SCRIP-BITS

John 15:4.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Surprise! Surprise! Oh Friends, from a little mansion in Mo Bay, I’m writing these words for you! That’s just a little play on the old Reggae song ‘From a little cottage in Negril.’ Yes Friends, the ole fella’s in Mo Bay, Xayamaca; the Land of Wood and Water; Rivers and Springs! Believe it people, it’s true; the ole fella’s in Jamdown! Wow! I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s true! (smile) Let’s back up a bit here though and talk about the Arawak Indian name for Jamaica, ‘Xayamaca.’ Tell me nuh, how many of the young people today know that that was the Amerindian name for their country and what it means? Do they still teach stuff like that in school? I sure hope so, else we’d just keep on losing our rich heritage and culture of the West Indies, until all is lost and forgotten. That would surely be a sad day! Anyway, I’m not here to gripe and complain, but to lay back, relax and enjoy the sea, sand, sun and rum. I’ve already gotten the first three, the last will come later, I hope. (smile) Yeh Friends, I touched down in Mo Bay yesterday afternoon, and believe me, the change in everything has certainly been refreshing! Yuh know I’ve been saying I’ll check out the sunshine when the time’s right? Well I could have come before, but I just never had peace in my soul, re the timing. But now the timing’s right, because it is the Lord’s! Remember on Holy Thursday night, during the Gethsemane watch, He told me to abide in him – with patience, so I was just trying to do that. And finally I was rewarded with this trip, that by the way, just fell into my lap, without me doing anything, IN HIS TIME! That’s the important thing Friends; it was God’s timing not mine. Unlike the fiasco of last year when I went to California and rushed impatiently to the beach, then lost my wedding ring in the cold, rough water, then also got lost physically trying to get back home. That obviously wasn’t His timing. Sorry that this is so late, but yesterday was somewhat hectic and my Jamaican family told me that I was on vacation, so I should just relax and not rush myself. (smile) And yuh better believe Doctor’s Cave beach was nice yesterday afternoon! I just revelled in the beautiful blue salt water! From the first dip I could feel a marked difference in both my body and soul. And as I sit here now on the quiet balcony of the little mansion, looking out at the abundance of colourful flora, including all kinds of fruit trees, my soul’s at peace, and my body’s feeling healthy. The arthritic woes  have taken a back seat. Thank the Lord! And late last night, after all the ‘confuffleation’, I was sitting on the balcony conversing with my Maker, listening to the crickets and other insects singing loud praises to Him. Yuh know they’re so loud, it’s hard to hear anything else, and they carry on all night, sounding like and earthly angelic choir. And while they were singing His praises, I was giving my utmost thanks! That’s all I could do, for no words could truly convey the heartfelt feeling that ran through me. And I’m still giving plenty thanks now! (smile) Ah mih people, it’s certainly refreshing; the change in pace, the scenery, the atmosphere, everything is just so much more conducive to good health and long life. And when I went looking for a suitable Bit to convey this abide in me principle, wonder of wonders, I found this obvious and most appropriate one! ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.’ And that’s the living truth Friends! If we abide in Jesus, do what He asks and wait patiently on Him to make the necessary moves, we will bear much fruit, and much good fruit at that. Now it’s not always easy to abide in patience, because the world has a very different outlook on life to Jesus. But as believers, we’re called to stand strong and steadfast in faith against the world and wait for Jesus’ timing. And I can tell you from personal experience, that if we adhere to that basic principle, we will be very successful in whatever we do! It’s a very simple but mountain moving principle my breddren. But we’ve been so conditioned and spoiled by the upsurge in technology, which gives us almost everything now for now, that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to wait on the Lord. But listen to these wise words of advice from Bruh Paul to the Colossians: ‘If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled (steadfast), and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.’ (Col.1:23) Yes my brethren, our only hope of survival and success is to stay grounded and rooted in the faith so selflessly bestowed on us by Christ Jesus! Hope and faith in the Word is the only thing that will bring us joy and peace in this crazy, confused and troubled world. So please, let’s seriously endeavour to get the Word into us, then faithfully live it nuh. Only then will we bear an abundance of good fruit. Much LOVE!…the Word…the Word…that’s where man’s salvation…both earthly and heavenly lies…  P.S. The Bit might be somewhat disjointed, but that’s basically from my enthusiasm in being in J.A. And the Bits from here this week might be a bit irregular because of my unscripted, unplanned, fall as they wish movements. (smile) But don’t worry, you will get them…eventually. Much LOVE!