Quote from Forum Archives on November 22, 2004, 7:37 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

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 his 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 painting 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 someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

 

Another voice shouted 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 long-time 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."
$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

 

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!

 

 

 

"If Jesus Had An Obituary"

 

 

Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also
known as Golgotha,  the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle
Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order of the Ruler
Pontius Pilate.  The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme
exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.

 

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of
David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth,
and Mary, His devoted Mother.   Jesus was born in a stable in the
city of Bethlehem, Judea.   He is survived by His mother Mary, His
faithful Apostles, numerous disciples, and many other followers.

 

Jesus was self educated and spent most of his adult life working as
a Teacher.   Jesus also occasionally worked as a Medical Doctor and
it is reported that he healed many patients.   Up until the time of
His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the
sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.

 

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father`s
Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people
with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who
was born blind. On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper
celebrating the Passover Feast, at which He foretold His death.

 

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by
Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family.   By order of
Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb.   Roman
soldiers were put on guard.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone try to
live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.

 

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

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