Jack’s Winning Words 3/11/14
“I enjoy planting apple trees and bringing God’s Word.”  (John Chapman)  The “real” Johnny Appleseed was John Chapman who actually did go into the frontier of his day (1774-1845) planting apple trees.  John was also a missionary.  I have an apple seed taped to my computer, reminding me that “only God can count the number of apples in that seed.”  This world is full of miracles that we take for granted.  Examples?    ;-)  Jack

 FROM TARMART REV:  I would think that would be "ministering folk" like you and me, Jack...only will eternity and a revelation from God reveal the "seed receiving" people God used us to reach for His Kingdom ...we may be surprised at some we both encouraged together, unknowingly.====JACK:  I don't think I'll be too concerned with statistics on the other side of the pearly gates.====REV:  Just surprises!!

 FROM DP IN MINNESOTA:  That is powerful !====JACK:  I just came from the grocery store.  Each aisle seems to be filled with miracles.  God is good!

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Johnny Chapman was a real hero to my kids.  When we drove around the countryside, we would try find the oldest apple tree.  My kids were sure Johnny planted it.  We still teach and use the song.  My little granddaughters sing it at snack time at their church preschool.  He was a fascinating guy!====JACK:  Kids are interested in fairy tale characters, but especially interested when they learn that a "fairy tale" person turns out to be real.

 FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  The WW brought back  a  wonderful memory of a trip to Moline in the late 1960's with all of the children and seeing a movie movie about Johnny Appleseed in the old library which used to be on Fifth Avenue and where we all spent a lot of our time growing up.  Every day seems like a miracle.====JACK:  Is the Carnegie name still over the entrance to the building?====SHIRL:  Here's an apple story....This is as good as it  gets!!!   A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago  They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush to catch the plane home and with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples.  Apples flew everywhere.  Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding...ALL BUT
ONE!!!   He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.  He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over terminal floor.   He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind!  She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.   The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.  When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $50 for the damage we did. Are you okay?  "She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."   As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes.  She continued, "Are you Jesus?"  He stopped in mid-stride .... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.”  The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me.  Thank you for hearing Jesus, Mister."   Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul:  "Are you Jesus?" 

 FROM HCC CHUCK:  The air we breathe the birth of a new creature  the sunshine a beautiful moon and star lit sky  the joy of living!!!!!!!!  we could go on and on.====JACK:  Even the winter season and the SNOW!