Three Stories In One

Scripture

^{Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.}

~Jude 23, NLT

Quote

“I would rather bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unravel all the mysteries of the divine Word.”

~Charles Spurgeon

We all love a good story. My baby daughter has told me more then once, “Tell more stories daddy, we all love stories, and that may be your gift. Your actually good at telling stories.” This may not be her exact words but it is close. She is right about one thing—people love stories and Jesus knew it. He told lots of stories. I think the Prodigal Son is number one. Our stories today are not about a him but a hymn writer; Fanny Crosby. Fanny was accidently blinded by a quack doctor when she was four. Fanny had no bitterness toward the doctor and about the blindness. She not only became one of the greatest hymn writers of all time she was a much sought after speaker. She was speaking to a group of blue collar workers in Cincinnati, Ohio when in the middle of her speech, she felt the Holy Spirit speaking : “There is someone in the audience who has strayed from their mothers teaching and they are in peril and must be rescued tonight or they will never be rescued at all.” When she finished her speech she said, “If there is a dear boy here tonight who has wandered away from his mother’s teaching, would he please come and talk with me as soon as the meeting is over.” Sure enough, a young man about 18 years of age came to Fanny. “Did you mean me,” he said? “I promised my mother I would meet her in heaven but the way I have been living, I don’t think that will be possible now.” Fanny took the time to gently and earnestly talk to this young man and before the night was over, he repented of his sin and put his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Fanny was thrilled beyond belief. She returned to her room rejoicing and wrote the hymn RESCUE THE PERISHING. Have you ever notice the second line in verse two, “Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently, Christ will forgive if they only believe.”

The second story is as good at the first. Fast forward 35 years; Fanny is speaking to the YMCA in Lynn, Massachusetts. Fanny must have told the story above because after the service a middle aged man approached Fanny and said, “Miss Crosby, I am the man in the story. I am the one boy that wandered from his mother’s teaching. That night I found peace and I have sought to live a consistent Christian life since. If we never meet again on this earth, we will meet up yonder,” and he pointed upward. He wanted to say more but couldn’t; his voice was quivering and his emotions were about to overflow. He turned and darted away leaving Fanny in awe and wonder. Later Fanny was heard to say, “That boys testimony was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.”

The third story may be even better. At the age of 60 Fanny moved to lower Manhattan and began working at the downtown rescue mission. She spent several days a week witnessing to the down and outers who came to the mission for food, shelter and clothing. She was (at the time) one of the most renowned hymn writers in the world but she choose to live near a New York City ghetto. She felt this strong calling to help others even though the mission was a haunt for alcoholics and a hang out for thieves. Fanny lived her song by spending the rest of her live “Rescuing the Perishing.”

Extra

June and I worked at the Downtown Rescue Mission on Magazine Street in New Orleans and yes, I have several stories about the experience. I will post them in a separate blog.

The grand boys and I got the tractor shed dismantled and loaded; all that is left for me to do is clean up and cut the grass. I hope to be completely done before the week is over. Looking forward to the fish fry tomorrow night. June asks me Sunday if I had ordered the fish and of course, I had forgot but David and I got them yesterday. Like everything else, they have gone up!

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.

Extra/Extra

Fish Fry April 8, 6:00 pm

Mem’s Breakfast April 11, 8:00 am

~National Day of Prayer May 7, 5:00 am-11:00 am {Grace Point has from 5:00 am to 6:00} We gather at the Associational Office on highway 31.