Here you go! Now, be warned, this one is by far the most powerful chapter I've written… ever. You'll find out what I mean when you read.

I'm not even going to bother with the disclaimer this time. You know I don't own HM!

Chapter 12: Second Victory

"For God so love the world, he gave his only begotten Son, so that whosoever—" Popuri's reading was interrupted as Cliff and Ann stepped out of the room that they had gone into.

"What took you so long?" Popuri demanded of the two. Ann was the one to answer, "I'm sorry, Popuri. I've been holding my grudges too long, and I'm afraid that I've ruined any chance of us ever being friends again." Popuri was speechless. Whatever she was expecting, it sure wasn't that!

"What were you reading?" Cliff asked after a few moments of silence. Popuri turned red. "I was just seeing what kind of lies you have plastered in this book." Cliff smiled warmly. "If you are willing, I'd like to tell you exactly why we believe that it's the goddess that is a lie, and the One True God that is the only truth." Popuri sighed, "If you wish." She said in a bored tone. In truth, though, she was interested.

"So, what passage were you reading?" Cliff asked. Popuri looked back down at the Bible in her hands. "It's… I think it's John 3:16." Cliff's eyes widened at first and he winked at Ann.

"Did you read the whole thing?" Popuri shook her head. Cliff was grinning by now. He started quoting the widely known scripture, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Popuri looked up at him, "Yeah, that's it."

"Do you understand that scripture?" Cliff asked. Popuri shook her head slowly. "No, not really." Cliff smiled once more. "Well, to explain everything, we have to go a little bit farther back."

"In the beginning, God created the universe, world, and everything else. He created all the animals and placed them on earth. Then, he created man from the very dust of the earth. The man's name was Adam. Shortly after creating Adam, he created woman by taking a rib from Adam and making that into Eve, the first woman.

"He gave them but one command. He told them that they could eat of every tree in the Garden of Eden except for one. That one was called the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It's purpose was just that; the knowledge of good and evil.

"You see, when Adam and Eve were created, they were created without knowledge of evil or sin. They were, in essence, perfect. But, Satan, the Deceiver, had different plans. He tricked Eve into eating of the Tree, therefore causing her to disobey God's command. Later, Eve convinced Adam into eating the fruit also.

"So, together, they committed the first sin. Now, God can't be around sin. It's His exact opposite. Therefore, since Adam and Eve sinned, He had to banish from the Garden and take away the immortality that He had created them with.

"But, He left them with a hope. Although they didn't know it at the time, He was planning to send his own Son to die for the sin of this world and free us, once and for all, from it's grasp.

"Fast-forward roughly four thousand years. The Roman Empire has never been greater. The Jews, God's chosen people, are in rebellion, therefore, as punishment, are under Roman rule. The Jews have never needed the prophesied Messiah as much as they needed Him then. Well, they got their wish. On Christmas Day, Jesus Christ was born to a virgin mother fulfilling a prophecy concerning Him."

Popuri held up a hand, "Wait a minute. Virgin?" Cliff nodded, "Yes, God, Himself, caused her to become pregnant." Popuri was about to reply, but Cliff cut her off, "Not like that. It was a miracle, not some perverted act." Popuri nodded slowly, prompting Cliff to continue.

"Anyway, Jesus' earthly father was a lowly carpenter from the city of Nazareth, a pretty ugly city at that time. This was not at all what the priests of that time thought that their Messiah would be like. They thought he'd be a king, ready to lead them out of the Roman's grasp. Instead, Jesus wasn't sent to free the Jews physically, but, through His death, He was there to give them a chance to live forever in Heaven with God. But… I'm skipping ahead here, so let's continue.

"As Jesus grew up and matured, he never sinned. Not even once. He was spotless and perfect. Different from everyone else around him.

"At the age of, roughly, thirty or so, He began His ministry. He began to do many miraculous healings and such. He became famous immediately. That was good and all, but the priests and Pharisees didn't like the fact that He was claming to be the prophesied Messiah. Their Messiah was supposed to be a king. Not the son of a virtually unknown carpenter!

"Anyway, Jesus continued the healings and other miracles, accumulating many followers in the process. This continued for three years, when another prophecy was fulfilled. One of his closest followers, Judas, betrayed Him into the hands of the Pharisees so that they could kill Him.

"They ended up hanging Jesus, the man who had never committed a wrong, on a cross. It was the worst death they had back then. The most humiliating of all punishments. It was something that the Romans did to murderers, thieves, and such.

"Jesus died on the cross, and He was placed in a tomb. A large rock sealed the entrance to the tomb, and because of the prophecy that Jesus had said—the one where He said that he would die and be resurrected again in three days—they placed soldiers there to guard the tomb so that no one would be able to steal Jesus' body and claim He had been risen.

"Three days later, the rock was rolled away by a mysterious force, possibly angels or God himself, and Jesus walked out, alive.

"Forty days later, He rose to Heaven so that He could be with the Father for all eternity.

"He was the spotless sacrifice that paid for our sins. Through his blood that was shed, we are now able to call upon Him and be saved from the price of sin, which is eternal damnation in Hell."

Popuri didn't answer for a little while. Finally, she retorted, "So, you saying that some big guy in heaven died just so that I could live. I don't buy it." Cliff sighed, "Neither did I buy it, Popuri, until God himself told me." Popuri raised an eyebrow. Cliff grinned, "Well, it happened about a year ago…"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Karen groaned and rose from the couch that she had been relaxing on. She opened the door and was surprised to find a bunch of roses floating in midair. Then she noticed the hand that held the roses. Then she traced the hand back to an arm and the arm back to Jack.

"Jack! What are you—"

"Wanna go for a walk?" Jack interrupted. Karen stuttered and ended up turning beet red. Finally, she managed out an unsure, "Why not?"

Karen and Jack headed towards the beach.

"Wait." Karen said before they entered the sandy place. Jack looked back at her. "Hmm?" Karen grinned and took off her shoes and socks. "Come on, the sand feels good barefoot." Jack smiled and complied.

The sand did feel good to Jack's feet, which had been worked hard earlier in the day.

"You know I had my first harvest today." Jack said just meaning to start some small talk. Karen took it a little bit differently though.

"What?! You couldn't have had your first harvest today! You've only been here a few weeks!" Jack grinned, "Would you like to see my nearly empty field?" Karen stopped, "You're… not joking, are you?" Jack shook his head. "In a few hours, I'll have loads of cash. Well… they were only turnips, but, hey, some cash is better than none at all!"

Karen was stunned. To be able to raise crops that fast was astonishing! She remembered how the older Jack had raised crops quickly like that also. "For a city boy, you sure know how to farm!" She stated with a surprised tone in her voice.

Jack grinned, "My grandfather came from the city too, don't forget that. Of course, the city was no where near the same back then as it is now, but still, it's got to count for something." Karen thought about it for a moment, "Maybe you're more like Jack than I thought…"

"I still don't get it. So you had a 'vision', so what? Pastor Brown has visions all the time. What does it change?" Cliff sighed, "It's not just the vision. It's what happened during the vision! My heart was changed completely during it. And it was also what happened after the vision too! It's not often you have a vision about Paul, end up at a church called The Road to Damascus, and the pastor just so happened to preach on Paul that day!"

          Popuri shrugged, "Could just be a coincidence." Cliff shook his head, "Come on, Popuri. Search your heart. You know that's not true." Popuri was silent. Finally, "I don't know… I mean, you're right, there's no way it was a coincidence, but… if it wasn't that, what was it?"

Cliff smiled. "Popuri, it was God. Even though I blasphemed Him, cursed Him, made fun of Him and His followers, He still wanted me. He wanted me to love Him. To talk with Him. To spend eternity in His courts." Ann jumped in, "And He wants you too! He is willing to forgive you!" Popuri looked at Ann in surprise. "Everything." Ann emphasized.

"I…" Cliff and Ann waited. "I… I don't know… I mean, for all I know, you could just be lying just so I could go over to your side or whatever." Cliff sighed, "Popuri, look into my eyes and tell me that I'm lying."

Popuri looked up at him and into his brown eyes. She didn't see a liar or conman. All she saw was a person who truly cared about her. Popuri averted her eyes. She couldn't look into them for long. Unfortunately, her eyes ended up looking into Ann's eyes. Popuri didn't see contempt or hatred in Ann's eyes. She didn't see resentment or boredom. She saw… pity. Love even. Whatever it could be called, it wasn't bad.

"Popuri, you know that we're not lying. God wants you Popuri. He doesn't care what you've done. He's willing to forgive you of anything." Ann said quietly. Popuri shook her head, "How can you say that? You know what I've done! How can anybody accept me?"

Ann smiled, "I've accepted you." Popuri looked up at her, surprised, but she didn't say anything. "God accepted murderers, adulterers, liars, thieves, prostitutes. The list goes on. You're no challenge for God. He already has His plans for you already lined up. All you have to do is accept Him and His love will be poured out upon you like nothing you've ever felt before." Popuri still didn't reply. "God died that you could live. So that you could live, Popuri. He knew who you were and who you would become long before you were even born. Jesus endured that torture just so that we could live forever with Him in Heaven. Jesus died because He believed that you were worth it!"

"So, when are you going back to work?" Jack asked.

Jack and Karen were sitting on the dock, looking out to the rolling waves of the ocean. It was very peaceful and maybe even romantic…

…until Karen cursed loudly, "I have to get ready!" She rose and began quickly walking back towards the path that led out of the beach.

Jack ran up to Karen, "You're going back tonight?!" Karen nodded. "Yeah, I'm supposed to meet Duke there early to help set up!" Jack shook his head, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Karen looked back at him and smiled. "Yeah. I am." Jack smiled back, "Want me there?" Karen stopped walking.

She turned to face Jack. "Jack, thank you, but you've had a long day. You should get some rest. Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl now. Plus, I got Gray to teach me some martial arts just in case Kai tries anything again." Jack sighed, "I know, but I'd feel a lot better if I was there."

Karen smiled warmly. "Once again, thank you, but I can take care of myself." Jack nodded, "If you say so."

A few minutes later, they were standing at Karen's door. "Do you want to meet sometime tomorrow?" Jack asked. Karen grinned, "Yeah, why not. I don't have work tomorrow, so how about you come by around… six and we can get some food at the market. Maybe it'll be better than last time!" Jack nodded and began walking off.

"Oh, and Jack!" Karen called. Jack turned around, "Yeah?" Karen smiled once more, "I had a great time today. Just thought you should know." Jack grinned, "So did I! See you tomorrow!"

Popuri couldn't speak. It was all just too unreal. For anybody to be willing to die for her seemed impossible. For somebody as pure and perfect as Jesus, it seemed like a myth. "I… I can't. I mean, that would mean forsaking the Goddess and…" Ann shook her head, "Popuri, the 'goddess' is a lie." Popuri's eyes widened and she stared at Ann. "Pastor Brown isn't a 'good man' nor is he prophet. The goddess is a lie if not worse." Popuri frowned, "What's worse?" Cliff sighed, "Are you sure you want to hear this?" Popuri looked at him in confusion. Finally, she nodded.

It didn't take long for Cliff to finish his next two testimonies of the goddess's deeds. "You see, I believe that the goddess isn't a 'goddess' at all! I wholly believe that it's actually a situation with a minion of Satan himself."

Popuri didn't reply for a very long time. "So… all this time… I've been worshipping a lie?" Popuri didn't sound angry or disbelieving. She just sounded… empty. Like the very thing that drove her had just been taken away… which is pretty close to what actually happened…

Cliff nodded sadly, "Yes, it's all been a lie. But, no matter who you've worshipped before, Jesus will still accept you." Popuri frowned. "Why didn't I see it earlier? I mean, the signs were there! How did I not see it?" Ann jumped in, "Popuri, don't feel bad! I fell for it too! We all did!" Popuri looked at her, "Not the way I did! Did Jack tell either of you what happened last night?" They shook their heads.

"I was being myself again. You know, trying to… seduce Jack. Anyway, Jack got on me about it! He said words so harsh, that I finally realized what I had been doing! This morning, I went to talk to Pastor Brown about it. He told me that I had done nothing wrong! He told me that I was just 'expressing my love for Jack'!"

Ann and Cliff were astonished. Then Ann realized something. Pastor Brown had made a terrible mistake by saying that. And now, it could and would be used against him… as long as Popuri went along with it.

"Popuri, do you see the truth now?" Cliff asked. Popuri looked at him, "About the goddess? Of course!" Cliff shook his head, "No. About Jesus." Popuri's whole attitude was shot down at that point. In her anger, she had forgotten about that. "I… don't know. I mean, I believe you and all, but it's just so hard… it doesn't seem fair that I should just get forgiven just like that. I just need some time to think." Ann sighed, "I don't want to rush your decision, but please don't take too long in deciding. Life is too uncertain to put off a decision of this magnitude."

Popuri smiled slightly, "I know… just give me some time. I'll make it as soon as I take care of some unfinished business."

Popuri got up and began walking out of the church. Before exiting, she turned back to Cliff and Ann and smiled. "Thank you… you've shown me the truth and… well… thanks." Ann got up. "Popuri, you don't need to thank us. Thank God. If it wasn't for Him, none of us would even be here." Popuri didn't reply, but instead, walked out of the church.

Ann turned to Cliff, "What do you think?" Cliff smiled, "She'll come around. You can bet on it. But, until then, we pray."

Popuri walked home slowly, pondering the things that had happened to her that day. It was amazing how the words spoken by Cliff and Ann had changed her life and she hadn't even done anything about it yet!

When Popuri arrived at her house, before entering she looked over at the church, which she had sat in every Sunday and had learned so much in. Before, she would look at the church with awe. Now, she despised it. She hated it for what it stood for. Lies.

When Popuri entered her house, she was surprised to find her father inside. "Daddy!" She cried and ran to hug him. Her father gladly returned the embrace, "Hello, sweetie. Have you missed me?" Her father, Basil, asked. Popuri just nodded and held onto him.

After a few minutes of excited talking, Basil reached into his rucksack and pulled something small out. "I got you something, Popuri." Popuri hardly stopped herself from squealing.

Basil opened his hand and lying on his palm was a beautiful silver necklace. A beautiful silver necklace with a cross for its main piece. "It's sterling silver. I paid top dollar for it." Popuri looked up at her father, tears were brimming at her eyes. "Thank you!"

Basil just smiled. "Anything for you, hon." Popuri smiled and tried the necklace on. Finally, after admiring it for a little while, she asked, "Do you know what this cross means?" Basil looked at her, "No, I don't. Is it some thing bad?" Popuri smiled, "No… it's actually… really good." Basil looked at her quizzically. "I'll… tell you later. First of all, you have to tell me about your travels!"

The family, Basil, Lillia, and Popuri, talked for hours about what had happened over the last few seasons. Finally, Lillia decided to take a nap, leaving Basil and Popuri alone.

"So, what have you been doing all year long?" He asked. Popuri sighed, "Not much. Just… hanging around." Basil laughed, "That's the same answer I get every year! Anyway, have you met the new farmer?" Popuri winced but she didn't let her father see it. "Uh… yeah, I have. He's… nice."

Basil raised an eyebrow, "What? You don't like him?" Popuri shook her head, "No! It's just… a touchy subject… I'd rather not talk about it." Basil nodded, "That's okay. I respect that." Popuri smiled.

There was an awkward silence for a few minutes. Finally, Popuri asked the question that had been plaguing her mind for the last few hours.

"Dad?" Basil looked at her, "Hmm?" Popuri took in a deep breath. "Do you love me?" Basil's eyes widened, "Popuri! Of course I do! Where'd you get the idea I didn't?!" Popuri sighed, "What about when I… did… that thing to Gray? Did you love me then? I mean, I know I hurt your friendship with Doug really badly."

Basil smiled warmly, "Popuri. I will always love you. No matter what. I know you have certain problems with things and such, but you are still my daughter. Don't ever forget that."

Popuri smiled. Her father had no idea what he was actually saying. It was like God was speaking through him. Maybe He was! Whatever it was, Popuri had finally made up her mind…

"Well, I think I'm going to take a nap. It's been a long day." Basil said finally. He got up and walked to his bedroom door. Before entering, he turned and looked at Popuri once more. "Popuri. I'm here if you ever need me. If you ever want to talk… I'll be here." Popuri grinned and hugged him one last time.

Seconds after her father had left the room; Popuri burst from her front door and ran in the direction of the mountain.

Ann and Cliff walked down the mountainside slowly talking about random things. One thing that popped up often was the upcoming Horse Race. "Our horse is gonna win this year! I can feel it!" Ann said excitably. Cliff just smiled, but his smile turned into a frown when he saw a bundle of pink hair charging up the mountain straight at them. "Is that… Popuri?"

Popuri slammed into Ann and the two fell to the ground in a heap. "Popuri! What are you doing?!" Ann cried as the two fell. After a few seconds, Popuri composed herself and got up. That's when Ann and Cliff saw the tears running down Popuri's face.

"Popuri… what's wrong?" Cliff asked. Popuri grinned. "Nothing! Nothing's wrong!" That's when it dawned on Ann. "You… you did it, didn't you?" Popuri looked at her nodded her head wildly.

Ann's mouth dropped and she embraced Popuri. All the while, Cliff was busy praising God for yet another victory over the enemy and another soul saved.

"So you admitted that you're a sinner?" Cliff asked, going off his mental checklist of steps to becoming a Christian. "Yep!" Cliff smiled, "And you obviously believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was risen, ect." Popuri nodded furiously. "And you asked Him to forgive you?" Popuri grinned. Cliff returned the grin. "Well then, Popuri. Congratulations, you've just stepped from darkness into life. You are a new creation. Your soul is sealed for eternity in Heaven."

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Now folks, stop looking at this chapter as a fictional happening. Look past the Harvest Moon setting. The message you've heard in this chapter and the last is true. God is willing to accept anyone. No matter what you've done. No matter who you are or where you come from. Whether you're black or white or red or polka dotted, God doesn't care.

God loves you. He wants you to spend eternity with Him. He loves you enough to send Jesus to die for you. Jesus died for you. He was hung on a horrible, rugged cross so that you wouldn't have to endure the pits of Hell. He was stripped naked and beaten with a whip until the skin on his back was, literally, gone. Why? So that you wouldn't have to live in vain.

If you noticed, I went so far as to even point out the steps to becoming a Christian in this chapter.

As Ann said, "Life is too uncertain to put off a decision of this magnitude." We are talking about lives, people! Don't put it off any longer. God is not a lie. He's there. He's real. And He loves you. If you missed the steps earlier here they are.

1. Confess you are a sinner. We all are. No reason to be embarrassed about it. Not enough to not be willing do this step, anyway.

2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of the ONE TRUE GOD and that He died for you and that He was risen from the dead three days later.

3. Finally, Ask Him to forgive you for your sins.

4. And for the things I didn't mention. Get yourself a Bible. A verse a day keeps the demons away. Haha. Anyway, a Bible is a good thing for a new Christian. Read the New Testament. It's got all kinds of stuff in there for new Christians and it has Jesus!

5. In my opinion, this is not really required, but try to get yourself baptized. If anything, it's a good way to tell the world that you are a Christian!

6. Find a church. Find a good one at that. Don't find a dead one. Find one that is full of the Holy Spirit and that is not afraid to stand up for God and His works.

Anyway, I know the odds of someone coming to Christ through this are low. But, hey, anything is possible. And if you did find what you needed in this and you did accept Christ, give me an e-mail! I want to know!

Toodles!

God Bless!

--Ben