Depart from Me

Tom Schulte

Description

Miguel overcame great childhood disadvanges to become a successful business executive and family man, only to discover the true value of what he worked so hard for.

Miguel was born into a low-income family that became entrapped in human trafficking. The death of his parents thrust Miguel into a series of foster homes, eventually placing him in an unsavory foster home situation. Fortunately, a teacher inspired Miguel to better himself until he became a highly successful married man with two children and was a greatly respected deacon in his church. Miguel faced common challenges when he lost his job, and his wife died prematurely. Along the way, Miguel had numerous opportunities to submit his trust to the Lordship of Jesus.

Sujets

• Religious
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 14 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664297302
• Langue: English

Extrait

DEPART FROM ME
Tom Schulte


Copyright © 2023 Tom Schulte.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9729-6 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9730-2 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023906482
 
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 04/14/2023
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1Birth
Chapter 2College
Chapter 3Marsha
Chapter 4Newlyweds.
Chapter 5The Road to Success
Chapter 6Homeowners
Chapter 7Jack’s decision
Chapter 8Finding their way
Chapter 9Empty Nest
Chapter 10Fraud
Chapter 11Reaching for the stars
Chapter 12Married
Chapter 13Separation
Chapter 14Fired
Chapter 15Nomination
Chapter 16Revival
Chapter 17Baptism
Chapter 18Election
Chapter 19Deacon meeting
Chapter 20The Deacon
Chapter 21Church Management
Chapter 22Buzzard’s Last Try
Epilogue
Other books by this same author
Spiritual Ambitions – How rich do you want to be in Eternity?
The Last Leaf – What do you tell your grandson on the day you die
Twenty-two shells

Life is serious. This book is dedicated to those who don’t understand life’s seriousness. My, as well as everyone else’s, greatest tragedy, is not realizing and taking advantage of our spiritual windows. Then, before we know it, our lives have passed. I pray that every reader, regardless of their spiritual status, will ask the Lord for open eyes so that you might see Him, either for the first time or in a new and fresh way.
Preface
Too often, I have sensed the sorrow that comes from thinking a friend, acquaintance, colleague, or neighbor rejects what Jesus did for them on the Cross. I don’t know if they eventually changed, but early in my Christian walk, I sensed what happens to someone who rejects what Jesus did. I also believe that mere English is insufficient to describe the judgment, the presence of the glorified Jesus, and even Hell itself. This book is my best attempt.
Acknowledgment
It is impossible to mention everyone by name that contributed to this work. However, several deserve special mention, including my long-suffering wife and special friends that have encouraged me when I become discouraged. Perhaps the most important is John, who has since relocated to eternity. John started my spiritual journey, praying through my unbelievable rebellion, hostility, and rejection to eventually lead me to my relationship with Jesus. I have used much of what he taught in developing this work.
Prologue
“Depart from me.” His scream failed to drown the words as he fell into intense darkness and horror. A fear unlike any he could imagine came with the blackness. The fear was a physical, almost living presence so strong that it smothered his screams until only he heard them. The horror was a tangible, living presence wrapping its claws deeply into his soul like a thick, suffocating blanket. Equal to the fear, darkness, and horror was all-consuming loneliness. His thirst increased as he fell until he became completely desiccated. The stench assaulted his awareness, unlike anything he had ever experienced. Every physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sense became heightened, forcing him to experience the horror dominating every cell in intense agony perfectly. He roughly landed on what appeared to be a hot, stone-like plateau, surrounded by tall rocky walls covered with insect-like creatures. Somehow, he sensed horrible beings and people in great agony through the darkness, even though he couldn’t see or communicate with them. Each creature radiated intense, concentrated hatred, which he returned. A flickering, faintly discernable red glow emitted from a distant pit filled with fire, which he knew was where he would soon spend eternity. His mind only remembered the words, “Depart from me,” crowding out even his name and everything else from his past. Somehow, he knew he was forever alone among the damned. Worse of all was knowing that his heightened senses would never stop detecting every nuance of the darkness, fear, horror, hatred, pain, and aloneness.
Chapter 1
BIRTH
Y ears earlier:
The day after Miguel’s birth into a poor South Texas family, the local hospital discharged Mom and the child as indigents to return to their government-subsidized housing. Miguel’s common-law parents lived in this hot, dusty town, scratching a living as part-time day laborers in a citrus orchard. Miguel Hammer took off work to be with his wife during his firstborn’s arrival.
“We must call you ‘Mom’ from now on.”
“And you are ‘Dad,’ of course. Isn’t this child precious?”
“He is.” Dad watched his wife cuddle the child. How will I feed yet another mouth?
“I lost a full day’s pay today. They tell me we can find work in the Wisconsin sugar beet fields and pick cherries in Michigan afterward. Then, we can move on to tomatoes in Ohio, and maybe we’ll make enough to get by. Rest for a few days. I Hope I keep my orchard job until we leave.”
“Can our old car make the trip?”
“It must. I’ll stop by the recruiter after I work tomorrow. We’ll leave next week. At least I’ll have steady work and regular pay, unlike the orchard.”
Mom didn’t want to move but knew she must follow her husband. Her mother had warned her that their men roamed the country, looking for work, unable to live in one place long. Consequently, she had to trust God.
“Dad,” the word sounded foreign. “We must dedicate Miguel before we go.”
“Whatever.”
Mom couldn’t remember being happier than her first days with her new child. He mostly ate, slept, and squirmed, but the child changed her. On Sunday, she walked to a nearby church to dedicate her son. Dad’s hangover kept him in bed.
Mom wasn’t particularly religious but wanted the best for Miguel. She boldly carried him into the church about an hour before the service and found the Pastor.
“Pastor, I want to dedicate my son.”
“Very good. We can do this. When do you want to do it? How old is he? Normally, I like to visit with the parents for a few minutes beforehand. The secretary can make an appointment.”
“We must do it today. We’re leaving for Wisconsin soon.”
“Oh.” The pastor wasn’t sure what to do next. “Well, we can do it today if you want. Will any other family members be present?”
The shame of her absent husband filled Mom as she stared at the floor. “No. Only me. My husband is…sick.”
Kindness filled the pastor’s face and voice. “That’s okay. We’ll still do it. God loves you and your son. What is his name?”
“Miguel. We named him after his father.”
Before the offering, the pastor called Mom to the front. She carefully walked forward, averting her eyes, mentally comparing the women’s nice clothes to her threadbare dress, ratty sandals, and barely combed hair. She shook her hair determinedly as the pastor hugged her shoulders and began. “Friends, our neighbor has a new child she wants to dedicate to the Lord. Unfortunately, they must leave tomorrow, but we’re dedicating little Miguel to the Lord today. May I hold him?
“Just as Hannah dedicated little Samuel to the Lord, this mother wants to dedicate Miguel to the Lord. I always tell parents about the tremendous responsibility of raising a child and teaching him how to grow up along with spiritual things. You can’t teach him to pray if you don’t pray, read the Bible if you don’t, or act in a Godly way if you don’t. Children learn by watching. You are also bringing yourself when you bring Miguel for dedication. Pray for yourself when you pray for Miguel, and you must pray for him often. God loves both of you and will give you the love, patience, and everything else you need to raise Miguel to please God.
“Let us pray. Father, we bring little Miguel to you for your blessing. Let him grow up and bless his parents. Give him an easy childhood that keeps him from the world’s temptations. At an early age, draw him into your kingdom and adopt him as yours. Be with his parents, help them make good decisions, and most importantly, trust in you. Thank you, Lord Jesus.”
The next day the young family piled their meager personal belongings into their beat-up car and began their trip to Wisconsin. The recruiter gave them directions on how to get there and who to talk to when they arrive. Dad hid his lack of confidence behind bravado but privately worried about having enough gas money. Mom worried about Miguel, whom the car gently rocked to sleep.
The early spring ai