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: 78 Published: 28 Apr 2003
IS IT EASTER?
Last Wednesday afternoon, I was working away on my computer, composing more ‘Facts For Fun’, both for you to enjoy, and shortly, to complete a book on. (Advertisement: Any interested potential publishers please contact me!) When suddenly, a ‘not so fun fact’ entered the cavern that is my mind. “Is it Easter in a couple of days?” I thought to myself. I checked the calendar - and it was. “But it can’t possibly be! For the Internet would surely have alerted me!”You see, for during the week or so prior to every other important occasion, I get inundated with multitudinous messages lauding the occasion and telling me how I can use it to witness to others. All highly laudable. But this week, as we were coming up to ‘celebrate’ the very core of our Christian faith and experience, the death and resurrection of our beloved Jesus, silence reigned supreme.
Maybe the whole world has been glued to the television, fascinated or horrified with the latest developments in Iraq. Or maybe we all think that everyone in the world knows what the Easter message is all about. In New Zealand of course, that is family time off work or school, spicy ‘Hot Cross Buns’ and chocolate Easter eggs, some even Queen Anne’s, with yummy, fluffy marshmallow inside! (See last weeks lead article. I am munching on one now as I write this - delicious!) These must surely represent ancient fertility right, somehow connected to the large bunny ears being worn by so many ‘Shop Assistants’ or ‘Sales Professionals’, as many would now like to be known, in our status driven society.
Or, just maybe, it was because we are scared about telling the world the real story about Jesus. Of the agony and ecstasy of the Cross, that terrible torture tree upon which He bore our sinfulness and shame, and of the triumph of the resurrection which ensures eternal life for all who believe in Him. After all, it sounds so ridiculous, so impossible, surely making us appear foolish before all we tell!
Yes, it is indeed foolish, but it is also the absolute truth that we are commanded to share with the world.
I confess to being guilty of this too. Last week I was brave enough to talk about an Easter egg, and I did offer you the Easter gift of a poetic expression of the pain of Jesus on that terrible yet glorious day, which hundreds of you have read. (see
Seven Times Shed For Me
if you missed out) But I haven’t shared with others as I should have done at this time, the amazing story of my Jesus, the one who changed my life forever.
“I am so sorry Lord. I will do better in future – with your help. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your victory. Please help me tell the world all about you…….”
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FROM THE WORD
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength." (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** The foolish man is satisfied with reading the Word, a wise man follows the Word, but the godly man is as one with the Word.*** God's gift of salvation is free, but to reap the full benefits, costs us our life.
*** Salvation costs us nothing, but cost Jesus everything.
*** To believe in God is good, to hear from God is great, but to obey God reaps the ultimate reward.
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 ...
*** The biggest impediment for many in delaying a decision for Christ is the mistaken belief that the present ‘Age of Grace’ will never end.
COMMENTS ON ARTICLES FROM LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER
ON... MY PERFECT EASTER EGGNo one has ever explained to my satisfaction why it is called "Good Friday" until I read in the "Interpreter" (a United Methodist magazine) of April 2003 "In old English, 'good' was a synonym for God or God's, so that Good Friday is 'God's Friday.'
Finally that made sense because it was the day that God shook the world.
I thought you might be interested.
Thanks for your newsletter!
Linda Bowers
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
My dear, dear, Brother, David,
Your musings on "My Perfect Easter Egg" were really sound in their spiritual application. For that I say resoundingly, Thanks. However, and my tongue is somewhat planted in my cheek, you were near cruel in your description of Queen Anne's Easter Eggs. I have never had one, but your wonderful word pictures carried somewhat of a virtual reality in that I could feel the fluff of the marshmallow on my tongue and my taste buds were alive with the succulent flavor of wonderfully rich and creamy chocolate. I hereby claim one of the two remaining eggs for my self. Whoops! There goes my fruit of the spirit. Have a great day in the Lord!
Ron Burbank
Your comments to me or other readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz
FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
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SPIRITUAL VISION
By: Rick Joyner
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What infamous Countess was a mass murderer?ANSWER: Countess Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary, known as the "Blood Countess," is reputed to have killed hundreds of young girls as a sadistic pastime. Elizabeth was able to kill the girls, mostly peasants from the surrounding countryside, with impunity for many years because of her noble station. Legends say she believed that by bathing in her victim's blood, she would stay young forever. There is, however, no real evidence that she did this. Eventually, her crimes reached such a magnitude that her "cousin" Count Thurzo, ordered by the king and church officials to act, saw to it that Elizabeth was walled into her castle to live out her final days in isolation. Her accomplices, mostly servants, were executed. Some scholars speculate that Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, based his legendary vampire in part on Elizabeth (as well as another sadistic killer - Vlad the Impaler).
Sorry it's so gruesome, but it was - is - life! Well a little bit of it!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Are there really such things as elephant graveyards?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
SINGLE MINDED
An autocracy is a government by a single person having unlimited power. (Many households however, are "cat-ocracies.")
WHO INVENTED THE LIGHTBULB?
Edison improved the incandescent lamp in 1879, but he didn't actually invent it. Sir Humphrey Davy is reputed to be the true inventor of the electric light. He passed electricity through a platinum wire and caused an arc lamp to glow as early as 1802.However, Davy did not pursue the discovery. By the time Edison entered the scene, arc lamps had been burning for several decades, but were limited by short life spans. Edison developed a long-lasting filament light in 1877, and in 1879 produced the first long-lasting light bulb.
ALL GOOSED UP!
A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle. But if the geese are flying, they're a skein. (Give rise to split personalities?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
twink twink twink twink
Answer at the end of A David Musing.
This week it is a fact that, with much blood, sweat and laughs, these facts have doubled from 250 to 500!
You can download a sample Trivia Book at
Truly Triffling Trivia or view all 500 online at...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***And again, 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!
MANY A TRUE WORD
A minister, having served the same church for many years with little fruit, decided to leave and take a similar position in another church. Without telling anyone he had made this decision, or writing a letter to the congregation, he waited until Sunday morning to announce his resignation in church.
When he spoke to the congregation he said, "The same Jesus that called me to this church many years ago has now called upon me to leave and serve another church."
The assistant pastor immediately led the congregation in singing, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
WHICH SERVICE?
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.
The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."
"Good morning, pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "What is this?"
"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."
Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Little Alex's voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which one, the 8:30 or the 10:40 service?"
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MARRIAGE AND FAMILY FACTS
FIVE MORE GOOD REASONS MARRIAGE WORKS### You'll tame him/her: Marriage increases sexual fidelity. Cohabiting men are four times more likely to cheat than husbands and cohabiting women eight times more likely to cheat than wives.
### You'll stay sane: Marriage is good for mental health. Married men and women are less depressed, less anxious and less psychologically distressed than singles, the divorced or widowed.
### It will make you happy: Overall, 40 per cent of married people, compared with about 25 per cent of singles or cohabitors, say they are "very happy" with life in general.
### Your children will love you more: Adult children of intact marriages keep more regular contact with their parents than do those of divorced or cohabiting couples. And they are far more likely themselves to marry for life.
### You'll have better sex, more often: Despite the lurid Sex in the City marketing that promises singles erotic joys untold, both husbands and wives are more likely to report that they have an extremely satisfying sex life than are singles or cohabitors.
Find out more facts about families from all round the world at...
TILL DEATH DO US PART
MY HEARINGS FINE!A man goes to his doctor and says "I don't think my wife's hearing is as good as it used to be, what should I do?"
The doctor replies: "Try this test to find out for sure. When your wife is in the kitchen doing dishes, stand fifteen feet behind her and ask her a question, if she doesn't respond keep moving closer asking the question until she hears you."
The man goes home and sees his wife preparing dinner. He stands fifteen feet behind her and says "What's for dinner, honey?" No response. He moves to ten feet behind her and asks again, no response. Five feet, no answer. Finally he stands directly behind her and says, "Honey, what's for supper?"
She says, "For the fourth time, I SAID CHICKEN!"
More humour about men, women, marriage and families at...
IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BECOME A HIPPIE AT...
THE HIPPIE CHRISTIANA unique web site is dedicated to all those who want to leave Babylon and get back to the Garden. It is for all who desire to know the Creator.
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A DAVID MUSING
In our household, this is 'Finnish Week'. Not because I am running late with this newsletter (It is a Public Holiday in New Zealand today so do I have a small excuse) but rather, because we have a Finnish American Field Scholarship student staying with us for 2 weeks.But that is not all. For I have to admit to my very human weakness for 'speed on four wheels'! In the days when I was young and could afford it, I used to drive a Go Kart and a racing car or two. Now that I am old(er) and have a family to spend my money for me, I watch TV and dream of glory days past! A wishful 'car seat potato'!
Last week we had a round of the World Rally Championship, right here in little old New Zealand, where the drivers say we have the best rallying roads in the world. Plenty of hills, gravel, corners and great scenery, which the drivers don't have time to appreciate!
However, the point of this musing is that a Finnish driver and current World Champion, Marcus Gronholm, won the rally for a third time. Several other Finnish competitors also in the field. Then last night, another Finn, Kimi Raikkonen, took second place in the San Marino, Formula One, Grand Prix, and remains firmly entrenched at the top of the Drivers Championship table.
It is incredible haw a small country of just 5,500,000 people can produce so many past and present world motorsport champions. Maybe some of our guest Aki's inheritance will rub off on me! Wishful thinking! Too little, too late! Besides, I am in God's fast lane now, where my inheritance is in Jesus and the thrill is in winning the Eternal Race! The Good News too, is that we that we don't have to be Finnish to finish! And in this race we can all be winners!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's Challenge Answer: In the twinkle of an eye.
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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: (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
david@wwj.org.nz