Birthdays: 28 August 2016 Closer To Thee
Birthdays: 28 August 2016 Closer To Thee
Birthdays: 28 August 2016 Closer To Thee
Closer to thee
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Announcement:
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30th Aug
31st Aug
1st Sep
Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Choir Sunday): Lord help us in our
inability and make it possible for us to completely live out Your gospel so that we are able to
live in fellowship and unity and have all things in common. Unite us by Your Holy Spirit to
break the bread together in our communities; so that thus nourished we may abide in You, and
You in us that Your Joy may be in us and our Joy may be full; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.
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28th Aug
29th Aug
3rd Sep
Wedding Anniversary
31st Aug
1st Sep
2nd Sep
Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely
on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree
was the most remarkable among the rest.
The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests
and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they
hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so
delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long
lasting days.
People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over
and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and
opened their picnic baskets. This tree is very useful, thats what the
people said every time they went home from shelter. The tree was very
proud hearing those compliments.
However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves
and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The
greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build
their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter
anymore.
The tree wept, Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now
no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used
to have? The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest.
Why wouldnt you cut me down, so I dont have to bear this suffering? The
tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.
Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still
feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept
and cried, until the morning broke.
Cheepchirp.cheep Ah, what was that noise? Oh, its a little baby bird
who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.
Cheepchirpcheep, the noise became louder and louder. There was
another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the
birth of new baby birds. Onetwothreeand four baby birds have been
born to this world. Ah, He has answered my prayers, exclaimed the old tree.
The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to
build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to
nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their
place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of
them. Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here, murmured
the old tree gladly.
The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was
flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new
tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who
would continue his devotion to nature.
Dear friends, thats the way it is. Is there any lesson that we could take from the
story? God always has secret plans for us. The Almighty God will always gives
answers to our questions. Even though it is not always easy to guess what the
resolution is, be certain that the Omniscient God knows whats best for us.
When there are times He sends temptation for us, in other times He gives us
His overflowing blessings. The test He gives us isnt something that cant be
overcome. When God gave the temptation to the old tree, actually He
DELAYED in giving His glory. God didnt choose to cut the old tree down
since He kept some secrets. God was testing his patience.
So, dear friends, be sure, whatever temptation we are facing is a part of the
chain of glory He is preparing for us. Dont give up, and dont be discouraged.
God is always there beside patient people.
Author Unknown