A Woman Rides the Beast

Back in 1993, I was working in the beautiful Californian ski resort of Northstar at Tahoe. On one of my days off, I decided to go into town (Truckee) and have a look around. While there, I entered a nice little book store and spent a while browsing all the different categories. When I came to the religious-books section I noticed quite a few books relating to prophecy, the Bible, etc. One book that caught my attention was "A Woman Rides the Beast" by Dave Hunt. Being a Catholic, I was very interested in seeing what the book was about and as I scanned the index, I realised that this book was 'attacking my church'. I was a devout Catholic at the time and also a practicing eucharistic minister and so you can imagine that I was quite angry at what Dave was saying. He would give examples of Catholic doctrine and then quote passages from the Bible refuting what my church was teaching. I was sure that this 'protestant guy' was totally in grave error and so, there and then, I decided that I would do the honourable thing and purchase his book along with a new Bible just to prove him wrong. I went back to my apartment, made a nice pot of tea, and began reading and comparing what Dave had written with the Bible. Obviously, it was not too long before I realised that this man was faithfully quoting the Bible. Then a thought came into my head...this is a false Bible...a Protestant Bible...I needed to get a good Catholic Bible. So I bought another 'Catholic Bible' I continued to compare notes...it was basically all the same. This was so important to me that I refused to go back to work for the following few days (even though a big storm had dumped several foot of snow on the resort and all hands were needed)...I wanted answers to my many questions. After finishing Dave's book I was in complete shock and facing a major dilemma. If this Bible was indeed the word of God, then my church was in great error on teh teaching of salvation. There was only one thing for it...I went into my room and got down on my knees and prayed to Almighty God to reveal His 'eternal truth' to me. I asked God if what I was reading was true...into my mind came a simple question from God. "Do you believe that the Bible is my eternal and Holy Word?" I replied that I did believe this...then I realised that I had my answer. At that moment, in my heart, I cried out to Jesus Christ to save me a poor, miserable sinner. It was stunning for me to realise that even while asking God to save me I was also thanking Him for His most gracious gift to me. Then, an incredible joy and peace entered my soul. I knew that God had heard my prayer and that He had indeed forgiven me. For the first time in my life I actually felt at peace with God...Jesus Christ was my friend and he would never forsake me. What a difference this was when compared to a lifetime of fear and guilt as a confused Catholic. I wrote a letter to Dave telling him of how his book transformed my life for ever and was delighted to receive a reply not too long after that, written by Ruth I imagine, welcoming me to "The Family" and praying that God would use me mightily. Much later, after finally getting a home computer with internet access, I then began to visit the Berean Call website and bought many of Dave's books to share with others. Since then I have shared the gospel with all my family (we are 15 children). Though quite a few have rejected, with much derision, what I have related to them re the Bible and salvation, others have accepted Jesus Christ's most gracious offer. Finally, being a fly-fisher and fly-tyer I was so delighted to know that Dave and T. A. both loved to fly fish, that I tied up some flies and sent them on with the hope that some nice trout would fall prey to my lures. Maybe this will tweak T. A.'s memory. I just want you to know that I love you all and pray for your strength during this difficult time. Dave is sorely missed, yet there is great joy in knowing that he is with his precious Lord, which is where we all will be someday soon. God bless from Ireland.