A valuable 500 year old painting is back in the hands of its rightful owners. U.S. Authorities have returned a 16th century Baroque painting of Christ carrying the cross to the Guiseppe family, after they proved it was sold illegally during the Second World War. Now the family plans to sell the painting, expecting to get up to $3.5 million for it. Without a doubt, this painting has great monetary value. But the event it depicts is of much greater worth to millions who have lived since that day. Our Savior carried His cross, and then died on it, as our substitute. George Bennard wrote of that cross in 1912 in his famous and ever popular hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. The first verse says, “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.” And Millions have since sung, “And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.” Do you love the cross? The One who died on it for you?

The recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake in British Columbia has resulted in the hot springs of Gwai Haanas (Gwy-Hah- nas) National Park going completely dry. For generations, locals and tourists have enjoyed the comfort of the hot springs. But now, “There’s no water. It’s gone.” Sometimes life is like that. One day we enjoy the comforts of good health, financial security, successful career and more. But then a cataclysmic happening occurs, and the “good life” we thought would go on forever disappears. But when our life springs dry up, there is one place we can turn. Jesus once said, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again (referring to water from a well), but whoever drinks of the water I shall give him will never thirst. But the water I shall give him will become a fountain…springing up into everlasting life.” If today the well water of your life has dried up, Jesus offers something much better to replace it – when you come to Him with a broken contrite spirit. He heals broken hearts and fills our lives with His love.

37 year old Paul Morrison of Pleasant Grove PEI has been legally blind for six years, as a result of a severe eye infection. There seemed to be no help. Then he learned of the Boston Foundation for Sight. Many Islanders helped raise funds to make a trip to the renowned facility possible. On his first day in the clinic a prosthetic device was popped in and the blink of an eye, he could see with 20/20 vision. Morrison called it “the greatest gift in my life so far.” What a beautiful story. And we all wish Mr. Morrison the very best. The Bible tells us of an even greater gift. Paul the Apostle wrote of those “whose mind the god of this world has blinded, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ ….should shine on them.” Until we have Christ in our lives, we are spiritually blind. And Christ Himself said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” And the best part is that this spiritual vision restoration is absolutely free. All we need do is sincerely ask for it.

December 10, 2012 Lost Syrian Boy Found

“Father, father…” Those were the words of little two year old Bushr Tawashi, when he was found wandering in the rubble of his home in Syria, and returned to his parents. The Bible tells a similar story with a happy ending, about a lost son who wandered away against his family’s wishes. Unlike this innocent little boy, the prodigal son symbolizes and speaks for all of us who have wandered away from the Heavenly Father. Destitute and alone, we are told, the son “came to himself”, suggestive of repentance, and made a decision. Recognizing his need to return, he said, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”” I am glad that our Heavenly Father will also respond, saying, “this my son, (or daughter) was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.” Jesus later said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

The estate of the late Elvis Presley has recently gone on the market for a cool 12.9 million dollars. In spite of Elvis’ success, popularity and wealth in this world, death claimed him at the relatively young age of 42. And although most do not to think about it, death awaits us all. It is the common denominator of mankind. And when that happens, all our striving for success, money, acclaim is left behind. Have you ever considered, what if the Bible really is true when it states, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”? Have you considered the possibility that death does not end all, and that each of us will give account to our Maker? Preparing for the next life by admitting our spiritual need, and entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by faith is the best life insurance possible. When we take that step, we lay up treasures in heaven. And that is an eternal investment.

A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that 13% of the research articles published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in 2009 reported reversals in medical findings involving drugs, screening tests and invasive procedures. So yes – sometimes even the experts don’t get it right. For centuries, supposedly learned people were sure the earth was flat. But Christopher Columbus didn’t sail off earth’s edge. And centuries ago, Isaiah wrote “God sits above the circle of the earth …” In the original language, the word translated “circle” means “spherical,” which we now know to be the true shape of this earth. The Bible is not a book of history, medicine or science. But whenever it does touch on those subjects, it is always accurate. The Bible tells the story of Jesus. It explains how to be forgiven and receive eternal life. It is truth, 100% accurate and completely reliable. Don’t believe those who deny the truthfulness of God’s Word. They don’t know what they’re talking about.

Be happy – it seems to be good for your heart. A Harvard University review, published by the Psychological Bulletin concludes that being upbeat and optimistic just might help protect against heart disease. “A number of studies found the most optimistic people had half the risk of a first heart attack as compared to the least optimistic”, said Julie Boehm of Harvard School of Public Health. Interestingly, the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good like a medicine.” Again in the New Testament of the Bible we are given this good advice. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing” and “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, pure, lovely, of good report – think on these things.” It is amazing how up to date the Bible really is! Please read it – believe it – because in it are the words leading to a good life here, and an eternal life in the hereafter.

Tying to quit smoking? Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles compared the physiological and psychological symptoms of twenty people who quit cold turkey, and twenty who cut back slowly. They found that withdrawal symptoms decreased more sharply for those who quit smoking suddenly. Many plan one day to quit smoking but they just don’t get around to it. And in like manner, many plan one day to eventually make their peace with God and prepare later someday to make preparations for the next life. But as trying to stop the smoking habit by merely cutting back, this is dangerous, because one may run out of time. Solomon, the World’s wisest man warned, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Wisdom tells us to act quickly, by acknowledging our deep spiritual needs and inviting Christ into our lives now, while there is time.

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window. The father asked his son, “what is this?” The son replied “it is a crow”. After a few minutes, the father asked his son the 2nd time, “what is this?” The son said “father, i have just now told you “it’s a crow”. After a little while, the old father again asked his son the 3rd time, what is this?” At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff. “it’s a crow, a crow”. A little after, the father again asked his son t he 4th time, “what is this?” This time the son shouted at his father, “why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘it is a crow’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:

“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated – I felt affection for my innocent child”.

So… If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents. From today forward say this aloud, “I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today”. Say a prayer to God, “I will serve my parents in the best way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.

Exodus 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

“You will never amount to much.” A Munich Germany schoolmaster said that to a ten year old – he was speaking to Albert Einstein. He was wrong. A young woman broke up with a young man at college, saying he would not ever amount to much. She too was wrong – his name was Billy Graham. Before planes began to fly, a prominent man said, “Flight by machines heavier than air is impractical, it is utterly impossible.” Well we all make mistakes, but these were whoppers. Dr. Charles Swindoll, in his book “Come Before Winter” wrote, “After all, imperfection is one of the few things we all have in common.” True indeed – but how wonderful it is that our the Lord Jesus Christ, though perfect Himself, is always ready to forgive our mistakes, weaknesses, failures and sins. He has promised, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He also said, “Him that comes to me, I will never cast out.”