333 This one is quite disturbing to me. A few years ago, when Ethan was just a wee tot, I was doing a side job for a woman named Robin. I used to work for her full time, but had since gotten a new job, and helped her out sometimes. We met at the house we were going to measure, and got to work. Somehow we got on the subject of the number 333. She said she had been seeing it a lot lately and it gave her a weird feeling, like something bad was going to happen. I explained to her that I had also been seeing that number frequently the past few weeks.
Now, I know what you are thinking..once your mind sees something, it will pick it out constantly. Like, when you buy a new car and you hadn't seen it on the road until you bought it.
This was different though..I would see it in random places like on the pole that holds up a billboard you notice everyday, but go by too fast to see it....and then one day you happen to be stuck in traffic right in front of it, and look over and there they are..the numbers 333 in big black font.
Well, after meeting with Robin, I didn't see, or think about it much. A couple weeks ago, I started seeing it again. By the way..the billboard post numbers are different now. I still didn't think much of it. I told Seth, and he told me not to get into such things...that it was like inviting evil spirits in thru numerology. Of course I listened to him, but I still wanted to see what it was all about. I went on-line, and found a couple websites talking about Paganism, and the power of 3, numerology, astronomy..I could go on.
I had solved the mystery, so I thought. I was going to watch a movie while Ethan was napping on Sunday afternoon. I went to On Demand, and flipped thru the titles..I wanted to watch 'The 4th Kind'. I watched the preview (if you haven't..just the preview will freak you out!). There was a flash of a woman waking up and looking at the clock. It said 3:33. The basic premise of the movie is about people who are having encounters, and being taken by aliens. They use some actual footage of documented cases. After seeing the preview, it appeared that all those people had been possessed.
This is the really interesting part.
I decided to look in my bible. I was flipping around and came to a "Memorable Verses" page. There was only one listed with the numbers: Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." This passage sums up the chapter by basically saying when you are in need of comforting, call on our Lord, and he will help you through it. In my mind, when I see those numbers, it is a feeling of uncomfortable-ness, and God is telling me to call on him, and not to worry.
Are alien abductions and aliens in general just another ploy by the devil to make us interested so we will get sucked in and eventually allow ourselves to be open to the idea...of him? You be the judge..I have made up my mind, and by the way..I didn't watch the movie.
316 This number had appeared to me for the few weeks leading up to us going to church. After reading all of that stuff about the other number, I decided to also look at this one. I went back to the "Memorable Verses". This time I was pleasantly surprised:
Exodus 3:16 "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, The Lord, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt". 3:17 "And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey."
Luke 3:16 "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
1Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
All of this is leading to one thing in my mind: God is telling me that he has a plan, and it is unfolding. The 316 verses tell of my life before, leading up to, during, and the future of, my journey with Him. The 333 number is a warning, and one that I am now taking seriously, about staying away from things that might lead to the wrong path. My interest in scary movies has just dropped to zero. My interest in listening to sermons, and Christian radio has jumped to 10. Not to mention that you just feel better when you surround yourself with God.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
It was the Spirit
No, I am not going to turn into one of those people you don't want to talk to because all they talk about is church...I just can't get over it..so I am going to write it down, so I will always remember how it happend. I hope, if you are reading this, you are ready for some mush, a side of silly, and a large heap of humility followed by a warm and fuzzy. If not, close your browser now.
March 13th, Saturday 2010:
I had been feeling depressed. I decided to tell Seth that I just wasn't happy, and I needed his help. Seth is always very understanding, and the best way for him to help me (in his mind) is by quoting scripture. Usually, my brain would have turned off while my head nodded in understanding to what he was saying, but that night, I was listening...and very intently...something I have been having trouble with lately.
He began telling me an old testament parabol about a wealthy man who was throwing a birthday party for himself, and sent out invitations to all the other wealthy people. In that time they sent out invitations months in advance so the invitees would have time to respond. When the big day finally came, not one of the people invited showed up. The wealthy man told his servant, "Go to the outer limits of the city and invite anyone you see, I refuse to be alone in my hour of celebration".
The servant returned with no one, telling the man that no one wanted to join him. So the man said, "Go to the pastures and far reaches of this providence, and invite the beggars, lepars, and anyone you come accross. I refuse to be alone in my hour of celebration".
Again the servant returned, but this time he had one or two guests with him. (of course I am paraphrasing while I am writing this..Seth is much better at story telling) So the group feasted, and was merry..you know..the usuall.
I think you are getting where this is going. So after he told me this..I said, "You know..usually I would have let you just ramble on and act like I was paying attention, but tonight I actually was listening." Of course, Seth was glad to know that..he likes attention. Then he was telling me that over the past couple weeks he had had the urge to listen to Christian radio, and one day on the way home he started crying...he just felt it.
Then I started crying. Not sobbing uncontrollably, just teary, and my throat was all knotted up..like when you watch a love story and you are so happy that you can't help but cry. Seth looked at me and said, "that's the spirit". I admitted that all this time I had been fooling myself. I thought that I had accepted Jesus into my heart, but really, I was just doing what everyone told me to, and going thru the motions. I asked Seth, "How do you know when you have really accepted him? I have said it over and over, and I just don't know."
We stayed up way past our bed times, and continued our discussion..it felt good to talk. We decided that we would go to church on the upcoming Sunday. I prayed that God would help me to understand what I was feeling.
The next day at work the girls (there are only 5 of us that work there, me, 2 prego girls, a guy, and the Boss Man) were discussing wether or not to get their infants baptized. One of them said to the other, "I was baptized twice as a child, so I am doubly going to heaven!" I was pretty shocked to hear that. Right at that moment, I knew.
Now, for a little background on why me going to church is so intriging:
When I was in 4th grade, my parents got divorced..yes I was destrought, but I have been thru therapy now, and I am OK! My father got re-married and they decided that my sis and I needed some God in our lives. Unfortunatly for us, we had never even heard the term God. So, we just went along with it. My dad blamed my mom for us not going and visa-versa..I don't blame either one..life happens the way it is supposed to, so you can ultimatly reach the best possible outcome (as we all have). Anyway, we were made to go to church on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday nights. We were also told we had to have bible study every night while at my dad's house every summer. Of course, coming into my teenage years, I was rebelous, and quite frankly didn't give a damn. But, to appease those around me, so as not to get in trouble, I did what they said...I went to communion, got baptized, and sang in the choir. I never really felt "saved", but I did "pray" to God and ask for forgiveness out loud.
Ok, that's enough of that..if you are really interested in all that then I will expound in a seperate post.
March 21st, Sunday 2010:
The big day had arrived. We told Ethan we were going, as we have been praying with him before bed the past few months..and I asked him if he wanted to go to kids church. He said, "Will we learn about that Jesus man?" So I told him yes, and we were on our way.
We dropped Ethan off with the other kids, and went and sat in the sanctuary. They sang exactly 2 songs, and then had a special guest. His name was Rodrigo Rodrigues, and he was from South America, and played the guitar with a spanish flair..it was really awesome. But that wasn't what made me remember him..when he was done he said, "17 years ago I decided to go to the Calvary church in my town. That day God spoke to me and gave me this gift." By the way, he was REALLY good.
Anyway, then the pastor, Ron Hindt, came out and totally got me hooked. He read from Revelations and really broke down what the words were saying. He didn't say it in his own words..he refered back to other scripture where things were explained (you are just supposed to remember those things till you get there). I really enjoyed how he wasn't trying to make us all laugh or just have a good time..he was trying to help us understand what the text really says. The Bible in lamens terms..go figure.
It was exactly what I was looking for. The reason I haven't gone to church of my own accord EVER is because I didn't want to feel "forced" to be a Christian. Pastor Ron said, "We don't belive in religion, and if you do, this is not the right church for you..you should leave. We believe in a relationship with God. If that is what you are looking for, you can stay." So blunt..so me. When the sermon was over, I had been listening so intently to what he said, that when they played that last song, I started crying again. This time was the same..my throat was in a knot, and I was happy. I suddenly realized why all those people hold their hands up during the songs..I wanted to, too! But I held back..maybe next time. Like Seth said, it was the Spirit.
I have finally found a place that feels like I fit..and I don't have to sing if I don't want to!
March 13th, Saturday 2010:
I had been feeling depressed. I decided to tell Seth that I just wasn't happy, and I needed his help. Seth is always very understanding, and the best way for him to help me (in his mind) is by quoting scripture. Usually, my brain would have turned off while my head nodded in understanding to what he was saying, but that night, I was listening...and very intently...something I have been having trouble with lately.
He began telling me an old testament parabol about a wealthy man who was throwing a birthday party for himself, and sent out invitations to all the other wealthy people. In that time they sent out invitations months in advance so the invitees would have time to respond. When the big day finally came, not one of the people invited showed up. The wealthy man told his servant, "Go to the outer limits of the city and invite anyone you see, I refuse to be alone in my hour of celebration".
The servant returned with no one, telling the man that no one wanted to join him. So the man said, "Go to the pastures and far reaches of this providence, and invite the beggars, lepars, and anyone you come accross. I refuse to be alone in my hour of celebration".
Again the servant returned, but this time he had one or two guests with him. (of course I am paraphrasing while I am writing this..Seth is much better at story telling) So the group feasted, and was merry..you know..the usuall.
I think you are getting where this is going. So after he told me this..I said, "You know..usually I would have let you just ramble on and act like I was paying attention, but tonight I actually was listening." Of course, Seth was glad to know that..he likes attention. Then he was telling me that over the past couple weeks he had had the urge to listen to Christian radio, and one day on the way home he started crying...he just felt it.
Then I started crying. Not sobbing uncontrollably, just teary, and my throat was all knotted up..like when you watch a love story and you are so happy that you can't help but cry. Seth looked at me and said, "that's the spirit". I admitted that all this time I had been fooling myself. I thought that I had accepted Jesus into my heart, but really, I was just doing what everyone told me to, and going thru the motions. I asked Seth, "How do you know when you have really accepted him? I have said it over and over, and I just don't know."
We stayed up way past our bed times, and continued our discussion..it felt good to talk. We decided that we would go to church on the upcoming Sunday. I prayed that God would help me to understand what I was feeling.
The next day at work the girls (there are only 5 of us that work there, me, 2 prego girls, a guy, and the Boss Man) were discussing wether or not to get their infants baptized. One of them said to the other, "I was baptized twice as a child, so I am doubly going to heaven!" I was pretty shocked to hear that. Right at that moment, I knew.
Now, for a little background on why me going to church is so intriging:
When I was in 4th grade, my parents got divorced..yes I was destrought, but I have been thru therapy now, and I am OK! My father got re-married and they decided that my sis and I needed some God in our lives. Unfortunatly for us, we had never even heard the term God. So, we just went along with it. My dad blamed my mom for us not going and visa-versa..I don't blame either one..life happens the way it is supposed to, so you can ultimatly reach the best possible outcome (as we all have). Anyway, we were made to go to church on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday nights. We were also told we had to have bible study every night while at my dad's house every summer. Of course, coming into my teenage years, I was rebelous, and quite frankly didn't give a damn. But, to appease those around me, so as not to get in trouble, I did what they said...I went to communion, got baptized, and sang in the choir. I never really felt "saved", but I did "pray" to God and ask for forgiveness out loud.
Ok, that's enough of that..if you are really interested in all that then I will expound in a seperate post.
March 21st, Sunday 2010:
The big day had arrived. We told Ethan we were going, as we have been praying with him before bed the past few months..and I asked him if he wanted to go to kids church. He said, "Will we learn about that Jesus man?" So I told him yes, and we were on our way.
We dropped Ethan off with the other kids, and went and sat in the sanctuary. They sang exactly 2 songs, and then had a special guest. His name was Rodrigo Rodrigues, and he was from South America, and played the guitar with a spanish flair..it was really awesome. But that wasn't what made me remember him..when he was done he said, "17 years ago I decided to go to the Calvary church in my town. That day God spoke to me and gave me this gift." By the way, he was REALLY good.
Anyway, then the pastor, Ron Hindt, came out and totally got me hooked. He read from Revelations and really broke down what the words were saying. He didn't say it in his own words..he refered back to other scripture where things were explained (you are just supposed to remember those things till you get there). I really enjoyed how he wasn't trying to make us all laugh or just have a good time..he was trying to help us understand what the text really says. The Bible in lamens terms..go figure.
It was exactly what I was looking for. The reason I haven't gone to church of my own accord EVER is because I didn't want to feel "forced" to be a Christian. Pastor Ron said, "We don't belive in religion, and if you do, this is not the right church for you..you should leave. We believe in a relationship with God. If that is what you are looking for, you can stay." So blunt..so me. When the sermon was over, I had been listening so intently to what he said, that when they played that last song, I started crying again. This time was the same..my throat was in a knot, and I was happy. I suddenly realized why all those people hold their hands up during the songs..I wanted to, too! But I held back..maybe next time. Like Seth said, it was the Spirit.
I have finally found a place that feels like I fit..and I don't have to sing if I don't want to!
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