Unshackled - Alan Pine

How do you do? There's a great deal of controversy about whether or not rock music has a negative effect on young people. But the young man in this story knows for certain that he was emulating his favorite rock musicians when he tried a dangerous trick that backfired. He listens to a different kind of rock music now ever since his mind and heart and life were unshackled. Oh man. You guys aren't going to believe this. But I've been practicing and I can do the same thing that rock star can do on stage. But don't expect us to pay the same price to watch you as we pay them. This little demonstration is free. But next time you might have to pay. What is that, Alan? Flamp oil. Where do you see the fireball like that? My brother the flame thrower. I just take this torch and. Oh my god. Have a stop. Somebody help me put it out! Drama-tizing true life stories that share the good news. This is unshackled, produced in Chicago by Pacific Garden Mission. Maybe you get tired of hearing about the homeless, but you're not half as tired as they are. Sleeping under bridges or wherever else they can, trapped in circumstances, they feel powerless to change. And that's why Pacific Garden Mission has kept the doors open. The porch light burning for nearly 120 years now, welcoming untold numbers of street people. Those who are drawn to the light receive food, clothing and a safe place to sleep. Sometimes medical and dental care if needed, and it doesn't cost them anything. Counselor's guide, these lost sheep to the good shepherd who gives them the power to change, leading them out of darkness into his light. No wonder the mission is called the old lighthouse. And offer broadcast around the earth here's program number 2412 in the series Unshackled. The program that makes you face yourself and think. The young often feel invincible and take risks that older people avoid knowing the consequences. And that's part of the reason the man on our story is sharing his testimony right now. He wants to spare others the pain he suffered and to warn them about the biggest risk of all. This is the true story of Alan Pine right now on Unshackled. I was born January 14th 1957 and grew up in small towns of Ohio. I had a great childhood. The kind Norman Rockwell used to paint. With backyard barbecues, secluded forests and creeks, long bike rides, and hikes in the country, and going to church with my grandparents. What fond memories I have. But even as a child, I was inclined to show off now and then. One summer when I was about 11, my sister and I were walking up the lane to catch a ride to church. Girls can't to play baseball. Cannot they can't catch. You should talk. I saw you at the game the other day you dropped the ball. No no no no. That's different. Oh sure just because you're on the team you think you're smart. I am smart. I can catch and I can throw too. Coaches gonna make me a pitcher someday. Yeah. Watch this. I'll skip this rock throwing it straight down at the water. From way up on this bridge can't be done. Watch. Oh oh oh oh. Oh Alan Alan are you alright? I never find ankle. Be quiet or mother and dad will hear you. Oh they're gonna find out. You're all dirty. Don't you dare tell him. Oh you better get back up here for our ride comes. Ah lucky I missed that big boulder. Lucky you didn't fall in the creek and drown. I had fallen ten or twelve feet off the bridge and could have died but I didn't stop to thank god. Even though my ankles swelt so bad I had to take off my shoe. I sat through Sunday school then went home and lied to my folks told them my trip down a pothole in the lane. What I learned in church didn't stick too well. In those days if you could find a few pop bottles, cash them in at the store and get a bag of chips, candy bar or pop, you felt like a king. I often cashed in my bottles at the store owned by the parents of one of my friends. Oh you really scored Alan. Yep. Found them alongside the road. Hey mom give Alan 30 cents for empty bottles. Hey you want to shoot some baskets Willie? Well sure you can't do that too many more times. We aren't moving that far away. Charlton's only eight miles from here. Yeah but I won't see that school anymore. Come on let's go. I'll be back in an hour mom. You scared about going to a new school? Yeah I just won't have any friends there for a while. I don't know about friends. Sometimes I wonder if my friends like me just because my dad own a store. I don't. I don't think that's true Willie. Well me and you've been friends for a long time Alan. Other kids. You just don't know. Yeah. Rekka that's why I always like to be by myself. When I was 15 we moved to a small farm with a creek running through it. It was paradise. School however was not. I felt like I didn't fit in so art classes became my focus. I had always liked to draw and for three years until graduation that was my major interest. I didn't have a car. I enjoyed exploring nature around me. So what girl would go out with a guy who had no car or driver's license who wasn't popular and didn't like to party? I told myself I didn't need them if that's what they wanted and kept to myself. Graduation came. Wow the seniors are going to King's Island tonight. Are you gonna go? Nah. Doesn't interest me. Man I go just to ride the roller coaster. They have their escape. I have mine. You ever tried drugs, Alan? No way. I don't like the idea of anything altering my mind. Bad enough the way it is, huh? I'll catch you for that. Just kidding. Just kidding. What are you gonna do? Go for a hike in Jack's Woods. And so instead of joining my classmates at the amusement park on graduation night I went for a hike alone. I preferred the solitude of a forest to the companionship of people. But all that changed when I started working at a store in Tarleton. Before long I bought a car and nights were spent driving around new towns or exploring old roads. Happy little brother. I'll take you for a ride. Cool. Disaradiant work? Sometimes. But I'd rather listen at home on the stereo. Yeah, I like the new album, Shibot. You know, I've never paid much attention to music before. But I really like guests. Me too. Wish I could play like that. I'm thinking about buying a guitar. Uncle Danny plays a guitar in banjo. Maybe he could teach you. That's not the kind of music I want to learn. Just an idea, huh? What in the world is that awful noise? I told you Alan, it's a bass guitar, Dad. It doesn't sound like any guitar I've ever heard. It's amplified. See? You better learn to play it before you amplify it. You can't hear it unless you amplify it. If you unplug it, there's no sound. Well, that's the best idea of all. Come on, Dad, you're not being cool. I never heard such a noise. It's enough to draw every moose in the area. There aren't any moose in Ohio. There will be if you keep that up. [BELL RINGING] I kept it up and learned to play a few songs. Instead of exploring the woods and fields, I listened to rock music and played along with the records. I wasn't drinking or smoking or doing drugs, so I figured, who was I hurting? I was too involved with myself to really listen to what the music was saying. The message it was pouring out. Then I started practicing the flamethrowering bit as heard on one of my records. While performing before friends from work and my brother, something went wrong. Too much lamp oil, torched too close. Suddenly, I caught fire. My shirt, face, and hands, and I ran up the stairs. I could hear the fire crackling, burning my hair. My brother took off his coat and threw it over me, tackling me to the floor. [BELL RINGING] [GROANS] No! [CHEERING] Get some cold water! Go outside, get some snow. We gotta cool him off. Oh, man! Help! Somebody call on that ambulance. We gotta get him to the hospital! Here, Alan, put your hands in this ice water. That was a good idea. I'd get some water on his face. I want to see my face. You're gonna be okay, Alan. Get me a mirror! No, Alan, no. I want to see what I look like. Her binoculars is here. You're gonna be okay. And me sound crazy, but I didn't realize how serious the burn was until I got to the hospital. Mom and dad arrived and she started crying as she looked at me. [laughing] - What? - I'll be okay, Mom. It's pretty serious, Alan. The doctor wants to transfer you to Columbus. There's a burn specialist there. [laughing] But if I'd done. [music playing] All the way to Columbus, the songs I had practiced kept going through my head over and over like a tape recording I couldn't stop. I'm on the highway to hell. Let me tell you, it's scary to have two doctors whispering while they look over you like a side of beef for a broken car. That night was a blur. The next day I saw my face and neck and chest. Black gets cold all over. I had received a wake-up call. [music playing] In a moment, Alan will tell us how he responded to that call. But first, I want to share a bit about how our supporting ministry has an impact all over the world. Unshackled is spreading the good news through powerful stories about real people. Our success is a result of God's blessing and the involvement of supporters like you. When you contribute to Unshackled, it has a direct impact. Your support allows us to hire quality writers, talented actors, a skilled production team, and a devoted staff. Through your support, we are able to share Unshackled worldwide. So, in order to continue the work of spreading the gospel and allowing us to offer this program for free, won't you consider making a donation to Unshackled? All you need to do is visit our website at unshackled.org and click on the donate button. Or you can always write a check to Unshackled and mail it to 1458 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60607. [music playing] Hello, Alan. I don't look too good, do I, Joe? Well, what makes you think you look good before the accident? Don't make me laugh. It hurts. Does it hurt to talk? Yeah, some. You really did a number on yourself, Alan? I know. Well, they'll fix you out. Don't worry. I was stupid. I looked like a roasted marshmallow. How did your parents take it? I'm starting crying. That was before she saw the hospital bill. You're making me laugh. Well, I better leave. They told me not to tire you out. I'll be back later. I think I'll be here for a while. Recovery was slow and painful. Twice a day, I endured 120-degree whirlpool bands than surgery to grab skin from my legs onto my neck and chest. I was glad to be alive, but it never dawned on me to thank God that I had been spared. Friends from work came to visit, but it was my cousin, Joe, who dropped by every day who made me laugh. Joe was there to take me home three and a half weeks later. And from time to time, after recovery, I stayed with him. Your face has healed really well. It's amazing, isn't it? Not a single scar. Well, the least they could have done was make you better looking. [LAUGHTER] Joe. Joe, your jokes are what kept me going. How's it being back at work? OK. People stare at the scars on my neck, but there's nothing I can do about that. Are you swimming much? The doc said that would help. Yeah. Sunday, I was at the pool, and some little kid came right up close and said, man, you're gross. Did you dunk the little brat? I felt like it. His parents didn't correct him. Didn't apologize. Nothing. Some people have no sensitivity. I still listened to rock music, though. After all, how could music hurt you, right? Many years passed, and I became friends with one of the customers at the store where I worked. She had two small children and was going through a painful divorce. We began to date and eventually married, which was quite a change for me. At the age of 30, I, who had always liked solitude, was suddenly living with three other people. Those flowers we planted looked so good around the house, Alan. Flowers are one of God's blessings. So are the forests and the rivers. Why don't we go to church sometimes? I quit going to church a long time ago. I told you. Too many hypocrites. Well, they're not all like that. I know. I have some friends who are really sincere. They never try to cram religion down my throat. Why do you believe in creation or evolution? I don't know. Maybe a bit of both. I don't see how you can believe in both. What about the caveman? Neanderthral. Crow Magnen, the dinosaurs in Alan. God created everything there is. But he made man in his image. The only difference between animals and humans is we can talk. Being married helped me grow in many ways. I was immature most of the time, looking for perfection. Something I didn't possess. We had big dreams of fixing up the house we bought when we should have been fixing up our relationship. Going to church would have helped us. But I was stubborn. And she finally stopped trying to get me to go. I was also too strict with her kids. So we argued a lot. Even driving to our job. We worked at the same greenhouse. You shouldn't have yelled at the kids like that, Alan. They have to learn to pick up after themselves. They're just little kids. You seem to forget that. They need to do their share. I do all I can to help you around the house. I do. I'm tired too after work in all day, but I pitch in with the chores. I don't want to talk about it here at work. Look, we need to get a few things straight. Not here. When we arrived at work, I was given a message that my father was gravely ill in the hospital. We drove to Circoville, and on the way, I had a feeling like someone had scooped half of me away. I knew we were too late. This was my father who taught me how to fish, hunt, go camping. Who told me stories about his childhood. And now he was gone. I felt numb at the funeral home. Losing a loved one is what makes us realize what's important in life. And love is what matters. We bring nothing into this world, and we take nothing out. All we have is the love we share with one another, and that love comes from God. First John, chapter 4, verse 10 tells us, "Here in his love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the perpetuation for our sins." Life is a gift from God. Everything we have is a gift from God. No matter what the circumstance, God is at work in our lives. And we are to be thankful and trust him. He is faithful. That was a time of death in my life. First my father, then a month later, my grandmother died. Not long after that, a friend was killed in a car crash. Then another family member died. But the biggest blow of all was the death of our marriage. Hello? Alan, it's Joe. I heard you and your wife split up. It's true. Fourteen months is all it lasted. I wanted to save the marriage, but she needed more than I could give. She found someone else. I'm sorry to hear that. So how are you doing? I was pretty bitter at first. I said some terrible things to her. Now I'm just depressed. Must be hard to be alone again. Yeah. When I come home at night, the four walls seem awful empty. Are you still working together? No. Right now I'm framing houses and putting up decks and patios. Take it out, your frustration unnails, are you? That's it. I'm also getting more involved in historical reenactments. Be careful what you reenact, old buddy. Every Sunday I participated in historical reenactments, so I never attended church, even though there was one right across the street from me. I noticed the people, always laughing and joking, shaking hands. They seemed to have a happiness that I wanted but failed to find. One night I took the plunge and went to the Wednesday service where I was welcomed like an old friend. Two weeks later I asked to meet the pastor in his office. Sit down, Alan. It's been good to see you at the services. Until I came here, I hadn't been to church in years. I always went as a kid, even when I spent the summer with my grandparents. I had attendance pins. I was baptized the whole nine yards. But maybe there was something I missed. Well, Jesus said in John chapter 3. 3 verse 3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Born again, huh? I've never heard that before. I guess my mind has been on other things. Well, life has a way of getting our attention, doesn't it? You can say that again. I tried one thing after another. It's kind of like chasing the wind. I thought I'd maybe try going to church again. Oh, good. I've learned a lot here. Some things I've never heard before. Like what? That we're all sinners in need of salvation. I mean, we all like to think we're basically good. That we just make mistakes now and then. Well, sin is more than a mistake. It's a condition. We're all born separated from God, and we stay cut off from Him by our sin. Being separated from God is what causes us to sin. In Psalm 14, verse 3, the Bible says, "They're all gone aside. They're all together become filthy. There is none that doeth good." No, not one. At least I'm not alone. No. God doesn't let anyone off the hook. I don't know what went wrong in my life, but something did. I never fit in anywhere, not in school, not in my marriage, not even now. I've been bitter about things for so long. I don't want to be bitter anymore. Well, you're searching in the right place, Alan. Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I remember when my dad died, and in a month later my grandmother, the same preacher spoke at both funerals, and I had such a peaceful feeling listening to him. How do you get that peace of mind? Well, you ask God to forgive you for all your sins. And when he does, he takes away the burden of guilt and shame you've been carting around all these years. You see, people who don't have God's forgiveness are fair game for Satan. He loves to remind you of your past, but once you're saved, the sins are wiped away along with the guilt and shame. Let me read you something. Here it is. Romans chapter 8, verses 1 and 2, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Christ died for our sins. That's the gospel truth. The Bible says the penalty for sin is death, so God sent His only Son to pay the penalty for us, setting us free and bringing us back to God. And all I have to do is ask forgiveness, repent of my sin, and surrender my life to God? Then what could you add to the sacrifice of God's only Son? Romans chapter 6, verse 23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation is a gift." Okay, let's do it. I want to pray. We knelt together and I prayed, confessing my sin, asking God's forgiveness and for His salvation. It wasn't an eloquent prayer or a long one, but God heard me and began to change my life. That was in April 1992. I'm still involved in historical reenactments where I play the violin and bagpipes, but I no longer skip church for them. I have more important work to do. Are you giving your testimony at another church tonight? I sure am, Pastor. God is using my scars to warn kids about the message in music today. They're playing with fire. That's great, Ellen. Kids need to hear that. Then I tell them how I gathered up all my rock and roll tapes, nearly a hundred, and threw them into a dumpster after I was saved. How you have a new boldness, brother? Well, after my friend died of cancer, I realized you have to share the gospel. You never know how much time someone has. Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Not only that, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace. I wish everyone knew him. How about you, friend? Do you know the Prince of Peace? He said in John chapter 11, verse 25, "I am the resurrection and the life. He the believer in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." If you would like to receive Christ as your Savior, we invite you to pray with us right now. "Lord, I know that I'm lost in sin and unable to save myself. I believe Christ died for my sin that he paid the penalty in full, and I thank you for his sacrifice. Even as you raised him from the dead by the power of your Holy Spirit, raise me, Lord, and make me like him." If you prayed with us in faith, the Bible says you are a child of God, according to John chapter 1, verse 12, "But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." If you desire a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, or would like to speak to someone about this most important matter, we encourage you to call 1-888-NEED-HIM, or you can get in touch with us here at Pacific Garden Mission 1458 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60607. Our telephone number in Chicago 3124929410, our email address is [email protected]. Visit our website to learn more about this ministry unshackled.org. Did you know unshackled is now offering new programming? That's right. We wanted to create even more quality Christian content for you, our listener. So we're now producing an exciting new children show called the Clue Crew. This is a family-friendly adventure series where there's always a biblical lesson to be learned and a mystery to be solved. We're also bringing to life powerful gospel truths in a new series called "History's Greatest Sermons." This program will feature the very words of Billy Sunday, Charles Spurgeon, Dwight Elmudi, and many more all dramatized and delivered by our very own unshackled actors. And then there's our daily devotional. In these four-minute episodes, we hear a true story of transformation with supporting scripture and an application point to help us dive deeper in our biblical understanding. If you'd like to hear any of these new programs in your area, we encourage you to reach out to your station manager and ask them if they can bring you, the Clue Crew, "History's Greatest Sermons," and unshackled daily devotional. If you knew how much we look forward to hearing from you, you'd write today. Another person who would like to know you'll listen is the manager of this station. Please take a moment to say thanks for unshackled. This is program number 2,412. Heard in the true story of Alan Pine, where Kim Rasmussen, John Green, Helen Cutting, David Stewart, and Russ Reed. Original music Lucille Becker, sound Nicolai Seo, engineer Ed Webb, scripted by Canitha Gabler and I'm Bob O'Donnell. Unshackled is produced by Pacific Garden Mission to show through true stories that if your life is empty, it can be filled to overflowing. Please write today or reach out to us on social media. Connecting with you means a great deal to us. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube at unshackled.com. And our address, Pacific Garden Mission, 1458 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60607. So until next time, unless our Lord returns before then, the doors to Pacific Garden Mission are open night and day. Thanks for listening and may God bless you. [Music]