I had a dream several weeks ago. I shared it with Debbie and Christian and they encouraged me to share it with more people. I'm always a bit hesitant to share things that are revealed in dreams. I have had one 'for sure' time in my life where God spoke to me through a dream. Aside from that, I have had many others that 'I thought' God was trying to teach me or warn me through. This would fall under that category. I woke from it in the middle of the night, and immediately woke Nelli to tell her. I didn't even remember it until Nelli reminded me of it in the presence of Christian and Debbie a few days later.

I was on a huge circular raft in the midst of an ocean. The weather was nice. You could see mountains in the distance. You could also see land. The land; however, was not our destination, but rather, the place we were fleeing. It seems that we had gotten to this place because we had left the land in a ship that sank, leaving us in small life-rafts. The huge circular raft we now occupied was made up of many other smaller (perhaps 10' wide) circular rafts. All of these rafts were occupied. I was one of the people on the raft and it was clear that we had all chosen to tie our smaller rafts together to create this large raft. One could move freely from one raft to another in the midst of the large raft. Everyone on the raft was joyful and peaceful though not in a leisurely manner. We had purpose and hope. It seemed that one of the underlying intentions for bringing the rafts together was that we were all expecting to be saved or rescued by a majestic ship. We looked forward to this and knew that being identified in this larger raft we had constructed would not be difficult. Also, being tied together insured that we would not be separated by storm and would proceed in the same direction. It also made moving the boat more achievable with so many moving at once. Our direction was set outward, toward the deep and away from the land we once occupied. At a distance the land looked pleasant, but we all had a great fear for it and knew beyond a doubt that we could not dwell there because it was cursed. This larger boat of smaller rafts also served as a way to rescue others who had forsaken the land. One could easily be pulled over the edge of the raft onto the boat without tipping it, for it's weight was evenly distributed and there were plenty of strong arms to pull upward.

As time passed, people began to grow impatient. We had waited in the deep for a while, and the land and the water seemed less dangerous than it once was perceived. I remember when people first began jumping off and swimming some of use were leery. Eventually, with no immediate danger in sight, people began deciding to untie their raft from the larger raft to venture out a bit. There we smaller islands near the shore. There was division about whether these islands were forbidden. I was very uneasy at this time, but unsure about taking a strong position to keep everyone tied together and away from the islands. Certain people insisted to untie and assured us that it would just be for a quick trip and that we would stay close. This became more popular as others saw no apparent dangers afflicting those who had untied. Some people went to islands, others just floated close to shore, some stayed out and swam often. Ultimately, I found my self alone on a single raft. Many who had ventured close to land now floated the flood plains and some had actually had occupied the mainland. Many others floated in the deep, but I could barely see them.

Soon the sense of danger became imminent. There were storms brewing in the dark distant clouds. Waves began to slowly and gently pound the raft. It became increasingly hard to stay on the raft alone because the weight was unevenly distributed. I began to yell out warning to those in the distance to band together. I tried to alert the swimmers to approaching sharks. Several times I fell off the raft and had to struggle mightily to leverage my way aboard as the opposite side nearly toppled over. I wished so greatly that I had just one more person weighing down the other side so that when I fell I could get back up. Many people could not even hear my warning. They were too distant. Others who could hear were not inclined to joined me, partly because it would be awkward to be alone on a raft with me, partly because they weren't sure I knew what I was talking about, and mostly because they had chosen another way of life that would be incredibly hard to sacrifice - even more difficult than when they had originally forsaken the land.

As I pleaded with others to join me I remembered how easy it was to convince people to get on the large raft when we were all tied together. It wasn't awkward, it was desirable. People would actually strive to make to that raft and be able to get on. Now I practically had to beg people. The unified raft wasn't doubtful as to it's legitimacy, it was confirmed by many witnesses.

I had begun to drift into the flood plains right next to the land. I sensed darkness and hated my position, but knew I must regain a person to help me navigate this raft. I was tired and desperate. I began to meet people who once inhabited the unified raft. They remembered me and knew it was true - the danger and everything. I remember talking to a girl. She was sitting on an upper step of a porch to what looked like either an old abandoned school or church building. The building was immersed in the flood plains, completely surround by water up to the top set of steps. It was not good to be sitting there. She was awfully close to the door, and I knew that inside this building was dreadful terror. I cringed being near it. I tried to convince her to come aboard and help, but again it was to much commitment and too uncomfortable even though she was on the edge of misery.

I then went to a young man who was sitting on the edge of the mainland. As I pleaded with him to join me I could see the struggle. He held a guitar and strummed as I talked. The strumming had no purpose in it; it just filled the time. Yet to give up this aimless life would be losing everything. Even though 'everything' didn't look like anything, it was the most difficult dilemna for him to face. After a bitter struggle he decided to join me to flee the danger and rescue others. At once I wanted to go back to the girl. I knew she may aboard now that there were two of us. When I reached her, I could see her turning to go into the building. I was frightened and grieved by this. I turned to talk to my new companion and heard a shrieking scream at the door of the flooded building. The girl was running out of the door with shear terror on her face. She plunged into the water and never came up. We were afraid and determined to get back out to sea. The End

A few people have asked me if I have an understanding of what this dream meant. Others have offered some insight of their own. Here are a few things for us to consider:

• "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclessiastes 4:9-12 --- There is a certain power and importance in unity. When two or three agree God answers. We must give great effort to establish unity (Eph. 4:3). So much more can be accomplished together than alone. Our light is much brighter when it is placed together, and it draws those who are searching in the darkness.
  
  
• There is no safety in where you have been in the past, or what light you once received. Safety is only found in proceeding forward, keeping our ears in tune to the Master's call and his cautions. We must all establish a keen sense of recognizing God's voice to avoid pitfalls.
  
  
• A comment from a good friend: "That's quite a dream bro. ...maybe it's a picture of how the world has a grip on people, even those who profess Jesus Christ. Without the power and strength of Christ, we are not above the pulls and temptations of the world, flesh, and the Devil. It seems this is more prevalent in these last days. I guess that's how I see it. It definately sobers me up. And like you said, gives me a sense of urgencu also. I hope and pray God has somethings He would like to do through me these later days, even if it's not something real big. I need to do some purifying and live more soberly and righteously in this evil world. Thanks for the encouragement." Jason Crebo