HEAVEN

TOUCHING
EARTH
True Stories of Angels, Miracles,
and Heavenly Encounters
C O M P I L E D B Y
J AMES S TUART BEL L
7
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
201+ ly |amcs Stuart Bcll
Pullishcd ly Bcthany Housc Pullishcrs
11+00 Hampshirc Avcnuc South
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All rights rcscrvcd. No part ol this pullication may lc rcproduccd, storcd in a rctricval
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is lricl quotations in printcd rcvicws.
Lilrary ol Congrcss Cataloging-in-Pullication Data
Hcavcn touching carth : truc storics ol angcls, miraclcs, and hcavcnly cncountcrs /
compilcd ly |amcs Stuart Bcll.
pagcs cm
Summary: A compilation ol truc storics ol thc supcrnaturalangcls,
miraclcs, and hcavcnly cncountcrswrittcn lrom a Christian pcrspcctivc
Providcd ly pullishcr.
ISBN 978-0-76+2-1186-7 (plk. : alk. papcr)
1. AngclsChristianityAnccdotcs. 2. MiraclcsAnccdotcs.
3. SupcrnaturalAnccdotcs. +. Christian lilcAnccdotcs. I. Bcll, |amcs S.,
compilcr.
BT966.3.H+3 201+
231.73dc23 201+017+3+
Unlcss othcrwisc indicatcd, Scripturc quotations arc lrom thc Holy Bible, Ncw Liv-
ing Translation, copyright 1996, 200+, 2007 ly Tyndalc Housc Foundation. Uscd
ly pcrmission ol Tyndalc Housc Pullishcrs, Inc., Carol Strcam, Illinois 60188. All
rights rcscrvcd.
Scripturc quotations idcnticd iv arc lrom thc Holy Billc, Ncw Intcrnational Vcrsion.
NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 198+, 2011 ly Billica, Inc. Uscd ly pcrmission ol
Zondcrvan. All rights rcscrvcd worldwidc. www.zondcrvan.com.
Scripturc quotations idcnticd isv arc lrom Thc Holy Billc, Lnglish Standard Vcrsion
(LSV), copyright 2001 ly Crossway, a pullishing ministry ol Good Ncws Pullishcrs.
Uscd ly pcrmission. All rights rcscrvcd. LSV Tct Ldition: 2007.
Thc lollowing arc truc storics, lut somc dctails and namcs havc lccn changcd in ordcr
to protcct privacy.
Lditorial scrviccs providcd ly |cancttc Gardncr Littlcton Pullication Scrviccs
Covcr dcsign ly Brand Navigation
1+ 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 6 5 + 3 2 1
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
To Tim Burt and Mark Reed,
two long-lost friends who,
through stories like these,
have been found
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
7
Contents
Acknowlcdgmcnts 11
Introduction 13
Maureen and the Prophetess 17
Gioici Fiiiii

The Car That Drove Itself 21

M:i+i Ziicii

The Mad Dog Who Cared 26

M:i+n: Niiso

Angel on Route 495 33

Sts: A. |. Lv++ix

Give God Time 38

|:mis S+t:i+ Biii

Bear Hugs in Heaven 44

G. L. Fi:tis

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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
8
Contents
Getting the Blob of My Bed 51
Iciib Snii+o

Wings of Peace 55
Cniivi Cniis+isi |ons+o

The Total Package 59

|i:ii |:tonso

No Longer Abandoned 64
|tbv H:mi+o

Who Has Seen the Wind? 72

Bi++v |onso D:iivmiii

Glowing Red Eyes 77

Loii++: Libso

The Midnight Traveler 82

Lib: How+o, :s +oib +o |ovti G:++o

The Mysterious Blonde 87

M. |i:i++i Sn:ii

The Impotent Imp 92

|: Dixo Svxis

The Angel on the Wall 96

C:ioiv D. Poibix+ii

Divine GPS 101

D:ii L. Di:comii

Shelter From the Storm 107

Din Wti+niitn

A Two-Captive Release 111

P. R. |:i:miiio

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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
Contents
9
The Moveable Moose 118
M:ic:ii+ A S+im:+z

Ex-Marlboro Man 122

|:mis S+t:i+ Biii

A Call Homeward 126

Cniis+ii Hibiiso

Multiplying the Strength He Gave Me 131

Ai++i M. Ltx:i+

A Boatload of Trouble 139

|tbv P:iio++

A Guy Named Andy 146

Timo+nv |. Bti+

The Scent of Blessing 152

Din Wti+niitn

Nothing Is Incurable 159

M:i+v Pitbnommi

A Critical Left Turn 164

Tiisn Pioiso

A New Creation 169

Kiiiv |. S+icii:o

Penniless in Bangkok 173

Sto+i Siiiciiiib Domiij

The One-in-Three-Million Miracle 181

|:mis S+t:i+ Biii

The Still, Small Voice of Authority 187

Diioiis Cniis+i: Liisii

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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
10
Contents
Whos Behind the Wheel? 191
Sniivi K. |ois

Door-to-Door Surprise 195

|:iti Riti

Angel in the Mirror 201

S:iiv Lbw:ibs D:iiv

Gracious Intervention 205

W:i+ii B. Httx:nv

Angels Are Watching Over Me 211

Aiiti M. MtGnii

The Key to Gods Power 216

Bon H:si:m

God Protects the Weak 220

M:iiii Abiiso

The Half-Mile Celestial Bowl 224

|on C. M:oi

Dont Trust Bow, Sword, or Metal Door 230

Sniivi K. |ois

A Voice From Heaven 237

Moit: C:i

Holy Electricity 241

Diioiis L. Toiiiii
Alout thc Contrilutors 2+7
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
11
Acknowledgments
T
hanks to Kylc Duncan, now at Scriptorium, lor his
original idca lor this scrics. Grcat apprcciation lor
Andy McGuirc lor his cnthusiasm and cncouragc-
mcnt in lringing this to lirth, to Lllcn Chalilou lor hcr nc
cditorial skills, and lor thc lackground support ol Carissa
Maki and Brctt Bcnson. Finally, thanks to lricnd Tim Pctcr-
son lor his constant support ol mc as a contrilutor to thc
Bcthany Housc list.
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
13
Introduction
A
t ccrtain timcs in our livcs hcavcn and carth can sccm
so lar apart. Whcn wc arc going through dimcult
timcs, hcavcn can sccm likc a rcmotc and distant
placc, and God sccms to lc alscnt whcn wc call. Wc know
ol lovcd oncs who havc gonc on to lc with thc Lordwhcrc
thcrc is no darkncss, sickncss, or lailurcand pcrhaps wc
cnvy thcir cvcrlasting rcst and thcir joy and lliss as thcy c-
pcricncc thc amazing pcrlcctions ol hcavcn in ways ol which
wc havc no inkling.
Yct thc kingdom ol hcavcn is indccd in our midst, or as
|csus said, actually within us. Wc, in turn, arc also mystcri-
ously scatcd in hcavcnly placcs with Him. Though wc can
rarcly scc it or lully comprchcnd it, |csus has lrought hcavcn
down to carth and rcconcilcd us so that thc larricrs wc oltcn
pcrccivc arc rcally noncistcnt.
This volumc is a collcction ol storics ol whcn hcavcn
and carth comc togcthcr, it is a scqucl to my rst volumc
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
1+
Introduction
on this suljcct: Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encoun-
ters. Thcrc arc similar storics ol ncar-dcath cpcricnccs,
cncountcrs with angcls, spiritual warlarc, miraclcs, and
othcr occurrcnccs whcrc only a supcrnatural cplanation
ts thc circumstanccs.
As Christians, nonc ol us is guarantccd any ol thcsc typcs
ol cpcricnccs no mattcr how good or nccdy wc may lc, and
wc arc not inlcrior simply lccausc wc havcnt cpcricnccd
thcsc things. Wc do not nccd signs and wondcrs to havc a
vilrant ovcrcoming laith, God givcs us cvcrything wc nccd
as wc rcccivc Christ himscll ly laith on a daily lasis. But
lor Gods own mystcrious and sovcrcign rcasons, Hc docs
manilcst himscll in powcrlul supcrnatural displays. Thcsc
luild up all ol us as thcy arc sharcd, as God is rcvcalcd in
ncw, cciting, and intimatc ways consistcnt with His pcrson
and charactcr.
Il you talk to othcrs in your church or with your Christian
lricnds and lamily, youll maylc nd somconc who has had a
supcrnatural cpcricncc similar to thosc lound in this look.
Somctimc, somcwhcrc in thc livcs ol thcsc pcrsons, God chosc
to manilcst himscll in an ctraordinary way that can only lc
marvclcd at to thc praisc ol His glory. As a rcsult, thcir livcs
havc lccn cnrichcd, indccd, thcy might say thcir livcs havc
ncvcr lccn thc samc.
God docsnt givc thcsc cpcricnccs lccausc thc suljccts ol
thcsc storics arc supcrspiritual or church lcadcrs, lut rathcr,
thcsc pagcs arc llcd with ordinary lclicvcrs who scck Him
to simply lc involvcd and answcr thcir rcqucsts and nccds.
Thats not to say that somc ol thc circumstanccs hcrc arc not
dramatic and dcspcratc, lor many arc just that. You might
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
Introduction
15
want to say that God docs ctraordinary things in unusual
circumstanccs in ordinary pcoplc. And that givcs hopc to you
and mc, lor altcr rcading thcsc storics wc may havc grcatcr
cpcctations that wc, too, may havc an cncountcr with hcavcn
whilc still on this carth.
|amcs Stuart Bcll
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
17
Maureen and the Prophetess
GEORGE FER R ER
T
hc lank was closing at thrcc that altcrnoon, and as
thc managcr ol a lusincss, I nccdcd to makc a dc-
posit. As I lookcd at thc clock, I rcalizcd that il I lclt
at that momcnt, I would makc it to thc lank on timcil two
ol thc thrcc lights wcrc grccn. I zoomcd out thc lront door.
Our omcc door was solid wood and did not havc a window.
I usually citcd thc luilding cautiously in casc a pcrson was
approaching thc door lrom thc outsidc, lut this day I was
rushing and almost knockcd a woman into thc lushcs along
thc walkway ncar our door.
I stoppcd, lrozcn in surprisc.
Thc woman stcppcd lackward into thc shrul lcd. Hcr
high hccls sank into thc rich soil, and shc swaycd lack and
lorth, waving hcr arms to avoid lalling into thc lushcs.
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
Heaven Touching Earth
18
I lclt cmlarrasscd and amuscd, and shc lookcd as il shc
lclt thc samc. Shc was wcll drcsscd in lusincss-casual cloth-
ing, hcr Luropcan sports car was parkcd at thc curl, and hcr
hair and makcup wcrc awlcss.
I am sorry, I apologizcd, thinking shc might lc thcrc lor
an appointmcnt that had slippcd my mind. I must run out
lor a momcnt. Il wc can hclp you with anything, plcasc ask
Maurccn lor assistancc.
Shc starcd at mc.
What did you say shc dcmandcd.
It was my turn to lc of lalanccmcntally, anyway. I rc-
vicwcd my commcnt and my dcmcanor. Had I ofcndcd hcr
lccausc I was rushing of or cmlarrasscd hcr ly practically
pushing hcr into thc lushcs
I am sorry I surpriscd you, I said. I cannot stay and as-
sist you, lut Maurccn is in thc omcc and shc can hclp you.
Shc stcppcd lack onto thc walkway to thc omcc and
straightcncd hcrscll with a ourish.
I just camc to usc thc rcstroom, shc said.
Thcn hcr dcmcanor changcd.
Did you just say I should talk to Maurccn shc almost
shoutcd with ccitcmcnt.
This was gctting vcry strangc. Shc stood ramrod straight
likc a woman with a lilc-or-dcath mission, and proclaimcd,
All right, I will go talk to Maurccn.
Shc marchcd into thc omcc luilding.
She is pretty, but she is nuts, I thought as I jumpcd into my
car and roarcd of to thc lank. Maureen will kill me when I
get back. I just sent a mentally unbalanced person to talk to
her, and shes not in any mood for a difcult customer.
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
Maureen and the Prophetess
19
I kncw Maurccn was not rcady to dcal with a dimcult
customcr, lccausc thc company had just closcd Maurccns
dcpartmcnt and shc was packing loosc cnds lclorc lcaving.
Shc was smart and tougha good tcam mcmlcr and a grcat
managcr with cccllcnt customcr scrvicc skills. I had wantcd
hcr translcrrcd to my dcpartmcnt, lut that rcqucst was dc-
nicd, and Maurccn was upsct alout lcaving.
Whcn I rcturncd to my omcc with thc dcposit slip lrom
thc lank, thc Luropcan sports car was gonc.
But Maurccn, dcspitc hcr tough and rcsilicnt pcrsonality,
was crying in a lack omcc.
Is that you, Gcorgc Maurccn askcd as I roundcd thc
countcr scparating thc lolly lrom thc customcr scrvicc arca.
Shc addcd, Did you scnd that woman to talk to mc
I had ncvcr sccn Maurccn this unprolcssional. With makcup
smcarcd, hair out ol placc, and tcars on hcr chccks, shc only
glanccd in my dircction.
I lraccd myscll lor an cmotional onslaught lrom Maurccn,
lut hcr dcmcanor was mcck.
Do you know what that woman said to mc
I mct hcr at thc door on my way to thc lank. I was in a
rush and shc had to usc thc ladics room, I tricd to cplain.
But Maurccn was not listcning to mc.
Whcn shc camc out ol thc ladics room, shc askcd il I
was Maurccn. I said ycs, and shc said shc livcs in Quccns,
alout lorty-vc milcs away, and shc prays cvcry morning. This
morning thc Lord told hcr to go to Maurccn and tcll hcr I
lovc hcr, and tcll hcr I, thc Lord, havc a plan lor hcr lilc. Shc
is going to havc somc vcry dimcult and painlul timcs, lut il
shc trusts mc, I will lc with hcr through it all.
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.
Heaven Touching Earth
20
Thc woman that I now think ol as thc prophctcss had
continucd to cplain that shc did not know anyonc namcd
Maurccn. Thc only association with thc namc Maureen shc
could think ol was a placc callcd Maurccns Kitchcn in thc
nct town lrom our omcc.
Unsurc ol whom shc was going to spcak to or whcrc shc
was going, shc lclt homc and hcadcd to Maurccns Kitchcn.
But on thc way, shc had to usc thc ladics room. Shc had
stoppcd at our luilding, whcrc shc had run into mc and
lcarncd thcrc was a Maurccn insidc.
Maurccn cricd tcars ol joy and rcpcntancc. I rcjoiccd with
hcr and madc it a point to kccp in contact with hcr and cn-
couragc hcr and hcr lamily through thosc dimcult timcs. As
thc prophctcss said, Maurccn cpcricnccd much hcartachc
and pain, lut shc walkcd with hcr Lord through it all, and
during thc worst ol timcs wc saw Maurccn rcconcilcd with
hcr lamily and hcr church.
A ycar altcr Maurccn lclt thc company, I was translcrrcd
to anothcr location and hircd Maurccn as a customcr scrvicc
rcprcscntativc. Sadly, canccr rollcd hcr lilc too soon.
As I wcnt to Maurccns lurial, I rcalizcd hcr carthly lody
would rcst only alout thrcc hundrcd lcct lrom whcrc shcd
mct thc prophctcss. But thanks to thc prophctcss lcing olcdi-
cnt to Gods guidancc, Maurccns spirit was now living with
thc God whod promiscd to lc with hcr.
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James Stuart Bell, comp., Heaven Touching Earth
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2014. Used by permission.