Suddenly Susan - Part 5


"Well, well, well." RJ purposely stretched each syllable. "Turion, my biggest fan. I didn't expect to run into you. What brings you here?"

"I was about to ask you the same question, John. You've garnered quite a reputation since we last met. One of the lead discouragers! You must be proud. And who's the little guy trying to crawl into the mouse hole?" RJ turned to see Merth trying desperately to shove his head into the hole in the wall. Idiot...

"That's Merth, he's new here." RJ whacks Merth with the flat of his sword. "Get up! You're embarssing me. - And over there, bawling her pretty little eyes out is his charge, Susan."

"Pretty girl. Love the black make up." Merth stood up and stared at RJ with a confused expression. Was he really on friendly terms with one of the heavenly horde? RJ noted the Merth's face and smiled at Turion.

"Hey, you might want to drop the 'Angel of Light' trick for right now, you're scaring the poor guy." Turion obliged by lifting his arm, and in a flash of light, he was suddenly wearing the same outfit as RJ and Merth.

RJ smiled. "Merth, I'd like you to meet field supervisor, Turion, from the destroyer division."

"So you're the guy who got the old lady next door praying. Great job." Turion threw the last sentence out sarcastically. "Wait a second... Duck!" Suddenly, a demonic figure flew through the east wall and out the west... or better said, was thrown through the wall. "Hmmm. I don't think they're doing so great out there." Then he noticed the ipod on the floor next to Susan. "Let me guess, Evanescence?"

"Amy Lee!" Merth blurted out, almost begging for an understanding response. Turion just shook his head.

"Amateurs. You didn't read the manual."

"What is wrong with what I did here?"

"Simple." RJ responded flatly. "You would have done better to get her into the senseless drivel of groups like Nirvana or the pathetic apathetic rock of similar bands. But you thought that if you filled her mind with questions, she would eventually question her faith, right?"

"And it worked!" He glanced at Susan. The sobbing had stopped and she was staring ahead blankly. It always amazed him how humans could be so oblivious to the presence of angels. And how could she ignore the clash of swords and shouts right outside the wall? Especially since they seemed to be getting closer... "I had her. She was doubting everything."

"Yeah, but you didn't know when to stop, you putrid lump of..." RJ stopped took a deep breath and reigned in his anger. "She began to question everything! Her faith AND her doubt! Once they question their belief, you switch from questions to pride. Make them proud of the questions they have come up with. Never let them continue to make more questions. Make them treat the ones they have like pets or trophies. The same question over and over... Let them stump their critics. Never let them try to actually solve the question or search for answers! That's where you messed up here! Did you even read the lyrics?"

Merth drops his head. "But it's dark, it's evil..."

"Dark... yes. Evil? What you orchestrated here was an awareness of the darkness. And like a frightened child, she cried out for the light. That's what Amy Lee is crying for, life! And you put those very same words in Susan's mouth. You reminded her to be that there was more. You killed her apathy.

"And don't forget that old lady" Turion added. "She's made that girl her personal prayer project. I don't know if my forces can hold her prayers at bay..." And in that moment, a rush of air hit the south wall and Turion screamed. RJ turned just in time to see a flash of light zoom through the room and tackle Turion. And in another flash, both figures had tumbled through the outer wall.

"This won't look very good on your record." RJ bristled. Then, he silently drew his sword and moved towards Susan.

Suddenly Susan - Part 4

The light outside the window was the only warning they would receive and both of them knew it. "Stay on this side of the room, Merth. Don't give them any reason." RJ nearly laughed as the once arrogant imp cowered in the corner of the room.

"They're coming for us, aren't they?"

"Of course, they are." RJ didn't even try to hide his disgust. "But even if they walk into this room, you stay right where you are and don't make a move." Merth nodded and RJ fixed his gaze on the window. At the right moment, he would make a break for the girl, but not too soon. For right now, however, he simply needed her attention. "Susan? Susan... you're ok Susan..." RJ stopped himself. No, he couldn't say that. That wasn't true and would definitely bring that horde into the room. What to do?

If he could have, he would have leapt out the window and ran next door. Her best friend was there. With a little prodding, he would have her call and interrupt Susan's momentary bout with self awareness. But he knew that any move would... Merth screamed. "At the window! They're at the window!!!"

RJ spun to see a large thigh walk past house. He felt a cold chill run down his simulated spine. The big ones? Why did they send the big ones? Obviously, on this plane of existence, all angels, himself included could appear pretty much however they wanted to. But usually they don't appear like that unless... And suddenly, RJ laughed.

"What in heaven or hell are you laughing at? We're about to be taken!"

"Shut up!" RJ backhanded the trembling spirit. "They're not here for us. They're here on a totally different mission. Somebody, somewhere is praying about something with great tenacity. I'm glad they all don't pray like that." A scream split the sky as small angelic armies clashed over head.

"I bet it's that old lady across the street." Merth's comment was offhandedly casual. But RJ turned slowly to him.

"And what old lady would that be?" He spoke slowly...

Merth could hear the concern creeping into RJ's voice. "Don't worry. She keeps to herself across the street. Works in the yard. That kind of stuff. I hear her mumbling a lot. At first I thought she was just senile but then I realized she was saying her prayers. She does that a lot."

One step. RJ moved towards Merth. "And when did you get close enough to hear her mumbling?"

"A little earlier today. I was riding Susan's shoulder, like in the cartoons you know? Susan was walking past her yard and I thought I'd have a little fun. So I told Susan to give a real demonic angry stare. And, she did. I hadn't suspected to have such control over her so soon. So I told her to flip the old lady off. And she did! It was great.... Hey, you're sweating."

RJ's eyes began to flit between the window and the door. The conflict outside seemed to be growing nearer. No, just his imagination. It was next door, right? Right?... "So what did the old lady do?"

"Are you ok?"

"WHAT DID THE OLD LADY DO?" RJ screamed.

"She started praying for the girl." The voice didn't belong to Merth or RJ or Susan. But in response, RJ drew his sword. Merth tried to shove himself deeper in the corner; tried to disappear but all he could manage to do was whimper. "Do you really want to fight me?" No, RJ didn't want to fight Turion. They had fought before. Turion won but not without injury to both parties. But RJ got the worst of it. He was not wanting to go through that again.

Suddenly Susan - Part 3
A guttural growl could be heard slamming against the padding of the headphones.

"All this time I can't believe
I couldn't see.
Kept in the dark but you were there
in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought,
Without a voice, without a soul!
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life...
Wake me up! Wake me up inside....
Wake me up inside! Save me!"

"I just love when Paul does that bridge angry rap thing, don't you?" Merth tried to sell RJ with an amazingly charmed grin. But RJ doesn't buy it.

"Personally, I think John does it better on the 'Anywhere But Home' live CD. It doesn't matter though. You just blew it."

Merth lept from the shelf and slammed to the floor. Then he flexed his membranous wings in pride and anger as he moved towards RJ. "What are you talking about? You keep saying that! Look at her! She's mine now and nothing can change that."

RJ slowly shook his head. "And I'll say it again because this is training and repetition sometimes makes the point. You - just - BLEW IT!!!!" RJ and Merth were face to face, only inches apart. Their foul smelling breath challenged each others space and filled the air with smoke. Slowly, RJ raised his hand and for a moment, Merth was sure that he was about to experience unfathomable pain. Instead, however, the taloned hand simply pointed in Susan's direction as he calmly and evenly said, "Look."

The sound of slow sobbing was almost to subtle to be heard. But for Merth, it rang like an ominous thunderous warning of things to come. And suddenly he knew. But it was too late.

There was no more dancing. No more singing. No more me and Amy Lee. The grown up teenager came face to face with the lost child as time and space ripped apart. The whirlwind of emotions spun her heart 180 degrees, leaving her staring into her own soul, the one she thought she lost. She cried. It caught her off guard. She cried.. "wake me up inside..." She cried... "save me..." she cried... and cried. The ipod fell to the floor, the hands trembled and she fell.

Merth almost tried to catch her, but RJ stopped him. "You idiot! Your touch is cold. It will only make her more aware not less. Don't touch her." Merth stared helplessly. "I know you want to interfere now, but if you do, it will bring a horde of heavenly host into the room to protect her free will." Nervously, both demons glanced at the window.

"So what do I do?"

"Watch. Wait... we can still win this."

Suddenly Susan - Part 2

"Excuse me?" Merth nearly fell backwards off the desk. "Lose her? Are you insane? I have her so tied up in her own mind that she is totally oblivious to my plan."

"And what exactly is your plan, Merth?" RJ seated himself at the edge of the bed. "Let me guess. Isolation, insulation and eventually extrication?"

Merth's wide-eyed expression told RJ everything he needed to know. "How did you...?"

"Nobody loves me. I don't need them! I'm just find by myself... It's everyone else that has the problem. Forget them. I'm ok right here with my trusty ipod and Amy Lee. Does that about sum it up?"

Merth was indignant. "You've been in my files!"

"No, but I have been in your shoes. By the way, you have about 45 seconds left." RJ and Merth both glance at the Susan as she flings her long black her from side to side, growling angrily and screaming the next line of lyrics at the top of her lungs. "Why Evanescence?"

"Isn't it obvious? Angry goth girl, mad at the world. Come on RJ. Get with the program. Susan relates, right?" RJ nods. "So I infect her with Amy Lee's anger. Get her to question everything. No more 'El Shaddai' and stuff... Now she's singing a different song."

"30 seconds." RJ smiled. He probably should be more worried, but even if this amateur discourager loses Susan, RJ still had a lock on most of her friends, her youth minister and her parents.

"What is your problem? Sure, it's going to take a few more weeks to really get her down in the pits of despair but I got her on a greased rope. She's in quicksand, brother. And there is no chance of her coming out of this. Her parents have tried. The psychologist, school counselor and Hell knows how many others have put there two cents in. I have been able to take every comment and use it to drive her further away from everyone. Her music is dark! Her clothes are dark! Her hair, heart and hope are darker than the pits of home. She's completely wrapped up like a Christmas present!" RJ winces. "Ok bad analogy, but you know what I mean! This is a lock! Nothing can go wrong."

For a short time RJ and Merth sat glaring at each other. Finally, RJ broke the silence.

"10 seconds and counting."

Suddenly Susan - Part 1
RJ looked like a traditional gargoyle perched on the top the bookshelf.

"Wake me up! Wake me up inside... Wake me up inside...!" Susan screamed as she did her usual dance around the bedroom. Headphones on. Tuned in. Tuned out. Even if she could see the visitors in the shadows, she would not have noticed them. "No one but me and Amy Lee." She thought to herself.

"From Amy Grant to Amy Lee. Pretty good work." Amy Grant, one time sweetheart of the Christian music world whose happy go lucky lyrics were easily exchanged for the illustrious Amy Lee, goth rocker with the operatic voice, model looks and a lyrical depth that often descended into dialogues with darkness. Merth reclined on the computer desk. He was a low-level discourager, new to the division. An angry arrogant impish demon, he had gotten this "promotion" and been assigned to the "legendary" Rambling John. He rolled his eyes as he glanced in RJ's direction. Merth was not impressed.

He still didn't understand how moving from tempter to discourager was a step "up". After all, tempters got that horrid cow of a creation named Eve to take a bite of that fruit. "We got Adam to lie and both of them to hide." Merth thought to himself. "Tempters should rule, not play second fiddle to..."

"I know what you're thinking." The voice snapped Merth to attention. RJ floated from the stained wooden shelf to the floor, carefully avoiding Susan as he passed to the right of her uncoordinated jig. Merth hoped that RJ did not really know what he was thinking.

"You can't read minds," Merth countered. "So I don't think you know my thoughts are."

RJ smiled. Fool. Fool. Fool. They all are when they first come to WAC. Tempters taught that they have some sense of overreaching super high arching position in the scheme of things. Idiots who feel that they should be second to no one, least of all demons from D&D (Discourgement and Despondency). RJ could still remember the teachings from his own short time training on Temptation Island. We authored the fall of Adam and Eve! We caused the commotion that got man kicked out of Eden. Blah, blah, blah. How simple-minded and foolish.

RJ knew that now. Temptation may remove a man from paradise. Temptation may even cause him to forsake the one he loves and lie to his Creator. Temptation may create a prodigal. But only discouragement can stop him from returning home and receiving forgiveness. Discouragers can strike deep into the heart, causing a human to forget that it bears the family name and the privileges that come along with it. Only discouragers can stop those driven from the Edens and pardises of life from ever seeking them out again; keeping them feeling unworthy and unloved. Tempters may lead men away home, but as long as they believe they can return, they battle is not over. A good discourager can and must learn to move men from denial to destruction with only a simple but well-placed word.

But that was not what RJ was going to say.

"What you are thinking," RJ continued, "is that you have won this battle with the young Susan. But your lack of experience and obvious arrogance have blinded you to reality. Not only are you wrong, but in about one minute, you're going to lose her."

Wearying the Worship Leader - part 3

PLEASE READ PART 1 & Part 2 before reading the following story...

"Mr. Joe?" A teenager had forced her way through the crowd of complainers. Eventually, her parents found her and stood by her side.

"Mr. Joe, we just wanted to tell you how much we love and appreciate you. Last week, I was on the edge of making a bad decision..." Joe noticed a tear form in the corner of her father's eye. "I was lonely." The teenager continued. "I didn't feel I had a friend in the world. To make a long story short, I went to the bathroom and found some pills. I could almost hear the voices in my head saying, no one cares.. no one cares... But then... " she paused, staring in the distance as if she was watching her life on a movie screen. A weak and pained smile began to form on her space. "Then I began to hear something else... a song in my heart... 'who am I that you are mindful of me, that you hear me when I call?' I recognized it. It was that Friend of God song you like so much that you sing over and over."

RJ, still smirking and giggling under a nearby pew, noticed something. What? Suddenly, he realized that something in the tone of the voices had changed. What was going on? He opened his eyes only to find himself surrounded by lots of bare and sandaled feet. He peeked out from under the pew and was startled by an entire squad of armed, smiling angels; and every tip of every sword was pointed at him. "Don't move." charged the lead angel. RJ didn't move. But he could hear. And what he heard was weeks of work wearing down this worship leader going down the toilet!

"I started singing," she continued..."the only part I could really remember... I am a friend of God... He calls me friend. And I started to cry so I sung it again... and again and again for over an hour. When my parents came home, they found me lying on the floor of my room, crying and singing with a spilled bottle of pills to the left of me. I had realized that I had a friend and that He loved me. So I asked him to make the words real to me. To be my friend. To come into my heart. And He did. I'm different.. changed. I sometimes still feel the loneliness, but I know that He is there. I just had to say... thank you."

The parents and teenager moved closer and wrapped their arms around the worship leader. He could feel himself breaking. He felt the tears fall, not just theirs, but his as well. He felt the discouragement began to drain from him with one that fell. Sensing the need, each member of the congregation made their way to Joe and the family until a large huddle of compassion and encouragement had formed in the center of the room.

The lead angel smiled at RJ. "I'm guessing that this wasn't part of your plan?" RJ just glared back at him and hissed.

"Why do you guys always show up? I almost had him! He would have been bitter! Quit the ministry! Stopped doing music. Blamed the church! It would have been a glorious victory." RJ's shoulders drooped. "But instead I've suffered this horribly ignoble defeat at your hands!" In response, all the angels began laughing! "What's so funny?"

"You weren't defeated by us!"

"Oh really," RJ started to stand but was immediately met by a huge gleaming angel with a extremely powerful looking broadsword daringly pointed at his face. "Well then, tell me what defeated me? What had the power to dismantle all of my carefully made plans? I had him! I had him! How could I lose when I was so close?"

The angels all glance over their shoulders at the tearful crowd holding the young teenage girl, her family and the once discouraged worship leader. "Simple, John. You were defeated by a kind word... spoken in due season." He smiles at the young teenager..." And a child shall lead them..."

The End?

Wearying the Worship Leader - part 2

PLEASE START BY READING PART 1

"Young man!!!! Young man!!!! " Joe groaned as she rushed to him, stopping nearly nose to nose. "That music was too loud, too fast and too new."

"Hello, Mrs. Edmonton." Joe forced a smile. "Was there a problem with the service today?"

"Where did you get those songs? I didn't know a single one of them!"

"Well, we did sing one of them last week. And the others are part of our regular worship repeto..."

"I didn't know any of them! What happened to the songs we sang when Peterson was worship leader here? He always sang stuff I liked. And I only like songs I already know, son. Worship should be like a warm blanket, cozy and familiar. Stop singing those new songs and 'give me that old time religion!'

He wanted to laugh. He had met Peterson. And he knew that she had felt the same way when Peterson led worship services. He warned Joe about her. "But ma'am, the scripture says to sing a new song..."

"Don't be talking doctrine to me. I don't care about all that. I can't feel doctrine! And I can't feel the spirit when you do those new songs. Those old songs are like..."

"... A warm blanket... yes ma'am, I know." She stormed away, leaving Joe even more frustrated than before. He thought about Joshua, Moses and the children of Israel. How long till this generation passes away?

RJ liked that thought. He wished he had thought of saying it himself. But it was just further evidence that the discouragement was starting to have the desired effect. "Joe actually had that thought with no help from me! Excellent! He is definitely becoming infected."

RJ ushered more parishioners towards Joe. "No, ma'am, I didn't realize the music was so loud. Yes sir, I do check out these songs in scripture. Yes, I like hymns, and we do do them from time to time. No, we can't turn the guitars up louder and rock the house..."

Rolling on the floor, RJ couldn't help laughing with delight. Soon Joe would be covered and stuck in the muck and the mire of discontent from others. Then he'll carry that frustration and pain home and pour it on his wife and kids until the entire situation... stinks. What a beautiful setup!

"My name is RJ," he giggled to himself, "And I specialize in spreading crap. And at this rate, this guys walk with the Lord will be in the toilet. He'll be so mad at the congregation, that he won't want to lead them in worship. Or if he does, he will do it with resentment, anger and frustration. That will transfer across the spiritual connection, to the worship team, the church, his family.... And if I can do this just right, I might even be able to get him to fuss and yell at the congregation for "not worshipping right!" and rush the resentment along like the roaring rapids of a river! What a glorious day!"

RJ couldn't help himself! He began to sing his favorite song "dun dun dun...another one bitest the dust". He tried to catch his breath and wipe away the tears. He took a moment to close his eyes and bask in the soon-to-come praise he would receive from his fellow discouragers. And that is probably why he never saw it coming.

To Be Continued in Part 3

Wearying the Worship Leader - Part 1


Rambling John, demonic Head of the Department of Gossip, Slander and Discouragement Division of WAC (Whiners And Complainers) loved his nickname. Originally named John Toadstool, he began ascending (descending?) the ladder of power at WAC after his success in a large regional religious organization brought his skills to the attention of various agency directors. His ruthlessness and efficiency eventually earned him the moniker "Rambling John" because, like an overflowing port-a-potty rocking on the back of a flatbed trailer, he was good at taking other people's crap and throwing it everywhere.

He was still basking in the glow of last weeks accomplishments in Big "D" Texas. Playing on the weakness of several parishioners, he had managed to drive a pastor into early retirement. Think of it, all that wisdom and experience out on a fishing boat in the gulf instead of in the church watering the immature. Wonderful!

This time RJ had picked a juicy target for his discouragement tactics; an unsuspecting worship leader named Joe. Already depressed, Joe wasn't sure how the service had gone this Sunday. Things seemed rough, the musicians weren't "on" and the song selection did not seem to be well received. And on top of all that, he had broken a guitar string... in each of their two services. RJ slithered up next to Joe and sat down. He whispered a few phrases in the worship leader's ear that he had been saving from last week with the pastor. That was all Joe needed. "Aw man", Joe sighed. "I can't believe how badly that turned out."

RJ loved this part. Well meaning, worship leader, so sure that he had blown it. The guy didn't understand the danger of judging something spiritual with natural emotions. "I know what you mean." RJ smiled. "I can't believe those people wouldn't clap their hand to that new song. Did they seem a bit unspiritual to you today?"

"Sure did!" Joe's head sunk lower. "It's like they couldn't feel the spirit moving! Maybe, I need to seek the Lord..."

"Why?" RJ countered quickly. "You know that it happens like this. They get up and come to church and let things like family and breakfast get in the way of their spirituality and worship. What's wrong with those people?" RJ signaled to a friend across the room who hurriedly shoved an old lady in Joe's direction. Responding to the nudge, she began to pick up steam and as she made her way to Joe, her finger outstretched, her wig waving in the wind.

To Be Continued in Part 2