Sight Beyond Eyes
by
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When they came back from break, the host did not let Daniel elaborate on how the facts supported input from the spiritual realm. Instead, she began, “In our remaining time, I want to move on to the phenomenon of you meeting with loved ones of those who were killed in the crash. Shortly after the incident, you didn’t seem aware of your, should we call it ‘ability’, to see departing souls. Then, the Sunday after the crash you spoke with Mrs. Joan Bennett. According to numerous statements from you and other people, the woman showing you a photo of her departed husband supposedly triggered a memory of the crash site that allowed you to see the soul of her husband going to heaven.”
The guest wasn’t really surprised that the station had tracked down the identity of the woman that he had tried so hard to protect, but he was a little miffed that they publicized it without needing to. As a result, Daniel replied with just a clipped, “Yes, I did talk to a widow that Sunday.”
Seeing that he was not adding any embellishment, Ms. Looper went on. “After that you had numerous, what appeared to be random, encounters with family and friends of several of the crash victims. Those discussions led to you sharing additional observations about the crash that only you can see. These ‘visions’ allow you to tell people which souls of those killed in the accident went to heaven or hell.”
“Yes, that’s also an accurate assessment of my experiences. I didn’t plan any of those initial….”
He was cut off. “After those early observations, you went on TV and spoke to Vera about what happened to the soul of her daughter Zuri. Then there were more podcasts and encounters, even with a fan of the internet influencers Stacy and Tracy at a farmers’ market where you told the poor bereaved woman that the souls of her idols had gone to hell.”
“Those things did happen. I was still struggling to understand this ability and what I was supposed to do with….”
Again, Daniel was interrupted mid-sentence. “After a number of those early encounters and publicity interviews, isn’t it true Mr. Quinn that you had Rising Air representatives contact members of every family that lost a loved one on flight 5250 to see if they wanted to speak with you?”
“Yes, I decided that it would be better to be organized in my talks with those who wanted to discuss the situation, rather than have it left to happenstance. Indeed, several of the families had reached out to me through the airline and we’re doing our best to accommodate them.”
“And what happened when the families were contacted on your behalf?” the host asked sharply.
“Every one of the families had someone who wanted to discuss what I knew about the souls of their loved ones,” Daniel stated truthfully.
“Did they really volunteer to talk to you, or were they pressured into it?”
“What do you mean?” the guest asked in response. “Their comfort care specialist talked with them and we got everyone on a schedule.”
“As you know, many of the families of the passengers have written or posted material related to their conversation with you,” Ms. Looper began in her response. “Quite a few have negative things to say, with several indicating that they wish they never would’ve talked to you or found out that their loved ones went to hell. What do you have to say to those individuals who have been doubly devastated; first by someone being killed in a plane crash, and then by you saying that their souls went to hell?”
“It is devastating to learn that the souls of people we love have gone to hell,” Daniel began emphatically. “In my mind, what is worse than that is knowing that they did not have to end up in hell. Heaven is an option open to all of us and all any person has to do…”
Again, the pastor was cut off mid-thought as he was answering the host’s own question. “What gives you the right to judge these people?”
“Have you not understood anything about what I said about the angel and the lights from the crash?” Daniel responded in growing exasperation. “I’m not judging anyone; I’m just the messenger telling people what I saw.”
“Oh, that is right, you as the modern-day prophet that brings a message from on high about the reality of heaven and hell,” Ms. Looper answered in a mocking tone. “Funny how you’re the only one who can see those ‘flares’ as you call them. There really is no proof that you're doing anything but garnering publicity for yourself.”
“Are you really that ignorant of the truth of this matter?” Daniel shot back with a controlled voice that also conveyed conviction. “The fact that I am alive should be proof enough for any reasonable person that I am telling the truth.”
“Is it the truth, or is it a reflection of your own prejudices as a less than successful, small town, part-time, evangelical pastor?” she challenged.
“You’re not even looking at the evidence right before your eyes! Evidence that includes….”
“I will tell you what evidence we are considering.” Nina cut him off again. “Our team has spoken to representatives of every family who had someone perish in that horrible, fiery, plane crash. And these are the hard facts. Of the 51 deaths you pronounced that 42 of those individuals had their souls go to hell. Those ‘condemned’, as the Christian religion would call them, were most of the black and brown people on that flight. The ones you claim went to hell included Muslim, Hare Krishna, and many that had no professed religion. Other hell-bound souls were of people who were gay, lesbian, gender fluid, feminists, and even a white, well-to-do, traditionally married, couple who had a well-known progressive or liberal attitude.”
Her tirade had the show host so worked up that Daniel did not try to say anything as she took a breath before delivering her perceived coup de grace. “It is the facts that make it clear that you are a racist, homophobic, transphobic, Christian zealot for saying who went to heaven and who went to hell. Admit it, Pastor Quinn, according to your own words, only those people who think like you do went to heaven.”
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About the Book
Daniel is a regular guy who survives a fatal crash with the help of an angel. As part of that experience, he is given the ability to see what happens to the souls of the other individuals who did not live through the tragedy. His interactions with the families and loved ones of the deceased individuals bring both joy and sorrow. The challenges Daniel faces along the way of being a worldwide celebrity result in many changes to his everyday life. The emphasis that Daniel's experience places on the reality God and of heaven and hell sets in motion intriguing responses from groups who are working to minimize the influence that Christianity has on society; ultimately putting the survivor's life in danger.
About the Author
There is no doubt in my mind that this book was inspired by our Heavenly Father. As King David of Israel said over 3,000 years ago in what we now call Psalm 16: I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
The idea for this book was first laid on my heart in 2004. It was one of three novel ideas that were presented to me by our Lord as I was finishing my initial novel, The Twin. That was a historical fiction book based on the Bible and any credible ancient evidence I could find on the Apostle Thomas. Inspiration for three other books was provided in quick succession. So, like I did for the first book, I kept my day job and began the research and writing of the novel, Lazarus Come Forth. As a part time author, that book took several years to get into print.
After a short break I was eager to get rolling on another project, but in 2006, when I completed “License to Preach” school I was assigned to Lacota United Methodist Church as a part-time local pastor. As the pastor of a small rural church, that position involved preparing for forty-eight to fifty worship services a year, along with the sermon research and writing. As such, my writing efforts changed focus.
But I never forgot the inspiration for this book. About six months after retiring from Lacota and working through some health issues, I was pondering which project to start. It was very clear that God was counseling me to move forward with this mission. Once I committed to writing, many of the scenes and bits of dialogue came to me in my sleep; hence the opening reference to Psalm 16:7.
Though the inspiration for this work was clearly from the Almighty, the dedication is to my wife, Susan. She has been encouraging through all of the efforts; from the initial inspiration to final completion. Without her love and support, you would not be reading this!
Like Daniel, the story’s protagonist, I balanced a full-time position and part-time pastoring. Also, like Daniel, I committed any funds that were received from the church for charity. That continues for any profits that are received from the sale of this book. Those funds are dedicated to Our Lady of Nazareth Elementary and High School in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a school under the direction of the Marianists which brings hope to some of the poorest of the poor in a part of the world where education is a privilege, not a right. Anyone moved to provide additional support should open the link at www.marianist.com/oln to learn how to sponsor a child’s education. It will be the best couple of hundred dollars that you ever spend. Feel free to reach out to the author at HolyFiction.com@gmail.com.