At the end of this new piece, you’ll find some "Paul Harvey Rest of the
Story" information on the motorcycle rider who came to know Jesus and then
went to see Jesus.
I’ve written before about what I call "Papa’s Pipeline". Papa’s
Pipeline is how I describe the cycle of blessing that comes from God sharing
with us and us sharing with each other. In my mind, I see this vast maze of
connecting pipes.
Here is another neat story about how God can use the things we often have
lying around and are not using. He needs us to be creative and generous.
I IM and e-mail with a neat gal in Texas. During one of our IM sessions,
she mentioned that her father had a bunch of reel to reel tapes from his more
active pastoring and preaching days. He wanted to listen to them and
transfer them to cassettes. She asked me to be on the lookout for a reel to
reel he could use. Well, finding reel to reel machines are like finding
dinosaurs.
I have a reel to reel and considered loaning it to her father. However,
I have several boxes of reel to reel tapes that I need to transfer.
When I went to Atlanta to work on the new CD of Grandma’s Songs, I was
sitting in Charlie’s studio. His studio is actually his daughter’s former
bedroom! (g) Without really noticing anything in the studio in particular,
I asked Charlie to be on the lookout for a reel to reel no one needed so I
could send it to my friend.
Charlie looked up and said, "There’s the one you gave me years ago when
you quit doing radio broadcasting. I’m not using it. Why don’t we send her
that one." You could have knocked me over with a feather (and that’s a
major, major job if you know what I mean.)
Charlie even shipped it for me and it arrived in great condition. There
are a couple of little burps in setting it up, but I believe they’ll work out
just fine.
A set of tires, an extra bed, suitcases, clothes in good condition,
produce from the garden, etc. All these things and many, many more, can be
put into the Pipeline and passed on to someone who can’t afford them but
needs them.
The possibilities are endless. I’m willing to believe that y’all can
come up with lots of creative ways to make Papa’s Pipeline work. Please let
me know how the Lord has helped you see the truth of this principle. I
really want to hear from you. Just hit my name at the bottom of the page.
THE REST OF THE STORY....
The day I left Kathleen and William’s home on the mountain, I went to
see the mother of the young man who’d come to know Jesus and was killed two
days later. She’d been a Christian since childhood and had prayed for her
son all the time. She said he was not a bad boy, but didn’t seem to have
purpose.
When he came home with the CD of Grandma’s Songs I’d given him, he
seemed very excited. His mother had listened to gospel music most of her
life. He didn’t particularly care for it, but would tolerate her listening
to it.
After listening to Grandma’s CD, he said, "I’ve got to go find Jerry and
talk to him." He did finally find me at the dam. That’s the day he came to
know Jesus. Two days later, while on the way to meet me again, he was killed.
Responses to "SEEDS CAN GROW"...
- What an astounding story, Jerry! If anyone doubts that God's hand is at
work in our day-to-day lives, they should read that story. I am profoundly
grateful that you didn't miss the opportunity to tell that young man about
Jesus. God is so patient and loving, giving us every opportunity He
possibly can to get to know Him. It sounds as though God was pulling out
all the stops to give that man all the chances He could to turn to Him
before He called him home. Maybe that's why you're having to stay at
Kathleen and William's for so long - to give that fellow one last chance.
And now he's with the Father. No more dim mirror, face to face. What
grace! Incredibly powerful stuff. Thank you, Jerry.
- The Inside Out brought me to tears! How merciful our Lord is! I am also
very touched to learn about Cathy's breast cancer. I just lost my good
friend, Jan, who had a quick bout with breast cancer which then went into
bone and brain cancer. I know she is rejoicing and worshipping Jesus! But
I miss her down here. I will pray for Cathy and the family.
- I know you're hurting, too, from this young man's passing...my heart goes
out to you and to his family. Yes, I agree that it's good to know he's in
Heaven with the Lord! Amen and Amen!
- Amen! God wanted you right where you were and are :o) We will continue to
pray about all the serious situations and troubles you and yours are having
to deal with and go through!
- Lots to pray for in your family....... and the article!
It showed me how important it is to tell others about Jesus, as time can be
shorter than you think. Even young people can be gone in an instant.
Lately many have died here and so your article just rubs it in: don't wait!
don't keep your mouth shut!
- I guess you were rejoicing for the young man who had crossed your path and
wanted to accept Jesus, like you said "As you go into the world, be my
witnesses..." LITTLE DID YOU KNOW WHAT THE URGENCY WAS - Praise God that
you met this young man. You never know do you?
- Well, Bless Your Heart, (as we say in the South). I am just so very sorry
to hear about the young man who died on the motorcycle, but thank God he gave
his heart to Jesus before he left this old world.
- That was amazing, the story about the young man, I am so sorry he died yet
so thankful he heard and responded to Jesus. I believe you are often in the
right place and the right time. As I have heard many times , the Lord only
needs a willing vessel, He has that in you.