TENACITY TAMES TIGERS! (and the All Blacks!)

A pall of doom, darkness, dismay, disbelief and despair descended upon the nation of New Zealand, (well, most of it!) for on Saturday evening our nation's heroes and icons, the All Blacks, the number one ranked Rugby Union team in the world, dismally departed from Stadium Australia, (Where the Athletics for the 2000 Olympic Games were held) dramatically defeated by the determined defense of the underdog Aussies. All was black for our 'All Blacks', the pride of the nation, both on and off the field. Reminiscent of how the Philistines felt upon the defeat of Goliath!

To understand the all pervasive influence of our county's 'rugby religion', it is interesting to note that after defeat of the All blacks in each of the past three World Rugby Cups, the government, in turn, has been beaten in the next elections! A culture of government 'of rugby, by rugby, for rugby'! Sure seems like it sometimes!

On the night we were beaten by a better team - were tamed by the tenaciously tigerish Aussies who up until 10-20 years ago had always been regarded by us as 'purrfect' pussycats - at rugby that is! And up to this game, during this tournament, they had again displayed these characteristics of old. Until Saturday, of course!

While one could draw the obvious 'religious' conclusion of building a house of hay and straw upon the sand (mixing metaphors for more dramatic effect!) what stuck me more was the performance of the Australian team, the 'Wallabies'. They had been written off by their public and supporters, and were regarded as 4:1 outsiders in the betting shops, which incidentally, although not religiously 'kosher', are often good reflections of current public opinion. You put your money where your mouth is! A suggestion for church fundraising? Just joking!

For in the face of almost universal condemnation and criticism, the Wallabies, with true Australian grit and determination, retained a belief in themselves and in their ability to win against all odds. And they did!

How about that for a natural picture of what we daily face in the spiritual? A church decried and ridiculed by the world. Yet a church that through 'faith and perseverance' understands that it has the victory, no matter how much circumstances would appear to be against it.

The impressive feature of Nigeria, where the Holy Spirit is working wonders, is the peoples aggressiveness and tenacity in seeking more of God, in often very difficult circumstances. Like the Aussies on Saturday night! It is a truism too, that the church grows faster when under persecution, than in easier times.

Congratulations to the Wallabies. You have shown us by your example, how to change from 'wannabees' into strong soldiers of the faith who live out our lives knowing we have the victory, here and eternally, even though the world decries us and the odds seem insurmountable. I'm so glad I'm in the victorious Lord's Army!

Maybe we need an all Christian, All Black team, to beat those Aussies next time!!!!!!! Now that's a radical thought!

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FROM THE WORD

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:1-5)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

"But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

ON PERSEVERANCE

685. Perseverance perseveres!

686. Perseverance is keeping running the race with feet blistered by the problems of life.

687. Perseverance is wading through the mire of life, confident of reaching our eternal heavenly home.

688. Perseverance is walking through the valleys before ascending to the mountaintops

689. Perseverance is retaining hope when all seems hopeless.

690. Perseverance is …

….... forgiving one more time

….... one more prayer.

….... going on when others are giving up.

….... picking yourself up once again.

….... loving that little bit extra.

….... just one more step.

….... serving one more time.

There are 700+ David sayings for you to view at ...

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A MESSAGE FROM ROY

Although this PGIM! e-letter is sent free, some readers have decided to support this Ministry one or more times a year by sponsoring a week's PGIM! @ USD $50.00. Can I ask you to consider sponsoring a specified week/s? You will get an acknowledgement on your particular week/s of sponsorship (unless you do not want it). If you are interested to help this very informative & helpful newsletter, please email me, Roy McGreevy, as it is God who authored this idea through me in the USA. roy@kscbtv.com. I look forward to hearing from you... thanks. Roy

FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

Hi David,
I enjoy receiving your emails each Monday morning.
I wanted to comment on the "One View of Marriage and the Church" (Nov. 10). Please understand that I believe there is far too much divorce in the Church. The rate should be nearly zero if more people were walking in the Holy Spirit's power. That being said, I disagree with the way that many people keep comparing the church to the world when it comes to the divorce rate.
Two things to consider: Although there are a few couples in the Church who live together - by far the majority get married.
By comparison: In the world, statistics show that more than the majority of couples never get married. They live together, split, live together with someone else and split, ad infinitum.
When writers/speakers make the comparison of divorce rates, often they are only comparing divorcing couples in the Church to the couples in the world who actually get married and then divorce.
If you were to compare the true statistics of living together relationships that "divorce", the rate in the world would be multiple times the Church.
I believe we can "beat up the Church" about how they are as bad as the world, when in fact they are at least getting married in most cases. From my experience many of the divorces in the Church are with people who got married so they could come to Christ - they were living in sin before. Perhaps we need to work with these couples more before marrying them, to help them build their marriage on stronger values rather than just to get married so they aren't sinning anymore.
Once again, I do want to see the divorce rate in the Church decline, but it won't happen by using this lopsided statistic. Perhaps if we praised Christians for the fact they are getting married when the world isn't, and raise the glory of marriage to a higher level; more people would take their marriage seriously.
Pastor Glen Weber
Spokane, WA

How about some more comments on marriage - David

Hi David
Your website has proved an extremely good source of items for our parish magazine (I'm the editor) and they are much appreciated by the readers. Thanks for all you do compiling it. I know, from experience, it's not an easy task.
Blessings on your ministry
Jenny

Readers, please feel free to use any content for your publications - David

Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

*** "Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

215. THE OPTOMIST CAN'T WIN
Two friends, one an optimist, the other a pessimist, argued constantly from their own perspectives.

Finally, the optimist decided to win his friend over by taking him hunting. The two stood by the side of a small pond when a pheasant took to the wing. The optimist's shot was accurate, and the bird fluttered down onto the pond. An order was given, and the optimist's dog quickly ran across the water and brought back the fallen bird.

"So, what do you think about that?" asked the optimist.

The pessimist was quick with his answer,

"Well, I guess the poor dog doesn't know how to swim."

214. JOYFUL RESPONSE
A Sunday School teacher wanted to elicit the word HALLELUJAH from her class so asked,
"What is it people shout out with joy in our church?"

A bright young thing yelled out "BINGO!!!!!"

(It may not be 'Bingo' in your church, but I am sure you could find a substitute!)

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 600 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK

In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational MP3 download - absolutely free of charge!

GOD'S QUESTIONS TO US

By Greg Laurie

A short 18 minute message from Greg's well known radio programme, A New Beginning. We know the questions we have of God, but what does He ask of us? Greg Laurie pastors Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, USA.

Download your free MP3 today at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/tape.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How does a seeing eye dog tell when a traffic light turns from green to red?

ANSWER: It can't. The seeing-eye dog guides its owner across the street by watching traffic flow and following the motions of other pedestrians.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When did neatly manicured lawns become fashionable?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
876. TELEPHONE-ITUS
The average person spends 2 years on the telephone during their life. (Nobody has been bold enough to split this average into male and female.)

877. THE AMAZING EYE
The Human eye is so perfectly made that, in perfect darkness, it can see a lit match 80km away. (At other times it can’t see past the end of our noses.)

878. PLEASE SNEEZE
Suppressing a cough might cause you to rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck, which could possibly be fatal. (Pass the pepper please.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Y
O
U
R
GAMBLING
L
I
F
E

Answer at the end of A David Musing

You can download a 250 item sample Trivia Book at Truly Trifling Trivia

Or view all 1200 online at...

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UNDERLYING SPIRITUAL MEANINGS

There are many words in the Bible that have spiritual meaning s or connotations different to their dictionary ones. Here are a few.

ARMOUR-----------Protection

BABYLON----------Religious confusion

DOOR, GATE-------Jesus i.e. the entrance to God
The place of authority where we bind or loose powers for good or evil.
(Thanks Irene)

EGYPT------------World

LINEN------------Righteousness

ROD--------------Authority

SWORD-----------The Word (Bible)

YEAST, LEAVEN---Sin, Human weakness, False doctrine, Corrupt practices (but not in Matthew 13:33)

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http://www.wwj.org.nz/chspeak.php

DOES YOUR PET RULE YOUR HOUSE TOO?

DR CUTTER
Dr. Cutter is the local Veterinarian, known for his wry humor. He surpassed himself one summer day when a city dog was brought to him after an encounter with a porcupine. After almost an hour of prying, pulling, cutting and stitching, he returned the dog to its owner, who asked what she owed.

"A hundred and fifty dollars, Ma'am," he answered.

"Why that's simply outrageous!" she stormed. "That's what's wrong with you Maine people, you're always trying to over charge summer visitors. Whatever do you do in the winter, when we're not being gypped here?"

"Raise porcupines, Ma'am.

DANGER!
A customer in a little country drug store noticed a sign with the words "Danger! Beware of Dog!" written on it. But instead of a well-trained watch dog, all he saw was a harmless old hound dog sleeping on the floor next to the cash register.

He asked the owner of the store: "Is THAT the dog people are supposed to beware of?!"

"Yessiree, that's him," the owner replied.

The customer couldn't help but laugh. "That sure doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why on Earth would you post that sign?"

"Because until I hung up that sign, folks kept tripping over him."

More human/pet foibles can be found at...

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EAGLES FLY HIGH! PASTORS, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS VERSION

A revelatory, scripturally based study describing God's church - Past, Present and Future. Contains many insights into God's desires for His people in these end times. This overview will help you both better understand the direction of the church as a whole and the place of your ministry within the overall picture.

Find out more and download it free of charge at...

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A DAVID MUSING

It is a pleasant Spring Sunday evening as I write this. I have just taken a break to walk the kilometre down the road to see my mother for a few minutes, getting some exercise at the same time.

On the way, and again on the way back, I met some Mormon Missionaries. These were two of the nicest young men you could meet, each of whom was fully convinced of the truth of the writings of Joseph Smith as a 'latter day' prophet. But in reality, the Book of Mormon and the Koran fit into similar categories, both supposedly post biblical revelation, which the Bible clearly says is not possible.

However, as is usual in these situations, we had to agree to disagree. While I admired their commitment to the cause, it was so sad to see the deception they were living under. They, of course, probably thought the same of me! You see, argument is usually futile, for along with ourselves, the Jews and Moslems, they too have a deep faith in their teachings.

What impressed these two young men however, was that I was going to visit my mother, which I do most days that I am at home. Yes, people are impressed by our actions, by how our beliefs are reflected in our lives. And it is not until the church comes into the place where our words are reflected in action, that we will be effective in reaching these people.

If you have not yet read the revelation on the Book of Ruth, written over 3,500 years ago (things never change!) which clearly states that our actions that will bring the Jews to Christ, you can find it at Revelation of Ruth

For both the Lord and non-believers are seeking a church that lives out what we believe. The Lord to fulfil his end time purpose, others to find a reality that is missing in their current faith. Quite simply, the evangelistic answer is in our hands.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: Gambling with your life.

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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DONATIONS

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LINKS

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 8449-377
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz