Arthur F. Perfetti
Artist and Webmaster
Trinity Hosting Services
Page Four (4):
Born Again:
I began traveling, working at car shows, and motorcycle rallies. I was known as the "Preacher". I became the local pinstriper for a Christian Truck stop on I-75 Bellamy's 484 Truck Stop. I had a bunk room to stay in, I would drive home (approx. 70 miles), every opportunity I had. When I wasn't painting trucks I was studying scripture, studying form 6 - 12 hours a day. It was awesome.
Blessings of the Spirit:
One night while studying, I began praying that I would be in the spirit with Jesus, I prayed, and prayed, well, God listened and listened, then said ok, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened. It Was opened , I left my body in spirit, I saw myself laying in my bunk, scared the heck out of me and I dropped back into the bunk. NEVER, I repeat NEVER, ask for something you are not prepared for, this was the second time that I prayed for something I was so sure I wanted and then found out I was still just a child in Gods eye, and not prepared for what I was seeking.
Reminiscence:
It was just a short time after I was saved, I became aware that I
should humble myself before God, come to him as a child. SO... How do I humble
myself before GOD... someone so Magnificent, so Glorious, so Awesome... Well my
decision was to do as I read, first, find or make my Prayer room, a room that
was going to be mine and only mine, for prayer. I selected a small room we had
that was to small to be used for anything, one window that was permanently
closed, could not be opened, no furniture. I entered this room daily, I removed
ALL my clothing, I laid on the floor with my face down into the carpet, my arms
stretched out in front of me and began my prayers. This was the only way I could
or believed I could be completely humble before my God, appear before him in the
manner that I was when he gave me life. So I prayed every night, included in my
prayers was the great request that I am sure at one time or another each of us
ask for. I WANT to be in the presence of Jesus, I asked over and over again.
Well.... I am lying there naked before my God asking to be in the presence of
Jesus, about 11:00 pm in a prayer room with only one door, no windows that can
open, in complete darkness Yup, you probably guessed it by now.... There is a
powerful gust of wind , a bright light flashes like lightening, I jump up, grab
my clothes and downstairs I run, scared of what just happened up there.
Asking for something you are not prepared for.... NOT GOOD....
Back to the Bunk house:
A few nights later.... I'm in my bunk studying, a man walks in, no knock, no may I come in, no hello, just walk in sit down, look at me and say ,
"I need to talk with you, are you studying the bible?
My reply, "yes and who are you?"
I just need to talk to you
About What"
He Began, telling me about the prophets, the Star of David, the Fallen Angels,
he was drawing diagrams, I kept asking him who he was, he would never give me an
answer. our conversation went from religion to politics to economics and on and
on. He was the most intelligent person(?) I had ever met. Had an answer
for everything. Then all at once, just as he entered he left, stood up walked
out the door, closed the door behind him. Gone! No goodnight, goodbye, cya,
nothing just up and left. Well I couldn't hold all this inside so I grabbed my
notes, jumped in the car and headed for the house, middle of the night or not
I'm outta here..
I woke Sharon up, sat down and began telling her the story, showed her everything this man gave me (Sketches and notes), she sat in amazement. First thing in the morning I went to my church, needed to talk with my preacher about this. I began telling him my story, opened up my note book showed him the sketches. "STOP! Throw that away, that's all Satanism" DO WHAT? Satanism I don't know anything about that stuff. Well I was about to learn a few things from my Preacher, he explained what the sketches represented, and what some of the notes represented. I was angry, why would somebody do this to me when he knew what I was studying. I'm heading back and I hope he's there. "NO" my preacher said. "stay away from him, he's dangerous." Not to me" I Said, "I have the spirit of god with me." So off I went driving back to the Truck Stop.... Praying all the way for strength and the power of the holy spirit. (remember what I said about asking). I walked into the lounge, sword in hand (bible), poured a cup of coffee and sat by a table. I no sooner sat down when this man walks in, walks over to me, sits down and says, " I have more to tell you".
OK! It's my turn, with my sword. I looked him in the eye's and never uttered a word, in my mind I prayed this prayer.
"If you be of the Lord Jesus, if you be of God, you may stay. If you be of Satan I COMMAND YOU TO LEAVE IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BY THE WORD OF GOD. BE GONE FROM ME NOW!"
You would have thought that somebody lit a fire under him, he jumped so fast his chair sled about 10 feet and slammed against the wall, he went out the door in a flash, jumped in his truck and drove away.
The Power of the "Sword (Word) & the faith the size of a mustard seed" an you can do all things!
A few months later; getting close to Christmas, broke as can be, I heard about a car show in southern Florida, so off I went. Praying all the way that the Good Lord would see fit to bless me with money so that my children would have a great Christmas. Rain, Rain and more Rain, needless to say you don't paint outdoors in the rain. Time to head home,
On the way home I stopped at a popular Truck Stop, you can always paint a truck. I parked my van went into the restaurant for a cup of coffee, the place was jammed with people. I took a seat in the back and just watched the people, the door opens, a chill runs down my spine. "What is this?" I asked my self, I looked up and there he was.... One more time, same guy different place, take out my sword! He sat at the counter in the front, I was in the back and he hadn't seen me. So what to do? I prayed, I prayed the same prayer as before. It was like watching the instant replay at the Super Bowl, He Jumped up, looked around, eyed me and hit the door, jumped in his truck and took off.
God is Great!
Well after finishing my coffee I went to my van, I was just going to cruise around the lot in order to find a lettering job when I heard someone knocking on the side of my van. I rolled down my window, the conversation went something like this;
"Can I help You?
Are you a painter?
Huh, Yes I am?
I have a small job for you, follow me.
(Arriving at his truck)
On the back door I want you to paint a small Cross, and do you read
scripture?
Yes, I replied.
Are you familiar with Philippians 4:19?
Let me get my book!
NO! Not Now!
Just paint the Cross with Philippians 4:19 under the cross.
Ok, Done, What else?
Go Home, open your bible and read the passage, it's a message for you."
I did what he said, no delays no questions, just did it. When I got home I sat down with Sharon and told her of the experience, opened the Bible and read the passage. Then just sat and cried for awhile.
LESSON LEARNED!
You DO NOT need to pray for money,
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and all things will be provided for you!
IT'S CALLED FAITH!
We had a great Christmas, the Lord provided us with everything we could ask for or want, including our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree that we talk about to this day.
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