Shoes in Church

Shoes in church

I showered and

shaved…………. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and

sat…………. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in

prayer……… As I closed my eyes.

I saw the shoe of the man

next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room

on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much.

A prayer

began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought,

‘This man with the shoes has no pride.

They’re dusty, worn, and

scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the

side!’

‘Thank You

for blessings,’ the prayer went on.

The shoe man

said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’

I tried to focus on the

prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes

again.

Aren’t we

supposed to look our best. When walking through

that door?

‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought,

Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of

praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud…… Sounding

proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters……… His

hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe

man’s voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering…….

And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man

reached… Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled

out………. What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft

‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored

me……… To tears, and that’s no lie.

It was the same for the

shoe man… For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the

service……. As is the custom here.

We must greet new

visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved

somehow…………. And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and

shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark… And his hair was truly

a mess.

But I thanked him for coming………. For being our

guest.

He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad

to meet you, my friend.’

There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had

a large, wide grin.

‘Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping

tears from his eyes.

‘I’ve been coming here for months….. And

you’re the first to say ‘Hi.”

‘I know that my

appearance……….’Is not like all the rest.

‘But I really do

try………………’To always look my best.’

‘I always clean

and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk.

‘But by the

time I get here………’They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’

My heart filled with pain………… And I swallowed to

hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize……… For daring to sit

so near

He said, ‘When I get here…………’I know I must

look a sight.

‘But I thought if I could touch you…’Then maybe

our souls might unite.’

I was silent for a moment……….. Knowing

whatever was said

Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my

heart, not my head.

‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said…….’And

taught me, in part;

‘That the best of any man………….’Is

         what is found in his heart.’

The rest, I

thought,…………….. This shoe man will never know.

Like

just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

Making a difference in my life.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads us to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

This is Good!

The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life, positive or negative, and remarking, “This is good!”

One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, the friend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.

Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” To which the king replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they approached to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. You were right,” he said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”

“No,” his friend replied, “This is good!”

“What do you mean, ‘This is good’? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?”

“If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you.”

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit. Hold on…God is faithful! Maintain a positive outlook always and never ever give up hoping for the best.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time.) So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing.

The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. “There’s one more thing.” She said excitedly.

“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.

“This is very important.” The woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say.

“That shocks you doesn’t it?” The woman asked.

“Well to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved and let’s be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise; my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say ‘you can keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn’t Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'”

The pastor’s eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that that woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral, people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. – 1 Corinthians 15:19

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Elephant’s Rope

A man was passing by some elephants used for circuits, suddenly he stopped, confused that these huge creatures were only being held by a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages, no barricades.

It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and decided to ask him why the elephants just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? If you have the spirit of God in you then there is no limit to what you can achieve in the life and the heights you can attain, because the Spirit that dwells in you is unlimited.

So break out of your rut and get doing.

Meditation: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Son

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. – 1 John 5:12

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.

Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.”

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told every one of his father’s love of fine art. “I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamoured.

He told his neighbours it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.

With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved, as many would claim, “I have the greatest collection.”

The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

More voices echoed in agreement.

“No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer.

“Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.

“Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.”

“I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone!”

The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!”

The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son… gets it all!”

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter Day, the message is still the same – the love of a Father – a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father’s love…whoever takes the Son gets it all.

– Author Unknown

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Whipping

There was a class of young people that no teacher was able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from school this year by these young people.

Finally, a young man out of college heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man “Do you not know what you are asking for, no one has been able to handle these young people, you are just asking for a terrible beating.”

After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said: “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge, just give me a trial basis.”

The next morning the young man reported for class. He said to the class “Young people, I came here today to conduct school, but I realize I can’t do it by myself, I must have your help.”

One big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I’ll not need any help, I can lick that little bird all by myself.”

The young teacher told the class if they are to have school, there will have to be some rules to go by. He also added that he will allow the students to make up the rules and he will list them on the blackboard. One young man suggested, “NO STEALING”.

Another one shouted, “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.”

Soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher had then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules. Rules are no good unless they are enforced. Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that was pretty harsh, and asked the class would they stand by this punishment. The class agreed.

Everything went well for two or three days. Finally, Big Tom came in one day very upset. He reported that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they concluded that Little Jim had stolen Big Tom’s lunch.

The teacher called Little Jim up to the front of the room and asked him to remove his coat. That little fellow came up the aisle with a great big coat on. Little Jim approached the teacher and said, “I am guilty and am willing to take my punishment but please don’t make me take off my coat.”

The teacher reminded Little Jim of the rules and their punishments and asked him again to remove his coat and take his punishment like a man. That little fellow started to unbutton that old coat, and the teacher saw that he did not have a shirt on under the coat. The teacher asked Little Jim why he came to school without a shirt on. Little Jim said “My daddy’s dead and my mother is very poor, I don’t have but one shirt and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother’s coat to keep my body warm.”

That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back and wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back without even a shirt on. He knew if he didn’t enforce the punishment, the children would not obey the rules, so as he drew back to strike Little Jim, Big Tom came down the aisle. Big Tom asked, “Can I take Little Jim’s whipping for him?”

The teacher agreed and Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped over and the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half.

The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room. Little Jim had run and grabbed Big Tom around the neck, apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, and explained that he was so very hungry. Little Jim begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him until the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that He shed his precious blood on Calvary so that we can have eternal life in Glory with Him? We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren’t you glad He loves us that much?

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Why Do We Crucify Him Again?

I say something rude

to someone who’s lost,

And I’ve ruined my witness,

But they will pay the cost.

–So I nail in the nails.

Can anyone see the Lord through me,

Or do they simply see my sins?

Am I living the life Christ wants me to,

Am I living the life of man?

–So I plunge in the spear.

And when I fail to pray,

and my conversations with Him fade,

Does He patiently wait for my call,

Though it causes Him pain?

–And I place the thorns upon His brow.

I lead a life of double standards,

One day good, the next one bad.

Can He quietly stand by

When He sees all I could have had?

–And I ridicule my Lord once again.

For you see,

Each time we turn our backs,

and return to the world of sin,

It is then that you and I,

We crucify Him again.

— Brandy Cambell (12th grade)

Meditation: For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. – Hebrews 10:26-27

You will succeed in Jesus Name!