Ch10

Hank is counseling a young woman named Carmen, who is hearing voices. She says it’s because she is lonely. He set an appointment with her for the following Friday. So when Carmen first started hearing voices, the first of all she heard was her dead husband funny the devil can imitate does voices in a lot of times people will say that they thought they heard someone’s voice someone that they knew someone who died, etc. During this counseling session, Mary had left to answer the phone, and it was burning, wanting to know if it was Brummel who was kicked out of the church. So the town is now gossiping about what’s going on in the small church as Marshall says that he heard that the pastor was going to get out tonight while he was getting his haircut at the barbershop. They also have gotten a list of elective courses that the professor is teaching introduction to God and God is consciousness and the craft: the divinity of a man witch, and warlock; the sacred medicine wheel; how do spells and rituals work?; Pathways to your inner light: meet your spirit guides. The list goes on but how much of this are we hearing now. How much is a this become part of our culture? That we don’t even bat an eye when we see these classes offered. Marshall is surprise that Pastor young is associated with a woman who is involved and teaching these thoughts.  We are now at the church. It’s Friday night in time for the big boat. People are arriving. We see that several dark figures are keeping an ion everything from the perch, roof, their stations around the building and their appointed posts. Lucius is nervous and pacing and they’re not allowing angels, not attached to people into the building, so like the new ones. When the Colemans  walked in lol she’s got very agitated, because they had never been strong against discouragement, until they aligned with the “praying man”. I’m gonna stop here. How beautiful is that like they got strength because of Hanks prayers they were able to stand up to the Temptations that were coming at them and it goes on to talk about how he had ordered their marriage to be torn apart, and they went to the praying man. We find out that new angels are coming in with people, and then Tal has not appeared yet. He is on a special mission. Meanwhile Brummel has taken the pulpit and is welcoming people and then he says a very pious prayer and you get from the angels perspective it wasn’t a heart that felt prayer. Whereas when he took the pulpit he read from second Timothy, chapter 4, and then went into a prayer. It was a heart felt prayer that brought strength to the angels. Hank promised the congregation that he would not change that he will not discriminate compromise, or turn his back on the word of God. Brummel once again, takes a puppet and he’s playing on emotions. He is angry for his friend. He’s angry that his friend cannot longer be sitting there today and nobody kicks loose Stanley out of anything so the fact that Lou went along with it shows how gracious he was and so it goes back-and-forth to where people are sitting why he needs to stay or why he needs to go. Then brumal has his friend come up who also happens to be the treasure talking about how this whole situation has affected the churches, contributions and attendance.

What is great is you see now the back-and-forth between the Angels and the demons were cheating there and so like you know the angels kind of top hand in the boat falls out it’s just really cool to kind of watch the interest thing in this first vote comes out, even. So they need to re-vote and here walks in this very old lady named Edith duster. I love Edith duster I would love for Preeti to write like a little bit. A book on her backstory is a little bit that she puts out here is amazing and she is who I want to be as a Christian woman for the demons or saying, what went wrong I thought she had been taken care of and the demons is oh she’s all right but she still came in there, asking about her friend that came with her an old woman and they say oh she has many friends we should’ve known somebody would be there for her basically the two ladies make their way up the steps each one made a task in itself the sickness demon then says what Edith duster means, is a stroke, drawing the sword tries to get her in on. You guys just happens to sidestep. It falls into her friend shoulder and it was like concrete. The sickness demon then gets up and starts screaming about the host to heaven, that is the host of heaven. The angels and say looks like tell succeeded so now it’s time for the second vote, and everyone expects him to win by one vote because of Edith is there he went by 2. Lou Stanley gets up and leaves.

Ch. 11

We open with the demons “exploding” out of the church in rage from losing. They also question Tal about it really being Lou who was at the meeting this is how it is revealed that he was the other vote for Hank to stay, They are told to get Edith home safely and to guard everyone else was sent to their posts as the are angry. It goes on to the police having a busy night. 

Langstrat is in a trance being tormented by spirits. They are angry at their failure that night, The spirits are trying to get her to take her life. She has a knife and cuts her finger as her phone starts to ring bringing her momentarily out of the trance. She then starts to get drawn back in and pleading with the demons to leave her and promising not to fail.  It was Alf calling to tell her about the vote. 

Saturday Morning and Marshall is headed into the Clarion. We learn that the family grocery store was suddenly sold. No one knows why the owners just sold and moved. Sandy pips in with something weird is going on like the town is being invaded by aliens. 

** so much in this chapter so far and the last. We see Gods influence. Yes being corrected hurts but it is meant to get us back on the right path. We see that Lou is being convicted and  how God is moving in him. We also see how the demons influence once we let them in. I also find it funny that they are being described as by someone who knows nothing as Aliens. (Rant Coming) which I find odd the releasing of the confirmation that Aliens exist. Especially with the spiritual state of our world now. Also reading the Days Of Noah by Mark Goodwin published in 2017 talks about how the government is releasing information on Aliens as a cover up to the upcoming rapture. Enough of that LOL. 

Marshall is now talking with the former Editor and Owner of the Clarion Ted Harmel. He brings up the professor and weird stuff Sandy is studying and how he thinks that he has a story there. Harmel tells him to leave it alone for his family and hangs up. 

We learn the Edith Duster is a former missionary in China. She is having tea with Hank and Mary She confirms that Hanks appointment as pastor is no mistake and that God wants him there. She says that she thinks God if forcing a revival on the church. She then talks about satans attack on her and how ill she was. How she has been dreaming of Angels and has felt a stirring. Edith says how the Angels told her to pray for Hank. Hank and Mary are touched and they start to pray. 

 As the group prays, Rafar is giving a speech and is interrupted by a demon dropping its sword. Then another dropped its sword. They comment on how this has never happened. Rafar goes on tirade about how Tal gets his power from the praying saints. That prayers are so powerful they cause “warriors” to drop their swords. He then changes the subject to ask how things are going against Marshall. Strife says how they are destroying the family as that is where he gets his strength.Deceit steps forward and states that Sandy is in their hands. 

**Destroying the family wow. That is what our current culture does. We busy ourselves and other things become more important than the time to spend with our family. We convince ourselves that both parents must work. We have allowed life to become so expensive. It takes a village to raise a child has been replaced with pride and doing it on our own without input or help.

Ch.8 

We open with Sandy on campus.She left in the middle of the night because she was terrified. Feelings were greater than her common sense.  We are now in Professor Langstrats apartment. Brummel is there and it is the end of a

Meditation session. Langstrat tells Brummel how Young is very close to the universal mind and his mind is melding with hers.  Langstrat pushes Brummel about his fear of the repercussions of them being photographed. Brummel mentions Marshall being on their scent. Langstrat lets Brummel know that Sandy ran away from home yet still attended class. They bring up how they got rid of Ferell and got Hank. Langstrat has files on Marshall, Kate, and Sandy. Hovering over Langstrat’s shoulder is a huge black hand, adorned with gold rings, bracelets and cold. A deep, seductive voice spoke thoughts to her mind.

At the Clarion, we learned that Edie, the secretary reporter, ad girl, resigned and walked off the job. Hogan has found out through  a conversation with Sarah, Brummel disappears for hours on Tuesdays and that Julian Langstrat the psychology professor is Brummel’s new girlfriend. They have now pieced together, that Langstrat, young and Brummel are all up to something. Hogan is telling Bernie that they are all into the same thing . He calls it putting “whamies” on people. Bernie lets Hogan know that she had contacts in the County Prosecutors office. They are left wondering why the 3 are trying to appear unconnected. Bernie has a contact at the college and wants to interview for info on Langstrat. 

Ch. 9

Marshall and Kate are having dinner and they have some extra place for Sandy hoping that she will come home. They have called everyone that they know that Sandy knows and she isn’t anywhere as Marshall is in his sorrow the doorbell rings, and it is Sean Ormsby. and he is explaining to Marshall and Kate, how he met Sandy and he’s just dragging on Marshall’s on pins and needles, and Sean is visibly uncomfortable for some unknown reason and says that she is afraid and ashamed to come back home. Sean agrees to bring Sandy home when he gets Marshall. She confess that she loves her. That’s her kid and she. He wants her back and wanted anything for her and now it is Friday and Bernie is on her way to speak her contact at the college. Who is her friend Ruth she tells her about being arrested and then brings into. She’s questioning Brummels motive. Bernie starts questioning her friend about Professor Langstrat. Bernie catches a glint of distaste in her friends eyes who says I found her very difficult to relate to. It was next to impossible to start a coherent conversation with her, and that with her coworkers, she isn’t very social. She’s secretive, or mysterious and very aloof, and from here she recommends that Bernie goes talks to Albert Darr, he is someone in the psychology department so he’s around the professor and doesn’t care for her much either. I find this funny Bernie is trying to get a grasp on Langstrat and the person that she’s being referred to is someone who doesn’t like her.

So now Bernie has made her way to Albert dar. The minute Bernie mentions the professor, Albert starts to smile, broadly, and gleefully says oh, so you dare to infringe on sacred grounds. We find out that Darr really does not like the professor and rejoicing, at the opportunity to bring her down a couple of levels. So Bernie asks about the professor and Brummel. Darr then let’s Bernie know about the weekly counseling sessions the professor, and Brummel have, but nobody supposed to know about. He also let Brittany know that many other elite and powerful people go to the so-called consultations. Darr also, let’s Bernie know that the professor likes to tamper with the source, the universal mind, ascended planes are and olds, mystic cults. She believes that she can read minds and is involved with neopagan witchcraft.  For the second time in the conversation, Dar uses the term inner circle, so Bernie pushes who is the inner circle. He then says he coined the term himself and he only has four that she has admitted to counseling so then he mentions that of course Brummel has already been confirmed. Ted Harmel, the former editor of the Clarion; Mrs. Pinckston, a trustee on the board of regents; Dwight Brandon, the owner of the property that the college was built on; and Eugene Baylor, the general treasurer of the college, and on the border region. Then he says oh, there’s the Reverend fellow who Bernie asks Oliver Young. So in this, but she Darr confirms and asks How did you know?

Hank calls the former pastor of Ashton Community church Pastor Farrel. We learn that the same group who called to get Farrel removed are behind this attempt to get Hank out. When Hank tells Farrel of the spiritual attack he says nothing but lets out that Hank was voted in as pastor on accident. When Farrel was outed they already had a pastor ready to take his place but they needed a congregational vote to get the other pastor in. He goes on to warn Hank that there are political, social as well as spiritual forces at work. When Hank pushes Farrel on his thoughts about what happened the night before. Farrel confesses that speaking about such things is difficult. With more pushing Farrel tells Hank to get out it will get worse. *Hank went to Farrel in hopes of being uplifted and maybe to hear a similar story instead of inspiring Farrel was trying to convince Hank to give up. Having been through a church in a pastor hunt I understand and see the set up. If the other pastor had experience, had grown a large congregation showed he brought in offering increase to his former church and older. Then you have Hank, a pastor’s son, never lead a church before, so he had a weak resume. Most people would vote for the 1st BUT. being a church the pastors to be are presented and you are asked to pray for who God wants. If the congregation did this we see the hunger for God word there. I can see how the vote switch happened (I also have read the book and see the hunger) *

he entire conversation left Hank feeling sadden. SO Hank did what we all should do. He went to prayer. He Prayed for guidance on what to do next. Then Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” popped in his head So he gathered himself to go walk. How many times does a verse suddenly pop in your head and we just smile. I never thought of it as a call to action but I will now. Hank had no idea where he was going. He just trusted God and walked where he was lead. He was then trying to see what he saw and felt last night. Instead he felt a burden to pray. To pray for all the people around him walking about. We see Hank letting his feelings get to him. He sits down saying how he’s prayed for these people for a longtime and just wants to see a splash from his pebble. We see that he was lead to pray for the people at Ashton United Pastor Youngs church. We learn that when Hank met Young he was cold and aloof. Through Hanks internal dialogue we learn that Young is “different, liberal and bizarre. Then Hank sees Hogans car pull in. Hogan had an appointment with Young. From Hogans internal dialog we learn that Young is respected minister. We see that the Church is grand and opulent no expense was spared. 

Hogan checks in with the church secretary and reads the days appointment upside down and confirms the Brummel is the next appointment. In the conversation while talking about Sandy you get to see the truth in Hanks impression of Young. When Marshall brings up how Sandy jumps from thing to thing he asks Marshall about Sandys happiness. Then tells Marshall that he projects his displeasure with her new philosophies on to Sandy. Then goes on to talk about Sandy trying to find herself and her place in the cosmos and “Your God is where you find him” All this reminds Marshall of Professor Langstrat, who Young says he’s never met, and Brummel’s way of speaking and thoughts. Marshall then starts questioning Young about the festival. He admits he was there for pieces but again not at the Carnival and not with Brummel. This meeting took the entire hour. Marshall then opens the door and introduces Brummel to Young.

Its a rainy night and Hank is “troubled in Spirit ” he was restless and couldn’t sleep. He had cleaned off the graffiti off his house. He kept replaying and thinking about his conversation with Brummel. Everything is bothering him. After laying in bed for 2 hours Hank finally drifts off to sleep. But then his dreams start to sour. He started to feel frantic and Chaotic He started running and hearing screams, Nothing made sense except that the feeling of Stark terror. He wanted to scream but was fighting unseen enemies. He wasn’t sleeping but he wasn’t awake. He was in between, when he sees a black velvet creature floating above his head. Then he feels  a very heavy blow to his chest. He then starts looking at his room. The goblin in the corner was just a shirt hanging in the corner. Now Hank knows he is awake and is hearing noises throughout his house and clattering in the kitchen Hank starts to pray. 

I am one that likes to sleep to noise. I now am starting to be more careful about what I allow myself to fall asleep to as that in between is when we are more receptive to the spirit world. I would rather fall asleep listening to Gods word or Christian fiction than some show full of sin. 

Hank is now walking through his house turning on lights. He is seeing moving shadows, He discovers that the clatter in the kitchen was a spatula that slipped out of his holder. As he is walking through the living room he is starting to pray again. He is the surround with the inability to see or hear, His throat is closing. Unable to speak Hank screams in his mind Jesus Help Me. Then he started to rebuke them. The cries from the demons were so loud that they woke Mary up. 

According to the Angels the demons descended with arrogance. It was the 1st time that demons had been confronted and rebuked by Hank. Hank had passed his 1st test and won the battle. 

Mary and Hank start digesting what happened. They acknowledge that it was demons. Hank is down on himself because he thinks he failed because he wasn’t prepared and walked into it. He and Mary pray to be better prepared next time. *But how do you prepare by doing book knowledge and experience are 2 different things.*Mary tells Hank the same thing I just said after the prayer hasn’t God done that. The demons are gone “how are you going to know how to fight satans direct attacks unless you just do it.” Hank realizes he is now a veteran. They end the night praying thanking God for the experience. 

*** Meanwhile at Hogans****

Marshall had the same dreams and feeling heart pounding fear. He hears voices, thinking that it could be a radio or Sandy. He grabs a bat and starts going through his house. Sandys bedroom door is open which is abnormal. The front door was also open and No Sandy. He locks the door turns around and notices how dark the living room is. He went outside to his porch and suddenly felt safer. When he returns and shuts the door it is described as shutting himself in with vipers. All the emotions of fear and panic returned. 

Outside the Angels watched as the demons played Havoc with Marshalls mind. Guilo could hardly watch and do nothing once again having to be held back. Marshall almost hits Kate with the bat as she scared him. She was woken up by what is described as a party. Marshall informs Kate that Sandy is not in her room. We learn that Sandy did not come home with Marshall.  Marshall is white from the terror only being able to vocalize that he is scared. Kate warms milk for Marshall and they start talking about Sandy and how all 3 of them have a responsibility in the current state of their relationship. Can I say how much I love the women in this book and at this moment Kate. She recommends outside help and a counseling session with Pastor Young, their pastor. 

Bernie calls Marshall to let him know that her film has scratches on it on the frames of the people at the booth. That the film was exposed and put back. She checked her Camera and nothing was wrong with it.  We end the chapter with the Angels commenting on how Marshall we never much of a sleeper and that Rafar has awakened him.

Across campus 2 giant men descend to like two white comets. One is full of anger at being stopped from attacking and protecting while the other is trying to calm him down to explain that they aren’t ordered to fight yet.  We get names the angels are Triskal and Guilo. Guilo was the one ready to protect Marshall. We learn Triskal stopped him and tells Guilo that they are under orders not to fight yet.  We learn the name of the captain is Tal as he is the one who gave the order. We also learn the Guilo is a warrior he says “Here I was called, Here I fight” Triskal then reiterates Not Yet. We also learn that the demon that is oppressing Hogan is complacency and despair. 

We join the Angels to their trip to Ashton Community. They came in secretive They see Hank and we learn that his call for the community started months ago.  Again they confirm that he continually interceding for Ashton and even walks the town praying for it. 

Inside the church we learn that it is filled with Angels:

Nathan-Towering Arabian who fought Fiercely and spoke little. He was known for using demons as clubs against other demons

Armoth- Big African whose war cry and fierce countenance send the enemy fleeing. 

Chimon- Meek European who is known as the shield. 

Guilo- Known for his strength

Tal- Captain of Hosts

Krioni- watch carer over Hank and Ashton

During this meeting of the angels we learn that 23 are present so far. This is when we learn that the big bad is the Rafar the demon prince of Babylon. Tal had defeated Rafar in ancient times. “The evil of this would be pagan god seemed to envelop him and everything around him like a thick smoke.”  They don’t know why such a high ranking demon would be coming to Ashton, a small town but they know they are to protect it.  We also learn that the reason that they are not to fight yes is there is not enough prayer cover, 

^{Romans 8:26-27}

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

I believe that this is the verse used as this inspiration. When we talk prayer cover its people gathered to pray for the same purpose, the city, the state, the country the world you live in. A member of the communities family. But we also must pray Gods will. 

Triskal has been watching over Marshall and since demons are being assigned to harass him.  Its a sign that he is beginning to stir.

Now this next part reminds me a Job. Krioni is then told he must watch Hank be tested and do nothing except protect from direct onslaughts. I take that as only protect his life. Then Tal speaks about Marshall how the lackeys will have great reign with him. This will cause Marshall to either retreat or fight and send 2 Angels to protect him. Sending the rest to rouse up the remnant. As i said this is a story of a spiritual battle and how we see it here with our human eyes. We have been introduced to the Angels. Its time to see what they are facing. Complacency is running to tell his leaders what he witnessed. The Angels gather at the Church the demons will at the College psychology department. As complacency is heading down to where gathering he comments that their are more demons than usual. This is where we meet the Lucious, responsible for Ashton, in the story and others mentioned in passing. Complacency tells how Marshall started to shake him off. Became difficult to hold and about the Angels appearance. He is made fun of because he was not harmed complacency makes the statement had they let Marshall be and not given him an enemy. He would not be fighting. During this encounter we see how hostile they are to each other. As Lucious is demeaning Complacency and encouraging others to he doesn’t notice Rafar entering. His pride hurt at not being properly announced he send Lucious flying. Then lets him know that he can stand with the others, he was demoted in front of all. Then he questions Complacency about what he saw and where Lucious was amping the demons up telling them they have nothing to fear Lucious is warning them about allowing the Angels to get a foothold bigger than what they have. Then it is decided by Rafar that they will attack Hank. 

Something that God was ready for. The Angels were already prepared and knew it was going to happen. Like with Job God knew that Job would not succumb. 

We open this chapter in a black limo with a “plump middle age man” and his secretary having a conversation. The man is asking his secretary about a package he hadn’t received from the professor, its a small book. Its just a small paragraph kinda out of place. Marshall  is on his way to a meeting with Chief Bremmel. This is where we get a great contrast of Ashton “ For generations Ashton had taken pride in its grass-roots warmth and dignity and had striven to be a good place for it’s children to grow up. But now there were inner turmoils,anxieties, fears as if some kind of cancer was eating away at the town and invisibly destroying it.” the end of the paragraph goes on “Crime was up especially among the youth. Simple common trust in one’s neighbor was diminishing: never had the town been so full of rumors, scandals and malicious gossip. In the shadow of fear and suspicion, life here was gradually losing its joy and simplicity. And no one seemed to know why or how” that is a lot to dissect but who can’t relate. I look at places that i lived at and the changes the rise in crime. How that effect how you act you towards your neighbors and those in the community. But I also had to pause and think about how Peritti doesn’t just say gossip but MALICIOUS gossip. I can’t help but the think of the source and the motive. We as Christians shouldn’t gossip but we all do it. 

As Marshall is headed into the police station we meet Brummel’s secretary Sara. We learn that Brummel has redecorated his office and his secretary inherited the old stuff. 

From the conversation between Brummel and Marshall we learn a lot of back story (A lot of these things come into play later in the story so I am pointing them up now): 

1. Brummell comes off likable, but Marshall never trusted or liked him. 
2. In the middle of confronting Brummell Marshall just stops doesn’t know why.
3. Marshall is an observer and gatherer of information and can read upside down. 
4. Brummell has a meeting with Pastor Young
5. Pastor Young is Marshall’s Pastor not Brummell’s
6. Brummell attends Ashton Community (Hank’s Church) 
7. Brummell is easily flustered by Marshall. 
8. We get Bernie’s back story. Bernie came to Ashton after her sister committed suicide at Ashton College. She came to Ashton not believing that her sister took her own life and wanted to solve the mystery of her sister’s death.
9. After looking into Brummell’s eyes Marshall starts to feel a little numb like he is dreaming. 
10. Marshall starts to force himself to focus ( we see the inner battle he is having trying to clear his mind) 
11. Brummels “strange look” is mentioned 
12. That the “town” had an issue with the previous owner/editor of the Clarion (the newspaper)Brummells descriptions/comments:
    1. “Rather injurious to the mood of the town, especially toward the end”
    2.   Pathological soap-boxer
    3. He destroyed the faith of the people in the local government, & public servants
    4. He was accused of molestation. Charges were never pressed. He was just told to leave town. 
13. Marshall still can’t think or “feel straight” was just tired
14. Marshall started thinking of the past.
    1. Why he moved to Ashton things that had nothing to do with what he was talking about he ended with he just was he was tired and didn’t want to fight. 
15. Marshall didn’t even realize he left. 

Ok so lets look at everything in this section as a whole. This conversation is all over the place. Even the points. We had emotions Marshall suddenly couldn’t focus and at least 3 different times mentions he feels like a dream or tired. There is something about Brummell that he just doesn’t trust. Remember the Malicious gossip that we mentioned. We see the example here. We see the second Marshall start to regain focus; he starts remembering why he moved to Ashton. I see spiritual warfare here. I see God’s discernment in that just doesn’t trust Brummell. He starts looking around and feeling that something just isn’t right. We see that devil is trying to confuse him, Then emotionally drain him. 

After Hogan leaves we are still with Brummell as he celebrates his small victory over Marshall. He thinks to himself he needs to get ready for his real test as Marshall was just a warm up. Then Brummell picks up his phone and calls Hank.  He is calling Hank to see if he has changed his mind about Lou. I find it funny that Brummell also tried to use peer pressure. The town is going to be against you and then against the church, If you cared about the church,  Brummell tells Hank that he needs to learn from the last pastor. They go into a conversation about love. Hank says “ I want to save souls, I want to convict sinners. I want to help newborn believers grow up in truth.”  Brummell responds with “I don’t call that Love”  Love is an interesting concept. Its an emotion that always unless from God seems to come with conditions. Different people view it different ways. I see things the way Hank does because I  love you I want you to succeed so I have to correct you when you are in the wrong. I accept the same from those who love me. Again its about the heart the source. 

When playing on Hanks emotions doesn’t work Brummell goes to trying to use threats and fear what does Hank do he prays for patience and wisdom. The problem with for praying for patience is you are also praying for the opportunity to practice it. 

As we draw to the end of Chapter 3 we get some wise words from Hank. “Too many people don’t know-or want to know- what truth is anymore.” This chapter really is foreshadowing where we are today, a society that is ruled by emotions. That are so easy to manipulate. 

Hank continues with “ We don’t stand for something, we fall for anything and now guys like Lou get themselves into a fog where they can hurt their own families, start their own gossip, ruin their own reputations, make themselves miserable in their own sin… then look for someone else to blame! Just who’s doing what to whom” Truer words for today could not be said.  

The verse that pops into my mind reading this chapter is 1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints..  

According to learn religious . Discernment is the ability to see and instinctually recognize subtle differences. Discernment allows one’s knowledge to penetrate the cloudiness and cut through layers of confusion and ambiguity to perceive distinctions accurately. Wisdom is the product of insight and understanding gained through the ability to discern.  

Discernment is a one of the gifts of God. Marshall has used this in his newspaper career. He using it when he says he doesn’t trust brummel although he says he doesn’t know why he in the inner dialogue we get to see Marshall goes through the toothy smile, the loopy gaze. How the new office looks expensive for a chief and how easy it is for him to rattle Brummell. Also that he has pushed enough for one day.

Bernie is in Jail. Chapter 2 pics up with Hogan going to the jail to get her. We are introduced to Hogan’s wife Kate who met him at the Jail to get Bernie. We also meet officer Dunlop. We see Hogans impatient and brutishness here as he telling Jimmy that he is their for Bernie. We see Dunlop is an order follower and timid. He also states no one has called to release Bernie…but the phone is off the hook. We get more examples of Dunlops timidness. Then we get another look at Hogans personality and that he is also very blunt. What was Bernie arrested for prostitution. We find out that she was asking questions and 2 prostitutes start wondering what Bernie is doing and tag along one propositioned a police officer. The police officer didn’t give Bernie the chance to ID herself or listen to her made the assumption since the 2 where prostitutes the 3rd must be too and arrested her with them. As Dunlop approaches to let Bernie out she clams up as Hogan asked about police chief Bremmel being there after she mentions him and how he has a convenient way of disappearing. 

We get a formal introduction of Kate and her personality as well as the relationship of Hogan and Bernie, And Hogan and his Daughter Sandy, which is easily summed up in his response of why he thinks its a bad idea to pick her up from class “But Cock fights are illegal in this state”  Kate is the opposite of Hogan. She’s patient, considerate and thoughtful. She brought Bernie’s car to her and puts up with bernie interrupting the discussion that hogan will pick up their daughter. Although Kate had already decide it was happening and it seems only allowed the discussion to let Hogan vent and prepare. During this conversation with Bernie outside Bernie lets out that Brummel was at the festival in a meeting and sw everything and that after she snapped the picture was when the prostitutes latched on to her and she was arrested. She thinks it was because of the picture she snapped of Bremmel, The megachurch pastor Young (Hogan’s church not  Brummel”s), a “pudgy” fellow and “ghostly” women. 

We are not back to Hank and we meet his wife Mary. We find out that  Hank was a pastors son. With his father he has live through “a great many glories and hassles” As hank gets his milk that had been delivered he sees a threat painted on his house. He goes in wondering why as his wife is calling for him to shut the door. She picks up on his mood believing its due to worry of the upcoming board meeting goes to comfort him. We find out the upcoming board meeting happened that friday night. It was because Hank had kicked a church member, Lou Staanley> out for having an affair. His friends are upset and want allowed back as a member and leader of the church. We also find out that these same people got rid of the old pastor for preaching the word and not changing or bending it.  Hank says that he believes it conviction, that God is putting on them. He shows how he followed Matthew 18:15-17. He went to Lou alone, then he brought a witness John with him then he went before the congregation. He still hadn’t repented so they removed Lou from the fellowship. 

The chapter closes with accusations these people have made of him calling him , a bigot, heel dragger, and overly moral trouble maker. They accused him of being a homosexual and wife beater..

What have you been called because you refuse to change Gods word?

What accusations have been made against you?

Ch. 1

We open with an introduction of 2 “visitors” tall (at least 7ft) built and perfectly proportioned. One is dark haired with sharp features The other is blonde and powerful.. It is the Ashton Summer Festival. Described as “the town’s yearly exercise in frivolity and chaos.I think that this is the visitors perception. I believe the following is the perception told from the view of  the locals. “It was a wild time, a chance to get drunk, pregnant, beat up, ripped off and sick all in the same night.”  At the carnival is when we see the visitors direct a young lady in a direction and guide her hand to take a picture. This is where I think we need to stop and discuss,

 Yes just two pages in and I have a point of discussion and a spoiler. The spoiler are that the visitors are Angels. So lets get this discussion started with a quote from the book.  [“You know” , the dark haired one said “you might try looking over there” ] This portion I see as an accurate interpretation of how we are influenced by the spiritual realm to begin with especially by God, the Holy Spirit and the Angels. I struggle with the next part.  [With that simple comment, he guided her by a hand on the shoulder toward one particular booth]  I have always been taught that God guides us with words unless we ask. Wouldn’t being physically moved to a direction take away our free will. We have to make the choice to follow Christ at that point. I think the physical guidance would be acceptable since we already made the choice. Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” The angel did not take Philip to Gaza he told him. The same with Jonah who had a consequence for not listening after making the decision to follow and obey God. 

Now our visitors have made their way to Ashton Community where we are given the 1st character’s name and that’s the pastor Henry Busche, who is the church’s pastor. 

At this point we get 2 descriptions of the city of Ashton one with physical eyes and one with spiritual eyes. At this moment we also get a glimpse at what is going on. The visitors sense something and hide. A shadow that did not sway with its surroundings, The shadow was creature. The creature is sent flying by an unknown force at this time we find out that the creature is an small evil spirit  and it is revealed that the two visitors are Angels. Also that in Ashton there is a high concentration of evil spirits.  

After this encounter the 2 go into the church to meet “this man of God”. Attention is drawn to a bulletin board with a notice for an upcoming business meeting with attendance and offering posting (down from previous weeks) and requests. Normal church stuff.  Henry praying for the town of Ashton. – Spoiler coming – This is important because the meeting that is posted is about Henry being removed as pastor.. We don’t know how the prayer session started if it was a prayer for clarity or understanding of the situation/ But what we are told that Hank intercedes on behalf of the city almost every night. His prayer countenance was a mixture of pain, grief and love. Names, petitions and raises poured with passion and tears.  I love that although he is alone praying he doesn’t see what is happening around him. Maybe he feels that his prayers are insignificant because the Angels make the statement that he is not so insignificant and that he is not alone. How beautiful is that. How empowering and comforting to know that we are not the only ones praying for things. WE ARE NOT ALONE.  This alone reminds me that I really need to work on my prayer life.  Something else is said in this paragraph of the book. That Hank will be hurt, Another character is mentioned “the newspaper man” who will also be hurt. The Angels then acknowledge that they will fight.  Then the angels ministered peace to Hank, their young charge. 

Now we meet the Newspaperman Marshall Hogan. He is a former New York Newspaper Editor who, wanting a slower pace of life moved to Ashton and bought the local newspaper. This shows us our motivations are not always the same as God’s. We know from the previous page that Hogan will play a row and since its the angels talking about how he and Hank will be hurt it is safe (also spoiler) to assume that they will be on the same side of this battle and fighting on behalf of God. Hogan is described as strong, big framed bustler. Whom his staff refer to as “Attila the Hogan” I so currently relate to Hogan right now moving from a big fast paced city to a town that runs at a slower pace. I often can come off as rude, impatient (which i am) and my phrasing is often taken wrong. Back to the story. He is trying to get the paper pasted up and his reported who was covering the festival, is missing!! Just in the nick of time the phone rings and its the reporter Bernice calling from jail. (Spoiler Bernice was the photographer in the beginning). 

How do you feel about the Angels Physically leading the photographer? 

Does this change if she is a believer or Not?

What stands out about the carnival/festival? 

What does this introduction to  Bushe tell you about him? 

What does the introduction to Hogan tell you about him? 

These are ones that I feel are important to know. Study starting with CH1. dropping soon.

Humans

Marshall Hogan- the local newspaper editor 

Hank Busche- Pastor Ashton Community 

Kate Hogan- Marshalls wife

Mary Busche- Hanks Wife

Sandy Hogan- Marshall’s daughter

Alf Brummel – Police Chief

Bernice Kreuger- reporter

Edith Duster-

Oliver Young– Pastor of Ashton United Christian Church

Susan Jacobson– former room mate of  Pat Krueger’s and Kaseph’s girlfriend.

Juleen Langstrat : Professor of Psychology and New Age Philosophy at Whitmore College

Shawn Ormsby :Shawn is a student at Whitmore College.

Lou Stanley

Patricia Krueger : Bernice Kruger’s sister who committed suicide.

Alexander Kaseph: Owner of Omni Corporation, head of a “Universal Consciousness Society,

Angels

Armoth-watchcarer of Marshall Hogan 

Betsy–Bernice Krueger‘s watchcarer 

Chimon-the shield, sent to have Hank Busche voted in as pastor.

Guilo– Warrior, friend of Tal

Krioni-watchcarer for Hank Busche and the town of Ashton. later becomes a prince of Ashton

Nathan-watchcarer of Marshall Hogan 

Signa-sentry over Ashton Community Church.

Tal– Captain of the Host of Heaven

Triskal-to watch over Hank and his wife Mary, becomes a prince of Ashton

Demons

Lucius: Servant of Ba’al Rafar and the third in command.

Madeline

Thomas

Ba’al Rafar: Servant of the Strongman and the Second in command.

The Strongman: Vassal of Satan, possessor of Kaseph, and first in command.