Read Online Shaken by Jerry B. Jenkins - Free Book Online Page A

turned. “I don’t want to do this simply because I’m scared.”
    â€œUnderstood, but God’s trying to get your attention.”
    â€œHe’s doing a pretty good job of it.” Melinda looked out the window. “I had nightmares after they told me.”
    â€œNightmares?” Vicki said, stifling a smile.
    â€œWhat?”
    Vicki put a hand to her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just really tired. We were talking about the horses, and you said you had night mares. Bad joke.”
    Melinda smiled. “You’re crazy. That’s one thing I like about you. A lot of church people I met would never laugh.”
    Vicki snorted and put a hand over her mouth. “My mom used to call this the tired sillies. We’d laugh our heads off late at night at the dumbest things.”
    When Vicki settled, Melinda said, “Maybe that’s one thing that scares me. If I believe like you guys, I’m afraid I’ll never have any fun again.”
    â€œI used to think the same thing. Church people seemed so stiff and uptight, like if they cracked a smile their face would break. But the believers I’ve met since the disappearances are the real deal. They’re serious about their beliefs, but there’s something different.”
    â€œThey’re happy on the inside.”
    Vicki nodded. “Yeah. God can give you joy, even in the middle of the worst things anyone on earth has faced. He puts something indescribable in your heart. He gives you hope.”
    Melinda nodded and looked away. “I want that,” she whispered. “I don’t want to live scared anymore. In my dreams, those horses had big hooves, and they were tromping all over people. One stood by my bed and breathed on me.”
    â€œTo be honest, those horses and riders were even worse than your nightmares.” Vicki described the heads of the horses, the tails, and the fire and smoke that came from their mouths and noses.
    The more Vicki said, the more worried Melinda looked. “How can you see that and not be terrified?”
    â€œI was. And so were Conrad and Shelly. But after we figured out it was a judgment from God, we knew we wouldn’t get hurt.”
    Melinda brushed hair from her face. “You’ve done a lot for me. You helped me when Felicia died, when my feet got frostbitten, and even after those locusts bit me. I know you care.”
    â€œBelieve me, God cares so much more for you than I ever could.”
    â€œMaybe I’m one of those weeds God’s getting rid of,” Melinda said.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIn that letter from Dr. Ben-Judah, Mark said there were some people who would reject God and just go on doing what they wanted. Maybe I’m one of them.”
    Vicki put a hand on Melinda’s shoulder. “I’ve seen how you listen when I teach. I saw you listening to the letter. I think you want to know God.”
    â€œI could never be as good as you and the rest.”
    â€œYou don’t have to be good—”
    â€œIf somebody came and tried to arrest me and threatened to kill me like I did to you guys, I’d never let them stay here. I’d have sent me back to the GC as fast as I could.”
    â€œLet God work on your heart, Melinda. You’ll be surprised at what he can do. I was just like you. I thought religion was for people who had it all together. But God takes you like you are. He wants to come in and help change you from the inside out. He can take away the fear.”
    Melinda closed her eyes and clenched her teeth.
    Vicki knew there was a battle raging. She felt Melinda needed a challenge. “What do you believe about Jesus?”
    Melinda sighed. “I think … I think he was God, like you’ve said.”
    â€œDo you believe he died in your place, to take away your sin?”
    â€œNot if I’m one of those weeds.”
    â€œStop it,” Vicki said. “Don’t pass up