I just love this stuff. Frankly most Catholics are too easily embarrassed. Heck, I know I would be. But not Baptist Pastor Mark Arnold of Lebanon, Ohio. Nope. Pastor Arnold regales us with the tale of a message from God that he delivered personally to John McCain and Sarah Palin.
After telling us how he miraculously ended up at the front of the crowd at a rally in Ohio, pastor Arnold says:
When they came around the podium and started on the other side, I knew they were coming right toward me. A little lady who stood by me, reached up and told the rep. that they had promised a picture with her because she was the one who had lost a son in Iraq recently. The rep. confirmed she would get a pic with them and they would talk to her.
When McCain came to hug her … he immediately shook my hand and following his moment with her, I shook his hand as he grabbed my hand, now for the second time, and I said, “God wants you to know that I’m praying for you, Sir!” He thanked me and kept smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five times. He grabbed my hands and looked right into my eyes and said, “I won’t make it without prayer. Sir, thank you for praying for me, and don’t let one day go by that you don’t pray for me. I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin came over to my left side … standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who had lost the son. It took a moment for her to shake some hands and people were pushing in all around. Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that side of the stage and hugged that little mom, telling her, “It was not in vain.” She promised her support.
It was at this moment Sarah Palin reached out for me to help her up, and as I was assisting her to stand, I was now face-to-face with her, and God said, “Open up your mouth and I will fill it.”
Here is what came out:
“God wants you to know that you are a present-day Esther!”
[She immediately began to cry!]
“God wants to tell you that you are chosen for such a time as this!”
“You are called, and chosen to be a leader.”
“Don’t lose heart and don’t fear man.”
“The news and naysayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward you … and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat … but do not fear.”
“You are a present-day Esther.” You are an Esther. You are an Esther!
“Keep your eyes on God and know that He has chosen you to reign!”
“Stay strong … be strong … don’t tire. Don’t be weary in well-doing. Be strong.”
Her husband, Todd, came over, and I told him what I told her. He began to cry.
I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time … and know that “she is God-called and God-anointed.”
“This is a God-thing and your wife is a present-day Esther … she is for God to use at this time … she is an Esther … she is an Esther … she is an Esther.”
“You will be hated … but stand strong … God has called both of you to stand!”
“We are praying and I am praying for you!”
At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to Todd, and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin.
“Mr. McCain … they are called of God and she is an Esther.”
“Don’t lose hope and don’t lose heart.”
“We are praying for all of you!”
He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had just said, he said, “Thank you for your prayers and support … I really do mean that!”
And he turned and shook more hands … and I watched them as they went through the crowd.
When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time … knowing the God of the universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God.
I wept. I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full knowing they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the crowd … but the God of heaven and earth … wanted to give them a divine God-appointment!
Boy, I sure hope God didn’t mean Esther Williams and that Palin will be doing water dancing shows after their miserable defeat in November. Then there will be even more crying than we had here.
So let’s have some fun. What are some of the scenarios we could envision in which Sarah Palin would mimic the role of the biblical Esther? Remember, no Catholic embarrassment here, let’s let the speculation fly.
October 8, 2008 at 2:43 pm
It’ll take a while for the hilarious comments to appear as all the Catholics go look for their Bibles and try to figure out who Esther is… Sounds vaguely familiar… which book is she in again?…
October 8, 2008 at 3:11 pm
If Palin is Esther, does that make Todd Palin Artaxerxes? or is that McCain?
This just gets weirder and weirder.
October 8, 2008 at 4:05 pm
On a more serious note (somebody has to), you might start with what the Church actually says about the book…
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05549a.htm
…and go from there.
October 8, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Sorry, I just don’t think this is funny at all. First, and MOST IMPORTANT, the fact that this heretic would believe God would “fill his mouth” and speak through him is both disturbing and nauseating– specifically because of the fact that he probably really believes it. Second, the fact that anyone takes these types of rants seriously is also disturbing and nauseating.
To compare Sarah to Judith, or Ruth or any other biblical figure in a public setting IMHO is very ill-advised. She is a politician, not a theologian…and certainly NOT a Catholic one.
October 8, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Deusdonat,
What are you talking about? Who is taking these rants seriously other than you? Who compared Sarah to anyone? These guys posted a nutty prophecy because it is a bit nutty. Do you understand humor at all? At all?
I would check back with your doctor, it might be time to increase your dosage again.
October 8, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hey Daddio,
Who needs the Bible? I saw the veggie-tales version!
October 8, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I am laughing- the point is firstly- there is a likely victory- if not he can always change his tune. I have found some non-Catholics with substance- of course there are also many opportunists- why does he have to tell us what he told her?
I think she was crying either because shes the type to believe such- or because- quite frankly- it is nice to have support- even from nutties- especially in a country like yours where many of the votes come from this sort of person.
I don’t like that this man could bring people from our truth by his prophesy-
I also find these prophesies dangerous- we don’t have any guarantee when its not Catholic.
Of course there are many famous baptist pastors who have wrongly predicted the end of the world.
Maybe this man will get a few more of his sort to vote Palin.
Personally- well I think often God uses both Godly and ungodly- Godly more- If it truly were true though- why the story- why not simply say- Palin is a “present day ester”- rather than “God spoke through me”.
One Catholic who knows the story here- didn’t know anyone wanted to irradicate the jews again:)? wait- maybe I’d better get the good old bible out again.
You see- that’s why the protestants get to do this whole ester thing- we forget all about her:)
Of course I don’t believe the prophesy, it seems self-fulfilling- but I am laughing- and think we should pray for aid in your election and mine.
Sad really- but hey?
October 8, 2008 at 4:48 pm
“I also find these prophesies dangerous- we don’t have any guarantee when its not Catholic.”
We don’t have one when it IS. The Church has a skeptical view toward private revelation — yes, even M********e.
Amidst the buzz on the internet, is the question as to whether this Mark Arnold guy is who he says he is. Well, he’s the pastor of Life Covenant Church in Monroe, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati, and a few miles from Lebanon. And they do indeed have a website: http://www.agreeinprayer.com
It is outside the realm of Catholic teaching to believe in a private revelation with the theological virtue of Faith, but one can have a strong opinion one way or the other, stopping short of speaking outright against those apparitions which are approved.
I come from that part of the country. I know the culture, and the people there. I don’t doubt the man’s sincerity. And in reacting as they did, Sarah and Todd may simply be exactly who they present themselves to be.
We could do a lot worse.
October 8, 2008 at 4:51 pm
To answer the question posed:
Obama wins. But he puts aside Biden after he won’t dance to entertain the visiting leaders of Iran who he’s invited over to the White House for drinks.
Obama chooses Palin as his new VP, and she kicks his butt until he starts respecting the rights of the unborn, disabled, and elderly.
With a special guest appearence with Ayers as Hamen….
For generations afterwords, Republicans celebrate these occurences by eating Ayers Cakes–Round chocolate cakes stuffed with red hots…….
October 8, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Great. Now I’m hungry.
October 8, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Alexandra cackles…
Who is taking these rants seriously other than you?
Um…the guy in question is a pastor. He has his own church. Use your brain (for once).
scripturelink said…I don’t like that this man could bring people from our truth by his prophesy-
I also find these prophesies dangerous- we don’t have any guarantee when its not Catholic.
Bingo.
October 8, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Take a deep breath folks, there are nut cases all around us. Just do a Google search on “Galactic Federation” sometime.
This guy is harmless. Relax and enjoy the humor at his expense.
October 8, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Subvet – no disrespect, but I disagree. No heretic with a pulpit is harmless, since they do the devil’s work by spreading his lies and turning people away from the truth and God’s church. We have seen the fruits of such people in Jim Jones, David Koresh etc, but no less dangerous is the fact that they endanger the immortal souls of Christ’s children on a daily basis.
Once again, if he were just some kook, then it would indeed be laughible. But this is a pastor with a church and a following. So, this is far from harmless.
October 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Funny. Hilarious even. Strange how Martin Luther said this—–
“The book of Esther I toss into the Elbe. I am such an enemy to the book of Esther that I wish it did not exist, for it Judaizes too much and has in it a great deal of heathenish foolishness.”
I guess the Protestants didn’t hear that part. Funny how they get to use the Bible when it suits their fancy—and distort it when it doesn’t.
October 8, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Thanks Deirdre,
Here is my scenario. McCain wins but, as is his wont, he gets distracted by reaching across the aisle and giving speeches at maverick conventions.
Meantime, Iran gets the bomb and is preparing to use it. McCain, obsessed with bipartisanship hesitates. At the critical moment, Palin convinces McCain to let Israel defend itself.
And there was much rejoicing.
October 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Veggie Tales, right on. Might have been something on Wishbone too.
October 8, 2008 at 7:53 pm
All I need to know about Esther, I learned from the Latke-Hammentaschen debates at the U of C! =)
Yummmy…….
BTW– Apropos Esther — What is it with some evangelicals naming their kids “Vashti?” I mean, sure she wouldn’t dance for her hubby’s drunken buddies, but I thought her main virtue was making way for Esther……
October 8, 2008 at 10:56 pm
This comment has been removed by the author.
October 8, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I saw the VeggieTales and read it in a children’s Bible story book… I guess I’m one-up. 😉
Maybe McCain is Mordecai? Trusted and valued (even in MA people liked him!, then suddenly an important person dislikes him and plots his demise. Then this newcomer to the palace (national politics) risks her own neck to intervene, the important person, a deceiver, is caught, and then MordeCain placed in a position of great authority.
Frankly, I think all the bad talking this fellow just because he’s not Catholic and we can’t prove it is ridiculous. Of course God fills people’s mouths- what of the prophets? The Hebrew word for prophet literally means “mouthpiece.” Acts 2:17: “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.'”
The guy may have poor theology, but we don’t know whether or how much he’s been exposed to the true faith, and God values fidelity, even when someone doesn’t get it all right, be it in their thoughts or their actions (thank goodness).
October 9, 2008 at 12:57 am
I liked Joan Collins as Esther.
God told me to say that.
— Mack