Friday, February 26, 2010

The Three Trees


Sometimes a story is so important that it truly doesn't matter who wrote it. This is one such story. I claim no authorship to this piece. In fact, I wish I knew who wrote it. My best friend, Charlie sent it to me and I feel it is a message that we all need and so I pass it on to you.

 

The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in a 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 a 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 woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so 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 women 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 it's 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 it was 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 moral 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.

Blessings

angel-desi-glitters-75


I was thinking again, God. Back in the day before I knew you as you are, when people would sneeze I would always say, "Bless you." I couldn't have squeaked out your name if my life had depended on it. I thought if I used your name you would strike me dead.

I am so glad I don't have that problem any more. There's no political correctness in asking you to bless me or anyone else for that matter. I mean, really! Who else would I want to bless me? The bankers, the politicians, the large corporations? I think not!

God Bless Us One And All...


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

How Great Thou Art


I've been thinking, God. Yes, we both know how dangerous that is, but I couldn't help myself.

I listen to people, I mean really listen. One thing I notice is speech patterns. It's amazing the number of people who say, "Thank God," for this or that. And that got me to wondering. Do they really? And if they do, how?

I look out over the landscape and the skies and into the deep dark of the night and I wonder what kind of Creator I would have been. There are times I think I have quite the imagination, but I never would have thought of one iota of what you have created. In consideration of that, you deserve much more than thanks, but thanks at the very least.

Would I have thought of separating day and night or even thought of them to begin with? So wondrous is the daylight to feel the warmth of your love. And the black of night is perfect for restful sleep.

And the seasons! Would I have thought of the beauty of flowers in the spring and summer along with its soothing heat? Winter is so beautiful, just right for skiing and sledding. And for those who couldn't take the cold... they could move south to a warmer climate.

Would I have thought of color? And if I had, would I have made the sky blue? (It's not one of my favorites, but then you already know that.) And then there's that perfect splash of color you use in the sky that displays all your radiance - the rainbow. What a nice touch.



Could I have had the foresight to know that water should be so abundant? It is, after all, the lifesource. I especially love the idea of rain that comes out of nowhere it seems and in such crystal clear droplets. I wouldn't have thought of winter rainfall coming as unique hexagonal delicate snowflakes that's for sure. And in white! I love that the snow covers everything giving the whole land a purity we seldom get to experience.

Would I have known that the lush greenery and healthful fruits and vegetables would not only have been for the eye's pleasure but all a form of sustenance? I think not.

And as animal life was formed (if only I could have thought of it), should I have given thought to how they would help in the reproduction of plant life as they carried the pollen on their bodies? I probably would have been to busy to think of that.

And if I could have brought other animals into being, would I have created them for their beauty alone or would I have seen the need for further nourishment both for animals and the humans that would come? And would I have given them their keen senses to be crafty enough to evade capture? And would I have known to make docile species that would provide us with milk and eggs and the other kinds that would be special companions to us to keep us from being lonely?


And once I had this self-sustaining sphere hung in the heavens at the precise point it should be, could I have known that a being so special, so precious would have to be made to enjoy it all? This being would need to have a unique brain capable of reason to be able to use to its best advantage all that it was given. And it would need a twinkle of creativity to influence its own world.

Would I have known to give humanity free will to dictate its own future and, if necessary to the individual, choose to do wrong? Could I have known that there would be so many who do not appreciate all that they have been so freely given? Could I have lived with what seems like utter failure on many of their parts? Or would I have considered it failure on my part?

As awe-inspiring as this universe is, could I have remained anonymous refusing any recognition for all that I had done? Shamefully, I have to say no.

And yet for all that You have given us, for all the beauty, comfort and inspiration, how do we thank you? My euphoria fades. We have done nothing to honor your great gift. We squander our inheritance like reckless children and still whine every chance we get.

The sustenance you have given us is dwindling as this orb's overpopulation greedily eats it up. Farmlands are dying out. Wilderness areas are becoming all the more encroached upon. Natural resources are becoming exhausted. And your carefully considered balances are spinning wildly out of control.

Species go extinct every day. Crops are diminishing. Our air is stale and foul and soon to be unable to sustain us. The sea is filled with garbage. Our water is no longer pure. And to whom do we seek a solution? The very beings to whom you have given stewardship, those who allowed the destruction in the first place.

I weep. I am ashamed of us, for us.

And yet, in spite of it all... Each and every day I awake to Your Glory. It is a clear sign to me that You haven't given up on us yet. And for that alone... I Thank You. How great thou art.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

From Darkness to Light


Dear God...

The darkness envelopes me and seems to bear its weight on my soul. I weep at a marrow level. I do not understand the pain, nor from where it it comes. I do not understand the inhumanity of your individuals toward each other. How does a person live with such memories? What do I do?

And at that perfect moment when I am willing to raise my face from my hands and look up, I see how futile my tears are. For in the midst of the blackness I see your sign to me that I am not now, nor ever have been, alone. And I see that through it all You have been there with me.

One more time... Thank You.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Awaiting the Green


The days are getting longer now, God. I thank you for that. I can't wait to see green again. White is nice for a time. But after a while it feels so empty and void of any life at all.

I long to hear the birds sing and smell the flowers. I want to see anything as long as it's not from my window. Traffic, snow-filled roofs and a bank parking lot are not good for the soul. Maybe one day I will learn to cultivate my black thumb and have it generate beautiful greenery. For now I spare your lovely plants from certain death.

And so I count the days until I can find respite in your grandeur. Just a tree would be nice. But if nothing else, I can thank you for the sunshine that streams in the window allowing me to know there is hope for a bright tomorrow. You take care of the big stuff for me, all right? I'll tend to this thing I call life.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Jesus Valentine


Fofo's Faith

Fofo's Faith is unwavering. No matter the trials she continues on secure in the knowledge that God is taking care of her. She says she is walking in the Light.




Despite repeated illnesses, her faith remains intact. I asked her why. "Because God is the Great Healer," she replied, "and I trust Him implicitly."






And so I asked her how she got to have such faith. Very simply she stated, "I pray."




But I was convinced that God only hears certain prayers... not mine. I knew that wasn't true. I just feel so helpless sometimes. But she gently reminded me...





"We can call on His name any time," she said as a smile crept up onto her face. "He just loves us so much." But I'm human and I forget. It's nice to have a friend who reminds you.



So I'd like to throw you some kisses and thank you for reminding me that every day is Valentine's Day when you have God in your heart.










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Valentine’s Day with Jesus

Jesus does not send perfume
To linger in the air
Instead He sends salvation, sweet
To show how much He cares.

He doesn’t bring me candy hearts
In boxes of delight
Instead He always lets me know
I’m precious in His sight.

He doesn’t pass out pretty cards
Trimmed in shades of red
Instead He gave His life for me
His precious blood was shed.

He doesn’t hand out fancy gifts
Like we would send to mother
Instead He sends a message clear
To always love each other.

He doesn’t give me teddy bears
That whimper, “please be mine”
Instead He gave His heart to me
I wear it all the time.

He doesn’t give me roses, pink
For all the world to see
Instead He gave eternal life
That’s good enough for me.


~~by Marilyn Ferguson


Saturday, February 6, 2010

Something Missing?


Better get a move on... Find Him NOW!