The Retreat: A Novel Containing Seven Events from King David’s Life and What They Can Teach Us

By Glen Moyer

This story begins when Edmund Cyrus, a retired journalist, receives an unexpected phone call from a lawyer with unusual news: Cyrus's "Uncle Hank" has died and left a small estate. The lawyer states he needs to explain it in person.

Cyrus figures he will be given a check or a deed to an old musty house somewhere in New England. He never expected any major change to his life.

In person, the lawyer tells Cyrus that he represents the Heritage Retreat a few miles away in the village of New Castleton--and that Cyrus's uncle owned a room in that facility, which was now Cyrus's inheritance. The retreat, he learns, was an old monastery from the early 1800's that was later converted to a boarding school. Still years later, a foundation acquired the building and sold individual rooms to people wanting to use their space however they wished.

When Cyrus visits the inherited room, he discovers an incomplete manuscript his Uncle Hank had been working on. Moved to finish it, he discovers that the life of the ancient King David provides multiple lessons for enriching his life and improving the lives of others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781973698593

Glen Moyer

Glen Moyer, an ordained minister, entrepreneur, and retired dentist, has given motivational speeches and written first-person dramas for use in Christian settings and has published a novel set in the beginnings of the Christian church. He is an honors graduate of both Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He lives in Vermont with his wife of over fifty years, Suzanne.

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Copyright © 2023 Glen Moyer.

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-9860-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9861-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9859-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023909363

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/22/2023

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

Dedicated to all those who seek to better themselves and the world around them. May God be with you on your quest.

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

—Saint Jerome

It is necessary to try to surpass one’s self always; this occupation ought to last as long as life.

—Queen Christiana of Sweden

We can do anything we want to do if we stick to it long enough.

—Helen Keller

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are two types of people that I wish to thank for their roles in the writing of this book—those who are aware of their participation and then those who influenced me without knowing they did so. Let me address this latter group first.

I need to acknowledge the influence of Og Mandino in the creation of this novel. First of all, his numerous books—such as The Greatest Salesman in the World—have inspired me at various times in the past, and I have nearly a dozen of his works on my bookshelves. The motivation available there is amazing. Secondly, knowing that his style of writing a book within a book had proven to be acceptable for such motivational works gave me the courage to attempt the creation of this novel. Although I would never assume to be as effective as Og Mandino, knowing that his works in that style have inspired others over the years led me to create this story.

Three other gentlemen have unknowingly influenced me in writing The Retreat by giving me insights into the life of David and how his story could offer us guidance in our own lives. First is Dr. Donald M. C. Englert, my professor of Old Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He instilled a love of the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament in me, including David, and brought them alive by giving me knowledge of their lives and times. I trust that as he looks down from heaven at how I have treated David, he will give a nod of approval. Second in line is Doug Wead, who I have never met in person but have heard speak at live events and via cassette tapes. (Yes, that long ago!) His enthusiasm for the relevance of biblical personages and how they can motivate us has given me a similar view, which I hope I have transmitted here. Thirdly, I owe a debt of gratitude to Rev. Scott Slocum, pastor of Essex Alliance Church in Essex, Vermont. His sermons enlightened me about parts of David’s life as I was formulating this book’s outline. God’s timing was perfect, and I am grateful to Reverend Slocum for his useful insights at just the right moment.

One other unknown influencer is William Stilianessis, a friend for several decades. The stories about his adventures and misadventures as a truck driver have amused me and my wife over the years. His retelling of events on the road gave us many laughs and provided real-life content for the character of Larry. My retellings of some of Will’s stories are neither as amusing nor as detailed as his accounts, but he did provide great—albeit unknown—input into this book. Thank you, Will, for being a friend and for providing some legendary tales that informed my character. Your contribution proved most helpful.

Next, I wish to thank those who have knowingly dealt with me and this novel. First, a special thank you to Aaron and Melissa Mason, Donna and Greg Kelsey, and Sherri Bryant, all of whom read the almost-completed versions of my manuscript. Their unanimous and enthusiastic comments encouraged me to proceed with getting this book published. Further, I need to thank Nancy Richard for her detailed editing of grammar, punctuation, and word choice. Her gracious willingness to undertake such a task has proved invaluable. Furthermore, I am especially grateful to my wife, Suzanne, who read this novel in its various incarnations, until it reached its final version. Her criticisms and revisions have made the story stronger, and I appreciate her multiple encounters with it. She has been my companion for over fifty years but is still open to dealing with my new ideas as they come along. I owe her a deep and abiding appreciation for all she has done over these many years

The final influencer—certainly aware of leading my writing—is my Lord God, whose Holy Spirit has moved me at times when I was faltering. There were moments of blank pages and useless paragraphs where He helped out by lifting me up and giving me new insights. Although I experienced impatience by hoping for quicker answers, He always came through with the needed inspiration. At a crucial point, He brought to mind my old index-card process that helped me though numerous term papers in college and seminary. That trick helped me gather the final chapter of Uncle Hank’s book, just as Ed Cyrus did. I shared in Ed’s frustrations equally; however, God saw me through it all. I trust that His lead has produced a work that others will be able to use and appreciate.

My last acknowledgment is to you, my readers. As Ed expressed a hope that his uncle’s writings would influence you, I join him in encouraging you to apply the lessons taught here. I believe God gave me this concept to share with others so that their lives could find new meaning and direction through this story. I pray that God will bless you as you face your future and that your life will help others through the power available with His guidance. Thank you for reading.

ONE

I stirred the cereal in my bowl—another boring day. Retirement was not, at all, what I had thought it would be. After almost three months, I had watched my fill of TV crime dramas and news stories. Dear God, I mumbled, is this all there’s going to be? I started to recall something some poet or other had said about things ending in a whimper instead of a bang, when the phone rang, startling me back to reality.

I answered to hear my former boss, Melissa, on the other end. Ed, how are you doing? How’s retirement treating you? She almost seemed too cheery.

Fine, I said, thinking that I was bored to tears.

So what have you been up to?

Not an awful lot. Which was horribly true.

Do you have a little free time to help me out? Maybe just a little bit?

What’s up?

Well, if you can tear yourself away from your exciting life …

Oh, stop it, I snapped.

Well, I thought, by now, you’d have joined a bowling league or a card club or something at church or found a girlfriend or …

Just stop, I said through clenched teeth. You know I’m just sitting around.

I warned you!

Just get to it. What do you need?

An obituary—and not yours.

I chuckled slightly. Run out of helping hands there?

Do you remember Elmer Wordsley?

Of course, didn’t he just retire after Christmas? The town had a big shindig for him.

Yes, that was one of the last articles you wrote before you resigned.

I felt like I was holding my breath and then blurted out, He’s dead? What happened? He seemed pretty healthy to me.

Yes.He took his wife on a trip to Bermuda or something, came home, and died of boredom apparently. There was a long pause. I thought I heard Melissa sniffle a bit. Retired after Christmas, died before Easter!

I was at a loss for words and mumbled something about not realizing Easter was already coming up.

Oh, please. She sighed into the phone. So can you do it?

What?

Write his obituary, of course! she almost shouted. Most of the staff still here hardly knew him, but you did.

Yeah, sort of, I guess.

Oh, come on, Ed. Can you help me out here?

Well, sure, I—

Great. Still have the same email?

Yes, but—

Super. I’ll send you the details, and if you can put that together for me and email it back, I’ll be glad to cut you a check for freelancing.

I heard myself muttering. Not necessary. Glad to help out.

Baloney. I’m paying you, so I won’t feel bad about asking you in the future.

Well, I—

Too busy?

No, I have lots of time.

Thought as much. Great but I don’t want to have to write your obituary next month.

I’m healthy! Just bored.

Probably what Mr. Wordsley said too. I told you you’d regret leaving.

You’re not going to encourage me with that. I’ll eventually get something to do. I’ve just taken this first quarter of the year off is all.

Yeah, right! she snapped. I’ve sent you the info I have. I need it back tomorrow evening, if you’re not too busy. You know the drill.

Sure, Melissa. Glad to help out.

Whatever, she scoffed and hung up.

She was right, as usual. I was glad for something to do. It’s better than … Than what? I thought. When I retired at New Year’s, I thought I would find myself busy, but I’d just sat around for three months. Now, even just writing an obituary with a one-day deadline seemed exciting to some extent. So I went to my computer, printed off the information, and was able to bang out Elmer’s obituary in a little over two hours.

I proof read it a second time, tweaked it a little, and then paused to stare at it. He was only a couple years older than me, and now he was dead! What the dickens! I thought. Do we all just need something to do so badly that we fall apart and die without?

I could still see Melissa shaking her head when I gave her my letter of resignation. You’ve got to find something else to do, Ed. Just mark my words!

I emailed the obit off, knowing that I would get a check in the mail. And then … then what? I guess I did need to find something—anything. What did that lady down the hall say about needing another player for her bridge club? Or was it pinochle? I wasn’t sure I cared.

But I got my