The Minister On The Roof, The True Story Of The Climbing Preacher

Many years ago when the cities were in a building boom to make the tallest buildings Adele Maywood was concerned about her husband's soul. John was a steeplejack who worked on scaffolds hundreds of feet above the streets to build the tall buildings, but as a tough hardworking man he had no regard for religion.

Adele asked the minister of her church to come see John and tell him about the Gospel of Jesus, but whenever the pastor came to see John he was at work. "I would dearly love to share Christ with John," he told Adele, "But how can I when he is never home?"

The next day the phone rang in the pastor's office. "This is Adele Maywood, Pastor.  My husband says if you want to speak to him he is working on the steeple of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church on Second Street. You can meet him there and speak to him."

The minister dropped everything and took the bus to Second Street.  The building was being constructed and the street was a confusion of trucks, laborers, and equipment.  "I've come to speak to John Maywood." He told the foreman.

"Oh, Maywood is on the top." The foreman said as he looked up to the roof far feet above. "If you can wait I'll send someone up to bring him down."

"No, I'll go to him." Then the minister climbed ladder after ladder until he was two hundred feet above the sidewalk. There on the roof, the minister spoke to John about eternity and his soul. In a few minutes, John was brought to the Savior.

The next Sunday John stood next to his wife in church and publicly declared Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  When people asked him about his decision to trust Jesus he said, "The preacher who climbs two hundred feet of ladders to speak to me can get me every time!"

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Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope my stories are an encouragement and helpful.  To find more search the list of favorites in the left sidebar.  Please come back again.

(c) Adron 11/27/15

THE WATCHING EYES AND THE PRISON CONVERT

Roy Hernandez had been a robber and kidnapper for most of his adult life.  He was caught, tried, and sentenced to twelve years at hard labor in federal prison.

In the prison, he heard the gospel that God offers forgiveness through Jesus, and Roy trusted Jesus as Savior.

After serving his time and  Roy was released from prison.  Just before he went out another prisoner handed him a letter.

The letter said, "You know when I came into this prison I despised preachers, the Bible, and everything.  I went to Bible Class and the preaching services because there was nothing else to do on Sunday.

I saw you there telling me how you were saved.  I said, 'That's another guy taking the gospel road to try to get a parole.' For two and a half years, Roy, I have watched you.  You did not know it, but I watched you when you were in the yard exercising when you were working in the shop when you played ball when you were in the dining hall when you were on the way to your cell.  Now I am a Christian too, because I watched you, and saw that you never slipped, so I knew Jesus was real.  The Savior who saved you has saved me."

When Roy had finished reading the letter a cold sweat came out on him.  He thought, "Suppose I had slipped, even once, then that man would not have been saved."


Roy's story would never happen if he had not come to Christ.  If you are interested in knowing how Jesus can change your life see my other post.

(c) Adron

Why She Had A Beautiful Personality.

This is a short illustration of how others can see the light of the Lord in our personality. This may serve as a parable to tell children to teach them about God living in us or as a part of a public speaking presentation. I hope you are blessed by it.

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There were two college students hiking along a trail in the mountains; they were talking about Isabelle, a third friend, who had a bright personality.

What do you think is the cause of her positive outlook and happy personality?" Cora asked.

"I know," said Flo.  Then she pointed across the valley to an old castle.  "See that beautiful castle?  When I was a kid my friends and I would sit up here and look at it.  We could tell what was happening by how many lights were burning.  If only the family was home then just few lights were lit.  If there was a ball then many lights were lit, and the palace was beautiful.  Once a royal prince came from another country and the whole palace was all lit up like fireworks.

"What do you mean?"  Cora asked.

"It is just like that with Isabelle.  The reason she has a bright personality is that she has The King of Kings, the Lord Jesus, staying with her. So her light is always bright."

When Jesus comes into your life he fills you with brightness and hope.  He said, "You are the light of the world a city on a hill cannot be hidden."  Matthew 5:14.


If you want to know more about coming to Jesus see my other post.

(C)Adron Dozat

Kindness Won The Reading

A true story from the great war of an act of kindness that softened the heart of a hardened soldier.

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KINDNESS WON THE READING

THE LESSON OF THE KIND CHAPLAIN

     A chaplain on a battlefield came to a soldier who was badly wounded. The man was lying on the hard cold ground as snowflakes drifted down on his pale face. "Would you like me to read to you something from the Bible?" The chaplain asked.

     "No, thank you, I don't believe the Bible." The soldier whispered. "I would rather have a drink of water. I am so thirsty." The chaplain splashed through icy mud to a farmhouse. The water pump was frozen but he beat it with his fist until the handle swung free and then he pumped water into a jar. The icy water spilled over his hands and his fingers with stinging cold. When he returned to the wounded man the chaplain held his head us so he could sip the water. For the longest time, the man sipped and coughed until the water satisfied his parched thirst.

     Then the soldier said, "Would you put something under my head?" The chaplain took off his overcoat and rolled it up, and gently put it under the soldier's head for a pillow.

     "Sir," whispered the soldier, "I need something over me. I am so very cold." The chaplain took off his coat and spread it over the soldier. The cold was bitter and the chaplain shook without his coat or overcoat.

     "The wounded soldier looked gratefully into the face of the chaplain and said, "Thank you." Then he looked at the chaplain shivering in the cold and he added, "If there is anything in the Bible that makes a man do what you have done for me, you may read it to me."


(C)Adron Dozat

We Must Keep Our Light Burning

This story of the brave children is based on fact and has been told before.  It is a powerful illustration of the importance of doing good.

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WE MUST KEEP OUR LIGHT BURNING

On the coast of a wild northern rocky land stood a tall lighthouse on a rocky island so small one could walk from one end to the other in a few minutes. The lighthouse was vital; it lit the way through the narrow passage of rocky shoals guiding ships to safe passage.

In it lived a light housekeeper, Sean, and his two children, Marie and Francis. Every night all three would climb the tower and the children would watch Sean light the lamp and gasp as the light magnified and reflected in the mirror filling the chamber with golden light and casting the light far out to sea.

"Papa," Marie would ask," Why do we light the lamp?'

"We must light the lamp. It shows the way. Without it the ships will be lost and wreck upon the rocks." 

One day, Sean rowed to the mainland village to get provisions. While he was gone a terrific storm raced over the horizon. The gale was mighty and the seas wilder than ever. Sean fought the wind and the waves yet was unable to row the boat back to the lighthouse.

The time to light the lamp came. Marie said to her little brother, "Papa is late. We must light the lamp, Francis." The two children climbed the long narrow winding stairs to the top of the tower. Marie pulled a chair up to light the lamp inside the large mirrored reflector. She climbed up on the chair but the lamp was too high for her to reach.  "I know. Wait here, Francis." She went down the stairs and a few minutes later came back carrying an oil lamp from the kitchen. "I will hold this up so the ships can see the light." She climbed the chair but was still too short for the reflector to catch the light. Again and again she tried but was not able to reach the mirror with the lamp.

In the little boat, Sean struggled against the sea. The wild black night wrapped around him, he was without bearing and feared that he would miss the lighthouse in the dark and be smashed on the rocks. He strained to see the lights of the lighthouse. "Where is it? Is it to the right or the left," he thought. "No, maybe I have turned around and am rowing to the rocky shore."

Marie felt desperate. On her toes and trying to reach as high as she could she was still far short of the mirror. "Come down, I have an idea," said Francis. Marie came down and Francis climbed on the chair." Now you climb on top of me and stand on my shoulders."  Marie stood on his shoulders and held up the little lamp. The reflector caught the light and magnifying it cast it out to sea. She held the lamp with one hand and when her arm was too tired held it with the other.

"Francis," She said as minutes turned to hours, "This is hard. Are you getting tired? Does it hurt?"

"Yes, it hurts. But we must keep the light shining."

Sean saw the light and now with bearings, he rowed with fury to the lighthouse and his own safety.

Out at sea a ship carrying over a thousand troops back from the wars saw the light and was guided safely through the rocky shoals.

We never know who we are guiding to safety- we must keep the light up.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
(C)Adron Dozat

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Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope my stories are an encouragement and helpful.  To find more search the list of favorites in the left sidebar.  Please come back again. 

Adron 

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He Wanted Her Savior Too

This is the true story of how a woman whose unbelieving husband was brought to faith by the quiet testimony of her faithful life

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HE WANTED HER SAVIOR TOO

Martha was a devoted Christian but her husband, Jim, considered all religion in general and Jesus in particular to be for the weak and ignorant. Jim would drive her to church each week where he would park and get out to open her door like a gentleman. Jim would stand and watch to make sure she met her friends and got up the steps to the church entrance safely, then he would leave and drive back home.

Martha prayed daily for her Jim to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus but the years passed and Jim seemed to become ever more hardened to the gospel.

One Sunday morning, the minister preached a passionate message proclaiming the gospel of salvation through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. As so often Martha sat there thinking with a sigh, "If only My Jim could hear this message and understand the love of Jesus for him!" The minister finished his sermon with an invitation for any who wanted to trust Jesus to come forward and kneel at the altar and confess Jesus as savior and Lord.

All heads were bowed in silent prayer while moments passed as no one approached the altar until the soft sound of a man's familiar footsteps gave Martha a start; she looked up and saw her husband at the front of the church. She watched as he confessed his need for the Savior and gave his heart to the Lord.

Afterward, Jim said, "Martha, I've been watching you for a long time. Your life is always clean and beautiful. You are always kind, forgiving and gentle. I knew that you had something I didn't have. This morning, after dropping you off out front I listened to the music and the singing. The words of the song compelled me to come in. I sat in the back of the church and when the minister asked if there was any who wanted to give their hearts to Jesus I decided that I wanted your Savior too."


(C)Adron Dozat

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The Princess And The Crown Of Iron Thorns.

The true facts of this story are lifted from history and are an example of suffering for your faith. Sometimes we are saved out of trials but most often we are saved through them.

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THE PRINCESS AND THE CROWN OF THORNS

In days of old when the land was divided into many kingdoms, there was a kingdom called Frisia, an icy snowy country far to the north. The people of Frisia were very warlike and worshiped pagan gods of war. The chef god was Fosite, a god of vengeance and justice. The god Fosite would speak to his priest at the sacred oak tree in the midst of the land. This oak tree was venerated, and the site was considered most holy. Under its leaves marriages would take place, pledges made, and the sick would be placed for healing. The tree was beautiful and the strength of the oak was a reminder that the god Fosite was a warrior's god unyielding without mercy and swift to avenge.

The king had a daughter called Fostedina which means, The Darling Of Fosite. She was so named because of her wondrous beauty and comely disposition. With golden hair like sunlight, eyes blue like a summer sky, lips that were full and red she herself looked like a daughter of the old gods. Her beauty shadowed in the grace of her character for she was of such a sweet disposition that Frostedina was always sought as a companion. Her mind was sharp and with uncommon wisdom; Fostedina was barely a teen when she was asked to sit beside the king so he could receive her counsel as he made judgments.

One cold winter night some Christians came to the land of Frisia. They had a love of God in their hearts and a passion to tell the story of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for all mankind. In the cold these missionaries stopped under the shelter of the sacred oak tree, and finding broken dried branches on the ground they built a fire to keep warm. It blazed bright and high licking the very branches of the sacred oak. In the distance, the castle guards saw the fire and sounded an alert. "They are trying to burn down our sacred tree!" Soon the entire countryside was filled with torches as warriors and Fostie's faithful rushed to the oak to avenge their god.

The troop of warriors and the priest of Fostie surrounded the Christians and bound them. "You were burning the sacred tree of our god." The priest said, "You will be thrown into the pit with the bears and wolves; but not tonight, we will wait until the full moon to celebrate our god and to deepen the hunger of the beast." The Christians were drug off despite their protest of innocence. Bound in a cage they could hear the bears and wolves howling in the nearby pit, it would be long days until the full moon.

About that time a traveling singer with a harp came to the land. He was invited to sing at the nightly feast for the king and his court. This was not the usual minstrel for he, too, was a believer in the Christian God. His songs were not of battle or hunt or vengeance on enemies, but he sang of one named Jesus. The minstrel sang of how Jesus walked among the poor and needy, how Jesus healed the sick and comforted those who despair. He sang how Jesus was betrayed by a trusted friend and how the Roman governor condemned him though finding no guilt in Jesus. He sang of the cross where Jesus died, the nails in his hands, and the crown of thorns given to mock him, and yet in his suffering, He forgave his enemies.

He sang of one named Jesus

Fostedina's eyes filled with tears as she heard the stories of Jesus' love and compassion. She could hardly keep from crying out as the tale was told about the whipping, mockery, and torture. She covered her weeping face in her hands as the minstrel sang of the crucifixion. After hearing about the victory of the resurrection she rejoiced because by then she had become a believer. She had trusted Jesus, he was her savior now and she vowed a princess's vow to follow him and his way as long as she had breath.

Not all who heard the songs were so moved, at the words Jesus spoke from the cross saying, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do," the warriors roared with rage. The priest stood up and declared, "We do not forgive our enemies. We are vengeance. Tomorrow the Christians will be given to the wolves."

Fostedina was troubled that night. She loved Jesus now and was one of his. The Christians were his children too, she could not allow them to be thrown to the bear pit. That night she took a lamp and silently slipped from the castle. Going with the stealth common to her warrior people she came before the cage that held the Christians without giving any alarm to the wolves.

"Quickly, you must leave this place," She whispered. "Go back to the south-lands and never come here again. If you do come back you will die a more terrible death than that of the wolves."

The bear and the wolves roared and howled as the Christians trotted past the pit.

As dawn's grey light spread across the dark land the escape was discovered. The people were enraged that they were robbed of their sport. "Who let the Christians escape?" the king demanded.

Fostedina came and knelt before the king. "It was I who let them go. For I too am a Christian and could not allow my brothers to die."

The priest threatened her and vowed vengeance. Fostedina stood unmoved by their curses and threats; she would face the wolves and the bears. "I would rather die than deny my Jesus, I will gladly suffer as he did."

The crown of iron thorns

"From your own mouth, you condemn yourself." The priest of Fostie shouted. "You will be like him then. Tomorrow at dawn you will stand in the city square from sunrise to sunset and you will wear a crown of thorns pressed down on your brow just like Jesus."

Anyone else would have taken the day as an opportunity to flee but she was a princess, and more- she was a Christian. Fostedina spent that day in prayer and readied herself for punishment. Remembering the prayer of Jesus in the garden she too prayed, "Father, if there is another way let this cup pass, but let your will be done not mine."

The sun rose over the crowded city square. All Frisia came to see the princess humiliated and tortured. The people were shocked at her beauty; for to make herself ready she put on the purest white doeskin dress, her glorious hair hung in golden cascades, the ivory of her skin seemed to glow as she presented herself at her best for Jesus sake.

She knelt as the pagan priest brought the iron crown fashioned to his wicked design by the blacksmith. The crown bristled with long razor-sharp spikes. Her blue eyes met his black eyes as she whispered "I forgive you." The priest rammed the thorny crown down on Fostdina's head. Red blood streamed out staining her face, hair, and dress as the priest gave it a twist of hatred. The people watched to see if she would cry out, beg for mercy, or call for help, but they were disappointed. Instead, her eyes were set to heaven and her lips moved in prayer for her tormentors. Throughout the day the princess stood as people threw mud, filth, and stable droppings at her, they spit in her face and jeered insults to her. Each time she whispered the words of her Savior on the cross. "Father, forgive them." Many people were ashamed of their countrymen for treating her so, and many more were ashamed afterword of themselves for taking part.

The priest rammed the crown on Fostdina's head

The day slowly melted in the afternoon haze as the sun set. Fostdina was faint with the loss of blood when she went to her cambers to be ministered to by her handmaid. The blood matted hair did not easily give up the iron crown and only after hours of soaking in water was the maid able to remove it. The cut flesh left jagged rows of raw skin and exposed bone.

Thereafter whenever the princess went about her royal duties or was seen in public all eyes were drawn to the horrible crisscross of scars on her brow and the raw patches of skin ringing her head. It was a testimony of her faithfulness to her God. Never did she speak with anger or bitterness but always had a gentle, humble, and loving spirit. As years passed the people's hearts were won by her Christian character and grace, and began to question the old gods; slowly the population became Christian. Churches were built in the land.

The old king died and Fostdina became queen. She ordered the sacred oak to be cut down and a church was built on its place. Her gracious nature became legend and suitors from all Europe sought her hand in marriage. She married a Christian prince and on her wedding day she wore a crown-shaped like a golden helmet, and when it was on her head it covered the scars of the iron crown of thorns.

Frostina is still honored today in her land and each year she is celebrated by young maidens who don a golden helmet.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the country Frisia.

(C)Adron Dozat 3/31/12

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James 2:1-12 The True Measure And The Angel

The True Measure
 And The Angel

Here is a story I used in my Sunday School Class. We were covering James 2:1-4, this is a modern day retelling of the verses. I hope the extra details capture attention and makes the point more personal.

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THE TRUE MEASURE AND THE ANGEL

There was a church in a city that was famous for it's good works. It  supported many charities, had started hospitals and raised money for orphanages.  The people of this Church met in a beautiful building with a rich history and strong heritage.

The Lord called the angels to join in his counsel and said. "It is in my heart to bless the members of this congregation.  How shall I bless them? What shall be the measure?"

An angel suggested. "Have one of us go down in the human form of a common laborer, as you were yourself during your earthly sojourn, and the way this church blesses the lowly common laborer will be the measure of blessing you should give unto them."

"You may go in human form wearing the appearance of a common laborer."

The angel walked through the huge wooden carved double doors of the church. His face was suntanned his hair greasy, graying, and uncut, his hands calloused and dark under the fingernails. His shoes were worker's boots, and his clothes were many seasons out of style, soiled and needed mending.

The greeter nodded and held out a Sunday bulletin to the angel as he entered, but except for a nod did not give any greeting.

The lobby was crowded with people in fine suits and clean dresses. The angel waited alone, standing in the lobby; but no one asked his name or introduced themselves or greeted him.

The angel found a space on a pew to listen to the worship. Though the church was full no one sat next to him. No one reached over from the pew behind or in front to say, "Hello."

The orchestra played several hymns beautifully and the choir sang wonderfully. The sermon was passionate and doctrinally correct.

After the service the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall where cookies and coffee were offered as a time to socialize.  The angle milled around the crowd. He walked up to a group of business men and stood listening to their conversation about an upcoming election. No one spoke to him or shook his hand. He stood by the table of cookies and the coffee urn; although dozens of people walked up to the table to get cookies and coffee no one shook his hand, introduced themselves or befriended him.

The angel slowly walked to the exit. Some youth were laughing and enjoying themselves. As he walked past no one said, "Good by."

The angel returned to heaven and gave a sad report to the other angels and the Lord.

"We shall both go next time." The Lord said.  "You may wear a youthful look and fine clothes and I shall wear coveralls and we shall give a second chance to this congregation to prove their measure.

The angel wearing the fine suit barely got through the door before he was greeted warmly.  At the door several beautiful women introduced themselves.  Deacons and ushers came up with invitations to sit with them.

Behind the angel the Lord in the guise an old man in coveralls and a scraggly beard shuffled trough the doors receiving a bulletin and a nod from the greeters. The Lord sat on a pew by the front of the congregation.

"Pardon me sir," said  an usher. "But this seat is reserved for the Trustees."

Without a word the Lord in disguise rose from his seat. "Perhaps there is a seat by the door." The usher offered waiving his hand to indicate the back of the church. The Lord sat by the drafty door.

The angel in the fine suit was given a seat at the front of the church, in one of the newer padded pews. Afterward the cookies and coffee was served in the fellowship hall again as before. The angel had no end of conversation and invitations for lunch. A serving hostess brought him the best cookies and the freshest coffee while he laughed with the men.

The Lord stood by the cookie table, in coveralls. No cookies were offered to him by a hostess, no one introduced themselves to him and no one shook his hand in greeting. As he left there was a crowd of youth at the door, he heard them joke about the old man in coveralls who just walked by.

As the Lord and the angel entered heaven the Lord said. "Have we found the measure by which we will bless this church congregation?"

"Far be it from me to criticize any whom you love, but it seems to me their actions have spoken. They do not need any more blessing, indeed in my judgment they should have less; for they are so blessed in the world's effects that they have forgotten the command to love."

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"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism, Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but you say to the poor man, "You stand there," or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  James 2:1-4.

(C)Adron Dozat