Raoul’s Two Cents: November 24, 2023

Hit By a Tacoma

Thanksgiving was yesterday but there are many things we can always be thankful for. A close friend was hit by a truck last weekend and miraculously survived with just a scratch.

Oliver was crossing the street Sunday night. Suddenly, with his peripheral vision, he noticed a huge object headed straight for him — a brand new Toyota Tacoma with the headlights turned off was about to run him down. With seconds to spare he twisted his body just enough to put both of his hands on the hood of the truck. The impact propelled him on top of the truck and then his body rolled over to the pavement.

The truck driver stepped on the brakes, jumped out and was pretty sure he had just killed someone. Oliver, was lying on the ground, was in shock, motionless and was doing a damage report in his head.

“Man, are you hurt? Should I call an ambulance?” shouted the young driver.

A voice told Oliver, to get up because he was fine … but curiously, the voice also told Oliver to ask the driver this very strange question. His exact words: “Dude, did know you ran over one of God’s messengers?!? Jesus is trying to tell you something … I don’t know what the message is … but you probably do.”

The driver didn’t know how to react to this announcement. He said he didn’t go to church. It was then when Oliver noticed the glazed look of the driver and figured the guy was high on something. A police car drove by and Oliver could have reported this DUI but he decided not to. Oliver said everything was fine. Except for a few bruises on his right elbow, he was really okay. Wherever the driver was headed, it looked like he turned around and drove back home. Of course we will never know how this story ends but hopefully, this encounter will turn this young man’s life around. Often, when we are given a mission from above, we are on a need-to-know basis — we plant a seed and leave the nurturing to others.

When Oliver shared his story, it went without saying that he was glad to be alive but more than that was this inexplicable joy to have witnessed to this stranger. Oliver didn’t even know why he said what he said. Weird, huh? You may disagree with my classification of this as some sort of miracle but how do we really classify miracles? It’s the the old glass being either half empty or half full — the same event can bless or it can curse … or it can pass as uneventful. I believe life passes by with unappreciated blessings. Whose loss would it be then?

Have you ever found yourself on a spiritual mission that you don’t understand? I have. My advice? When you feel the spiritual nudge, and you’re confident it’s legit, just go with the flow. The doors to the right path will open automatically. The results will usually benefit you beyond your wildest dreams. Like Oliver, being available for duty is an honor we should seek after. But this is just me.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend people! TGIF!

Raoul

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4: 6-7
p.s.
The start the holiday cheer, I made a very short video for you (see below). It’s a musical arrangement I made for my little band — definitely amateurish but … eh… I don’t think our group will have time to practice it so I thought I’d share it now instead of waiting another year.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Clinton of Arizona

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Video of the Week

This is a silly video I made for Christmas. It’s my impression of Elvis’ Blue Christmas.
It’s low tech and pretty amateurish but whatever.
I added some extra silly stuff too. I hope you have fun with it.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Laers of Bear Valley Springs, CA

Thanks to Josh of Manhattan, NYC

Thanks to Janet of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Gadolina of Whittier, CA

Thanks to Joanne of Hacienda Heights, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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