josua time 899

A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kind a shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

"I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kind a what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK
AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU
EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK
AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU
EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that he's in here all the while

everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY
YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN
TODAY."

If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of
your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

May God hold you in the palm of His hand
and Angels watch over you.

Please pass this page on to your friends & loved ones. If you aren't
ashamed. Jesus said,

" If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

So this is me ... Just Checking In



The older I get and think about the number of people I've met, what
they've meant to me, and my memories of them are so pleasant...I think
it's awesome...Ella





Subject: Fw: 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 You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I respect you, and truly cherish you. Send this to your friends,

No matter how often you talk,

Or how close you are, And send it to the person who sent it to you.

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell

new friends you never will.

Remember, everyone needs a friend.

Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. Just remember
this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that

someone out there cares about you..... and always will.