IT'S A SMALL WORLD FOR A BIG GOD!

Each week in PGIM! there is a fundraising article from Roy McGreevy, manager of 1 of only 7 remaining independent TV stations in the US, KSCB-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This obedience is amazing in itself, for God told Roy to offer to fund raise for us, something that doesn't happen very often - as everyone in ministry well knows!

Roy is also a New Zealander, but has lived in America for a good number of years. This week he paid a return visit, not only to New Zealand, but also to the City of Napier where we live. Of course, I was very excited to be meeting this special man whom the Lord had put across my path. Doesn't happen every day!

During the morning before Roy and his Indonesian fiancee (another special story) arrived, my wife Kathy said, "I think I went to school with Roy, in Palmerston North." "Pardon!" was my incredulous reply. "In fact, I'm sure we were in the same combined class for a year at Hokowhitu School!"

And sure enough, when we checked with Roy, he was indeed in the same class as Kathy, although being 2 years older (and having a male memory too, I'm told! Nearly forgot!) he did not remember her personally.

What long tentacles, so to speak, the Lord has! What is the chance of this happening? Firstly, Kathy being in the same class as someone two years ahead of her. Most unusual in New Zealand. Roy later becoming a Christian, contrary to his family tradition. He invents the scoreboards you see at the Olympic games and many other sporting events, goes overseas and becomes involved in Christian TV. A year ago he finds his way onto the PGIM! mailing list, then the Lord asks him to help. He comes and visits this unknown couple the Lord has connected him with, and finds out he went to school with the wife! Of course, it was simply chance........

Here again is last week's David's Musing, word for word.

"A DAVID MUSING
Isn't it amazing the way God works? In 3 weeks or so I am going to minister in the Philippines, which I am much looking forward to - or will be once the Christmas/New Year holiday season is over here.

A couple of days ago, I had an unsolicited email from a pastor who had visited our website, most unusually, asking how he could assist us in fulfilling our vision. Music to my ears!

More than somewhat interested, I looked to see where this pastor lived and remarkably, out of all the 1000's of cities in the world, he lives in the very city in the Philippines that I am visiting in 3 weeks time!

Of course, it was simply chance........"

So often, when wrapped up in our small, introverted world of the challenges of daily living, we simply forget how big our God is. He is more than capable of organizing HIS world and HIS people to do HIS work for HIM. We don't need to organize Him, as He's much better at it than are we. So let's wait on Him for His will to be done. The waiting though, is the most difficult part!

And by the way, my God comes with a great sense of humour too!

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FROM THE WORD

"This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:26-7)

" “This, then, is how you should pray: ”‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10)

FUTURE GLORY
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (Romans 8:18-27)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

GOD'S REST
20. God’s rest is a gift, but resting in God a way of life.
21. God’s rest is learned, not earned.
22. God’s rest is free, not earned. Rest in God is also free, but learned.
23. Gods rest is freely given, but rest in God must be freely learned.
24. A believer receives God’s rest, but a disciple rests in God.
309. Man seeks to strive for God. God wants us to rest in Him. Couldn't be easier, couldn't be harder!
310. God's rest is to be sought not only in death, but firstly in life!
311. Lord, teach me not to strive!
312. At work we seek rest. In God we strive to work. Something is wrong here!
313. Resting in God seems too easy to be religious. It is! And it isn't!

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

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

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

I was saddened by the letter from the gentleman who felt your readers were being pressured to give money to your ministry. Saddened that he could so easily misinterpret a kindly gesture by someone who genuinely wanted to help. Saddened that he should so easily convince himself that your ministry is a money-making con and saddened that he has withdrawn from the communion of those of us who delightedly read your page week by week. The truly sad thing is that he may never discover the absolute truth about giving which is
that God is truly no man's debtor and we can never outgive Him.

May God bless him and help him find the peace and the healing he needs. I imagine he has been badly hurt at some time in the past, quite possibly by christians and even, perish the thought, by tele-evangelists!

May God keep you in the hollow of His hand and bless you beyond your imaginings. Have a wonderful time in the Philippines; my prayers will go with you.
Shirley Caspari

The most important condition to be in face the new year? FORGIVEN
1. Forgiven by God
2. Forgiven by others
and forgiving of others.....
DON'T take 2003's garbage with you into 2004.
Keep short accounts with GOD
Lois NZ

Hi David, isn't GOD good to provide a good sense of humor to so many of us?
Have a blessed and prosperous New Year!
In His Boundless Love,
Carolyn

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." ***

228. THINGS WE WOULDN'T KNOW WITHOUT SUNDAY SCHOOL
With your eyes closed for prayer, anything can happen in a room full of preschoolers.

* Prayer requests reveal a lot about parents.
* A fire extinguisher is a handy device.
* Helium tanks should be chained down tightly.
* Cheap glue adheres to skin.
* Kool Aid and song motions do not mix.
* Grand pianos are not as durable as you might think.
* Church maintenance men do not have a sense of humor.
* Offering money always rolls to the other side of the room when dropped.
* Hand-me-down sound systems can get loud when the adult service is taking communion.
* Ushers do not have a sense of humor.
* There IS a doggie Heaven.
* Parachute games should not be used in a room with a chandelier.
* Animal crackers can be sneezed out the nose.
* Girls are superior to boys.
* There are good reasons why pastor’s kids have a bad reputation.
* Helium intoxication does not render respect in a staff meeting.

227. TIMOTHY AND ANTONIO
There were two Catholic boys, Timothy Murphy and Antonio Secola whose lives paralleled each other in amazing ways. In the same year Timothy was born in Ireland, Antonio was born in Italy.

Faithfully they attended parochial school from kindergarten through their senior year in high school. They took their vows to enter the priesthood early in college, and upon graduation became priests. Their careers had come to amaze the world, but it was generally acknowledged that Antonio was just a cut above Timothy in all respects. Their rise through the ranks of Bishop, Archbishop, and finally Cardinal was meteoric to say the least, and the Catholic world knew that when the present Pope died, it would be either Timothy or Antonio who would become the next Pope.

In time the Pope did die, and the College of Cardinals went to work. In less time than anyone expected, smoke rose from the chimney and the world waited to see who they had chosen. The world, Catholic, Protestant, and secular was surprised to learn that Timothy Murphy had been elected Pope.

Antonio was beyond surprise, he was devastated because, even with all Timothy's giftedness, Antonio knew he was the better qualified. With gall that shocked the Cardinals, Antonio asked for a private session with them in which he candidly asked, "Why Timothy?"

After long silence one old Cardinal took pity on the bewildered Antonio and rose to reply, "We knew you were the better of the two, but we just could not bear the thought of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church being called "Pope Secola."

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

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Are fingernails considered skin?

ANSWER:Nails are part of the integumentary system and are a derivative of skin. So is hair.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the sport of "gouging"?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
855. STAINED GLASS
The world’s largest stained glass window isn’t in a church but rather, in the American Airlines Terminal at Kennedy International Airport, New York. At 92 metres long by 7 metres high it is both longer and higher than most churches. (Airlines come and airlines go, but God is eternal.)

856. A HORSE'S FROG
The underside of a horse’s hoof is called a ‘frog’. The frog peels off several times annually, being replaced with new growth. (Real frogs try to avoid meeting their namesakes though!)

857. PHEW!
In the 20th Century two objects with sufficient power to destroy a city have hit the earth. Fortunately both landed in remote Siberia. (Fortunate unless you live in Siberia, that is.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

storystorystorystorystorystory....

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...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.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 DIRECTS OUR LIVES

By: Kathryn Kuhlman

An interesting tape from an interesting and controversial, but undeniably gifted lady. Becoming a classic.

Download your free MP3 today at ...

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

CONTRACEPTION AND FERTILITY

*** Fertility is linked to a declining risk of divorce. In fact, each child a couple has reduces their risk of divorce by 20 percent (Kaplan, Lancaster, and Anderson 1998).
*** Couples who say good-bye to their youngest child at an early age are significantly more likely to divorce than other couples. The 20-year marriage is more vulnerable to the disruptive effects of the empty nest syndrome than the 30-year marriage (Hiedemann, Suhomlinova, and O’Rand 1998).
*** The increased availability of abortion and contraception in the late 60s and early 70s constituted a "technology shock" that "immiserated" women who sought to avoid premarital sex, according to Akerlof et al (1996). This article points to the dramatic increase in illegitimacy and premarital sex in this period, as well as the marked decline in shotgun marriages, and asks why it happened at this particular historical period. Akerlof et al. point out that the best social evidence suggests that Charles Murray's welfare thesis and William Julius Wilson's jobs argument do not explain a great deal of this rise. They argue that the increased availability of contraception and abortion meant that women could no longer hold the threat of pregnancy over their male partners, either to avoid sex or to elicit a promise of marriage in the event that pregnancy resulted from sexual intercourse. Accordingly, more and more women gave in to their boyfriends' entreaties for sex. This left traditional women who wanted to avoid abortion/contraception/sex "immiserated" because they could not compete with women who had no serious objection to premarital sex. Thus, more of these women ended up having sex and having children out of wedlock. Accordingly, this contraceptive/abortive revolution encouraged both an increase in abortions and illegitimacy. Moreover, "the norm of the premarital sexual abstinence all but vanished in the wake of the technology shock." (Akerlof et al. 1996)

Lot's more information about marriage and the family, the basic unit of God's society can be found at...

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

TOP 10 WAYS TO TELL YOU ARE A NEW DAD

10) Getting six hours of sleep is a privilege.
9) The sentence, "Honey, could you take his foot out of my pocket?" sounds normal.
8) You are used to doing everything one-handed.
7) The thought of your mother-in-law coming over for a few hours is a pleasant one.
6) The list of bodily fluids that disgust you has shortened, possibly to zero.
5) Your idea of romance is hand-holding.
4) You answer the question "How are you?" with "We're fine."
3) You decide whether a shirt is wearable not based on sweatiness, but based on how well the spit-up stains match the shirt's main colour.
2) You see a slender teenage girl walking down your street, and you think, "Hey, I wonder if I could interest her in... babysitting?"

And the #1 way to tell that you're a new dad:
1) It takes you two months to write and send out a simple top-10-style joke email.

Numerous extensive explanations on many subjects at...

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

FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

BEAUTIFUL
William Tyndale caused outrage amongst many scholars when he used the modern English word 'beautiful' in his 1526 translation of the New Testament! Beeeeeauuuuutiful, as my friend, Graeme, would say!

Many more interesting Bible facts at...

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

BLAME ADAM AND EVE FOR...

The tyranny of TIME! Have you ever thought that before they sinned, they had eternity to get things done! A poem about the limitations time places upon us, seems a good way to start the year.

View it now, along with many others, at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php?poemId=00026

A DAVID MUSING

When I asked the Lord what He wanted of me this year, he simply said, "Live Life!" And he gave me the famous 1915, World War 1 song, "Wrap up your troubles in an old kit bag, and smile, smile, smile." And from what I have read, these particular soldiers had very little to smile about, in what must surely have been the most atrocious, large scale war of all time.

The Lord was making a highly valid, personal point to me. No, things will not necessarily go well all the time, but the way I handle the situations in which I find myself is most important - both to Him and to me. To face my challenges with a positive attitude, (Not the unreal denial of "Everything is fine," when you are being pushed over the cliff, though!) remembering that God IS on my side, and that together we can face whatever the world may throw at us, certain of ultimate victory.

For I, for we, serve the victor Jesus! And we are already to be eternally grateful! Think about it. Eternity for us believers, has already begun! We have the ultimate reason to be joyful! May our faces and actions reflect His victory throughout 2004 and onwards into - forever!

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: Never-ending story.

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available here Subscribe Here

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DONATIONS

Each month, because of the size and nature of our web site and maintenance of our sophisticated emailing system, it costs over $200 in provider fees to bring this ministry to you. If you are able to help us meet this expense your credit card donation would be very much welcomed at Make Donations Here as a live connection or at https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.php
if you prefer to paste the address into your browser. Thanks.

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS - OR IF THE NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING

Each week we can lose up to 1% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.

Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.

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)

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