A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 32 Published: 03 Jun 2002
WE’RE ALL ONE
Coming to Ghana, which has a totally different culture to South Africa, America or New Zealand to name but a few, the thing that has struck me most is, that in spite of our physical, cultural and economic differences, we as individuals, are remarkably alike, no matter where we happen to live. When adding the dimension of a belief in Jesus, the similarities are even more pronounced.As our Ghanaian organiser and now friend, Rev Dusan Pobee has said, life and its aspirations and problems centre around 4 areas for us all – health, wealth (work), marriage and families. As it is true in Ghana, so it is true for us all, no matter where we live.
For when it comes down to basics, the 2 keys to life are physical survival (health and wealth) and relationships with those we are closest to. (marriage and family) Ordinary people of every race and religion seek personal happiness and fulfilment through attaining ‘success’ in these basic human desires.
When you think about it, the Bible is really a revelation and a testimony of how best to achieve these primary goals of life. Its wisdom can be extracted and applied in a completely secular way, for the principles on which it is based are timeless and true.
Yet the Bible is more than this, for it also reveals the ultimate source of power we can tap in to, and that is Jesus. He helps us attain our life’s goals, no matter whom we are or where we live. He doesn’t offer a magical formula by which all life’s challenges and problems can be instantly overcome, but rather, provides the means through which we can cope with the experiences of daily life. I, along with countless millions throughout history, can testify to this truth. For life with Christ is just so much more fulfilling though no less challenging than life ‘BC’. (Before Christ)
In the words of our Ghanaian friends, ‘stay blessed’. For Jesus died for and loves us all.
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AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
While walking down to the main shopping centre of Osu-Accra, we passed a church. Not a large church, but one typical of many in this amazingly ‘highly churched’ city. I stopped at the door, magnetically drawn by the beautiful sounds of worship wafting out of the door and up into the heavens.As I looked I was entranced by the sight of an African lady silhouetted in the doorframe, completely sold out to God in worship. Of course, she did not see me, as her eyes were solely focused on her God. She surely had entered the Holy of Holies.
I reluctantly tore myself away to continue on into town, but the memory of that precious moment will endure for a long time to come. Thank you Africa
MORE OF YOUR MOST UNBELIEVED VERSES FROM ‘THE WORD’
“ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)“ Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)
“ Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2)
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
LESSONS FOR COPING WITH THE EVER INCREASING PACE OF LIFE### tOOK A LESSON IN sPEEED tY[PING. nOW MAKE TWICW AS MANY MISTAAKES IN HALF THER TIME.
### Took a Speed Logic course. Can immediately jump to a conclusion. A very popular course, his one!
### Took a Speed Memory course. Able to remember everything before it happens. Life’s now so dull!
### Took a Speed Learning course. Now I know it all. Others have confirmed it! You already knew that!
There are over 250 David Doodling's at...
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministriesinspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape or MP3 download - absolutely free of charge!
Ian Coker " The Bible As the Word of God"
Something a little different this week by way of MP3 link in that we bring a copy (with permission) of a radio broadcast, from Toowoomba Australia. The radio programme is "The 11th Hour" and is presented by local Pastor and Christian Apologetic Ian Coker as he explains the Bible is the Word of God.
Order your free tape or download your MP3 today at...
FACTS FOR FUN
SCRABBLEThe game that would become Scrabble was created by an unemployed architect, Alfred Mosher Butts in the early 1930s. He called it Lexiko, then Criss Cross Words and then sold the rights to James Brunot. In 1948 it was renamed Scrabble and was manufactured in a converted school house in Connecticut. Bruno sold the game to Selchow and Righter, who were bought out by Coleco in 1987, and in 1989 Milton Bradley bought it. More than 100 million Scrabble games have been sold worldwide. A scramble for scrabble!
THE PACIFIC IS A DEEP PARADISE
The deepest spot in any ocean is found in the Pacific. The Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, near Guam, extends about 36,000 feet below the surface. To compare, Mount Everest is 29,000 feet high. The average depth of the Pacific is about 13,000 feet.
The Pacific provides more than half of the world's annual seafood catch, about 57 million tons. Tastes great too!
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!
Mrs. Fumblefinger was working in the kitchen when a loose ring, with a big diamond on it, slipped off her finger and fell smack into some coffee. Strange to say, the diamond did not get wet. Why?
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
150 fun facts and trivial trivia at…
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***The way we might sing some well-known hymns if we were being honest!
- I Surrender - Some
- There Shall Be Sprinkles of Blessings
- Fill My Spoon, Lord
- Oh, How I Like Jesus
- He's Quite a Bit to Me
- I Love to Talk About Telling the Story
- Take My Life and Let Me Be
- It Is My Secret What God Can Do
- There Is Scattered Cloudiness in My Soul Today
- Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
- Just As I Pretend to Be
- When the Saints Go Sneaking In
- Sit Up, Sit Up for Jesus
- A Comfy Mattress Is Our God
- Self-Esteem to the World, The Lord Is Come
- Oh, for a Couple of Tongues to Sing
- Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
- Go Tell It on the Speed Bump
- Lord, Keep Us Loosely Connected to Your Word
- Praise God From Whom All Affirmations Flow
- My Hope Is Built on Nothing Much
- O, God, Our Enabler in Ages Past
- I Lay My Inappropriate Behavior on Jesus
- Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
- All Hail the Influence of Jesus' Name!
- When Peace, Like a Trickle
- We Give Thee but Still Think We Own
- What an Acquaintance We Have in Jesus
- My Faith Looks Around for Thee
- Joyful, Joyful We Think Thee Pretty Good
- Above Average Is Thy Faithfulness
- We Are Milling Around in the Light of God
- Spirit of the Living God, Fall Somewhere Near Me
- Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style
- Sweet Moments of Prayer
--Selected from Pastor Tim's Illustrations List.
There are now 100 ways to laugh at ourselves on…
LIFE’S A LAUGH
CONCRETE ADVICEAfter a lady's car had leaked motor oil on her cement driveway, she bought a large bag of cat litter to soak it up. It worked so well, that she went back to the convenience store to get another bag to finish the job.
Remembering her, the clerk remarked, "Lady, if that were my cat, I'd put him outside!"
There are now 70 humorous, real life stories to be found at…
IF ONLY I’D THOUGHT OF IT!
!!! I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.!!! Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.
!!! If I knew I was going to get this old, I would have taken better care of myself when I was young.
!!! If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.
!!! The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
Hundreds of fun and thoughtful sayings at…
A FUN SITE TO VISIT
BRO. ERNEST AND FRIENDSThis is the humour and inspiration site of Haywood Hills Baptist, USA. Included are items either written by Ernie & Friends or those collected and appreciated by them. Excellent stuff!
Take time to relax and find them at…
A DAVID MUSING
Welcome to Ghana! The heat hits you as you step out of the plane, a forceful reminder that you are entering a new world.Ghana – a country of happy, open faces, where the gleaming white smiles dramatically highlight the gentle ebony black faces. Ghana, definitely a top contender in the competition for the greatest number of churches per head of population in the world, a land where a church on every block is not a dream, but a reality. A land where 60% of the people go to church – mostly to worship God, but still many because it is the thing to do. Some things never change, no matter where you are!
The Lord is glorified seemingly everywhere! Many shops – and there are many for this is a nation of small shop keepers – are named after Jesus or the Bible. Something regarded as the ‘kiss of death’ financially by most New Zealand Christians. But is it? For my successful mail order business showed that it wasn’t.
A relaxed people, who enjoy the flexible and variable ‘African Time’, which is simply impossible to programme in to a Western timepiece! A poor country, with over 50% unemployment, where even those fortunate enough to have jobs, mostly earn $US1 per day. A country where however there is little Police presence, yet you feel 100% safe walking the streets at midnight.
A country which provided so many of the slaves for the plantations of the Americas, yet still a country where there is a real sense of the presence of God. For the people had nowhere else to turn in their misery. But now a stable democratic country where the people are rebuilding a hope for the future. And that hope is in their (and our) God.
His servant and yours from Africa
David Tait
Today’s Challenge Answer: The ring fell into a tin of dry ground coffee.
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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand
Phone: (07) 575-7164 International (0064) 7575-7164
Fax: (07) 575-7124 International (0064) 7575-7124
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
david@wwj.org.nz