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The talking Christmas Tree

All stories copyright 2008 Bob Perks

Today's message:

"The talking Christmas Tree" (1999)
by Bob Perks

I hesitate, only for a moment, to tell you that what I'm
about to share is true. I believe my Christmas tree
talks to me.

From the time my two boys were old enough to understand
I have shared this revelation with them. Each year we head out
to find our talking Christmas tree. For most of those years we
have been successful in finding them at Helen and Ed's Tree Farm
about a 30 minute drive from where we live.

Besides my love and compassion for people, I have always
felt a connection to inanimate objects. Without sounding
metaphysical I simply believe that we are connected to everything
by the energy we share.

As we search for that special tree each year, we wander around
acres of farm land listening intensely for the voice. Oh, it's not a
audible voice and I can't see the branches move like the "singing"
trees that are so popular in department stores. But I feel a calling, a
connection that pulls me in the direction of just the right tree. I'll
admit that it sometimes takes a long time to connect. You see we
get so caught up in the beauty of the scenery and the wonder of the
conversation uninterrupted by phone calls and believe it or not no
Nintendo games to steal my child away. We normally cover most of the property before we get serious enough to really focus on our mission.

If it doesn't sound silly enough to you already, I don't like to make
disparaging comments to trees we find whose struggle to grow has
left them a few branches short or "balding" in spots. I honestly tell them to "keep trying, maybe next year."

But it's like everything else in life. What I don't see as the perfect
tree someone else may be overwhelmed by it's beauty. This explains
why my wife chose to marry me. Perhaps she picked me as her
"Charlie Brown Tree". You know the one from the Peanuts story that everyone made fun of until it found it's proper place in their hearts.

We continue our search then suddenly I connect, in that very special
moment, with a tree I am sure we passed by a dozen times in previous
years. I feel a oneness with a living, breathing pine tree created by God and nurtured by mankind.

There is an aura about it. I touch it, smell it and circle it in a
ritual dance probably rooted in ancient Native American customs. I
don't really dance. But my spirit tells me "this is the one!"

Twice, in proper ceremony, I have permitted my sons to come of age as I hand them the saw used only for Christmas Tree harvesting. My youngest now cuts them down with ease.

After the official tree trimming at home and my wife has gone to bed, I
take a moment to welcome the newest memory maker to our home.

And on the last night just before I turn the lights off on our tree

I say "thank you" with a hug and with a deep sigh I unplug the

lights for the final time.

I'll tell you the truth. I always struggled with cutting down a live
tree until one day I was told this story.

On that final night when the celebration of Christ's Birth has come to a
close a meeting is held in heaven to plan for next year's festivities.
A manger display, unlike anything seen here on earth is erected each
year. The official Christmas tree must be chosen one year in advance to assure proper placement next to the manger. The tree that is selected from the millions that adorned the homes here on earth is the one that was loved and appreciated the most. That one and only one takes it's place in heaven. Others serve as a plush back drop in this glorious scene.

I believe that my trees have certainly held that prestigious position
several times. No one, but no one loves their tree as much as I. At least few will admit it.

So my friends there it is. Yes, my Christmas tree talks to me and I to
it.

Am I crazy? Maybe so.
But if I was I wouldn't know.
But if I am what can I do
I'm crazy enough to believe in YOU!

Love,
Bob

"I believe in you!"
Bob

I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask that you
keep my name and contact information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
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Who do you trust?

Now on whom dust thou trust? — Isaiah 36:5

Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian’s answer, and see if it is yours. “On whom dost thou trust?” “I trust,” says the Christian, “in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust Him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to His own house where the many mansions are. I trust the Son. Very God of very God is He — the man Christ Jesus. I trust in Him to take away all my sins by His own sacrifice, and to adorn me with His perfect righteousness. I trust him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father’s throne, and I trust Him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust Him for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit — I trust Him to drive out all my sins; I trust Him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness; I trust Him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light for ever.”

Oh, blessed trust! To trust him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplused, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! Happy art thou, reader, if this trust is thine! So trusting, thou shalt enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall never be removed.

— Charles H. Spurgeon

Christmas Letter from Jesus

MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#7337 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
-------------------------------------------------

Christmas Letter from Jesus
============================

This came in my email at the perfect time. I recently got into
a discussion online with some ladies about Christmas and what
it means... and stores and companies and how they do or do not
celebrate the season! Boy, this really opened my eyes. I don't
know if you will use it, but here it is anyway!
~Jodi, Hope Mills, NC~

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks
are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten
that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and
that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate
My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.
Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be
most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed
with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate
My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the
town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My
birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If
all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such
a scene on the town square because there would be many of them
all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree
a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made
all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.
Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that
one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and
what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one,
look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth
here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My
birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope
to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and
lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know
them personally. They just need to know that someone cares
about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on
the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write
and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family
this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you
again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't
afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them
the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down
here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love
them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him
or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take
their own life this season because they feel so alone and
hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving
everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town
calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.
Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't
allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you
from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday.
If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd
close and let their employees spend the day at home with their
families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a
missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to
those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole
families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas"
tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or
receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few
gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other
charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery
for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief
in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do
things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let
people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love
Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all
the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll
help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a
most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember:
I LOVE YOU, JESUS

~Earthly Author Unknown~


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Sunday Clothes

A little boy was walking down a dirt road after church one Sunday afternoon when he came to a crossroads where he met a little girl coming from the other direction.

'Hello,' said the little boy

'Hi,' replied the little girl.

'Where are you going?' asked the little boy.

'I've been to church this morning and I'm on my way home,' Answered the little girl.

'I'm also on my way home from church. Which church do you go to?' asked the little boy.

'I go to the Baptist church back down the road,' replied the little girl. 'What about you? '

'I go to the Methodist church back at the top of the hill,' Replied the little boy.

They discover that they are both going the same way so they decided that they'd walk together. They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains had partially flooded the road, so there was no way that they could get across to the other side without getting wet.

'If I get my new Sunday dress wet, my Mom's going to skin me alive,' said the little girl.

'My Mom'll tan my hide, too, if I get my new Sunday suit wet,' Replied the little boy.

'I tell you what I think I'll do,' said the little girl. 'I'm gonna pull off all my clothes and hold them over my head and wade across.'

'That's a good idea,'replied the little boy. 'I'm going to do the same thing with my suit.'

So they both undressed and waded across to the other side without getting their clothes wet. They were standing there in the sun waiting to drip dry before putting their clothes back on, when the little boy finally remarked:

'You know, I never realized before just how much difference there really is between a BAPTIST and a METHODIST!!

The Night Before Christmas - Texas Style

"T'was the night before Christmas, in Texas, you know.
Way out on the prairie, without any snow.
Asleep in their cabin, were Buddy and Sue,
A dreamin' of Christmas, like me and you.

Not stockings, but boots, at the foot of their bed,
For this was Texas, what more need be said,
When all of a sudden, from out of the still night,
There came such a ruckus, it gave me a fright.

And I saw 'cross the prairie, like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard, come on at a run,
The driver was "Geein" and "Hawin", with a will,
The horses (not reindeer) he drove with such skill.

"Come on there Buck, Poncho, & Prince, to the right,
There'll be plenty of travelin' for you all tonight."

The driver in Levi's and a shirt that was red,
Had a ten-gallon Stetson on top of his head.
As he stepped from the buckboard, he was really a sight,
With his beard and moustache, so curly and white.

As he burst in the cabin, the children awoke,
And were so astonished, that neither one spoke.
And he filled up their boots with such presents galore,
That neither could think of a single thing more.

When Buddy recovered the use of his jaws,
He asked in a whisper, "Are you really Santa Claus?"
"Am I the real Santa? Well, what do you think?"
And he smiled as he gave a mysterious wink.

Then he leaped in his buckboard and called back in his drawl,
"To all the children in Texas, Merry Christmas, y'all"

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