There was a man who had a cute little house with a huge oak tree in his front yard. It was so big and overgorwn that the time came when it had to be cut down. The man went out to the front yard and began to saw his way through the grand old tree- cutting it so it wouldn't fall on his home. Unfortunately, however, the tree got away from him and fell directly on top of him. He was trapped.

Deperate, the man managed to wiggle his arm enough to reach his cell phone. He used the speed dial to call his father to come and help him. When he heard his father answer, he cried, "Dad! I need..."

Before he could get out the words, his father hung up his phone and was on the way. The father knew just by the cry of his dear son that something was desperately wrong.

When the father got to his son's house, he immediately began working to get the oak off of his child. He worked quickly, sawing away pieces of the tree. Finally, using all of his strength, the father lifted the remainding part of the oak off of his son, freeing him. It wasn't until the tree was gone, however, that the son understood just how broken he was.

The father called the ambulance and the man was taken to the nearest emergency room to begin the healing process.
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The tree symbolises the problem and weight of sin. When we run to the cross for the first time, we are forgiven and freed. However, after the scales are removed from our eyes, this is when we truly understand just how utterly broken we are.

John 11: 43-44
...Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

I have been completely broken (by a very big tree:), saved only by our Father's amazing grace.

We love you jhamner, thank you for sharing this with us.

I love you too, Don.

much love to you, God is good...just think if he had not said only Lazarus' name, it is said that all the dead would rise...wow...God is Awesome...his Voice Powerful.
Blessings to you always.