Quote from Forum Archives on December 10, 2006, 12:01 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"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 wa! lked 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 co! uld 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!"

 

 

"A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION"

 

You Are Cordially Invited To A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.Guest of Honor: Jesus ChristDate:   Every day.  Traditionally December 25, but He's always around, so the date is flexible..Time:   Whenever you're ready, (please don't be too late, though; oryou'll miss out on all the fun!!)..Place:  In your heart ... He'll meet you there (you'll hear Him knock)..Attire: Come as you are ...grubbies are okay.  He'll be washing ourclothes anyway.  He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last..Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone..(He says you would not have been able to afford it ...it cost Him everything He had!!)..Refreshments:  New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls "livingwater, followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!!Gift Suggestions: Your heart.  He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though; just
wait until you see what He has for you)..

 

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity
in Paradise, and much more! Bring all your friends and relatives.
It is rataed 'G'.

 

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot
for you at the table. Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for
future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life".

 

Party Being Given By His Kids (That's us).

 

Hope To See You There!

 

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of
the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen,
bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the
righteous acts of the saints.) ... 'Blessed are those who are invited
to the wedding supper of the Lamb!

Author unknown.

 

 

"Recipe For A Merry Christmas"

 

 

Take the crisp cold of a December night, add two generous parts of snow, stir in air so clear it tinkles.
Into a generous heart, mix thewonder of a little girl, the sparkle of a young boy’s glance, the love of parents, and set gently before the chimney side. Add the lightest touch of a reindeer’s hooves, a sprig of holly, a scent of fir. Set the mixture to rise in the warmth of a dream of good will to men. It will be  almost ready to serve when it bubbles with warmth and good feeling. Bedeck with the light of a star set in the East, garnish with shining balls of gold, silver, and red. Serve to the tune of an ancient carol in the middle of the family table.

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

 

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