Grace And Peace
� Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - The Gift...
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They
were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree
said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with
gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate
carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I
will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of
the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest
and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of
the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God
and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time
and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true,
a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree
he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to
sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was
happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure
chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong
tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was
happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was
frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not
come true.
One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from
my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into
a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay.
This was not at all what he had prayed for The second tree was cut and
made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and
carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces
and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they
placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first
tree.
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this
manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from
the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were
out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was
strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He
stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped . At this time, the tree knew
that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried
through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When
they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air
to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize
that itwas strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close
to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The m oral of this story is that when things don't seem to be
going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your
trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what
they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know
what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways,
but His ways are always best.
May your day be blessed and may God
cradle you in the palm of His hand.
Let Us Journey On...
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� Thursday, December 6, 2007 - A Letter From Jesus About Christmas...
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Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I
personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET
ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke
of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8. If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.
Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes
in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court! And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember: I lOVE YOU.
Jesus
Have a nice day!
Let Us Journey On...
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� Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - The Christmas Pageant...
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My husband and I had been happily
married (most of
the time)
for five years
but hadn't been blessed with a baby.
I decided to do some serious
praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word
as my guide.
God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us
with another son.
The following year,
He blessed us with
yet another son.
The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd
been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only
four years old.
I learned never to ask God
for anything unless I meant it.
As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain,
make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses
of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me
with four children and
I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day
the children smashed
two dozen eggs on
the kitchen floor searching
for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding...
when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours
to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter
poured
ketchup all over herself and
rolled up in a blanket to see
how it felt to be a hot dog,
I tried to see the humor
rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over
twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more
than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise
to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark
just a little when I told
my daughter we were going
to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring
a bar of soap along to
"wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost
in the translation when
I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was
generous of God to give
us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came
during the children's
Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd
had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes."
But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrapped
in wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said,
"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly.
That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match
broke out
between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel,
who bent her halo and lost
her left wing.
I slouched a little
lower
in my seat when Mary
dropped the doll representing
Baby Jesus, and it bounced
down the aisle crying,
"Mama-mama."
Mary grabbed the
doll,
wrapped it back up
and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward
wearing a bathrobe
and a paper crown,
knelt at the manger
and announced,
"We are the three wise men,
and we are bringing gifts
of gold,
common sense
and fur."
The congregation
dissolved into laughter,
and the pageant
got a standing ovation.
"I've never
enjoyed a Christmas
program as much as this one,"
laughed the pastor,
wiping tears from his eyes.
"For the rest
of my life,
I'll never hear the
Christmas story without
thinking of
gold,
common sense
and fur."
"My children are my pride
and my joy and my greatest
blessing," I said as I dug
through my purse for an aspirin.
Jesus had no servants,
yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army,
yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.
He committed no
crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
Feel honored
to serve such a Leader
who loves us.
Let Us Journey On...
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� Friday, November 23, 2007 - The Strength of a Man...
The
strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders.
It's seen in the width of his arms that circle you.
The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice.
It's in the gentle words he whispers.
The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has.
It's how good a buddy he is with his kids.
The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work.
It's in how respected he is at home.
The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits.
It's in how tender he touches.
The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest.
It's in his Heart ... that lies within his chest.
The strength of a man isn't how many women he's loved.
It's in how he can be true to one woman.
The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift.
It's in the burdens he can carry.
© July 15, 1999
Scorpiox2x@aol.com
Jacqueline Marie Griffiths
(Written for H. Rochon)
Awesome... Let Us Journey On...
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� Friday, November 23, 2007 - The Lord's Baseball Game...
Bob and
the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's
team was
playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was
tied zero to
zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They
continued
to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love.
Love swung
at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails. The
next
batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works
with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly wisdom. Satan wound up
and threw the
first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball
one. Three
more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never
swings at
what Satan throws. The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to
Bob and
told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the
plate
stepped Grace. Bob said, "He sure doesn't look like
much!" Satan's whole
team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game,
Satan wound
up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit
the ball
harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried;
his center
fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went
right
through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on
the ground;
then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord's team
won. The
Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom
could get
on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not
know why.
The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won
the game you
would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom
will get you
on base, but only My Grace can get you home. My Grace is the one
thing Satan
cannot steal.
- Anonymous, but greatly appreciated
Let Us Journey On...
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