[The story to now: Carl was a World War II veteran who lived in an inner city community. He volunteered to care for a garden at the local community church. While working in the garden, he was twice assaulted by members of a gang. He would offer the young men a drink of cool water from his hose, but he never defended himself or retaliated. The leader of the gang returned one day with a paper bag containing the personal items that had been stolen from Carl. When Carl died, this young man responded to the need for someone to care for Carl’s garden at the church.]
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. During that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community, but he never forgot his promise to Carl’s memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he could not care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, “My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she is bringing him home on Saturday.”
“Well, congratulations!” exclaimed the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. “That is wonderful! What is the baby’s name?”
“Carl,” came the reply.
That is the whole gospel message simply stated.
From a Strictly Mathematical Viewpoint
What equals 100 percent? What does it mean to give more than 100 percent? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100 percent? We have all been in situations where someone wants us to give over 100 percent. How about achieving 101 percent? What equals 100 percent in life? What equals 101 percent? Carl gave 101 percent. What do you give?
Here is a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Then:
K-I-N-D-N-E-S-S = _____ percent,
but
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E = _____ percent,
and look how far the love of God will take you:
L- O- V- E-O-F-G-O-D = _____ percent.
Surely Carl showed the love of God!
“If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God.” Conflict and Courage, 359.
“Persons of little talent, if faithful in keeping their hearts in the love of God, may win many souls to Christ.”Christian Service, 101