Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

Great Buzzard Eli James IV · (01-07-2014)

I've seen the world. I saw it before it ever existed...

December 22, 2013.

It's the last Sunday before Christmas. All the Churches in America are putting their best effort forward to celebrate the represented date of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's days away. Children get to open their presents and see if they get what they've desired to have. Parents get to see the job on their children's faces as they open their presents.

Eli at the Promise Land, walking on stage and is about to share his sermon.

December 22, 1996.

The James Family is sitting by a warm fire inside their home. It's snow and ice outside. It's been an unusual winter. Eli James III is sitting in his rocking chair with a Bible in his hand while everyone else is gathered around listening him read the story about the birth of Christ. Most of the James family is listening, but a couple of 'em are rolling their eyes. It's a James Family tradition.

Following the reading of the story, the kids are placed in bed to end the Sabbath day. Eli IV wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to walk around the home to get him a glass of water. He finds his dad sniffing cocaine and drinking whisky. Eli IV can't believe his eyes. His dad has always talked about living a pure and holy life, and this... this just seems wrong and the complete opposite.

Is daddy a hypocrite? After all these years of talkin' about the Almighty, livin' a pure and holy life dedicated to serve Almighty's purpose.. a fallacy? I've spent lots of time with my pop. I spent time with grandpa, too. I've never seen them go astray from that book. This doesn't make sense? Why would he pretend in front of everyone, but behind the scenes change? This isn't my daddy. The only thing to do is approach him. I can see how this is gonna go.

Eli waits for a few minutes while his dad continues his drinkin'. Eli is trying to get the courage to face up to his old man and confront what he's doing. He anticipates to hear what his daddy has to say.

As his dad finishes his last shot of whiskey.. he sits there relaxed and a bit over the edge. Then, he hears a familiar voice..

"Dad?

Eli James III freezes, like a deer in headlights. He can't move. He doesn't even blink at the sound that his son's voice. He realizes Eli IV saw what he just did. Eli IV starts walkin' towards his frozen dad.

"All this talk about the Almighty. Is it real?

"Son, I....

Tears start to stream down Eli III's face. He's trying to show himself strong to his son, but is failing. He's showing signs of weakness and uncontrollable emotions. This is someone Eli IV doesn't know.

"You gone look at me and think all that talk about God is fake, I know. Listen to me, Eli. Don't. (sigh) Don't ever look at people to talk ya into anything. Ya understand me? People are gonna fail. It's just a part of life. No matter what sorta boundaries we put in front of ourselves to keep us grounded in the right place, we always are gonna venture out and screw it all up. Someone who don't believe in God don't really have standards. They screw up, they die, and that's the end. Who cares about standards when life just ends the same, back in the dust of the Earth. We, who believe in God, will be judged on what we do.. before people or....... in private. We try hard to stay in the fence, but we just wanna go see what else is out there. When we do, we screw up. We wanna go back and sometimes, we can't. Or it can be a long time before we find it again. Your grandpa was a strong alcoholic and addicted to heroine. He told me when I was your age about everything... but he handed his life over to God and he was a changed man. He never did venture out again. Me? I'm a screw up, boy. Today has been 1 year, 2 months, 16 days, and 3 hours since my last drink or snort. Now? Look at me. I failed. 1 year of bein' clean and free washed down the drain. This here isn't what I do every day. It's my demon, Eli. We all have 'em. We just have to find a way to conquer them. To kick their asses and stand on a good foundation. So, never put your hope or faith into a man, boy. They'll always fail. Even me. Ya understand?

The one man I looked up to and convinced me God exists is telling me now I can't really believe what he says.. I simply have to find it out for myself. It doesn't make sense. It's like those people reading Self Help books. They read they themselves are the key to a better life, yet they are reading the pen from another person so it's not really Self Help.. it's getting Help from someone else who is telling them they are the key but they really aren't. Daddy tells me to trust in God, and here he is.. not doing it. So is this even real?

"Mmmhmm.

Eli IV turns and walks in the opposite direction, leaving his father a complete mess. This was root seed planted in Eli that made him leave home to go venture out. He left believing God was either fake, or unknowable... but we all see after his return what happened...

December 22, 2013.

Eli is walking on stage and about to share his sermon at the Promise Land..

"Things are about to change. The life you knew, is going to be hard pressed. This isn't a message of encouragement, but a message of truth. I've never been one to tickle your ears and say what ya want to hear. I've always been the man to share truth, even when its harsh and tough like nails.

I've been asked on many occasions to explain why I sometimes can speak in riddles or mysteries. Sometimes the mysteries I speak are not ready to be revealed to the hearer and must wait for the interpretation.. and sometimes you'll never understand.

A waterfall lets the water fall into the bank, like my words fall upon your ears. It can be overwhelming and chaotic, but wait a little while and it'll work itself out. A revelation will take place and you'll understand way back at the waterfall what was happening. I tell you this, friends, to catch my words into your heart and do let go astray.

Do not let the blind lead you, or you will fall into the same hole they will. You both will be snared up by the Earth and I will not be there to take your hand, and pull you out. Why? Because you ignored my words, so I will ignore your cry.

Do not lift your eyes upon another, or you will be led astray. For all men will fail you because they are mere man. Place your hope and trust into the only one who is stable and does not change.. the Almighty.

Do not seek revenge for someone who has done you wrong. Let the Almighty avenge you.

Certain truths will be revealed soon that could shake your very foundation. It will cause you to beg to be free from this place. It will knock on your heart and ask you to end it all. You will want to be divided.. and you will wish to never be with me again. Many of you will betray me. Do not look at me puzzled. I'm not speaking in riddles.. I'm speaking plain to you all. But do not fall to the weak, for they will make you weaker. Do not follow the blind, for they will cause your sight to fade away too. Do not listen to the deaf, for they only speak what they see and do not hear.

I have warned many about the coming judgment and many have ignored the signs. I warn you all about the coming division.. do not let yourselves be tempted. Do not sway from the Word.

Eli stops and simply walks off stage without a proper ending or prayer. The people are not sure what to make of the way Eli is acting or the words he just spoke. His personal helicopter is waiting in the distance.. he's not even staying to answer any questions from those close to him. Where is he going?

[i]The last time my feet hit this soil. I'm going to miss it.

The people start to get up from their seats and follow Eli has he walks to the helicopter. He sits on the edge of the side... Amos James peaks his head around and jumps off the helicopter. Eli looks at everyone without a smile. He looks a little depressed almost. He uses both hands to blow everyone a kiss and then his face turns happy.. overly happy.

"See ya soon!

Everyone starts to cheer loudly. Eli turns to Amos...

"Judgment has come.

Amos nods...

Amos lights a match and drops on the ground. Everyone was standing and sitting in gasoline but didn't realize it. The scent was covered with incense candles everywhere for a "Christmas celebration". Amos and Elisha, during Eli's message, was pouring gas on all the homes and stables. Everything had been covered.

The helicopter lifts just enough for everyone to watch Eli's face as they all are surrounded and being consumed by fire. The Promise Land is completely engulfed in flames with no survivors... Eli and Amos look on with smiles.

"Judgment is no respecter of persons. For the Almighty is a consuming fire and he has fallen upon this place to seek out judgment.

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode A Christmas that Changed Everything
Author	Message