May 15, 2020 (Friday)
After I came to Jesus I was introduced to many Christian people, some who stand out in my memory as unusually dedicated to Christ and an example for others.
Dale Aycock was about my age when we were house mates with other boys at an elderly widow’s home on S. 8th Street in Waco. I got to know him because he was a cousin to Glenn Norman, who had been pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Houston and, after hearing I planned to be a preacher, had given me opportunities to speak at the church. After our college days were over, Dale moved to California, married, had a big family and pastored churches at Long Beach and Bakersfield as well as other places, I think. Glenn later pastored the Second Baptist Church of Corpus Christi before moving to the state of Washington where he served as pastor and was active in Baptist work there.
When Glenn was in college, he sold Bibles. He was a great salesman and sold many Bibles. At times he would find himself in a remote rural area at bedtime, and usually a kindly farmer would invite him to spend the night. What set Glenn apart as a Bible salesman was the fact that he claimed to be an atheist at the time. He was very successful in arguing with people about the existence of God. No matter how well people presented their case for God, Glenn always had an answer. One evening, just before retiring for the night as a guest in an old farmer’s home, he successfully won all the arguments opposed to the farmer’s faith. Just before they entered their separate rooms, the old man said to the bright youngster, “Son, I just hope and pray that some day you will come to love my Jesus as I do.” Then they went to bed, but there was something about the kindess, love and faith of his host that kept Glenn awake that night. Later he became a Christian, then an active church member and finally answered God’s clear call to become a minister of the gospel.
I recall hearing a preacher say one day, “A man with an argument hasn’t got a chance against a man with an experience!” If we really love the Lord Jesus Christ, people will notice something about us that will cause them to stop and think seriously about their own relationship to God.
WHY ME, LORD?
Kris Kristofferson
1972
(Written after a profound experience with the Lord)
Why me Lord?
What have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasure I’ve known
Tell me Lord
What did I ever do
That was worth lovin’ you
For the kindness you’ve shown
Lord help me Jesus
I’ve wasted it so help me Jesus
I know what I am
But now that I know
That I needed you so help me Jesus
My souls in your hand
Try me Lord
If you think there’s a way
I can try to repay
All I’ve takin’ from you
Maybe Lord
I can show someone else
What I’ve been through myself
On my way back to you
Lord help me Jesus
I’ve wasted it so help me Jesus
I know what I am
But now that I know
That I needed you so help me Jesus
My souls in your hand
Lord help me Jesus
I’ve wasted it so help me Jesus
I know what I am
But now that I know
That I needed you so help me Jesus
My souls in your hand
Jesus, my soul’s in your hands