Chapter 7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12: 7-10 (NKJV)
Daniel was elated when Angel called him and invited him to a gathering at a friend’s house. That she was introducing him to her friends was a good sign, wasn’t it? A sign that she intended to keep him around awhile. Whatever her reasons, he was thrilled he was going to see her again. He had not stopped thinking about her during the past two weeks. And despite Thomas’ warning, he couldn’t turn her down.
When he reached the house, he was forced to park several doors down. After climbing out of his Porsche, he clicked the key lock and glanced around, hoping it would be safe in this neighborhood. Music and singing blared from the address Angel had given him. A party? Now, that was more like the Angel he remembered.
After several rings of the doorbell, a plump, middle-aged woman with curly short hair and a kind face opened the door and smiled. “You must be Daniel.”
Before he could respond, she took his arm and dragged him inside to what could only be described as pure chaos. Several adults stood talking in the modest living area, while at least a dozen kids, from toddlers to teenagers, ran about the house shouting and chasing each other. One man sat on a stool, playing a guitar and singing as several others surrounded him and joined in, some raising their hands to heaven, while others danced, all seemingly oblivious to the clatter all around them. Wait. He knew that guitarist. From the beach that day. Not a good omen for the sanity of the rest of the crowd. He smelled a trap. Along with a spicy, rich scent coming from the back of the house that made his mouth water.
“I’m looking for Angelica Smoke,” he shouted over the mayhem to the woman.
“Yes, yes, I know. I’m Misty.” She shook his hand. “That’s my husband Scottie over there talking with …oh well, you’ll meet everyone soon enough. Angelica!” she shouted before turning to him again. “Make yourself comfortable. We’ll get started soon.” And off she went before Daniel could ask exactly what would get started soon.
He took the opportunity to look around. Modestly furnished with low ceilings, small rooms, and wall-to-wall stained carpet, the house was barely larger than his office at church, yet it was packed with people. None of whom seemed to notice him…many of whom looked to be gang members or druggies. Uncomfortable, he shifted his feet and regretted his agreement to join Angel here.
He was about to turn and leave when someone squeezed through the jostling crowds and headed toward him. Angel, dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, her sun-bleached hair bobbing around her face, her eyes devoid of makeup and shining as green as jade in the sunlight. She was mesmerizing.
“You came,” she said. “I didn’t think you would.”
Instantly, relief and joy swept away all his discomfort. “Why wouldn’t I?”
She shrugged. “Maybe you’d figure out what this was about.”
A throng of children darted into the room, laughing and toppling over each other in an effort to tag the leader. A young toddler holding a lollipop lost his footing and barreled toward Daniel, running smack into his legs and plastering his candy onto Daniel’s thousand-dollar pants.
Instead of gasping in horror, Angel giggled and knelt, pried off the lollipop, and handed it to the young boy. “Here you go, Seth. No harm done.”
No harm done? Daniel’s pants had a circle of spitty red syrup on them that would cost a fortune at the dry cleaners to remove. The little boy, who could be no older than three, stared up at Daniel and smiled. “Sorry, mister.”
How could he resist that? “It’s okay. Just be more careful.”
Nodding, the toddler darted off and disappeared.
“So, what’s going on here?” He raised an incriminating brow.
Angel cocked her head and grinned. “This is my church.”
Church? Daniel swallowed and glanced over the room again, noticing that people were settling into seats, some on couches, others on the chairs that had been brought in from another room, and others on the floor.
“You go to a home church?”
“Yes. You’ve already met some of my friends. Let me introduce you to the rest.” She started to lead him away, but he grabbed her arm.
“You told them I was coming?”
“Of course.”
Then why were they totally ignoring him? How often did average Christians get to spend time with such an important religious leader? You’d think they’d be clamoring to meet him, anxious to ask him about theology or how best to run a church. He had, after all, started out much like this, with only a handful of people. And look what he’d accomplished.
“Looks like everyone is getting seated,” Angel said. “I’ll introduce you later. But you remember Anna from the beach.” She pointed to a woman lowering to sit on the floor with two teenage girls by her side. “And that’s Robert, her husband, over in the dining room.”
Covered with tattoos and leather, the man looked like he should be in a biker bar, not a church. Not far from him stood two teens who looked equally threatening. Who were these people?
“You remember Clay, our musician, playing the guitar.”
Yes, the skinny man with the long brown hair.
“And there’s little Seth’s mom, Elisa.” She pointed to a thin lady with long brown hair in her twenties. “She’s a single mom. Oh, and here comes Scottie. He’s the group leader and Misty’s husband. This is their home.”
Daniel would never remember all these names, nor did he want to. What was the point of having church when you didn’t have a real pastor who knew the Bible and had been trained to give sermons…when you didn’t have a band or singers to inspire and lead worship? How could God be pleased with a group of disorganized, loud people who let their children run about without supervision?
He wasn’t even sure he should be here at all. In fact, he knew he shouldn’t. He pulled Angel aside. “Why did you invite me here?”
But she merely smiled and shushed him as she led him toward a couple of empty chairs. Her son—what was his name?—hurried up to her, smiled at Daniel, and sat on the other side of his mom. Daniel scanned the motley group, a mismatch of ethnicities, ages, and status. Several glanced his way in what he assumed was anticipation.
Ah, yes. Now, he knew why Angel had invited him. He leaned toward her. “Listen, if you want me to give a sermon, I have nothing prepared.”
She didn’t answer him. Instead, the man called Scottie took a seat in a big comfy chair and gestured to Daniel. “Everyone, please welcome our special guest, Daniel Cain, a friend of Angelica’s.”
Everyone turned to smile his way, tossing out, “Welcome…Glad you’re here…God bless you.”
Daniel returned all their greetings, preparing in his mind what to say when this Scottie person asked him to speak.
Instead, Scottie opened his Bible and began reading. Daniel knew the Word of God better than anyone, but these words didn’t sound familiar at all. He glanced down at Angel’s Bible, opened to Luke 21.
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
His pulse ratcheted. Heat swamped him. Wait. This wasn’t the NWLV. This was the original, uncut Bible. These verses had been deleted in the new version. He whispered i
n Angel’s ear. “This is the illegal version.”
She nodded and smiled as if he’d said it was a nice sunny day.
Was she crazy? He glanced around the room at the people following along in their Bibles as if the words were made of gold. Using this version made this gathering illegal. They could all be arrested for this. He could be arrested. How dare Angel bring him here. Risk his life and career! He glanced at her as she followed along in her Bible, lips silently moving, thick lashes splayed across her cheeks like a silk fan. He should get up and leave. But if he did, Angel would probably never speak to him again. She definitely wouldn’t want to see him anymore. He couldn’t risk that.
So he listened.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Daniel had not heard those words in a long, long time. Not since his mother had been alive, and not since seminary. He and his classmates had been so excited about the Lord’s second coming. They had studied it, pondered it, preached about it, and kept watch over world events, especially what was happening in Israel. But then one of his professors had chastised them, saying they weren’t to focus on such things, that Jesus would come back when He was good and ready—it wasn’t their business to wonder about it or watch for it. So, they had stopped. And if Daniel were honest, many of them had gone on to lose that innocent zeal for the Lord.
Scottie glanced lovingly over the group of people. “Brothers and sisters, hear the words of our Lord and don’t be concerned with the things of this world and all that it offers. Don’t even be concerned with the evil around you. Time is short.”
Someone shouted, “Hallelujah,” which elicited a chorus of “Amens.”
“For those who are caught up in this world, His return will come like a thief in the night, but for us who have made ourselves ready, we will know the season of His return as the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians. And I can tell you all. It is soon.” He smiled.
Nonsense. Daniel shook his head.
Everyone began shouting and praising God.
“But heed the warning.” Scottie’s words brought the clamor to a hush. “We must watch and pray and ready ourselves so that we may be worthy to escape the tribulation coming on the world. Not all who call themselves Christians will escape.” He scanned the room. “Otherwise why would both our Lord and the Apostle Paul say we should pray to be counted worthy?”
Blasphemy! Daniel shifted in his seat and repressed a groan. If not for Angel, he would have already left. But at least now he knew what he was dealing with and could warn her.
Who was this egotistical man who spoke with assumed authority about the Scripture? Daniel doubted he had any education at all. He stared at him as he droned on for the next hour. Not uninterrupted, mind you. No, people took the liberty to ask questions, comment on what he was saying, even argue with him while he was giving his talk. Others brought up different passages to complement his. Adding to the clamor were constant shouts of “Hallelujah! Amen! Praise the Lord!” which made Daniel wonder how anyone could think clearly. And all the while in the background, some of the kids were still running around creating havoc, pots and pans were clanging from the kitchen, and a group huddled in the back corner praying out loud. What kind of church service was this? He’d never seen such unorthodox disorder and confusion.
After the message, Clay strummed on his guitar and people began singing. Angel joined in clapping her hands and singing so loudly, Daniel smiled at her off-key voice. He’d forgotten that about her. The girl could not sing. A lady got up and lifted her hands to the ceiling, another joined her and started dancing and clapping. More did the same, and before too long, half the people were acting like a bunch of clowns cheering for their favorite sports team. Daniel shook his head, feeling embarrassed for them. And for himself. What an uncomfortable place to bring people who want to learn about God. He turned to give his enlightened opinion to Angel, but she had her eyes closed and her face turned to heaven, and there was such a glow upon her, it stunned him. Beside her, her son was doing the same.
He glanced at his watch, then crossed arms over his chest and continued observing the hysterical display. Someone started shouting in gibberish. On and on she went, speaking what sounded like baby-talk for several minutes before she finally quieted. Then after a few moments, someone else spoke in English, saying he just received a message from God.
Daniel squeezed the bridge of his nose. Yeah, right.
“The Father says He is sending the Bridegroom soon.”
People shouted praises.
“Get ready, my precious children. Make yourself holy as I am holy. Fear not, for I am always with you. My angels watch over you. Be strong and courageous. You have just a little more time left. But there is still work to do. Go out and love others. Tell them of me. Warn them that time is short, that I am coming soon and my reward is with Me. Tell them that I will not receive those who are not ready. Let your light grow ever brighter and brighter. Keep your oil lamps lit by walking in the Spirit. Love others as I have loved you.”
You would have thought that God himself had spoken from heaven in an audible voice the way these people reacted—jumping, clapping, shouting, singing, and praising. It went on for what seemed like an eternity. Daniel just sat there, feeling awkward and uncomfortable, wishing—no, praying—that Angel would snap out of whatever trance she was in and leave with him.
Finally, the people settled down, and after several moments of weeping and laughing, Scottie grabbed a bottle of what looked like oil and called three men to come stand with him. He then asked for those who needed healing to come forward. One by one, a few of the crowd rose and stood before the men, then Scottie spread oil on their foreheads while the three men prayed.
Come on, really?
Angel leaned toward him. “You see that lady there.” She gestured to an elderly lady with a scarf wrapped around her head. “Two weeks ago, God healed her of cancer.”
Daniel repressed a groan as his anger rose at Angel’s naivety. She had obviously joined a cult—been bamboozled into believing all this spiritual nonsense.
The lady across from Daniel handed him a basket full of New World Order notes and coins.
Angel took it from him. “We’re taking a collection to pay Elisa’s rent this month,” she said as she reached in her purse, added a few notes to the basket, then passed it on.
Daniel glanced at the single mom Angel had pointed out earlier. They were paying her rent—these people who, by their clothing, appeared to barely have enough of their own? Daniel remembered an older lady who had come to his office asking the church to pay her mortgage that month. She had begged him to help, said she was losing her home, and she’d been a faithful member of the church for seven years. He had wanted to help her. He really had. But church policy was not to pay members’ personal bills. If they did it for one person, then everyone would come begging. And there wasn’t enough money allocated for such things, particularly when the church didn’t have the resources to verify the validity of each need.
Scottie looked up at Angel. “Got anything for us, Angelica?”
“Nothing this week.” She shook her head. “Just more visions of wars, riots, violence, and darkness. But always the light. Just like the message we received. As the darkness grows, the light grows stronger.”
“Praise God!” someone shouted. “God always confirms His message.”
This seemed to be the end of the crazy service, for people began standing and chatting amongst themselves. Several came up to meet Daniel, and Angelica introduced him around. Though they all seemed genuinely pleased to meet him, not one of them acted as if he were anyone beyond an ordinary person. So odd, when routinely
he got stopped in grocery stores and restaurants by people dying to meet the famous pastor.
Of course, what did he expect from a bunch of crazies?
Finally, Angel and he stood alone in the center of the room, the scent of spicy chicken wafting around them. At least Daniel could get something out of this colossal waste of time. “That smells wonderful. What’s for lunch?”
“Oh, that’s not for us,” Angel replied with a smile. “It’s for the people standing in the food line down on Sistrunk Boulevard. One Saturday a month, each of us brings goods to distribute among the hungry. We also collect cans of food, rice, flour, and whatever else we can find to divide up.”
“How many people do you feed?”
“Depends. Normally at least fifty.”
“Fifty?” He whistled. “Impressive for such a small group.” Of course, Fort Lauderdale Church of Grace had its own homeless kitchen that served hundreds each week.
“Come out to lunch with me,” he finally said.
“It’s too late for lunch.”
“Early dinner?”
“I have Isaac.”
That was his name. “He is welcome.”
At that moment, Isaac dashed up with two boys his age and an older lady. “Mom, Mom, can I go to Brian’s house for dinner?”
“I don’t know.” Angelica frowned, staring at the lady.
“It’s fine with me, Angelica. We’re having a BBQ and the boys can swim in the pool.”
“Pleeeeeease,” Isaac pleaded, tugging at her heart.
She so rarely let him out of her sight, but Mary was a godly woman with a godly husband and a beautiful home.
As if sensing her angst, Mary laid a hand on Angelica’s arm. “I’ll take good care of him.”
Nodding, Angelica smiled. “Thank you, Mary. I’ll swing by and pick him up by seven.”
Isaac and the boys squealed with glee.
“That’s perfect.” Mary turned to Daniel and greeted him warmly before she dragged the three boys away.
“Well, I guess a late lunch is on,” Angel said with a tone that lacked enthusiasm.
When Angels Cry Page 7
