You, no doubt, have heard about “Johnny Appleseed”. His real name was John Chapman, a colorful character of the early 1800s. He was a missionary and a nurseryman and is credited with introducing apples to much of the upper Midwest. Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated on September 26, the date he was born in Massachusetts in 1774.
He scattered apple seeds that produced not just a few apple trees, but entire orchards across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia. Some of the appleseeds he planted may have also produced the apple trees in Oregon and Washington.
You could celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day by indulging yourself in the delicious fruit that he helped to spread across the United States. Whether you enjoy a fresh apple off a tree or a rich and flavorful apple pie, be sure to take time to appreciate the results of his efforts.
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Each of us can be a “Johnny Appleseed” of sorts, as we all have opportunities in our lifetime to plant a “seed” in the hearts and minds of others so they can come to know about Jesus and His gift of salvation. Such opportunities present themselves in many ways during our years on earth.
If you’ve ever sold a home, you’ll come in contact with many new people. That was exactly what happened recently to me and my wife.
Like many others have done, we decided to downsize into a smaller, less expensive home. Our case was somewhat unusual, because we moved back into the exact same home we had moved from in Iowa nearly 35 years earlier when we relocated from Iowa to Texas. This was the house where we raised our children and made many lasting friendships—the house had a lot of sentimental value to us. We knew where furniture would fit and how much we had to get rid of!
As we went through the home-selling and buying process, we met many new people — realtors, prospective buyers, a painter, roofers, repair people, mortgage people, a notary, and many others.
Then there were the new people we met after the move—new neighbors and potential friends, a new church and friendships, new doctors, a new insurance agent, new bankers, employees at restaurants and grocery stores, etc. Each of the new contacts meant the opportunity to “plant seeds” of Christian love and caring.
I’m not one to knock on doors and ask a person if they are a Christian, but I do have some laminated cards that I had printed which I keep in my shirt pocket. They express the importance of being a Christian.
The cards are approximately 2 1/4” by 3 1/4” and are like small tracts. At an appropriate time, and when I feel the Lord’s urging, I ask a new person — “May I give you something?” I’ve never had anyone refuse me yet.
People are curious, and since what is on the card is short in length, most people will take the time to read what is on the card. Many will even turn the card over and read what’s on the reverse side. Everyone keeps the card. For some the message is an encouragement. For others, hopefully it may be that they will spend more time reading the card later in reflection.
Here is what’s on one side of the card:
THINGS WE CAN’T SEE BUT KNOW EXIST
*Gravity *Heat & Cold
*Sound *Wind
*Emotions *Power & Energy
*Smell *Taste
*Life *Magnetism
*Thoughts and Imagination
*Radio, TV, and Cell Phone Waves
Likewise…
Although we can’t see HIM, we know GOD exists!
“There is no excuse for not believing in GOD.”
“The heavens declare the glory of God and the
firmament (sky) proclaims His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…” Hebrews 11:1
“…unseen things are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:18
This is what is printed on the other side of the card:
THE BIBLE IN 14 WORDS
GOD Created Genesis 1:1
Man Disobeyed Genesis 3:16
Jesus Saved John 3:16
Jesus Will Return, Judge & Rule for Eternity
Revelation 19:22
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300 Old Testament Predictions prophesied of Christ’s 1st Coming
Jesus Fulfilled ALL 300
350 New Testament Predictions prophesy of Christ’s 2nd Coming
SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT
BELIEVE AND RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE!!
Like the Gideons, who distribute millions of Bibles each year and then rely on the Holy Spirit to work in a person’s heart to bring him or her to Christ—in one of GOD’S OTHER WAYS© I’m just a “Johnny Appleseed”, planting the Gospel with people that I may meet.
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And He [Jesus] was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows - how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. Mark 4:26-29