IN EXPERIENCE WE TRUST?

Trust is built through positive experience. Unfortunately though, good experiences are not necessarily the reality of life, are they? As we progress through the battlefield of daily living, our trust levels generally decrease. We become increasingly cautious in building new, deep relationships, the result of bad experiences from the past.

Look at how trusting young children are. Very often too, our best friendships are formed in the days of our youth, at a time when we were prepared to be more open and trusting.

First in the natural, then in the spiritual.

I have seen in many, friendship with our Lord fall into this downward spiral too. Those who have been hurt by the church, the pastor, other Christians or simply by life itself. We blame God! Maybe not in so many words, but it's reflected in the reality of our actions. There is nothing sadder to me, than seeing one who has been on fire for the Lord getting lost the mire of hurt and rejection, with its almost inevitable consequence of walking away from intimacy with God. In, or out of the church.

You too, will know people like this. Maybe, it is you.

Today, I want to encourage us all to remember that there remains one we can always trust. Let's look past our bed experiences with others. People, no matter how perfect they appear to be, are always capable of letting us down. For not one of us has yet reached perfection. Not me, nor you.

But Jesus has! He proved it when hung on a roughly hewn tree, on a lonely hill called Calvary. Yes, our life experiences leave something, likely a lot, to be desired. But in Jesus we have a friend we can always trust. So let's take off our tinted spectacles, darkened by the grind of life, and place all our trust in Him. He is the friend who won't let us down.

For some, it will mean going back to the trust we had when we first believed. For others, letting go of the past and building a friendship based on the promises of the Word, not life experience. But whatever our situation, He is waiting with hand outstretched to welcome us into His arms. Life may fail us, but Jesus never will. Let's trust Him with everything today.

Lord, please forgive me for putting life experience in the way of trusting you. Let us make a new start together today. Thank you, my Lord and my friend.

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FROM THE WORD

"“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-3)

"“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”" (John 3:16-21)

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:4-10)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

122. God accepts us as we are. As we learn to accept this, he develops us into what we can be.

123. Let failure breed experience, not despair.

124. A failure learned from is a step towards success.

125. God specialises in turning worldly failures into heavenly successes.

126. Worldly success is fleeting, heavenly glory, eternal.

127. Worldly success is like the rainbow – beautiful for all to see for a short time. Heavenly glory is that elusive pot of gold, which once found never decays.

128. At the end of the fleeting, worldly glory of the rainbow, the unseen, eternal, heavenly pot of gold is found.

129. Don’t be seduced by the fleeting rainbow, but rather, search for the eternal pot of gold.

130. The path of a successful life is built with many paving stones of failure

131. The Jesus in us, makes us invincible in Jesus!

132. Life brings strife. Overcoming strife brings back life.

169. Challenge and opportunities are bedfellows. For the one is inevitably born out of the other.

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CRANWELL'S CARTOON

11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What
should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12 “Pick me
up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm.
I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they
could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they
cried to the LORD, “O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this
man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man,
for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah
and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the
men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD
and made vows to him. 17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow
Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:
“In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the
depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and
the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over
me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look
again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the
roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in
forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.
7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer
rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless
idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. 9 But I, with a song of
thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD.” 10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and
it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (Jonah 1:11-2:10)

TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.

FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

Hi David,
I happened across your website, and found it to be quite interesting. The purpose for this email is simply to make mention of a subject rarely understood in the institutional church world. I recently read the book "TITHING: LOW-REALM, OBSOLETE & DEFUNCT by Matthew E. Narramore (First Edition 2004), and I highly recommend this book to all Christians everywhere. It is available to read FREE on the internet, or to purchase in book form at: www.tekoapublishing.com/books/intro.html It is without doubt that most pastors, and most Christians do not comprehend the subject of tithing in the context of the New Covenant, and that Christians are neither blessed or cursed upon the basis of tithing, which is a very false assumption. This book is not only worth the time to read, and to verify along with the pertinent scriptures, but it is worth making it known to others as well. Jesus came to set the captives free, and it is long past time for Christians everywhere to know the truth about "tithing", and be set free from the captivity of false doctrines.

Jesus Christ ALONE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and not false teachings.

Cordially,

Van Robison
Kentucky, U.S.A.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear David,

If Daniel 5:25 gives us the first recorded mention of hand writing, is Exodus 31:18 the first mention of finger painting?

Grace, peace - Phil.
--
Phil Anthony, Coordinator, Salem Quarterly Meeting

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Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

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

THE PROPHETIC FEASTS OF THE LORD - Series 2 - THE AUTUMN FEASTS
Part 2 of 10 - THE PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME

As we now move into our detailed studies on the 3 Feasts remaining to be fulfilled, my heart jumps with excitement. For these next studies are going to give us an indication of God's future plans for you and for me.

And it all starts with the Feast of Trumpets.

Check it out in your letterbox tomorrow. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can register now at... tteach-on@wwj.org.nz

Previous teachings on this subject, the First Miracle of Jesus, the Book of Ruth, God's Character and Servanthood and Leadership, the Parable of the Sower, The Two Marathoners, The 3 Rivers of God The Spring Feasts, The Power of 3 in God & the Church and A Layman's History of the Times of the Feasts can be viewed at...

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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." ***

376. DEAR GOD:
Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed to be our day of rest. Tom

Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Bruce.

I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool. Eugene

Our school teacher told us that Thomas Edison invented light. But in Sunday school they said You did it. So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, Donna

375. THE MICROSCHLOCK BIBLE
(A parody. Adapted by Bellgamin)

Customer: Oh salesclerk, could you help me please?

Clerk: Hi, my name is Velma and I'll be your Support. What's your problem?

Customer: The book of Psalms is missing from this Bible I bought here yesterday.

Clerk: Try looking again. Maybe Psalms will be there this time.

Customer: No, it's still missing.

Clerk: Maybe it's the way you're using the Bible. Try opening it from the back instead of the front.

Customer: Even when I open it from the back, Psalms is still missing.

Clerk: Maybe the Bible is incompatible with your eyeglasses. Did you wear READING glasses while you used this Bible?

Customer: I don't need glasses. My eyesight is perfect.

Clerk: Hmmm...if you say so. Well, it might be a configuration problem. How was the Bible set up?

Customer: They just handed it to me in a cardboard box. What has that got to do with the fact that Psalms is missing?

Clerk: Can you remember everything you did before you noticed the book of Psalms was missing?

Customer: I took it out of the box, of course!

Clerk: Oh oh! That could be the cause of your problem. Anyway, that Bible is rather out-dated technology. Have you considered upgrading to our most recent version?

Customer: You folks have updated the Bible?

Clerk: Certainly. We just issued Bible-98, version 2.1. It comes with 100 free hours on the internet, plus one full year of Tech Support.

Customer: Okay, bring me Bible-98. I'm running late now.

Clerk: Here you are sir. Bible-98, the latest thing.

Clerk starts to leave.

Customer: (Examines Bible) Hey, wait a minute! What are all these extra pages glued in between the Bible pages? I didn't ask for those.

Clerk: No problem sir. They can be removed for a slight extra cost. Of course, doing so will void the warranty and your Bible might not function properly without them.

(And so it goes. Er..... did anybody say McWindoze?)


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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Was Napoleon only five feet two tall? Did he lie about his height?

ANSWER: Nope. It's simply a mistake of measurement. Napoleon was measured during his autopsy and his height was reported as being five feet two. But the measurement was done in French feet and not converted to English measurement. He was actually five feet six and a half. A better than average height at the time.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What animal can see in two different directions at the same time?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

669. CHANGE PLEASE
If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you not only have $1.19 but also the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar. (But you are up 19cents.)

670. AN ACHILLES' HEEL
Is a vulnerable spot. The phrase comes from an ancient Greek myth about the hero Achilles. When Achilles was born, his mother Thetis dipped him the sacred river Styx to make him immortal. Unfortunately, his mother held him by the heel and the waters never covered the heel. He died in battle when an arrow (directed by the god Apollo, who knew of his vulnerability) hit him in this one vulnerable spot. (Immortality is much searched for but only found in Jesus.)

671. THE GREY HOUSE
Originally, the White House in Washington, DC, was grey, not white, and was called the "Executive Mansion." However, after a fire lit by the British in the War of 1812, the house was painted white to cover burn marks. (As have been its occupants.)

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

STENCIL

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BE INSPIRED WITH A MESSAGE FROM INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

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inspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to download the following message in MP3 format, free of charge. Inspirational Tapes offers a range of over 4,000 Audio Cassette Tapes, CD's and Videos to members worldwide, for hire, download or purchase.

This week's free download is...

GOD DIRECTS OUR LIVES

By: Kathryn Kuhlman

Needs no introduction. She experienced both the good and the bad in this area.

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DO YOU KNOW? (About Water)

Which king of Israel was the first to have a navy?

David
Solomon
Saul
None of the above

Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.

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4. DON'T BELIEVE THE (US) DIVORCE STATISTICS

WHY YOUR MARRIAGE HAS BETTER THAN A 50/50 CHANCE
Half of all marriages end in divorce. We know this to be true because people tell us. The media report it. Your pastor might preach it. Your friends talk about it. As one expert puts it, the statistic has become "part of American folklore."

But it's a lie. Repeat after me: Fifty percent of all marriages do not end in divorce.

If it's untrue, why won't that flawed statistic go away? Because, truth be told, no one can come up with the right statistic.

Recent research suggests that one marriage in four is closer to the true divorce rate. The 50-percent myth originated a couple of decades ago when someone looked at marriage and divorce numbers reported by the National Center for Health Statistics. The number of divorces in one year was precisely half the number of marriages. Voila! Half of all marriages end in divorce. Right? Nope.........

Read the rest of this article (Article 4) at...

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TRUE LIFE HUMOR

CONSIDERATION?
When workmen came to demolish our old porch and build a new one, they had a number of power tools that needed to be plugged into the outlet in our house. Each morning we'd open the door for them to slip an extension cord through the mail slot, and later in the day they would unplug it. Early one afternoon they knocked on the door to say they had to rent a piece of equipment that was available only at 7 a.m. the next morning.

"Ma'am, if you don't mind," said one of the men, "we'd like to leave this cord through the mail slot tonight so we won't have to wake you up when we plug in the jackhammer in the morning."

IN THE ROUTINE
It was a stifling hot day and a man fainted in the middle of a busy intersection. Traffic quickly piled up in all directions, and a woman rushed to help him. When she knelt down to loosen his collar, a man emerged from the crowd, pushed her aside, and said, "It's all right honey, I've had a course in first aid."

The woman stood up and watched as he took the ill man's pulse and prepared to administer artificial respiration. At this point she tapped him on the shoulder and said, "When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I'm already here."

BROTHERS, MAY I
A man from the big city was driving out to Vermont to visit an old friend. Hopelessly lost, he pulled his sports coupe up to a group of men sitting out in front of a small country store to get directions.

Leaning out the car's window, he said, "I want to go to Bennington."

There was silence. Then one of the men slowly took his pipe out of his mouth and replied, "We have no objections."

Find 253 more such humorous real life situations at...

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BIBLE BITS (The 'Minor' Prophets)

HABAKKUK

Habakkuk foresaw Israel's demise to the Babylonians and questioned God why such an unrighteous nation should be allowed to conquer them. God bit His tongue! Not replying directly, He confirmed that the righteous shall live by faith. And assured them that all accounts are eventually settled. Again, the people were instructed to live righteously.

Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...

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LORD - HELP ME!

Now's the time when you are feeling low,
All your effort, with so little to show.
When life is getting on top of you,
God's Word doesn't seem true.
You're looking for a boost,
Chickens home to roost!
Nothing's working,
Life so hurting!
Indescribable!
Unbearable!

"Hey!
Pray!"
"Do I hear,
Voice in ear?"
"Now, listen to me,
One plus two, can be three!
If today, you will let me help you,
Your dreams, they can still come true.
When you rest your all in my gentle hand,
Your horizons, I will again, begin to expand."

Why do we ignore His advice?
Unwilling to pay the price,
Of giving all our being over to Him,
Rather let life's light, grow so dim.

Yes I'm still learning to understand,
Life, when it's placed in His hand,
Will simply, so much better be,
Than if it's only guided by me!

Lot's more of David's poetry, both serious and humorous, is found at...

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A DAVID AND KATHY MUSING

For the (mainly women, I guess) who have been waiting, we present the next generation of the 'Taits' (so far). The photo was taken the day after the birth of Charis and Nathan, with their older sister Eva keeping an eye on the new 'bairns' (Scottish for babies). The Tait name has now infiltrated a further generation.

Kathy will be home from Scotland this Thursday, which both I, and no doubt the Hospital where she works, are looking forwards to.

Must run and get the cleaning done!

So until next week...

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: CLIENTS

TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: KING SOLOMON: 26 King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. 27 And Hiram sent his men—sailors who knew the sea—to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men. 28 They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon. (1 Kings 9:26-8)

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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) 6 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!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
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