Fellow Labourers-
My wife and went to the U.W.I hospital today (26/12) to look for the sick known and unknown. As I was about to turn into the gate I had a flashback of last year and had to resist the feeling of melancholy that was about to descend upon me.I started remembering the oft visits day and night, and I suddenly felt fear. But, on entering the hospital compound I felt a bit of consolation because the car park was near empty. Even though this could be a false sense of hope my eyes communicated to my brain a message of consolation.
As we walked holding hands and sharing we could not help but notice the quietness, and emptiness of the surroundings. There was a car park with not even one vehicle. Even the spaces marked for doctors and nurses were noticeably empty. The wards we saw were also noticeably empty. There was a sense of joy all around. As we exchange pleasantries with some of the staff I felt the seasonal change in their attitudes. Oh how I wish that it should continue through the year.
Permit me to quote from John Donne's "The Bell Tolls." "No man is and Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Eurpoe is the less, as well as if promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. Neither can we call this a begging of misery or a borrowing of misery, as though we are not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbours. Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did; for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man has enough of it. No man has the affliction enough that is not matured, and ripened by it, and made fit for God by that affliction. If a man carry treasure in bullion, or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current moneys, his treasure will not defray him as he travels. Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it. Another man may be sick too, and sick unto death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell, that tells me of this affliction, digs out, and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another's danger, I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Waiting for Escape
Fellow Labourers-
I ask of you, hold out a little while longer. Waiting is not one of the easiest thing in the world, yet we are forced to wait. We wait at the bus stop, we wait on the elevator, we wait in line and we wait for our salary. I even had to sit and wait in church for my missing rib. But, when I saw her I must confess, I have some lovely ribs. I don't plan to lose anymore. Now I think about it I was waiting on her to escape with her. Though the folks who came to witness our coming together were near and dear, yet I did not want to spend forever with them.
Today we sit and wait groaning to be clothe with our heavenly garment. I know life can be sweet, but in the midst of this sweet life we sensed we need an escape. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian brethren had this to say "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.2 Corinthians 5:1-4.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
I ask of you, hold out a little while longer. Waiting is not one of the easiest thing in the world, yet we are forced to wait. We wait at the bus stop, we wait on the elevator, we wait in line and we wait for our salary. I even had to sit and wait in church for my missing rib. But, when I saw her I must confess, I have some lovely ribs. I don't plan to lose anymore. Now I think about it I was waiting on her to escape with her. Though the folks who came to witness our coming together were near and dear, yet I did not want to spend forever with them.
Today we sit and wait groaning to be clothe with our heavenly garment. I know life can be sweet, but in the midst of this sweet life we sensed we need an escape. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian brethren had this to say "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.2 Corinthians 5:1-4.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Christmas Is Coming
Fellow Labourers-
Christmas is indeed coming and so is also the increased stressed. Every area of life produces stress. Whenever we try to eliminate all stress the only thing we accomplish is to become more stressed. The intelligent and positive response to stress is to control it and channel it in a constructive way. Dr. Julian Melgosa has identified three stages of stress. He says "stress does not sneak up on its victim, capturing him or her in an unpredictable surprise attack. Fortunately,the human being is endowed with the ability to detect a series of signals which indicate danger. Stress passes through three stages from the time it appears until it reaches its most acute level."
Here are the three stages he identified.
1.THE ALARM STAGE-This phase consists of a clear warning that a stress agent is present. Physical reactions are the first to appear. They warn the person that he/she needs to be on guard.
2.RESISTANCE STAGE-When stress extends beyond the initial alarm stage, the person enters into the resistance stage.
3.THE EXHAUSTION STAGE-The exhaustion stage is the final stage of stress. It is characterized by fatigue,anxiety,and depression. These three things may occur either sequentially or simultaneously.
For this Christmas find something to be cheerful about." A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 (NIV). Remember as human beings we have the ability to mourn over the past, to suffer in the present, and to worry about what might happen in the distant future. The choice is ours.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Christmas is indeed coming and so is also the increased stressed. Every area of life produces stress. Whenever we try to eliminate all stress the only thing we accomplish is to become more stressed. The intelligent and positive response to stress is to control it and channel it in a constructive way. Dr. Julian Melgosa has identified three stages of stress. He says "stress does not sneak up on its victim, capturing him or her in an unpredictable surprise attack. Fortunately,the human being is endowed with the ability to detect a series of signals which indicate danger. Stress passes through three stages from the time it appears until it reaches its most acute level."
Here are the three stages he identified.
1.THE ALARM STAGE-This phase consists of a clear warning that a stress agent is present. Physical reactions are the first to appear. They warn the person that he/she needs to be on guard.
2.RESISTANCE STAGE-When stress extends beyond the initial alarm stage, the person enters into the resistance stage.
3.THE EXHAUSTION STAGE-The exhaustion stage is the final stage of stress. It is characterized by fatigue,anxiety,and depression. These three things may occur either sequentially or simultaneously.
For this Christmas find something to be cheerful about." A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 (NIV). Remember as human beings we have the ability to mourn over the past, to suffer in the present, and to worry about what might happen in the distant future. The choice is ours.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Installation - Elder Robert Stewart
Christmas Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!
One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say thank you and to wish you the very best for the New Year.
We at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple are thankful to the Lord for his faithfulness. As the year 2010 approaches, changes will be effected in the leadership of this assembly. As you may be aware, I have named Elder Robert Stewart as Pastor Designate.
A twofold event has been scheduled during the month of February to observe this transition as follows:-
May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love at Christmas and throughout the New Year. Remember to keep us in your prayers.
With love and blessings,
Bishop Carmen L. Stewart
One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say thank you and to wish you the very best for the New Year.
We at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple are thankful to the Lord for his faithfulness. As the year 2010 approaches, changes will be effected in the leadership of this assembly. As you may be aware, I have named Elder Robert Stewart as Pastor Designate.
A twofold event has been scheduled during the month of February to observe this transition as follows:-
- A dinner in honour of our co-founder and Pastor, Bishop the Hon. Dr. Carmen Lois Stewart – Saturday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m. Location to be announced.
- Installation of Elder Robert Stewart as Pastor on Sunday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple.
May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love at Christmas and throughout the New Year. Remember to keep us in your prayers.
With love and blessings,
Bishop Carmen L. Stewart
Life,Death,and Incarnation
Fellow Labourers-
I know not all of us are enjoying the current weather, but if you have to 'tidy' more that two days per week you would be happy for the rains. As we consider the subject I am celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary with the same girl I met in my teens 39 years ago. She is still as beautiful as the day I met her. Please pray for us as we turn another page in our lives. Take a close look at this section below and ponder what God has done for us when he sent his Son into the world. He came to die so that we might live.
"For a few inmates, however, the Angola hospice volunteer program has drastically changed this. In 1998, equipped with a variety of staff trustees and inmate volunteers, the LSP hospice opened its doors to its first terminally ill inmate. Today it is recognized as one of the best programs of its kind. Giving inmate volunteers a role in the creation of the hospice and the primary care during the dying process, inmates find themselves in the position to tangibly affect the lives of others for good. Reckoning with death as a fate that awaits all of humanity as they care for dying friends and strangers, prisoners gradually let go of hardened demeanors. One inmate notes, "I've seen guys that used to run around Angola, and want to fight and drug up, actually cry and be heartbroken over the patient." Another describes being present in the lives of the dying and how much this takes from the living. "But it puts a lot in you," he adds. Yet a third inmate describes how caring for strangers on the brink of death has put an end to his lifelong anger and helped him to confront his guilt with greater honesty."
The best way to live is to serve others.
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
I know not all of us are enjoying the current weather, but if you have to 'tidy' more that two days per week you would be happy for the rains. As we consider the subject I am celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary with the same girl I met in my teens 39 years ago. She is still as beautiful as the day I met her. Please pray for us as we turn another page in our lives. Take a close look at this section below and ponder what God has done for us when he sent his Son into the world. He came to die so that we might live.
"For a few inmates, however, the Angola hospice volunteer program has drastically changed this. In 1998, equipped with a variety of staff trustees and inmate volunteers, the LSP hospice opened its doors to its first terminally ill inmate. Today it is recognized as one of the best programs of its kind. Giving inmate volunteers a role in the creation of the hospice and the primary care during the dying process, inmates find themselves in the position to tangibly affect the lives of others for good. Reckoning with death as a fate that awaits all of humanity as they care for dying friends and strangers, prisoners gradually let go of hardened demeanors. One inmate notes, "I've seen guys that used to run around Angola, and want to fight and drug up, actually cry and be heartbroken over the patient." Another describes being present in the lives of the dying and how much this takes from the living. "But it puts a lot in you," he adds. Yet a third inmate describes how caring for strangers on the brink of death has put an end to his lifelong anger and helped him to confront his guilt with greater honesty."
The best way to live is to serve others.
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
We Wait
Fellow Labourers-
What have you been waiting for? I know waiting is not always the easiest thing to do, but as the old saying goes "Good things come to those who wait." We are not instinctively patient people, and so we come under tremendous pressure like the caterpillar in its cocoon. To be pressured is not always a bad thing since it is the pressured larva in its cocoon that comes out as the beautiful butterfly. Whilst you wait though do not be idle. Continue to plan and to dream. Do not wait without a purpose because this can lead you to frustration. Are you waiting for the resolution of an issue? Remember this is not always possible so instead seek for reconciliation. Reconciliation can happen even when resolution does not. We've learn that we can walk hand in hand when we don't see eye to eye. So, waiting can wait the wait.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
What have you been waiting for? I know waiting is not always the easiest thing to do, but as the old saying goes "Good things come to those who wait." We are not instinctively patient people, and so we come under tremendous pressure like the caterpillar in its cocoon. To be pressured is not always a bad thing since it is the pressured larva in its cocoon that comes out as the beautiful butterfly. Whilst you wait though do not be idle. Continue to plan and to dream. Do not wait without a purpose because this can lead you to frustration. Are you waiting for the resolution of an issue? Remember this is not always possible so instead seek for reconciliation. Reconciliation can happen even when resolution does not. We've learn that we can walk hand in hand when we don't see eye to eye. So, waiting can wait the wait.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Ulysses
Fellow Labourers-
Consider with me this poem from Alfred Lord Tennyson. As you are aware a poem can paint a thousand picture in your minds eye. My thousand picture may be different from yours and some may even coincide, but that does not make one superior to the other-does it? This section of the poem stirs something in me:
"Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are,
One equal-temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
From these lines I see in my mind's eye a task of preparing those who should come after me. I see the need to be an authentic leader. And, if I may borrow the words of Bill George, former Chairman and CEO, Medtronic, "We need leaders who lead with purpose, values, and integrity and who are good stewards of the legacy they inherited from their predecessors. We need leaders who build enduring organizations, motivate their employees to provide superior customer service, and create long-term value for shareholders."
Nunc aut nunquam
Robert Stewart
Consider with me this poem from Alfred Lord Tennyson. As you are aware a poem can paint a thousand picture in your minds eye. My thousand picture may be different from yours and some may even coincide, but that does not make one superior to the other-does it? This section of the poem stirs something in me:
"Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are,
One equal-temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
From these lines I see in my mind's eye a task of preparing those who should come after me. I see the need to be an authentic leader. And, if I may borrow the words of Bill George, former Chairman and CEO, Medtronic, "We need leaders who lead with purpose, values, and integrity and who are good stewards of the legacy they inherited from their predecessors. We need leaders who build enduring organizations, motivate their employees to provide superior customer service, and create long-term value for shareholders."
Nunc aut nunquam
Robert Stewart
The Welkin Rings
Fellow Labourers-
Yesterday (17 Dec. 2009) was not a day most Jamaicans will want to remember. Some were glued to their radios and some to their television sets as the Hon. Minister of Finance Audley Shaw and the Hon. Prime Minister Bruce Golding painted and weaved the economic mosaic that will be our lot for 2010 and onwards. I only heard what was said in bits and pieces because a fellow minister and I were traversing Kingston and Saint Andrew doing missionary work. So whilst some of you went to bed upset and perplexed, I went to bed feeling very fulfilled. I am just now reading what was said and know that these honourable gentlemen would love to to hear "The welkin rings."
Can you imagine if they hear and see the vault of heaven opens with all its storehouse of treasures opened to them? In light of this I recommend you read Anne Shirley's piece in today's Financial Gleaner. Eyes have they but they see not. Ears have they but they hear not. Hear is a golden opportunity for the church of God to expose the hidden Christ. Thank God there are those of us who can still hear the welkin rings. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see... And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Yesterday (17 Dec. 2009) was not a day most Jamaicans will want to remember. Some were glued to their radios and some to their television sets as the Hon. Minister of Finance Audley Shaw and the Hon. Prime Minister Bruce Golding painted and weaved the economic mosaic that will be our lot for 2010 and onwards. I only heard what was said in bits and pieces because a fellow minister and I were traversing Kingston and Saint Andrew doing missionary work. So whilst some of you went to bed upset and perplexed, I went to bed feeling very fulfilled. I am just now reading what was said and know that these honourable gentlemen would love to to hear "The welkin rings."
Can you imagine if they hear and see the vault of heaven opens with all its storehouse of treasures opened to them? In light of this I recommend you read Anne Shirley's piece in today's Financial Gleaner. Eyes have they but they see not. Ears have they but they hear not. Hear is a golden opportunity for the church of God to expose the hidden Christ. Thank God there are those of us who can still hear the welkin rings. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see... And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Fellow Labourers-
Indeed it is tidings of comfort and joy. 'Tis the season to be jolly. Hark the herald angels sing. It came upon a midnight clear. It's really a joy to know that our Creator became our Saviour. For Mary was it joy, fear, hope or nostalgia? There were somethings she knew ahead of time. She knew it would be a boy child (without an ultrasound). She knew it was not Joseph's child (without DNA [testing]). She knew he would be holy (without the priest). But was it for her tidings of comfort and joy? Did not the angels say fear not?
As the season draws closer and closer to its climax I say to us fear not. For unto us a child is born in the city of David. The government shall be upon his shoulders. He shall be called wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God and the Prince of peace. I say behold the King who needs no appointment because he was born a king. This is the last week-end before Christmas and I implore you to think before you spend. Do you really need that new piece of furniture? Do you really need that new dress or pants? Do you need to paint the house at this time? I know habits die hard, but think, think, and think again. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
I did a recording for Morning Dew today and here is a quote from the presentation. "In 1939 and 1940 when Hitler was preparing for aggression and England was faced with grave danger, Sir Winston Churchill was called upon to succeed, as Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. He made a famous speech called “Blood, sweat and tears” in which he said and here I quote: “I say to the house as I said to Ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." Our nation faces a monstrous tyranny of negative growth, with crime and violence. Now is the time for tidings of comfort and joy. Our Emmanuel still reigns.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Indeed it is tidings of comfort and joy. 'Tis the season to be jolly. Hark the herald angels sing. It came upon a midnight clear. It's really a joy to know that our Creator became our Saviour. For Mary was it joy, fear, hope or nostalgia? There were somethings she knew ahead of time. She knew it would be a boy child (without an ultrasound). She knew it was not Joseph's child (without DNA [testing]). She knew he would be holy (without the priest). But was it for her tidings of comfort and joy? Did not the angels say fear not?
As the season draws closer and closer to its climax I say to us fear not. For unto us a child is born in the city of David. The government shall be upon his shoulders. He shall be called wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God and the Prince of peace. I say behold the King who needs no appointment because he was born a king. This is the last week-end before Christmas and I implore you to think before you spend. Do you really need that new piece of furniture? Do you really need that new dress or pants? Do you need to paint the house at this time? I know habits die hard, but think, think, and think again. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
I did a recording for Morning Dew today and here is a quote from the presentation. "In 1939 and 1940 when Hitler was preparing for aggression and England was faced with grave danger, Sir Winston Churchill was called upon to succeed, as Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. He made a famous speech called “Blood, sweat and tears” in which he said and here I quote: “I say to the house as I said to Ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." Our nation faces a monstrous tyranny of negative growth, with crime and violence. Now is the time for tidings of comfort and joy. Our Emmanuel still reigns.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Homesick in Our Homes
Fellow Labourers-
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. ("2 Corinthians 5:1-2). This scripture should remind us that we are not our bodies. Isn't that a part of the reason why we get homesick? The real us longs for something more than we see and touch. Something more than we hear and smell. Something more than we taste. No wonder as the advent season approaches, feelings of anxiety abounds. We anticipate the birth of our Saviour, but at the same time we are anxious to go home. It's as if there is an intersection where life and death meets, and we are caught between nostalgia and déjà vu.
If you are homesick in your own home, you are not alone, because we are seeking for a city. Being homesick for that celestial city means we are pilgrims on a journey. If you do not feel homesick then you are enjoying your temporary home too much. So, let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. ("2 Corinthians 5:1-2). This scripture should remind us that we are not our bodies. Isn't that a part of the reason why we get homesick? The real us longs for something more than we see and touch. Something more than we hear and smell. Something more than we taste. No wonder as the advent season approaches, feelings of anxiety abounds. We anticipate the birth of our Saviour, but at the same time we are anxious to go home. It's as if there is an intersection where life and death meets, and we are caught between nostalgia and déjà vu.
If you are homesick in your own home, you are not alone, because we are seeking for a city. Being homesick for that celestial city means we are pilgrims on a journey. If you do not feel homesick then you are enjoying your temporary home too much. So, let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The One Who Came in Person
Fellow Labourers-
Those of us who are fathers or mothers can best relate to the gist of this article. Why did God have to come in person? Permit me to be personal on this subject. Our son Zachary has not been home for some time, but we have visited him and talked with him over the phone.Yet, we longed for him each passing day. This morning I needed something and it was in his room. My wife went to get it, and as she opened the door I saw Zachary's half smiling face in the bed. Do you know what that did for me? I asked his mother how she felt seeing him in the bed, to which she replied with a look of love in her eyes-I am not telling you.
Now consider the love of God for his creation. God so loved that he gave and continues to give. God's love for us is not an impersonal love. It is a love that requires Him to come in the flesh and dwell among us. It is not just for Himself that He came; He came for us to have a human experience with Him. What a God!! "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. Oh love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forever more endure, the saints' and angels' song."
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
Those of us who are fathers or mothers can best relate to the gist of this article. Why did God have to come in person? Permit me to be personal on this subject. Our son Zachary has not been home for some time, but we have visited him and talked with him over the phone.Yet, we longed for him each passing day. This morning I needed something and it was in his room. My wife went to get it, and as she opened the door I saw Zachary's half smiling face in the bed. Do you know what that did for me? I asked his mother how she felt seeing him in the bed, to which she replied with a look of love in her eyes-I am not telling you.
Now consider the love of God for his creation. God so loved that he gave and continues to give. God's love for us is not an impersonal love. It is a love that requires Him to come in the flesh and dwell among us. It is not just for Himself that He came; He came for us to have a human experience with Him. What a God!! "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. Oh love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forever more endure, the saints' and angels' song."
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert Stewart
Typical or Exceptional?
Fellow Labourers-
Typical or Exceptional? brings to my mind Faith or Hope? Have you ever asked yourself what is hope and what is the difference or similarity between Faith and Hope? Well, I sometimes try to make the distinction and find myself also contrasting the two. But,what is hope? According to John Calvin, "Hope is nothing else than the expectation of those things which faith has believed to have been truly promised by God. Thus, faith believes God to be true, hope awaits the time when this truth shall be manifested; faith believes that he is our Father; hope anticipates that he will ever show himself to be a Father toward us; faith believes that eternal life has been given to us, hope anticipates that it will some time be revealed; faith is the foundation upon which hope rests, hope nourishes and sustains faith." John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion.
Faith and Hope are like inseparable Siamese twins. No wonder Hebrews reminds us that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." They are two legs of the same two legged stool. The stool cannot stand on one leg it needs both. So, we as Christians must have faith and hope operating at the same time. We can have faith and lose hope. So often times it is not that people have lost faith, it is that they have lost hope. Once we lose hope we can lose perspective and hence our confidence can be shaken. Your faith may be challenged but don't lose hope. "Who against hope believed in hope..." (Rom.4:18); "For we are saved by hope..." (Rom.8:24); "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom.15:4); "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15). Remember hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Typical or Exceptional? brings to my mind Faith or Hope? Have you ever asked yourself what is hope and what is the difference or similarity between Faith and Hope? Well, I sometimes try to make the distinction and find myself also contrasting the two. But,what is hope? According to John Calvin, "Hope is nothing else than the expectation of those things which faith has believed to have been truly promised by God. Thus, faith believes God to be true, hope awaits the time when this truth shall be manifested; faith believes that he is our Father; hope anticipates that he will ever show himself to be a Father toward us; faith believes that eternal life has been given to us, hope anticipates that it will some time be revealed; faith is the foundation upon which hope rests, hope nourishes and sustains faith." John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion.
Faith and Hope are like inseparable Siamese twins. No wonder Hebrews reminds us that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." They are two legs of the same two legged stool. The stool cannot stand on one leg it needs both. So, we as Christians must have faith and hope operating at the same time. We can have faith and lose hope. So often times it is not that people have lost faith, it is that they have lost hope. Once we lose hope we can lose perspective and hence our confidence can be shaken. Your faith may be challenged but don't lose hope. "Who against hope believed in hope..." (Rom.4:18); "For we are saved by hope..." (Rom.8:24); "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom.15:4); "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15). Remember hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Foolish Beauty
Fellow Labourers-
As I read Foolish Beauty I am reminded that there is a vast difference between bodybuilding and weight training. Usian Bolt does weight training to increase is capacity and strength with an end in mind. He wants to run faster than everybody else and to avoid injury. Bodybuilders pump weights to maximally develop every muscle in the body to show it off. What is the purpose of your faith? Having real faith like physical therapy may be painful. Somebody once observed that "The church is a place of rehabilitation, not convalescence. It is not a hospice that prepares people to die; it is a rehab center preparing people to live."
The prophet Isaiah told us that when we see Jesus there would be no beauty in him that we should desire him.Yet, paradoxically we find the beauty of living in the fact that he was wounded for our transgression, bruised for our iniquity, and the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed. As we read through the parallelisms, oxymorons, and paradoxes of Scripture, we find our hope in this foolish beauty. Listen to these striking contradictions we hear daily. I don't believe in God, and God knows. I don't believe in absolutes, and I believe that absolutely. It is very hard to ignore God, there is a beauty outside and within that we can't avoid.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
As I read Foolish Beauty I am reminded that there is a vast difference between bodybuilding and weight training. Usian Bolt does weight training to increase is capacity and strength with an end in mind. He wants to run faster than everybody else and to avoid injury. Bodybuilders pump weights to maximally develop every muscle in the body to show it off. What is the purpose of your faith? Having real faith like physical therapy may be painful. Somebody once observed that "The church is a place of rehabilitation, not convalescence. It is not a hospice that prepares people to die; it is a rehab center preparing people to live."
The prophet Isaiah told us that when we see Jesus there would be no beauty in him that we should desire him.Yet, paradoxically we find the beauty of living in the fact that he was wounded for our transgression, bruised for our iniquity, and the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed. As we read through the parallelisms, oxymorons, and paradoxes of Scripture, we find our hope in this foolish beauty. Listen to these striking contradictions we hear daily. I don't believe in God, and God knows. I don't believe in absolutes, and I believe that absolutely. It is very hard to ignore God, there is a beauty outside and within that we can't avoid.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
The Preparation of Repentance
Fellow Labourers-
A common excuse in vogue for all form of sins is 'We are no longer under law, but under Grace.' However, any keen bible student will know that Grace does not begin in the New Testament, but is seen throughout both testaments. When God spared Adam and Eve it was because of his grace. He delivered Lot because of his grace. So grace is not new. Please read carefully this paragraph as we come in this season of Advent.
"It is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming, so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God....We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for every one who has a conscience. Only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil and of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And by judging us, God cleanses and sanctifies us, comes to us with grace and love."
Let us be vigilant and not become complacent and loose in our thoughts and expressions. We may change but God never changes." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
A common excuse in vogue for all form of sins is 'We are no longer under law, but under Grace.' However, any keen bible student will know that Grace does not begin in the New Testament, but is seen throughout both testaments. When God spared Adam and Eve it was because of his grace. He delivered Lot because of his grace. So grace is not new. Please read carefully this paragraph as we come in this season of Advent.
"It is very remarkable that we face the thought that God is coming, so calmly, whereas previously peoples trembled at the day of God....We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is truly not only glad tidings, but first of all frightening news for every one who has a conscience. Only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil and of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And by judging us, God cleanses and sanctifies us, comes to us with grace and love."
Let us be vigilant and not become complacent and loose in our thoughts and expressions. We may change but God never changes." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Breaking News
Fellow Labourers-
Take very careful note of this article because we are living in a time of great cynicism and gullibility. These two forces are fighting for an intersection to meet in our daily lives. Just listen to some of the conversations around us, and read some of the bulk mails we pass around. Read today's front page of the The Observer, Gully/Gaza truce. Which breaking news do we believe, and which breaking news do we trust? Is it the media or the messenger? Is it my preference or the context?
Let us take this paragraph from our article." But herein lies an interesting attitude. When thinking about such an incredible example of hoax and gullibility, I suspect many of us have a similar outlook: We are much less vulnerable to fallacy masquerading itself as truth in today's day and age. But could this not also be a false and dangerous assumption? The War of the Worlds broadcast might no longer fool us, but are we really so much closer to recognizing fact from fallacy?
Are we any nearer to separate fact from fiction or do we view things through our party,denomination,socio-economic and relationship filters. As we consider the breaking news remember the word of the prophet Isaiah "Whose report do you believe." Also, remember the correspondence and coherence tests for truth.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Take very careful note of this article because we are living in a time of great cynicism and gullibility. These two forces are fighting for an intersection to meet in our daily lives. Just listen to some of the conversations around us, and read some of the bulk mails we pass around. Read today's front page of the The Observer, Gully/Gaza truce. Which breaking news do we believe, and which breaking news do we trust? Is it the media or the messenger? Is it my preference or the context?
Let us take this paragraph from our article." But herein lies an interesting attitude. When thinking about such an incredible example of hoax and gullibility, I suspect many of us have a similar outlook: We are much less vulnerable to fallacy masquerading itself as truth in today's day and age. But could this not also be a false and dangerous assumption? The War of the Worlds broadcast might no longer fool us, but are we really so much closer to recognizing fact from fallacy?
Are we any nearer to separate fact from fiction or do we view things through our party,denomination,socio-economic and relationship filters. As we consider the breaking news remember the word of the prophet Isaiah "Whose report do you believe." Also, remember the correspondence and coherence tests for truth.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Contemplating Christmas
Fellow Labourers-
This is indeed a soul searching piece as we contemplate Christmas. Have you ever noticed that at this time of the year it seems as if your work load has increased and the demand on your life takes a new meaning. But, I would suggest we need not continue down these old paths. We continue down these paths to our own detriment because we fail to heed Jesus' advise not to worry about tomorrow. The Christmas season can bring on stress so beware.
Let us use this season to examine our attitude. There is a tremendous power in attitude. This power can be used negatively or positively. As we consider the New Year let us develop a new attitude towards the things that causes us to feel stress. The celebrated psychologists Lazarus and Folkman concluded that there are three distinct ways that we can relate to the agents of stress in our lives:
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
This is indeed a soul searching piece as we contemplate Christmas. Have you ever noticed that at this time of the year it seems as if your work load has increased and the demand on your life takes a new meaning. But, I would suggest we need not continue down these old paths. We continue down these paths to our own detriment because we fail to heed Jesus' advise not to worry about tomorrow. The Christmas season can bring on stress so beware.
Let us use this season to examine our attitude. There is a tremendous power in attitude. This power can be used negatively or positively. As we consider the New Year let us develop a new attitude towards the things that causes us to feel stress. The celebrated psychologists Lazarus and Folkman concluded that there are three distinct ways that we can relate to the agents of stress in our lives:
- We can see them as an irreparable damage which has already occurred
- We can see them as a danger
- We can see them as a challenge
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
O What a Mystery
Fellow Labourers-
I lift this paragraph directly from today's article. "This astounding claim should alert us to several factors of which we are often not quite aware. In John's Gospel, we consistently see the unfolding of the mystery of Incarnation. There is a unity between the Father and the Son that we cannot ignore. In chapter 10, John records Jesus proclaiming his oneness with the Father. He uses the neuter gender in the Greek language, implying oneness of substance or essence, and emphatically not oneness of Person. (If he had wanted to mean oneness of Person, he would have used the masculine gender.) This is fundamentally important but is not often heard. Simply put, Jesus says that he is of one essence with the Father, but is not the same Person."
This I believe confirms exactly what we believe that there is only one person in the Godhead. You see God is a Spirit and he took on personality in Jesus through the incarnation. In Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He did not cease to be God when he became a man. He changed his nature not who he is. He cannot cease to be God and His glory he will not share with another.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
I lift this paragraph directly from today's article. "This astounding claim should alert us to several factors of which we are often not quite aware. In John's Gospel, we consistently see the unfolding of the mystery of Incarnation. There is a unity between the Father and the Son that we cannot ignore. In chapter 10, John records Jesus proclaiming his oneness with the Father. He uses the neuter gender in the Greek language, implying oneness of substance or essence, and emphatically not oneness of Person. (If he had wanted to mean oneness of Person, he would have used the masculine gender.) This is fundamentally important but is not often heard. Simply put, Jesus says that he is of one essence with the Father, but is not the same Person."
This I believe confirms exactly what we believe that there is only one person in the Godhead. You see God is a Spirit and he took on personality in Jesus through the incarnation. In Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He did not cease to be God when he became a man. He changed his nature not who he is. He cannot cease to be God and His glory he will not share with another.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
A God Nearby
Fellow Labourers-
A God nearby sounds like a very welcome preposition, but interestingly enough not to all. A God nearby sounds like a threat to one's freedom by those who cling dearly to their autonomy. For some it sounds like an invasion of privacy. A God nearby one would think would be a joy to all. Yet we find different reactions to the thought of a God nearby. For those of us who accept our human limitations a God nearby is always very welcome. It is even truer for those of us like to pray. The Apostle James says "Draw nigh to him and he will draw nigh to you."
A God nearby will always be understood by praying people. Buy why do we need to pray if God is always near by? Accorging to R.A.Torrey, "We need to pray because of what prayer accomplishes. Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else, indeed, as nothing else except bible study. True prayer and true bible study go hand in hand. It is through prayer that my sin is brought to light, my most hidden sin. As I kneel before God and pray," Search me,O God and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me." Psalm 139:23-24.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
A God nearby sounds like a very welcome preposition, but interestingly enough not to all. A God nearby sounds like a threat to one's freedom by those who cling dearly to their autonomy. For some it sounds like an invasion of privacy. A God nearby one would think would be a joy to all. Yet we find different reactions to the thought of a God nearby. For those of us who accept our human limitations a God nearby is always very welcome. It is even truer for those of us like to pray. The Apostle James says "Draw nigh to him and he will draw nigh to you."
A God nearby will always be understood by praying people. Buy why do we need to pray if God is always near by? Accorging to R.A.Torrey, "We need to pray because of what prayer accomplishes. Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else, indeed, as nothing else except bible study. True prayer and true bible study go hand in hand. It is through prayer that my sin is brought to light, my most hidden sin. As I kneel before God and pray," Search me,O God and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me." Psalm 139:23-24.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Willing the Will
Fellow Labourers-
This article reminds me of Pastor Stewart's message on Choices. Some of us make choices that seems inimical to common sense and social order, and yet we will find support for our action. They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste, but couldn't this be say of the will also. More and more I am realizing how powerful one's will can be. We can will to be sick as well as will to be well. Jesus asked the lame man, "Will thou be made whole?" In other words what do you will, wholeness or sameness. Sometimes the will needs to be coaxed and at other times it must be shocked into action. The prodigal was shocked into action when he came to himself, he said, I will.
As children of God we should not allow circumstances to dictate to us. And as I write two verses from my devotional text for today spring to mind. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. "2 Corinthians 4:17-18. In reading the article I see how distinctly different we react to situations. Isn't it customary among us to use rain as an excuse not to go outdoors? For these Northwestern Americans staying in doors when it rains is not an option. If you have been putting off something important today will to get it done. Make a list of all that needs to done in the next thirty days and will the will to get them done.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
This article reminds me of Pastor Stewart's message on Choices. Some of us make choices that seems inimical to common sense and social order, and yet we will find support for our action. They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste, but couldn't this be say of the will also. More and more I am realizing how powerful one's will can be. We can will to be sick as well as will to be well. Jesus asked the lame man, "Will thou be made whole?" In other words what do you will, wholeness or sameness. Sometimes the will needs to be coaxed and at other times it must be shocked into action. The prodigal was shocked into action when he came to himself, he said, I will.
As children of God we should not allow circumstances to dictate to us. And as I write two verses from my devotional text for today spring to mind. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. "2 Corinthians 4:17-18. In reading the article I see how distinctly different we react to situations. Isn't it customary among us to use rain as an excuse not to go outdoors? For these Northwestern Americans staying in doors when it rains is not an option. If you have been putting off something important today will to get it done. Make a list of all that needs to done in the next thirty days and will the will to get them done.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert A. Stewart
Worlds Apart
Fellow Labourers-
As I read this article I call to mind the recent message by Rev. Anglin. Those of us who were present can recall that he spoke about the discussion that lasted for over one hour on whether it should be problems or challenges. So, even today we argue if it should be toilet or rest-room, die or pass away, old or elderly, generation gap or information gap and the list goes on. We have become a culture of euphemisms and that may be a part of our problem. We try to 'soften' the event with new terminologies and in so doing we are addressing symptoms and not causes in most instances. Could this be why we seem to be worlds apart?
Since this article highlighted Augustine I would recommend we all get to know the man. It is said in some circles that between the close of the New Testament Canon and the Protestant Reformation no greater person lived in the Christian church than Augustine of Hippo. It is said that with all his brilliance this man used to live an immoral and dissolute life. But one day he heard a voice of a child saying, 'Tolle, lege' ("Take up and read, take up and read"). He opened his Bible to the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans: "Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh." When he read this, the truth of God's word flashed upon him and he accepted Christ and became a voice for the Church. We might not agree with all of his theology, we may be worlds apart, but we can be thankful that the church was saved from the Pelagian heresy by Augustine who demolished that teaching by simply expounding the Epistle to the Romans. I recommend a study of the Epistle to the Romans. This book has had significant impact on Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Wesley, Robert and James Alexander Haldane, Merle d'Aubigne, John Chrysostom of Constantinople among others. Let us diligently go back to this Epistle and we may find that we are not that too far apart.
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert A. Stewart
As I read this article I call to mind the recent message by Rev. Anglin. Those of us who were present can recall that he spoke about the discussion that lasted for over one hour on whether it should be problems or challenges. So, even today we argue if it should be toilet or rest-room, die or pass away, old or elderly, generation gap or information gap and the list goes on. We have become a culture of euphemisms and that may be a part of our problem. We try to 'soften' the event with new terminologies and in so doing we are addressing symptoms and not causes in most instances. Could this be why we seem to be worlds apart?
Since this article highlighted Augustine I would recommend we all get to know the man. It is said in some circles that between the close of the New Testament Canon and the Protestant Reformation no greater person lived in the Christian church than Augustine of Hippo. It is said that with all his brilliance this man used to live an immoral and dissolute life. But one day he heard a voice of a child saying, 'Tolle, lege' ("Take up and read, take up and read"). He opened his Bible to the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans: "Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh." When he read this, the truth of God's word flashed upon him and he accepted Christ and became a voice for the Church. We might not agree with all of his theology, we may be worlds apart, but we can be thankful that the church was saved from the Pelagian heresy by Augustine who demolished that teaching by simply expounding the Epistle to the Romans. I recommend a study of the Epistle to the Romans. This book has had significant impact on Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Wesley, Robert and James Alexander Haldane, Merle d'Aubigne, John Chrysostom of Constantinople among others. Let us diligently go back to this Epistle and we may find that we are not that too far apart.
Pax Vobiscum,
Robert A. Stewart
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