The Unlikely Prophet

review.

DEDICATION

First and foremost, I dedicate this book to the Lord Jesus Christ my Savior. With Him, all things are possible. Secondly, I dedicate this book to my dearly departed wife, a wonderful gift from God. By example, she taught me much over the years and I thank God for her. Thirdly, I dedicate this book to my children whom I dearly love. They have filled my life with joy and amazement. Lastly, I dedicate this book to my precious grandchildren who inspire me and allow me to see into the future.

INTRODUCTION

The story of the Unlikely Prophet is a story of   the love, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ and His purpose and calling in the hearts of men.

The book reveals how the Lord takes broken vessels and uses them for His glory. It’s a story of love between a man and his wife, a story of family, a story of loss, defeat and victory in Christ.   

Phillip, like those God is forming today, is the Unlikely Prophet. In brokenness and in faith He learns to hear God and trust Him along the way. Phillip makes mistakes at times and deviates from the specific instruction, but God is always there to guide him in the purpose He had created in him.

I believe The Unlikely Prophet will open every believers heart as well as open the eyes of those who don’t know the heart and purpose of the Lord. This story takes God out of the great buildings and centers of worship and shows His power in the everyday lives of people. His plan and word is to thousands but also to one. I pray as you read you are one that He touches in a special way. He came to save and heal the world and He came for you, He came for me. He loves us and no matter what you and I go through He is always there, through the valley and on the mountain tops, God is with you and loves you.

Much of this book was written out of my own experience, and much I believe was written by the Spirit of God. Yes, it is listed as a Christian fiction but the power and love of God is truth and will never fail.

CHAPTER 1

MEMORIES IN PRAYER

He started back to a darkened bedroom in the back portion of the house. This is where he would usually lay on his bed or kneel at its side for a time of prayer. The bedroom was not grand, but small and enough room for the two of them and was part of the simple home they owned. Built in the fifties, the Cape Cod style home was furnished with well used furniture they had collected over the years.   The neighborhood was quiet and made up of a mix of young families, older retirees and renters.

On that evening, his mind was full of the thoughts of the day and the past weeks. His heart was heavy with sorrow and pain as he knelt by the bed. He found it difficult to concentrate and clear his mind from thoughts and pictures racing through his head. He started to pray in a simple manner saying, Lord, help me to pray.

Phillip was in his mid fifties. His hair was a mixture of white and gray and was a little longer than it should be. It reminded him of his more youthful days. His face was sharp with strong features and set back eyes. His body was beginning to feel some of the limits of age and minor aches and pains that plagued him daily.

He began to think and prayed aloud, Lord, I am having such a hard time tonight. I can’t seem to focus. To be truthful, he had been having these conversations with God for some time. He cried out, Lord, help me.

He decided that he would let his thoughts run their course while he prayed. He continued, "Father, I’ll just let go and share all this with you and open myself to your voice." In the midst of His prayer, his mind began to race.

Visions and thoughts of those particular times in his life seemed to have filled the entire room. Phillip recalled when he was married to his wife, Patty. He had recently been released from the military and met her while attending college. At that time, he was twenty-two and she was seventeen.

Having graduated early from high school, Patty was in her first year of college. His mind wandered back to those young and youthful days. He could see himself standing at the altar and watching her walk the aisle of the church. She was young, innocent and beautiful.

When he thought of their life together and the early years of their marriage, at times he felt pain, regret and shame. Throughout his twenties, he had problems with alcohol which inflicted much pain upon Patty.

She stayed with him and somehow saw beyond the circumstances and remained hopeful for their future. Pictures of their first child’s birth flashed before his mind and the joy they shared. Suddenly a vision of his wife and children filled the screen of his mind. He was looking out a window in Alaska and saw them walking down the street together. Patty had them in a straight line and each following the other. Walking with blue rubber boots, all of them were following her like ducks in a row.

At that time, the children were ages nine, seven, five and three. The youngest was a boy and he had three older sisters. Many times before, his mind had played that scene and brought a smile to his face when he relived it.

They moved to Alaska to serve as missionaries to the Native Americans and the Coast Guard stationed there. As that went on, they realized that all was not as it seemed, but they often recalled their fond memories there together. He spoke to the Lord as he prayed these words, Lord, I am not sure what we accomplished while we were there, but I know we went with great hope and a heart of compassion.

He received no word or acknowledgement, but only stillness in his heart from God. The room was quiet and had grown darker as the late afternoon turned into the early evening. Phillips’s voice broke the quiet stillness as he began to pray this prayer aloud. Jesus, Jesus, thank you Jesus. Lord, I thank you for all you have done in my life! Lord, I want to thank you for my wife and children! Jesus, I give you all the glory for all you have done. I praise you and give you thanks for delivering and saving me. Thank you for saving my family and blessing them. Lord God, I pray again tonight. Keep your hedge of protection around my children and I pray for your continued protection in their lives. God, teach me to become a better father and a better man. Lord, forgive me of all my sins.

Father, cleanse me this day anew by the power of your blood. Lord, I pray with all I am for healing and understanding. I don’t know why you took her. Lord, help me find comfort in your grace and love. Hold me Lord and strengthen me.

Many nights, too many to count, Phillip’s prayer was different. He prayed for Patty’s healing, praying with her and anointing her with oil. While lying next to her, he would cry that the Lord would heal her. As time went on, he prayed for God to heal her or take her. Her pain was so great and her life was slipping out of her body.

Even in her late forties, Patricia was a beautiful woman. She was petite in her physical nature. She was five foot three inches tall and shaped in beautiful portion to her size. She had reddish blonde-hair down to her shoulders. It would always curl and wave when it rained or was humid outside. Her eyes were a bright and mesmerizing blue gray and they would turn darker or lighter according to the weather. To look at her face was so lovely. Her lips were full with the inviting softness of a woman. She always looked ten to twelve years younger than her age. Her beauty and grace had continually mesmerized Phillip. Constantly, he referred to her as, That woman of mine. Indeed, she was all woman.

Thoughts and pictures of the day began to come to his mind as he recalled how he and Patty received the news of her cancer. Her arm had begun to bother her and caused pain whenever she would use it. The pain continued to escalate and after a few months, she made a doctor’s appointment. They thought it may be a bad case of tennis elbow, but to be safe, and since it had been awhile, a doctor’s visit was in order. Her appointment came the day before their wedding anniversary.

For years, they had hoped to get away for one of their anniversaries, but it never happened. Phillip and Patty hoped to spend the next day alone together. The doctor that examined her did not think it would be anything serious, but to be safe, he sent her that day to the hospital for x-rays and blood test. The following morning, he planned to review them with her in the office.

When she returned in the morning, the doctor stated that the pictures showed a tumor on her elbow and forearm and her blood showed cancer markings. Patty began to cry and tell him he was wrong and she would prove it with another doctor. Realizing how upset she was, immediately the doctor helped her to see one of the top orthopedic doctors in the area.

While driving the car together, Phillip and Patty believed there must be some mistake and prayed as they drove. When they arrived, the doctor took x-rays, reviewed her blood test and confirmed the information. It was cancer. Phillip thought, "What an anniversary! Lord, how can this be?" Everything was changing. He was losing his grip.

While at his bedside, he continued in prayer and felt a power rise within him. It rose from deep inside the center of his being and flooded his mind and spirit. The Holy Spirit began to interact with his spirit. From his mouth, he began to speak softly in a new tongue, a Heavenly language that spoke to the heart of God.

Remembering the times when he first began to preach and minister on a fulltime basis, and at other times, having to take on full time work to support the family and minister on weekends or after work. Patricia was there to encourage him and believed with him for God’s anointing. There were meetings with only a half dozen people in attendance. Still, she stood there to encourage him.

Continually, Patty was there to listen to him. Always, she was there to minister to him and apply love, mercy and understanding, even when she had her own doubts. Through it all, she constantly believed in him and the God they served. There were other times when many came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At other meetings, many were filled and experienced a Holy Ghost outpouring. Those times of God’s moving had enabled them to continue and move forward. All the time, God was faithful. Whether with few or many, God demonstrated His power and love.

Most of the time Patty stayed behind for a while and ministered to those who were