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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “All that Glitters is Not Gold” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/24/08)
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards, according to what their
actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NLT)


------------------------------------------------------------------
Bro. Ted,

It's good hearing from you--how is the mission work going?
We'll have steak again the next time you're in the country.

Thanks for asking about the e-mail you received. I have a testimony for you...

About 7 months ago, I received a similar e-mail. The subject line was,
"PLEASE READ DONATION TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF GOD".

Coincidentally, I was praying at that time for a financial miracle for our
new little church. We've been struggling, and I thought this was the
answer.

Intrigued, I opened the message. It was written in broken English from a
foreign country, and promised millions of dollars if I responded. All I
had to do was deposit this money into a bank of my choice. It gave the
contact information.

It seemed innocent enough.

So, I responded. To make a long story short, we e-mailed each other back
and forth and made arrangements to meet.

Before I left, I went and met with my old Pastor.

"I'm telling you Bro. Steve, this doesn't pass the 'smell test'. As my
father used to tell me, 'If it's too good to be true, it probably is.'"

"What do you mean?"

"I have a bad feeling about this. Don't go."

I listened, but I didn't heed the warning. I went anyway.

I hopped on a plane and met the 'representative' at the LaGuardia airport
in New York. He wore a an old tweed plaid suit, which I thought was an odd
thing to wear in the summer, but went along with him. We took a cab out to
a restaurant, and got out.

Then things got ugly.

He pulled a gun and shoved it in my back, and led me to a plain black SUV
with darkened windows. One of the back doors flew open and he pushed my
head down and shoved me in. Someone blindfolded me and tied my hands as
the truck sped away.

I literally thought I was going to die.

Desperate, I whispered prayers to God. "Jesus, help me, please, Jesus."

Then I whispered in tongues.

"Shut up!" A man screamed and slapped my head.

The truck took a few turns too fast and screeched to a stop. It took off
again, and stopped. They forced me out. I could hear the beep-beep-beep
sounds of trucks backing up.

Apparently we were in a construction zone, possibly a warehouse.

I heard a large metal door creak as it was forced open, and they kicked me
inside. They shoved me into a chair and secured me to it with a roll of
duct tape.

One of them took my wallet.

I was out of my mind afraid, and called out to Jesus again, praying in
tongues.

One of them spoke in a foreign language to the other. The other one
shreiked something back. Then, they spoke in English.

"How is it, dear Pastor, that you know our language? Huh? Speak to me!"
he grabbed my hair, and I felt a sharp blade on my throat.

I couldn't answer, but continued to speak in tongues, even louder.

"Make him shut up!"

Then something GOD-awesome happened.

"I cannot do this, I cannot do this. This man--this man here--he is truly
a man from God."

"Shut up!" There was a slap, then a scuffle. Apparently the men were
fighting. I heard one of them smash into something. Then, an alarm went
off.

The loud ringing bell of a fire alarm.

The men escaped as I heard sirens. Police and fire first responders
arrived. Carefully they set me free.

"Is this yours?" The officer asked me, showing me a wallet.

"Yes sir." I looked up into heaven and thankfully whispered, "Thank You
Jesus."

"A miracle happened here today." One of the firemen said, smiling.

The bottom line, Bro. Ted, is:
Don't do it.


------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bro. Ted
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 10:07 p.m.
To: Pastor Steve
Subject: DONATION TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF GOD


Dear Pastor Steve,

I got this e-mail (attached). Should I go for it?
Our missionary work could really use the money...

Thanks,
Bro. Ted


+++

Prayer: Father, please help me heed the wise counsel of the pastor You placed in my life.
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This article has been read 1979 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
01/31/08
Wow, powerful entry here. I got goose bumps with the foreigners understanding the tongues. Again, wow! I like the all caps in the title, too, because it helps convey part of the story. Well done.
James Dixon
01/31/08
A 'Nigerian' scam with a double twist. I liked it. Great job.
Beckie Stewart
02/02/08
Praise the Lord and the miracles He can do to protect at times. This was good.
c clemons
02/03/08
If this is a true story what a lesson! This topic should read "All that Glitters is NOT always God". I also like the bible verse that you led off with. Good Job!!
Hanne Moon 
02/06/08
And these little scam artists are getting more creative by the day! Good story, I really enjoyed it - you did a great job!
Joy Faire Stewart
02/06/08
I was completely engrossed from the beginning. Unique take on the subject. Good job!
Holly Westefeld
02/06/08
Nice, suspenseful read.
Betty Castleberry
02/06/08
This really held my attention. I couldn't wait to get the end. Nicely done.
Gerald Shuler
02/06/08
Unique to the end. Will you be joining us in Advance after this one?
Jan Ackerson
02/06/08
Love the title, and the buildup of suspense in this one. Very nice, Tim!
Kristen Hester
02/06/08
Very well written. I hung on every word. I wanted to know what the robbers heard when he spoke in tonques. It was so exciting. Good job.
Sara Harricharan
02/06/08
Ouch! I always feel for the people who get caught up in the scams like this. I am glad that your MC had a happy ending though, you portrayed this reality with excellent story-telling! ^_^
Dee Yoder
02/06/08
Very realsitic! The format added to the pace and tension of the story, too.
Joanne Sher 
02/06/08
Like the format of this - and your descriptions were good. I was right there with him.

My biggest suggestion is your beginning - it's generally best to NOT start with a Bible verse - try to find something else to "hook" the reader.

Nice job!
Loren T. Lowery
02/06/08
A great message to heed that small voice inside. A great message, too about being warry about things that just look too good to be true. And finally, a great message of how God cares for us and can deliver us at just the right moment.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/06/08
I thought the suspense was especially well done in your entry.
Karen Wilber
02/06/08
The title intrigued me - had a feeling it was based on an email scam - so I wanted to see what you did with it. Good suspenseful story. Nicely paced.
Corinne Smelker 
02/06/08
Good job - I read of this actually happening to an American who flew to South Africa and was held at gunpoint. He was hoping to cash in on the free money - he was lucky to get out with his life.

Good analogy.
Sheri Gordon
02/06/08
This is very good. I really like the format, and you did a good job at building the suspense. All-too-real illustration of the topic.
Debbie Wistrom
02/06/08
Not crazy about the title, but loved every bit of the tale. Keep up the good words.
Paula Titus 
02/06/08
Very creative! Great suspense and drama too :)
william price
02/07/08
Unique, creative and well worth the read. God bless.