Once Isaac and Anne started going over the invitation list for their wedding it became a little bit bigger than they originally envisioned. One-hundred and five people waited in silence in the sanctuary of Christ Presbyterian Church as a Bach cantata reverberated through the wooden rafters. Neither Isaac or Anne had large families. He had one uncle, Colleen's brother, who was in attendance with his wife and three children. She had only her Aunt Anna Mae. All the members of Pilgrim were present along with Rebecca Chaffrone and her very steady boyfriend who she met at church. High school and college friends of the bridal couple filled pews. The entire congregation of Rev. Crockett's church, about seventy people, were there along with quite a few Ocean City neighbors. Andy Stood next to Isaac at the altar and next to him was Nate. Isaac had four sixteenth century Puritan outfits made up for the men. Colleen was seated and the music stopped. Rev. Crockett was to escort Anne down the isle and Isaac's former pastor from Connecticut, Phil O'Toole, stood ready... Bible in hand, to perform the ceremony. Everyone had been encouraging Isaac that Anne would be alright without her father present but his face showed the disappointment. Rev. Crockett walked down the aisle and took a seat next to Colleen and winked at Isaac who could only wonder about the change of plans. One bridesmaid after another slowly walked the isle and then Mendelssohn's Wedding March began. Anne appeared in her beautiful wedding dress that her mother had worn many years before....she held onto the arm of Casimir Wiskovitz. Tears rolled down Isaac's cheeks...and on Colleens....and on Casimir's. Rev. O'Toole had previously asked Isaac if he had a request on what remarks to give and Isaac's response was....."as long as everyone present hears of the atoning work of our Lord and Savior." The couple had written their own vows and Casimir gave thanks to God as he heard his precious daughter say...
"I, Anne Wiskovitz, give myself in covenantal love to Isaac Crockett, to lift him up to our Lord Jesus Christ every day in prayer, and desire only to be his loving helpmate as he serves such a gracious and merciful God and Savior."
It was after ten o'clock on this cold but clear Saturday in March. The wedding was beautiful and the reception in the fellowship hall was joyous. Casimir had offered his hand to Isaac. He said nothing but squeezed Isaac's hand such that Isaac knew what was meant....'take good care of my daughter!' Isaac met Kay Winters for the first time. Colleen wouldn't leave Casimir's side the entire evening and Nate was the happiest person in the hall.
The young married couple were travelling west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Isaac slowed down considerably for there were no headlights in his rear-view mirror.
"Why are you slowing down? Is there a problem with the car?"
"Look across the turnpike Anne."
Anne then knew immediately why Isaac slowed down for they were passing the service area where they met on that stormy evening only months ago.
"Oh Isaac! I've been too excited to remember that."
Isaac looked over as long as he could and still safely drive. After they passed he turned on the radio and lowered the volume where it was barely audible. A Simon and Garfunkel tune was just ending and both of them listened in amazement as the announcer said.
"Here's something from Pilgrim. But first...today in Ocean City, New Jersey, Isaac Crockett married Anne Wiska...Wisko...anyway Isaac married Anne. Congratulations to this young couple."
"Did you hear that?" Anne gasped.
"Yeah...he can't pronounce your name either. Say, you didn't marry me just to get an easier name to say did you?"
"I'd have married you id your name was Isaac Porkavshinsky?"
Their first stop was the Radisson in Pittsburgh. It was midnight and they would continue on to Niagara Falls in the morning....maybe.
"Isaac, it was the Radisson that you put me up in that first day at the Turnkey Inn."
"I always put my women up at the Radisson."
"Room 212...here it is."
Isaac pushed open the door and set the bags down keeping it open. He turned....picked Anne up....and carried her over the threshold. Inside they stood and looked at each other. Isaac walked over and pulled the bedspread and sheet down. He turned on the small light on the desk, walked over and turned off the ceiling light. Anne took off her wool coat and laid it on the chair. The room was quiet and Anne thought that she could hear her heart beating. Isaac turned on the radio and found a classical station and then turned the volume low. He walked over to Anne, his leather coat still on, and they kissed. He put the "do not disturb" sign on the outside knob, moved the bags inside the room with his foot, closed the door and quite theatrically snapped the bolt shut. He looked at Anne as he took off his coat then led her to the bed, sitting her down. He took her hand, bowed his head....and prayed.
"Lord, we thank you so much for your blessings. We lift up this marriage bed to you and pray that all the pleasure that you have given to your children in these earthly bodies be to your glory. Keep us always free from temptation, free from guilt and balanced in all areas of our life."
Anne squeezed Isaac's hand and continued.
"Father in heaven. I thank you for my husband. Keep us both looking to you until that day when we see you face to face."
Isaac then walked over to the desk and turned off the light.
Anne called Casimir from Niagara Falls telling him how beautiful it was with the new snow glistening around the water's edge and how happy they were. Casimir's love for his daughter was evident, as it always was, in their conversation. Nate jumped in and was recounting his many conversations at the reception. Isaac called home also but his mom did most of the talking to her new daughter-in-law. Sam Crockett and his son shared with each other their blessings. Isaac and Anne took a ride on the Maid Of The Mist, and visited Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum and all the other fun places. The ride home was the northern route across Route 80 in Pennsylvania, passing Grove City College and Penn State University on the way to Easton where they visited Casimir and Nate for a few hours. There may not have been full blown love in Casimir's eyes towards Isaac but there was no defiance and it was friendly enough to make Isaac's spirit soar.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Anne and Isaac's new home was a condominium just off of the north end of the boardwalk. While Anne was decorating at home, Issac was putting the finishing touches on the bookstore. The grand opening was set for May 1st and Isaac hoped to get all the bugs worked out by the time the summer tourists arrived. He prayed a lot about a name for the bookstore knowing that if Crockett was in the name that it would generate more interest but he decided against it. The sign company arrived with a four by eight metal sign. Isaac could only see the words... LAW AND GOSPEL. He knew that the name would be confusing to most people, but putting this concept in front of the church was part and parcel of why he was opening a bookstore to begin with. The design of the store was intended to provide shoppers with comfortable seats up front by the windows so that they could sit and enjoy the view while perusing books that they were most likely unfamiliar with. The counter and register were behind these chairs and in the middle of the store. The aisles were designed in a 'U' shape so that one could see everything with one pass through the store, and the right leg of the 'U' was fashioned so that the customer would naturally start there. The first thing that they would encounter would be Reformation Theology and they would see author's names such as R. C. Sproul, Michael Horton, John MacArthur and J. I. Packer. Immediately after this they would come to a video monitor that continuously played programs from the ministries of these men. They could sit down and watch for as long as they wanted and sip on coffee or tea that was provided. Isaac was confident that ten or fifteen minutes in front of R. C. Sproul from Ligonier Ministries would be all that was needed to grab one's attention and show the viewer that there may just be something in their faith that they were missing. All of the tapes played throughout the store were available for purchase. The next section was on the history of the church and again there was a video monitor playing documentaries on the events throughout church history and the people involved. One might learn here of Martin Luther, the English Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Spurgeon and many others. The back wall of the store was all biographies and Iain Murray was one of the highlighted authors in this section. As one turned to return to the front they would see great Puritan literature from authors such as Thomas Watson, Jeremiah Burroughs, John Owen and many other Puritans who strengthened the church through their writings. There was a chair and monitor here also as Christians needed help in understanding just who these men really were and why they were nothing like the accepted opinion of the Puritan in today's culture. The next section was devoted to John Bunyan and his book The Pilgrim's Progress which was the staple in most Christian homes since it was written in the sixteenth century. Quite a number of films and documentaries are available on this book and they also played continuously for the browser to sit in comfort and watch. Bunyan was a tinker who repaired pots and pans, a rowdy and a soldier in Oliver Cromwell's army before coming to Christ and he received an extraordinary amount of grace in the form of discernment as he wrote mostly from his prison cell, sent there for preaching the Gospel instead of that which the established church directed of ministers to preach. The last section that the customer would pass was the doctrinal books. This is what the church needed...to see what has been lost.... and to be endued once again with the power therein. It's been said that everyone is a theologian and everyone has their own doctrine and Isaac knew this to be true. So it wasn't a case of proving the importance of doctrine but of proving the doctrine one considered important. Finding great books that explain Scriptural doctrine was not the hard part, convincing the skeptic to pick up and read was the challenge and Isaac had taken up that challenge. Nautical themes covered the walls and in between them were portraits of the great saints of the past. Johann Sebastian Bach was there, who signed his compositions with Sola Deo Gloria (to God alone be glory), as was Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Knox and more recent saints in B. B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen and Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Isaac didn't have a whole lot of variety in the bibles that he would sell. He kept his stock up at the counter so that he could personally explain the different translations and recommend the study bibles.
As Isaac watched the sign being put into place an old high school friend stopped by. Mark Hannah was a truck driver and a member of the mainline denomination who had always been a gentle soul and an inquiring young man.
"Big day coming up, huh Isaac?"
"Oh hi Mark...yeah it won't be long now...Lord willing."
Mark looked up at the sign and asked.
"What does...law and gospel... mean?"
It had only taken a couple of minutes for the sign to generate this question.
"Mark, the words law and gospel were once a well-known phrase in the church. All of Scripture is either law or gospel. It's not that the law is Old Testament and gospel is New Testament, but rather that both Testaments are law and gospel. The law always tells us what God demands of us, of which we fail to obey, and by that it shows us our sin. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we see our utter inability to be seen as righteous before God....it, the law, therefore convicts us. And through this utter desperation we can then see Christ... who is our only righteousness and our only hope. That's the gospel."
Isaac knew Mark well enough to know that he was a true listener at times like this. He might very well have objections but would not interrupt. So Isaac paused and then continued.
"Jesus came to fulfill the law Mark, not to destroy it. We still need the law for we are still sinners. A proper understanding of the law causes one to love it for in our inability to keep it we see Christ's power in saving us. In our deserved condemnation we see His mercy. Many today hate the law and in that they despise God's plan. Others turn it into legalism and fail to see its purpose. Consequently we are a Christian culture that oftentimes evangelizes without the law. We might ask "Won't you ask Jesus into your heart?' or say "Jesus has a wonderful plan for your life." This can lead to the offer of a therapeutic gospel, temporary good news which in reality is no good news. It can lead people to...join...Christianity rather than be adopted by God the Father... to profess faith in Christ without even knowing what He has done. The law can do nothing on its own but without the law there can be no gospel. It's not either/or...Mark. It's both!
Mark looked at Isaac and asked.
"I'd always been taught that the law cannot save us."
"That's absolutely true but what it does is tell one that they need saved."
"Don't most people think that already?"
"No, most people think that they need healed and they need a doctor but in reality they are dead and need a Savior. Only the law can tell them that they are dead...in their sin."
Isaac paused again and Mark patiently waited again.
"Mark, how often do you ever hear the word hell in church?"
"I don't remember the last time I heard it spoken in our church."
"We can't choose to become...undead....if I can use that word. Only God can choose that for us. He regenerates us. Only then can we choose Him. It's all of grace Mark! Many evangelists preach God's Word but then they turn and rely on convincing others to choose Christ. Those who are truly converted are converted because they heard the Word telling them that they have sinned against a Holy God, that they stand condemned, but that God's Son has provided a way. If a minister or an evangelist preaches grace with little mention of law and no mention of hell, then the... converts.... will have chosen merely a way of life over life itself. Look around our nation Mark. A very high percentage of people will say that they are Christian but when questioned as to their belief they depart drastically from the Bible. Most do not even believe in a hell. Our method of evangelizing too often emanates from pragmatism. Our zeal mixed with sloth in learning has produced dire consequences for the church and for the country.
Again Mark took in what Isaac was saying.
"Mark. Do this for me. Come back when the store is open. If I thought my calling was in preaching or teaching then I think that I would have gone that way. I'm more of a messenger. Come back and sit down and let me show you a video from Michael Horton on Law and Gospel. I'll learn something too. How 'bout it?"
"Isaac, I intend to come back. You didn't even have to ask."
"See you buddy."
"Back at ya."
Mark gave Isaac a big smile and started on his way again. Isaac looked back at the sign now hanging firmly above his bookstore...LAW AND GOSPEL BOOK SHOPPE and offered up a prayer that he might be worthy to even sell the books of these great men and women!
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gentle droplets were covering the boardwalk from a warm spring drizzle as Isaac trotted towards the bookstore. Anne was already there checking in a new order of books and Isaac saw a young woman leaving the store, open her umbrella, and walk south on the boardwalk.
"Hello, anybody home?"
"I'm back here in the stock room."
Anne came out of the back room holding some books that had just arrived from Soli Deo Gloria publishing house that specialized in reprints of Puritan books. Don Kistler was its president and a great speaker whose tapes would be played in the Puritan literature section.
"Was that Suzie Palmer I just saw leaving?"
"Yes it was. We had a nice talk. She wants to do another interview with you. I said that would probably be fine."
"I can always talk to Suzie. I'll call her in a little bit."
Isaac picked up where he left off for lunch in hanging some portraits on the wall.
"Isaac, who is this man wearing this academic robe?"
Isaac took the picture from Anne and looked at it for a few minutes before answering.
"Anne, this is J. Gresham Machen. Sit down for a minute and I'll tell you about him."
They both sat on boxes that just came in by UPS.
"Anne, Presbyterianism in our country has a grand tradition of great scholars who taught the Reformed doctrine faithfully. As the beginning of the twentieth century approached men like B. B. Warfield fought against the encroaching liberal doctrine from Europe. As we moved into the new century other men stood up and probably the greatest of these was Machen. He was a professor at Princeton Seminary. In the debates over evolution, as Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan went at it in court, fundamentalists were taking a beating in the press. But when Machen spoke in defense of the Christian Faith many were forced to listen. Machen was well-respected even by critics such as Walter Lippmann who was a leading intellectual at the time.. Machen's denomination was sliding fast into apostasy and their mission board's doctrine was atrocious. He helped form an independent mission board within the denomination. They, the denomination, eventually put him on trial, if you could call it that for they took no biblical evidence and railroaded Machen. They defrocked this great man of God! It was so similar to Luther standing up to Rome and being excommunicated. He died in South Dakota trying to help a fledgling church get started. He's a real hero of mine."
Anne looked a little more reverently at the portrait.
"What happened after he died?"
"Well, he had started a seminary and a denomination before his death. Today the mainline that defrocked him continues to languish while his denomination, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, remains small but extremely faithful."
"Isaac, I have so much to learn. I hope that I don't become a burden to you."
"Honey, in front of every great woman is a poor pitiful man."
Anne laughed.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that I learn from you every day. Your pure and new found faith and gentle spirit humbles me. It's as if your character says to me every day...'Isaac, don't ever leave your first love for your knowledge will be worthless'."
"That's funny because what I'm hearing is 'Anne, you must learn the faith before you can proclaim it. Look to your husband."
Colleen walked in.
"Hey lovebirds. You can't start a business by hugging all day."
The three of them looked around the store. It was shaping up. People were stopping by to look in. Isaac didn't put paper up over the windows for he wanted passers-by to see the bookstore take shape.
One man asked from the doorway.
"Christin bookstore huh?"
"Yes sir. We'll be open tomorrow...Lord willing."
"Good. I only have two more days and it's back to Richmond. See you tomorrow."
It was only a comment but encouraging to Isaac for this was just what he wanted, to give people at least one opportunity to see that there was a history to this church of theirs and books other than what they see in their local bookstores.
Suzy Palmer peeked her head in.
"Oh, hi Isaac. I just talked to your beautiful wife. Did she tell you?"
"Yes, and I was about to call you."
"I walked down the boardwalk for an ice cream cone and thought I'd see if you were in yet."
"As for the interview, anytime is fine Suzie."
"I guess that your too busy right now huh? I have my tape recorder."
"As a matter of fact, now is fine. How about if we go and sit on the beach?"
"Sounds great."
The two of them plopped down in the sand a good twenty yards from the small waves and talked for about an hour. The conversation ranged from Pilgrim to Isaac's meeting Anne and finally to the bookstore. Isaac gave only a brief explanation of what Reformation Theology was. Suzie was going to use the interview in bits and pieces while playing music from Pilgrim. She expected a big listening audience as Isaac was so popular in his hometown.
"And what hours will you be open?"
"Monday through Saturday...10 AM to 10 PM. I'll work varied hours and have two great young men to help with the rest."
"Then you will be closed on Sundays?"
"Yes Suzie. In Christianity today there is a difference of opinion as to what Sunday is. Many believe that the Sabbath of the Old Testament was abrogated with the beginning of the Christian church. They hold to having worship services on Sunday but the rest of the day is for...well...rest, or more generally relaxation. Which could include anything that is not in and of itself sinful."
"And what do you believe?"
"I believe, as does the Reformed tradition, that we now honor the day as the Lord's day. It's a wonderful blessing and still comes under the fourth commandment. It's a delight not a burden although some have made it so. Worldly pleasures are for the six remaining days but the Lord's Day is a time for Him. It's not only a blessing in the form of a commandment but it's a hedge of protection to think clearly as we gather our thoughts about the world as they pertain to God's commandments. It's difficult to have discernment if we don't honor this day....in my belief anyway"
Suzie hesitated and then asked.
"I guess that means that you won't be going to the Sharks final game on Sunday for the cup?"
The Sharks were southern New Jersey's minor league hockey team and they were experiencing their best season ever and Isaac was well known as a loyal Sharks fan"
"Yeah I'm going to miss that but it was a great year. Suzie I loved hockey since I was very young and followed the Sharks when I was with Pilgrim, but not on the Lord's Day."
Suzie didn't follow up on the question and Isaac had no idea the uproar that this simple question and answer would cause!
That night as Isaac, Anne, Pastor Crockett and Colleen were sitting down to a dinner that Anne had prepared in their new condo, Sam Crockett looked up at his son and said.
"Is there something wrong Isaac?"
"There's no fooling you Dad. I was just thinking of Casimir."
Anne reached over and touched his hand.
"I wish that he were more a part of us.... that we were more a part of him. Anne talks to him often but I don't"
Anne added.
"I tell my dad that I love him every time that I talk to him but he seems to have lost heart. Sometimes I wonder if it's his way of trying to put a guilt trip on me but really I know him better than that. It's just that he feels that I have relinquished all of my past."
"Give him time dear." Colleen added. "Isaac will grow on him like he does on everyone else."
Isaac looked at his mom and laughed.
"You know I said the same thing to him and you know what his response was...'I had a boil grow on me once'."
Anne's dinner that she was so proud of was sitting in front of everyone and Isaac reached for the prayerbook...The Valley of Vision. It was a book of Puritan prayers compiled by Arthur Bennett and published by Banner Of Truth. His copy was worn out for he had used it every evening at dinner for years, even through Pilgrim. He felt that he could not do without this book. Oh yes, he could easily construct prayers on his own but would rather just follow the lead of these great divines of the seventeenth century. He opened the book and read:
O Lord
May I never fail to come to the knowledge of the truth,
never rest in a system of doctrine, however
scriptural, that does not bring or further
salvation,
or teach me to deny ungodliness and
worldly lusts,
or help me to live soberly, righteously, godly;
never rely on my own convictions and resolutions,
but be strong in thee and in thy might;
never cease to find thy grace sufficient
in all my duties, trial, conflicts;
never forget to repair to thee
in all my spiritual distresses and outward
troubles,
in all the dissatisfactions experienced in
creature comforts;
never fail to retreat to him who is full of grace
and truth, the friend that loveth at all times,
who is touched with feelings of my infirmities,
and can do exceeding abundantly for me;
never confine my religion to extraordinary
occasions, but acknowledge thee in all they ways;
never limit my devotions to particular seasons
but be in thy fear all the day long;
never be godly only on the sabbath
or in thy house, but on every day abroad
and at home;
never make piety a dress but a habit,
not only a habit but a nature,
not only a nature but a life.
Do good tome by all the dispensations,
by all means of grace,
by worship, prayers, praises,
And at last let me enter that world where is
no temple, but only thy glory
and the Lamb's.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
April 1st was a wonderfully pleasant spring day along the whole East Coast with the temperature in the 70s at six o'clock in the morning. Anne woke up and felt beside her for Isaac but he wasn't there. She put on a house dress and walked out to the balcony that overlooked the glass-off on the early morning water and found him sitting with his feet up on the rail and a cup of coffee in his hands just staring out to sea.
"Well, the big day is here!" Said Anne as she pulled up a chair next to her husband.
"Honey, only God knows how this will turn out. It's been fun and exciting and the store hasn't even opened yet."
"I'm really looking forward to working at the store too, as soon as I learn enough about the books to be a help to people. I already found out from the library that I love working with people. It's so much different than just singing to them. What you think about that?"
Isaac thought about the question for a few moments and looked at Anne.
"Anne, in Pilgrim we played all over the world and I enjoyed it. I love to entertain but I would always go back to the hotel and think about the faces that stared up at me on the stage. I was glad that they enjoyed the music but I really wanted to talk to them about things of eternal consequence."
He reached for Anne's hand and they prayed together for wisdom with the store."
Then Isaac got up and said.
"Did you hear that?
Anne tried to hear what Issac heard.
"What?"
"The bell sounded. Let's get out of the corner and into the center of the ring!"
Isaac stood behind the counter glancing down every few minutes at his watch. He waited for the second hand to reach the twelve and said.
"Here we go!"
He unlocked the door to the Law and Gospel Book Shoppe and placed a wedge under it. The warm ocean breeze rushed in past him and he took a deep breath and let it out. Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sea Symphony was playing softly in the background. The video monitors were on. R. C. Sproul's Chosen By God, a biography documentary on Martin Luther, another documentary on Charles Spurgeon, and an animated Pilgrim's Progress were chosen for the opening hours. People were all over the boardwalk with some enjoying a slow stroll and others power walking. Occasionally a runner would weave in and out or a family would pedal by in a surrey. The first day provided many surprises for Isaac. A lot of old friends showed up after hearing the interviews with Suzie Palmer. Andy Graham came down from New York City and musicians that Isaac befriended over the years stopped by. Old college friends stopped in and it seemed as if the whole congregation from Christ Presbyterian was in at one time or another. Telegrams came in and flowers from Rebecca...tulips...she was learning! His old band mates called and two newspapers sent photographers. Isaac loved it all and was overwhelmed but it was the nameless faces that moved his emotions the most. The first customer set the stage.
"Good morning! Welcome. Let me know if I can help you with anything."
The young man was about twenty-five and prematurely blading. He looked around a little bit and finally asked.
"What kind of store is this?"
"A Christian bookstore."
"I can see that but I go into Christian bookstores all the time and have never seen one like this."
"Where's home?"
"Cleveland."
Isaac walked over to a John MacArthur book, Ashamed Of The Gospel, and picked it up along with one from J. I. Packer, Knowing God.
"Do these names sound familiar?"
"Well yeah. I've heard of both of them before. Never read them though."
"What's your first name?"
"Dave."
Isaac reached out his hand.
"Hello Dave. Isaac Crockett."
"Dave, most Christian bookstores are very ecumenical, they carry a little bit of everything. All the different theologies are represented. One of those theologies that you might find in the bookstores that you visit would be called Reformation Theology. That's mostly what you will see here. In fact, that's all that you'll see here"
"What's ....Reformation Theology?"
"It's difficult describing in only a few sentences but it's generally the theology of the Reformers from the sixteenth century. There's a heavy emphasis on the sovereignty of God in Reformation Theology. Now just about every theology proclaims that God is sovereign but when you hear the individual doctrines it makes one wonder. There's no doubting it in Reformation Theology. It's also very systematic where every doctrine fits perfectly with the others. It's also very ...confessional. It states very clearly and with precision what its doctrine is and then it defends it. There's not a whole lot of room for diversity. It doesn't claim to know everything but in the essentials of the Christian faith it is secure and confident."
Isaac looked to see any sign, whether yea or nay and then the young man responded.
"I think that what I feel and know in my heart is more important than doctrine. All theology seems to do is confuse everyone."
"That's an interesting comment Dave but in actuality...everyone is a theologian. Everyone has a theology, whether good or bad, systematized or chaotic.....everyone is a theologian. You just described your theology. The purpose of this particular bookstore is to ask...'have you considered this.'. Have you ever heard Christian belief stated like this Dave? If not, does it matter to you that this was the essence of the Christian church before...say the last few hundred years?"
"Well what is all of this...is it Baptist...or Presbyterian...or Lutheran....or Anglican, or what?"
"Yes
"Yes?"
"I'm not trying to be cute Dave. The denominations that you just mentioned, from their beginnings anyway, were all Reformation Theology. Reformed Theology differs in some ways from Lutheran Theology, and Lutheran Theology from Baptist Theology, and Baptist Theology from Anglican but their foundations fit together like a glove.
"OK but I'm still confused. Where do Methodists come in and what about Charismatics and Pentecostals?"
"Dave, the conservative stayed true to the Reformation while the liberal departed, so every denomination mentioned so far has a split within it. As for Charismatics and Pentecostals it's a little bit more complicated here. They're more experiential than doctrinal. The Pentecostal tradition is very similar to the Holiness and Fundamentalist traditions in that they were true to the basics of the Christian faith, they had strengths but great weaknesses also. The Charismatics are generally the result of experimentation and imagination."
Isaac could see a hint of exasperation in Dave's eyes and did not want to leave the conversation on this note.
"Dave, having said all this....all of us who are born again are pilgrims in this life. We are all redeemed children of God whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. We are brothers and sisters Dave! When I mention the weakness of say...fundamentalism...I'm not looking down at them.
How could I do that? For many of them, their Christian lives were exemplary....much more so than mine. I can learn from them and try all the time...from their faith and devotion and steadfastness. They held the line in an onslaught against God. They evangelized amidst ridicule. David Wilkerson..."
Dave interjected on this.
"I know of David Wilkerson."
"I admire him immensely. His doctrine was limited but his holiness wasn't. I use to stop in to Times Square Church on Broadway just to hear him preach. Here's the love Dave. I make all kinds of mistakes. The strength of Reformation Theology is in expounding on Scriptural doctrine. The strength of Reformed Theology is in expounding on worship of our God. The enemy wants the conversation ended Dave for every truth shared exposes him. Every compromise shields him. All I ask other Christians to do is to...consider....what came before them. Are you a history buff Dave. This is like Dunkirk. From the Reformation side we are all in our little barks, crossing a treacherous sea to rescue others. Come back with us to a safe harbor. We are one Dave....all those of us who, as I said before, who have been born again....born from above.....redeemed.....adopted"
"Mr. Crockett...."
"Please call me Isaac."
"Isaac.....hmm...Isaac Crockett? You wouldn't be the Isaac Crockett of Pilgrim?"
"I be he."
"Whoa! Well anyway...another question....you mentioned born again twice, and emphasized it each time. Can I ask you why?"
"Dave, We have utterly demystified being born again. By that I mean that it doesn't hit home anymore...not with everyone anyway. It's not just a quaint description. One minute we are dead and the next minute we are alive. There's a point in time somewhere and only God knows exactly when that was when a soul was...ripped...out of Satan's grasp. Every Christian ought to comes to grips with this. If this was common practice then multitudes would be forced to admit that no such description seems to fit them. It might lead them to inquire why."
"Isaac....It's been an experience! I think that I'll by a book. Silly question but...any recommendations?"
"Well let's see..."
Isaac took Dave to the back of the store...to the Pilgrim's Progress section. He picked up an inexpensive paperback edition and handed it to Dave.
"Pilgrim's Progress? I thought that was for kids?"
"It can be turned into a children's book." He turned and pointed to a large book called Dangerous Journey. "There's a great one, but no...Dave, John Bunyan's classic is more than profound. Read it and consider each and every step of the main character's life...and then that of his wife. Start there Dave and I'll give you a list of books that you may want to read after it. You'll be able to order them from any Christian bookstore."
Isaac rang up the sale of $9.36, put it in a bag and handed it to Dave.
"Thanks Dave, and thanks for the great conversation."
Dave took the bag and paused for a minute.
"Something wrong?"
"Well....would you mind autographing it?"
Isaac laughed and wrote from memory:
"Hobgoblin, nor foul fiend,
can daunt his spirit:
he knows, he at the end
shall life inherent.
he'll fear not what men say,
he'll labor night and day
to be a pilgrim...
From John Bunyan's To Be A Pilgrim...Isaac Crockett.....just a pilgrim
As Dave walked out Anne returned with supplies for coffee and tea. Isaac had a smile on his face.
"That was our first customer Anne and a very nice young man."
He pulled out some Scotch Tape and taped the ten dollar bill to the front of the register.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The first week was going very well at the bookstore and Anne took advantage of it to drive up to Easton to see her father and Nate. Isaac had bought Anne a new Chrysler 300 for just such trips and she pulled up to 629 Lovelost Lane in it. She struggled with the packages as she made her way up to the door but Nate saw her and rushed to her aid knowing that something in those packages was his. Once inside Nate began searching to see what his sister had brought.
"All right...a bottle of wine!"
"That's for Dad."
Reaching in herself she extracted a CD and handed it to Nate.
"For thee."
It was Pilgrim's new Tormented disc.
"Sweet!"
"Look Nate. It's signed by all the band members of Pilgrim."
"No way!"
"Isaac just got it in the mail. It was a gift from the band and he thought that you might like to have it."
Nate read the words written in pen on the inside cover...'Isaac, somehow we think you would have talked us out of this title. Best wishes!'
"Anne, this isn't even in the stores yet. Wait till I get to school tomorrow!"
"How is school going Nate? You're going to graduate I hope?"
"Are you kidding? I got straight 'Cs' last term. Didn't Dad tell you?"
"What brought on the big change?"
"Isaac had a big talk with me."
"Dad and I talked to you about school for years."
"It's not 'xactly what he said. It's kind a like...well...we're friends."
"Oh, I see. you and Isaac are getting along pretty well aren't you?"
"I'll say. He even has me reading my Bible."
"Hey! That's wonderful...Dad's happy too huh?"
"About the grades?"
"About the Bible."
"Well, I don't know. He says he is but doesn't smile like he is."
"Where is Dad?"
"Where else? He's at church."
"What's going on tonight?"
"Nothin...I don't think. He said he'd be back about eight."
"Eight? That means he'll miss Jeopardy."
"He doesn't watch Jeopardy much anymore."
"I think I'll take a run down to the church. OK?"
"Sure. I'll be in my listening to my CD."
Our Lady Help Of Christians was a rather new building. It was designed in the shape of a piece of pie. The altar faced the curved rear wall of the sanctuary and the windows were modern stained glass with bright colors but no figures painted in them. The carpet was deep purple. The rear of the church had the vestibule on the left and the baptismal and crying room for children on the right. Statues with Jesus with His right hand lifted to his sacred heart and Mary gazing up to heaven dressed in blue were situated on both sides of the altar. A large cross with a crucified Jesus hanging upon it hovered about fifteen feet over the altar. Votive candles flickered off to the left of the altar with about half of the candles twinkling. Ann looked in but Casimir wasn't there. His car was parked outside so she walked around the grounds.
The original church sanctuary still stood behind the new church structure and next to the cemetery and a stone grotto to honor Mary built years before even the first sanctuary. It had been built with bricks and now was mostly used for devotions and the feast days of Mary. It's stained glass windows were tall and thin but very impressive in the pictorial stories told. Casimir liked the old church better. She walked up the stone steps and pulled open the heavy wooden door that was about eight feet tall. There was Casimir, kneeling at the altar with is head down and rosary beads swaying as he moved from one to another. She watched solemnly for a few minutes before Casimir felt a breeze and turned around. A smile covered his features as he saw her. He walked briskly back to her but not before genuflecting at the altar.
"Anne! What a wonderful surprise."
"Oh Dad. I had to come up and see you two. It had been over a month and Isaac said...'Go!'.
At the name of Isaac the smile disappeared but then came back a bit more modestly.
"Nate told you that I was here, I take it?"
"Yes, and that you were going to miss Jeopardy."
"God comes before Jeopardy Anne. I think that sometimes I forget God over such things. Maybe that is why things turned out as they did?"
Anne was hurt by the remark and Casimir instantly regretted having said it.
"I mean concerning our Christian faith Anne. I truly am happy for you and...and...and"
Anne had never heard her dad say Isaac's name. She softly added...'Isaac."
"And I guess that Nate is next to leave the faith?"
"From what I understand, Nate is merely searching as any young teenager might do. I'm thankful for that Dad."
"So am I but the lure of a rock star is a powerful thing."
"Ex...rock star."
"There is no end to celebrity, Anne. I saw your husbands picture on the cover of a magazine in the bookstore just this week."
"That's Christian World Magazine Dad. They did a story on him...and me I guess...and the bookstore."
"You mean that you were in it?"
"Yes, pictures and everything."
"What kind of magazine is it? A Reformation Catholic haters one or one of those Billy Graham type?"
"To be honest Dad, you would probably like it. They were not very fair to Isaac."
"Why is that?"
"The article made Isaac look like a heresy hunter. It said very little about his youth and faith before he started Pilgrim. He came out looking like a fanatic of some sort."
Casimir took Anne by the hand and led her over to the small baptismal font.
"Anne, this is where you were baptised."
"I know Dad."
"Your lovely mother and I stood right here and held your precious little head over the font. Your Aunt Anna Mae and your Uncle Regis stood for you as your godparents."
Casimir then turned her around to face the sanctuary.
"And that's where you received your First Holy Communion and your Confirmation...Anne Marie Margaret Wiskovitz. That's your Confirmation name...Margaret."
"Crockett...Dad." She added with a smile.
Casimir grumbled..."Sounds like someone who should be wearing a coonskin hat."
"Hey, that's a good idea. I think I'll by one."
"You better not."
She laughed and said.
"Only I'm going to wear the tail in the front."
With this she draped her arm over her head and wiggled her hand in front of her face. Casimir's giant smile was back.
"Let's go home."
Back at the house music was blaring as they walked in.
"Nate! turn that garbage down!"
No words came from upstairs but the sound dropped to a livable decibel.
"Dad, do you want to hear about the store?"
"No I don't Anne. I don't ever want to hear about it. I am sorry buy that's just too much to ask. I have a friend...Conrad Richey...who was down there and in the store. He said that it is all dull Protestant books and a lot that are against Catholicism."
He looked at Anne and asked.
"Are you going to deny that?"
"Yes I am. That's not a correct description of the few books that Isaac sells concerning the Catholic church. Dad, there are a lot of books our there that would be described that way but Isaac doesn't sell any of them. He sells books that look at the various theological doctrines and...yes...they only present one particular viewpoint but there are plenty of Catholic bookstores that do just the opposite. And it's not only Catholicism that is critiqued but a lot of Protestant teachings are discussed and critiqued too."
"That just says that he hates other Protestants also. He's the only right one! He's getting that reputation you know?"
"No, I don't know that. Where did you hear something like that?"
"On the Internet."
"What about the Internet?"
"I saw a very good Catholic web site and they had an article on him."
"Dad, please don't say...him."
"Well, do you want to hear about the article?"
"No."
Anne walked over to the table and picked up the bottle of wine...Casimir's favorite, and handed it to him.
"I brought this for you Dad."
Casimir was regretful once again and took the present.
"Thank you."
Anne slept in her old room that night. The memories were there if she wanted them...sleepovers and boy talk on the telephone. She used to wear phonograph headphones while she sang into a microphone along with Cher and Linda Ronstadt and Carly Simon. She didn' t want the memories that night and could only think of Casimir.
Both were polite at the breakfast table as they talked about Anne's friends and Nate's classwork and changes around the neighborhood. As Anne prepared to leave, Nate came down and said.
"Tell Isaac that I love the CD but it would be better if he was on it...and tell him that I'm reading my Bible."
Casimir looked over at him and Nate saw 'that look'.
"And tell him that I'm going to church like he said...and being attentive...and listening to the Father."
This took Casimir by surprise. Nate gave Anne a big hug and left for school. Anne was still hurting from the previous evening.
"Dad, Isaac has a lot of Catholic friends. In fact one of his best friends from Rutgers is Catholic, even a devout Catholic. They have nice talks and respect each other. And I have never heard him say a mean thing about Roman Catholics! He tells Nate to go to church and read his Bible and seek God. Those things that they...whoever they are.. are saying about Him are not true. If you ever had a real gentlemanly talk with him you would see that in spite of the differences you have there can be love and respect."
She sounded like a schoolgirl and she knew it. So she might as well act like one. She turned her head and picked up her bags to leave. Casimir couldn't bear to see her leave this way. He went over to her and hugged her.
"Good-by Anne. I love you. Thank-you for the visit."
Anne wiped a tear from her eye and reached for the doorknob.
"I love you too Dad."
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The Sharks championship game was now history with a 3 to 2 loss to the Providence Wings. There had been a number of articles in the newspaper on Isaac's beliefs on sports and Sundays. The radio talk show had also found an audience for the topic. A rather remarkable thing happened the night of the Sharks final game, there were quite a number of empty seats in the arena. Not only was this a loss of money in receipts but the crowd noise was diminished. One sports writer opined that maybe Isaac Crockett's 'crusade' had some affect on Christians who were fans of the Sharks, and there were many. This confounded Isaac for he had only answered questions as they were asked of him and certainly did not seek publicity.
It was the Saturday after the big game and Isaac was in the bookstore building a new display on Michael Horton and the cerebral ministry of The White Horse Inn. (note: www.whitehorseinn.org) Before that he finished putting up a display on Baptist literature and the Southern Baptist Convention. This denomination was formed in 1851 by Calvinist Baptist men but over the ensuing 140 some odd years their theology had turned from Calvinism to Arminianism as most of America's had done. Billy Graham came out of that change and so did Bill Clinton and Al Gore but there was somewhat of a resurgence of Calvinism going on within the Southern Baptists. So Isaac displayed pamphlets and journals from the Founders Ministries in Florida who were leading this charge. (note: www.founders.org) This was part of Isaac's strategy for reformation in the church. He wanted to be aggressive. He wanted his bookstore to at least give Christians the opportunity to reject what they had not known existed rather than giving them what they may have wanted but was not necessarily good for them.
A lady and two small children walked in. There was already two other men in the store. Dave Thomas was the owner of the Sharks. He had owned the team for eight years and spent a lot of money developing it and this was the first year that the Sharks started to pay dividends. He had met Isaac on one occasion and was delighted that this rock star was such a big fan. Dave Thomas was flamboyant and outgoing but he also had a bad temper and would often get into shouting arguments with sports writers who he didn't think were giving his team a fair shake. He walked into the Law And Gospel Book Shoppe.
Isaac looked over and immediately recognized him. He was happy to see him and the attendance in the final game did not register with him.
"Hello Mr. Thomas." Isaac said extending his hand which was ignored.
"Crockett, I want to thank you for steering people away from the game!
This took Isaac by surprise. He purposely delayed his answer to give Dave Thomas a few moments to settle down. It didn't work.
"Mr. Thomas, I didn't try to influence anyone."
"Bullshit! You were all over the media telling everyone how they weren't supposed to play sports on Sunday!"
Isaac looked over to the young lady and her two children and then back.
"I never brought the subject up. I only answered questions that were asked of me."
"You're lying Crockett. I heard you with my own ears...the Lords' Day this and the Lord's Day that!"
"My belief is that Sundays are to be for the Lord. I won't deny that. It never occurred to me that anyone would even care about what I said."
"You got a million bucks in the bank and can afford to close on Sunday...and you got that money in rock and roll. Now Mr. Holy Man, your sticking it to me."
The people in the store had gathered in one section and others passing by outside stopped to see what was going on.
"There is no...crusade...on my part.... Mr. Thomas."
Anne had just put a poster from the movie Chariots Of Fire up in the front window and used her artistic talent to fashion the window with poster paint... the Olympic symbols of five intertwined gold rings. Inside she painted the five solas of the Reformation. The Olympics were coming up and Isaac had asked her to work on it but wasn't aware that she had already done it.
"There's no crusade Mr. Thomas, that's all I can tell you."
With that the Sharks owner turned and pointed to the poster.
"Yeah, well what's all this Olympic crap about a some guy who wouldn't run on Sundays?"
Isaac knew that he had a point.
"I guess that you have a point there. Maybe I was a little bit naive in thinking my thoughts wouldn't affect anyone. The Sunday issue is important to me. In fact I think that our fascination with sports on that day is one of the biggest reasons that we are collapsing as a nation, that we have lost all discernment and common sense.. but I was still surprised by your low attendance."
"And now you're going to plaster all this crap over the Boardwalk and use your name to ruin my team."
He took a step towards Isaac as his voice grew louder. Dave Thomas had played minor league hockey and was an enforcer with a reputation as a tough customer.
"Let me tell you this Mr. Crockett....you shut your mouth or I'll fill it with my fist!"
Isaac remained calm but he could see that the issue had to be addressed right then. He had to make it known that he would not compromise his beliefs. He walked over to the window and picked up the torn poster and gently reattached it to the window.
Mr. Thomas...you know that I enjoy hockey and I look forward to going to see the Sharks next year. I will tell this, I won't bring up the subject and will demand accurate reporting of any answers that I may have to give."
Thomas was not appeased at all and was incensed by his putting the poster back in the window.
He overturned the display that Isaac was working on and grabbed Isaac by the shirt.
"Not good enough Crockett!"
"Please take your hands off my shirt Mr. Thomas."
"Sure!"
With that he let go of the shirt and gave Isaac an elbow into the rib cage sending him to the floor. As Isaac tried to regain his breath Dave Thomas walked out of the store.
"Do you want to press charges Mr. Crockett?"
The boardwalk police officer, dressed in shorts and patrolling the boardwalk on his bike, just happened by as people were gathering outside.
Isaac was obviously in pain.
"I don't know right now officer."
The local newspaper was accurate in its story with the headline,,,Sharks Owner Attacks Isaac Crockett but other papers across the country were not as professional. Isaac Crockett Attacked Again Over Fanaticism said one, and Crockett Continues To Enrage another. An editorial in the Jersey shore Gazette said that Issac had little wisdom along with his zeal and was making enemies left and right.
Many of Isaac's friends were outraged and Sam Crockett stood by his son one-hundred percent but it was Anne, in being a picture of strength, who gave the best medicine for Isaac to continue.
The gentle warm summer rain was beginning to fall and Isaac sat on some rocks on the southern end of the beach. He had in his hands a pocket Bible and was reading through some Psalms. His heart was filled with praise. He was only twenty-eight years old but had many memories of momentous events in his young life to reflect on. His thoughts drifted to a concert Pilgrim played in Buffalo, New York in an auditorium filled with screaming young people. There had been a horrific multiple murder in America the day before and it was hard for him to build himself up to what the crowd expected. Isaac had written a song for Pilgrim's second album called Morning. It was based on the Scriptural passage that told of God's mercies being new every morning. . no matter what happened in this life, no matter what hardship, the new dawn always brought renewed hope and blessings. A listener could not perceive the biblical chapter and verse but could not miss that God was being addressed. It was a soft ballad where he sang alone while playing the keyboard. In Buffalo that night, in the first row, there was a young man in a wheelchair. Two other adults had brought him. They looked out of place in the arena. The young man's body was contorted and his face was frozen in an awkward position. He looked up at Isaac singing and the most beautiful smile that any human could have, emerged. It was all that Isaac could do to continue singing. He literally prayed for composure while he sang. Pilgrim's set for the evening had ended and as usual the crowd whistled, stomped and clapped for more. And as always, Pilgrim came back out. When they left the stage the second time Isaac peered out from behind the curtains and the young man in the wheelchair was doing his best to clap with his left foot stomping on the wheelchair's foot rest. The crowd was departing from every direction but the two men escorting the young man in the wheelchair seemed to be waiting for the arena to clear out a little. Isaac came out, jumped off the stage, and came over. The young wheelchair bound man's eyes lit up. Isaac sat down in a chair next to him and introduced himself. The young man spoke with a slur. His name was Danny and he loved Rock and Roll, and Pilgrim was his favorite group. After talking about Pilgrim for about fifteen minutes Isaac asked him.
"Danny...what do you think about Jesus Christ?"
Danny didn't miss a beat.
"He is the Christ...the Son of the Living God...and He's my Lord and my Savior."
It was as if Isaac froze. This young man was a Christian. Here he felt compelled to come down and give this young man hope in his distresses but instead Isaac was strengthened.
"I may not look like much Mr. Crockett but I'm a child of our heavenly Father also. I like music but I especially like Pilgrim because I know that the one who writes their music knows Jesus Christ just as I do. It's been a kind of bond between you and me. That you came down here to try to share Christ with me does not surprise me but you need not worry."
Isaac reached over and grabbed Danny's hand.
"Danny, I'm the one who needs prayer. It doesn't offend you does it, that I see you with your disabilities and your faith and it strengthens me?"
"What disabilities are they Mr. Crockett?"
Isaac looked at him. Danny's head was leaning off to one direction for he didn't have the strength to hold it erect. His voice was somewhat slurred. He had no words to say other than.
"Please call me Isaac."
"Isaac, can you jump over a bar seven feet in the air?"
"No Danny I can't."
"Then you must be disabled. We are disabled to some degree, but it is the disabilities of the heart that are cause for great concern."
"You are so very right Danny."
"Isaac, how about if you pray for me to have the strength to carry on and I'll pray for you to find your way in life.?"
"How did you know that that's what I need Danny?"
"I know it from your music. Your lyrics need an interpreter. I think that I can understand them but most probably do not."
They talked for another half hour. Isaac got to know the two men who had brought Danny and immediately liked them. Isaac even sang a soft ballad to them that he wrote that gave a clear Christian message but never recorded it. When he finished, Danny gave a somewhat natural Humphrey Bogart impression in saying.
"Play it again Sam."
They both laughed and exchanged addresses. As Isaac finally walked away he turned to Danny and gave a not so good Humphrey Bogart impression in reply.
"Danny...I think this is going to be the beginning of a very good relationship!"
This was one month before Isaac met Anne at the Turnkey. Danny and Isaac regularly corresponded and Isaac sent him an invitation to his wedding. He received a reply from John Beattie who was one of the two men who took Danny to the concert. The note said that Danny went to be with his Lord the morning before. His heart had just stopped suddenly. Isaac had shared the story of this relationship with Anne but was never able to express how much it meant to him, but when Danny died Anne could see it in his tears. Isaac sat listening to the waves coming in as his cares drifted off into space and he thanked God for the privilege of knowing Danny.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
It was a beautiful Lord's Day morning in late June on the East Coast of the United States. The beach at Ocean City, New Jersey was filling up but so was Christ Presbyterian Church. Attendance was picking up each and every week. Some of it was because of Isaac's celebrity as people travelled from as far as Philadelphia and became members. Some locals were even coming because of the brouhaha on Isaac's comments. Sunday School was expanding and Isaac's class was overflowing. Anne was interviewed by the church session and granted a class to teach. Although Isaac had always tithed to the church, and it was a substantial amount of money, ninety percent of his contributions were given to foreign missions. Renovations had been done in the sanctuary to fit more people in as the deacons did everything they could short of building an addition.
The continuing controversy over Isaac's bookstore was hardly even brought up except in prayer requests. Gossip was non-existent, humility was everywhere and discernment seemed to be flourishing and Pastor Sam Crockett was the most thankful man on the Jersey Shore.
There were many theories as to how a pastor should preach and Pastor Crockett studied them all throughout his years in the ministry. The result...Christ was to be preached and His cross. He looked at the Book of Hebrews as if it were a sample sermon for New Testament times where Christ is preached and only then could application to the Christian life could be added. If the message of the sermon was not redemption then the sermon seemed to be but an exalted Bible study. Why were we meeting but to hear anew of the glories of Christ, to worship Him and to be strengthened once again by being in His presence with brothers and sisters. No, if the cross was not preached then the sheep were not fed. Sam Crockett would preach Christ, his Lord willing, until his dying day or until his Lord returned.
Outside the confines of the church things were not so calm. Christian publications still were unsure at best over Isaac's methods. There was opposition but there was also support and Isaac's smile never left his face, and Anne had matured in the faith. Isaac decided against filing charges against Dave Thomas. His official response to the media was that he and Dave Thomas disagreed vehemently on what had transpired with the Sharks final game but that he held no grudge and would continue to support the Sharks and Dave Thomas' efforts even with his his presence at games...Lord willing of course.
One friend, and a pastor at a Presbyterian church a few miles inland, asked Isaac how he handled the fact the R. C. Sproul, whose ministry the Law And Gospel Book Shoppe highlighted, held a differing opinion on the Lord's Day and was a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. Isaac smiled and told his friend that R. C. Sproul was one of God's most blessed gifts to His church in this land in this day and age...but he was not perfect. He erred on this one. If there was anyone who might have changed Isaac's opinion in this issue it would have been R. C. Sproul...but it never happened.
The vast majority of vacationers to the boardwalk were not even aware of the controversies and Isaac sold a lot of books and tapes and gave away an enormous amount of literature. He had quality conversations on a daily basis. He developed a web site and its viewing audience was growing. His two young employees, Travis and Casey, were college graduates and both considering seminary. Casey was part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and Travis was a Baptist who worshipped at a Community Church whose pastor was growing in the Reformation and preaching Christ.
Four men from northern New Jersey visited the bookstore and one of them struck up a conversation with Isaac. At first it was pleasant with Isaac accepting thanks for his efforts but as the conversation continued it became apparent that this man had a streak of anger in him and a lot of theological pride. His name was Ron Casper.
"Mr. Crockett, Catholicism is a religion out of the pit of hell. How supposed Christians could ever follow a....Pope....is beyond me. You don't have good books on this in the store. The sooner this false religion is exposed the sooner this blight upon America will end."
Isaac's smile dimmed but did not vanish. He thought very carefully as to his response. He would not enter into a volatile debate and make a mockery of the situation.
"Ron...I do not stand with you on those statements. I don't believe that they show wisdom."
Ron Casper was taken aback. He surely did not expect such a response after all he read in the media.
"Just what are you saying? Rome has trampled the Gospel and murdered its saints for centuries and you think my comments are too harsh?"
"Ron the Gospel is to be defended in every instance...whether with the Roman Catholic Magisterium or Protestants who distort the Gospel but there are over one billion Catholics in this world, Catholics whose doctrine of Christ is the same as ours. They have the Word of God in their houses to read. Let's teach that Word!"
"Plus the Apocrypha?"
"And we have numerous gnostic teachers....within the church..... almost more numerous to count."
"So all of a sudden we are to be....politically correct?"
"Ron, our nation is in peril....because of our own corporate input. Let's fix that."
"Perhaps Martin Luther and John Knox and others were off in their actions!"
"If Martin Luther were alive today he would be pounding nails into our liberal churches"
Isaac was concerned that he was about to have another display overturned. Ron Casper's three friends just looked on. Ron picked up a Reformation Study Bible from the counter and held it up.
"I don't know why you bother to sell these. You're a disgrace to the Reformation!"
"Ron, I have only one more thing to say and then I'll ask you to leave if you can't talk about this in a normal tone respecting those around you. There are over one billion Chinese in this world. Do you look at each one of them and see Mao? There are over one billion Muslims in this world. Do you look at each one of them and see the Ayatollah? Do you see Stalin in every Russian face or Castro in every Latino?"
Ron Casper put the Bible down but his face was red.
"Possibly your Catholic wife has put this yellow streak up your back?"
Isaac wasn't going to take the bait.
"Ron, you may think that you are being courageous in challenging Rome but the real courage is in taking on each issue one at a time. It's courage because in this situation it might appear that you lose and you couldn't handle that. You can't really lose if you just shout the other person down. Ron, have you forgotten where you have come from? Your doctrine is sound but your pride rules you. You're a Calvinist and therefore know very well that you did not choose Christ but He had mercy on a rebel, and now you have no mercy on others."
Ron Casper put the three books on the table that he was going to buy and said to his friends.
"Let's go! I'll shake the dust from my feet as I leave."
Three of the men walked out but one stayed to say to Isaac.
"Mr. Crockett. My name is Allan. Please forgive Ron. He thinks that he is God's only true soldier. He's like that with everyone and our church has suffered for it."
"Why do you fellowship with him Allan?"
"Because I'm Allan Casper. Ron is my brother."
Ron Casper was shouting for his brother from the boardwalk.
Isaac continued.
"Allan, having the correct doctrine, in itself, does nothing to tame the corruptions of the flesh. They have to be understood and nurtured by the Holy Spirit and allowed to do their work. Has Ron read the Puritans? If he would he would see their humility over everything else."
"Well, anyway...I'm still thankful for your store."
"Come back Allan. It's a pleasure to meet you."
With that the two men shook hands and Allan Casper left the bookstore.
Isaac looked over to Casey who witnessed the whole conversation.
"Casey, I'm going out to get some air. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"OK boss."
There was an older man in the store the whole time who had not turned around during Isaac and Ron Casper's go-around. Casey went over to him.
"Can I help you sir?"
Casimir Wiskovitz turned around and said.
"No thank you young man."
CHAPTER THIRTY
Summer was in bloom in Easton, Pennsylvania. The streets were crowded. Casimir's church was in the middle of its annual lawn fete. Games of chance, children's rides, great food and music were a rallying point for the parish and even for the community. Casimir had always been involved in the operation of the lawn fete and this year he was handling the bus boy duties under the dinner tent. Everyone knew and loved Casimir. They spoke freely around him concerning Isaac and his well-publicized stories. Lunch and the clean-up was over and the workers were taking a break talking about baseball and the weather when the subject of Isaac Crockett came up and one after another they started making remarks about the malicious spirit in the young man who took their Anne away. They said nothing that Casimir had not inferred before but Casimir experienced a change.
"I'll have enough of that talk!" He shouted.
His friends were speechless. What could they have possibly said that he would disagree with. Casimir's best friend Stush Novak spoke up.
"Casimir, you yourself have told us how his Catholic bashing gets him in trouble."
"Well, I was wrong....I misjudged him."
"What about all the newspaper stories?"
"The newspapers wanted an ogre and they made one."
Stush walked up to Casimir and put his arm around him.
"Cas, have you changed your mind for Anne's sake?"
"No, I changed my mind for God's forgiveness. He is wrong, yes. He has departed from God's true church but I have com to see that it was out of ignorance and not hate. My eyes were blinded for Anne's sake. I am still unhappy but he is no Catholic hater."
Casimir looked into into his friends eyes with tears in his own.
"I have to admit that he is a wonderful husband."
After a few moments talk of the weather and baseball returned. Casimir returned to setting up the tables for the evening meal. Nate was sweeping the floor and watched the whole thing.
Anne was sitting in the pew with her Bible open listening intently to her father-in-law teaching on the sufficiency of Christ in all things. Isaac snuck in and sat down beside her.
"Sorry I'm late. I couldn't get out of the store."
Anne couldn't wait to tell him and closed her Bible.
"Oh honey, Nate called me today and..."
She filled him in on the whole scene at the lawn fete. Isaac could hardly believe what he was hearing. He grasped her hand and said a soft prayer of thanksgiving for this blessing. He also had good news for Anne. A national Christian magazine, The Christian's Hope, did an interview with Isaac and it was the fairest article about him yet. It was eight pages long with in-depth questions on why he opened a bookstore. Isaac was able to articulate how theological knowledge was important to the health of the church. He touched on the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism and the historical development of both. He commented politely but distinctly on the patterns of worship that have come about that tend to appear happy and joyous but emphasize the individual and his desires rather than God's attributes. He was quoted perfectly on his thoughts about the need for reformation in the church before it could hope to reform society. He was even given a forum to explain how an aggressive strategy to improve the theological knowledge of the church would cause some disruption but that the alternative was to have peace but no light. Isaac could find no fault with the interview or the tone of it. They smiled to each other and returned to Pastor Crockett's teaching.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Isaac knew very well that every customer that came in to the bookstore had their own story, and he loved to hear them, but some were more...let's say interesting...than others. Such was the case with Shane Murphy. He was an agnostic college student who considered himself a future 'mover and shaker' in this world. Shane would stop in the bookstore a few times a week and start up a conversation with Isaac. He would challenge him on the existence of God or the divinity of Christ or the authority of the Bible. If Isaac had the time he gave it to Shane knowing very well that Shane never really listened. Shane was into the paranormal and Isaac laid it on the line to him many times. His number one preoccupation was an absurd search for a ghost ship, a story that the locals would laughingly tell unaware that some would actually believe them. Shane would drive the thirty or so miles down to Cape May on Saturday nights and ride the ferry over to Lewes, Delaware and back, for that is where the sightings of the ghost ship Kenmore supposedly happened over the years. Isaac asked him about it once but never again. It was about eighty degrees at 10 o'clock on a Saturday evening and Anne rushed into the store. She had met Shane once and Isaac spoke of him often. Anne had received a phone call from a nurse at Madison Hospital that was a few miles away from Cape May.
"Isaac, Shane Murphy is in Madison hospital. They say he jumped into the water from the ferry in that insane quest of his to find that ghost ship."
Isaac put his down for a few moments, lifted it and asked Anne.
"Honey, can you close up. I'm going down there?"
The nurse pointed to Shane's room and simply shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. The doctors had concluded that he had not attempted suicide and was no danger to himself as long as he stayed off of that ferry. Isaac walked into Shane's room. It was quiet with no TV on as in most of the other rooms. The ceiling light was on but the light at Shane's bed was off and he sat their motionless, just staring straight ahead.
"Isaac!"
"Hello Shane."
"I saw the Kenmore! Not only that I walked the decks and talked to Captain von Aire...or..I talked to someone anyway."
Isaac didn't comment. He pulled a chair alongside Shane's bed and said
"I'm listening."
Shane told the entire story without any interruption from his visitor. He had bought a round-trip ticket and boarded the 7 o'clock ferry. He usually pulled a blanket from the deck cabinets but this evening was particularly warm and he didn't need one. He almost fell asleep on the trip back but was gazing off into the inlet mist when suddenly the bow of a ship passed by the railing going in the opposite direction, this not more than a meter away. He stood up and tried to scream out to someone but could not. He had no idea what to do as he took a hesitant step towards the rail. The camera that he always lugged on board was in the deck chair. The ship's bridge passed slowly and the name Kenmore was written on the side. There was no lights on the ship and it was going to be gone in a few seconds. Shane had no idea what to do. He grabbed the rail as the stern of the Kenmore approached. He looked up to the bridge of the ferry, saw no one, looked back at the Kenmore about to pass...and leaped! He hit hard on the wooden deck and felt pain in his shoulder. It was quiet all of a sudden, and dark. The noise of the ferry was lessening as it slid away in the distance until it was absolutely quiet. The Kenmore moved quickly along without making any noise. It was as if it was a sailing vessel but it was a coal fed boiler ship. He stood up and took a few steps just to hear the sound of his boots on the deck calling out "Hello" but there was no answer. He saw a very dim light in the windows of the bridge that was ten feet over his head. There was a ladder up to the bridge and he reached out and touched it first, then grabbed it and climbed, rung by rung, up to the catwalk in front of the steering house. He could see nothing through the panes of glass darkened by, what he surmised to be, over 70 years of travelling through the mists of the ocean, but the dim light was still there. He walked to the port side and grabbed the handle of the door into the bridge. Turning it brought the sound of metal to metal and he gently pushed the door bringing a squeaking sound. He pushed the door without stepping inside. His heart was beating fast. There at the wheel, facing out over the bow, a man stood, with a captain's hat and long seaman's coat.
Shane told the entire story without any interruption from his visitor. He had bought a round-trip ticket and boarded the 7 o'clock ferry. He usually pulled a blanket from the deck cabinets but this evening was particularly warm and he didn't need one. He almost fell asleep on the trip back but was gazing off into the inlet mist when suddenly the bow of a ship passed by the railing going in the opposite direction, this not more than a meter away. He stood up and tried to scream out to someone but could not. He had no idea what to do as he took a hesitant step towards the rail. The camera that he always lugged on board was in the deck chair. The ship's bridge passed slowly and the name Kenmore was written on the side. There was no lights on the ship and it was going to be gone in a few seconds. Shane had no idea what to do. He grabbed the rail as the stern of the Kenmore approached. He looked up to the bridge of the ferry, saw no one, looked back at the Kenmore about to pass...and leaped! He hit hard on the wooden deck and felt pain in his shoulder. It was quiet all of a sudden, and dark. The noise of the ferry was lessening as it slid away in the distance until it was absolutely quiet. The Kenmore moved quickly along without making any noise. It was as if it was a sailing vessel but it was a coal fed boiler ship. He stood up and took a few steps just to hear the sound of his boots on the deck calling out "Hello" but there was no answer. He saw a very dim light in the windows of the bridge that was ten feet over his head. There was a ladder up to the bridge and he reached out and touched it first, then grabbed it and climbed, rung by rung, up to the catwalk in front of the steering house. He could see nothing through the panes of glass darkened by, what he surmised to be, over 70 years of travelling through the mists of the ocean, but the dim light was still there. He walked to the port side and grabbed the handle of the door into the bridge. Turning it brought the sound of metal to metal and he gently pushed the door bringing a squeaking sound. He pushed the door without stepping inside. His heart was beating fast. There at the wheel, facing out over the bow, a man stood, with a captain's hat and long seaman's coat.
Shane's description of the dialogue and events continued.
"Captain...Captain von Aire?"
"Captain von Aire?" He repeated louder.
"I've been waiting for you!" came the answer from the man without turning around.
"F..f..f..for me?"
"Yes, for you. I see the faces as she passes by and knew that someone would come to me."
"Captain. the world is waiting to meet you. You'll be the most famous person in the the world when they find out!"
"Find out what seaman Murphy?"
"That you are still alive.....how did you know my name, I'm not one of your seaman?"
"I've always known your name. I would call out to you...Come to me seaman Murphy. Come and join me!"
"Where is the rest of the crew? Did they die in the storm?"
"They're all around you seaman Murphy. Can't you hear them?"
"Captain...Captain von Aire?"
"Captain von Aire?" He repeated louder.
"I've been waiting for you!" came the answer from the man without turning around.
"F..f..f..for me?"
"Yes, for you. I see the faces as she passes by and knew that someone would come to me."
"Captain. the world is waiting to meet you. You'll be the most famous person in the the world when they find out!"
"Find out what seaman Murphy?"
"That you are still alive.....how did you know my name, I'm not one of your seaman?"
"I've always known your name. I would call out to you...Come to me seaman Murphy. Come and join me!"
"Where is the rest of the crew? Did they die in the storm?"
"They're all around you seaman Murphy. Can't you hear them?"
Shane said that he heard what seemed to be faint laughter and his skin crawled. The captain had not yet turned to face Shane. He would move the wheel to the port a little and then move it to the starboard, always seeming to gaze ahead into the waters.
"Captain? Did you hear what I said? You have to stop this ship alongside the ferry to show the world that you are alive!"
At that the captain put the lock on the wheel and slowly turned as he said.
"Alive? Seaman Murphy, I have been dead for millennia..for eons. And now you are dead with me and will be my seaman for ever!"
Shane said that he saw the captain's face as he turned. It was ashen with no discerning marks to distinguish a nose or mouth...only red eyes that seemed to bore a hole into Shane's eyes. The captain gave a loud and hideous laugh
"Pour me some rum seaman Murphy!" he bellowed. "You're going to be a fine seaman!" and again came the laugh.
Shane said that he was too frightened to speak. He backed out of the bridge onto the catwalk. There was no sight of the ferry lights for it was probably back at Cape May by now. The captain shouted out again.
Shane said that he was too frightened to speak. He backed out of the bridge onto the catwalk. There was no sight of the ferry lights for it was probably back at Cape May by now. The captain shouted out again.
"Seaman Murphy...come to me."
Shane said he backed away until he felt the ladder and stumbled as he descended. He ran to the rail and saw nothing except the waves that were growing higher and higher. It was cold now. It must be below freezing but it was warm when he was on the ferry. The captain's voice was now all around.
"Shane "Seaman Murphy! You wanted to know about us! Now you do. Come to me! You're mine now!"
Shane described running to a lifeboat on the aft deck and cranked on the wheel that held it in place. Slowly, inches at a time, it lowered. He could hear laughter all around by now and thought that he felt a hand on his leg. He cranked and cranked until the lifeboat was bouncing on the waves. Grabbing onto the ropes, he slid down and once again hit hard on the wooden planks on the bottom of the lifeboat. He reached up and loosened the ropes until his skiff was set free. The Kenmore slowly passed and the laughter grew softer and softer until the only thing that could be heard was the crashing of the waves around the small boat. He had no idea what to do except wait, but the waves of a tempest that was not forecast, was brewing and endangering the lifeboat. He held onto the seats that were attached to the boat until one wave came completely over him sending him into the raging waters. He found himself crying out to the God that he so often denied in his conversations with the man who he was now telling his story to. Many minutes had passed and Shane had trouble staying afloat in the cold waters. He was losing consciousness. As he lay as still as he could, holding his breath to stay afloat, he heard voices, yells and screams. A spotlight blinded his vision and he felt hands grabbing him before he passed out. He awoke in that room and told his story but no one was even interested. He thought of no one but Isaac, until there he stood by the end of his bed.
Shane looked at Isaac and said "What happened to me, Isaac?"
Isaac spoke his first words since his "I'm listening."
"You were in the water for ten minutes Shane. They spotted you jumping into the water and stopped the ferry immediately. They rescued you in no time. You were never out of their sight."
"Then what did I experience? Was it a dream? Am I possessed?"
"I don't know and I won't speculate Shane. I will say this...you've heard me say it before..."it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." You did not die, but will you live?"
Isaac got up to leave but Shane said.
Shane described running to a lifeboat on the aft deck and cranked on the wheel that held it in place. Slowly, inches at a time, it lowered. He could hear laughter all around by now and thought that he felt a hand on his leg. He cranked and cranked until the lifeboat was bouncing on the waves. Grabbing onto the ropes, he slid down and once again hit hard on the wooden planks on the bottom of the lifeboat. He reached up and loosened the ropes until his skiff was set free. The Kenmore slowly passed and the laughter grew softer and softer until the only thing that could be heard was the crashing of the waves around the small boat. He had no idea what to do except wait, but the waves of a tempest that was not forecast, was brewing and endangering the lifeboat. He held onto the seats that were attached to the boat until one wave came completely over him sending him into the raging waters. He found himself crying out to the God that he so often denied in his conversations with the man who he was now telling his story to. Many minutes had passed and Shane had trouble staying afloat in the cold waters. He was losing consciousness. As he lay as still as he could, holding his breath to stay afloat, he heard voices, yells and screams. A spotlight blinded his vision and he felt hands grabbing him before he passed out. He awoke in that room and told his story but no one was even interested. He thought of no one but Isaac, until there he stood by the end of his bed.
Shane looked at Isaac and said "What happened to me, Isaac?"
Isaac spoke his first words since his "I'm listening."
"You were in the water for ten minutes Shane. They spotted you jumping into the water and stopped the ferry immediately. They rescued you in no time. You were never out of their sight."
"Then what did I experience? Was it a dream? Am I possessed?"
"I don't know and I won't speculate Shane. I will say this...you've heard me say it before..."it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." You did not die, but will you live?"
Isaac got up to leave but Shane said.
"Isaac...Mr. Crockett! Don't I have to say a prayer or something? Don't I have to become a Christian right now?"
Isaac stopped at the door, turned and said a few last words before leaving,
Isaac stopped at the door, turned and said a few last words before leaving,
"Shane, the next few days are going to be difficult for you. They may keep you here while you talk to a psychiatrist. I'll come back. I listened and didn't say a world. I listened intently. When I come back, I want you to listen intently to the story that I am going to tell you."
He pointed to the book he left at the foot of Shane's bed that appeared to be a Bible.
"Some reading material for you. Good-bye for now."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The bookstore continued to draw the curious and there was a new experience every day. The maelstrom around the events of the Spring were quieting down. Casimir had come down to Ocean City again and this time he stayed in the extra bedroom of Anne's and Isaac's condominium while Nate slept on the couch. Casimir's old smile was back and he was very polite but still somewhat quiet with Isaac. Anne's and Isaac's prayers had been answered. The bookstore was doing well and there was a constant stream of friends who visited the boardwalk to see them. One Monday morning a motley crew of fun loving guys showed up at the store with a full compliment of beach paraphernalia, boogie boards, kites, goggles and fins. Pilgrim, along with Andy Graham, had taken their vacation at Ocean City to be with their old friend. Nate was ecstatic playing gofer to the band for the whole week. Isaac said good-bye to them on the Saturday before they were to leave. He knew that they did not plan on showing up at church in the morning but he did have the opportunity to give a mini sermon on the beach. Andy did come to the worship service and Isaac was very pleased. He sat up front with Anne and Isaac and listened intently to every word of the sermon.
"Well, you paid you debt Andy." Isaac said as they left the church.
"According to your Dad somewhat else paid it."
Isaac knew what he meant. They hugged and Andy got into his Mercedes and drove off.
Pastor Crockett's congregation was now filling all the pews and chairs but the session still balked at construction, their fear of redirection of energies was so great. God was moving and they were not going to interrupt that with plans and designs. They would cram them in until they reached the limit of the fire codes.
Rebecca had married the man she met in church and Isaac and Anne were there to celebrate with her. The Sharks were just starting to practice for a new season and Isaac was in attendance a few times. Dave Thomas was aware of this but ignored it.
Casimir and Nate were about to return to Easton. Both families were sitting around watching Jeopardy as a rainstorm was drenching the boardwalk. Casey was covering the bookstore. Everyone was shouting out their answers but Casimir outshone them all. The lightning started and it was close. Pastor Crockett offered up a short prayer and Casimir crossed himself when it was finished. One lightning strike seemed to be too close. They all heard the fire station siren and then the phone rang. Isaac answered it and turned towards the group.
"The store has been hit by lightning!"
He ran out without grabbing a raincoat and was at the bookstore in a little over a minute looking for Casey. Casey was shaken but OK and no one was hurt. The Law And Gospel Book Shoppe was in flames. Isaac prayed that the flames didn't spread to the other stores. The fire trucks arrived and the fire was out in about thirty minutes but there was nothing left of the bookstore. None of the other businesses were damaged and Isaac was thankful for that and those owners were struck by Isaac's concern for them over his own business. Isaac, Anne, Casimir, Nate, Sam and Colleen Crockett stood behind the cordoned off safety tape and held hands. Casimir walked over to Isaac and said.
"Let's go home son."
The next day the headlines from the newspapers gave only the grim details but some of the national media took advantage of the situation. God Strikes Isaac Crockett said one and Isaac Crockett May Have Made God Mad another. Isaac was insured but money wasn't the issue. In the daylight the scene was even more devastating but the safety tape was removed and the boardwalk was busy as usual.
That evening as Casimir and Nate were packed and ready to go, Isaac received a phone call and spent some time with the caller. Casimir was saying his good-byes to Sam Crockett and the two older men looked into each other's eyes with loving friendship. Truly God had blessed these families. Anne's tears from the previous evening were gone and she was once again talking about the glories of the Lord and trust in His loving providence and care. This had, more than anything, encouraged Isaac at this hour of defeat.
Isaac carried their bags to the car after he got off of the phone. Everyone looked at him for it was obvious that the call was of some importance.
"God is mysterious and His ways are above ours! I can hardly stand in His presence with my weak faith and lack of trust.
"What is it honey. Who was that call from?"
"The call was from a Mr. Gene Caruthers who owns Son's Light Christian Bookstores. He owns 86 of them across America. He said that he has been following our adventure through the media for the past year and that he has had a metamorphosis of his own towards Reformation Theology..
Isaac paused and looked out over the beautiful morning glass-off.
"He had been contemplating a change in his stores but was hesitant for he didn't really know what to do. He heard about the fire and that was the catalyst to do something...to call me. He wants to slowly change all of his stores after the pattern of the Law And Gospel Book Shoppe and he wants me to do it for him.
Colleen said.
"Praise our heavenly Father!"
Sam Crockett added.
"Son, we lost one store but God gave us a host more."
Casimir reached for Isaac's and Anne's hand and said.
"I can only be thankful that people everywhere are coming to this great God of ours."
Nate added.
"Can I go with you?"
Postscript: I once owned a Christian bookstore similar in concept to Isaac Crockett's. Although not financially successful, it was a success in meeting some wonderful people and sharing Reformation Theology. Some of the encounters in the book were based on experiences I actually had.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The bookstore continued to draw the curious and there was a new experience every day. The maelstrom around the events of the Spring were quieting down. Casimir had come down to Ocean City again and this time he stayed in the extra bedroom of Anne's and Isaac's condominium while Nate slept on the couch. Casimir's old smile was back and he was very polite but still somewhat quiet with Isaac. Anne's and Isaac's prayers had been answered. The bookstore was doing well and there was a constant stream of friends who visited the boardwalk to see them. One Monday morning a motley crew of fun loving guys showed up at the store with a full compliment of beach paraphernalia, boogie boards, kites, goggles and fins. Pilgrim, along with Andy Graham, had taken their vacation at Ocean City to be with their old friend. Nate was ecstatic playing gofer to the band for the whole week. Isaac said good-bye to them on the Saturday before they were to leave. He knew that they did not plan on showing up at church in the morning but he did have the opportunity to give a mini sermon on the beach. Andy did come to the worship service and Isaac was very pleased. He sat up front with Anne and Isaac and listened intently to every word of the sermon.
"Well, you paid you debt Andy." Isaac said as they left the church.
"According to your Dad somewhat else paid it."
Isaac knew what he meant. They hugged and Andy got into his Mercedes and drove off.
Pastor Crockett's congregation was now filling all the pews and chairs but the session still balked at construction, their fear of redirection of energies was so great. God was moving and they were not going to interrupt that with plans and designs. They would cram them in until they reached the limit of the fire codes.
Rebecca had married the man she met in church and Isaac and Anne were there to celebrate with her. The Sharks were just starting to practice for a new season and Isaac was in attendance a few times. Dave Thomas was aware of this but ignored it.
Casimir and Nate were about to return to Easton. Both families were sitting around watching Jeopardy as a rainstorm was drenching the boardwalk. Casey was covering the bookstore. Everyone was shouting out their answers but Casimir outshone them all. The lightning started and it was close. Pastor Crockett offered up a short prayer and Casimir crossed himself when it was finished. One lightning strike seemed to be too close. They all heard the fire station siren and then the phone rang. Isaac answered it and turned towards the group.
"The store has been hit by lightning!"
He ran out without grabbing a raincoat and was at the bookstore in a little over a minute looking for Casey. Casey was shaken but OK and no one was hurt. The Law And Gospel Book Shoppe was in flames. Isaac prayed that the flames didn't spread to the other stores. The fire trucks arrived and the fire was out in about thirty minutes but there was nothing left of the bookstore. None of the other businesses were damaged and Isaac was thankful for that and those owners were struck by Isaac's concern for them over his own business. Isaac, Anne, Casimir, Nate, Sam and Colleen Crockett stood behind the cordoned off safety tape and held hands. Casimir walked over to Isaac and said.
"Let's go home son."
The next day the headlines from the newspapers gave only the grim details but some of the national media took advantage of the situation. God Strikes Isaac Crockett said one and Isaac Crockett May Have Made God Mad another. Isaac was insured but money wasn't the issue. In the daylight the scene was even more devastating but the safety tape was removed and the boardwalk was busy as usual.
That evening as Casimir and Nate were packed and ready to go, Isaac received a phone call and spent some time with the caller. Casimir was saying his good-byes to Sam Crockett and the two older men looked into each other's eyes with loving friendship. Truly God had blessed these families. Anne's tears from the previous evening were gone and she was once again talking about the glories of the Lord and trust in His loving providence and care. This had, more than anything, encouraged Isaac at this hour of defeat.
Isaac carried their bags to the car after he got off of the phone. Everyone looked at him for it was obvious that the call was of some importance.
"God is mysterious and His ways are above ours! I can hardly stand in His presence with my weak faith and lack of trust.
"What is it honey. Who was that call from?"
"The call was from a Mr. Gene Caruthers who owns Son's Light Christian Bookstores. He owns 86 of them across America. He said that he has been following our adventure through the media for the past year and that he has had a metamorphosis of his own towards Reformation Theology..
Isaac paused and looked out over the beautiful morning glass-off.
"He had been contemplating a change in his stores but was hesitant for he didn't really know what to do. He heard about the fire and that was the catalyst to do something...to call me. He wants to slowly change all of his stores after the pattern of the Law And Gospel Book Shoppe and he wants me to do it for him.
Colleen said.
"Praise our heavenly Father!"
Sam Crockett added.
"Son, we lost one store but God gave us a host more."
Casimir reached for Isaac's and Anne's hand and said.
"I can only be thankful that people everywhere are coming to this great God of ours."
Nate added.
"Can I go with you?"
Postscript: I once owned a Christian bookstore similar in concept to Isaac Crockett's. Although not financially successful, it was a success in meeting some wonderful people and sharing Reformation Theology. Some of the encounters in the book were based on experiences I actually had.