Fellow Labourers-
As I read today's article, I did so with pain and joy. Pain because it brought back some painful memories of suffering observed, and joy because in it I discovered that God is not a God of coincidence, but a God of purpose and destiny.
Earlier this year I visited with my son Zachary and we had wreckered his car to a Pepboys store for service. Besides the Pepboys store was a Christian book store and they had books on sale, so I went wild. One of the books I purchased was by Warren W. Wiersbe, 'Be Decisive' - which is a study of the life of Jeremiah the prophet. In it he recall how the men of Anathoth were ready to slaughter Jeremiah like the sacrificial Lamb and Jeremiah wanted God to destroy the wicked, but God's focus was not on the wicked but on his servant Jeremiah. Mr. Wiersbe observed that Jeremiah like most of us when we are suffering asked "How can I get out of this?" instead of "What can I get out of this?" He went on to say that God's servants do not live by explanations but they live by promises. I love it when he said "Understanding explanations may satisfy our curiosity and make us smarter people, but laying hold of God's promises will build our character and make us better servants."
I have learnt that the life of godly service isn't easy and even more so now. It seems the life of service becomes harder not easier, but then the life of service gets better as we grow more and mature. Please Lord I want you to keep me secure, not to pamper me.
As I said earlier the title of the book is "BE DECISIVE", so let me end with a quote from Aneurin Bevin a British political leader," We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run over."
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert A. Stewart
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Enabling and empowering
Fellow labourers:
The following was sent to me only a few hours ago and like hot bread let me share it with you.
We live in a world of disadvantages Robert. We live in a world that often holds the upper hand to our dreams, our desires, and ultimately to our destinies.
Oftentimes men allow their entire minds to be set at doubt and discouragement because of the seeming disadvantages their life seems to bring.
Homer who wrote the Odyssey and John Milton who wrote Paradise Lost were blind.
Beethoven was deaf when he composed some of the world's greatest symphonies.
Every church body has disadvantages. The building is old. The congregation is discouraged. The finances are short. Every church member has disadvantages. Their time is limited. Their walk with God is not what it should be. Their family does not support their decision to attend the church.
These disadvantages serve only to spur us on to greater victories if we refuse to be discouraged by them.
The greatest Christians are often those who did not grow up under the pews. Their disadvantaged childhoods did not involve weekly church attendance. Theirs were abusive homes where alcohol and neglect were the rule.
However, they did not let their situation decide their outcome. In fact, it usually energizes their resolve to change not only their own life, but also many of those around them.
T.D. Jakes once preached, "Our greatest choir directors are not sitting in church pews tonight. They are sitting on barstools." When you release the creative power of God's Spirit in someone's life through prayer and faith, anything is possible.
If there is one thing that this world is not short of it is disadvantage. It's everywhere. But turning that disadvantage into advantage, now that's the challenge.
Enabling and empowering people. That's what this is all about. Jesus realized it when he told a fisherman that he would make him a fisher of men. It's still the same today. Our job is to enable people. If we get caught up or if we allow them to get caught up focusing on their disadvantages, the Church will never grow beyond our disfunctionalities. If, however we can empower them with the hope of overcoming their situations and circumstances, we can then have true revival.
Cause someone you minister to find their place in the Kingdom. Let them know that the disadvantages of their life can become advantages for the Kingdom of God. I hope you have a wonderful service Sunday,
by Rev. James Smith
Robert A. Stewart
The following was sent to me only a few hours ago and like hot bread let me share it with you.
We live in a world of disadvantages Robert. We live in a world that often holds the upper hand to our dreams, our desires, and ultimately to our destinies.
Oftentimes men allow their entire minds to be set at doubt and discouragement because of the seeming disadvantages their life seems to bring.
Homer who wrote the Odyssey and John Milton who wrote Paradise Lost were blind.
Beethoven was deaf when he composed some of the world's greatest symphonies.
Every church body has disadvantages. The building is old. The congregation is discouraged. The finances are short. Every church member has disadvantages. Their time is limited. Their walk with God is not what it should be. Their family does not support their decision to attend the church.
These disadvantages serve only to spur us on to greater victories if we refuse to be discouraged by them.
The greatest Christians are often those who did not grow up under the pews. Their disadvantaged childhoods did not involve weekly church attendance. Theirs were abusive homes where alcohol and neglect were the rule.
However, they did not let their situation decide their outcome. In fact, it usually energizes their resolve to change not only their own life, but also many of those around them.
T.D. Jakes once preached, "Our greatest choir directors are not sitting in church pews tonight. They are sitting on barstools." When you release the creative power of God's Spirit in someone's life through prayer and faith, anything is possible.
If there is one thing that this world is not short of it is disadvantage. It's everywhere. But turning that disadvantage into advantage, now that's the challenge.
Enabling and empowering people. That's what this is all about. Jesus realized it when he told a fisherman that he would make him a fisher of men. It's still the same today. Our job is to enable people. If we get caught up or if we allow them to get caught up focusing on their disadvantages, the Church will never grow beyond our disfunctionalities. If, however we can empower them with the hope of overcoming their situations and circumstances, we can then have true revival.
Cause someone you minister to find their place in the Kingdom. Let them know that the disadvantages of their life can become advantages for the Kingdom of God. I hope you have a wonderful service Sunday,
by Rev. James Smith
Robert A. Stewart
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Days of Awe
Fellow Labourers-
As this article points out the Jews still have their special time of drawing close to the Lord, but our special time should be daily. Sad to say though that in general we have been drifting further and further away from our personal devotion to God. We seem to be caught in the grip of a world that competes heavily for our time and substance. Situational ethics have invaded our minds to the point where we don't think before we act anymore. If it feels good and looks good, well, go for it. Our walk beloved is a daily one, hence daily devotion is not optional. Each day for us should be a day of awe.
As the song reminds us," Each day I'll do, a golden deed by helping those who are in need. This can be a reality if we live each day in reverence to our God. The Jews forgive and reconcile periodically, but for us it should become second nature. The closer we are to God, the softer our hearts will become and the easier it will be for us to forgive and to make reconciliation. Remember if we draw near to the Lord He will draw near to us.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
As this article points out the Jews still have their special time of drawing close to the Lord, but our special time should be daily. Sad to say though that in general we have been drifting further and further away from our personal devotion to God. We seem to be caught in the grip of a world that competes heavily for our time and substance. Situational ethics have invaded our minds to the point where we don't think before we act anymore. If it feels good and looks good, well, go for it. Our walk beloved is a daily one, hence daily devotion is not optional. Each day for us should be a day of awe.
As the song reminds us," Each day I'll do, a golden deed by helping those who are in need. This can be a reality if we live each day in reverence to our God. The Jews forgive and reconcile periodically, but for us it should become second nature. The closer we are to God, the softer our hearts will become and the easier it will be for us to forgive and to make reconciliation. Remember if we draw near to the Lord He will draw near to us.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Stranger in the Mirror
Fellow Labourers-
As we ponder the existential questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? Our perspective and life can be altered for good or for bad. The answers we derive from these questions will eventually shape our future. A life threatening illness will push some of us nearer to God, whilst others will rebel and go further away from God. So when we look in the mirror of life do we see a stranger?
This story is an awesome one and one that tells me that we do not always determine the outcome. Not only do we not determine the outcome but may be surprised by the outcome. Our surprise is because the future is laced with uncertainity. It is this uncertainty that should drive us to plan, but rest in hope. A man without hope will always see a stranger in the mirror. "Beloved now are we the sons of God and it does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
As we ponder the existential questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? Our perspective and life can be altered for good or for bad. The answers we derive from these questions will eventually shape our future. A life threatening illness will push some of us nearer to God, whilst others will rebel and go further away from God. So when we look in the mirror of life do we see a stranger?
This story is an awesome one and one that tells me that we do not always determine the outcome. Not only do we not determine the outcome but may be surprised by the outcome. Our surprise is because the future is laced with uncertainity. It is this uncertainty that should drive us to plan, but rest in hope. A man without hope will always see a stranger in the mirror. "Beloved now are we the sons of God and it does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
When Mercy Is Ugly
Fellow Labourers-
The perceptions and realities that confront us from day to day can cause us to see mercy as ugly. To be merciful is not always the easiest thing to do. We all know of cases where we would not have mercy and hence we say hang them high. In the same Merchant of Venice from which the author of the attached article quoted, Gratiano speaking to Antonio said "You look not well, Siginor Antonio, You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care, Believe me you are marvelously changed," to which Antonio replied "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - A stage, where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one."
In one case one is saying you ought not to see the world in the light you are viewing it, and the other is saying because of my view of the world I have chosen a certain posture. How we view situations and how they impact us can have us moving from beautiful mercy to ugly mercy.
Here are three quotes from Jewish wisdom-
Are we guilty of living in a city where atrocities no longer affect our consciences? Yes, I see hunger and deprivation around me even in the church and I refuse to live any longer with it. I am ready to move, Are you?
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert A. Stewart
The perceptions and realities that confront us from day to day can cause us to see mercy as ugly. To be merciful is not always the easiest thing to do. We all know of cases where we would not have mercy and hence we say hang them high. In the same Merchant of Venice from which the author of the attached article quoted, Gratiano speaking to Antonio said "You look not well, Siginor Antonio, You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care, Believe me you are marvelously changed," to which Antonio replied "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - A stage, where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one."
In one case one is saying you ought not to see the world in the light you are viewing it, and the other is saying because of my view of the world I have chosen a certain posture. How we view situations and how they impact us can have us moving from beautiful mercy to ugly mercy.
Here are three quotes from Jewish wisdom-
- "He who has mercy on the cruel will in the end behave cruelly to the merciful."
- "He who asks mercy for another, while he himself is in need, will be answered first."
- "The mercy of the wicked is cruel."
Are we guilty of living in a city where atrocities no longer affect our consciences? Yes, I see hunger and deprivation around me even in the church and I refuse to live any longer with it. I am ready to move, Are you?
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert A. Stewart
Mercy and Justice
Fellow Labourers-
"Without a clear glimpse of our own sinfulness, not even God can measure up to our lopsided, self-righteous standards." This sentence is taken directly from today's article and is done so precisely because of something I read in today's [Fri 25/09/09] Observer on casino gambling. Here is a direct quote from Mr. Joseph Pereira, the deputy principal of the University of the West Indies' Mona Campus at an address he gave to the quarterly luncheon of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Wexford Hotel. "Talks that casino gambling will lead to more corruption in the country is baseless. Let me be disrespectful and say, I don't think that we Jamaicans can have anymore corruption of our morals; we are already nice and firmly corrupted."
I know we can get all riled up and defensive over this remark, but is it true? Using this argument to justify casino gambling is another matter all together, but I do find that there is a lot of lop-sided self-righteous standards abounding. Let me use a simple example of our lop-sidedness when it comes to self-righteous standards. We are upset when we see shops and supermarkets open on Sundays, but yet we patronize them. And we ourselves do buy and sell at church on a Sunday. I am not here trying to be legalistic, just stating the obvious. The rightness or wrongness is not my motive, but just how we think and behave.
When it comes to mercy and justice what informs us? Do we come to the table demanding our pound of flesh or do we look to the cross. It was at the cross that truth, mercy and justice and met.So,I will continue to sing "In the cross be my glory ever."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
"Without a clear glimpse of our own sinfulness, not even God can measure up to our lopsided, self-righteous standards." This sentence is taken directly from today's article and is done so precisely because of something I read in today's [Fri 25/09/09] Observer on casino gambling. Here is a direct quote from Mr. Joseph Pereira, the deputy principal of the University of the West Indies' Mona Campus at an address he gave to the quarterly luncheon of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Wexford Hotel. "Talks that casino gambling will lead to more corruption in the country is baseless. Let me be disrespectful and say, I don't think that we Jamaicans can have anymore corruption of our morals; we are already nice and firmly corrupted."
I know we can get all riled up and defensive over this remark, but is it true? Using this argument to justify casino gambling is another matter all together, but I do find that there is a lot of lop-sided self-righteous standards abounding. Let me use a simple example of our lop-sidedness when it comes to self-righteous standards. We are upset when we see shops and supermarkets open on Sundays, but yet we patronize them. And we ourselves do buy and sell at church on a Sunday. I am not here trying to be legalistic, just stating the obvious. The rightness or wrongness is not my motive, but just how we think and behave.
When it comes to mercy and justice what informs us? Do we come to the table demanding our pound of flesh or do we look to the cross. It was at the cross that truth, mercy and justice and met.So,I will continue to sing "In the cross be my glory ever."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Unhindered
Fellow Labourers-
With all the hindrances we face day after day isn't it good to know that the Gospel is unhindered. Every time they try to hinder the gospel it spreads like wild fire. Armed with this knowledge we should be more assured in our witness.We walk by faith and not by sight. Sometimes we do face opposition that seems so strong, but let us remember that God who sees in secret will also respond in secret.
Let us always aim to put our best foot forward. How will we be remembered by the last person we met today? Remember the words of the poet "The world's a stage, and we are all players on the stage." Will you just be there to make up numbers or will you be a star or even the star. Jesus could not avoid being noticed, can you?
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
With all the hindrances we face day after day isn't it good to know that the Gospel is unhindered. Every time they try to hinder the gospel it spreads like wild fire. Armed with this knowledge we should be more assured in our witness.We walk by faith and not by sight. Sometimes we do face opposition that seems so strong, but let us remember that God who sees in secret will also respond in secret.
Let us always aim to put our best foot forward. How will we be remembered by the last person we met today? Remember the words of the poet "The world's a stage, and we are all players on the stage." Will you just be there to make up numbers or will you be a star or even the star. Jesus could not avoid being noticed, can you?
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
You Have Done It Unto Me
Fellow Labourers-
The opening paragraphs of this article paint a pathetic picture of some of our brothers and sisters all over the globe. Those of us who have been downtown Kingston recently would have seen this condition being played out on King Street daily. Some of these destitute folks are not only physically hungry but suffer from an emptiness being brought on by drugs and abandonment. How much do we care?
"The fields are white already to harvest" is a statement that should haunt us day and night. The opportunity to touch lives are all around us so we have no excuse. Let us be up and doing. Let us make this a part of our worship. Did not someone say that what we worship and how we worship are not incidentals in life; they are the essentials that determine the character of life itself? And it was Eugene Peterson who said "A people's lives are only as good as their worship". You see worship defines life.
Jesus said to the woman of Samaria you know not what you worship. When we fully understand our worship we will know that things, titles and positions are not what define us. What define us is what we do after we worship. Real worship is a force that drives us to sacrifice even beyond our wildest dreams. It compels us to leave the comfort of many things to reach out to those that Jesus speaks about. Real worship engages the head and the heart and never the one without the other.Oh come let us worship and bow down. It is the worship that causes us to bow down because in worship we see Christ high above all principalities. Lord let me lose myself and find it in thee.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
The opening paragraphs of this article paint a pathetic picture of some of our brothers and sisters all over the globe. Those of us who have been downtown Kingston recently would have seen this condition being played out on King Street daily. Some of these destitute folks are not only physically hungry but suffer from an emptiness being brought on by drugs and abandonment. How much do we care?
"The fields are white already to harvest" is a statement that should haunt us day and night. The opportunity to touch lives are all around us so we have no excuse. Let us be up and doing. Let us make this a part of our worship. Did not someone say that what we worship and how we worship are not incidentals in life; they are the essentials that determine the character of life itself? And it was Eugene Peterson who said "A people's lives are only as good as their worship". You see worship defines life.
Jesus said to the woman of Samaria you know not what you worship. When we fully understand our worship we will know that things, titles and positions are not what define us. What define us is what we do after we worship. Real worship is a force that drives us to sacrifice even beyond our wildest dreams. It compels us to leave the comfort of many things to reach out to those that Jesus speaks about. Real worship engages the head and the heart and never the one without the other.Oh come let us worship and bow down. It is the worship that causes us to bow down because in worship we see Christ high above all principalities. Lord let me lose myself and find it in thee.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Jonesing After the Wind
Fellow Labourers-
Isn't it amazing how age and experience can change our perspective on life. People at different stages of their lives and from different backgrounds yearn for different things to feel fulfilled as human beings. Our exposure does have a tremendous impact on how we think and how we relate. Keeping up with the Joneses has been a pasttime from time immemorial. Who is your Mr. Jones or Mrs. Jones?
The apostle Paul admonishes the young Timothy to "Follow me as I follow Christ." So for Timothy he had Paul as his Mr. Jones. You see not all Jones is a bad example to follow, but it is best if we focus on Jesus. We have never seen Jesus, but the writers of the gospels and the epistles did, so if we follow them we will indeed see Jesus. But, we can choose how we want to see Jesus. We can see him as the little babe in Bethlehem. We can see him as the man from Galilee healing the sick and comforting the bereaved. We can see him as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Or, we can say like the apostles Paul "That I may know him in the fellowship of his suffering and the power of his resurrection." A tall order but the closest you can get.
Bishop Stewart made some very important observations on Sunday, one of which was, she is now 85 so she can relate with women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. She can relate to the singles and the married as well as the young and old widows-my emphasis. As she continued her observation she did reiterate "Is it worth it?" But, then she concluded that only Jesus is really worth it, so we should sell all our other treasures and purchase the pearl of great price.
What a great way to start the week; I have decided to follow Jesus.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Isn't it amazing how age and experience can change our perspective on life. People at different stages of their lives and from different backgrounds yearn for different things to feel fulfilled as human beings. Our exposure does have a tremendous impact on how we think and how we relate. Keeping up with the Joneses has been a pasttime from time immemorial. Who is your Mr. Jones or Mrs. Jones?
The apostle Paul admonishes the young Timothy to "Follow me as I follow Christ." So for Timothy he had Paul as his Mr. Jones. You see not all Jones is a bad example to follow, but it is best if we focus on Jesus. We have never seen Jesus, but the writers of the gospels and the epistles did, so if we follow them we will indeed see Jesus. But, we can choose how we want to see Jesus. We can see him as the little babe in Bethlehem. We can see him as the man from Galilee healing the sick and comforting the bereaved. We can see him as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Or, we can say like the apostles Paul "That I may know him in the fellowship of his suffering and the power of his resurrection." A tall order but the closest you can get.
Bishop Stewart made some very important observations on Sunday, one of which was, she is now 85 so she can relate with women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. She can relate to the singles and the married as well as the young and old widows-my emphasis. As she continued her observation she did reiterate "Is it worth it?" But, then she concluded that only Jesus is really worth it, so we should sell all our other treasures and purchase the pearl of great price.
What a great way to start the week; I have decided to follow Jesus.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Is it worth it - Decisions
Fellow Labourers my dearly beloved-
As I recall the words from our Bishop in Sunday's message I went back to my diary input for Sunday morning's devotion. This is what I noted in my diary. 1 Peter 2:11-12. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that,whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
This was followed by my personal comment as inspired from the text. " If we only live for today we will make decisions that are of no eternal value. When we live for the future we will ask ourselves questions like what impact will my actions have on my future and on the future generations"
These are times that are calling for decisive decisions but I recommend the reading of St.Luke 2:4-7 and Isaiah 50:4.
Arrivederci,
God bless,
Robert A. Stewart
As I recall the words from our Bishop in Sunday's message I went back to my diary input for Sunday morning's devotion. This is what I noted in my diary. 1 Peter 2:11-12. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that,whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
This was followed by my personal comment as inspired from the text. " If we only live for today we will make decisions that are of no eternal value. When we live for the future we will ask ourselves questions like what impact will my actions have on my future and on the future generations"
These are times that are calling for decisive decisions but I recommend the reading of St.Luke 2:4-7 and Isaiah 50:4.
Arrivederci,
God bless,
Robert A. Stewart
Friday, September 18, 2009
Losing ground
Fellow Labourers-
This article brings three questions to mind:
Where is home for us? Recently I was talking to a young lady who has a name which is unusual for the part of Jamaica she was born. She is so proud of that name because it has some Scottish root. Her remark to me was I am so proud of my Scottish heritage that I don't care about Africa.
What about Israel? God took them through the wilderness to avoid them seeing the Philistines which meeting could have caused them to prefer going back to Egypt.
Something in me yearns for home. This home I now see by faith but am convinced that it is better than any other home. I concur with the writer of the Hebrews when he said in Hebrews 11: 16 "But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." I recommend the reading of verses 13-16 of the same chapter to all those who long for a place to call home. Please don't lose ground.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
This article brings three questions to mind:
- Why did God take the children of Israel through the wilderness?
- What does independence means to us?
- Where is home for us?
Where is home for us? Recently I was talking to a young lady who has a name which is unusual for the part of Jamaica she was born. She is so proud of that name because it has some Scottish root. Her remark to me was I am so proud of my Scottish heritage that I don't care about Africa.
What about Israel? God took them through the wilderness to avoid them seeing the Philistines which meeting could have caused them to prefer going back to Egypt.
Something in me yearns for home. This home I now see by faith but am convinced that it is better than any other home. I concur with the writer of the Hebrews when he said in Hebrews 11: 16 "But now they desire a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." I recommend the reading of verses 13-16 of the same chapter to all those who long for a place to call home. Please don't lose ground.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
The truth will set you free
Fellow Labourers-
How often have we omitted a word or a phrase and tried very hard to defend a defenseless position? Be careful for nothing, the Bible says. How well I remember my late father when one day he said to me. "Around the rugged, rugged rock, the rugged rascal ran. How many R in THAT?" I kept counting and asking him to repeat until he asked me to spell THAT. It was then that I saw his real question.
Do we always carefully consider what we hear or read before we form an opinion or give an answer? Truth be told I believe most of us are guilty of repeating "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
"Only by holding to the teaching of Christ in the context of purposeful discipleship can true freedom be found." When I read this sentence I cringed a little because I see things happening around me in the context of the church that has nothing to do with purposeful discipleship. It has more to do with activities and our own self importance. It smacks of idolatry and hence a diluting of purposeful worship. It is when Christ become the centre of our worship we shall know the truth which will set us free.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
How often have we omitted a word or a phrase and tried very hard to defend a defenseless position? Be careful for nothing, the Bible says. How well I remember my late father when one day he said to me. "Around the rugged, rugged rock, the rugged rascal ran. How many R in THAT?" I kept counting and asking him to repeat until he asked me to spell THAT. It was then that I saw his real question.
Do we always carefully consider what we hear or read before we form an opinion or give an answer? Truth be told I believe most of us are guilty of repeating "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
"Only by holding to the teaching of Christ in the context of purposeful discipleship can true freedom be found." When I read this sentence I cringed a little because I see things happening around me in the context of the church that has nothing to do with purposeful discipleship. It has more to do with activities and our own self importance. It smacks of idolatry and hence a diluting of purposeful worship. It is when Christ become the centre of our worship we shall know the truth which will set us free.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Lost in Translation
Fellow Labourers-
When it comes to culture it seems the only one we will accept is the American culture. This is not only true in the church but even in business. All of a sudden almost everything we have believed must now be subsumed to what they say in America. Let us take tarrying as an example. They say we do not have to tarry anymore to receive the Holy Ghost. Agree! But is there something inherently wrong with tarrying? I think not. A lot of us got our gift whilst we were tarrying.
When those in the upper room were tarrying (waiting) I am sure they were doing something. So let us not too quickly throw out the baby with the bath water. Culture indeed is relevant but be contextual. It was only this morning that I read Paul's response to king Agrippa in Acts 26:9-18. The topic of my devotion for the day was What's Your Story? I wondered aloud when I saw that the voice spoke in the Hebrew language. Isn't this the language of the God who called the children of Israel? Isn't this the language of the Pharisees? Paul could not make the mistake to think the God who spoke to him was one of the gods of the Greeks who were now being converted to Christianity.
If there is ever a time that the church needs to speak with a clear voice it is now. The world is listening but they can't hear us. Sometimes I think they are not listening to our talk but looking at our walk.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
When it comes to culture it seems the only one we will accept is the American culture. This is not only true in the church but even in business. All of a sudden almost everything we have believed must now be subsumed to what they say in America. Let us take tarrying as an example. They say we do not have to tarry anymore to receive the Holy Ghost. Agree! But is there something inherently wrong with tarrying? I think not. A lot of us got our gift whilst we were tarrying.
When those in the upper room were tarrying (waiting) I am sure they were doing something. So let us not too quickly throw out the baby with the bath water. Culture indeed is relevant but be contextual. It was only this morning that I read Paul's response to king Agrippa in Acts 26:9-18. The topic of my devotion for the day was What's Your Story? I wondered aloud when I saw that the voice spoke in the Hebrew language. Isn't this the language of the God who called the children of Israel? Isn't this the language of the Pharisees? Paul could not make the mistake to think the God who spoke to him was one of the gods of the Greeks who were now being converted to Christianity.
If there is ever a time that the church needs to speak with a clear voice it is now. The world is listening but they can't hear us. Sometimes I think they are not listening to our talk but looking at our walk.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sledgehammers and Other Good News
Fellow Labourers-
Whilst reading this article a number of thoughts flowed through my mind. I think how some of us think we are God's gift to the church so we must be handled with utmost care. Some of us think we were so bad that only crassness appeals to us. Then there are those who fall between both extremes. This leads me to reflect on the three chairs with the labels Commitment, Compromise and Confusion. On which of these chairs do you sit?
Last night (Sunday, Sept. 13) I heard someone saying that he is not going to be jealous of anyone's giftedness since he has no control over that. But he is not going to let anyone be more committed than he was because he has control over that. So what does he do? He makes the choices that allows him to fulfill his purpose. He can do this because he knows his purpose. What's your's?
T.D. Jakes in his book Can you stand to be blessed? says that "what Christians so often refer to as grace truly is God's divine enablement to accomplish predestined purpose." Yes, God empowers whom he employs. He is never intimidated with our circumstances.
The beatitudes begins with Blessed are the poor in spirit.Why? Because God can only fill what is empty. In order to be what God wants us to be, we must first come to that place where we say "empty me of self." I find myself singing "Search me O God and try me and cleanse me from my wicked ways" instead of "see if there be any wicked ways in me." Because like the Apostle Paul I know that in my flesh dwells no good thing.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Whilst reading this article a number of thoughts flowed through my mind. I think how some of us think we are God's gift to the church so we must be handled with utmost care. Some of us think we were so bad that only crassness appeals to us. Then there are those who fall between both extremes. This leads me to reflect on the three chairs with the labels Commitment, Compromise and Confusion. On which of these chairs do you sit?
Last night (Sunday, Sept. 13) I heard someone saying that he is not going to be jealous of anyone's giftedness since he has no control over that. But he is not going to let anyone be more committed than he was because he has control over that. So what does he do? He makes the choices that allows him to fulfill his purpose. He can do this because he knows his purpose. What's your's?
T.D. Jakes in his book Can you stand to be blessed? says that "what Christians so often refer to as grace truly is God's divine enablement to accomplish predestined purpose." Yes, God empowers whom he employs. He is never intimidated with our circumstances.
The beatitudes begins with Blessed are the poor in spirit.Why? Because God can only fill what is empty. In order to be what God wants us to be, we must first come to that place where we say "empty me of self." I find myself singing "Search me O God and try me and cleanse me from my wicked ways" instead of "see if there be any wicked ways in me." Because like the Apostle Paul I know that in my flesh dwells no good thing.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Monday, September 14, 2009
Breaking the Silence
Fellow Labourers-
Breaking the silence reminds me of "The silence of the lambs." The story of the Syrophoenecian woman is indeed a great story. Jesus sometimes seems quite sharp with his answers to the point of being offensive. He gets straight to the point. He is very deliberate and sometimes seems to be lost in his thoughts. He was not always easily understood. This lady no doubt looked beyond all of this because she knew something else about his heart. "He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities."
This is an example of not giving up because of what I hear or see, but holding on because of what I know. I know he can heal so I will not believe the doctor's report. For some of us it would seem God has been silent for a very long time, but this is an example of holding on until the silence is broken. Persistent prayer will cause God to break his 'silence'. As we come to the end of another week let us hope. The favour of God be yours.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Breaking the silence reminds me of "The silence of the lambs." The story of the Syrophoenecian woman is indeed a great story. Jesus sometimes seems quite sharp with his answers to the point of being offensive. He gets straight to the point. He is very deliberate and sometimes seems to be lost in his thoughts. He was not always easily understood. This lady no doubt looked beyond all of this because she knew something else about his heart. "He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities."
This is an example of not giving up because of what I hear or see, but holding on because of what I know. I know he can heal so I will not believe the doctor's report. For some of us it would seem God has been silent for a very long time, but this is an example of holding on until the silence is broken. Persistent prayer will cause God to break his 'silence'. As we come to the end of another week let us hope. The favour of God be yours.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Don't Look back
Fellow Labourers-
Was it Martin Luther King who said "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere?" This also brings to mind the words of Alexander Hamilton-"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty words. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself, and can never be erased."
Rosa Parks was defiant in spite of the threats. Martin Luther King saw the struggle as a divine call. Who among us feel the urge to stand up because you know you are called? I sense in my spirit that we are called to build, not just buildings but people. The words of Haggai the prophet are in my mouth. "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?" (Haggai 1:2-4)
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:9)
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Was it Martin Luther King who said "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere?" This also brings to mind the words of Alexander Hamilton-"The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty words. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself, and can never be erased."
Rosa Parks was defiant in spite of the threats. Martin Luther King saw the struggle as a divine call. Who among us feel the urge to stand up because you know you are called? I sense in my spirit that we are called to build, not just buildings but people. The words of Haggai the prophet are in my mouth. "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?" (Haggai 1:2-4)
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:9)
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Gift of Faith
Fellow Labourers-
I believe that this is a timely article for all of us. This is a moment for us to rely on our faith in Jesus Christ. But, as the article is pointing out our faith must be based on knowledge. What knowledge? Knowledge in the fact that the same God who provided and delivered yesterday is the same God who will provide and deliver today.
I will now let the word of God as recorded in Deuteronomy chapters 7 & 8 speak to us.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
I believe that this is a timely article for all of us. This is a moment for us to rely on our faith in Jesus Christ. But, as the article is pointing out our faith must be based on knowledge. What knowledge? Knowledge in the fact that the same God who provided and delivered yesterday is the same God who will provide and deliver today.
I will now let the word of God as recorded in Deuteronomy chapters 7 & 8 speak to us.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Work of Our Hands
Fellow Labourers-
Look closely at this paragraph taken from today's reading. "Standing before the completed tabernacle, Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So he blessed them and then set to work himself. When Moses finished everything God had instructed of him and all the labor was finished on the tabernacle, the completed work of the skilled craftsmen was transfigured by the arrival of God's glory: Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34). The work of our hands has no better end." Moses was the recipient of the instructions but he was not one of the skilled craftsmen. He knew what the plan entailed and before he could make a comment the plan giver gave his approval with the glory of his presence.
We are workers together and we are expected to do our part well under the instruction of the one to whom the plan is given. If we do not understand the plan it is wise to ask the one with the plan, not others who have to work the plan. Great things can be accomplished when there is a master plan and each of us know our part in making the plan work. If you are a plumber then do the plumbing. If you are an interior decorator then do your decorating. Know your task and do it well. Let us never think that my role is the most important. It takes each part to make the whole. The final approver of our work will do the judging, and he alone knows what is our best.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Look closely at this paragraph taken from today's reading. "Standing before the completed tabernacle, Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So he blessed them and then set to work himself. When Moses finished everything God had instructed of him and all the labor was finished on the tabernacle, the completed work of the skilled craftsmen was transfigured by the arrival of God's glory: Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34). The work of our hands has no better end." Moses was the recipient of the instructions but he was not one of the skilled craftsmen. He knew what the plan entailed and before he could make a comment the plan giver gave his approval with the glory of his presence.
We are workers together and we are expected to do our part well under the instruction of the one to whom the plan is given. If we do not understand the plan it is wise to ask the one with the plan, not others who have to work the plan. Great things can be accomplished when there is a master plan and each of us know our part in making the plan work. If you are a plumber then do the plumbing. If you are an interior decorator then do your decorating. Know your task and do it well. Let us never think that my role is the most important. It takes each part to make the whole. The final approver of our work will do the judging, and he alone knows what is our best.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Struggle with Perspective
Fellow Labourers-
I believe the struggle with perspective can be a daily game especially if our hope is not anchored in Christ. Since Monday I have read a few books and articles from the news that could have a mind altering effect if I did not know in whom I have believed. Consider an article criticizing Usain Bolt for accepting a piece of the Berlin wall from the Mayor of Berlin. Then an article shouting at me that in less than ten seconds Usain Bolt will be earning US$500,000.Think about how long and hard some of us have studied and laboured and even after many years of working have not yet amassed $500,000. But, on the other hand, you were happy with yourself until you see and heard all of this. Perspective, Perspective, Perspective. I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content.
Now consider these four words, Skepticism, Cynicism, Hope, Optimism. These are my views of some of our talk show hosts. If you listen to Straight Talk (Mutty) you will get a glimpse of a perfect cynic. Mrs. Gloudon (Hot Line) is the perfect Optimist. Ronnie is the man of Hope and Garnet Roper is the skeptic. As we get older in life our perspective tends to shift and passes through all four phases. On my way from the UWI hospital on Tuesday evening I chatted with a young lady whose visit to the ward had an immediate impact on her outlook/perspective on life. When our perspective can be changed suddenly by occurrences around us, we are treading in dangerous waters. We need for our perspective to be more secured in something that is real and lasting. Elder Ian Gardner in last night's bible class asked the question "what is more real than the presence of God?" Will your anchor of perspective hold in the storms of life?
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
I believe the struggle with perspective can be a daily game especially if our hope is not anchored in Christ. Since Monday I have read a few books and articles from the news that could have a mind altering effect if I did not know in whom I have believed. Consider an article criticizing Usain Bolt for accepting a piece of the Berlin wall from the Mayor of Berlin. Then an article shouting at me that in less than ten seconds Usain Bolt will be earning US$500,000.Think about how long and hard some of us have studied and laboured and even after many years of working have not yet amassed $500,000. But, on the other hand, you were happy with yourself until you see and heard all of this. Perspective, Perspective, Perspective. I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content.
Now consider these four words, Skepticism, Cynicism, Hope, Optimism. These are my views of some of our talk show hosts. If you listen to Straight Talk (Mutty) you will get a glimpse of a perfect cynic. Mrs. Gloudon (Hot Line) is the perfect Optimist. Ronnie is the man of Hope and Garnet Roper is the skeptic. As we get older in life our perspective tends to shift and passes through all four phases. On my way from the UWI hospital on Tuesday evening I chatted with a young lady whose visit to the ward had an immediate impact on her outlook/perspective on life. When our perspective can be changed suddenly by occurrences around us, we are treading in dangerous waters. We need for our perspective to be more secured in something that is real and lasting. Elder Ian Gardner in last night's bible class asked the question "what is more real than the presence of God?" Will your anchor of perspective hold in the storms of life?
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Putting the Pieces Together
Fellow Labourers-
This article is of interest to me for many reasons one of which is I do jumble words, crossword puzzles, and sudokou almost everyday. I find them stimulating and a way to gain knowledge. Like the author of the article I sometimes cannot figure out why things don't fall in to place all the time. One thing I have discovered is that the puzzles and jumble words are American so I have to be careful with my spelling. With the sudokou numbers are universal so they don't lie.
There is something unique about the Christian faith among all other faiths. The founder of our faith said he came down from heaven and this has never been refuted. He also said he was going back to heaven and this has never been refuted. What men has tried to do is to disprove that he really died on the cross using the swoon theory, but they never denied he was crucified and ascended. So now we can begin to fit our puzzle together. He said he is the way, the truth, and the life. Who else has ever made this claim? Our puzzle need not be a conundrum, just read the TEXT.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
This article is of interest to me for many reasons one of which is I do jumble words, crossword puzzles, and sudokou almost everyday. I find them stimulating and a way to gain knowledge. Like the author of the article I sometimes cannot figure out why things don't fall in to place all the time. One thing I have discovered is that the puzzles and jumble words are American so I have to be careful with my spelling. With the sudokou numbers are universal so they don't lie.
There is something unique about the Christian faith among all other faiths. The founder of our faith said he came down from heaven and this has never been refuted. He also said he was going back to heaven and this has never been refuted. What men has tried to do is to disprove that he really died on the cross using the swoon theory, but they never denied he was crucified and ascended. So now we can begin to fit our puzzle together. He said he is the way, the truth, and the life. Who else has ever made this claim? Our puzzle need not be a conundrum, just read the TEXT.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A Wordless Place
Fellow Labourers-
As I read this article I concur with the fact that we remember impact events in detail even many years after they have occurred. When I first went to work at the JPS Hunts Bay Power Station(July 1970) my boss to be was overseas on vacation. At that time there was only one telephone on the whole plant and it was situated in the control room which was upstairs and a good walk from the Lab and the rest of the plant. My boss was away for over two months and I would get complaints that people have been trying to reach me and I was not responding. One day I told a co-worker who became my best friend on the plant and the best man at my wedding. He was an operator in the control room. He took me to the control room showed me a list of names and beside each name a call signal. The plant used a bell system to call each employee and nobody told me about this. My signal was 2 long bells-1 short bell- 2 long bells. This was indeed a wordless place.
Sometimes we do long for a word but it seems as if we are in a wordless place. A wordless place is not always a place where there is no answer, because silence indeed can be golden. Today you may be in your wordless place, and this could possibly be the best place for you at this time. A word spoken out of turn can be devastating. At the bottom of the ocean sometimes divers are in a wordless place. But on there return trip to a world full of words their explanations of the depth of the ocean is breathtaking. Remain in your wordless place for awhile; you are in the development phase of your purpose.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
As I read this article I concur with the fact that we remember impact events in detail even many years after they have occurred. When I first went to work at the JPS Hunts Bay Power Station(July 1970) my boss to be was overseas on vacation. At that time there was only one telephone on the whole plant and it was situated in the control room which was upstairs and a good walk from the Lab and the rest of the plant. My boss was away for over two months and I would get complaints that people have been trying to reach me and I was not responding. One day I told a co-worker who became my best friend on the plant and the best man at my wedding. He was an operator in the control room. He took me to the control room showed me a list of names and beside each name a call signal. The plant used a bell system to call each employee and nobody told me about this. My signal was 2 long bells-1 short bell- 2 long bells. This was indeed a wordless place.
Sometimes we do long for a word but it seems as if we are in a wordless place. A wordless place is not always a place where there is no answer, because silence indeed can be golden. Today you may be in your wordless place, and this could possibly be the best place for you at this time. A word spoken out of turn can be devastating. At the bottom of the ocean sometimes divers are in a wordless place. But on there return trip to a world full of words their explanations of the depth of the ocean is breathtaking. Remain in your wordless place for awhile; you are in the development phase of your purpose.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
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