...The Stones Will Cry Out

  It was at the close of Jesus ministry when he commented to condescending pharisees about stones crying out. In fact, it was what we refer to as Palm Sunday to be exact. He had been in Jericho teaching; had met Zacchaeus, and now he taught as he walked on his journey toward Jerusalem. Knowing they imagined the Kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there he began to teach them by the parable we refer to as the parable of pounds. His desire, of course, being to give them truth and understanding as to the Kingdom of God in reality. When he was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives he sent two of the disciples, telling them, "Go off to the village opposite, and as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you are to say this, 'The Master is in need of it'."

The messengers went off and found everything just as he had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owner said, "Why are you untying that colt?" and they answered, "The Master is in need of it".

So they took the colt to Jesus, and after throwing their garments onto the colts back, helped Jesus, (their Master) on to it.

As Jesus then moved off on the colts back, the people began to place their cloaks, spreading them on the road before him. Now, as he was approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group of disciples began joyfully praising God. To the top of their voices, they were shouting out their excitement over the miracles they had seen saying, "Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!" They believed their new king would rule now and He was something to shout about. They were as excited as Americans get at a good football game, or at a NASCAR race. They were celebrating His (their new king's) arrival in Jerusalem.

However, Pharisees were in the crowd. And they had something to say about this powerful, infectious joy overcoming the crowd. They told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. But, Jesus said, "If these keep silence, the stones will immediately cry out." (If these disciples keep quiet, the stones will cry out the praises immediately.)

What a powerful sentence.

The disciples didn't keep silent, and the stones didn't cry out on that wonderful day. Jesus didn't rule then and there as the disciples thought he would, but God's plan was carried out and fulfilled, which was the reason for the stones excitement.

  James Rowland was touched by this scripture in October of 2002 to the point he named his new ministry "Stone Cry".

Little did James know when he began being tugged by the silent call of the rocks many years ago, that God had a plan in his life and it would be connected to stone.

He knew only that the first time he saw a small cross carved in stone that it fascinated him, and stayed with him for many years. And that he always seemed to have a yearning to work with stone, to look at different types of stone. To look into the beauty of individual stones. Then as he grew in Christ, his yearning began to grow from an experience in his mind to a meaningful desire to produce in stone a reminder of the joy we should bestow on Christ. The King has come and we should be shouting for joy continually.

James perceives his call to be a visual form of edification to us all, a tool to witness to others, a moment of mind joggling, a call to remembrance, a reflection.

 Each stone is individual, hand carved, and has a dedicated scripture that James prays for, and that special meaning that only comes from the love of Christ that radiates from the artist.

James Rowland was born and reared in Taylor, Texas where he lives today. He works for the State of Texas to generate the well needed funds to provide for himself and his family. He says   James has a burden to tell people the time is short and he feels we all must draw people to God with the work of our hands, not just "if" in church on Sunday.

Stone Cry is based on Luke 19:40 "the stones will cry out"...but his heart lingers on the scripture from Psalm 73:26, "God is the strength of my heart." And this is what is seen in his work.

He describes his work as conversation pieces.

When asked his idea of placement for his spiritual stone art, he had many suggestions. The garden is a perfect start for the larger stones, also the entry way to your home. Or even a strategic placement in the front yard. Of course at the Church entry or lawn. Stones on the  patio, or near potted plants in the home, Church, or even business.

Smaller stones can be placed on the desk, used as a paper weight, in the window sill, or in a display case along with other precious gems. Around the swimming pool, or the spa. And certainly in your water fall, or fish pond.

In our fast paced, crowded, stressful, worldly lives we chase, we need a call to remembrance just about everywhere and at any given time. We may not see one, but may stumble on the next. God has a plan for all things. His word does not return to him void and Stone Cry has a message. James' great hope is that through the work of his hands on Texas Limestone, lives will be changed, souls will be saved and questions will be answered.

If you would like to place a custom order for a one of a kind, personalized and individualized spiritual stone made from genuine Texas Limestone, you will find them to be easy to order and very affordably priced. Just contact James at 1-512-365-5591 and be blessed.

Scripture references to this story are Luke 18:15 through 19:40 and taken from The Jerusalem Bible