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well good.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Yeah, that makes sense. I’ve read the Ilyon Chronicles, which kind of has a similar vibe to your story’s time period and world, and one of the side characters (Christian) married a former prostitute after she became a believer. So, maybe it kind of reminded me of that, I don’t know.
"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him." ~ C. S.
Yeah, I had considered it…. but they wouldn’t work together.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
@hybridlore @linus-smallprint @koshka @keilah-h @elishavet-pidyon @liberty
NEXT SECTION!!
The first thing he knew was the pain. He couldn’t remember having ever been in such terrible pain. Then he felt that he was lying on something softer than the ground, and someone was bathing his back with cool water.
“Will he be alright?” a voice asked. It came from far away… another world.
“I don’t know. Look at his back! It’s a mess. Hardly an unwounded place, and some of the wounds are so deep! His arms and neck don’t look good either.”
“There’s so much blood!”
“There’s no way he can survive this. No one could.”
“Can you believe he did that?”
“Of course I can’t! Now shut up and help me.”
The pain became too much, and he slipped into darkness again. When he next woke, someone was helping him sit up and was pressing the rim of a bowl against his teeth. Slowly he drank until the broth within the bowl was gone. Then he drifted away again. For a time, he stayed in blackness, but soon he began to have dreams. They were strange and fevered and often he was with Julian. His mind drifted back to Ardenta, and he saw Adrian being led to his death by two of the soldiers. He saw Julian running toward his brother, trying to save him.
He ran forward and grabbed Julian. “Don’t! There’s nothing you can do!” He looked up at Adrian and caught the young man’s eye. He had never seen such peace in the midst of fear. He watched as the guards had their way with the young soldier. He saw them striking him over and over. He heard his cries of pain, and he saw him clench his teeth and refuse to give in, despite the cruelty.
Then the soldiers were dragging him up the steps, his face and body awash in blood but his eyes filled with a light he had never seen before and couldn’t understand.
Julian had stopped struggling in his grasp, and for a moment the world fell silent. Then, the deathblow was struck.
He cried out in anguish and horror. He felt Julian fall to his knees, screaming against his brother’s death.
Then everything drifted away, and they were on the run throughout Ardenta, trying to stay just one step ahead of the Empire. And so the dreams went on and on–– most woven from memory and some a strange mix of the past and his imagination.
When he woke, he didn’t know that he was awake. For a long time, he lay and wondered what would happen next in this dream. As time passed and nothing happened, he began to take note of his surroundings.
A piece of straw was jabbing through the blankets he lay on. He could feel the pain in his back and saw the loosely wrapped bandages about his arms. He was lying face down, his head to the side. He tried to lift his head, but the stiffness of his neck was unbearable, and he lowered it again.
He heard startled movement and the sound of feet running away from where he lay. He caught a glimpse of someone dashing through the doorway.
A moment later, Albee appeared. “Oh Leon! I thought you were going to die!” he exclaimed, dropping to his knees by the cot.
Leon smiled weakly. “I’m glad to see you, Albee. How has everyone been? Is everyone alright? Is Ian alright?”
“You barely pull back from the brink of death and you want to know if we’re alright!” Albee exclaimed. He shook his head. “Leon, you are the most foolish person I have ever met! And… the most courageous.”
“Is Ian alright?” Leon repeated, attempting to lift his head and look about the room.
Albee gently pushed him back down. “He’s fine. He was here just a minute ago.”
“Is he the one who ran out?” Leon asked.
“Yes,” Albee replied.
“Why?”
“He came to tell me you were awake.”
“Well, where is he?” Leon tried to look around again.
“Lie still, you almost died, Leon. Let me go and get you something to eat and drink.”
“What time is it? How come you’re here?” Leon asked.
“It’s after dinner, but the rest of the slaves only come in to sleep so as to give you a quiet place to rest.”
Leon smiled slightly. “I’m thankful for their kindness.”
Albee made a wry face. “Actually, it’s because Ian would kill anyone who dared to disturb you,”
Leon raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“The overseers ordered two of us to drag you back here to die. They said one of us was to take care of you if you didn’t die in the night so that they wouldn’t lose a hardworking slave. Ian has been at your side since the moment the overseers left you for dead. He’s been caring for your wounds, feeding you and watching over you. He gave the order that no one was allowed to talk or make noise in here. He gives you your share and his of food. Some of mine too. He hasn’t had much to eat, but he’s been so worried about you that I don’t think he cares. He’s treated you with the tenderness of a mother to her child. No one understands him or even knows him anymore,” Albee explained.
Leon didn’t know what to say, and for a long time he just lay there. At last, he looked up at Albee. “Please ask him to come here.”
“Alright. I’ll get you some food as well,” Albee rose and walked from building. A few moments he was back, and he looked confused. “I told Ian you wanted him, but he said he wasn’t coming. When I insisted, he snarled some curse at me and said he wasn’t coming. He took off before I could say anything in reply.”
“It’s alright. Thank you for trying,” Leon replied.
Albee nodded and walked out. He came back not long after with some food. Putting his arms around Leon, he slowly helped him turn over and sit up. Leon gritted his teeth against the pain and stiffness of his back, arms, and neck. Albee snatched the blankets off as many bed as he could reach and used them as props for Leon. Then he sat down on the cot next to Leon’s and held out the food.
Leon took the bowl, wincing as his arms protested painfully. He paused a moment and then brought it to his mouth and drank.
Albee watched his every move with anxiety.
Leon looked over the rim of the bowl and caught saw him staring. He began to laugh, and Albee grinned.
“I’m alright,” Leon said. “I don’t plan on dying.”
Albee shook his head. “Leon, I don’t know how you did it. You men of the Empire must be as strong as they say.”
“We are tough enough to live in a mountain environment, but not tough enough to survive a beating like that,” Leon replied.
“Then I don’t know how you did it,” Albee repeated.
Leon looked straight at him. “I do. God saved my life. It was only because He is not ready to call me home that I was able to survive. He has more He needs me to do here.”
Albee laughed slightly, but it seemed more from force of habit then true mockery. “Alright Leon, whatever you say. I’m just glad you did survive.”
Leon finished the broth and set the bowl down. Albee was watching him again, and there was a question burning in his eyes.
“What is it?” Leon asked.
Albee shrugged and looked away.
“You can ask.”
“What in all the world provoked you to make a fool move like that?” Albee burst out.
“Ian wasn’t ready to die,” Leon replied simply.
Albee laughed dryly. “Are any of us.”
“You aren’t, but I am,” Leon replied.
Albee crossed his arms. “How so?”
“I have given my life to my Savior, and I know death is not the end. I trust Him to walk me through the shadow of death and bring me into eternal life and glory with Him,” Leon said.
“And you believe this enough that you would throw away your life for Ian?” Albee asked incredulously.
Leon smiled. “‘Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”
“Ha, Ian’s no friend of yours. He’s no friend of anyone!” Albee scoffed.
“Then perhaps the love is all the greater, for if Christ was willing to give His life for those who hated and abused Him, how can I do any less?”
Albee didn’t reply. “Do you want more food?”
Leon shook his head. “No, but thank you.”
Albee helped him lie down again and then picked up the empty bowl.
“Albee, how long was I sleeping?” Leon asked.
“You have not been truly awake for almost two weeks. Like I said, we thought you were going to die,” Albee said. He turned and left.
***
The days of heeling passed slowly for Leon, and the slaves’ barracks became almost suffocating in the heat of the day.
Ian was always gone before Leon woke and would not come in until he was asleep. Leon wondered why the young man was so adamant about not seeing him. The other slaves viewed Leon as a sort of hero, and they would have pestered him with questions if Albee had not warded them off, threatening to go get Ian.
Slowly, the wounds were heeling. However, it was a full month from that day in the vineyard before Leon was able to go back to the fields and work. Even then, it was painful, and he had to stop and rest several times.
After a week in the fields, Leon felt stronger. Ian still avoided him, but Leon caught glimpses of him now and then. He looked unharmed, but there seemed to be something hanging over him, and often there was a desperate look on his face. He no longer made faces behind the overseers’ backs, and he seemed submissive… yet there was that strange shadow.
Leon began to worry.
The overseers wasted no time to taunt Ian and threaten him. He seemed at the breaking point, and there was a desperation about him that Leon knew could mean no good.
Leon prayed for him even more and pleaded for a moment of contact before something happened.
***
Julian met with his two friends and the three leaders of Clonabay’s church to report what the street gang had told him.
Amarin looked a little concerned, but Roland, and Clemens said it was meaningless threatening.
Oswin and Aelic didn’t choose one side over the other.
“Well, no matter who is right, we aren’t going to stop meeting,” Amarin finally stated.
They all agreed.
“We just have to be prepared for something to happen, and we should be alert to the fact that we are in danger. How much danger, I do not know,” Julian said.
Two days passed, and nothing happened. The third day was the Sabbath. They had all come to the agreement that they should meet that evening after those who worked were finished with their jobs.
Hopefully, this would throw anyone planning an attack off track. Julian decided that the three of them should split up in case of pursuit. Roland and Aelic decided to go first, as the two of them were often seen together. Julian would follow a short time after.
At the time set, the two departed and set out for the meeting place. Julian sat down and pulled out his writing supplies to pass the time.
The sixteenth year of Emperor Haidronias’s reign
September 2nd
The EmpireIt seems that after this time of peace we are about to face a season of testing. We have been threatened and disrupted, but so far all of us are unharmed. I fear that is about to change, for a few nights ago, I was warned that the priests had been told of our activity, and I was told to leave. Of course, we didn’t, but the men were a local band of ruffians, and the priests have frightened them with warnings of a curse. They will say anything to have their dirty work done for them. Tonight, we are meeting for worship, and I fear things could go ill. This very well may be the last time I write on these pages. It is a sad way to leave things, with Aelic, Roland, and I perhaps about to be arrested and Leon and Rolf killed or enslaved. Though this all seems very dark, I trust God has a perfect plan though it all, and I know one day– perhaps very soon– I will be able to see what that plan was.
~Julian
Julian stood and let the page dry. Then he closed the journal and packed it away in his rucksack. Taking a deep breath, he reached out for the light cloak he wore in the evenings. It was not there. For a moment he looked around in confusion. Then, he remembered Rosalinde. He wondered if she would come to the meeting. The weather was always cool in the evening, even during the summer.
After a moment’s thought, Julian shrugged. He had survived much worse. He walked from the room and closed and locked the door behind him.
It was still light out, and Julian started quickly down the street. He had gotten about halfway when something seemed wrong. He could feel someone watching him. Bending to tighten the strap of his boot, Julian saw a shadow dart out of sight. Julian rose and took a side street. After winding in and out and backward and forward he lost whoever had been pursuing him and made his way to the meeting place. When he arrived, he was greeted by very relieved friends. “Is everything alright?” Amarin asked.
“Yes, I may have been being followed, but whoever it was got lost after I went about in the alleys for some time,” Julian replied.
“If it was those ruffians, then they didn’t get lost. They stop pursuing you because they knew you were on to them and would never lead them here,” Oswin remarked.
Julian glanced over his shoulder toward the door. “Do you think it was them?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Amarin replied firmly.
Julian nodded and turned back to them. “You are leading our time tonight, aren’t you?” he asked Amarin.
“Yes,” the young man replied. “Though with the wonderful job Oswin and Clemens have done, I hardly see a need for it.”
“When we leave, it will be good to know the people have strong leaders,” Julian replied.
When everyone was settled, Amarin rose from where he sat by Adeline. “Let’s open in a time of singing.”
He began, and the others joined in; lifting the words of the psalm up in praise.
“Let God arise in all His might,
And put the troops of hell to flight;
As smoke that sought to cloud the skies
Before the rising tempest flies.He comes arrayed in burning flames,
Justice and Vengeance are His names;
Behold His fainting foes expire,
Like melting wax before the fire.He rides and thunders through the sky,
His name Jehovah sounds on high;
Sing to His name, ye sons of grace;
Ye saints, rejoice before His face.The widow and the fatherless
Fly to His aid in sharp distress;
In Him the poor and helpless find
A Judge that’s just, a Father kind.He breaks the captive’s heavy chain,
And prisoners see the light again;
But rebels that dispute His will
Shall dwell in chains and darkness still.Kingdoms and thrones to God belong;
Crown Him, ye nations, in your song:
His wondrous names and powers rehearse;
His honors shall enrich your verse.He shakes the heav’ns with loud alarms;
How terrible is God in arms!
In Israel are His mercies known,
Israel is His peculiar throne.Proclaim Him king, pronounce Him blest;
He’s your defense, your joy, your rest:
When terrors rise and nations faint,
God is the strength of every saint.”Julian smiled as he sang the words. It was as if through them, God was speaking to him, even as he lifted his voice in praise. When terrors rise and nations faint, God is the strength of every saint. The words repeated themselves in his mind, and he felt peace and strength wash over him.
When the time of singing was over, Amarin opened with a word of prayer, and then began to teach. Julian listened and couldn’t help the pleasure that filled him when he heard the strong words of the young man. Yes, when they left Clonabay, the church would not be without strong leaders.
Julian was jolted from his thoughts by a sound. He thought he heard something hit against the side of the building. He sat straight, every sense alert.
After a few moments, he heard a sound like a rising wind. Julian looked and saw several others seemed to have heard the noise and were sitting tensely.
Amarin paused, and the room grew quiet. Then, they heard a shout from outside. “We told you to leave!” came the yell. “You won’t, and now you will all pay the price!”
Julian rose quickly to his feet. “It’s me you want. Don’t hurt anyone else, I’ll come out.”
“Oh it’s too late for that,” came the reply. “The gods are angry with you all, and you’re going to curse our town! Today one of the Empire’s merchant ships caught fire in the harbor. Everyone knows it is a curse from the gods because of you!”
“Don’t do anything rash!” Roland yelled. “If you want us strangers you can have us but leave these people alone!”
Julian stiffened. There was a strong smell in the air, and he heard a sound like snapping twigs. With a jolt of horror, he knew what the men outside had done. “No!” he yelled. “No! Don’t do that!”
There was laughter from outside. “We told you all to leave, and now we’ll have to appease the gods ourselves!”
“Roland, the door!” Julian yelled. He leapt over several benches and threw himself against it, but it held firm; bared from the outside.
The smell was stronger now, as was the sound. “Fire!” Gunther yelled.
Several women shrieked, and men leapt to their feet. Amarin and Aelic joined Roland and Julian at the door, trying to break free. Julian and Roland were pushing against it with all their might.
Julian could feel the searing heat through the door. Roland fell back with a cry of pain, shielding himself from the heat and smoke, but Julian and Amarin kept on until they were stifled by the smoke and driven back.
They looked to see others had tried the walls, but the flames were racing up the dry wood toward the roof. Aelic raced past Julian to throw himself at the door, but Julian yanked him back. The two coughed in the smoke and moved away. The rest of the people were gathering the center of the room, and the men were throwing the benches and chairs away from everyone. Several men had taken off their cloaks and stood ready to try to smother any sparks that blew their way, but Julian knew it would be hopeless.
“Women and children in the center!” Oswin yelled.
Women moved to the middle of the circle, holding wailing children close to them. The men and older boys gathered around on the outside, some facing the death that awaited them, and others turned toward their families.
Julian stood next to Amarin, who had his back to the flames and his young wife held tightly against him. Aelic was on Julian’s other side, still coughing from the smoke, his face blackened by soot.
Julian lifted an arm to shield his face from the heat as he looked to where the fire was racing up the walls of the old barn to the far right. He shuddered at the thought of what was sure to follow, and terror raced through every inch of him. Behind him, he could here soft crying, but no one screamed anymore.
At his side, Amarin fell to his knees, Adeline still in his arms. Julian closed his eyes tightly and dropped to his own knees. “Father God, help us!” he cried out.
Then, he heard it. Lifting his sooty, tear-streaked face, Julian listened. Above the noise of the flames was a deafening crash that shook the ground beneath them. Then, through the holes in the roof above them, water began gushing down. Those below lifted their heads and through the holes they saw lightning flash.
Julian spun and saw that the fire was falling on the left side of the building. Leaping to his feet, he snatched up one of the heavy benches and raced toward the wall. Rain was soaking through the roof, and the floor was slick with mud. Behind him Julian heard steps, and he glanced back to see Roland, Aelic and Oswin close behind. Julian paused a few feet from the wall. The fire was hissing angrily, and the rain seemed to be taking it’s tole. With a wild cry Julian swung the bench. It smashed through the charred wood sending sparks flying in all directions. Soon the others reached him, and together they smashed their way through the burnt wall.
Thick smoke was clouding the air as the rain continued to poor down in sheets. Julian choked and tears streaked his face from the burn in his eyes.
Throwing down benches over the hot ground, the men turned toward the others. “Come! Hurry!” Oswin yelled.
The others came near, and three of the young men scrambled over the benches and out of the building. They turned and Julian and the others lifted the children to them. Then the women escaped, followed by the men.
Coughing and choking for breath, Julian and the others ran from the burning building out toward the open country. At last, unable to run any farther, Julian turned and looked back. Everyone stood in the cloudy twilight, coughing and panting for breath. Above them, the rain continued to poor down like it never had before, and the water on the ground was already a few inches deep. Now that it was over, women and children began sobbing.
Julian watched through stinging eyes as the fire quickly succumbed to the force of the storm. It was a downpour like none other, and the rain came down like waves, thoroughly drenching them all.
“Thank You God, thank You,” Julian whispered. “Oh Lord God, You have delivered us from death. Thank You! Thank You!” he covered his face with hands and shook with hoarse sobs of relief, joy, and astonishment.
At his side, Roland began to sing in a voice that was hoarse and cracking from the smoke.
“Let God arise in all His might,
And put the troops of hell to flight;
As smoke that sought to cloud the skies
Before the rising tempest flies…”Around him, the others lifted their voices in praise as the rain continued to poor down around them and the smoke drifted up toward the sky.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
“Lord, all that’s down there is trouble. Nothing good happens out here after dark. I’m going home.”
*grin* Yup. That never works for an excuse!
Go now, and sin no more,
Perfect!
The whip tore into his back again and Leon felt himself jerk with the force of the blow. Oh God, forgive them!
Oh. WOW. I love this scene! Not because Leon got whipped…but because he stepped in for Ian! I’ve seen two other accounts of this…and one of them *sob* was SO touching. It was a true story as well.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
Okay, I’m back now!
So, keilah likes the scene that you have a problem with, linus! This is great. 🤣
Here’s an idea. What if I shift it a little so that the conversation happened a day or two after they had already been on the ship? Do you think that would work?
That would definitely work better, giving Julian some time to come to terms with his grief.
Leon and Julian soon found themselves in a large marketplace. An auctioneer was already selling off slaves, and Hassan moved to talk to a man standing nearby with a sheet of parchment in his hand.
Why is the first thing that comes to mind the scene from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie?
The two just stared at each other for a moment, and Leon felt like he was being sized up and evaluated. At last, the young man pushed off the wall and walked toward Leon. “Hello, I’m Albertus O’Brian, but everyone calls me Albee, and if I like you, then you can to.”
I kind of like Albee, but I don’t know why.
As I wrote in an above entry, we decided to begin ministry in the slums and alleys of the town. God has truly blessed this work. Starting with the children, but growing rapidly, people are coming to God. I can hardly believe it, and it is truly a wonderful thing. Gunther was the first to believe, and he talked about it so much that his father came to find us. After that, more and more began to ask questions. A small church is indeed growing, and one of the men has offered his home for this Sabbath. Our work here is far from over, but we are growing in number, and the Lord’s hand is most certainly upon us. Oh, how I wish Leon was here to see this and be a part of it. I miss him so much. Father, help me to bear his loss and continue on in the path You have called me to.
I like how this started!
“Jesus is calling you,” Julian said. “He loves you, and He is calling to you. It is never too late.”
Again, I’m always cautious not to tell unbelivers that God loves them as we don’t know weather or not this is true until they are saved.
“I want to come to Him! Help me! They won’t let me come! They are everywhere! They are here! They’re with us! They will stop me! Fight them! Fight them! You have power! I know you do! Save me please!”
Julian could feel a darkness closing in about them.
I think you already know what my thoughts on this section are.
“I bet your God doesn’t say much about being sold into slavery,” Albee muttered.
“Actually, He does give instructions to slaves,” Leon smiled. “Titus two–– one of the letters in the Bible–– says; ‘Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.’ And 1 Timothy says ‘Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled’”
Woah! Leon may have overdone it for the Titus passage.
Leon paused and Albee looked up. “Go on… it passes the time, and I’m interested in how much you can remember.”
Okay, now it make more sense that from this point Leon would recite longer passages.
The overseer struck again and again and again, and Leon knew he was dying.
I know you are going to ask this, so no, I didn’t think Leon would die here. He brave.
The smell was stronger now, as was the sound. “Fire!” Gunther yelled.
How did I know the thugs would attempt to burn the building down and lock the doors even before the ships were mentioned?
During COVID, some people thought this should be done to our church building while we met on a Sunday morning. Thankfully, no one attempted it. This is when we formed a security team.
Then, he heard it. Lifting his sooty, tear-streaked face, Julian listened. Above the noise of the flames was a deafening crash that shook the ground beneath them. Then, through the holes in the roof above them, water began gushing down. Those below lifted their heads and through the holes they saw lightning flash.
This makes me think of a story I heard recently regarding a church building in California during the recent fires. All around the building, the trees burned, but there was an untouched area with the building in the center.
Other than the few things I mentioned, I like these sections!
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
*grin* Yup. That never works for an excuse!
Yup. lololol.
Actually, that scene with Leon was inspired by a true account I read! Wonder if it’s the same one?
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Yay!!! He’s back!!
That would definitely work better, giving Julian some time to come to terms with his grief.
Perfect. I made the switch this morning actually.
Why is the first thing that comes to mind the scene from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie?
ya know…. that works. I think I had a scene from my own mind in my head when I wrote it, but I could see some similarities.
Again, I’m always cautious not to tell unbelivers that God loves them as we don’t know weather or not this is true until they are saved.
ack. I felt like there was something off about what he was saying, but I was looking for grammar and spelling over content. 😂
Woah! Leon may have overdone it for the Titus passage.
yeah……
maybe.
I may switch the order of some of those around.
I know you are going to ask this, so no, I didn’t think Leon would die here. He’s brave.
So, interestingly enough, this scene was originally written in draft…. 1? I think, where Leon actually tells the overseers that he was the one who tripped, not Ian.
But, I felt like in this circumstance that there were other ways besides lying that he still could have shielded Ian, and I didn’t like the lie as the first resort.
Draft 2 I had him hide Ian and the overseers decided Leon was the one, but things moved too fast and they were already out to get Ian, so that wouldn’t have worked.
Draft 3 I went back to the lie, be phrased it softer.
Then I chose this. So, all that to say…. does it work? Or was a lie the only way he could have done it? (I know you shy away from Christian’s lying which is part of why I’m asking you.) would the opportunity to teach Leon a lesson for his insolence be enticing enough to make them let Ian go? (in your opinion btw.)
During COVID, some people thought this should be done to our church building while we met on a Sunday morning. Thankfully, no one attempted it. This is when we formed a security team.
That’s horrible!
Our church fought two fires during COVID.
None of them were set by arsonists though, but it was pretty exciting.
This makes me think of a story I heard recently regarding a church building in California during the recent fires. All around the building, the trees burned, but there was an untouched area with the building in the center.
YES!! I love stories like that!
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
ack. I felt like there was something off about what he was saying, but I was looking for grammar and spelling over content. 😂
Okay, good. I know you are a Calvinist as well, so I was confused why you had that in.
Then I chose this. So, all that to say…. does it work? Or was a lie the only way he could have done it? (I know you shy away from Christian’s lying which is part of why I’m asking you.) would the opportunity to teach Leon a lesson for his insolence be enticing enough to make them let Ian go? (in your opinion btw.)
I think this works. It didn’t feel odd or like something that the overseers wouldn’t do when I first read it. I would expect them to still be keeping an eye on Ian, though, and Leon may not be able to do this a second time depending on what people higher up think (since you’ve shown that Leon is a highly valued slave for his work).
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Our church fought two fires during COVID.
Yikes!
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Lololol. We must remember that I wrote that when I was much younger and wasn’t fully sure where I stood… 😂
Okay then. If that works then that’s great!
The fire thing was actually one of my favorite memories!! I want to write a book about it sometime. (I’d like to write about the whole experience of having church during COVID. There were so many cool things that happened.)
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Lololol. We must remember that I wrote that when I was much younger and wasn’t fully sure where I stood… 😂
Ah, yes.
The fire thing was actually one of my favorite memories!! I want to write a book about it sometime. (I’d like to write about the whole experience of having church during COVID. There were so many cool things that happened.)
That would be neat!
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Think so?
I mostly write fiction so it would be interesting.
Maybe if I did a fiction-like sort of retelling… like how Little Women is Alcott’s biography but with a few fiction twists. That might make it easier to write.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Actually, that scene with Leon was inspired by a true account I read! Wonder if it’s the same one?
Well, the one that touched me was in a movie. Maybe you’ve heard of it? “The War to End all Wars”? It’s a WW2 film.
"He who never quotes will never be quoted." ~Charles Spurgeon
Ooo! No I haven’t!!
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
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