JOSHUA TIME 178

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just beforeservices were to begin. Although the old man and his clotheswere spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and bootsthat were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a wornout old hat and an equally worn out Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive partof the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church theold cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation wereall dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him.No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were allappalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approachedhim and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come backin here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship." The old cowboy assured thepreacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing thesame ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat.Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.The preacher approached the man and said,"I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back toour church." "I did," replied the old cowboy. "If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire shouldbe for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher. "Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I shouldwear.He said He'd never been in this church"