Book of Context Guestbook

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Welcome to The Book of Context Guestbook

Hello!

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posted by Joseph Lavant at 11:59 AM

33 Comments:

  • Hi. We just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed reading the book. We've downloaded it and plan to e-mail it to some friends, and maybe propose it as a topic for a discussion group at church. We'll do our part. Keep up the good work!

    James & Carol P., Dallas, TX

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:41 AM  

  • I don't know when that first moment was for you when you recognized that you had a constant companion. What I can tell you is how it happened for me. I was so desperate for help that I just said "God, please help me I can't do this alone anymore" The feeling that came over me was once of calm and serenity. I felt a great relief. The relief was that I ask for help and God gave it to me that very night.

    To explain this to others is difficult. Because when it happens you just know. I get so much direction when I listen for God's words for my life. What I need to do though is to be still and "listen." Listen? Listen to what? I can't explain it because I just trust and if I trust if just comes. It could be that I have been having a struggle and just can't figure out how to handle it. When I turn it over to my God something will happen. Words and thoughts will come into my mind on how to handle the situation. They are not my words or I would have thought of it along time ago. Most likely I wouldn't have handled it the way I was directed to anyway. I don't always listen but I have met a friend he reminds me what I can learn if I do.

    I do believe I am a person of great faith. How we define great may differ but that is okay. What I do believe is that I have a God in my life and if I just ask for His help He will help me. The answers are not always what I am looking for but they are what I need. So I listen. I follow that direction.

    I hear the message "A son comes to reclaim His Father's house" and it something to think about. At first what I thought you were talking about was that God wanted everyone to return to their churches and listen to the word. But I now think it means much more. I have found that so many people have been put in my life for a reason. Most importantly for me to learn from them. I also believe that God puts me into the lives of a lot of people because they always ask me "how do you make contact with your God." Why would they ask me that if there wasn't something in me that told them I have a relationship with God? Maybe it is how I relate to them, maybe I come across very peaceful, or maybe they have heard me speak and there was something about my voice that made them want to get to know me. Most want to question me. Others need me to give them support and understanding.

    I believe God has many workers here on earth and we just never know when we will meet them. When we do we surely won't forget them. I don't even think I paid attention completely to people when they spoke to me but I do listen a lot closer now. Why? They be giving me a message that may be really important or maybe I will have one for them. It is truly mystical.

    We are the vessels. We need to nurture our vessels by trying to learn all we can in order to help others and to help ourselves. I agree we shouldn't dwell on specific words. So many of us hear these words and I am sure they are all different. What's important is that we hear them and hopefully act on them. I don't always act quickly but I do make a effort to look at things to see where I can apply what I think my message was. I don't do it perfect but I make an attempt to do my best. Living life this way is just so much easier.

    I believe we are all God's children so we all have a little bit of God within us. How I get through my day though is to picture God standing beside me all the time. He is directing me on where to go and what I need to do. I can't imagine not having this feeling anymore because it is a wonderful way for me to live on a daily basis.

    When you talk about the House is troubled? That is sad to think about. Since many of us are the House then how do we save the House. Will it take a lot of energy? Will I have the energy to give? I think I will be thinking about that for awhile. All we have to do is look around and we can see lots of pain and suffering how we deal with that is truly a mission. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear something very sad. A child is missing, a child is killed, a family destroyed it goes on and on. Where is the good news who is making it the good news happen?

    To imagine of all the children of the future looking at you for help, should be easy for anyone who is a parent. When you own child looks to you for help you will do anything possible to help him/her. I will listen to your future messages to hear your answers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:44 AM  

  • Dear Laureen:

    Thanks so much for posting your thoughts.

    In your letter you included the following:

    "There isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear something very sad. A child is missing, a child is killed, a family destroyed - it goes on and on. Where is the good news? Who is making it the good news happen?"

    Laureen, the answer to your question is obvious - you and people like you are the good news. And it's up to all of us that care to make good things happen!

    Joseph

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 11:46 AM  

  • It Appeared Like Magic!

    The Book of Context is one of the most beautiful, inspiring pieces of literature I've ever read! And of course, it came to me as if by majic. I'm a novice at the computer. And one morning during my "quiet" time, I was playing around with my E-mail and the "book" just sorta popped up on my screen! I devoured the words and my heart raced! I have no idea what it means, but I have a feeling things will have a different "look" from now on!

    Many Blessings,
    Rebecca

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:09 PM  

  • For the last year I have been doing a huge amount of soul searching. I have challenged almost every belief I have ever had in order to make sense of my life and to discover the truth about who I am and who I will one day become. Over time the world I live in began to look very different. I struggled to understand this new world I was now living in. It seemed as though everything I saw, heard or felt left me asking myself the same question. This question I asked myself was "WHY?” Then it happened. Answers began to come to me. It was as though I had suddenly gained a gift, a gift of knowledge. It feels like an encyclopedia on life was imbedded into my mind and the pages were being written upon request. Sometimes it took a few attempts to access this information but it was there. I thought I was going crazy! Where was this knowledge coming from? I found myself knowing the answers to questions that I had not ever once in my life even come close to thinking about. I was scared that I was some kind of prophet at one stage. I jokingly referred to myself as "Neo" from the matrix. Some friends called me crazy, some listened but did not hear, but then there were the special few ppl in a 100 that you mentioned, the ones who hear and understand the message I tried to convey to them and subsequently came back to me months later to celebrate in there recent successes in life and to thank me for opening there minds to new concepts or to help them better understand old ones. On Monday of this week I was feeling guilty because I have not been applying myself enough with my studies (advanced diploma of counseling and psychotherapy) and because rather than saving my money to pay off the large amount of debt I am currently in I chose to hit the town and spend it all! I was feeling lost, feeling like I had hopped off the train taking me to a life of purpose and that the train was speeding away without me. I asked god for help. I asked for strength to overcome my fears and self doubts and to somehow renew my faith in myself that I am special and that one day I will become someone whose name is remembered by many. The following night I was standing out the front of my workplace having a cigarette when someone from a local church group approached me to speak of Jesus Christ and of the importance of repentance and baptism and of receiving the Holy Ghost. This was nothing new to me as it happens around about once a month to me (I think he has been calling me for some time). The following night my sister, who attends church weekly, sincerely asked me to accompany her to Sunday night’s service at her local church. I said I would think about it and get back to her but would most probably go with her. On the Friday night, someone who has recently become a good friend of mine told me out of the blue that he has booked me and 4 friends into having a full immersion baptism. I was so glad to hear it! Saturday night a drunken man came into my work (internet cafe) and started asking out loud to anyone who could hear him "what do you think happens when you die?" I asked him why he was asking us this question. He grabbed a card from the counter and wrote a message on the back, handed it to me, and walked out. The message read "don’t wait until you die to discover if there is a god". Today is Sunday and while reading my horoscopes I held the pointer over an underlined word in my daily prediction. "Faith". It linked me here!! Now I'm here on your site and after listening to your beautiful messages of insight, compassion and love I am now more certain than I could ever be that there is a god. In fact my body is tingling as I write it. There is a god!! He does love us and has purpose for us all. I am 4 hours away from my baptism and I must admit that I’m kinda scared but at the same time I am also very very excited. I thank you for the words you have conveyed to me today and hope that in some way my words can add to the good you are doing. I look forward to your future messages. God bless you.

    Aaron
    Age: 21
    Brisbane, Australia

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:57 AM  

  • hello , i am into my heavenly father spiritualty. And i just did a glance of your wedsite like to know more about it please.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:59 AM  

  • YOU ARE AN ANGEL OF GOD; SENT INTO THIS WORLD TO REACH OTHERS; YOU PUT MEANING TO THE WORD"UNAFRAID"...THANK YOU

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:56 PM  

  • I had been against myself all my life. Tonight I happened to find your book, "The Book of Context", and read it. I completely understood it and it immediately ministered to my spirit the thing that was lacking in my life. Since all my life I have been a church-going Christian, Bible reader and praying person, I have had many belief systems seared into my head. The real trouble was that I am gay. Christians, at least most, don't approve of my lifestyle and in fact, condemn it, making me feel unaccepted by God, and giving me a feeling of "I don't belong here".
    I have had many revelations directly from God. One night He spoke to my spirit and told me that I was righteous to Him, other times, He informed me that I was His son and He was my Father. I have always, since those times, realized I had a great permanent loving companion, yet, I kept listening to people, ministers, etc. condemn me for my sexuality. I couldn't understand why God would allow me to continue being gay if He "didn't like it" and especially if I asked for His deliverance from it. I am now in my mid 40's and still have not been "delivered" from gayness! Obviously, God intended for me to be gay. He has also given me a wonderful life, blessed me with amazing miracles, and has always taken great care of me, even during difficult times, in spite of my being gay. Every time I try to explain how much God blesses me to other Christians who condemn my lifestyle, I still get this "squinty-eyed look" as if I receive my blessings from the devil--it's rediculous. Thank God I have found your book and now understand and believe that I am created gay along with many others like me, to live a life of true love to others in that capacity. You are right, as long as I obey the main commandment, the law of love, I should always be in His perfect will--and that's what my intention is for the rest of my life. Perhaps I am supposed to help other gays accept who they are as a gift of God, so He may life through their lives. Thankfully, many gays that I know seem to be very comfortable with their gayness, I never have been, thanks to my parental upbringing, church, peer-pressure, etc. Hopefully, this message of truth will enable me to shake that belief system and really start enjoying my life!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:34 AM  

  • Father, "I THANK YOU FOR MY LIFE, and Father I THANK YOU FOR Joseph Lavant. AMEN!

    Joseph, Today I struggled with my own PURPOSE and I began to search for INSPIRATION...and here we are!

    I've been home from work now for 3 years. I found myself sharing a GOOD WORD most everyday of my work life with someone and there was always SOMEONE in need. With this book I now understand the TRUE WORK! It was a great opportunity for me to share the love.

    Father, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO US!
    Ask; and YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY! I BELIEVED and I HAVE RECEIVED A BLESSING THIS DAY! The Book of Context has awaken yet another opportunity to BEAR WITNESS to HIS LOVING CARE.

    I want to do more to HELP others to arrive at HOPE, LOVE, and BETTERMENT. With each opportunity I likewise help myself in all of these areas.

    Joseph you broke it DOWN!!! And I for one am so Thankful. I will pass this book onto others for sure. In reading some of the comments I agree that we're in perilous times, since 911 and the Corporate shakeups, peoples lives and thier Faith has been shaken ...The Book Of Context is necessary to restore our Faith and our WORKS.

    In the midst of all the adversity I lost my job, a grandchild died, my daughter walked off, many friends distanced themselves, my brother was locked up, my step-father passed away as well...I felt like all Hell had broke loose...yet I refused to drop my head and hide. What I did do was admit "Father, this is BIGGER than me"! I entrusted it all to HIM, and He brought me through!

    I feel like I should be doing more to encourage others that they too can make it through lifes storms. I want people to know that they are empowered to make a difference. Life can be GOOD! We must look past the ILLUSIONS and see the BIG PICTURE...LOVE!

    Tanjie Tyler, GP, TEXAS

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:41 AM  

  • thanks!!!

    I have marked as my favorite and
    will continue to read.

    Thanks,

    Bill Dooley

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:11 PM  

  • Mr. Lavant,

    Can I ask your background in religion. I listened to one of your audiomessages and really like it.

    By Blogger Cho'pon, at 1:32 PM  

  • Hello, I've listened to your audiomessage and really like it. Can I ask your religious background? I believe people need to be open about their background for others to understand their point of view. Thanks

    By Blogger Cho'pon, at 1:35 PM  

  • Love to all....

    By Blogger Angel Feathers Tickle Me, at 1:39 PM  

  • Dear Cho'pon:

    Thanks for listening to the audio messages and for taking time to post a question.

    I have no religious affiliation of any kind. I make a habit of visiting various places of worship of many religions and find good in all of them.

    The messages in The Book of Context, as you probably realize, do not attempt to connect people with religion, but with God. Then, it is my hope that whatever religion they may profess will provide a richer and more resonant experience. These are people that will surely walk into a church, temple, synagogue or mosque with everything many others hope to walk out with - God.

    I hope that answers your question and that you've found something of value in The Book of Context.

    Sincerely,

    Joseph Lavant

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 5:59 PM  

  • I have longed to put my thoughts into words such as you have done quite fully. It expresses a lot of things that I have felt the last four years trying to get back to my faith but with alot of questions I have often asked myself. I very much like the message that you convey and believe that our "church" leaders fail to really reach out to the people that they are trying to connect with. There is quite a bit more to disscuss at great lengths but I'll leave it as brief as I can. I enjoyed listening to the audio "post its" Me and my wife will be "ironically" visiting her parents in Naples in Dec. I would still like to hear from you and have corespondance with you if would like. I am at spearfish80@yahoo.com
    I feel that we have much to discuss. - Dan H.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:02 AM  

  • Dear Daniel:

    Thanks for your post. I will definitely be contacting you and hope to get the opportunity to meet when you come to Naples.

    I would also appreciate hearing from anyone else coming to Southwest Florida who might be interested in meeting. Please don't hesitate to contact me.

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 2:56 PM  

  • Please continue with your endeavors. I have been seeking truth and purpose for a very long time, and I desparately want to write my name well in this life. I pray that the light of truth will shine in greater depths on all people. The truth shall set us free.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:56 AM  

  • I love this posting and especially in the second paragraph where you say "Where do God's messages come from, when should we expect them, and by whom are they delivered."

    Today I got a message and most people might think they were just a coincidence. I know better. I have been neglecting a part of my life that is very, very important to me. It is going to 12 Step Meetings that I attend on a very regular basis. It has been on my mind but my body hasn't taken me there.

    Then, while at Home Depot today I saw two people who attend the meeting that I go to. Later I went to Walgreen's and there was another person there who also attends that meeting. After the second event I said "okay God I got the message" My final stop was the grocery store before returning home. There was the fourth person and I thought "boy, God is working over time with me today.

    So who gave me the message? Four people that I didn't even speak to regularly. How do I know that was a message? I just know because I believe God puts people in my path for a reason. Even if we don't speak. I knew why those four people showed up in my life today. I don't think it was because I have an active mind in fact today my mind wasn't very active at all. Maybe that was one of the reasons these people popped into my view today.

    I do know the voice of my God and it comes in the form of intuition - that feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I am looking for answers. It's that first gut feeling that I get. The one thing I have to remember is to stick with that and not dissect those answers and try to make it work out the way I think it should. God's will not mine be done.

    For me believing in a higher power whom I chose to call God is not a difficult thing. I also call my God Father as well. My God is a male figure in my life. I am female and have no problem with the gender being a male figure. In my life I do not need God to be a female. Maybe someday I will find out God is a female - it really doesn't matter. God is just God to me and having a God in my life is so important. For me I know God exists and I am glad that I feel like that because it makes my life so much easier.

    When I am having a bad day I know where to go and what to do. I get quiet and breathe God into my life and exhale all the stress and problems out. I find great relief in that and am able to move forward and through my problems. I also believe that many people are so busy in their lives that they don't give God a second thought until Sunday rolls around and they have to go to Church.

    Church is wonderful but if we don't practice all those things we hear in Church on Sunday through the week then how has that helped us?

    When you say "God is often invoked as the One in whose name many wrongful actions are taken" I can only think of this war we are involved in. Allah or God does not want this. God did not make this happen - people made these things happen and only people can change these things. God did not want 3,000 people to die in NY on Sept 11 and neither did I. All of the things you talk about in this one paragraph are frightening. To think there are those who would just like to do away with so many people because of hatred etc.

    What I think I hear when you talk of those in the womb are put to death is abortion. I have seen the videos of abortion and partial birth abortions and they are horrendous things to watch. It is even more painful to think of that being done to a human life. Yet abortions are done every day. So what do I do about that - I belong to a pro-life group in my home town. They are a wonderful group of people just trying to save another life and to help those that made the choice to give birth, even under difficult situations. They are the heroes we don't hear about.

    I believe anytime is a good time for a message and I believe that I receive many messages. Sometimes those messages come several times a day for me. I do receive them and I am glad that I am open enough to receive them. I will be listening for your continued messages.

    3/21/2006

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:47 PM  

  • Hello my name is Candice. I have read some of the comments posted here, and i like that we are into our heavenly father. I know i am being lead spiritualy, obeying as best as i can. I take time to spend w/ my heavenly father everyday and i put him first. I love him w/ all of my heart,soul,strength and mind.Thank him for everything ither w/ things going good or bad for me i pray alot not only for my big family, but for our world, and for those who are lost in the darkness. I do have a [revedential fear] of our father when ither i am tempted to do or say the wrong thing,and if so i repent and ask of his forgiveness.We speak gods word we also must walk it as well, because you can say."well i go to church, well thats nice and all, but that dont make you a christian", well i can go sit in the garage but that dont make me a park car. So we must be careful. When we spread the gospel we must be a good influence towards our society. Let them see God work in you, especialy those that know you and have seen [ the out with the old and in w/ the new ] Let them say. ''I want what you got'' [Amen] sincerly candice crayne

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:34 AM  

  • May God Bless you and his peace be upoun you! pray for me!! thank you for the message. I will pass it on!!
    My email is scottronaldw@yahoo.com!!
    Thank you again!!

    Ronald Scott,Astatula,FL.11:45,29 Nov,06

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:49 AM  

  • In reference to Ronald's comment, he also sent a note expressing a desire to help spread the message.

    In responding, I very much welcomed his help but warned that this is a frustrating process. There are not many people willing to listen to a good message, let alone act on it.

    If you are willing to do a little work on behalf of all people, then perhaps you can help spread the message despite its frustrations. Talk to people, send electronic copies to friends and family, write and publish your thoughts on the web (perhaps on your own website) and above all, demonstrate what it means in the course of your own life. Set an example for others. Don't hide your lamp under a bushel.

    If you can help and would like to discuss how, please contact me at bookofcontext@aol.com, or post a message here.

    Thanks for your kind attention - and I look forward to hearing from you.

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 9:08 AM  

  • hello my name is tony and i don t even know where to bigin only that i'm crying for help i'm in need of the truth and looking for my GOD.I have asked so many times for HIS help and even if i know HE answers me at times i forget to thank HIM and forget thefaith.LOVE what are you doing and want to be a part of it but please help me to be constantly with HIM i don t know how please help me please pray for me i need GOD in my life.tell me how to do it thank you

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:40 PM  

  • The fatal flaw of this book is stated by the author himself. He says, "In the end, however, all that matters is that you take the path, not that you overtly seek its creator." It's the same lie that was told to our ancestors in the garden. "You will be like God."

    He who has the Son has life, he who has not the Son of God does not have life, (1 John 5:12) is the message that God has given us. In the Book of Context, Lavant invites us to become the Son. Again, the book is a re-packaging of the orginal lie.

    Lavant truly speaks of himself when he says, "The liar confounds and entices so that you may not discern his path from that of the truthful man."

    By Blogger Russ, at 9:53 AM  

  • Dear Russ:

    Thanks for taking the time to study The Book of Context. All comments are welcome here.

    In response to your own, I offer this:

    I'm sure you are a person of faith. I'm also sure we follow similar if not identical paths. We differ only in semantics, your reliance on scripture, and the name by which we call God. Given this, I doubt either of us promotes a wrongful path. Thus there can be no lie - and no liar.

    I wish you well in your journey and hope someday we meet along the path we both travel.

    Sincerely,

    Joseph

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 2:36 PM  

  • Hi from New Zealand, WOW how awesome God is to reach out to the nations through watching the video, i was moved and really had an impact on me to share with others family, friends, anyone God leads us to. May you continue to do the Work God has set for you in all strength love and joy...
    Amen and Amen.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:09 PM  

  • I am one who is deeply interested in seeing a drastic change in this world that will greatly benefit all humanity and the earth as a whole. I respect your efforts. If one were to become involved, though, I have these questions to ask.

    I understand the concept that if everyone loves their neighbor then there won't be acts of hate etc to deal with.

    But what do you do when the listeners are unwilling to listen, unwilling to be persuaded from their agenda of hate, unwilling to accept your admonishment not to kill.

    You say that I can make the world a better place by spreading your message by becoming your advertiser. How does this work? Say I go to Iraq and want to make it a better place. Do I get Arab translators to translate it into Arabic and spread your message throughout the whole country?

    What if I am in plane that has been hijacked to run into the Whitehouse, do I pull out an audio of your experience and play it for the hijackers to listen too. How am I, as an evangelist. for your message to act in such a situation?

    By Blogger ORS Creek, at 12:33 AM  

  • Very interesting site. I stumbled on to it yesterday and read the book.

    By Blogger ORS Creek, at 11:28 PM  

  • Dear ORS Creek:

    First, thank you for taking the time to read The Book of Context and for writing to me. Your questions strike at the heart of the problems encountered in trying to spread a good message.

    The notions of loving one another and taking responsibility for others are difficult concepts to teach and gain support for. This represents, without doubt, the most complex marketing challenge ever. Not surprisingly, such a challenge does not come with easy solutions. Indeed, two thousand years ago Jesus attempted such a feat, and two thousand years later the meaning of his simple three-word message love one another still eludes most people.

    The crux of the dilemma lays in the fact that most people view themselves as independent, finite beings without history or future. They do not acknowledge their place in the long human chain of which they are a product, and more importantly, their role as a vital link moving forward. They have no sense of a future in which they are not physical participants, so have little interest in investing in benefits they cannot enjoy. They lack purpose beyond that of personal gratification during their brief lives.

    The challenge then is in part to change the way people think about themselves, that is, to have them realize that they are much more important than they might think. We much teach them that they are not only the foundation for the future, one that includes not only their own children but all people, but that they are responsible for it. They must then be convinced to actively assume this responsibility. Each person must come to believe that in this regard, he or she can do great things even if their individual acts are small in scale.

    Having said these grand words, please understand that I’m not asking anyone to change the world by himself or herself. I’m simply asking people to make an effort to positively affect what they encounter in their own lives including themselves, their families and their communities. By taking small steps and setting examples, together they can change the world over time.

    So how do we as “evangelists” for lack of a better term accomplish this? First, we must firmly believe in what we would say and demonstrate to others, and in our mission no matter how limited in scope it may be. Second, we must be the prime examples of our greatest expectations of others. Third, we must not be afraid to speak out against that which is wrong or to do what it right – even if it costs us personally in some way. If we cannot demonstrate our beliefs, then we are of little value in causing change.

    In conjunction with this, I will relate a short story. I recently became involved with work that requires me to interface with a large number of teenagers on a daily basis. Having previously dealt only with adults and having been sadly disappointed at their unwillingness to show respect for others let alone take responsibility for them, I felt that working with young people might refresh my optimism about humanity in general. What I found, unfortunately, is that young people are indeed the product of all that came before – their parents and society in general. We reap what we sow.

    So, in frustration, I went to my Father to vent my feelings and to ask what I could do to teach them a better way. His response was, as usual, simple and to the point. “Be more than they are.” He said. That’s all He had to say. That’s all He needed to say.

    The next day I followed His advice by going out of my way to demonstrate consideration, courtesy and amity in all respects. Few people reciprocated but the key point is that a few did return the favor. And those few might have learned something they will pass on by teaching others in the subtlest but most effective of ways – by doing. I’m sure you get the idea. The simplest form of evangelism is to become a role model for the behavior you seek in others. If you ask someone to listen to a lesson they will not. But, no permission is required to demonstrate what you seek to teach them.

    As for your specific questions, I think by now you can already guess my answers.

    What do you do when you have a message that people don’t want to hear? You simply demonstrate the message. People may not be willing to listen to your message in words, but an act speaks louder than any scripture. Show them – be more than they are – show them such things are possible. Do not expect to use words alone to illuminate darkness. You are the light.

    In your question about how you might demonstrate your evangelism in the case of a hijacking, I will tell yet another short story.

    Some time ago I was invited to speak to a group of adults and teenagers about The Book of Context. After relating my loftier messages, a fifteen-year-old boy raised his hand and asked the following question:

    “You’ve told us that it is wrong to kill and that we must learn to love one another. What do I do if a man holds a gun to my child’s head?”

    I thought the boy’s question was excellent. But rather than responding, I turned to the audience and asked how they would answer the boy’s question. This was met with an immediate outcry of “Kill the man!”

    Not particularly surprised by this response, I turned back to the boy. “What would you do?” I asked. And the boy, much to my satisfaction said the following. “Save the child.”

    He was the only one in the room who truly heard my messages. While the others would kill the man, the boy would save the child. In the end, it may well have involved killing the man, but that’s not what the boy sought to do. He simply wanted to save the child. And that’s all God asks of each of us. Go in to save the child, then do your best given what unfolds from that point. There are no standard solutions to life’s dilemmas.

    Finally, you ask about spreading the messages yourself. You use the example of seeking out an Arabic translation to spread the word in Iraq to perhaps stop the killing there. I know you are being somewhat caustic and perhaps facetious, but I would say yes – do exactly that. What have you to lose in getting someone to do an Arabic translation (of something you hopefully believe) and then making it available either on BookofContext.com or in the Middle East by other means. The website gets visitors from all over the world (over 130,000 now). Between downloaded copies, voice recordings, video views and bound copies, some 11,000 versions are now in circulation in five languages. This was accomplished with the help of only three other people willing to do translations. I don’t know the people who now have copies of The Book of Context, nor do I know how many others they’ve given it to or spoken with about the messages therein. But I do know over 130,000 people have considered the ideas and that 11,000 thought enough of them to want their own copy. That’s 11,000 more than there were three years ago when I started.

    In summary, while I don’t know you or anyone else who has received The Book of Context, I place my hope for the future in you. Regardless of whether you decide to help with this specific campaign or with one of your own choosing, you will make a difference in your own way and that’s a very good thing. In moving forward, however, you must be patient and have faith that what you do matters. You will likely see no quick, tangible results of your hard work. But understand that patience comes with the role you fulfill. Remember always that you are not change – you are the catalyst for change. It’s up to everyone else to genuinely effect change.

    Finally, this is a lesson I learned early on. If teaching others a good path through life was a simple task, God wouldn’t need your help to accomplish it. You will be confronted with adversity – there’s no way around it. You must get used to being a bold voice if you are to sing above the crowd.

    As my Father asked me some time ago, “Would you refuse the greatest invitation that can be made of a man?”

    I hope you won’t refuse the invitation to do what you can in whatever way you see fit. Not for me, not for God – but for yourself and everyone else. I have the feeling this is something you need to do. Don’t ignore the call.

    I’ve enjoyed talking with you.


    Sincerely,

    Joseph Lavant

    By Blogger Joseph Lavant, at 2:35 PM  

  • I found the book very profound and know it is a message from God, I am and will keep pondering the message and put the principles into action. I found the site because I am going thru divorce and just found out my wife was cheating on me with another man, i am overcoming addiction and alcoholism, and was in despair when I found the site. I went to helpmejesus.com then following a link saying seeking god then found the book of context. I know it was meant for me to read and find. Thanks and God bless you! I will do my part to reclaim my fathers house.

    By Blogger Dale, at 8:47 PM  

  • am shiny akshaya..... am from india.god is good. he is the lion and the lamb.praise the lord.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12:49 AM  

  • Joseph,
    Your words explain so clearly that I think this will help me to evangelize with some who have not been able to see what I see. Thank you for using your gift! I look forward to learning more and will stay tuned.

    God Bless

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:41 PM  

  • I love the site. And some interesting information!

    Andy
    24 years
    MO

    I love to get 'jacked up' for Jesus

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:21 PM  

  • Thanks for the good work you are doing. I pray that the lord gives you the Grace to complete it successfully in Jesus name.Amen.
    I am Oluwagbemiga Aderohunmu
    from Nigeria.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:14 PM  

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