Saturday, September 29, 2012

Shoes in Church

I have seen this story so many times and each time I read it, it seems to touch my heart.  So i thought why not share this with my readers.  It is a little long but it holds so much truth.  I have meet people in other churches like this and even some that have visited ours and after reading this I always think, could it be?  Do you know someone like this or have a thought about it?  Leave me a comment telling me your story or just say hi!


 
 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

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Woolite® COMPLETE Friends Mission

Woolite® COMPLETE Friends Mission: Take a brief survey from Smiley360 and enter 4 a chance to win a $200 gift card! Take the survey at http://smiley360.com/888825.cfm

*FTC requires I mention that I received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

$$$ Money Talks $$$

Are you a blogger and want to make some extra cash?  Try LinkVehicle and start earning money today.  This is a easy program that allows you to write a review or positive post company's and get paid.

Christmas and K-Mart's big Giveaway

This is a sponsored post, I am a Kmart Layaway blogger, though all opinions are my own.

  Kmart_Logo_B&W.jpg (3 documents, 3 total pages)

   It is that time of year again when the air is cooling off, the leaves are falling, and if no one else is thinking about Christmas the kids are.  Mine have already started telling me what they want for Christmas and as usual I cringe at the thought of how I am going to pay for what they want.   They are always thinking about holiday gifts and what they want.  My son is now fourteen years old and so he talks about what he is going to get his sisters for birthdays and Christmas.  Since he has limited amounts of money the Lay-a-way program can work well for him and give him the pleasure of buyinh his gifts with his own money. 

     K-Mart offers a year round layaway which works great for me and my Family because it allows me to get the items they want, and I can place it on lay-a-way and pay at a price I can afford. They also offer free layaway which in return is much better than the other stores. Right now at K-Mart they are hosting Kmart's Big Layaway Giveaway .  Starting 9/92012 thru 11/17/2012 they will be drawing one person per week for some really great prices. Check out this picture to see how K-mart compares to other lay-a-ways.

Kmart Free Layaway Grid 09_12.jpg

    Not sure what you would add to the lay-a-way?  Here are just a few departrments of gifts that I thought of when I thiught Christmas Lay-a-way.  Electronics (games and TVs) for my son and husband, toys (for my girls that are ages 8 and 4),  and of course you can never go wrong with the jewelery department.  Maybe you just want to buy yourself a special something for Christmas, I usually do and put the kids name on it.  Then of course I have to act really surprised when I open it.  They love it and I get something I wanted.  Why wait til December to start thinking about Christmas or maybe you have birthdays like we do and need to get that special something.  Go now and start your lay-a-way and you just may win a really cool item from K-Mart through their awesome giveaway and there is no fee.  Hurry now because this giveaway ends 11/17/2012. 

      Tell your friends in person, share on Facebook, twitter, or even pin on Pinterest.  Leave me a comment telling me what types of things your family is looking forward to getting for Christmas or maybe that special item you hope Santa to bring you.  I going this weekend and put mine on lay-a-way so I can be entered in the drawing and I wish each of my readers the best of luck.

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Science and Faith ~ MUST READ~


I have seen this written many different ways but I have to admit this has been my favorite yet.  It is a little long but I promise when you get to the end you will see how great it really is. 

What is faith?

Monday, September 24, 2012

#HeinzVinegar Twitter Party 9/25

#HeinzVinegar Twitter Party 9/25 @ 1 PM.
Hosts:
@LoveandCents
@RebeccaEParsons
@LizLongcrier

Date:  Tuesday September 25, 2012
Time: : 1-2 pm EST / 12-1 CST
Where: Follow the hashtag: #HeinzVinegar on Twitter OR follow us on this custom tweet grid.
Prizes: $250 worth of Walmart gift cards: (2) $25, (2) $50 and 1 grand prize winner will receive $100 gift card!

RSVP

This is your Kingdom CD ~Review & Giveaway~ Ends 9/30

Vineyard Worship
THIS IS YOUR KINGDOM COME NOW - featuring Casey Corum & Friends
Live from the Sugar Land Vineyard
(releases Tuesday, 10/2)

Album Bio
This dynamic new album features veteran worship leader and songwriter Casey Corum and a cast of friends recorded before a full house over two nights at Corum's home church. Listeners will also be introduced to the powerful voices of Torri Baker (Vineyard Church - Columbus, Ohio) and Crispin Schroeder (Northshore Vineyard - Covington, Louisiana), as well as a 17-voice gospel choir. Threads of R&B, gospel, and modern rock are woven together to create a fresh sound while, at the same time, being deeply rooted in the hallmark Vineyard worship value of intimacy with God. 


My Thoughts

This was a great CD.  Though I am more of a Southern Gospel and old time Religion kind of gal, I still enjoyed the music.    It is a more modern take on the gospel and very interesting to listen to.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
















Fall Beauty

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
     MiracleGro Logo(1).jpg
     Easch season of the year holds its own beauty, for each individual person.  The winter is cold, the trees are bare, and we are lucky if we see any snow.  The Spring holds the beauty of everything coming back to life and a little warmer weather.  The summer we can pull out our flip flops and shorts and just enjoy the beach.  Most people think of the Fall and they can't Find beauty in the Fall, however this is when the leaves are changing colors and the air is cooling off.  Fall is also a time of year to do your Fall gardening.
     The Fall is the time of year to get some of your shrubs cut back, your bulbs, planted and and your leaves all raked up.  With the help of Miracle Gro Fall plant and feed in the Soring you can have the biggest and beautifulist flowers in the neighborhood.  During the Fall I take the time to clean out my flower beeds, fertilize for the Spring, and just enjoy the beatuy of the changing leaves.
MG_Garden_Soil_Tree_Shrub.jpg
     Maybe you are the type of person that doesn't really have a green thumb but you enjoy your trees.  Miracle Gro has mixes for vegetable, and flower garfdens and for shrubs and tree.  Go to Miracle-Gro Facebook page and check out the different things Miracle Gro has to offer.  You can even post a picture of something you have grown on their wall or tag them in a post.  I love Miracle Gro and use it with everything.  If I start seeds or even transplant Miracle Gro is my go to soil mix and I always have big, beautiful flowers.  My yard is all sand and everyone wants to know how I grow such pretty flowers in sand, now you know my secret.

MG_Potting_Mix.jpg
Photobucket A great fall project for the fall is taking your pumpkin and hollowing it out.  Once it is hollwed out, use your miracle gro potting mix and place your fall mums.  It makes a great outdoor centerpiece or you can make smaller ones for table centerpieces.
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