This is a true story..

One Sunday morning before church the congregation was walking into church,
A bum sitting in the middle of the stairs was crying , face cast downward with head in his hands.
He smelled so filthy as if he did not bathe in weeks.
The folks walked around him and hurried in as the music started to play.
The pews started to fill and those who were late still gaVE DAGGERS AS THEY WALKED AROUND THE BUM STILL SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAIRS.
As the choir director introduced the pastor to the congergation all were quite as he did not come forward.
People looked around and wondered how could our pastor be late for his own service???
They murmered and complained and gossiped then someone pointed to the back door.
Walking slowly down the asile was the bum.. still crying but his sobs louder than ever!
People were outraged that the ushers had let him in and didnt stop him.
Yet he kepy walking up to the front and up to the puplit.
When he got there he took of his filthy hat and as the folks pointed fingers and scoffed, He spoke.
Im sorry I am late said the pastor..
I planned on speaking today about my congegation judging others and as I sat on the steps crying in filth NOT ONE of you offered me help or invited me in.
Not one of you showed me compassion or love.
'Not one of you gave up your fine seat for me to hear about Gods love.

I love this story because it shows me (Just because you are parked in a garage does not mean you are a car!)(church)
If you love God you will reflect God with your words and actions...
Not only on Sunday morning but everday!
You will not judge others for not believing as you do and you will forgive them.
Keep reflecting God......... Be Blessed...

I also like that story

James 2 NKJV

Beware of Personal Favoritism

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,

3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poorman, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?

7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well;

9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Thank you for this amazing story LovetheLord! How deeply you have touched my heart with your story. It is so very true that pride rules so many of the people that attend church regularly. Their seat was passed down from generation to generation and I believe their attending is just a habit and a show. However, I am no ones judge, guilty of total imperfection, the prodigal daughter, a work in progress...guess that is why I am so touched...I have been walked by, judged and thought myself unworthy because of those proud people...I would love to go to a church where a Pastor was as the one in your story...it takes a humble heart to be a true shephard. You have a beautiful spirit...
Blessings! Cathy

I have been walked by to.... And I hate to see it happen to others.
Thanksgiving day my daughter and I went to serve at the salvation army.
It was our first time doing it and what an eye opener!
At first it wasnt so bad seeing families come in to eat together knowing they were having hard times.. at least they had each other,
But it was the single folks.. alone and battered and dirty, drugged out or just downcast that tore me up.
As I tried to make them laugh or smile at them I tried to keep from crying because they were so alone and eating their holiday meal with complete strangers!
What did they do to deserve this? Just poor choices or turned to drugs or other things to numb the pain of lifes cruel reality!
Maybe a spouce cheated or left or they lost their job... WHATEVER the case they DID not set out as a child and say someday I will be homeless and alone!
Anyway... Stuff like that gets to me..
Hope you have a blessed day!

i know how the pastor feels

Wow.....that gave me goosebumps. I don't care if it was true or not, it does point out a great lesson.