A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years, the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of 'The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife exhausted from their grief huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered,"We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand. The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll a t the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay amon g them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift ~
Because of love ~ only because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy, And again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
A Stunning Testimony
I think this should be passed on, you never know when
you are going to be used by God for a time such as this.
A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to
share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE
TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we
were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out
to California to visit her sister. On our way to the
airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip
and be with her.
Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud
pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire.
I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still
missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He
asked what my wife's flight number was, but I
explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me that her flight was the one that
crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to
speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going
to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit
by for; I have to do something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because
he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief
debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of
the phone, he said, 'take good care of my Grandchild.
Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he
died while helping in the rescue effort
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been
answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my
father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years
blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never
know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ,
and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was
sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a
knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell
she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a
couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was
Jake Matthews. I told him it was.
He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the
chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his
son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World
Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack.
She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then
explained that my father had been the one to find his wife
and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of
my father giving his life for people like this. He then
said, 'there is something else you need to know.'
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her,
she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at
the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be
standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family
would be able to thank him themselves . When their baby boy
was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man
who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in
control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we
may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in
control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never
know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't
call the qualified , He qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures
Forever.
Psalm 136:1
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed
on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our
sunset years telling our children and our children's
children what it was once like in the United States where
men were free."
Ronald Reagan
you are going to be used by God for a time such as this.
A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to
share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE
TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we
were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out
to California to visit her sister. On our way to the
airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip
and be with her.
Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud
pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire.
I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still
missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He
asked what my wife's flight number was, but I
explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me that her flight was the one that
crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to
speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going
to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit
by for; I have to do something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because
he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief
debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of
the phone, he said, 'take good care of my Grandchild.
Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he
died while helping in the rescue effort
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been
answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my
father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years
blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never
know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ,
and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was
sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a
knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell
she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a
couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was
Jake Matthews. I told him it was.
He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the
chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his
son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World
Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack.
She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then
explained that my father had been the one to find his wife
and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of
my father giving his life for people like this. He then
said, 'there is something else you need to know.'
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her,
she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at
the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be
standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family
would be able to thank him themselves . When their baby boy
was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man
who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in
control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we
may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in
control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never
know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't
call the qualified , He qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures
Forever.
Psalm 136:1
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed
on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our
sunset years telling our children and our children's
children what it was once like in the United States where
men were free."
Ronald Reagan
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the Sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... An American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother... Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.."
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many People as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these Festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people Stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC,USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC,Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iran
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Under the weather -
I haven't posted in a couple of weeks as I have been fighting a cold and working almost 6 days every week.
Last week I taught a Girl Scout Troop how to make cards and these cards will be sent to Carol Hart for the prison ministry. I wanted to send them for the troops, but we missed the deadline.
Hallie and Taylor not only did a great job on the cards, but they also won a prize from the blizzard of cards contest on www.cardsforheros.org site. They received their package and was so excited to get it. We will be starting on Valentine and Love cards when they come over tomorrow.
more to come.....................................
Last week I taught a Girl Scout Troop how to make cards and these cards will be sent to Carol Hart for the prison ministry. I wanted to send them for the troops, but we missed the deadline.
Hallie and Taylor not only did a great job on the cards, but they also won a prize from the blizzard of cards contest on www.cardsforheros.org site. They received their package and was so excited to get it. We will be starting on Valentine and Love cards when they come over tomorrow.
more to come.....................................
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Proud of my granddaughters
This is posted on the www.cardsforheros.org site.
I would also like to thank Hallie...
November 1st, 2008
A snail-mail card from a soldier in Iraq, dated 23 Oct 08:
First and foremost, I want to thank you for all of the cards you sent. Believe me, they’ll be put to good use. It’s a wonderful gesture and all the troops and I greatly appreciate it.
I would also like to thank Hallie for the beautiful card she created. She’s the same age as my oldest daughter.
Well, God bless and take care. Keep up the good wor. You’re doing wonders. Thank you.SSGT I.P.
Those who follow the Homefront Blog will remember Hallie, who was one of our recent Featured stampers!! Here is a link to it.
I would also like to thank Hallie...
November 1st, 2008
A snail-mail card from a soldier in Iraq, dated 23 Oct 08:
First and foremost, I want to thank you for all of the cards you sent. Believe me, they’ll be put to good use. It’s a wonderful gesture and all the troops and I greatly appreciate it.
I would also like to thank Hallie for the beautiful card she created. She’s the same age as my oldest daughter.
Well, God bless and take care. Keep up the good wor. You’re doing wonders. Thank you.SSGT I.P.
Those who follow the Homefront Blog will remember Hallie, who was one of our recent Featured stampers!! Here is a link to it.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
God and the spider
During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.
As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.
"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."
We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.
Lord, I thank you for all our Military, and their families. I Pray for your Brick wall of protection,to protect them everyday!!!Amen
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.
As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."
After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.
As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.
"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."
As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.
"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."
We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.
Lord, I thank you for all our Military, and their families. I Pray for your Brick wall of protection,to protect them everyday!!!Amen
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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