Chapter Thirty Six

Thirty Six

Pasadena, California

Three months later

The rush to greet the Grace's was incredible as the worship team took the stage and began to play. They’d returned to Pasadena and to their home church while on a three-week vacation in California. Pastor Carlos had invited them, along with their special guests to speak in the morning services. “You've got a story which will change the world. We need to hear it,” he'd encouraged.

Oliver stepped to center stage, smiling from ear to ear. “Hello family, I'd like for you to meet my family.” Turning to the curtained area on the left of the stage, he welcomed Sandy. 

“Hi everyone, it's good to be home,” she said truthfully. “I can't tell you how much we've missed you, and In-N-Out too!” The laughter rocked the house at this admission. “Anyway, there are some more folks I want to introduce you to. Come on out Demetrius.”

Demetrius came on stage with Andi at his side. “It's great to be here with you today. Thank you for loving us!” Demetrius said by way of greeting. “I’d like you all to meet someone extremely special to me, this is Andi. Or perhaps I should say, this is my soon-to-be wife.”

Andi’s smile could have lit the entire church building. She’d never been happier.

Sandy continued, “As I said, there are several people I want you to meet have literally changed our lives. They've come out from Paine Harbor to meet you and to impart something critical to your lives too! First of all, our Pastors – please welcome Axel and Greta Sharp, along with their incredible daughter, Sarah!”

Axel spoke first, “We are stunned at your love. Thank you.” 

“Yes,” Greta continued. “We've come to receive as well as give and already we've gotten so much just by being in this atmosphere. Thank you.”

Although a great musician and lover of worship, in recent months the prophetic gifts had been building in Sarah. Frequently in church gatherings, at school and at Grace Coffee House, Sarah would find herself giving strong, accurate prophetic words carrying the authority and power to change lives. 

It came as no surprise to those who knew her she wasted no time as she took the microphone from her mother, “I sense strongly the Holy Spirit has purposed to bring us all together today to bring a revelation and insight into His kindness like never before,” she prophesied. “In fact, if you are here today and a struggling with doubt, the Spirit of the Lord says it is okay, He is going to resolve your doubt by filling your life with faith! Right now! Right now – receive faith! He is pouring faith into your hearts! Receive it!”

“Wow.” laughed Sandy. “I should have seen that coming!”

By now the congregation was keenly aware today wasn't going to be church-as-usual. It was as if they were all sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what Holy Spirit was going to accomplish in their midst.

“There is another guest you simply have to meet. He is a life-long member of the Paine Harbor community. There is simply no way to adequately describe him,” Sandy said as she turned to the side of the stage. “So, here he is, Niels.”

Taking both a hug and the microphone from Sandy, he said, “Niels.” The congregation didn't quite know how to respond, but soon found themselves shocked by what came next. “Niels sees there are people here who reject God's messengers because they don't fit the mold of what they think is cool. That's idolatry and you need to repent. God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His will. And I'm going to prove this to be true right now.”

Pointing to the left side of the church building, Niels said, “There are three people in this section who have pain in their left shoulders. Jesus wants to heal you. If that is you, stand up.” And to everyone's surprise exactly three people stood up. “Jesus says you can be healed if you want it. So I ask you, do you want it?” Each person nodded in agreement. “Good, then receive His love and His healing.” He handed the microphone back to Sandy and stepped over next to Demetrius.

Looking at the three people still standing, Sandy asked, “Well, how are you doing?” Each reported with great excitement their shoulders were suddenly pain free. The church erupted in praise.

“I love Niels.” Sandy said truthfully. “Well, there are three other guests we'd like you to meet.”

“But, before they come out,” Oliver said interrupting the mother of his children. “Before they come out, you need to know some things about them.”

Sandy nodded in full agreement.

Oliver went on for the next fifteen minutes telling the story of their miraculous birth and recalling the supernatural interventions that have accompanied every step of way. 

“Here is the thing, as their father it is my job to not only prepare them for life, but to give them a legacy to build upon. I want to taste and see all God has for me. I want to experience everything possible in the Kingdom of God. I need to explore every corner of the Kingdom. Every curse upon me, I will break off and render it impotent. And every blessing God has for me, I want to live it to the fullest. We thought we were going to Paine Harbor to bring them something, we discovered God took us there to get what we needed. We needed revival. We needed to believe. We needed to experience the power of Holy Spirit. You will hear things from these friends, about what we brought with us to Paine Harbor, but believe me – we have received far more than we dreamed possible on that little island off the coast of Maine.”

The Sharp's, followed by Niels and finally Demetrius shared story after story of the incredible adventure of healing, restoration, renewal and revival they'd each experienced. 

Pausing, Oliver standing hand in hand with his beloved Sandy, looked around the room filled with intently focused faces of the hungry ones seeking God. “I have a purpose today I didn't know existed prior to moving to Paine Harbor. And it is this, I must go as far with God as possible, as high with God as I can, as deep with God as the ocean, I must grow, develop, mature, give up childish things and move into fullness in Christ, because...” taking a deep breath he continued, “because, I believe my ceiling will become the floor upon which my children dance.”

It was at this moment Pastors Carlos and Deborah carried out David, Luke and Abraham on stage. The congregation stood to their feet in celebration and joy and the shouts of praise began. 

Oliver and Sandy stood together with their arms around one another simply stunned by the events of the past year. She whispered in Oliver’s ears, “Remember when you told me we were moving to Paine Harbor and I said ‘Paine Harbor? Where in the world is Paine Harbor?’” He nodded. “I praise God He sent us to Paine Harbor!”

“Me too, Sandy, me too.” Oliver said softly.

End of Part One