ONE IN JESUS

Greetings from the Philippines!

Once again as I travel to a new country, meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds, the Lord quickly brings home to me the reality that we are all one in Him. For despite our ethnic and experiential dissimilarities, we share the most important thing of all, one that transcends race, culture and history. The love of the Lord Jesus!

Hopping off yet another airplane, going through the necessary bureaucratic procedures, hopefully with godly grace, (He still does work miracles!) coming out of the terminal to meet yet another smiling brotherly face, ones trepidation immediately disappears. Firstly, you have found your contact, always a relief in a new country, but most importantly, you sense a bond immediately developing surpassing human understanding. And so, a new adventure begins.

Very often in our secure home environments, we even treat the believer at the church down the road with suspicion! How sad that is. For each one is but a part of the hugely diverse brother and sisterhood of Christ. And we miss out on so much by not participating one with another.

I have spoken to numbers of people in my own fellowship who have never been to another church. They have missed out on so much! So I encourage them to participate with those from other congregations in different programmes in the community. And when they go away on holiday, to go to another church, rather than sleep in on a Sunday morning.

For no matter how good our church is, there is always something we can learn by fellowshipping with others in different churches and situations. For no one person or group has a monopoly on the truth. Beware of those who claim they do!

No, not everyone can come to the Philippines and experience the amazing hospitality of a hugely friendly people. Although many more could and be enthusiastically welcomed! But we can, each and every one, participate in the rich variety of Christian experience that is available in our town. Let’s make a point of reaching out to someone new this week, a brother or sister who also shares the love of Jesus. We will be so pleased we did, and enriched by the experience. And just maybe, we will take a small step towards repairing the divisions in the church that so sadden our God. Without unity, Jesus will not return! He promised it! Do we really want to see His Kingdom established on earth? The answer is in our hands.

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AN EXPERIENCE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

There is a substantial and generally positive American influence here. Everyone you meet asks what part of the ‘States’ you come from. “Well, I’m from New Zealand actually!” “Where is New Zealand?”

As I was waiting for the plane to take me from Manila to Cagayan de Oro I spied an American donut stall, and for my first purchase in pesos bought a Bavarian (something is wrong there! (A German American joint venture?) Cream filled donut. And delicious it was too!

Upon disembarking, I was taken to McDonalds for lunch! Where I had a Big Mac, for the first time, probably for 12 months! 50cent ice cream cones are our normal highlight from the Golden Arches! And it tasted great! Just the same as I remembered from New Zealand!

Sometimes I get so frustrated when we expect and want all Christians to be like Big Macs – the same everywhere! What a boring (and overweight) world that would be!

And by the way, Filipino cooking is delicious! Must go, as dinner is ready…..

Unexpected and delightful Filipino (cum American) experiences.

FROM THE WORD

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." (Genesis 2:1-2)

REST FOR THE WEARY
"At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” " (Matthew 11:25-30)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

GOD’S REST (1 OF 4)

One of the most important things I have had to learn in my walk with Jesus is not to strive in my own power, but rather to rest in Him and let Him do it all. I am learning – sometimes slowly!


God’s rest is a gift, but resting in God a way of life.

oooOooo

God’s rest is learned, not earned.

oooOooo

God’s rest is free, not earned. Rest in God is also free, but learned.

oooOooo

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

David;
Your Guys: "Girls, Gold and Glory" was right on!
But, for the Gals: "Glamour, Gold and Gossip" needs to be explicated...
"Glamour" = "Tell me you think I am beautiful".
"Gold" = "I need to feel secure". and,
"Gossip" = "I need a feeling of being connected".
There is undoubtedly more to it for both Guys and Gals, of course. Since we are made in God's image we are infinitely complex creatures!
GOoD start, though.

I'd like to share some insights(?) regarding Eternity but first you will need to wade through just a little bit that shows we may be too concerned with "time" as we experience it...
I got curious as to when you might be up and about...
In Raton, New Mexico, USA, right now it is 10:35 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Sunday, January 18, 2004.

If I have figured correctly, you have 6:35 p.m. Monday, January 19th, but I don't know the name of your time zone (and I am guessing you are probably on standard time).
Did I get it right? As I said, I just got curious and it's not really important. All I really needed to know was that we are most likely awake at compatible hours.
My friend, John Rafferty, in Wolvernhampton, England is seven hours ahead of my time so is often asleep [or should be] when I am at the computer.

Which all brings me to my observations on time, or, rather, on Eternity...

First, we know that God is not constrained by "time" as we know it. He knows the end from the beginning - He sees it all. With Him a "day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day". And He, Himself, has no beginning and no end. In Eternity, everything is "right now".

Jesus said to the thief on the cross, "This day you will be with Me in Paradise" and yet He spent three days and three nights in the grave. Somehow Jesus spent eternity in hell for me! At the same time, He spent eternity in hell for you! [If not, He really didn't pay the full penalty, did He?!]

Therefore, God has all eternity to give me 100% of His attention every second! At the same time, He has all eternity to give you 100% of His attention every second!
Whoa! What an awesome God!

Also: Enoch walked with God and was not; for they searched for him and found him not. Elijah was caught up to heaven in a fiery chariot.

So... Enoch, Elijah, the thief on the cross, and you and I will all be in the same rapture!

Boggles the mind, eh?

Cheers!

Cleve
Rev. Cleveland B. Bishop
www.ratondisciples.com

David
Maybe I'm generalizing from my own experience, but I think two of the major motivators for women are the desire to be loved and the desire for security. The desire for security comes with the role of nurturer and protector of the family.

Here is a website for Carol Freed to check out. It is also for new
believers: www.newchristian.org.uk

God bless your journey and ministry in these coming weeks.

Linda

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." ***

234. POPE IN HEAVEN
The Pope dies and goes to meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter escorts him in, and shows him to his mansion. The Mansion is huge, with angels circling the outside, and a massive deck at the rear where the Pope can watch the heavens in his robe and relax in his golden lounge chair.

St. Peter says, "Just make yourself at home, I have some errands to attend to and I'll be back to see that you're settled in.". The Pope eases into his golden lounge chair, and a small angel brings him a cool glass of water to sip, at which point a golden table appears out of nowhere, in just the right spot for the Pope to put down the glass between sips. The Pope is amazed further to find that the glass is always full when he picks it up, never running dry.

As he sits relaxing, the Pope watches other mansions float by on their clouds, and while finding them beautiful, he also observes that his is larger than any of them, as befits a Pope. Then from a distance, the Pope hears this amazing music; He looks to his left, and far away he sees a mansion ten times the size of his. Angels, cherubim, and seraphim are circling it, and then there's that wonderful music.....

As the mansion draws close, the music gets louder, and louder, and as it passes by, the Pope has to cover his ears, because of the sheer volume.

Later, St. Peter returns. The Pope says, "This is really wonderful. I have seen God's own mansion float by! There were angels, cherubim, seraphim, and this wonderful music...". "Wait a minute," say St. Peter. "Was the music really loud?" "Yes", said the Pope.

"That wasn't God's mansion, that was Jimi Hendrix' place." "Jimi Hendrix???!!!" said the Pope. "Why does he have a mansion ten times the size of mine? I was the leader of the Catholic Church!"

"Settle down!" said St. Peter. "We get you Popes in here all the time. We don't get many musicians."

233. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
At the Country Church Sunday School, the new teacher finished the day's lesson. It was now time for the usual question period. "Teacher," announced little Joey, "there's somethin' I can't figure out."

"What's that, Joey?"

"Well, accordin' to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"
"Right."

"An' the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?"

"Er-right."

"An' the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"

"An' the Children of Israel fought the 'gyptians, an' the Children of Israel

"Again you're right." fought the Romans, an' the Children of Israel wuz always doin' somethin' important, right?"

"All that is right, too," agreed the teacher.

"So what's your question?"

"What I wanna know is this," demanded Joey. "What wuz all the grown-ups doin' all that time?"

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 670 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Why do we get dark circles under our eyes when we're tired?

ANSWER: Dark circles are more likely to be inherited than caused by lack of sleep, although little sleep does exacerbate it. Thinness of skin causes the veins underneath to be more easily seen. As we get older our skin gets thinner too.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Where do you find Pink Snow and what does it smell like?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
846. A GOOD JOB FINISHED
The last original Peanuts Comic Strip was published February 13, 2000. Coincidentally, creator Charles M. Schultz died the night before. (With a smile on his face?)

847. FAINTING GOATS
America has everything, including the Tennessee Fainting Goat Association! It's actually just what it says it is, an association for aficionados of fainting goats. Started in 1987, membership is open to anyone who is interested in fainting goats, a breed of goat with a startle reflex that makes them easy prey for predators. Fainting goats are also called "Myotonic goats," "Nervous goats," or "Stiff-legged goats. The goats have a muscle condition called myotonia which causes their external muscles to lock-up or stiffen when startled. When the muscles lock up, the goat falls over. Older goats learn to lean against a fence or barn to prevent falling over and so they don't exhibit this trait as much as do younger goats. (Sometimes we copy them!)

848. WEARABLE INSURANCE
Back in the good old seafaring days of wooden ships, there was no certainty sailors setting out on long voyages would ever see their homeland again. To prepare for the worst, sailors wore gold earrings so that if there was an accident and their bodies were found washed ashore on some foreign beach, the gold in their earrings would be used to pay for decent burials. (More likely to be used for the enjoyment of the living – those who found them!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

A
FRIENDS miss FRIENDS
understanding

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BE INSPIRED WITH INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

Take a look at the wide range of over 4,000 tapes from speakers old and new, to be found at Inspirational Tapes. Built up over 30 years, this library contains many tapes and teachings unavailable elsewhere.

Free MP3 downloads will recommence on 23 February.

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ANOTHER EXPERIENCE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

For the first time in Africa and Asia, I haven’t felt the desperate need to shut my eyes and pray when in a motor vehicle! Maybe be faith has improved – but more likely it is the driving! I had heard of the traffic chaos in Manila, but compared with other large cities it is relatively disciplined and well behaved. Two lane roads aren’t converted to four lane superhighways in the blink of the driver’s eye as in India, nor are there simply tiny bits of tarmac joining the potholes, as in Africa.

A pleasant and relaxed Filipino driving experience.

DAY'S OF CHUNDER

It somehow seems appropriate when I look to forward to many hours in the airplane over the next weeks, to be grateful for the fact that I don't have to do the journey in my friend Neil's small yacht! A 36 hour trip down the East Coast of New Zealand was enough to convince me that planes are truly wonderful! luxurious! comfortable! and steady!

Read all about it at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php?poemId=00017

IRAQ'S PLACE IN BIBLICAL HISTORY

Did you know?
1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia which is now Iraq was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor which is in Iraq.
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh, which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria which is in Iraq conquered the ten tribes of Israel.
10. Amos cried out in Iraq!
11. Babylon which is in Iraq destroyed Jerusalem.
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The 3 Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (that's good news to know that JESUS has been in Iraq too as the 4th person in the fiery furnace)!
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.
17. The wise men were from Iraq.
18. Peter preached in Iraq.
19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon which was a city in Iraq!

What about the future?

Check out 'God Facts' for much more interesting information on evangelism and the church...

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

Hundreds and hundreds of sayings about life and living it, that I wish I'd thought of first.

!!!The optimist says the glass is half full. The pessimist says the glass is half empty. The pragmatist, being thirsty, drinks the water.

!!!What's the greatest worldwide use of cowhide? To hold cows together.

!!!For people who like peace and quiet - a phoneless cord.

!!!Some people itch for success when they should be scratching for it.

!!!Someday we'll look back on all this and plow into a parked car.

!!!A marriage in trouble is like a horse with a broken leg, you can shoot the horse, but it but it won't help the leg. {Barney Miller TV show} --Lawrence Brotherton

!!!I don't get even, I get odder.

!!!It hurts to be on the cutting edge.

!!!The most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

!!!Practice safe eating - always use condiments.

!!!Today, it takes more brains and effort to make out the income-tax form than it does to make the income.

Check out heaps more at...

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FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

THE FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS

Not used quite as much as it was, the phrase refers to ones power of belief. It comes from Matthew 17:20 where Jesus was talking to His disciples about healing the sick and demon possessed.

Many more interesting Bible facts at...

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A FURTHER FILIPINO EXPERIENCE

Today is Sunday, and I write this before going to participate in my first work (Ministry!). This morning I got up and went for a walk and found the local beach. Walking along the beach I found a local taking his snake for a morning walk! Or was it taking him? Wound round his neck, it seemed to be enjoying the experience! I wasn’t the only one staring though!

An unusual Filipino experience.

A DAVID MUSING

GETTING AWAY
The bags not packed - it soon will be.
The works not done - we'll wait and see.

The plane waits for no man,
No delay, even for a woman,
So on you get, in the jet,
Too late now, 'tis to fret.

Enjoy the moment, relax in the day,
The time's come, to be on the way!

Hooray!

His servant and yours

David Tait

Answer: A little misunderstanding between friends.

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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