“We’re here,” Bernard said with a smile and parked the truck.
“Yes, we are! I can hardly wait,” Sondrea unbuckled her seatbelt.
“Let me help you.” He offered his hand and assisted her down the step.
“Thank you, Love.”
“My pleasure, Son-Dray.”
“Alright. now,” She tapped him on the back. “That nickname isn’t for public use, dear.”
Once they entered the doors of the sanctuary, he kissed her lightly on her lips and forehead and they parted ways.
Sondrea recalled overhearing some of the younger fans standing in the long line outside the church as she and Bernard entered the building. They were screaming excitedly about getting an autograph with the musical artist Jaizon tonight. She knew Jaizon was one of Solomon’s megastars, and Solomon had introduced her and Sunny to him at one of the many reveal parties he held in LA for his newest artists. Then, she thought about Sunny. Sunny hasn’t put out an album for years. We sang together as a group. Then I went solo. I wonder why Sunny stopped her music career? She stepped outside to call Sunny on her cell phone.
“Hello.” Sondrea said. And then she heard her phone breaking up and she paced around to get a signal. Once she got a signal a second later, she heard the answering machine pick up. Sondrea didn’t want to leave a message, but quickly told Sunny to call her back. She placed her phone on her belt clip and moseyed to the church kitchen.
One of the elder women extended her arms out to Sondrea as she drew closer. Sondrea allowed the hug, but the woman squeezed her tightly for a little too long. Sondrea looked to the ceiling. Lord, could you give me some air?
The voluptuous woman cried, “I cannot believe my eyes. My children love your music. I only listened to your gospel CD and the time you sang with your sister, Sunny. What happened to you two?”
“Funny that you ask, I was just trying to call her to ask her the same question. I miss singing with her. That was the breaking stardom of my career,” Sondrea forced a smile, looking upward to the heavens as if God could hear her silent cry.
“Well, you started off making a gospel album and then went Pop/R&B. I guess it is like most celebrities, they're willing to do whatever it takes to get and stay in the lime life,” The woman said with a tinge of sarcasm in her tone.
Sondrea corrected her. “You mean limelight.”
“Oh, okay,” She sighed heavily and waved her hand as if she was fanning to dismiss the reproof. Her voice changed to a sassy tone, “So, what are you doing here? Are you a member of this church?”
“Well yes and no.” Sondrea said eagerly.
“What do you mean by that?” The woman tilted her head as her eyes flared. Then a heavier woman at the sink turned and placed her hands on her hips as she waited for a logical answer from Sondrea.
“I just started coming to this church with my fiancé,” she said, and the woman seemed to relax. She then continued, wanting to be clear, “Visitor. Attendee, not yet a member.”
“Hmm.” The older lady placed her hand on her hip.
Why did I tell her that? Sondrea attempted to smooth the woman’s ruffled feathers. “I was asked to come as a volunteer to help set up for this musical event you’re having this evening.”
“Who’s your fiancé?”
“Bernard.” She heard the woman make an exasperated “humph.” Going from bad to worse! “Look, I raised my hand to assist in any way that I could. So, that’s what I’m doing here.”
“We got that,” the other lady said sassily.
“As far as being a member, I’ve been asked to join, but I have to complete the classes to be an official member. So, when they called us up to altar call, a week ago and said, those of you who want to be members of this church, please step forward. I did,” Sondrea countered and wondered why she had to explain herself to these nosy heathens.
“Oh, I see. I was out sick last week. I hate I missed that,” The woman at the sink stated. “I didn’t even know you were attending our church. Our church has grown tremendously in the last couple of weeks. God is good,” the elderly woman said, changing her tone of voice as if she cared.
“Yes, He is,” Sondrea agreed with that last statement. “If Jesus can change me, I know He is good all the time.”
“Amen,” they hummed.
“I didn’t mean any harm by that,” the voluptuous woman said, sounding apologetic.
Annoyed, Sondrea responded with a less than gracious tone, “Or is it our human nature to say such things, and don’t really pay attention to what we’re actually saying because it’s a habit that we picked up from someone else?” She quickly turned and ran out of the kitchen.
Bernard
Bernard was smiling inside. He was pleased at what his future wife was doing. She hardly knew the members in the church and was willing to become a member of a church in such a short period of time. She was even volunteering her time. The scent of her perfume hung around in the distance. It caused his mind to wonder off into a fantasy of sexual intimacy from last night when she sprayed her perfume in the air, on her delicate skin, and then sprayed a little on him playfully. He laughed and pulled her in the bed.
“Hey baby,” he heard, and turned toward the sound.
Sondrea stormed towards him. “Some of these older women are mean! Do you hear me, just right out MEAN?” Her voice rose, leaving an echo.
His eyes widened at her outburst.
“Mean-spirited but they profess to be Christians. Whatever,” she sighed heavily and before he could speak, she added, “They’re hypocrites. Prophet-Phonies and want the world to perceive them as being considerate of others and kind, old women.” She harrumphed.
“Really? They’re just jealous and envious of you probably,” He shrugged. “They wish they had a voice like you, so beautiful and sexy, humph…all-in-one-package.” He emphasized while licking his lips and eyes scanned her entire physique. “Who cares? Did you get a chance to speak to the pastor?”
“No. Why?” She folded her arms.
“I thought you took the time to go in the back to her office since I didn’t see you out here helping with the decorations,” Bernard said, pouting.
“Why are you looking like a sad puppy?”
He shrugged, and she giggled. She changed the subject, “I tried to call Sunny since she dawned on me, but I only got the answering service when I stepped outside to get a signal.”
“Sorry to hear that, babe. Try later. I still cannot wait to meet this Sunny. Didn’t you say you have another sister or two?” He inquired.
“Yes. Roya Whitmore, and you met my sister Lavonne earlier,” She said.
“Yes, she’s been on the news, too. Internet phenomena. Solomon Whitmore,” he said, remembering their earlier conversation. “Isn’t that her hubby?”
“It was,” Sondrea’s voice lowered.
“Sorry for her loss,” he said, and remembered her glare at the attorney’s office too late. Sorry. I didn’t even know the man. And she did. I shouldn’t have said that. Too late, it slipped. He could tell she was in her thoughts, but her eyes glimmered with love. “Didn’t you visit them a while ago at some church meeting?” Bernard inquired, to get her mind off the loss.
“Yes, the one you wouldn’t go to with me!” Sondrea fired back.
He held his hands up to keep the peace.
Her eyes squinted. She changed the topic, “Then, I bumped into this woman in the kitchen that wanted to hug me and then talked smack. I had to walk out before I started to cuss or snap on that woman!”
“Oh, there is our pastor now,” Bernard waved her to them.
The pastor smiled when she noticed him.
“Hi. Sondrea, I heard so much about you. Are you willing to sing for us tonight as an opening act?” Pastor Betty’s pearly whites glowed as she smiled at Sondrea.
Sondrea’s eyes widened. Her mouth dropped open and quickly snapped shut. “Sure. I’d love to sing for you and your congregation,” She then complimented t
he pastor, “I love your preaching and teaching. It would be an honor,” She paused, lowering her head in humility.
“Thank you, my dear,” Pastor Betty smiled.
“Is there a particular song you’d like me to sing?”
“I Surrender All,” Pastor Betty said without hesitation.
“Wow. I haven’t done that song for quite some time,” She waved. “That’s cool, I’ll do it for you. It’s your request and I will make it happen.”
“Wonderful to hear. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Can I rehearse?” Sondrea sounded concerned.
Bernard saw the tension on her face. How is she going to prepare for the song on such short notice?
“Sure. There’s my sound coordinator and technician over there.” Pastor Betty pointed in the direction they were setting up. She continued, “You’re welcome to go in the booth and let him know what you need. As a matter of fact, come on, I’ll take you there and introduce you. It’s up these stairs,” Pastor Betty replied as Sondrea followed her up the stairs of the church on the second floor into the mid-section of the balcony level. Bernard trailed slowly behind.
Sondrea met with the sound technician. Pastor Betty told him what song she wanted her to sing and he found a track to the song. Bernard stood nearby with his hands folded and then lifted a hand to his chin, resting the elbow on his other arm. Sondrea sang to the instrumental music. Pastor Betty clapped and tears welled in her dreamy brown eyes. Bernard sensed by the sound of her voice and glistening of her eyes that Sondrea missed doing gospel songs, and believed this church home would minister to her spirit.
Two hours later, Pastor Betty stood at the podium, as the master of ceremonies, and delivered a sermon to her congregation.
“Many of us believe we’re living in the end of times. This is not the end, since we have a Savior that died for our sins, and we’ll see Him again in heaven.”
“Amen to that, Pastor,” Sondrea shouted in the front reserved row.
“He’ll build us a new earth and new heavens. We’ll rejoice with Him once again like Adam and Eve did in Paradise.” She waited for the applause and praise to lower to a mere silence.
“We have plans. There’s many speaking about the end of the world as if it was December, but we have continued to rejoice and give God the praise He desires. We’ll continue to pray.”
“Yes, Lord,” Bernard said in a deep baritone that echoed through the church.
“We’ve made it past these predictions of self-destruction and annihilation by nuclear weapons. Man doesn't know the time and hour of the Lord. Therefore, we need to be ready for God to move.”
“Alright now, we need to be ready,” someone in the back shouted and waved her hand.
“God will promote us to higher statures, positions, and gifts beyond man’s understanding. He’ll open doors and we’ll be able to walk through them. Do it while the opportunity is at hand. God tells us that He opens doors no man can close and closes doors no man can open. Let’s give God the praise for this!” She grinned happily.
The congregation stood, giving God an ovation, calling on the many names to glorify Jesus.
“Is there anyone that really loves Jesus?” She paused until the “hallelujahs” and other shouts quieted. She lowered her voice, saying, “I’d be lost without him.” Members stood to their feet and lightly clapped or raised their hands in the air.
“You’ll be lost without him. Jesus! Emmanuel. El-Shaddai. He is so wonderful. He is our counselor, prince of peace, and so amazing. Yeshua! Yahweh. Come in this place. You are welcome!” Pastor slowly raised her hands as her arms extended widely, head falling slightly back and tilted upward to receive her Savior’s Holy Presence.
Everyone was praising the Lord, praise dancing, and speaking in tongues.
Five minutes later, the drummer was still beating the drums rhythmically as the keyboardist harmonized, Pastor Betty said, “This church needs to keep it up. Our church will grow spiritually. Let us be committed to God’s will.” She lifted her hands and held them there for a moment. “And without any further ado, I’ll introduce our guest singers, 21-20 to sing their latest song. Come on out, boys!”
After singing their hip-hop song, next Jaizon followed. Sondrea remained seated in the front row seats specially marked for the gospel artists and visiting speakers. She assumed she was the opening act as Pastor Betty said a couple of hours ago. Oh well, I’m willing to go with the flow because Pastor Betty is running the show.
Bernard held her hand and placed a wet kiss on her cheek. Sondrea winked and wiped the wetness from her cheek with her hand.
He whispered in her ear, “Sorry baby. You’ll be up next. Don’t worry.”
Sondrea raised one side of her lip to give a distorted smile.
Jaizon’s eyes caught Sondrea, sitting in the front pews, and he gestured to her. He stepped off the podium, climbed down the stairs and pulled her on stage. She waved to the audience and danced along to his song. He inched closer to the master of ceremonies’ microphone and handed it to her. During the instrumental of his song, Jaizon asked Sondrea to join in at the bridge of the song, and she nodded her head in agreement.
“Is it alright that Sondrea Willis sings this song with me?” Jaizon asked the congregants.
The audience roared in excitement.
She joined in on the break of the song. The harmonies were moving, and anointing filled the room, and some people slid from their seats to the floor in the middle of the aisles. The ushers rushed to them to cover them with a white sheet and others they were prepared to catch them if they lost their balance or the spirit hit them down to their knees.
Bernard was obviously moved by the Spirit because he bowed to his knees near the altar, where they were performing. Sondrea refused to cry on stage and avoided any of her emotions by not looking at those who were filled with the Spirit. Minutes later, she stepped off the stage, but the band continued to play the music. She danced in a circular motion near her front row seat. Jaizon followed behind and extended his arms out to catch her if she fell backwards. She kept her composure and the music stopped after five minutes. Pastor Betty put her hands up and down for the musicians to stop the music. She stood behind the altar after reaching for the microphone Sondrea was holding in her hands.
“Look at God. The anointing is in this place, for our God is good. Now, we’ll bring our special guest, Pastor A. Dollar.”
Everyone stood to their feet and applauded as he stepped onto the platform. He placed his Bible on the podium’s stand and started with an opening prayer. Then, he asked all those standing to be seated as he began to preach the Word of God.
He read from Ecclesiastes 3, New King James Version, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
“This is what we did tonight. We danced! We praised the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls. As Pastor Betty said earlier, we all have a purpose and we are called to proceed with what God has told us to do. We are here tonight, and it’s no mistake. It’s not a mistake that we were born since God knew us before we were born, and will know us when we go. He knew you, you, and you!” He said pointedly and raised his right hand to point at a few people in the audience.
“Preach!” a few yelled and clapped their hands.
“But I do not mean to frighten you tonight. We’re losing some of our leaders in the political arena. Some of you wonder why we’re seeing people disappear. Vanish!” He snapped his finger.
“Yes. Pastor. Dollar. Tell us,” Sondrea waved her hand. Bernard wiped the sweat from her brow with his pocket handkerchief. She smiled.
“It’s not a mystery. We’re living in the end times, but it will not end our time of worship unto our Heavenly Father. Let’s read some more fro
m Ecclesiastes 3, we stopped on verse four. Look at verse 5. It tells us it is a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.”
The audience seemed to be drawn by his words, attentively and quietly waiting on his next spirit-filled statement.
“Therefore, how long have we been in war? How long have we hated our situation? But God is the answer. He is our solution!”
“Amen, Pastor.”
“Let’s look at the next verse,” Pastor Dollar read verse nine and up to verse thirteen. Then he added, “This is our God-given task. In verses 14-15, we know that God does whatever he wishes and it shall last forevermore. Nothing can be added or taken away from His Word.”
“That’s right, Pastor,” Bernard’s voice rose.
“When God does it, men ought to fear Him. God promises us if we believe in faith, it’s already done as it is quoted here in verse fifteen. So, no matter how bad the situation looks ahead, God has already been there and taken care of it. He knows yesterday, and He knows tomorrow. There’s no time that He keeps. He will call the past into account today, tomorrow, and forever!”
Sondrea crossed her legs. Bernard tapped lightly on her knee as he listened. She glanced at him and turned back to Pastor Dollar, lost in his mesmerizing sermon.
“Yes, we’re in a place of judgment for the nations. It’s apparent that wickedness is here, but we’re in a place of righteousness even though iniquity was there. Iniquity is sin. Look here at this passage, verse seventeen, reads, I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Can we all read that verse together?” Pastor Dollar repeated verse seventeen as others joined in unison.
He then elaborated for another twenty minutes on Ecclesiastes 3 verses sixteen and seventeen. As the crowd stood clapping and cheering, Pastor Dollar moved through the congregation. Anointing touched many hearts through the Word of God ministered by Dr. and Pastor A. Dollar.
Marked Souls Page 11