MY PERFECT EASTER EGG

How much of the Lord is in you, is in me? For me, not as much as I, or the Lord, would desire! Most likely, this is the same for you too.

Although we try to pour a thin chocolate coating of spirituality over the marshmallow of our humanness (the worldly 'Easter Egg Explanation' of the season), much of what we say and do comes from our own Spirit, not the Holy Spirit living within us.

Yes, it is so difficult to be like Jesus. To turn the other cheek, to give away our cloak, to forgive unconditionally, just doesn't come naturally. I fail, we all fail, to live up to the life of Jesus. So we try to change ourselves, to become apparently large, mouth watering, Easter Eggs of thick, beautiful spiritual chocolate. Yet when bitten through, we are found to be hollow and empty inside!

Last night I had a taste sensation! One I have always remembered and drooled over since my youth. Yes, for a very few things, I do have a long memory! It was a 'Queen Anne' Easter Egg. This 'kiwi' (New Zealand) taste sensation had been out of production for many years, a victim of the economic rationalisation and efficiency that has swept our part, indeed much of the world, over the past two decades.

A friend, knowing of my memories, and seeing a reintroduction special, bought me a packet of four of these 'heavenly' delicacies. My wife Kathy, got one, (remarkable 'Christian' charity on my part) and I relived my youth with another. Two are left - the fruit of the Spirit of self-control is working - just!

For this egg has a light, fluffy marshmallow centre coated with a thick, delicious layer of Queen Anne's best chocolate. Still a taste sensation! A 'royal' experience! You see, the marshmallow is lighter, fluffier and tastier than that of other Easter eggs. The chocolate too is thick and tastes oh, so amazingly good!

We need to apply Queen Anne's age-old recipe for success to our lives also, if we are to attract the world to Jesus. For we must let the Holy Spirit's recipe reformulate the marshmallow of our daily lives using 'fruit of the Spirit' ingredients, then allowing Him to pour a thick layer of His sweet anointing over us, as we become true witnesses to the world. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. For true submission is not easy, but the rewards, like Queen Anne's Easter eggs, are amazing. That's what our Jesus died for.

A post-Easter fast for anyone? To waste the waistline and grow the Spirit man - oops, person - in our lives!

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FROM THE WORD

"I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:2-5)

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:2-5)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galations 5:22-25)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

These thoughts all came to me during a trip to the dentist. The anticipation is always worse than the reality - except on the wallet!

### Oh for more than two cheeks to turn!

### When holiness meets with helpfulness a harvest is reaped.

### Jesus turns our human ‘LESS - ness’ into His ‘FULL - ness’.

### From:
- restless to peaceful,
- hopeless to hopeful,
- careless to careful,
- thoughtless to merciful,
- mirthless to cheerful,
- powerless to powerful,
- humorless to gleeful,
- spineless to forceful,
- penniless to bountiful...

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now 530 David sayings for you to view at ...

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

COMMENTS ON ARTICLES FROM LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

FACTS FOR FUN QUESTION (About Superman)
David,
Thanks for the comment on Superman. I remember reading the very first comic strip. They found a baby in a crashed airplane or space craft and at one year old he held a large overstuffed chair above his head with one hand. Thanks for the memories.

Enjoy "walking" with you.

Glenn Davis

DAVID'S DOODLING'S
David,
One of your "David's Doodlings" from this week reminded me of a theological premise that I landed upon some time ago.
You wrote:
"*** We may plan for the future, but can only live in the present."

When we look toward the future, we may desire to see God's will, but we can only see our own will; our plans; our goals, etc. When we look back on the past, there we can perceive God's will. Sometimes similar to what we expected and hoped for, and in other instances, vastly different. We can only pray for guidance, for "now we see as if through a glass darkly."

Peace,
Robert Sorensen
Sealy, Texas USA

David
I totaled up the "Adherents of Major Religions" which included Atheists(???), and only came up with 6.122 billion people. I understand the current population is around 6.326 billion. Does this mean that 204 million people can't make up their minds as to what they believe or don't believe???

And now having put that down on paper, I am afraid it does sound logical.

Garey Southern
webservant@haywoodhills.org (an excellent website, David)

Reply: Garey,
Thanks. Glad somebody is diligent. We will keep the figures accurate by banning all sex and death throughout the world from now on! David

I really appreciate receiving your comments and feedback on
david@wwj.org.nz

FREE 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...

DISCOVER YOURSELF IN GOD'S MIRROR

By: Dr Derek Prince

Another message from New Zealand's favorite Bible Teacher. Born in Britain where he quickly became a Professor of Philosophy, Derek found Jesus during World War 2. Now lives part of the year in the USA and the remainder in Israel. An excellent message for this week.

Download your free MP3 now at ...

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

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES (Another 100 Jokes this week - Enough to write a Joke Book! Am doing it!)

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

And a new quote that appealed to me:

*** "Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

Still 2 for 1 with so much to laugh about!

IT COULD BE WORSE
The woman was pouring out her troubles to her pastor. "Oh, it's awful," she cried. "My husband won't work, and all of our bills are six months overdue."

"Well, look on the bright side," said the minister wryly. "You could be one of your creditors."

NOW YOU TELL ME
A deacon, driving home from church one hot and muggy Sunday afternoon, passed an older model car sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire. A young lady was struggling to get a spare out of the trunk, obviously having a difficult time. Wanting to be a "Good Samaritan," he turned around and went back to help.

Getting out of his car and rolling up his shirt sleeves, he smiled and said, "This is no job for a woman. Let me do it for you."

Fifteen minutes later, covered with sweat and grime, he finally got the spare on and began to take the car off the jack.

"Please take it down easy," whispered the lady. "My husband's taking a nap in the back seat."

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 500 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS (Missing!) QUESTION: Which is higher in the British Peerage - an Earl or a Duke?

ANSWER: In the British line of peerage, a Duke is higher than an Earl. The order, from highest to lowest, is as follows: Duke and Duchess, Marquis and Marchioness, Earl and Countess (a Count is the European counterpart of the British Earl), Viscount and Viscountess, Baron and Baroness.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What infamous Countess was a mass murderer?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

REALITY FILMING
The first time movie audiences were treated to the ‘reality’ of a flushing toilet was in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 release ‘Psycho.” ( How many viewers had an instant ‘hot flush.’)

STAR WARS STARS SPLIT PERSONALITY
Darth Vader was actually a composite of four people. James Earl Jones did the voice, David Prowse served as the body, while Sebastian Shaw was the face, and a fourth actor performed the heavy breathing. (Why don’t we know who it was?)

BOLLYWOOD
India’s version of Hollywood produces over 800 full-length feature films every year in 14 languages. This amounts to more than 2 films every day. (Quantity or quality?)

A CHALLENGE FOR YOU

Do they have a 4th of July in England?

Answer at the end of A David Musing.

75 NEW FUN FACTS AND TRIVIAL TRIVIA have recently been added to...

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

THE EASTER MESSAGE IN VERSE

SEVEN TIMES SHED FOR ME

Celebrating the most important event in history – the death and resurrection of Jesus.

To some it may seem like a tragedy but the reality is that it was the final victory for Jesus over sin and death, and through Him, for us too. The ultimate example of the saying, ‘No gain without pain!’ For the pain Jesus suffered that day was indescribable. He was beaten to a pulp, unrecognisable, not at all like the sanitised pictures we have of this gentle looking man sadly looking down on his followers from the cross. He suffered the most agonising and extreme torture and death that it was possible for the Romans to inflict, and they were real experts at it.

This poem attempts, inevitably inadequately, to describe some of the events of that day, a day that had amazingly, been specifically predicted hundreds of years before it came. Indeed it was foreshadowed from the very time that it became necessary, the moment that Adam and Eve were separated from God through sin.

As I have traveled around the world and shared this poem, the Lord's anointing has come down, spontaneously affecting people even when they cannot understand the English language.

My present for you this Easter (even better than a Queen Anne Easter egg!) can be found at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php?poemId=00005

TILL DEATH DO US PART ****New Page***

The differences between men and women, the challenges of marriage and the bringing up of children are the very essence of society. The most joy and the most problems, the most challenges and the most satisfaction are found within these complex relationships. Humour often aids our perception and understanding, as well as simply giving us a good laugh. By its nature, humour often 'takes sides', so please don't take offence here. Just go the web page and read further. You are bound to find something that supports your point of view!

'RIB'ALD HUMOUR
Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands. When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset.

"You're running around with other women," she charged.

"You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth."

The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to be awakened by someone poking him in the chest. It was Eve.

"What do you think you're doing?" Adam demanded.

"Counting your ribs," said Eve.

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

A DAVID MUSING

As Easter approaches, I remember back to the days before I found Jesus personally, the days when I had completely rejected the church and was living in the world. Yet incredibly to me even then, at Easter time there was always a drawing to go to church. I could never work out why, but it was there. Throughout the world, there are still many people like I was who will only be seen in a church now and maybe at Christmas too.

Today in New Zealand, when most young people are being brought up without any gospel input, that same drawing is not so apparent. Other ways have to be found of getting this foundational message of Jesus across to them. Our church, along with others, is having an Easter Concert in a popular public area in our city next Sunday.

This season remains the best time of the year to get across to those who don't know or choose not to accept the sacrifice and hope of Jesus for us all.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Challenge Answer: Yes, of course they do. Every country does. Fortunately so, as it is my birthday too! Thinking about it further, it might be a good idea for me if New Zealand didn't, every second year!

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
Fax: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
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
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