Why had he not heard from Jimmy Fox? He had paid the crook good money to help him but had not heard from him anymore. The scumbag had apparently just taken his money and fooled him. This was the last time he would enlist criminals.
After the makeup artist had plastered his face with creams and salves he grabbed his fourth cup of coffee in anticipation of the debate and swallowed it in one gulp. It tasted horrible.
Then he heard a whisper. “Hey, Samson? Pssst. Over here.”
He turned around and there, in the semi-darkness of the dressing area stood Jimmy Fox.
“Jimmy!” He almost shouted it out.
“Quiet,” ordered Jimmy. His eyes shot back and forth to see if someone had seen him. Then he motioned Samson to come near.
“Jimmy…,” Samson whispered back, “So glad to see you. I thought you had fooled me and just stolen my money. Did you get what I need?”
“Hey, man,” Jimmy said with a smile, “I told you I am as good as they come.” He pushed a big yellow envelope into Samson’s hand. “Here. It’s all in here. You’ll be fine.”
“Oh, Jimmy,” Samson’s heart leaped for joy. For a moment, he considered kissing the pockmarked dude with his stringy hair, but he thought better of it and just said, “Thank you Jimmy. And now get out of here.”
“Sure, man. I’ll be watching you on television.” Then he turned and disappeared in the darkness while Samson clutched the envelope in his hand and smiled. Maybe he would survive this day after all.
Chapter 10
Stretching The Truth
THOSE WHO STRETCH the truth usually find that it snaps back.
Madeleine looked stunning. She apparently had gone to the hairdresser for the occasion. Her long blonde curls were flowing down in perfect waves that were kept in place with several layers of rich hairspray and Samson smelled her presence long before he looked into her piercing blue eyes. She pursed her scarlet red lips and blew him a small kiss.
“At last we meet again, Reverend Samson,” she said with a smile, although her eyes were hard and cold. Samson swallowed. Why did evil women have to be so pretty?
Armsteadt was dressed in a tight striped suit and had carefully gelled the loose hairs around his bald spot in the right order. He just wrinkled his nose and refused to give Samson a hand. “Still no need for a suit, Reverend?” he cackled as he looked at Samson’s sweatshirt that showed a smiling polar bear with the words underneath, I’m your friend.
Samson didn’t answer but just sat down in the appointed seat in front of the camera and waited for the debate to begin. The debate would be led by Jocelyn Cork, a smart, driven young woman who was the rising star of the TV Network.
“Ten seconds to go,” shouted someone. Samson readjusted his dreadlocks and waited.
There was the introduction music. Madeleine still wiped a strand of hair out of her face and bit her pretty lip.
“Good evening,” Jocelyn Cork spoke with a radiant smile as she looked in the camera. “Tonight we bring you Satan, Sex, and Separation, a subject I am sure we are all eager to explore. On our right, we have Pastor Bob Armsteadt from Fire Garden church and his lovely secretary Madeleine Stone…” Madeleine smiled warmly into the camera, “…and on our left we have Reverend Jackson from Happy Redeemer.” Jocelyn waited for a moment and took a sip of her water. “These two pastors, however, are no friends and tonight we will explore why. Now to me, an unbeliever, that raises immediate questions.” She turned to Armsteadt and asked, “How is it, Pastor Armsteadt that you both preach the same God and yet don’t like each other?”
Armsteadt cleared his throat and readjusted his tie. Then he spoke in a fatherly tone. “I am glad you ask me that question, Jocelyn.” He narrowed his eyes and looked at Samson. “It is a deep issue and covers the vast array of sins that are so openly committed by those who claim to be the shepherds of God’s chosen few. I represent many churches in our area and wish to address those sins.”
“I see,” said Jocelyn. “What sins may these be, Pastor?”
“Greed, power and…” he lowered his voice as he looked straight into the camera, “…sex.”
It was as if that one word was charged with electricity and everyone in the studio paid attention. Armsteadt, as the skilled preacher he was, took advantage of the opportunity to preach a neat little sermon on the virtues of marriage and the evils of sex in the wrong settings.
Samson didn’t mind. The debate was only to last half an hour and he realized with joy that time was ticking away. Let the man speak.
“…I have now been married for 40 years,” Armsteadt droned on, “and never been unfaithful, unlike some others here in this studio.”
“Thank you, Pastor Armsteadt. We’ve heard enough,” Jocelyn said as she turned to Samson.
“Reverend Jackson, what are your thoughts on this?”
Samson swallowed hard as the camera focused on him and registered the small drops of sweat on his forehead. “Well…I,” he stammered, “sex is not necessarily a sin. God created it in the beginning, but we are all under the curse of the fall and people sometimes sin because of—”
“—Sex outside marriage,” interrupted Armstead with a thundering voice. His face no longer resembled that of a wise, loving father. Anger flashed out as he pointed a finger to Samson. “You, Reverend…have made a mockery of the faith. You have slept with countless women other than your wife. You have used sex as a means to gain power over our churches and you are a liar.”
“Amen,” added Madeleine Stone. She gave a firm nod, which made her curls jump up.
“These are bold words, Pastor Armsteadt,” Jocelyn remarked. “Do you have any proof?”
Armsteadt shook his head. “This man, Reverend Jackson, has been able to cover his steps. But you can take my word for it. He’s leading people astray.”
Jocelyn turned Samson, “Any words of defense, Reverend?”
Samson was surprised that Armsteadt and Madeleine had not prepared their case better. It looked like this was nothing but a slander campaign and any normal thinking person would easily see through it. He felt his confidence rising. As always, the best defense would be the attack. He would have to beat them to it.
“What can I say, Jocelyn?” Samson said with a smile. “They accuse me of having slept with many women. I’ve even heard it being said that I slept with a prostitute and made her pregnant. But to show you how ridiculous these lies are,” he turned to Madeleine Stone, “I’ve also heard that I supposedly slept with Madeleine Stone. I must confess she is remarkably pretty, but Jocelyn…what do you think? If I slept with her would we be having this debate?”
Jocelyn scratched her head. “No, Reverend…I see your point.”
Madeleine jumped out of her seat. “W-What did you say?” she screamed. “You fat, hairy devil; keep your mouth shut.” Her sweet smile had vanished and she had turned into a ravenous beast that was out for the kill.
Some assistants ran up from behind and held her back as she was about to hit Samson. Jocelyn Cork was smiling with glee. For her, things couldn’t be any better.
When peace had been restored, Jocelyn Cork turned back to Samson. “So, Reverend, there’s no proof of your so-called adventures?”
“Absolutely not,” said Samson with a smile. “But…” he said slowly, “…I do have proof of something else.”
Jocelyn raised her eyebrows as Samson pulled out his brown envelope and handed it to Jocelyn.
“What’s this, Reverend?”
“Open it,” Samson said. Jocelyn looked at it and her eyes grew wide. Then she ripped it open and the camera zoomed in. Everyone watched with bated breath as she pulled out some pictures.
Jocelyn Cork blushed.
Madeleine yelped. Armsteadt let out a curse and became pale and Samson chuckled.
For there, in front of the camera, were several pictures of Madeleine Stone and Bob Armsteadt in a deep, loving embrace and they were doing things that they should never have been doing.
Jimmy F
ox had done his job well.
Chapter 11
Secret Love
OPEN REBUKE IS better than secret love.
Proverbs 27:5
Precious was not pleased.
When Samson came home that day he hummed, I want more of Jesus, but when he saw the dark scowl on Precious’ face he knew the battle wasn’t over yet.
“I won the debate,” he said when he stepped in the door. “Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Samson Jackson,” Precious said, trying to control her anger, “Armsteadt may be a hypocritical Pharisee, but he was right about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“He said you make a mockery of the faith. Do you realize what a terrible testimony the three of you have been on television?”
“No, Precious…people congratulated me.” Samson started to breathe more rapidly. “It was good for the Kingdom. People slapped me on the back and said they said they were sorry the devil had been fighting me so much.” He opened his arms wide and pleaded with Precious to believe him. “They said they would come to Happy Redeemer on Sunday. This is a great victory…this was not a mockery.”
“Let us do evil that good may come?” Precious hissed. “The Apostle Paul said that this is not possible.”
Samson wasn’t used to being rebuked. For a moment, he felt the urge to retaliate, but he respected Precious too much and ended up lowering his head.
“What do you think an honest, searching person will think of Christians after they witnessed this sickening performance on stage?” Precious went on. “What kind of man are you?”
“But they were going to destroy me,” Samson said while he fumbled with his dreadlocks.
“You are all just sick babies,” Precious spouted out. “God told me to carry you in prayer and that Satan would seek to destroy you…Well, maybe Satan won and I failed.”
“What?” Samson’s voice started to quiver. “I-eh—”
“Nothing I-eh, Samson, don’t you see that this was your chance to confess to the whole world. This was your chance to come clean, but you messed up and destroyed another man in the process.” Precious raised her voice, something she never did.
“But Armstead is a liar…”
“So are you, Samson. What will it take to get you straightened out?”
“But I am chosen. I am the Lord’s anointed.” Tears stung his eyes and choked out his words.
“You are only the Lord’s anointed if you yield to God, Samson. Right now, you are the Devil’s anointed.”
Samson slumped down on the couch and stared into empty space and noticed Precious’ overnight bag. “Are you going somewhere?”
Precious nodded. “Just for a few days. I figure you need to have time with God alone. I will be staying with Mary Culbert. But I tell you, Samson…” she bent over and looked straight into Samson’s face. “You must change.”
Samson was shocked. There were tears in her eyes; she was crying for him. Then she said in soft tones, “That prophecy about you being special is never, ever going to be fulfilled, unless you change.” Then she turned around and stepped out the door without looking back, and left Samson behind in his cage of misery.
*
That week Samson stayed home. He didn’t eat or shave and just sat on the couch or on the floor and stared into empty space. The anger of Precious had made a deep impression on him. Could it be that she was right? Maybe he had been deceived and he was lifted up in pride. Did he confuse love with lust? Madeleine Stone had convinced him that a love affair outside marriage was his right as the Lord’s chosen, but Madeleine was a witch. And come to think of it, nowhere in the Scriptures could a clear reference be found that justified his behavior. Precious had talked to him many times about repentance, but he just lacked the strength. When he saw a pretty woman he just wanted to kiss her and…
He saw now that he had been lying to himself. He had justified his behavior as a means to an end for the good of the Kingdom, but it really didn’t help the Kingdom. He had tried to cheat everybody, including God and Precious, although you can’t very well cheat God. And Precious saw right through him. How was that possible?
Samson knew the answer. That was, of course, because she really loved God and thus God told her everything. And…people had even died because of him.
With a shock, the full realization of what had happened to Pastor Direheart and his lovely fiancé Yayla hit him and Samson broke out into a cold sweat. He was responsible for their death. Well, Jimmy Fox had burned them, but really it was because of him.
He wanted to scream. He needed to yell and find peace in his tormented heart. God…you promised me peace. But I don’t have peace.
A passage of scripture popped up in his mind. The way of the transgressor is hard. Surely he was a transgressor. *
Precious had even found his secret stack of liquor behind the computer. His whole life was a joke. He…the Lord’s anointed? No way. Precious had said he was a tool of the devil.
Oh God, Have mercy upon me. I am losing my mind.
How long he sat on the floor like that he didn’t know. He cried and cried until his body refused to make more tears and his head felt light and dizzy. If he would lose Precious it would all be over.
“Samson?”
What? Who’s calling? Samson looked up with blood shot eyes and peered through the darkening room.
Precious.
It was Precious. She had come home.
Never before had Samson seen a more welcoming sight. She walked over and knelt near him and kissed his forehead.
“Oh, Precious,” he said as he fell into her arms. “I can’t do it anymore.”
“Hold on Samson,” she said, “The real battle has only just begun, but maybe you are about to move over to the right side.”
Chapter 12
Delilah
WHATEVER YOU DO, just keep on going for God
“And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was…”
Judges 16:4
From: Abraxas
To: Boghule
Boghule, you miserable creep, you have hopelessly failed your mission. Our subject is starting to move in the direction of the One Whose Name We Dare Not Speak. We will have to take drastic measures. You have now been replaced and will report directly to Lexus, the overseer of our horde in the Cook Islands. I am not sorry to see you go. We will have to resort to drastic measures to repair your stupid mistakes.
Abraxas.
*
The next Sunday it was full in Happy Redeemer. Many people had flocked to the church as a result of the debate, but Precious had prepared him.
“Don’t kid yourself, Samson,” she said. “Most of these folks are just seeking a new thrill. They hope for a good show like they had during the debate.”
“Will you come and be my support?” Samson had asked, “Just for today. I know you prefer to go to Mary’s church…but…you know…I feel so bad and incapable.”
Precious nodded. “I’ll be there. I will come with Mary and we’ll be sitting somewhere in the back.”
“Thank you,” Samson said and he sighed. “One more question. What do you think I need to tell the congregation? After the debate, my popularity has sky-rocketed…but I don’t care anymore. I don’t even know if I still want to be a pastor.”
Precious shook her head. “Listen, Samson. It would be the easiest thing to tell you what to say at this stage. But I won’t do that. I want God to teach and mould you. My job is not to be your overseer. My job is to uphold you in prayer. That’s what I’ll be doing this Sunday. You just ask God what you need to preach about.”
And so Precious sat in the back of the church as Samson started his sermon. He was rather subdued and didn’t shout and scream like he usually did. Even his dreadlocks hung flat on his back and hardly moved. Samson spoke about prayer and although he stumbled over his words in the beginning things started to flow after awhile and the people in the church started to
shout their ‘Amen’s.
Suddenly Samson stopped in the middle of a sentence.
He touched the base of his neck and stared over the congregation. No one spoke a word. What was happening? Precious and Mary sat up and stared at Samson who looked pale. Then, he opened his mouth and slowly spoke. “There is a lady here today…The Lord is giving me a message…I-I can’t get it clear, but I see her face before me…”
“What’s happening?” Mary Culbert whispered to Precious. “Is he gifted like Jeremiah Black?”
“I don’t know,” Precious whispered back.
Samson started to pace back and forth and kept on looking over the audience. Then he stretched out his finger and pointed to a lady in the fourth row.
“It’s you I have seen,” Samson said with a voice filled with emotion. “Would you stand up?”
The lady rose. She had long, black hair and her eyes were skilfully made up with dark eye shadow and mascara. Her dress was black as well and so were her tights. A shock went through Precious’ body as she watched. Who was this woman?
“What’s your name?” Samson asked while he blinked his eyes.
“My name,” said the woman in a voice that made Samson think of melted chocolate, “is Delilah…”
* Proverbs 13:15
ACT 3 - DELILAH
Chapter 1
Children Are A Gift
TO HAVE CHILDREN is half the fun of living!
Doctor Suzy Sprout smiled a satisfied smile as she looked through her heavy, black-rimmed glasses at the pictures of the ultrasound.
“It looks very well, Mrs.Jackson. Even though the baby is only about six weeks old, there is absolutely no reason to worry about anything.”
She handed the pictures to Precious and was obviously pleased to be able to pass on such happy news. “Does your husband know that you came today for a dating ultrasound or will you surprise him tonight at dinner?”
Pastor Samson's Secret Sins: The Story Of A Strong Man of God With A Weakness For Women Page 10
