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Tuesday 7 July 2015

What Would Jesus Do??

Talk on Tuesday
 
 
 
One of my recent devotionals was about the book called, "In His Steps". 
I've shared before about how God shows me in the most unique ways
of what He wants me to share.
 I had been shopping at a thrift store and I always like to
check out the vintage book section.
I've discovered some great books.
I saw a small old used book and pulled it out.
I recognized the title.
 
 
I had read this book years ago.
The copyright date was 1935, (the year my mother was born).
I was sure I had this book somewhere in my possession.
When I got home I searched everywhere and could not find it.
I asked my DH if he would like to go along for a ride to go back and pick up the book.
I realized that this was going to be the topic for the upcoming devotion with the ladies.
 
 
After reading the foreword,
I realized that the entire book was public domain.
There was a mix up in the protocol to have it copyrighted, and as a
result the book is free for all to use.
Because of this, many publishers snatched it up, and the result was
that the book had more circulation than any other book except the Bible.
 
 
For that reason, the author Charles M. Sheldon, was very grateful.
 
The book was formulated after a series of sermons taught by the author
who was a Congregational Pastor in Topeka Kansas in 1889.
 
 
About a year after he started pastoring, Sheldon was discouraged at the lack of attendance at
his Sunday evening services.
He came up with the idea of "sermon stories".
Sheldon would tell stories but leave with a cliff-hanger
 to compel the people to come back the next week.
This was put into book form.
Sheldon was very involved in social reform and helping those less fortunate.
The storyline for the book is about a congregation and its pastor,
who encounter a homeless and ill young man during one of their services.
The congregation consists of many of the elite and wealthy of the town.
 Henry Maxwell, the pastor, has been sharing from the scripture of 1 Peter 2:21
 
"For hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for you,
 leaving you an example that ye should follow his steps."
 
At the next Sunday service, the dedicated church goers are presented with a challenge.
The challenge is to not do anything without asking the question,
"What Would Jesus Do?"
And this is when the story gets interesting, when several of the congregation decide
they are going to do the challenge.
Answering this question in their daily lives proved to be difficult
and was not always very popular.
 

 
In the 1990's, a youth leader from Holland Michigan came up with the idea of putting
the acronym on a bracelet, which was popular at that time,
 to help the youth to remember the phrase.
 
 


This is the front of the postcard that I gave the ladies.
 
 

 
 
 This is the back of the postcard.
 
There have been several movies made of this book.
A newer version came out in 2013
 
 
 
 
 You can see a 10 minute prequel to the movie here.
 
I bought a bracelet for each of the ladies.
The store only had 13.
There were 13 ladies.
Kinda cool, huh?!
 
I also ordered the movie for them to have in their library.
 
Wouldn't our lives be so much different if we truly asked this
question each and every day.
Every moment of the day.
 
Blessing to you dear reader,
 
 
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4 comments :

  1. Dear Diane, What a wonderful story about this book and the author. I think finding that old copy was such a special way for the Lord to give you this treasure.And the year your Mother was born! And I am sure those ladies will be blessed! And we would all do so much better if we would ask that question (What would Jesus Do) Hope you are having a wonderful summer! Your blog is so very pretty!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  2. What a great story! It's great to know the history of that question. Yes, it would be a much better world if everyone would live by that question.

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  3. Good morning, sweet friend! My, what an interesting story :) I remember those bracelets and even had a few. There were many times I thought about the words and it was a great reminder....What Would Jesus Do?

    I greatly appreciate you sharing this wonderful post with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!

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  4. Hi Diane - I enjoyed learning about this special book and the reasons behind it. That is such a beautiful question to ask in every situation. Thank you for the inspiration! xo Karen

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I so appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I am blessed by each one. Diane