Kierkegaard said: "We are all sent here with sealed orders-it is left up to us to discover our role in the world."

And this from an article in "Spirituality and Health":

A few years ago I was in the capitol of the state of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. I was supposed to fly out in the morning to meet a friend in Sao Paolo, but when I got to the airport I was told that planes flew in and out on only four days a week-and this day was not one of them.

I was angry and disappointed. As a kind of consolation prize, the man at the airline desk, who moonlighted as a guide, offered me a free day on a tour bus that was headed to a little town in the mountains several hours away. I thought of Kierkegaard's 'sealed orders from the universe' and got on the bus.

Oro Preto(Black Gold) is a perfectly preserved Portuguese Colonial jewel, named for the gold and silver mines that made it famous at the courts of Europe in the 17th and 18th century. I ended up at the centuries-old Churrigueresque cathedral. Inside, the walls shimmered with gold from the town's mines. I sat quietly for the better part of an hour, and then I felt something deep inside me-a presence-and I wanted to cry. Something came to me, not a voice exactly, but a kind of knowing. Its message was that I would be given a sign that this divine presence was always with me.

I left the church with a faint smile on my face. As I was walking down the steps to the street, a young girl came up to me and handed me a red rose. I accepted the flower and when I attempted to pay her for it, she refused. She pointed up to the sky and ran off..."

(written by Joseph Dispenza)

-- FutureShock (gray@matter.think), June 01, 2000

Answers

I loved this little story. I have had many things happen to me which I do not believe were mere coincidence-too many to recount. I believe the divine presence is in us, accessible, and is there to provide incredible guidance if we would develope it. Some call interventions such as the one in the story as evidence of guardian angels. Call it whatever you would like, I believe that life can be a game of inches, and sometimes God gives just the right nudge.

Case in point-I was driving a few weeks ago at night, through a town in which I had never been. I was chatting with the wife, and not paying 100% attention to the road(tsk.tsk.) My head was off the road, and when I looked up, I felt as if the car was being moved to the left without my guidance-In a split second I realized that the road had narrowed, and had that slight nudge not come, I would have run onto the sidewalk and possibly over some people.

One could argue that my split-second reaction was driven by another area of my consciousness, which DID see the curb, and then there was an autonomic response to steer the car differently. My question is, who or what diverted the attention of that area of my consciousness from the conversation at hand and caused the quick chain reaction which avoided what could have been a serious accident?

There are no coincidences.

-- FutureShock(taking driving lessons) (gray@matter.think), June 01, 2000.

Gosh, I'm just sitting here thanking the Good Lord because yesterday my 14 year old and I were making a left turn and a car crashed into us on my duaghter's side of the car. The car went out of control and swung 90 degrees to the left and had it not been for a guard rail we would have gone down a very steep embankment. I can't believe we weren't seriously hurt and the police couldn't believe how pushed in my daughter's side was yet she was fine. Today was a most beautiful day when I woke up :)

-- DebiJoy (LongTimeLurker@shy.com), June 01, 2000.

Dozens of these. The most "tangible" was about four years ago, June 5(or so) 1996. I was taking care of a genius of a man, 190 I.Q., dozens of electronics and information technology patents, but disabled by narcolepsy since 1985, bedridden, unemployed, no SS income, house in foreclosure, and no hope for his recovery or "salvation". No short order hope of licensing the patents and getting him squared away. I often begged in prayers for some sort of help with in impossible situation, but none ever came.

One Saturday, June, 1996, I was unable to attend my son's little league game due to a nasty case of the trots, and so headed up to the home office and noticed a fax had come in in the wee hours of the morning -- a fax from the narcoleptic. It read:

"Just had a dream 'bout a big horserace -- (Preakness?)

"Some horse name "Editor's Night" or "Editor's Note" ??

"Winner's circle; flowers, everything! I'd bet a wad on it if I were you, because I never dream of horses."

Which is true: as a shut-in, he had no access to newspapers, television or radio reports (who ever heard of horseraces on the radio). I was flabbergasted; ran out and grabbed the Saturday paper, pulled the Sports section -- sure enough, the BELMONT STAKES WERE RUNNING THAT VERY DAY. RAN MY FINGER DOWN THE LIST OF ENTRANTS ................... there it was, ... incredible "Editor's Note, with odds 8:1. I was not well off at the time (nor am I now) had only $50 on me. I jumped into the car and headed out to my dad's pharmacy, where he was manning the store, and begged some cash from him. He gave me another $50, saying "And this will be a lesson to you, NEVER to play this sort of hunch!!!!"

I headed into an off-track betting lounge about 20 miles away, hit it at about 1 hour before post time, and bet $100 on Editor's Note to win. The horse wasn't even called by the announcers until the end of the backstretch, when he made his move. He was second coming into the homestretch, and nose and nose with the No. 2 horse all the way down the home stretch. My stste-of-mind tho5ughout was total ambivalence -- I was alternately a stupid fool, and a lucky sh*t -- until Editor's Note cleared the next contender by a neck and won the Belmont. I collected $625, and a number of friends who I managed to tip-off beforehand, made as much as $3K. It was the name of the horse that was so reassuring: "Editor's Note" -- as if the entire episode that day had been a commentary by the great EDITOR, who reviews everybody's copy in the Book of Life. This gave me great hope in continuing my work with the narcolpetic over the next four years --

which ultimately proved ..... effective, I guess. I kept him alive and in his house for the next four years in large part by referencing that June 6 fax and my betting stubs.

>"<

-- Squirrel Hunter (nuts @upin.cellrelaytower), June 01, 2000.

Squirrel, don't know that all encounters always result in human dollars, in ones pocket. Sometimes, encounters, result in a helped resolution to go forward, and continue.

-- My Story (and@stickingtoit.com), June 01, 2000.

There definitely seems to be more to reality than we normally percieve. I think identifying and defining whatever that 'more' is becomes a very interesting part of life for the people who care about such things.

For some it's divine power, I have a hard time with divinity or *faith*.

The world holds physical evidence that humans had a greater sense of reality than we do now. The Pyramids are one example. This example is as close as I have gotten to divine power.

-- Will (righthere@home.now), June 02, 2000.

In the moments after my daughter was born I turned to see my husband, and he had the most beautiful look on his face. A mixture of wonder and happiness and love. That to me was Divine.

-- Gia (laureltree7@hotmail.com), June 02, 2000.

FS,

Not overly profound here, but true:

In my early twenties I was in a motorcycle accident, not bad on me at all, but the bike was undrivable. Anyway, as students often are, I was flat broke at the time, didn't even have my wallet.

I searched through my pockets and had nothing, no way to call a friend to pick me up, nothing. I called out to God to cut me a break as I really needed it (which is pretty rare for me), and when I checked my pockets again there was a quarter in the coin pocket.

You can believe that a shaken up young man just missed it the first time (and that's o.k.), to me I think I got the help I asked for.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), June 02, 2000.

DebiJoy-

Here it is 2:30 AM and I can't sleep. Mostly I am a part time lurker. Read your post and am thankful you were blessed to survive such a horrible accident.

I am appalled at my memory loss, or am I blessed to forget my pain? Was it June 2nd or 3rd when my story took place. Was it 1983 or '84? My wife and I were driving through the streets of a southwestern city. It was Friday night, about 8:00 o'clock. Instantly, I saw this truck coming at us from the right. I was driving. Then it happened. We were struck, my wife was killed, and I was hospitalized. Never saw her (my wife), and due to my own injuries, could not attend the funeral.

Here tonight (early AM), I was shocked to remember that night 17 years ago while reading your post, DebiJoy.

Is my miracle that I rarely (if ever) think of our accident that took the life of my wife? Is the miracle a healed memory?

Or is the miracle the fact that my life was pieced back together, a little at a time, so that now, June 2, 2000, 17 years later, though I am 65, I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, a son who is 6, and a daughter that is soon to be 2. Yes, I accept that my story is a miracle!

Blessing and peace to all.

Joseph

-- Joseph (jbabinsky@cybertrails.com), June 02, 2000.

i was 19 and my sister, who had recently begun going to church, introduced me to christ and the salvation message one night as we lay in our beds in the dark talking. so i said, "that sounds fine" and became a believer that night, no questions, nothing.

many of my other family members, however, came to the lord after my mother's miracle. she was an alcoholic for 20 years, drank a fifth a day, and was told many times she should have been dead long ago. truly, life was hell with this woman.

she had been acting kind of agitated for days before and when you asked her what was wrong, she would reply, "god and i are fighting". well one night she stood in the kitchen with my little brother (no one had yet preached to her or anything--this was direct from god to her). she dumped a fifth of whiskey down the sink and told my little brother she was never going to drink again (of course he laughed knowing she was kidding) and she didn't. no shakes, no nothing. end of story. she became a believer a few days later and i saw a wonderful regeneration of my family and their marriage over the next few years as god became more real in their lives.

since then i have seen many wonderful big miracles and millions of small daily miracles that confirm god's presence and involvement in our lives. he is alive. he is wonderful.

-- tt (cuddluppy@aol.com), June 02, 2000.

tt:

We have agreed on very few things in the past, but on this, in some small way, we do agree. I do feel god's presence in everything as i do not believe anything or anybody is seperate from GOd. It is just that certain events give us tangible evidence that this is indeed true.

And yes, any recovering alcoholic/addict is a miracle in my book. God bless.

-- FutureShock (gray@matter.think), June 02, 2000.

Ive ruminated over this thread all day. Ive bared my soul on this forum for the past four weeks. To reveal the most precious events in ones life to, in essence strangers, is a might difficult. That my experiences are very different from the vast majority adds another layer to my reluctance.

Ive been fortunate in that Grace has shined upon me many times. The most recent occurred May 2nd-3rd of this year. As background, I smoked cigarettes as a habit starting at about age 10. Ive stopped from time to time  once for eight months. I regarded smoking as the last great vice Id yet to defeat.

I fell asleep on the night of May 2nd as per usual. At some point while asleep I met what at first glance I thought to be a person who has had a great impact on my life. That relationship in itself is a Grace. Anyway, I quickly realized although the body was of this person, the essence within the body was not. I know it wasnt her. More about this later.

Slowly we turned. Our eyes met. Immediately it was as if I was plugged into an electrical outlet. Not unpleasant by any means. Any of you who experience chi or prana flow know the feeling I was experiencing. Complete awareness of chi flowing through me. Strong & unbroken. No blockages. Spectacular!

Our eyes met & were locked together. Out of her eyes poured tangible, physical, impersonal Love into mine. It was an actual audio/visual stream of Love, continuous in nature. Included in these waves of Love was a tremendous surge of Will. Love & Will filled me.

It is impossible for me to gauge the amount of time this event continued. When I regained consciousness I immediately sat up. I recalled the events of this special meeting completely & felt the results tangibly. I knew within seconds of awakening I would not smoke that day. It was a given, not a decision.

The awareness of strong, constant, unbridled chi flow remained for eight days & has slowly faded in intensity. I miss its warm, electric hug.

As to the being I met who Graced me, I was confused at first because the essence of the being was my Guru, who is deceased. Of this there is no doubt. Yet the body was of another person whom I know on this plane of physical existence. Very interesting.

Was this a dream? No. I believe the term is out of body experience. And a very special one at that.

Ive not shared this event with but a couple of people. Until now.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), June 02, 2000.

Bingo:

Your courage is a gift. I was thinking today about what I was doing on this forum, and the topics I discuss. I think a group of us are sharing life force, grace, and love, and NOTHING bad can come of that. We are forming an internet "Drum circle", for lack of a better term, and I am sure healing is taking place.

This is why I ran the thread recently about what we have learned from being here. Your contributions are most appreciated.

-- FutureShock (gray@matter.think), June 02, 2000.

I am asking for a miracle. I lost my Mother and only kindred Sister within twelve weeks. I was tasked with raising my Sister's small children, in which I failed miserably. I sought a childless couple, to do what I could not force my heart to embrace. I failed, I was not big enough. This is my skin failure. I have to live with my shortcomings. It is difficult, at best.

-- Truth (forthe@restofus.com), June 02, 2000.

HUMAN,S FAIL IN MANY WAY,S---GOD forgives[just ask]for thats his way.

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), June 02, 2000.

FS---

You ask interesting questions.

I have no dramatic, obvious miracle to relate. However, as I look back, there have been enormous changes in who I am. These could be due to age-maturity but I don't think so, not entirely. I sense God at work.

Still, I don't agree with your last sentence "There are no coincidences". My perception is that God has created a universe that is rife with coincidences, chance, luck, Heisenberg-uncertainties, whatever you want to call it. And it makes sense to me that things are this way. Are you a Determinist? Do you think that everything in life is planned in advance? If so, then you have no free-will. Your choices are not choices at all. You are not free to choose Good over Evil because everything is programmed in advance. I may choose to drive sober. Another person chooses to drive drunk. His car hits mine and kills me and my entire family. He is not hurt at all. I don't think God caused this to happen but He did allow it to happen. IMO, He designed coincidence into the world.

If we are to credit God or a Guardian Angel when we miraculously survive an event (I too have escaped a serious car accident that was due to my own inattention. I was not critically injured and, more importantly, no one else was critically injured). But every day there are millions of tragedies that God did not prevent. If we credit God with saving us from catastrophes, then should we blame God for causing catastrophes? Did God cause all those Turks to die in the earthquake last year? Why? Were they bad? We do call earthquakes "Acts of God". Well, at least the insurance companies do.

All this is well beyond me. When miraculous good things occur, I thank God. When miraculous bad things occur, I do not curse God. Sometimes I still thank Him. I have come to give thanks for my dumb disability. I am better because of it. Was it Heaven-sent? I don't know.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), June 03, 2000.

I was about 9 years old when I had a dream. I dreamt I was in a greyish room and was kneeling at "someone's feet" - I saw leather sandles and a blue "sparkly" robe. I was overwhelmed at the sense of love, compassion that flooded through me - to this day, the strongest emotion I have ever physically felt is nothing compared to the emotions in my dream. (It still makes me cry when I think about it.)

I was at Jesus' feet, weeping because all of the sins I'd committed were in search of the love that he willingly gave. I remember standing and seeing him look at me with great compassion and he smiled. He stretched out his hand, wanting me to take it. I remember though that I put up my hands, thinking, "I am not worthy of the love you give, for the grievous sins I've done." - then I woke up.

A pretty serious dream for a 9-year old, I'll admit, but it's changed my life. You see, my brother and I were "nerds" in school - we were constantly being beaten up at school and on the bus. Our home life was pretty good, but we dreaded going to school, every day. We also rarely attended church. I could have become seriously anti-social, distrusting everyone - but the dream, Jesus, saved me. Since then, I try to pass along the compassion that was shown to me to others. I'm not perfect, but I'm always trying to "see the other person's view", trying to bring peace and hope, in my own way.

I hope that the next time I have the dream, I'll have the faith to accept Jesus' hand, accept the "gift of grace" that is so freely given.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), June 03, 2000.

Deb,

If it wasn't one of the seven deadlies, I'd say I envy your dream. Have you ever had it again?

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), June 03, 2000.

Lars,

No, I've not had that dream again. It was very overwhelming, so I'm glad I had it, but am a little scared to have it again. (A test of faith? What if I fail again? line of thinking, I guess...) Whatever people call it, a dream or a vision, I call it a blessing. It sure did open my eyes though!

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), June 03, 2000.

I believe these things are simply the luck of the draw. And yes I've had intuition about events that sometimes were right and sometimes wrong. As Lars said, I too think the universe is "rife with coincidences, chance, and luck." Lars is a believer in God, and I am a believer in the universe, call the universe God if you want, but on this point we are close to agreement.

I really do not see God, or a higher power, intervening in each of our separate lives. I survived a horrible car crash and it was simply luck. My former husband was killed in a car crash, and thousands of other people are killed everyday in accidents.

I don't blame a god for any of my past tragedies, nor do I thank a god for my good luck. In fact, some of my past tragedies are very much of my own making, except for the death of loved ones. And some of my really good luck was by either hard work, or simply chance.

But if it makes one feel better to believe that a guardian angel or that god has in intervened in their lives, fine. IMHO it's just believe it's the luck of the draw.

Once I had some bad intuitive, uneasy feelings that I was being watched. Later I found my house was being watched by burglars. We came back from vacation we had lots of stuff missing. When the guys were caught the cops asked them how they knew when we were leaving, and they said they'd heard we were going on vacation and they'd taken turns watching the house the past three days and nights and saw me packing the car, before I left to meet my husband at the airport. It was creepy. But it was intuition, not a special messenger or guardian angel.

We all have intuition that has been rather submerged by civilized living, meaning we don't follow our own instincts, and sometimes we really should.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), June 03, 2000.

Deb, how awesome! My life has been much different. My roads went a different way. Today, I was called on to meet a dying 26 year old daughter, of her parents, who recently became our friends (through luck). We went to the hospice. The young girl is comatose (sp?) and dying. She went from being a healthy 26 year old, to a human skin, struck by encephalitis, so they say. I don't know why I was designated for this particular mission. Hell!, I just had to go and love and hug this skin perishing individual.

-- Not perfect (sinner@allrespects.com), June 04, 2000.

NOt Perfect,

God Bless you for the comfort you give to others, especially to those who can't respond in kind. Showing compassion towards others is the highest achievement of humankind, a true bright spot.

Gilda,

I wish you peace in your life. "Luck of the draw" - perhaps, but for me, I chose to believe.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), June 04, 2000.

Deb,

That's one powerful experience.

Now I'm not a Christian, so please pardon the ignorance in the words that follow. I promise you I mean well.

My first reaction to reading your story was one of sadness. Not because you backed off taking Christ's hand, but because you percieved yourself as a sinner at age nine, that your self-worth was nil. This is very sad.

That you continue to percieve yourself as unworthy is sadder still. What if you took this experience as inspiration to do good works. To live up to the highest of your ideals each & every day. Then when Christ comes to you again you will accept his hand without a second thought. Prepare yourself for the next meeting.

My take on your experience is that you were Graced almost beyond comprehension. I doubt the fact that you did not act to take his hand in any way communicated to him that you rejected him. His presence should tell you that you are already his. The only thing left to do is to realize this and follow his example, if this is your heart's desire.

One man's opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Blessings,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), June 04, 2000.

Ever wondered about the abbreviation A.S.A.P? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.

"There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare, But as you hurry and scurry -- ASAP -- ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

In the midst of family chaos, 'Quality time' is rare. Do your best; let God do the rest -- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries Are more than you can bear. Slow down and take a breather -- ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

God knows how stressful life is; He wants to ease our cares, And He'll respond. ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

-- for Al-d (musings@the.forum), June 04, 2000.

What if you took this experience as inspiration to do good works.

Bingo,

Since that day, I always attempt to follow in his footsteps. How could I not share? "Since then, I try to pass along the compassion that was shown to me to others. I'm not perfect, but I'm always trying to "see the other person's view", trying to bring peace and hope, in my own way." ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Not because you backed off taking Christ's hand, but because you percieved yourself as a sinner at age nine, that your self-worth was nil.

I have self-worth, Bingo, but consider the circumstances that I was in - extremely hostile territory, with a lot of anger and fear. Being taught that anger, to the point of hate, was a sin. Admitting that we all sin, no matter what the age, is a major point of Christianity. I don't find that depressing, just an admission of fact.

However, I do appreciate and agree with your views of "a higher calling", as an inspiration and "...To live up to the highest of your ideals each & every day...". It is something that I continually strive for, an ideal that I try to convey by my own actions.

Blessings to you, too, Bingo. No offense taken at all.

Deb

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), June 04, 2000.

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS NOT DOING DISHES BUT IS WATCHING T.V., BECAUSE THAT MEANS HE IS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES THAT I PAY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH THAT SINGS OFF KEY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY.......

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME. :-)

SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT.

-- thanks (thanks@thanks.again), June 05, 2000.

thanks-once was enough for this. Please do not spam this thread and spam others by suggesting this be "passed around". no matter how pleasant the topic, tying up mail servers with chain messages is just plain wrong.

I do not know what your motive is, but there is enough traffic on our servers without passing around a chain message.

-- FutureShock (gray@matter.think), June 05, 2000.

Actually that last line should have been erased. Guess I missed it.

However, if you do not wish to send this message to anyone, then don't.

I wasn't twisting your arm, ya know. It's not like you have to do it just because it says to.

-- thanks (thanks@thanks.again), June 05, 2000.