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From: Rose Ann
Date: 03 Nov 1999
Time: 09:24:32
Remote Name: 208.206.239.54
He had wild hair, wore a t-whirt with holes in it, and jeans with no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He was birlliant - kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from campus was an elegant, very conservative church. They wanted to develop a ministry to the students, but were not sure how to begin. One day, John decided to go there. He walked in with no shoes, jeans, his t-shirt and wild hair. The service had already started, so John started down the aisle, looking for a seat. The church was completely packed and he could not find one.
By then, people were looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything as John got closer and closer to the pulpit. When he realized there were no seats, he just squatted right down on the carpet. Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, this was not customary in this church. By now, people were really up tight and one could feel the tension in the air.
About this time, the minister realized that from way back at the back of the sanctuary, a deacon was making his way towards John. The deacon was in his 80's had silver-gray hair, a three-piece suit and a pocket watch - a godly man, very elegant and very courtly. As he started walking towards the unkempt boy, everyone was staying to themselves, "You can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and background to understand some college kid on the floor?"
It took a long time for the elderly gentleman to reach the boy. The church was utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes were focused on him. You couldn't even hear anyone breathing. The poeple were thinking, "The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do."
And then, they saw the elderly man drop his cane to the floor. With great difficulty, he lowered himself and sat down next to John, so he wouldn't be alone. Everyone choked up with emotion. When the minister gained control, he told the congretation, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."