Card Collection - Psalm 86:9

Psalm 86:9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. (NIV)

Quite recently, I started collecting old tobacco cards. I came across a set of vintage racing car cards on Ebay and I was delighted with them. This piqued my interest and as I looked through other listings from all over the globe, it opened me up to a whole new world of collections. My Dad had some from the past – mostly of balloons and early airplanes – but I didn’t realize the amazing variety of subjects, themes, people and places that these colorful cards cover. I am now in the process of happily building up my own collection – mostly of racing cars, ships, military uniforms, famous people, and movie stars.

           

One set caught my eye the other day. It was produced in 1924 between the World Wars and is called “Children of All Nations.” The fifty cards are beautifully drawn with children wearing their traditional costumes. The set depicts the wonderful variety of people across the globe and when they are put side by side, it looks like a beautiful tapestry of humankind. I guess this is what God sees when He looks at us on Earth – a unique collection of creatures, owned and loved by Him.

The ancient psalmist who wrote today’s highlighted verse seems to reflect this. The great destiny of all nations and peoples is to come together to praise our Creator, to worship His ways, and to be called ‘children of God.’ It’s a beautiful image and is one which Christ obtained for humanity by dying for our sins. All we have to do is to receive this great gift and live accordingly – by showing one another grace and by loving one another, no matter who we are or where we come from.

Point to ponder

Do I appreciate the beauty and variety of this unique world? How can I show my thankfulness to God and other people today?

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for the wondrous work of Creation and the amazing variety of life, people, and places on this exceptional planet. Help us to love one another in ways that will honor You and expand the gift of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is a snapshot of the beautiful cards that John wrote about. 😊

John is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome.

Short devotion: Listening to Jesus - Luke 9:35

Luke 9:35      A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, Whom I have chosen; listen to Him." (NIV)

            Sometimes, instead of listening to Jesus, I listen to my own thoughts and ideas. I end up making foolish choices and stupid mistakes which Christ could have helped me to avoid. I thought that the older I got, the wiser I would become. That just doesn't happen. If I don’t listen to Jesus, I am not going to learn.

            I hear other people quoting Jesus, but not really listening or applying what He has said. It’s almost as if they have created their own fortune cookie Jesus who sagely expresses words of wisdom to justify their actions, choices, and decisions. I keep hearing things like “Judge not, or you’ll be judged,” or “Love one another,” or “Do unto others,” or even the apocryphal “We are all God’s children,” (which He never said). People misquote His words because they don’t read the Bible or truly listen to the Gospel. And what they don’t hear, they make up to suit themselves.

            When God candidly speaks to the three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), he does two things. Firstly, He reveals to them that Jesus is actually His Holy Son. Secondly, God commands them to listen to Him. We may not understand this at first, but what we have here is the true process of becoming and being a Christian. To be a Christian means that we have to believe that Jesus is God’s Holy Son. To remain a Christian, we have to keep listening to what He says, which we can only do if we consistently, studiously, and prayerfully keep reading the Gospels.

            So the challenge for all of us, including me, is this: Do I believe that Jesus is God’s Holy Son, and am I willing to listen to Him?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You are God’s Only and Holy Son. Open our hearts and minds so that we may truly listen to You. Enable us to consistently make the time to continually read the Gospels. Help us to serve You in all of our decisions and deeds. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

The attached image is one of John’s latest Celtic type drawings called “Celtic Communion.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Communion.

Bedtime Story Books: Of Birds and Beasts

My new children's ebook of bird and animal drawings with funny rhymes has just been published. You can view it and buy it at the following:

Daily Devotions: Blessings of Baptism

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

I love the rite of baptism. Whether it’s the sprinkling of water on the head of a bonnie wee baby in my arms or the sacred pouring of water on an adult’s head, I get totally encapsulated by the moment and inwardly rejoice in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It’s a time of joy and sometimes my heart is fit to burst during the sacred ceremony. On each occasion, the Holy Spirit mysteriously moves within the baptismal candidate and universally declares that he or she is a child of God. We only see the pouring of water and hear the speaking of the traditional Trinitarian formula – I baptize you in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Heaven, however, sees and experiences the whole picture where the baptized person is divinely ‘tagged’ as a servant in Christ’s Kingdom and an heir of God’s blessings.

Perhaps today can become a special occasion when we rejoice in our baptism, whether we received it as a helpless babe or an older person. Or maybe it will be a time when we look forward to baptism, either of ourselves or someone we know. Whatever the case, let’s give thanks to God for allowing us this special process in which we are spiritually bonded to Christ forever, and seek to show the world the joy of being baptized.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were once baptized in the river Jordan and received the special blessing of God’s pleasure through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for allowing us the sacred opportunity of receiving the same blessing through our own baptism. Remind us each day of that special moment of joy and help us to go forth into the world as bearers of this blessing. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or share a baptismal story, he would be delighted to receive your email at pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is an original illustration called “Spirit Spectrum” by John Stuart. Signed, numbered, and matted limited print editions can be purchased from his art site at http://stushie.etsy.com