Devotions - Heaven's Highway

Church devotions: Godly Guides - Daniel 11:37

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Daniel 11:37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.

In Britain, the Girl Guides association, which is the equivalent of the Girl Scouts in America, has just changed the standard promise that each girl makes when joining the association. Instead of promising to do their best, by loving God, serving the Queen and country, and helping other people, the new oath of allegiance to the association’s guidelines is contained in the following words:

“I promise that I will do my best:

To be true to myself and develop my beliefs,

To serve the Queen and my community,

To help other people…”

God is excluded from the whole process and instead a secular sanctification of self is emphasized. This means that a whole new generation of young girls in Britain is being raised to worship and idolize themselves from an early age. This is a pity because churches are the main sponsors and supporters of Brownie packs and Guide troops across the United Kingdom.

I guess it’s just another nail in the coffin of Western Christianity. By itself, it doesn’t amount to much, but when added together with the whole secularization/humanistic process that’s going on in Britain, churches will diminish drastically once the World War 2 generation passes on into glory. Unless someone takes mission seriously in Britain, and brings the Gospel light to a largely unchurched people, a spiritual darkness will overtake UK society and people will end up believing in and doing anything.

The main work of the Church in the West is to be counter-cultural. The old sin of self-exaltation, of claiming equality with God, and the idolizing of the individual is rearing its ugly head again. History is replete with societies and civilizations which have built their sophisticated Babels of self-importance, only to have them fall and be dashed to pieces. If the voice of the Church in proclaiming the existence of the One, Triune, and Living God is no longer influential or acceptable, then we will only have ourselves to blame for not recognizing that we are sinful creatures who, without God’s guidance, are prone to self-destructive and inhumane ways.

Questions for personal reflection

Is God actually important to me? Is church a major current influence over my life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You told us that we were meant to love God with all of our heart and mind, soul and strength. These days we appear to be more into loving ourselves and displacing service to God for the fulfillment of own desires. Forgive us for diminishing our faith and prevent us from depleting Your influence over our choices and our ways. In Your Holy Name, we humbly confess and seriously pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest Mackintosh creations. It’s called “Liberty Roses.” If you would like to view a larger version. Please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/9072696976_ef5cfd378a_b.jpg

Short devotion: Daniel and Alexander - Daniel 11:3-4

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:18:00 +0000

Daniel 11:3-4 Then a mighty king will appear, who will rule with great power and do as he pleases. After he has appeared, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

250 years before Alexander the Great began his conquest of the mighty Persian Empire, the prophet Daniel spoke about him in a vision. For some people that might just be coincidental, but for most Bible believers, it’s the amazing way that God works throughout history.

People tend to think that history is largely circumstantial, just a random sequence of events that keeps marching on from one generation to another. But if we are Christians and believe that God has actually created Time and Space, then isn’t it more than possible that God grants prophets like Daniel visions, dreams, and clues about what is yet to come? In fact, a large portion of what we read about Christ in the Gospels had already been prophesied and alluded to before He was even born in Bethlehem.

Why does God do this? For two basic reasons:

a) to show us that He is in control of Time and History;

b) to prepare His people for what is yet to come.

As we spin across the Milky Way on this third rock from the sun, we may think that we are inconsequential in a universe that is teeming with billions of galaxies, as well as billions upon billions of stars. And yet, when we consider that our beliefs are centered upon the Creator of the Cosmos, who sent His Only Son to die for the people on this paltry planet, we should quickly understand that we are not alone, nor are we unimportant to God. Alexander the Great’s empire may have gone forever and he is turned to dust, but Christ’s Kingdom remains on Earth and we await His prophesied return.

Questions for personal reflection

What historical event or period in history captures my attention? Where do I see the hand of God operating there?

Prayer: Lord God, You are in control of time and space, as well as history and geography because You created everything. We know of Your existence through the wonderful works of creation that surround us, all over this planet and throughout the entire universe. We thank You for the great gift of Life and we praise You for Your oversight of who we are, what we do, and of what we have yet to experience. Be with us and bless us forever. In Christ’s 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, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Scottish drawings. It features the Abbot’s House on the grounds of the medieval ruins of Crossraguel Abbey, near Maybole, Scotland. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4750541985_53ed2bfa13_b.jpg

Independence Day devotion - Semper Fi - Acts 21:10-16

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

You cannot fault Paul’s loyalty to Christ. He believed in Jesus completely and was more than willing to lay down his life for his Lord. Many years before this incident, he was blinded on the road to Damascus by Christ, as a means of saving him from his own destructive ways. Paul never forgot that dynamic moment. It changed everything completely for him, which is why he was willing to totally give everything for Jesus. Paul was always willing to be faithful (semper fi) to Christ, even if it cost him his life, which eventually did happen.

In a couple of weeks, we will be celebrating Independence Day in the United States. It’s a great occasion for communities to display their national pride. US flags will be flying everywhere; special parades will take place in towns and cities; people will be wearing red, white, and blue; families will be grilling in their backyards, and fireworks will go off all over the place into the wee small hours of the morning. It’s a fantastic celebration of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but I wonder how many of us will remember the sacrifices that our Founding Folks made and the lives that were sacrificially laid down, so that freedom could be procured for future generations?

It’s the same in the Christian Church. Each Sunday is actually an Independence Day celebration because we remember that Christ set us free from the captivity of sin and tyranny of death, through His perfect sacrifice and glorious resurrection. As Thomas Jefferson once wrote in 1774, ‘The same God who gave us Life…also gave us Liberty.’ In other words, the same God who gave us Christ, also set us free forever!

Questions for personal reflection

How much of my life am I willing to give to Christ? How much does He expect of me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have set us free from our failures, our mistakes, and our sins. You have purchased that freedom for us through the spilling of Your blood and the giving of Your Life. We are unworthy of such a holy sacrifice, but we are also eternally grateful to You for liberating our souls from the bondage of sin and finality of death. May we freely choose this day to serve You and God’s Kingdom forevermore. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Independence Day drawings. It’s called “Liberty Lights,” and features the Statue of Liberty surrounded by 4^th July fireworks. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8164/7503142478_e8e6283de3_b.jpg

Family Devotions: Family Blessings - Acts 21:1-9

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:56:00 +0000

Acts 21:5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

One of the most beautiful and sacred parts of our Sunday worship at Erin takes place at the end of the Family sermon. That’s when our young children sit at the front steps of the sanctuary with their parents, or grandparents, or aunts and uncles, all bowing their heads, closing their eyes, and saying a simple prayer. The prayer is led by whoever presented the Family Sermon and everyone repeats the words, phrase by phrase. It’s a wonderful blessing to see each of the families do this; listening to the voices of the youngest children pray out loud, often brings happy tears to my eyes. This is Family ministry at its simplest and best; this is how the Gospel is shared by one generation to another.

In today’s short passage from Acts 21vv1-9, we read about Paul and his companions leaving the city of Tyre. The whole church has gathered at the beach to say farewell – all of the disciples, their wives, and their children. It must have looked like a Sunday School seashore picnic, but it is also a wonderful description about how the Early Church operated. Families worshiped and prayed together; they served the Lord and witnessed as one. It must have been a beautiful scene, even though it was a sad farewell. The church at Tyre was intergenerational, showing to Paul that Christ’s message would endure across the generations represented on the shoreline.

Churches are meant to be intergenerational – they don’t function well when they just cater to one age range or one eclectic group. The vitality of Christ’s mission depends upon each generation passing on the faith to the next generation. It never stays still and never looks the same, but it always truly connects with Christ across the centuries, throughout the nations, and among our precious families.

Questions for personal reflection

What opportunities for intergenerational sharing takes place at my church? How do these events strengthen the faith of the people?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You speak to people of all ages throughout the entire world. Your Spirit seeks to bless our families with services and events, as well as missions and programs that can be supported and fulfilled by believers of any age. Thank You for the Family ministries among our churches and for their vitality in our congregations. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send John an email to traqair@aol.com. John reads every email and learns much from your comments.

Today’s image is one of my latest Mackintosh rose drawings. It’s called “Celtic Roses.” If you would like to view a larger version, the please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9002967262_20aa571af4_b.jpg

Devotions for Men: Trust in the Lord by John Stuart

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:33:00 +0000

Devotions for Men: Trust in The Lord

My new Kindle e-book of devotions has been published today. It contains 60 short devotions for Christian men. It can be read individually as a daily devotional for two months, or used in weekly meetings and Sunday school classes for over a year. It’s also an excellent ice-breaker/discussion starter for men’s coffee house groups.

Each devotional takes about five minutes or less to read. Every devotional has a Bible verse, one of my art images, a devotion, questions for reflection, and an individual prayer at the end. At only $1.99, it’s a great investment in the spiritual lives of men from any church, career, and situation.

Christian devotion: Slumber Party - Acts 20:9

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:07:00 +0000

Acts 20:9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

Who listens to Paul anymore? Who takes times to read and study what he has to say? During the past couple of decades, many Christians have been pushing back against Paul and his teaching. He’s treated by some as a long-winded, misogynistic, slave supporting, self-centered teacher whose writings led the Early Church away from Christ’s grace into a new form of legalistic, dogmatic, self-opinionated religion that had more to do with his Pharisaic roots rather than his conversion by Christ. The post-modern writers and followers of Jesus who push back against Paul and diminish his teachings usually think of themselves as progressive reformers, whose mission is to get the Church back on the right track. Unfortunately, this frequently ends up just as legalistic when progressives write negative things about other Christians or even produce their own self-righteous lists which state things like: “10 Things You Can’t Do When Following Jesus.”

Like Eutychus of old, the church tends to drift off and fall asleep when reading Paul’s teaching which essentially grew out of his actual preaching. If you don’t believe me, then next time you are suffering from insomnia and can’t sleep, try reading all of the chapters of Paul’s Letter to the Romans – by the time you get to chapter 5, you’ll probably be slumbering.

Eutychus, as a young person, didn’t understand the importance of Paul’s preaching at the time, so it caused him to switch off, fall asleep, and drop from the window ledge. He was dead to the teaching, and literally to the rest of the world. It’s perhaps ironic and, to some degree, symbolic that it is Paul who raises him from death, back into life. The sleeper is awakened by the same teacher who made him drift off. Perhaps in the future, a whole generation of Christian folks who are turned off by Paul’s teaching today, may return to the church through the words of the very same apostle.

Questions for personal reflection

What do I honestly think about the apostle Paul? Have I truly read all of his letters?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, no matter what we think about Paul, keep reminding us that it was You who chose him to preach the Gospel and teach the Church. He is Your Chosen One, and so we should treat his teaching with a better understanding and greater respect. Open our hearts and minds to his messages, which originated from Your Spirit, and grant us positive opportunities to apply them in our daily lives. 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, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Christ Icon drawings. It’s called “Christ Icon” and represents Christ as a teacher with the scriptures in His hands. It’s based upon an old Syriac icon. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5255/5457191479_6bdca8084f_b.jpg

Christian devotions: Discretion - Acts 19:30

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:24:00 +0000

Acts 19:30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.

In Henry IV, Part One, William Shakespeare had his comic character Falstaff declare the following words: 'The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life.' Ever since then, the phrase has been commonly used by people in the midst of conflict to apply common sense, in order to avoid escalating any further trouble. To some people, this seems cowardly and ineffective, but to those who have the gift of discernment, this is really the best choice in potentially high risk conflagrations.

The apostle Paul had to be taught this lesson the hard way. His zeal was almost his downfall when riots began in Ephesus over his teaching. An ugly mob began protesting about the success of his ministry which directly affected silversmiths and other tradesmen. At the height of the riot, Paul wanted to stand before the crowd and possibly preach a message about Christ, but his friends and the other disciples in Ephesus would not let him do this. Unlike Paul, they knew that the crowd would have killed him. They decided to restrain the apostle and prevent him from going anywhere near the hostile mob. Discretion was, indeed, the better part of valor, and it certainly saved his life at this moment in time.

There have been moments in my ministry when I have allowed zeal and self-righteousness to cloud my vision as a preacher and teacher. However, the older I get, the more I understand that being passionate about Christ is not the same as being pastoral for Christ. Discernment and discretion connect more with seekers and servants of Christ than religious self-righteousness. It’s taken me years to understand this, but hopefully it’s not too late to live what I have learned.

I wonder if Paul was initially outraged by his friends’ intervention? Probably so, but perhaps he also learned the greater lesson that self-righteous zeal was detrimental to the very cause he was preaching and espousing. As Christians, we all need to be aware of the effect that our words and actions, ways and deeds have on the world and society. If we are too full of zeal and self-righteous indignation, we will weaken our witness. If, however, we decide to be discreet, either by turning the other cheek, or displaying humility, we may reach out to a rising generation that has been largely been turned off to self-centered, navel-gazing, and constantly affronted Christianity.

Questions for personal reflection

Have I sometimes allowed my religious zeal to overcome my faithful witness? What has Christ still to teach me about being with other people?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You could have destroyed the world but instead You died for the world. You could have condemned the people of Your time, but instead You allowed them to crucify You. Your humility healed humanity. Your sacrifice saved our souls. Teach us these truths and help us to share them honestly, prayerfully, and discreetly. 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 or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2013 Pentecost series of drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Dawn.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8499310448_1dfb37c6fc_b.jpg

Short devotions: A Healthy Fear - Acts 19:17

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:10:00 +0000

Acts 19:17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Sometimes when I read the New Testament, I wonder why the word ‘fear’ is ever associated with Jesus. Like most people, I tend to see Jesus as loving and non-judgmental, a person who could find the good in anyone; a prophet who attracted people to God; and a teacher who showed the world how to live. I understand how honoring and worshipping Jesus for those positive qualities has endeared me to Christ, but what about this fear that the New Testament writers express? What has fear got to do with Jesus?

‘Fear’ in this context goes beyond being afraid. It really means to completely respect Christ for who He actually is: the Holy Son of God. ‘Fear’ then describes the awe and reverence that we should feel when we think about, worship, and honor Jesus. It also means that we actively submit to His power and teaching, His authority and realm. We are not equal to Christ, although He does restore us as sons and daughters of God. He is the Chosen One, the Eternal Crown Prince, the True Heir to God’s Kingdom. Throughout our days on Earth and in Eternity, He will always be our Master, Lord, Ruler, and King. We will always be His servants in the Everlasting Realm, if we choose to repent and follow Him on Earth.

So when we read about ‘fear’ being associated with Christ in the New Testament, it’s a healthy fear – a total respect for who Jesus is and a complete submission to His power.

Questions for personal reflection

How do I express and display my loyalty to Christ? Do I understand that I am called to serve Him and not the other way around?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant us a healthy fear of Who You are so that our lives may be challenged and changed by Your words and ways. Give us opportunities to positively serve You so that others may be attracted to Your majesty and power, as well as Your love and grace. 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 or ask a question about today’s passage, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Mackintosh style drawings. It’s called “Butterfly on Thistle.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/8848721259_3dd10c0f01_b.jpg

Church devotions: Numbers - Daniel 7:14

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:40:00 +0000

Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Yesterday, the annual statistics (for the denomination that I belong to) were published and they are not very encouraging. In the PCUSA, we decreased by 102,000 people in our total membership during the last year, which is equivalent to a 5% reduction in numbers. Several reasons were given for the reduction, which you can read at the following link: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2013/5/30/stated-clerk-releases-pcusa-2012-statistics/

No matter how we interpret the statistics, the reality of Western Christianity is this: even though we are living longer and the overall population is growing, the mainstream Christian church is declining instead of growing. From my perspective of pastoring for over 25 years in both Scotland and the United States, the more that the Church appeases or reflects Society, the less effective and relevant it actually becomes. Despite embracing many cultural changes, Western Christianity has no attraction for many people.

This may be the reality over here, but around the rest of the world, the Church continues to grow. Christianity, for all that it is maligned by Western Society, is still the fastest growing faith in Africa, Asia, and South America. Millions of people in far off places make personal decisions each year to give their lives to Christ, even though it may cost them their families, their careers and, in some severe cases, their lives. Christ’s Kingdom, as promised in the Book of Daniel, can never be destroyed. All over the world, different people and communities, nations and languages are praising God for their Savior Jesus. They are growing because, unlike us, they are willing to submit their lives to God’s Authority, Word, and Teaching. In decades to come, they will see our Western lands as mission fields, and bring back the Gospel of Christ to a wayward society that increasingly seeks to serve and idolize itself.

Questions for personal reflection

To what do I attribute the decline of Western Christianity? Do I really understand that Christianity is a global faith and not just a westernized one?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to see the Church as You see it, made up of people and nations from all over the Earth. Speak to our spirits through a Global Gospel and lead us away from self-serving and self-love to selfless serving and sacred love. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is 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.

Today’s image is one of John’s symbolic denominational drawings called ‘A New Day.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6857135507_2823395f41_b.jpg

Christian devotion: A Hundred Thousand - Acts 18:13

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Acts 18:13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

According to a spokesman for the Vatican, up to 100,000 Christians are killed each year around the world. Many of them come into conflict with local, regional, or national laws that impact their right to be Christians. If this is true, then it means that courageous men and women are still being martyred globally, for the faith that we commonly share. That is a very sobering thought, especially in our part of the world where freedom to worship is dearly held as a Constitutional Right, as well as a religious one.

In the Apostle Paul’s time, Christians were usually arrested for breaking local laws. In today’s passage, the Jews of Achaia drum up charges against Paul for not following the proscribed religious and political rules about worship. They try to get him charged with sedition, but providentially, the proconsul threw their charges out of his court. He knew that they were trying to manipulate him to do what they wanted – to stop Paul’s ministry by having him incarcerated. Gallio, however, rejected the charges and appears to have made his decision based upon what we practice today: the separation of Church and State.

As Christianity wanes in Western society, there may come a time when Christ’s followers will find that their biblical beliefs come into conflict with civil law. If that moment ever occurs, the question which we as Christians will be faced with is this: do we follow the Law or the Lord?

Questions for personal reflection

What do I think about the Vatican statement? How do my Christian beliefs differ from those who are being persecuted and martyred for Christ in other places?

Prayers: Lord Jesus, remind us about the true cost of our faith and the conflicts that other Christians are facing each day around the world. Keep us from sustaining a cozy faith that doesn’t inconvenience us; instead grant us the courage to hold onto and live a real faith that may be constantly challenged by those around us. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask a question or comment about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest rural drawings called “Covered Bridge.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/8779456370_b02c5109a2_b.jpg

Memorial Day Devotion - Enjoy this Day! - Acts 17:18

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Mon, 27 May 2013 15:40:00 +0000

Acts 17:18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

All across the land, families will be gathering together, enjoying Memorial Day. For most Americans, it’s a sacred day to honor those who gave of their lives in past and present wars, as well as a time to respect and remember those among us who are still serving our country in the military. There will also be a lot of feasting and fun because the best way to commemorate the war dead is to live life freely and fully, enjoying the precious liberty that we have with our loved ones, and embracing the freedom that we have been selflessly given.

It’s also a day of faith, hope, and love when people of small towns and large cities will gather at military cemeteries to place small flags over the graves of those who served so long ago. Red, white, and blue is to be seen everywhere, and the Stars and Stripes is flown from flagpoles and homes all across the country. It’s a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful blessing to experience.

For those of us who are Christians, there is also the wonderful hope of resurrection through Jesus Christ, who also gave of His Life so that we may be saved from our sins, restored to God’s Kingdom, and blessed with everlasting life. One amazing day, when Christ returns, all of those heroes’ graves will burst open jubilantly and the sleeping warriors within them will be raised to the glorious eternity that we all seek. Our commemorations of the dead will suddenly become celebrations of Life and we will all be together with Christ forever. This is the good news that Paul preached about in Athens; this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we continue to share today, till the end of Time.

Questions for personal reflection

What does Memorial Day mean to me? How are my freedom and faith connected to my salvation in Christ?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this special day when we remember the fallen heroes of our nation, we also remind ourselves of Your Supreme Sacrifice which has given us hope for the Life that is yet to come. Be with our people this day, and as we honor those who have served and are still serving our nation, keep us mindful of the service that we can still give to You each day. 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 or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is a Memorial Day drawing of John’s called “Memorial Tears.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traqair57/2525663285/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Memorial Day poem: Memorial by John Stuart

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:25:00 +0000

Memorial

Silently,

I will remember the host
Of men and women
Who paid the cost
For the Freedom I enjoy.

Respectfully,

I will remind
The next generations
Of the sacrifice
That previous generations
Gave to preserve our Liberty.

Tearfully,

I will recall those still living,
Whose hopes and dreams,
Lives and loves
Were completely altered
By unavoidable war
And selective service.

Proudly,

I will stand with them
And embrace the Stars and Stripes
In my heart and soul,
Feeling strongly connected
To its past, present, and future.

Thankfully,

I will honor those
Who selflessly gave of their youth,
And those who are still giving of their lives,
So that I and all others
May have a Freedom worth living,
A Hope worth advancing,
And a Life secured by Liberty.

(c) John Stuart 2013

Stushie art: Appalachian Drawings video

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Here's a link to my latest youtube art video which has many of my Appalachian drawings, from the earliest primitive ones as I was learning my style, to the latest collectible art pieces.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHACfpxQFKo

Christian devotions: Essentials - Daniel 3:17-18

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:00 +0000

Daniel 3:17-18 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Some people might have said they were being disrespectful and disloyal to the king. Others could have condemned them for being ornery and unfaithful. Whatever was said against them at the time, the audacious faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had in God was undiminished and unswerving. And even when they faced a fiery execution, they still did not turn away from the God of their people, not even if God failed to deliver them.

That’s what made their faith so audacious. No matter what happened to them, whether for better or for ill, they still held on to their essential belief that there was only One God. No matter how many threats were made against them or how hot the fiery furnace was raised, they did not swerve from their devotion to the LORD. It must have been both perplexing and infuriating to King Nebuchadnezzar. He wanted to save them – all they had to do was bow down to a golden image – but they would not adhere to the king’s commands. There was a Higher Power active in their lives and a greater authority than that of the earthly king. The three men would not surrender their faith in order to save their lives.

In these contentious times for the Church, it can be very easy to let go of some essential beliefs in order to accommodate everyone’s ideas and notions about God. However well intended, if we stray too far from the truth, then we are in danger of losing our faith for the sake of keeping up with the world. We could even end up with a belief system that is not worth dying for, nor even living by.

Within each of ourselves, we have to work out what is important to Christ and His Church. Perhaps we can do no better than to practice a favorite saying of the 17^th century English Puritan Richard Baxter: “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity.” Now that would be a faith worth living by and dying for.

Questions for personal reflection

What beliefs are essential to my Christian faith? Do I live according to those essentials?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant us the gift of spiritual discernment in order to truthfully know what is important to You, Your Kingdom, and Your Church. Grant us an audacious faith that will not compromise the essentials, but will also maintain a spirit of charity to those with whom we disagree. 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, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Pentecost drawings called “The Coming One.” It’s a stained glass design for children. You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/8734328860_763c4691c0_h.jpg

Pentecost devotion: Traditional or Transitional? - Acts 15:8-9

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:33:00 +0000

Acts 15:8-9 God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith.

Acceptance is currently a big issue in the lives of many churches around the world. It involves a serious review of what is acceptable to the 21^st century Christian community. It’s an important component of who we are and how we effectively witness to the wider world around us. Every generation has to wrestle and struggle with this; every congregation has to work through these tough issues.

Sometimes we get so busy defining the rules and regulations that we neglect to see where the Holy Spirit is actually working in our communities. We get so caught up in the theological civil war that is going on, that we forget about the healing work that the Holy Spirit is ministering to a much greater broken world.

This is not new or unique to our current generation. It happened in the First Century in Jerusalem where the Christian Church was initially started. The fifteenth chapter of Acts reveals to us the dilemma between Traditionalists and Transitionalists. Some Jewish Christians insisted that all male Gentile converts needed to be circumcised. Others, like Paul and Barnabas, fiercely argued that Christianity had progressively moved on from adhering to Jewish traditions.

Eventually, it was Peter who settled the dispute which threatened to divide and destroy the Young Church. Instead of looking back to the past or seeking a new paradigm, the Big Fisherman reminded everybody to look for the Holy Spirit and to seek to come alongside wherever the Holy Spirit was working among the people. Grace and salvation, acceptance and mission were meant to be discovered, encouraged, and supported wherever, whenever, and however the Holy Spirit chose. It was not a matter of keeping up with tradition; it was essential to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday in our churches, congregations, and Christian communities, we should ask ourselves these important questions: where is the Holy Spirit working in my community? How can I serve alongside the Holy Spirit in my community?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to seek Your Presence in our communities. Enable us to truly know Your works and to support them fully. Grant us a new spirit of discernment and give us the courage to face the challenges and apply the changes that we need to embrace and employ. In the Sacred Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called ‘Caingis.’ Caingis is the Gaelic word for Pentecost, so the image features the Holy Spirit descending to Earth at dawn beside a Celtic Cross. If you would like to view a larger version, then please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/8724021938_12912b6f54_b.jpg

Pentecost Clip Art by Stushie

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Some of the best clip art for Pentecost can be found on my flickr page. It's unique and specially created by me. If you would like to use it for church bulletins, websites, worship screens or newsletters, please let me know and I'll be delighted to let you have my permission.

You can find most of my Pentecost drawings at the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Pentecost&w=93141201%40N00&z=t&s=rec

Short devotion - Really Good News - Acts 13:38

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Acts 13:38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”

We all do things that we later regret. We all make mistakes that can’t be rectified. Each of us lives with guilt on our consciences and shame in our hearts. We are human and fallible, prone to failure and imperfection. It’s a sad and sinful part of who we are; none of us are perfect and not one of us is free from sin.

Left to ourselves, we would have no opportunity of being reconciled to a holy, sacred, sinless, and perfect God. The great fact of history is this: we are not left to ourselves. Through Jesus, we can be forgiven; by Christ, we can be reconciled to God.

Some people talk about the Church as being outdated, old-fashioned, and irrelevant, but so long as people are selfish, sinful, and foolish, the Church will never become irrelevant. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people across the world discover Jesus as their Savior. Every night, billions of people ask for forgiveness and seek His favor. In the eternal scheme of things, the world is already outdated and will become old-fashioned and irrelevant beyond the gates of Heaven.

With Jesus as our gracious Savior, today is the continuing first day in the rest of our eternal lives. That’s what I call really good news – now let’s go out and share it with other people…J

Questions for personal reflection

What has been the gravest mistake of my life? How has Jesus forgiven me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and the Holy One to whom we belong. Our past mistakes are completely forgiven. Our future hopes rest in Your Kingdom. Help us to share the goodness of Your love and forgiveness to others around us. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

Today’s image is from a new series of church banners that John is currently designing. This drawing is called “Banner 01.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8706417998_4c1a0953e9_b.jpg

Church Growth Devotion - Witnesses to Our People - Acts 13:31

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:38:00 +0000

Acts 13:31 And for many days Jesus was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

As Christians, we are meant to be Christ’s witnesses to other people. We are called by God to mainly serve Jesus in our local communities, so that others may be attracted to Christ. In churches, congregations, and house groups around the world, Christians are constantly developing programs to go out into the world around them, bringing their neighbors the good news of salvation, and compassionately supporting them in times of trouble, distress, and suffering.

The purpose of any church is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. This involves learning about God in worship and Bible study. We build up our knowledge of God’s words and ways, so that we will be confident about what Christ is saying and doing in the local community. We then find practical ways of applying what we learn, so that we can be effective witnesses who care about the critical needs of others. Every community has its different groups of people in need, which is why there are so many different churches in the world. Churches don’t exist to peddle a competitive Christianity. They are alive in order to augment, embrace, and support the constant work of the Holy Spirit, both at home and abroad. We are all called together to be Christ’s witnesses to our people.

Questions for personal reflection

What ministries and missions, both at home and abroad, do I feel called to support? How am I witnessing for Christ in my life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have called us into the service of Your Kingdom through the positive words and ways of other people. We are a part of Your Church because someone led us to You through their commitment, service, and devotion. Enable and encourage us to find similar ways to attract other people to You through our witnessing and support. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Pentecost Mandala” and is a stained glass design of the Holy Spirit as a dove. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8696570270_10fdb48c7d_b.jpg

Church Devotions: Teaching the Faith - Acts 13:12

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Acts 13:12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

I like to teach the Faith. It’s an important part of my calling. I enjoy discussions about Christ and Christianity and the sharing of questions, ideas, and thoughts at my regular Sunday School class. It keeps me on my toes and refreshes my faith each time I enter and exit the classroom. Preaching is meant for the big moment of the week in worship; teaching is an entirely different method of sharing the faith.

The class that I teach is an inter-generational one. People bring their cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and personal questions into the melting pot which, in turn, adds to the whole collective discussion about a Bible passage, faith point, or church issue. Each Sunday that we meet, we add to the theological tapestry that we’re weaving. Faith, hope, and love are shared; encouragement, friendship, and inspiration are experienced.

Teaching about the Lord in philosophical or practical ways always has the potential of strengthening our beliefs and Christian convictions. In today’s passage (Acts 13:6-12), the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus is deeply impressed not just by what Barnabas and Saul say, but what they actually do. Their faith is amazing and fearless in the face of evil and deception. The proconsul becomes a believer because he sees for himself the authenticity and authority of the Christian faith.

Today, we will all be given opportunities to share our faith and be authentic witnesses for Christ. Let’s hope that we are both ready and real about being Christians.

Questions for personal reflection

Where do I go to be constantly taught about the Christian faith? What lessons of faith do I express to others with my words and deeds?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to positively express our faith in You to others this day. Let our witness of Your power and presence in our lives be authentic and sincere. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to comment on today’s passage or ask a question about it, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Heaven Sent” and features the Holy Spirit as a dove descending to Earth. If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8683999979_5ab8742e51_b.jpg

Church devotions: Food for Thought - Acts 10:15

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Acts 10:15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

It had nothing to do with food; it all had to do with prejudice.

Peter’s story in Acts chapter 10 is not about how hungry he was, or what kosher food he chose to eat. It was all about God letting Peter know that the Gentiles were just as acceptable to God as were his own people, the Jews. Peter followed Christ, but also maintained his Jewish standards and traditions. He seemed to believe at this time that the Gospel was meant for the Jews first.

God, however, had other plans, so Peter would have to change his ideas about who was acceptable to God. Peter was a living witness to the teachings, life, and resurrection of Christ. His personal testimony was crucially important, so God was not going to keep it limited to Jewish hearers only. Peter was about to undergo a whole new ministry experience and broaden his theological horizons. The old ways were comforting, but they needed to be challenged. His traditional ways were cozy, but they needed to be changed.

Two thousand years later, change is still not easy for the Church, and challenges to our traditional beliefs, standards, and teachings cannot be avoided. We may not like to think about the church changing and perhaps want to remain in our own theological comfort zone, but we really need to ask ourselves these important questions: Are we against change just because it is inconvenient and uncomfortable? Are we propping up our traditions for God, or merely pandering to our prejudices?

Perhaps we need to revisit our opinions and ask God to show us what or who is acceptable to Him.

Questions for personal reflection

What are the crucial beliefs about my form of Christianity? Is this my Christianity or Christ’s vision for His Church?

Prayers: Lord Jesus, we need to be constantly challenged in order to keep a living faith. We need a revitalized vision of what it means to You for us to actually be Christians. Keep us from cozy spirits and a familiar faith. Protect us from our prejudices and liberate us through Your sacred love. 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, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings. It’s called “Free Spirit.” If you would like to view a larger version of the image, please click here: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8664735974_02c3db424b_h.jpg

Kindle devotions: Five Minutes with God by John Stuart

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:48:00 +0000

My latest devotional e-book is published today. It's called "Five Minutes with God" and contains 52 short devotions. The devotions can be used as personal daily meditations or opening devotions at church meetings. They can also be used as discussion starters for small study groups.

Each devotion is inspired by a Bible verse and includes a personal reflection, story, or description of the context of the verse. Questions for reflection/discussion are also part of the devotion, which finished with a community prayer.

Throughout the book, examples of my artwork can be found, all of which relate to the chosen devotion. I enjoyed writing this book and believe its my best work to date. Click on the boxed link below to check it out on amazon.com. At only $1.99, it's a great spiritual investment, especially for busy Christians!

The book is published for Kindle and Kindle fire, but I-Pad, PC users, and tablets owners can download the free Kindle app to read it on their own mobile devices too!

Bible Devotion: What is an Ephod? - Exodus 39:2-3

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:23:00 +0000

Exodus 39:2-3 They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen--the work of a skilled craftsman.

What’s an Ephod?

There are some words in the Bible that only belong to the ancient cultures represented in its pages. ‘Ephod’ is one of them. The ephod was the metallic breastplate or vest that Aaron the High Priest wore when he entered the holy tabernacle to intercede on behalf of the Hebrew people. It was part of his uniform and a badge of his authority. The ephod was squarely shaped and contained twelve jewels on its surface which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. It must have been both a beautiful and an amazing piece of jeweled clothing for the high priest to wear.

By the way, some people believe that the arrangement of colors, threads, and squares was an ancient inspiration to the making of the first plaid/tartan cloths.

The ephod’s significance had many meanings. By wearing it, the high priest was recognized by God as being the one who could make confessions and prayers for all the people. Its precious stones represented the well-being of the whole community and signified God’s authority through Aaron to the people. It was also an expensive vestment, festooned with gold and rich jewels, with which the wearer honored God’s kingly, royal, and majestic presence. The people could confidently have their prayers of confession presented to God because the ephod wearer was welcomed into God’s sacred presence.

As Christians, we have a high priest, but instead of an ephod, He bears the marks of crucifixion on his head, chest, hands and feet. When we make our confessions in Christ’s Name, He stands before God as our both our Holy Savior and God’s Sacred Son. He is given the authority to forgive our mistakes, to pardon our messed up lives, and to allow us the precious opportunity of beginning again. We are a fortunate people because we are forgiven; we are exceptional creatures because Christ saves us.

Questions for personal reflection

How many times in the day to I ask Christ to intercede on my behalf? What does He do that makes Him my Savior?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being our High Priest. We are grateful that You are willing to intercede on our behalf each day, to forgive our many sins, and to restore us to God’s favor and kingdom. Without You, we would be lost to God forever. With You, we are blessed eternally. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is of the High Priest in Aaron’s time wearing the ephod and other vestments.

Church Devotion: Trying to be a Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Acts 10:2 Cornelius and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

I read somewhere this morning about a woman who was being questioned about her beliefs by a police officer. Each time she was asked “Of what religion are you?” she answered, “Trying to be a Christian.”

This frustrated the officer. “You must belong to a church, a denomination, a sect or a cult, so tell me, what is your religion?” Again the woman simply answered, “Trying to be a Christian.”

From what I have read about the centurion Cornelius in the Book of Acts, he was trying to be a Christian without even knowing of Christ. He was a devout person who believed in God, shared his beliefs with his loved ones, prayed to God on a regular basis, and gave regularly to those who had genuine needs. Isn’t that what we expect of Christians? Cornelius was trying to be as faithful to God as he possibly could, and this is why God gives him a special vision and draws him into the Christian faith.

Today, we will all have opportunities to witness to the effectiveness of Christ’s presence in our lives. We may be asked to pray for others in need; we may even be required to help them financially. The hope is that we will all try to be Christians in whatever situation, event, or issue that we face. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be the right thing to do.

Questions for personal reflection

How do I display my faith in Christ to other people? Dare I try to be a Christian in all things today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, we say that we follow You with our lips, but we frequently fail You with our deeds. Help us this day to practice and display our devotion to You by trying to be real, genuine, and sincere Christians in our world. 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, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is a collage of four of my 2013 Pentecost drawings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/8656938896_929e837c59_c.jpg

Boston One Fund Run - Knoxville, Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

Tonight at the Fleet Feet in Turkey Creek over 500 people arrived outside the store to walk and support the Boston One Fund. It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful event. I was asked to give the prayer of invocation and lead the memorial silence. Here's the prayer that I wrote and led:

God of all the Earth, we come this evening to honor and support the good people of the City of Boston in the midst of their grief and pain, their loss and tragedy. As people of hope, peace, and love, we come from many places with different backgrounds to show our solidarity with those across our country and around the world whose loved ones have been injured, wounded, and killed in the recent bombing.

We give our support because we care about these people.
We walk and run together because we are united with them in their loss.
We come here freely to show that we are a people who love one another.

We honor also those first responders and law enforcement officers who bravely helped the wounded and placed their own lives on the line as they sought the perpetrators.

We pray for the families of loved ones who have been tragically lost, severely wounded, and deeply injured by this atrocity. In particular, we locally remember the families of Michael and Nicole Gross and Erica Brannock whose family belongs to Tellicoe Village. Be with Michael, Nicole, and Erica as they recover from this ordeal. Bless them with healing and strength; be near to their families in love.

We hold a moment’s sacred silence for everyone affected by this tragedy, for the people of Boston, and for those who will continue to hold on to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness throughout this great nation of ours and across the world.

Silence

TODAY, WE ARE ALL BOSTONIANS! AMEN.

Short devotion: Boston Bombings - Acts 8:35

noreply@blogger.com (Stushie) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Acts 8:35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

On the day after a terrorist tragedy, it’s very difficult to talk or write about the good news. All of us were shocked by what we heard and saw on the news bulletins from Boston. It’s unbelievable to think that someone would deliberately target men, women, and children in a desperate and wicked attempt to make their message known. It was a despicable act of cowardice and there is only one eternal destination for the perpetrators of such a satanic act: hell.

The good news is that the people of Boston reacted magnificently in the midst of this painful tragedy. The first responders ran towards the injured without any fear of being caught up in a second explosion. Marathon runners who were dazed and shocked were carefully looked after by medics and passers-by. The wounded and fallen were instantly treated by skilled professionals who have worked all night long with those who are in a critical condition. And the residents of Boston – homeowners, apartment dwellers, and store keepers opened up their places to help anyone who had nowhere to stay or who had to walk for miles in order to get home.

Today, churches are open all over the city for people to congregate and pray. Even the Museum of Art has freely opened its doors so that people may come in to find a quiet place for contemplation, renewal, and peace. As human beings, we have an amazing capacity of overcoming this kind of evil through the support, kindness, and compassion that we bestow upon those who are shocked, saddened, and sorrowful in the worst of events and times.

Boston will recover its poise and its passion for life. The people of that great city have a great sense of what freedom and liberty are all about. They will not surrender to the terrorists, nor will they give up on their hopes, dreams, and ambitions. They are good people just like us; the good news is that they will survive by embracing, healing, and encouraging one another.

Questions for personal reflection

What did I initially think and feel when I heard the news about these bombings? How can I support the people of Boston today?

Prayer: O Lord, embrace the good people of Boston with your love and strength. Be with the first responders who treated those with serious injuries and those who have been terrified by these explosions. Be with the families who are anxious about their loved ones and comfort them in the midst of their fears. Bless the police and investigators, granting them the ability to know the causes of these explosions quickly and to act appropriately. O Lord, be with all the Bostonian people. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is of a drawing that John created called “Boston Bound.” It features the Boston Skyline as seen from the bay. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/5948796658_990048bfef_b.jpg