LIFE - A FEATURE FILM, NOT A SNAPSHOT!

The weather is a subject that grips us all! We complain when it is too hot - or too cold. But the one thing we do know is, as we go through the year the seasons will come and the seasons will go. The weather will be hot on some days and cold on others. In fact, we need to live in a place for at least a year to get a reasonable picture of what the climate is really like.

This hugely deep and meaningful thought (sic) has come to me this week through having my friend Glory Dhas visit from India. For five days we had cool, wet weather in Wellington while attending a conference. Glory froze! The difference between Salem's steamy summer sunshine and Wellington's wet, windy, winter (actually 'spring' but it doesn't rhyme - and it was cold enough to believe it was winter, anyway!) was extreme.

Now, had Glory gone straight home, he would have remembered how cold the climate was, in contrast to the warm hearts of the people who made him most welcome. But fortunately, he has stayed a few extra days and found the warmer climate of Napier much more to his liking. You see, his longer time here has given him a more balanced and accurate understanding of our weather.

This example, upon reflection, seems a lot like life, including our walk with Jesus. How often we draw incorrect conclusions from 'snapshots' rather than the 'feature film' that really is our life. We clearly remember events, both good and bad, that we consider the 'highlights' of our life. The problem is though, when looking at snapshots, we forget the overall days, months and years of our lives when we think nothing spectacular is happening. The feature film of our earthly habitation.

Yes, we do all have key experiences that form part of making us who we are in God and the world. But we forget that most growth comes during the remaining 99.9% of our lives - the boring routine that we so easily relegate to the 'Wastebasket' of our existence.

It's the same in the Bible too. We read about the great men and women of God and wonder at the exciting lives they seemed to lead! No. we could not be like them! Our lives are so dull and boring by comparison! But what we forget is, the recorded Biblical stories are simply a collection of snapshots taken from these people's lives. The rest of the time, their lives were just like ours - full of the repetitiveness of daily living.

You know, it is not really the snapshots that make us what we are. But it is their application to our day to day routine that determines success or failure in life. The Bible calls it perseverance - and promises the greatest rewards to those who apply it. We don't like it, it's hard, but it contains the key to obtaining the greatest glory in God's Kingdom.

Now, I just hope the weather stays fine until Glory goes home! The weather forecast is not good. Can't understand why most of us have more faith in the forecaster than the Bible though. For they are so often wrong, while the Bible never is!

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FROM THE WORD

"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)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:21-22)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

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.

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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
I am an x teacher. Students no longer respect teachers because their parents do not respect the teachers. Many of our promblem students are children of parents who were themselves problem students. The problem is increased by children having children. One of my 14 year old children got pregnant, and the father permitted her to keep the child. From the time she became pregnant to the present day (she is now 17) that baby has been her excuse not to study, not to stay after school, not to do projects etc. Personally I think soemthing has seriously gone wrong with the system when a 14 year old is allowed to keep a kid.

Much of this problem has either come from television and movies or been exagerated by it. Look at the difference in cartoons and children's programming since the 1960's. Much of the programming was about growing up. The kid often got him/herself in trouble, tried to solve it, and was extricated from the situation by the parents (Johny Quest as an example). Programmes today often show the kid overcoming the parent's (ususally the father's) stupidity. They also show that kids do not need parents or adults, and sometimes try and teach kids how to be kids instead of how to be adults. More cartoons and shows are about kids as well, instead of about adults.

Another factor is the working mother. Kids in daycare centres do not learn to socialise with adults, because they are mostly around other kids. When most moms were stay at home, kids spent a significant amount of time with mom (and in the case of my father, with uncles, aunts and cousins as well). Kids learned how to be adults from adults. My experience in grades 7-12 indicates that while kids sometimes know more, maturity level is down 2-3 years from 1970. In addition, back to TV, most adult men are basically acting like 14 year olds.

A fourth factor (whicihis not popular to mention) is that some of those problem kids would not have gone to school years ago. School attendance laws were not as strictly enforced, so many of these problem students were not in high schoool thirty years ago.

What can be done. 1) Christian parents need to start parenting again. Start with James Dobson and Focus on the Family. We also need to Biblical techniques, and learn from errors shown in the Bible. (Thiink about K. David) 2) We need to filter and cut out much of what our kids watch. My kids know we do not watch certain shows and why. 3) Christians need to boycott certain TV programmes and write the sponsors, letting them know they will not buy their product as long as they advertise on shows which promote non-Christian values. 4) Christians need to work to creat good quality programming (Television and movie) that is G rated and promotes parental responsability, monogamy, chastity and repsect.

P.S. Keep up the good work.

Shalom B'Yeshua HaMoshiach

Michael Joe Thannisch

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This is an opportunity for you to express your views, which may not be my views. But none of us have a mortgage on all the truth - except for Jesus!

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS: Part 4 of 4

This week we look at the origins of the Lord's Supper and how it is the fulfillment of the final priesthood of Jesus. This really is essential reading for every follower of Jesus as it will open your eyes, as it did mine, to God's incredible care of and plan for His people - that is, you and me!

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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." ***

309. DEATH ANGEL
There's the story of the man who was doing his bank business at the local Bank when he caught sight of the "Death Angel" waiting by the outside door. Being somewhat alarmed, he went out the other door and walked around the building to his car and hastily drove home.

When he came into the kitchen, his wife noted that his face was all white, and she asked what the matter was. He said, "I just saw the death angel."

"So what are you going to do," she asked.

"I'm getting out of town as fast as I can - I'll go to my brother's in Ashfield."

Unbelieving, as soon as his car pulled out of the drive way, the wife rushed down to the bank. Sure enough, there was the Death Angel, still standing by the door.

Being more bold than her husband, she walked up to the Angel and told him that her husband had been very frightened to see him there.

The Death Angel replied, "Well actually, I was also somewhat surprised to see your husband here. I was sure I had an appointment with him later today in Ashfield."

308. THE ONE BOY WHO KNOWS HIS HOLIDAYS
Three 4th grade Sunday School boys were promised a free Bible trip if they can answer one simple question.

The teacher asks the first boy, "What is Easter?"

The boy replies, "Oh, that's easy! It's the holiday in November when everyone gets together, eats turkey, and are thankful."

"Wrong!," replies the teacher, and proceeds to ask the second student the same question, "What is Easter?"

The second boy replies, "Easter is the holiday in December when we put up a nice tree, exchange presents, and celebrate the birth of Jesus."

The teacher looks at the second boy, shakes his head in disgust, tells him he's wrong, then peers over at the third boy and asks, "What is Easter?"

Confidently he looks the teacher in the eyes, "I know what Easter is."

"Oh?" the teacher says incredulously.

"Easter is the Christian holiday that coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the Last Supper and Jesus was later betrayed and handed over to the Romans by one of his disciples. The Romans took him to be crucified and he was stabbed in the side, made to wear a crown of thorns, and was hung on a cross with nails through his hands and feet. He was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed off by a large boulder."

As the Sunday School teacher smiles broadly with delight, the third student continues, "Every year the boulder is moved aside so that Jesus can come out...and, if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter."

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is it true that one shouldn't swim for at least an hour after eating?

ANSWER: Most of us learned early on that we shouldn't go back into the pool after eating for at least an hour or else we'd risk stomach cramps and drown! Actually, that's not true. According to the American Red Cross, there is no scientific evidence to prove that swimming and eating produces cramps. Muscle cramps are caused by fatigue and chilling but have nothing to do with digestion or with the body focusing its energies on digestion and drawing blood away from the muscles. In fact, long-distance swimmers actually eat while in the water to avoid fatigue (and muscle cramps).

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why does cutting onions make us cry?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS
762. TOOTHLESS
According to the newspaper, the Detroit Free Press, 68 percent of professional hockey players have lost at least one tooth. (Have boxers lost one brain?)

763. MATURING WITH AGE
Billiards champions have the highest average age of any sport, 35.6 years. (Oldies can still hit the ball on cue!)

764. ROYAL WOMAN'S LIBERATION
The first woman to play golf at St. Andrew's Golf Club in Scotland was Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1552. Not surprising, as she founded the club. (Did she introduce Ladies Tees too?)

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

DEEDING

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BE INSPIRED WITH A MESSAGE FROM INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT LIE

By: David Pawson

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DO YOU KNOW?

Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.

TWO X SEVEN (DOUBLE COMPLETION?)

SEVEN WORDS
A woman from the deepest, most southern part of Alabama goes into the local newspaper office to see that the obituary for her recently deceased husband is written. The obit editor informs her that the fee for the obituary is 50 cents a word.

She pauses, reflects and then says, "Well, then, let it read, 'Billy Bob died'."

Amused at the woman's thrift, the editor says, "Sorry ma'am, there is a 7 word minimum on all obituaries."

Only a little flustered, she thinks things over and in a few seconds says, "In that case, let it read, 'Billy Bob died - 1983 Pick-up for sale.'"

CHICKENS
The farmer's son was returning from the market with he crate of chicken's his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open. Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.

"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."

"Well, you did real good, son," the farmer beamed.

"You left with seven."

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INTERESTING WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE ITS SPOTS?

A rhetorical question suggesting people cannot change what they inherently are. Taken from Jerimiah's statement in 13:23 of his book. But God can - and does!

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A DAVID MUSING

Cultural differences are a source of humour to those broadminded enough to laugh at them. Here in New Zealand, Kathy works in the local hospital as a nurse, while I work from home - unless I am away! If that makes sense! So it is my 'privilege' to do much of the cooking.

When my indian friend Glory came to stay, he desparately wanted some rice - so desperately that he said he would cook it for himself! Thought nothing of this, for it is what we would do. However, as he coooked his rice, he told us that this was the first cooking he had done in his whole life! For in his house in India, the kitchen is entirely the domain of the fairer sex - in nature, not colour, that is! What an experience for him! And a source of humour for our family. He did such a good job, that tonight he cooked more! Wonderful! Will have a great story to tell his wife Predita, during my next visit!

So until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DEIGNED

Today's 'Do You Know?' Samson. He brought the house down.

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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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