a true story?!?

[rick]

 >>
>>> The Collection Plate
>>>
>>>
>>> This will touch your heart.
>>>
>>> Here is a true 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
>>> greatest love 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 the
>>> lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and
>>> found the little bo! y aslee p 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 offer! ing pla te 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 exis! tence a nd 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

[gmik]

Wow!!