Victor Earl and His Shoe Shine Ministry

On a recent trip to New Bern North Carolina Sherri and I met some interesting people. Talking to the people in these little towns is what makes our little one or two day adventures fun. We met a man who owns an old time hardware store. Sherri, particularly, enjoyed this old store since her dad owned one very similar to it. We went back the next day because I needed one AAA battery. Since I only needed the one battery the man just gave it to me.

We met a woman who worked on her father’s shrimp boat back in the 1950’s. We talked to a couple who had flown down from Michigan to attend a wedding only to find out that the wedding had been called off. They were disappointed, but were enjoying a couple of days in the lovely little town of New Bern. But the most memorable person we met was Victor Earl, the shoe shine man. Victor was one of those characters who cannot be made up. We learned that he was quite the salesman, or maybe Sherri and I are quite the suckers.

We had left the hardware store, and were on our way back to the bed and breakfast where we were staying. Our journey took us back through the main part of town. I had stopped  to take some pictures of the large trees with spanish moss hanging low from the limbs. “Where are you folks from?”, inquired a little man who was sitting on one of the benches near a large water fountain. It was Victor. We told him where we lived, and he started talking about his shoe shine ministry. I felt that we were safe from being talked into getting our shoes shined because both Sherri and I were wearing tennis shoes. Nobody has their tennis shoes shined, I thought.

Victor had already determined that the new running shoes I was wearing were in good shape. He looked at Sherri with that big smile of his, voice dripping with honey, and said, “Ma'am, have a seat, and let me show you something you can take with you back to Raleigh!” Of course, Sherri sat down on the little stool that Victor had already adjusted for her. He said, “I'm going to make your shoe look like new. I'm going to waterproof it, and give it new life. You will be able to wear it for years.” I wanted to see how this little man was going to shine that tennis shoe. This would be worth whatever he was going to try and get from me.

Victor sprayed something on the shoe, took his brush and began brushing lightly. As he continued to work he started talking about how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, and he hinted that Jesus may have washed almost everybody's feet, kind of the same thing he did every day shining shoes. “Jesus washed feet because the people didn't wear shoes back then. He gave lost people new life.” Victor’s premise was that in the same way he gave new life to shoes that people wore these days. Somehow it almost made sense, but I wasn't falling for his theology.

Victor finished Sherri’s shoe. His work was remarkable. That two year old shoe looked brand new, but the other shoe didn't match. Sherri said, “I'll have to get you to do the other one. I can't wear them like this. Victor told her to put the other foot on the rest so that he could begin working on it. Then he says, “I charge $15, and if you want to give me a tip I would appreciate it,” smiling like he could hear the angels rejoicing over the revived souls of a pair of tennis shoes.

As he worked on the second shoe Victor asked me what I did. I told him I was a retired Baptist pastor. He said, “I sing gospel music. You want to hear me sing?” Sherri spoke, “I would love to hear you sing.” Victor began singing about giving his all to Jesus. I had never heard the song. It was nice, and Victor had a very good voice. He gestured with his free hand as he sang.  When he finished he started singing “Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down…” and Sherri joined in, the two of them singing praises to God. People were walking by, but Sherri and Victor just kept on singing…”Here I am to say that you're my God.” They actually sounded pretty good.

Just before Victor finished the second shoe he started again telling about how his shoe shine ministry was like what Jesus did when he washed the disciples feet. I interrupted and said, “Victor, there is one problem with your theology, Jesus didn't charge $15 to wash a pair of feet.” Victor started laughing, “You got me there pastor, you got me there.”

Sherri and I got ready  to leave. I handed Victor a twenty dollar bill and told him to keep the change. “Victor, I've enjoyed talking to you. I'm going to pray that God will use you in your ministry wherever you go. God has blessed you and he can use you.” Victor said, “Pray for me now.” He stretch out his hands, I took them in mine,  and I prayed for him, his family and his ministry.

I really believe that Victor loves Jesus, and that he loves people. He is a very pleasant gentleman. God can use him as he shines shoes. His theology may be a little off, but I believe his heart is right. I'm glad Sherri and I met Victor, even if it did cost me $20 for shining a pair of old tennis shoes. I hope I see Victor the next time we go to New Bern.

Spiritual Awakening

When I led prayer meeting most of the prayer requests in every church I pastored were for the healing of someone close to those attending. We want our loved ones to be well, free of pain, and we don't want them to die. We especially don't want them to die. Other requests were for jobs, safe traveling, rain, stop raining, and just a lot of physical, personal things.

Seldom were requests for things of a spiritual nature. Not many requests for the lost to be saved, spiritual healing, the revival of the many spiritually dead in the church. Never, “Pastor, church,  pray that I will become the most effective, powerful prayer warrior I can be.” Never, ever, “Pray for me that I will have a closer relationship with God.” Never, “I want to know God better, and know his perfect will for my life. Pray this for me, please.” At prayer meetings I didn't  hear many requests for those things that would change the church, make it grow, or that people would witness to the lost, and that the lost would be saved.

I am convinced until there is a personal desire within the heart of each follower of Jesus to let God have the relationship that he wants to have with them we will not see this spiritual awakening that so many are praying for. I am afraid that when people pray for a spiritual awakening they imagine some kind of magical, mystical event that all of a sudden comes upon America like a hurricane or great storm. People are praying and waiting for it to happen somewhere out there when in actuality it has to begin for each of us personally in our own hearts, our own lives. An awakening will happen as one by one, in a home, in a church, in a community, on and on until is does sweep across the country with the power of the Holy Spirit convicting and empowering individuals to allow God to “do greater things than these” as Jesus told the disciples that they would do after the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Prayer is the one essential act that is necessary for a close, power enabling relationship with God. We must spend a significant amount of time asking for the right things, and listening as God speaks to us. Only then will we receive forgiveness, and cleansing, and personal revival. That is where this awakening will begin.

Forget about political wrongs, and statues, and wars and threats of wars, and economic issues, and racial problems. Concentrate on your own relationship with God, know him, seek him, love him, and be burdened for those who are perishing. Pray, “Lord, how can I become the most effective follower of Jesus that I can be? Use me God.” Dr. Gregory Frizzell prayed a similar prayer and his message from God was, “If you will spend much time with me in close relationship and prayer, you  will  never lack for my mighty presence and miraculous power.” God has kept his promise to this man as he has remained faithful to God.

Feeling Like Job?

Do you remember the riches to rags story of Job? He was a very wealthy, blessed man, and then he lost everything, even his health. Life for Job was so bad that he sat on an ash heap scraping the painful boils from his skin. He had even lost touch with God. He lamented, “But if I go to the east He is not there, if I go to the west, I do not find Him. When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him, when He runs to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him.”

Sometimes this becomes our reality. Suddenly nothing seems to be working. When we think life can’t get any worse, it does. When a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon a dark cloud moves in bringing another storm. Troubles like an avalanche cover us until we barely can breathe, and we cry out, “Lord help me!” We wait, but it is as though our pleas for mercy have fallen on deaf ears. Like others who have experienced this same fate we are ready to give up. With tears streaming down our faces we cry out again, “God, where are you!”  Right there with old Job, aren't we?.

One good thing about Job is he didn’t give up. In fact, right after his desperate lament he said, “But I know the way that I take; when He has tested me I will come forth as gold.” Job did recover and God blessed him for his faithfulness to remain steadfast despite all of the suffering he experienced. God does test us and most of the time it hurts. Even when we don’t recognize God's  protective hand we can be sure that He is with us and he does take care of us.

If you are going through a tough time I am sorry. Hang in there and don’t give up. Good days are ahead.
After the test you will come forth as gold.

Our Sins Revealed

When I was in seminary I had a class that met on Monday nights. I sat next to a fellow student who had one big problem. He stunk! It wasn't body odor; the unpleasant smell was from something he ate. Apparently, he ate the same thing every Monday night. I'm sure his culture had a lot to do with the flavors and odors represented in food he had eaten. I don't know what it was, but it was terribly strong, and for an old meat and potatoes boy like myself the smell was sickening. He was very friendly, and wanted to talk, which made the problem worse for me. I liked him, but I hated the way he smelled.

Maybe you have had to be near someone who smelled not so good-- bad breath, body odor, or some other unpleasant odor. I had a student once who smelled so bad it was almost unbearable to be near her. The other teachers, and I noticed that she wore the same sweater every day. The counselor investigated, and found out that the sweater was being dropped on the floor every day just inside the front door when she came home from school. Apparently, the cat had been using the sweater as its bathroom. She was so accustomed to the smell that she had gotten used to it. Such a sad story, but more typical than you might imagine. Why can't people notice these offensive odors that are so obvious to everyone else?

The thing about bad odors is that they speak loudly. They shout,  “Notice me!” They do not hide. They cannot be covered up! There is nothing sweet or pleasant about an offensive odor. The stinker causes a very unpleasant work or social situation, and is not even aware of the problem. Some people must be nose blind.

I was thinking, what if our sins emitted an offensive odor? What if each sin had its own unique smell that identified what the sin was. “Well George, my nose tells me you have been watching porn again.” “Sally, Sally, Sally, you are wearing that gossip fragrance, aren't you?” Imagine what our church services would be like if we could not keep our sins from being identified by how we smelled. Having no way to keep our sins hidden from others would create some serious difficulties for us.

Our sins are offensive to others. But more than anything our sins are very offensive to God. I think God can smell our sins. If we can send up pleasing aromas to God through our obedience and praise, can we not offer up some very offensive odors to Him as well? We cannot hide our sins from God. God is not nose blind. How we smell before our Holy Father is more important than how we present ourselves to others. We were not created to be stinkers.

Holy Ground

Moses climbed high up a mountain one lonely afternoon..
He saw a bush flaming bright, but it was not to be consumed.
Then Moses heard the voice of God call to him so clear.
And in that moment greatly trembling, he hid his face in fear.
"Take off your shoes and worship me for in this place you've found.
You are in the presence of your Lord, standing on holy ground."
Holy ground, Holy ground, that is where I long to be.
In his presence every hour, his face I want to see.

As Jesus hung upon the cross the ground began to shake.
Darkness covered all the world when His last breath he did take.
And in that very holy place where only the priest could go
The veil of separation was torn, now His presence all men may know
"Kneel down my child and worship me because in  this place you've found
You are in the presence of your Lord, kneeling on holy ground."
Holy ground, Holy ground, that is where I long to be.
In your presence every hour, your face I want to see.

You are my loving Father, redeeming Savior, Lord and friend.
You have always been by my side, and you'll be there 'till the end.
Precious Holy Spirit, sweet Divine presence of God are you.
Please come and fill my heart right now, each day fill it anew.
I cannot help but worship you for in this place I've found
I am in the presence of my Lord, I stand on holy ground.
Holy ground, holy ground, that is where I long to be.
And when I reach my heavenly home, His face I will always see.

Everyone Needs the Rock

My grandfather, Henry Alderson Brady, collected rocks.  He spent hours on his farm searching for all sorts of rocks–arrow heads, rocks with fossils embedded in them and unusual, funny shaped rocks that resembled animals or other objects  In the late 1930's or early 40's he dug a pond on the back of his farm, and found a very large rock that looked like a dinosaur or a horse.  I thought it looked more like a rhinoceros.  My grandfather hooked it up to a team of mules and drug it from the holler to his house where he displayed it in his front yard.  The  rock sits in that spot to this day.  

My grandfather died when I was 5 years old.   My dad was able to secure the house from his siblings.  In that transaction we not only got a house and a farm, but we also got a big rock. The rock has been quite an attraction from the time it was placed in the yard..  Passerby's were always stopping to pose for pictures in front of the rock which stands almost 6 feet tall.  Family and friends enjoyed taking pictures in front of that old rock during the years that my family owned the home place. The rock was more than a backdrop for photo ops.  It was a dinosaur, a rhinoceros or a horse on which my friends, and I played. My brother and his friends and  many grandchildren, nieces and nephews also spent hours playing on it.  I guess hundreds of children had fun on the rock over the years.  

The rock was many things.  It would be whatever our imaginations willed it to be.  Very often it would be our home base when we played tag.  If one of us was being chased, we would be safe if we made it to the rock without being tagged– safe, secure, out of danger from being “it”.  The rock, a place of refuge for anyone  being pursued.

It was really neat growing up in a place where we owned such a wonderful rock.  Not every kid had a big rock in his front yard. My mother sold the place after she got to where she could not maintain her home. So I no longer have access to  that rock.   But you know, I do have a Rock.  My Rock is Jesus.   David talked about him in Psalms 18:2.  “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge… LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer…”   

Jesus, our Redeemer, is indeed our Rock.  We need the Rock because we are being pursued daily.  There is one who is trying to destroy us, who is chasing us like a vicious lion after his prey.  Our only hope of escaping this cunning pursuer is to find safety in the Rock.   If we don’t come to the Rock the evil one will overtake us, and pull us down into the depths of despair and hopelessness.  Run to the Rock, and he will lift you up. He will give you a safe place to stand.  Come to the Rock where you will always be safe and secure.  Jesus, the Rock, is our only refuge.

Who's Really Number One

The journey to be the best begins early. Children are on the clock daily to compete with other children to accomplish, whatever the task, at a higher level than all the other children. Win the most,  make the highest grades, hit the ball the furthest, score the most points, be the prettiest, do and always be better than anybody else, be number one. This is what children are told by society. Pretty good advice, huh?

Children should always be taught to work hard and do the best they can do. But placing them in situations day after day to be compared to other children, and measure their success according to waving the “I’m number One finger” is probably not good. Children soon see that they are not going to be number one within their social group. Failure comes too often.

The better advice is, “Always do the best you can.” That is what God wants from each of us. He just wants us to be the best we can be according to what he has created us to be. He wants us to give Him the best of what he has given to us. He wants us to give Him the glory for what we do each day. We are to honor Him by giving Him the credit for all we accomplish. The Bible says, “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.” I don't think I've read anywhere in the Bible that God has told us to wave the number One finger when we have won a race in life.

Today, on this Sunday, we all have a chance to give God our best by meeting with other followers of Jesus to worship Him. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Let's go out and wave the number One finger for God, everyday!