I was watching the “Turning Point” television program this afternoon, and in today’s sermon Rev. David Jeremiah of Shadow Mountain Church in California shared a story from his ordination interview.
It so happened that the good preacher’s parents were present in the room that day, and it was finally the young Jeremiah’s turn to sit in the ‘hot seat.’
During the interview, one of his ‘inquisitors’ posed a question; with a rather long preface.
And as he recounts the story, Rev. Jeremiah smiles, then laughs out loud, and then continues.
‘I don’t if he does, but I sure do!’”
Dr. Jeremiah went on to say that you would have had to know his mother’s personality and how out of character this kind of outburst was for her. It remains one of his most poignant memories.
Pt. 2
Some time ago, I found myself doing what I do almost every night, well, every morning if you call “dark city” morning. I jump on my slow, but trusty bike and head off on a 10 mile trek.
On this particular morning I happened to stop at an intersection, preparing to cross a 4 lane highway, and looked to my right. And strangely enough for 4am, I could just make out the form of a fella walking towards me on the sidewalk; perhaps 50 feet away.
Well, not being overly concerned about the man walking in my direction, I glanced one more time to my left, and prepared to “high tail it” across the highway. Mind you, no more than 2 seconds had elapsed since I had noticed the guy walking towards me on the sidewalk, and as I began peddling, I glanced back to my right.
And where a moment before there was what appeared to be a six foot, 170 pound man,
… only thin air greeted my gaze.
And since I peddle this same route every day it’s a familiar environment for me,
… (and this is the “wild card,”)
I’m aware of a 6-8 foot high wall that runs along that sidewalk, and which borders a gated community. There had been absolutely nowhere for “my friend” to go. He certainly didn’t vault the wall in record time, and since there are plenty of street lights along that stretch of highway, I would have seen him had he walked across the street.
Over the past year I have experienced a rather difficult season; something relating to rejection, and which kicked me in the figurative rear end. And as I reflect on it now, I think it was after this angelic visitation that the dark emotions with which I had contended began to lift.
I believe in angels, seen and unseen, and I’m thankful for their ministry to God’s people.
Post-Script
Strangely enough, a couple of weeks after my foregoing experience a fatal automobile accident, in which two women died, occurred at this particular intersection.
Beyond my previous interpretation of why this angel may have appeared in my presence, I have wondered if perhaps he was one of God’s Death Angels, and if he had been involved in a ‘dry run’ that evening.
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending
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