After having served for decades in Africa, a missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morrison, were returning to New York to retire. After years of service they had no pension and their health was failing.  They were worried and discouraged.

The Morrisons were on the same ship as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his African hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to the missionary couple. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President and his entourage.

When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The Mayor and the dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the news about the President’s arrival.

No one was there for the missionary couple. They walked off the ship to find a cheap flat on the East Side.  The next day would be filled with looking to see what they could do to make a living.

That night, the man said to his wife, “I can’t take this anymore; God is not treating us fairly.” His wife replied, “Why don’t you go in the next room and tell that to the Lord?”  A short time later he returned but his face was different. His wife said, “What happened?”  He replied, “The Lord settled it!”

Henry said, “I told the Lord that I was bitter; the President received a tremendous homecoming, when no one even met us at the dock!  When I finished complaining,     it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, “But you are not home yet!”

Hey Church, we are not home yet! This earth is not our home.

Take comfort from Hebrews 11:13 and I Peter 2:11 and remember that our citizenship is in heaven!

Be of good cheer!  We are not home yet!

You are loved,

Pastor and Muzette

Dr. James Alexander Stewart wrote in his autobiography, I Must Tell, about the wisdom and influence of his mother.

James Stewart’s father was very sick and the whole family had to work to help keep the family together.  When he was six years old, James told his mother that he would help by working for the farmer next door.  Over the few next years he had many jobs, including delivering milk, newspapers and morning rolls.

Dr. Stewart said the biggest thing in his life was soccer.  By 8 and 10 years of age, his skill was so good that he played with boys much older than himself.  His headmaster at school said, “James is a genius at sports.”

James’ father passed away when he was fourteen years old and every spare  moment of his life was given to perfecting his soccer skills.  Sports leaders were already speaking of James turning pro by the age of 16.  He was gifted!

His mother had prayed before James was born that God would use her son for the salvation of souls. Her son was gifted and talented.  The world desired his talents and offered him fame, pleasure and money.

James Stewart’s mother claimed Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  His mother made sure her son went to church.  Dr. Stewart said, “My mother made sure that I sat under the best gospel message.”  She believed the Bible and honored God’s Word.   Though James had the ability to be a star soccer player, he instead went on to become a world-famous missionary, evangelist and author.

Mom and dad, Be faithful to church!  The souls of our children and grandchildren are the target of the devil.

We must be faithful!

You are loved,                                                                                                                                 Pastor and Muzette