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Category:
Science Fiction
Publisher: Westbow Press
ISBN-10: 1491774029
Type: Fiction
Pages: 279
Copyright: 10/15/2014
ISBN-13: 9781490849812
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
They came from the heavens, but did they come from God?
They came from above, but will they bring heaven… or hell? James Darden always relies on his faith. But when Earth first receives extraterrestrial contact, the preacher isn’t sure what to believe. The aliens of World Eternal have arrived, and they promise solutions to everything humanity hates. They propose a deal with the people of Earth, and bit by bit the world begins to change…
As the nations of Earth begin to put their trust in the World Eternal, Pastor Darden and his small-town Texas congregation must grapple with the new society around them. But when it becomes apparent that the aliens have ulterior motives, Darden realizes he has a purpose: leading the charge to fight back. As the rest of humanity seems to turn a blind eye toward the alien plot, Darden and his small flock have one chance to start a revolution. God only knows if they’ll succeed…
World Eternal: Promises is the first book in a series of captivating Christian sci-fi novels. If you like entertaining books that are also intriguing, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, then you’ll love Donna R. Wittlif’s debut novel.
Buy Promises today to see if faith alone can save humanity!
Excerpt
“What's so important that we had to meet today?” James unlocked his office door and admitted the four elders. “On Christmas Day?”
John Dean laughed. He was a tall, husky man with an even bigger heart. “Buddy tells me he's coming to your house for dinner, James. It makes Grandpa happy to see him so excited.” He passed his hand over his graying curly red hair, then held the door for the rest.
“Always happy to see Buddy, John. Y'all come in and have a seat.”
“Sorry to have to meet today, James.” Chris Brown held out his hand, and James shook it. “But we think this is something real serious that you should address in your sermon Sunday.”
“This Sunday? My sermon is already prepared, typed, copied, and ready to hand out. I can't possibly get something else ready for Sunday. What's going on?”
“It's this snow star thing.” Gary Westman wrung his hands nervously. “Everyone wants to know about it and what it means.”
“Christine talked to all her friends,” Chris said. “They think aliens made them. Their friends who are in the ministry program plan to talk about it in chapel when school starts.”
“What can I do about that? You're her dad, Chris. Don't you have some influence?”
“She's going to be here at church tomorrow.”
“So you want me to talk to her?”
“No, don't you see? Preach to her. Preach to the whole congregation.” Steve Haltom leaned over James' desk. “Let them know that there aren't any aliens. Tell them God made us and deals with us directly. Make them believe God is in charge, not aliens!” He banged his fist on the desk. “James, the whole world is going crazy. You've got to let them know it's not true!”
They all looked at him expectantly. James studied his sermon notes that he'd already prepared. “You want me to preach against aliens?” He looked up at them. “You're really serious?” A half smile crept across his face. “James Darden goes against the world. I don't know, gentlemen. It's awful short notice.”
“We know.” Chris looked at him like a bloodhound begging for a bone. “Our kids will be here tomorrow, and they need the truth from God's word. Your Jim will be here, and his friend. There will be visitors because it's the holiday season. If you wait until next week, you'll miss a wonderful opportunity.”
“Think of all the people who've heard about this,” Gary said. His tall, thin frame towered above James. “Think of the open minds waiting to hear what God has to say about this.”
“We discussed this.” Chris crossed his arms as he spoke. “Tell you what we decided. If you'll change your sermon, and we know it'll cost you some time, we'll give you an extra week of vacation. That's how much it means to us as the leaders of this church.”
“You're the one, James, the one to hold up the word of God at a time like this,” said Steve. “You always preach God's truth. You've never let us down before.”
Their eyes were glued on him. James felt pinned down, obligated. He wanted to say no, to get up and run out on them, but he couldn't. Looking up, he said, “I'll give it a try, brothers. I'll see what I can do.”
“Good! We knew we could count on you, James.” John stood and slapped him on the back. “We know you can do it.” The others filed out the door, and John followed.
James sat there a few minutes, his head spinning. Where to start? Was there anything in the Bible about aliens? The prophet Ezekiel saw four living creatures with four different faces. Four wheels were beneath those creatures, each wheel made like “a wheel within a wheel.” He got down two commentaries and looked up Ezekiel Chapter One. One said that the wheels were the chariot God used to take Him through the universe. The other stated that the wheels were simply a manifestation of God's glory. The commentaries were no more help explaining Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:1-8, nor the visions experienced by the apostle John in the book of Revelation. They certainly didn't say anything about aliens.
He had never heard a sermon about UFO's and aliens. Never. It was a subject no one dared speak on for fear of ridicule. Why should he have to preach on something that no one else would touch? Something there was no information about? Why should he have to know all the answers to questions that no one had ever asked, at least publicly? He felt drained. Locking the door behind him, he headed home.
Nell was in the kitchen. “The boys took the telescope to the park. They packed some sandwiches. What was so important?”
James shook his head. “It's this snowflake thing. Some of the college kids are saying they're made by aliens. They want me to preach against aliens.”
“What did you tell them?”
“They offered me an extra week of vacation. They were persistent. I told them I would.” He sat down and leaned his head on his hands. “Trouble is, I don't know what to say. I don't have the answer, especially not the one they're looking for. I don't know what to believe. And I don't have much time.”
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