Old is new again!

Vintage has always been with us; it just changes from one generation to the next... 

FLUTTER BY GARDEN, is just like that, old but new again!

Long live the 60's, 70's and 80's.  Blossoms, Butterflies and Unicorns still make us smile today!

 SOMETHING'S FISHY

For all those story tellers who love to fish!  Here is your chance to tell a whopper and get away with it!  We will even reward you if it is good enough!

So, go ahead and elaborate, stretch the truth ... make it colorful.  It is all about having fun and supporting some good folks while we are at it!  How often does an opportunity like this come along? 

Stella, The Christmas Star

Throughout the heavens, stars great and small were at peace, soundly sleeping.  Except for Stella, that is!

"Close your eyes now, little one," said her mother.  "We must rest and save our energy for tonight!"

Stella cleverly closed one eye and looked away.  Earth below was just awakening.  Fields of green, sky-blue waters and rusty red rocks came out from behind the shadows!

"How can I sleep when there is so much more to be seen?" she thought to herself.

Whoosh, a very large comet flew by.  "Hey," said the little star, distracted, reaching out to grab its fiery tail.  Mother Star raised her eyebrow.  Little Star bowed her head ... until it was safe to look up again.

A meteor shower rained down rocks upon the earth.  Speedy asteroids zipped through space.  Little Star giggled quietly; she had never seen anything like this.  Daylight made everything come alive!

Little Star yawned.  Her eyes were awful heavy.  "I'll just rest for a minute," she said, but soon she drifted off to sleep.  So very quickly daylight was passing, and darkness once again covered the earth.

Everywhere, stars were waking up.  Once again, nighttime patterns filled the sky as each body of light filled its appointed place.  All except for Stella, that is, she was still fast asleep

In His heavenly throne room, Great Creator stood up.  Looking sadly at the empty throne beside His, He spoke:

"Tonight, my Beloved Son has become a man ..."

Angels bowed their heads.  They too were sad that this seat, once so joyfully filled by Creator's beloved Son, was now empty.  A great sigh was heard, all over the heavenly city.  Then, stepping out across the heavens, Great Creator walked straight over to the little sleeping star.  Stars everywhere held their breath.

"Stella," said a voice, strong but gentle.  Two sleepy eyes popped open as Little Star realized who was speaking!  "Come with me tonight," said Great Creator.  "I need your help."

"But Great Creator Sir," answered Stella sadly.  "You know everything.  You must also know that today I did not sleep.  How can I shine when I am so weak ..."  A big wet tear sizzled, sliding down her pale cheek.

"My curious little star," Creator said.  "Tonight, you need not be bright, but only willing."

Then reaching down, He took the flickering little star into His hands.  Power surged through Stella's body at His touch.

Throughout the night sky that night were many bright stars but none quite as brilliant as Stella.  She was a lantern in Great Creator's hand and brought light and hope to humans below.

"Great Creator," the little star said, pointing to a small group of shepherds following a path into the city.  "Where are they going?" she asked.

"Wait and see," Great Creator said.

Three Kings on very tall camels stopped to study the sky.  Dressed in colorful robes with fine saddles, they stood out among others on the road that night.

"These are no ordinary travelers," Stella thought to herself.  She gave them light and encouraged, they moved on until they came to a busy Inn.

In back was a quiet stable with a small, flickering light in the doorway.  Here they stopped, removing their bags and went inside.

A baby's cry broke through the cool night air.  Friendly animals answered back.  With Creator's permission, the curious little star slipped down to take a peek.  Her light formed a halo, encircling an infant boy, quietly sleeping in the hay.  His young mother smiled, reaching out to touch the light as it streamed past her fingertips and back on out into the night.

Each king presented the child with costly gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Little Star watched in awe.  "Who is this special baby?" she asked.

Great Creator smiled.  "In this stable tonight, Little Star, the Light of the World is born."

"The Light of the World?" asked Stella

"Just like you He is small now," said Great Creator.  "But one day He will grow to be a man and finish the work I have given Him to do."

"And what will be His name sir?" asked Stella, wondering ...

"Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God ...," said Great Creator.  He will be called Jesus, because He has come to rescue and save earth's people from the power of sin."

Stella smiled.  "Sleep well little savior," she said.  Then she yawned a great big yawn!

"Your work is finished now Little Star," said Great Creator, "You too may rest!"

"I would like to stay awake with you Sir," said Stella, snuggling deeper into Strong Creator's gentle arms.  There, a sleepy little star gave up the fight and fell fast asleep, although, the brilliant light remained, directly above the place where the baby lay.  You see, it was the light of love flowing from the heart of the Father Himself, that lit up the sky that night.  He only wanted a companion, someone to share a very special moment in eternity with.  The night that His Beloved Son came to earth and became a man.

.

 "Arrrr ... snarled the bad, bad old pirate, tying a (not so clean) snot rag around his neck for a bib.  "I be ready fer me grub!" 

"Aye, aye Sir," answered a young sailor close by, scrambling to get his plate.

"God, bless me Captain's plate," he whispered, silently to himself.

"Don't ye be prayin' fer me lad!" yelled the old pirate, slamming his fist onto the table.  His bread jumped off the plate and onto the floor.  Picking it up he ate it anyway.

"Aye aye ... aye Sir," said the young sailor as he turned to leave.  But that night he knelt to pray.  "Heavenly Father," said he, "Me Captain be needin' you, right bad.  I ask ye, save 'im in Jesus name!"

Outside he heard angry voices.  Through the window, he saw his Captain on the plank.  Swords and daggers were pokin' and pushin' him to the end.

"God, show me what to do!" He cried.  Grabbing a small lifeboat he lowered it down, down into the water below.  There he waited ...

The captain heard his name called out, on his way down.  Wet and grateful he crawled into the boat.

"Show me how ta talk ta yer God, Son," he said.  "I be needin' ta thank 'im right about now.  This nite, Davy Jones 'ad a locker wit me name on it, but I be needin' it no more!"

"Captain," said the boy, "Ye be talkin' ta God no different than ye talk ta me.  Just say, yer knowin' now how wrong ya been bein' an ask fer 'is forgiveness.  He be listenin' ...

A salty tear slid down the old man's cheek.  "God, I be askin' fer yer forgiveness.  Jesus, I be wantin' yer help ..."  Then he added, "I 'ave no ship ta sail fer ye, I 'ave nothing left ... but I am yers ta command!"

"Amen," said the young sailor, removing his hat.  Off they sailed into the nite.  Nobody knew they were there, except for God, of course.  And He's the one who matters most!  Yes, God had an exciting plan for their lives!