FOR UNTO US

 

Isaiah 9:6

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

     This is such a wonderful scripture for us to look at today.  Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born gives us a description of his reign, rule and role.  We have so much to cover this morning so we will get started right away.

 

1.       Isaiah says for unto us a child is born.  Jesus came for all mankind.  His coming was both individually and universal.  He came for you and me and also for all mankind because we could not save ourselves.  The sooner we come to grip with that the sooner we will do something about it.  Until you see a need for a savior you will never get saved.  The tragedy is so many will never come to that knowledge.  He came to give you eternal and abundant life.  He came to bring healing, deliverance, salvation, restoration, forgiveness, anointing, empowerment, victory and freedom.  I love that part of Braveheart at the end where he cries freedom.  That is what Jesus did for us.

2.      For unto us a son is given.  Jesus was God.  He was the son, a second part of the trinity.  He was the firstborn of all creation.  He was the son who gave His life.  Allowed His body to be broken and his blood to be shed.  He died, buried and rose again so we could become like Him.  We are now called the Sons of God because of what He has done.  He was given to us, individually and universally.  Jesus is the door to eternity, the source of eternal life and giver of life.

3.      The government will be upon His shoulders.  The current ruler ship in your heart.  He must reign and rule in your heart.  He is your king.  He must be Savior and Lord.  His reign and rule must be in your home to have it complete.  The government, authority and power of the church His on His shoulders.  Jesus is the head of the church not someone in Rome.  One day He will rule both on earth and in the new heaven and earth.  The first two have already been realized the third is yet to come.  The exciting part is that you and I will reign and ruler with Him.  That is our present and future.

4.      And He shall be called.  The following are the names and roles He plays in our lives, our family, homes, churches and the church at large.  He is called wonderful counselor, in some translations there are separated but in the Hebrew text they are not.  Now Jesus is more than a good psychologist.  This is such a limited scope of who Christ is.  He knows all and sees all.  He sees what is in your heart.  He knows how to speak to you.  He uses the word of God which is the discerner of the thought intents of the heart.  The Holy Spirit is our counselor He leads us into all truth.  I want to stop for a moment and remind you that we believe in Trinity which means that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all have these qualities.  He wants to guide, lead, teach, direct and help you into all the truth.  He will take what He hears and give it to you.  You will never be alone.   You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  You have someone who will always lead you in the right path if you let Him.

5.      I want to give you our belief in the trinity.  That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;   Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.

6.      Mighty God.  Jesus is God, He is the perfect union of God and man He was God with face.  Like we said that week Jesus lived and was tempted like us in every way yet without sin.  He was the complete union of the natural and the super-national.  He was 100%, God and man.  Jesus is God and man.  That is who He is.  Jesus is Word, the word who dwelt among with grace and truth.  The writer of Hebrew says, Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things.  He is the force that keeps the atom from blowing apart. 

7.      He is the everlasting Father.  He is connected with the Father.  This word means the reign and rule of Christ on the earth and in the hearts of His people.  This is the temporal and eternal reign of Christ.  Jesus’ reign as the second person of the Godhead was before the creation of the universe and will continue for eternity.  He is creator sustainer of life as mentioned before.  He is the order and guide for creation.  He rules His people with love and care.  Nothing has been able or will ever overthrow or exterminate this King.  He is the ageless one who rules and reigns forevermore.  Like Handel’s messiah.  He shall reign forever and ever.  King of Kings and Lord of Lords.   

8.      He is the Prince of Peace.  Jesus is the giver of true peace.  Peace the world cannot give or take away.  His peace with eliminate inner conflict, war and strife.  Jesus gave us a right relationship with God.  The gap between man and God was bridge by Jesus Christ.  He is the bridge of peace.  He is the universal peacemaker.  He brought us into right relationship with ourselves and in turn we can be right with all men and actually become peacemakers.  He brought the three following things in your life.

 

a.      Restore every broken relationship.  This is done by forgiveness, having right attitude, refusing taking offence, living dead to sin and trespass.  That no matter what others to do you, you will not do the same to them.  You will love accept and forgive.

b.      Provides a well ordered and balanced life.  This means surrendering our anxieties, fears, doubts, and frustrations to Jesus that we may experience His perfect peace in our hearts.  Choosing to allow our minds to be renewed.  Keeping our thought life in line.  Thinking on pure, holy, just, true, honest, virtuous and praise worthy thoughts.

c.      Living in the assurance of salvation.  You have been set free.  Live a life worthy of Him.  Make a decision moment by moment to live for Him.  Live in the light of eternity.  Know at any second He could come back.  This brings peace.  You are saved so live like it.  Close with Pastor who woke each morning and night in anticipation of Christ’s return.  

QUOTES FOR AUG 12, 2026

 

RIGHT THINKING

 

Robert Dean Steel

Cornerstone Community Church

 

     Life can be both wonderful or damaging.  It can take you to the very best things or lay you low in the deepest sorrows.  So today I thought I would give you some simple principles to help you live the best life God intended.  Your thoughts are like boomerangs. What you pass along to others is what will come back to you.  You are more defined by what comes out of your mouth than what goes in it. The way you speak and the things you say can have such an impact so speak, love, grace, encouragement and blessing.  The journey of your success will always begin with the small step of taking a risk, in relationships, and in life, it all begins with a small step grounded in a desire to be better and do to God’s will.  Your education is never complete. Determine to live fully and continually learn. Prepare for what life has to teach by being open to the lessons in everything you do and experience and trust the Lord for guidance.  You have the promise from James 1:5, that if you lack wisdom God promises to give it liberally.

     Here are some more principles.  Don't allow the voice of your fears to be louder than the other voice of God in your head.  Make sure God’s voice of reason, belief, of confidence are all strong enough to drown out fear and remember the promise of 2 Tim 1:7, that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.   A good reputation is more valuable than money. Your reputation is built on the foundation of your character; it entails the words you speak and the actions you take. Take care of your character above all other things and your reputation will take care of itself.

You never really lose until you stop trying. The words I can't never accomplish anything. I'll try, on the other hand, can perform wonders. Until you try you don't know what you can do.  Remember God is with you no matter where you go and what you try.  You get more by giving more. Success doesn't result from how much you get but from how much you give. If you want an abundant life, give as much as you can.  Let God rule your mind or it will rule you.  Paul tells us Rom 12:2, that when we submit our thought life to God we will know the perfect and acceptable will of God.  The choice is yours to make every day.  Great heroes are truly humble. Most of us underrate the importance of humility. It's an important skill because it keeps you teachable, regardless of how much you already know.

     Here are some final principles for winning in life.  Defeat isn't bitter if you're smart enough not to swallow it. At one time or another we will all experience failure. In fact, the more we are willing to risk, the more we will fail. The trick is to think of failure not as the end but as part of the process.  God has promised in Daniel 11:32, that those who know their God will be strong and do exploits.  Forgiveness benefits two people--the giver and receiver. The bravest and the smartest thing you can do in a bad situation is to forgive and move on. Don't allow grudges and grievances to add to the weight you carry on the road of life.  Forgiveness is a therapy.  It releases you to move forward.  God forgives us and we in turn must forgive others. Forgiveness is freedom.  Lastly, be grateful every day, there is a song that says, Give thanks with a grateful heart.  Practice turning your thoughts toward appreciation and thanksgiving, because that is where you will find, strength, power and an appreciation for what God has done. 

SAFETY

 

Safety - "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Seven Promises for God's Safety.

1. I will be your shelter:  He will be your home. No matter where your journey takes you, you belong to Him. "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in Your word." (Psalm 119:114)

2. No matter who hurts you with their words, I will heal you:  He is your safe place. "In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues." (Psalm 31:20)

3. When your arms are empty of dreams, I will sing you a new song:  His song -- his plan for your life -- is greater than you can image. "He has given me a new song to sing." (Psalm 40:3)

4. I will never tire of your worries:  Don't hide your worries from Him. Come closer and bring them all to Him. Again and again. “Do not worry . . . look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap . . . and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Luke 12:22-25)

5. Let go of what holds you and let Me hold you instead:  What others don't want, he wants. You are his. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." (Isaiah 41:3)

6. My heart is your home and sure shelter for this journey:  Not because life is perfect, but because His love for you is irrevocably perfect." I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (Jeremiah 31:3)

7. My choice to choose and love you is irrevocable:  You are forever in His heart. This He pledges. "He has set his seal of ownership in us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, a guarantee of what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:22)

FAMILY VALUES

 

Robert Dean Steel

Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church

 

    It is that time of the year when the children and young people of this land return to school and we are heading into the fall season.  Sadly, we have to bid goodbye to the warmth and green of the summer and say hello to the beauty and crispness of the fall.  For many it is harvest time and the bounty of the land is being reaped.  In this article we are going to look at the family, its strength and how we can maintain it in a society where the definition of family has changed so dramatically. 

     I had the privilege of raising four children comprised of two boys and two girls.  My children now have families of their own and they have blessed us with eight grandchildren.  Surprisingly, we have four boys and four girls we call grandchildren.  When we started our family my wife Lois and I made a decision that we were going to follow the promise of Josh 24:15, which states, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  I was not raised in a Christian home but fortunately by the time we had children there were resources available to help us.  Focus on the family was a resource we tapped into time and time again.  We made a lot of mistakes along the way but amazingly our children turned out to be gifted, creative, stable and consistent adults who are raising fantastic grandchildren of course I am a little Bias.  I want to share with you some little tidbits we learned on raising godly, stable, creative resourceful and faithful children. 

     It says in Proverb 22:6, “Train a child in the way they should go and when they are mature they will not depart from it.”    Here are some healthy ways to train your children.  First, Show and tell, teach children right from wrong with calm words and actions.  Never discipline when you are angry, frustrated or out of control.  Secondly, set limits.  Children need to know where the boundaries are.  It gives them stability and consistency.  Thirdly, give them your attention and hear them out.  Children often act out when they believe we are not paying attention to them.  Also catch them when they are being good this shows that we are interested in them not only when they are acting out but also when they are being good.  Always be liberal in your praise and keep the lines of communication open in all stages of their development.  Fourthly, as a parent you need to be prepared for trouble.  Don’t look for it but be ready.  Children are like a star trek movie they are running on impulse.  Know the difference between childish irresponsibility and willful defiance.  You need to know when not to respond because believe it or not your child sometimes are pushing buttons, full of sugar, tired or cranky.  Remember a soft answer turns away wrath.  Many times you can redirect behavior and get them distracted.  Fifthly, give consequences and follow through.  Nothing makes a child spoiled, unruly and hard to handle than letting them do what they want.  You are hurting them, yourself and others.  When you say you are going to do something follow through.  This builds respect, trust, loyalty and consistency.  Children expect a parent to be truthful and honest.  Always deal with willful defiance in a loving, firm manner by either doing a time out or some other form of effective discipline.  Lastly, make God the center of your home.  Have family devotions, be an example in consistent love and behavior.  You lead them to Christ by your actions more than your words.

     In a society of changing values, cultural shifts and redefinition of traditional concepts, the home is still the strongest institution in society.  Don’t let special interest groups, activists, social re-constructionists, celebrities, educators, or politicians form the structure of your home.  This responsibility is yours alone.  You know what is best for your children and family.  Don’t abdicate your responsibility because if you do someone will gladly do it for you and you may like the results.

 

 

QUOTES FOR AUG 11, 2026

 

FAMILY REUNION

 

  So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.  2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”  “Here I am,” he replied.  3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

 

Lesson One:  So Israel the Prince with God, sets out, he is finally going to see his beloved son.  This moment is over 20 years in the making.  He sets out with everything he has.  It would quite the procession.  Now Jacob is probably heading out as fast as he can.  I can see him saying come on everyone let’s get moving.  I have an appointment to meet.  Now this is not a small group.  This is like moving a village.  Then he gets to Beersheba.  He offers sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.  Remember Isaac is the child of promise and Jacob is following his line.  The godly heritage is flowing through Jacob.  Jacob is grateful here for two things.  First, that Joseph is alive and secondly, he is now on His way to be reunited with his son.  His family is now complete.  He offers sacrifice to thank the Lord and to get His blessing before the majority of the journey is under taken.  We need God’s blessing wherever we go. 

     God responds by giving Jacob a vision at night.  Jacob was awake.  He talks to Jacob. Jacob says here I am.  He addresses him as Jacob because he still has a way to grow into his name.  Remember we are to grow into the grace and knowledge of the Lord.  Jacob says I am ready to hear and obey.  That is what we must be ready to do as well.  God always gives assurance of His leading if we are open to them.  God confirms His leading here.  He tells Jacob five things all in themselves great promises.   Do not be afraid, this phrase is found in one form or another in the Bible 365 times, to go down to Egypt.  This is part of God’s plan.  Next, God will make him a great nation.  What you are right now Jacob is not how things are going to be.  God always look at us and our situation from the eternal future.  He sees us not as we are but what we shall be.  A great promise.  Your story is still being written.  I will go down with you.  You are not alone in this.  You have divine, direction, guidance, help, protection and protection.  God promises us the same things wherever we go and whatever situation we find ourselves in. I will bring you back again.  This is a temporary thing for you.  I have a work to do while here.  Listen, learn, obey and grow but this is not the end.  There is always a reason for what we face but it is not the end of our story Amen.  Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.  This was a promise that His whole family would be together at his death.  This was something Jacob wanted more than anything else.  This is a preview of what would happen near the end of the book.

 

  5 Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. 6 So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. 7 Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring

 

      After His encounter with the Lord with all the promises and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob.  I want you to notice how Jacob and Israel are intertwined here.  Jacob is the leader but Israel is the family group.  They are now the nation of Israel.  The nation of Israel is going down to Egypt.  They are a family now but one day they will be a nation.  Jacob’s sons, children and all his offspring and their wives with them.  They get to ride in carts provided by the king.   They take their livestock, possessions and all they acquired in Canaan.  I asked the question?  Why did they bring everything with them?  I mean the king told them they did not need anything.  They brought it because it was part of their identity.  We all have stuff that we think is important.  It has become part of us.  Family heirlooms, pictures, furniture etc.  These were also blessings given to them in the promise land and now they would remind them of where they had been in a place they were going.  They invoke memories, give us a sense of belonging, invoke feelings of sentimentality.  Talk about the 20 boxes of family heirlooms I take with me.  His sons, grandsons, daughters and granddaughters.  All of his offspring are here..  No one is left behind.  They were leaving the land of starvation, lack, poverty and privation for a better place.  Never stay where you will starve and die always head towards the blessing and place of abundance.

 

 

These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt:  Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.  9 The sons of Reuben:  Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.  10 The sons of Simeon:

Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.  11 The sons of Levi:

Gershon, Kohath and Merari.  12 The sons of Judah:  Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan).  The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.  13 The sons of Issachar:

Tola, Puah,[a] Jashub[b] and Shimron.  14 The sons of Zebulun:  Sered, Elon and Jahleel. 15 These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, besides his daughter Dinah. These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all.  16 The sons of Gad:  Zephon,[d] Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.  17 The sons of Asher:  Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah.  Their sister was Serah.  The sons of Beriah:  Heber and Malkiel.18 These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all.  19 The sons of Jacob’s wife Rachel:  Joseph and Benjamin. 20 In Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.[e]

21 The sons of Benjamin:  Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.

22 These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all.  23 The son of Dan:

Hushim.  24 The sons of Naphtali:  Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.  25 These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel—seven in all.  26 All those who went to Egypt with Jacob—those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives—numbered sixty-six persons. 27 With the two sons[f] who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

 

Lesson Three – We now have the listing of all the sons of the boys and by Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Billah.  Now the wives were not included in the number.  We also know that there were other people in the party.  The genealogy here would be important later especially for Levi as the priestly tribe.  These names would be important in the forming of the Tribes and the clans within the tribes later.  This family group would 430 years later become a nation.  They are a nation who would change the course of human history and even today a nation at the center of all world events.  Remember God sees them not as they were but what they would become.  Israel, is a nation of promise, salvation, Messiahship and earthly redemption.  Remember God has a plan for your life and your family.  Household salvation is his promise.  You job is to love, guide, nurture, protect, mentor be a role model, prayer warrior and high priest for your family. 

 

28 Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.  30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.”

 

Lesson Four:  Jacob does a rare thing for men.  He sends Judah ahead to get directions to Goshen.  Now remember this was part of the promise given to them that they would have a place of their own.  God has a place prepared for you.  Where you can dream, live and be all God intended you to be.  So they arrive, alive and well and ready for the next step.  Once they get there Joseph hops in his chariot.  He drives the some 50 miles to Goshen to meet his Father Israel.  When Joseph was made a slave 22 years before His dad was Jacob but now he is Israel full realized.  As soon as Joseph saw his dad, he runs to him, throw his arms around him and they wept for a long time.  Now we already know Joseph is an emotional guy.  All the years of separation, pain, sorrow, unknowing, slavery, betrayal and lies is over.  They are together finally.  Healing, restoration, forgiveness, love joy, grace and reconciliation that has happened.  This is a divine moment.  No words have to be said, the weeping and hugging is enough.  This is a small look at the day when we come into heaven when we meet Jesus.  The love, compassion, the healing, the anticipation and joy of that moment are incredible.  In a moment I will give you a small glimpse of this of what I saw in my vision in heaven.  Then Jacob says, “Now I am ready to die, since I now see for myself you are alive.”  Up to this moment it was someone else telling me, but now I see plainly for myself.  There is nothing like first hand experience.  Talk about me seeing the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.  You can never fully experience something until you are there first hand.   I love this moment.  Everything is right in the world again.  This is one of the happiest moments of Jacob and Joseph’s life. 

 

  31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and speak to Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were living in the land of Canaan, have come to me. 32 The men are shepherds; they tend livestock, and they have brought along their flocks and herds and everything they own.’ 33 When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

 

Lesson Five:  So Joseph then prepares his family for a meeting with Pharaoh.  My family have from Canaan have come.  They are shepherds, tend livestock, they have come with all their animals and everything own.  In ancient times you needed an introduction to meet someone of a rank such as the king.  It would be rude and even death to come unannounced.  Remember Esther. 

     Now Pharaoh gave the invitation and so he expected to meet them.  He based it upon Joseph.  They were also expected to say thanks for his generosity.  So when the king asks they were to tell him their occupation because like today many people are defined by what they do more than who they are.  It also gives a snapshot of their lifestyle.  What is important in their lives?  So they were to give them a family history.  Also in Joseph’s time it was expected the sons would follow in the family business which these boys did.  This would also allow them to live in Goshen because Goshen was an agricultural area.  Also shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians.  Here are some reasons.  It reflects a common distrust of nomadic peoples by urban dwellers.  Joseph’s advice to his father is both a warning about Egyptian attitudes toward strangers and a piece of diplomacy in that they would claim independent status (they had their own herds to support them) and show they were not an ambitious group who wished to rise above their occupation as shepherds.  Settlement in Goshen would separate them from the Egyptian cattlemen of the Nile Valley and thus reduce friction with Egyptians and preserve their distinctiveness as a people.  My last piece of info today is about the Pharaoh Joseph served under.  The historical period known as the “Middle Kingdom” or Hyskos, which lasted from 2000 to 1786 BCE.  This is one of Egypt’s greatest times.  Joseph might have come to Egypt during the reign of Sesostris II (1894-1878 BCE).

He most likely begins his career under Sesostris III (1878-1841 BCE). He lives in Egypt for 71 years, so Joseph dies in approximately 1805 BCE, under the reign of Amenemhet III (1841-1797 BCE).

Sesostris III is a most influential Pharaoh; he conquers Nubia (Ethopia) and greatly expands Egypt’s territory.  He also institutes many administrative reforms which lead to the demise of the local nobility.  He built a great canal and several cities.  This is such an amazing story.