On the Ranch
Everyone sat around watching TV. With the Temple being finished in Jerusalem everyone was curious about what would happen next.
“This is something about the cleansing ceremony.” Becca said as she leaned forward and turned up the TV as a priest of the Temple stepped forward.
Num 19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying,
Num 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no blemish, on which no yoke ever came.
Num 19:3 And you shall give her to Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth outside the camp. And he shall kill her before his face.
Num 19:4 And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times.
Num 19:5 And he shall burn the heifer in his sight, her skin and her flesh and her blood with her dung, he shall burn.
Num 19:6 And the priest shall take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet, and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Num 19:7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water. And afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:8 And he who burns her shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:9 And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the sons of Israel for a water of separation. It is a cleansing for sin.
Num 19:10 And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And it shall be to the sons of Israel, and to the stranger that lives among them, for a statute forever.
Num 19:11 He who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:12 He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Num 19:13 Whoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah. And that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still upon him.
Num 19:14 This is the law when a man dies in a tent. All that come into the tent, and all in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:15 And every open vessel which has no covering bound upon it, it is unclean.
Num 19:16 And whoever touches one that is killed with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:17 And for the unclean they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of cleansing for sin, and running water shall be put to it in a vessel.
Num 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip in the water, and sprinkle upon the tent and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one killed, or one dead, or a grave.
Num 19:19 And the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. And he shall be clean at evening.
Num 19:20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The water of separation has not been sprinkled upon him. He is unclean.
Num 19:21 And it shall be a perpetual law to them, that he who sprinkles the water of separation shall wash his clothes. And he that touches the water of separation shall be unclean until evening.
Num 19:22 And whatever the unclean touches shall be unclean. And the soul who touches shall be unclean until evening.
The priest finished the reading of the scripture and closed his Torah.
A red heifer was brought forward and inspected by the priest. While at the bottom of the screen on the ticker tape scrolled past.
“Whoa!!!” Matt shouted. “Did you guys read that?”
“The water is blood in some areas.” Zoe gasped.
“Do you think it has something to do with the purification of the new Temple?” Ryan asked.
“I don’t know. See what the two witness are saying.” Maddie instructed Renee.
Everyone sat around watching TV. With the Temple being finished in Jerusalem everyone was curious about what would happen next.
“This is something about the cleansing ceremony.” Becca said as she leaned forward and turned up the TV as a priest of the Temple stepped forward.
Num 19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying,
Num 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no blemish, on which no yoke ever came.
Num 19:3 And you shall give her to Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth outside the camp. And he shall kill her before his face.
Num 19:4 And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times.
Num 19:5 And he shall burn the heifer in his sight, her skin and her flesh and her blood with her dung, he shall burn.
Num 19:6 And the priest shall take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet, and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Num 19:7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water. And afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:8 And he who burns her shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:9 And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the sons of Israel for a water of separation. It is a cleansing for sin.
Num 19:10 And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And it shall be to the sons of Israel, and to the stranger that lives among them, for a statute forever.
Num 19:11 He who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:12 He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Num 19:13 Whoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah. And that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still upon him.
Num 19:14 This is the law when a man dies in a tent. All that come into the tent, and all in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:15 And every open vessel which has no covering bound upon it, it is unclean.
Num 19:16 And whoever touches one that is killed with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:17 And for the unclean they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of cleansing for sin, and running water shall be put to it in a vessel.
Num 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip in the water, and sprinkle upon the tent and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one killed, or one dead, or a grave.
Num 19:19 And the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. And he shall be clean at evening.
Num 19:20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The water of separation has not been sprinkled upon him. He is unclean.
Num 19:21 And it shall be a perpetual law to them, that he who sprinkles the water of separation shall wash his clothes. And he that touches the water of separation shall be unclean until evening.
Num 19:22 And whatever the unclean touches shall be unclean. And the soul who touches shall be unclean until evening.
The priest finished the reading of the scripture and closed his Torah.
A red heifer was brought forward and inspected by the priest. While at the bottom of the screen on the ticker tape scrolled past.
“Whoa!!!” Matt shouted. “Did you guys read that?”
“The water is blood in some areas.” Zoe gasped.
“Do you think it has something to do with the purification of the new Temple?” Ryan asked.
“I don’t know. See what the two witness are saying.” Maddie instructed Renee.
- Zags
__________________________________________________________________
On the Ranch
Finding the link to the Wailing Wall Renee turned up the volume so everyone could hear and set the computer on top of the TV.
The two witness were speaking their voices echoing loudly.
Heb 9:1 Then truly the first tabernacle had also ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
Heb 9:2 For the first tabernacle was prepared, in which was both the lampstand, and the table, and the setting out of the loaves, which is called Holies.
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,
Heb 9:4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid all around with gold, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Heb 9:5 And over it were the cherubs of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat (about which we cannot now speak piece by piece.
Heb 9:6 Now when these things were ordained in this way, the priests always went into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7 But once in the year into the second the high priest goes alone, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people)
Heb 9:8 the Holy Spirit signifying by this that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Heb 9:9 For it was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him who did the service perfect as regards the conscience,
Heb 9:10 which stood only in meats and drinks, and different kinds of washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11 But when Christ had become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building
Heb 9:12 nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh,
Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ (who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God) purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause He is the Mediator of the new covenant, so that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a covenant is, the death of him covenanting must be offered.
Heb 9:17 For a covenant is affirmed over those dead, since it never has force when The one covenanting is living.
Heb 9:18 From which we see that neither was the first covenant dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined to you."
Heb 9:21 And likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 Therefore it was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves were purified with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ has not entered into the Holy of Holies made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Heb 9:25 Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, even as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies every year with the blood of others
Heb 9:26 (for then He must have suffered often since the foundation of the world), but now once in the end of the world He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,
Heb 9:28 so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.
With that the two witness stopped speaking.
“Somehow I don’t think water turning to blood is a coincidence.” Raul said his eyes wide.
Finding the link to the Wailing Wall Renee turned up the volume so everyone could hear and set the computer on top of the TV.
The two witness were speaking their voices echoing loudly.
Heb 9:1 Then truly the first tabernacle had also ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
Heb 9:2 For the first tabernacle was prepared, in which was both the lampstand, and the table, and the setting out of the loaves, which is called Holies.
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,
Heb 9:4 having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid all around with gold, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Heb 9:5 And over it were the cherubs of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat (about which we cannot now speak piece by piece.
Heb 9:6 Now when these things were ordained in this way, the priests always went into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Heb 9:7 But once in the year into the second the high priest goes alone, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people)
Heb 9:8 the Holy Spirit signifying by this that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Heb 9:9 For it was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him who did the service perfect as regards the conscience,
Heb 9:10 which stood only in meats and drinks, and different kinds of washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11 But when Christ had become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building
Heb 9:12 nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh,
Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ (who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God) purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause He is the Mediator of the new covenant, so that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a covenant is, the death of him covenanting must be offered.
Heb 9:17 For a covenant is affirmed over those dead, since it never has force when The one covenanting is living.
Heb 9:18 From which we see that neither was the first covenant dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined to you."
Heb 9:21 And likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 Therefore it was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves were purified with better sacrifices than these.
Heb 9:24 For Christ has not entered into the Holy of Holies made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Heb 9:25 Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, even as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies every year with the blood of others
Heb 9:26 (for then He must have suffered often since the foundation of the world), but now once in the end of the world He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,
Heb 9:28 so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And to those who look for Him He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation.
With that the two witness stopped speaking.
“Somehow I don’t think water turning to blood is a coincidence.” Raul said his eyes wide.
- Zags
________________________________________________________________
POSSUM HOLLOW
"Fire on the mountain run boys run..devils in the house of the rising sun" Dan works away chopping wood outside..singing his familiar tune as he works away
"Dan" "Dan" ya gotta get in here and check this out.....Tim pushes Dan to "hurry up" ...taking one more swing with his axe to notch it into the wood....Dan looks up "what's going on?" "Hurry up ya gotta check this out"
standing at the door urging Dan into the room as the others all sit around the tv watching the news
The Temple was in it's last stages of being completed and a Priest was speaking on this momentous occasion
Num 19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying,
Num 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no blemish, on which no yoke ever came.
Num 19:3 And you shall give her to Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth outside the camp. And he shall kill her before his face.
Num 19:4 And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times.
Num 19:5 And he shall burn the heifer in his sight, her skin and her flesh and her blood with her dung, he shall burn.
Num 19:6 And the priest shall take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet, and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Num 19:7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water. And afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:8 And he who burns her shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:9 And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the sons of Israel for a water of separation. It is a cleansing for sin.
Num 19:10 And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And it shall be to the sons of Israel, and to the stranger that lives among them, for a statute forever.
Num 19:11 He who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:12 He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Num 19:13 Whoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah. And that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still upon him.
Num 19:14 This is the law when a man dies in a tent. All that come into the tent, and all in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:15 And every open vessel which has no covering bound upon it, it is unclean.
Num 19:16 And whoever touches one that is killed with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:17 And for the unclean they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of cleansing for sin, and running water shall be put to it in a vessel.
Num 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip in the water, and sprinkle upon the tent and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one killed, or one dead, or a grave.
Num 19:19 And the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. And he shall be clean at evening.
Num 19:20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The water of separation has not been sprinkled upon him. He is unclean.
Num 19:21 And it shall be a perpetual law to them, that he who sprinkles the water of separation shall wash his clothes. And he that touches the water of separation shall be unclean until evening.
Num 19:22 And whatever the unclean touches shall be unclean. And the soul who touches shall be unclean until evening.
The priest finished the reading of the scripture and closed his Torah.
A red heifer was brought forward and inspected by the priest. While at the bottom of the screen on the ticker tape scrolled
"If this don't give you goosebumps?" Tim said looking around the room They all with great reverence sat in awe watching Bible Prophecy fulfilled before their very eyes
"Fire on the mountain run boys run..devils in the house of the rising sun" Dan works away chopping wood outside..singing his familiar tune as he works away
"Dan" "Dan" ya gotta get in here and check this out.....Tim pushes Dan to "hurry up" ...taking one more swing with his axe to notch it into the wood....Dan looks up "what's going on?" "Hurry up ya gotta check this out"
standing at the door urging Dan into the room as the others all sit around the tv watching the news
The Temple was in it's last stages of being completed and a Priest was speaking on this momentous occasion
Num 19:1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron saying,
Num 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which Jehovah has commanded, saying, Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no blemish, on which no yoke ever came.
Num 19:3 And you shall give her to Eleazar the priest that he may bring her forth outside the camp. And he shall kill her before his face.
Num 19:4 And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times.
Num 19:5 And he shall burn the heifer in his sight, her skin and her flesh and her blood with her dung, he shall burn.
Num 19:6 And the priest shall take cedar-wood and hyssop and scarlet, and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.
Num 19:7 Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water. And afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:8 And he who burns her shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the evening.
Num 19:9 And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up outside the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the sons of Israel for a water of separation. It is a cleansing for sin.
Num 19:10 And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening. And it shall be to the sons of Israel, and to the stranger that lives among them, for a statute forever.
Num 19:11 He who touches the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:12 He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
Num 19:13 Whoever touches the dead body of any man that is dead, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of Jehovah. And that soul shall be cut off from Israel. Because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still upon him.
Num 19:14 This is the law when a man dies in a tent. All that come into the tent, and all in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:15 And every open vessel which has no covering bound upon it, it is unclean.
Num 19:16 And whoever touches one that is killed with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
Num 19:17 And for the unclean they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of cleansing for sin, and running water shall be put to it in a vessel.
Num 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop and dip in the water, and sprinkle upon the tent and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one killed, or one dead, or a grave.
Num 19:19 And the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water. And he shall be clean at evening.
Num 19:20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of Jehovah. The water of separation has not been sprinkled upon him. He is unclean.
Num 19:21 And it shall be a perpetual law to them, that he who sprinkles the water of separation shall wash his clothes. And he that touches the water of separation shall be unclean until evening.
Num 19:22 And whatever the unclean touches shall be unclean. And the soul who touches shall be unclean until evening.
The priest finished the reading of the scripture and closed his Torah.
A red heifer was brought forward and inspected by the priest. While at the bottom of the screen on the ticker tape scrolled
"If this don't give you goosebumps?" Tim said looking around the room They all with great reverence sat in awe watching Bible Prophecy fulfilled before their very eyes
- STA
________________________________________________________________
Austin entered the office with his initial drawing for the Bright Star project. Handing it to Amy, "Have you heard back from them yet about letting me onboard?" "No, I havent but I will send them another request and I will (Jan will) upload the drawing for their approval. If this is what they need to sustain for the next few years we will get started on the prodution right away, but we need their approval and it would be alot easier to retrofit this system if they allow you to view a couple of their ships"
"Thanks Amy, let me know if you hear something" as Austin heads back to the e-lab.
To:Bright Star
From: The shop
I havent heard back from you about allowing our electrical engineer to come for a visit. We have added an attachment to this email with a drawing of the eco system designed specifically for your fleet. Please review the drawing and reply back at your earliest convienience.
In our Saviors name,
Amy and the boys at the shop.
"Thanks Amy, let me know if you hear something" as Austin heads back to the e-lab.
To:Bright Star
From: The shop
I havent heard back from you about allowing our electrical engineer to come for a visit. We have added an attachment to this email with a drawing of the eco system designed specifically for your fleet. Please review the drawing and reply back at your earliest convienience.
In our Saviors name,
Amy and the boys at the shop.
- mdulik
_________________________________________________________________
Sam,
I have forwarded the email from the Bright Star and we would like you to head to the shop as soon as possible. We will have a lot to send and as you see the window of opportunity is very limited. We will be looking for you tonight.
Yours In Christ
Amy
Sam read the email sent to the crew and knew he would need to get their supplies ready and head north as soon as things could be made ready.
To: the shop crew
From: Bright Star
At this time for safety reasons we must conduct drop zone operations. The following GPS waypoint will be used. In three days, at 12:00 the air space will be open for you to drop your cargo. You will have a drop window of one hour before window is closed. We welcome your gifts and hope one day to return the favor.
Bright Star
Christina was looking over his shoulder reading the email and she squeezed his arm knowing it could be a very dangerous mission for Sam. "I will get everyone busy putting the boxes of food and supplies into the truck. Anything else you need us to do before you have to leave?" she asked.
"No, dear. My bag is always packed and ready to go so we only need to load the truck and head to the airstrip. Babe, you know I hate being away from you, but I must go. The fleet is quickly running out of supplies and they need us. It is a gesture showing our love for the Lord and they need that reassurance right now," Sam told her.
They got everyone together for a quick meeting. Sam watched all their faces as he spoke, "I am going on a mission that is probably the most important one I've undertaken. I will be taking supplies to the fleet of ships that have refused to become a part of the GF Navy and this could by far be my most dangerous mission. I will need your prayers for not only my safety, but that the fleet will remain undetected. Thank you for all the hard work getting the supplies ready and for your continued support."
They surround Sam all holding hands as Steven lead them in prayer, "Father, we come to You with humble hearts and a request that Your hand guide Sam as he delivers the supplies vital to the fleet. We also ask Your hand of protection for the fleet and all those souls that have made the decision to follow Jesus and for those still not in Your fold. Father, Your power is mighty and we give You all the praise and glory for all the blessings we continue to receive, especially safety from the hand of the evil one who rules the earth. We love You with all our hearts and soul. Amen."
They all said "Amen" and started moving quickly to load the truck. Sam again thanked everyone and he and Christina had a quiet moment together before heading to the airstrip. Sam and Christina rode in the truck as Steven, Bud, and Linda followed in the jeep. They moved quickly to load the plane as Sam made his usual maintenance checks then they all said their good-byes. Christina watched Sam climb into the pilot's seat and start the engine and with a quick wave she ran back to the truck tears flowing down her face. She whispered a prayer, "Lord, please keep him safe and bring him home safely." She turned to see the plane lifting into the air and she gave one last wave as he banked around and flew over their heads. "I love you, Sam," Christina whispered.
- P4H
________________________________________________________________
Steve listened intently as the Rabbi began reading God's word.
Romans 3
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousnss, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
"By an act of God, He declares a sinner righteous. God revealed to people how they should live, but no one can live up to God's perfect way, all have sinned and fall short so we cannot save ourselves because we as sinners can never meet God's requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ. You are freely given and without cost given favor and grace from God through the Christ Jesus. Jesus died to give us redemption, which means He died to pay the price required to ransom sinners. By paying the penalty of their sin through His death, Jesus can free people from their sin and transfer His righteousness to those who believe in Him. By His death, Christ satisfied the justice of God. He paid the penalty of sin in full. Steve, all you must do is pray and ask for forgiveness of sin and receive Jesus into your heart," the Rabbi concluded.
Steve bowed his head and prayed as the Rabbi knelt with him, The angels sing as one more soul has been brought into the fold. Victory in Jesus.
Romans 3
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousnss, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
"By an act of God, He declares a sinner righteous. God revealed to people how they should live, but no one can live up to God's perfect way, all have sinned and fall short so we cannot save ourselves because we as sinners can never meet God's requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ. You are freely given and without cost given favor and grace from God through the Christ Jesus. Jesus died to give us redemption, which means He died to pay the price required to ransom sinners. By paying the penalty of their sin through His death, Jesus can free people from their sin and transfer His righteousness to those who believe in Him. By His death, Christ satisfied the justice of God. He paid the penalty of sin in full. Steve, all you must do is pray and ask for forgiveness of sin and receive Jesus into your heart," the Rabbi concluded.
Steve bowed his head and prayed as the Rabbi knelt with him, The angels sing as one more soul has been brought into the fold. Victory in Jesus.
- P4H
________________________________________________________________
"This is KYZ News Atlanta Georgia" "Despite the ever increasing call for peace from our Supreme Leader , violence continues to fill our streets as people struggle to cope with growing cost for food and energy. Today..another murderous rampage took place at a local supermarket as a madman opened fire after being told he couldn't buy more than the allotted amount established by Global Agencies"
elsewhere
"This is KOLR Channel 10 news...Springfield Missouri" "Just hours earlier, an apparent sniper took fire on pedestrians at they made their evening commute" "City of officer's are on a city wide man hunt and have asked for Global Governor's for regional assistance"
also
"This is Denmark news" "Growing unrest amongst civilian population has led to an alarming increase in hate crimes as more and more heinous acts of violence continue to mount"
elsewhere
"This is KOLR Channel 10 news...Springfield Missouri" "Just hours earlier, an apparent sniper took fire on pedestrians at they made their evening commute" "City of officer's are on a city wide man hunt and have asked for Global Governor's for regional assistance"
also
"This is Denmark news" "Growing unrest amongst civilian population has led to an alarming increase in hate crimes as more and more heinous acts of violence continue to mount"
- STA
________________________________________________________________
On the Ranch the Little House
Leon slowly opened his eyes. His head throbbed and he tried to reach up and rub it. Finding he couldn't move his hands very far he looked down to see his hands were cuffed to a wide leather belt at his waist. He squinted against the light as he looked around and saw Belle sitting in a chair next to the matress he was laying on.
"Belle?" He choked out, tears filling his eyes.
"I'm right here." She said reaching out and touching his shoulder.
Leon saw one of the ugly little creatures standing behind Belle. It was growling and clicking.
"Stay away from her." Leon said through his teeth as he tried to sit up.
"What?" Belle asked.
"You just stay away from her." Leon said as he glared at the creaure.
The creature gave a gruesome smile as it began to snap it's teeth together. It raised is twisted hands and placed them on Belle's shouders.
"STOP!" Leon shouted.
Belle leaned back in the chair as Raul stepped in front of her.
"Move!" Leon said desperately. "You have to do something. Stop it. It's gonna hurt her." Leon said desperately as he tried to stand. The chain attached to the ceiling only allowed him enough room to stand at the side of the bed.
"Just lay back down." Raul said calmly.
Leon watched in horror at the creature curled it hands around Belle's throat.
"It's gonna kill her!!" Leon jerked and pulled at the chain trying desperately to get to the creature and help Belle.
Belle turned her head and looked over her shoulder and seeing nothing tried to reassure Leon. "It's ok Leon. No one here would hurt me."
Leon watched at the creature began to squeeze, it's lips curled back in a snarl. Spit dripped from it's lips and it's growling turned to laughter.
"NO!! PLEASE!! DON'T HURT HER!!" Leon begged the creature.
With a hard lunge, Leon felt the belt dig into his stomach and gained another inch, but still remained firmly chained to the wall.
Raul stared confused at Leon. "He's hallucinating."
"No. There's something more going on. Can't you feel it?" Belle said quietly as she looked around the room. "It's the same feel before he went after Kristen."
Raul had no idea what Belle was talking about. He had been at the main house when the attack had occured. "What do you mean?"
"It feels.....Evil." Belle said.
Raul paused and after a few moments nodded. "Yeah. I feel it." Goosebumps raising on his arms.
Belle reached out and caught one of Raul's hands and lay the other on Leon's shouder. Raul also reached out his free hand and lay it on Leon's other shouder.
"IT"S KILLING HER!!!" Leon shouted tryng to shrug the hands off him.
"Father, we ask for Your presense. There is something going on here that we do not understand. We ask that You would remove this evil that we feel and give Leon peace."
With each word that Belle spoke the creature would grimace as if in pain. It began to jerk as Belle continued to ask for the help of Jesus. Finally the creature could take no more and let out a shriek. Staggering back it looked up into the heavens.
There in all His glory stood Jesus, His eyes burning with love for the two children who had called on His name for help in their time of need.
The creatures eyes immediately began to burn at the purity of Jesus. It's own sinful nature began crushing the creature at being in the presense of the Most Holy Son of God. The creature tried to turn it's eyes away, but the beauty of Jesus was too compelling as it shuddered in fear and reverance. The creature began to gnash it's teeth together and finally realizing that he had lost this round it gave in and turned and ran from Jesus.
Belle ended the prayer and with a deep cleasing breath turned to look at Leon. "Is it still here?"
Leon not comprehending what he had just witnessed dropped onto the bed in a dead faint.
Leon slowly opened his eyes. His head throbbed and he tried to reach up and rub it. Finding he couldn't move his hands very far he looked down to see his hands were cuffed to a wide leather belt at his waist. He squinted against the light as he looked around and saw Belle sitting in a chair next to the matress he was laying on.
"Belle?" He choked out, tears filling his eyes.
"I'm right here." She said reaching out and touching his shoulder.
Leon saw one of the ugly little creatures standing behind Belle. It was growling and clicking.
"Stay away from her." Leon said through his teeth as he tried to sit up.
"What?" Belle asked.
"You just stay away from her." Leon said as he glared at the creaure.
The creature gave a gruesome smile as it began to snap it's teeth together. It raised is twisted hands and placed them on Belle's shouders.
"STOP!" Leon shouted.
Belle leaned back in the chair as Raul stepped in front of her.
"Move!" Leon said desperately. "You have to do something. Stop it. It's gonna hurt her." Leon said desperately as he tried to stand. The chain attached to the ceiling only allowed him enough room to stand at the side of the bed.
"Just lay back down." Raul said calmly.
Leon watched in horror at the creature curled it hands around Belle's throat.
"It's gonna kill her!!" Leon jerked and pulled at the chain trying desperately to get to the creature and help Belle.
Belle turned her head and looked over her shoulder and seeing nothing tried to reassure Leon. "It's ok Leon. No one here would hurt me."
Leon watched at the creature began to squeeze, it's lips curled back in a snarl. Spit dripped from it's lips and it's growling turned to laughter.
"NO!! PLEASE!! DON'T HURT HER!!" Leon begged the creature.
With a hard lunge, Leon felt the belt dig into his stomach and gained another inch, but still remained firmly chained to the wall.
Raul stared confused at Leon. "He's hallucinating."
"No. There's something more going on. Can't you feel it?" Belle said quietly as she looked around the room. "It's the same feel before he went after Kristen."
Raul had no idea what Belle was talking about. He had been at the main house when the attack had occured. "What do you mean?"
"It feels.....Evil." Belle said.
Raul paused and after a few moments nodded. "Yeah. I feel it." Goosebumps raising on his arms.
Belle reached out and caught one of Raul's hands and lay the other on Leon's shouder. Raul also reached out his free hand and lay it on Leon's other shouder.
"IT"S KILLING HER!!!" Leon shouted tryng to shrug the hands off him.
"Father, we ask for Your presense. There is something going on here that we do not understand. We ask that You would remove this evil that we feel and give Leon peace."
With each word that Belle spoke the creature would grimace as if in pain. It began to jerk as Belle continued to ask for the help of Jesus. Finally the creature could take no more and let out a shriek. Staggering back it looked up into the heavens.
There in all His glory stood Jesus, His eyes burning with love for the two children who had called on His name for help in their time of need.
The creatures eyes immediately began to burn at the purity of Jesus. It's own sinful nature began crushing the creature at being in the presense of the Most Holy Son of God. The creature tried to turn it's eyes away, but the beauty of Jesus was too compelling as it shuddered in fear and reverance. The creature began to gnash it's teeth together and finally realizing that he had lost this round it gave in and turned and ran from Jesus.
Belle ended the prayer and with a deep cleasing breath turned to look at Leon. "Is it still here?"
Leon not comprehending what he had just witnessed dropped onto the bed in a dead faint.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________________
After listening to the news casts from around the world, MD bowed his head and started praying,
"Dear Father in Heaven,
We know that you have us here for a reason, we understand that the perilous times that we live in will only get worse. We pray for all of those souls that were brutally murdered and we pray that may knew you before their lives were so meaninglessly taken. Father we pray that you will continue to protect us and all of our friends and contacts around the world. Thank you Father for giving us the foreknowledge to collect and store the water that we will so desperatly need as more plagues come upon this earth as a result of your wrath. Father, thank you for saving my soul through your Son Jesus, and thank you for the holy spirit that lives in me, guiding me and teaching me everyday. Thank you Abba for allowing me to be one of your children, in Jesus name I pray....Amen
"Dear Father in Heaven,
We know that you have us here for a reason, we understand that the perilous times that we live in will only get worse. We pray for all of those souls that were brutally murdered and we pray that may knew you before their lives were so meaninglessly taken. Father we pray that you will continue to protect us and all of our friends and contacts around the world. Thank you Father for giving us the foreknowledge to collect and store the water that we will so desperatly need as more plagues come upon this earth as a result of your wrath. Father, thank you for saving my soul through your Son Jesus, and thank you for the holy spirit that lives in me, guiding me and teaching me everyday. Thank you Abba for allowing me to be one of your children, in Jesus name I pray....Amen
- mdulik
__________________________________________________________________
POSSUM HOLLOW
Earl "Grandpa" Boxberger and his grandaughter Stacy and friend Keisha sit watching the tv
"This is KOLR Channel 10 news...Springfield Missouri" "Just hours earlier, an apparent sniper took fire on pedestrians at they made their evening commute" "City of officer's are on a city wide man hunt and have asked for Global Governor's for regional assistance"
Grandpa hits the mute button .."right here in the Ozarks?" "These kinds of things never happened here ..not like that..it's always been called God's Country ya know?" "why Grandpa..why was it called God's country?" "Because honey..we have churches on every corner..sometimes two churches on every corner...people prayed at friday night football games...and 4th of July firework shows. Lot's of schools still said the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase "under God" still in the pledge....the Ozarks wasn't just in the bible belt..it's been the bible belt buckle" "but not anymore....this WHOLE world's gone mad and it's almost more than this old man can bear"
"GRANDPA?" Stacy's races to his side...Earl is clutching his chest...and bows over in pain "help me up Stacy..please just help me up" Grandpa reaches out for her arm and tries to stand and falls down to his knees
"TIM, TIM" "PLEASE HELP".....racing in from the front porch Tim stops in his tracks as he see's Earl down on his knees clutching his heart and struggling for air...
The front door stays open as the rest of the Possum Hollow gang race inside....first Bart and Hank, then Daryl and Anthony race inside...Stacy's becoming hysterical .."Please Grandpa..Please be alright"
Earl "Grandpa" Boxberger and his grandaughter Stacy and friend Keisha sit watching the tv
"This is KOLR Channel 10 news...Springfield Missouri" "Just hours earlier, an apparent sniper took fire on pedestrians at they made their evening commute" "City of officer's are on a city wide man hunt and have asked for Global Governor's for regional assistance"
Grandpa hits the mute button .."right here in the Ozarks?" "These kinds of things never happened here ..not like that..it's always been called God's Country ya know?" "why Grandpa..why was it called God's country?" "Because honey..we have churches on every corner..sometimes two churches on every corner...people prayed at friday night football games...and 4th of July firework shows. Lot's of schools still said the Pledge of Allegiance with the phrase "under God" still in the pledge....the Ozarks wasn't just in the bible belt..it's been the bible belt buckle" "but not anymore....this WHOLE world's gone mad and it's almost more than this old man can bear"
"GRANDPA?" Stacy's races to his side...Earl is clutching his chest...and bows over in pain "help me up Stacy..please just help me up" Grandpa reaches out for her arm and tries to stand and falls down to his knees
"TIM, TIM" "PLEASE HELP".....racing in from the front porch Tim stops in his tracks as he see's Earl down on his knees clutching his heart and struggling for air...
The front door stays open as the rest of the Possum Hollow gang race inside....first Bart and Hank, then Daryl and Anthony race inside...Stacy's becoming hysterical .."Please Grandpa..Please be alright"
- STA
________________________________________________________________
POSSUM HOLLOW
Tim and Hank kneel alongside Earl...he reaches out and grabs intensely upon their arms almost begging to stay up..nervously almost embarrassed Grandpa Earl looks up and see's his grandaughter's tears and begins to cry himself ..."Help me Jesus"
Instantly the whole room begins to pray....."Father ..we ask for your Healing Power to flow through Earl in Jesus Name"
Up above an Angelic Army stands by...observing the struggle down below...when like a flash of Light ...first one then another is dispatched ...the prayer's below are putting first a thousand then ten's of thousand to flight...
"Lord we ask for your intervention" ..."In Jesus Name please help Grandpa"....
Tim and Hank kneel alongside Earl...he reaches out and grabs intensely upon their arms almost begging to stay up..nervously almost embarrassed Grandpa Earl looks up and see's his grandaughter's tears and begins to cry himself ..."Help me Jesus"
Instantly the whole room begins to pray....."Father ..we ask for your Healing Power to flow through Earl in Jesus Name"
Up above an Angelic Army stands by...observing the struggle down below...when like a flash of Light ...first one then another is dispatched ...the prayer's below are putting first a thousand then ten's of thousand to flight...
"Lord we ask for your intervention" ..."In Jesus Name please help Grandpa"....
- STA
_________________________________________________________________
Possum Hollow
"Quick lay him down" Hank urged.....Grandpa's eyes shut ...unconcious now...he's put on his back and Hank instantly begins to administer cpr "1, 2, 3, 4 ...breathe" "1, 2, 3, 4 ...a breath"...as Hank continues to work....the group continues to pray
"Grandpa lies still again...with his eyes shut...but he see's? all around him an encompassing army of Angels...all crying "holy"....."Earl begins to sing to himself...."I am standing on Holy Ground..and I KNOW that there are angels all around"
"an amazing Presence of Peace consumes him as he sings" but wait...."the angels?" "they are singing with me?" .....every ounce of pain and pressure is leaving ..that intense heaviness on his heart that had bowed him over is completely gone.....then before his eyes....the heaven's open and Earl see's what looks like a cloud...but wait...it's an army of people...in an enormous stadium...and THEY ARE SINGING?
"1, 2, 3, 4...breathe" Hank continues and the whole room is in deep intercession for their beloved friend
"all the while Earl strains in his vision ...to hear ...THEY TOO are singing...."WE ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND...Let us PRAISE JESUS NOW...WE ARE STANDING IN GOD'S PRESENCE ON HOLY GROUND"
"Quick lay him down" Hank urged.....Grandpa's eyes shut ...unconcious now...he's put on his back and Hank instantly begins to administer cpr "1, 2, 3, 4 ...breathe" "1, 2, 3, 4 ...a breath"...as Hank continues to work....the group continues to pray
"Grandpa lies still again...with his eyes shut...but he see's? all around him an encompassing army of Angels...all crying "holy"....."Earl begins to sing to himself...."I am standing on Holy Ground..and I KNOW that there are angels all around"
"an amazing Presence of Peace consumes him as he sings" but wait...."the angels?" "they are singing with me?" .....every ounce of pain and pressure is leaving ..that intense heaviness on his heart that had bowed him over is completely gone.....then before his eyes....the heaven's open and Earl see's what looks like a cloud...but wait...it's an army of people...in an enormous stadium...and THEY ARE SINGING?
"1, 2, 3, 4...breathe" Hank continues and the whole room is in deep intercession for their beloved friend
"all the while Earl strains in his vision ...to hear ...THEY TOO are singing...."WE ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND...Let us PRAISE JESUS NOW...WE ARE STANDING IN GOD'S PRESENCE ON HOLY GROUND"
- STA
_________________________________________________________________
On the Ranch the Main House
Kristen held up the DVD and with a quick look over her shoulder put it into the player. Scurrying back to the couch she sat between Shade and Maddie.
She had decided to watch the DVD Mrs. Pike had made and insisted that the whole family watch with her. Mo had gone over to the little house and brought Leon up to the main house leaving him in the dining/medical room, his chain securely attached to the radiator in there. Mo moved a chair close to the doorway so he could keep an eye on Leon and watch the DVD.
The DVD began to play and an elderly lady came into view. It was obvious she had been crying. Hearing Mo’s voice in the background telling the woman he was recording the woman sat up straighter and looked into the camera.
“Kristen. First and foremost, I must ask your forgiveness for the abdominal way I treated your family. I was a bitter woman for all my life, and became even worse with the passing of my husband Gregory. Your parents were the kindest people I have ever met, and I treated them as if they were lepers. I was no better to little Kennedy either. So I beg you to forgive me.”
“I want to tell you about your family. Beings that I plan to stay here in Nelson, Mo and Zoe suggested making you this DVD. It’s the perfect solution, as I feel led by the Lord to stay here and tell the few people remaining in the area about our Lord and Savior Jesus.”
“You father Chris was a pastor at a small church here in Nelson. He led a small congregation of around twenty people. Kristen, every single one of the people who went to your father’s church heard the trumpet, and Jesus shout their names on that night when He called His bride home. I unfortunately was not a member of his congregation. I put my faith in man, and your father told me many times over that it was the wrong choice.”
Mrs. Pike took a shaky breath, and continued. “After my Gregory passed your father came over every Monday afternoon. I have to admit it was nice to have the company, but I would never had admitted that to your father. He would talk about the weather, and what was going on in the news. He also talked about Jesus. He tried to hard to get me to listen, but I wanted no part of it. He never missed a Monday, and he never gave up trying no matter how hateful I treated him. He was a true man of God, and now I am so thankful that he did tell me about Jesus and what was coming. Because of your father ministering to me, I realized immediately what had occurred on that fateful night. God in His infinite wisdom sent your father over here once a week to prepare me for the time when I would give my life to Him.”
“Your mother was such a sweet lady. She always had a smile and kind greeting for me. She loved you so much and she never gave up hope that someday you might be returned to them.”
Tears filled Mrs. Pikes eyes as she continued. “The good Lord never blessed me with children, so I couldn’t understand how she never gave up that hope. I constantly badgered and belittled her on her unending hope. I made her cry on several occasions, I’m ashamed to admit. I don’t have a mothers heart so her constant faith and insistence that you were alive baffled me.” Shaking her head and wiping tears from her eyes she continued.
“I feel that it’s very important that you know what happened the day you were taken. Leslie, your mother, went to Lincoln to buy some more maternity clothes and baby clothes. She was so excited to be having another baby. After the difficulty she had giving birth to you the doctor told her the likelihood of her having another baby was slim. The day she found out she was pregnant with Kennedy, her face was alight with such joy. I became bitterly jealous and treated her very rudely when she told me the news.”
“The day you were taken the news spread quickly throughout the community. Prayer vigils were held for your safe return. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks, weeks into months and finally months into years.”
“Both of your parents were devastated, but they continued to pray, and put up posters. Your mother had a man update your photo with his computer, so that people would know what you might look like as you aged. Zoe and Mo assure me that the resemblance between those photos are undeniable.”
“Kennedy…..I’m not sure how to describe her to you. She had a smile that could light up a cloudy day. And she was always polite. I saw her one day playing in the front yard talking to herself. Of course I had to make a snide comment about her not having and friends and having to create invisible friends to play with.”
“She looked at me and said that she was talking to God asking Him to send you home. She wanted you to come back so badly that she prayed for it. I was astounded. She had never even met you. You had been taken before you were born, but she loved you with all her heart. Even a bitter woman like be could see that.”
Mrs. Pikes welled with tears again. “On the night of the rapture, once I had asked Jesus into my heart, I prayed that the two of you were finally together.”
Mrs. Pike sat there tears rolling down her face. “I am so saddened that that is not what happened. I am horrified by what you endured all these years. But I am also grateful that the Lord has given you a family that loves you. I look forward to the day when we meet, whether it be here on earth, or in heaven. My prayers are with you child, and with your family.”
The TV went blank, and Kristen cried as she prayed aloud in thanksgiving for Mrs. Pike.
Kristen held up the DVD and with a quick look over her shoulder put it into the player. Scurrying back to the couch she sat between Shade and Maddie.
She had decided to watch the DVD Mrs. Pike had made and insisted that the whole family watch with her. Mo had gone over to the little house and brought Leon up to the main house leaving him in the dining/medical room, his chain securely attached to the radiator in there. Mo moved a chair close to the doorway so he could keep an eye on Leon and watch the DVD.
The DVD began to play and an elderly lady came into view. It was obvious she had been crying. Hearing Mo’s voice in the background telling the woman he was recording the woman sat up straighter and looked into the camera.
“Kristen. First and foremost, I must ask your forgiveness for the abdominal way I treated your family. I was a bitter woman for all my life, and became even worse with the passing of my husband Gregory. Your parents were the kindest people I have ever met, and I treated them as if they were lepers. I was no better to little Kennedy either. So I beg you to forgive me.”
“I want to tell you about your family. Beings that I plan to stay here in Nelson, Mo and Zoe suggested making you this DVD. It’s the perfect solution, as I feel led by the Lord to stay here and tell the few people remaining in the area about our Lord and Savior Jesus.”
“You father Chris was a pastor at a small church here in Nelson. He led a small congregation of around twenty people. Kristen, every single one of the people who went to your father’s church heard the trumpet, and Jesus shout their names on that night when He called His bride home. I unfortunately was not a member of his congregation. I put my faith in man, and your father told me many times over that it was the wrong choice.”
Mrs. Pike took a shaky breath, and continued. “After my Gregory passed your father came over every Monday afternoon. I have to admit it was nice to have the company, but I would never had admitted that to your father. He would talk about the weather, and what was going on in the news. He also talked about Jesus. He tried to hard to get me to listen, but I wanted no part of it. He never missed a Monday, and he never gave up trying no matter how hateful I treated him. He was a true man of God, and now I am so thankful that he did tell me about Jesus and what was coming. Because of your father ministering to me, I realized immediately what had occurred on that fateful night. God in His infinite wisdom sent your father over here once a week to prepare me for the time when I would give my life to Him.”
“Your mother was such a sweet lady. She always had a smile and kind greeting for me. She loved you so much and she never gave up hope that someday you might be returned to them.”
Tears filled Mrs. Pikes eyes as she continued. “The good Lord never blessed me with children, so I couldn’t understand how she never gave up that hope. I constantly badgered and belittled her on her unending hope. I made her cry on several occasions, I’m ashamed to admit. I don’t have a mothers heart so her constant faith and insistence that you were alive baffled me.” Shaking her head and wiping tears from her eyes she continued.
“I feel that it’s very important that you know what happened the day you were taken. Leslie, your mother, went to Lincoln to buy some more maternity clothes and baby clothes. She was so excited to be having another baby. After the difficulty she had giving birth to you the doctor told her the likelihood of her having another baby was slim. The day she found out she was pregnant with Kennedy, her face was alight with such joy. I became bitterly jealous and treated her very rudely when she told me the news.”
“The day you were taken the news spread quickly throughout the community. Prayer vigils were held for your safe return. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks, weeks into months and finally months into years.”
“Both of your parents were devastated, but they continued to pray, and put up posters. Your mother had a man update your photo with his computer, so that people would know what you might look like as you aged. Zoe and Mo assure me that the resemblance between those photos are undeniable.”
“Kennedy…..I’m not sure how to describe her to you. She had a smile that could light up a cloudy day. And she was always polite. I saw her one day playing in the front yard talking to herself. Of course I had to make a snide comment about her not having and friends and having to create invisible friends to play with.”
“She looked at me and said that she was talking to God asking Him to send you home. She wanted you to come back so badly that she prayed for it. I was astounded. She had never even met you. You had been taken before you were born, but she loved you with all her heart. Even a bitter woman like be could see that.”
Mrs. Pikes welled with tears again. “On the night of the rapture, once I had asked Jesus into my heart, I prayed that the two of you were finally together.”
Mrs. Pike sat there tears rolling down her face. “I am so saddened that that is not what happened. I am horrified by what you endured all these years. But I am also grateful that the Lord has given you a family that loves you. I look forward to the day when we meet, whether it be here on earth, or in heaven. My prayers are with you child, and with your family.”
The TV went blank, and Kristen cried as she prayed aloud in thanksgiving for Mrs. Pike.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________________
As Hank continued to compress the palms of his hands on Earl's heart ..he begin to notice tears running down Earl's face "that's odd" "what?" "look ..he's crying" ..Stacy overhearing.."from pain?" ..."no look ..he's smiling" then suddenly Grandpa Boxberger's eyes opened up...."Dear Jesus...OH THE GLORY" ...Earl sat straight up...like a man half his age and with no measure of weakness from what had brought him to the ground..."Guys..I tell ya...Oh Dear Jesus..there are NO words"
"What on earth Earl?" "It wasn't on earth" "It was a great cloud of witnesses and they are singing...and cheering and worshipping..and It's BEYOND description" Earl stood straight up..chatting so fast that even Keisha was envious...ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" ..."I AM NOW"...."boy howdy I tell you one thing" "we have nothing to be scared of ...it's awesome..amazing...unbelievable...the family ..the glory, the presence".....
Just as Pastor Tim had experienced a few days earlier...Earl was granted only a tiny glimpse as through a glass darkly..a taste of what is to come......THERE ARE NO WORDS...."as Paul in his letter to corinthians...No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
- STA
_________________________________________________________________
As George finished his meal and washed and put away his dishes he heard the phone ringing in the observatory. As he entered the room he noticed that it was the red phone from NASA that was ringing.
Picking up the phone he answered. "This is George."
George heard his boss on the other end. "George? We have a problem."
As George hung up the red phone he walked over to the telescope. He sat down and placed his eyes over the lens. He had to some how collect enough data to project the correct trajectory of the anomoly and he must do this before the anomoly reached the earths gravatational pull. Biblically he was pretty certain of the timeframe even if Nasa was still in the dark. He wondered to himself how long it would be before Nasa named this anomoly Wormwood, but for now George would keep quite until Gods timing was known. He punched in coordinates so that the satallites positioned over the US would begin sending him photos of anything unusual over land, sea or air. He set the alert to go off when pictures began arriving and went off to the kitchen to prepare his evening meal.
Turning on both TVs in his kitchen he sat down to eat his TV dinner and watch National and international news.
He closed his eyes and gave thanks for his meal. As he lifted the first bite to his mouth, he watched the screen as the two wittnesses came into view at the wailing wall. It was almost daybreak in Jerusalem and some of the faithful had begun to arrive at the wall for their morning prayers while the rest of the city slept. He could hear the wittnesses praying in their native tongue with their hands lifted upward. George had taken some language classes in Aramaic once and he was able to understand some of what was being spoken. He could hear them calling out to Almighty God and King. He could hear them talk about the unruly and unjust people who refused to listen to the truth. And then he heard them call upon the king of heaven to send down the plague upon the waters of the earth.
George rose quickly and picked up his phone to try and contact Stu to see if anything had been happening in Iraq. It rang and rang, but Stu did not answer. He checked his watch to try and figure out where Stu might be. How many hours difference was there between them. His head was spinning. He really needed to talk with Stu.
Picking up the phone he answered. "This is George."
George heard his boss on the other end. "George? We have a problem."
As George hung up the red phone he walked over to the telescope. He sat down and placed his eyes over the lens. He had to some how collect enough data to project the correct trajectory of the anomoly and he must do this before the anomoly reached the earths gravatational pull. Biblically he was pretty certain of the timeframe even if Nasa was still in the dark. He wondered to himself how long it would be before Nasa named this anomoly Wormwood, but for now George would keep quite until Gods timing was known. He punched in coordinates so that the satallites positioned over the US would begin sending him photos of anything unusual over land, sea or air. He set the alert to go off when pictures began arriving and went off to the kitchen to prepare his evening meal.
Turning on both TVs in his kitchen he sat down to eat his TV dinner and watch National and international news.
He closed his eyes and gave thanks for his meal. As he lifted the first bite to his mouth, he watched the screen as the two wittnesses came into view at the wailing wall. It was almost daybreak in Jerusalem and some of the faithful had begun to arrive at the wall for their morning prayers while the rest of the city slept. He could hear the wittnesses praying in their native tongue with their hands lifted upward. George had taken some language classes in Aramaic once and he was able to understand some of what was being spoken. He could hear them calling out to Almighty God and King. He could hear them talk about the unruly and unjust people who refused to listen to the truth. And then he heard them call upon the king of heaven to send down the plague upon the waters of the earth.
George rose quickly and picked up his phone to try and contact Stu to see if anything had been happening in Iraq. It rang and rang, but Stu did not answer. He checked his watch to try and figure out where Stu might be. How many hours difference was there between them. His head was spinning. He really needed to talk with Stu.
- Renee
________________________________________________________________
Bud had been outside all morning finishing the pole barn and grumbling, “No one gives me credit for anything. Always the joker and never taken seriously for the work I do around here. They make all these decisions and never ask my opinion. Guess they think I am not smart enough or something. Look at all the disguises I’ve come up with and no one said a word of thanks.” He continued to grumble and didn’t notice Linda had approached.
“Bud, I brought you a little snack and something to drink. You’ve been working so hard on the barn that I thought you could use a little pick-me-up. You’re doing such a good job and all of us are grateful,” she said giving him a big smile.
He lowered his head and began to feel ashamed for grumbling and carrying on about his ego being a bit bruised lately. “Linda, did you hear what I was saying and that’s why you said I was doing a good job?”
Linda put her hands on her hips and looked up at Bud saying, “Dear, you know we all appreciate what each one contributes to the work that we are doing here and no one, including me, excludes you or anyone else from being a part of the family that we have become. We are working to glorify God and to do His will, not our own.”
She ran back inside to get her Bible and quickly found the scripture she wanted Bud to hear. She started reading aloud.
Ephesians 2:1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 4even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, 8For by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
She closed the Bible and looked lovingly at her husband, “We are to work because we love God and wish to glorify Him. We do not work for our own praise. God has given us a great gift and that is grace the source of our salvation. We cannot do anything to earn salvation nor should we live to seek man’s praise, but live to praise our God. Bud, you are not a bad person because we as humans naturally desire fame, power, and riches, but as followers of Christ we are to desire honoring God in all we do.”
Bud didn’t know what to say except, “I think maybe I should be talking more to God and less talking to myself.”
Linda laughed, “Bud, I love you. Just remember we do this to glorify God and not try to receive rewards while we live on this earth. We are in the world, not of it. By the way, you have missed the last two Bible studies so maybe you need to rearrange your schedule a little bit. What do you say?”
“I know you are right. Now let me get back to work. Surely you have something to do yourself,” he said with smile and a wink.
Linda blew him a kiss and started back toward the cave then turned and shouted up at him, “Enjoy your snack and I do appreciate all you do. Love you, Bud.”
“Bud, I brought you a little snack and something to drink. You’ve been working so hard on the barn that I thought you could use a little pick-me-up. You’re doing such a good job and all of us are grateful,” she said giving him a big smile.
He lowered his head and began to feel ashamed for grumbling and carrying on about his ego being a bit bruised lately. “Linda, did you hear what I was saying and that’s why you said I was doing a good job?”
Linda put her hands on her hips and looked up at Bud saying, “Dear, you know we all appreciate what each one contributes to the work that we are doing here and no one, including me, excludes you or anyone else from being a part of the family that we have become. We are working to glorify God and to do His will, not our own.”
She ran back inside to get her Bible and quickly found the scripture she wanted Bud to hear. She started reading aloud.
Ephesians 2:1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 4even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, 8For by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
She closed the Bible and looked lovingly at her husband, “We are to work because we love God and wish to glorify Him. We do not work for our own praise. God has given us a great gift and that is grace the source of our salvation. We cannot do anything to earn salvation nor should we live to seek man’s praise, but live to praise our God. Bud, you are not a bad person because we as humans naturally desire fame, power, and riches, but as followers of Christ we are to desire honoring God in all we do.”
Bud didn’t know what to say except, “I think maybe I should be talking more to God and less talking to myself.”
Linda laughed, “Bud, I love you. Just remember we do this to glorify God and not try to receive rewards while we live on this earth. We are in the world, not of it. By the way, you have missed the last two Bible studies so maybe you need to rearrange your schedule a little bit. What do you say?”
“I know you are right. Now let me get back to work. Surely you have something to do yourself,” he said with smile and a wink.
Linda blew him a kiss and started back toward the cave then turned and shouted up at him, “Enjoy your snack and I do appreciate all you do. Love you, Bud.”
- P4H
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