Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous trails, fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done. This is the time of the year when everybody feels especially cheerful and kind-hearted, isn't it? Certainly when we think of the great gift God gave us in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we should be happy and thankful. We think of Christmas as a time of miracles, don't we? The greatest miracle, of course, was the birth of Jesus. But the other miracles I'm talking about are the changes that take place in the hearts of men, the spirit of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Just now it's three weeks till Christmas and there's a deep snow in Naughty Pine. In fact, many of the townspeople have hitched up their horses and sleighs and are out enjoying the brisk mountain air. Bill and the fellows are walking across town listening to the tinkling and jingling of sleigh bells. Boy, oh boy. You know, I wish I'd been living at the time of the first Christmas. I agree with you, pal. From being out on the hillside tending sheep and suddenly a heavenly host of angels appears singing praise and glory to God and the baby Jesus. What an experience that must have been. You say plenty that time, Bill. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. I'd like to have been one of the wise men, the shepherds that saw the baby Jesus in the manger. Suree, that would have been something. Hey, here comes Dave Benson and Jimmy. Boy, there's a real example of how faith in the Lord can help you through trouble and pestilence. I'll say so. Hey, Dave, stop him. Oh, oh boy. Hiya, fellas. Hello, Dave. Hiya, Stumpy. Bill. Howdy. It's good to see you, fellas. How are ya? Fine, Dave. Yeah, sure. You're looking pretty chipper today, Jimmy. How are things? Just fine, Bill. Cy Withers let Dad borrow the horse and sleigh to take me out here. I like this fine. Jimmy doesn't get out very much in the wintertime. This is such a beautiful day. I thought it might be one of the few days this winter that he could be out. How's old Albin doing at the other end of the sleigh, Jimmy boy? He's doing fine jobs, Stumpy. Someday I'll be able to pull my own sled. I know you will, young fella. Just keep your chin up and looking to the Lord. He'll work something out for you. Sure, you're a foot high. I know it, Stumpy. I never get discouraged. I'll say he doesn't. Jimmy has more faith and courage than any of us. Dave, have you made any arrangements to see a specialist? If you haven't, I know of one. Not yet, Bill. I'll drop over to see you later in the day. Well, I'll have to be leaving you. I'd better get Jimmy home. He's been out of his wheelchair quite a while. I'll be in the office, Dave. Come in any time. Oh, thanks, Bill. Come on, darling, let's go. Yes, I may, Mr. Davin. It's Gertrude. That's Stumpy's fault, not mine. Stumpy, you were your pet name. Stumpy, you always get in trouble. Maybe I should have called him, I mean her, Dabernet. Yeah, we should roll you in the snow for that one. You and whose army, Henry? Me, myself. That's... Hey, now he wants a snowball fight. I'm not going to let you get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. 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I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. I'm going to get away with this. Thank you so much, Doctor. Will it... will it mean an operation? Yes, it will. There are some bones which need to be straightened out. That's the first step, but then there is much more to... Hello, Jimmy. Hey, Henry. How are you? How are you? Hello, fellas. It sure feels good to be back home. Doctor Fitzgerald is a fine doctor. What did he say about your legs, young fella? The stompy. He said he could fix me up so I could walk again. Only not right away. Well, how's that, Jimmy? Why not? Yeah, what's wrong? Well, you tell him, Dad. Well, it's this way. The cost is... Well, it's too much for us to pay, but... But that's all right. When the Lord wants me to walk, He'll give Dad the money. Oh, yes, Jimmy. Sure He will. He'll give us the money. Don't you worry. A man? Damn! What's the matter? Isn't everything all right? It's all right, Bill. so wonderful about the whole thing. I don't understand. Bill, it just about tore my heart out to tell Jimmy that we didn't have the money for the operation and the treatments. And then Jimmy took my hand and told me it was all right. Said that when the Lord wanted him to walk, He'd give us the money. Dave, Jimmy's right. Well, it's certainly a rebuke to us for our lack of faith. And yet, what can we do? Dave, have you got that mustard seed yet? Oh, yes, Bill. It's right here in my pocket. Better dig it out, Dave. And remember that what faith has accomplished in the past can also accomplish in the future. Pastor, this is Bill. Can we have another meeting of the deacons and trustees for the next two weeks? Oh, fine. Thanks a lot. Gentlemen, now you have the complete story. Jimmy's recovery is in our hands. Two thousand dollars. We don't have that kind of money. And what about our other obligation? Gentlemen, I know it sounds crazy, but somewhere, somehow, God has the money. And He expects us to do our part before He steps in and does the rest. The Lord expects us to use our heads. When you talk about faith, you've got to consider the circumstances. That's practical faith. Mr. Chairman, I still vote no. Friends, before we have the message of the morning, there's a young man in our congregation who'd like to say a few words to you. Jimmy Benson. Go ahead, Jimmy. Thank you, Pastor. I just want to say thank you for helping me to visit Dr. Fitzgerald in Baltimore. He gave me good news. He said I'll be able to walk again someday. Just how it will be done and when, I don't know. The Lord knows. And He's helped me in so many ways that I can't count them anymore. But I know that someday I'll walk right up here in this platform because God helped me, because you helped me. And then I want to say, too, that if you don't know the Lord as your Savior and Helper, you ought to, because He's wonderful. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, O preacher, Him alone. Hey, Bill, did you see that? Bert Leason just walked out of the church. Praise. Yes, operator. Dr. Benson Fitzgerald. Simpson Hospital, Baltimore. The call is urgent. This is Dr. Fitzgerald speaking. Yeah, Dr. Fitzgerald. My name is Bert Leason of Naughty Pine. You don't know me, but... Yes. Can I help you? Yes, yes, you can. Only it's not me, doctor. It's a lad named Jimmy Benson whom you recently examined. Jimmy Benson, yes, I know him well. Doctor, I want you to go ahead with the operation and the treatments. The cost is of no concern. Whatever it is, I'm amply able to take care of it. I see. You're a relative of his, I presume? A relative? Well, yes. You might call me an elder brother in the Lord. One thing more, doctor. This gift is to remain anonymous. He must never know. Hello, Jimmy. How are you? You were a brave little fellow. Hello, Dr. Fitzgerald. I'm all right. I know you are, Jimmy, because you're trusting the Lord, aren't you? Yeah, because he said, underneath are the everlasting arms. Thanks for telling me, Jimmy. It's something I needed to know. Did you know you had an elder brother? Me? No, I don't have any big brother. Oh? I thought you had. Now look, Jimmy, we're going to the entrance. Boy, Bill, I'm so happy for Jimmy. I don't know what to do with myself. The operation's over. Jimmy's already back in Naughty Pine. His mom and dad can visit him every day at the hospital. Yes, Henry, this is a very special Christmas this year. I'm thinking it won't cause Jimmy's dad ascent. Now I wonder who it could have been. Henry, you know who it was. It was the Lord. Yes, sirree, it was the Lord. If my cup of joy is running over, I can imagine Jimmy bubbling over like a hot tea kettle. This great experience in my Christian life, one I never forget. Soon Jimmy will begin to walk. Yes, Gray Wolf. The doctor says the operation was a terrific success. Hey, Bill, who's that standing outside Jimmy's room? Hey, that looks like, that looks like Burt Leeson. Couldn't be. Well, if it ain't, it's his double. Say Burt, Burt Leeson. Look him run. Yeah, there he goes, like a scared jackrabbit. Now what would bring Burt Leeson to the hospital? Hey, you don't suppose that... I don't suppose anything, pal, but one thing I know, with the Lord all things are possible. And that's all we need to know. Yes, Bill, with the Lord all things are possible. If we have faith as big as a mustard seed. And now, boys and girls, I want to present Ranger Bill Jefferson, who wants to talk with you for just a minute. Go ahead, Bill. Thank you. Fellas and girls, I hope you enjoyed this story today about Jimmy Benson, a boy who knew the meaning of pain and handicap and trusted God through it all. Jimmy puts many of us to shame, both young people and adults, who are blessed with so many wonderful things and don't thank God for them. And God helped Jimmy, didn't He? And made him well again, so that he could walk and run like all the other boys. But the thing that Jimmy was most thankful for was that he found the Lord Jesus to be the best friend he had in the world. Can you say that? The Lord Jesus is the very best friend I have in all the world. If you can't, here's how you may do it and mean it. Just say to Him in prayer, Lord Jesus, come into my heart right now. And He will, because that's why He came into the world so many years ago. I hope you'll do it and write me about it. Thank you, Ranger Bill. And may we say Merry Christmas. We'll see you next week for more Adventure with Ranger Bill.
