Chapter 29

            Flashing lights in his rear view mirror caught Aaron’s attention.  He pulled over to the curb and got out his licensee and registration.

             “Sir,” the officer began, “May I see your license and registration.”

             “Sure, here it is” Aaron mumbled, disturbed more by the interruption in his mad dash home than the possibility of receiving a speeding ticket.

             “Oh,” the officer said, “It’s you -- pastor Cooper.”

             “Uh . . . Yeah” Aaron responded as he squinted through the flashlight being shown into his eyes.

             “Pastor, you were going 50 in a 35 mile per hour zone” the officer announced.

             “However, since it’s you, I’m just going to give you a verbal warning.  But slow it down, okay?”

             “Yeah, sure officer . . . and thanks” Aaron said, somewhat relieved that the stop hadn’t taken as long as he had expected.

             Driving home at a slower pace, he began to think, “How?  Why has she done this?  Are things so bad between us that she is having an affair?”  he picked up his cell phone and dialed.

             “Hello, George.”

             “Yes, who is it?” came the irritated response.

             “It’s me, Aaron.  Listen, we’ve got to meet.”

             “Tonight?  It’s late and I’m tired.”

             “Yes, tonight buddy.  I’ve got extreme problems” Aaron pleaded.

             “Oh, alright” came George’s reply.

             “I’ll be in front of your house in 5 minutes” Aaron informed him.

             Ten minutes later the two friends were driving around as Aaron explained what had happened.

             “Let’s bring Charles in on this” George suggested.

             “Aw, man, I don’t know.”  Aaron hedged.  “I don’t know that this is his problem, besides I am not too sure I want too many people knowing my wife is cheating on me.”

             “Aaron, he’s got a lot of wisdom and he may have some insight as to how to handle the situation.”

             After arriving at Charles’ apartment and getting him out of bed, the three sat around his table drinking coffee as Aaron tearfully went through the events of the evening.  Charles was quiet for a long while, then finally he spoke.

             “The spirits of Jezebel and witchcraft are at work” he said confidently.

             “What?” Aaron questioned.

             “Don’t you see,” Charles began, “It’s Terry that’s trying to destroy your marriage?  Actually it’s the spirits that control her.”

             “Are you talking demons?” George queried incredulously.

             “Yes, unclean spirits” Charles responded.  “The spirit of Jezebel that seeks to rule every man and the spirits of rebellion and witchcraft.  Terry had the pictures.  That means she probably took the pictures.  Why did she just accidentally run into you at the store?  I’ll tell you,” Charles continued without waiting for an answer, “it wasn’t an accident at all.  She wanted you to see those pictures, knowing it would bring an even greater rift between you and Cheryl.”

             “Wow!” Aaron howled as he leaned back in his chair.  “That is diabolical!”

             “Well, what are we going to do?” George asked.

             “First, we’re going to agree together in prayer and bind these devilish spirits and then Aaron is going to go back home and pretend nothing has happened.  Terry will likely be waiting to hear about the expected explosion between the two of you.  When it doesn’t happen, she’ll be temporarily thrown off balance. 

             “We will continue to pray for you and we will continue to speak against the power of the spirits to manipulate the situation.”

             The men prayed together as Charles had suggested, before Aaron and George headed out the door.

             “If anything else comes up” Charles called after Aaron “then give me a call, day or night!”

             “Yeah, thanks Charles” Aaron replied gratefully, although he had no idea he’d be making just such a call very soon.