GALS AND GUYS

This week I have been thinking - which is always dangerous! Thinking about the differences between men and women. Of course, having been married to Kathy for 33 years, I realise there are some! Well, more than some, actually!

My father, a successful businessman, used to say the best way to make money was to be in men's vices or women's vanities. Generally speaking though, he didn't take his own advice! But the statement does serve to point out differences in thought and motivation between the sexes, from a worldly perspective. And let's be honest, the world is where we all come from - until we meet Jesus. Afterwards too, frustratingly, as the Apostle Paul so dramatically pointed out, our humanity continues to impact our lives.

Interestingly, men's worldly motivations and weaknesses have been accurately analysed as the '3 G's', "Girls, Gold and Glory." That is sex, money and power (pride). As a man, I realise that these three succinctly sum up the main areas of temptation that satan subjects me to, as I seek to walk on the Lord's path.

Now to get into real trouble! By asking the question, "What about women?"

Being more complex in thought processes and motivation than us 'simple' males, is it possible to analyse ladies potential areas of susceptibility in a similar way? Are there '3 G's' that apply to 'gals' too? I don't pretend to be an expert, but will make a suggestion, which I would love to get comment on, particularly from the ladies. How about - "Glamour, Gold and Gossip." Glamour, or outward beauty, and gossip, 'easy, unconstrained talk or writing especially about persons or social incidents', are the bread and butter of women's magazines and media. But what about gold? Is money, or more importantly, the things money will buy, of major importance to women of the world as it is to men? I have made my judgement. What do you think?

Interestingly too, Girls and Glamour logically link together, as do Glory and Gossip. Of course, Gold is the same for both. So maybe we aren't as different to each other as we might think, but complementary, after all! In the world, as in God.

This isn't an attempt to fit us all into boxes, but rather to help each one understand our motivations, so we know what to watch out for as we seek to walk in Jesus' ways. Finding out about the male '3 G's' was a tremendous revelation to me, one which has made a big difference to my life. I trust these ideas will give you, whether male or female, something to think about too.

If not, I have taken the precaution of putting on the armour of God, and trust your weapons will solely be drawn from the 'fruit of the Spirit!

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FROM THE WORD

"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. (Romans 7:14-25)

SONS OF GOD
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

"What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." (Galatians 3:26 - 4:7)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

91. God made men and women to be different. Men give love for s-x, women, s-x for love.

133. In marriage the two become one flesh, but still have two minds.

134. A successful marriage is a process, not an event.

135. While men philander, the family meanders.

136. Women (men). Love to love them – would love to understand them!

137. The ‘secret ingredient’ of a successful marriage is ‘mutual commitment’.

138. True love equals commitment.

139. God gave Eve to Adam as the perfect companion. The last thing they agreed upon was to eat the forbidden fruit. Nothing has changed.

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

LAST WEEKS LEADING ARTICLE
This generated more correspondance than almost any other, much to my surprise. Goes to prove the old saying, 'Honesty pays!' Nowhere more than in our walk with Jesus!

Dear David

Thank you for this week's edition of TGIF". (The Friday version to another list.)

I just wanted to say I appreciate your frankness in showing your humanity. When we do this, it helps to keep us humble and encourages others who sometimes tend to "look up" to us or think we have all the answers and know everything there is to know.

As we continue to grow in God and, yes, at times feel like we've hardly started knowing Him, each moment we are being conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thanks again and God bless you richly.

Marjorielyn R Campbell
(London, UK)

I enjoyed your words of encouragement.

When I was in college, we were told about a final test given in Philosophy. It was a single word, "Why". As you described, all but one wrote pages upon pages, but one coed wrote a single word and turned it in. She had the only 'A' in the class. She wrote, "Because."
Again, I enjoyed your writing.
May God Richly Bless You,
Terry Stogsdill

Dear David,
Now being the busy bloke I am I come in off the night/day shift, switch on the computer and scan my mail. I have one of these Spam Bully programs which bin all the drug and appendage enlarging e-mails and leave me with what I hope is stuff from people who have an interest in something other than my wallet!

Now being a busy bloke, this sometimes means that I don't get round to reading all the Sermon Fodder, IRN, Openheaven, or indeed PGIM e-mails. Maybe I do the Trivial Pursuits question. Scan longingly for an e-mail from my daughter Kim, who is backbacking across the globe, then it's time for bed, or evening meal.

But last Wednesday all that changed. I was called into hospital to have some rather major surgery to my left foot. I got back from the hospital on Friday night, slightly tenderfoot (!!~!!), clutching my pain-killers and collapsed on the bed-settee, which has been my home in the outback of our home for the last five days. All this is to say that I've actually managed to read through a complete PGIM, without interuption! The only thing being that I have to return to the settee to put my foot in the air, as per doctor's orders, every twenty minutes or so!

Thank you so much for stateing that you didn't have a clue what you were writing about! It made my day! For I thought, "here is somebody who has the guts to admit that the Holy Spirit maybe just exercising a little 'here's your mind - use it!' routine."
I remember visiting a friend's church one day and the door was locked. Outside were six or seven people ringing their hands. On the door was this notice: We've been reading the Bible and talking about outreach for the last six months, so get out and do it!"
From across the road appeared the pastor. "I've been watching this door for the last fiveteen minutes", he said. "The young'uns have gone round to the Market Place, if you listen carefully you'll hear them singing, shall we join them?"

On the way round I quietly quizzed my old friend with the words, "Bit radical that Bill, wasn't it?" "No, not really Bob. I got down to write the sermon last evening and I only got two words after praying for 15 minutes. 'DO IT!'" So there you are, instant outreach!

By the way, have you heard the one about the bishop, who for years had taken his hard working secretary for granted. So she decided to get her own back. As he stood up in the cathedral to preach, he opened up what would normally have been beautifully typed notes. Instead all he saw as this in red ink. 'You're on your own now!' After he had recovered from the shock, he said this. "This evening I shall be delivering my usual themed message. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, this morning I shall have to rely on the Holy Spirit!" (I think that was one of the late Rev. David Watson's stories.)
Thanks for your ministry David. Enjoy your travels. I've enjoyed reading PGIM and the Website in full, for once! When I've figured out how to save the .pgf books (Eagles fly high) to my computer from the site, I'll let you know.
God bless you brother.
Bob Lucas,
Gosport, England

Hey David,
I'm an Aussie missionary working in Colombia, one of your many silent yet grateful readers.

I normally don't respond to mailing lists, but just felt to encourage you with respect to transparency. Go for it! Be what you are, and be it transparently - it's the only way that what God's actually doing in your life can ever become visible to those around you. Which is what it's about, after all: not how CHRIS is this great giant slayer, but how JESUS is working within, through and even in spite of Chris.

As a man of reading and study, you are possibly already aware of Keith Miller's books (from way back in the 70s, I think, but still relevant to now). I am thinking specifically of "Habitation Of Dragons" and "Taste Of New Wine". He confronts the pressure that all Christians come under (but which all ministers feel 10 times worse): to wear masks of OK-ness, of spiritual success, 24/7. He points out how it's regarded as "OK" to pull out a "stuffed trophy" of some battle that we won 10 years ago (all for the "glory of the Lord", naturally), but by GOD, don't let anyone see the wolf that's got it's claws into your life right now!!! And he says, in as many words, "Whadaloadarubbish!", and challenges his readers to the adventure of transparency, never claiming to be more than a fellow-pilgrim among many. It is very good stuff, and rather prophetic really, considering the turn that western Christendom has taken in the 30 intervening years.

So go for it mate! Never fear transparency and authenticity - the peace that comes with not having to keep up the facade is fantastic, and you know that your circle of friends are REALLY your friends, because they love you in spite of your humanity... NOT for the OK-mask you're trying to project! I wouldn't go back for nuts!!!
In Him,
Chris Gillespie

Dear David
I just wanted to acknowledge that your 'Walking' was an inspiration to me today! As a priest, and as a counsellor in private practice, I find that there are times when I feel empty, bereft, saying "Lord, carry me 'cos I can't walk". I have also just experienced a broken marriage (I am over 60) and a whole area of my life of loving, expectations of the future, loss of a beautiful home etc. has had to be re-evalued. To read your encouragement today has given me new hope - I CAN DO THIS, with God, I can do anything and it's OK for Him to hold me for a while until I am strong and emotionally healthy
again. God bless you David.
Linda

Just as I was reading your newsletter, I felt to echo your feelings when we think we have nearly made it we discover how far we really are. For months I have been seeking a deeper more intimate relationship with the Lord, wanting to experience him even more real in my life, I hear of those who have been caught up to the heavens and those who have had angelic visitations and those who hear God clearly. I press in to him thinking this time I really will make it and the short season of deliberation passes, only to be followed by another.

I read your passage tonight and realise I am not alone, our God is far greater than we can imagine or begin to conceive. Just as He says 'my thoughts are not your thoughts' God illuminates a little of his magnificence to us.

I am sorry for putting my God in a box, and realise our striving to reach him is the desire of His heart, that we should be seeking him with all our heart soul and mind, and that we will find him when we seek Him, just for the majority of us we will only know him truely when we face him.
God's richest blessings to you
Wayne Taigel

Dear Dave, Thanks for the reminder, (To cause to remember) ....the Holy Spirit is surely working in your life, your newsletter came in loud and clear...a reminder to become still and listen to that "still small voice" within 1 Kings 19:12.

P.S. Thanks for the weather report, we are in a winter deep freeze up here on Grand Island NY and in fact the whole Northern part of the US and the weather report says this January is going to be the coldest in recorded history. Our Canadian friends keep opening their freezer door and share a cold blast of air onto their southern neighbors from time to time. Didn't they listen to their mother's warning......???? "Don't stand there with the refrigerator door open, your letting the cold out, causing the motor to run continuously which uses up more electricity." Oh! Oh! I think I slipped back into a time zone, before self-defrosting and energy-saving refrigerators and freezers. Oh well ... Getting back to the subject of weather... While it may be below zero outside and the ground is all glistening with the new fallen snow, inside, our home is toasty warm.... As I write this letter of thanks to you, Dave, I am again reminded whose team I'm on... GOD's TEAM.... For it is written in Psalm 19 ....."The Law of God is perfect..... rejoicing the heart". Amen!

Well it's 2:30 am and I'm going to bed and have good sleep... for tomorrow or should I say today ....I'll be fresh and full of God's energy ready to write my Chaplain's Message... "The Bridge of Faith" ...Praise God for Newsletters... Goodnight dear friend, with love and kindness, from Marie and Jack Shea, Grand Island, NY, USA

David

Your word puzzle only works if you use a fixed size font, or if my tab
defaults happen to agree with your tab defaults. The use of proportional
fonts ruins the effect.

B B B B B BBBB
B B B B B B
BBBB B B B BBBB
B B B B B B
B B B B BBBB

Keep up the good work.

Mike

There is a well known saying that, 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' While this one does not originate from the word - at least I don't know of any 'Jacks' in the Bible - it is nevertheless very true.
POSSIBLE BIBLICAL SOURCES?
Ps 127:2
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat —
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
NIV
Prov 17:16
6 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool,
since he has no desire to get wisdom?
NIV
Eccl 3:1
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
NIV
Eccl 3:3
a time to tear down and a time to build,
NIV
Eccl 3:4
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
NIV
Rev. Cleveland B. Bishop
www.ratondisciples.com

Hi David.
I am a newer subscriber who lives in Oregon, USA, and I appreciate your newletters....
here is a link for a new DVD with the 50 most often asked questions about Jesus, as well as the Jesus film.

This could be a great gift for new believers and could be useful for home small groups to study and be better prepared to answer these typical questions
http://www.jesusfilm.org/jfof/index.html
My vision (that I have put off too long) is to design a web site aimed at a new believer, a place for them to feel acceptance by God, learn what it means to be part of the "family of God" and be encouraged to find out more about Jesus and what it means to apply Jesus' teachings to their daily lives.

When I have it ready to go, I'll email you - the url will be newbeliever.info
My reason for telling you is to ask if you have any specific suggestions or thoughts on what would be helpful or appropriate for this site. I have not found many sites for new believers, and those I have found seem too detailed and demanding (with long lists of what a new believer "should" now do...)
Carol Freed
Bend, Oregon

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." ***

232. NOT AGAIN!
A Lutheran minister gets stopped for speeding. The state trooper smells alcohol on his breath and then he sees an empty wine bottle on the floor, and he says, "Sir, have you been drinking?"

And the minister says, "Just water."

The sheriff says, "Then why do I smell wine?"

And the minister looks down at the bottle and says, "Good Lord, He's done it again!"

231. A BIG GOD
A little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the Preacher's sermon this morning confused me."

The mother said, "Oh! Why is that? The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's true," the mother replied.

"He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?"

Again the mother replied, "Yes."

"Well," said the girl. "If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?"

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

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Why do we call faces "mugs"?

ANSWER: Hundreds of years ago, it was popular to make mugs with ugly faces on them. Before long, it became common to reverse the order and call faces "mugs".

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do we get dark circles under our eyes when we're tired?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
849. OOPS!
In 1836, a paddle steamer carrying a circus cast was shipwrecked off the US coast. Some of the sailors launched a raft, but were sadly drowned when an elephant jumped into it! (Going my way?)

850. ALWAYS ALERT
Dolphins still have one eye open for danger when they are asleep. (Could you call them one eyed?)

851. WEARISOME WAIT
An imperceptive newspaper publisher once fired Walt Disney because he was distinctly lacking in good ideas! (If he hadn’t, the good ideas might never have come.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
1,0001,000

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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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 WAY OR MAN'S WAY

By: Frank Peretti

The world famous author who started out pastoring a small church with his father. How are we too succeed in what we do?

Download your free MP3 today at ...

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EAGLES FLY HIGH! PASTORS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS VERSION

As I leave for the Philippines this week, it seems to make sense to promote the type of teaching and revelation on discipleship, unity and the end time church, that I will be sharing there.

Check it out at...

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

HUNDREDS OF NEW JOKES AND SAYINGS...

Have been added to all the 'Mainly Fun' pages on the website this week. Check them out for many hours of distraction from what you should really be doing! Sorry!

You can be distracted at...

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LIFE'S A LAUGH

Real life stories to make you smile - or cry - or both!

TASTY NEWS TRAVELS FAST
Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in Canada, I was stopped by a state trooper in New York for exceeding the speed limit.

Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother's delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.

A short time later, I was stopped by another trooper.

"What have I done?" I asked.

"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling. “I just heard you had some really great cookies.”

GUMMED UP
Aboard a flight from L.A. to New York, Grandma Esther was taking her very first flight.

They had only been aloft a few minutes when the elderly lady complained to the stewardess that her ears were popping.

The girl smiled and gave the older woman some chewing gum, assuring her that many people experienced the same discomfort.

When they landed in New York, Grandma thanked the stewardess.

"The chewing gum worked fine," she said, "but tell me, how do I get it out of my ears?"

Now 251 real life laughs to prove that God has a sense of humour are found at...

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

FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

WE REAP WHAT WE SOW

Generally accepted as cultural wisdom that we get what we work for, this saying in fact comes from the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Galations 6:7.

Many more interesting Bible facts at...

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

A DAVID MUSING

Once again it is time to pack my bags, take God's Word to the Philippines, keep the airlines in business and help destroy the Ozone Layer, which is negligible above New Zealand at present anyway! For every action we take has numbers of causes and effects.

On Wednesday afternoon I leave Napier for Auckland, and on Thursday, catch an early morning flight for Manila via Brisbane, Australia. Of course, for many of you, this will be happening a day earlier, your time! It never ceases to amaze me how you can sometimes leave here and arrive at your destination, almost before you left! Particularly good if it is your birthday. But perhaps not, because maybe you would get two years older at once! But if you are really clever, on the way home you can avoid having a birthday altogether, if you work it right! Not so good for kids though!

If you would like to join our Prayer Partners, and specifically pray for the Ministry while I am away this time - and later - please drop me an email on david@wwj.org.nz and I will send our more detailed Prayer Letter to you.

Every ministry needs Prayer, Finance and just as important as these two, Encouragement. Becoming a Prayer Partner is truly an encouragement to us. As, of course are donations.

So, in due time, likely the week after next, I will greet you from the Philippines. The miracles of modern communications! So until then...

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: One in a million.

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

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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)

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