Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Foreword by Francis MacNutt 9 Acknowledgments 12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. A Gift from My Father 15 What Is an Angel? 24 How Angels Appear 46 Angels in the Kingdom of God 73 The Classification of Angels 82 Guardian Angels 116 Angels and Healing 141 Unholy Fallen Angels 161 The Veil Is Thin 197 Notes 206
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any years ago, before Francis and I married, I experienced an angelic encounter that radically altered my perception of the invisible spiritual realm. Allow me to share with you the mysterious story that opened me up to the world of angels and demons, and ultimately led me to understand more about God Himself. I had just returned home from a lovely evening with good friends, and I was preparing for bed. The hour was later than usual for me, and I had a full days work ahead of me at my counseling practice in Clearwater, Florida. During that time, my work days began with early morning prayers at my church, followed by a quick breakfast and then eight to ten hours of counseling with my clients. I loved the quiet times of inner healing ministry to the brokenhearted, depressed and
A Gift
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suffering ones who came to me. I delighted at being a small part of the transformation process of their lives. Gods great love for each one of them became evident to me and, above all, to them in this process. exhausted and in need of a good nights sleep, I began my bedtime ritualchanging into something cozy, brushing my teeth, locking the doors, removing a cross necklace, earrings, a watch and . . . my ring! I stared at my bare ring finger in shock. My beautiful diamond-and-sapphire ring was missing. My heart sank. It had simply disappeared. I had not felt it slip off my finger. How could I have lost it? Where could it be? Grabbing a flashlight, I began my frantic searchpraying all the while, God, please help me find my ring. I searched my bedroom, every inch of my condo, the sidewalk, the garage and my small sports car. After retracing my path from the car to the bedroom three times, I realized the ring had not fallen anywhere in or around my home or car. Frantically, I phoned the restaurant where I had eaten dinner, asking the staff to search around the table where I had been seated. I then phoned my friends at whose house I had enjoyed dessert after dinner, asking them to look for it. After what seemed like an eternity, the kind restaurant manager and my friends both phoned back to say that my ring had not been found. I was overwhelmed with sadness at the loss of this precious ring. unwilling to accept my loss, I wandered around my home, hoping against all odds to find it. Around midnight, I gave up my search. Overcome with grief, I sank into the wicker rocking chair in my bedroom and began to cry. How could I have lost it? Blaming myself became easy. So many questions were tumbling through my mind. The sense of loss became too much. I had such a deep attachment to that ring,
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when he said, I dont like it. Theres one in this other case I want you to see. He took me by the arm and led me over to the most elegant ring section in the shop. I had glanced at the rings in that case, but had quickly realized they were too expensive. Pointing to a particular ring, Dad said, I believe this ring was made just for you. As I began to protest, the clerk quickly removed the ring from the case and handed it to me. Dad encouraged me, Try it on. I slipped it on my finger; it was a perfect fit. Never before had I seen a ring that danced with such light and beauty. The ring was crafted with a wide, striated gold band containing a small diamond, and brilliant blue sapphires nestled themselves around the centerpiece. Though I loved it immediately, I twisted it off my finger, mumbled concerns about the expense and handed it over to the disappointed clerk. I then looked into my fathers beautiful green eyes, saw them brimming with tears and saw the pure love that was on his face. He smiled ever so tenderly, took my hand and said, This ring is my gift of love to you. Whenever you wear it, wherever you are in life, always remember that your father loves you. As I accepted his gift of love, my heart began to soften. At that moment, memories of my teen years full of stormy arguments with Dad and painful recollections were forgiven. The little girl inside of me, the one longing to be loved and accepted by her daddy, faced her father in that moment with an indescribable joy filling her heart. The ring became a symbol to me of Dads love and of our familys healing. The assurance of his love, sealed forever in my heart, was covering the deep wounds I had carried since my teens. This was the
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diminished, replaced by the comforting presence of God. I prayed, Thank You, Father, for the loving relationship Dad and I have been blessed withfor all the healing You have brought about to restore us. Thank You, too, for the joy of wearing that beautiful ring that symbolized Daddys love. I release to You my precious ring, and I pray that whoever finds it will also experience the great joy and love I knew. Leaving my Bible on my wicker rocker, where I had almost fallen asleep, I crawled into bed. I nestled under my mothers warm, hand-pieced quilt. As I settled into the drowsy stillness that precedes sleep, I offered one more prayer. Lord, You know Ive released the ring. If its not too much trouble, would You send an angel to return it to me? Never in my life had I prayed for God to send angels to do anythingmuch less to return a lost ring. Feeling slightly embarrassed by my frivolous request, I drifted off to sleep. The following morning, my alarm awakened me after only three precious hours of sleep. Feeling somewhat groggy, I rushed to dress so I would not be late for morning prayers at my church. I could still be on time if I moved quickly. As I backed my car out of the garage, I thought I heard a voice saying, Go back inside; your ring is there. I knew the ring was not there, however, so I continued on my way. About a mile from home, I heard the voice again, only this time the tone was louder and definitely more insistent: Turn around and go home. Feeling somewhat confused, I found a place to turn around, and I headed home. The voice had disturbed me, especially the demanding tone. Why should I look at home for my ring? I thought. I searched every inch of the place last night, so Im wasting time. This will make me late for church.
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were in a dream. Instead of picking it up, I touched it ever so gently. It was real. I was astonished. It was not a dream or a vision. Placing the ring on my finger, I laughed and cried at the same time. Indescribable feelings of wonder, awe and joy flooded my entire being. Torrents of praise and thanksgiving to God rushed out of my grateful heart. Never before had I felt so completely alive, or so confused. Then the flood of unanswered questions began. How did the ring get there? I had just been reading the Bible a few hours before; the ring could not have been there. Then I remembered my last request to God before falling asleepPlease send an angel to return my ring. Was it possible that God had commanded a mighty angel to find it? Did the angel place it on top of my Bible so I would know that I could not have overlooked it in my search? Was the insistent voice I heard in the car the voice of an angel? All unanswered questions. Totally perplexed by these unusual occurrences, I rushed to my car and drove straight to church. The service was still underway, so I slipped into a pew at the back. Opting to skip breakfast and spend time in prayer, I remained on my knees, thanking God and also seeking answers. As I thanked God for all He had done to bring about this miracle, an overwhelming sense of His presence enveloped me. My questions fell silent as I waited before Him in that sacred space, and then He spoke. His voice, so deeply resonant within me, was full of tenderness and love: You know your earthly father loves you. I have commanded My angel to bring you this ring because I long for you to know that your heavenly Father loves you, too. This ring is My gift of love to you, tooit is now twice given, and you are doubly blessed.
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