The Rich Bootlegger And The Needle.

 The Rich Bootlegger and the Needle is a story about the conversion of a man who found God when he was put in prison, there is an ironic turn of words at the end that makes the story stick.

* * * * *

In the early days of the twentieth century in the United States, there were laws banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Mr. Conway was already a wealthy man but he took up the business of bootlegging, he sold liquor through false businesses. He was trying to increase his wealth and was succeeding in building a small empire of manufacture and distribution of liquor to illegal nightclubs and bars.

Of course, he was caught by the police and was arrested. He was put on trial and found guilty of breaking the law. He ended up in a prison where the prisoners worked at hard labor long hours every day.

One day an old and true friend came to the prison to visit him so he may encourage him. The friend was allowed inside the prison walls and was told he would find Mr. Conway in the work yard. The friend found him sitting in the hot sun on a wooden bench at a rough work table. Mr. Conway was working with a big needle and ball of hemp twine, with dry cracked fingers he pushed the needle through heavy burlap cloth and drew the course twine through to sew burlap bags.

"Well, I see you are sewing," the friend remarked.

Looking up Mr. Conway replied, "No, I am reaping."

He was right for he was reaping what he had sown.

The Bible says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Galatians 6:7.
 (c)Adron Dozat 8/27/16

The Educated Young Man And The Shoes.

The Educated Man
And The Shoes

I was teaching a lesson on pride to a class of high school kids and found this story to help them understand the Christian motivation for humility.
______
Back when the emperor ruled in China there was a young man who lived in a city. His family was wealthy and had many servants so the young man never had to dirty his hands with common work. Because he came from a wealthy family he was able to receive a fine education. He excelled in all his studies and was considered one of the brightest students at the university. He was very cultured and was careful to observe all the customs of upper society. This man became a Christian and as a follower of Jesus he wanted to serve his Lord, so he joined a mission hospital that was run by a missionary and there the young man trained to become a nurse.

He was given many interesting opportunities to help people and being educated he was able to understand much of the medicine and science. He was excited to be able to serve Jesus by serving people whom Jesus loved. He was respected by patients and staff.

I have never cleaned shoes it is below me

One day the missionary doctor brought to the young man some muddy filth covered shoes and asked him to clean them.

"What?" decried the young man. "No, not me I have been educated. I understand science and medicine. I am from the upper class we do not clean shoes, have someone else do this."

"Everyone else is busy elsewhere. I need you to clean these shoes."

"I have never cleaned shoes. It is below me I will not do this."

The missionary brought out his worn Bible, and read from the Gospel of John. "And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a;basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter and Peter saith unto him, Lord dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou salt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not thou has no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean everywhit: and ye are clean but not all. For he knew who should betray him; Therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you and example, that ye should do as I have done to you.*"  Then the missionary left the room without saying a word leaving the open Bible on the table.

He washed the disciples feet

Later that day the cleaned shoes were brought to the missionary by a now very humble young man. He set the clean shiny shoes down on the table and said, "If Jesus can wash the disciples feet then I can clean shoes."  The young educated man became known as the most willing worker in the hospital who was happy to scrub floors, clean wounds, take out trash, clean dishes, and do whatever lowly task offered, because so doing he was following his Savior.

*John 13:2-16 JKV

(C)Adron Dozat

The Tale of the Nobleman And The Wooden Chest

The Tale Of The Nobleman
And The Wooden Chest

This is a story about a man who had a secret that empowered him to a place of status and power.

* * * * *

THE TALE OF THE NOBLEMAN AND THE WOODEN CHEST

A long time ago a king had a very good nobleman who was well respected and admired by all who knew him. This nobleman was not the kind who sat in his estate house and indulged in the good life, he was a hard and sacrificial worker. He always fulfilled his duties above the expectations of the king. He eventually became one of the king's trusted advisers and was part of all the great events of the kingdom. This nobleman became first among the counselors.

The Nobleman's Chest

There was one odd and particular practice of this nobleman that caused many to wonder and talk.  He had an old wooden chest that he took everywhere.  At night he would bring it into the bedchamber and set it respectfully at the foot of the bed. During the day he would bring the chest into the counsel room and set it next to his bench while he debated and discussed the affairs of state. On travels, as ambassador, he would bring it along and place it on the seat next to him in the carriage. Those who didn't know better assumed it to contain state documents or important papers of the office of First Counselor. Because of his high position and authority, none dared to ask him. The box was watched over by guards if he left it momentarily, valets would give it respect and handle it with the greatest care. The wooden box became synonymous with the nobleman.

As the years of his service came to an honorable end and the nobleman prepared to retire from public service a banquet was held by the king in his honor. The banquet hall was overflowing with the best of the kingdom, and ambassadors from all the surrounding kingdoms came to honor the nobleman who worked so tirelessly for the good of his king and his people.  Speeches were given about the good works the nobleman performed and the reforms he brought about.

The moment came when the nobleman stood before the many guests to make his fairwell when someone in the crowd shouted out. "What is in that box you have carried all these years?"

The nobleman as a country lad

"That is my secret." The nobleman replied.  "Many years ago when I was a country lad a wealthy young man rode his horse through our village. It was there that the horse threw a shoe. I offered to fetch the blacksmith for the man. 'Yes, My Good lad.' the wealthy man replied, 'And where might I rest while my horse is shod?' 'Our village is a poor one without hostel or inn, but you are welcome to share my lunch and sit in the shade of the tree while I fetch the blacksmith,' I told him. So I gave the man my lunch and sought the blacksmith. It was a few minutes later that I returned carrying the blacksmith's bag while he brought the cart. I held the bridle of the horse and helped the blacksmith, then got water and fodder for the horse.  The rich man said. 'You work with a full heart, young man, come be my servant and I will pay you worthy wages.' Yes, sir, I was overjoyed at such good fortune to be in the employ of such as him. 'Go fetch your things and ride behind me,'  he said, but I told him I had nothing but the clothes I wore. 'We shall fix that straight away.' he replied. So I rode behind my new master. Imagine my surprise when we rode to the castle. 'Tell me, sir, what is your name?' I asked him. 'I am the prince,' he answered, 'the king's first son and heir to the throne.'"

"In the castle I was given a small store room to make as my chambers but it was full of forgotten relics. As I cleaned it out the washer woman brought me a beautiful change of clothes. 'Let me take those and burn them.' she said pointing to the rags I was wearing. 'No, I will keep them and put them in this old box to remind me that I am not better than any other; this way I will mortify my pride and stay humble, because if I do not stay humble I will not be any service to my new master.' My master became king and as the years of service passed I went from lowly servant to First Counselor because I always remembered I am no better than anyone else."

The noble man opened the box before the fine people of the banquet and lifted out the rags he once wore as a peasant boy. As he sat down the entire audience stood up to honor him.


(C)Adron Dozat

The Big Boss and the Big Letter, Psalm 118:29.

This is a little story I wrote inspired by Psalm 118:29 to help little children understand thankfulness. I hope you are inspired by it.

There was once a very wealthy businessman. He was a good man at heart and very generous. He worked hard and became the biggest boss in his company. His hard work and good character gave him opportunities, and he quickly became the boss of many companies which employed many thousands of people and produced many goods and services which were helpful for everybody.
One day he was told about a city with no factories or shops, and the people were living lives with much poverty and no opportunities to make their lives better. He saw that he could do much good for this city and its people by building a factory.

So he began, but it became one of the most challenging projects he ever undertook. Every morning he would go to his office, and when he got to his desk, he would find out that another problem in building the factory came up. There were problems with workers, or laws, or officials, or suppliers, or community groups. The problems grew into a mountain of troubles in his mind. He got a helper, an intelligent man named Hector,  to help fix all of the issues.   So each morning, the Big Boss would go to his office and find out what the newest problem was, and then he would call Hector to come and help him fix the problem. Hector was so good at resolving issues with kindness and wisdom and respect for everybody that the factory was finally getting built. It went on for two years. Hector was always faithful and could be counted upon to solve all the problems. It was hard work that made both of them tired, and often Hector wondered if it was really worth all the trouble. He asked if the Big Boss really understood how hard the problems were to fix.

The day came at long last, and the factory was finished and ready to make the things the people needed and give the people new jobs. Everybody was excited. There was a big party and celebration, speeches, and people shaking hands while others took pictures. The boss and Hector both cut the golden ribbon to open the factory's door, and the crowd cheered.  After that, they had a factory tour, and the boss saw how much work Hector really did. After the celebration, everybody went home looking forward to the next day when they would start their jobs and open the stores.

The Big Boss went home, however, and was troubled in his mind. He went to the dining room and sat at this big shiny dining table, and began to write.  After a long time, he crumpled up the paper and tossed it on the ground, saying, "That will never do!"  He picked up his pen and began again on new paper but before long did the same, tossing the paper on the floor with the exclamation, "No, that is not good enough." Again and again, he struggled with words on the form, and, again and again, he tossed it on the floor.

By and by, the daughter of the Big Boss came to the door and peeking around the door. She watched her dad do this strange thing of writing and crumpling papers and starting again. "Daddy, what are you doing?" Little Amy asked.

"Well, my helper, Hector, really worked hard on the factory and shops, and it is important that he know that I know how hard he worked. I want him to know that I value his time, and I value his sacrifices. I want him to know that I appreciate all he did. I want to tell him I am grateful. I want to tell him that I am indebted to him. I am trying to write him a letter to say all these very important things, but I feel I am not getting the words right."

Oh, that is easy Daddy, All you have to do is write two words."

"Amy, what I am trying to say is so very important. How could it all be said in only two words?"

"Daddy, the two most important words are- Thank You."

The Big Boss realized she was right. All the essential things of gratitude, appreciation, sacrifice, indebtedness, and so much more are all in those two little words.  The Big Boss wrote the letter simply saying, "Thank You." He sent it to Hector. Hector was deeply touched and felt it was a letter more from a friend than from a boss. He put the letter in a frame and hung it on the wall above all the other awards and achievements from his career.

Because of the words "Thank You," Hector became close friends of the Big Boss, and together they did many good things for people all over. The words "Thank You" say so many things we must never forget to use them.

(C)Adron Dozat

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY BIBLE ACTIVITY PRINTABLES?

If you make a monthly pledge of only $3:50 a month, you will receive BIBLE TIME FUN WEEKLY, a children's activity printable bulletin every week. You will receive additional material available only to patrons, as well as an editable Word Doc. It has pages of puzzles, coloring pictures, and games for the kids.  You can share it with the kids in your church, Awana Bible club, class, camp, VBS, Backyard Bible club, school, and home. Use the button below.

Become a Patron!

Thank You!