Meeting Mentors: Meeting Jesus Saga, #12

By David Bergsland

Book twelve, Meeting Mentors, is focused on getting the school up and running well. But it becomes much more than that.

 

They are actually redeveloping the ugly side of the Downtown District—bringing life, love, and peace—along with life-changing power. The Lord's plans quickly blow right past Edvard and Astrid's preconceptions. They had tried to be as open to what the Lord wanted as possible. But the Lord keeps expanding the boundaries. At this point there don't seem to be any, except of course, if they doubt. It's just another walk of faith. But this one's really fun.

 

All they're doing is making room for the school, right? But, a hundred thousand square foot living quarters? Then the school building itself doubles or triples in size. The artists the Lord brings in are the normal motley crew of damaged individuals who are transformed by their rebirth into the Kingdom.

 

What's the Lord's agenda? It certainly goes far beyond the school. But all they have are hints and sometimes obscure clues. Like this time, He starts rescuing cooks and bakers. But these are highly skilled chefs and pastry chefs. The food is spectacular, but that's not Jesus's focus.

 

These creative people are part of the harvest of individuals that the Lord has been working on throughout all of the Ascended Light works in the Meeting Jesus Saga. But they are beginning to see that the Lord has a larger target this time. We know that vengeance is the Lord's. As His people, we are told to forgive and love the enemy. However, the Lord has some real problems with what the traditional church has done to some of his favorite people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Bergsland
• Release date: Feb 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224698080

David Bergsland

For me, my early life culminated with the great rebellion of the sixties. Ending up as a fine artist and heavy user of pot and acid, I needed help. I met Jesus in 1974, and my life began, for real. The Lord gave me an amazing Godly woman for my wife in 1976. I became a graphic designer, font designer, and desktop publisher. In 1991, I began teaching printing and digital publishing. That resulted in writing dozens of books and booklets about the practical processes, using InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. In 2009, I began the transformation into an author of fiction. By the end of 2022, I had 17 novels in five series, as I have developed my craft. This book is #20, and is the third book of the sixth series. I’m using Christian contemporary speculative fiction with some Biblical romance to share stories about the reality of how Jesus touches our day-to-day lives, while being strongly focused upon Biblical truth. I put the stereotypical Bible quoters in the same category as robo-callers. I attempt to reveal Jesus within a realistic world sharing my experiences. The goal is to reveal Jesus as a loving Creator building people into what they are designed to be. I currently assume time is running short, and the final harvest is here.

Book preview

Meeting Mentors

Putting a school together

David Bergsland

Independently Published by

These materials were written by David Bergsland © 2024; Released: February, 2024.

Designed & formatted by Radiqx Press • All rights reserved

http://www.radiqx.com • [e-mail]

This is a work of fiction. Any association with real people is unintentional, happens in your mind, and is your responsibility. The locations are used fictionally also. The author only asks that you open your eyes to see what is going on around us in the world.

This novel has been given to me by my Lord and King, Jesus of Nazareth. The blessings He has poured, and continues to pour, upon me would be incomprehensible if I were not living in them day by day. I am grateful and love Him as much as He gives me the grace to love.

Building a new godly school in Northfield

•As it unfolds: there are many major surprises to add to the vision

The Lord has chosen a delightfully varied group of artists and designers. He gets them all trained to work within the Kingdom, and puts them to work. The result is an exceedingly rare vision for serving their clients with supernatural power.

The leadership is well schooled in the core of walking in the Holy Spirit. They have experienced the wonder and the glory of serving your clients with love. As they get started, all the mentors come to realize that their Lord has wonderful and far-reaching plans for their work. And they’ve only had a glimpse of the possibilities so far.

As usual, Jesus builds it all on deeply loving and spiritually powerful marriages. He’s putting together couples who He has designed to be together, and the results are simply delightful. It is glorious to see men and women transformed into what they were designed to be—from before they were born.

Believers are meant to experience this as the fiancée of the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. You’ll love them—and Him.

1One sorry soul

•Wednesday, January 25: Yale Hardware building, Cannon Falls, MN

Haydn was in trouble. The demon had messed him up. Normally, his rage was his driving force, and it had brought about his magnum opus. He had never experienced such excited glee before as when he had slashed the words with acid on the synagogue door. Jewish death—what joy it is!

As he had lunged sideways to get out of there, his rubber mask had been ripped off his head. He wheeled around and saw a small old man pointing a finger at his face ready to shout—until his boot slammed into the side of his face. The man had hit the stone steps hard, which crushed the other side of his head. He was dead before he stopped moving.

Haydn had panicked and bolted, running as fast as he could. Immediately, the demon got him back under control, and he had been enabled to slowly walk away as if nothing had happened. He rounded the corner of the building, climbing into his non-nondescript white Ford Focus. Cutting over to Hennepin, he turned north to get on the freeway.

But he began shaking so bad, he could barely drive. Somehow he turned east on Franklin, then left, and ended up parked on the side of the street, next to the ramp he was supposed to be on—immobilized by terror. But then the familiar orgasmic rush flooded through him, and in fleshly ecstasy he heard, You did good. That’ll get their attention. Now they know they’re not safe. Chaos rules!

He climaxed and slumped back in his seat as his powerful spirit distracted him from what had just happened. In a stupor, he started his car again, and drove up to Franklin, heading over to get on the freeway, driving extremely fast. By the time, he had arrived in Cannon Falls, the car was protesting with idiot lights shining on the dash—lighting the idiot who was driving.

As he rounded the corner, his engine locked up, and he barely got it thrown into neutral so he could coast into one of the angled parking slots down the street past the building he lived in. When he got out of the car, he could barely walk but somehow he held it together.

By the time he got into his apartment, the familiar rage was in control. That old man deserved what he got, he murmured. But he knew that was not true. Of course it is, you struck a mighty blow for the cause.

True, but… No bailing out, unless you’re going to make it real. We’ve got no room for shifty weasel quitters. If you’re going, just get it over with. I’ve got a little boy who can do what you’re doing.

That got him going again, the rage overcame him. It’s them damn Jews running the whole world. His fists were clenching, looking for something to break, or someone to smash. But…you better just do it. You don’t deserve to live anyway.

Now…he knew that was true. He turned and pulled open the drawer on the side table. There was his old Colt 45. Let’s get it over with. Now you’re making sense! Do it!

He reached for the large pistol. Please, don’t do that.

The voice came from right behind him, on the right side. His head whipped around, but there was no one there. The shaking resumed. It was all getting intolerable. Who are YOU?

Someone who cares for you. Right… And you expect me to believe you? You can’t help me, anyway. How do you know? I got myself into this mess. True, but I will give you a fresh start.

That’s what I need. It’s not that easy. Look at what you’ve done. You can’t escape that. You deserve to die, sucker. That’s certainly true. He reached for the pistol again. It’s not escape, but repair. A new start.

No one has that much power. I created you. Right! Now you’re claiming ultimate power. That’s clearly bogus. Afraid to check it out. OK. I’m not afraid of nuthin! Whatchu got for me? Life and joy.

That stopped him. Who’d you say you were? I didn’t, but I love you. Only God could do that. Correct. So, you’re God Himself? His son, Haydn—Jesus.

The normal chaos was back, the screaming demon, the shakes, the terror. The confusion. Help me, Jesus! And it was over, the silence was complete. OK, do it to me.

I can’t do anything until you get rid of your sin. That blocks anything I can do. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your sin, if you’ve got enough nerve.

For once, the anger worked in his favor. I’ll show Him, he muttered. OK, Holy Spirit, show me my sin. Instantly, he was immersed in a flood of mental sewage. The memories were true, and they were his. They finally overwhelmed him, and he cried out. Jesus, help me. I don’t want to be like this any more. What can I do?

Ask me to forgive you. Please forgive me of all the evil I’ve done, Jesus! … They’re gone! How can I keep it like this? … Yes, I see you’re King and Lord. Please come and live in me, get rid of the demon. Oh, Jesus, how could you love me? Thank you. I love you. I worship you. You are a god worth worshiping. Praise you, Jesus.… And the worship grew, until he just slipped into a new language where he could express himself much better.

Eventually, after minutes, he slumped back into his ripped and broken, overstuffed easy chair. His face was covered with a huge silly grin. They’re coming tonight to celebrate the assault on the Temple. Call Edvard Odegaard at the Fiery Spirit in Northfield. Tell him you were just born again and you’re in danger. He’ll come get you. Meet him in front of the supermarket.

Haydn grabbed his phone. The Lord gave him the number, and Haydn called. Edvard answered, Can I help you?

The Lord told me to call. He said I was just born again, that my anarchist cohorts are coming tonight, and I’m in danger. He told me that you’ll pick me up. I’ll be at the front door of the supermarket next to the Little Cannon River on Highway 19 in Cannon Falls.

Jesus, keep him safe. My wife and I will be in our deep lavender 1934 Studebaker. Should be less than a half hour.

Thank you. Haydn got his clothes together in a garbage bag. He grabbed his inks and brushes, plus his sketch books. They went onto his wooden artist case. And he was ready.

He was glad the store was close. It was really cold and almost dark. The wind had a real bite, and it smelled like snow. But it was gorgeous and he laughed. Thank you, Jesus.

He saw the anarchists drive by and turn up toward the old hardware store, where he had lived on the second floor. There was a brief touch of fear, but the Lord smoothed it out.

Then he saw the Studebaker headed for the front door. He stepped out of the covered area and waved. It silently pulled up next to him, and the passenger window rolled down. A beautiful woman smiled out at him, I’m Astrid, Edvard’s wife. The back door’s unlocked. Hop in.

The Lord had it timed well. The black van just drove by and headed up for my apartment. Thank you for being willing to come get me.

Edvard laughed. No, thank you for turning to Jesus. That’s the huge news here. Are you doing all right?

Yea, just a sec. I need to ask the Lord something. What can I say? Tell them everything. The old man was not a Jew, He belonged to me. He’s with me, and I got rid of the body. Haydn broke into nearly hysterical laughter. I’m OK, he choked out. I need a bit of time here.

After several seconds, he got himself under control. "Sorry ’bout that. I did a horrendous thing earlier today, and I killed an old man. So, I asked the Lord what I could tell you. He said to tell them everything. He said that the old man was not a Jew, but a Christian. He’s with Jesus now and the Lord got rid of the body.

I’m an anarchist—or was one. He chuckled. "I can tell that I no longer believe their lies. I’m a calligrapher and painter. The politicians we worked under were using me to calligraphically splash horrendous slogans on windows and buildings—using acid to etch them into the face of the building or window.

"I’m ashamed to admit it now, but today I splashed Jewish death—what joy it is onto the brass doors of a Jewish temple off Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. I turned to run away, and my rubber mask was yanked off my head. I whirled around and I saw a little old man getting ready to shout. Before he could get it out, I kicked in the side of his head, and he flew sideways crushing the other side on the sharp granite steps of the temple. He was dead instantly.

"My demon was doing everything he could to calm me down, praising me, an amazing orgasm, whatever. I was so shook, I barely made it back here—driving like a crazy person. The engine of my car locked up as I was parking by my apartment. Once I got upstairs into my apartment, the demon was all over me. He started telling me it was all over, and I deserved to die. He did everything he could to get me to kill myself. I finally pulled out my old Colt 45 pistol. But I heard a man’s voice, full of compassion, Please don’t do that.

That scared the Hell out of me, He broke into laughter again. "It just occurred to me that was literally true. It at least broke the hold the demon had on me. So, I went back and forth with the voice until He finally admitted He was God’s Son—Jesus.

"Once that happened, normality returned with the terror, the nasty demon screaming at me, the whole works. I finally screamed, ‘Help me, Jesus!’ And it was over, the silence was complete. My resistance was gone, I told Him, ‘OK, do it to me.’

"He said, I can’t do anything until you get rid of your sin. That blocks anything I can do. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your sin, if you’ve got enough nerve.

"That pissed me off, so I did what He said—to show Him. I was just deluged with mental sewage. They were my memories, so there was no defense. Finally, I couldn’t take it any more, and I told him I didn’t want to be like that any more, what can I do? He told me to ask Him to forgive me. Wondering what good that would do, I did it. And they were all gone!

"I asked what I could do to keep clean like that, and He told me how to ask Him to come inside me. Then I found out He loved me, and all I could do was thank and praise him. Finally, I broke into a new language and I could express myself freely. It was amazing. I finally collapsed back into my chair in joy.

"Then He said, They’re coming tonight to celebrate the assault on the Temple. Call Edvard Odegaard at the Fiery Spirit in Northfield. Tell him you were just born again and you’re in danger. He’ll come get you. Meet him in front of the supermarket.

So, I called. You were most gracious on the phone, and here we are. What a day! They all laughed with joy.

They got back to HQ in time for dinner. So, Haydn met most of the people there. He was amazed at how open they were with each other. They genuinely liked each other. After dinner, they all met in the living room, and Haydn learned about vetting. But everyone had vetted him during dinner, so that was quick.

Astrid explained, "Normally, at this point, we would offer you a job. However, it seems clear to us that you will not be working in the gallery, but at the school. So, if it’s all right, I’m going to call Bidziil and Mosi, the school headmasters, and see if they can all meet you up there.

I suspect you’ll find a better fit there, and they can evaluate your skills better—though I am dying to see what’s in your art case. Does that plan work well for you?

I think so. What’s unique about the gallery and the school. I sense something very important, but I have no idea what it is.

Esther spoke up, "What you just experienced was being reborn and then baptized with the Holy Spirit. That language was the indicator that you were filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives you that for many powerful reasons. But the person to teach you about all of that is probably Germaine, the spiritual director of the school.

But what is different are two basic things. First, we do not hire anyone who is not approved by the Lord and spirit-filled. That’s the reason for the vetting. But, second, we have discovered that the Lord will anoint our work if we keep clean. That’s the reason why Jesus has had all of us ask the Holy Spirit to show us all our sin—so we can get cleaned up.

Astrid had left for a moment. She came back with two pieces. Here are two pieces which have a strong anointing, so you can see what we are talking about. This first one is done by a man who can allow the Lord to show him how to reveal how Jesus made the rock when He created everything. If it helps ask the Lord to show the anointing to you. She handed him the rock and silver base made by Thomas and Johona.

Haydn took it and looked it carefully, and then his face lit up. I can see how the Lord formed it! Incredible.

This drawing is by Charlie Haugen, leader of Chozen Frozen. She handed him the pencil painting.

Haydn took it and fell into the drawing. Amazing, the Lord’s hand is everywhere. And look at the strokework. This is truly incredible. Praise you, Jesus.

2Meeting the school group

•Wednesday, January 25: mentor quarters, Haugean School of the Arts

It took a while to get him up to the school mentor quarters, but everyone was there waiting when he arrived. The three of them were welcomed into the living room. Astrid introduced him with a brief explanation. I imagine the poor man is near overload at this time. This morning he was a radical anarchist making an attack on a synagogue. Now, he’s a spirit-filled artist like all of us. We haven’t seen any of his work yet, so Edvard and I will sit in on this also, if that’s all right.

Maja started, Hi, I’m Maja, married to Antonne, the big guy next to me who is the general contractor for us. I’m the blacksmith and welder for the school, so far. What kind of stuff do you do?

Haydn smiled, "Basically, I’m a painter. But, my specialty is radical Japanese-style calligraphy. The anarchists were using me to scrawl their hate slogans onto buildings and windows with acid to actually eat into the surfaces. That’s what I was doing at the synagogue. At the end, as I turned to leave, someone pulled off my rubber mask. I whirled around, saw an old man getting ready shout, so I shut him up with my boot, which knocked him sideway into the stone steps which flattened the other side of his head as well. He was dead before he quit moving.

"It really rocked me. I’ve never gotten involved in the physical violence. But it got me questioning things. My demon went ballistic trying to get me under control again. Back down in my apartment in Cannon Falls, the demon almost had me to suicide. But, Jesus spoke to me, and led me through rebirth and the baptism of the Holy Spirit—or so I’ve been told. Then Jesus told me that the old man was not a Jew. He was one of the Lord’s people. He was safely with the Lord and that He had gotten rid of the body.

I’m still trying to get a handle on all of that. But it is clear that I’m no longer an anarchist. It’s all been forgiven, but what does than mean in reality?

Germaine spoke up, "Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I can see You were working here. I ask that you show Haydn what was going on and how he is to react. Make your way clear, please.

"OK. Scripture is clear that when the Lord forgives sins, He forgets it. It is gone. In fact, there is some evidence that you can get into spiritual trouble trying to pull up those old memories, especially other people’s memories.

But, bottom line, Jesus is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. If He tells you you’re all right, you are. Does that help? She smiled at the young man.

Actually, I was told over at the other house, that it was likely that a woman named Germaine, who is the spiritual director over here, would be able to explain things to me. Yes, it helped, and I assume you are Germaine.

They all started laughing quietly in joy. It was such a delight to see the Lord transform a person. Germaine was laughing as well. But now, I’m with Astrid. Do you have any of your work in that case?

Yes, I do. Jesus, will you shield these people from the nastiness in my work up to this point?

They all said, Amen. Germaine explained, That word means I agree, or So be it.

Haydn opened his case and pulled out a large sketch book. Hopefully, these are less offensive. But I was really messed up. He opened it up and passed it around. It was filled with images built up with words, large, small, various colors, intertwined, and layered. All written on top of each other in a coherent message.

Aisha commented, I saw a lot of this stuff in the Somali jihadist groups using Arabic and Farsi. But, your work has a much more coherent message. The calligraphy is wonderful. It will be wonderful to see what the Lord does with your skills.

Haydn looked a little confused by that.

Chayton explained, I was told that the Lord would help my drawing become more real. Truth becomes embedded in the work. He enables me to see that truth as I work on my drawings.

Haydn quietly exclaimed, Incredible. Astrid showed me two anointed pieces. I want that, Lord, for my work.

Edvard spoke up, Has everyone vetted Haydn?

They all agreed that he was called to join them.

Excellent. Edvard looked at Haydn. "This will be your choice. We will not try to talk you into anything. But we all agree that the Lord has approved you to be part of us. This is a real offer. We would like to hire you as a painter, starting at the entry level of five thousand a month, paid in advance. Tommaso, down at HQ, will get the contract ready in the morning.

If you decide to join us, you will get a debit card with your first month’s pay, a company phone, a computer, plus room and board. I expect they’ll let you sleep up here tonight, even if you haven’t made up your mind. But, it’s up to you.

Haydn smiled. I was asking the Lord while you were talking. He said, ‘This is where I want you to be working. You’ll be safe, and it will be good.’ So, I’m in.

They all got enthusiastic about that.

OK, Astrid and I will go back down. What’s your last name, and how do you spell Haydn?

H-A-Y-D-N Dillon—like the Marshall in Gunsmoke.

"And Haydn, like the composer— and HAYden, not HIGHden. Excellent. We’ll see you down at HQ in the morning.

After the leaders left, Haydn got the chance to find out what was different about the school. He really liked what he heard. So, you’re basically offering apprenticeship training for artists. I love it. There were so many times when I wished I had someone who understood what I was trying to do, who could give me useful feedback.

Exactly, Bidziil really liked what he saw in the young man. "We don’t call ourselves teachers, but mentors. We only take self-motivated trainees. Any teaching needed is done online through Linked-In Learning.

Have you done any font design work?

Haydn looked a bit sad, I’ve wanted to, but I never had any software. I barely know how to use a computer.

"Let me show you something. One of the women artists up at Chozen Frozen Gallery, in Stillwater, does what she calls digital typographic artwork. It requires one of Apple’s thirty-two inch Pro displays to see the anointing, but we have one of them over there on the wall.

He opened the Mac Studio they used for imagery in the living room and sent one of Marilee’s images to the display. The Lord will put together a personal message. Then from what I’ve heard, if you come back a few minutes later, He’ll do a different one. They are really amazing.

When it came on the screen, Haydn had to get up and go see it closer. He was just mesmerized. Finally, he turned away. That’s incredible. I want to see if He’ll give me another one. Let me give it a minute for my mind to digest what I just saw. After a couple minutes, he turned back to the display.

Praise you, Jesus! He breathed it out softly. You’re amazing, Lord. He turned back to the rest of them. You’re right. It’s a completely different message this time. You can almost see the Holy Spirit put it together in front of your eyes. The unlimited depth is almost beyond comprehension. I’d love to see if I can get some of my stuff doing that. Am I correct that there’ll be a computer at the school that can produce this?

They all nodded, with large smiles.

It was getting late. Gareth and Chayton took him up to choose a room. He loved the one in the northeast corner, up front. Most of the view was of a large blue spruce, though that was hard to really tell in the dark. But the room had a king size bed, a comfortable club chair, a wonderful dresser, and a small desk with an iMac on it next to a small bookcase. He loved it.

He had the guys show him how to start up the computer and open Safari, so he could check out the Website. They showed him that the Command key was like the Control, and the Option key was like the Alt—and that the shortcuts were written out in the menus. That helped a lot. After they left, he spent a long time exploring the site, while he began learning how to run a Mac. Finally, he got undressed and slipped under the sheets. He spent a while praising and thanking the Lord before he drifted off.

3From anarchy to beautiful freedom

•Thursday, January 26: Haydn’s room, mentor quarters, Haugean School

Haydn woke up slowly and in great peace. He was wondering about the rigid structure he had always been told was the hallmark of Christian living. He certainly had not seen anything like that, so far. He suspected that it was more of the anarchist and woke lies. As he went through what he had experienced last night, it was obvious that what he’d been led to hate was not even close to the reality of things.

Good morning, Lord. Hello, Haydn. All he felt was warm acceptance. You’re free to be who you were designed to be.

He was struck with wonder. I have no idea who I was designed to be, he murmured. I’ll need a lot of help with that, Lord. Talk to Germaine. He smiled.

He got up, took a shower, and found some relatively clean clothes, heavily wrinkled. I need to buy some new clothes. He laughed. What a change in twenty four hours.

He headed downstairs and discovered that the Lord had helped him get awake early, before breakfast. Gareth and Kathleen were in the kitchen. She smiled, Good morning, Haydn. If you want coffee, there are tumblers in the cupboard over the coffee pot. We keep hot coffee available in the insulated bottles, all day.

I like that idea. Thanks. He went over and poured some coffee. So, what’s the schedule?

Both of them chuckled. Gareth said, Except for signing the contract and getting your debit card, and phone, your time is free. You’ll gradually find things to do, and fit in your slot. But the basic idea is to talk with the Lord and ask Him to show you what would work best for today.

Haydn chuckled. Yea, so far He’s told me I’m free to be who I was designed to be, and that I should talk with Germaine to get help. I do need to get some clothes. These are my best, at this point.

I’ll be busy all day, but talk to one of the artists. Their schedules are more open. If you know your sizes, ordering them online is probably the best these days.

As you saw last night, I’ll probably need to get my accounts set up first. I know very little about computers.

Elu walked in and heard that. I can help you with that. I’m the head of computer stuff around here. And I’m free today.

That would really help. Your name is Elu, right? I’m guessing that’s indigenous—where you from?

"Quite a few us here have come from a large operation which is affiliated with The Fiery Spirit. It’s called Servants of Jíísas on the Navajo Nation. We call ourselves Diné, which is just the people in Navajo. Actually, I came from an associated company under Servants called Anointed ByteMashers. It’s considered the top cyberwarrior company in the country."

This place is really something. I love it. So, there’s a bunch of Diné, and then there’s a couple like Maja and Antonne. Plus Caleb and Aisha. I love the variety. I was certainly sold a bill of goods about you nasty Christians. He laughed.

He helped as they got the table set, and breakfast brought out. There were fifteen people now. Germain led with prayer. Lord Jesus, we thank you for calling us and putting us into this group. We ask you help us be aware that Haydn is probably as confused as we were when each of us met you. Comfort him, Lord. Bless this food and our conversation.

They all responded Amen.

The food was delicious. Kathleen had been getting lessons from Ava, and she was a quick learner. After breakfast, he helped them clean up and then he went with Elu to get all his accounts set up. Elu called Tommaso to find out his email. As they talked Tommaso offered to bring the contract, phone, and debit card up to the house so they could get it all set up.

The three of them had a good time getting to know each other and the result was that Haydn became a very protected digital citizen. He absolutely loved that their network was secure within the VPN designed by Bebe. You wouldn’t believe how much of the political scene is based on things found while hacking into people’s computers.

4Discovering forgotten assets

•Friday, January 27: tower office,