Fellow Labourers-
Time has always been a mystery to man. There was a time when the only arbitrary elements in the reckoning of time were the unit, and the point of time from which the reckoning started. When the theory of relativity came into existence it changed how man looked at time. There are a number of different ways of fixing position in time, which do not differ merely as to the unit and the starting time.
Have you ever gone shopping with your best friend (-:). Oh how time seems like an eternity. Time is so relative, and even God treats time relatively. A thousand year is like one day to God, and a day like a thousand years. Whenever I think of time management I think of self management. I have control over myself not time. So whenever we waste time we are really wasting ourself. Think about that. I cannot waste time I can only waste myself. Now since we have time let us do with all our might what our hands find to do.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Error of a Serious Sort
Fellow Labourers-
Have you noticed how the Haitian disaster evokes the worst in some people and the best in others. Some people are drawn closer to the God of all comfort, and yet others question his very existence without realizing that their arguments do confirm the existence of God. Mark Wignall wrote a piece in the Daily Observer entitled "In the beginning Man created God." But just follow the arguments carefully. If there is no God why worry about the Hatians? It's just a matter of the survival of the fittest. Worrying about the Haitians is suggesting that there must be a better way. If there is no better way we are all wasting our time crying and offering empathy.
One writer, a Mr. Hunter Gray, from the Netherlands wrote in the Observer "One faction in Christendom claims that God is angry, has taken back His grace, and has reverted to His despotic, fire-breathing, butt-kicking, jealous, Old Testament self; His celestial iron fist smashing nations that violate His first commandment, Thou shalt have no other gods before me." His answer to the whole scenario is that the earth is just releasing some of its internal heat and pressure. Sadly though after all his tirade he has not offer one iota of hope to the Haitian people. He could not because he rules out the only one in whom we can hope." The only hope we have is in Jesus" says the words of a song.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Have you noticed how the Haitian disaster evokes the worst in some people and the best in others. Some people are drawn closer to the God of all comfort, and yet others question his very existence without realizing that their arguments do confirm the existence of God. Mark Wignall wrote a piece in the Daily Observer entitled "In the beginning Man created God." But just follow the arguments carefully. If there is no God why worry about the Hatians? It's just a matter of the survival of the fittest. Worrying about the Haitians is suggesting that there must be a better way. If there is no better way we are all wasting our time crying and offering empathy.
One writer, a Mr. Hunter Gray, from the Netherlands wrote in the Observer "One faction in Christendom claims that God is angry, has taken back His grace, and has reverted to His despotic, fire-breathing, butt-kicking, jealous, Old Testament self; His celestial iron fist smashing nations that violate His first commandment, Thou shalt have no other gods before me." His answer to the whole scenario is that the earth is just releasing some of its internal heat and pressure. Sadly though after all his tirade he has not offer one iota of hope to the Haitian people. He could not because he rules out the only one in whom we can hope." The only hope we have is in Jesus" says the words of a song.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Covers, Robes, and Wrappings
Fellow Labourers-
A former professor at the University of the West Indies coined the following phrase, "A bhutoo in a Benz is still a bhutoo." I wish to say that a sinner in a church is still a sinner." We may be able to deceive with Covers, Robes, and Wrappings but God sees the heart. Are we like these children, and cannot distinguish among the many offerings in the world? Do we like the wrapper so much that the contents satisfies our taste?
Branding works and so we have to be more discriminating especially when it come to matters of the soul. W. Steven Brown in his book "Fatal errors managers make," notes fatal error number nine as "Fail to Set Standards." He went on to say "The concept of setting standards is not a favourite of many managers. In fact they'd probably like to avoid the subject altogether, because they view standards as a means of making up punitive rules used to punish those who fail to produce or those who avoid conformity. Those with such negative definition of the word misunderstand one of the keys to a well run company. For the guidelines a company makes need not aim at forcing compliance to a list of regulations, but should have the goal of building personal and corporate pride."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
A former professor at the University of the West Indies coined the following phrase, "A bhutoo in a Benz is still a bhutoo." I wish to say that a sinner in a church is still a sinner." We may be able to deceive with Covers, Robes, and Wrappings but God sees the heart. Are we like these children, and cannot distinguish among the many offerings in the world? Do we like the wrapper so much that the contents satisfies our taste?
Branding works and so we have to be more discriminating especially when it come to matters of the soul. W. Steven Brown in his book "Fatal errors managers make," notes fatal error number nine as "Fail to Set Standards." He went on to say "The concept of setting standards is not a favourite of many managers. In fact they'd probably like to avoid the subject altogether, because they view standards as a means of making up punitive rules used to punish those who fail to produce or those who avoid conformity. Those with such negative definition of the word misunderstand one of the keys to a well run company. For the guidelines a company makes need not aim at forcing compliance to a list of regulations, but should have the goal of building personal and corporate pride."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
The Existence of God and Pain
Fellow Labourers-
I will just lift a paragraph from the article for your contemplation.
"These are profound questions, and whole books could be written about them. But I will offer one more thought. Maybe the reason we question God's moral character when bad things happen is that we live our lives largely independent from Him. In other words, we struggle to trust God in times of trouble because we do not really trust Him when things are going well. Maybe we struggle with suffering so much in the West because we are so comfortable most of the time that we feel we don't need God. We do not rely on Him on a daily basis, and so we do not really know Him. When suffering comes along, therefore, it is not so much that it takes us away from God, but that it reveals to us that we have not really been close to God in the first place."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
I will just lift a paragraph from the article for your contemplation.
"These are profound questions, and whole books could be written about them. But I will offer one more thought. Maybe the reason we question God's moral character when bad things happen is that we live our lives largely independent from Him. In other words, we struggle to trust God in times of trouble because we do not really trust Him when things are going well. Maybe we struggle with suffering so much in the West because we are so comfortable most of the time that we feel we don't need God. We do not rely on Him on a daily basis, and so we do not really know Him. When suffering comes along, therefore, it is not so much that it takes us away from God, but that it reveals to us that we have not really been close to God in the first place."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Friday, January 22, 2010
Mining the Gaps
Fellow Labourers-
It seems dissonance is a normal part of life, but how we treat with it will determine if the outcome is good or bad. There are gaps in our lives that are obvious and some that are not so obvious. What are we going to use as the gap fillers? In mining we think of excavation which is the removal of something useless to search for something useful. It is sometimes the 'useless' material that will have to fill the gaps.
Whenever you experience dissonance remember David." My feet almost slipped when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, but when I went to the house of the Lord----."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
It seems dissonance is a normal part of life, but how we treat with it will determine if the outcome is good or bad. There are gaps in our lives that are obvious and some that are not so obvious. What are we going to use as the gap fillers? In mining we think of excavation which is the removal of something useless to search for something useful. It is sometimes the 'useless' material that will have to fill the gaps.
Whenever you experience dissonance remember David." My feet almost slipped when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, but when I went to the house of the Lord----."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Resolution or Mission
Fellow Labourers-
I guess most of us have an idea what is our mission in life, but have you tried writing it? Writing it helps us to focus as well as assisting in articulating what we are really about. Take a deep hard look at this paragraphed culled from the attached article.
"Everyone in this world has some form of a mission statement, though often it is not formally stated. Many have implicit mission statements to make money or to become powerful or to be successful or to optimize pleasure. Though many of our goals or resolutions are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, they become empty when elevated beyond what the accomplishment itself can provide. Success in the stock market does not make for a successful life. There is a vast difference between a resolution and a mission statement. We were meant for far more than any accomplishment of our own can provide."
Robert Stewart
I guess most of us have an idea what is our mission in life, but have you tried writing it? Writing it helps us to focus as well as assisting in articulating what we are really about. Take a deep hard look at this paragraphed culled from the attached article.
"Everyone in this world has some form of a mission statement, though often it is not formally stated. Many have implicit mission statements to make money or to become powerful or to be successful or to optimize pleasure. Though many of our goals or resolutions are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves, they become empty when elevated beyond what the accomplishment itself can provide. Success in the stock market does not make for a successful life. There is a vast difference between a resolution and a mission statement. We were meant for far more than any accomplishment of our own can provide."
Robert Stewart
Monday, January 18, 2010
Voyage and Return
Fellow Labourers-
Have you ever been misled by the title of a book? The title of the story in most bibles is "The prodigal son." So, we are mostly engrossed with this wayward son that has returned after his roller coaster ride. But, when we think of it he made a decision that was painful and disruptive to his father. Yet as the article truthfully points out the story is about the father. Whilst the son was enjoying himself the father was at home wondering about his welfare and no doubt reminiscing on the good old days when his son was at home.
Perspective, perspective, perspective. Depending on our own perspective we may focus on any of the three characters depicted in the story. The attitude of the stay-at-home son can become a vivid picture of don't care. When he was away I had the home all by myself. I had all the attention. Why is he coming back to spoil everything? This story can be an in-depth study of human nature versus the nature of God.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Have you ever been misled by the title of a book? The title of the story in most bibles is "The prodigal son." So, we are mostly engrossed with this wayward son that has returned after his roller coaster ride. But, when we think of it he made a decision that was painful and disruptive to his father. Yet as the article truthfully points out the story is about the father. Whilst the son was enjoying himself the father was at home wondering about his welfare and no doubt reminiscing on the good old days when his son was at home.
Perspective, perspective, perspective. Depending on our own perspective we may focus on any of the three characters depicted in the story. The attitude of the stay-at-home son can become a vivid picture of don't care. When he was away I had the home all by myself. I had all the attention. Why is he coming back to spoil everything? This story can be an in-depth study of human nature versus the nature of God.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
The Face of Struggle
Fellow Labourers-
It would seem nobody wants to struggle, we all want the victory. But, we can have struggle without victory, but not victory without struggle. In positing this statement I am relying very heavily on my own definition of victory. Because often times what we may see as a failure may very well be a victory. This is why there has to be a God. For if my standard and yours are in conflict then there needs be a standard outside of ours that is irrefutable and immutable.
Remember as we face our struggle that God is standing by. The face of struggle can be ugly and menacing, but how beautiful when we see the face of victory.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
It would seem nobody wants to struggle, we all want the victory. But, we can have struggle without victory, but not victory without struggle. In positing this statement I am relying very heavily on my own definition of victory. Because often times what we may see as a failure may very well be a victory. This is why there has to be a God. For if my standard and yours are in conflict then there needs be a standard outside of ours that is irrefutable and immutable.
Remember as we face our struggle that God is standing by. The face of struggle can be ugly and menacing, but how beautiful when we see the face of victory.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Seeking Signs
Fellow Labourers-
Isn't sign seeking a part of our current dilemma in the church? It seems these days every unexplainable phenomena is a sign. Let us search the scriptures much more closely in 2010 in order to avoid being a part of the fooled and the foolish.
The bible does speak of the signs that shall follow the believer, and these are signs in accordance with one's ministry gifts. We need not seek after these signs, but rather act in our apostolic anointing and power. All of us that are filled with the Spirit of God are potentially capable of speaking things into existence.
"You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." The greatest use of this power is to be witnesses. If we must seek for a sign let us seek for more souls in the Kingdom.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Isn't sign seeking a part of our current dilemma in the church? It seems these days every unexplainable phenomena is a sign. Let us search the scriptures much more closely in 2010 in order to avoid being a part of the fooled and the foolish.
The bible does speak of the signs that shall follow the believer, and these are signs in accordance with one's ministry gifts. We need not seek after these signs, but rather act in our apostolic anointing and power. All of us that are filled with the Spirit of God are potentially capable of speaking things into existence.
"You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." The greatest use of this power is to be witnesses. If we must seek for a sign let us seek for more souls in the Kingdom.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
At the Table
Fellow Labourers-
I love the Holy communion service and often wonder why people stay away. There is an aura and solemnity about it that evokes in me a closeness to God. By closeness I am implying that I want to be closer drawn to him. This is an occasion that we should not miss since it reminds us of why Christ came. This is one occasion with a real purpose, a purpose that is unique not because we make it unique, but because it exposes all of us to the fact that Christ belongs to all of us. None of us have right of place during this time of sharing. We are all commoners called to remind ourselves of the only one who was worthy to die in our stead. The one who said "it is finished;" our redemption is complete.
The cups and plates in the article remind me that we are marred by sin, so we are equal in the sight of God. We might be out of shape in different areas of our lives, but what does that matter? "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
I love the Holy communion service and often wonder why people stay away. There is an aura and solemnity about it that evokes in me a closeness to God. By closeness I am implying that I want to be closer drawn to him. This is an occasion that we should not miss since it reminds us of why Christ came. This is one occasion with a real purpose, a purpose that is unique not because we make it unique, but because it exposes all of us to the fact that Christ belongs to all of us. None of us have right of place during this time of sharing. We are all commoners called to remind ourselves of the only one who was worthy to die in our stead. The one who said "it is finished;" our redemption is complete.
The cups and plates in the article remind me that we are marred by sin, so we are equal in the sight of God. We might be out of shape in different areas of our lives, but what does that matter? "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Monday, January 11, 2010
On the Question of Existence
Fellow Labourers-
It is of tremendous benefit intellectually, spiritually, and socially to be able to defend the existence of God and Jesus of Nazareth. But, what better defence than the reality of a changed life.
"O how well do I remember how I doubted day by day. For I did not know for certain, that he washed my sins away. When the Spirit tries to tell me, I would not the truth receive, I endeavour to be happy, than to make myself believe. But it's real, it's real. O I know it's real. Praise God my doubts are settled, and I know it's real."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
It is of tremendous benefit intellectually, spiritually, and socially to be able to defend the existence of God and Jesus of Nazareth. But, what better defence than the reality of a changed life.
"O how well do I remember how I doubted day by day. For I did not know for certain, that he washed my sins away. When the Spirit tries to tell me, I would not the truth receive, I endeavour to be happy, than to make myself believe. But it's real, it's real. O I know it's real. Praise God my doubts are settled, and I know it's real."
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Sunday, January 10, 2010
At the Border of Doubt and Hope
Fellow Labourers-
I would implore us to read the attached article over and over again. Here are three quotes from the article.
1) "There is nothing like empty time and constricted space to bring to the surface feelings, questions, and doubts."
2) "We have to learn that personal suffering is a more effective key, a more rewarding principle for exploring the world in thought and action than personal good fortune."
3) "Christianity is not an escape system for us to avoid reality, live above it, or be able to redefine it. Christianity is a way that leads us to grasp what reality is and, by God’s grace and help, to navigate through it to our eternal home."
As I read the article a phrase I heard once came floating through my head. "Emptiness is the greatest barrier to the human mind." Are we familiar with the phrase, "The vast emptiness of space." Sometimes I look from the hill into the National Stadium at the empty seats and try to comprehend it. This morning I walked into an empty church and the feeling is not like when I see a full house on a Sunday. Just imagine yourself for two weeks in an empty cell with no one to talk to and your future is uncertain. In our western world these are things hard to imagine and is a part of the reason why our faith is so shallow. Our problem is not the border of doubt and hope, but the border of doubt and sensuality. We crave more for the desires of the flesh which is a reality that confronts us. We must grasp this reality and navigate through it by focusing on our eternal home.
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
I would implore us to read the attached article over and over again. Here are three quotes from the article.
1) "There is nothing like empty time and constricted space to bring to the surface feelings, questions, and doubts."
2) "We have to learn that personal suffering is a more effective key, a more rewarding principle for exploring the world in thought and action than personal good fortune."
3) "Christianity is not an escape system for us to avoid reality, live above it, or be able to redefine it. Christianity is a way that leads us to grasp what reality is and, by God’s grace and help, to navigate through it to our eternal home."
As I read the article a phrase I heard once came floating through my head. "Emptiness is the greatest barrier to the human mind." Are we familiar with the phrase, "The vast emptiness of space." Sometimes I look from the hill into the National Stadium at the empty seats and try to comprehend it. This morning I walked into an empty church and the feeling is not like when I see a full house on a Sunday. Just imagine yourself for two weeks in an empty cell with no one to talk to and your future is uncertain. In our western world these are things hard to imagine and is a part of the reason why our faith is so shallow. Our problem is not the border of doubt and hope, but the border of doubt and sensuality. We crave more for the desires of the flesh which is a reality that confronts us. We must grasp this reality and navigate through it by focusing on our eternal home.
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
More Than Watchmen Wait
Fellow Labourers-
Watchmen as described in the opening paragraph of today's article were men who just wait and see. Unless they saw something untoward they would do nothing. Today's watchmen must be proactive. We must anticipate and prepare. To do this we must have information. With today's information overload we can anticipate and prepare for the wrong thing, because not all the information available are reliable. So how do we know what is the right information? We must all endeavour to seek the mind of God in every decision we make.
There is a saying that goes like this, "It is not everything that is good to eat good to talk." Today we must endeavour to seek spiritual wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Remember there is a wisdom that is of the earth which is sensual and devilish. But, there is a wisdom that comes down from the father of light in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning. This wisdom is first pure.
Watchmen, what of the night?
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Watchmen as described in the opening paragraph of today's article were men who just wait and see. Unless they saw something untoward they would do nothing. Today's watchmen must be proactive. We must anticipate and prepare. To do this we must have information. With today's information overload we can anticipate and prepare for the wrong thing, because not all the information available are reliable. So how do we know what is the right information? We must all endeavour to seek the mind of God in every decision we make.
There is a saying that goes like this, "It is not everything that is good to eat good to talk." Today we must endeavour to seek spiritual wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Remember there is a wisdom that is of the earth which is sensual and devilish. But, there is a wisdom that comes down from the father of light in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning. This wisdom is first pure.
Watchmen, what of the night?
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Resolute for Mission
Fellow Labourers-
Look closely at the subject. What is the mission? This quote from Joan of Arc is so apt at this time. "I know this now. Every man gives his life for what what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing yet they give their lives for little or nothing. One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. And then it is gone. But to sacrifice what you are and live without belief, that's more terrible than dying." What will you be remembered for?
In 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles we have the record of Josiah who became king at age eight, began seeking the Lord at 16, rediscovered the scriptures, and brought about moral reforms in Judah. When Jeremiah wrote the laments of Josiah he composed a very short couplet "He did that which was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 22:15b-16).
Those of us familiar with algebra will recall that there are equations and inequations. In an equation we try to find the unknown that will bring balace. That is we are trying to find equality. In an inequation we cannot find equality. Our world seems to be made up of little bits of inequations that result in injustice. Our mission should therefore be to convert these inequations into equations and hence justice. I am resolute for this mission, are you?
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Look closely at the subject. What is the mission? This quote from Joan of Arc is so apt at this time. "I know this now. Every man gives his life for what what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing yet they give their lives for little or nothing. One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. And then it is gone. But to sacrifice what you are and live without belief, that's more terrible than dying." What will you be remembered for?
In 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles we have the record of Josiah who became king at age eight, began seeking the Lord at 16, rediscovered the scriptures, and brought about moral reforms in Judah. When Jeremiah wrote the laments of Josiah he composed a very short couplet "He did that which was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 22:15b-16).
Those of us familiar with algebra will recall that there are equations and inequations. In an equation we try to find the unknown that will bring balace. That is we are trying to find equality. In an inequation we cannot find equality. Our world seems to be made up of little bits of inequations that result in injustice. Our mission should therefore be to convert these inequations into equations and hence justice. I am resolute for this mission, are you?
Pax vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Fire, Water, Spirit
Fellow Labourers-
The Greeks of old once thought that all matter was fire, water, and spirit. They came to this conclusion via philosophical argumenatations, rather than through science. Oddly enough they view their philosophical reasonings as science, and Theology was the highest science.
Today these three forces, acts or whatever they are to you, are still in operation in our lives. We are water and fire baptized and Spirit filled. Those of us with this experience know that this makes us restless. Pascal the great Mathematician had his experience and he made a choice. What are we doing with our experience? Pascal came up with a triangle that gave us the geometrical arrangement of the binomial coefficients. But he did not stop there he gave us the penses. In the penses he looked at the misery of man without God and specifically as it relates to order. He said, "I might well have taken this discourse in an order like this: to show the vanity of all conditions of men, to show the vanity of ordinary lives, and then the vanity of philosophic lives, skeptics, stoics; but the order would not have been kept. I know a little what it is, and how few people understand it. No human science can keep it. Saint Thomas did not keep it. Mathematics kept it, but they are useless on account of their depth."
To understand life we need an experience with the fire, water and Spirit.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
The Greeks of old once thought that all matter was fire, water, and spirit. They came to this conclusion via philosophical argumenatations, rather than through science. Oddly enough they view their philosophical reasonings as science, and Theology was the highest science.
Today these three forces, acts or whatever they are to you, are still in operation in our lives. We are water and fire baptized and Spirit filled. Those of us with this experience know that this makes us restless. Pascal the great Mathematician had his experience and he made a choice. What are we doing with our experience? Pascal came up with a triangle that gave us the geometrical arrangement of the binomial coefficients. But he did not stop there he gave us the penses. In the penses he looked at the misery of man without God and specifically as it relates to order. He said, "I might well have taken this discourse in an order like this: to show the vanity of all conditions of men, to show the vanity of ordinary lives, and then the vanity of philosophic lives, skeptics, stoics; but the order would not have been kept. I know a little what it is, and how few people understand it. No human science can keep it. Saint Thomas did not keep it. Mathematics kept it, but they are useless on account of their depth."
To understand life we need an experience with the fire, water and Spirit.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Sunday, January 3, 2010
New Year's Walk
Fellow Labourers-
Choose your path. According to W. Steven "Essentially there are two actions in life: Performances and excuses. Make a decision as to which you will accept from yourself-and those you manage/lead. Two distinct and entirely different attitudinal approaches exist, based on these actions, and only one manages successfully. Internalists, those who are performance oriented, accept personal accountability for their actions, successes and failures. They know that if they feel unhappy with their results, they have only to look into a mirror to stare the culprit straight in the eye. Others refuse to accept their responsibility for their position in life and hide behind excuses. Because they constantly blame some external source, condition,or other people for their personal failures, we'll call them externalists."
Here the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson from a piece called "Self-Reliance". "There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried."
One of my New year's walk is to choose wisely, especially those with whom I spend my time. John C. Maxwell says "Those closest to the leader will determine the level of success for that leader." Niccolo Machiavelli said, "The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." And, Andrew Carnegie said, "It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone."
How will you walk?
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Choose your path. According to W. Steven "Essentially there are two actions in life: Performances and excuses. Make a decision as to which you will accept from yourself-and those you manage/lead. Two distinct and entirely different attitudinal approaches exist, based on these actions, and only one manages successfully. Internalists, those who are performance oriented, accept personal accountability for their actions, successes and failures. They know that if they feel unhappy with their results, they have only to look into a mirror to stare the culprit straight in the eye. Others refuse to accept their responsibility for their position in life and hide behind excuses. Because they constantly blame some external source, condition,or other people for their personal failures, we'll call them externalists."
Here the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson from a piece called "Self-Reliance". "There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried."
One of my New year's walk is to choose wisely, especially those with whom I spend my time. John C. Maxwell says "Those closest to the leader will determine the level of success for that leader." Niccolo Machiavelli said, "The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him." And, Andrew Carnegie said, "It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone."
How will you walk?
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Never Alone
Fellow Labourers-
To those that I have not yet seen I extend a Happy New Year. To those who had to work on watch night you were not alone. What a great thought to know that we are never alone. I will never forget that night in my hotel room some years ago when I felt so lonely, and heard a voice distinctly spoke to me these words "Lonely but not alone." It is not unusual to feel alone even in a crowd.
As we face this new year with its challenges and opportunities remember you are not alone. There are no mountains too high, no valleys too deep or any river too wide for us to conquer. Why? We are never alone. Hebrews 13:5 "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
The world’s fierce winds are blowing, temptation sharp and keen.
I have a peace in knowing my Savior stands between
He stands to shield me from danger when my friends are all gone.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,
My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;
Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!
He died on Calvary’s mountain, for me they pierced His side.
For me He opened that fountain, the crimson, cleansing tide.
For me He waiteth in glory, seated upon His throne.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
To those that I have not yet seen I extend a Happy New Year. To those who had to work on watch night you were not alone. What a great thought to know that we are never alone. I will never forget that night in my hotel room some years ago when I felt so lonely, and heard a voice distinctly spoke to me these words "Lonely but not alone." It is not unusual to feel alone even in a crowd.
As we face this new year with its challenges and opportunities remember you are not alone. There are no mountains too high, no valleys too deep or any river too wide for us to conquer. Why? We are never alone. Hebrews 13:5 "... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
I’ve seen the lightning flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
Refrain
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.
The world’s fierce winds are blowing, temptation sharp and keen.
I have a peace in knowing my Savior stands between
He stands to shield me from danger when my friends are all gone.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care,
My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear;
Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!
He died on Calvary’s mountain, for me they pierced His side.
For me He opened that fountain, the crimson, cleansing tide.
For me He waiteth in glory, seated upon His throne.
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone!
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
In Real Time
Fellow Labourers-
As I consider chronos and kairos the passage in Peter comes to mind." One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Considering this we have only completed two days since the death of Jesus according to God's timing. I also consider 1 Corinthians 5:17 "Now if any man be in Christ he is a new creature---." Are we new according to chronos or kairos? Kairos of course. We are new qualitatively rather than quantitatively.
From this subject we can see how knowing a little Greek can be helpful. It may not lead you to real faith, but it gives us a better grip on interpreting the scriptures. Based on real time how near is the coming of the Lord? Israel has already become a nation - 1948 (Matthew 24), The coming together of the Europeans (Daniel - The feet of clay with the ten toes) is already completed. Now is the time for us to be real.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
As I consider chronos and kairos the passage in Peter comes to mind." One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Considering this we have only completed two days since the death of Jesus according to God's timing. I also consider 1 Corinthians 5:17 "Now if any man be in Christ he is a new creature---." Are we new according to chronos or kairos? Kairos of course. We are new qualitatively rather than quantitatively.
From this subject we can see how knowing a little Greek can be helpful. It may not lead you to real faith, but it gives us a better grip on interpreting the scriptures. Based on real time how near is the coming of the Lord? Israel has already become a nation - 1948 (Matthew 24), The coming together of the Europeans (Daniel - The feet of clay with the ten toes) is already completed. Now is the time for us to be real.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
Strange Story
Fellow Labourers-
As I read this article I could not help but recall the prophet Elijah as he went in hiding from Jezebel. As he sat under the juniper tree, he experienced the fire and the earthquake but God was not in any of those. But then came the still small voice. We are looking for God in the elaborate and the trendy, but we are going to find him where he is welcome. We are going to find him when we seek for him. We are going to find him when we extinguish the false fire.
When Christ showed up in a stable the shepherds were glad. He came where they were, and they had no time to seek for professorial disertations,they heard the message of the angels. I heard a story last night worth repeating. A young mother with a four year old son was pregnant and the four year old son would constantly sing to the baby in the womb, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine----."It came time for the delivery of the baby, and the mother had some complications. When the child was born the doctor put him the intensive care unit with the sad news that the child had only a few hours to live. The four year old kept asking when was he going to see his sunshine, but hospital rules prevented him from going into the intensive care unit. However, whilst the head nurse was not looking they slipped the child past her into the room. As he saw his baby brother he began singing you are my sunshine. The nurse turned around most upset, but saw that the heart monitor on the sick child was normalizing. She shouted keep on singing, and after a few repetition of the song the baby's heart beat was normal, and was soon taken out of intensive care a normal healthy child. Isn't this a strange story. I look forward to many strange stories in the coming year and beyond,what about you.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
As I read this article I could not help but recall the prophet Elijah as he went in hiding from Jezebel. As he sat under the juniper tree, he experienced the fire and the earthquake but God was not in any of those. But then came the still small voice. We are looking for God in the elaborate and the trendy, but we are going to find him where he is welcome. We are going to find him when we seek for him. We are going to find him when we extinguish the false fire.
When Christ showed up in a stable the shepherds were glad. He came where they were, and they had no time to seek for professorial disertations,they heard the message of the angels. I heard a story last night worth repeating. A young mother with a four year old son was pregnant and the four year old son would constantly sing to the baby in the womb, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine----."It came time for the delivery of the baby, and the mother had some complications. When the child was born the doctor put him the intensive care unit with the sad news that the child had only a few hours to live. The four year old kept asking when was he going to see his sunshine, but hospital rules prevented him from going into the intensive care unit. However, whilst the head nurse was not looking they slipped the child past her into the room. As he saw his baby brother he began singing you are my sunshine. The nurse turned around most upset, but saw that the heart monitor on the sick child was normalizing. She shouted keep on singing, and after a few repetition of the song the baby's heart beat was normal, and was soon taken out of intensive care a normal healthy child. Isn't this a strange story. I look forward to many strange stories in the coming year and beyond,what about you.
Pax Vobiscum
Robert Stewart
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