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GENTLEMEN OF THE HEART(Chapter 1) Descending I was new in this day, and the threat of my being here, was already present. The Captain of the guard was immediately aware of my presence and I could sense his thoughts probing out my actions. His subordinates were keen to the tense look of his eye's and without him uttering a command, they were already moving about the courtyard, spying out what might be his concern. My thoughts were still a little offset for the timing of my arrival and my reasons of return. I didn't dare to give rise to his suspicions; though in time, I knew he wouldn't be denied. Seldom is one aware of my arrival at so sudden a time and no common man is ever aware of me, but he has been tested before and his loyalty to the throne is known throughout the land. I moved quietly out of the courtyard, before his subordinates became anxious of his thoughts and trapped me in the crowd. This seemed to quell his concerns for now, as from a distance I could see them returning to their normal routines. OK for now I thought, and began to consider my mission ... Later I was to find out how gravely I underestimated his insight to my world or the battles I must win to prevail at his hand. The land seemed as open to turmoil, as I had perceived in my vision, though quiet, fear languished in the hearts of the people. This would be a trying time for my spirit and a difficult time to be in the flesh. I choose for my first task, to seek out companions of thought, those of like mind, both men of valor and women of virtue. Those in whom, their hearts had made the sacrifice of self-will and were seeking a release of the burden brought on by this throne. I knew from my vision of their faces, but not of their names or what their daily tasks of the lands were. So I would have to seek them out, in chance, as I journeyed throughout the land. The land to the east was that of lush woods, serene valleys and filling rivers. To the west were gentle hills, covered over with fields of wheat and tall grassy meadows. There spread about the land, were a people seeking only, a peaceful way for their families and a simple faith in God alone. All of which was being denied them by the throne that ruled the land and him who sat upon it, King Bellas. I, and I alone was sent to deliver them from his grasp. I had as my only defense the timeless wisdom of he who sent me and a gift of words to persuade. Being in the flesh, I was void of what had become my natural world I knew beyond this earthly bond. Though not of the angelic host, I have been amidst them for what seemed a timeless event. I am man, as all men once are, but called out from among them thousands of years ago. I'm sent back upon a mission, as he who sits upon the heavenly throne, the Most High God, requires of me to go. Though I am known throughout their history, I shall not reveal my being, as I am in the flesh and am subject once again to all of mans faults and desires of the heart. I was also quite anxious to see the change in the heart's of men since my Lords crucifixion. I chose to journey eastward, seeking the covering of the trees. I hoped it would lend itself for the hiding away of the refuges from the throne. As I entered the forest edge, my spirit was caught in the wake of its fear and the anguish of the their hearts that live there. I knew already I wouldn't be trusted and looked upon as one suspect in his intentions. They've been trapped away so long; I thought to myself, as my knee's weakened almost to buckle before me. It was the deep swell of passion that I had for the people and not felt sense being in the flesh so long ago. I began to recall all the times past that I went down for them on his behalf ... my Lord sways his hand like a brushstroke come to life; as the ultimate artist he creates them, and all of creation ... are his passion! So now, they have become my passion, for his sake. I thought of them before him and set myself aside for them in my heart so there could be no conflict within me. So deep are their wounds, this king has inflicted. I labored within in thought of them ... so much sorrow has been wrought by him. He has showed no pity, not even for the little children. Robbing them from their mothers breast, to be his servants. Denying them the simpleness of nature and even now, their mother's hearts grow more barren by the day. Their laps long for the weight of their little babes and their husbands' heads hang low, for the shame they feel for their lack of power to rescue their children from the throne that binds them ... my anger was kindled against this king! With righteous indignation, I was filled for the length of the day, vowing my own security, to gain their release and freeing their mothers' hearts from this drought. Brought on by this king, whom, I now call wicked! Time is sent me and a place mat is laid before me by the Almighty God; I shall devour King Bellas even more so than he has wounded them. So I set out to meet those who have made this place their home of refuge. It wasn't long before I had my first encounter. It was a breezy day and I was walking along a narrow pathway; I couldn't hear much from the rustling caused by the wind. He first appeared, stepping out unto the path some fifty feet in front of me. He was a large burly man, stout looking and a determined character about him. I approached him and for the first in so long a time, I felt and remembered ... how fearful is the trembling of the flesh, how weak it is before a tempest storm. To death so soon, I thought, if he should strike me down? Those feelings don't change much even for one thousands of years old. So be it, I thought to myself, even a thousand years in Heaven can not stop the failure of the flesh, here on earth it comes to ruin, no less corrupt then when I was here last . As I got close enough to see his eye's most of my concerns began to fade away. Not that he was any less daunting, but his eye's weren't frowned and angry, with a mean look, but had a gentle caution to them. I knew he was a family man; only a woman and children can bring that look to a mans' eye's. If I posed no threat he wouldn't set upon me, I thought to myself -- I kept repeating that thought to myself. "Good day sir! are you a Woodsman?" I said to him. "Why do you ask?" he replied. "I mean you no harm," I assured him, "I'm seeking out those who live among the woods." "Who are you?" he questioned me firmly. "Who am I?" I thought to myself, I can't tell him my ancient name; that would get me nowhere, "John"... I said, "John Thomas; may I ask who you are sir?" He paused to consider me for a moment, with caution in his voice he said. "Lasiter ... where's your staff?" his voice darted out at me. I didn't know what he meant or what the significance was to having a staff. "I don't have one with me," I said. his eye's glared down in suspicion at me ... "A woodsman always has his staff!" his voice railed at me, as he suddenly raised his staff against my throat and pinned me against a tree to the side of me. "I said who are you and what do you want! And this time no questions!" When all of a sudden a dozen men seemed to appear from nowhere rushing to his side to back him ... their eye's weren't nearly as gentle as his. "You're not a woodsman ... who are you he demanded!" My thoughts froze for a second; I was stunned by his reaction to my answer. I decided to tell him straight out, before the others tore into me. "I'm here to lead thee against King Bellas; to set the captives free and make a peaceful way of life for thee and thy families." "Lead us he bellowed!" "you don't even have a staff," he mocked, "and you're going to lead us!" The staff again, what's this concern with a staff, I thought? He continued pressing against me with his staff. "What value could you possibly be to us, you're but one man, we are many and have not been able to go against the captain of his guard!" "Tell me your secret of victory to slay him?" "We will not slay them by might," I said, "you're right he is too strong; but with the wisdom God, I shall disassemble his legions and by the authority of his voice I shall bring down this throne." "You speak for God," he said regaining his composure; "How many fools have declared their authority before thee." As his eye's showed his thoughts wondering off to ponder the others who have deceived not only others but themselves in their false pride; that they were sent by the hand of God. "He's a fool," one of the others spoke out, "let 'em go, he'll die like the others before him." Lasiter looked hard and straight into my eye's, pondering for a few seconds, then released me from the restraint of his staff. "Good luck on your quest John Thomas," he said; "you'll need it." "I truly hope you succeed; but you'll not lead us with your words," he said tiredly and then a deep breath. "We're just too few and too late," as he turned slowly with his head slung low, as one exhausted even from thought of success. "Is it so hard ... even to listen lasiter?" I said to him, as he began to step back down the path. "Listen, talk, plan, think, it's all we ever do, if you truly have the wisdom of God, you should know it's futile and fantasy. That's our daily bread, that's what our long suffering has gotten us, futile and fantasy. We make stories to tell our wives so they have some hope for our children; now we've added lying to our loss. Listen, yeah' sure, we'll listen; maybe you'll tell a new fable to get my wife through another barren day. Do you have any idea how I feel, looking into my wife's eye's and lying to her about a chance for our child! Sometimes I think she sees right through it and just plays along for my sake. I've been faithful to God since my youth," Lasiter's voice rose up; "As all these men about you have! What has it gotten me, the child I love and live for, is held a slave and I'm a teller of fables to the woman I love. Come with us!" He shouted. "Be in our camp as night falls and the work that takes our mind off our turmoil is done and listen as the quiet sets in. It starts in one persons tent as a mother begins to sob softly for her babies," he said intensely. "Then as her husband moves to comfort her, her heart breaks and she cries out, weeping aloud! Then her voice multiplies to another tent and the scene plays itself out again and again from tent to tent" he said, with a trembling volume to his voice. "Till all the women are weeping aloud as we comfort them until there exhausted and fall asleep, only then is their quiet! Then I'm left alone with my thoughts, his voice softened ... and my tears begin, so that I have to cover my own mouth with my hand and weep in silence." Then his voice growing stronger again till it became angry but for a second, "BECAUSE I HAVE TO BE STRONG!" As he looked hard at me, as though he wanted someone to blame. Then with his voice filled with sorrow and humility, he said ... "or else I'm afraid she will die from our hopeless cause or take her life to end her travail," his voice crackling and then with a deep breath he drew himself together. "Take him!" Lasiter motioned to the other men, as they came about me grasping me on either side by my arms. "We shall see if he is so faithful in the morning," as they moved swiftly down the pathway, pulling me along. I kept silent the whole time, they couldn't know how many times I have suffered with the faithful in times past or the loves I have lost. They don't know that I am full with emotions for them ... and telling them so wouldn't make a difference. Although, suffering with them will win me a place among them and in time I shall persuade their hearts of my loyalty and they will shed their concerns of mistrust. He's a fine man, I thought to myself of Lasiter, his heart is very open and his wife is blessed to have him ... I prayed for him along the way. What failed to my heart, as were the women's howls? What tore upon me, as were their whelps of Thine disbelief? A casting of doubt has come over me and a wiping of my eye's has left me, as one blind. Once distant as thunder, now upon me crushing, a rush of torment are brought, of one callous heart. Time is as Temper, when both have gone astray, leaves not further hope, but one less day. THIS SAMPLE IS FROM THE 1st FEW PAGES
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© Copyright. 2003 - By John Thomas Publishing Co. John Thomas Publishing Co. Content Copyright © 2003 John Thomas Publishing.
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