The Bus Pastor
Here is a story about a nine year old boy who lived in a rural town in
Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a
bus ministry that came knocking on his door one afternoon. The kid came to
answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his
parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every
weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus
pastor couldn't believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The
youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in
and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old
couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the kid, "Where
do you go to church?" The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I've
never been to church in my whole life." The bus pastor thought to himself
about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child's house.
"Are you sure you have never been to church?" he asked again. "I sure haven't",
came his answer. Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son,more important than
going to church, have you ever heard the greatestlove story ever told?" and
then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy.The
young lad's heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor's
story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from
God.The youngster exclaimed, "You bet!" The kid and the bus pastor got on
their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the
free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he
could pick the kid up for church the next morning. "Sure," the nine old replied.
The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found thelights
off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the
little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother
and helped get them dressed. They got onto the bus and ate a donut for
breakfast on their way to church.Keep in mind that this boy had never been to
church before.The church was a real big one.The little kid just sat there,
clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service these tall
unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of
the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down
the aisles. He still didn't know what was going on.
All of a sudden like a bolt of lightning it hit the kid what was taking
place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on
the free gift of life he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He
immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn't find a thing
to give Jesus. By this time the offering plate was being passed down his
aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it.
He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around
to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained
glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way
to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea. This little nine year
old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked
about eight rows back,grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate
one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He
took the plate,sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center
of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, "Jesus, I
don't have anything to give you today, but just me.
I give you me!" I do love Jesus.
He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and
everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him I am nothing. With
Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13
NAILS DIDN'T HOLD JESUS TO THE CROSS...LOVE DID!
God Bless!
Sugar Syl Says:
The kindness you spread today
will be gathered up and returned to you tomorrow.
Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.
Helen Keller
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
Access the Recipes And More list archives at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/
Visit the group home page at:
http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
