Russ was one of the "Jesus Stories" at Grace, and the article"Full Circle" in the Pentecostal Evangel was featured. We are so amazed at our journey. It will soon be 34 years since we wandered into an Assembly of God church on a Wednesday night.
I still remember the sermon that evening, it was the story of the "Sower of the Seed," by Pastor Rosco Russell. Pastor Herb Hull was on vacation. That Sunday we came back AM and PM, and gave our lives to Christ in the evening service.
Pastor Russell talked about a path on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington Indiana that led between two dorm buildings, and their shared tennis courts. I knew the buildings and the paths. He said that if he were to walk out there and throw, cast, seed for a harvest, the seed would scorch from the sun, and die from being trampled on the well worn path.
Then he compared the seed to God's message of love, peace, healing and forgiveness, and compared the path to the hardened heart of the hurting, discouraged, fearful and rebellious people who needed God's love. He was speaking to me, and I'll never forget the visual - my heart with stone hard paths through it, trampled on by so many unknowing acquaintances. There was some garden preparation going on that night, from a simple sermon.
Thank you Lord for the call on our lives, to go out with the message that was planted in our hearts, once you were able to till the hardened soil and plant the seeds of harvest in rich new soil.
God, richly bless each one who has had a part in this incredible ministry You have given us, thank You for the prayers that have come our way, finances provided, corrections and encouragements from people who serve You. Thank You Lord for these!!
I still remember the sermon that evening, it was the story of the "Sower of the Seed," by Pastor Rosco Russell. Pastor Herb Hull was on vacation. That Sunday we came back AM and PM, and gave our lives to Christ in the evening service.
Pastor Russell talked about a path on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington Indiana that led between two dorm buildings, and their shared tennis courts. I knew the buildings and the paths. He said that if he were to walk out there and throw, cast, seed for a harvest, the seed would scorch from the sun, and die from being trampled on the well worn path.
Then he compared the seed to God's message of love, peace, healing and forgiveness, and compared the path to the hardened heart of the hurting, discouraged, fearful and rebellious people who needed God's love. He was speaking to me, and I'll never forget the visual - my heart with stone hard paths through it, trampled on by so many unknowing acquaintances. There was some garden preparation going on that night, from a simple sermon.
Thank you Lord for the call on our lives, to go out with the message that was planted in our hearts, once you were able to till the hardened soil and plant the seeds of harvest in rich new soil.
God, richly bless each one who has had a part in this incredible ministry You have given us, thank You for the prayers that have come our way, finances provided, corrections and encouragements from people who serve You. Thank You Lord for these!!
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