• Stoy Of Apostle John - Hobby

  Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  Psalms 46:10, Matthew 11:28, Psalms 37:7, Exodus 34:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

  Tags:  Mind, Still, Hobby, Rest

  Denomination: Anglican

There are times ... when our lives move... so fast, ... that we need to slow down ... and let our souls catch up ... with our bodies.

According to Early Church tradition ... when the Apostle John was Bishop at Ephesus, ... he had a hobby ... of raising pigeons.

On one occasion... we are told... an Ephesian elder ... passed John's home ... as he returned from hunting.

When he saw John ...... playing with one of his birds, ... he gently criticized the old Apostle ... for spending his time ... so frivolously.

John looked at his critic's bow ... and remarked ... that the string of his bow... was loosened.

"Yes," said the huntsman ... "I loosen the string of my bow ... when it's not in use.

If it always stayed tight, ...it would lose its power ... and fail me ... in the hunt."

"And I," ...said John, ... " I am now relaxing the bow of my mind ... so that I may be better able ... to shoot the arrows... of divine truth." (Pause)

Beloved... Not only do we need to slow our lives down... To have rest ... But during that time ... we need to ......come into the presence of God.

"Be still ... (Be still) ... and know that I am God."

Have you ever simply spent time with someone, ...and you both ... were very quiet.

Not really saying ... all that much.

Just quietly being together. ......Perhaps with ... your spouse.

Maybe ... At the bedside of a friend ... or family member.

Or just holding your child ... or grandchild ... in your arms.

Be still... Be still... and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)