HIDE ME IN THE MOUNTAIN

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

The news and weather channels had spent the past three days alerting everyone on the island about the incoming storm that would most likely not be a false prediction. Some families had stored food and covered their homes with boards while others had packed up their most important papers and valuables, and moved on, away to where many were saying the storm wouldn't hit so aggressively.

The airports were filled with people trying to get a one way ticket to anywhere but here and streets were jammed with all size vehicles attempting to get as far away from the coming tempest. The latest report said the storm, some predicting devastating waves, perhaps even a tsunami, would be fierce and without mercy upon the island in less than two days. Without warning, the internet and all media was interrupted, panic began to run through the streets like a swarm of bees, and people blindly lost their way. Many panicked and just ran into the first home they saw. Some closed their doors and ran to hide in a safe room. A few had created underground shelters and cried in their shelters while many banged and cried out to them to open up. 

Everyone, even beast small and great, felt the thunderous sound of incoming winds and waves that drowned the voices of worry and fear. The sirens were like the soft sound of butterflies, and emergency workers trying to direct people and traffic with the latest speakers and technology seemed like an unseen treasure buried in the soil while busy ants just hurried around them without a purpose or destiny.

Nayim held her three children close to her as she walked through the trees. The path had become darker as the clouds walked down upon the island. Her children cried and she shushed them, reminding them of safety up ahead. The whispers in the night had told her not to wait two days but to begin her journey as the sun announced the new day. The whispers of someone ancient and as old as time had awakened her, pushing her to pack her belongings and run to the mountains. "But how?" She had questioned. "How could safety be up in the mountains where the winds would be the most violent force before her?" Still, the message in the wind had asked her to trust, to rise, and go towards the mountains.

Believing that the ancient voice might have been a heavenly messenger, she chose to ignore neighbors who called her crazy and here she was, with her three children, climbing and pushing against the winds. At times, not knowing which direction to take, it seemed the path would be made clear just as she felt like giving up. A light would show the way, trees would unexpectedly seem to move away from one another as if they were doors, opening and inviting her inside. Her children cried and complained. They were tired, exhausted, with cuts and scrapes on their legs and knees.With love and patience, she reminded and promised them of a safety she did not see, of a promise she had only heard about, and of a mountain top that would be a refuge.

"Oh, but to stand on the mountain and be blown away. Can it be that I am being asked to sacrifice my children and myself by going to the top and realize it was all a bad dream?" Over and over, many times, doubt came. As the winds became fierce, cutting away at them, making the leaves and large grass blades move against them, cutting away at their arms and faces. "Oh, Lord, show me what to do." she cried. She reminded her children to pray and to believe.

Up they went and soon found themselves upon the mountain top. Alone. Forsaken. To meet their end. Surely the winds would blow, the waves would rise higher than the mountain top and take them away. She told the children to stay near the ridge of the mountain near some trees. She decided to walk to the side and see if there was any way of finding their purpose for being there. Surely, not even God would have played tricks with her mind and have asked her to go on a suicide mission during the worst weather. 

As Nayim neared the side, an old man, dressed in tattered robes, came around and stood before her. "Come. Come quickly. Take the children and bring them closer to me!" the old man shouted. "Bring them closer to the top?" Nayim realized this was madness as she discovered she was not only on one of the highest mountains on the island, but that she stood in front of the ocean. The vast waters swooshed and moved dangerously around the island, promising to rise higher and higher as the winds enabled them to. "How can you ask me to bring them up to you when the winds are getting higher? My children will fall into the waters below." Nayim cried out back and refused to heed the old man's advice. "Hurry! You are going to have to trust me when I tell you I have prepared a hiding place for them, but be quick about it. Time is not on your side." 

With tears in her eyes, she looked at the man who reminded her to hope and believe that strangers could possibly be angels in disguise. Although fear was winning as she grabbed her children, her oldest spoke out, "Mom, don't be afraid." Feeling her strength and courage renewed, she held on to her three children with all her might and began to help them walk sideways on the mountain and towards the old man. "Don't look down. Keep your eyes on him." Nayim encouraged her children and celebrated each step. At times the wind made her voice disappear, but still, with her eyes, she reminded them to keep their eyes on him as he opened his arms and beckoned them to move towards him. As the children got closer, she began to see an entrance into the mountain and smiled. Surely, the Lord had provided a hiding place for them. 

The old man reached out to her children and one by one, assisted them to help them carefully enter the opening in the mountain. As her last child, her youngest was entering, he seemed to lose his footing and her mind saw him falling. Moving quickly, she forced her tired weight to press upon him, pushing him upward into the entrance. He held tightly on to the exposed rocks and spaces. It was in that moment the old man looked at her and she knew she was either going to fully surrender her trust in him, or let go. Allowing her heart to trust in his eyes, she allowed his ancient arms to wrap around her youngest child and hold him in place, turning ever so quickly so that her child was against the entrance and the old man was now with his back upon her child. 

Feeling she would not make it through, she smiled, hoping the old man knew that he should watch over her children should she lose her life as the waves continued to escalate upward and with greater strength. "Hold on to the cleft. Hold on to the side and don't let go!" As she saw his eyes widen, she turned to look around and stood against the mountain. It was there she witnessed the ever increasing and growing waves. The waves rose like giants awakening from slumber, rising from their beds and getting on to their feet. Waves rolled upward into the skies like darkness fighting the sunlight and commanding shadows to take over the island. Nayim pressed her entire body against the mountain side, knowing the old man had somehow made sure her last child had entered the hiding place. As she pressed her already bleeding skin against the mountains, the old man came around to her side and smiled. She closed her eyes as the tsunami rose against her, cold, cutting away, stealing her breath, crushing her lungs, pounding upon her face, and stealing her spirit away into the darkness.

"Save me, Lord." Nayim whispered into the disappearing spaces as the waters covered her and everything around her. She felt the crashing and the beating of angry waters, somehow punishing her for daring to stand against the storm, mocking her for remaining at the mountain top while others had run and hidden. "Hold on," the ancient whispers sang around in her head. "You are not alone."

The howling of the winds began to whimper, and like a scared dog, began to run away.  Shadows covered their faces and moved away as the sun pushed through. Nayim's knees had given out and she found herself bent against the mountains, somehow in a crouched position, soaking wet, pain filled, but still alive. As she felt the warmth of the sun beaming upon the island and her skin, she opened hurtful and burning eyes to see the rays of light coming forth from the Ancient One who stood on the side of the mountain. He smiled and invited her to come around and go check on her children. Tired, famished, and weakened, Nayim dragged herself towards the side of the mountain and crawled towards the Old Man and near the mouth of the mountain. There were her three children, resting upon rocks, covered in blankets, dry and with smiles on their faces. Sleep had overtaken them and they had perhaps not even know the storm had come and gone. "Thank you," she said, barely unable to speak the words. She turned around to tell the Ancient One she was so grateful. All she saw was his back as he somehow walked away, disappearing into the mountain side.

Nayim was so exhausted, she crawled in near to her three children and allowed the exhaustion to make way for sleep. She entered into a deep sleep as if there were no cares, no worries, only the song, the invitation to trust, trust in the Ancient of Days, to call upon Him who was always near, to learn to hide in Him, to always cast all her cares upon Him for He would always make a way.

Maybe Nayim and her children are real. Maybe they were all part of a dream. Maybe Nayim's experience was just a warning of a storm to come and to show that even if the tempest were to come with a destructive plan towards this family, or any family, at the end, those that trust in the Name of the Lord will be saved. It is my hope and my desire that my short stories will inspire you to believe, to turn to God, to get excited and interested in seeking and finding out for yourselves if this Great Awesome God I talk about is not only real, but worth all my time in writing these, perhaps silly, short stories. Maybe, just maybe, Nayim and her three children are really me and my three kids. Or perhaps, this is a story about you. If it is about you, then you know how it ends. You and your family are in God's hands, and he waltzes away with the music of heaven turning into a lulluby for you and your family, as you enter celestial resting time. The storm will always come, but isn't it great to know that so will He, the One that rides upon the storms, and the One that speaks to the storms and says, "Peace, be still." You decide if you are in my story or not, if it is about me, or if it just a message challenging you to trust and hope in Him, while the storm rages on. But, remember, the storm will soon cease and die and you will rise again.

DO I TRUST YOU, LORD?

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

My senses are awakened as the alarm clock goes off, and I look for a way to hit the snooze button. My eyes are alert but my body is begging for more sleep. I think of the countless things that must be done today. I would like to say that the first thing I do, always, is give God thanks for a new day and then have some quiet time in His presence. Truth is, sometimes, time is running out and I have to rush out and away. It's in my daily walk to the train station that I begin to Praise Him. It's on the train station as I wait for the train, that I remind Him to watch over my kids, my family, and all our many decisions that are hanging on a thread. And, its during my ride to work, that I take out the Scriptures, and read, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to my life, to speak to my kids, to make Himself real to my husband, to my dad, to all of us.


The question is, through all this morning drama, today I was off. As I laid in bed, counting the seconds to getting up and going about my day, I realized it was time to not only lay all my cares before the Lord, but to make a decision. Yes, right here in this darkness, while my husband snores away like a hundred bears and dragons locked away in a den, I knew God was asking me to trust Him. No complaining, no looking at what seems impossible or coming apart. No looking at the problem, just looking at Him. 

"Do I trust you, Lord?"
My heart and my mind were confessing complete assurance and reliance on His ability to get me through my situation, but something inside of me, worry, becoming anxious, and even feeling left alone to face the world, sometimes, gives way to the question, "Do I trust you, Lord?"

"Will I trust you, Lord?"

I smiled because I knew the answer and I knew who was trying to plant the seeds of doubt into my morning. 

 

 

"YES!"

"Yes, I will trust you, Lord."

"You have my well being in your heart."

"You know my next steps and the direction I need to move in. You guide me and lead me. Of course, I will trust You, Lord. Your favor will open doors for me. Your grace will cover me and give me the ability to speak the way I need to and keep me quiet when silence means more."

"Yes, Lord. I will wait on your help. My helps comes from you. Why have I despaired and worried? Why have I turned to others with my problems when I have had you here, all along, ready to assist me and provide for all my needs?"

"Yes, I will trust you, Lord!"
"You know when my prayers will be answered.
You know when our bodies will be healed. You know all about my finances and what I can have and what I don't need. You know where my next home or apartment is and I know you will not allow me to make a mistake in choosing where to go. For you know our needs. You know how far we can be stretched- mentally, physically, and in our hearts."

I stay in bed and decide to focus on God's goodness, on His love for me and my family. I decide to see His hand at work in our situation and suddenly my mind is at peace. Well, there's still a little bit of my human emotions in conflict because time and other issues seems to push me to feel overwhelmed, but one thing I do, is declare, "I trust You, Lord!"

So, what about you, my friend. Are you here in the same boat with me? Is there sickness or anguish keeping you down? Are you in a situation where your finances or your home has become the focus because you've been forced to make changes? Are you in a battle with people in your life, your job, your family, your friends, or the devil himself? Do you find yourself exhausted, angry and wondering if you can trust the Lord through all this?

Declare your victory! Say, "Yes, I will trust in God's promises! Yes! He will come for me. Yes, He will fight for me! Yes, He will go before me! Yes, He makes all things new! Yes, I trust in God as my Healer and Deliverer! Yes. I will trust You, Lord, today and always!"

May I recommend something that will give you a word of encouragement and some music to get you singing before the Lord?
Check this out. You just might enjoy it!
www.NoizeRadioLive.com

* * * * * * LAY IT DOWN * * * * * *

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

Have you ever heard of the phrase, "Lay it down."?
Has anyone ever told you, "Just lay it all down."?


What do these words mean? What does this phrase tell us?

 lay- macmillan dictionary
Lay- 
1-[transitive] to put someone or something down in a careful way, especially so that they are lying flat
2-[transitive] to carefully plan and prepare something that will be needed in the future to achieve an aim

 lay-synonyms Merriem-Webster
 a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect <the minstrel strummed a cheerful lay on his lute

I can go on and on about the different meaning I found. The ones below are the most commonly understood meanings for lay. (Put something or someone down carefully.) Hmmmm, what do I have in my life that I need to place down, carefully?

The next meaning tells me that to lay means to plan and prepare something I am going to need later on. Lay down, such as planning, because I am looking forward to achieving a goal. Well, let's see, what do I have to plan, lay down, with the understanding that I am laying it down with a purpose?


We say, "I lay down my life before you Lord." "I lay down my heart, my will, my future and my family before you, Lord."

And so we begin to do so with the mentality that that which is placed carefully before the Lord is probably those important people in our lives, our jobs, our homes and even our emotions. We take those areas in our lives that are delicate, in need of being taken care of in a special way, and we lay them at the feet of Jesus. 

There's a hope, a goal, something that we look forward to as we lay it all down. Believers will immediately identify with their eternal lives with Jesus in heaven. But, what about right now? As much as I look forward to my future according to scriptures, I also believe we can lay it all down with an expectation that is not far away. We carefully place our prayers before the Lord. 

What are you believing for in the future, the near future, like our tomorrows and next week, or coming year? We believe for healing, physical and mental restoration. We cry out for deliverance. We wait upon the Lord for a change in our jobs, our financial situation, and our homes. We lay down our relationships, our marriages, our needs, our children, and our hearts. 

 photo copied from http://www.123rf.com/photo_7887460_ballet-dancer-laying-on-floor-over-a-white-background.html

The last definition I thought was interesting to add to what lay means, has to do with music. A rhytmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing affect. I can't see this any other way than a dancer, with all her/his heart and passion slowly and ever so beautifully taking their very own lives and placing it down. I also see the dancer who moves vibrantly as seen in an African dance, in a continual motion, surrendering their all before their audience, their audience of One.

I see Jesus as the perfect example of laying it all down. He says he lays down his life, our of his own will, not because anyone was forcing him to do so, but out of his love for the world. He lays it down and then shares this future plan, this hope that he gives humanity. He lays it down but will take it back and rise again. In order to truly give us a future, he allows death to have a moment in his life as he lays it all down- His Kingdom, Being who He Is and Was, His last breath, yes, he lays it all down, not once running away, but always looking ahead, thinking of human hearts, thinking about resurrection. 

Is God asking us to lay our lives down unto death? Not the same death he experienced, but we are to die to ourselves and arise in the new life that Christ laid out for us. We can lay our lives down and live continually placing our lives before Him like a never ending dance, a prayer of surrender to the Lord. We need to look at our expected end. We also need to have a hope, not just a very far away hope after we leave this world as all humans must at one time, take our last breath. But, God invites us to lay down our lives, lay out a plan, and listen to the music of his heart, his calling, and dance as the music leads us to. We also are asked to be confident and not afraid as we come and lay it all down before the cross. 

What are you still holding on to? Lay it down.
What is still heavy on your shoulders, your heart and your mind? Lay it down.
What is the extra baggage you and I are still clinging on to, holding on for dear life because we believe if we let it go, our lives will be completely altered? Lay it down.

This is what I ask the Lord to help me to accomplish.
Lord, help me to lay down the things in my life that weigh me down and don't let me breathe and move forward, so that I can truly lay down a new plan for my life and know that my future, my tomorrow and my next days are truly in your care. Help me Lord to freely release every care, ever fear, every insecurity, any areas of un-forgiveness and bitterness, even things I cannot see, help me move to the beat of your music, and place it all down at the foot of the cross.

In God's Hands

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

Where do you find yourself today?
Where do you find yourself this very moment?

Are you worried about not being able to pay your bills this month?
Are you overwhelmed with the news that you have to find a new place to move into with your family?
Have the recent events in your life caused you to question God and doubt those truths you have always held on to with all your strength?

Where are your thoughts on this day?

Is your mind filled with voices, confusion, disillusion, and sadness?

I've been here before.
I've been in this room that feels God forsaken.
I've sat in a chair, a chair in this space, a space in this room,
this room called anxiety, this world called feeling lost.

I've hidden in a room like this one.
I know what it's like to spend hours looking and waiting for answers that sort of take forever to come. And, those who come to help just give the worst advice ever. So, once again, I would remain waiting, alone, just waiting.

Are you there, God? Can you hear me? Can you see me?

As my upside down world spins around me, I'm reminded that only in God's Word will I find the answer. Only in His presence will I have the true peace and security I seek.

In God's Hands.
No matter where I turned to for help, nothing was greater or better that allowing myself to fall, fearlessly fall, into God's hands.
That was then.
I've learned over the years that I must continue to live each moment, completely given to God's Word. I seek only to be held by His love, captivated by His will for me.

Where are you today?
Do you find yourself the way I was a few years ago?
Truth is, only a few days ago, the door to this familiar room opened and invited me in. 
I stood there and looked inside and remembered.
Depression, anxiety, worries, fear and helplessness all await those of us who will not run to the mercy and help gifted to us through the Cross of Calvary.

Run!
Don't walk, don't take your time.
Run!
Drag yourself if you must. If you're too tired and weak. 
Push yourself!
But, don't stay closed in, just thinking all day about all that has gone wrong, looking for someone to blame for what you're going through, and focusing on your pain, on your dilemma, and in your situation.

I'm not telling you to ignore your brokenness.
Use it to get up. Gather the pieces up and one by one, place them into God's hands. He is the Master Potter, ready and able to put us together again, and better than before.

Lord, 
I pray today for anyone that feels their world falling apart and crumbling to pieces. I pray for someone who is depressed, hiding in their room and locking the world out because they are so hurt. Lord, I ask that you will visit every broken heart, every mind filled with anxiety and sadness. Lift the burdens that make their walk so heavy. Anoint them Lord, fill them with your Spirit and breathe into their lives. Speak the word they need for today. 

"Rise!" I hear the Lord speaking.
"Awake!" I hear the Lord say.
"Walk forth!" I hear my God reminding me.
"Trust me." Yes, Lord, in your arms, I rest.
You are not alone. God has not forsaken you.
God will make a way. He knows what you need.
It's already taken care of us. All you have to do is 
trust him and remain, forever, in God's hands.

Into the Arena

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

CONCLUSION, (Part 4) On Heavenly Wings

Ariana and Saul added a few dollars to their Metro Card. They swiped their cards, walking towards the downtown trains. Ariana's heart was a little quicker now, as she remembered some of the things that had happened in church that morning. As she walked, she noticed she could hear sounds she had never heard before. Thinking someone was talking to her, she turned around to face the person, only to find no one was behind her, or trying to speak to her. Again and again, she heard conversations, so clearly each word. She looked into the faces of those waiting in the station and she saw through their expressions, identifying their hurts, their anger and frustrations, their intentions and the darkness that placed hurt and lies into their spirits.

Feeling overwhelmed, she walked towards one of the poles and leaned against it. Scriptures of comfort and strength poured into her memory and she held on to them, speaking them into her heart and reassuring herself that God was there with her. Even though she didn't understand how all this was happening, she knew God had a reason and that He would show up when she felt like she couldn't do it or was going to fall apart. 

A foul smell and heavy panting came and stopped at her back. She looked at Saul to see how he would react to someone so close to her. She felt the sweaty heat and the hard breathing of someone on her back and still no reaction from Saul. Slowly she turned around to find a young man near her. His eyes told the story of being wounded, of pain, and of wanting to find whoever had hurt him years ago and pay them back a hundred fold for the damage and the pain that had been inflicted on him.

As Ariana turned towards Saul to tell him what she was experiencing, her eyes were opened and suddenly she not only heard the cries, the angry insults, the curses and the dark thoughts in so many minds, now she was able to see the dark and disgusting creatures standing near so many of the weary travelers. Even men in suits, and women who looked like they had just come from a magazine shoot, were being harassed, confused, chained and lied to by these demonic beings.

"Speak the Words I have given you and they will go."

The voice was soft, yet it was louder than all the other voices in the train station. Immediately, Ariana remembered what had happened in church while Pastor Jakes preached. She remembered the moment she had momentarily disappeared into a train station and then she remembered even more. She had seen these creatures before. Yes! In her dreams, they had taken her and tormented her physically and mentally. She remembered the torture, the violence and she remembered the Word of God lifting her up and out of the battle field.

Closing her eyes, she began to pray in her mind and heart.
"Lord, I don't know your purpose, but I know I trust you. Give me courage to do what you are telling me to do. I ask that you fill me with your Spirit and empower me to face this darkness. Let your presence in me be the ammunition to speak with power. Let your Light in me, spread out and make these messengers of darkness leave these people alone."

Before she knew it, she was praying aloud and her eyes had opened to see and hear like never before. The dark creatures now had their eyes on her and prompted people in the train station to react to her prayers. 
"Oh my goodness, this lady is crazy!" 
"Somebody call the mental ward, this woman needs to be taken away. Get the hell away from me!"
Laughing, another said, "You can't pray. It's against the law to pray here so you better stop."

The creatures moved in around the passengers, making some of them start doing repulsive things in public, speak out loud dirty and disgusting things to her, and even threaten her if she didn't shut up.

Ariana realized God was there, or else this would not be happening. She began to thank God for the Victory. She began to worship the Lord and declare Him the God of Victory, the God who reigns in the midst of the darkness.

"There is no God like Jehovah! God reigns and overcomes the darkness and everything that attempts to be greater than my God!"

She heard the voice again, "Command them to go!"

"In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I command every spirit of darkness in this place to leave. I speak with the authority given to me by God's Word. Go!"

The creatures were infuriated! People yelled at her. Saul got in front of her to stop a homeless woman from hitting her and the dark creatures began to incite the crowd against them.

"Lord, I walk forward with your presence as my armor. You are my shield. You are my sword. You cover my back and my front. You are before me. I will not fear."

The sound of the incoming train overpowered her declaration, but it didn't stop the dark beings from coming towards her. She readied herself as if she knew what to do, into a posture that said, "I'm ready for battle. Bring it on."

People came off the train and others pushed to go inside. Just like in her experience in the church, she saw the madness. The creatures began to run towards her and as she readied herself to engage in a fight, she saw her husband Saul now stood ready to fight as well. His eyes showed he was in shock as if all hell and reality had just been revealed to him. Standing side by side, they began to pray and declare God's word. The images of the train transformed into the arena of her dreams. She saw the weapons of torture on the ground. She saw dead bodies, ripped apart by weapons, animals and the unknown. "Please God, I can't do this alone!"

A mighty wind softly and carefully wrapped itself around Ariana and Saul. Their church clothes were now gone and they were dressed in battle clothes she had never seen before.

"They will come against you but they will not prevail!" God's voice was peaceful and clear.

She saw two, grotesque creatures come boldly towards her. She realized she was somehow able to fight back, although she had no knowledge or experience on how to fight. She lifted her arms to shield off the blow that was coming towards her but was not able to stop the other being from hitting her full force across the face. The side of her face burned and her head began to ache, a throbbing pain that felt like someone was playing drums on her insides.

Bending forward, she took a few breaths and cried out to God for direction. "I don't know how to fight, God, I don't know what to do."

Within seconds, God allowed Ariana to see she was not alone. A host of heavenly warriors were surrounding them and some had already engaged in keeping the creatures away. This didn't mean she would not have to engage in battle. She still had to prevail in Jesus name. God was here by her side. Her eyes took hold of weapons on the floor and she rushed to grab what seemed like a sword. As she ran towards it, a creature filled with scabs and sickness all around it came full force towards her and swung his chained weapon, a ball with spikes that he whirled around, and hit her legs as she ran. She fell to the floor with great pain, feeling the impact on her waist.

For the first time in a long time, she felt an anger rise up in her, but an anger to do away with injustice, to do away with darkness and lies. She pushed herself upward. A heavenly warrior came to her side and pulled her up. 

"Do not pick up the sword on the floor. Speak the Word of the Lord and you will be given what you need when the time comes." he said.

Ariana looked for Saul, but he was on the ground trying to get up. She couldn't go to him or she too would be destroyed. She saw tall, beautiful angels walking to aid Saul and this gave her peace to face the demons.

"You come to me with your weapons of darkness! You come to me with every work of iniquity! You come to me using sickness and torment! You come against me with violence and depression! You come against me to kill and destroy me but I come against you in the Name of the Lord of Hosts!"

Running towards the being that had attacked her legs, she cried out to God, "I come against you in the name of JESUS!" As she lashed out to try to punch and kick at the demons, because it was all she thought she could do, her hands were filled with a brilliant light and a sword appeared to be connected to her hand. 

For a moment, she thought, "God, I don't know how to use a sword. I don't know how to even pretend to fight with one."

The angel beside her said, "Do not doubt. Do not declare fear. You can walk on the water if you believe."

With a smile rising on the part of her face that was not injured, she pressed onward. As she swung her sword to hit the demons and dark beings, the weapons would come out of her hands allowing her to pierce into the darkness in Jesus name. As she fought on, she saw many that she thought were dead on the arena's battle floor, still breathing. She went towards them and yelled, "Get up! Get up and finish the fight! God is with us!"

She saw angels standing by many who were getting up from the ground. The angels placed their hands on the wounded and they were strengthened and these believers, wounded and bleeding, joined in the fight against the powers of darkness. 

Ariana's arms became heavy. Her waist, her legs, and her face reminded her of how badly she'd been hit. Then she saw Saul on the ground, struggling to get up. She looked to the end of the arena and saw people she knew. She saw those she loved, friends and family, and she saw how the enemy had stricken them with sickness, fear, sadness, and tormented some of them. 

She began to make out the faces of those who had risen from the battle field and gone back to fighting, and she saw the faces of her brothers, Titus and Alexander. She saw them, through their physical afflictions, rising to finish the enemy. Pushing through her pain, she ran to them. "Hold out your hand!" she cried, and as they did, "All kinds of majestic light wrapped around their hand, placing an unmovable sword in their hands, changing their clothes in battle garments like hers, and increasing their strength to push on.

Ariana, Titus, and Alexander fought the armies of darkness in that arena of death. They fought until the last foul creature disappeared. They fought until their bodies and spirits refused to go any further. They pushed through for themselves, for their families and friends, and because they saw they were never alone.

Saul would take time to recover. Angels lifted him and placed him near Ariana's family by the arena entrance. A beautiful, warm light bathed the arena, filling Ariana, Titus, and Alexander.

As Ariana smiled and began to rejoice in God's glorious presence, the images began to fade and she found herself once again in the train station. Saul was sitting down on a seat. An EMT was attending to his wounds as he had been stabbed by the homeless person when he tried to shield Ariana.

The people in the train station only stared momentarily, but everyone acted as if nothing had ever occurred. There were no voices, no visions, no creatures from darkness, and no angels. 

"Rejoice!" came a whisper into her heart. "Sing."

Knowing it was futile to ignore any heavenly command, Ariana looked at Saul and began to sing softly. 

"Our God a mighty warrior
You're a consuming fire
In victory You reign
We triumph in Your name
Jesus the great commander
You conquered death forever
In victory You reign
We triumph in Your name."


The EMT placed their arms around Saul to help him walk towards the stairway. They would have to carry him up. Ariana kept singing softly, and she went on to repeat the verse, a nearby woman leaning against a pole began to join her, singing, "Our God a mighty warrior." Smiling at the woman, Ariana grabbed Saul's back pack that was on the chair. A fire began to consume her heart and she lifted her voice in song, as she did, more voices began to resound through the train station. Believers from different corners of the train station, believers of the One True God going down the stairs, joined her in loudly singing, "In Victory You reign!"

Walking away from the station, and getting into the ambulance, Ariana could still hear the song behind her. The believers had fearlessly joined her in worship and what a beautiful, thunderous sound it had been. 

She thanked the Lord. The EMT looked at her and said, "Madam, did something happen to your face? Are you ok? Let me look at you."

The ambulance door closed. The siren wailed and cried telling cars nearby to move out of the way and let them through. The streets were once again normal, no demons, no angels, no voices and no heavenly light. 

But soon, soon the battle field would open again and the enemies of darkness would come to declare triumph over God's people and once again, God will prepare and raise an army to take a stand.

Brothers and sisters, I write this story using parts of my dreams and parts from my personal experiences. We may not see or hear as Ariana did. We may not even engage in battle the way she did. But, we are hit with sickness. We face problems in life, depression, and all matter of trials that I believe are the enemy's way to attack us to destroy God's work in us, weaken our faith, and make us want to give up when we're hurt and weary. 

Rise up, warrior of the Lord and know you are not alone! Here's the song I chose for Ariana to sing in my story. Enjoy it!

 Other parts of this story:
 Part One

Part Two

Part Three

A Call To Battle

By Angeline M Duran Santiago

Part 3 On Heavenly Wings

The sound of music seeped through the doors as Saul reached the last step of Living Water's Worship Center Church. Saul opened the door to the church building, holding it for Ariana to go through. The guitar, the keyboard, the drums, and the voices all joined in unison, lifting up a sound of praise and adoration to the One True God. Finding their usual seats, Ariana moved in next to Saul, placed her purse on the seat, and quickly immersed herself in the atmosphere of praise and adoration. Closing her eyes, and singing the words in her heart, she allowed herself to draw strength from the verse, "Hold me close to your heart, Lord." As she sang, she found herself releasing tears and a cry, long awaited and needed to be given. She was no longer able to sing, but just surrendered in prayer to her Savior.

As the time of singing came to an end and Pastor Jake began to share, she nodded her head in agreement, "Yes, the Lord had taken care of her this week and would continue to do so." Pastor Jake went on to talk about difficult days ahead and how believers were going to have to either put on the Armor of God and truly depend and trust on God's power, or they were going to go astray, let their faith begin to disappear and not be able to experience God's Hand at work in their lives as He showed up in their hard times. He spoke of the believer's need to truly read the Scriptures, not just listen to others talk about it. We need, more than ever, to know God's Word and have it hidden in our hearts, in our minds, and ready to speak in our lips. 

Isn't that what Ariana had been doing lately? Just asking God to speak to her heart? Knowing all she could do was wait on the Lord, she closed her eyes and immediately the walls of the church shifted into a subway station. She opened her eyes, blinking a few times and wondering if she was going crazy. The loud speaker repeating what train was coming and in how many minutes it was expected was loudly sharing in the background. People were rushing all around her, and some were pushing one another forward as the doors to the train just stopped opened. Angry voices yelled as some tried to push further into the train, not allowing others to come out. Ariana stood there, motionless, wondering, "How? and Why?" As she lowered her head into her hands to take a moment and try to find her sanity, the train station shifted back into the church walls. The sermon was over and the few people left in the sanctuary were saying their final farewell. 

She bent towards the seat in front of her, and resting her forehead on her arms, she allowed herself to surrender her heart once more to the Lord. "God, I don't know what's going on, but reveal your will to me. Please. I'm not crazy. Am I? Am I losing my mind?"

Feeling someone walk and stop besides her, she opened her eyes and looked to her side. An angelic presence shining with the kind of light that overwhelms your eyes when the sun's radiance fills the skies, stood there by her side. "Do not fear. When you enter the battle, you will not be overcome."

"Wait!" Ariana yelled out, but it was too late. The angelic being was gone before her eyes had a chance to blink. "Honey, what is it?" Saul asked, rushing to her side. "I just saw an angel. He was right here! Didn't anyone else see him?" she answered with great emotion in her voice. "Honey, you were praying and maybe you just....I mean, look, no one else is here except us and Pastor Jake. Come on, honey, you need to rest. Let's go home." Saul offered his hand to Ariana, and waited for her to take hold of her purse and sweater, and follow him out of the church. 

Saul held the church door open, as Pastor Jakes stood there watching. "I'll be praying for you both." he said, and as Ariana took a step through the church doors, she breathed and said, "I'm going to need it, Pastor." They walked to the car and Saul unlocked the doors and got in. Ariana got in on her side. Saul began to try to get the car to start, but it refused to cooperate. Saul came out of the car, opened the front hood and looked for signs of why is was not turning on. He re-entered the car and went through all the motions again. Nothing. It refused to start.

The couple sat there, in the church parking lot for a few minutes, before Saul finally said, "Honey, I'm sorry. I would call us a taxi but I left my money on the dining room table. Unless you have enough for a cab, we're going to have to walk down to Roy Street and hop on the train to get home."
At that moment, somehow, Ariana didn't have to wonder if that was the right choice. She had enough for the train, exactly enough for the train ride. Without hesitation, she got out and up from the car. She took her purse and placed it sideways around her chest, and looked at Saul.
"I don't know why this is happening, but I know God will not abandon us."

Saul and Ariana walked away from the car after making sure it was locked. They began to walk, quietly, their thoughts far away in regards to what they had been through this weekend. The train station up ahead made them get ready to cross the street. Saul reached out and took hold of Ariana's hand. "Together, " he said, "Whatever comes, we'll face it together." Ariana lifted her eyes with a smile that agreed, as they descended into the train station.

God's Hand, On Me, Once More

My personal journey of what took place in my life, on my face, and how the Lord has been at work in me, 
by Angeline M Duran Santiago

I've gone through a silent moment. I wanted to write something worthwhile and something that would be a blessing. I started a story and got hit with writer's block. I didn't imagine I'd have something so hard to write about so quickly, but here it goes.....



In my busy life, in the stress of every day, I found myself going through something I didn't believe could happen to me. 
Some might say I should be embarrassed to show my photos or share this story, but I believe this is my declaration of what God has done, can do and will continue to do when we place our faith in Him.

This photo of Frankie and I was taken just a few days before my nervous system decided to go whacko on me. I took it and uploaded it on to Facebook to share how he had proposed all over again.


At work, my colleagues asked, "Angie, what's wrong with your eye?" I didn't take time to go look in the mirror and blamed it to playing with the kids. Got on the train without a second thought and by the time I was home, my eye was not the only thing of concern. My face had changed into something from a movie and I couldn't explain what was going on.

I went from heat, to numbness, to heaviness, and a deep pain in my eye. My left eye began to get heavy also. I had a very strong headache. My daughter told me to go to the hospital, but I was imagined this would go away. I took some Alleve and decided to wait. Yes, I hear you yelling at me and pointing your finger at me. I was wrong to wait. You're right! I awoke to the scariest face looking back at me in the mirror and I ended up having to go get checked right away. My face on the right side decided to flop downward into a droopy state, closing my eye almost completely, and rendering that side of my face with barely any feeling.

The urgent care told me to see a Neurologist right away and well, I think I should've gone to the Emergency Room, but, well, in desperation of the unknown, I followed her recommendation. My first doctor said it looked like something Bell's Palsy and the Neurologist confirmed it. My nerves were breakdancing inside of me and I couldn't make them stop.


The questions began. How long has your face

been this way? When did you first notice it? I never imagined I needed to look in the mirror and start counting the hours. The questions were to give me hope. The truth is, I remember going to work and being told something looked wrong, but I never gave it mind. So, I was told, if I took a round of medication before 72 hours, there might be hope to restore my face. If not, well, I was going to be like this for a long time. Even with medication, I was told I would be this way for about two to eight weeks. 



You got it. I started wondering...What about work? What do I do on the train? Lord, why? Lord, you got this one too, right? Lord, you're gonna have to help me with this because I look horrible. I work with children and how can I even show up to work like this?


Well, I began to pray. I asked my family to pray. I took the anointed oil and placed it on my face and although I know it is just a symbol, I used it quoting the scriptures, "Is there any among you that is sick?....anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14

I was disoriented for a short while. The doctors wondered if I had experienced a stroke. I placed myself in God's hands because I had no one else to run to. 



It's been a week  and as I put on some lipstick, I realized my smile was almost perfect, straight again, me again. I share the photos of me during the changes not to glorify the symptoms, but to magnify God's greatness. You see, I was told that I wouldn't see a change right away, and yet, I began to see a change on day two, and a truly noticeable change by Sunday. 


Today, it's been a whole week and a day. What can I say but, "Lord, there is none like you!"
Will this return? I don't know. The only thing I do know is that if and when it returns, I will continue to surrender it all into God's care. 


Lord, You are my Healer. I place my life, my heart, and every part of my body, inside and out, into your care. You are my strength, my hope and the One I hope in.

Am I completely healed? Well, the photos show there's still some way to go, but oh, what a change! My face is about 90 % back to how it should be and regardless of what happens, I know my Lord God is able to do great and mighty things in my life!