Here is Part 2 from the old 1939 book about Jesus. Very appropriate for the Resurrection season. That said, allow me to share, through my blog, a couple more pages published by The Saalfield Pub. Co, Akron, Ohio, “The Story of Jesus.” I will be sharing the stories from this book periodically until we’ve reached the end of the book. I hope you enjoy these wonderful stories told with simple words and vibrant illustrations!
I just recently came into possession of an old children’s book in poor condition. I was faced with the dilemma of just what to do with said book. The copyright was from 1939 and the writing and illustrations definitely portrayed the style and feel of the era. The tattered and brittle pages seemed to be begging to be put to rest, but the quality of the illustrations and timeless story were things I didn’t want to just toss out. It then occurred to me the best solution might just be to share these tattered pages with as many people as I could. That said, allow me to share, through my blog, the pages published by The Saalfield Pub. Co, Akron, Ohio, “The Story of Jesus.” I will be sharing the stories from this book periodically until we’ve reached the end of the book. Quite appropriate with Easter soon to arrive don’t you think? I hope you enjoy this wonderful story told with simple words and vibrant illustrations!
If you’ve ever been to a nostalgia drag race or show, one of the things you’ll notice is there are a number of cars built to pay tribute to drivers or teams of days gone by. When I first started going to these shows, one of the things that surprised me was how many of these people had actual legends of the sport sign their cars in conspicuous places. The first time I saw Don “Big Daddy” Garlits’ signature on a dashboard, I thought it was such a wonderful idea! It struck me as a kind of two-way deal, with the car owner carrying a tribute to one of the all-time greats of racing and Don returning the favor by giving a “seal of approval” to the hot rod with his signature. Now, with that as an introduction, I have to tell you about my recent experience. I signed my first (probably last, too) car. No, the owner wasn’t paying tribute to me, nor was I giving his car my “seal of approval” (although I do approve of it wholeheartedly). The reasoning here was a completely different scenario as follows.
“Did you read the back of my car?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Did you say ‘yes’?”
“Yes I did!”
“Then I’d like you to sign my car.”
Meet James Joyce, driver of the ‘65 Comet wagon appropriately named “Old Testament.” Not typically the type of car built to attract attention, it is the message portrayed on the car itself that demands attention. The message, you ask? In big, bold letters across the back it reads, “This wagon was born again…how about you?”
James is your typical car guy. Before acquiring the wagon, he was building a ‘65 Mustang fastback. According to James, “I could never get the other car together, I was always fighting it all the time. Then I got this car. Every time I went to look for something for it, it was there. It was all because this car had a plan.”
The plan, if you haven’t figured out by now, is to spread the message of the Gospel through drag racing. And if the question on the tailgate isn’t enough to reel you in, the purpose of the car is reinforced by proclaiming “We Will Drag You Back to Jesus” and “Powered by Faith” on the sides.
Like most hot rods, there’s a story to the build. The oil pan came from Florida, the headers from Chicago, the transmission and converter came from Connecticut, the rear was originally built for the Mustang (in a divine twist, the rear was an exact fit!) and the intake came from southern Maryland by way of a trade. Through all this, James believes God provided the path for the car to make it to the end, that this car had a purpose beyond just drag racing. After watching this car make a pass down the 1320, it’s obvious this car (and driver) does have a purpose and one that will be successful. As it says on the side, I believe James and the Old Testament Comet will definitely drag people back to Jesus.
Romans 12:17-21 English Standard Version (ESV) 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
That’s a stark contrast from the mantra shouted by today’s society. We often hear “do unto others before they can do it to you” wherever we turn. If anyone feels violated we are quick to start a protest of some sort or “take a knee.” Our first thought is always seek revenge when we’re wronged. It’s the will of our flesh to seek retribution. We want our justice and recognition and we want it NOW!
But this is not the lesson to be learned here, as we’ve been taught by Jesus;
Matthew 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV) 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Showing mercy to those who do us wrong is what we’re to do if we want to receive mercy ourselves. And about all those nasty things we want to do deep down in our heart to seek our revenge? We have to wash those things out of our hearts if we want to see God. We have to keep a pure heart. Not an easy task, is it? Not only is it not easy, it’s something impossible to do on our own. Every day we need to seek the Holy Spirit for direction and forgiveness of all those impure things inside us. Hey, we’re fleshly humans, it comes with the territory. In the words of Andy Defresne in The Shawshank Redemption, “get busy living, or get busy dying.” Showing mercy is how we will live and see God in eternity. We only “get busy dying” when we follow the world’s ways and look for revenge. I think you know whose company we keep when revenge is our goal in life. The choice is yours.
While you’re here, please check out my latest book, “The Mysterious Tunnel” for a thrilling adventure through time and faith.
Here it is, the trailer for “The Mysterious Tunnel,” my latest Christian Fiction novel. In case you’re wondering, it was inspired by this actual location. I hope you all give it a look.
Books by D.L. Ford 