I'd have thought this was something of an "Urban Legend", but I know the woman involved here and feel comfortable sharing this story.

First the background.  This young lady and her husband have been coming to our church pretty much since the beginning.  She has been a faithful attendee and is doing what God is directing her to.  Her husband has also been coming and has been diligent in the job he has at the church - never failing, always doing well.

They are also in a marriage that by all accounts was nearly dead.

But God has other plans.  God ordained marriage and hates divorce.  The enemy, on the other hand, loves to see marriages fail.  By the time these two came to me, I was concerned that it was too little, too late.  But God is, as always, in control.

Though they have a LONG way to go yet, and they are far from out of the woods, God sent TWO miraculous encounters to boost this young woman's faith.  I post them here, mostly in her own words with next to know editorial liberties.  I pray that these two stories bless you.

They are in chronological order.  This one was received first thing Monday Morning.:

Pastor Tom,

I just got goose bumps on my goose bumps!!! I just got into work this morning and read your emails. This is the last comment you made in your last email.

"I pray that you have a great night - and that God grants you a special revelation tonight!"

I have been itchin' to get to work and shoot you an email. The most incredible, and I do mean the absolute most incredible thing happened last night!!!!

We were sitting here in the office last night, it was quitting time and it was just the three of us girls left. One of them has been going through some pretty rough stuff with her relationship (seems to be in the water these days) well she was talking about it last night and completely broke down. I seen me for a brief moment, she is exhausted emotionally and at her ropes end.

She was sobbing, my boss stepped up to her to hug her and I stepped beside her and put my hand on her shoulder and began to pray (not out loud, just to myself) I began asking that the Lord just take her pain away and wrap his arms around her. My arm got heavy, I can't describe it, but I felt sorrow funnel through me (and this is outside of my own feelings) and I got the chills. At that moment her sobbing stopped all the sudden and she laughed and turned around and looked at me and said "You just prayed for me didn't you" me being a little overwhelmed with the feeling at the moment looked at her and just said "yes" and she said "I felt it". I said "Good!! and kinda laughed" She said "no seriously I felt it...when you touched me I felt a surge and then without realizing it my tears stopped immediately and I felt warmth like I was being hugged"

All I could say was "Thank You Lord" She continued and said "I use to have what you have, that light, that love, I have seen it bright in you since when we first met, but the world has drug me down and knocked me out and I have no care or hope anymore" and me, I said "There is always hope!!" (I, Me, I said this in the midst of my attitude lately these words came out of my mouth) It is crazy but I felt like God was talking to ME through ME, I heard my own words very loudly.

I looked at her and said "I know you live a little far away, but would you like to come to church with me on Sunday?" She said "No, I am not ready for that, i have too much fixing in me and my life to do and I am not ready to commit to doing them" (I instantly heard your words in my head) I said "That's ok, God doesn't want you to come to him fixed, he wants you to come to him broken, so HE can fix it, so HE can take it from you" she kinda chuckled and said "You are crazy" I said "No, I know the love God has for each and everyone of us and I know what he can do in and for our lives if we just surrender and let him do it" (again I hear my own voice to myself)

She gave me a big hug and told said Thank You and she will think about it.

When I got to my car I sat there for a minute, stunned, and realized that I myself felt better...empowered...relieved. I just sat there and began praying...I prayed and prayed and prayed and then just sat there in silence. I seen myself in my head at my up times, the person I know that I can be, the person God wants me to be. I felt my spirit, I felt the words "I am always here even when you think I'm not, I always hear even when you think I don't" I began to cry and then felt soothed, I wiped the tears away and knew that I have to Stand Up...Stand Up and Fight.

Now I am not saying that I am not still angry, hurt..bitter, but I am not just going to lay on the ground and continue to let let the situation...the world... kick me while I am down.

I have some cool things happen to me before, but last night was beyond words. I have prayed for people before and I have talked about God with people before, I have even felt people's feelings or people's aura before, but last night was a whole new level, something I have never experienced before.

It's great feeling renewed...on top of the world..and knowing that you have the best friend there is to have!!!!

This was received the same Friday shortly after lunch:

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways so many times, but this is an extra "special" time.

I tell you last night was absolutely amazing!! Although it's hard to believe there is now another piece to story.........get some tissues ready......

I don't usually do anything on my lunch break, just drive around or go sit at the park and lately that has been my crying time.

So today I went down to Fred Meyers to wonder around and waste time. I found myself trying to get ideas about what to get my husband for Christmas (which I haven;t even considered doing until now) I was walking through the floral section on my way out, and I stopped to look at a flower that caught my eye.

There is an old, and I mean really old, guy standing there. He looked like he could barely standup. He had a cart FULL of flowers and chocolate. I smiled when I seen him. He reached over and touched my arm and said "75 years and I still can't get it right" I just looked at him and smiled, thought maybe he was a little off his rocker and I went to walk away.

He said "Are you married?" I said "Excuse me" he repeated "are you married" I nodded and said "yes". He asked "Do you think this is good enough?" I said "I am sorry but I am not sure what you are talking about" he said "I have been married 75 YEARS today, and I want to make it special as this is the last year she will be with me" "Do you think this is enough...75 different kinds of flowers and 75 different pieces of chocolate...I can't think of anything else these are her favorites"

My eyes welled up with tears and being dumbfounded I said "Did you say you have been married for 75 YEARS" he said "Yes that's right and he launched into his story about how they got married when they were 15 and so on and so on" I stood there listening in complete disbelief. He said "You can't believe it can you....How long have you and your husband been married?" I told him "2 1/2 years" he laughed and said "Oh those are the rough times when you can't imagine being married another day let alone a year or 72 more years" "but it is possible if you can stick it out...believe it or not us men do grow up eventually...it might take him 25 more years, but he will grow up"

I laughed and was trying to keep the tears from spilling over I was so touched by this little old guys story I said "Thanks for the encouragement it comes at a much needed time" He reached over and gave me a hug and said "So do you think this is good enough?" I smiled and said "I think it is perfect!!" he said "Yeah I just hope the rest home lets me bring all these flowers into her...if not I will take them outside and put them against her window so she can still see them and maybe if she ever wakes up she will remember even for a moment how much life we have had together and how much she means to me" Needless to say the tears spilled over I gave him a big hug and I said "Thank You so much for sharing your story with me...you have touched my life in away you can't imagine" He said "Everyone needs a special touch to make it through sometimes and you will make it through and look back on it someday and laugh" "I have to get to my sweetheart now, you have a wonderful day...and....just tell him you love him as soon as you can" and he walked away.

I couldn't move I am standing there by myself with tears running down my face and completely touched clear to the very depths of my soul.

How absolutely moving is that....incredible... I am still shocked by the whole scene. That is definitely a moment that will never be forgotten. Don't think I need anymore signs...clues..whatever the word may be.

I am in this whole heartedly...scared to death...but I am in the game to win from this point forwards. I have no clue what moments tomorrow...Monday....next month may hold....I don't know how things are going to work, but I know now that they can.

I have been blessed and loved far more than I am deserving of and I will not take that for granted, I will not let God down in this. Our marriage won't fail because of my poor attitude or my lack of trying, I will go out or win knowing that I gave it everything I could give. The Lord has not given me a choice of turning my back right now, not after these two spectacular, awesome, truly amazing events. This is the type of stuff you wish you could share with the entire world!!!

Praise God!!!

Why is it that the more we push God out of our life, the more confused we get as to why we can't feel His presence?

Stupid question, eh? I thought so.  But to the person that asked me why he couldn't feel God's presence any more it was a serious problem.  As we dug into it a bit more (and it didn't take much digging) it became obvious that it's not God who has turned away...

While we walk on this earth, we have two choices to make at every moment:

1. Do we do what we know God would have us do?
2. Do we do what we, as sinful creatures want to do?

The answer to those of us walking with Jesus through this life know the answer is simple.  But to someone who has either never met Jesus - or in the case of the man I spoke to tonight - has slowly drifted away, it is sometimes a difficult choice.

The analogy I used was:

If I was your friend, and you invited me to your house, but when I got there you chose to ignore me and carry on as if I hadn't met you, how long do you think I would sit there and wait for you?

The good news is that God is ever patient, and waits for us much longer than we would ever wait for Him.  But what is REALLY cool, is that even if He leaves us to our own devices, He is always ready to come back and dine with us.  All we have to do is call Him back.

I've been a bit wounded by things I've heard and seen in the past few weeks.  It's been a bit rough.  I've heard comments that have staggered me and made me question people.  But never - even for a moment - has it shaken my faith.

My love for the Lord is sufficient for me to just soldier on.  To "press on towards the goal".  I must continue - and I cannot do this alone.  I rely solely on God for strength and wisdom.  It is He who guides and directs me by His Holy Spirit.  It is He who comforts me when I cry for the people I counsel.  It is He who, when I feel like I've reached the end of my rope, simply tells me to let go, and gently catches me.  It is He, who gives me that special bit of encouragement - at just the right time.

God gave me just that encouragement today in the form of an e-mail from an old (young) friend.  A man I truly liked and am glad I'm back in contact with.  His comments of "Dude! You're a church planter!!! That's the greatest thing I've heard in like forever!!!!!" will be enough to keep a smile on my face for the rest of the week.

God knows what we need.  When we allow Him into our life, He will provide.  I trust that at just that time that I feel like I can't go any further, He'll show me that I can.  And I will.  Through His strength.

Stay tuned - more to come...