Pony Of Prey Blog

One World Order; The “Return of the Khalifate” An Opinion. Part 1.
Could the Anti-Christ be a Jewish Muslim from Syria? Is this the reason that The Anti-Christ will fight against the first three nations? Lets look into this.

Before we begin I want to let you read some news that isn’t broadcast to the general public. Many times the things that we read are just propaganda and sometimes what we read is made a little flamboyant, to sell papers, and then again the things that we don’t get to read are the things that are really devastating to us.

Lets Read.
Arutz Sheva News Service; MUSLIM PREACHER ON TEMPLE MOUNT: RESTORE WORLDWIDE ISLAMIC RULE
By Hillel Fendel;

Sheikh Ismail Nawahda, preaching to Moslem masses on the Temple Mountain Jerusalem on Friday, has brought it out into the open: the call to restore the Moslem Khalifate, or, “Genuine Islamic Rule.” A plan for the “Return of the Khalifate” was published secretly in 2002 by a group called “The Guiding Helper Foundation.” The group explained that it wished to “give direction to the educated Muslim populace in its increasing interest in the establishment of Islam as a practical system of rule.”(I.E. Dictatorship.)

This past Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, however, the plan went public. Sheikh Nawahda called publicly for the renewal of the Islamic Khalifate, which would “unite all the Moslems in the world against the infidels.” (create a massive army against all who will not bow down to Mohamidism.)
The Khalifate system features a leader, known as a Khalif, who heads worldwide Islam. Assisted by a ten-man council (Sometimes referred to as 10 Kings.), his decisions are totally binding on all Moslems.
According to the Foundation’s vision of the Khalifate, significant
punishment can only be meted out for 14 crimes, including “accusing a chaste person of fornication,” “not performing the formal prayer,” and “not fasting during Ramadan.”( This could possibly be a prelude to the mark of the beast (666), knowing who and whom isn’t a follower of the Khalifate.)
The Foundation recommends working to restore the Moslem dictatorship using a system of small groups around the world. (These pockets of followers are many times called “Cells.”)

The purpose is so that the “enemies of Islam” who “will definitely try to stop us” will have a “much harder task, if not impossible, if they are faced with a myriad of small groups of differing locations, ethnicities,” etc. ( A world wide Moslem dictatorship isn’t that far fetched an Idea, considering the vast number of their followers, located, may I add, all around the Globe.)
This method also “ensures that if one group is found and cut off, other similar groups will remain undetected.”

Sheikh Nawahda reminded his Temple Mount audience that the first step taken by Muhammad in stabilizing his rule was to form the nucleus of the first Islamic country in the city of Medina (Medina is a city located North of Mecca and north east of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.). Nawahda also said that the status of Moslems around the world has dropped drastically ever since the collapse of the last Khalifate in 1924, after Turkey became a democratic republic. (This was the beginning of a divided Muslim State. Now we have many divisions of Muslims and civil war between all factions, noting that they are all of the same religion.)

Nawahda called upon the Arabs of the Palestinian Authority to rise above their personal and party interests, and said that Moslems must return to Islam and join forces in the struggle against the West. (To have one single man in charge of all Muslims around the world, would be a great disturbance to all Christians and the Gentile Race of people.)

He praised the worldwide protests against the anti-Mohammed cartoons, and encouraged the Moslem public to continue such activities. He implied that those who insulted Mohammed are liable for death. The Sheikh designated the Moslem masses as a strong point that can be utilized in the fight against the West. ( This type of rhetoric is a start in the direction of united muslim Force.)

In The Book of Revelations and especially in Daniel, we see an upcoming ruler that will take three Kingdoms by force and the other seven by capitulation. Isn’t this the way of the Khalifate?
Dan 7:23-27. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: ( The times and laws, could be what the Muslim Khalifate will desire to do.) and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. end part 1. In Part 2 we will dig into the Scripture to find some answers. ars

Dan_7:20; Rev_12:3, Rev_13:1, Rev_17:3, Rev_17:12, Rev_17:13, Rev_17:16-18. Dan_7:8, Dan_7:20, Dan_8:9-12, Dan_11:36; 2Th_2:3-10; 1Ti_4:1-3

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Mention the word “metaphysical” around a Christian fundamentalist and you will be met with a suspicious glare. That kind of talk is not found in the bible. It is modern, it is science, it is secular, it is witchcraft, it is New Age and it is a threat. I ask you however, what part of the bible is not metaphysical?

The term “metaphysical” simply refers to something that is outside the presumed limitations of physical reality. I never know how much of the bible to take literally but I do know that walking on water, rising from the dead, feeding thousands with one fish, virgin birthing, escaping bodily destruction from fire, making the blind man see, plopping down instant human beings and turning water into wine definitely pushes the boundaries of our perceived reality. I would call these activities metaphysical.

Notice that I said “perceived” reality. It is what we decide based on what appears to be. Research has recently shown us that particles and energy can be interchangeable because they are really forms of the same essence. In other words, thought energy is transmitted by actual little electric ions. The higher we are tuned to spirit vibrations, the quicker our intention gets across and in so doing it bypasses heavier, slower methods of moving these ions around. So there really is a scientific explanation for many of the miracles we find in the bible.

Do you see what this discovery means? It reconciles science and religion which have vehemently opposed each other since the beginning of time. It explains material things in spirit terms and spiritual things in material terms. I guess I call it metaphysical Christianity.

Within this understanding we are recognizing an energetic force and we are attributing good things to it such as kindness and love and healing and beauty. This force can be broken down into a comprehension of tiny electric ions which are moving in a life enhancing direction. We are at liberty to hop on at any point of the belief spectrum, but no matter where we choose to identify ourselves, there is still a reality-based explanation for our conviction.

Fundamentalists hook up to their viewpoint by way of intense, non-intellectual emotion. That’s fine, ideas can be feelings and don’t have to have words. Metaphysicists hook up to theirs by way of scientific explanation. That’s fine too, because actually ideas and feelings are two vehicles which lead to the same understanding. Both lead to the experience of faith.

Energy and particles. Interchangeable substances. In fact, we could even do away with the word metaphysical because the phenomenon we are referring to is actually all physical. Or is it that that everything begins and ends in the spirit, so the manifestation is really just a byproduct of that great mystical power? Mystical? That word is not in the bible either, but so what? We have merged the two populations of science and religion and so we have made the world into a more integrated and harmonious place.

Olga Moe lives on an island in the Puget Sound. She is known mostly for her fiction contributions to literary e-zines which can be found at zelda2530.tripod.com

Our lack of knowing God is the most vital issue, we as seekers must confront. Our believing the lie about God created this false Bible story conception. This fantasy existence of our perception of God rather then its Bible story truth yields an effect. The proper interpretation of the story about God has enlightenment. We have to perceive the message in order to hear this statement detailed in the Bible account. We perish through the lack of this knowledge of God given message. The Bible story places us not able to change and develop into God “image and likeness” for our livelihood. We can not assemble the thought the Bible story define to discover the ways of God. The deception we hold lack the knowledge of God. We lack the insight and will not allow the view of God’s glory. We fall short in an enslave condition which snares us from the word of God.

Our doubt and perception of the Bible stated details causes the lack. Our application of the Bible fact into its given message account is vital to know this truth. We lack the Bible perception, about any issue, in its story. Our thoughts are outside the Bible story given message account. The Bible story is presented to tell us about God. The opinionated view outside of the Bible story is a game. This game we establish and play with the Bible story message will never confirm the desire God expect of us. Our lack of the Bible perception, and to understand its fact, is the story issue. The Bible story states we do not know God. The spirit of truth we hold about the Bible can not perceive the story fact outside an issue or question. The outside Bible thought of God coming to a question due to the lack of the story message. Our lack is the confrontation of this Bible reality. The Bible fact we reasons are the problem. The problem is the denial of the Bible story given message. The believer has one fact to the Bible reality of God. The Bible story assures the fullness of this message without confusion. We should have no questions, but a taken in fact, about the Bible story of God. We should consider the Bible facts, and overcome to understand the message, we can not perceive.

We who believe must hold to the fact of the Bible story account. Our belief declares there is a God. What is the problem? The problem is our thought about God is a possibility. We expose an indifference to the Bible story account. Our indifference of the Bible story assures our lack in the ways of God. The Bible story fact states the truth. The Bible story beginning coming to its conclusion will bring all things to our remembrance. Our best of heart about the Bible story message, without the fact, is the lack we should know. Our diversity outside the Bible story message proclaims a reality we can not disclose in the account fact. Our worship makes our truth right beyond the stated ideals of others? The account of the Bible story states we are family. Our family is a single household with complex division. God has a role in the household. Angel has their role in the household. So do us in the Bible account of the household. We take the Bible story message outside its face value. We play with the Bible story message and come to this lack of the knowledge of God. In our sequence of the Bible story events we have a what? Our Bible story meaning outside the story message is not perceived by the account. The Bible given message has not formed into our hearts. We honor God with our mouths but imagined realities show we do not know Him.

To overcome this lack of the knowledge of God we have to compare and examine the Bible story message. First we have to find and define the truth about the Bible story of God. We have a need to know the Bible story message of beginning. The Bible story words, it states, we lack of God knowledge? Our definition or spoken belief fails to relate the Bible story message account. We need to confront our lack with this fact of the Bible story start. The thought the Bible story relates in this beginning message has to conclude to an end. We forget the importance of a strong foundation. We attempt to assemble the household of God with rough sticks and straw. We can perceive the Bible story fact and its given message. Our lack is to lay the first brick to this Bible story message foundation. The Bible initial beginning is told by “whom”?

The Bible story states no earth born man has heard God voice. We outside the account will have a question pertained to the Bible story message. The Bible message is a story. The story conveys only details to its reader/listener. The story states the host of angel there at this start of the earth. Our stated fact of the creation should be compared to the Bible given story. We have a lack not seen about the Bible story account. God appointment of angels to watch over adam gave the host a job. This message is in lure of our lack of the knowledge of God. The Bible story message has this fact about angel. Our first brick from this lack is to the foundation and discerning the Bible story account. Our need is the beginning angel inspired to move God to create the heaven and the earth. This beginning fact by the host centered on the punishment of angel at the end of the Bible story account. The acts of these facts stated towards angel hold the Bible story account. No earth formed man has ever seen God. The Bible story holds the message by its teller. Adam in the sequence of the teller story was created into the account. The teller stating God created adam. The teller is conveying the act in the days when God created the heaven. Our lack is the correct perception of these Bible creation days. The teller view of the facts will ignite the flow and reality of the Bible creation story account.

God worked six days in the Bible story message. Our lack in this statement is the realities outside the fact of days. The Bible story states God is outside the fact of days. Angel made by God is outside the fact of days. The Bible story states these days were upon the face of the deep. The darkness took the light creating the deep. God divided the darkness on the deep by His request for light. The deep/heaven or cut of the waters was in a sphere. This sphere became divided into a side of light and a side of darkness. God and angel were there at this beginning of the heaven and the earth. God was there at the creation because He performed the act. Angel was there at the creation due to this heaven place in their world. Angel called this heaven the title “the deep”. The Bible story about the deep did not state God created the darkness. God in the Bible story dwelt in light. This beginning is one lack of our view of the Bible creation. The state of the creation starts in the world of angel. The thought by angel coming full circle, beginning to its end, to one told fact about the Bible story. The lack we suffer is the need to discern the Bible story initial statement.

In this initial Bible story statement is God proclaiming the accomplished act of the heaven and the earth creation? Or is it a teller relating God act of creation? The “and God said” by the teller establish the story message. God in the account did not speak this initial story of the creation of the heaven and the earth. The Bible story places the teller there with God. The Bible story states “Let us” which include the teller of the Bible story account. The “let us make man” in the creation account reflects the world of angel. God made the world of angel as He had made the world of adam.

May we all grow in the wisdom and prosperity of God will.

Alexander Coppedge
TPAC Manager
http://www.tpacmindfood.com

“Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

I don’t know if you have ever been fly-fishing or maybe you have
seen it on TV. When you go fly fishing you cast your bait way
down the river and let it float. That way the fish does not see
you and hopefully attacks the bait. I have that vision when we
cast our anxiety on God. Do you give Him your anxieties and let
them float away and realize He is in control or do you keep the
bait close so you can pick up the anxiety whenever you want? If
a fly fisherman keeps his bait close he will scare away the
fish. If he allows the bait to float downstream he is more
likely to catch a fish.

I think when we keep our anxieties close God is unable to work
and we are unable to even look down stream. Also, when we keep
our anxieties close we focus on the anxiety and take our eyes
off of God. When we give our anxieties to God and leave them
there He is more able to work and we are better able to rest. I
must confess I am good at giving God my burdens and worries, but
I quickly take them back. Why wait on God, maybe I can figure
this out myself? Do I really trust God to take my worries and
take care of them? When I look closely at the above verse I
often focus on the first part, cast all your anxiety on Him. The
second part is almost as important if not more important.
Because, my God cares for me, He wants to carry my burdens and
He wants me to bring them to Him. He cares about all my burdens,
not just some of them. He loves and wants me to share my worries
and concerns. God certainly knows what is best for me and only
wants the best.

So, I ask you “Where do you cast?” Once you cast your anxiety,
do you leave it with God or do you take it back? God cares for
you and cares about absolutely everything you care about. He
made you and He loves you. Give your loving Father all your
anxiety and leave it there. May you rest in His perfect peace.

I would like for you to think on along with me Jerusalem, on
Calvary. The time of departure is April 7, A.D. Friday morning
from 1:00am to 9:00 am and this is where Jesus hung on the cross
until 3:00pm. (This is to my understanding, for I am not a
Theological Student at least not by man’s hands. When I share I
like to let others know please listen to Biblical teaching,
read, study for yourself as well I like to share scriptures with
my articles so others can read for themselves).

To be continued:

I will be sharing from the Book “Gospel” of John. This Gospel
was addressed to Christians. The history of the life of Christ,
with especial reference to His most important acts and
discourses.

Let’s look at Pilate making an honest confession, Christ’s Trial
and Christ’s Reply. (John 18:37, 38)

Pilate therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus
answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born,
and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth
my voice.

Truly Jesus was a master speaker and could could give testimony
for himself under any and all circumstances. He has just made a
statement of the kingdom of God, contrasting it with the
kingdoms of men, or the kingdoms of the world, and now he makes
a startling reply to Pilate’s sharp question, substaning the
idea of his Kingship. (John 18:37)

While reading Matthew 27:11 you will see Christ questioned, Mark
15:2 and Luke 23:3 you will see Christ replies.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this,
he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in
him no fault at all. (John 18:38 we see Christ’s Trial and
Pilate’s unwillingness to condemn).

Pilate feared men rather than God.

Pilate Desires to Release Jesus Christ (John 19:10-16)

Pilate now seems offended at the Christ’s silence. While the
charge against against him was found to be baseless, from which
he should have been vindicated and released, Jesus sought to
make no new revelations of himself.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest
thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to
release thee? (John 19:10 Christ’s Trial and Christ’s Silence).

The Prophecy Concerning Christ Death: Jesus answered, Thou
couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given
thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath
the greater sin. (John 19:11)

More impressed than ever by this powerful statement, Pilate
again showed a desire to release Jesus.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews
cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not
Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh
against Caesar. (John 19:12 Christ’s Trial and They Demand
Jesus’s Condemnation).

Pilate prepared to give his judgement, taking his place in his
offical seat which stood on a tesselated pavement called
“Gabbatha.”

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, be brought Jesus forth,
and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the
Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. ( John 19:13 Christ led
to Trial).

This decision was reached, it seems, about noon of the day,
which prepared for and terminated in the Paschal Supper.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth
hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! (John 19:14
Christ’s Trial and Outrages by the People).

The judge is now in the act of turning Jesus over to his enemies
to be crucified, notwithstanding his innocence.

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him.
Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief
priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. (John 19:15
Christ’s Trial and They Demand Christ’s Condemnation).

Pilate could try men like Barabbas and keep the order; but the
fate which brought this mysterious prisoner to his attention and
judgment, offered nor suggested no solution to the problem which
he should solve. Pilate brought under weakness and delivered
Jesus Christ over to be crucifixed.

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And
they went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which
is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: (John 19:16 Christ’s Trial and
Christ Condemned).

When you review Matthew 27:32 and Mark 15:21 it has on record
Christ’s Crucifixion and Christ Bearing HIS Cross.

When you review Luke 23:36 it has on record Christ’s
Crucifixion, The Conduct of the People and How They Give HIM
Vinegar, Wine Mingled with Myrrh.

Jesus friends despaired at this time, lingering, however, in
silence around the cross, not knowing what do or what next to
expect, in this group his mother, Mary, and other friends were
numbered.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his
mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
(John 19:25 Christ’s Reception By Men and The Ministry of Women).

John was Jesus close friend and beloved disciple and a few of
the women remained with the disciple. Jesus showed the deepest
concern for his mother and suggest John look after her like she
was his own.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing
by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy
son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from
that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John
19:26,27 Christ’s Crucifixion, Christ’s Words to Women who wept
for HIM).

Prophecy coming to pass. The suffering Messiah has fulfilled
this mission. Jesus sense of thirst was a sign that his spirit
was at rest. The flesh suffered while the spirit triumphed.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished,
that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now
there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge
with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
(John 19:28,29 Christ’s Crucifixion, They Give Him Vinegar and
Wine Mingled with Myrrh).

Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished with the
words, “It is finished.” Christ now bows his head and gives up
the ghost; the purpose of God in the history of man is
accomplished. God has revealed himself as love.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is
finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John
19:30, Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46 Christ’s Death).

Scripture text/reference taken from: KJV

The SouthWestern Company,KJV, Nashville, Tennessee, 1934
Edition, Copyright, 1895 by J R Jones, 1902 by J R Jones, 1926
by National Publishing

Special Arrangement New Testament, KJV, Midwestern Publishing
Co., Inc., Paducah, Kentucky, Copyright 1961, By Midwestern
Publishing Co., Inc.

Crusade @ Bible Publishers, Inc., KJV, 1970, Mt. Juliet,
Tennessee, USA, 37122

“I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.” Luke 1:38. (from THE MESSAGE)

To fathom the response of Mary is to capture one of the most powerful messages of Christmas.

Engaged to be married to Joseph, full of hope for a life blessed by marriage and motherhood, pure of heart and of body, she had every reason to believe that she would enjoy the fruits of a good and honest life. Simple. Out of the spotlight. And yet the intervention by Gabriel, God’s messenger, stopped her in her tracks, turned her world upside down, and changed the course of history.

Gabriel gave the news to Mary that she would become pregnant, give birth to a son, and call him Jesus. Visibly shaken, she said to the angel: “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” And thus the conception by the Holy Spirit was revealed:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
The power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
Will be called Holy, Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 from THE MESSAGE)

That message rocked her world.

And then it was revealed by Gabriel that her cousin, Elizabeth, had also conceived a child with her husband, Zachariah, even though she was very old, and thought to be barren.

And then Gabriel replied: “Nothing is impossible with God.” And Mary immediately answered: “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” (Luke 1: 37-38 from THE MESSAGE)

And thus the course was set: this divine, eternal drama would change the lives of mankind from that moment forward. From the family of Joseph and Mary, to Zachariah and Elizabeth, to the shepherds abiding in the fields: the news of the conception by the Holy Spirit, the unswerving belief of Mary and her immediate desire to serve, and the birth of the babe who was born a Savior has granted believers around the world the promises of forgiveness, righteousness, completeness, and a place in the heavenlies at the right hand of God.

It is important to grasp that, despite the recent frenzy in America about taking Christ out of Christmas (having “winter celebrations” instead of “Christmas parties”; “Programs” instead of “Pageants”; and “City Trees” instead of “Christmas trees”) that we Americans are nonetheless distinctly Christian. In fact, four out of five of us describe ourselves as Christians. A recent Harris poll found that 82% of us believed in the Virgin birth, and surprisingly, even among those who admit to being non-Christian, 43% believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.

The Virgin Birth is an incredible historical account with the most profound impact ever introduced to mankind. It is full of wonder and mystery. And I accept and believe it in faith. I believe in other divine orders as well. I believe in God the Creator, as do 94% of Americans; in heaven, as do 89% of Americans; in the eternity of the soul, as do 86% of Americans; in miracles, as do 85% of Americans; and in Christ’s resurrection, as do 86% of us. (1)

But two of my favorite parts of the Virgin Birth of Christ are Gabriel’s message, and Mary’s immediate response: “Nothing is impossible with God”, and “I am the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.”

How many times in your own life have you encountered a situation that looked impossible? Where you felt hopeless, helpless, and hapless? Certainly, you have struggled with relationships, health issues, and financial burdens that have looked absolutely hopeless. There may have been marital battleslarge or smallthat have forced you to wonder if resolution was even possible, let alone practical. Your children may be rebelling, your home life may be in ruins, your health may be in a state of serious jeopardy, and so you look at life right now through eyes of despair rather than through eyes of hope.

Can you imagine the fear that coursed through Mary’s veins when she was first confronted by Gabriel? Young, pure, and engaged but not yet married…and being told that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and deliver the Savior of the world? Her initial shock would have to have been completely overwhelming. Any one of us would be traumatized by such news! Yet she found comfort in the angel’s assurance: “nothing is impossible with God.”

So how did she go from being overwhelmed by the news to the immediate reply: “I am the Lord’s maid, ready to serve”?

For when I read and re-read the account of the Virgin Birth, it is not only through the filter of “Nothing is impossible with God.” Rather, being a two-part account, it’s the immediate desire and readiness to serve that truly amazes me! Mary was ready to serve! After hearing overwhelming news. Confronting confusion. Facing fear of rejection and ridicule. Yet she was immediately ready.

Twenty seven years ago I was hit by a car as a pedestrian. My right leg met the bumper and my pelvis met the hood of the speeding car when I attempted to cross the street on my way to my part-time summer job as a college student. The impact propelled me about seventy-five feet in the air before I landed in a crumpled heap on Route 100 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I was unconscious for a couple hours and, shortly after waking up, had an angel encounter of my own. I re-tell the incident at the risk of losing you; I understand that angel encounters are extremely rare, and that you may find my experience unbelievable. And how could someone else lend it credibility anyway? But especially now, at Christmas, I feel compelled to share it.

Waking up in extreme pain and bewilderment that went beyond rational thought, my first sight was that of my mother and brother staring at me in the emergency room of the hospital. Just like in the movies, everything went in and out of fuzziness (my head was pounding from a concussion), and I was overcome with a sense of “What in the world happened to me?!?” (Apparently that’s a universal reaction to coming out of unconsciousness.) My family was able to quickly explain things and help me sort out the gravity of the situation. I was extremely fearfullike Maryand understood immediately that my future held in the balance. I was closer to death than I was able to comprehend. And when my brain started to get wrapped around just exactly what had happened to me (my pelvis was fractured in two places, my tibia and fibula were shattered, internal organs suffered extreme bruising, trauma affected my ability to face immediate surgery, my brain was suffering from a concussion), I started shaking uncontrollably. And then the angel spoke to me and I got the senselike Maryto “fear not.” For her wordsthough short and simplewere delivered with great calm: “We’re not ready for you yet.” The rest was delivered with equal weight, but with less clarity. The Message resonated strongly: “Go and tell others about God.”

I confess thatunlike MaryI lacked the sense of “Here am I Lord, your good and faithful servant.” As a self-absorbed twenty-year-old college junior, my only desires were to survive and get back into the action at Wake Forest University, where my sorority sisters and fraternity brothers were having way more fun than I was. I didn’t tell anyone about my angel encounter for another twenty years or so. And I did a lousy job of “telling others about God” as well. My fear of proselytizing led me to keep my mouth mostly shut. I tried to “tell others” with good behavior. With feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. With housing teens in crisis pregnancies. Going on mission trips. Yet I lacked the confidence and boldness to spread The Message much beyond that.

And so I failed to live up to part of the purpose that I believe God saved me for. I was given another chance at life, yet in many ways, I wasted it.

Regardless of your theology, your religious background, and your place in this journey, you can nonetheless identify with the impossibility of some of the challenges that life throws our way, and of your desireor lack of itto be good stewards of your time, talent, and energy in meeting them. Some of us are well aware of our life purpose, and know with certainty the roadmap we are to follow in carrying it out. Some of us
are well aware of our life purpose, but quietly put it on the back burner for one reason or another. Fear of rejection? Of failure? Of the sheer magnitude of the purpose and the impossibility of achieving it? And some of us have no idea why we’ve been put into this time and place in history. We’re still groping for answersor even worsecan’t even articulate the questions!

So it makes Mary’s response even more incredible to me. Faced with news that would confound the bravest among us, she responded with calm dignity and enjoyed the confidence that faith in Gabriel’s message allowed. With faith and assurance in God’s promise, she not only accepted the news; she offered herself as a willing servant. Immediately.

It is my hope that during this season of Christmas, you will be open to immediate service, too. That despite sad news, overwhelming odds, confusing trials and tribulations, and confounding problems in your everyday workaday world, you will grab hold of the promisewith confidencethat “Nothing is impossible with God.” And that you will fear notlike Maryand agree to stand in the gap for service to others. It may be service to your children and to your spouse. Or to your next-door neighbor. It may be to complete strangers who are facing challenges beyond your comprehension and living as disenfranchised citizens of the world.

Regardless, move forward with confidence that servicewhile sometimes frightening, sometimes overwhelming, and almost always inconvenientmight just lead to events that could change the course of history. Like Mary.

NOTES:

(1) The Harris Poll #52, September 13, 2000.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; ten years of homeschooling and raising four kids provide fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is widely available online, in bookstores or through 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via seminars, workshops, keynotes and monthly meetings of the ROCKET MOM SOCIETY, a sisterhood group she launched to “encourage, equip and empower moms for excellence.” Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com