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Proof From Up Above |
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by Steve J. Murray
I have one word that describes certain events within my
life. That one word seems to come up often for me. However,
it never rang true more times then within this one twenty-four
hour period.
It was well into the evening, and I was sitting in my
living room reading the Bible aloud to a friend of mine.
I was reading one of my favorites, the 23 Psalm. To me
it is one of hope, because it says "through the Valley
of the shadow of death." When I was done reading
it, I made a comment to my friend that I preferred the
more poetic verbiage of the King James Version Bible.
She agreed. I never said anything, but in my mind I thought
to myself that, if I can find two King James Version Bibles
I would buy one for me, and one for my friend. The night
ended with reading some more Bible passages, and we both
retired for the night.
The next day was a day off from work for me, and I had
planned on going to a 12-Step meeting, (I am a recovering
alcoholic). I decided to go to a different meeting than
the one I normally attend, and began looking through the
meeting book for one of interest. I was compelled and
drawn, (this was the first time I used the word), to this
one meeting called "The Half Way House." It
was a 15 mile drive from home to that meeting, and I can't
explain the feeling of being drawn to that meeting to
this day, except to say that it was overwhelming, (and
the second time I used the word). I would not normally
drive this far, as there are plenty of meetings in the
area, and at all different times. So off I went to this
mysterious meeting.
I was just about one mile away from the meeting, and sitting
waiting for a red light to change, when I looked across
the street and saw an antique store. Immediately, I thought
that perhaps they had some books, and that I might find
a couple of King James Version Bibles. I don't know why,
or where that thought came from, (third time using the
word), but I figured once I was done with the meeting,
that I would stop at the antique shop and have a look
around.
When I arrived at this half way house, I walked inside
and stated to the man standing in the doorway, "Hi,
my name is Steve, and I'm here for the 10:30 meeting."
He replied by saying "We haven't had that meeting
here in two years. We keep telling them to take it out
of the meeting book, but they keep putting it back in
again."
This seemed strange, and I thought to myself, "Why
did God bring me 15 miles from home to a meeting that
hasn't been there for two years?" I located the half
way house manager, and asked him if he needed any books,
to which he replied, "No, we just had a whole bunch
donated a couple days ago." I asked if he needed
someone to take the residents to outside 12-Step meetings,
and he replied, "No, as a matter of fact, we just
had a brand new van donated, so we all ride together now."
I asked if he needed food, and he replied, "No, we
just got hooked up with this service that delivers excellent
food for free." Everything I asked, he responded
by letting me know that their needs were taken care of,
(fourth time). I was confused. Surely there was a reason
for me going to this place, wasn't there? I headed out
the door, into the car, got my 12-Step meeting book out,
and found another meeting to go to.
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I
had about an hour to spare before the meeting took place,
and headed the car for that antique shop. I parked the
car, and went inside the shop, and sure enough they had
racks of books to check out. I wandered down the first
aisle, and there, jutting out from the rest of the books,
was this book with gold leaf lettering on the edge, definitely
an old book, with the title, "The Half Way House."
You guessed it, (the fifth time I used the word).
I looked at the book, but it had nothing to do with recovery
or 12-step houses, so I went to put it back on the shelf,
and then saw another book there. It was sitting on the
shelf, cover first. I thought that this was odd, because
surely I should have noticed this book first. It was a
book on Angels. I immediately thought of my mother, as
her health was failing, and how she relayed to me a story
of two Angels visiting her. Mom said that each had their
own names, and she knew them, and that each had a specific
purpose in her life, and she knew what their purpose was.
My Mother's health improved, just as she said it would,
as per her Angels’ purpose. I have never believed
in Angels before, but mom was no quack, and if she said
it happened, I believed it.
I picked up this book on Angels, and looked through it,
as it had drawings of Angels in it. And yes, I said the
word again (for the sixth time).
When I put the book back on the shelf, to my disbelief,
there, sitting side-by-side, were two identical King James
Version Bibles. I said the word for the seventh time.
I bought all four books, gave one of the Bibles to my
friend, and had the other Bible blessed when I did my
Fifth Step with a Priest. I have the books on my dresser
as a reminder and proof of Gods existence.
This was my proof from God. That he is alive, he is real,
and he knows what we need even before we realize what
we want. These are the true events as they happened to
me. And I can only explain them with one word... "Amazing".
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Steve J. Murray is the President/Founder of ni-cor.com
/ nasarecovery.com, (Network International-Coalition
for On-line Resources / Narcotics and Alcohol Services
for Addiction Recovery). He's been involved in the chemical
dependency and mental health fields since 1988. His background
includes: Executive Director of N.A.S.A. Recovery Treatment
Facility, Serenity House Chemical Dependency Counselor,
MAM Chemical Dependency Day Treatment Director, Founder
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center Phx. AZ 1991, Private
Contractor at The Arizona State Hospital (Forensic Ward),
Medical Detox Mgr., IMPACT II Representative- National
Drug Education at the Corporate Level, Vice President
Lions International Special Populations (Substance Abuse/Mental
Health/Homeless/Homeless Children), State RBHA, (Regional
Behavioral Health Authority), Coordinator for Mentally
Ill and Dual Diagnosis Housing Programs.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PROVERBS 3:5-8 |
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"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not
depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all
you do, and he will direct your paths.
Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear
the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain
renewed health and vitality." |
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(NLT) |
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