> > 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 kinda 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 kinda 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 > > 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 OTHER'S 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 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.

> > ~Author Unknown~

> > But for those of us who are already His, He > > not only holds us in the palm of > > His hand, but has engraved our names there, and we > > are continually in His sight

> > > > >(Isaiah 49:16)

> > Please pass this page on to your friends > > or loved ones.

> > > > >AND... (look below) > > > > > >

> > If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the > > directions. Jesus said, " If > > you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you > > before my Father." > > If you are not ashamed Pass this on > > . . .only if you mean it.

> > Yes, I do love God. He is my source of existence > > and Savior.

> > He keeps me functioning each and everyday. > > Without Him, I will be nothing.

> > Without him, I am nothing but with > > Him "I can do all things through Christ that > > strengthens me." Phil 4:13

> > This is the simplest test . . . if > > you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the > > marvelous things he has > > done for you. Pass this on.

> > This is too good not to share - > > > > Just Checking In