We've often sung the old chorus, He Owns the Cattle on a Thousand Hills. I've heard people who were in dire need add a different second line that goes something like this, "But who needs a cow right now?"
Last night before finally getting to sleep I was reading an excellent book entitled Absolutely Sure by Steven J. Lawson published by Multnomah Publishers. Towards the end of the book, Lawson relates the following story. It brought tears to my eyes as I read it to Carol.
Here it is:
Shortly after Dallas Theological Seminary was founded in 1924, it almost folded. It came to the point of bankruptcy. All the creditors were ready to foreclose at twelve noon on a particular day. That morning, the founders of the school met in the president’s office (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer) to pray that God would provide. In that prayer meeting was Harry Ironside. When it was his turn to pray, he said in his refreshingly candid way, “Lord we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are Thine. Please sell some of them and send us the money.”Just about that time, a tall Texan in boots and an open-collar shirt strolled into the business office. “Howdy!” he said to the secretary. “I just sold two carloads of cattle over in Fort Worth. I’ve been trying to make a business deal go through, but it just won’t work. I feel God wants me to give this money to the seminary. I don’t know if you need it or not, but here’s the check,” and he handed it over.
The secretary took the check and, knowing something of the critical nature of the hour, went to the door of the prayer meeting and timidly tapped. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder and president of the school, answered the door and took the check from her hand. When he looked at the amount, it was for the exact sum of the debt. Then he recognized the name on the check as that of the cattleman. Turning to Dr. Ironside, he said, “Harry, God sold the cattle.”
And, by the way, God still sells cows today!
I can confirm our Good sees our needs, even before we pray.
ReplyDeleteHe's not only selling cows, He sends blogger friends as well. Like he sendt Terry and SiouxSue to my place.
Even the hair on our heads are counted, isn't that wonderful?!
He knows us so closely, and he provides for us what we need.
God bless you, Pilgrim Father.
Yes, and I am so thankful for Felisol and Terry, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks be to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us!
Just to think, it all started on your blog Pilgrim!!
ReplyDeleteYou are the heart of it all!!!
We are all little links on a big chain!
I will write later.
I have not been forgetting you but my hands have been a little full since Sunday with my dad's not being well and his being in the hospital...From Terry
The story is lovely; however, it is a glurge. According to a 1978letter from Dr. John F. Wolvoord, in answer to an inquiry regarding this story, he dispels the specific answer to this prayer as saving the day at DTS.
ReplyDelete"Actually, he (Dr.Ironside) made a remark about the cattle on a thousand hills belonging to the Lord and hoping that someone wuld donate cattle to the Seminary. Out of this, however, the Seminary received one steer which was used in our dining room to help feed our students. I was not there at the time, but I understand that this was the response. It had nothing to dowith paying off our deb, as the story was told."
"The story was circulated around the country, and in the process of circulation it accumulated some additional points that were not exactly correct."
God answers prayer and often takes our needs,prayer and participation in order to bless us or even act miraculously to meet our need. Nevertheless, the core of testimony is truth. There are enough true stories of faith and prayer moving mountains that we ought not give skeptics 'glurge' tales which may be discredited.
Thankyou for sharing this wonderful story of Gods faithfulness. God is good!!
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