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: 6 Published: 03 Dec 2001
NO NEWSLETTER 25 NOVEMBER
We regret that becouse of a 'hacker' entering and causing mayhem in our mail server, there is no Newsletter available this week.We have asked those who wish to, to resubscribe, in order to overcome the problems.
This can be done by completing the subscription form at the bottom of this newsletter.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
David
THE CHALLENGE OF OPPORTUNITY – THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHALLENGE
The events of the past week, in New York and Afghanistan remind us that we live in a rapidly changing, unpredictable world. Who would have imagined just seven days ago, that New York could suffer another terrible, aeroplane-related tragedy or that the Taleban resistance would apparently crumble so quickly. Whichever side of the fence you sit on in relation to the response to the perceived terrorism menace, it is abundantly clear to all Christians that now is the time that the real battle starts.The battle to win the hearts and minds of people. In America, faith in man, his technology, and their joint and certain ability to solve the world’s problems, is inevitably being questioned. And throughout the Moslem world, where ‘Western’, and by association, like it or not, ‘Christian’ reaction, to the giant political and humanitarian problems that exist in Afghanistan, is being closely scrutinised.
“Challenge and opportunities are bedfellows. For the one is inevitably born out of the other.”
There has been no greater time in recent history when the opportunities and the challenges for Christians working together as the ‘Church’ have been either as available, or as necessary, as they are today. Let’s be real! The ‘world’ out there, whether Moslem or Humanist, does not differentiate between Catholic and Protestant, Orthodox or Charismatic, but for better or worse, views us all together under the amorphous grouping of ‘Christians’. So, if we are to really impact the ‘world’, we need to set aside our differences and work co-operatively to impact the huge opportunities and challenges that await us. The old saying, ‘united we stand, divided we fall’, has never been more applicable than it is to God’s people right now. Just maybe, God has designed it that way!
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FROM THE WORD
"I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven." (Psalm 123:1)"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
"A foolish man knows his strengths, a wise man acknowledges his weaknesses and makes allowances for them, while a godly man seeks to overcome them.""There are but two types of people in the world. Those who replace an empty toilet roll and those who don't."
"Have you noticed how the most 'holy' socks always find their way to the top of the pile?"
For more David sayings check out…
TAPE OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministrieswww.inspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!
THE MATURING OF THE CHURCH
By Dr Derek Prince
Derek, a rare Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy, is a truly international Christian leader. Born in India in 1915, a Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge, England, he lives in the USA and Israel. Undoubtably New Zealand's favourite Bible teacher over many years, Derek is well known and respected around the world.
Order your free tape today at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
*!* When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded.*!* What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
*!* I used to have an open mind, but my brains kept falling out.
*!* If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
*!*Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere. (Dorothy Galyean)
*!*Laziness is resting before you get tired.
Many more fun and thoughtful thoughts on ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: What do selenologists study? Butterflies, traffic density, the moon, vibrations or indigenous cultures?ANSWER: The moon. They lay claim to having met 'the man in the moon' and try to tell us that it isn't made of cheese!
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: The strongest musle in our body is found in our leg, arm, hand or head? Answer next week.
DID YOU KNOW?
1. A WOMAN'S DREAM?
In the magic world of seahorses it is the male who gets pregnant and has the babies. (The ultimate in Woman’s Liberation or the ultimate lost experience?)
2. SPEEDIEST
The land speed record for birds is held by the Australian emu who rocket along at about 50 kilometres per hour. (Still, they do have a big country to cover)
3. Prophetic?
If you add up all the number on a roulette wheel, that is 1through 36, you get 666, the biblical number of fallen man. (And who said the Bible was outdated?)
Another WORD PUZZLE for you.
S--T--O--R--Y>>>>>stry
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
Many more Fun Facts at...
LAUGHING ( THIS WEEK CRYING!) AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.***WE WILL KNOW WE HAVE THE 'PERFECT CHURCH' WHEN WE HEAR:
1. Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front pew.
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.
3. Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
4. I've decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the junior high Sunday school class.
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary, let's pay our pastor so he can live like
we do.
7. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
8. Since we're all here, let's start the service early.
9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship
campaign
Much more Holy Humour at...
IF YOU HAVE TIME TAKE A LOOK AT “THE SHEEP AND THE GOAT!”
A poetic tale of one day's adventure of exasperation, inspiration and perspiration in the writing of the book "Eagles Fly High!" ( A good read too, if you are interested in God's future church - freely downloadable at http://www.wwj.org.nz/eagle.html - a free ad!)YOU MUST VISIT
If you enjoy this newsletter and our site you will love meeting Peggie! She introduces herself...Meet the friendly kid on the block with a big dream, a good imagination, and positive thinking skills! I am a born-again Christian, a busy wife, mother and homemaker. I'm also a well-organized "wonder woman"; (don't believe it!), have written for Assemblies of God Sunday school curriculum, and am currently on the ministry team of Gospel Communications Network, and serving as a children's writer for Global University, Springfield, Missouri.
I love to shop and eat, not necessarily in that order! And now I've found a hobby (to my husband's delight) that beats shopping--AND eating! Less expensive, non-fattening, and fun, it's called "surfin' the Web!" Won't you join me?
A DAVID MUSING
My wife Kathy, came home from her work as a Theatre Nurse at our city hospital on Thursday night and told me that she had been listening to Michael Youseff on Radio Rhema, the amazing Christian network which covers all of New Zealand with up to three different stations in each area. She mentioned that Michael talked about how motivated he was, even tending towards impatience, and how the Lord was teaching him lessons, always arranging for him to choose the slowest supermarket checkout queue.Now I have no idea why my wife should mention this to me, other than the fact that, in spite of my scientific selection process, I too also inevitably manage to select the lane where the person in front of me has a problem that takes time – and more time! Now of course, being a good Christian, I smile sweetly, (my impression anyway!) while trying unsuccessfully, to convince myself that it doesn’t really matter if I waste an eternity in the supermarket when I could be otherwise occupied doing great things for God – or watching football on the TV!
I guess patience is one of the Fruit of the Spirit I am still learning, and that God is trying to teach me. I am much better than I was, but as Kathy can obviously see because of her mention of it, is an area I haven’t yet reached perfection in. I am (sometimes!) patiently working on it!
As you know, nothing happens by chance, and God uses our seemingly mundane daily experiences to teach us His lessons in life. The problem with us - well, with me anyway - is that we are slow to understand. So until I truly do learn to be patient, God will continue to allow me to choose the wrong queue. But the answer is in my hands! Or rather, in my soul - in my mind, in my emotions, and in the application of my will. He reminds me, but I have to let Him change me! Sometimes, I am a very slow learner! Fortunately, He is more patient with me than I am with others!
His servant and yours
David Tait
WORD PUZZLE ANSWER: Long story made short.
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