Certificate of Authenticity

Recently, I purchased an item with a certificate of authenticity. As I examined the special sticker, I noted several things about it. Not a picture of a seal on the packaging, this round label was an actual hologram with sort of a watermark buried in its design.  I felt like I had something important, something genuine in my hand. People who knew value and authenticity designed my product and the manufacturers could certainly be trusted.

Then the other, doubting side of me asked myself a question... "How do I know this is a real seal or certificate of authenticity and not a fake?" That got my wheels turning in the other direction.

Let me first define the real. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is a seal or small sticker on a product such as a piece of art work, a computer program, t-shirt, jersey, or any other memorabilia. Regarding art, it's commonly a seal on paper authenticating a specific art work letting us know the item is authentic. Usually the COA is signed and sealed by a reputable appraiser or auction house. (Computer COAs have a license number on them, which verifies that the program is a genuine, legal copy.) 

So, how do I tell a fake?  To begin with, you really have to understand what a legitimate COA consists of because plenty of COAs are floating around out there, especially at online auctions like eBay. Unless a certificate of authenticity originates from and is signed by either the artist who created the art, the publisher of the art, a confirmed established dealer or agent of the artist (not a casual third party or reseller), or an acknowledged expert on the artist, that certificate is pretty much meaningless.

You may wonder why I'm giving so much attention to a COA. All of this got me thinking. God put His Certificate of Authenticity on me. I'm one-of-a-kind, yet custom-made in His image. I have qualities that are special and unique to none other than myself. Thankfully, my value has been set by my Maker and my seal originates and is signed by the One who created me.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What makes you authentic?

Put me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. Love is as strong as death; jealousy is as strong as the grave.
Song of Solomon 8:6

Chrissy
Cyberpsalmist

Valentines Day always brings thoughts of love and friendship. One of my favorite memories of this holiday is the simple exchange of notes and cards. I poured through my Valentines box as a child, reading my notes over and over.

We all look forward to extra chocolate as well as those silly conversation hearts. Being such a hopeless romantic, I probably read more into the messages than I should have. But my friendships meant so much to me, and still do.

Friendship can be anything from simple to complex, or from easy to hard to maintain. Sometimes I think guys have the advantage on this subject... taking a low-key attitude, knowing everything will eventually work itself out.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: In your own words, describe friendship.