Guardian Angels

I believe in guardian angels. I also believe that God uses people and/or animals to help us. And why not? God sent the ravens to feed Elijah while he was hiding east of the Jordan. Twice a day they brought him food. You can read more about that in 1 Kings 17. God also used a dove to help Noah find dry ground after the flood. That can be found in Genesis 8.

Have you ever experienced an encounter you can't quite explain? Have you ever experienced a "close call?" If so I would love to hear about it. God may have saved your life on more than one occasion and you don't even know it.

I can remember one occasion that I couldn't explain. I was driving my old beater of a car home after visiting a friend who lived about 30 km outside of the city. It was late at night and I was on a stretch of road that was not frequently traveled.

Suddenly, my headlights went out, it was my relays. The darkness enveloped me as I pulled over on the side of the road. There were no street lights and the moon wasn't out to provide even a little bit of light. I sat there wondering what to do. This was before cell phones were common so I had no way to contact anyone. I thought about walking, but it was a long distance both ways.

Moments later I noticed I could clearly see the road ahead. There was light shining on it. I leaned forward against my steering wheel to find the source of the light. I gazed into the night sky expecting to see the moon, but instead I saw a bright light hovering about 30 feet above my car. It was like someone was shining a large flashlight down from the sky, lighting up a section of the road ahead.

I started to drive, thinking whatever it was, I would drive through the lit up section of the road and end up in the darkness once again. As I slowly drove the light above me seemed to move with me, always lighting up the section of road I was on. This light remained with me until I reached the city limits where the street lights took over, and as quickly and mysteriously as the light had appeared, it vanished. It's something I will never forget.

Adam Walker is a British open-water swimmer. In his sixth of seven long-distance swims for the Oceans Seven, he swam 16 miles of New Zealand's Cook Strait. It's the strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Oceans Seven is seven long-distance swims and has only been completed by four people. About half way through his 16 mile swim Adam saw a great white shark below him. To say this concerned him would be an understatement.

The next thing he knew, a pod of about 10 dolphins showed up and surrounded him, forming a wall of protection around him. They continued to swim with him for an hour. At this point in time the shark finally left and Adam was no longer in danger. The pod of dolphins bid farewell and went on their way. I think it's interesting to know that Adam had also been raising funds for a nonprofit group focused on whale and dolphin conservation.

I think this is an excellent example of God using animals to protect a human. This pod of dolphins acted as Adam's guardian angels when they formed a wall of protection around him. Part of this swim was captured on video and posted on YouTube. As I write this blog post there has been over 4 million views. Here is the link:
Dolphins Protect Swimmer

Nikki's Story

I want to introduce you to Nikki and tell you his true story. Nikki is a green and yellow parakeet who has led quite an adventurous life. He was chilling with the sparrows, going wherever they went, doing whatever they did, eating whatever they ate. He was an independent parakeet. He was taking care of himself. He didn't know that his life was in danger from predators every single day. He didn't know that winter was soon to come and if he remained with the sparrows he would soon be dead. 

One day he was enticed by some millet inside the safety of a cage. On that day he had a choice, continue eating what the sparrows were eating or try the millet. He chose the millet. He entered the cage, tried the millet and discovered that it was good, so good, in fact, that he no longer desired the food the sparrows ate.

He got to know the person who provided this millet and discovered that because he chose to eat the millet she had saved his life. Over time and much more millet he got to know her better and now she has become his best friend.

Answer Key

• The sparrows symbolize unbelievers and going along with the crowd.
• The sparrow food is whatever the world calls fun (drinking, drugs, parties, the bar scene, pornography, promiscuity, etc.) .
• Winter symbolizes the end times and the return of Jesus.
• The millet symbolizes God' word (the Bible)
• The safe cage symbolizes the church.
• The best friend symbolizes Jesus. 

STOP!!

Before reading on, please do me a favor; after reading through the answer key, go back up to the beginning and re-read Nikki's story. Then return here to continue reading. 

This is the true story of a parakeet that hung around my back yard bird feeder with the sparrows for most of this past summer. In the fall I was finally able to capture him and not a moment too soon. He would have surely died in the cold outdoors. My son wanted to name him Nikki which is short for Nicholas Cage since he's in a cage, I know, funny guy. 

Please don't misunderstand the cage symbolizing the church, I'm not saying the church is a cage, I'm referring to the cage as a place where you can feel safe. If you find a church where it's members are actively operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit you will feel welcome, loved and safe. 

I hope you enjoyed my analogy and God bless you richly.