Who'll Take the 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!

The Night Before Jesus Came

I heard this poem on Christian radio today, and thought I would post it. It is very thought-provoking. During the Christmas season we focus on how Christ came to earth as a tiny baby, but let's not forget that He is coming back again as King! Are you ready for Him to return?

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'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house,
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, "It's not here," my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2SEj1mGk54&feature=related

Is Your Grass Greener?

I have been struggling with the "grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence" syndrome a lot lately...

It's all about perspective, right? :-)

Ephesians 5:1-4

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

The word "covetousness" basically means that you want something that doesn't belong to you. Something God hasn't given you - "the grass on the other side of the fence" so to speak. However, as a follower of God, covetousness should not be a part of my life. Rather, I should be giving thanks for all that God has blessed me with.

The Lord knows what "pastures" are best for His children after all. But as it is depicted by the above cartoon...we always think the grass is going to be greener on the "other side". However, it's all about perspective...learn to be thankful for what you do have!

Some thoughts to ponder about the "greener grass"...

Remembering the Heroes of 9/11

Yesterday, while in New York City to see the Broadway show, I couldn't help but think about 10 years ago. On September 10, 2001, little did anyone in that great city realize the horrors that were awaiting them the next day. As the bus came upon the famous New York skyline, I couldn't help but think that 10 years ago, there were 2 towers standing tall, and no one ever thought they both would be hit and falling to the ground the next day.

As we walked around NYC for a little bit before the show began, we went by one of the fire stations. There was a big poster on the firehouse wall, remembering those firemen who heroically gave their lives 10 years ago to rescue those in need.

Later on, as we were heading back to the bus terminal, I suddenly heard the loud sound of a siren blaring. Of course, I quickly looked around to find the source, my mind swirling with all the possibilities. It was a fire truck on a mission. They were blaring their siren, trying to get through New York traffic. What an impossible task it was! All the lanes were filled with taxis stopped at a red light. People were crossing the street up ahead so the taxis couldn't move out of the way. The firetruck kept blaring their sirens louder and louder. I couldn't help but feel frustrated. Nobody can move out of the way! If it was frustrating for me just standing there watching, how frustrating must it have been for the firemen inside the truck, realizing that there was an emergency and they couldn't get there in time?! My mind then went to 10 years ago...

How absolutely INSANE it must have been, firetrucks and ambulances and police cars trying to navigate through traffic to get to the World Trade Centers, trying to rescue as many people they could. Mass confusion and pandemonium everywhere. So many great heroes were made that day. Many of them heroically dying in order to save other lives. We honor them, and remember their bravery.

However, there is another Hero who deserves to be honored for what happened one year earlier on September 11, 2000. He had been calling me for a long time, letting me know that He was there waiting and longing to rescue me, but for awhile I didn't think I needed rescuing. When I finally realized I needed rescuing, I wasn't sure I could trust this Hero who desired to rescue me. I soon figured out that He was and is the greatest Hero of all time! The men and women who gave their lives on September 11, 2001, were amazing heroes, and they should be honored and remembered, but the Hero who rescued me on September 11, 2000, should be even more honored and glorified for what He did! If you would like to read the story of how my Hero rescued me, please go here to read it in detail. If you haven't been rescued by this Great Hero, He longs to do the same for you!