Spiritual Stories
I think of Spiritual stories as events that have happened, then reliably re-told by people of integrity. These events deal with a glimpse “beyond the physical veil” into the supernatural or spiritual dimension. These are “gifts from above” that allow us to “see” into that elusive spiritual realm. They are just sobering glimpses of things beyond.
One individual I was privileged to meet while in the military ministry was killed in a 4 fatality car wreck in Dec ‘04, several years after we were both out of the Army Reserve. Deceased and gone “Pastor Bill” had a close friend who came down fatally ill & passed exactly a year later, on the day & hour of Bill’s accident. In the hospital he raised up in bed before he died & said “Why is there so much light in this room?” Actually, the room was dimly lit, then he said, “You won’t believe what I see over there standing alone – it’s Pastor Bill!” (I hope God sends a quality reception committee for me when it’s my time to go.) And for 2 other similar “stories” that are also premium glimpses of that spiritual dimension see To Hell and Back 1993 by Maurice S. Rawlings, M.D. pages 104 & 105.
Another story is of my son when age 15 or so, who had a high-speed spill from his “big wheel” motor bike near Sedona, AZ. He came in all shaken and said, “God has performed a miracle. I crashed badly on a dirt trail at top speed. While flying thru the air it was like I was in a bubble in slow motion. Rocks all around but missed them all & didn’t get a scratch.” That happened in the spring of ’92. Karl is still living the Christian life . . .
Then here is a “Spiritual Story” from Billy Graham’s book Angels – God’s Secret Agents, 1975 pg. 16. “A celebrated Philadelphia neurologist had gone to bed after an exceptionally tiring day. Suddenly he was awakened by someone knocking on his door. Opening it he found a little girl, poorly dressed and deeply upset. She told him her mother was very sick and asked him if he would please come with her. It was a bitterly cold, snowy night, but though he was bone tired, the doctor dressed and followed the girl. As the Reader’s Digest reports the story, he found the mother desperately ill with pneumonia. After arranging for medical care, he complimented the sick woman on the intelligence and persistence of her little daughter. The woman looked at him strangely and then said, “My daughter died a month ago.”
These glimpses of things beyond may be “tough to believe” (link 175), but I personally have no problem believing these stories BECAUSE 1) Why would people lie about this kind of stuff? 2) My experience with the Gospel & Faith has been studded all along (for nearly 50 years) with glimpses of that other dimension (see link 33). And that’s “why I write” gospel-notes (link 158). While I don’t consider myself to be a standard religious man, I hope to promote spirituality in Christ – it’s a lifestyle & experience we can have after our decision & resolve for Christ. Once the “ice” is broken, and we learn some “principles of faith”, (link 180), spiritual stuff just happens. (And WHY there is angelic deliverance for some and not for others is truly a mystery.) Some refs. that may apply:
-- Psalms 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them.”
-- Psalms 96:3-5 KJV “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.”
-- Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?” (N.T. definition of angels.)
-- Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
-- Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Words of the resurrected J.C.)
Choose Jesus, He is Alive. And He is able to make “Spiritual Stories” with you & yours in them – it’s been that way with me & mine for nearly 50 years now.
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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