Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Plucking the Eagle's Wings

United States." I leaped out of the bed and awoke my wife saying, "You won't believe what just happened! I just heard a voice speaking to me." I repeated the words to her and she smiled, said a few words, and went back to sleep. I dressed and went into my office to tell my office manager about the incident. We checked the Internet to confirm that George W. Bush was the Governor of Texas. I told my office manager, "This is the man who is supposed to be the next president." I felt odd talking about the incident since no one, not even Governor Bush, had announced his run for the presidency. While I said nothing publicly, I confided only in a few close friends and family members. I experienced the same inner inspiration that I had when the word came to me in 1992 concerning the spirit that would come upon the nation. An unexpected event in Israel seven months later confirmed to me that the word from God was accurate. In November of 1998, I hosted a group of Americans on a tour of the Holy Land. The group of 150 had just toured the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. My video crew, along with the God's News Behind the News crew, was leaving the Temple platform when my office manager noticed five men dressed in suits coming to the Western Wall for prayer. He said to me "That looks like George Bush, the Texas Governor!" It was indeed the Governor, along with four other men. My office manager and I rushed toward the Western Wall where Bush had concluded a brief visit and was leaving. I walked up to him and introduced myself. He said, "You're the fellow who has the tour group." I replied that I had 150 Americans with me. The Governor asked, "Where are you from?" I said, "Tennessee." I mentioned again that I was leading the tour group and said to Mr. Bush, "They want you to run for president!" He laughed and said, "All right." I said, "I just want to encourage you. God bless you" ( See Center Section Photo of Perry meeting Bush ). Moments later, my group greeted him, shook his hand, and took pictures ( See Center Section Photo of Bush Meeting the Group ). On that day, November 29, 1998, I knew that I had met the future 43 rd President of the United States. Governor Bush had made no announcement that he was running. He had just been re-elected for a second term as Governor of Texas. On March 2, 1999, he appointed a committee to research the feasibility of a successful presidential bid. On April 15, 1999, Governor Bush announced his plan to seek the Republican nomination. I was always curious as to when Bush 232