IN THE LORD'S WILL

I have just come off the telephone from a friend of mine in another city, one whom I have not seen for a year nor spoken to for 6 months. Tony is one of those few special people with whom you can just pick up with after an absence and communicate as if you had last spoken yesterday.

We talked about a lot of things, catching up on happenings in each other's lives over the past few months - which means I will be later than my normal lateness in finishing this week's PGIM! But it was worth it, to catch up. (PGIM is mostly written on a Sunday evening in New Zealand and sent out around 8am on Monday morning, New Zealand time. We may be the first country to see the sun, but it doesn't make me prepare any sooner - except through the accident of time zones!)

Tony is a businessman, operating in the Horticultural field, with which I too was involved for many years. In recent times he has managed to secure distribution rights to some unique products. This has enabled him to become very successful in what he does, which he richly deserves for his perseverance through earlier, leaner times. A committed Christian for much longer than I, he loves the Lord and is used by Him in many ways.

I too, used to be a businessman, having been both successful, then broke - twice! My first bankruptcy brought me to the Lord. My second is teaching me - and I am a slow learner at times - to rely upon Him! And often even harder, to depend upon my wife, Kathy, to provide our family income as I do this work He has called me to!

You see, the Lord has grasped hold of both Tony and I and is using each of us for His purposes, to fulfil His will. If you had looked at us 10 years ago, you would have said that Tony would be destined for fulltime ministry and me, for making money. Yet the Lord had other ideas! And we have both been obedient to His wishes.

In these times, when he is making good money, Tony occasionally wonders whether he should really be in fulltime ministry. In a similar way, as we suffer sometimes severe financial deficits, I too fleetingly ponder whether I should be back in business!

Yet really, deep down inside, we both know we are each doing the Lord's will. For His Kingdom consists of many different, but all vitally important, parts. And interestingly, we often end up being the part we would least expect to be! That way, God can better mould us into His image, as we are forced to put aside our natural talents and abilities and rely upon Him. Then, all the glory for whatever success we have, must go to Him! Which is truly where it belongs, all of the time!

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FROM THE WORD

ONE BODY, MANY PARTS
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

SOME SAYINGS ON SERVANTHOOD
561. It is better to be ‘led’ by God than ’bled’ by life.

562. In God, to obey is the better way.

563. Our Christian walk in a ‘t’ – from rust to trust!

565. True servants add their own desires to the end of the queue.

566. Pride demolishes, while servanthood builds.

567. Leaders of character understand the twin character difference between serve and slave.

570. For down to be up, up must first be down.

571. A ‘servant leader’ is beyond the world’s comprehension. And many Christians too!

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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

Dear David,
I enjoy receiving your missives each week--they help provide a good start to the week.
I am an evangelical follower of Jesus whose theology is not conservative. It seems conservative Christians are more concerned about law than about relationships. I look to Jesus who frequently flouted the religious laws of his day for the sake of relationships with people judged as "sinners" and "unclean" by the good religious people of his day. My hope is that conservative Christians will remember love comes before law and learn to use speech and words that reflect this priority.
Again,
Thank you for the work you do.
Jim Kenney (Canada)

David,
I found the newsletter this week particularly uplifting, inspiring, encouraging, timely, and right on target. [Just what I needed following a difficult week.]
Hang in there, and keep up the GREAT work!
Blessings,
Robert Sorensen
E.L.C.A., Sealy, TX

David
What an interesting essay this week! Here I am a pretty liberal thinking and acting Episcopalian (a Western church living the East USA.) Usually your are very direct but I find some rather hidden implications in this one. Maybe I am so filled with all the emotion and prayerful thought of the last 10 days during our General Convention in Minneapolis the I am super sensitive. You're right on target with what you say about being truly inclusive. I work nearly full time with trying to help the church (or Church) be aware of the need to include and celebrate people with disabilities. I am also in total support of including all regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, language or sexual orientation in being FULL participants in the life of our community. Obviously, there are many who disagree with factions of that statement. As one of our Bishops said, I am elated with the decision but sorrow in the pain of those who feel such disappointment. As our visiting clergy said this morning, quoting someone else whom I can't remember - community doesn't mean a group in total agreement but with differences that are acknowledged, discussed respected and celebrated.

I'm not sure what you meant by "unscriptural" or if that was indeed an implication about the Episcopal decision to confirm a fine, qualified, spirit-filled priest who happens to be opening gay and in a long-term relationship. Actually, I don't think it is a "gay" issue at all, except for the media's bias reporting but is a matter of the people of New Hampshire wanting the best Bishop they could find and elect and they DID!
Thanks for listening.
Your Episcopal fan from New Jersey, Jan

Hi Jan
Thanks for your comments.
I just wrote what the Lord led me to! It was not motivated by your Episcopalian decision, as far as I am consciously aware! However the logic does apply to that situation too.
What I am trying to get at, is that societies norms all too easily get accepted by the church in order to try to attract more people to it. And it is simply shown not to be working now as people fall away, as it did in Roman times when the church became 'compulsory' and the Dark Ages ensued.

For the church to be relevant and to grow, it must demonstrate how Jesus changes lives by living the difficult walk of Jesus, not just talking about it and trying to make it 'easy for all'. For it simply isn't! Some will choose it, many will not. It is never going to be successful to attempt to 'widen ' the 'narrow path' all we can do, is through the examples of our lives, reflect the benefits of walking the on the narrow and sometimes bumpy path, as Jesus did.
Cheers
David

Dear David,
Thanks for your reply and the clarification. If we can just grow up as a people and stop with what it melts down to: "If you don't play the way I wanna play, then I won't play in your backyard!." I think we can grow up and still walk the (I love it) funky road of being disciples.
Looking forward to your next offering.
God bless you and your friends at WWJ.
Jan

Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK

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WHERE ARE YOU AT SPIRITUALLY?

By: Greg Laurie

The senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, Greg Laurie began his pastoral ministry at age 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people. Since then, God has transformed that small group into a church of some 15,000 people. Today, Harvest is one of the eight largest churches in America, as well as the third largest in California.

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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." ***

192. 'HUSHERS'
Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough.
"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."

"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.

Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're 'hushers'."

191. THE BEST LIE
A pastor was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age. The group surrounded a dog. Concerned lest the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked, "What are you boys doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course the pastor was scandalized. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten-minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie," and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie."

There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the pastor began to think he'd really gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What animal's heart beats only nine times per minute?

ANSWER: If you guessed the whale, you're right. The rule is: the bigger the animal, the slower the heartbeat. For example, the tiny hummingbird has a heart rate of about 1260 beats per minute.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How did the Adam's apple get its name?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

912. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR?
Was not fought between the French and the North American Indians. They were on the same side, and along with the Canadians, fought against the British and the American colonists from 1754 to 1763. (Were they as confused as I am? Who shot who?)

913. A SAFE PLACE TO BE?
In the middle of a swarm of insects! For biting is not what they're swarming for. Most swarms (of mosquitoes, gnats, etc.) are made up of male insects waiting around for females to mate with. (Other, more important, things to think of – written by a male, of course!)

914. FRESH AIR
Clothes dried outside smell better because of a process called ‘photolysis.’ For sunlight breaks down the compounds in the laundry that cause odour, such as perspiration and body oils. (Mother does know best. Perhaps the same applies to people?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Wafibit

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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SOME 'NOT SO TRIVIAL' BIBLE TRIVIA

*** The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat.
*** The Red Sea isn’t red but blue. It’s original name was the ‘Reed Sea’, but in the 17th century a new English translation from the Latin dropped an ‘e’. However the mountains of Edom to the East turn so red towards sunset that the mistaken name is ironically appropriate.
*** Someone has spent 17 years looking for the exact middle point of the Bible. Haven’t heard whether they found it!
*** After the Bible, the most translated book in the world is Cervantes, ‘Don Quixote.’
*** There are more than 1700 references to gems and precious stones in the KJV.
*** Psalm 37 is one of the few that are acrostic – but not in English!
*** The word ‘Reverend’ is only used once in the Bible.
*** The Guinness Book of Records is the best selling copyrighted book of all time. Of course, the Bible is not copyrighted – being available to all.
*** The record for the world’s slowest selling book belongs to David Wilkin’s translation of the New Testament into Coptic. Since it was first published in 1791 it has never sold more than 2 copies a year.
*** The Bible is the number one shoplifted book in America.
*** An easy way to tell the books of the Bible. Old (3 letters) Testament (9 letters). 3 & 9 =39 books. New (3 letters) Testament (9 letters). 3x9=27 books. 39+27=66 books.

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JUST JOKES

MUSICAL BEE
The summer band class was just getting under way when a large insect flew into the room.

The sixth-graders, eager to play their shiny new instruments, tried to ignore the buzzing intruder, but eventually one student could stand it no more. He rolled up his music book and swatted the insect, then he stomped on it to ensure its fate.

"Is it a bee?" another student asked.

"Nope," he replied. "It's a bee flat."

WHAT A COINCIDENCE?
When his eyes began to give him trouble, a man went to a ophthalmologist in Prague.

The doctor showed the patient the eye chart, displaying the letters CVKPNWXSCZ.

"Can you read that?" the doctor asked.

"Can I read it?" the Czech replied. "I dated his sister!"

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THE NINETEEN COMMANDMENTS

1. If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?

2. Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there.

3. What you are is God's Gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.

4. I am God's Melody of life and He Sings His Song through me.

5. We can never really go where God is not, and where He is, all is well.

6. No matter what is happening in your life, know that God is Waiting for you with open arms.

7. God Promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

8. Do your best and then sleep in peace. God is Awake.

9. God has a Purpose and Plan for me that no one else can fulfil.

10. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

11. We are responsible for the effort, not the outcome.

12. We set the sail; God makes the wind.

13. Begin to weave and God will Give you the thread.

14. When God says "no", it's because He has something better in store for you.

15. The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

16. Prayer: don't bother to give God instructions, just report for duty.

17. It's my business to do God's Business and it's His business to take care of my business.

18. Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.

19. How come you're always running around looking for God? He's not lost.

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THE PATH

We walk along life's pathway well for a while before taking a wrong turning. What then?

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A DAVID MUSING

'TIS LATE!
The time is now so very late,
Talked too long to my mate,
So must get my weary body off to bed,
Thinking now of what my father said:

"Good Night'
Sleep tight.
Mind the bugs don't bite!"

His servant and yours

David Tait

TODAY'S WORD PUZZLE ANSWER: Lie in wait!

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
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 8449-377
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!

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