  THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND 'Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good folk?" he cried. "Who'll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar---now two---only two--- Two dollars, and who'll make it three? "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three"---but no! From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow. Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings, He played a melody pure and sweet, As sweet as an angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?" As he held it up with the bow. "A thousand dollars---and who'll make it two? Two...two thousand, and who'll make it three? Three thousand once and three thousand twice--- Three thousand and gone!" said he. The people cheered, but some exclaimed "We do not quite understand. . . What changed it's worth?" and the answer came: " 'Twas the touch of the master's hand." And many a man with soul out of tune And battered and scarred by sin Is auctioned cheap by the thoughtless crowd Just like the old violin. But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul, and the change that is wrought By the touch of the master's hand. O Master! I am the tuneless one Lay, lay Thy hand on me, Transform me now, put a song in my heart Of melody, Lord, to Thee! ~ Myra Brooks Welch ~ On what is your worth as a person based? Your family? Your occupation? Who you know? How about your possessions? What, or who determines our value as human beings? If we believe the movies and other media, our age, whether slim or fat, tall or short; our shape and other factors such as name, family history, wealth, our intelligence, and even who we know are some of the factors used to determine our value as people. What garbage! Any value we possess is that given to us by our Creator; a Creator who loves each of us unconditionally! Here is what the Bible says in Matthew the 10th chapter: "Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows." But, let's read more. You see, when we accept that grace gift known as salvation, we become his beloved children with the promise of life everlasting in heaven. In Galatians 3:26-29, we read: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. So you see, in the eyes of our Creator, there are no distinctions. We are all the same --- equal --- in the eyes of God. Would you like to know more about this loving Father and what you can do to receive salvation and the gift of life eternal? Please click on the link below and it will take you to a page that will explain things for you. Then, if you still have questions, please email me. God loves you and so do I! It's Your ChoiceA HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW Tell me, friend, what will it matter A hundred years from now If you owned ten thousand acres Or just a broken plow; If you bought your suits in Paris And your clothes in Italy Or your clothes were made in patches As the bed quilts used to be; Whether you lived in a mansion With the finest broadlooms laid, If you had a private chauffeur, Butler, cook, and maid? Or if you lived in a cottage With your health gone on the skids, Out of work and with no money, Just your wife and seven kids? Yes, there's more to life than living, More for those who will believe, More in store laid up in heaven If the Savior we receive. Whether we are lost forever Or to Jesus here we bow--- This is what will make the difference A hundred years from now. ~~ Author Unknown ~~ Francis Frangipane: "Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips. It is consummated by the nature of Jesus in our hearts. Most Christians only engage in spiritual warfare with the hope of either relieving present distress or attaining a "normal existence." However, the purpose of all aspects of spirituality, warfare included, is to bring us into the image of Christ. Nothing, not worship nor warfare, neither love nor deliverance, is truly attainable if we miss the singular objective of our faith: Christlikeness."  
 
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