Quote from Forum Archives on December 6, 2005, 3:38 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"The Legend of the Candy Cane"

     

           

         

Look at the Candy Cane

What do you see?

Stripes that are red

Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior

Who's sinless and pure!

 

"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!

Turn it around

And a staff you will see

Jesus my shepherd

Was born for Me!

 

Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church; firmness to represent the promise of God.

 

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

 

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

 

"Do You Love God"

 

 

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch thesunrise.  Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

 

As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

 

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

 

I answered, "Of course, God!  You are my Lord and Savior!"

 

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love
me?"

 

I was perplexed.  I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I
took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

 

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

 

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

 

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

 

How could I listen to anything being deaf?  Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.  I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

 

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

 

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like.   And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are  persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

 

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

 

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly," Yes Lord!  I love You because You are the one and true God!" 

 

I thought I had answered well, but...
God asked,
"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
 
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
 
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

 

No answers.  Only tears.

 

The Lord continued:
 Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly? 
Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

 

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

 

"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news?
Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

 

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

 

"You are blessed with life.  I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away.  I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes 0were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as
they were pushed away.  I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
 
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"
 
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse.  What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord.  I am unworthy to be Your child."

 

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My Child."

 

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

 

The Lord answered, "Because you are My Creation.  You are my Child.  I
will never abandon you.

 

When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you.  When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

 

Never had I cried so hard before.   How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?  I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

 

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.  I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.  And for the first time, I truly
prayed.
Unknown.

 

Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara

 

 

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