Chapter Two

For me, winter is the most splendid of all seasons. This, of course, is coming from a Wisconsin man who can find no greater beauty than a fresh blanket of snow cascading across a barren field bordered by tall pines, birch and oak trees. There is something stoic in the scene; something altogether wonderful about a man standing against the elements and the worst that nature has to offer. I bet you are wondering who I am by now. You can call me Abishai, if you like. Though, most of my friends know me as Abe. I'm not a powerfully built man, but, if I can say so without breaking my humility, I have strength not proportional to my appearance. I am a young man, having only 23 years on this earth to date, but in that time I have seen and experienced more than many of my peers will experience throughout their lives. At times, it seems as though the weight of the world weighs upon my slim frame. I work by the sweat of a striking brow, and see the world through hazel eyes. My hair is often cropped short as it reminds me to live a life of discipline and my chest is pronounced from five years of pushups in the service. Among my friends I speak powerfully concerning my God, politics, and warfare with a soft and gentle voice. Enough of all that, though. I do hate talking about myself.

What about you? If you are going to walk with me on this adventure I'd like to know more about you. If you stand for the good, detest what is evil, and have a heart broken for the hurting then we will get along just fine. If not, I am a patient man and enjoy good company and bad. I would very much enjoy getting to know you more and hope you will continue with me down this path we have set together. What more can I say? The sun has settled low beneath the horizon and the winter night is upon us. If you'd like, I have an extra set of snow pants, a heavy wool jacket and an old pair of boots you can borrow. Of course, you'd like to come with! Tonight we are heading into the south woods behind my folks' house. Ah, yes, here are some gloves for you and a scarf to protect against the wind's bite. Wrap it up tightly now, and let me get the door for you. Ah, that wind is so terrible, and yet, it is what I love most. Don't you feel majestic standing tall and proud against the force of nature? I see that you do; its written in your eyes. Well, let's get moving then, it will not take long.

I'm always amazed how bright the night can be with the moon's light reflecting off the surface of the snow. I assure you, there is not a better sight in nature as this simple scene! Now, don't get worried about all the burs you see on the edge of the woods. They may get caught on your clothing but the burs and the thorns are there to protect the woods and will not be found beyond the edge. Its a sad thought to consider how many people are turned back without any effort at the very sight of these simple obstacles, isn't it? I mean, they will never see all that the woods contain. They will never look up at the stars through the branches and enjoy the sound of a cold night's wind blowing through the trees and causing the branches to creak and moan. That's it, follow right behind me. I will clear a path as best I can for you. Haha, you've lost your glove! Let me pull that from the thorns for you! There is no need to get frostbite tonight. Here, follow me. I've already picked out a spot for us against some old snow fence I laid out as a child. Take a seat right there. Go ahead and lean back against the roll of fence, it will hold you. Do you see what I was describing now that we are settled in? The sounds are amazing aren't they? Its as if God is speaking right to us and to the whole world if we would only listen.

You know, I was here last night and something amazing happened. I don't know if I should even talk about it, because it is unbelievable. I mean, I wouldn't believe you if you were telling the story. Ha, not that I don't trust you! Its just unbelievable. Truly. Anyhow, take it for what its worth. I was sitting right here with my dog, a chocolate lab, thinking the same thoughts I'm sharing with you now, and I thought to be quite bold. I said, "God, if you are there and if you wouldn't mind my boldness, would you please speak to me and reveal yourself?" Now, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did not think anything would come of it. After a short time, I got up and began the walk back to the house. When I was about thirty paces from the woods I heard what could only be described as a clap of thunder. Truly! It shook me to the core and I dropped to a knee in fear. My dog took off running as fast as she could go! Now, I asked God, "Was that you?!" What else could it have been? Of course it was God! It just had to be! Unbelievable, I know. I needed to tell you that, though, because God does want to reveal himself to us, ya know? I also know, he wanted you to be here tonight.

You can't rightly speak to Him with me here, though. Please, stay here as long as you need to and don't come out of these woods until you hear something from Him. I am leaving now, but I will be waiting for you back at the house and we will certainly be back this way again. This is the beginning, my friend. We will share experiences in these woods later on, but for now, the experience is yours. Good luck to you and enjoy!

Chapter One

Early one morning, while the red sun began its slow ascent to the sky and the horizon was a film of orange and purple penetrating a darker blue, I found myself drawn to that small pond on my father's land. It was still and silent; peaceful in every sense. To the blind eye, it seemed to be absent of any movement or disruption at all; more of a painting than a living scene. I liked that perception of the pond because it was simple and existed perfectly in the present. Unfortunately, I am not one of those peaceful souls who can accept this image and deny what lies beneath the surface. If I learned anything in my high school biology class, it was that the pond would be brimming with life. Surely, there were countless, microscopic organisms fluttering about, doing what they could to exist. In fact, it was my perception that all life was in a continual struggle for existence and, in the case of the "nobler" species, purpose.

No, I could never be like those peaceful souls. My mind was a continual dialogue of questions and philosophies; a continual struggle to find reason in circumstance and actions. I cannot glance the surface and enjoy the thin veneer when I know that so much more lies beneath. That pond had secrets, and I intended to find them out. "Someday," I thought, "I will lay down in the cool grass and enjoy the scene." That would be left for another day, though. I had to get to the hustle and bustle of my life; full of commitments and obligations that wore on the mind like waves against stone, slowly eroding the surface and sweeping the loosened pieces deep out to sea.

Prologue

Every great tale has a beginning. This one is no exception, though, I do not feel it appropriate to disclose in any great detail the events leading up to this prose. By God, where would I begin? It is the great wonder of our lives that our actions, both great and small, send ripples reverberating through time. Those ripples cascade across all boundaries and blockades regardless of our desire to resist them. I suppose we can pinpoint several events that have spread further than all others, much like the effect of dropping a large stone in a pond as compared to a pebble. It is of great interest to me that even the waves born of the pebble will reach the shore, albeit with less attention than those associated with the stone. Every day, I drop pebbles in the pond, but sometimes, indeed very few occasions, I have the great opportunity and fortune to heave a tremendous stone into the pond. I, myself, cannot resist the urge and calling which compels me on such occasions. It is this tendency alone that has led me to share the tale before me. If you would like to join me for the telling of this adventure, be warned; nothing is as it seems. God uses the simple things of our world to confound the great.