A short tale of greed

Take my Son.....
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence... Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.' But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'
But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. 'We have $10, who will bid $20?'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!' A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over. 'What about the paintings?' 'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!'
God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Her First Car February 19 "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.”- (1 Samuel 3:7). Charis, my sixteen-year-old daughter at the time, was now driving age. She had saved her hard-earned money to match her father's contribution to buy her first car. It was time to begin the hunt. I told her that we needed to pray for God to lead us to that perfect car. She was excited about the possibilities. I began combing the newspaper and internet to find the right car. We prayed we would find the right car, even in the gray or silver color and model that she wanted. Finally, after several weeks, she got discouraged and began to tear up, "We will never find a car for this price." I told her the car was out there, but it was not God's time yet. We had to be patient to allow God to provide in His time, not ours. This didn't go over well with a teenager. Finally, one day I came upon a car that seemed like it fit our criteria. I called the owner. The parents of the boy who owned it answered the call and gave me more information. I liked the parents right away. They had a nice "spirit" about them. We drove over to the house and there in the front yard was a silver sports car - the model she had been looking for, complete with a fantastic stereo and speaker system. We noticed a small fish symbol on the back bumper, which indicated the owner may have been a Christian. "These people appear to be believers!" I exclaimed to my daughter. We met them and talked about price. It was a little higher than our budget. We asked if they could meet our price. They did. My daughter had her new car with a personal imprint from God to show my daughter that He was the source of the new car. One of the most important roles you and I have as parents is to transfer our faith to our children. There comes a time when our children need to take ownership of their own faith in the Lord, rather than living off mom or dad's faith. Today, consider how to pass your faith to your children.

A picture reference of the different canes which can be made. As illustrated, There is literally no cane handle which cannot be made to represent some thing, or some animal or bird. I have done African cape buffalo, Humming birds, Dachshund dogs, Lion heads, full body lions, Labrador retriever, full Whale body, Horses head, Golden (war) eagle, Bald Eagle, Train locomotive, Shepherds crook, Bejeweled ball, Pistol grip, a Jaguar "E" type coupe, a Hot Rod, A snake,  and a host of other shapes and types

5ive life lessons

*During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was
a conscientious student*
*And had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:"What is
the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"Surely this was some
kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was
tall,Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?I handed in
my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one
student asked if The last question would count toward our quiz
grade."Absolutely, " said the professor. "In your careers,You will meet
many people.  All are significant...They deserve your attention and care,
even if all you do Is smile and say "hello."I've never forgotten that
lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. **remember, God even loves the cleaning woman

 

2. - Second Important Lesson
- Pickup in the Rain*
*One night at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on
the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her
car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.Soaking wet, she
decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her,
generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to
safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to
be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days
went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console
color TV was delivered to his home. A Special note was attached.It
read:"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The
rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits.  Then you came
along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's' bedside
just before he passed away...God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly
serving others."Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole. *You just never know



*3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those Who serve. *


*In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,A 10-year-old boy
entered a hotel coffee shop and Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of
water in Front of him."How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty
cents," replied the waitress.The little boy pulled his hand out of his
pocket and studied the coins in it."Well, how much is a plain dish of ice
cream?" he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and
the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely
replied.The little boy again counted his coins."I'll have the plain ice
cream," he said.The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the
table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and
left.  When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down
the Table.  There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,were two nickels and five pennies.*
You see,  he couldn't  have the sundae, because he had to have enough left
to leave her a tip. *Your day isn't over until your heart is at peace

*4 - Fourth Important Lesson.. - The obstacle in Our Path. *

*In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway.  Then he hid
himself and watched to see if Anyone would remove the huge rock.  Some of
the King's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by And simply walked
around it.  Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but
none did Anything about getting the stone out of the way.Then a peasant came
along carrying a load of Vegetables.  Upon approaching the boulder,
the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of
the road.  After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After
the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in
the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and
a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed
the boulder from the roadway.  The peasant learned what many of us never
understand!Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. things are not always as final as you might think......think*


*5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts... *


*Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a
little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease.  Her
only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year
old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and
had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor
explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if
he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for
only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it
will save her."  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his
sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek.
Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.He looked up at the doctor and
asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young,
the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have
to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. Now you can decide, do you
have choices. *

Happy Valentines Day all,

Happy Valentines Day all, 

We live day by day. in a world, where we seeAll are loved and encouraged someone’s sweetheart to be

We are loved by our family, wife, kids and friends too
Sweethearts, lovers, kith and kin, that includes even you

And in the haste of our love, we forget about that
 Counting all those we treasure, don’t leave out the cat. 

We must prove our love faithful honest and true
There be no one we pass, lest we leave someone blue

Share our love with all family, do not miss a cog
Tell our loved ones we love them, and even the dog

Today is that day loving sweethearts behest                                                                                     Be my sweet valentine, seeking love as my quest

Wanting test of our love, for be it loves loss to find
What the real meaning of love is and trust it to time.

That a loving good family should for a dear dog include
A ride in the auto, a reward for the good dog imbued 

Sweetheart, yes, and the dog locked in the trunk of a car
For two hours  be driven round about but not far

Then two hours expire and with a promise not to sue 
Now release them and find who is happy to see you? 

What Sin?

In  who do we trust?

What appears to me to be a blatant display of prejudice in news reporting, is the Liberal’s take on the flap over the remarks by Phil Robertson about homosexual behavior. A liberal will naturally deny anything said about their liberal hypocrisy, so I will give them something to deny. It would appear that liberals think that freedom of speech, and free expression apply only to themselves and left wing activists who in effect can accuse Christians and Christian principles and the Bible (God’s Word)  as a way to maintain power and control, on any issue. In fact politically incorrect, and downright backwards. And That any religion absent of The God of Creation  is better and more politically correct than a religion which condemns homosexual and deviant sexual behavior. Well let me help you with that.

I have the  God given right to be righteous and follow God's Word as given to us in the Bible. Was God politically correct? I suspect that God can be and do anything He might desire to do such as destroy the two towns, Sodom and Gomorrah because the people there were dedicated to evil. Sin is evil, and God thinks (no doubt) that sin is not politically correct. So do not think that you can prevent me from recognizing sin. Just because you have the word of some judge or some newspaper defining what you do as O.K. To me it is not O.K. I do not see it your way, and never will. Satan promised Jesus everything if He would just worship him. Jesus refused. It was not politically correct. True political correctness is this: Doing the right thing every time. Sinning of any sort is not the right thing. 

Being true to your God given freedom to worship God is politically correct. Being resistant to sin is politically correct. Not approving of sin and sinful acts is politically correct. God is the judge, and he has given the right to choose righteousness over sin, and that is what I do. So if I choose to reject your idea of political correctness, it has been given of God to me, the right to make the right choice, to do the right thing. What questions might God ask one who inquires of God. Have you loved your neighbor as yourself? Have you loved self more? What gives you that right? It is God who gives, and God who taketh away, Blessed is the man who comes to proper terms with God's desire for his path of life, and that does not include sin of any sort. That one man or woman would lie with another of their kind in a sexual manner is sin, any way one would describe it. So do not tell me I have to approve of it, I have the God given right to abhor such things.  A sinner am I? Yes, God allows man to make sinful choices, and I have made mine as much and even perhaps more than some. But there is this one thing I do. I ask God to forgive me of my sins now and forevermore, and I ask this through belief in the forgiving grace of God and in the name of His Son, my Lord Jesus. 

Living Water

On June 24th, 2013, my heart rhythm now stabilized, I have turned my attention to the Advent Church Wednesday Night Alive program. Last year we finished a study of David, and I feel it was a successful study. This year I have proposed a study of the parables of Jesus. This is a unique study because I do not plan to use any material other than the Bible. Yet I will use some of the work of other authors in commenting and study. This is advertised as a purely Biblical study of only the words of Jesus. That is true.

 As of last night I had spoken to God only once about it. He had indicated to me in a dream that he would provide a leading for me, from one of his Angels. As I go along this pathway, I am to follow along after his leading, and he will direct my paths. And so last night as I prayed, I asked for his views as to what I was doing so far. I wanted an affirmation of the choice of material and a confirmation of the path I was on. Previously, I had posted on Facebook the study choice and had proposed it for the Wednesday Night Alive program. My thought was that I might find a response or two from some of my friends. That was a good thing and the response was positive. Thank You Jesus. Then Last night I wanted more affirmation and was given a dream. Here is what happened. I awakened at 12:57 AM today with total recollection of this dream.
I was travelling down Central Avenue just before Highland, about a block or two, probably the middle of the day, when I was brought into one of the properties then shown all the gardens and the landscaping. It was immaculate. I was given a memory of having worked there before. Then I was with someone, who needed to know that this place was coursed through with water piping, everywhere, and anywhere one could turn there was a water connection where water could be drawn. This was Heaven and the water was Jesus Christ, The living water, available to all who seek it.The matter of my having been there before was reminiscent of my having taught Sunday School for such a long time but now did not teach but was getting back into it. I was given two buckets, one for general water carrying, and one for my own personal use. This confirmed what I was hoping for, that my God was agreeing that I was doing what he wanted me to do. I will distribute this living water everywhere, and will use it for my own motivation.