As a pastor I receive many emails similar to this.  Some are pretty off the wall and the theology in the email is questionable.  This one is exceptional because the theology isn’t bad.  The reason for my ‘reply all’ email is the extra comments other than the story which is the reason (I hope) for the email.  The text that I am talking about is:

 “I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title.”; “: Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell? Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan? Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing? Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them? Isn't it funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us? And for those that just delete it......... and I KNOW there will be......? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?”

This text bothers me.  For one reason it lacks the grace that was just shown by the pastor and by Jesus the Christ in the story and undermines the very intent of the story.  If we are to show grace then why begin and end with condemnation?  Would it not be better to let the story speak for itself or to add some scripture to support the story like the well known John 3:16-17?  I suggest that if something is to be added then we add something that shows the love of neighbor that is commanded of us by Jesus in Matthew when he sums up the commandments.  We could add that Jesus did give his life for ALL of us in spite of our sin, in spite of us lacking appreciation or understanding.  This would present a more positive, loving picture of what a Christ follower is and should strive to be and not the judgmental portrayal given in the language here.  

The second reason that I really don’t like the wording given in the email is that someone has the audacity to tell me who I am and what I am going to do.  I don’t appreciate it when someone claims to know what I will do or say without knowing me.  I am not angry with the person who sent it to me, they didn’t write the email or the hateful additions.  Some nameless, faceless person did and I pray they feel better after coffee or a good night sleep.  

Those are my thoughts and when I do forward the more sound emails on, I remove and/or change the wording that I feel is counter to the picture of the God of Grace that this story portrays.  Feel free to share your thoughts

God's Grace I wonder how many people will delete this without reading it because of the title. It is a shame but this message is very true. Hope you are all as blessed as I was by this story. There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town . One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church 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 lad 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 take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?" The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He 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 a world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" "And what will you do when you are 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 ain't 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? He 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 picked up the cage and walked from the pulpit. Note: Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell? Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan? Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing? Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them? Isn't it funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us? I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire address book, that God will bless them in a special way. And for those that just delete it......... and I KNOW there will be......? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?