Kevin raised an eyebrow, “Really now, Pastor Ben? You have been celibate for what, three of four months? This is after years of whoredom. Okay, I will take it into consideration. I will see if I can fit that into my schedule. Although, I am up to my neck with paperwork and still coming up empty on the driver of the Expedition, that hit your Holy Woman.” Frankie and Kevin laughed out loud at that comment.
Ben just gave them both a nod in acceptance and said, “Hey make all the jokes you want, I have found my soul mate and we are proceeding along nicely to a happily ever after. So you clowns take all the jabs you want, I can guarantee you I want have years of celibacy. I am ready to put a ring on it.”
Kevin put up a stop signal with his hand, “Dude calm down, I hear you, I am just serious, I mean joking.” They all laughed and then a thought occurred to Frankie.
“Kevin, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something a friend of mine let me in on, that may help the hit and run case.” Frankie said. Both Ben and Kev ceased all movement.
Kevin turned one hundred percent into a prosecuting attorney, “what information do you have and why haven’t I heard of it before now?”
“I’m sorry Kevin. I was waiting until you were in your office. when I dropped off the mail, but you been MIA.”
Ben frustrated with the small talk jumped in. “Frank tell us what you know.”
“Okay, I ran into one of the guys I had dinner with the same day you all said Camille was hit. It was in the afternoon, a pre bachelor party, so to speak. Well, I found out the wedding didn’t happen because the groom got drunk and hit something, he could not remember what. He had gone to an ex’s house, where he was found the next day, when he should have been at the wedding. Long story short, it struck a nerve, being the same date and all. So I asked what type of car he drove, and it is indeed a Ford Expedition.” Benjamin did not know whether to hug or strangle Frankie, but he kept his composure happy because they now had a lead.
Kevin asked the name of the driver. Frankie gave him Brian Andrews’ information, including his home address. Kevin took the information and left to do some investigating with his staff.
Frankie parted ways soon after as Nikki woke up, saying she wanted to go home to her mommy. He wanted to go home to her mommy too, to settle this backsliding issue. He was determined to make this work, and if going to this bible class would keep him from seeing Karen that way again, then that was what they were going to do.
***
A few days later
Camille sat in her bedroom on the edge of her bed in a white terry-cloth robe after a hot shower, thinking. The last week had unfolded so much in her life and circle of friends. She had yet to speak with Karen about them being half-sisters. Karen had called in sick the remainder of the week, after their fight. She had not answered any of Camille’s phone calls, over the weekend. Then there was her dad, who was set on just leaving things as they were and actually left the country, saying she was in good hands with Benjamin and her friends. He had received a call from his superior’s overseas. There was an urgent matter only he could handle. Camille did not believe that for one minute. Camille knew it was wrong but she wanted to slap her dad and tell him a thing or two. If she could have just called him the biggest coward to his face, which would have helped subside some of the turmoil she felt inside. How could he be a wonderful father to her and not so much as want to acknowledge he helped create Karen and had a granddaughter?
In the next instant Camille’s mind migrated to Paige, who was in her spare bedroom. Camille had spent Friday and Saturday consoling Paige. Although Paige informed her she left Kevin’s place with vigor and her dignity intact. Camille, wanted to know where it was lost between his house and hers. Paige had been a babbling, crying fool, in love all weekend. Thinking of love snapped her mind to Benjamin, her president and leader of her heart. The heart that was racing as she thought about who he was. She had not seen him this weekend because of dealing with her dad and Paige. She missed him fiercely. She closed her eyes and deeply inhaled thinking about all the kindness and love he bestowed upon her. She shook her head at the sudden nervousness that came over her, as she thought about meeting his extended family after church, later today. However, she knew Mother Ellen was on her side. Mother Ellen was a powerful woman of God; who Camille was grateful to have in her life. She could not wait to get to church. Surely, Mother Ellen would help Camille with her half-sister crisis and maybe even help with Paige. Paige was to join her at Liberty, this morning. She knew Kevin was going to come with Benjamin too. Camille got up from the bed to dress for church, silently she said, “Father God, please heal, deliver, and set free today in your sanctuary. We all need your power, In Jesus Name Amen.”
Chapter 5
Exchanges
Liberty Fellowship Church
Liberty Fellowship Church was a medium sized church with a congregation of 1200 -1500 members, who attended the two Sunday morning worship services. Camille had become a member after falling in love with Mother Ellen, who taught her Women’s Sunday School class and the teaching style of Pastor Derrick Caine. Pastor D, as he was passionately called by the congregation, was in his mid-forties and approached the Gospel of Christ with authority, while making sure his members could apply the word practically to their lives. The church was non-denominational. Pastor D had stated in the First Things First Class, Camille attended, that he wanted a church that embraced all cultures and promoted Kingdom building by meeting the natural and spiritual needs of all members. With all the outreach ministries the church had, Liberty was accomplishing that goal. The church offered free counseling by the licensed therapists who were Christians. Food Pantries and Shelters for those exiting prison, Domestic Abuse counseling, foreign language classes, and so much more.
Camille was supposed to start volunteering in the Children’s ministry with Karen. Now that was up in the air because she had upset Karen by being judgmental. Camille regretted their fight and not only because Karen could be her sister but because she should have just prayed about the situation and kept her mouth closed.
Camille was snapped out of her thoughts when the Pastor’s wife, Emily, gave her a sincere hug and told her how wonderful she looked. She also told her, she could see God’s physical healing was almost 100%. Camille, believed her because all of her scars were gone. Her hair was even on both sides now and she loved it being shoulder length. Through physical therapy, the limp she had was gone and there were no signs of any brain defects on her last scan. She had been truly healed by the Lord’s stripes. Camille was blessed and so very thankful. Camille could feel the love and sincerity radiate from First Lady Emily. She was a pure soul and after Camille heard her testimony in the First Things First class, she was a kindred spirit with Camille. After the two stop embracing, they both turned to see Benjamin dressed in an expensive Italian, navy blue suit and imported shoes.
“First Lady Em,” Benjamin smiled, as he called the pastor’s wife by her nickname. “How are you doing today?”
“I am well, Brother Benjamin. You are looking handsome on this fine, Lord’s Day.” Camille saw a twinkle in Lady Emily’s eyes as they bounced between her and Benjamin.
Benjamin thanked her for the compliment and offered his own to her, with a brotherly hug. They said their goodbyes to Lady Emily and walked into the sanctuary together as she moved on to speak to more of the members and visitors. Camille and Benjamin normally sat together in the middle section of the sanctuary, with his mother. It was the best seating for them both, because they could clearly see the monitors and the speakers were just the right volume.
Camille liked that the traditional praise and worship songs were delivered by an anointed praise and worship team. The lighting crew was awesome, knowing how to usher in the presence of the Lord by dimming the lights at the right moments. Some people felt it was too much of a production but Camille enjoyed all the effort put into making sure the congregation got into the realm of true praise and worship. It was more effect
ive to her, than having praise and worship leaders ranting for the congregation to join in with them. Some churches did that because they did not understand how to lead people into worship but rather wanted the people who were there to be refreshed, to cheer the praise team on instead of bowing at the Lord’s feet, in praise and worship. Camille came to understand the difference in a bible study taught by the Women’s Ministry director. As the Praise and Worship team sang the beautiful and timely appropriate song of Crystal Lewis, “Beauty for Ashes,” Camille stood to her feet and released her troubles. As the praise ministry delivered words of deliverance through song, she thought of her family and circle of friends and said a silent prayer for them all.
Benjamin who was to Camille’s left, was on his feet engaged in the worship, until he opened his eyes to see Frankie and Karen, with Paige and Kevin enter the row in front of him. He thought how befitting a song for them to experience this morning. He closed his eyes and lost himself in reverencing the creator who gave them unmerited favor, grace, and mercy.
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
After praise and worship, Camille opened her eyes and was shocked to see their friends in front of her. Paige looked over her shoulder and winked. Karen did not move. Were those tears, streaming down Frankie’s face? Camille could not be sure. Camille may not have been sure about Frankie but she was positive his girl was crying.
Frankie reached into his suit pocket and offered Karen his handkerchief. His hands were shaking as she accepted it. He was praying this would not be a repeat of last week. Karen took it and wept into it. Frankie was at a loss but he was willing to do anything he could to assist Karen in her Christian walk. After all, she was miserable and her being right with Jesu, could make her happy. He was ready to see her smile again. As he gently rubbed Karen on the back, he took in Liberty’s atmosphere. It held a sense of peace while praise and worship was going forward. He was tempted to think that this sanctuary indeed, had a different spirit about it. He was emerged into the service and wanted to experience all of it.
Paige sat stoically and thought how Jesus had a lot of ashes to turn into beauty, if her relationship was going to work. As far as she was concerned she should just sweep those ashes right out the back door. Humph.
Kevin who was raised Catholic, had no clue what to do in this service. No affirmations were read and where were the hymn books. Oh boy, this was way out of his comfort zone. The flow of the service followed its normal pattern, there were songs by the choir, offering, benevolence prayer for the sick and then it was time for the Word of God.
Pastor Derrick Cain stepped up to the speaker’s podium that his aide had placed on the stage. It was removable, as the church had dramas and dances that a stationary pulpit would hinder. He was dressed in a black robe with red trimming and gold buttons that went up to his collar. He always welcomed the visitors and thanked his members for coming home. He acknowledged the love of his life, First Lady Emily, and his adult children, along with the clergy on his roster. Then he got into the delivery of his message. Camille and Ben alike, enjoyed the way Pastor D. did not move from his podium. There was no running around, whooping, or tuning up to sing his point across. He simply brought them the word of God. Today was no different.
Pastor Derrick Cain’s Sermon
Saints of God today’s message will be from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 61:1-3.
Let’s stand and read it together from the King James Version. For those who do not have bibles, the verses will display on monitors on both sides of the sanctuary.
61 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
I first have to give thanks to our wonderful praise and worship team for breaking up the fallow ground with their ministry of songs. Their song has planted the seed for today’s word. I am here to add the fertilizer and the Spirit of God with add the rain and increase. Now Verse 1, has resonated with your servant. I accepted my call to be a minister of the gospel over 20 years ago. Fifteen years ago, I became the founding pastor of Liberty Fellowship. It is a fact that this passage the spirit leads me to share today is where the name of our ministry was birthed. Before we delve deeper into the text, I want you know the whole purpose of Jesus Christ coming to earth in the flesh, was to set us free. It’s not complicated he left glory, became flesh, and walked this earth, in human form to die for sin that had the world bound. What a man huh? The prophet Isaiah. was a front runner of the Messiah Christ. Many of Isiah’s prophecies were manifested during Jesus life. So today, I want you to be of good cheer. I come to you, like Isaiah came to the people of Israel with good news. Now my good news is for a particular set of people, like some of the secular pop stars may say, “This Isn’t for everybody,” but is open for all who choose to believe. To determine if you are in the group, this good news goes out, so it is going to take self-reflection on your part. Only you and the Master above, knows your heart and innermost thoughts. So let’s keep it real with ourselves today, shall we? The Good News today is: to the people who are down in their spirit (the meek), to the person who has a broken heart from a severed relationship, be it romantic or familial, to the person that is held captive in the prison of their mind, sin, or shame. If you are one of these people, no matter what has you bound, whether it is sexual sin, lies, stealing, drugs or alcohol abuse, don’t worry, you are in good company today, because such were some of us. Before I accepted Jesus Christ, I fe1l in a couple of those bondages. But today the Good News is, Jesus’ blood was shed and the fact that he resurrected from the grave, gives us all the power to do a gift exchange. Now this exchange is not like the dirty Santa families play with one another, it’s not like the secret Santa. The Lord wants your dirty gifts to exchange with his beautiful ones. Our text tells you he wants your ashes; whatever you think you have messed up so badly that it can’t be fixed. Maybe your relationship is in ungodly state, give it to Him and he will exchange it to something beautiful and Holy. If you are grieving in despair over a death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of job, exchange it with Jesus and He will give you a garment of praise. Whatever has you bound and imprisoned in your mind. Hurt, pain, maybe a bad temper, exchange it with Jesus and get joy, hope, and peace instead of despair. Please stand, my message is done. It does not take long to give the good news of Jesus, who wants to make a strength exchange today? Elders and Mothers meet these souls at the cross in prayer and for repentance. Praise Team lets have that song again, Oh I feel the anointing, there is about to be exchanges in Jesus name.
As the praise team started to minister through song, the aisles of the church became filled with people who were ready for the strength exchange. Karen Locke was one of those people. She squeezed out of the aisle past Frankie without a thought of him. She was serious this time. She would not be going back to that place of barely hanging on for a trigger from her past, to have her sink deeper into sin. Although she did not understand it fully, she admitted she was a person in bondage to sin, un- forgiveness, wrath and self-abhorring. She wanted to exchange it all at the altar.
Camille was behind Karen. She wanted to be there to say she was sorry and to ask for forgiveness of her best friend. She also needed to exchange fear for strength. She had to tell Karen who was already broken from rejection and abuse that she had a sister and a coward as a father.
Benjamin saw that Frankie was struggling with the events of
the service. He knew that Frankie attended church but obviously it was not Pentecostal. Benjamin went up a row and asked, “you alright man.” Frankie answered, “I want whatever this peace is.” Benjamin pulled Frankie into a man hug and told him, “there is room on the altar for you.” As Frankie made his way out of the aisle he, motioned to Kevin asking if he was ok. Kevin put on the politician smile and said, “I will wait here with Paige.”
Paige out of sheer stubbornness, thought to herself, like Hell she would be waiting with him. She threw her head back with a scowl and rushed out of aisle. Ben smirked and thought to himself, whatever gets her to the altar. Kevin took a seat with his face in his hands, the last forty-five minutes had simply been too much.
When Camille arrived to the altar she was delighted Mother Ellen was with Karen. The two ladies were hugging with tears streaming down Karen’s face. Mother Ellen was praying for Karen while rubbing her back. Camille made her way over to them, just to be close to Karen. Mother Ellen saw her first and said “here is your best friend.” Karen turned around and when she saw Camille the two women said, “I’m sorry,” at the same time and then embraced. Mother Ellen smiled and moved to the next soul on the altar. Frankie and Benjamin were with Elder Samuel Carmichael, in a prayer room. This is where people were taken who are new to Church or the Pentecostal way. It is a place for questions to be asked and answered. Frankie had asked how he could be saved and now understood, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3).
All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1) Page 8