STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Special Treat ??“ New Writer ??“ Bob Raines

May 15, 2005

Today we welcome Dr. Bob Raines as a new writer to our fold.  Bob is writer #206 for Storytime Tapestry and has some wonderful words to share with us.  Please encourage him to continue to write for us.  Now that he has finally made the very long Storytime Tapestry queue I want him to make himself at home.

Hi Carol,

I just read the story that Pamely Blaine just submitted. He story reminded me of one of the Karens in my past. I would like to submit my letter to Pamela as a potential story for you to use.



Thanks Bob



Hi Pamela,

Thanks for the story about Karen. I too have a personal story about a Karen in my life. I met Karen and and her friend in Alameda California in about1970. At that time with all of the Hippies scattered about I had a desire to reach them. In my case I was impressed with the value of PA systems. I had enough power and volume to be able to speak and be understood for up to 6 blocks away during a work day in downtown Oakland, Ca. I preached and played Gospel Music. I built a housing around my speakers that were mounted on top of my 1960 Chevrolet station wagon. I hand lattered a Gospel Message on the sides of the 2'x8' speaker cover.



It was the sign that caught Karen's friend's attention. They both were deaf. I did not know sign language so I had to communicate with an open Bible and pen and paper. Karen's friend was trying to tell her about Salvation. She didn't feel that she was making progress so when she saw my sign she stopped me and handed me a note asking me to help them.

For the next six to eight hours we went to my house. My wife and I wrote notes back and forth to them. After about five hours Karen moved from her seat and went to our couch and got on her knees. With tears streaming down her face she prayed for 30 plus minutes them stood with a beautiful smile and hands lifted in praise to our Lord for her salvation. The following message in the basic message that I present when I talk about salvation.

Plan of Salvation

1. Problem of Sin

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

2. Price of Sin

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. Price of Sin Paid

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

4. Pathway to Paradise

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.



I do vary at times according to needs but my basice message is always the same. An individual must go to God with a repentant spirit and ask God for His Forgiveness. It is not a matter of place, time, emotional experience. It is an inner spirit with an honest desire to make things right between him or her toward God.

I compare to a degree my salvation to my experience in marriage. My marriage to Linda over 38 years ago was not an emotional experience, it was a matter of fact and obedience to the law. Now those facts are only a small portion compared to the multiple times of warmth and emotions that we have enjoyed.

I received Christ as my Saviour when I was 7 yrs old at the Baseline Missionary Baptist Church during a Sunday Evening Service. I had to move out of my pew fast to escape from my Mother. She almost stopped me. As a 7 yr old I was convinced of Hell and did not want to go there. On that evening my life was forever changed. I knew as a 7 yr old that I was saved and called to preach.

As a teen I got away from my Lord until I was 27. At that time I ask for God's forgiveness and have been growing and serving Him since. Our Lord has allowed me to be a part of starting 5 churches. As far as I know only one of those churches is active today. My contribution in the last church that I played a part in was more like a truck driver taking a load of essential building materials to a job site and setting it off. Next God sent the master craftsman to the site, Pastor Jon Horton to start a work that carries the name, Gospel Light Baptist Church, 503 Oak St, in Malvern Arkansas. It is a Heaven Sent Blessing to be a part of that work,

I have another church that is special to me, Gospel Light Baptist Church, 910 W. Hazel St Benton, Arkansas. I met Pastor Eddie Kitchens over 25 years ago when he was a rebellious 17 yr old teenager that was dating his girlfriend Gina, (who is now his wife) It was 22 years later that I met Eddie again. He reminded me of the fact that I was the one that showed him how to be saved.

Thanks for telling about your Karen. You brought back precious memories.

A Letter to Karen after reading about her Karen. By Bob Raines @ drbobraines1@juno.com You may write to Dr Bob Raines to ask questions or to simply request prayer.