This is the third talk in a series designed for small groups. The accompanying handout can be printed for each participant.
Scripture References Used: Matthew 11:28; 1 Corinthians 15; Colossians 1:27; 3:3; 1 Peter 3:15; 4:2; Proverbs 15:28-29.
The video and handout can be downloaded / view / used freely without express permission from me.
This is the second talk in a series designed for small groups. The accompanying handout can be printed for each participant.
This is the first in a series designed for small groups. The accompanying handout can be printed for each participant.
Contrary to the 2013 belief that these monstrosities (in verbage and size) were at their peak, they look like they are here to stay. It is estimated phablets will overtake tablets at the beginning of 2015. Sadly, for all those English majors out there this means the term phablet isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
This is not a surprise: should I spend $499 on an iPad Air 2 tablet that does less than an iPhone 6+ at $299 (with contract, $499 without)? The iPad mini is about to die, it is only a matter of time–it won’t be long before we hoist an iPad Err 7 to my ear to call home. Bring back the 80’s!!
Gabe felt the upward movement once Maciek took hold of him. The sensation wasn’t walking or floating, it was simply movement. Looking down on the detention center where he had so recently been in relentless pain, the thought ‘what will become of my friends?’ passed through his mind.
“Many of them will endure and join you,” spoke Maciek.
‘Does all of heaven hear my thoughts?’ wondered Gabe anxiously to himself.
“Well it isn’t quite like that,” replied Maciek.
“What you focus on is what you hear. What you ignore you won’t,” explained Maciek. “You will get used to it soon enough,” he added matter-of-factly.
“So he just heard my last thought?” Gabe interrupted sheepishly.
Gabe turned from Maciek to focus on not thinking a thought. It was hard to think about not thinking. While trying not to think, Gabe gazed downward and to his amazement could see the North American continent. Yet, if he focused, he could see individual people on the earth.
Watching people on the continent, Gabe was aware of a growing shudder within him. With each passing moment it grew more intense. He initially thought was a natural feeling in eternity, but suddenly it began increasing rapidly. It was as though his whole spirit wanted to shake.
The quiver inside Gabe moved to his frame. Maciek removed his arm from Gabe’s shoulder to his sword hilt. Looking for courage or an explanation, Gabe noticed Maciek too was quivering ever so slightly.
Maciek did not speak, but looked to the left. Gabe followed his gaze not knowing what to look for, seeing only darkness.
Gabe held his breath. Trembling, his darting eyes scouted around.
Then he heard it … no them.
Far away, an awful noise was advancing quickly on their position.
Growling, snarling, and shrieking, a horde of creatures was heading straight for them!
Panic engulfed Gabe. Maciek drew his sword.
Gabe stepped in tight, slightly behind him.
“What is it?!” cried Gabe.
“Hell’s furry,” shot Maciek tense.
“What are we going to do?!” cowered Gabe taking another step behind Maciek, placing Maciek between him and the noise.
Glancing around, Gabe could see no cover, no help.
[su_pullquote class=”tcroke-pullquote-red”]…out of the darkness shadowy shapes began to take form. A retched stench exploded in Gabe’s nostrils …[/su_pullquote]From out of the darkness shadowy shapes began to take form. A retched stench exploded in Gabe’s nostrils as they drew closer, his stomach lurched. In only a moment they would arrive.
‘What then?’ thought Gabe fear stricken. ‘Can they kill me here? Capture me and torture me? How is this possible?’ His mind raced with possibilities.
Now firmly pressed against Maciek, Gabe poked his head around to watch the scene unfold. With eyes glued on the horde, he watched as an enormous shadow arose, eclipsing the horde. The vile beast let out a heinous, rage-filled roar of delight.
With the corner of his eye, Gabe glanced at Maciek. Towering at nearly four meters and holding a two meter flaming sword made Maciek a formidable opponent. Certainly, if he were fighting humans on earth they wouldn’t stand a chance. He would be able to take down a battalion of elite soldiers with ease.
Things were different here. The encroaching horde was filled with equally strong, yet vile creatures. However the heinous beast had no equal in this fight. Three times larger than any other creature, this beast’s claws were the size of Gabe’s torso.
His beady, yellow eyes fixated on Gabe, sending fear screaming down Gabe’s spine.
Gabe knew that Maciek, even in all his strength, could not withstand this beast. Seeing no escape, Gabe closed his eyes, clenched Maciek, and waited for the end.
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Looking at Luke’s broken body Abdon couldn’t help but be moved. Here was a broken man still faithful to the cause not having given up hope. Although Luke could no longer see it, Abdon could see the faith and hope which remained.
The tormentors, Ray and Eric, stood hunched over a man bound to a table. Ray and Eric seemed to delight in the work they were performing as they plunged instruments into him. Knowing the man wouldn’t divulge useful information at this point, their goal was for him to recant his belief in the cause, even if possible in his dying breath.
What Luke, Ray, nor Eric could not see was the answered prayer. The bound and bleeding man began to shine more brightly as Luke’s prayer reached heaven. Abdon’s old friend Maciek watched over the man while encouraging him to remain steadfast.
“Is Gabe going to make it Maciek?” inquired Abdon.
Maciek and Abdon waited as the tormentors finished their work.
Instantly Maciek reached down to grab Gabe by the hand. Gabe rose from within his body. Sitting upright, then standing to his feet, Gabe looked with awe at his surroundings.
“Welcome to eternity,” spoke Maciek softly as Gabe was becoming aware and looking around.
Gabe’s face was full of joy, peace, and a smile larger than any human could fathom. Around him, Ray and Eric began to clean the room and prepare his body for incineration, unaware of the eternal realm.
“I made it!’ Gabe shouted, unaccustomed to his new eternal voice.
Having seen this drama play out thousands of time, Abdon couldn’t help but chuckle at what he knew was coming next.
The cries of agony stopped upon Gabe’s departure. In the silence Abdon stood watchfully over Luke as he tried to sleep before the next prisoner would arrive. Abdon watched the all too familiar scene in the adjacent room. Two demons emerged from within the men like gentlemen sitting down for tea.
The other demon motioned for the first to continue his argument.
“I see,” sighed the other in dejection.
Abdon tuned out as the demons droned on in boasting of past successes and what a great job they were doing in the circumstances. As the Ray and Eric were finishing cleaning up the room, the demons turned to enter back into them.
“How is your hold on your slug going?” asked the first.
“187 to 183, my lead,” gloated the first demon.
With that the demons disappeared out of sight into Ray and Eric as they rolled Gabe’s body out into the hall.
For all of us who struggle with trusting The Big Guy upstairs!
After waiting 24 years, Michael Phillips was declared wrongfully convicted. His final message about his situation and long wait is that much more encouraging!