DOGS AND GOD

Our close friends Beryl and Roger, recently left New Zealand, flying to the far side of the world, 'Bonny Scotland', to attend their son's wedding. Of course, they are simply copying Kathy and me, for our oldest son Andrew, married in Scotland 6 years ago! And is still there! The attraction of the Scottish lasses seems irresistible!

However, that is simply incidental to today's 'doggie' tale! You see, another of our sons was delegated to look after their house. To care for Beryl and Roger's two dogs while they were away.

A couple of days after they left, Brendan brought 'Blaze' round to visit us, safely shutting him into our back yard. Safely that was, until a giant wind gust came along and blew the gate open! And Blaze disappeared! For two days he was missing. We looked, we worried, our lives were dominated by this precious lost dog.

So now I have a little more understanding of how God feels for the lost. For when Adam and Eve sinned, subsequent generations of 'you's and me's', His precious possessions, were lost to Him. And He grieved, and still grieves, for us!

Suddenly, on the third day, the Dog Pound telephoned to say that Blaze had been found. The joy! The elation! The relief we felt! Now we know why the angels rejoice when one soul turns to Jesus, so returning to the Father. A truly amazing experience!

Today, Brendan brought the other dog, 'Honey', to visit. This time Honey was chained up in our backyard. A lesson learned the hard way!

A little later, Brendan went down to check on her. Her chain was broken and you've guessed it, Honey too has gone! So now we are out looking for Honey........

This really is true! History repeating itself! Yes - fact truly is stranger than fiction!

Our God continues to cry out for His lost ones too!

Please Honey, come home!

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FROM THE WORD

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP
"Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

”‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:1-32)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

317. God's graciously given grace gift gallantly galvanises garrulous, grateful gentiles!

62. Jesus turns our human ‘LESS - ness’ into His ‘FULL - ness’.

63. From:
- restless to peaceful,
- hopeless to hopeful,
- careless to careful,
- thoughtless to merciful,
- mirthless to cheerful,
- powerless to powerful,
- humourless to gleeful,
- spineless to forceful,
- penniless to bountiful…….

NEW! You can now download the book of all David's Doodlings in PDF format at DAVID'S DOODLINGS

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now more than 800 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

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

Trust you found the first issue helpful. This week we will be looking at the second chapter of the Book of Ruth, continuing to build the picture of the amazing and important message God has in it for us, who live today. As one reader says...

Dear Bro. David,
To God be the glory for this wonderful revelation and teaching on the Book of Ruth. The allegory should be well expanded to our present day churches and denominations.

God is expecting all of us to participate actively and faithfully in the endtime Harvest. May God help us to remain obedient to our Heavenly Father in Jesus.
name. Amen.

Well done and fire on.
Thanks,

Yours,
Joel Aina(Rev).

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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." ***

296. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS
A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment of bringing something to represent their religion.

The first boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is the Star of David."

The second boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Thomas and I am Catholic and this is the Crucifix."

The third boy got in front of the class and said, " My name is Johnny and I am Baptist and this is a casserole."

295. BABY PICTURE?
After making a few calls at the local hospital, the pastor got on the crowded elevator to head for the lobby. A young man, grinning broadly, was passing around a photograph. Amid appreciative smiles, someone asked for the weight. "Six-and-a-half pounds," the young man exclaimed.

"Congratulations," the pastor interjected. "Boy or girl?"

His grin spread even farther. "Bass (fish)," he said.

NEW! You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Was Cleopatra an Egyptian?

ANSWER: There were several Egyptian queens named Cleopatra, but the one we think of when we say "Cleopatra" wasn't actually of Egyptian blood. Her bloodlines were Greek, Persian, and Macedonian. Her Greek ancestors ruled Greece after the death of Alexander the Great.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What wild animal has killed the most people in Africa?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
753. RISING TO THE OCCASION
In 4000 BC, Egyptians discovered yeast's leavening abilities and turned out more than 40 types of bread. (But did they open ‘Hot Bread Shops’?)

754. WHICH IS WORSE?
Pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck's real name is Arnold Dorsey. (From worse to ‘worster’).

755. ADDING FLAVOUR
Official FDA guidelines allow whole pepper to be sold with up to 1 percent of the volume made up of rodent droppings. (Or you could try eating ‘seasoned mice’ for a change!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.

PLATTER

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BE INSPIRED WITH A MESSAGE FROM INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

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A SITE THAT WILL HELP MANY

Greetings:

We are often told that our ministry is badly needed. That's why I've sent you this email... to let you know about the Anxiety Centre site.

It is estimated that in the United States alone, 39,000,000 people will experience a debilitating anxiety condition sometime during their lifetime.

Our ministry helps them to return to normal and productive lives.

If you would like more information about anxiety, the symptoms it commonly exhibits, or the services we offer, I invite you to visit.

I thank you for the opportunity to send you this message.

Blessings,
Jim Folk
President, anxietycentre.com

Visit the site now at...

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PET'S RULE - particularly someone elses today!

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he
had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.

This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."

DON'T WORRY
Howard came home from work one evening and there was his wife Miriam in the kitchen crying out loud.

"What's the matter, darling?" he asked her.

"I just don't know what to do," said Miriam. "Because we were eating in for a change, I cooked us a special dinner - but the dog has just eaten it."

"Don't worry," said Howard, "I'll get us another dog."

More good and bad pet humour at...

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INTERESTING WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Of course, this is the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that Adam and Eve were instructed not to eat in Genesis 2:17. They took no notice, a decision we still have to live with today.

Now means doing something we know to be wrong, often of a sensual nature.

Lot's more interesting God Facts at...

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FOR KEEPS: MARRIAGES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

When asked how they would advise young couples on how to make their marriage a long and happy one, respondents highlighted five key approaches.

* There must be a similarity of values, backgrounds and interests as a way to prevent or ameliorate discord, especially in relation to children and parenting.

* A successful marriage will be characterised by love, regard and mutual respect that go beyond sexual desire and contribute to an intimacy that can only be developed over time.

* Don't look for, or try to create, the perfect spouse. Take the time to get to really know your spouse's character before marrying them - and then make a serious commitment to the development of a long-term marriage.

* Communicate openly and honestly but tactfully, even and especially during those times when communicating is most difficult.

* Show a willingness to compromise, to negotiate and to share responsibilities, realising that you won't always be giving and taking in equal measures but that over time it will balance out.

Alford-Cooper, F. (1998). For Keeps: Marriages That Last a Lifetime. New York: M.E. Sharpe.

Several new studies of successful marriages have been posted on (please be patient while the page downloads - so full of info!...

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A DAVID MUSING

It's amazing how 'bad luck' can strike twice - or more! Life isn't meant to be fair. I feel so sorry for my son Brendan, who has been so diligent in looking after our friend's dogs.

These situations can either get us down, or build character. The choice is ours.

Now, WHERE IS THAT DOG!!!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: PRATTLE

PPS: The dog finally turned up. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait the 42 years the Lord had to for me!

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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!

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