And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. – Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)
Who has done good and shared with you? Who have you done good and shared with? What have you shared? What goodness have you given? Why do you think God would be pleased?
The following story is one I am sure I have used before, but it is good.
Many years ago three soldiers, hungry and weary of battle, came upon a small village. The villagers, suffering a meager harvest and the many years of war, quickly hid what little they had to eat and met the three at the village square, wringing their hands and bemoaning the lack of anything to eat.
The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then turned to the village elders. "Your tired fields have left you nothing to share, so we will share what little we have: the secret of how to make soup from stones."
Naturally the villagers were intrigued and soon a fire was put to the town's greatest kettle as the soldiers dropped in three smooth stones. "Now this will be a fine soup", said the second soldier; "but a pinch of salt and some parsley would make it wonderful!" Up jumped a villager, crying "What luck! I've just remembered where some has been left!" And off she ran, returning with an apronful of parsley and a turnip. As the kettle boiled on, the memory of the village improved: soon barley, carrots, beef and cream had found their way into the great pot, and a cask of wine was rolled into the square as all sat down to feast.
They ate and danced and sang well into the night, refreshed by the feast and their new-found friends. In the morning the three soldiers awoke to find the entire village standing before them. At their feet lay a satchel of the village's best breads and cheese. "You have given us the greatest of gifts: the secret of how to make soup from stones", said an elder, "and we shall never forget." The third soldier turned to the crowd, and said: "There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by sharing that we may make a feast". And off the soldiers wandered, down the road.
One interpretation I have heard of Jesus feeding the 5000 claims that perhaps when people watched what little food was going around that they took out the food they had hidden away. It was hidden because they were afraid of not having enough. When the food went by they added to it, and soon a feast ensued. We often hide our resources away because we are scared of not having enough. For some reason though, perhaps due to a miracle, when we share there is more than enough and joy abounds! It is good to share and God knows it. Let this be our first stewardship devotional. What are you hiding that you can share? Share it and be a part of God’s joy!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, July 18, 2011
Having Some Hope
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. – Romans 12:12
How’s your hope? Are you patient when the bad times come up? How do you cope? What does it mean to persevere in prayer? How’s your prayer life?
The following is by William M. Buchholz, M.D. and was e-mailed to me.
As I ate breakfast one morning, I overheard two oncologists conversing. One complained bitterly, "You know, Bob, I just don't understand it. We used the same drugs, the same dosage, the same schedule and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22 percent response rate and you got a 74 percent. That's unheard of for metastatic cancer. How do you do it?"
His colleague replied, "We're both using Etoposide, Platinum, Oncovin and Hydroxyurea. You call yours EPOH. I tell my patients I'm giving them HOPE. As dismal as the statistics are, I emphasize that we have a chance."
In the movie “Dumb and Dumber” Lloyd asks Mary what his chances are of being able to date her. She says, “Not good.” When he asks if they are about one in a hundred not good she replies, “More like one in a million.” After pausing for a second Lloyd says, “So you’re telling me there is a chance… YEAH!” Some might say he was being optimistic but what he was really being was hopeful. Hopeful that however small the light there is, that there is a light. Paul believed there is always a light, even when it appears nearly extinguished. In that light he always had hope. It is what allowed him while locked in a prison to sing hymns and to pray. May we hold onto that same hope! With it we can do so much more.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
How’s your hope? Are you patient when the bad times come up? How do you cope? What does it mean to persevere in prayer? How’s your prayer life?
The following is by William M. Buchholz, M.D. and was e-mailed to me.
As I ate breakfast one morning, I overheard two oncologists conversing. One complained bitterly, "You know, Bob, I just don't understand it. We used the same drugs, the same dosage, the same schedule and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22 percent response rate and you got a 74 percent. That's unheard of for metastatic cancer. How do you do it?"
His colleague replied, "We're both using Etoposide, Platinum, Oncovin and Hydroxyurea. You call yours EPOH. I tell my patients I'm giving them HOPE. As dismal as the statistics are, I emphasize that we have a chance."
In the movie “Dumb and Dumber” Lloyd asks Mary what his chances are of being able to date her. She says, “Not good.” When he asks if they are about one in a hundred not good she replies, “More like one in a million.” After pausing for a second Lloyd says, “So you’re telling me there is a chance… YEAH!” Some might say he was being optimistic but what he was really being was hopeful. Hopeful that however small the light there is, that there is a light. Paul believed there is always a light, even when it appears nearly extinguished. In that light he always had hope. It is what allowed him while locked in a prison to sing hymns and to pray. May we hold onto that same hope! With it we can do so much more.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Our Christian Hope
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. – Isaiah 25:8 (KJV)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
What do these words mean to you? Do you live life free from the fear of death? Have you seen anyone who lived in such a way? What were they like? What does this say of Christian hope?
Tom Long told the following story in his sermon, “A Living Hope”:
In her beautiful book, “Intensive Care,” Mary Lou Weisman tells the moving and tragic story of the death of her fifteen-year-old son, Peter, from the terrible disease, muscular dystrophy. She tells about an astonishing thing that happened right at the moment of his death. Peter’s body was completely paralyzed in the final stages of his disease, and the delirium of death was taking over his mind in his last few minutes of his life. He was moaning, random and disconnected in his thoughts. His voice, wrote Mary Lou, “sounded so far away, so lost.” But then, suddenly, in a surprisingly clear voice, Peter spoke directly to Larry, his father.
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Bewildered and frightened, Larry and Mary Lou looked at each other. What could this strange question from their dying son possibly mean?
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Even though he had tears streaming from his eyes, Larry answered Peter matter-of-factly. “Impudent. Son, impudent means bold. It means shamelessly bold.”
Peter paused for a moment, death closing its grip on him, and then he said, “Then put me in an impudent position.”
And sure enough, just before their son died, Larry and Mary Lou, positioned Peter’s arms and legs in a posture of bold defiance, an “impudent position” in the face of death.
I suppose the question for us now is how might we live in an impudent position as we go about life? Our Christian hope in the defeat of death allows us look over a chaotic world while we exist in it and know that God is not done! The last word is not death, nor disease, nor war, nor troubles, nor persecutions, nor anything of the vast array of evil that wishes our depression and our defeat. The last word is the One we call the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the One who defeated death itself. Therefore we can stand as a resurrection people and in an impudent position, ready to take on the trials of life with the hope of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
What do these words mean to you? Do you live life free from the fear of death? Have you seen anyone who lived in such a way? What were they like? What does this say of Christian hope?
Tom Long told the following story in his sermon, “A Living Hope”:
In her beautiful book, “Intensive Care,” Mary Lou Weisman tells the moving and tragic story of the death of her fifteen-year-old son, Peter, from the terrible disease, muscular dystrophy. She tells about an astonishing thing that happened right at the moment of his death. Peter’s body was completely paralyzed in the final stages of his disease, and the delirium of death was taking over his mind in his last few minutes of his life. He was moaning, random and disconnected in his thoughts. His voice, wrote Mary Lou, “sounded so far away, so lost.” But then, suddenly, in a surprisingly clear voice, Peter spoke directly to Larry, his father.
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Bewildered and frightened, Larry and Mary Lou looked at each other. What could this strange question from their dying son possibly mean?
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Even though he had tears streaming from his eyes, Larry answered Peter matter-of-factly. “Impudent. Son, impudent means bold. It means shamelessly bold.”
Peter paused for a moment, death closing its grip on him, and then he said, “Then put me in an impudent position.”
And sure enough, just before their son died, Larry and Mary Lou, positioned Peter’s arms and legs in a posture of bold defiance, an “impudent position” in the face of death.
I suppose the question for us now is how might we live in an impudent position as we go about life? Our Christian hope in the defeat of death allows us look over a chaotic world while we exist in it and know that God is not done! The last word is not death, nor disease, nor war, nor troubles, nor persecutions, nor anything of the vast array of evil that wishes our depression and our defeat. The last word is the One we call the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the One who defeated death itself. Therefore we can stand as a resurrection people and in an impudent position, ready to take on the trials of life with the hope of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Abounding In Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
What does it mean to be filled with all joy and peace in believing? Have you ever considered God “the God of hope”? Do you abound in hope? Have you met anyone who abounds in hope? How do they live?
This story was sent to me:
A little girl walked daily to and from school. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trip to school.
As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school, and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword would cut through the sky.
Full of concern, the mother quickly got in her car and drove along the route to her child's school.
As she did so, she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile. Another and another were to follow quickly, each with the little girl stopping, looking up and smiling.
Finally, the mother called over to her child and asked, "What are you doing?" The child answered, "Smiling, God just keeps taking pictures of me."
And maybe that is an image of abounding in hope, yes maybe that is being filled with joy and peace. Knowing that God cares about us so much that God would never abandon us, and looking at fear in the face and smiling. Smiling because God is with us then too, and we aren’t alone. An old English proverb says it best, “Fear knocked on the door and faith answered. No one was there.” Today let us pray that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that not only we will not fear, but also that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s a good way to be.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to be filled with all joy and peace in believing? Have you ever considered God “the God of hope”? Do you abound in hope? Have you met anyone who abounds in hope? How do they live?
This story was sent to me:
A little girl walked daily to and from school. Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trip to school.
As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and lightning. The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school, and she herself feared that the electrical storm might harm her child. Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword would cut through the sky.
Full of concern, the mother quickly got in her car and drove along the route to her child's school.
As she did so, she saw her little girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up and smile. Another and another were to follow quickly, each with the little girl stopping, looking up and smiling.
Finally, the mother called over to her child and asked, "What are you doing?" The child answered, "Smiling, God just keeps taking pictures of me."
And maybe that is an image of abounding in hope, yes maybe that is being filled with joy and peace. Knowing that God cares about us so much that God would never abandon us, and looking at fear in the face and smiling. Smiling because God is with us then too, and we aren’t alone. An old English proverb says it best, “Fear knocked on the door and faith answered. No one was there.” Today let us pray that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that not only we will not fear, but also that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s a good way to be.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Friday, May 28, 2010
Suffering and Hope
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. – Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
Are you suffering? Have you ever been able to rejoice in your sufferings? What has helped you persevere during your sufferings? Have you discovered that character developed? What about hope? What does that love feel like in the middle of the hard times?
I remember this poem from my grandmother’s funeral. It is called “Footprints” by Margaret Fishback Powers.
One night a man had a dream that he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, the other belonging to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints, and that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life...
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
If we are wondering how we can walk any further in this journey called life, maybe God is carrying us right now. We have all made it through horrible things before, and we will all go through them again, but we will never go through them alone. With God there is always reason to hope, and I suppose then there is always reason to rejoice too.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Are you suffering? Have you ever been able to rejoice in your sufferings? What has helped you persevere during your sufferings? Have you discovered that character developed? What about hope? What does that love feel like in the middle of the hard times?
I remember this poem from my grandmother’s funeral. It is called “Footprints” by Margaret Fishback Powers.
One night a man had a dream that he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, the other belonging to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints, and that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life...
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
If we are wondering how we can walk any further in this journey called life, maybe God is carrying us right now. We have all made it through horrible things before, and we will all go through them again, but we will never go through them alone. With God there is always reason to hope, and I suppose then there is always reason to rejoice too.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Hope of the Poor
But those who have troubles will not be forgotten. The hopes of the poor will never die. – Psalm 9:18 (NCV)
Have you ever felt forgotten in your troubles? What was it like? What was going on? Have you ever looked over the community and felt hopeless? What does it mean to you that, “The hopes of the poor with never die?”
This week First Presbyterian Church served two meals to high school students who came from Illinois to Albany for their spring break. The reason they travelled the 18 hours by bus to get here was to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
Apparently the students had heard that they could come down for the week and serve others in need. One of the faculty supervisors told me that they came up to her with a full spread sheet they had done on their own, explaining the places they would stop, where they would eat meals, and every other thing that could be considered.
It was incredible to go down to the worksite and watch teenagers working together in a foreign place to fight the good fight, to remember those who have troubles and let them know they are not alone, they are loved by teens from 900 miles away. Hearing how they had no idea what pimento cheese was, or watching some have their first bite of banana pudding, while they shared how excited they were to be able to serve was a blessing. After each meal they were filled with gratitude that we would do anything to serve them. I kept thinking to myself, “How could we not serve you for serving us, it is I who am filled with gratitude.” And it was then I realized that in serving these incredibly devoted youth that we were also serving those they were serving.
Indeed when we serve others the hopes of the poor will never die! A lot of people give up hope when they see all the pain in the world. I have heard many people bemoan the state of our young people, and wonder what good will be left in the future. And yet just this week I saw 55 young people who instead of resting or partying with their time off decided to figure out ways to serve the needy. Hope abounds all around us, we need only open our eyes to see it. Hope can also be created the moment we stop bemoaning all the pain, and decide to go into it, and with the power of the Holy Spirit do something about it. Today let us learn from a group of teenagers from Illinois, and discover all the ways to serve in our communities.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Have you ever felt forgotten in your troubles? What was it like? What was going on? Have you ever looked over the community and felt hopeless? What does it mean to you that, “The hopes of the poor with never die?”
This week First Presbyterian Church served two meals to high school students who came from Illinois to Albany for their spring break. The reason they travelled the 18 hours by bus to get here was to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
Apparently the students had heard that they could come down for the week and serve others in need. One of the faculty supervisors told me that they came up to her with a full spread sheet they had done on their own, explaining the places they would stop, where they would eat meals, and every other thing that could be considered.
It was incredible to go down to the worksite and watch teenagers working together in a foreign place to fight the good fight, to remember those who have troubles and let them know they are not alone, they are loved by teens from 900 miles away. Hearing how they had no idea what pimento cheese was, or watching some have their first bite of banana pudding, while they shared how excited they were to be able to serve was a blessing. After each meal they were filled with gratitude that we would do anything to serve them. I kept thinking to myself, “How could we not serve you for serving us, it is I who am filled with gratitude.” And it was then I realized that in serving these incredibly devoted youth that we were also serving those they were serving.
Indeed when we serve others the hopes of the poor will never die! A lot of people give up hope when they see all the pain in the world. I have heard many people bemoan the state of our young people, and wonder what good will be left in the future. And yet just this week I saw 55 young people who instead of resting or partying with their time off decided to figure out ways to serve the needy. Hope abounds all around us, we need only open our eyes to see it. Hope can also be created the moment we stop bemoaning all the pain, and decide to go into it, and with the power of the Holy Spirit do something about it. Today let us learn from a group of teenagers from Illinois, and discover all the ways to serve in our communities.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Doing the Word
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. – James 1:22 (NIV)
How can someone deceive himself or herself by only listening to the word? Do you feel you have ever deceived yourself? What does it mean to “do” what the word says? What is an example of doing what the word says that you can think of right now?
My sister called me up the other day and told me about a little boy around 7 or 8 years old. He earned money throughout the year either because of gifts given or doing the odd job around the house. There was always the promise that as he earned the money he would be able to buy something with it, so the little boy kept earning money.
Toward the beginning of December his mother asked him if he wanted to use his money. Excited the little boy shook his head yes. “Do you know what you want to buy?” asked his mother. The little boy shook his head yes. “What do you want to use your money for?” his mother prodded. The boy looked at his mother and said, “I want to give half of it to Toys for Tots, and half to the Veterans Relief Fund.” Understandably his mother was shocked, “Are you sure?” “Yes, yes mom, I am sure.”
The boy’s mother told people about how her son wanted to spend his money and it inspired a couple of people who heard. These inspired people said that they would match the little boy’s gift. Several days later the boy walked into a Toy’s for Tots donation center and gave them half of his money and half of the matched gifts. Then he went to the place to donate for the Veterans Relief Fund and did the same. All total the little boy gave almost $500. What awesome work done by someone so young!
Jesus said, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” There is no doubt that little boy did what that word says! What word is it time to do that we have heard? As we approach the New Year let us make a resolution to do the word we have heard; we may be amazed at what occurs!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
How can someone deceive himself or herself by only listening to the word? Do you feel you have ever deceived yourself? What does it mean to “do” what the word says? What is an example of doing what the word says that you can think of right now?
My sister called me up the other day and told me about a little boy around 7 or 8 years old. He earned money throughout the year either because of gifts given or doing the odd job around the house. There was always the promise that as he earned the money he would be able to buy something with it, so the little boy kept earning money.
Toward the beginning of December his mother asked him if he wanted to use his money. Excited the little boy shook his head yes. “Do you know what you want to buy?” asked his mother. The little boy shook his head yes. “What do you want to use your money for?” his mother prodded. The boy looked at his mother and said, “I want to give half of it to Toys for Tots, and half to the Veterans Relief Fund.” Understandably his mother was shocked, “Are you sure?” “Yes, yes mom, I am sure.”
The boy’s mother told people about how her son wanted to spend his money and it inspired a couple of people who heard. These inspired people said that they would match the little boy’s gift. Several days later the boy walked into a Toy’s for Tots donation center and gave them half of his money and half of the matched gifts. Then he went to the place to donate for the Veterans Relief Fund and did the same. All total the little boy gave almost $500. What awesome work done by someone so young!
Jesus said, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.” There is no doubt that little boy did what that word says! What word is it time to do that we have heard? As we approach the New Year let us make a resolution to do the word we have heard; we may be amazed at what occurs!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Being Happy
Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob. Their hope is in the LORD their God. – Psalm 146:5
What does it mean to be happy? Are you happy? How have you been helped by God? How does a person act who realizes his/her hope is in the LORD? Knowing that hope is in the LORD your God how will you act for the rest of the day?
The following story is called, “The Secret” found at: http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/stories/the_secret.html
A woman named Vicki once knew a young person at church named Susan. Susan always seemed effervescent and happy, although Vicki knew she had faced struggles in her life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly ended in divorce. She had struggled to get a grip on her single life. She hadn't chosen it, but she decided she would live it with utmost enjoyment and satisfaction. Susan was active in Sunday school, in the choir, as a leader of the junior high girls' group, and in the church renewal movement. Vicki enjoyed knowing Susan. Susan's whole face seemed to smile.
One day Vicki asked Susan, "How is it that you are always so happy, you have so much energy, and you never seem to get down?" With her eyes smiling, Susan said, "I know the Secret!" "What secret is that, what are you talking about?" Vicki asked. Susan replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others." Vicki agreed, "Okay, now what is it?"
The Secret is this: "I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. HE has never let me down. Since I learned that Secret I am happy.”
Vicki's first thought was, “That's too simple!” But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy -but it didn't! She thought a better-paying job would make her happy -but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, a simple gift from God. Susan knew the secret, Vicki learned the secret, and now you know it too! We can't depend on people to make us happy. Only GOD in His wisdom can do that. Trust HIM! And now I pass the Secret on to you!
Happy are those who are helped by God! It is a great secret worthy of sharing with everyone you come across. God gives us pieces of hope and joy at every moment. We must trust in God and see each blessing, when we do people will see us as God wanted us to be, happy!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Building the Bridge
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 (KJV)
“You’re blessed when you can show others how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.” – Matthew 5:9 (The Message)
Are you a peacemaker? How have you shown others to cooperate instead of fight? Who has been a peacemaker in your life? Why does being a peacemaker allow one to discover who he/she really is? What does a peacemaker do?
Yet another story e-mailed to me.
Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.
The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."
We all have many more bridges to build! Christ was the ultimate bridge builder and peacemaker, for he was the Son of God. Let us all be called children of God as we sow peace in the midst of conflict. Building bridges is the only way to become God’s hope and joy! Start with the bridges you need built in your life, and then build them for others!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
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