The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the large church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a church that size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone -- a block of space within those four church walls that became theirs after the second or third sitting. It was as much a part of their church experience as the recliner was to the television at home.
One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster. As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through the trash.
"Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband. "That's all we need -- a bunch of homeless people milling around here." One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..." Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches.
"Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside. Soft music filled the high-ceilinged sanctuary as churchgoers settled into their usual spots. The choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is comfort... in His presence there is peace...".
Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward the front.
"Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered. "What does he think he's doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous usher.
The stranger set his bagful of dumpster treasures on the very first pew, which had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months ago.
The music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the stairs and stood behind the fine, hand-crafted oak podium, where he faced a wide-eyed congregation.
The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice. Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus, and the love He has for all people. "Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us deserves." Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us... without strings attached.
Unconditionally He loves us. Unconditionally He gave his very life for us. Unconditionally and forever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or ourselves, there is hope. In Jesus, there is always hope.
"You see, my friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued. "He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new meaning to 'life'."
Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and removed it. "I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a Love far beyond human understanding, a Love that enables us to accept and love others in return."
Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together." That wise pastor -- under the guise of a homeless "nobody" -- did not preach a sermon that day, but every person left with plenty to think about.
Take Time to Be Holy
- Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. - Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. - Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. - Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Daily Smile:
When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls."
This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"
Her response, "Because everybody always finish their prayers by saying 'All Men'!"
In The News:
National Cathedral Gay Marriage Change 'Not Surprising,' Opponents Say
Opponents of gay marriage are expressing disappointment but not surprise at the announcement that the Washington National Cathedral will now wed same-sex couples, CBN News reports. Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council said the Episcopal Church, which operates the cathedral, "has been moving away from Christian orthodoxy on the subject of sexuality" for years. He predicted the decision would accelerate the denomination's long-running decline in membership. Thomas Peters of the National Organization for Marriage said the cathedral's announcement showed that "marriage is really an all-or-nothing deal." He added that Americans must ask whether they want to retain traditional marriage or "fundamentally give it up."
Gay Troops Ousted Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to Get Back Pay
The federal government has agreed to pay $2.4 million to dozens of gay troops who were discharged and denied full separation pay under the pre-2011 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, according to a new court settlement, USA TODAY reports. The class-action lawsuit was spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union and filed in 2010 on behalf of about 181 gay troops who were honorably discharged for violating the military's ban on gays serving openly in uniform. The government agreed to provide full back pay -- an average of about $14,000 per former service member. Service members are typically entitled to separation pay when leaving the military; for years, however, the Pentagon maintained a policy of granting only half the standard separation pay amount for troops who were honorably discharged for being open about their sexual orientation.
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