Miner in the Darkness

By Mark D. Russ

"Miner in the Darkness" is a riddle-filled story of a young family's struggles through life. Mike, a coal miner, finds out what matters most in life as he learns from Raymond, an wise elderly gentleman, the meaning of life and what it holds. Mike and his wife struggle to make sense of things as they learn their town is pagan and slowly deteriorating. The town of Sable becomes a spiritual warfare zone as pagans slowly try to push out good people. Alice Cowley, the town trouble maker, leads a campaign against Raymond and the good people of Sable. Alice's daughter, Polly, becomes friends with Raymond, which causes strife between mom and daughter. A corrupt government helps to push good people into Rafael, a neighboring town. The roller-coaster ride of life will leave you guessing what happens next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490755908

Mark D. Russ

I have an associate's degree in religion and church ministry from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in Hendersonville, New Carolina. I am a former youth and children's pastor and licensed Baptist minister. I have been a Christian for around forty-two years. In my quest to understand God, I have noticed many unique things. God is grander, I can begin to imagine. God is very mysterious and distant yet loving and personal. I constantly struggle to understand God, causing me to be frustrated by Him. I have learned to allow God to be God without my input. Life is a work in progress, a pilgrimage though hardship and trouble without Him. However, it is a journey worth taking with Him.

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Copyright 2015 Mark D. Russ.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5591-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5590-8 (e)

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Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1 Mike’s Encounter

Chapter 2 The World According to Alice

Chapter 3 Raymond Comes to Visit

Chapter 4 In Deep Thought

Chapter 5 In The Dark

Chapter 6 The Day That Changed Everything

Chapter 7 Freda’s Endeavor

Chapter 8 Alice in Nowhere Land

Chapter 9 Time for a Change

Chapter 10 Raymond’s Discourse

Chapter 11 Whining vs Shining

Chapter 12 Out With the Old

Chapter 13 The Rest of the Story

Chapter 14 The Storm

Chapter 15 In With the New

Chapter 16 The Power of Words

Chapter 17 A Time for Change

Chapter 18 Joe’s Explanations

Editor’s Endnotes

FOREWORD

"M iner in the Darkness" will make you think about what matters in not only your life but in the lives of the people you love as well as the people you never knew you cared about. It brought back memories of my childhood with my family and friends who touched my life and shaped who I am today. More importantly, it emphasizes the importance of having a close relationship with God. Bravo!

Alexander Folk

Actor/Writer

To my mom, Joanne Russ - Her poems touched many lives.

1935 – 2006

Mighty Close to Heaven (edited)

We sing the old songs of the church, and songs about the blood;

And how the Lord died on the cross, between two thieves He stood.

How He rose on the third day, there in that borrowed tomb;

It brought smiles back to many faces, whose hearts were filled with gloom.

Each day brings me closer, and Heaven’s joy I’ll share;

With all my friends and family, who are waiting over there.

There’ll be a white haired mom and dad, sisters and brothers too;

They’ll be kin who loved the Lord there, waiting for you.

Your passport should be in order, no luggage you will need;

Made should be preparations, His voice you’ll have to heed.

You may not get another chance, having waited too long;

If He speaks to your heart again, let Him in, you will belong.

Heaven is a wonderful place of purity and order, where I can go;

Getting away from the earthly problems, of which we all well know.

By Joanne Russ / edited by Mark Russ

Explanation of Notes from the Author

A superscript number will appear before a word or phrase having reference to the notes found in the back of this book. The notes are arranged by chapter, and then reference number. For example, a (²) found in front of a word found in the third chapter will read: "Chapter 3) (2) Reference Note.

Also

The names given to towns and people have distinct meanings and may contain a riddles or allegories within them. Let your imagination run wild and happy reading.

CHAPTER 1

Mike’s Encounter

I have learned things are not always as they seem. I know now, looks can be deceiving. The town where I lived was no exception. Sable was a small, rural town. It seemed to be a quiet, little town. I worked in the coal mine to keep food on the table. It’s wasn’t much; but it was something. The mine was dark, with only the light from helmets and the occasional work light along the walls. It