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: 607 Published: 03 Jun 2013
TRANSITION FROM 'THE CHURCH' TO 'THE KINGDOM'
A new series, looking at the some of the changes we need to make to move from a 'church' to a 'kingdom' mindset. (See the last 25 weeks of PGIM)FROM “ORGANIZED†TO “ORGANIC†(Continued)
We saw 11 weeks ago.......
"under the Old Covenant there was a separation between the Priests and the people, something which re-entered the Christian church through the Roman Catholics and despite attempts to get rid of it through the Reformation, effectively is still with us today, in so many ways."
Then 10 weeks ago.......
At the time of the death of Jesus, a miracle took place (the curtain in the Temple torn from top to bottom opening up, once again, direct access for us to the Father) signifying the change from the Old Covenant to the New. For it was the direct result of, and response to, what happened when Jesus died on the cross.
So what then, are the implications of this change in Covenants?
Over the past 9 weeks.....
1. WE NOW HAVE A PERMANENT SACRIFICE MADE ON OUR BEHALF
2. SALVATION HAS BECOME A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
3. THE KINGDOM IS FOUND WITHIN US
4. IMPLICATIONS OF THE KINGDOM WITHIN
5. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH
a. THE CHURCH IS NOT THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION
b. GOD'S CALL IS TO 'GO OUT', NOT TO 'COME IN'
c. CHURCH IS PEOPLE, FIRST AND LAST
d. THE KINGDOM 'CHURCH' IS PEOPLE BUILDING PEOPLE'S RELATIONSHIPS WITH JESUS AND OTHERS.
This week.....
e. TESTIMONY
I am sure there will be readers who are thinking, "It's all very well David, but what are the practical realities for today's world and church?"
As I concluded last week, I cannot tell you what your response should or should not be, for that is between you and the Holy Spirit to work out. However, I would like to share with you 3 experiences I have had over the past week, which may help you.
1. MEETING WITH A MAN FROM A TRADITIONAL CHURCH BACKGROUND
I spent several hours travelling with a gentleman in his 60's on a business trip. I found out he was a Christian, at one time an undertaker who, in that role, had had a lot of experience in dealing with churches, pastors and ministers. His observation was, that in strongly evangelical (primarily meaning Pentecostal churches, I would suggest) he had observed that the church attendees were followers of their charismatic personality leaders, and had little opportunity or encouragement to develop their God-given gifts within the structure of the church. He observed that the people's spiritual growth over the years was virtually nil, for they seemed to be going round in circles spiritually. He also observed that many were leaving these churches, disillusioned with their lack of spiritual development.
All this was completely unsolicited by me! He did agree that this was happening in the more traditional churches too.
2. A PENTECOSTAL LADY MET AT A PARTY!
On Saturday evening, Kathy and I attended a party for a friend who is shifting to Australia, as many New Zealanders have done over many years. A lot do come back in due course!
While there, I talked to a lady, whom I didn't know, and she shared with me the story of a humble, very talented worship leader, who was frozen out of the worship team of her local church as she represented a threat to the established leadership. (Her words not mine.) She persevered for several years in this church, but eventually was called out to a church in Australia where she now leads a large congregation. This lady also indicated, as did the previous gentleman, that there were many others within the church who were leaving because of dissatisfaction with the church system.
3. EQUIPPING STATION
Through my friend Rodney Francis (THE GOSPEL FAITH MESSENGER), who operates a ministry training people in the use of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy.....
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
.....Kathy and I started a group here in Napier to help people who want more of God to develop their gifts. People have been encouraged to step out in a safe and friendly environment to further develop gifts they know they have but have not been able to exercize within their church environment. We firmly emphasize that we are not interested in setting up yet another church but are here to help people take their newly developed gifts into the community and apply them in their day to day lives.
Interestingly, the result of this over time, has been that we have grown into an 'assembly' very much like what we understand of early New Testament church meetings. For example.....
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. (1 Corinthians 14:26-31)
These meetings are truly is led by the Holy Spirit, and His palpable presence is there. No one person dominates. And it works! Everybody now shares and ministers to others. People are participators, not spectators. We do not know where the Spirit will take us, and He takes us to places we have no conception of beforehand. We are learning to pray as true intercessors, praying God's prayers, not our own desires. Every second meeting we eat together and share communion. That is the greatest level of organisation we have! We meet in a cafe belonging to a local church. Interestingly, this church is pleased to have the Spirit present in their premises, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings of the month!
These meetings are very different to traditional 'Home Groups' (often promoting a 'church line'), or even 'Home churches', where a person or persons 'leads' (dominates) the meeting rather than the Holy Spirit being allowed to have His way.
Practical experience is showing us that once the group consistently reaches 25-30 attendees, it needs to be split, in order to ensure that all can participate.
I trust that these testimonies may be of value to you in considering the future direction of your fellowship. We don't pretend to have all, or even many, of the answers. What we do know though, is that the Lord is building His kingdom in ways that are beyond our human ability to organise. He is moving from an 'organised' religious monolith to a united, 'organic' kingdom body which we are now beginning to see and experience, in preparation for His return for His perfect bride.....
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’†And he added, “These are the true words of God.†(Revelation 19:6-9)
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FROM THE WORD
Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen†to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,†says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!â€
Orderly Worship
"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." (1 Corinthians 14:1-40)
Hallelujah!
"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.†And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.†The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!†Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!†Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’†And he added, “These are the true words of God.†At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.â€" (Revelation 19:1-10)
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REVELATION AND RELIGION881. Religion is learned, revelation received.
882. Religion stems from the mind of man, revelation from the heart of God.
883. Revelation is revolutionary, religion, counter-revolutionary.
884. Religion is the opiate of the masses, while revelation reveals the heart of God.
885. One man's revelation quickly becomes another's religion.
886. Religion suffocates revelation.
887. Religion is centered upon man's needs, revelation upon the will of God.
888. When religion embraces a revelation, it's time for new revelation!
889. Revelation builds, religion stifles.
890. Many say, 'give me religion', but few, 'give me revelation'.
891. Religion fosters pride, while revelation comes from a broken heart.
892. Religion promotes people, revelation, servanthood.
893. Religion builds. Revelation breaks down, then builds.
894. Religion breeds status, revelation, servants.
895. In religion, roles are nouns, in revelation, adjectives.
896. In religion, roles are expressed by Title, in revelation, identified through action.
897. Revelation changes hearts, religion tickles the mind.
898. An ounce of revelation is more precious than a tonne of religion.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID - Part 7Worship is a problem area in most churches, for we all have our ideas on what we like.
The important thing though, is not what we like, but the type of worship God desires. After all, it is him we are worshipping, isn't it?
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As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...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. ***
646. TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH:
10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians ... and you check the table of contents.
9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60's.
8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out.
7) Your favorite Old Testament Patriarch is Hercules.
6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible.
5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents.
4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: "Who gave you this stuff?"
3) You think the Minor Prophets worked in the quarries.
2) You keep falling for it every time when Pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums.
And the number one sign you may not be reading your Bible enough:
1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: "Jonah the Shepherd Boy and His Ark of Many Colors."
645. REVIVAL?
A church is starting a revival just down the road from my home, Their ad came out in the paper which read;
Revival, Evangelical Methodist Church,1906 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, Rev Brian Hammond,evangelist, September 7-10, 10:45 AM Sunday, 7:00PM evenings, Special Sining Each Service.
[I hope they meant Singing. Either way They're sure to get a crowd.]
644. SHELL
A man was driving to work when a truck ran a stop sign, hit his car broadside, and knocked him cold. Passersby pulled him from the wreck and revived him. He began a terrific struggle and had to be tranquilized by the medics.
Later, when he was calm, they asked him why he struggled so. He said, "I remember the impact, then nothing. I woke up on a concrete slab in front of a huge, flashing 'Shell' sign...and somebody was standing in front of the "S"!
" FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Why do scientists describe cancer cells as ‘immortal’?ANSWER: Normal cells divide a limited amount of times (usually no more than 50-60 times) before they die. Cancer cells, however, proliferate indefinitely in culture. A cancer cell will go on and on doubling, one cell becoming two, then four, then eight, etc.... Normal cells, when placed in a tissue culture dish, proliferate until a single layer of cells just touching each other covers the surface of the dish. Mitosis (cell replication) then stops. Cancer cells, on the other hand, show no such ‘contact inhibition’. They continue to divide, piling up into actual mounds. It is this that makes cancer cells so damaging to an organism. (Too much of a bad thing!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What bird migrates from the Arctic to the Antarctic each year?
Answer Next Week.
863. COW POWER
A single cow provides nearly 200,000 glasses of milk during her lifetime. (Does a cow suffer calcium deficiency in her bones with age?)
864. SHIFTING SANDS
Egypt’s Pyramids were actually constructed over 6 kilometres away from where they are now, not because of shifting sands, but rather, due to the earth’s plates moving. (Not immovable objects after all!)
865. BRAIN POWER
The brain uses over 25% of the oxygen the human body absorbs. (Explains a lot!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
HOISTER
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS
54: 1 Timothy: At which church was Timothy entrusted with the work of guiding the believers?a. Philippi
b. Ephesus
c. Corinth
d. Colosse
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""From the comedian, Steven Wright
!!!!!!! I had amnesia once -- or twice.
!!!!!! I went to San Francisco. I found someone's heart. Now what?
!!!!! Protons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic.
!!!! If the world were a logical place, men would be the ones to ride horses side-saddle. (Think about it!)
!!! What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?
!! They told me I was gullible ... and I believed them.
! One nice thing about egotists: They don't talk about other people.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES!
161. BIG OR SMALLThere are two polite people having dinner together. On
the table there is a dish with one big piece of fish and
one small piece of fish.
They politely say to each other: "You may choose first."
"No, you may choose first."
And this goes on for a while.
Then the first person says: "OK, I'll take first."
And he takes the BIG piece of fish.
The second person: "Why did you take the big piece? That's not polite!"
The first person says: "Which piece would *you* have taken?"
The second person replies: "Why, I would have taken the SMALL piece, of course."
The first person says: "Well, that's what you have now!"
160. I'M SORRY
"I'm sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?"
Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
159. OUT OF THIS WORLD
A flying saucer was low on fuel, so it landed near a local gas station. On its side were the letters "UFO."
The gas station attendant was stunned, but his curiosity got the best of him.
"Does that stand for Unidentified Flying Object?" he asked.
"No," one of the other-worldly travelers responds. "It stands for "Unleaded Fuel Only."
158.LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE
A sloth named Herman is walking through the forest one day. A gang of snails approach him and beat him up. He is left at the bottom of a tree with several cuts and bruises.
Several hours later he gathers up enough strength to go to a local police station. Herman walks into the Sergeant's office. "What happened to you? the officer asks.
"A gang of snails beat me up," Herman replied.
"Can you describe what they looked like?"
"I don't know," the sloth says. "It all happened so fast."
Laugh for no reason at all.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (About The Bible)
THE BIBLE LOOKS LIKE ONE BOOK.......... but it actually is an anthology, a collection of many smaller books. In an even broader sense, it is not just an anthology of shorter works, but an entire library!
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
On Fire for God: Public School Bible Clubs Spread
CBN NewsNEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- New Bethlehem is a little town as quiet as the burbling Redbank waters flowing close by. It's hardly the kind of place you'd expect to hold the largest group of any kind, much less one that's influencing the world.
But don't tell that to the kids going to the public high school here.
Each Monday in the middle of the school day more than half of Redbank Valley High School's 600 students head to Bible Club, making it the largest of its kind in the world.
They put on an annual Open House that showcases their wild skits, zany antics and boisterous worship that make Bible Club so fun. It's attracted up to a thousand people at once.
These students carry their Bibles in the hallways, openly share the Gospel, and now they're inspiring kids around the country and beyond.
The Difference an Email Makes
CBN News first covered Redbank's club two years ago after a viewer sent an email about its success.
"You made that video clip and we've got all kinds of responses from that," Bible Club President Doug Gundlach told CBN News.
He said the CBN News story kicked off a cavalcade of inquiries and invitations. "That has sparked interest all over the world really," he said.
Club members even had to elect their own public relations officer, Maggie McCauley, to handle it all.
"A lot of things have happened," McCauley said. "We've had a lot of outreach projects, as well as people contacting us to see how things are done."
A major spark came from McCauley's CBN News testimony of being just 14 years old at a Bible Club meeting where she led some four dozen students to pray for salvation.
Two years later, she remarked that it might have been even more.
"I'm sitting there counting and I'm saying 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe it: 48 kids!' And there could have been more, but I had to quit counting so I could pray," McCauley said.
A Miracle Connection
Article continues at.....
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http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=43393&PN=1&TPN=1
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... THE POWER OF THREE IN GOD AND THE CHURCHIn walking further with Jesus, I increasingly appreciate that this particular revelation of 'threes in God' has been hugely important in developing my understanding of God and how He works both in the church and in our lives.
It matters not whether you are a 'oneness', 'twoness', or 'trinitarian' believer. The concept still applies. For we're all very good at putting God in a box, limited to the walls of our theology and understanding. But, one day, we will know all the truth of the great mystery of God.
In the meantime, if you can grasp this simple, yet profound concept, I'm sure it will open up new realms of understanding for you too about God and His plans for His people in these end days.
It certainly developed my faith tremendously, being able to grasp more of God's mighty plan for me. And for you too!
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WAXING LYRICAL
Just couldn’t leave out this story of the sailing of my friend Neil’s yacht from Whangareito Tauranga, a 30 hour journey down the North Island of New Zealand’s east coast.
One of the longest 30 hours of my life!
DAYS OF ‘CHUNDER’! Continued
For an hour or two throughout the night,
I enjoyed the trip – the stars were a sight.
My mate Neil, was able to have a snooze,
Confidence in me, again starting to ooze.
But the sea, was not yet ready to finish,
Determined my pride, to fully diminish!
Yes, the swells they did rise in an uncomfortable way,
‘Old man sea’, always determined to have the last say!
By now my stomach, surely was bare,
Empty of food, with the sea to share!
But how little about myself, do I know,
For there was still a little left, to let go!
And let go I did, four times more,
The sea now, really settling the score.
Before calming down all the rest of the way,
"Beginning to enjoy this," I could now say.
Of course, all adventures do come to an end,
Back on solid earth, my time now to spend.
I had conquered the challenge inside of me,
My fear overcome – with a little difficulty!
As I reflect upon what I have done,
Of a victory earned, a race won.
The surprising parallel of life at sea
With God’s working, occurs to me.
For as He continues to purify us in the fire,
To remove the dross of sin, as is His desire.
It can be likened to the act of ‘chunder’,
Which wrenches the stomach asunder!
To empty ones gut, overboard,
With some, will strike a chord.
An example of removing sin from life,
As God seeks, to keep us from strife.
Letting go of things, is not always easy,
Amazing, how we hold on to the sleazy!
But once we have given our homely habit away,
We wonder, why so long, we allowed it to stay.
But surely Lord, there can be no more!
I’m good enough now, to be in your store.
But like the spew spraying forth, from the gut to the sea,
The Lord finds more that needs changing, inside of me.
No more Lord! Please – I’ve had enough,
My life’s spew is horrible tasting stuff!
But as the seemingly endless bouts of ‘chunder’ go on,
A voice says "eat my food, and your sickness will be gone."
For as we give over our desires to Him,
He then rebuilds us, limb upon limb.
Until we come into His likeness you see,
Yes, that’s the place, He wants us to be.
More of David's rhyming offerings at...
A DAVID MUSING
Have done heaps of travelling this week - two funerals and a business trip. Fortunately I love driving, so it was no burden to me!One funeral was European and the other Maori (the native people of New Zealand). It has been very interesting, participating in the 'celebrations' of 2 different cultures within 3 days. The Maoris openly grieve for their loved one up to, and during the funeral. Then they come back into the normal world.
We Europeans, on the other hand, bottle up our grief to put on a 'good show' to those around us. Much of our grieving is done at a later time.
Personally, I think the Maori way is best.
When it comes to 'church', there is a huge amount of culture involved in determining how we worship God. Unfortunately, the 'Western model' has been superimposed on cultures that naturally worship in a diferent way.
As well, we have lost much of the understanding and richness of the Jewish culture - for Jesus was a Jew who operated within that cultural understanding - and have imposed Western ways upon the church.
We need to learn from other cultures, particularly the Jewish one, in order that we may better understand and participate in the richness and depth of the ministry of Jesus to the whole world.
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SHORTIE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, 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
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
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