Ever read a story that just gets caught in your mind, turning over and over, as if on repeat? So that each time you notice something new and significant about that story? The following is such a story. I read it at the beginning of the week and thought about sharing it here, but thought "no, I should write something of my own for my blog, rather than just passing on another's writing." But this story got stuck in my head, and I have felt the Lord prompting me to share it here. I am sure that the original author would agree that it is, after all, HIS story, and that He would want it told.
I was taking a walk with Mr. Marvelous last night. Hand in hand in the late summer evening, watching the beauty of the fireflies as they came out of their daytime slumber to fly about the Queens Anne's Lace that is growing with abandon in the fields around our house. We were just walking, listening to the crickets, and watching those fireflies, when this story started to play in my head again, so I shared it with Mr. Marvelous, as eloquently as I could remember it at the time. We both had goosebumps. It was at least 75 degrees and humid.
I hope this story touches your heart as it did mine this week, over and over and over again. I desperately want this blog to have significance beyond photos of beautiful rooms. If you have any ideas of things you would like to see written on, blogged about, questions you have that you have always wanted answered, please leave a comment or send me an email, because I am on the hunt for inspiration. The relentless quest to glorify Him.
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The Birdcage
By Mary Southerland
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (NIV).
George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town, came to church one Easter Sunday morning carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak.
"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the boy and asked, "What do you have there, son?"
"Just some old birds," came the reply. "
What are you going to do with them?" I asked.
"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."
"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"
"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll let the cats have them."
The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"
"Huh? Why, you don't want those birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing and they ain't even pretty!"
"How much?" the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "I'll take ten dollars!"
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill and placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.
Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story. One day, Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap by using bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got them all!"
"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm going to have fun! I'll teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'll teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really going to have fun!"
"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.
"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, you don't want those people. They are no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!"
"How much?" Jesus asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."
Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.
The pastor then picked up the cage, opened the door and walked from the pulpit. Today, my friend, consider the price Jesus Christ paid for you. Go back to the Cross - to Calvary and the darkness that once filled your world. Remember what it was like before Jesus Christ came into your life with His presence and power. We forget. We lose sight of where we were when He came and just how far He has brought us. Today is a good day to go back over the books and celebrate! Celebrate an undeserved and stubborn love that has radically changed our lives for eternity. Celebrate a forgiveness that covers every sin and shame. Celebrate a hope that is found only in a crucified and risen Lord!
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Have a wonderful weekend friends. Don't forget to look up into the beautiful summer sky and remember the One who set you free.
I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Kelly, 
I was not pleased.
The fact that they have lovely wainscotting, and wide-planked hardwood floors: I have finally found the world's most affordable way to have your dream house! Draw it!! Coffered ceilings? Check! Designer wall paper? Check! Antique light fixtures? Check Check! I'm suddenly really into this show!
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