I had invited Dr. Jack Taylor to speak at my church and he accepted. Now in his late 70’s, he carried himself with such grace and dignity. He was a General in the Kingdom of God and I was awestruck. He carried two books, his bible and a book by E. Stanley Jones, The Unshakable Kingdom. One day, he asked if I could take him to a gym. He had Jones’ book with him.
It was tattered, worn, dogeared, and marked up. I was presumptuous and asked if I could have his book. He said, “Of course, son, I have a box full of these in my room.” I replied, “Actually, I mean can I have ‘that’ book?” I know, young and dumb. He paused with the gravity of my request and said, “I’ll have to think about it.” We went on with our workout. I felt like a 7 year old who had just stepped way over the line.”
Later that evening, I picked him up for the meeting and he reverently handed me the book. He said, “I really had to pray about your request, because this book was my wife’s before she passed away. It’s precious to me. I carry it everywhere I go. All of the notes, markings, highlights and pieces of paper are hers. I prayed and the Holy Spirit told me to give this book to you as a gift.”
It brings tears to my eyes even as I write about it. Papa Jack is now in his heavenly home with Jesus, but I keep this special book, this mantle if you will, within reach as a reminder of how much God loves me and blessed me with a special gift from a true General in the faith.
It’s also a reminder to tell you how much you are loved by God. He gave you something much more special than an old tattered book, He gave you His only Son, Jesus. Through Jesus, you can enjoy eternal life starting right now. Have you received God’s gift of eternal life through Christ? - Pastor Jimmy
