The Unlikely Prophet
by
Craig DiPasquale
The Unlikely Prophet, Volume 1, “The Journey Series”
Copyright @2011 by Craig J. DiPasquale, All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 39
Newark, MD 21841-0039
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-0377-9
My special thanks to Emily Timmons who illustrated the book cover!
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in this volume are from the King James Version of the Bible.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a 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