My Meeting With Three Wise Men
One month ago the three men had never met. I spent the first half of yesterday with them. We were on a “blessing mission” together. Our goal was to bless two families. One family had lost a tree with a strong wind knocking it to the ground. The second family needed fire wood. Together we became a “blessing team”.
One month ago one man was prison for crimes he committed in the USA. Today he lives in Canada after being deported – leaving his children behind and the remainder of his family.
One month ago the second man had been released from prison and was living his new life on the outside. His dream is to never go back to that kind of world again. His thankfulness to do a little work is more that one can describe. Over and over again he thanked me for letting him come along.
The third man has lived on the outside of prison all his life. His life one month ago was very normal and I imagine that he would never have thought he would ever meet the other two. He is a local business man that had a day off and agreed to join the “blessing team” for the day.
I am the connector between everyone. I am 62 years old and cannot really handle a chain saw. I know the family with the downed tree and the ones that need the wood. Yesterday I simply introduced everyone and took part in the “blessing team”.
The Results…
The forty foot Ash Wood tree was cut into many pieces. Most of it fit into my old trailer (that was built in a jail by ex-offenders and my father the welding instructor). The rest will be picked up on a later date. The tree arrived at the place that it was needed for the winter fire wood… and will be cut up at a later date.
The first man, that arrived from the US prison, needs a job. He is a professional “arborist” – meaning that he was trained to take trees down and cut wood. The second man that loves to work – simply loves using the chain saw and loves mechanical equipment. The third man and myself - we love wood – we carve.
As we completed the day’s work we all are thinking of the new possibilities that exist in this area to create a new tree cutting service. The dream came alive yesterday. With a little seed money that may arrive through our local chaplaincy ministry – a new business may begin soon. It is needed and it will prosper I am confident.
Three Wise Men worked with me yesterday. I can’t help thinking that they have a future together. God arranged our meeting and has instilled our lives with his presence.
Oh I forgot to tell you that the three wise men are all Christians and have had a life changing experience with the Lord. Each life is a miracle in itself. Each has been blessed by God.
One month ago they had never met.
In some ways they are like the Wise Men from long ago in the Christmas story. Men brought together for a special purpose to deliver a “blessing” to someone that needed it. The great joy that they brought with their gifts outshines the gifts they gave. It was God’s plan to use them for the rest of time with their special part in the story.
Have you ever thought of what happened to the Wise Men and their families after they returned home? I believe the “blessing team” they formed would continue to minister wherever possible.
The one I was with yesterday is the same. They are looking forward to the next time they can “bless” someone.
One fellow summed it up yesterday when he stated, “Pastor, if I am not working and am free the day you or anyone else needs help, don’t hesitate to call me.”
The second one jumped right in and responded, “The same goes for me! Don’t forget me!”
The third guy, under his breath, stated, “You can get me out of bed anytime too.”
What a team of wise men!
~ Pastor Murray ~
PS – the Third Wise Man – is my son-in-law… and I do get him out of bed once in a while on his days off.
One month ago one man was prison for crimes he committed in the USA. Today he lives in Canada after being deported – leaving his children behind and the remainder of his family.
One month ago the second man had been released from prison and was living his new life on the outside. His dream is to never go back to that kind of world again. His thankfulness to do a little work is more that one can describe. Over and over again he thanked me for letting him come along.
The third man has lived on the outside of prison all his life. His life one month ago was very normal and I imagine that he would never have thought he would ever meet the other two. He is a local business man that had a day off and agreed to join the “blessing team” for the day.
I am the connector between everyone. I am 62 years old and cannot really handle a chain saw. I know the family with the downed tree and the ones that need the wood. Yesterday I simply introduced everyone and took part in the “blessing team”.
The Results…
The forty foot Ash Wood tree was cut into many pieces. Most of it fit into my old trailer (that was built in a jail by ex-offenders and my father the welding instructor). The rest will be picked up on a later date. The tree arrived at the place that it was needed for the winter fire wood… and will be cut up at a later date.
The first man, that arrived from the US prison, needs a job. He is a professional “arborist” – meaning that he was trained to take trees down and cut wood. The second man that loves to work – simply loves using the chain saw and loves mechanical equipment. The third man and myself - we love wood – we carve.
As we completed the day’s work we all are thinking of the new possibilities that exist in this area to create a new tree cutting service. The dream came alive yesterday. With a little seed money that may arrive through our local chaplaincy ministry – a new business may begin soon. It is needed and it will prosper I am confident.
Three Wise Men worked with me yesterday. I can’t help thinking that they have a future together. God arranged our meeting and has instilled our lives with his presence.
Oh I forgot to tell you that the three wise men are all Christians and have had a life changing experience with the Lord. Each life is a miracle in itself. Each has been blessed by God.
One month ago they had never met.
In some ways they are like the Wise Men from long ago in the Christmas story. Men brought together for a special purpose to deliver a “blessing” to someone that needed it. The great joy that they brought with their gifts outshines the gifts they gave. It was God’s plan to use them for the rest of time with their special part in the story.
Have you ever thought of what happened to the Wise Men and their families after they returned home? I believe the “blessing team” they formed would continue to minister wherever possible.
The one I was with yesterday is the same. They are looking forward to the next time they can “bless” someone.
One fellow summed it up yesterday when he stated, “Pastor, if I am not working and am free the day you or anyone else needs help, don’t hesitate to call me.”
The second one jumped right in and responded, “The same goes for me! Don’t forget me!”
The third guy, under his breath, stated, “You can get me out of bed anytime too.”
What a team of wise men!
~ Pastor Murray ~
PS – the Third Wise Man – is my son-in-law… and I do get him out of bed once in a while on his days off.
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Thursday, December 14, 2006
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