Faith Building
Stories of Faith
A pastor of mine some years ago had many stories that have truly inspired me. I will share those as I remember them as well as other profound stories here. All of them true- nothing exaggerated.
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KGB Can't Stop G-ds' Work
Pastor Kulakov was from Russia. He was a Seventh Day Adventist. This was during the time of a lot of turmoil and the KGB would bully people. Many would end up in Stalins' work camps. I cannot remember the guy after Stalin, but this family - each generation except the pastor himself were exposed to prison work camps for being underground Christians. This family by the way, was the first family to bring the bible into Russia, translate and rewrite. They would house other underground Christians while they traveled and brought the besorah to Russia.
Michaels' mother was typing the translations one day when the KGB showed up. The fireplace was going good and strong, she ordered him "Michael, take the typewriter and all of the papers and throw them into the fireplace at once"! He did as he was told. The KGB searched the home, found nothing and left. They put the fire out at once to see if they could salvage anything. Amazingly enough, everything was still in tact. Nothing was consumed.
G-d is amazing! His work will always be completed when He is ready. The KGB couldn't stop it.
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Airplane Revelations
When I was about 9 years old or so, I had a Sunday School teacher named Mrs. Mason. She went on vacation and came back a week or two later. She showed us pictures of her trip. While most of those details escape me now 30 years later, the end of her vacation tale didn't!
She said she was asleep on the plane coming home when awakened by passengers bumping into her and a lot of commotion. They were all looking out her window and grabbing cameras. She saw the figure in the clouds and snapped pictures of it as well. She showed me the picture- actually all of us, but it seemed so deeply personal to me. Anyway, it was a robed figure in the clouds. You could see feet and even a face sort of- the facial features were obscure, but also long hair.
I cannot tell you if it was Yeshua or an angel. What I can tell you is how it affected me the rest of my life. During my teen years, I had friends who weren't G-dly people- at least not at that time. One told me that he didn't believe in G-d. I stopped dead in my tracks and realized I was in bad company and needed to find new friends as I remembered the picture I saw. G-d had revealed himself to me, and His provision for me through that picture I saw so long ago was amazing and necessary. Whomever it was in that picture was created by G-d and I saw it because He wanted me to.
During police academy, (see story on The Rabbis Page) when my legs were about to snap in two and a being yelled to me- I knew once again that my Father in heaven was again revealing Himself to me. These events have given me a strong measure of faith that have gotten me through many things.
Upon having a friend of the family commit suicide a few years ago, I couldn't understand and was so upset I had close to 20 seizures on that day. Before I went to bed that evening, I tearfully grabbed my bible to read and though I had forgotten the pictures were tucked in that particular bible, they fell out and I somehow knew G-d was with me and I would somehow get through this situation.
G-d knew when I was 9 years old that I needed to have something early in life to get me through trials to come. I am continually thankful for the revelation of Himself through his creation, that He really is there.
I often feel sorry for those who haven't had such revelations in their lives. My prayer is that those who love Him and want to be citizens in His kingdom will have powerful revelations such as I have had. When I can get a hold of another copy of this picture, I will add it to this page.
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Gun Show at the Mall
Some years back, I took my kids to the mall. Still young and entering their teen years- this means a trip to the mall will be interesting and never boring to say the least.
This particular evening was actually New Years Day. The mall was closing early. There was a small wanna be gang hanging out at the mall and destroying Christmas decorations that were still up etc. Mall security asked the older teens to leave and not come back or the police would be called.
We didnt pay it much mind actually once security came. When we were done at the mall and ready to leave, I grabbed my keys and we walked outside. The gang was outside beside the doors- again I am not concerned with them.
As we got to the car, one of them came up behind me and started yelling and cursing at myself and my children. I threw the keys to my oldest daughter and told them to get in the car quickly as I noticed the guy pulling out a gun. He stated that my kids did the 'L' sign (loser) to them when security told them to leave. I told him no-one did any such thing. He called all of us some harsh names and started waving the gun around saying my kids were all gonna die.
I cannot explain what came over me- but police training kicked in and I was furious! It was like a bull staring down the taunting matador with the red flag. I told him I was a police officer and he was going to jail. He didnt believe me until he saw my tag (1TROOPER). I started to chase him down by foot. I then ran back to my car and went looking for him by car. I was filled with righteous indignation, but G-d was certainly good not to let me catch him that night!
I never in a million years thought I would react that way being held at gunpoint. I have had instances where I have been shot at (off duty) and another time where I pulled over a man and he reached for a gun. I was very quick to draw mine and keep that from escalating (I am still here right?!)
But I had an awesome perspective on life. To this day I have no fear of anything. I know that G-d will protect me in all ways. No one will hurt me lest He allow it! And when He withdraws that protection then it is just my time to go.
My prayer for you- the reader, is that you have faith in the D&G (David & Goliath) situations that come your way and that your relationship with G-d and His son, Yeshua are so incredibly strong that you too can live with NO FEAR and no regrets. B"H
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