Touched by God

Last Sunday (9/15), Pastor Dave was speaking to us about listening for God's voice...just being quiet and allowing him to penetrate the deepest parts of our being.  On Monday (9/16), I was reading 1 Peter 3:21, which says: "this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.  It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..."  That afternoon, I hopped on my motorcycle and headed for the town of Wilcox (about an hour's ride) to run some errands.  As I have discovered, riding your bike is an excellent time to spend time in prayer...so on the way out, I was praying.  Praying for myself...my family on the ranch...the ranch...the ministry...the valley...Cochise county...family...friends...everything I could think of.  While I was praying, 1 Peter 3:21 kept running through my mind.  As I neared Wilcox, I noticed that the sky - which had been a beautiful sunny blue - was growing dark and stormy, and about 2 miles out, it opened up.  Soaking wet, I pulled into the flooded streets of Wilcox.  I couldn't help but laugh.  All I could think was "this water symbolizes...the pledge of a clear conscience toward God."

About an hour later, I headed home.  Cloudless blue skies overhead, but seemingly the clouds and rain were literally everywhere else.  As I headed south and left Wilcox behind, I was so aware and in awe of the beauty of God's creation...everywhere I looked was so beautiful!  For the first fifteen minutes or so, I could only think of Psalm 19:1 "the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." With Thunderclouds building overhead, I asked God to speak to me, and to touch me.  Silent...listening...opening my heart and mind to His voice, I suddenly became aware of an intense tingling as if I had goosebumps all over my entire body.  Based on my past experiences, I would have just expected this to cease after a few moments...but I suddenly remembered what I had just asked.  It took my breath away.  The sensation stayed with me for 20 minutes for the entirety of a stretch of road and until I turned east again.  As I made the turn east, I couldn't help but laugh yet again...directly ahead and remaining until I got back to the ranch, was a vibrant quarter Rainbow, dark, rolling thunderheads, and high atmospheric rain.  Amazing.

Departing in prayer, arriving with the pledge of a clear conscience toward God; leaving with God's touch and arriving with God's promise.

What a wonderful God we serve!!