Man With No Shirt

Vic is my husband and we attended a downtown, elite, upper class church for years. Although we never fit into that category, we loved the church. My husband served as an Usher. He was much loved by everyone because he is such a "people" person. In addition to being an Usher and serving in many leadership roles throughout the years, he was also the Boy Scout Scoutmaster.

One Sunday morning, a downtown homeless man, entered our church after the service had started. He ambled up the center aisle and sat down in a pew next to an elderly woman and amongst many of the matriarchs of our church. This man was dirty and didn't have a shirt on. My husband was sitting next to me and watched the whole thing. Vic quietly got up and I thought he was going to go ask the man to leave. Instead, my husband walked out the back doors. I was shocked.

My husband's father had just recently died and I thought he was sad and left to compose himself. I kept pondering whether I should go check on him. After a few minutes, my husband entered the back of the church and started his way down the center aisle. The priest had already started his sermon, but my husband just kept walking down that aisle as the whole church watched. When he got to the man with no shirt, Vic stopped and put his hand gently on the man's shoulder, the man looked up into Vic's eyes, and then Vic handed him something.

Vic quietly started walking back down the aisle and returned to the seat next to me. My eyes went back to the man. He quietly raised his arms and put on the Boy Scout T-shirt that Vic had handed him.

As tears streamed down my face, I saw the sermon unfold before my eyes. No words were ever spoken more eloquently than the humble gift of a simple T-shirt and the regained dignity that my husband gave that man that day. I know I'll never forget that day.

Matthew 25:40 (King James Version) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Praying Girl

I Opened My Mouth and Panted

I awoke this morning gripped with fear and gasping for breath. My stomach was churning and I felt as if I were paralized with doom and gloom. As I stumbled out of bed and started getting ready for work, the fear did not subside.

It was early enough that I had time to pray and write in my journal. As I wrote God a letter from my heart, I poured out my fears to Him. He listened politely and let me write it all down. When I was finished writing, I opened my Bible to the next verses in Psalms in my daily study.

God had been silent, patient and waiting to speak. And speak, He did! As I read His Words I could feel His Holy Presence and His encouragement and His everlasting love for me.

If you find yourself gripped with fear, unable to move, take courage dear friend. Open the Bible and let His Inspired Words enfold you with His everlasting love for you. Call upon His Name, and He will listen. Then allow Him to speak to your heart through His Word. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 119:129 - 149

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.



My memory verse for today: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

May God bless you today and give you hope,

Donna