Malachi's Message, Part 3 of 3

Chris Anthony: Previously on Adventures and Odyssey.
Connie Kendall: See, Eugene and I came in this morning and found an unconscious man in the imagination station.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): His name is Malachi.
Malachi: I'm an angel. I came in this morning and suddenly realized that there were a lot of other places I'd rather be.
Guest (Female): Like where?
Malachi: I have no idea.
Connie Kendall: I wanted to see how your interview with the dean went.
Malachi: Oh, huh.
Connie Kendall: I think you have to be more aggressive.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Malachi told me where I could find this diary of my son Timmy, and this diary has me thinking. I could build a retreat center right around Timmy's cabin.
Joanne Allen: I got a call from the missions board this morning.
Guest (Male): Your work with the missions is done for now.
Joanne Allen: Mr. Malachi, what makes you think you can walk in here and say these things to me?
Connie Kendall: Is it just me or has everything started going crazy since Malachi showed up?
Malachi: Greetings mul salutations.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, good morning, Eugene.
Connie Kendall: Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting with the dean this morning.
Malachi: Indeed I have, but I had to take Katrina to the airport first. She returned to Chicago.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Morning, everybody.
Connie Kendall: Oh, hi, Tom.
Malachi: Good morning, Mr. O'Reilly.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Tom, what in the world are you carrying?
Malachi: Oh, just some plans I threw together for the Timothy center. I've been up all night working on them.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Well, that's quick work.
Malachi: Yeah.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): I'm meeting with the mayor this morning to show her what I have in mind. I am really excited about this.
Malachi: No kidding.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): I just thought I'd drop by to ask you to pray for me.
Malachi: We will.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, got to run.
Malachi: As must I. I'll walk out with you. Farewell. Bye-bye.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): So long.
Connie Kendall: Bye, Eugene.
Eugene Meltsner: I'm beginning to feel left out.
Malachi: Left out?
Eugene Meltsner: Yeah, everybody's got so much going on. Makes me wish Malachi would show up with a message for me.
Malachi: Hm, maybe he will.
Eugene Meltsner: You haven't seen him today, have you?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Uh, no, I haven't. Does this mean you think he's an angel?
Eugene Meltsner: I don't know. Maybe there is some kind of explanation for it all, but I'd like to believe.
Malachi: Hm.
Eugene Meltsner: Does Jason still think Malachi is some kind of spy?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): I don't think Jason quite knows what to make of it.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, where is he anyway? I thought he was coming in.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, no, he won't be in until a lot later. He decided to go fishing up at Trinkle Lake.
Eugene Meltsner: Fishing? Jason?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, he likes to fish sometimes when he wants to get away to think.
Malachi: Good morning.
Jason Whittaker: Oh. Didn't see you there. Good morning. How's the fishing?
Malachi: Well, they're not biting, so I think I'm going to call it a day or a morning, whatever. I don't have the patience for this really.
Jason Whittaker: Then why did you come out?
Malachi: Well, I I just wanted to get away from everything for a little while.
Jason Whittaker: Why, is there something on your mind?
Malachi: What are you taking a survey? Look, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not interested in whatever it is you're selling.
Jason Whittaker: I'm not selling anything. I I have a message for you.
Malachi: Message? Oh, I get it. Yeah, you're him. The one who claims to be an angel. Malachi, right?
Jason Whittaker: I am.
Malachi: Yeah. Clever meeting me in a place like this. Secluded. Anything could happen. Yeah, so who tipped you off?
Jason Whittaker: Hm.
Malachi: I know you're doing some kind of surveillance of wits end and Tom O'Reilly, Jack and Joanne Allen. Okay, so here we are. What's the game? What do you want?
Jason Whittaker: To give you a message.
Malachi: Right, fine. A message. You feel dissatisfied, restless is the word you used in your conversation with Connie yesterday. That restlessness is God given. It is time to look elsewhere.
Jason Whittaker: What is this some kind of new approach? You're trying to recruit me, aren't you?
Malachi: One way or another, everyone's looking for the same thing, to find his or her own place in this world. This instinct is from God himself. You want to know who you are and what your purpose is.
Jason Whittaker: Okay, fine. I'll play along. What is my purpose then?
Malachi: Not this. You should be a fisher of men.
Jason Whittaker: Very good. Yeah, throwing a little biblical analogy. So what's your point?
Malachi: The heart of the matter.
Jason Whittaker: Okay, look Malachi or whatever your real name is. I don't know who you're working for or what you're getting at, but I really dislike these psychological games. You hear me? So just tell your boss to pack it in, all right? You stay away from me and my friends.
Malachi: You'd be wise to let go of me.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, big tough angel. Why, what will happen if I don't?
Guest (Male): Defending truth, justice and lots more truth. It's Captain Absolutely, and now you can read the revised and expanded comic series with 20 pages of new storylines. Join Captain Absolutely as he battles Doctor Relative. Get your copy at adventuresandodyssey.com.
Connie Kendall: Well, Tom, everything about your paperwork is just fine. I think a retreat center for our young people is an excellent idea.
Eugene Meltsner: I'm glad you think so.
Connie Kendall: But as you know, Timmy's cabin as you call it, it is a listed historical property.
Eugene Meltsner: Uh-huh, yeah.
Connie Kendall: And that means technically you can't do anything to it or its environs without permission from the local historical sites board.
Eugene Meltsner: I wouldn't dream of doing anything to hurt Timmy's cabin anyway.
Connie Kendall: I'll be honest with you, Tom. To get this application past the board, you need to revise your statement of goals for the retreat center.
Eugene Meltsner: What's wrong with what I have?
Connie Kendall: Well, it it's it it's not inclusive enough.
Eugene Meltsner: What do you mean inclusive?
Connie Kendall: Well, for one thing, I'd like to see something in your plan that includes a female in a role of responsibility. Right now, according to your list of references, you seem to be relying on all male participants and consultants.
Eugene Meltsner: Uh. Okay, what else?
Connie Kendall: Well, you've also put a particularly Christian spin on the center. You know, I'd like other religions and and non-religions to feel comfortable there.
Eugene Meltsner: I see.
Connie Kendall: You get the idea.
Eugene Meltsner: Now I sure do.
Connie Kendall: Good. Then I'll look forward to you making those changes and then meet with us oh, let's say three tomorrow?
Eugene Meltsner: Uh, I'll do my best.
Connie Kendall: I hope so. Because without those changes, Tom, you won't get approval to build the center.
Guest (Female): Excuse me, sir. Dean Rogers will see you now right through that door.
Eugene Meltsner: Hm? Oh, uh, thank you.
Malachi: Hm. Aggressive.
Jack Allen: Come in. Come in, Eugene. I appreciate you meeting me again.
Eugene Meltsner: Oh, thank you, dean. Uh, that is I had a pretty full schedule, but managed to juggle some things to fit you in.
Jack Allen: Oh, really?
Eugene Meltsner: Really?
Jack Allen: Well, thank you.
Eugene Meltsner: Yeah, no problem. Uh, Eugene, is everything all right?
Jack Allen: Oh, sure. Everything's just peachy.
Eugene Meltsner: Hm. If you say so. But unfortunately things are not so peachy for our budget this year. And I've been doing some serious thinking on it, Eugene. And I have to say that it's no good.
Jack Allen: No good? My my my my resume? My credentials?
Eugene Meltsner: No, no, our budget. Due to cutbacks, I simply can't offer you a full-time job at this time.
Jack Allen: You can't? I mean, you can't? Why, that's preposterous.
Eugene Meltsner: What?
Jack Allen: Preposterous, I tell you. You have to hire me full-time.
Eugene Meltsner: But I I I don't have the budget, Eugene. I just said that. There's no money.
Jack Allen: No money? Well, I hadn't counted on that. Uh, uh, no money. Look, Dean Rogers, I know how these things work. The front office can always manipulate the budget if it really wants to. Now come on, be serious. Let's talk shop and scratch some backs to borrow the colloquialisms.
Eugene Meltsner: I uh, I I think I've said just about all that can be said at this time, Eugene. I'm happy for you to continue with the college on a part-time capacity, but well, that's all I can do.
Jack Allen: Oh. Oh. Well, thank you for considering me.
Eugene Meltsner: Eugene, uh, I'm just curious. What was that posturing all about?
Jack Allen: Oh, I was just trying to be aggressive and assertive.
Eugene Meltsner: Hm. You need to work on it.
Jack Allen: Uh, yes, I know. Uh, uh, Dean Rogers, if I may speak from the heart.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes, of course.
Jack Allen: Well, this is a very deep disappointment to me. I've served this college in a number of different ways over the years. I've been dedicated to its success both academically and financially.
Eugene Meltsner: Yes, I know you have, Eugene.
Jack Allen: I I've committed my talents to nearly every department on this campus in in one form or another. My resume speaks of my abilities, but it cannot speak of something else. My desire to work for this college. Now now I could apply elsewhere, but I haven't mostly because I've grown fond of this institution. It's become like a home to me and and it's all I have to say.
Eugene Meltsner: Well, I uh, I thank you for speaking so openly, Eugene. I'll contact you if there's any change.
Jack Allen: Thank you, Dean Rogers. Joanne, have you seen the invoice for the Tiffany lamp? Joanne?
Joanne Allen: Hm? Oh, oh, I I'm I am sorry, Jack.
Jack Allen: Are you feeling all right?
Joanne Allen: Yes, I I'm fine. I
Jack Allen: You're still thinking about Malachi's message.
Joanne Allen: Yes.
Jack Allen: Hm.
Joanne Allen: Jack, I can't let go of the missions work because there isn't anyone to take my place. I feel like I'd be letting everybody down if I left before they found someone else.
Jack Allen: Is that the only thing holding you back?
Joanne Allen: Uh-huh. I I I feel responsible. I I worry about it all.
Jack Allen: I understand, but Joanne, what if Malachi is right? What if it isn't your place to worry about what happens next? I mean, if it's God's mission, then it's up to God to take care of it. We do our part of course, but sometimes we have to let go without knowing how it'll all work out.
Joanne Allen: But that's so hard.
Jack Allen: Hm. I know.
Joanne Allen: Jack, what am I going to do?
Jack Allen: Let's close the shop for a little while and pray about it. And then we can just go from there.
Malachi: Hi, guys.
Jack Allen: Jason?
Malachi: Jason?
Jack Allen: What in the world?
Malachi: You're so
Jason Whittaker: Yeah, I know.
Jack Allen: What what happened?
Jason Whittaker: Well, I was the fish that got thrown back. Yeah, one minute we were standing on the dock and then the next minute I was splashing out in the middle of Trinkle Lake.
Malachi: I'll I'll I'll get some towels.
Jason Whittaker: No, no, no, Joanne. Wait. Forget about the towels.
Malachi: Oh, buddy, you're
Jason Whittaker: It's all right. Jack, lock the door.
Jack Allen: Okay, but but why?
Jason Whittaker: We have to talk. I know it's a disappointment. Yes, it would be better if we spoke later. I'll call you from my room. Okay. Goodbye, Katrina.
Jack Allen: Oh, I'm sorry, but you have to use the front door. This is for employees, so
Jason Whittaker: Oh, it's you.
Malachi: Hello, Eugene.
Connie Kendall: Eugene, I was wondering how your meeting with the dean went. It's Malachi.
Malachi: Hello, Connie.
Connie Kendall: Hi. Eugene, do you see who it is?
Malachi: Yes, I see. It's our mystery guest.
Connie Kendall: What?
Malachi: It's our message bearer, Malachi, the man with the well-placed messages that seem to stir people up.
Connie Kendall: Eugene, if this is you trying to be aggressive now, it's not the time.
Malachi: I know I'm being entirely self-centered, but I can't help but feel that if you are an angel, you might have something helpful for me at this precise moment.
Connie Kendall: Eugene, have you lost your mind?
Malachi: No, Connie. I'm nearly being honest. As a man or an angel, I'm sure he can cope with my honesty. Can't you?
Jason Whittaker: Your honesty is commendable, Eugene. Misguided and self-centered, but commendable.
Malachi: Thank you.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, your confusion is understandable too. You're trying to make life-changing decisions, but you don't know where faith fits into it all.
Malachi: Precisely.
Jason Whittaker: You also feel as if circumstances and events continue to work in opposition to your relationship with Katrina.
Malachi: Correct again.
Jason Whittaker: It will get worse before it gets better. And that's your message? Part of it. And Grace is never measured in excess, and strength always comes when you're at your weakest, not when you think you're at your weakest, but when you truly are. So be strong in the faith you have, and the rest will be added to you. It will be just enough.
Connie Kendall: Malachi?
Malachi: Yes, Connie.
Connie Kendall: Don't you have any messages for me?
Malachi: What sort of message do you hope to hear?
Connie Kendall: Well, you see I 've been trying to decide if I should work full-time for a while rather than go to college right away and I can't decide.
Malachi: You once wanted to be a teacher, didn't you?
Connie Kendall: Yeah, I did.
Malachi: What happened to that desire?
Connie Kendall: Oh, I don't know. I guess it's still there. I don't know. I've been distracted and why?
Malachi: Go to Tom O'Reilly.
Connie Kendall: Tom? But what's he got to do with it?
Malachi: Go to Tom O'Reilly. That is your message.
Connie Kendall: Oh. Well, okay.
Malachi: Now.
Connie Kendall: Oh, right. Okay, I'm gone.
Malachi: It's maddening, Whit.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, I know.
Malachi: We keep going over and over this proposal, but it comes down to the same thing. I don't want to change what I wrote. It's a Christian retreat center. I resent having to compromise to get Margaret's consent. If God could part the Red Sea, couldn't he have done the same with red tape?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Tom, maybe there are some things even he doesn't want to get caught up in.
Malachi: Well, he's a lot smarter than I am. And look at Margaret's note here. She says she wants to make absolutely sure that I have females in key roles. Well, I'd love to have females in key roles, but I don't know any who have the time to take on something like this.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): There's bound to be someone.
Malachi: Like who?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Well, let's think about it.
Malachi: All right.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): You need somebody who likes being with kids, communicates well with them, good teacher, and has the time and energy to spend with them.
Malachi: Like who? I mean, be practical, Whit. Where are we going to find someone like that?
Connie Kendall: Hello? Are you guys in there?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Connie.
Chris Anthony: Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing?
Connie Kendall: Visit our website at adventuresandodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
Joanne Allen: Well, Tom, I'm impressed.
Malachi: Thank you, mayor.
Joanne Allen: And Ned tells me that his city planning commissioner, he has no problems with your presentation. Is that right, Ned?
Guest (Male): That's right, mayor.
Joanne Allen: Good. Well, that leaves only me. Well first, can you show in good faith your intention to appoint women in positions of responsibility in this center of yours?
Malachi: Yes, mayor. You see I've made it part of the charter, and I've already secured someone who's ably qualified to head our overall education and activities program.
Joanne Allen: Well, that's quick work. Who have you secured?
Connie Kendall: Me, mayor Fay, Connie Kendall.
Joanne Allen: Oh, Connie. Very good. That's a start. Now I noticed that you didn't change the wording of your proposal to make the retreat center more inclusive. Why not?
Malachi: Frankly, mayor, I didn't do it because I simply can't.
Joanne Allen: Why not?
Malachi: Because this center, like most of the things I try to do, is an extension of who I am. It's a calling if you will. That makes it Christian. I mean, I'm happy to have people of other faiths come to the Timothy center, but they ought to come knowing that the center is built on a Christian foundation. To do otherwise would be a betrayal of the center's purpose and my faith and a disservice to everyone else.
Joanne Allen: I'm sorry to hear you say that, Tom. I had hoped to grant approval free and clear, but I can't. Permission to build your Timothy center is refused.
Malachi: I'm sorry, mayor. Could I get you to repeat that?
Joanne Allen: You mean louder?
Malachi: No, I mean again. I need you to break that news to a few people outside. Uh, Whit, would you bring them in?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Okay, Tom.
Eugene Meltsner: These are some of the folks who were counting on using the Timothy center once it was up and running.
Guest (Female): Yes.
Malachi: Now this here this here is Mrs. Emily Cooper from the Oswald Heights Junior School in Connellsville.
Emily Cooper: Connellsville.
Malachi: And these are some of her students.
Guest (Male): Hi.
Guest (Female): Hello.
Malachi: Oh, yes, yes. I I have a petition here signed by 13 other public school principals and one or two superintendents along with churches and businesses and charities.
Joanne Allen: All right, all right. Quiet down everyone. Just quiet down. Tom, I'd like to see you in my office.
Malachi: Yes, ma'am.
Connie Kendall: This is blackmail, Tom. Nothing short of blackmail.
Malachi: Is it?
Eugene Meltsner: Well, no more so than you withholding permission because I won't say what you want me to say.
Connie Kendall: I won't be pushed around this way.
Eugene Meltsner: Look, Margaret, I'm willing to donate the land and my time and money to something that'll help the kids. I'm not out to shove Christianity down anyone's throats, but I am a Christian. And my center will uphold Christian values. Otherwise, there's no point in my doing it. Now the decision is yours.
Connie Kendall: Are you willing to jeopardize your center over this?
Eugene Meltsner: Are you willing to jeopardize it? Because if you are, then you better come up with something clever to say to those kids.
Connie Kendall: Ladies ladies and ladies and gentlemen. I was fortunate to find a precedent in the city code books that allows for Mr. O'Reilly to open and maintain a charitable retreat center based on Christian principles. So so I'm pleased to say that permission is granted for the Timothy center.
Malachi: Well, Lord, we thank you for this land and for the opportunity that you gave to minister here. May it always be used to your glory. Amen.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh yeah, here you go, Tom.
Jason Whittaker: Thanks. Mr. O'Reilly, what will go on this exact spot?
Malachi: If I got my geography right, this is where the Malachi prayer center will be.
Connie Kendall: Well, then it's a good place to start.
Malachi: Right. Here goes. There. Does anybody have anything else to say? I mean, since we're all together.
Joanne Allen: I do.
Malachi: Well, okay, Joanne. Go right ahead.
Joanne Allen: Whit and Jason already know this, but I think this is a good time to let the rest of you know that I'm resigning from the missions board.
Malachi: Indeed?
Joanne Allen: I won't be traveling again for a long time. Well, not in the near future.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): And I couldn't be happier.
Joanne Allen: Neither could I to be honest. It's a relief.
Connie Kendall: But you were so worried about your replacement. What happened with that?
Joanne Allen: That's not for me to say.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): But it is for me to say.
Malachi: Well, as a member of the missions board, I put forward a candidate to replace Joanne, and it was approved unanimously. Jason?
Joanne Allen: Jason?
Connie Kendall: Jason? You're leaving us?
Malachi: No, only once in a while, like Joanne did.
Jason Whittaker: Well, if I may ask what caused you to make this decision?
Malachi: Well, I uh, had a little encounter with someone up at Trinkle Lake that persuaded me that maybe I should be the one to go.
Connie Kendall: Malachi.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): That's right.
Connie Kendall: You know, you think he would have come here for this. It's not like he wasn't responsible or anything.
Malachi: We would have asked, but he never showed up again.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Well, I have to say that from a strictly rational point of view, the proof did not weigh in his favor that he was definitely, absolutely beyond a shadow of a doubt and incontrovertibly an actual angel.
Connie Kendall: That's not what you said in the kitchen.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Yes. Uh, Mr. O'Reilly, did you say you were serving lemonade up at your abode?
Malachi: I did indeed, Eugene. Joanne made a nice cake too. Come on, everybody. Let's go out.
Connie Kendall: Yummy, I know that. I know what you made.
Malachi: What's the matter, Whit? Aren't you coming?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, I'll be up in a minute. You go ahead, Tom.
Malachi: Something wrong?
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): No, no, no. I I just thought I saw something over by that tree.
Malachi: I didn't see anything.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Uh, go ahead. I I'll be right behind you.
Malachi: Okay. So you came after all.
Jason Whittaker: Yes.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Now the rest couldn't see you, could they?
Malachi: Only you.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Why? Oh. You're leaving?
Jason Whittaker: Only in a manner of speaking.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Well, what happens now?
Jason Whittaker: What has begun will now continue like a new beginning for what always was. And I will be like a dream to you.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): A dream? You mean we won't remember that you were here?
Jason Whittaker: You'll remember, but only as a vague idea, a premonition, a foreshadowing or a distant emotion. I'm your coincidences and your intuition. I'm the one that you glimpse out of the corner of your eye, and when you turn, nothing is there.
John Avery Whittaker ("Whit"): Oh, but that that makes me sad to have met you, but not know you anymore.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, don't be sad. I'm nearby. There are many of us nearby always.
Guest (Male): Greetings and salutations. You've reached the answering machine of Eugene Meltsner. Please leave a message at the sound of the intonation.
Dean Rogers: Hello, Eugene. It's Dean Rogers here. I'm very happy to say that we've reconsidered your application, and I think you'll be pleased with our decision. Uh, please give me a call at my office at your earliest convenience. Oh, and do thank your friend Malachi for stopping by. His words were most helpful. At your earliest convenience. Oh, and thank you for stopping by. Your words were most helpful.
Connie Kendall: There's a lot we could say about the last few adventures we've had. One thing is that it's helpful to be reminded that the Bible talks about angels again and again. They're real, and they touch our lives in ways we're often not aware. The other thing is we've seen how important obedience is to the Christian life. God speaks to us in so many ways to show us his love and his will for our lives, but he still leaves it for us to listen and obey. I wonder how many wonderful things we haven't experienced because we wouldn't obey what God has said. You know, it's not too late though. Even now we can start listening to the voice of God through his word, through prayer, through the wise people he puts in our lives, and even through angels. However God speaks to us, let's commit now to obeying him and see what wonders he'll perform. Thanks for listening, and if you ever want to write to us, don't forget that our address is Adventures and Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Or in Canada write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And remember to ask about how you can get your own copy of today's episode. It's called Malachi's Message. Adventures and Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Malachi's Message was written by Paul McCusker and directed by Dave Arnold. Our production engineer was Jonathan Crow, and I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures and Odyssey.