I had a strange incident occur on Thursday.

I was shopping at a grocery store and was walking down an aisle when I saw an older black man standing at the end. He had his hand in his coat pocket and appeared to be looking around, nervously.

At first, I thought he might be shoplifting. But, I didn't notice anything else suspicious at that time. (I'm in law enforcement, so it's a habit to observe people).

A little while later, I saw him at the end of an aisle, again with his hand in his coat pocket.

He was an older guy with greying unkept hair, skinny, and a little He was just scruffy looking.

As I walked closer to him. He looked up and saw that I was looking at him. As I neared him, he asked, "How are you doing?" and stuck his hand out. We shook hands and I said, "Fine, how are you doing?" He said, "Fine."

He then said, "You are called to preach."

I didn't say anything. He said, "I can see it all over you. I can see it in your face. I've been a preacher for the last 20 years." I still didn't say anything, just stood there dumbfounded. He said, "Be encouraged and be blessed."

I said, "Well, thank you". He said, "Have a good day". And I said, "Have a good day". And we both went our seperate ways.

It left me unnerved. I still don't really know what to think about it, but I've been in contemplative prayer ever since.

The funny thing about it is that a friend and I had just talked about the prayer services that I had helped with at the county jail and how much I had enjoyed them. I had done a couple of them by myself. (leading the prayer services).

My friend and I had discussed this and I was complaining about my schedule with my regular work, some contract jobs and family committments and just generally having to juggle things.

I had prayed for a sign as to what to do (what to give up, what not to give up, etc.)

I'm still trying to figure it out.

It was strange.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 23, 2003

Answers

John it look's to me like your prayer's where answered in the strangest way but there you go, God operates in mysterious way's.I would say keep up the prayer service's,One not to give up.Thank you for sharing that with us it is an uplifting story (how we sometimes jump to conclusions and then are so gracefully stunned at the real message or outcome.

Pax

-- Andrew m Tillcock (drewmeister7@earthlink.net), August 23, 2003.

John,

My opinion would be don't make to much of it in your own mind. Life is a constant "battlefield". Everyman will have doubts about his life from time to time. This is part of being a human.

As long as you keep God and you're family first, then everything else will fall in place and work out.

Rember that you have a guardian angel that God made for you.

-- - (.@......), August 23, 2003.

Sounds like you were talking to a "messenger from heaven." Remember, what Hebrews says, "be hospitable to strangers, because in so doing, you may be entertaining angels unaware."

Nonetheless, the Lord won't be offended if you ask for confirmation. Our Lady certainly asked for confirmation after her visit with the angel, so it won't offend the Lord if you do so as well.

How does the Lord usually speak to you? Through scripture? Through dreams? Through other people? Keep a little journal of how God is speaking to you in this matter and when the time is right, He will reveal His perfect plan in this regard . . . maybe just one little step at a time. (Sometimes He doesn't tell you more than you need to know).

If you have a burning overwhelming desire to evangelize, then chances are, this really was an angelic encounter. (How cool! I got Godbumps).

Love,

Gail

P.S. Here's a cool angel story. My friend had a son who was in a terrible car accident, breaking nearly every bone in his body. After a week of agonizing intercession, my friend begged God for a sign. She was at the hospital the next day, when a little old lady was putting nickles in the vending machine. The little old lady did not have enough nickles. My friend obliged her. All of the sudden the little old lady looked at her and said, "You have a son in the hospital." My friend says, "yes," and little old lady says "The Lord wants you to know he will be all right." The little old lady then says, "I must go; I have more people to see." My friend turns to punch the elevator button, turns back to the little old lady and SHE WAS GONE!

Of course, my friend's son completely recovered.

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 24, 2003.

Hi Gail, I love that story. I confirm your answer to John. It sounds like you were given a 'word of knowledge', now you need to pray, and wait for confirmation {another word or words that confirm this one} and pray for wisdom on the matter. God is faithful,He never starts a work without finishing it. This takes time, it takes much prayer, keep attentive. God works in peace and in order, He'll show you what to do. Gail's right on in asking 'how does God usually speak to you?'.

He tells us "my sheep hear my voice", as we get to know Him, we get to know His voice, and thereby His will for our lives.Theresa

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), August 25, 2003.

I'm not one to say that interesting things do not happen, because I know they do. However... as everyone knows, it is important to put things to the test.

He then said, "You are called to preach."

Before proceding any further in determining whether there is any substance to this encounter, the first question which comes to my mind would be this:

Preach what?

The second query which immediately comes to mind is motivated this statement:

"Be encouraged and be blessed."

Be wary of the use of the word "blessed" without the name of God attached to it.

Both questions have a common element of concern, which is regarding the specific naming of God or the things of God as origin.

-- Emerald (emerald1@cox.net), August 25, 2003.

The fruit of this encounter is that John is seriously in prayer about a deeper walk and purpose in God than he's had in the past and potentially stepping into God's calling for his life . . . and you have several spiritually mature people here confirming the hand of the Lord in this matter (specifically Theresa and Gail who are both very mature and sensitive to the Holy Spirit).

If you test the fruit, this encounter has God written all over it, so while the caution Emerald provides (to "test the spirit") is good, I see that John is doing just that in his response. Besides, the devil's not in the habit of encouraging people to preach God's word - rather counter productive from his point of view wouldn't you say?

Dave

-- non-Catholic Christian (dlbowerman@yahoo.com), August 25, 2003.

rather counter productive from his point of view wouldn't you say

Not if it was preached in a manner contrary to or short of the truth or the will of God.

-- Isabel (joejoe1REMOVE@msn.com), August 25, 2003.

How doe God speak to me?

Good question!!!

I have had one dream, while in the hospital after surgery, in which a voice said, "Through intercesssion, your life has been extended." I woke feeling absolutely amazing. Awesome is the only word I've been able to come up with.

Other than that one time, I can't say give a concrete answer, although I believe that God "talks" to us all the time, if we are only willing to listen.

This incident occurred after I prayed for a sign of what to do. I continue to pray that God will lead me in the right direction.

Thank you for all your responses. God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 26, 2003.

John, it would seem God does speak to you through dreams. That is primarily how He speaks to me as well, though not always. Sometimes I will have a dream, but then it is months before the meaning is revealed . . . sometimes years. I write the dream down in a journal and wait. Then He will speak through His word; I'll be reading along and something will just jump out at me. I write it down in my journal. This can go on and on. It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Then when HE IS READY, He pulls it all together and shows me the "big picture," like He breaths on it and I CAN SEE!

Start that journal.

Gail

P.S. We are all called to evangelize, but He may have something special for you!!

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), August 29, 2003.

Thanks Gail!!!

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), August 29, 2003.