THE BARBER

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens is, people don't go to Him."

A Mouse, Pig, Cow and Snake

Author Unknown
Submitted by Richard

A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package; what food might it contain?

He was aghast to discover that it was a mouse trap!

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning, “There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house.”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me; I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mouse trap in the house.”

“I am so very sorry Mr. Mouse,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, “Like wow, Mr. Mouse, a mouse trap; am I in grave danger, Duh?”

So the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the farmer’s mouse trap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught.

In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer’s wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital.

She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer’s wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.

So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

Heb 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR JESUS

By

Richard and Esther Provencher

Website: www.wsprog.com/rp/

 Christmas music surrounded Matthew, like a magic blanket. Children and adults of all shapes and sizes hurried and shouted throughout the mall. It was exciting to see Christmas trees dressed in all colors, hockey equipment and trains. Video games and toy soldiers scattered like snowflakes across display tables.

"Stop crying, I can’t afford that!" one adult said. In the parking lot, Matthew could not shut out angry voices. "Hey you, that's my spot!"

Now it was Christmas Eve and Matthew stood by his bedroom window. From his second floor window Victoria Park looked peaceful. "This should be a happy time," Matthew said, patting his cat, Boots. “Tomorrow is Jesus’ birthday.”

Victoria Park was in the center of town, filled with hiking trails and a Reservoir, the size of a little lake.

Mom gave him a huge smile as she leaned over and kissed him goodnight. "What special gift would you like for Christmas Matthew?" she asked.

"Peace on earth," he whispered.

"Where did you get such a serious thought?" she asked.

His answer was a monster hug. He knew wishes were supposed to be secret, but mom was special.

Sleepy eyes closed as the clock ticked towards midnight. Around 11:00 PM Matthew heard a sound downstairs. Being a curious boy, he got out of bed and went to investigate.

It sounded like a dog, whining outside the front door. Was it a hungry stray? After getting a plate of leftover supper from the fridge, he opened the door. Matthew almost fell backwards as he saw a gray wolf. Its huge mouth was open with a sort of happy panting.

For some strange reason, Matthew wasn’t afraid. 

Boy and animal stared at each other. Matthew knew in his heart he was to go somewhere with this creature. He quietly returned upstairs, put on boots, and warm clothes. Don’t forget mitts and a hat.

By the time he returned, three more wolves waited outside. And this young boy, surrounded by four wolves headed down the street.

A neighbor peeked out her window, and let out a loud GASP. After receiving her phone call, the Truro Police Department sent an urgent message: "Boy kidnapped by wolves!"

A Cab driver yelled into his CB radio, “Wolves on the street!” Late night walkers rushed to their homes and locked the doors. Loud shouting began between neighbors up and down Park and Rosewyn Streets.

The wolf leader crossed the street and entered Victoria Park, with its 1,000 acres of woods. Matthew followed. He knew this path led to the little lake.

By now a crowd had gathered on the sidewalk. "That way!" someone shouted, pointing to the Park Entrance. Officers from two Police cars parked then joined everyone heading for the park.

Christmas eve celebrations were swept from their minds like dust balls. Saving a little boy from wild animals was much more important.

Not far ahead, four wolves waited as Matthew rested against a birch tree. Within his heart Matthew knew he was on a special mission. The wolves seemed to know exactly where they were going.

They began to run when they heard the tramp of many feet. Shouting words were part of a growing mob of people. Some carried thick branches; others had baseball bats.

Fear was in their hearts. Matthew learned in Sunday school people should have love in their hearts instead.

It was as if the whole town was on the move. They left behind fancy Christmas treats and pretty decorations. Even getting ready for Santa was forgotten. What was more important now than rescuing a little boy on Christmas Eve?

Matthew noticed large number of animals on the side of the trail. Feathers from crows, chick-a-dees and ducks fluttered everywhere.

Why weren't they flying away? Matthew wondered.

"Creatures in the forest are usually nervous around people," dad once said.

Suddenly, the wolf leader stopped then raised his snout. A piercing "OWWWOOUUU" was his signal for the other wolves to join in.

Matthew could see the forest filling up with more animals and birds. Larger trees were like a clothesline for canaries, partridges, and owls.

Every animal and bird he knew from his school library seemed to be here. Behind shrubs and trees were coyotes, rabbits and beaver, even mice and deer. Bear and moose were also here.

An army of people from the town was amazed to see so many wildlife sights. "OOHS" and "AAHS" came from people of all ages, shapes and sizes. There were too many animals and birds to count.

As if on a signal, each adult placed sticks and baseball bats on the ground. This special hush in the forest was something they did not want to mess up. They could see Mathew and the wolves on a grassy field, beside the town’s little lake.

And they listened as four wolves howled greetings to the night sky. The moon shone its flashlight beam upon Matthew and the wolves. Everyone could see the boy was fine. And he wasn’t afraid beside four shaggy wolves.

Very softly, a humming arose from thousands of trees.

Flapping wings lifted slowly, then rapidly, causing echoes of 'Whooshing' throughout the woods.

Every limb quivered, almost as if Royalty was expected to come to this part of the park.

Birds and animals joined in with their own calls, creating a musical symphony. Loon melodies lifted majestically into the sky. Deer added 'blowing' sounds meant to soothe their young.

And dozens of beaver slapped muscled tails as they dove like arrows into the reservoir of water.

Men, women and children gasped in wonder as a mixture of enchanting sounds captured their ears. Music was about a love of the forest, to live in peace, one with another.

It was a message felt by each human, filling empty space in their hearts. Everything was peaceful as mist drifting through the trees. 

Then silently as if a baton had been raised, all animals and birds were still. Their singing, reaching far into the sky and beyond the hills, ended.

Patient adults could barely hold in their excitement. 

As if that same unseen baton twirled, an army of children’s voices began to sing. They proudly stood and sent their own message of peace. It arose from the forest as a magnificent wave.

Adults joined in, wishing to be part of this great symphony. As if by magic, animals, and birds also came together in harmony.

The forest shook with powerful sounds, strange in their delivery, but rising as a stairway to the stars. Creatures of fur, and feathers, along with humans carried a message of love and peace on earth. It was now Christmas morning.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!” Matthew and his mom and dad yelled out.

For more of this Writers contact:

© Richard & Esther Provencher 2011

81 Queen Street, Unit 6, Truro, Nova Scotia

Canada B2N 2B2 Phone (902) 897-2344 

E-mail: richardprov1@netscape.net   

Posted April 2011

Christ4Thailand

A Mountain of Laundry

 My husband and I became foster parents after we had been married for two years. Our first placement was two little boys, brothers, who we adopted after they were with us for eighteen months. When our boys were two and three, we were asked to take one and three-year-old sisters into our home. For the following two years we had our own little in-house, full-time daycare.

After the girls had been with us for about six months, I attempted to get involved in a Bible study group at our church. One thing or another always seemed to prevent me from attending. I was feeling a little discouraged, but I’d purchased devotional tapes and a study guide and thought I could keep up with the Bible study by myself at home.

One afternoon, after I’d put the children down for their naps, I tackled a mountain of laundry that had piled up on the sofa and needed folding. As I was folding, I began discussing my plight with the Lord. “You know, Lord, I’ve started attending this Bible study and I’m trying to find time for You and everything I need to do, but I just can’t seem to find any time. I’ve tried getting up before daylight, but one of the kids always hears me and gets up wanting my attention and by bedtime I’m exhausted. I guess I could do them during naptime, but that’s the only time I have to get caught up with the housework…mainly the laundry. I seem to be able to keep up with most everything but this laundry! Well, I guess You know all about it. You gave me all of these little kids to care for and You know they need clean clothes to wear. You know how much work this takes and I know You understand.”
The following Sunday my husband and I were sitting in Sunday School class waiting for the teacher to begin, when our family’s adopted grandmother, Betty, came and sat down beside me. Betty is a widow who has raised five children. She’s a wonderful woman who’s always helping someone, and had personally blessed our family on many occasions, but I was totally unprepared for what she had to say on that particular day!

She leaned toward me and said, “I have a proposition for you.”

My curiosity was aroused. “O.K., what is it?” I answered back.

She sweetly and softly replied, “I really think this is the Lord, but would you let me do your laundry?”

As I sat gaping at her with my mouth hanging open, my mind was racing trying to think who could I have told about my laundry situation. I knew I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, not even my husband, Rodney. “Do you know how much laundry I have?” I whispered back as my eyes started to fill.

“Honey, I’ve raised five children and I know how much laundry you have,” was her response. Then she continued, “You know, what you and your husband are doing raising these little children is wonderful, but I know it’s hard work. I’m an old woman and I don’t watch other people’s children anymore, but I can do your laundry. You just have Rodney drop it off on his way to work, and pick it up on his way home. I’ll wash it, dry it, iron it, fold it; whatever is needed.”

Shame on me, because the whole time she was speaking, I was thinking, “Oh, Lord, not the underwear! I can’t send our underwear to someone else to do!”

Betty was still talking, “Last week I noticed you up on the platform during praise and worship and you looked very tired. I was thinking about you all week and then I felt the Lord telling me to, `Ask Ronni if she’ll let you do her laundry,’” then she finished with, “Now, don’t you rob me of this blessing!”

At the time I didn’t know how to respond. Not wanting to hurt Betty’s feelings, I let her know I would think about her offer. Even though I had poured out my heart about how difficult it was to keep up and how I missed my devotional time wth Him, I was unprepared for God to actually do something about it. He had given me the task of caring for these little ones and I was a little put out that He’d taken me seriously when I said I was having trouble keeping up. So I thought, “If I just get a little more organized, I can take care of this myself.”

As I walked in and surveyed the laundry room a couple of weeks later, I sagged against the washer. The mountain of laundry hadn’t diminished a bit with my efforts to take care of things myself. As a matter of fact, it was now bigger than ever. “Well, Lord,” I said, “I guess I could send everything but the underwear.”
Very clearly, I heard that still small voice say, “When I ask you for your dirty laundry, I want all of it, even the underwear.”

That’s when I broke. That mountain of laundry now represented the mountain of pride in my life. Who was I to look disdainfully on a gift offered in love?

As I picked up the phone my eyes were filling with tears and when I heard sweet little Betty’s voice on the other end, my own voice shook as I said, “Betty, do you still want to help me with my laundry?”

My tears quickly turned to laughter at her ready response of, “Bring it on over, Honey, bring it on over!”

Our clothes were never cleaner, brighter, or less wrinkled than during the almost two years that Betty faithfully and lovingly did our laundry. Then when our little foster daughters were placed in their “forever home” through adoption, we both knew it was time for me to resume the task, and although she no longer does our laundry, our friendship remains strong. She laughed one day when I told her I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I still do.

[ by: Ronni Wintermote (MountainWings.com) -- from Margrit, via InspiredBuffalo@lighthouse.net ]

Submitted by Richard

A Hug …

The Universal Prescription

No moving parts, no batteries.
No monthly payments and no fees;
Inflation proof, non-taxable,
In fact, it’s quite relaxable;

It can’t be stolen, won’t pollute,
One size fits all, do not dilute.
It uses little energy,
But yields results enormously.

Relieves your tension and your stress,
Invigorate your happiness;
Combats depression, makes you beam,
And elevates your self esteem!

Your circulation it corrects
Without unpleasant side effects
It is, I think, the perfect drug:
May I prescribe, my friend… the hug!

And, of course, fully returnable!

Author Unknown
Submitted by Richard

FIND US FAITHFUL (Steve Green)

"...MAY ALL WHO COME BEHIND US FIND US FAITHFUL". 

May the message of this song touch your HEART and SOUL and find yourself FAITHFUL in serving HIM.

Young Faith

Author Unknown

Submitted by Richard

One cold evening during the holiday season a little boy about six or seven years old was standing out in front of a store window. The little child had no shoes and his clothes were mere rags. A young woman passing by saw the little boy and could read the longing in his pale blue eyes. She took the child by the hand and led him into the store. There she bought him some new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothing.

They came back outside into the street and the woman said to the child, “Now you can go back home and have a very happy holiday.”

The little boy looked up at her and asked, “Are you God Ma’am?”

She smiled down at him and replied, “No son, I am just one of His children.”

The little boy then said, “I KNEW you had to be of some relation.”

 A BRIGHTER DAY
by: YOUNG FAITH