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Joined: Mar 2001
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I ran across this story in the deep reccesses of my hard drive today. I've actually had it for a long time and always loved it, couldn't relate to it, but loved it none the less. Praying is something that's always been a big part of my relationship with the Lord but I've only really learned to listen a short while ago..... So as we forge through the trials of life pray with a pure heart, but listen with a purer one..... He is there...........


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 of shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, bowed his head, then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed, each noontime this chap came in, 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 of what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S 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."

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 OTHER'S 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."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim didn'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 smile was a joy contagious. Changed people, was 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 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."

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LH,

Thank you for sharing that. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I've had a rough 24 hours related to STBXH/OW, and today am home physically not feeling well.

I tend to get so wrapped up in my issues, that I forget that Jesus is always there right beside me, even during the tough times.

I needed your story.

LL

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Beautiful! Thanks, Bill, for sharing that with us.
God bless,
TDL

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Thank you,

That story brought tears to my eyes. We often forget that through it all Jesus is always with us. Through the tough times, the bad times, the horrible times, the joyous times, and ALL THE TIME, he is right there with us. Thank you for reminding me of that TODAY I really needed it.

I am so Glad the "GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME"!
Please continue to pray and ask GOD to give you what you need to go forward.

I will do the same for each of you,

JT <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

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LH---Priceless-- divinely wonderful---touched my heart, cried at that one. SO TRUE! AWE!!! Printed if off-read it my friend. She cried over the phone. We had mega God moments sharing that one.

Gee's your real saint side does show up every once in awhile! lol--- I am deeply, weepily blessed!

Thxs-shine on! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

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A joy to read something beautiful in the midst of all that we are all suffering.

Keep the faith. It is worth it.

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This is David checking in. Thanks for the story Bill. I needed it too as I am alone. You never know where or how your prayers will be answered.

Peace be with you !

David A

<small>[ November 08, 2004, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: David A ]</small>

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((LordsLady))
((Sauron))
((JT2))
((Sky Diver))
((Created))
((David))

I can't remember a time when I've read that and not gotten all choked up. God's love is amazing, all powerful, and given so freely.

For those of you who feel as if you've fallen away, I've been there and He is waiting for you. I spent a good many years blaiming, running, and hiding from God. Then on a May evening 3 years ago, like an angry child, my Father and I had it out. He listened so patiently and when I was finished I felt his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to Him and asking "Are you finished, my son".

Now it ain't been all cookies & milk since then and as a matter of fact I went on a deceptive walk in His presence but when I turned around He was there. I surrendered all and now have victory.

Love in Christ,


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