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: 47 Published: 23 Sep 2002
THE THREE PLAGUES
Having now spent over 2 months in Africa in the past 4, I am forced to ask the question, “What are the basic problems theses wonderful people face?†We all know of the poverty, disease and hunger, but what is the root cause, or causes, of their problems? Well, here are three, Corruption, nepotism and selfishness!Corruption is endemic – a way of life amongst many of the people. It is a vicious cycle of greed that sucks the guts out of these nations. Without corruption some people could not survive, yet with corruption, others enrich themselves at the expense of the majority. Even when money is available, it is siphoned off, so that the people, who should be the recipients, miss out to the greed of a few. Society suffers stupendously! From Presidents to Policemen, the very economic lifeblood is sucked out of the fragile economies.
Nepotism too, is rife. Because of the basic tribal nature of the societies, it is simply taken for granted that when your tribe or family is in power, your supporters and relations will receive the spoils of power – jobs for the ‘boys’ (and girls!) irrespective of suitability and qualifications. These beautiful countries and people drown in a sad sea of inefficiency and self-interest.
Finally, there is simply pure selfishness. Politicians and rulers look after themselves first, before their people. Grand buildings to house the elite take precedence over roading and other vital infrastructure. Arms are seen as more important than medicines. Conferences are preferred to education. The people simply come last.
Those of us in the West cannot afford to become complacent, for, as these invasive cancers have destroyed the heart of Africa, so they will us too, if we aren’t ever vigilant!
Nor is the church exempt! Do we give extra say and consideration to those who are, or could become, our largest financial contributors? Do we appoint people to church jobs because they are family, friends, or because they will agree with our opinions? Do we focus more on fine facilities than on feeding the poor and reaching the lost? Makes one think, doesn’t it?
Find out more about us on ...
AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
In the Ugandan village we visited, Kathy and I were asked to go and pray for a lady who was too sick to come to the church. We walked on narrow, dusty dirt paths to her small, 2-roomed mud brick hut, which housed a family of at least 6. Cooking was done outside on an open fire. Inside, day changed to night, with a small candle being the sole source of illumination. Yet these people come to church immaculately dressed, miraculously belying their personal circumstances.The lady was suffering badly. She had been taken to the local hospital and given a prescription, but hadn’t been able to afford to pay for the medication prescribed. We did not know the diagnosis, but it certainly appeared that something as simple as worm tablets would have helped greatly. All we could do was pray. For physical, emotional and spiritual healing. How hopeless you feel. For this isn’t an isolated case, but one amongst millions in similar circumstances.
A very sobering and sad African experience.
FROM THE WORD
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.†(Hebrews 11:1-3)“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 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 perfecter 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.†(Hebrews 11:39 - 12:3)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
### Hope gives you but a shovel to dig, while faith removes the mountain itself.### Faith is the means God uses to move the mountain. Beats a bulldozer every time!
### The one who continues to build their faith will be blessed beyond measure.
There are now over 400 David sayings for you to view at ...
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministriesinspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!
Repentance. Part 2 (Part 1 last week)
By John and Paula Sandford
As co-founders of Elijah House USA & Canada, John and Paula travel extensively conducting and teaching seminars on marriage and family life matters. They are co-authors of 20 books related to Biblical based counselling, inner healing, deliverance, prayer, and family life. Their best selling book, "The Transformation of the Inner Man" has sold more than 200,000 copies and has brought healing to thousands of families around the world.
Order your free tape or run the MP3 today at ...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***GREAT FAITH
An overweight business associate of mine decided it was time to shed some excess pounds. He took his new diet seriously, even changing his driving route to avoid his favourite bakery. One morning, however, he arrived at work carrying a gigantic coffeecake. We all scolded him, but his smile remained cherubic.
"This is a very special coffeecake," he explained. "I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window was a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, 'Lord, if you want me to have one of those delicious coffeecakes, let me have a parking place directly in front of the bakery', and sure enough," he continued, "the eighth time around the block, there it was!"
125 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What is the sleeping sickness?ANSWER: Sleeping sickness, or encephalitis lethargica, was a strange disease that appeared in Europe suddenly in 1915. By 1918, the disease, which took many forms, had spread throughout the world. In some cases, victims fell into a coma and never woke up. Others died from days and days of NOT being able to sleep at all. The epidemic, which is estimated to have affected five million people, vanished mysteriously in 1927. Survivors didn't fare well. The long-term effects of the sleeping sickness, which had developed into a form of Parkinson's disease, had turned many patients into motionless "statues." In March 1969, neurologist Oliver Sacks began to prescribe L-dopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, to sleeping sickness patients. The effect was extraordinary. Many began to "wake up" and were suddenly, after decades of not moving, able to walk and talk and think. Some patients believed they were still in the 1920s! Sadly, though, many patients on L-dopa began to suffer from involuntary movements, bizarre motions and notions, and other serious symptoms.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is a group of flamingos called?
Answer Next Week.
***SOME FUN FACTS***
HOT LIGHTENING
The typical bolt of lightning heats the atmosphere to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Best not to be there.
SCRABBLE
The 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 WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU!
lo ose
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
Find 150 fun facts and trivial trivia at ...
JUST JOKES
EMERGENCY PROCEDUREMy uncle Joe and his best buddy, Bubba, went hunting a couple of weeks ago. Somehow they got lost. Uncle Joe reassured his buddy, though.
"Don't worry. All we have to do is shoot into the air three times, stay where we are, and someone will find us."
They shot in the air three times, but no one came.
After a while, they tried it again.
Still no response.
When they decided to try once more, Bubba said,
"It better work this time. We're down to our last three arrows."
Visit our Just Jokes page for lots more fun at ...
EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS
GOOD(!) NEWS*** The parachute company says you'll get a full refund.
*** They say the house didn't float very far at all.
*** The "National Enquirer" just loved those pictures of you at work.
*** Jerry Springer wants to surprise you on his show.
*** The reward for your capture has reached fifty thousand dollars.
*** The insurance pays the full book value ($312) for your 1956 T Bird.
*** The thieves left the push lawnmower and hedge trimmers.
*** Those Grand Juries always over-react. Don't worry about it.
*** The boss said while you're sick, he'd do all your work personally.
Many more gems of wit and wisdom at ...
IF YOU HAVE THE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT
A GOOD MAN GOES TO HEAVENDoesn’t he?
Find out at ...
A FINAL AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
We had our last day in Uganda off, a delight after a busy schedule. We were given the choice of going to the ‘eye of the Nile’ River or to the Equator. We chose the Equator as we wished to carry out an experiment to prove one of the ‘Facts For Fun’ on our website.After 100km of travel through lush Ugandan countryside on a ‘good for Africa’ road, we reached our destination – the invisible line of the equator. A long way to travel to see something invisible! It was a pleasantly cool day also, not at all like you imagine the Equator to be, five metres to the South of the invisible line we poured some water into a basin and when we let it out, it flowed down the plughole, anti-clockwise. Five metres to the North, the flow was clockwise, on the Equator itself, the water went straight down. Amazing! Incredible! Unbelievable but true! The Magnetic force really does exist! A great illustration of faith too! Experienced but not seen.
A final, wonderful African experience.
A DAVID MUSING
The Church is people and people are the Church. To hear testimonies of God’s grace and power makes ministry totally worthwhile. So do the people you meet and those who look after you. These are now our friends. Andrew Edwards, the entrepreneurial organiser, confidant and Elder to pastors, with a vision for winning the world to Jesus. His gorgeous wife Diana; hairdresser, top cook and gracious hostess to the numerous visitors who constantly pass through their home. Pastor Robert, Andrew’s right hand man, who suffered the double tragedy of the death of his brother and the injury of his son in a car accident during the time we were there, yet supported and encouraged us all the way. And Elisha, vegetable grower, musician and servant, graciously giving so much of his time to look after us. And so many more. We honor and thank you all.Yes, successful church is a matter of teamwork. May those up the front never forget it!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Word Puzzle Answer: Cut loose
LINKS
If you would like to link your web links@wsite to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on links@wwj.org.nzDID THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?
YES - Great!NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...
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
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