Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response Pastor Thomas began to speak. "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage.
On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply.
"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.
"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em. I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."
"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"
"Oh, I got some cats. They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment.
"How much do you want for those birds, son?"
"Huh??!!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing they ain't even pretty!"
"How much?"
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.
The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot.
Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.
Well, that explained the empty birdcage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.
"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"
"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other. How to hate and abuse each other. How to drink and smoke and curse. How to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"
"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill 'em."
"How much do you want for them?"
"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"
"How much?"
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood." Jesus paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.
Author unknown to me
I did not know His love before, The way I know it now. I could not see my need for Him, My pride would not allow. I had it all, without a care, The "self-sufficient" lie. My path was smooth, my sea was still, Not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace, I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place. But then the way grew rough and dark, The storm clouds quickly rolled; The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.
The ship that I had built myself Was made of foolish pride. It fell apart and left me bare, With nowhere else to hide I had no strength or faith to face The trials that lay ahead, And so I simply spoke His name And bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me, And then He helped me stand. He said, "You still must face this storm, But I will hold your hand." So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain. I could not see the light of day Or when I'd smile again.
Yet through the pain and endless tears, My faith began to grow. I could not see it at the time, But my light began to glow. I saw God's love in a brand new light, His grace and mercy, too. For only when all self was gone Could Jesus' love shine through
The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving to all he has made.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13:4-5
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children... to leave the world a better place... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
