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: 84 Published: 09 Jun 2003
OUR WITNESS TO THE WORLD
On Saturday afternoon, I finally finished the full version of my trivia book, called:TWELVE THIRTY TWO (1232) TRULY TRIVIAL TRIFLING TITBITS….. that temporarily titillate tetchy, talented tadpoles, timidly traipsing throughout terrifying tearful turmoil, then thankfully turning towards tangible transformation.
Transfixing! Tremendous! Terrific! Yes there are still plenty of 't' words left for you! The Lord prompted me to conclude with the following, which I submit to you too.
THE FINAL, NOT SO TRIVIAL, WORD…..
I trust you have both enjoyed and absorbed the wisdom? of this world, having worked your way through the previous 229 pages of sometimes cryptic combinations of the wonderful Roman Alphabet, perfectly designed for Latin, but painfully adapted to the more complex English language we have inherited from our forefathers. As you have done so, you will inevitably also have got to learn a little more about me, David John Tait, of Napier, New Zealand. Born…. No that’s still my secret! But you can probably work it out, close enough!
Like all of us, I am simply an extraordinary, ordinary person with strengths and failings, as indeed we all are. For no two of us are alike which makes us extraordinary, yet whether we admit it or not, we all have the need to be loved and accepted as being worthwhile people, which in itself makes us all very ordinary and alike.
We can seek recognition, love and understanding through the myriad of alternatives that the world constantly barrages us with, through the all-pervasive advertising avalanche, or more simply, through family and friends, if we are fortunate enough to have them.
As you have read through these paper pages, I hope, indeed expect, that you will have picked up the that I am also a member of a larger family, one that has up to a billion members on earth right now, plus countless others throughout history. And we are all related to the one man, Jesus. Not through genealogical birth, for He had no wife or children, but through a spiritual rebirth, available to all of us who simply request it of Him. His fellowship is waiting for us all, those fortunate enough to live in a loving human family and those too, who are friendless and purposeless in life.
We don’t have to be perfect, for none of us are, but simply available. As followers of Jesus, we aren’t perfect either, as many of you may have experienced through Christians you have met or seen. But we do have the hope and confidence that one-day we will be, and so will live with our Jesus in paradise forever.
Many people have the idea that Christians are all very serious and don’t have any fun! I hope that reading this book has removed that misconception! For when I asked Jesus into my life, I found a release, a freedom and enjoyment of living, far greater than anything I had ever experienced previously. Sure, I still have my problems - you may well have picked up on some of them. But I have a friend, guide and counselor who helps me through each and every day.
Now I am blessed to travel the world and share what He done for me and for you, and to have fun and huge satisfaction in doing it! I can now be a ‘minister’ yet write trivia and joke, as well as deeper spiritual books! My God is so big! If you would like to know more about Him I would love to help you. Feel free to contact me at david@wwj.org.nz any time. Or else ask another Christian. Tell them a brother told you to! May God bless you.
Saved me an extra couple of hours work preparing this too!
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FROM THE WORD
"The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”" (Luke 4:17-21)"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
%%% God’s free gift to us is salvation; ours to others is – a smile. (Estuary walk April 2001)THE AGE OF GRACE
%%% The biggest impediment for many in delaying a decision for Christ is the mistaken belief that the present ‘Age of Grace’ will never end.
%%% God’s nature is finely balanced between love and judgement. As His love has predominated for the past 2000 years, how fearsome then must be the single Day of Judgement that is to come.
%%% We know in life, that all good things come to an end. How is it then, that we continue to believe that the current age of God’s grace and mercy will go on forever?
%%% Why is it that I continue to walk round and round the mountain when I know when the path to the top goes up?
%%% God's gracious gift of grace is the reason to walk in truth, not an excuse to continue in sin.
%%% God's graciously given grace gift gallantly galvanises garrulous, grateful gentiles!
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 ...
COMMENTS ON LAST WEEKS NEWSLETTER
Greetings David and God's blessings to you from Geraldine, New Zealand.Just a note to say that again I have gained such inspiration from PGIM. I really appreciated you comments also on the recent writing I sent you. It's great to get confirmation that one is truly receiving guidance from His Holy Spirit, thank you.
I am in the middle of writing our weekly newsletter for "Soldiers of the Cross" and doing a brief study on 1 Peter 5:7-10 and I when I gained a wonderful little saying I thought you might like, "Your inheritance is determined by whose will you are in, I want to be in God's".
I know I'm not capable of coming up with that without divine guidance.
Keep up the God work,
In Christ
Pete Bradley
Hi David
Fantastic content and illuminating insights the Lord bless you. I am working in Scotland as a church planter for the Baptists and I find much encouragement in your weekly encouragements. I would love to be able to download one of the free mp3s but it just says 'error' or file not found. This has happened several times and I wondered if you could advise me.
Your brother in Christ
Colin
(If you have problems with these downloads or any questions you would like answered about the Inspirational Tapes Library, please feel free to contact the Director, Jeff Leigh at jeff@inspirational.org.nz who will be only too pleased to help you.)
Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz
FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
In conjunction with Inspirational Tapesinspirational.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 free download is...
CHURCH HISTORY - AD30 - 400
By: David Pawson
Check out this period of momentous spiritual growth and monumental spiritual decline with one of the world's most respected Bible teachers.
All should be working correctly this week.
Download your free MP3 now 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." ***
170. VESTED INTEREST
A rather well-dressed man called on the minister and told him a distressing story of poverty and misery in the neighborhood.
"This poor widow," he said, "with four starving children to feed, is sick in bed with no money for the doctor, and besides that, she owes $350 rent for three months and is about to be evicted. I'm out trying to help raise the rent money. I wondered if you can help?"
"I certainly can," said the minister. "If you can give your time to this cause, so can I. By the way, who are you?"
"I'm the landlord," said the man.
169. A VALUABLE ANIMAL
A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside except for a pet dog he doted on. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the parish priest, saying "Father, my dog is dead. Could you possibly be saying a mass for the poor creature?"
Father Patrick told the farmer "No, we can't have services for an animal in the church, but I'll tell you what, there's a new Protestant church down the road apiece, and they'll take in just about anybody. Maybe they'll do something for the animal."
Muldoon said "I'll go right now. By the way, do you think $50,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied "Why, didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic."
Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 500 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What was trepanning?ANSWER: Trepanning is the oldest surgery known to man, dating back to at least 10,000BC. It's basically boring or cutting open holes in the head. Why would anyone willingly have a hole bored into their skull? Well, in the good old days, it was believed that boring holes in the skull was a great way to release any evil spirits that might be lurking in there! It was also thought to be a good way to treat headaches and brain disorders and cure insanity.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why can't we see color at night?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
945. LARGE SPOTS
Dark spots called sunspots, far larger than the earth’s diameter, move over the sun’s surface, expanding and contracting as they go, some reaching up to 80,000km (50,000 miles) across. (But we sometimes still dare to think that the universe revolves round us!)
946. "THAT'S ALL FOLKS!"
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny was allergic to carrots! Yet he had to crunch into them, for a carrot sound is unique. ‘The Man of 1100 Voices’ would crunch, then ‘spit ‘em out’. (Did “That’s all, folks!” the epitaph on his headstone, really mean, relief at no more carrots?)
947. 'DONTDONT’
Sadly, the last dodo bird died in 1681. (An early environmental ‘nono’?)
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU
Is it legal for a man to marry his widows sister?
Answer at the end of A David Musing.
You can download a 250 item sample Trivia Book at Truly Trifling Trivia
Or view all 1200 online at...
MEASUREMENTS OF LENGTH IN THE BIBLE
MEASURE SYSTEM ** EQUIVALENT ** APPROX.METRIC EQUIVALENTS ** APPROX. U.S. EQUIVALENTSFINGER (digit) ** 1 finger ** 1/12 span ** 2 cm. ** 3/4 in.
PALM (handbreadth) ** 4 fingers, ** 1/3 span ** 7.5 cm. ** 3 in.
SPAN ** 12 fingers, ** 3 palms ** 22.25 cm. ** 9 in.
GOMEDH ** 3 3/4 palms, ** 1 1/4 spans ** 44.5 cm. ** 12 in.
CUBIT ** 6-7 palms, ** 2 spans ** 44.5 cm. ** 17 1/2 in.
FATHOM ** 4 cubits, ** 8 spans ** 2 m. ** 2 yds.
Many more interesting facts and figures about God, the Bible and Evangelism on...
LIFE'S IMPONDERABLE QUESTIONS
????? Why do people play at a recital and recite at a play?????? Why does night fall but never break and day break but never fall?
????? Why does a man get a hernia and a woman a hysterectomy?
????? Why do privates eat in the general mess and generals eat in the private mess?
????? Why do we call it newsprint when it contains no printing, but when we put print on it, we call it a newspaper?
74 new questions added to our store of life's most perplexing unanswered questions. But we will find out the answers one day! Spend a few moments pondering the whole 174 at...
HAVE YOU GOT THE 'VICTORY'?
It never ceases to amaze me how, week after week, the poetry page 'Waxing Lyrical' is always amongst the most popular with our approximately 2,000 weekly visitors to our website.This particular poem is the longest one, but in 3 parts. The first two are based on a holiday Kathy and I had on the beautiful Island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and the third, on the last chapter of the Book of Revelation.
It is a poem that takes a look at our Christian walk and I would recommend it to all. Have a look today at...
A DAVID MUSING
Did you know that bananas are the single most popular fruit in the world? Also that in our country, maybe in yours too, they don't grow on exotic palms, but regularly arrive by the shipload, in very strong brown or white boxes. Now I know all this, because this week I have been scouring many of our local supermarkets for empty banana boxes, forlornly left behind after their delicious contents have been whisked away in light white plastic bags by Napier's voracious banana buyers.You see, I have the big little problem of transporting 11,000 succulents in 10cm square pots down here, from our previous home in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. A trifid-like hobby!
But the real point of the story is that I have found supplies of these boxes in the most unexpected shops at the least expected times. I simply don't know when I go into each store, whether I will strike out or strike the jackpot! Reminds me a lot of my walk in God too. So often I expect to be blessed here or there, but most often find my real satisfaction comes from the most unexpected places! God has such a sense of humour!
As I have up and down days with collecting banana boxes, so I do with God. But I know from experience, that with God it all turns out right in the end. And I trust that, with His help, the same will apply with the banana boxes too! Will let you know next week!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's Challenge Answer: No. For it is impossible, as he would already be dead!
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilise this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the scource be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.Subscription opportunities are available at the bottom of each newsletter or at...
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LINKS
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand
Phone: (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