THIS PRESENT DARKNESS - WEEK 5 - CHAPTERS 13 - 16

THIS PRESENT DARKNESS by Frank Peretti

What have YOU noticed in these chapters? What is making an impact on your mind and heart and causing you to ponder? The floor is open...

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Okay - I'll add some thoughts for the chapters.

Ashton Community Church -

Chaff and wheat - the separation is occurring. The call of Isaiah 55 - turn from your evil ways. Forgiveness is available. My words do not come back void. My will will be accomplished. Joy and peace will be the result- promises of hope for the remnant despite the covering darkness.

Ashton United Christian Church - The message - the answer to all things is in ourselves because we are made in the image of God - a completely different view from what is being taught at ACC, but one that in today's world is not an uncommon ideology. How often do we hear the words "follow your heart?* Jeremiah 17:9 tells us the heart is "deceitful " and *desperately wicked." Not the ideal place to find guidance for our lives. Peretti shows us who is actually in charge of all the people who think they are divine. The shadows of the hands resting on their shoulders.

I have to feel for Marshall Hogan's situation - does he maintain a pseudo peaceful family or pursue the truth of what is going on behind closed doors?

Oh my - the knowledge that Shawn and Pastor Young go way back. I want to know the details of that!

Wasn't it interesting looking at the "Demon Board Meeting?" We know there's a hierarchy of angels. Why wouldn't it be the same in the enemy lineup? I found it fascinating to think of the possibility that nothing would be off limits on the evil side. What does that look like when we run pride, lust, lying, etc to the full uninhibited max? Why is the Strongman confined to the ranch? What is the ultimate plan that these evil ones are working towards?

The history of Tal and Rafar. I want to know more, There's blood in the water and the shark is circling for the opportune moment.

The continuing attack on family -

Sandy with Langstrat. Who brought her ? Shawn. Shawn keeps appearing in the mix, doesn't he. But guess what? Mama Bear Kate has a bad feeling about him. Something's just not sitting right with her about the situation. We Mama's are good at sniffing those situations out aren't we?

Carmen and Pastor Hank - the stage is set for the fall, but can Hank overcome the temptation? How many men in pastoral or strong Christian leadership have we heard about that have fallen in this way? Meanwhile, Mary is being attacked spiritually and physically. I love how Peretti shows us the physical scene of what is happening and then the spiritual realm scene -Triskal's battle.

Marshall and Bernice- is the stage being set for a similar situation to Hank and Carmen? Is that possible with Bernice's drive to find out what happened to her sister? Is she a pawn in all of this?

The inner workings of the town and the college - the replacement of all the people from the grocery store to the professors. What is the ultimate goal here? I feel like I am staring at a painting where all the colors are being painted on, but I can't see the subject bring portrayed. All of these parts are dancing before my eyes and in the snap of a moment, everything will come into focus. Hopefully, it won't be too late for some of our favorite people when they realize what's really going on.