The Joshua Tree - A Desert Parable

THE JOSHUA TREE A Desert Parable (Final episode) 

To read the preceding chapters,starting with chapter I 

click Here

Jesus said: "Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25

"He must become greater; I must become less." John the Baptist. John 3:30

John 10

The True Guide - The Good Shepherd and his sheep - The True Gate.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. (or kept safe) They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.



Dear reader, do you remember the Scripture passage mentioning Joshua in the very first chapter? Joshua represents a type of Jesus in the Old Testament. The similarity between these verses attests to the fact. We have here a true prophecy announcing the coming and ministry of the Lord Jesus.  
 

In Numbers 27:15,18 Moses told the people: “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd”. So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;

THE TREE OF LIFE

The Dream
 Early the following morning, after breakfast, Theophilus took leave of his new found friend, thanking him for his kind hospitality.
Thus, day after day, he encountered Joshua’s brothers who helped him recover from his ordeal. His sight was improving and his hope to finally get out of the desert gave him an increase in courage and a new direction towards a definite goal. He was eager to meet this Master who caused the blind to see and healed the hardened hearts.

One shared his light, the other the coolness of his shade. Another listened to him patiently and attentively. All of them shared what they had received with gladness and unselfishness. The peace that ruled in their hearts, the words of wisdom and encouragement , the fidelity to their beloved Master went beyond any human value that he had know in his world.
He learned that his name meant “friend of God”. What a contrast with the life that he had lived until now!

One night after an interesting conversation, he had a very different dream from those that usually haunted his conscience. He found himself, unconscious, almost dead in an operating room surrounded by a team of nurses in white coats.

Next to him, another man about thirty years old was lying on another table just beside him with an intravenous needle in his arm connected to another needle inserted in Theo´s arm. The blood in the man’s arm was turning into a liquid light when going into Theo´s vein, washing his heart that started beating again. His brain became filled with the light that was spreading throughout all the parts of his being through the system of arteries and veins irrigating his lifeless body. A breath filled his chest and he opened his eyes.

The Tree of Life
  Waking up with tears of joy flowing from his eyes. 

Theophilus became the astounded witness of an amazing and unforgettable scene.

There in front of him, stood up a Joshua tree, majestic and radiant that bore an uncanny resemblance with the man from his dream whose blood transfusion had revived and restored his as good as dead soul. He fell down, prostrate on his face against the hot desert sand. He knew without the shadow of a doubt that he was in the presence of the Master of the Joshua Trees. He didn’t dare move from his position such was the power emanating from the glorious appearance. An indescribable ripple of healthy fear coursed through his being.

"Rise, Theophilus and look at me, the master spoke finally after a few minutes of gracious silence allowing Theophilus to recover from the unexpected awesome encounter.

 ." The imperious tone of voice was enough to make him obey. He was reluctant at first to lift his gaze directly into the eyes of the Master. Lifting his head up slowly, he saw the pierced feet, then, the pierced wrists. He gathered enough courage to focus on the chest where a scarlet wound in the shape of the tip of a lance or the eye of a needle remained from a cruel wound.
  
"Don’t be afraid, look at me. I am Yeshua, the Master of the Joshua Trees. What is your quest? Why do you want to meet me?"

While the Master was asking these questions, his eyes whispered softly words Theophilus never heard before, words of love that penetrated deep in his heart.

"Master, I am looking for the desert exit door. Your trees told me that you possess the keys that open the door leading to life and that a word from you can set the captives free, can give sight to the blind, make a poor man in spirit rich, and heal the afflicted and broken hearted. You can also give knowledge and understanding to the ignorant who think they are wise, and you can clothe with your pardon and righteousness the fearful nakedness caused by sin which I try to cover with my religion and good deeds."

"All you have spoken is true and correct the Master acquiesced. But you have too big a notion of yourself to be able to go through this door. First, you must answer a few questions."

"Yes, master, as you wish, Theophilus replied respectfully."

"What is your name? Who are you, the Master challenged the docile pilgrim?"

"Well, Master, before, they used to call me Theophilus, but I will accept whatever name you wish to call me."

"Where do you come from, followed the next question by the inquisitive Master?"

"Alas, Theophilus responded in a despondent, hesitating fashion: 'From the land of deadly illusions and appearances, a world filled with violence and deception'."

"Good, the Master continued, still probing. Are you rich, or do you intend to be?"

"Well, Theophilus admitted with a conscious delay, realizing the gravity of the moment whereas until now, his hope had been carried through with a buoyant exhilaration toward a fortuitous hoped for end of his quest. Master Yeshua, before being made aware of the desert deceiving landscape, I had credit cards, bank accounts, a good and profitable business, cars, a beautiful house, but all that didn’t help me very much. To tell you the truth, I will accept gratefully whatever you want to give me, for I heard that you are a gracious and generous giver."

All the while, after the quaint exchange with the Master, Theophilus was feeling his body shrink little by little. What a strange sensation!

The Master continued: "What about your reputation?"

" Alas, Master, people are mesmerized by appearances. But I can sense that you already know me and my desire is to become what you want me to be."

"What do you hope to gain from me was the next incisive question from the Master?"

 
Theophilus cried out spontaneously as if the thought jumped out  directly from his heart to his lips bypassing the meandering of the rational processes in his head "Freedom from the chains that keep me tied up and hinder my walk, and then for a good measure, understanding truth and knowing which way to go."

"You have answered well from your longing heart. The Master was pleased and shared it with encouraging words.  Theophilus, I certainly can do that for you. But what will do once you are free if I give you the key to the door?"

"Master, I want to belong to you and serve you, for you are the one who saved and healed me."

Each of Theophilus’ responses was followed by a change in his size until at last, the Master's stature appeared gigantic in comparison although without overwhelming him. Then, the Master bent forward and catching him tenderly in the palm of his right hand, he lifted Theophilus up to his chest and hugged him close against the wound shaped like the tip of a lance or like the eye of a big needle.

While on his way up, Theophilus was helplessly watching on the screen of his memory the video from his first meeting with the touchstone at the crossroad of his destiny, the first step of a stairway which leada to the royal capital of the heavenly kingdom, illumined by the eternal light. He seemed to possess a law of gravity defying lightness, with no desire to resist the attraction propelling him towards a universe of unconditional freedom. Being transported on this celestial stairway, the bridge between two worlds without any effort on his part, he was about to enter a territory invisible to the human eye and yet so real.

Instantly, going through the open door at a breathtaking speed, Theophilus found himself standing on the desert floor that he had just left.
"Welcome to the kingdom, announced the master in a warm tone of voice. Open your eyes and look at yourself."

His eyes opened by the voice of his Master, Theophilus looked at his legs, his trunk, his arms and discovered that he had turned into a Joshua tree with soft scars in the place of the usual armor of thorns . Joshua, Yeshua spoke to him solemnly: 

"From now on your name will be Joshua Theophilus O’Call because I called you to my service and you responded with good will."

Tears of joy mixed with gratitude flowing from his eyes, Theophilus answered:
"Master, where do you want me to serve, the newly transformed Joshua Theophilus inquired, eager to know his first assignment?"

 
The command from Master Yeshua was clearly delivered in the caring tone of voice of a father who sends his son on an important and difficult errand.
 

"Right here in the desert along side your brothers working as a team to guide those who have lost their way or those who have wandered from the way of truth and need help in finding me."

"Yes, Master. I gladly accept the charge. But if I may ask,how do your trees find food and drink? There is nothing in the desert, but inhospitable sand, rocks, vipers, scorpions,  a lot of deceiving mirages with here and there a few enduring beautiful flowers and refreshing oasis as refuges for weary pilgrims "

Yeshua touched his eyes and now he could very clearly watch a fantastic scene through the desert floor as if it were made of transparent crystal. From the feet of the Master, roots full of a sap that resembled light amber honey extended all the way under the feet of the Joshua trees and fed them constantly night and day.

"Please, Master, what do you want me to call you?"

"Call me Lord Jesus, for I am both Savior and King." I will, thank you, my Lord and Savior, replied Joshua and humbly inquired:

"Lord, I can see the trees, the roots, the leaves and the cactus flowers, but where are the fruits?" 

The perfect explanation ensued from the king´s lips which delighted and satisfied Joshua´s heart who had finally found the meaning and the purpose he had been searching for all his life.

 "Every time one of my servants extended to you love, kindness, goodness, patience, they shared their fruits with you. When you enjoyed their light, their protective and refreshing shade, their peace, their wise words of counsel, comfort or encouragement, those are the fruits that grow from the source of life that I give each one of them."

Eden Restored
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who draws strength from mere flesh

and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

9 The heart is deceitful above all things

and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?

10 “I the LORD search the heart

and examine the mind,

to reward each person according to their conduct,

according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:5-10 

Dear reader and listener, if you have been touched by this allegory and can identify in some way with Theophilus, I invite you to meet the Lord Jesus, the Savior of fallen humanity, the One who has the keys to the Kingdom of God, the One who is the Door that leads to true freedom, to the knowledge of the Truth, to Life abundant and eternal and the only Way to the Heavenly Father. Without Truth we cannot know the Way to the Door of the kingdom and to the Life in Jesus without whom we are reduced to a mere existence without hope.

To discover how you can be born again of the Spirit, 

Click:
http://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-can-i-be-born-again-spiritually.html

Thank you for your visit. Have a good and safe journey.
Jean-Louis.

EGYPT, ASWAN AND THE COMING FLOOD

Egypt, Aswan and the Coming Flood from Gary Stearman on Vimeo.

The Churches Against Israel

The Churches Against Israel

"The Joshua Tree" A Desert Parable - Encounters on the Path

THE JOSHUA TREE A Desert Parable (continued)

To read the preceding chapter,

click: http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/07/joshua-tree-desert-parable_06.html


Photo found on a Facebook page. Origin unknown

Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.
 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 
Deuteronomy 29:18,19

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God

and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 12:15
 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, 
for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. Galatians 6:17

Fourth Episode
 ENCOUNTERS ON THE PATH

After having spent a few hours under the shade of the Joshua tree in a sleep free of nightmares to which he was used, Theophilus felt invigorated.
 

"Are you hungry or thirsty? This question from Joshua who had watched kindly over his sleep brought him back to reality."

"What do you think? Of course, I am hungry and thirsty. But I don’t see any Starbuck or McDonald around here, retorted Theophilus who, in spite of the desperate situation he was facing, was indulging in sarcasm."

"Yes, you are right, answered Joshua without any defensive tone in his voice. This is why I am a guide; I have all the resources needed to help castaways like you survive in the desert."

"Oh yes, and how so?"

"It’s simple. Put your hand over the scar in the middle of my chest and press hard enough to make a syrup with the taste of honey come out. It will satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst. Thus you will be able to be on your way until you find one of my brothers who will help you to pursue your goal."

"Thank you, answered Theophilus who found this cactus more and more peculiar, because as he got closer to Joshua, his barely opened eyes could make out a soft scar where usually cacti have long and dangerous needles."

"Tell me, Joshua why all cacti have thorns, but you have scars instead?"

"Well, my friend it’s obvious. How could you get close to me enough to feed yourself? And besides, those are the marks of my Master."

"Satisfied with this response for now, Theophilus followed Joshua’s instructions and felt his strength coming back. However, he still had a pressing question."

"I know that some people remove cat’s claws or genetically produce thorn less roses, but I think it‘s against nature. How do you defend yourself against attacks that you didn’t even provoke?"

"Well, it’s a little difficult to understand. It’s my Master’s handiwork, He is a very good surgeon, you will discover. But don’t worry, my brothers will explain everything to you. Have a good trip."

"Still wondering about his conversation with Joshua, Theophilus continued on his way with difficulty, but with a growing glimmer of hope. The sweet tasting syrup had calmed his worries and a strange feeling invaded his being in spite of the many questions bouncing off the walls of his skull."

He was regaining a little of the lucidity he had experienced as a child when life used to be simple, pleasant and without worries. Without even realizing how much of his journey he had accomplished, since his mind was so absorbed in his new adventure, Theophilus arrived at his next touristic stop bathed in the light of a sunset as can be watched only in the desert.

Once the fire ball cursed by the desert Bedouins had ceased lighting his path, he was able to distinguish a luminous shape strangely similar to the first Joshua tree. This discovery filled his mind with the reassurance that he hadn’t lost his way. Nevertheless, he was wondering how he could have not deviated from it in this unknown immensity.

 

A Light in the Desert

"Good evening and welcome." 

The comforting voice reminded him of his first encounter with the Joshua tree. Though this time, it had lost a little bit of the surprise effect, all the more since the voice was coming from a figure strangely resembling the other Joshua.

He felt at ease and sat down surrounded by the only light emanating from the cactus. It spread all around them and provided a heat that felt welcome against the night’s cold settling as a companion to the surrounding darkness. That night, he met Joshua’s brother, himself named Joshua who offered him food, drink, light and heat. However his morning query that was left unanswered was still bothering him. So before falling asleep against the Joshua tree’s thorn-less trunk, he asked him this question:

"Tell me Joshua, this morning your brother told me that you would reveal to me the mystery of the absence of thorns and the presence of the soft scars. Also, he vaguely insinuated that there was something wrong with my heart. I don’t see how."

"Well, actually a lot of people have this problem. Do you remember when you were young and felt abandoned, confused and lost in a merciless world without understanding why? Then growing up, the injustices, abuses and deep wounds that left their marks on you, the thorns bushes that you encountered at the turning point in your family, professional or social life that you didn’t know how to deal with? It’s normal, people defend themselves the best way they can."

"The sad part about it is that these thorns find their way to their heart and become encrusted producing a poisonous infection without a chance of healing. These thorns appear on the surface and multiply each time another thorn thrown at us penetrate the sensitive skin of our fragile ego and with time form a stone-hard and cold callous building a self-inflicted protective prison. The only antidote to this poison is a radical change of heart that only the Master of the Joshua Trees can provide with his healing power. He is the only one who can help you by giving you a new life so that you do not have to keep those ugly thorns that harden your heart, darken your vision and poison your life and that of the people around you."

"Yes, I begin to understand, answered Theophilus who remembered that the first Joshua had mentioned a horned viper whose poisonous bite weakened its victims and rendered them blind and incapable of recognizing their true spiritual condition. So, that explains the absence of thorns on your skin, doesn’t it?"

"Exactly, my Master teaches us how to reject the thorns and to not let them penetrate our hearts. He will reveal it to you when you meet him soon. Your made a lot of progress. Tomorrow, after a good night’s rest , you will be on your way. Keep hoping because you are about to meet our Master."

My friends, I shall see you soon for the next and last episode of our desert adventure.

To read the next and final episode  click: Here
 http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/07/joshua-tree-desert-parable_15.html    

Number One? 20 Not So Good Categories That The United States Leads The World In

To read the full article, click on the following link:

Number One? 20 Not So Good Categories That The United States Leads The World In

"The Joshua Tree" A Desert Parable - Welcome to the Home of Mirages and of the Horned Viper

THE JOSHUA TREE A Desert Parable (continued)

To read the preceding chapter,

click:  Here

Third Episode

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF MIRAGES AND THE HORNED VIPER

 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;

whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Ecclesiastes 10:8

Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; 

and a babbler is no better.

Eccl 10:11 (KJV)
 

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Revelation 3:14:17,18.

AN UNUSUAL CONVERSATION

Early in the morning Theophilus wakes up grumpy. After a night of disturbing dreams, he gets up and through his barely opened eyelids, he is able to make out the fuzzy silhouette of a strange vision cut out on the background of an intense blue sky. Refusing to believe his weakened eye sight, he rubs his eyes trying to get a better focus on the scene.

“Good morning Theophilus. I hope you had a good night sleep”.

Now, he couldn’t believe what he heard. There, at only a few feet distance, planted in the desert sand what appeared to be a tree or more exactly a cactus stood up, resembling the ones he had seen in the science books of his childhood.

Completely taken aback, his first reaction is to think: It is not happening. If I told my family and my friends, they would lock me up in a psychiatric ward. I must be hallucinating or I am seeing a mirage”.

"Calm down, reassured Joshua who could perceive his state of mind, you are not going crazy. You can tell that I am real, can’t you? Are you bothered by my talking? Of course, it is a bit unnerving; your world is different and I can understand your reaction.

Relieved that after all he was not crazy -- wwho wants to look for lost marbles in the middle of the sandy desert floor without help from anyone? — Theophilus replied:

"Are you kidding me? As if it were natural to accept that a Joshua tree has the gift of speech, that he could care about a man and discuss things about which he does not have the slightest idea." 

Then, he remembered the preceding night’s conversation and blushed in shame at the thought that he had carried a conversation with a cactus in the desert. He had a furtive glance around to make sure that nobody had been a witness to this absurdly surreal scene.

Josh: "You are right. I like to kid around. Well, then. Tell me the story of your life. I see you are passionate about travel adventures  trying to find yourself. And how are you going to know if you finally found yourself if in the first place you don’t know who you are and what you look like?"

Theo: "Hey, watch it! You start annoying me. What about you? What do you look like? You can be proud of yourself, you found yourself, indeed, didn’t you? What a beautiful place to spend the rest of your life! Congratulations! Your master must be very proud of you. Tell me again, why can’t you speak clearly like everyone else?"

"Because you don’t have enough wisdom to understand the words of my master, replied Josh, But you are right. He is the one who gave me this responsibility which I am handling in the best way and also keeping his words. One day, when you meet him, you will understand."

"I knew it! It is you who are incapable of intelligent reasoning. You are hiding behind someone else´s teaching. You cannot even have an original thought."

"Ouch, Touché! But I forgive you. You have lost your way, you are not seeing clearly because your center of vision comes from Lao d’Sé. A little bit of good compensates for  and balances evil. You believed in their remedies for your illness, didn’t you? Well, you can see the result. Now you see double!

"It’s not true! I didn’t drink anything, I assure you."

"It’s not a question of drinking. On your way, did you meet a sand viper with two horns that lies in wait for its victims and poisons them surreptitiously? The poison weakens their vision until they become incapable of telling the difference between reality and their own erroneous perceptions. For example, they are poor but believe that they are rich, they think that darkness is light and are convinced that evil is good. The worst part is that they don’t realize that they are deceived because of the serpent’s power with his subtlety and his many disguises."

"Rubbish! All this is philosophy! As for me, I have more pressing needs. I want to get out of this blasted desert to go back to my world where the cacti don’t talk nonsense about spells on people in dire need of real help."

"Well, then, I am ready to help you. Where are you going? What are you looking for?"

"Come on, it’s obvious! I want to go back where I come from and I am looking for the exit door."

"Yes, of course, they all say the same thing. But there is a slight hitch; here as you know, we are in the desert. This is a very different place. People that are lost need a guide. But there is no way back and to get out of the desert, one has to go not through an exit door, for no such door exists, but through an entrance doorway. This is why my Master placed me on your path."

"Not again, please. You are not going to bother me with your master. What can he do for me? Sell me a camel or a flying carpet? Or offer me a lamp with a genie inside? Does he live in an oasis nearby where he sells maps of the desert?"

"None of it. And by the way, the camel is too big, and the entrance door is very small. And He is the one who has the keys. He does not sell anything, but He alone can satisfy your thirst and your hunger, and give you new clothes that do not wear out. Moreover, he can heal you of your disease and restore your sight so that you will not lose your way again."

"Stop making fun of me. Nobody is that generous a giver. There is no freebie in this world. Everything has a price, that’s the law. I simply need to gain my strength back, and find a pharmacy where I can buy some salve for my eyes that are irritated instead of becoming a mere desert souvenir, a broken statue sculpted by this blasted sand."

I am afraid that your condition is a little more serious than you think. But you are not well enough yet to meet my Master. Get some rest in my shade and later, I will take care of your heart which right now is your most urgent concern. We will continue our chat once you feel better. Tomorrow, you will meet my brother who will help you find the Master of the Joshua trees."

My friends, take care until our next encounter.

Jean-Louis

To  continue reading the next episode click:  http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/07/the-joshua-tree-desert-parable.html

"The Joshua Tree" A Desert Parable - The Encounter

"THE JOSHUA  TREE" A Desert Parable (continued)

To read the preceding chapter 

click  Here
 

Second Episode
 THE ENCOUNTER 

Just when the desired goal of shutting out all external stimuli has been achieved or so he thought, a warm voice shook him out of his altered state of consciousness. In spite of its gentle tone, the voice triggered a reflex that rippled throughout his body caused by the unexpectedness of his breaking the silence barrier.
 

“Welcome to the desert, I was waiting for you and here you are just on time”  the unexpected voice said. These words gripped his heart with an uncontrollable anxiety.

"That’s it," our lost traveler spoke to himself, thinking he was alone. "Either I am waking up from a terrible nightmare, or I am in the throes of delirium just before dying of thirst, of a heatstroke and madness. First, dementia sets in indicating a decreased blood circulation to the brain."

"But then, what if this were real?" continuing his monologue, arguing with all the motivation of his survival instinct. "After all nobody enjoys dying alone. What if?" In a desperate attempt to maintain a grasp on reality, he squinted with his deficient eyes to focus on the fuzzy image standing in front of him.

"No, you are not going to die, I assure you. As long as there is life there is hope." the strange voice continued.

"Easy for you to say. You should try being in my place." The lost man uttered these words without realizing the weirdness of the situation.

"Yes I understand, the reply came back" -- giving the confused man the sensation of playing a solitary mind game of paddle ball, having heard this cliché so many times before -- "but I was in your situation before. "This is why I am here with you. Perhaps one day you will be in my place after you meet my Master." 

The mere mention of that word, "master", jolted him back from his distraction, the match getting more challenging to his overblown ego.

"No thanks! Me, submit to a master. It’s been a long time since I have been out of school. Who do you see in front of you? A child who needs to be taught? Have you ever heard of pulling yourself by your own boot straps? And God helps those who help themselves?"

"Indeed, those are wonderful comforting words. But let me introduce myself: Joshua, guardian and desert guide. How about you?"

"Mine is Theophilus McCall."

"What a beautiful name! Do you know its meaning?"

"No, my parents named me at my baptism."
"Nice to meet you, Theophilus. Well, It’s getting late. Why not continue our conversation tomorrow? You really need some sleep. Good night."

To continue reading the next episode click: Here
http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/07/joshua-tree-desert-parable_06.html

Jean-Louis