Thursday, June 10, 2010
This is an excellent analogy. You may have seen before; however, this is worth a reminder.
GOD AND THE GEESE
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays.
His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus' birth. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!"
So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window.
He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window.
In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on.
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?"
He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese.
He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn -- and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!"
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese--blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us.
As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer:
"Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
GOD AND THE GEESE
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays.
His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus' birth. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!"
So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window.
He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window.
In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside.
But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them, and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on.
Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?"
He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese.
He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn -- and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!"
Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese--blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us.
As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer:
"Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
"KEEP YOUR FORK" An old but powerful Story!
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come." The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.
He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Have a blessed Week
Jeff
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.
In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?". Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come." The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.
He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Have a blessed Week
Jeff
Monday, January 2, 2006
E-VOTIONAL AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
“
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
This is week two of our series on planning and goal setting for 2006. This week, and next week, we ask you to do some “purposeful daydreaming”. God will help you. Begin by praying the following prayer: God, please show me the plan you have for my life and my family. Thank you for having dreams for me just like I have dreams for me own children. Amen. Now, consider your life in twenty years. Think of where you will live, your health, your marriage and other significant relationships, and your financial situation. Do you have close friends? Will you be caring for parents? What will your children be like? The setting for your daydream could be Thanksgiving dinner, or a vacation, or just a normal day, whatever you choose. This vision can then serve as a means for you and your spouse to set your goals in terms of how you spend your time, how much money you save, and what you choose to teach your children.
Jeff and I have constructed a vision for our future personally and also for our church. We believe that in twenty years Christ United Methodist Church will have 1000 people attending worship weekly and at least one “daughter congregation” in Cabot. Christ Church will have wonderful programming for children and families. We believe over the course of 20 years God will call 25 of our members to become pastors. We believe we will have a sister relationship with churches in third world countries, and that we will have mission trips that go to work alongside our brothers and sisters in other countries. In Cabot our church will be known as a church that cares about people, offering assistance to unwed mothers, the poor and the elderly. These are just a few of our dreams and we plan what our church is doing this Spring with those goals in mind.
Work on your own dreams and talk them over with your spouse. Next week we will talk about specific areas of goal setting, beginning with goals for parenting.
Unitl then... Blessings!
Jeff
“
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
This is week two of our series on planning and goal setting for 2006. This week, and next week, we ask you to do some “purposeful daydreaming”. God will help you. Begin by praying the following prayer: God, please show me the plan you have for my life and my family. Thank you for having dreams for me just like I have dreams for me own children. Amen. Now, consider your life in twenty years. Think of where you will live, your health, your marriage and other significant relationships, and your financial situation. Do you have close friends? Will you be caring for parents? What will your children be like? The setting for your daydream could be Thanksgiving dinner, or a vacation, or just a normal day, whatever you choose. This vision can then serve as a means for you and your spouse to set your goals in terms of how you spend your time, how much money you save, and what you choose to teach your children.
Jeff and I have constructed a vision for our future personally and also for our church. We believe that in twenty years Christ United Methodist Church will have 1000 people attending worship weekly and at least one “daughter congregation” in Cabot. Christ Church will have wonderful programming for children and families. We believe over the course of 20 years God will call 25 of our members to become pastors. We believe we will have a sister relationship with churches in third world countries, and that we will have mission trips that go to work alongside our brothers and sisters in other countries. In Cabot our church will be known as a church that cares about people, offering assistance to unwed mothers, the poor and the elderly. These are just a few of our dreams and we plan what our church is doing this Spring with those goals in mind.
Work on your own dreams and talk them over with your spouse. Next week we will talk about specific areas of goal setting, beginning with goals for parenting.
Unitl then... Blessings!
Jeff
Monday, December 5, 2005
Weekly E-votional: Monday, December 05, 2005
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:26-33
Have you ever had an unwelcome surprise? I have a friend whose husband threw a surprise fortieth birthday party for her at her place of employment. Just as she came down the hall to walk in the room where everyone was hiding, she turned to those who were walking with her and said, “I am ready to go home and rest; I want this birthday to be pretty low-key.” Was she ever caught off guard when she walked into the room where she was supposed to be attending her last meeting of the day, only to discover that about 50 of her closest friends were packed inside! So much for letting her birthday slip by quietly!
Imagine how Mary must have felt to discover she was going to have a baby. She had her life all planned out, with her wedding approaching. But God had other plans. She would still get married, but she would also be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. This must have been a frightening discovery, but this was a surprise that blessed us all!
In the midst of life’s chaos, what should be welcome surprises seem more like inconveniences. This is especially true in the busy Christmas season. Our families are going in all directions to attend special children’s programs. There are so many decorations to hang and traditions to maintain. The rush of shopping and parties can cause us to see any added activity as a burden. Yet some of those “burdens” are the true blessings of the season. Like when getting stuck in traffic behind unexpected road construction gives us a few more moments to laugh with our children, or a friend dropping by without notice gives us a chance to laugh and relax for a moment. Those little surprises are often more important than whatever we had planned.
My friend’s birthday party was a lot of fun. It was not what she would have planned, but it provided a chance of laughter and fun. When it was over, she and those who attended had special memories of that day. It was a blessing after all.
This season, give yourself permission to be interrupted. Allow a surprise here and there to make you late for the next event on your schedule. Be present in the moment. You never know when what you see as an “inconveniences” may be a gift from God.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:26-33
Have you ever had an unwelcome surprise? I have a friend whose husband threw a surprise fortieth birthday party for her at her place of employment. Just as she came down the hall to walk in the room where everyone was hiding, she turned to those who were walking with her and said, “I am ready to go home and rest; I want this birthday to be pretty low-key.” Was she ever caught off guard when she walked into the room where she was supposed to be attending her last meeting of the day, only to discover that about 50 of her closest friends were packed inside! So much for letting her birthday slip by quietly!
Imagine how Mary must have felt to discover she was going to have a baby. She had her life all planned out, with her wedding approaching. But God had other plans. She would still get married, but she would also be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. This must have been a frightening discovery, but this was a surprise that blessed us all!
In the midst of life’s chaos, what should be welcome surprises seem more like inconveniences. This is especially true in the busy Christmas season. Our families are going in all directions to attend special children’s programs. There are so many decorations to hang and traditions to maintain. The rush of shopping and parties can cause us to see any added activity as a burden. Yet some of those “burdens” are the true blessings of the season. Like when getting stuck in traffic behind unexpected road construction gives us a few more moments to laugh with our children, or a friend dropping by without notice gives us a chance to laugh and relax for a moment. Those little surprises are often more important than whatever we had planned.
My friend’s birthday party was a lot of fun. It was not what she would have planned, but it provided a chance of laughter and fun. When it was over, she and those who attended had special memories of that day. It was a blessing after all.
This season, give yourself permission to be interrupted. Allow a surprise here and there to make you late for the next event on your schedule. Be present in the moment. You never know when what you see as an “inconveniences” may be a gift from God.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff
Weekly E-votional: Monday, December 05, 2005
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:26-33
Have you ever had an unwelcome surprise? I have a friend whose husband threw a surprise fortieth birthday party for her at her place of employment. Just as she came down the hall to walk in the room where everyone was hiding, she turned to those who were walking with her and said, “I am ready to go home and rest; I want this birthday to be pretty low-key.” Was she ever caught off guard when she walked into the room where she was supposed to be attending her last meeting of the day, only to discover that about 50 of her closest friends were packed inside! So much for letting her birthday slip by quietly!
Imagine how Mary must have felt to discover she was going to have a baby. She had her life all planned out, with her wedding approaching. But God had other plans. She would still get married, but she would also be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. This must have been a frightening discovery, but this was a surprise that blessed us all!
In the midst of life’s chaos, what should be welcome surprises seem more like inconveniences. This is especially true in the busy Christmas season. Our families are going in all directions to attend special children’s programs. There are so many decorations to hang and traditions to maintain. The rush of shopping and parties can cause us to see any added activity as a burden. Yet some of those “burdens” are the true blessings of the season. Like when getting stuck in traffic behind unexpected road construction gives us a few more moments to laugh with our children, or a friend dropping by without notice gives us a chance to laugh and relax for a moment. Those little surprises are often more important than whatever we had planned.
My friend’s birthday party was a lot of fun. It was not what she would have planned, but it provided a chance of laughter and fun. When it was over, she and those who attended had special memories of that day. It was a blessing after all.
This season, give yourself permission to be interrupted. Allow a surprise here and there to make you late for the next event on your schedule. Be present in the moment. You never know when what you see as an “inconveniences” may be a gift from God.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Luke 1:26-33
Have you ever had an unwelcome surprise? I have a friend whose husband threw a surprise fortieth birthday party for her at her place of employment. Just as she came down the hall to walk in the room where everyone was hiding, she turned to those who were walking with her and said, “I am ready to go home and rest; I want this birthday to be pretty low-key.” Was she ever caught off guard when she walked into the room where she was supposed to be attending her last meeting of the day, only to discover that about 50 of her closest friends were packed inside! So much for letting her birthday slip by quietly!
Imagine how Mary must have felt to discover she was going to have a baby. She had her life all planned out, with her wedding approaching. But God had other plans. She would still get married, but she would also be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. This must have been a frightening discovery, but this was a surprise that blessed us all!
In the midst of life’s chaos, what should be welcome surprises seem more like inconveniences. This is especially true in the busy Christmas season. Our families are going in all directions to attend special children’s programs. There are so many decorations to hang and traditions to maintain. The rush of shopping and parties can cause us to see any added activity as a burden. Yet some of those “burdens” are the true blessings of the season. Like when getting stuck in traffic behind unexpected road construction gives us a few more moments to laugh with our children, or a friend dropping by without notice gives us a chance to laugh and relax for a moment. Those little surprises are often more important than whatever we had planned.
My friend’s birthday party was a lot of fun. It was not what she would have planned, but it provided a chance of laughter and fun. When it was over, she and those who attended had special memories of that day. It was a blessing after all.
This season, give yourself permission to be interrupted. Allow a surprise here and there to make you late for the next event on your schedule. Be present in the moment. You never know when what you see as an “inconveniences” may be a gift from God.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff
Monday, November 28, 2005
Weekly E-votional: Monday, November 28, 2005
There were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Christ, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
Miriam-Webster Dictionary online defines joy as:
“The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight”
When was the last time you felt joy? A business owner might feel joy the day their business opens. A runner might feel joy after completing a challenging marathon that they had trained for vigorously. If you are a parent you felt joy at your child’s birth.
The scripture passage above is about the night of Jesus’ birth. God sent angels to a group of weary shepherds, who were up late out in the fields to ensure the safety of their sheep. In the midst of their toil, an angel came to them, to give them hope, and encouragement, and joy. The joy that comes from God’s son, Jesus Christ, coming into our world to show us a better way of life, to show us love, to show us God’s heart. And the angels said this kind of joy was for everyone.
We are headed into such a busy season as Christmas approaches! Children’s programs at school, office parties, and lots of shopping will keep us running. Don’t forget in al of the running about that we celebrate a miracle. God came into the world in Jesus Christ, and he did it for you and me. Take a few moments everyday to stop and reflect, and rejoice.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff & Aubrietta
There were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Christ, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
Miriam-Webster Dictionary online defines joy as:
“The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight”
When was the last time you felt joy? A business owner might feel joy the day their business opens. A runner might feel joy after completing a challenging marathon that they had trained for vigorously. If you are a parent you felt joy at your child’s birth.
The scripture passage above is about the night of Jesus’ birth. God sent angels to a group of weary shepherds, who were up late out in the fields to ensure the safety of their sheep. In the midst of their toil, an angel came to them, to give them hope, and encouragement, and joy. The joy that comes from God’s son, Jesus Christ, coming into our world to show us a better way of life, to show us love, to show us God’s heart. And the angels said this kind of joy was for everyone.
We are headed into such a busy season as Christmas approaches! Children’s programs at school, office parties, and lots of shopping will keep us running. Don’t forget in al of the running about that we celebrate a miracle. God came into the world in Jesus Christ, and he did it for you and me. Take a few moments everyday to stop and reflect, and rejoice.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff & Aubrietta
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