Life Can Be a Symphony

By Royce Kennedy

The main thrust of this work in to inspire the reader to strive for success no matter what present circumstances are. The intent is to specifically highlight the life of Saul of Tarsus, a Jew, who grew up in Jerusalem and was trained in the Jews religion. He excelled above his equal, being more zealous than they and could have become the next ruler in Israel.
However, in terms of being a role model and a shining beacon to those struggling to find the path to success and dignity, he rated very poorly. He was mad against Christians, arrested many, forced many to blaspheme, and consented to the death of many. This work shows how he dismissed his past, embraced the future, and became the greatest of all the apostles. In essence, he recognized his past but refused to be arrested and held a prisoner by it.
As he himself explained: This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 13.
It is evident that self-evaluation and self-motivation are extremely important if one is to chart a path forward to success. Saul of Tarsus, in our opinion, serves as a classic example of how one can erase the past, no matter how sordid and violent it was; and reach forward to pinnacles of glory and inspiration, not for ones self only, but for society at large. You alone, can make your life a symphony!

WORD COUNT: 80, 459 Chapters: 31.
CONTACT INFO:
Royce Kennedy, 909 Whistling Duck Drive, Largo, MD 20774
PH: 301.218.4524: E-mail: [e-mail]
Two previous publications by Author are: Arlington National Cemetery Became My Classroom, High lighting Royces ten years of giving tours in the cemetery. When Shall These Things Be? is an in-depth study of Daniels 70 weeks and the prophecies of Christ in Matthew chapter 24.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483607146

Royce Kennedy

Royce Kennedy was born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, in 1935, and was educated there. His grandmother was born in Scotland, and his great grandfather was an original Kennedy from Ireland. After attending bible school in the city, Royce immigrated to the U.K. spending his first two years in the City of Birmingham before relocating to London, where he began working for the post office. While in London, he was ordained to the ministry in 1968. This work is a candid analysis of what the gospel of Christ demands of every Christian; but in this case, more so of Christian Members of Congress, and Christian politicians everywhere. In 1983 Royce earned a Doctor of Divinity Degree from New World Bible Institute, Haiti, MO., and has since pursued a teaching ministry. Royce can also be accessed on Face Book, on You Tube, on Google, and on Amazon.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Just Who Am I?

The main source of information in this volume will be taken from the bible; not in an effort to preach a sermon, or to lecture individuals about their personal lives. But I have found in my research that the bible is about us (human beings) shedding light upon each life, from the cradle to the grave and even into the nether world. My views are determined by my interpretation of scripture, and if you are a free thinker like I am, we will spend a productive and even informative time together.

As a general rule authors should not repeat sentiments in their work. Each thought should be outlined with clarity before moving on to the next in proper sequence. However, in this volume we will repeat vital points for the reason we shall offer below. When God gave to Israel many laws and ordinances, he instructed Moses how to proceed.

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when the liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." Deuteronomy 6: 7-9.

When we fast-forward to New Testament times, we are exhorted by the apostles on the merits and values of the process just featured. We are exhorted in Hebrews 2: 1; "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, [which we shall share herein] lest at any time we should let them slip." Peter puts it this way: This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. 2nd Peter 3: 1.

Since this work will be dedicated to improving our lives on a personal basis, it is of paramount importance that the contents are made plain and understandable; and are repeated from time to time, as the scripture said, "by way of remembrance."

Each person’s life is like a lighted candle in a darkened room that lightens the path for others. This metaphor serves as a reminder that unless our life can touch and impact others, seemingly, our flame is gone out.

Thus, like a faded Christmas tree, we are ready to be taken to the city dump. The biblical narrative puts it this way: "In him [Jesus Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1: 4, 9.

When Jesus came along and taught the multitudes he remarked: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid; neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14, 15. This offers a starting point in searching for our true identity and purpose on earth. Here is where it all began! Was each person given a fair start? And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Genesis 1:28; 2: 19.

This is the biblical account of man’s introduction to this planet and just about all living things with him. The Genesis account is therefore called, the propagation of the species. This work will offer a more detailed account of how we came to be, and what our purpose in life is meant to be. A complete and correct understanding of who we are, and why we are, serve as the building blocks needed to construct our personal lives.

The general consensus is that each person was born to win, and is endowed with that special ability; if only it can be activated and brought from within our subconscious and made to work in the real world.

We learn from Romans 12: 3, that God has dealt to every man [mankind at large] the measure of faith. It is like a tour bus on its way to a casino on the Las Vegas Strip or to Atlantic City; every passenger on board is giving a thank you gift of about $40 from the tour director. [Possibly a lot more in Las Vegas.]

Every person is given an even start, but the result will vary considerably in a matter of hours. Among the building blocks needed to construct a life filled with resplendent beauty, is a generous supply of moral fortitude, resilience, optimism, creativity, perseverance, and an unabated faith and desire to win.

As we proceed, we will further discuss these essential ingredients, needed to add spice and flavor to one’s life. Even the tiniest creature on the floor of the Amazon jungle, or in the undiscovered badlands of Papua, New Guinea has been endowed by the Creator with the ability to provide food for itself and its kind, and to defend itself as a way to survive.

We are often flabbergasted how some folks live and have developed ways to sustain themselves. Realizing and accepting one’s station in life, is not reason enough to remain there, especially if the circumstances are unfavorable.

According to the narrative of scripture, Saul of Tarsus, the vile persecutor of the Christian church, had a stunning encounter with the resurrected Christ on the Damascus road, and as if with a snap of the finger he became the apostle Paul.

The men most responsible for the spread of Christianity are Jesus Christ, the Founder, called the Author and Finisher of our faith, and Saul who was the persecutor turned apostle.

In spite of his violent past, Paul is even today, heralded to be the greatest of all the apostles. But as part of that greatness, he said: "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet [fit] to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God." 1st Corinthians 15:9.

Four tiny words contained in the apostle’s letter to the Corinthian Church caught my attention and gave me reasons to delve deeper into his reasoning. He offered much of the gory details of his belligerent life before his alarming conversion turned his private life into an open book.

He had no inhibition and entertained no scruples about making his life open and even a spectacle to the world. As a public exhibit, we can walk in and scrutinize his personal reflections.

We can share in his resolve not to be held prisoner by his past; we can also note his fervency in embracing the future. It is as if we are visiting the Smithsonian Museums here in Washington D.C. or in New York City.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1st Corinthians 15:10. Let me begin by highlighting these five words; "I am what I am."

There are numerous questions that can be garnered from these four simple words, but when we make them personal, the searchlight is turned within one’s self, rather than without, and not necessarily upon others.

In practical terms, one could use the statement as a crutch to lean on; or as a lazy and unqualified excuse, or by contrast, a reason to take control of one’s life, being determined to make it successful, accepting the fact that I am what I am by his grace.

The statement can also be woven into the fabric of psychology, which is the study of the human psyche, which means one’s soul, mind, spirit, makeup, personality, self, and ego.

More loosely, we refer to psychology as knowing what makes one tick; what makes people behave the way we do. By getting a qualified and well informed grasp on this subject, one is more prepared and able to understand one’s self, and the behavior of others in just about any diverse set of circumstances.

Before revisiting Paul’s statement as it applies to him, we will bring the issue home to ourselves in real time, where the rubber meets the road, to determine if people’s nature differs in any way.

In my travels into fifteen different countries that exposed me to diverse cultures, I happened to notice that people are the same the world over. We laugh when we are happy, and we cry for just about the same reasons.

The paradox that comes to the forefront is that people are the same, and at the same time each individual differs, so that no two people are totally alike; and no two sets of finger prints are identical.

Cultures differ from country to country and from people to people; but culture is not a part of basic human component [Our DNA]. Culture is what we learn and train ourselves to accept and conform to, understanding that culture is our own creation.

Seemingly, out of every culture outstanding role models emerge, leaving a trail of remarkable contributions that serve to enhance the quality of our lives. Role models do not always emerge with tumult and fanfare; but as a matter of practice, they are created in families, in entertainment, sports, religion, politics, science and such the like.

Whether it is by farming potatoes in Idaho, or grapes in Napa Valley, or Alfalfa in the San Joaquin Valley, tobacco in North Carolina, or peaches in Georgia, or oranges in Florida, many of these ventures have survived from one generation to another.

Actors become role models to their children who follow in their footsteps; so it is in the ministry of the gospel, in ranching, trucking, and filling silos with grain out in America’s Midwest.

Our own history has logged within its archives a long list of individuals who left testimonies of faith, hope, endurance, and unimaginable achievements. We can think of David Livingston, born at Blantyre, outside Glasgow, Scotland, on March 19, 1813.

It was out of his exhaustive exploration of the African interior, that he discovered a route from the upper Zambezi River all the way to spectacular Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi empties itself in the Indian Ocean.

We can hold in prominence the notable Albert Schweitzer, Philosopher, Physician and humanitarian, born in Kaysersberg, Germany, on January 14, 1875. Much can be said about Dr. Albert Schweitzer, but time and space will not permit.

We can turn the spotlight on the legendary Florence Nightingale, born in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820. In 1853 she became superintendent of the London charity-supported Institution of Sick Gentlemen in distressed circumstances.

Her life’s work is now being referred to by people in the medical field, clergymen, and political leaders when borrowing from her work becomes expedient.

We can bring our search closer to our times, and reflect upon stalwarts in the fight for human rights, and bring on stage the likes of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Andrew Young, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, and a staggering number of luminaries that have broken down barriers, smashed the glass ceiling, and contributed to world peace.

All of the people mentioned above are role models by any stretch of the imagination. Their achievements are worthy to be entered into the National Archives, alongside the Magna Carter and the US Constitution. They do not beat their own drums or dance to their own music; but an open eye can see the path to excellence that each has shown.

Yet, above and beyond all of this, can we honestly nominate Saul of Tarsus, a man with a horrifying past filled with murder and crimes against Christ, as an ideal role model for all who would aspire to a life of excellence?

Quite often on radio or television, panel discussions address questions such as; "Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? And where do I go from here?

These vital questions contribute to man’s quest for knowledge of himself, mainly to establish one’s identity, and to place value and purpose to one’s life.

In some cultures, people stand by the river and ask, "Where does the river come from? Who made the river in the first place? Not being able to properly answer these questions, they determine that maybe the river is God so they worship it.

Overall, what some cultures cannot explain becomes Divine to them and requires worship and devotion. The biblical narrative said; "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:19.

I think that even among those who profess to believe that there is no God, at the side of a grave they will no doubt join in sprinkling a little earth on the casket of a loved one, and softly repeat the old refrain, earth to earth, dust to dust, and ashes to ashes.

The truth is that even if we do not believe that man was made from the dust of the earth, in reality, he will return to it one day. It means that our belief will not alter the facts or change the ultimate result.

Truth is self-supporting and needs no props or fancy dressing. It will outlast time itself! Someone once remarked, It will all come out in the wash. The term I am what I am, means that I am accepting who, and what I am; and in reality, it is not an outlandish concept by any means. But let us play devil’s advocate for a moment! Are we compelled to settle for the hand that was dealt to us? The discovery of who I am should not lure me into a lethargic lifestyle in so much that I become like a stagnant pond, whose water becomes invested with morass, mosquitoes and frogs.

We dare not exist like a grizzly bear in hibernation during the winter months on the grounds of Yellowstone National Park, or on the outskirts of Nome, Alaska. One of the discoveries we will make in search of our true identity, is that we were endowed with the ability to change; to evolve from one form of existence to another. We possess God-given potentials specifically designed to make us master builders of our individual life castles.

A life can be made to mimic a tropical arcade with cascading waterfalls, birds chirping overhead, that leads to our personal castle of serenity and personal gratification.

You can be all you want to be! There are many shortcomings within American society, and the instances of being let down by our elected officials are steadily on the increase.

Racial bias, religious intolerance, and double standard can been seen many times in our news headlines, and even among lawmakers as they stand in the halls of Congress arguing different bills that are open for debate. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see who will benefit the most when the votes are tallied.

But in spite of all our setbacks and shortcomings, here in the United States of America, you can be what you want to be. Acquiring self sufficiency and self enhancement should not be considered to be a fete reserved only for geniuses and those born in an ocean of opulence or the aristocracy.

Much like the tiny creature on the jungle floor, we are endowed with the ability to always float to the top, and not sink to the bottom like hefty bricks. The first step in the process of acquiring excellence is coming to grips with the term introduced by the apostle Paul, I am what I am but I will add; I thank God for who I am!

Each person has an edge over every other aspect of creation, because of being created in the image of God, and by being endowed with the measure of faith.

By using the term the measure of faith we are inferring that each person is given the same measure of faith, meaning that we are given a fair chance to fail or succeed at the starting gate. Let us look at it this way: It’s not how much you entered the game with, but rather how well you played the game.

Let us be realistic in our deliberation! If it is a question of faith, a single truth stands at the very entrance to life’s bliss or disasters. Faith cannot stand like an abstract object occupying an empty void! Faith has to be given creative substance that becomes fertile ground in which to grow.

What we believe and embrace makes all the difference in our lives. Seeing the glass half empty is likely to create doubt, skepticism, lethargy, perhaps in extreme cases, developing an emaciated personality with low esteem. Seeing the glass as half full, offers hope, optimism, and a zest for life, believing that things can only get better.

Instead of seeing each day as a challenge, with a positive mindset one can see each day as an opportunity, to reach up and take hold of another rung on the ladder of success. There has to be a vision in our mind’s eye of things not yet seen; and be persuaded that they can become reality.

When I drive through the City of San Diego, and after a couple hours catch a glimpse of Los Angeles up ahead, in both cities I negotiate ramps that twist and turn, and seem to be piled on top of each other.

Frankly, I marvel at the minds that first put those plans on paper and I conclude those people are brilliant with ever expanding minds. One of the secrets to a life worth living is that your goals must first take shape in your mind. [That is a part of your soul.]

On a radio talk show some years ago, the panel was discussing our lives; the choices we made, including the blunders, that in retrospect we wish we had it to do all over again. The general consensus is that we would do things differently.

The simple truth is that we will never know how things would have turned out. One panelist said that even if we could do it over again, we would do things the same way, with the same result, because of the choice we made away back before we were born. Of course for many, that is a stretch too far.

Another believed that each person is given a path to tread, a life to live, with clearly defined perimeters although unknown to us. Some use the term, the hand we were dealt or the cards we were dealt.

Trained professionals and members of the clergy have delved into these subjects of discussion, seeking for intelligent answers. The process has become so intense that some have resorted to fortune tellers, palm readers and those possessed with the spirit of divination.

One of my favorite hymns says: Father along we’ll know all about it; farther along we’ll understand why. Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine; we’ll understand it all by and by. As a member of the clergy I will be the first to tell you that some of our pressing questions will never be answered in our lifetime.

I love one of the songs sung in the Billy Graham crusades: Known only to him, are the great hidden secrets; I fear not the darkness when my flame shall dim. I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future; it’s a secret known only to him.

As a matter of practice, in times of dire hardships, Christians turn to biblical principles because even if they do not offer immediate relief, they offer hope.

Our path of faith enables us to weather the storm and enables us to stand firm on divine promises that help us to give birth to resilience, longsuffering, and patience.

Life for many of us at certain periods of time is like a pilot coming in to land in bad weather with a low cloud cover; visibility is almost zero and it all depends on instruments. When we are faced with monumental uncertainties and seemingly no way out; the bible steps in to serve as a bulwark—a rampart against fear and unbelief, thus assuring us that in due time all will be fine and dandy.

I like to say from time to time, that our life and its varied complexities are well documented for our benefit. We would like to think that not one person is left to fend for one’s self for whom the light has never dawned at the end of the tunnel, and whose ship has never come in.

The sad commentary on life even in these United States is that many are being left behind. It is documented that among veterans returning home from the frontlines and from the trenches of Iraq and Afghanistan, many are falling through the cracks in so much that they are missing the provisions made by the government to see to their well being.

In this land of plenty, based upon the latest figures to be released, millions of Americans are now living under the poverty line. Millions of middle class families have lost their entire life savings, including their nest egg that was put aside for their retirement. In fact, many seniors have had to go back to work even if it is on a part time basis. But no matter the austerity that engulfs a nation, there are those who refuse to roll over and play dead; they persevere on finding ways to get ahead and succeed. There is always an exception to the rule, and you can be that exception.

Chapter 2

Accepting Others As They Are

On March 3, 1991, on a Los Angeles, California, street, Rodney King was stopped by the police for speeding. The encounter resulted in a severe police beating, caught on camera and became headline news around the world.

The catch phrase that came out of that episode is: Can’t we all get along? Indeed—can’t we? Whatever your answer is, the fact is that we now live in an interconnected world by trade, commerce, industry, science, sports, the performing arts, social media outlets, and politics.

We have become so interconnected that a sister in Christ in South Africa bumped into my website at: www.godfire.net/kennedy and promptly sent me an email. A few quick emails later, she was on time to send me birthday wishes on my recent birthday.

There is the EU, NATO, UN, and what is called, The Community of Nations and The Common Market. No nation can be an island to itself, because the whole world is watching, and all interests are now combined.

This means that on a daily basis we are encountering and doing business with people from other nations, and down any street in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, or London, Paris or Rome, we rub shoulder to shoulder with a multiplicity of races, cultures, and people with varied religious persuasions.

In fact, many have no religious beliefs at all! While it is an admirable task to have come to grips with your