Rain Storm Read online

  “Captain Aaron,” a familiar voice among the angels called out to him.

  “Yes Arnoth?”

  “I have completed my mission.”

  “And well you have. I will talk to the General about your wings.”

  Bowing, Arnoth said, “Thank you, sir.”

  Aaron disappeared from the heavenly hosts in the outer court. He was now walking through the inner court on his way to the Holy Place. There were unnumbered mansions in the inner court, room enough for everyone. Sadly enough, the beauty and splendor of heaven would only be enjoyed by the few that served God. As he passed by the room of tears, he glanced in and shook his head in wonderment. It still amazed him that humans had tears so precious that God would bottle and preserve them in a room as glorious as this.

  He opened the door of the Holy Place and stood in the back, as he heard the voice of thunder and lightening. He then heard a multitude of praises. And as the voices became thunderous, Aaron also joined them. In this place, where God sits high and is lifted up, praises are sung to Him forever. His glory lovingly fills the atmosphere and joy spreads throughout His Heavenly court.

  His omnipotence glistened through the emerald rainbow arched above the magnificent throne. The twenty-four elders surrounding Him, were also seated on thrones, and clothed in white radiant robes. They wore crowns of gold on their heads.

  Seven lamps of fire were burning and a sea of crystal lay at the Master’s feet. In the midst of the throne and around it, were four living creatures with eyes covering their entire body. The first living creature was like a lion, the second a calf, the third, a man, and the fourth, a flying eagle. Each of the creatures had six wings. They do not rest day or night, as their massive wings enabled them to soar high above the thrones. Generating cool winds throughout heaven, they bellow continuous alms to their King crying, “Holy, holy, holy. Lord, God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come!”

  The twenty-four elders fell down before Him and worshipped saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” They threw their crowns before the throne in adoration.

  Thunder and lightening sparkled from the throne of Grace once more, then Michael’s glorious nine-foot form stood. His colorful wings glistened as they flapped in the air. “Yes my Lord,” he said, as he took the scrolls from the Omnipotent hand that held it.

  Michael stood in front of Aaron. Michael’s sword was longer and heavier than the other angels. Jewels were embedded throughout the handle of this massive sword, a symbol of his many victories. The belt that held his sword sparkled with the gold of heaven. Michael had defeated the Prince of Persia more times than he cared to remember. But the enemy was getting stronger as his time drew near. Michael eagerly awaited their next meeting. It would be their last. “Here is your assignment.”

  Aaron took the scrolls, then said, “My General, my Prince, Arnoth has completed his mission.”

  Smiling, Michael said, “And so he has.”

  “Will he be knighted today, sir?”

  “Let’s get it done.” They left the holy of holies and entered the inner court. The angels got excited at the sight of their general. After all these years he still amazed them. The one angel who could stand against Lucifer time and time again, and come out the victor.

  Captain Aaron raised his right hand and the angels fell silent again. He passed out the assignments and sent several thousand angels on their way, then he said, “Arnoth, come forth.”

  As a sea of angels parted, Arnoth made his way to the front. He kept his head down, ashamed of the tattered condition of his wings. The wings that once flapped gloriously as he spread them were now torn, tattered and shredded in places. His beautiful white wings no longer flapped in the wind, they hung frail-like against his body.

  “The battle was fierce.” Michael said as Arnoth stood before him.

  Arnoth’s head was still bowed low as he wiped the sweat from his brow. His charge had finally come to the Lord. He’d fought against legions of demons that tried to keep Cynda bound. But those demons did not prevail. He told his general, “I’m just thankful that God still has some praying saints out there.”

  “Amen to that,” Captain Aaron said.

  Michael unsheathed his sword, and pronounced over Arnoth, “May the Lord strengthen you to do battle with the forces of darkness until the evil one is shackled.” Then he touched both of Arnoth’s wings with his sword, and they stretched forth as the wings on an airplane. And as his wings flapped in the air, they became glorious with no sign of the ungodly battle he endured to bring one wayward soul back to God.

  A Reading Group Guide

  1. Although God never stopped loving Cynda, the Lord abhorred her sins. What does the Word tell us about God’s view of sin?

  2. Until Cynda met Keith, she could not conceive of God’s unconditional love for her. If you displayed this kind of love, do you believe that you could win more people to the Lord?

  3. Has God ever called you to love a family member or friend unconditionally? Were you able to handle this call from God? Why or why not?

  4. From her childhood, Cynda had an angel dispatched to protect and guide her back to her first love. Give Biblical examples of heaven’s angels ministering to God’s people.

  5. Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord used wantonness women to fulfill His purpose. Review these examples and discuss.

  Genesis 38 Joshua 2, 6L16-27 I Kings 3:16-28 John 4:1-30 John 8:1-11 Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25

  6. Keith’s love for Cynda was unconditional. But in truth, only God loves us unconditionally. How does that make you feel to know that God is willing to love you right where you are – and love you into repentance?

  7. During hard times with Cynda, Keith not only prayed but fasted for her deliverance. A regular fast occurs when an individual denies food for a certain amount of days and only drinks water. However, sometimes individuals fast for only a certain amount of hours per day or they only fast from certain foods. Can you think of someone that you would be willing to fast and pray for?

  8. Isaac’s brawl with Keith and Cynda could have ended his ministry. Isaac often let the cares of life force his spirit man into hibernation. If you find yourself in a position like that, how can you get back to right standing with God?

  9. Isaac felt justified to hold unforgiveness against Cynda and his father. But God’s word tells us that if we do not forgive others that God will not forgive us. Why do you suppose God feels so strongly about forgiveness?

  10. Although Nina’s heart broke at the thought of not being able to have another child, she somehow found the strength to open her heart to Iona. Why do you think that was? Do you believe Nina’s actions had anything to do with her love for God?

  11. If being a Christian means being Christ-like, how do you explain the fact that most Christians do not display unconditional love for their fellow man?

  AUTHOR BIO: Vanessa Miller

  Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying.

  Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

  To date, Vanessa has written four complete series and one single title mainstream book. Her readership steadily grows with each new release as she is a consummate promoter of her works. Vanessa believes that each of her books touch the heart and soul of readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestsellers’ lists
.

  Essence Bestsellers’ List March 2008; May 2008 (Former Rain)

  Essence Bestsellers’ List September 2008 (Rain Storm)

  Black Expressions Book Club Alternate Selection 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010

  #1 Ebook for fiction on Amazon.com November 2010 (Long Time Coming)

  #1 on BCNN/BCBC Bestsellers’ List November 2010 (Long Time Coming)

  Vanessa is a dedicated Christian and devoted mother. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. In 2010, Vanessa was ordained by her church as a minister. Vanessa believes that God has called her to minister through her writings and help readers rediscover their place with the Lord.

  Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews.

  “. . . Heartwarming, drama-packed and tender in just the right places.”—Romantic Times Book Review.

  “Recommended for readers of redemption stories.” –Library Journal.

  www.vanessamiller.com

  The Rain Series is now available in ebook format

  Here is a list of the books in the Rain Series

  Former RainAbundant RainLatter Rain

  Rain Storm Through the Storm

  Love Isn’t enough (Short Story) ebook

  Sometimes love just isn’t enough and Hannah Ellison is sick of pretending.

  She promised to love, honor and cherish her husband, but Thomas kept secrets. And now as Hannah wades through all of Thomas’s unpaid bills, baby mama drama and her inability to conceive… she must decide if love is enough to keep her at home when her heart and mind is in turmoil over something that only God can fix.

  This short story is loosely based on the Old Testament story of Hannah’s pleas for a child of her own (1 Samuel 1:1-2:26).

  A Mighty Love (Novella) ebook

  Shay Lamont was sick and tired of dating men who didn’t know the first thing about being faithful. She’d spent a lifetime chasing after losers, now she was determined to spend the rest of her life chasing after God.

  Just as Shay sets her sights on God, Malcolm Harris sets his sights on her… and Malcolm is just as determined to get what he wants. If Shay can let her guard down and learn to trust again, she just may discover the mighty love God intended for her heart only.

  The Blessed and Highly Favored ebooks.

  Titles include: The Blessed One, The Wild One, The Preacher’s Choice, The Politician’s Wife and The Playboy Redemption… check out these titles wherever ebooks are sold

  Vanessa Miller Books

  Here are a few of Vanessa’s newer books

  For complete list Visit www.vanessamiller.com

  Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband and beautiful home, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty her entire life and has three children by three different men. After learning that Kenisha has inoperable cervical cancer, the relationship between these two women becomes a catalyst of hope, leading them both to a place of redemption and healing.

  Second Chance at Love Series

  Available Wherever Books Are Sold

  Also Available online as ebooks

  All ebooks available on Kindle and Nook

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