Why Did This Happen?

By Ida Albergottie

Why Did This Happen? is about two young people who fall in love. Mark follows the teachings of the Watch Tower Society, while Lisa was raised in the Baptist Church. Marks goal is to pull Lisa away from her faith so that he can marry her. Their relationship causes many concerns for both of their parents. Marks parents are devout Jehovahs Witnesses, and Lisas parents are deacons in a Baptist church. Mark has to make a decision that will not only affect his life but his familys as well. Troubled by a situation that arises, Mark begins questioning God, Why did this happen?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524602819

Ida Albergottie

Ida Albergottie is an evangelical Christian. She graduated magna cum laude from Nyack College with a bachelor of arts, majoring in the Bible and psychology. She studied biblical Hebrew for two years while attending college and also studied Greek. She was born and raised in New York City, where she has ministered to many about God’s love, grace, and salvation. She was ordained an elder in 2009 at Great Redeemer Church in the Bronx. She is the mother of two daughters. She has been married for twenty-one years to Desmond and lives in Longwood, Florida.

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© 2016 Ida Albergottie. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse   04/21/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0282-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0283-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0281-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016905775

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Contents

Prologue

The Beginning

The Persuasion

The Meeting

The Deception

The Rebellion

The Debate

The Move

The Insult

The Union

The Questioning

The Complication

The Intercession

About the Author

Prologue

As Mark Williams sat on his living room sofa, he began to think back to the time when he first met Lisa Green—she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. Lisa was tall, and had an hourglass figure that most men dream about. Mark leaned back and smiled as he thought about how much he was physically attracted to her. Lisa’s body alone was enough to stop men in their tracks. She had a beautiful face and a smile like the sun breaking through on a cloudy day. And yet, while the physical attraction was strong, he realized that it wasn’t just her appearance that captivated him.

Lisa was very reserved, quiet, and well mannered. She was different from all the other girls in the twelfth grade; this made him inquisitive. Lisa carried herself as if she were already in her twenties, though she was only seventeen. Mark recalled his first physical contact with Lisa during lunch period when he finally gathered up the nerve to approach her. It seemed to him as if it was just yesterday, even though it had now been some twenty years since then.

Mark had tapped her on her shoulder and asked, Is anyone sitting here?

Lisa smiled and said, No, unless they are invisible.

They both giggled at her response. The rest of the school year until graduation, Mark always looked forward to meeting Lisa at lunch—the best time to communicate and get to know her. It was during this time that he discovered why Lisa was so different from most of the girls that attended their school. Mark compared her to his female schoolmates and two remarkable differences stood out: that Lisa never cursed or used bad language and that she wasn’t wild.

One day, Mark asked her, Why don’t you act like the rest of the girls in this school?

Lisa responded, I am a Christian. I go to church every Sunday; it doesn’t make any sense being a Christian only on Sunday.

From then on, Mark and Lisa spent a lot of time getting to know one another as they talked about their religious beliefs. It was so interesting how, though they both believed in God, their doctrines of theology were so different. Lisa had never been exposed to the teachings of Mark’s religious organization, so she was very interested in understanding his beliefs.

What Lisa soon found out was that Mark’s parents were devout Jehovah’s Witnesses. Even though Mark had not yet been baptized into the organization, he agreed with the Watch Tower Society doctrines. Mark also believed that Jehovah’s Witnesses were the true representation of God’s faithful people on earth. The two realized that there were some unusual differences in their religious beliefs. However, they both agreed that there was one God and that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary and was called the Son of God.

Their differences seemed minor to them because they had fallen in love. Mark and Lisa both agreed that they wouldn’t tell their parents about their relationship until they had both graduated from high school. They thought that it was best to wait until they were more mature, when their parents would see them as young adults rather than children still in school. They truly believed that they were in love, and mature enough to make this decision regarding their secret relationship.

Mark and Lisa had been through hell and high water with both sides of their families, trying to make a relationship based on love work. Both wanted their families’ approval.

As Mark reclined on the sofa, he began to weep. Life was now more complicated than when he was in high school. He was faced with the question, Why did this happen? The answer would change not only his life but the life of his family forever.

The Beginning

Mark was faced with obstacles that seemed like mountains or giants. They caused Mark to question himself, his decisions, his religion, and his faith in God. Mark was at a point in his life where he really needed to know the truth. The decision he and Lisa made regarding when to tell their parents was minor compared to the decision he had to make concerning his family now. What he now faced was inconceivable. Mark kept asking himself, What am I suppose to do?

Mark needed answers, but he didn’t know where to begin. He had never before experienced what he was going through those last couple of months. Removing his hands from his eyes, he stood and went up the stairs to look in the bathroom mirror. He asked himself, Was I wrong for falling in love?

Things didn’t look as promising as they did when he had first met Lisa. Recent events made him struggle with his religious beliefs.

Still looking in the mirror, Mark asked another question: Did I make a mistake?

He realized that he needed to start from the very beginning. Leaving the bathroom, he lay down on his bed, placing a cold cloth to his face. Within moments, he was picturing the day when he and Lisa approached his parents to tell them about their relationship. It was right after graduating from high school—just as they had planned. They decided that they would tell Mark’s parents first and then Lisa’s. They were both nervous, but the way they felt about each other seemed so right that it couldn’t be wrong.

Mark recalled entering his parents’ home to introduce Lisa like it was yesterday. They walked in, hand in hand. Mark never forgot the look on his parents’ faces when he said, Hi, Mom and Dad, this is Lisa, my girlfriend.

Both parents were polite, greeting Lisa by saying Hello, it’s nice to meet you. But at the same time, the looks on their faces said, Mark’s girlfriend? We didn’t even know he had a girlfriend!

Lisa later told Mark that she couldn’t tell if they had approved or disapproved of their relationship. However, she definitely could tell that it was a shock to both of his parents. They politely asked Lisa to have a seat. With Mark leading the way, they moved from the foyer and into the living room. Mr. and Mrs. Williams smiled at Lisa and said, So, are you a Jehovah’s Witness?

Lisa smiled back and said, Well no, I’m not. I’m a Christian, and I go to church every Sunday.

Mr. Williams continued to question Lisa. Oh, we see. Well, did Mark tell you that we are?

Before Lisa could answer, Mark interrupted, Yes, I have told Lisa about our family and our beliefs; we’ve been seeing each other for almost a year now.

It was clear from the way his parents were looking at him that they were not pleased to be just finding out. The looks they were giving seemed to make Lisa feel uncomfortable. Mark realized that he had to do something. He said, Mom and Dad, we have to go now. I have to get Lisa back home before it’s late. I just wanted you both to meet her.

Mark got up and Lisa followed his lead. She turned and said very respectfully while reaching out her hands, It was so nice to meet you both.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams smiled and replied, Yes, it was a pleasure meeting you too.

As Mark and Lisa walked to the door to leave, Mark’s parents were right behind them. Mr. and Mrs. Williams smiled and looked directly at their son. His mother said, How long will you be before returning home?

Mark knew what that meant: his parents wanted him back home as soon as possible because they wanted to have a conversation with him about his relationship with Lisa. Mark kindly said to them, I’m just seeing Lisa home and I’ll be back.

His parents smiled, Okay. Don’t be too long.

Again, Mark knew exactly what they meant: hurry back home—we need to have a serious talk with you. As Mark and Lisa walked down the block, he turned and saw his parents standing in the doorway, watching them.

Lisa turned back and waved again. Mark could tell that she could hardly wait until she was distant enough to feel confident that Mark’s parent couldn’t read her lips or hear her. Do you think your parents like me? she asked.

Mark didn’t have time to explain everything to her, so he said, You are a beautiful woman. How could they not like you? But he knew already that his parents were not pleased to find out about Lisa the way they just did. They would not have acted that way if Lisa was a Jehovah’s Witness.

Mark didn’t want to upset Lisa because they were now on their way to inform Lisa’s parents about their relationship.

Mark removed the cloth from his face. Though once it had been cold, it had grown warm against his cheek. He sighed as he began to think about his first encounter with Lisa’s parents. As they approached Lisa’s building, he had glanced up to the fourth floor, where Lisa had told him she lived.

Lisa smiled at him. Second go round. Don’t be nervous; my parents are very nice.

Thinking back on that meeting now, he laughed out loud to himself. He had tried to act like he wasn’t nervous, but truth be told he was—more nervous than Lisa had been when she met his parents. The elevator seemed to take forever; all he wanted was for it to arrive so he could get this first encounter over with.

When the elevator doors opened, he let out a big sigh—they were that much closer to finally meeting Mr. and Mrs. Green.

As they stepped off onto the landing, Mark followed Lisa. She approached the door and then rang the bell even though she had her own keys. Who is it? Mrs. Green yelled. I’m coming.

Mark whispered, Why didn’t you use your keys?

Smiling, Lisa said to Mark, Because I want my mother to invite you in, as opposed to me bringing you into the house.

Looking back on that moment now, Mark knew he never understood why Lisa had done that. At the time, he just let it go and said, Okay. He had to focus on making a good impression.

Lisa’s mother finally opened the door. Seeing Lisa first, Mrs. Green said, Why didn’t you use your key? Then she noticed Mark standing to Lisa’s left.

Lisa responded, I’m sorry, Mommy, I have someone I would like you to meet.

Mrs. Green looked surprised. Oh, I see, and who is this young man?

Mark smiled. My name is Mark Williams. I’m happy to meet you.

Lisa responded, Mom, this is my friend. I wanted to introduce him to you and Dad.

A puzzled look played across Mrs. Green’s face, but she kindly opened the door wider and said, Come on in, Mark, and have a seat in the living room. She glanced at her daughter and added, I’ll go get your father; he’ll be out in a few.

Mark followed Lisa to the living room and, as they sat down waiting for Mr. Green, sweat began to roll down his face. Still trying to hide the fact that he was nervous, he said to Lisa, It’s a little warm in here.

Lisa giggled, Mark, calm down, my mother and father are down to earth. Look: just be yourself.

That was easier said than done. It wasn’t long before a six foot four inch man was standing in the doorway of the living room. Mark stood as Mr. Green walked toward him. Putting out his hand, he said, Hi, I’m Mark Williams.

Lisa’s father said, Hi. I’m Lisa’s father—you can call me Deacon Green.

Mr. Green and Mrs. Green both sat on the love seat, while Lisa and Mark sat on the sofa. Mr. Green said, So, young man, tell me a little something about yourself. Do you attend church? Are you planning to go the college?

Mark knew he had no plans to go to college, so he was nervous as he replied, Well, I attend the Kingdom Hall; my parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I’m planning to work for the MTA.

Mr. Green looked at Mrs. Green and before he could say anything, Mrs. Green said, We’re not really that familiar with your church’s doctrines.

Rubbing his hands on his lap, Mark said, Jehovah Witnesses are Christians too, but they prefer to call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Mrs. Green nodded. Oh, I see. Ok. Well, we are Christians too and we fellowship at a Baptist church.

Her husband butted in, I think I’ve seen people from your church around here. Aren’t y’all the ones that knock on people’s doors?

Mark smiled. Yes, we do. We knock on doors to share the good news about the Kingdom of Jehovah God.

Mrs. Green nodded. Yes I’ve seen people from your church in passing, but I’ve never really had the time to talk with them.

Mr. Green chimed in, Being that I’m a deacon at my church, I’m always very busy with church business so I’ve never had a chance to have a conversation.

Mark smiled at each of them. Well if you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

Mr. Green thought for a second and answered, Well, right now all I need to know is this: do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God?

Mark realized that it was getting late–his parents were expecting him back home soon. He answered, Yes. The Watch Tower Society teaches us that Jesus Christ is the son of Jehovah God.

Mr. and Mrs. Green both smiled. Before they could ask any more questions, Mark told them that he had to go because his parents were expecting him to return home soon. He knew it would take some time to explain and didn’t want to have a debate the first time meeting the Greens. Mr. and Mrs. Green followed him to the door as he got up to leave. Well it was nice meeting you, maybe one day we can really talk or you can come and visit our church.

Mark smiled and said, Yes—I would love to come over again to talk with both of you.

Thinking back on this incident, a sense of guilt overshadowed Mark. He thought about the account in the Bible when Abraham told King Abimelech that Sarah was his sister even though she was really his wife. Abraham feared that the men of Gerar would kill him and take Sarah because she was so beautiful and so he told half the truth. Sarah really was his sister; they both had the same father but different mothers. Abraham had left out that Sarah was also his wife on purpose because of the fear of being killed.

Mark already knew that his doctrine about Jesus Christ wasn’t precisely the same as Lisa and her parents’. Just like Abraham, he had told Mr. and Mrs. Green half the truth. He knew that the majority of Christians believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and that they also believed that Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. The Watch Tower Society taught that Jesus was not God, but the only begotten son of the Jehovah God. The thought of not telling the complete truth at that time made Mark feel remorseful.

As he lay on his bed the feeling of guilt began to rise within Mark. Deep down inside Mark knew back then that it wasn’t only because he didn’t have time to explain. It was also because he was afraid of being judged by Mr. and Mrs. Green for his religious beliefs. As Mark reminisced about this occasion, he realized that he hadn’t been very truthful about a lot of things from the beginning. He couldn’t help but cry—from the very beginning there was going to be a conflict.

It was a long walk home that night after visiting Lisa’s parents. It seemed as though it was just yesterday. When he reached home, he could see that the living room lights were still on. He walked in. As soon as his parents saw him they said, Have a seat, son. We need to have a serious talk with you.

Mark knew from his parents’ tone that this was going to be a long night.

As soon as Mark sat on the living room sofa, his mother said, What is going on? How can you be dating a young lady that is not a Witness?

Before Mark could answer, his father started with his own questioning. You know that this is unacceptable. We raised you up under the Watch Tower Society’s teachings. How can two walk together unless they agree?

Mark looked at both of them and said, I know, I know. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I fell in love with her.

Simultaneously Mark’s parents responded, What?

Mark’s father added, You barely know this girl. How can you say you are in love with her?

Trying his best to remain respectful to his parents, Mark said, I know enough that I can say that I do love her. Lisa and I have been seeing each other since the beginning of twelfth grade.

His mother grabbed her chest. Oh, son, how could you keep such a secret like this from your parents knowing how much we love you?

Years later, Mark could still remember the look on his mother’s face, and it hurt him to see her disappointment. He loved his mother and she held a big piece of his heart, but it was too late. He had fallen deeply in love with Lisa.

Mr. Williams stood up and said, Listen, son, I’m not saying that she is not a nice girl, but if she isn’t a Witness, you will not be able to marry her. Do you understand, son?

Mrs. Williams reminded him that he wouldn’t be able to be baptized if he continued dating Lisa. Mark looked into his mother’s eyes and said, Mother, I have been witnessing to Lisa and I believe that she will leave her church and become a Witness.

Mark’s parents paused. He reassured them that Lisa would attend the next meeting at the Kingdom Hall.

Mark wasn’t able to see Lisa again until Monday, because it was her Church Anniversary weekend. Lisa had a choir rehearsal on Saturday and then on Sunday was at church from morning until late evening. Mark couldn’t wait for Monday evening; he wanted to see Lisa so badly. Lisa was working for the summer youth program and didn’t get off work until 4:00 p.m.

Mark called Lisa right before she got off work. He asked her if they could meet because they really needed to talk. Lisa said, Is everything okay? Are you coming to my house?

Mark replied, I think we need to go somewhere private where we can really talk without any interruptions.

He suggested that she stay at her job and wait for him there.

Lisa agreed, but he could tell from her voice that she was wondering what was so urgent. While on his way to meet her, Mark pondered what he should say to convince her to leave her Church. It was a scary moment, because he knew how they both felt about each other. But what he didn’t know was whether Lisa would forsake her religious beliefs just to be with him. It was a rough position to put her in.

Mark realized that during their high school years, they had never debated about what they both believed. They only shared what their religious leaders taught them. He knew that someday he would have to face this issue. If he wanted to continue to see Lisa, he was going to really have to persuade her that her church was not teaching the truth. Lisa had to believe like him in order one day become his wife. Mark decided that he was going to do all that he could to make this happen.

This was going to be a big request. Asking Lisa to leave her church was not an easy thing to do. He reasoned with himself to justify his request: It’s not really wrong for me to ask her to leave her church. I will be rescuing her from the false teachings and the apostate Christendom cults. In addition, she will come into the knowledge of truth.

Mark truly believed it was part of his duty to witness to Lisa about what was taught at the Kingdom Hall. He strongly believed that Jehovah’s Witnesses taught the truth. Mark had no idea how this meeting was going to turn out. However, he had decided that it was worth it to try pulling the woman he loved out of darkness into the light. Mark was just as nervous this time meeting Lisa as he was the first time he met Lisa’s parents.

The Persuasion

As Mark approached Lisa’s office building the Monday after they met each other’s parents, she was waiting outside for him. He was happy to see her—the weekend had felt like it was five days long. She seemed just as happy, but also anxious. Mark suspected that she was wondering what he wanted to talk about that was so important that they needed to go somewhere private.

They greeted each other with a hug and smiled. Their smiles were so big that if one didn’t know better it would have been perfectly safe to assume that they both had hit the lottery. Grabbed each other’s hands, they began to walk toward the bus stop. After a few steps, Lisa paused and asked, Where exactly are we going? And what is it that we need to talk about?

Mark wasn’t ready to tell her yet, I really would like for us both to be seated before we start this conversation.

Lisa agreed. Would you like to go to Fred’s diner? But the reason for their meeting clearly still bugged her. Finally she added, I hope I didn’t do anything wrong.

Mark looked at her like she was an angel, You could never do anything wrong.

As they both got on the bus, Mark began to rehearse in his mind what he was going to say and how he was going to say it. He wanted to tell Lisa that her church was not teaching the truth without offending her. Then, just as they were getting ready to exit the bus, Lisa asked, Did your parents say something about me? Do they like me? Can you please tell me the truth?

Mark sighed, looked her in the eyes, and said, Well, this is why we needed to talk—and, no, it’s not that my parents dislike you. I’ll explain everything once we are seated at Fred’s.

He could tell his reply made her nervous. Lisa didn’t know if Mark was about to break up with her or not. She seemed near tears.

As they sat down, Mark grabbed Lisa’s hand and said, Lisa, do you remember in the beginning when we first started talking to one another about our faiths and our doctrines? We knew that there was a huge difference in what we each believed.

Lisa looked puzzled, like she was trying to figure out where Mark was going with this. He continued, Here’s the point: in order for us to be together, you must leave your church and join me by becoming a Jehovah’s Witness.

Lisa let out an enormous sigh and laughed. Mark wanted to know what was so funny.

I’m sorry, Mark. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting you to say that.

Looking back on that episode 20 years later, Mark felt remorse. How could he have put the woman that he loved on the spot? Making her choose between him and her church was so wrong but yet at that time it felt so right.

After Lisa realized that Mark wasn’t trying to break up with her, she began to ask him more questions. Why do I have to leave my church just for us to be together?

Mark became indignant and retaliated by saying, Come on, Lisa, we aren’t in high school anymore!

A shocked look flashed across Lisa’s face. Mark could tell that she was not pleased with his tone.

Lisa asked, What do you mean by that? All I did was ask you a question. I know you aren’t insinuating that I’m acting like a child. I’m just asking you why I should have to leave my church.

Mark realized that the conversation wasn’t going as planned, so he decided to switch gears. I apologize. I’m sorry. I just thought that you understood from our previous conversations in high school that I believed in the teaching of the Watch Tower Society.

Lisa nodded. Yes, I do. I also was under the impression, though, that you understood that I believed in what my church taught as well.

Mark tried to find a nice way to say what he wanted to say. His intent was not to upset Lisa. He wanted to convince her to leave her church and join him, but he realized that it was going to be a little tougher than what he imagined. So, finally, he said, I love you and I want you to know the truth. You can only gain the truth by submitting to the teaching of the Watch Tower Society.

Are you saying that my church does not teach the truth about God?

I know this is hard for you to understand. And since you were raised in a Baptist church by your parents, it’s a difficult thing that I’m requesting you do.

I was baptized at the age of 14. I love God with all of my heart. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that he died for my sins. I believe that he rose from the dead on the third day and now is seated at the right hand of God the Father. I always thought that was truth.

I know this is hard for you, but the Watch Tower Society is God’s visible representative on earth, and if you want to know the truth you must understand that God speaks only through the Watch Tower Society.

So you are telling me that what I just said to you isn’t the truth?

What if we meet tomorrow and you bring your Bible so I can show you how you have been tricked by your church into believing in lies?

I don’t know if I want to meet with you. If you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God, what’s the point of meeting?

I understand, Lisa; this is the reason why I want to do a Bible study with you. Your church teaches you that Jesus is the Son of God, and then they turn around and say that he is God. Lisa, I need you to think about it: is Jesus Christ the Son of God or is he God?

Mark had planned to one day become a baptized Jehovah’s Witness. He wanted Lisa to be his wife. The only way that this was going to happen was if Lisa was converted.

When Mark arrived home after meeting with Lisa, his mother was standing in the foyer, How are you? Is everything okay?

He replied, Well, I spoke with Lisa today about her church doctrine and it didn’t go as well as it should have.

What happened? his mother asked.

Mark felt a little self-conscious. I basically told her that if she wants to have a future with me she will have to become a Jehovah’s Witness.

His mother said, Son, you will have to explain to her that becoming a Jehovah’s Witness is important if she wants to live forever in Paradise.

Mark told his mother that he really didn’t have time to talk because he had to get prepared for tomorrow. He was planning to show Lisa, using the Holy Scriptures, that her church had been teaching lies regarding Jesus Christ’s true identity. He could tell that his mother was glad that her son was willing to share the Watch Tower teachings with Lisa. Mark hurried to his room and pulled out his entire collection of Watchtower magazine issues and study materials. It was vitally important to him that he show Lisa her doctrine was erroneous and that it didn’t make sense.

Mark and Lisa met the next day at the same diner. He was so glad that Lisa was willing to hear him out. He began the conversation by following up with the last question he had asked her the day before. He knew Lisa was a little confused with that one.

Well, Lisa, have you given any thought to my question that I asked you yesterday? Is Jesus Christ the son of God or is he God?

Well, Mark, you know my father is a deacon in my church. I must say, you really did give me something to think about. That question never came into my mind until speaking with you yesterday.

Mark began to smile because he knew that Lisa would have to admit that Jesus Christ can’t be the son of God and God at the same time. Mark had gone door to door with his parents many times and seen how they won many Christians over by using this technique. He knew that Lisa was very intelligent. It was just so simple: Jesus can’t be called the Son of God and be God at the same time.

Well, answer the question, Lisa, he said.

My father said that the phrase ‘son of’ during biblical times meant ‘of the order of.’ She replied. My father also said that you can see this in 1 Kings 20:35, where it says the ‘Sons of the prophets,’ which really meant ‘of the order of prophets.’ The same thing applies in Nehemiah 12:28 where it says ‘Sons of the singers.’ It really meant ‘of the order of singers.’

What point are you making, Lisa?

If you let me finish I will tell you. My father said that in ancient Semitics’ times, ‘son of’ carried the meaning or notion of ‘likeness,’ which meant ‘consisting of the same nature and equality of being.’

Are you saying what I think you are saying? Are you trying to tell me that your father is saying that the ‘Son of God’ means ‘of the order of God,’ Lisa?

Yes, that’s exactly how my father explained it to me. He said that the phrase ‘Son of God’ doesn’t mean that Jesus is less or inferior to God the Father. He said that it means Jesus Christ is of the order of God, making Jesus in the same likeness, nature, and equality of being with God the Father.

I don’t know where your father got that theory from, but after I show you the truth in the Scriptures it will be up to you to decide who is telling you the truth.

Okay, Mark, explain to me what the Watch Tower Society teaches regarding Jesus Christ.

The Watch Tower Society is God’s channel of truth on the earth today. They teach what the Holy Scriptures say. The Holy Scriptures say that Jesus is the Son of God. It’s not that difficult to comprehend. Your father has been brainwashed by Satan.

Be careful, Mark. You’re talking about my father, my mother, and my sister, as well as me.

I’m sorry, but please listen to reason. Just think about it, Lisa. You’re an intelligent woman. Why would the Holy Scriptures say that he is the Son of God? If he were God, the Scriptures would say ‘he is God,’ as opposed to saying ‘he is the Son of God.’ I will take it upon myself to answer that question for you, because he is the Son of God.

Looking back on it all 20 years later, Mark suspected that Lisa had loved him so much that she wanted him to prove to her that he was right. She said, Mark, you haven’t shown me in scripture that Jesus is not God, and I don’t like what you said about my father. He’s very spiritual and has a lot of knowledge when it comes to the Word of God.

I’m sorry that I offended you. It’s just that I’m very concerned for you. I love you and I want you to be a part of God’s Kingdom and this can only happen if you come to know the truth. You’re right: I haven’t shown you in scripture that Jesus Christ is a lesser entity than Jehovah God. I will do so now if you will allow me to.

Lisa waited, a very concerned expression on her face. He knew that she had never seen him act this way before. He felt so desperate; he was determined to change her views and beliefs and was willing to do whatever he had to. He loved her and wanted her to live forever in Paradise with him. Before beginning to show Lisa what the Watch Tower Society said, he figured that he would start by asking her another question. First, just let me say that the Scriptures say that there is only one true God, Lisa. Do you believe this?

Yes, I do believe that.

Then you need to seriously think about what your father and your church has taught you. If you’re going to believe that Jesus is God, then you are going against the Holy Scriptures.

Well, how am I doing that?

If you are calling Jesus Christ ‘God,’ then what you have just created for yourself are two Gods.

Lisa fell back into her seat. It seemed as if a lightbulb had just come on—she looked so enlightened. Mark could tell that he had just put a hole in her church’s theology and doctrine regarding the identity of Jesus Christ.

I know how you’re feeling right now, but please don’t be angry with your father. His eyes have been blinded the same as yours were.

Are you telling me that all these years I’ve been singing in the choir and praising God, I’ve been having faith in the wrong Jesus Christ and God?

Lisa, I know this is hard. I love you so much. I want to marry you, but if you refuse to see the truth of what I’m showing you we will not be able to be together. Lisa, open your Bible to John 3:16 and read it aloud.

She complied: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

You see, Lisa: Jesus was created by Jehovah. That means that he is not God; he is the Son of God.

Lisa loved Mark so much that her heart wanted to believe that he was right. Her brow furrowed as she thought about everything Mark had said. Looking at him, she admitted that how he had explained the Holy Scriptures was clear. She saw for the first time that her church’s doctrine didn’t seem correct. I want to study with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and attend the Kingdom Hall meetings. I want to learn more.

As he thought back on that day, he remembered how he felt. Jehovah God had to have been pleased with him. He knew for sure that he had done His will. Mark felt happy because he had rescued Lisa from Satan’s clutches.

Lisa smiled at Mark and declared her love to him, thanking him for helping her understand the Holy Scriptures. However, they both knew that she was stuck between a rock and a hard place: her parents had brought her up in the Baptist church from the time she was born. Leaving her faith behind meant leaving her family behind as well. It seemed doubtful that Mark could convince them as easily as he had just won her over. Lisa said, I’m a little nervous about telling my parents, especially my Dad, that I will be leaving the Baptist faith.

Mark replied, Now that you know the truth, you are responsible to respond in the correct way.

I still live under my parent’s roof. What if they become angry with me and tell me to leave?

They won’t do that to you; they love you. All you have to do is tell them that you are an adult now. You have the right to make your own decisions.

Okay. I’m going to tell them that I will be studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses and attending the Kingdom Hall from now on.

While lying on the bed Mark began to shake his head and cry as he reminisced about his conversation with Lisa.

They met again the following day to discuss how things had gone after Lisa arrived home. Lisa was upset, with tears rolling down her face. What’s wrong? Mark asked.

Lisa tried to breathe and talk at the same time. Grabbing her hands, Mark said, Take a deep breath.

She nodded okay and began to talk. When I got home, I decided to talk with my parents. I told them that I will not be attending church with them anymore. My father became very angry and asked me why. I told him that I wanted to study the Bible at the Kingdom Hall.

Lisa paused, took a deep breath, and asked Mark to hand her some tissues. Then she continued, My father wanted to know why I would want to do that when our church has Bible study on Wednesday nights. I tried to explain to the best of my ability without being offensive.

Mark, feeling very anxious, said, Well, what did you say?

Lisa explained that she had told her father that she needed to study the Bible with Mark and was so enlightened by what he said. She showed her father the same scriptures that Mark had shown her, but she wasn’t able to convince him that their Baptist doctrines were wrong. Lisa even went so far as to tell her parent that their church was not teaching the truths that are found in the Bible.

As Mark thought about this incident and the pain he felt in his heart upon seeing Lisa in tears, he began to cry. To him it seemed as though he was reliving the entire episode again. But what really made his heart almost stop that day was when Lisa said, My father wants to meet with you.

Mark remembered how nervous he was at hearing those words. The look of fear must have been all over his face, because Lisa stopped crying and asked him if he was okay. Mark didn’t know where his mind had gone, but he realized that he was going to have to come back to reality. He had to face the truth of the matter: that he was going to have to meet face to face with Lisa’s father. Please tell me more, so that I can prepare myself before I meet with your father, he said.

Lisa nodded. I told my parents that I was not a child anymore and that I have a right to choose my own faith. My father said, ‘As for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord!’ Basically, he insisted that as long as I live under his roof, I will attend Faithful Baptist Church worship services every Sunday. He said I will go every Wednesday night to Bible studies. Then, to sum it all up, he basically said I will be at Faithful Baptist Church every time the church doors open.

Mark became very upset. Satan is trying to keep you from the truth!

"My father said that Satan is trying to take me from the truth, too."

Will you still be able to attend Kingdom Hall meetings and group studies with Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Did you not hear what I just said? My father wants to meet with you.

Mark grabbed Lisa’s hands and assured her that everything was going to be okay, because he was going to pray to Jehovah God about this situation. He knew that she loved him as much as he loved her and that she refused to allow her father to get in the way of them being together. He told her that they had to make a plan for what to do if her father remained an obstacle to her studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Lisa replied, What kind of plan are you talking about, Mark?

He told her: Once you have studied with the Kingdom Hall and decide that you want to be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness, my plan is to marry you.

Her face lit up with joy. If that’s the case, I know we will get married. I realize that the Watch Tower Society teaches the truth, and I want in. I just don’t know how I can study and get baptized while living under my father’s roof.

Mark looked Lisa in the eyes and said, Because you now want the truth, Jehovah God will make it happen for you.

Mark also had other news for Lisa that day: he had heard back from the Mass Transit Agency, where he had taken the test for a conductor position. She was so happy for him. Everyone knew that if college wasn’t in your view, a good city job with benefits was the way to go. Working for the MTA was a good way to earn a good salary. I know that you were planning to attend college in August, Mark said, and you were planning to get a degree in political science.

Lisa looked at him very puzzled and finally said, Is that a problem?

Mark told her that if she planned to someday become a devout Jehovah’s Witness, she would not be able to be involved in politics. Lisa was clearly shocked by this. She gave him a look that said, And why not?

Mark told her that the Bible tells us to be separated from the world and to put our full faith and trust in Jehovah God’s Kingdom. She couldn’t take a position in politics in this world system of government. If she wasn’t able to be involved in political affairs of this county, it really didn’t make sense going to college. Besides, he added, Jehovah’s Witnesses weren’t allowed to vote for the president of the United States or any government officials. She could only serve under Jehovah God’s government, which was the Watch Tower Society. Mark told Lisa that she needed to see if her current summer job was hiring full-time positions when the summer ended.

Lisa asked Mark what was she was supposed to do to make a living. He told her to apply for jobs in private firms similar to the one where she was already working and assured her that once they were married money would not be a problem. It was his responsibility to take care of her and their prospective family.

Mark’s plan was to take the conductor job once it was offered to him. Working for the MTA would allow him to save money and marry Lisa sooner. Persuading her wasn’t as hard as he first thought. He got her to change her views about the Baptist faith and her career. Mark had even convinced her to apply for subsidized housing as well. He convinced her that this would mean that she would no longer be under her father’s roof and, therefore, free from Satan’s control over her life.

That seemed to sound good to Lisa; she wanted to be free from her father’s control and free from Satan’s control too. She had always been very intelligent when it came to academics. He assured her that she wouldn’t have a problem getting a job.

In fact, the next day while Lisa was at work her supervisor approached her and told her that they really liked her work. She was shocked: the summer program was offering her a permanent position to work full time.

Lisa was so excited that she told her supervisor at once that she wanted the job. The company was grateful that she had given them a yes and offered her a raise as well. They told her the full-time position would start in September. Lisa couldn’t wait to tell Mark the good news.

When she did, Mark reminded her that he was the one who had told her everything was going to work out. In return, Lisa reminded him that her father still wanted to meet with him.

When he asked her to let him know when her father was available, she said, My father said you can come by any evening except for Wednesday nights, because he will be at church.

Mark told Lisa to tell her father that he would be by there on Friday. In the meantime, Lisa began to apply for subsidized housing, using the salary that she was making as a temporary summer youth worker. Her hope was that by the time she heard back from one of the apartments, she would have saved up enough money to move.

Lisa was so excited about the full-time position that she didn’t even think about what she had given up. She had received a full scholarship to attend Princeton University. She didn’t even have time to regret the fact that her longtime dream of studying political science was no longer a dream anymore. Instead, she already planned her new apartment’s colors and how she was going to decorate it—without even receiving an acceptance letter for it. If that wasn’t enough, Lisa also was planning the colors she was going to use for her wedding—without receiving an official proposal.

#

Mark had good news as well. He had his interview for the position of conductor with the MTA. Everything seemed to be lining up. Mark knew that, once he got a start date, asking Lisa to marry him was not going to be a problem. He was hoping that Lisa would be out of her father’s house and into her own place soon. He was also hoping that he would be ready to get an apartment if Lisa wasn’t able to do so with her salary.

It wasn’t long before Friday came. Mark was so nervous that he met up with Lisa at her job ahead of time. She was happy to see him; it was clear that Mark was nervous about the meeting with her father. He didn’t know exactly what Lisa’s father had in mind and didn’t want to hurt Lisa’s father’s feelings or offend him in any kind of way. He loved Lisa and knew in his heart that someday the man would be his father-in-law. However, before arriving at Lisa’s parents’ home Mark paused and asked, Did you tell your father that I said his eyes were blinded by Satan?

She laughed, I thought you believed that I was a very intelligent woman! If I had told him that, you would not be meeting with him today, or any other day for that matter.

A slight smile came across Mark’s face. They both had a good laugh. As they both approached Lisa’s parents’ home, she said to Mark, "Please don’t be afraid. I want you to explain to