Surprising myself I sprang quickly to Christianity's defence by countering, 'Look, Hon, let's face it, in most of recorded history, religion has given men and women universal direction, promises of forgiveness of sins and an afterlife. Those are huge inducements to believe, let's face it' Whose side was I on, I wondered. So did Mark. 'Hey, hang on, sweetheart' Mark frowned at me in surprise, 'but isn't that direction, as you put it, innate now in humans anyway? It's right there in the frontal lobes of our brains from birth, surely? And tell me, what's the value of promises based on pure conjecture? What's the point in having life's anchor of hope set in sand' Mark demanded, still frowning, leaning back and lifting his chair's two front legs off the floor as he clasped his hands behind his head. 'And we've just decided we've been taking the Bible too literally, haven't we' Indeed we had. My shoulders slumped. This parable reconciles Christianity's Bible with the notion that evolution is God's plan, despite which the world as it presently exists could end in our lifetimes.

Twenty When?

Somewhere Between Heaven And HellBy Scott Millar

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2012 Scott Millar
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-4458-8

Chapter One

Mary And Matthew

Excerpt from the Diary of Mary Collins, Chicago, Illinois, dated 9th February, 1988.

I spoke to God for the first time today, and I'm still shivering with excitement. When I told Mom and Pop they seemed sceptical.

I was surprised and awed, because I never really believed it was possible.

As I knelt by my bed after saying the Lord's Prayer, I had this strange feeling somebody had come silently into my bedroom. I looked around, but there was nobody there. I peered into my mirror from where I knelt, seeing only big blue eyes wide with excitement, a small freckled nose, and my pale white face framed by its straw-coloured fringe.

I closed my eyes again to start prayers for my twin brother Brad, then heard what seemed like wind blowing through trees, grass rustling, and a voice inside my head, I mean, not coming in through my ears like other sounds do, saying to me, "Mary, your twin brother Brad is here with me in Heaven. Speak to him now."

I was thinking Thank you, God, Thank you, then held my breath as I heard Brad's voice, calm and happy. He said Mom, Pop, and I shouldn't blame him for the accident, even though he'd driven the car after drinking vodka at our sixteenth birthday party.

Brad told me he can see us from Heaven, where everything is beautiful and peaceful, everyone is happy, and if he just thinks of songs or music he likes, he hears them immediately.

When I asked Brad what God looked like, he replied he couldn't see God, but knew He was always there right beside him.

'And you too, Mary,' God told me.

Now that I know we can keep in touch, I'll be a much better person, 'cos I won't do anything God and Brad don't approve of.

Excerpt from the Diary of Matthew Draper, Cape Town, South Africa, dated 9th February, 1988.

I spoke to God last night!!! Can hardly believe it! Got the idea to try from the book Dad and Mum gave me a week ago for my sixteenth birthday called 'The Little World of Don Camillo'.

Don Camillo is a Catholic priest in a small Italian town which has a Communist Mayor who regularly hassles him. During frequent conversations with God, Don often asks His help in outwitting the Mayor, but doesn't always get the advice he hopes for. I suppose I won't either.

Talking to God was much easier than I thought it would be.

After saying The Lord's Prayer kneeling by my bed like I always do, I just asked God if I could talk to Him, and He answered in a voice which sounded as though it was blown by a gentle breeze across shimmering water towards me, telling me I could speak to Him whenever I felt the need to, because He's always near me.

So I asked God to please help Dad and Mum get over their problems, like shouting at each other, then not talking for days on end, and sleeping in separate rooms.

God said He would help them through me if I can't convince them they can also speak to Him. When Dad gets back from his business trip to Jo'burg on Saturday I'm going to speak to them.

God, thanks to your inspiration I scored an 86-ball century against Rondebosch Boys High today. The coach said I never played a careless shot, but I know YOU inspired me to achieve it.

Thank you, God. I love you. Goodnight. M.

Excerpt from the Diary of Mary Collins, Chicago, Illinois, dated 9th February, 1989.

Today is the first anniversary of speaking to God and Brad in Heaven. As usual, after saying hello to God and asking His forgiveness for anything I'd done which He might not approve of, and reminding Him I love Him, He said 'Here is Brad to speak to you.'

My twin brother told me there are no birthdays or anniversaries there.

I asked him if people get older in Heaven, 'cos if they don't and I die when I'm eighty, Brad will still be only sixteen when we meet again.

He replied that in Heaven, age means nothing, like time.

I'm so glad.

I told him that I've been trying all year to convince Mom and Pop that I speak to God and Brad, but they still tell me they often try but don't get through.

Excerpt from the Diary of Matthew Draper, Kenilworth, Cape Town, dated 8th January 1989.

Tonight is my first anniversary of talking to God.

Together we've been able to get Dad and Mum back on the right track, even though neither of them is able to actually talk to God like I can. They started by becoming good friends again, since when it's just got better and better.

God helped me twice in class today. First, by suggesting I try the word serpent in the translation of an English essay about a snake into French. It was right and I scored 83%. Then He helped me to finally understand what Pythagoras Theorem actually means, and its simple practical application of describing a perfect right-angle on any flat surface, so for the first time I'm starting to feel confident about passing Matric next year.

Thank You, God. I love you. Goodnight. M.

Excerpt from the Diary of Mary Collins, Chicago, Illinois, Dated 9th January, 1990.

Today is the second anniversary of me talking to Brad and God.

Brad told me he approves of my boyfriend Mark Lincoln, tho' we met for the first time at my birthday party last week. Brad said I mustn't feel bad about Mark dropping Kim for me, as we are obviously meant for each other, so now I feel REALLY HAPPY AND SO PROUD!!!..........that I will dream of Mark again tonight.

Excerpt from the Diary of Matthew Draper, Kenilworth, Cape Town, 8th February, 1990.

Tonight is my second anniversary of talking to God.

Dad and Mum continue to go from strength to strength, and next Sunday they're going to church to rededicate their marriage vows.

I got my Matric results today, with distinctions in English, French, and Mathematics.

Dad and Mum are taking me and six of my friends to celebrate at the Brass Bell for dinner on Friday evening. Wow!

God, without your help I wouldn't have achieved one distinction, never mind three.

You remember how upset I was when my Housemaster wrote to Dad and Mum last year to warn them I was unlikely to achieve a pass. You told me to work and concentrate harder, and I would prove him wrong. You were right, and I will be going to the University of Cape Town in three weeks. Alleluia!!

I love you, God. Goodnight. M.

Last undated entry from the Diary of Mary Collins, Chicago, Illinois.

I'm shattered that I've had no communications with God or Brad for longer than a month now.

What have I done wrong? Nothing I can think of. My pleading prayers go unanswered, but I'll keep trying. It seems like the end of my world. I wonder if Armageddon is coming soon? I really, really hope not.

Last undated entry from the Diary of Matthew Draper, Kenilworth, Cape Town.

For some reason I cannot understand, God has just stopped talking to me. There's only silence after I say The Lord's Prayer and try and talk to Him.

I'm going to continue trying, but I've got this feeling it won't work anymore.

Maybe God thinks I don't need Him because I'm at university now.

After all, there are millions of people all over the world who probably need his help much more than I do, so I mustn't be selfish.

If you read this, God, please understand that I understand, and will always love You, God. Goodnight. M.

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