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: 59 Published: 16 Dec 2002
IS GOD?
Is God Indian? A Jew? A New Zealander? An American? An African? Or is God simply God? Of course we know the answer. That our God is universal.Yet our view of God and even more significantly, our ability to freely worship him, is greatly influenced by the country in which we grow up and the style of the church we attend.
Africans, especially Nigerians, have a cultural heritage that more easily enables a freedom in worship that God honours and clearly loves, as illustrated by the power of His Holy Spirit moving there.
In New Zealand, our natural approach is much more cautious and reserved, and in general, so is the response of the Holy Spirit.
Here in India, a male dominated culture, we have unusually witnessed a greater freedom amongst the men to worship than the women have displayed. This cultural restriction certainly restricts the Holy Spirit’s effectiveness here.
Of course, those less moved to worship freely will say that visible manifestations do not necessarily reflect internal openness. This can be true. But as we travel more, it is becoming ever more apparent that worshippers in the style of King David, a man who made many mistakes, but who had a heart of worship, are the ones whom God is seeking and rewards. So let us not become ‘cultural Michals’ and learn to openly express the adoration and love for our God that we feel inside. God will love us for it!
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AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE
A week ago we were taken into a slum area in Hubli for an ‘open air’ meeting. In keeping with the area, the ‘open air’ consisted of a narrow alleyway running between two rows of crowded houses. We had an apparent audience of perhaps 60 people, seated on mats on the ground both to the front and behind us. Challenging to keep eye contact with!Yet when it came time to pray, the numbers somehow trebled, as people seemingly just materialised from out of the surrounding houses. A wonderful prayer time followed. Just goes to dramatically prove that we don’t know who may be listening when we speak God’s word. A truly wonderful Indian experience.
FROM THE WORD
The fourth in a 5 week series of affirmations from the book of Psalms.6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him. (Psalm 32:6-10)
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
More on Faith### We can have the faith of the sparrow, the dove or the eagle. Our choice determines the height to which we can soar.
### Exercising faith releases further faith. (These sayings - good or bad - are an example of it!)
### Dreams are centred in hope, accomplishments in faith.
There are now over 430 David sayings for you to view at ...
MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
In conjunction with Inspirational Tapes 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 download is:
Healing the Land (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.
Download your free MP3 now at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Do sword swallowers really swallow the sword?ANSWER: It's no trick: they really DO swallow the sword. It's not easy though. Sword swallowers must relax the throat muscles and keep them completely relaxed while the sword is inside. The swords are dull, but they CAN do damage to the throat, esophagus, or stomach.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is there really such a thing as a flea circus?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
A SMELLY BUSINESS
George Ellery Hale's 100 inch lens built in the early 1900s was the largest solid piece of glass made until then. The lens was made by a French specialist who poured the equivalent of ten thousand melted champagne bottles into a mold packed with heat maintaining manure so that the glass would cool slowly and not crack. ((Champagne and manure - oops, caviar - for all)
FROM PASTA PAN INTO THE FIRE
Before beginning his movie career - Keanu Reeves managed a pasta shop in Toronto, Canada. (Was it a promotion?)
ARE YOU A ‘WILL-O’-THE-WISP’?
Will-o'-the-wisps are fleeting lights, blue or white, that move mysteriously in the night. They are also known in Wales as "corpse candles" because they are often seen in graveyards, as well as in bogs and marshes. Such lights do exist and can still be seen, but are not supernatural, as was once believed. (Some people believed that to see one was to be forewarned of your own death.) The lights are most likely caused by the ignition of gases produced by the decay of plant or animal matter. (All move mysteriously in graveyards, bogs and marshes at night.)
A PUZZLE FOR YOU!
MSESAGE SSAMEGE
EMASGES GESSMAE
Answer at the end of A David Musing
200 fun facts and trivial trivia now found at ...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***BEAUTIFUL BULLITEN BLOOPERS
1. Next Friday we will be serving hot gods for lunch.
2. If you would like to make a donation, fill out a form, enclose a check and drip in the collection basket.
3. Nov. 11: An evening of boweling at Lincoln Country Club.
4. Women's Luncheon: Each member bring a sandwich. Polly Phillips will give the medication.
5. Karen's beautiful solo: "It is Well With My Solo."
6. Congratulations to Tim and Ronda on the birth of their daughter October 12 thru 17.
7. If you choose to heave during the Postlude, please do so quietly.
8. We are grateful for the help of those who cleaned up the grounds around the church building and the rector.
9. Hymn: "I Love Thee My Ford."
10. Sign-up sheet for anyone wishing to be water baptized on the table in the foyer.
11. Newsletters are not being sent to absentees because of their weight.
12. Helpers are needed! Please sign up on the information sheep.
Now over 150 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
LIFE’S A LAUGH
### Real life situations provide the best humour of all. You can either laugh or cry!###PRAYING ON DUTY
The new Army recruit was given guard duty at 2 a.m. He did his best for a while, but about 4 a.m. his head fell forward and he went to sleep.
He awakened to see the feet of the officer of the day standing before him. Remembering the heavy penalty for being asleep on guard duty, this smart young man kept his head bowed for another moment, then slowly raising his head he reverently said, "A-a-amen!"
BORROW!
Our neighboUr loaned my husband his old chain saw to trim some tree branches. Unfortunately, the engine burned out while my husband was using it. Not wanting to return a broken piece of equipment, he bought a new saw to replace it.
When I offered it to our neighboUr, he thanked me but said, "Keep it. I'll borrow it when I need it."
I was turning away when his eyes lit up. "Hey," he asked, "want to borrow my car?"
Many more 'smiley' real life situations on ...
CHURCHSPEAK
Some underlying spiritual meanings of ‘Plants’ in the Bible.HYSSOP--------Faith
MYRTLE--------Joy, Fragrance
OLIVE TREE----Anointing
PALM----------Victory, Righteousness
PINE-----------Oil
SEED-----------Life, Spiritual man
Lot's more interesting information on the Bible at ...
SOMETHING TO CHALLENGE US ALL
A GOOD MAN GOES TO HEAVEN?Doesn’t he? One of the greatest misunderstandings of man over the two millennia since Christ has been that you can earn your passage into heaven through being a good person – that is by works alone. The message of Jesus however was that the only way into heaven was through belief in Him – called faith. Perhaps why this poem was given to me.
View it now at ...
ANOTHER INDIAN EXPERIENCE
This huge and diverse country is always full of surprises. From a most welcome lack of guns, to a simple driving rule – might is right – to acts of kindness like taking you home on the back of a motorbike when you get lost, are all hallmarks of this complex and amazing land.One of the amazing things to me however, is the people’s ability to sit cross legged on mats on the floor or even on a seat for long periods of time. The flexibility of their muscles to draw their legs right under their bodies is something we Westerners cannot emulate, as it is a technique acquired during a supple youth.
One elderly lady on the train wished to look at the scenery out the window which was behind her seat. Not a problem! She simply squatted, legs folded, the opposite way round on her seat. All part of the interesting experience of travelling on Indian Rail.
A DAVID MUSING
Outside the door of our hotel room as I have written this email has been the buzz of excited voices which I have ignored in my diligence – or desperation – to get this email completed.Suddenly, just as I start to write this musing, the sound of music blasts out in my ears. Now I just have to go and investigate! And what a sight greets me as I look out the window down onto the street. An Indian band fully decked out in red colonial costumes, trumpeting the start of a wedding ceremony. Now I know what the expectant voices have been waiting for. Marriage is an exciting event in every culture. Even when you may have only met you bride to be for 5 minutes previous to the wedding! Something unable to be easily comprehended coming as we do from a Western environment!
Some of these marriages work well, others don’t, but in most cases you just put up with it as there may be little alternative. Regrettably marriage relationships are a challenge in all societies! Yet families are the very foundation of God’s plan for his people. Many challenges remain!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today’s Word Puzzle Answer: Mixed messages.
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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