A BOY IN CHICAGO

   On a cold, dark night on the street corner, in the city of Chicago, a little boy was selling newspapers when a blizzard began to set in. As people shuffled in and out of nearby stores, the little boy was so cold he didn't try to sell many papers to those passing by.
   Finally, he walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, just around the corner, down the alley, I sleep in a cardboard box and at night it's awful cold out there. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."
   The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and knock on the door. When they answer, just say, 'John 3:16' and they will let you in."
   So the little boy walked to the house, went up the porch steps, and knocked on the door. When an elderly lady answered, he looked up at her and humbly said, "John 3:16"
   The lady smiled, opened the door wide and said, "Come on in, son." As he stepped inside, she took him to a huge room, sat him in a big soft bottom rocker in front of a big old fireplace, and she left him alone for awhile.
   As he comfortably sat there, looking around this big peaceful house, he thought to himself, "John 3:16. I don't understand it but it sure makes a cold boy warm."
   A few hours later the lady came back and asked him, "Are you hungry?"
   "Well, I haven't eaten in a couple of days, so yes, I would like something to eat please." replied the boy.
   The lady took him into the kitchen and sat him down at a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat anymore. When he finished, he sat back resting in his chair, smiled and thought, "Hmmm...John 3:16. I sure don't understand it but it makes a hungry boy feel full."
   Then the lady took him to the upstairs bathroom, filled the bathtub with warm water, then left. The boy undressed then got into the bathtub. As he washed, he thought to himself, "I've never had a bath... a real bath... in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of the big old fire hydrant when they flushed it out. Hmmm... John 3:16. I don't understand it but it sure makes a dirty boy feel clean."
   The boy finished bathing, got dressed in the new flannel pajamas that were laid aside for him, then he called out to the lady. The lady came and gently took his hand and led him to a huge white room.She tucked him in a big old feathered bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, gave him a goodnight kiss on his forehead and turned out the lights as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
   He laid in the darkness, so comfortable, clean and warm. He felt a deep warm, tingling sensation rush through his body. He was unexpectantly overcome with a sense of joy as he let out a soft giggle and excitedly wiggled a liitle in his bed. He looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night. Thinking about that cardboards box in the alley waiting for his return, and he mumbled to himself, "Wow! John 3:16. I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested." And the boy drifted off into a deep tranquil sleep.
   The next morning, the lady came and woke him up. He dressed himself in the new clothes she laid out for him. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he smiled and softly said, "John 3:16 i don't understand it but it sure makes a ragged boy feel brand new."
   After eating a big breakfast, the lady took him back to that big soft bottom rocker, took out a Bible, sat down in front of him and asked, "Do you understand John 3:16?"
   "No ma'am, I don't" he replied. "The first time I heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it."
    She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. he sat there and thought, "John 3:16. I still don't understand it but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe."
   You know, I have to confess... I don't understand it either. How God would be willing to send His Son to die for me and Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand it either but it sure makes life worth living.
 John 3:16  "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.   NLT
 John 3:17 "God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.       NLT
 John 3:18  "There is no judgement against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believeing in God's one and only Son."    NLT

           In his love and service: Bill Dorman  (John 13:34-35)

  John 13:34  So now I am giving you a new commandment; Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.       NLT
  John 13:35  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."   NLT