sponsored by

Hosted by
eROI

Longish   Eldon by Greg Coyle An excerpt from "Alas, Poor Country," a novel about faith and fortune   The Art of Selling Faith by Jenn Lackey Quixtar: Bringing Amway to the Web   Bus One Seven by Roderick Armageddon and Cordova Duvet Anvil's tag-team tackles America's biggest hurdle: the separation of church and state.    Shortish   Leap of Faith by Kent Lewis When that "higher power" is you    Faith in Electromagnetic Modulation by David Lytle    Keep the TV Turned on   Lists   Failed Religious Products Developed by Proctor & Gamble   Signs The Catholic Church Is Trying To Improve Their Image   Out of Sites by Jeff Gores   Good web sites or good laughs? Find them both here.

When Karma Comes Knocking
by Kent Lewis

Two weeks ago, an older man rang my doorbell at 10 p.m. It was a particularly warm night, so the screen door was open and I could see from a distance that he had something in his hands that resembled a weapon. Had he been younger, I would have approached with due caution (and my five wood), but he seemed harmless enough.

Turns out, he offered to trim the fig tree in my front yard. He wanted the money up front, but I was hesitant. He gave me a story about needing to feed the kids, which only aided to my reluctance. My fig tree wasn’t going to save his kids from starving. My girlfriend informed me that our various neighbors had commented about their relatively pleasant previous experience. I elected to move forward, having faith in the word of my neighbors.

I told him he could start whenever and I’d pay him when he was done. He managed to get a few bucks out of me that night after he’d spent a few minutes on the project and promised to show up the next day to finish. That night, I repressed an uneasy feeling about the guy. I decided I had to keep the faith.

I was almost surprised to see him the next day, as he had promised. He’d come equipped with his trusty shears and another story about a flat tire. He seemed ready to work however, so I gave him more money on my way out the door. I returned to the same pile of branches he’d left the night before and no signs of him or any additional labor. I never saw him again. I’d been taken for $35, and learned my lesson: never pay strangers for work up front. If I wasn’t such a fan of Karma, I would probably have lost faith in strangers. Instead I believe he will either come back and finish some day, or he will get hit by a bolt of lightning.

At least a few of our writers haven’t lost faith. Greg Coyle believes in himself and Anvil readers enough to share a chapter from his upcoming book entitled "Alas, Poor Country," a story detailing the events of the uranium boom on the Colorado Plateau in the late 1940s to early 1960s. A must read for history junkies, book agents and Mormons.

Speaking of cults, Jenn Lackey gives us an insightful look into Amway’s MLM latest foray: Quixtar. When it comes to selling faith, there is no competition. Look for them on a Web site (or pulpit) near you.

True to his preaching background, Roderick Armageddon delivers an oratory of monumental proportions, this time teaming up with Anvil contributor Cordova Duvet. This month's sermon covers the Pledge of Allegiance. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Having faith in others is nothing compared to having faith in yourself. In my piece, Leap of Faith, I outline my own rocky road to self-employment. Unemployed may find inspiration to hang their own shingle, or opt to attend a Quixtar meeting.

We all trust our TV will work when we turn it on. It’s like a family member, perhaps a favorite uncle. In Faith in Electromagnetic Modulation, David Lytle helps us understand why your set may not be picture perfect.

We had a vision of sorts with this month’s lists. As a result, we expect a cease and desist letter from Proctor & Gamble regarding their failed religious products. Perhaps a visit from The Pope will convince us that The Catholic Church is improving their image.

Lest we not forget that the Internet is chocked full of faith-related Web-site nuggets and Jeff Gores helps dig them up in Out of Sites. Be sure to visit the gallery, where heavenly images await.