key. He quietly reached out and picked it up.

“I’ll take this with me now as well.”

“No!” The man on the throne reached to grab the key, but the other man was already on the other side of the great stone hall. “That’s the key to . . . to everything. It’s mine!” His rage boiled forth and his near perfect features melted into a mask of anger and hatred. The other man simply turned and walked to the door.

“No, Bela. I return it to my Father. It has always been His.”

“But Sa’Adoni . . .” Bela stopped in the middle of the floor. Sa’Adoni turned back to look at him. ”I can’t leave here without that key.” The rage was quickly turning to fear.

“I know.” There was deep sadness in those two simple words and a single tear traced a silver path along his cheek. “I know.” Sa’Adoni left the great hall and left Bela standing in the center of the room, his emotions ranging from hatred to rage to fear and back to hatred. He stalked back to the table and took up the small book Sa’Adoni had left and looked at again. In rage he tore it in several pieces and flung them into the hearth. He raised his hand and immediately the pages, the empty pages, burst into flame. The stone table was overturned with another gesture of his hand. He flung himself in to his throne.

“I will win.” He snarled. “I will corrupt every single weak, empty minded human that dares to call themselves a man. They are nothing compared to me. I will fill this place with the souls of his creation and leave him an empty paradise. Then we will see who is worshipped.” He was so wrapped in his rage he did not notice that his guards were no longer present behind his throne. All three had disappeared.

Outside the walls of the keep, Sa’Adoni stopped at the massive gates. Several warriors stood waiting for him. One, the leader, looked behind him and started to say something, but Sa’Adoni raised a hand for silence.

“You see nothing, Mikhos. All is well. Place your guards. We are through here. You and I will return to my Father and give Him the key and the book.” Mikhos bowed in acknowledgement.

In the hazy gray distance, three dark figures ran quickly and furtively in the opposite direction.