An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world Options

[M. J. Young]

This continues the game for John Oakmaster, from the fifty-second page of the previous gather thread John II Is Not At Home.

The pain passes. You look up at the roof of your cell, and see that Godzilla has ripped it off, and is trying to reach down inside to grab you. You roll and thrash to move out of his reach, but he keeps coming. Why isn't the army stopping this thing, you wonder, but you do not hear any noises from the army. What you hear is nature sounds, mostly birds, breeze rustling leaves, apparently introduced as the protective room was torn away.

The monster continues to rip down the building around you, pulling down the walls, picking up the floor and causing you to tumble onto the ground below. You smell the mulch of rich loam, hundreds of years of decaying leaves, as you land on the soft earth. Still the beast is trying to reach you, and as you try to roll aside, you crash into something, its leg perhaps, or the base of the building, or maybe a tree.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

Thoroughly disoriented, I instinctively open my eyes, trying to identify where the monster is, and what I have crashed into, and what else is nearby.

Even as I do so, however, portions of my brain engage in a disjointed analysis...

:OUCH! That zap was worse than the one that sent me out of my own universe...:

:Watch out! Here it comes!:

:Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me, I pray...:

:Why am I trying to look around with my own eyes? I'll just make myself dizzy again until the magnification botch wears off...:

:Wait... That Lil' Lizard wasn't anywhere near my cell, right?:

:I tried to Focus, but something went very wrong. Another botch?:

:Ah... Birds and breeze, leaves and trees. Thank you, LORD.:

:Didn't I just black out... kinda like when that "Scriff" computer shocked me?:

:OUCH! What did I just crash into?:

:Where *am* I?...:

:No, that Cranky Critter wasn't anywhere near my cell, so he can't be real. A nightmare?:

:And that botch, and that blackout... Didn't Mark warn me a botch could send me on to my next world?:

As I do this, I stretch out my senses, attempting to discern what changes have taken place to the possession and verser vectors I had sensed from my cell.

IF I am able to look around normally, I do so.

However, IF my vision is still stuck in magnification mode, I close my eyes again quickly and slump to the ground, playing dead. After this, remaining motionless on the ground with my eyes closed, I attempt to look around via my standard Clairsentience protocol until success is achieved: {A} sight/sound {B} sight/sound/touch/smell/taste {C} sight/sound/smell {D} sight/sound/smell/touch {E} sight/sound/touch {F} sight/sound/smell/taste {G} sight/sound/touch/taste {H} sight/sound/taste.

[M. J. Young]

Congratulations, you've managed to realize that you're dreaming, and wake yourself up.

You are, however, in the woods.

You still have that magnifying vision.

Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me, I pray.

The story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9 comes to mind. (You may look it up to refresh your memory and know which story I mean before posting.)

As I do this, I stretch out my senses, attempting to discern what changes have taken place to the possession and verser vectors I had sensed from my cell.

Your possessions are still in the same directions. There are no other versers that you can sense.

None of your clairsentient efforts work.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

You still have that magnifying vision.

OOC: Really? Wow. I thought that versing would fix that...

I finally awaken, briefly opening my eyes and closing them again, and vainly attempt to reach out with my clairsentience.

:"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him...":

I ponder the passage that is brought to my mind, in such a time as this. And I shift quietly to sit with my back against whatever I crashed into, murmuring quietly.

"The verser vectors are gone. The world I was in is gone. I am alone, in unknown circumstances, in an unknown world, with severely hindered sight."

"But I know you are with me, dearest LORD. Thank you that you are Sovereign, and that you love me, and that you have brought me here to this place, in these circumstances, that your works should be made manifest in me."

"Dearest LORD, you know my circumstances, and my needs. And you know my infirmities. You know my hindered vision, afflicted by botch and by nearsightness and by farsightedness. You know my hindered hearing, afflicted by tinnitus and ear wax. You know all my various afflictions -- my allergies and backaches, my increasingly fuzzy memory, and even whatever is going on with my prostate. And you know that the supply of things I have relied on for help -- contact lenses and ear drops and moisturizer -- are worlds away from me now."

"Dearest LORD, I prayed that you would guard and guide me, and you have brought this passage of Scripture to mind. I know that you may well desire me to continue with these afflictions for your own good purpose, as Paul did. But I know also that you may well choose to heal me if you so will, that your works should be made manifest in me. And so I pray that you would heal me, and make me whole again, if it is pleasing in your sight. But even more importantly, I pray for your will to be done, and that you would help me to follow it."

And, as I did not so very long ago, and yet a world away in my cell, I lift up my voice to the LORD in worship and song.

"Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee.

In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust..."

I stop, enjoying the sounds and smells of the forest as I take a breath.

"Thank you for hearing my prayers, dearest LORD. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen."

[M. J. Young]

You are left with the distinct feeling that you overlooked something about the scripture to which you were referred. You go back over it in your mind, successfully using your perfect memory skill to recall the passage as written in your Bible, and reading it over carefully as it plays in your head, and noticing particularly what Jesus did in that account.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

:Hmmm... I think... it is time for a Quiet Time...:

I begin with an extended time of silent prayer, reflecting upon all these things as I listen to the sounds and smell the smells of the LORD's creation in this forest.

Then I reflect with thankfulness upon the LORD's leading, and lift my voice in further worship, praise, and petition.

"Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

Lord, I trust Thy mighty power,
Wondrous are Thy works of old;
Thou deliver'st Thine from thralldom,
Who for naught themselves had sold:
Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer,
Sin, and Satan and the grave,
Sin, and Satan and the grave.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

Musing on my habitation,
Musing on my heav'nly home,
Fills my soul with holy longings:
Come, my Jesus, quickly come;
Vanity is all I see;
Lord, I long to be with Thee!
Lord, I long to be with Thee!"

I then recite aloud slowly...

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

I reflect silently for a moment or two on other relevant portions of Scripture, and slowly recite further.

"And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain."

Another pause, before reciting further...

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

And another...

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul."

And another...

"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

And another...

"And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

I ponder quietly for a moment, thankful that I am able to remember the LORD's word, as well has hymns of praise, with such clarity.

"Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths."

I ponder these thoughts for several moments, before lifting my voice in prayer.

"Dearest LORD, I know that you are able to heal by any means, or by none. And I know that you can heal not only eyes and ears, but all our diseases. And I know you want me to trust you, and to obey you, and to offer up all that I have to you, and to walk by faith and not by sight."

"Truly, there is dirt here, and spittle. But I have no pool of Siloam here, and no Jordan river... just my tupperware container of water. And once this water is gone, unless you provide me with more, I shall perish in a most unpleasant way."

"But I feel you leading me in this way, to offer up all that I have to you. You truly know my hindered vision, afflicted by botch and by nearsightness and by farsightedness. You know my hindered hearing, afflicted by tinnitus and ear wax. You know all my various afflictions -- my allergies and backaches, my increasingly fuzzy memory, and even whatever is going on with my prostate. And you know any other infirmities I may have, far better than I."

I slowly take off my shirt, and then slowly reach down to take a handful of dirt and spit into it.

And then I lift my voice in worship.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still."

After the first verse, I pause, mixing the dirt and spittle into clay, and anointing my closed eyes, and putting my fingers into my ears as I say "Ephphatha", and laying my muddy hands upon my back, and my prostate region.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow."

After the second verse, I pause, taking up the tupperware container, and using up the precious water to wash the mud away.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine."

After the third verse, I pause, and pray silently for the LORD's will to be done.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit 'till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me."

And after the last verse, I pause, and quietly say "I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen."

OOC: Total elapsed time for preparatory prayers, praises, and petitions: approximately one hour.

As it is written, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"

[M. J. Young]

Your vision clears, your hearing clears, your body feels rejuvenated.

You now see that you are in a wood that extends in all directions as far as you can see. It seems to be temperate forest, probably mid spring.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

My eyes still closed, the first thing I notice is the ringing in my ears. It... is gone. And the clogged itchy feeling from excess earwax... is also gone. I hear the birds, and the breeze, so crisp and clear. It is a wonder.

I open my eyes, and blink in wonder, looking around at the temperate forest around me. I have always loved temperate forests... but I never remember one that looked more beautiful.

No magnification botch. No nearsightedness. No farsightedness. No contact lenses. No glasses. And no blurred vision. Near and far, crisp and clear... until the tears start to blur it again.

Almost without thinking, I move my empty tupperware container to catch the tears.

And after blinking them away, I lift my voice in thankful song:

"Sing praise to God Who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

What God's almighty power hath made His gracious mercy keepeth,
By morning glow or evening shade His watchful eye ne'er sleepeth;
Within the kingdom of His might, Lo! all is just and all is right:
To God all praise and glory.

The Lord is never far away, but through all grief distressing,
An ever present help and stay, our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand, God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Thus, all my toilsome way along, I sing aloud Thy praises,
That earth may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

Let all who name Christ's holy Name give God all praise and glory;
Let all who own His power proclaim aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne, for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory."

"Thank you, dearest LORD."

I start looking around the area, examining the terrain to see what differences in elevation surround me, if any.

I keep my eyes and ears peeled for any signs of water.

And I identify and follow the vectors that change noticably, gathering my nearby possessions that had been stored elsewhere in the building that previously held me captive.

:To be not only freed from captivity, but also freed from infirmity, by the manifest power of the LORD!: I shake my head in wonder.

I peer through the trees as best I can in the direction of the more stationary vectors, corresponding to the possessions I had left at the hotel, to see if I can see anything in that direction.

After this, I look at the plants and trees around me more closely, mentally cross-referencing the extensive files I read on Mark's computer to try and identify them, and any useful properties they might have. I also examine how tall the trees are and how their branches are arranged, with an eye toward assessing how difficult they would be to climb up for a better view, and if the view would be worth the effort.

I examine the ground as I walk, to see if I can spot any tracks or other signs of wildlife.

I examine the shadows, and the feel of the air, trying to gauge if it is morning or afternoon, and which way is which.

Then, on inspiration, I decide to try an experiment. I pick up a small pebble, put it into my pocket, and focus my thoughts upon claiming it, and keeping it as my very own. Then I take a few steps with it. Then I put it down on the ground again, and see whether or not I can sense a new vector corresponding to this new possession of mine...

[M. J. Young]

The terrain slopes a bit, but is generally rather flat and level, at least as far as you can see through the dense wood. You easily gather the things that are near, and identify the remaining vector as back toward wherever the hotel was, but the wilderness here seems about as trackless as you can imagine. You remember something from the survival books you recently read about following game trails downhill to find water, but as yet you've not figured out how to find a game trail.

Your laptop is shut down but open.

The trees are very definitely earth, northern hemisphere, probably European or maybe British Isles. In this part of the wood, the growth is thick, which means there are few branches of any substance within reach and most of these dead, as the trees fight for light at the upper levels. On the positive side, it also means very little undergrowth, so you can walk easily.

There are tracks in the leaf mulch, but none clear enough to identify with any certainty. You hear bird sounds, and see squirrels in the trees here and there. It is cool and fresh, but it is not certain whether that is because it is morning or because you are under the canopy of a pristine forest. The mulch beneath your feet is soft, untrodden.

Your pebble experiment yields nothing. Whether you failed to make the pebble "yours" or whether there is some other step in the process is unclear.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I soak up the cool fresh air, drinking in the sights and sounds and smells of the pristine forest through my pristine senses.

:There is something about being in the LORD's creation, with trees and breeze and birds and squirrels and cool fresh air, that soothes the spirit, and draws me nearer to the LORD. Thank you, LORD, for this time and this place.:

I examine the relationship between the slight slope of the terrain, the track in the leaf mulch, the direction of the sun as seen where it hits the uppermost branches, and the stationary vector toward my hotel luggage.

:Hmmm... I want to head downward. I want to follow the tracks. And I want to follow the vector to my luggage.:

:But who knows what is in this world? Who knows where I can find water, or food? Who knows where I can find civilization here, if it even exists?:

I ponder quietly for several moments, before quietly taking out my pocket Bible. I look through to find some relevant passages, slowly reciting them aloud.

"And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron."

"Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths."

"And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation."

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I slowly close the Bible, and pray aloud.

"Dearest LORD, thank you that your are Sovereign, and in control of every facet of my circumstances, past and present and future. I know that you love me. And I know that I am here now because it is your will."

"Dearest LORD, 'I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.' "

"I have only a few drops of water. I have no food."

"Most of my belongings, including some food and water and survival gear, are miles away, in that direction. There is a slight slope in this direction, and some tracks in this direction, which might lead me toward water. I will probably need to find whatever civilization is here to survive in the longer term, which could be in any direction at all. And since you have brought me here, you must have some specific purpose for me, yet I know not where to go to follow your will."

As I pray concerning the various options, I also gesture to indicate the directions, and the slope, and the tracks.

"If I choose wrongly, it could mean the difference between living on here, and slowly perishing."

"Therefore, I pray for your guidance and wisdom to protect me. Show me where you wish me to go now, and what you wish me to do."

"Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me, I pray."

"Thank you that you have brought me safe thus far. And thank you that you shall lead me safely home."

"I pray in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen."

OOC: I'm going for a more elaborate variation of M1@6 Protection Through Guidance that will give me an enhanced probability of success and/or enhanced guidance, using greater duration, verbal, gestures, and Bible, as opposed to the quickie six-second verbal-only version I did last time...

[M. J. Young]

Although it is not an audible voice, it is a clear voice you hear. You will meet some people who need your help, it says. Before you meet them, you will need to find your possessions.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I nod slowly and thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your guidance, dearest LORD. Please give me the strength to follow where you lead. I'm not certain how far away my possessions are, including my water and my food, but I know you will provide. Thank you for loving me. I pray in Jesus' Name... Amen."

I pick up the few possessions I had with me when I was made captive, and set off toward my luggage.

Every few minutes, I stop to check the vector and ensure that I am still on course.

And as I go, I keep my eyes and ears open for any signs of water, or changes in terrain slope, or signs of tracks.

I also glance upward regularly, trying to discern if the sun is getting higher or lower in the sky...

OOC: What was the relative relationship of the slight slope, the tracks in the leaf mulch, the sunlight, and the luggage vector? Did the tracks and slight downward slope and luggage vector coincide, or go in different directions?

[M. J. Young]

There is no overall slope to the land; it is level in that sense, but rises and drops small amounts as ripples in the landscape.

You can't really see the sun from beneath the canopy, but you walk several hours and the day seems to be getting warmer. As to that, it's neither too hot nor too cold, but seems to be late spring--April or May, depending on the latitude and local clime.

You have fought through the woods for several miles; at times it is thicker on the ground, and at times more open. You see deer, and at one point you see a couple of bears, but they keep their distance from you. Then you suddenly step out into something that at first seems like a clearing. It is not wide enough to be a clearing, and the branches continue to arch overhead, but here at the forest floor it is different. There is a swath cut through the wood, crossing your path, maybe fifteen feet wide, grassy with no trees larger that infant saplings in it, and most oddly two parallel worn dirt paths, consistently about ten to twelve feet apart, worn deeper into the ground that the grass to either side, running very straight and consistent in their separation.

Your sense of your belongings lies on the other side of it.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I look up and down the clearing for any signs of movement, and strain my ears for any unusual sounds.

Then I approach the track, being careful to remain upon the "normal" forest floor, and examine it closely for any discernible patterns. Is it worn smooth, or are there any discernible marks (like tire treads, for instance)?

If any portion of the dirt looks like dried mud, I look that over, in the hopes that such an area would preserve tracks better.

:It looks like a road of some kind, but those straight parallel dirt paths are odd... And for a place with such a pleasant breeze and such abundant leaves, why is it kept so clear?:

:Either passing vehicles keep it clear... or some other force.:

:Suppose it is the equivalent of a technological or psionic or magical monorail line that would zap someone crossing it?:

:Perhaps it would be safer to avoid contact... if there was a way to do so. Hmmmmm...:

I back off into the edge of the wood, hidden from immediate sight, and regard the road again.

Then I lift up my voice in song:

"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun."

I take out my Bible, and slowly recite several passages...

"And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.
And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me.
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day."

"And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?"

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."

I hold the Bible in both hands as I read, except as I read about being caught away, when I gesture as well.

Then I slowly close the Bible, nodding thoughtfully, and regarding the other side of the road as I silently pray for several minutes.

Then I pick up my belongings as I lift my voice in prayer aloud.

"Dearest LORD, you have called me to gather my luggage, and from there to minister to the needs of others you are to bring me to."

"Here before me is an unusual and possibly hazardous obstacle."

"Dearest LORD, I know you have the power to catch me away to the other side, as you did to Philip and others, as it is written in thy word."

"If it be your will, please bring me safely to the other side now, I pray."

"Thank you that you have brought me safe thus far. And thank you that you will lead me safely home. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen."

OOC: I'm going for M12@1 Short Teleportive Hop, with verbal, song, gesture, two hands, Bible, and the example of the LORD and Philip, with a total duration of approximately ten minutes, attempting to teleport less than four hundred pounds to the point I am looking at on the other side of the road.

[M. J. Young]

Then I approach the track, being careful to remain upon the "normal" forest floor, and examine it closely for any discernible patterns. Is it worn smooth, or are there any discernible marks (like tire treads, for instance)?

There are no tire treads, but it does have the look of parallel wheel ruts. Further, there are marks in them and around and between them, as of something digging at the dirt in sudden strikes and moving on. This has happened many times, but whatever is beating the soil is less damaging than whatever wore the paths, as the ground cover tends to recover from these despite the fact that they appear to be of many ages.

OOC: I'm going for M12@1 Short Teleportive Hop, with verbal, song, gesture, two hands, Bible, and the example of the LORD and Philip, with a total duration of approximately ten minutes, attempting to teleport less than four hundred pounds to the point I am looking at on the other side of the road.

I am aware of the occasion on which Philip teleported, and I can guess concerning the time Jesus did it. What is it in what you are doing that is drawn from what they did? That is, an example suggests that you are copying what someone else did in an effort to achieve the same result. I realize that it's a difficult example--as far as I can tell, Philip didn't do anything. However, if you can show me the connection between what you're doing and what you deduce he was doing, that will suffice for an example.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I am aware of the occasion on which Philip teleported, and I can guess concerning the time Jesus did it. What is it in what you are doing that is drawn from what they did? That is, an example suggests that you are copying what someone else did in an effort to achieve the same result. I realize that it's a difficult example--as far as I can tell, Philip didn't do anything. However, if you can show me the connection between what you're doing and what you deduce he was doing, that will suffice for an example.

--M. J. Young

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go...
...And he arose and went...
...Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him...
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip was found at Azotus..."

OOC: Philip's example was that he received a command from the LORD to go somewhere and do something, and by faith obeyed, and was caught away as a result of his obedience, according to the LORD's will.

I have received a command from the LORD to go somewhere and do something as well, and have set out in obedience to that command. However, there is now a potentially hazardous obstacle. Since I am seeking to obey the LORD's command, that implies that it is the LORD's will that I arrive there.

So what do I deduce Philip was doing, that I am attempting to use as an example? Faith and obedience.

Is faith and obedience applicable to what I am attempting then? Scripturally (and therefore according to my expectation), yes:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
If ye love me, keep my commandments."

So we have clear instruction for how to ask for anything and receive it: faith ("have faith", "believeth on me") and obedience ("in my name", "keep my commandments") in and through Jesus Christ.

What about actual example, then? Upon reflection, I think that Jesus' example is actually better, since one could reasonably assume that Jesus teleported of his own accord, whereas there isn't really any evidence that Philip was initiating his own teleportation. And Jesus was successful because of faith and obedience as well.

Therefore, I'd like to use Jesus' example instead of Philip's. Besides, I suspect that Philip's skill level wouldn't be as high, either...

But if that is my example and expectation, then why am I doing all this reciting and singing and praying and gesturing? My limited experience thus far, through trial and error, has shown me that in this universe at least, it is possible to successfully petition for miracles... but given my fallen sinfulness, some extended amount of time may be required to focus myself spiritually.

[M. J. Young]

You pray to be transported across the break in the forest, but nothing happens other than that a deer wanders out into it somewhere down the path, nibbling at the grass and looking around, and continues across to the other side.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

You pray to be transported across the break in the forest, but nothing happens other than that a deer wanders out into it somewhere down the path, nibbling at the grass and looking around, and continues across to the other side.

--M. J. Young

OOC: Did we add the probability of success correctly, including bonuses (see the game mechanics thread)?

IF I actually was successful after all:

I blink and look around in wonder as the world suddenly shifts around me.

Then I turn around to see the path, and the deer wandering across, and I marvel as I gaze.

:The path was safe after all. And yet, you answered my prayer to carry me over... and also reassured me that the path had been safe. Thank you, dearest LORD.:

Pausing once more to verify the direction of my luggage's vector, I continue my journey...


IF I actually wasn't successful after all:

:Hmmm... Well, there is certainly more than one way to answer prayer.:

:Thank you, LORD, for reassuring me that the way is clear.:

Pausing once more to verify the direction of my luggage's vector, I continue my journey, crossing the road and moving onwards...

[M. J. Young]

Correction noted; you did teleport across the road.

Suddenly finding yourself on the other side of the road (but not having seen the deer), you continue another thirty yards and find your possessions. They are packed up neatly, thanks to the efforts of Scott and Nikolaj to make sure your things were moved when they left the hotel.

Everything seems to be in order.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

:Thank you, dearest LORD.:

I take out my canteen and drink gratefully. Was it really only a day ago that I packed my suitcases, and filled up this canteen with lovely filtered water from the hotel? And followed Mark, and saw him onto the spaceship? And turned myself into the lawful authorities, and into captivity?

And now... cool crisp air and a beautiful forest, trees and leaves, birds and breeze, deer and bears.

It is difficult to tell which I take in more thirstily -- the cool fresh water or the cool fresh air in this tranquil forest.

I still grieve for my family... and must find a way back, sometime, somehow. But in this vast multiverse, there must be a way to return to them, even going back in time to right after I left them.

And the LORD has brought me to this universe, and has moved with a powerful hand, even in response to my unworthy petitions. And the powers I have seen thus far, even now including teleportation, give me hope that I am on the right path toward learning whatever skills may be needed to help find my way home.

But I know that the LORD has brought me here for a reason, and that my path will not lead home until my work is done.

:Dearest LORD, thank you that you have brought me safe thus far... and that you will lead me safely home.:

I satisfy my thirst for water, but continue to take in the lovely air in this lovely forest, perceived through crystal-clear senses, as I ponder where to go next.

Then I take up my belongings, and move to the edge of the clearing, so that I can observe the path without being observed myself...