WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?

THE CHURCH AS BIRTHED AT PENTECOST Part 2

Last week we saw that the church was formed at Pentecost through the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the people gathered together on the day of that year's Jewish Feast of Shavuot.

For those who are skeptical, as were the religious leaders of the time, I can testify that at a meeting in Africa where I ministered some years ago, a lady who could not speak English got up and testified that she had understood every word I had said, in her own language. Yes, the Pentecost tongue experience can still happen today.

As we proceed through the book of Acts we can see that the early church was guided by the Holy Spirit and rapidly grew in number. The infilling, the baptism of the Holy Spirit brought dramatic change to the people's lives and led to many miracles.....

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-7)

And.....

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

Because of this Peter and John were seized by the establishment.....

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is ”‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. (Acts 4:8-14)

They were finally let go.....

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. (Acts 4:21-2)

Both the miracles and the persecution continued. A heart rendering example of this was recorded in the stoning Of Stephen. After upsetting the Sanhedrin with his testimony he was dragged out to be stoned.....

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)

The church was then persecuted and scattered - by Paul.....

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. (Acts 8:1a-3)

SUMMARY
It is clear that the church was formed by and operated under the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit empowered the people to.....

1. Understand different languages
2. Transform their lives
3. Perform healings and miracles
4. Become a vibrant community
5. Expand rapidly
6. Withstand persecution.
7. Become the light of Jesus to the world.

Nothing has changed today.....

THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.

(Series to be continued next week.)

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FROM THE WORD

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ”‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers’ Prayer

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ”‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The Believers Share Their Possessions

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet." (Acts 3:1-4:37)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME

739. - 809. God has shown me that...

... unity comes from the Spirit, not the soul.

... happiness and joyfulness are not the same.

... without Him, we will never fulfil our potential.

... the more I get into Him, the more He gets into me.

... the more time I spend with Him, the more time He has to make changes in me.

... His love never fails, but other's love may.

... the reward for loving others is found in Heaven, rather than on earth.

... life is to be our investment in eternity.

... ultimately, I am the one responsible for me.

... salvation is a process, not an event.

... life's limitations are man driven, not God given.

... when my wants line up with His desires, things happen.

... I need to place godliness even above wisdom.

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID - Part 14

THE HOLY OF HOLIES IS EMPTY!

This series finally ends with both a warning and a promise. For me, moving from a heavy heart to a glad heart.

Let's investigate!

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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. ***


766. SYMPHONY IN F
Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow forced his father to fork over his farthings. Fast he flew to foreign fields and frittered his family's fortune, feasting fabulously with floozies and faithless friends. Flooded with flattery he financed a full-fledged fling of "funny foam" and fast food. Fleeced by his fellows in folly, facing famine, and feeling faintly fuzzy, he found himself a feed-flinger in a filthy foreign farmyard. Feeling frail and fairly famished, he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from the fodder fragments. "Fooey," he figured, "my father's flunkies fare
far fancier," the frazzled fugitive fumed feverishly, facing the facts. Finally, frustrated from failure and filled with foreboding (but following his feelings) he fled from the filthy foreign farmyard.

Faraway, the father focused on the fretful familiar form in the field and flew to him and fondly flung his forearms around the fatigued fugitive. Falling at his father's feet, the fugitive floundered forlornly, "Father, I have flunked and fruitlessly
forfeited family favor."

Finally, the faithful Father, forbidding and forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch forth the finest fatling and fix a feast. Faithfully, the father's first-born was in a fertile field fixing fences while father and fugitive were feeling festive. The foreman felt fantastic as he flashed the fortunate news of a familiar family face that had forsaken fatal foolishness. Forty-four feet from the farmhouse the first-born found a farmhand fixing a fatling. Frowning and finding fault, he found father and fumed, "Floozies and foam from frittered family funds and you fix a feast following the fugitive's folderol?" The first-born's fury flashed, but fussing was futile. The frugal first-born felt it was fitting to feel "favored" for his faithfulness and fidelity to family, father, and farm. In foolhardy fashion, he faulted the father for failing to furnish a fatling and feast for his friends. His folly was not in feeling fit for feast and fatling for friends; rather his flaw was in his feeling about the fairness of the festival for the found fugitive. His fundamental fallacy was a fixation on favoritism, not forgiveness. Any focus on feeling "favored" will fester and friction will force the faded facade to fall. Frankly, the father felt the frigid first-born's frugality of forgiveness was formidable and frightful. But the father's former faithful fortitude and fearless forbearance to forgive both fugitive and first-born flourishes. The farsighted father figured, "Such fidelity is fine, but what forbids fervent festivity for the fugitive that is found? Unfurl the flags and finery, let fun and frolic freely flow. Former failure is forgotten, folly is forsaken. Forgiveness forms the foundation for future fortune."

Four facets of the father's fathomless fondness for faltering fugitives are:
1) Forgiveness
2) Forever faithful friendship
3) Fadeless love, and
4) A facility for forgetting flaws

Fortuitous Felicitations

765. THE PERFECT PASTOR
1. Preaches exactly 20 minutes and follows it with an invitation in which everyone is convicted but no one is offended.
2. Works from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in every type of work from counseling to custodial service.
3. 27 years old with 30 years of preaching experience.
4. Tall and short.
5. Thin and heavy set.
6. Handsome but not overpowering.
7. One brown eye and one blue eye.
8. Hair is parted in the middle and is straight on one side and wavy on the other side, with a balding spot on top revealing his maturity.
9. Has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with the older folks.
10. He smiles constantly with a straight and sober face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously at his work.
11. Invests 25 hours a week in sermon preparation, 20 hours in counseling, 10 hours in meetings, five hours in emergencies, 20 hours in visitation and evangelism, 6 hours in weddings and funerals, 30 hours in prayer and meditation, 12 hours in letter writing, and
administration, and 10 hours in creative thinking.
12. Spends 5 evenings at home with his family, plus a day off, and always stops for interruptions.
13. A seminary graduate, but uses only one- and two-syllable words.
14. Makes 15 calls a day.
15. Spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched.
16. Attends all retreats, goes to all youth retreats.
17. Is always available in his office.
18. His kids are perfect.
19. His mother is rich.
20. His wife plays the piano.
21. His house is large.
22. His bank account is small.
23. His car is in the shop.
24. He is paid too much, too little, and he gives it all away.
25. He is talented, gifted, scholarly, practical, popular, compassionate, understanding, patient, level headed, dependable, loving, caring, neat, organized, cheerful, and above all, humble.

Contributed by Allen Beane allan.beane@coe.murraystate.edu Allen does some great seminars for churches that are awaiting a new pastor, to help the church be better prepared to support the pastor in ministry.

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is it true that the yo-yo was based on a weapon?

ANSWER: : Yes. American Donald Duncan thought of the toy after watching a Philippine yo-yo in action. It was made of large wood disks and twine and used to hunt animals. The hunter would hurl it at his prey and the twine would catch the animal by its legs and so throw it to the ground. The name ‘yo-yo,’ was a word from Tagalog, an Indonesian language used in the Philippines. Duncan made his yo-yo smaller, but kept the name. This wasn't really the first yo-yo toy, though. Kids in China played with similar toys way back as far back as 1,000 BC. (Small things amuse small minds – and smaller minds notice them!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When did ‘Superman’ first appear in print?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

842. A WRENCH FOR MONKEYS
Many believe that the monkey wrench has something to do with monkeys. It hasn’t. Rather, the tool is named after the man who invented it: Charles Moncky - spelled in some sources as Charles Moncke. (Very likely some monkey business here.)

843. USEFUL MAGGOTS
In a recent study from the Netherlands, researchers applied maggots to the severely infected wounds of 11 patients as a last-ditch effort to prevent amputation. They found the treatment promoted healing. According to study co-author Japp van Dissel, the maggots eat only dead tissue, and they secrete substances that help prevent infection. ( Man has known this for thousands of years, yet we have to prove it scientifically.)

844. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - ALMOST
Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. The only thing that can destroy a diamond is intense heat. Ancient Greeks revered diamonds and some believed that they were actually splinters from fallen stars. (Intense heat is generated over their possession too.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

MANGIER

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS

61: 2 Peter: What is God waiting patiently for all people to do?

a. Pray
b. Fall
c. Repent
d. Forgive

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

!!!!!!! Never miss a good chance to shut up.

!!!!!! If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

!!!!! The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

!!!! Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

!!! If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

!! Letting the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n putting it back.

! All people have at least ten faults. Pick ten you can live with.

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GREAT GROANERS!

48. SUPER SOCCER
Followers of the tiny Scottish soccer club Inverness Caledonian-Thistle refer to the club as "Caley." The team delighted fans last winter when it eliminated heavily favored Glasgow Celtic 3-1 in the Scottish Cup.

The upset prompted this headline in the British tabloid the Sun:
"Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic Are Atrocious,"

49. TALKING
It seems like every other car you see on the road has a driver who is busily engaged in a conversation on their cellphone when they should be paying attention to traffic, the road, etc. Occasionally, you hear of fatal accidents caused by people talking on their hand-held cellphone when they should be watching where they're going.

I have heard that some places in the US want to pass legislation restricting the use of a cellphone while driving. I think that if a driver causes an accident because he/she was on their cellphone they should be charged with DWI ... Driving While In-talks-icated.

50. THE MOST POWERFUL
One day in the forest, three animals were discussing who among them was the most powerful.

"I am," said the hawk, "because I can fly and swoop down swiftly at my prey."

"That's nothing," said the mountain lion, "I am not only fleet, but I have powerful teeth and claws."

"I am the most powerful," said the skunk, "because with a flick of my tail, I can drive off the two of you."

Just then a huge grizzly bear lumbered out of the forest and settled the debate by eating them all. . . . hawk, lion, and stinker.

51. WELL, WELL
The rural doctor came out to the farm to check on the farmer's wife.

Upon arriving, the doctor felt thirsty. He walked over to the well to bring up some cool water, but slipped and fell in.

The moral is that a doctor should take care of the sick and leave the well alone.

52. THE TWO HEADED COIN
A spokesperson for the U. S. Mint announced that a new fifty-cent piece was being issued to honor two great American patriots. On one side of the coin would be Teddy Roosevelt and on the other side, Nathan Hale.

Asked why two people were going to be on the same coin, the official replied, "Now, when you toss a coin you can simply call, 'Ted's or Hale's'."

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BIBLE TRIVIA (About The Bible)

THE TRANSLATION OF THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES.....

..... into the 'Koine Greek' dialect was an outstanding literary accomplishment under the Ptolemies. The translation was called the 'Septuagint'. The project is said to have been made under Ptolemy Philadelphus around the 3rd century BC. According to tradition, 72 Jewish scholars, 6 from each tribe, were summoned for the project. The work was finished in 72 days and the scholars were sent away with many gifts.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

Kenya: Christian president seeks God’s covering for nation

by Melissa Nordell & Mark Ellis

Kenya has been a nation struggling with issues that have tried to divide it, with Islamic terrorists killing Christians with increasing frequency. Muslims have tried to shut down Christian gatherings and houses of worship, especially near the country’s borders with Somalia.

Prior to the past presidential election, March 4, 2013, “there has been great opposition from the Islamic agenda against the Christian Church,” says Dr. Sammy Ngaho, founder and president of Ngaho International Ministries. “Through much prayer and faith all over the country, all resistance is coming down,” Dr. Ngaho says.

“The election in March was the first peaceful election in over 50 years — with no bloodshed,” he notes. “This is all because of what God did to answer prayer as we had very organized prayer across the entire country. Every county was fasting and praying. Every county was formally dedicated to God and an altar to God was planted there as well.”

“The president of Kenya who was elected that March, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the deputy president, William Ruto, are both true believers,” says Dr. Ngaho. “And they declared that Kenya is a Christian nation one month ago in a speech at Kenya’s 11th annual National Prayer Breakfast.”

At the breakfast, President Kenyatta declared, “It is said that prayer is to the soul what food is to the body. This is indeed true. On a personal level, I am convinced that there is nothing more valuable than praying to God, for prayer unites us with our Creator.”

“This National Prayer Breakfast is unique as it is the first one in our Jubilee year. As we celebrate our Jubilee anniversary this year, let us profess that it will be our year of restoration, renewal and repentance in the spirit of the Biblical year of Jubilee.”

He also asked his nation to repent of their sins. “As we come before the Almighty God in prayer, I call upon Kenyans to seek forgiveness and repent for our wrong doing. Let us also forgive one another and pray for reconciliation and healing in our country. I urge Kenyans to remember that we are all equal in the eyes of God, and we must forge ahead as one, united people.”

As President Kenyatta considered enormous challenges facing the country, he said, “I would like to assure all Kenyans that we are determined to deal with any internal and external threats to our peace and security. However, as we endeavor to deal with these challenges, let us also remember the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 127 that “except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

“Thirdly, let us all pray to God for our daily bread, for the adequate sustenance of each and every one of us. There are many of our people who live below the poverty line and others who are unemployed and have no secure means of earning a livelihood. As Christians, we have a duty to these people.”

Dr. Ngaho is grateful for a president who openly reflects an eternal perspective. “We are just thanking God for what He has done in our nation,” says Dr. Ngaho. Dr Ngaho is also responsible for launching a Bible school, boy’s home and feeding program in Nairobi and Nakuru, Kenya as well as in Durban, South Africa.

Source: Godreports

via: OpenHeaven.com

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF... THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS

I have never been happy with the explanations I have heard of the meaning of the changing of the water into wine. So I asked Jesus! And He told me! Find out what He said through the Holy Spirit.

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WAXING LYRICAL

A little fun about a real ‘mans’ problem!

‘GRUTS’

A man’s underwear is a most sensitive subject,
Not normally approached in a manner so direct!
But is a most important part of a man’s life you see,
A topic worth exploring, just between you and me.

For a mans ‘gruts’ have new psychological implications,
Likely to be the cause of an outbreak of bad relations,
In an otherwise, very happy marriage you see,
As a man’s underwear, reflects his personality.

Now this hasn’t always been the case,
For in earlier days of the human race,
There was only one kind available to the Kiwi male,
White ‘Jockeys’ with ‘Y’ fronts, in which to set sail.

I readily admit now, to a phobia of my young life,
For their lack of support, would see me in strife.
To a grown man, a real problem they must have been,
To me as a growing lad, in my thinking, it did seem.

But the ‘Jockeys’ did have one advantage,
To Grandmothers, who never seemed to age,
The right size was all they ever needed to know,
When Christmas shopping, they decided to go!

Sad to say, this well depicted the age,
When conformity, was all the Kiwi rage,
Even though the nations ‘Jockeys’ you could not see,
You knew for sure, all men had a certain similarity!

‘Hanes’ came along with ‘Jockey’ to compete,
Their fit was much better, but far from replete,
And of course, they were still the standard white,
So no man, about his underpants, was able to skite.

But times did change, as they are wont to do,
No longer was fashion restricted to the shoe,
Coloured shirts then, made an appearance,
Providing us men, with a further dalliance.

But the fashion designers were still not content,
To their fertile brains, new perspective was lent,
Or maybe, they could remember their youth too,
A more comfortable alternative was now in view.

To us practical men, comfort is always the most important.
So after decades of ‘Jockeys’, over which to rave and rant,
Now had come a real choice for men to wear,
That they were coloured too, we did not care.

The designers now clapped their hands, in great glee,
For no longer were underpants, simply a commodity.
For now colour and style had been introduced,
To the range available, we were soon seduced.

Poor Grandma now, when she is wont to shop,
For birthday or Christmas presents, has to stop
Buying the old faithful underpants, ever so true,
For she doesn’t know now, which style suits you.

To grandsons this is a most desirable revolution,
As we had feared grannies presents with a passion.
Although we said thank you, and gave her a big kiss,
We are now so grateful, those old ‘Jockeys’ to miss!

Life has become more complicated for men to live,
Colour, style, different sizes, something has to give!
So now when it comes round to clothes shopping,
A man too, has to take his time, forever stopping!

But even more difficult than this, it would now seem,
Is the image we portray, enough to make one scream,
For to look right in the lockers of the gym,
They must portray the right image of him.

I have to admit to once being an underwear skinflint,
The cheapest pair would always do, whatever the tint.
Until I was given a more comfortable pair,
A little more expensive, but I no longer care!

Now I know that our God doesn’t mind the underwear we wear,
Whether we call them ‘daks’ or ‘gruts’, He surely doesn’t care,
For his eyes penetrate far more than skin deep,
So over our underpants, we are not to lose sleep!

More of David's rhyming offerings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

This is a free commercial for Ocean Spa, here in Napier!

Why? Because I derive both fitness and pleasure from the complex which comprises a gymnasium (from where the photo is taken) and pools, heated to varying degrees. The round spa pools to the top right are my favorites after my intensive gym workout!

Why write this week? Because, even though it is the middle of winter, we have had a week of beautifully fine, sunny weather with a maximum day temperature of 15-16 degrees celcius! Just so unusual for this time of year when it is normally cold and wet. Even the frosts, the normally come with cloudless skies here, have been absent.

Both in the gym and the pools I get to meet and talk with people I would not otherwise meet. It is a real refreshing start to the day.

So, if you live in, or visit Napier, come along at 7 in the morning and enjoy a workout and the pools with me!

Until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: REAMING

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Repent 2 Peter 3:9

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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 website
wwj.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