Roy Exum
In 2007 I was asked to fly to California and do a profile story on the famed televangelist Robert Schuller. We had a great time, talking and laughing over twice my allotted time, and the story turned out well … everybody seemed pleased. As we stood to say goodbye, I asked the man who had made “The Hour of Power” a Sunday staple all across America, and in a number of foreign countries, about a fleeting rumor I’d heard only in passing several years before.
“Did you ever meet Bear Bryant (the equally famous Alabama football coach who died in 1983)? And do you know anything about a rumor that claims you met him on an airplane and watched as he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior?”
Schuller smiled, pausing a little longer as he might, before he answered, “I’ve never said anything much about that but, yes, what you described is all quite true … Would you like to hear what happened?” he added as I slipped back into my chair and the pastor ordered two more glasses of tea.
If the day ever comes when some unknown soul compiles a collection of my stories into a “Greatest Hits,” the story about the chance meeting between two of the greatest in their chosen profession would be in my Top Five. It has been reprinted countless times, told in churches, read at Alabama gatherings, used as an illustration in many seminary schools, included in books, and is a favorite among men’s study groups. There was no skill on my part; all I did was write down what Schuller said, and he didn’t need to be prompted as he recalled the event as one of the greatest in his life.
Roughly six weeks after the chance encounter in the aisle of that airplane, Coach Bryant died (January 26, 1983 at age 69.) In his wallet, this verified, was a small, carefully folded index card, on which Robert Schuller had written, from The Book of John 6:37, “He That Cometh To Me I Will In No Wise Cast Out.” Under the verse was a line, drawn by Schuller but signed by another’s signature, “Paul W. Bryant.”
Again, the story has been widely circulated for over 10 years, but I still was surprised by an email that came from far away and arrived last week. The note read, “It happened again. I don’t know if you have ever seen this, but I think it will mean a lot to you …
* * *
WHEN JOHN WAYNE HAD DINNER AT THE NEWPORT CLUB
Most of you know John Wayne as an actor. You may not know what happened to him before he died. this is that story. Robert Schuller's (then) teenage daughter, Cindy, was in a motorcycle accident and had to have her leg amputated. John Wayne is a big fan of Robert Schuller.
He heard Dr. Schuller say on one of his programs that his daughter had been in an accident and had to have her leg amputated. John Wayne wrote a note to her saying: “Dear Cindy, Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you will be all right. Signed, John Wayne.”
The note was delivered to her and she decided she wanted to write John Wayne a note in reply. She wrote: “Dear Mr. Wayne, I got your note. Thanks for writing to me. I like you very much. I am going to be all right because Jesus is going to help me. Mr. Wayne, do you know Jesus? I sure hope you know Jesus, Mr. Wayne, because I cannot imagine Heaven being complete without John Wayne being there.
“I hope, if you don't know Jesus, that you will give your heart to Jesus right now. See you in Heaven.” And she signed her name. She had just put that letter in an envelope, sealed it, and written across the front of it "John Wayne" when a visitor came into her room to see her.
He said to her: “What are you doing?” She said, “I just wrote a letter to John Wayne, but I don't know how to get it to him. He said: “That's funny, I am going to have dinner with John Wayne tonight at the Newport Club down at Newport Beach. Give it to me and I will give it to him.”
She gave him the letter and he put it in his coat pocket.
There were 12 of them that night sitting around the table for dinner. They were laughing and cutting up and the guy happened to reach in his pocket and felt that letter and remembered. John Wayne was seated at the end of the table and the guy took the letter out and said: “Hey, Duke, I was in Schuller's daughter's room today and she wrote you a letter and wanted me to give it to you. Here it is.”
“They passed it down to John Wayne and he opened it. They kept on laughing and cutting up and someone happened to look down at John Wayne. He was crying. One of them said: Hey, Duke, what is the matter? He said (and can't you hear him saying it), " I want to read you this letter."
He read the letter. Then he began to weep. He folded it, put it in his pocket, and he pointed to the man who delivered it to him and said:
"You go tell that little girl that right now, in this restaurant, right here, John Wayne gives his heart to Jesus Christ and I will see her in heaven."
Three weeks later John Wayne died.
-- Author unknown
* * *
“Now, boys, don't get caught watchin' the paint dry!” -- Wilbur 'Shooter' Flatch in the movie, “Hoosiers.”
* * *
To Read Roy Exum’s story, go to Google and write in the search line, ‘Bear Bryant’s Hour of Power.’royexumWaol.com
royexum@aol.com