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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A Three Tree Lesson
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!"
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" The first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even river; instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God...
"Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beam was Yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And Every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
So next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
On The Road Again....
Sometimes I find myself at the most unusual places. Me and Randy like to explore when we are out and it's become somewhat of an adventure at times. This past weekend we ended up at the Harley Davidson store in London, Ky. Neither one of us have any desire to purchase or let alone ride a motorcycle of any kind but, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate art in all it's forms and meet some really cool people at the same time. We learned that there are 5 families of Harley's...who would have thought...lol Thanks to Stan for educating me on that.
I've also started another little project of adventures which is in the works and is gonna require a lot of travelling into some far off places. I plan to start taking pictures of churches in autumn, the older the churches the better. Bro.Larry is gonna help direct me to a few that he thinks will be perfect for what I'm doing. I feel God leading me to start working on a book of Churches in pictures. I don't know how long it will take but I'm gonna just start and see where it takes me.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Deer Sighting
I've been noticing a doe and her two little ones that have been hanging out in my back yard recently so when I seen them this morning I decided to get my camera and sneak out onto my back porch to see if I could catch them. I guess you can tell I can't be quiet because they all started running away when they heard the shutter release of the camera. lol Oh well, I tried anyway. The mama is in the last pic sprinting away after her two little ones.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
COMBAT AND ADVENTURE
It is time my beloved to get dressed for battle. I am recruiting you My chosen one, to fight the good fight. I have not called you to a life of comfort. I called you to combat and adventure!
I know there will be times you feel as if there is no fight left inside of you. But take comfort My love; in your moments of weakness call to Me. I will dress you with My mighty spiritual armor. You will feel My spirit rise up inside your soul and you will experience the passion needed in that hour to persevere in any battle. In My power, you will have the strength to face every spiritual giant. Now, clothe yourself in My righteousness by obeying My Word and put on every piece of My armor. Your battles won will become the blessing of all generations.
Love,
Your King Who fights for you
"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness and the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:13-14
I know there will be times you feel as if there is no fight left inside of you. But take comfort My love; in your moments of weakness call to Me. I will dress you with My mighty spiritual armor. You will feel My spirit rise up inside your soul and you will experience the passion needed in that hour to persevere in any battle. In My power, you will have the strength to face every spiritual giant. Now, clothe yourself in My righteousness by obeying My Word and put on every piece of My armor. Your battles won will become the blessing of all generations.
Love,
Your King Who fights for you
"Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness and the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:13-14
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Our Visit With Ms. Verla
We got to spend our Tuesday evening visiting with Verla, Joe and Judy. We all had such a good time. Please continue to remember Verla in your prayers.
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