OzThoughts New Year’s Day 1st January 2009
The New Year calls for personal affirmation of our faith.
How blessed is God!
And what a blessing he is!
He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.
Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)
He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
You are God (Te Deum laudamus)
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
"Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory."
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
````````
[Listen: (Male Voice): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3 ]
Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.
Hold thou my feet, let there be no returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.
I would bring peace to lives now torn asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Author: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 529
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
OzThoughts New Year’s Eve (Wednesday 31st December, 2008)
OzThoughts New Year’s Eve (Wednesday 31st December, 2008)
An Australian department store had the motto "While I Live I'll Grow”. People who have lived in Sydney would have known already that the store was "Anthony Hordern's", their symbol "an acorn and a mighty oak". The motto is said to have been inspired by a huge English Oak near Picton, outside Sydney. I am told the tree died long ago. So did the department store.
Have we lived and grown in this past year? As we come to the end of another year I have been thinking about this past year. How will I assess it? Was it just another year, repeating the things of other years or was it a year in which I grew in knowledge and spiritually?
Each of us have to do our own assessment. We stand before a mirror looking at ourselves. We also stand before others and they assess their relationship with us in each encounter. Most of all we stand before God.
It is in standing before God that the externals, and the excuses are stripped away and He looks right at the heart of our life.
Psalm 24 (The Message)
1-2 GOD claims Earth and everything in it, GOD claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3-4 Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5-6 GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
[Look and listen: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dBfEGETyGjs ]
So This Is Christmas
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...
Author: John Lennon
………………………
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
An Australian department store had the motto "While I Live I'll Grow”. People who have lived in Sydney would have known already that the store was "Anthony Hordern's", their symbol "an acorn and a mighty oak". The motto is said to have been inspired by a huge English Oak near Picton, outside Sydney. I am told the tree died long ago. So did the department store.
Have we lived and grown in this past year? As we come to the end of another year I have been thinking about this past year. How will I assess it? Was it just another year, repeating the things of other years or was it a year in which I grew in knowledge and spiritually?
Each of us have to do our own assessment. We stand before a mirror looking at ourselves. We also stand before others and they assess their relationship with us in each encounter. Most of all we stand before God.
It is in standing before God that the externals, and the excuses are stripped away and He looks right at the heart of our life.
Psalm 24 (The Message)
1-2 GOD claims Earth and everything in it, GOD claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3-4 Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5-6 GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
[Look and listen: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dBfEGETyGjs ]
So This Is Christmas
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...
Author: John Lennon
………………………
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, December 29, 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 30th December 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 30th December 2008
I have seen many references to the Christmas New Year period as the silly season. That may be just an Australian thing. I noticed there are website references to the political campaign season as the silly season in the United States. I guess that is fair enough, too.
I began to think of the silly season last night when I reflected on the range of subjects, I had spoken about to people during the day. People spoke about cricket, the war on the Gaza Strip, violence by drunken people leaving night clubs, family gatherings for Christmas, personal financial loss caused by the recession, the heat and storms, and so the list could go on.
I find it is almost useless watching current affair television this time of the year as the shows go from the more serious to the trivial. Last night two segments were about expects guessing which beer was which by taste and how to look good in a bikini.
I remember the silly season some years ago and I looked back to comments I wrote about television commentary on the tragic tsunami then. I wrote:
“There needed to be also, I think, some understanding of the human reaction to tragedy. What I think convinced me it was the silly season was the close up shots of a tearful and distressed mother and sister who put the blame on the Australian Government for not telling them where their son and his friend were. All they wanted was, they said, news as to whether they were dead or alive. The Government, they said was uncaring and had failed them. It seems their son and his friend were in Sri Lanka which has a population of 20 million and had lost more than 10,000 of its citizens and visitors in the tragedy. I think it was understandable that the Australian Government said they would have to wait for contact. At the end of the show, it was stated that the missing son and daughter had made contact. They had not before as they were in the mountains and knew nothing about the tsunami”.
I am sure there is nothing silly about the loss and suffering of people. It is very real. I am just wondering about the media response to it. I imagine in every country there are appeals for cash, skilled personnel and special equipment. For ten years, I stood before people and made appeals on behalf of Red Cross in the face of great human tragedy in other nations and our own. For years before that I sat and prayed with individuals who were facing tragedy in their personal circumstances.
I can’t explain human suffering. However, I know that in the face of tragedy there is love. Love reaches out and holds a hand. Love wipes away a tear. Love gives an embrace. Love often says nothing but is a caring presence. Love does say its prayers. Above all God is love. There is nothing silly about God’s love.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank you for your love. I pray that your love may surround those who have lost so much. Father you know the many who have lost family, others have lost property and others have lost their employment. Some have lost everything. Father I pray that you will be real to all just now. Father, we know too that ministry in these circumstances is difficult. I pray that you will assure those who minister of your sufficiency in this task. Amen.
Unto thee will I cry,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Poor and needy am 1,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Deep is calling unto deep.
Rugged are the heights, and steep;
Guide my steps and keep;
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Where the tempest is loud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
'Mid the darkness and cloud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer
Let me hear thy voice afar,
Coming with the morning star;
True thy mercies are!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Let the foe not prevail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
My resources would fail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Order all my steps aright,
Carry me from height to height;
Yonder shines the light!
Shepherd, lead me there!
Lead me safely there!
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 641
Psalm 5 (The Message)
1Listen, GOD! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
2my groans and cries?
King-God, I need your help.
3Every morning
you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.
4You don't socialize with Wicked,
or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
5Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
6GOD destroys Lie-Speaker;
Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.
7And here I am, your invited guest--
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
8Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.
9Every word they speak is a land mine;
their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
10Pile on the guilt, God!
Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They've had their chance.
11But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
12You are famous, GOD, for welcoming God--seekers,
for decking us out in delight.
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
I have seen many references to the Christmas New Year period as the silly season. That may be just an Australian thing. I noticed there are website references to the political campaign season as the silly season in the United States. I guess that is fair enough, too.
I began to think of the silly season last night when I reflected on the range of subjects, I had spoken about to people during the day. People spoke about cricket, the war on the Gaza Strip, violence by drunken people leaving night clubs, family gatherings for Christmas, personal financial loss caused by the recession, the heat and storms, and so the list could go on.
I find it is almost useless watching current affair television this time of the year as the shows go from the more serious to the trivial. Last night two segments were about expects guessing which beer was which by taste and how to look good in a bikini.
I remember the silly season some years ago and I looked back to comments I wrote about television commentary on the tragic tsunami then. I wrote:
“There needed to be also, I think, some understanding of the human reaction to tragedy. What I think convinced me it was the silly season was the close up shots of a tearful and distressed mother and sister who put the blame on the Australian Government for not telling them where their son and his friend were. All they wanted was, they said, news as to whether they were dead or alive. The Government, they said was uncaring and had failed them. It seems their son and his friend were in Sri Lanka which has a population of 20 million and had lost more than 10,000 of its citizens and visitors in the tragedy. I think it was understandable that the Australian Government said they would have to wait for contact. At the end of the show, it was stated that the missing son and daughter had made contact. They had not before as they were in the mountains and knew nothing about the tsunami”.
I am sure there is nothing silly about the loss and suffering of people. It is very real. I am just wondering about the media response to it. I imagine in every country there are appeals for cash, skilled personnel and special equipment. For ten years, I stood before people and made appeals on behalf of Red Cross in the face of great human tragedy in other nations and our own. For years before that I sat and prayed with individuals who were facing tragedy in their personal circumstances.
I can’t explain human suffering. However, I know that in the face of tragedy there is love. Love reaches out and holds a hand. Love wipes away a tear. Love gives an embrace. Love often says nothing but is a caring presence. Love does say its prayers. Above all God is love. There is nothing silly about God’s love.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank you for your love. I pray that your love may surround those who have lost so much. Father you know the many who have lost family, others have lost property and others have lost their employment. Some have lost everything. Father I pray that you will be real to all just now. Father, we know too that ministry in these circumstances is difficult. I pray that you will assure those who minister of your sufficiency in this task. Amen.
Unto thee will I cry,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Poor and needy am 1,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Deep is calling unto deep.
Rugged are the heights, and steep;
Guide my steps and keep;
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Where the tempest is loud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
'Mid the darkness and cloud,
Shepherd, hear my prayer
Let me hear thy voice afar,
Coming with the morning star;
True thy mercies are!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Hear, O hear my prayer!
Let the foe not prevail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
My resources would fail,
Shepherd, hear my prayer!
Order all my steps aright,
Carry me from height to height;
Yonder shines the light!
Shepherd, lead me there!
Lead me safely there!
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 641
Psalm 5 (The Message)
1Listen, GOD! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
2my groans and cries?
King-God, I need your help.
3Every morning
you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.
4You don't socialize with Wicked,
or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
5Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
6GOD destroys Lie-Speaker;
Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.
7And here I am, your invited guest--
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
8Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.
9Every word they speak is a land mine;
their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
10Pile on the guilt, God!
Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They've had their chance.
11But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
12You are famous, GOD, for welcoming God--seekers,
for decking us out in delight.
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, December 28, 2008
OzThoughts Monday 29th December 2008.
OzThoughts Monday 29th December 2008.
One of the joys of Christmas is the gathering of family and friends to “celebrate the season of goodwill”. For many this also means the stopping of the busy round to gather in worship. Christmas day service is always one of those occasions when the families gathering swell the numbers at worship but also add an extra amount of happiness.
I wondered just how many would be at the Sunday meeting (yesterday) as members of the usual Sunday congregation told me they would be away with family for Christmas and for holidays after that. While regular worshippers were away, other people visiting family and friends swelled the numbers present for our time of worship.
The Christian Church has a wonderful opportunity to allow itself to speak for God as his “angel” for the hour. It is a responsibility to announce the good news to believers and non-believers who gather for the special time of worship. It is our responsibility to continue to pray for those who come to God’s house on special occasions such as during the Christmas season.
We can pause today and thank God for each one who herd the “angel’s message” and pray that like the Shepherds they will continue to investigate that which has been made known to them.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, loving God, thank you for all who joined in the time of worship this last Christmas weekend. I pray that as they think about that hour they spent in your house as part of your family, that they may turn to acknowledge you as God and Jesus as your son and their Savior. Amen.
When Christ drew near to dwell with men
And bear with man his earthly lot,
He brought the knowledge of the Lord
To sinful hearts which knew him not.
When Christ drew near with pardoning love
And free men from remorse and tears,
His triumph over death assured
Their victory over sins and fears.
When Christ draws near his own today,
The fulness of his power to give,
The Holy Spirit makes him known,
And by his life we all may live.
Draw near, O Christ, unveil thy face,
The God of glory and of grace;
My heart reveal, with pardon seal,
And bring me to thy holy place.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 102
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.(King James Version).
……………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
One of the joys of Christmas is the gathering of family and friends to “celebrate the season of goodwill”. For many this also means the stopping of the busy round to gather in worship. Christmas day service is always one of those occasions when the families gathering swell the numbers at worship but also add an extra amount of happiness.
I wondered just how many would be at the Sunday meeting (yesterday) as members of the usual Sunday congregation told me they would be away with family for Christmas and for holidays after that. While regular worshippers were away, other people visiting family and friends swelled the numbers present for our time of worship.
The Christian Church has a wonderful opportunity to allow itself to speak for God as his “angel” for the hour. It is a responsibility to announce the good news to believers and non-believers who gather for the special time of worship. It is our responsibility to continue to pray for those who come to God’s house on special occasions such as during the Christmas season.
We can pause today and thank God for each one who herd the “angel’s message” and pray that like the Shepherds they will continue to investigate that which has been made known to them.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, loving God, thank you for all who joined in the time of worship this last Christmas weekend. I pray that as they think about that hour they spent in your house as part of your family, that they may turn to acknowledge you as God and Jesus as your son and their Savior. Amen.
When Christ drew near to dwell with men
And bear with man his earthly lot,
He brought the knowledge of the Lord
To sinful hearts which knew him not.
When Christ drew near with pardoning love
And free men from remorse and tears,
His triumph over death assured
Their victory over sins and fears.
When Christ draws near his own today,
The fulness of his power to give,
The Holy Spirit makes him known,
And by his life we all may live.
Draw near, O Christ, unveil thy face,
The God of glory and of grace;
My heart reveal, with pardon seal,
And bring me to thy holy place.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 102
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.(King James Version).
……………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 27th December 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 27th December 2008
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support through this past year. It would seem that OzThoughts Internet Ministry reaches out daily to many people through the various groups and websites where it is posted.
I thank the individuals who take the time to post OzThoughts to their group or place it on their website. I know there are others who forward it to their friends by email and others who print it and hand it around. Still others use some of it in their own ministry in their corps, church and community.
As a group we are a big number scattered throughout this world. However, we are all individuals on our Christian walk with Christ. My prayer is that we may all be helped in our walk by pausing a short while, thinking, praying , and reading scripture and meditating on a song or hymn.
I pray that each of us had a great Christmas when Jesus was really close and will have a fantastic New Year when we know that “God is still with us” in every circumstance.
The following ATAW was written a couple of years ago and points to those around us and shows Christmas may have its hurts as well as its joys. I pray that as we commence this New Year of 2009, we may be aware of people around us who are carrying burdens and may we through our caring communication with them lift their burden and point them to the one who says simply “Come, unto me all you who carry heavy loads and I will give you rest”.
Father, let me dedicate,
This new year to thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be;
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Would I ask that thou shouldst spare;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy name.
Chorus
Thy great name! Thy great name!
Let my life, O Lord, each day
Glorify thy name.
If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine,
If on life serene and fair
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Rise by faith's exultant wings,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify thy name.
If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how thy dear Son
His eternal glory won,
And in steadfast faith pray on:
Glorify thy name.
Author: Lawrence Tuttiett (1825-97) (verses), alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 916
CHRISTMAS STILL WRAPPED
It was the first Rotary Club weekly meeting after Christmas. It was one of those meetings were casual formality was the order of the day. Many of the members were away on holidays. Some were holidaying at home and this was reflected in their casual clothes rather than the suit and tie they normally wore when they came straight from the office to the lunchtime meeting. It was a time of laughter and good fun.
The meeting was full of stories about Christmas events. Some had taken time to worship. Others told of family visits. There was comment on the recreational activities or sporting events many had played. Many talked about the cricket and some spoke about the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
After the meeting one of the Rotarians came to me and asked if it would be possible for me to call at his home and pick up the presents which were under the tree. We agreed that I would do it immediately. As I was handed the parcels, I learnt these were for his children who were with his former wife. It had been promised they would be with him for Christmas. They had not arrived. He said it was obvious his former wife had once again broken agreements about access.
I was able to make sure these beautiful gifts went to other children and pass their thanks to the father whose Christmas had been empty of the expected joy.
I thought about this event when I heard on our Television News a father say he had no answer to the question asked by his son “Dad, should I buy a present for Daniel?” Daniel had disappeared on his way to the shops to buy Christmas presents a couple of weeks previous to the question being asked. An intensive amount of police work, extensive searching, and a huge amount of media exposure has brought no result. (Unfortunately it has still brought no result at the end of 2008, although one million dollar reward is being offered for information).
Christmas is a sad time for many. There are many gifts under trees and in peoples hearts which are stilled wrapped. God’s gift of his son and his gifts through his son often are still wrapped by those who need them and could apply them in their daily living.
As I think of this two songs come to mind. The first, considered a Christmas Carol, comes from the 18th century and is written by a leading scholar and Congregational minister of the time who overcame all types of difficulty including being orphaned at an early age. The second more modern was written by Annie Johnson who also was orphaned before she was six and adopted by a family called Flint. She was afflicted by painful arthritis when she was in her teens and was soon unable to walk. When she could not be a composer and concert pianist as she wished, she decided to become a poet. At first she saw this only as an acceptable alternative to being a pianist but soon realised it was a gift from God. Later in life she wrote many of her poems using a typewriter as she was unable to hold a pen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81]
***************************************
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1862.mp3 ]
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 579]
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support through this past year. It would seem that OzThoughts Internet Ministry reaches out daily to many people through the various groups and websites where it is posted.
I thank the individuals who take the time to post OzThoughts to their group or place it on their website. I know there are others who forward it to their friends by email and others who print it and hand it around. Still others use some of it in their own ministry in their corps, church and community.
As a group we are a big number scattered throughout this world. However, we are all individuals on our Christian walk with Christ. My prayer is that we may all be helped in our walk by pausing a short while, thinking, praying , and reading scripture and meditating on a song or hymn.
I pray that each of us had a great Christmas when Jesus was really close and will have a fantastic New Year when we know that “God is still with us” in every circumstance.
The following ATAW was written a couple of years ago and points to those around us and shows Christmas may have its hurts as well as its joys. I pray that as we commence this New Year of 2009, we may be aware of people around us who are carrying burdens and may we through our caring communication with them lift their burden and point them to the one who says simply “Come, unto me all you who carry heavy loads and I will give you rest”.
Father, let me dedicate,
This new year to thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be;
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Would I ask that thou shouldst spare;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy name.
Chorus
Thy great name! Thy great name!
Let my life, O Lord, each day
Glorify thy name.
If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine,
If on life serene and fair
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Rise by faith's exultant wings,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify thy name.
If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how thy dear Son
His eternal glory won,
And in steadfast faith pray on:
Glorify thy name.
Author: Lawrence Tuttiett (1825-97) (verses), alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 916
CHRISTMAS STILL WRAPPED
It was the first Rotary Club weekly meeting after Christmas. It was one of those meetings were casual formality was the order of the day. Many of the members were away on holidays. Some were holidaying at home and this was reflected in their casual clothes rather than the suit and tie they normally wore when they came straight from the office to the lunchtime meeting. It was a time of laughter and good fun.
The meeting was full of stories about Christmas events. Some had taken time to worship. Others told of family visits. There was comment on the recreational activities or sporting events many had played. Many talked about the cricket and some spoke about the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
After the meeting one of the Rotarians came to me and asked if it would be possible for me to call at his home and pick up the presents which were under the tree. We agreed that I would do it immediately. As I was handed the parcels, I learnt these were for his children who were with his former wife. It had been promised they would be with him for Christmas. They had not arrived. He said it was obvious his former wife had once again broken agreements about access.
I was able to make sure these beautiful gifts went to other children and pass their thanks to the father whose Christmas had been empty of the expected joy.
I thought about this event when I heard on our Television News a father say he had no answer to the question asked by his son “Dad, should I buy a present for Daniel?” Daniel had disappeared on his way to the shops to buy Christmas presents a couple of weeks previous to the question being asked. An intensive amount of police work, extensive searching, and a huge amount of media exposure has brought no result. (Unfortunately it has still brought no result at the end of 2008, although one million dollar reward is being offered for information).
Christmas is a sad time for many. There are many gifts under trees and in peoples hearts which are stilled wrapped. God’s gift of his son and his gifts through his son often are still wrapped by those who need them and could apply them in their daily living.
As I think of this two songs come to mind. The first, considered a Christmas Carol, comes from the 18th century and is written by a leading scholar and Congregational minister of the time who overcame all types of difficulty including being orphaned at an early age. The second more modern was written by Annie Johnson who also was orphaned before she was six and adopted by a family called Flint. She was afflicted by painful arthritis when she was in her teens and was soon unable to walk. When she could not be a composer and concert pianist as she wished, she decided to become a poet. At first she saw this only as an acceptable alternative to being a pianist but soon realised it was a gift from God. Later in life she wrote many of her poems using a typewriter as she was unable to hold a pen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81]
***************************************
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1862.mp3 ]
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 579]
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 27th December 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 27th December 2008
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support through this past year. It would seem that OzThoughts Internet Ministry reaches out daily to many people through the various groups and websites where it is posted.
I thank the individuals who take the time to post OzThoughts to their group or place it on their website. I know there are others who forward it to their friends by email and others who print it and hand it around. Still others use some of it in their own ministry in their corps, church and community.
As a group we are a big number scattered throughout this world. However, we are all individuals on our Christian walk with Christ. My prayer is that we may all be helped in our walk by pausing a short while, thinking, praying , and reading scripture and meditating on a song or hymn.
I pray that each of us had a great Christmas when Jesus was really close and will have a fantastic New Year when we know that “God is still with us” in every circumstance.
The following ATAW was written a couple of years ago and points to those around us and shows Christmas may have its hurts as well as its joys. I pray that as we commence this New Year of 2009, we may be aware of people around us who are carrying burdens and may we through our caring communication with them lift their burden and point them to the one who says simply “Come, unto me all you who carry heavy loads and I will give you rest”.
Father, let me dedicate,
This new year to thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be;
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Would I ask that thou shouldst spare;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy name.
Chorus
Thy great name! Thy great name!
Let my life, O Lord, each day
Glorify thy name.
If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine,
If on life serene and fair
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Rise by faith's exultant wings,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify thy name.
If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how thy dear Son
His eternal glory won,
And in steadfast faith pray on:
Glorify thy name.
Author: Lawrence Tuttiett (1825-97) (verses), alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 916
CHRISTMAS STILL WRAPPED
It was the first Rotary Club weekly meeting after Christmas. It was one of those meetings were casual formality was the order of the day. Many of the members were away on holidays. Some were holidaying at home and this was reflected in their casual clothes rather than the suit and tie they normally wore when they came straight from the office to the lunchtime meeting. It was a time of laughter and good fun.
The meeting was full of stories about Christmas events. Some had taken time to worship. Others told of family visits. There was comment on the recreational activities or sporting events many had played. Many talked about the cricket and some spoke about the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
After the meeting one of the Rotarians came to me and asked if it would be possible for me to call at his home and pick up the presents which were under the tree. We agreed that I would do it immediately. As I was handed the parcels, I learnt these were for his children who were with his former wife. It had been promised they would be with him for Christmas. They had not arrived. He said it was obvious his former wife had once again broken agreements about access.
I was able to make sure these beautiful gifts went to other children and pass their thanks to the father whose Christmas had been empty of the expected joy.
I thought about this event when I heard on our Television News a father say he had no answer to the question asked by his son “Dad, should I buy a present for Daniel?” Daniel had disappeared on his way to the shops to buy Christmas presents a couple of weeks previous to the question being asked. An intensive amount of police work, extensive searching, and a huge amount of media exposure has brought no result. (Unfortunately it has still brought no result at the end of 2008, although one million dollar reward is being offered for information).
Christmas is a sad time for many. There are many gifts under trees and in peoples hearts which are stilled wrapped. God’s gift of his son and his gifts through his son often are still wrapped by those who need them and could apply them in their daily living.
As I think of this two songs come to mind. The first, considered a Christmas Carol, comes from the 18th century and is written by a leading scholar and Congregational minister of the time who overcame all types of difficulty including being orphaned at an early age. The second more modern was written by Annie Johnson who also was orphaned before she was six and adopted by a family called Flint. She was afflicted by painful arthritis when she was in her teens and was soon unable to walk. When she could not be a composer and concert pianist as she wished, she decided to become a poet. At first she saw this only as an acceptable alternative to being a pianist but soon realised it was a gift from God. Later in life she wrote many of her poems using a typewriter as she was unable to hold a pen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81]
***************************************
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1862.mp3 ]
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 579]
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support through this past year. It would seem that OzThoughts Internet Ministry reaches out daily to many people through the various groups and websites where it is posted.
I thank the individuals who take the time to post OzThoughts to their group or place it on their website. I know there are others who forward it to their friends by email and others who print it and hand it around. Still others use some of it in their own ministry in their corps, church and community.
As a group we are a big number scattered throughout this world. However, we are all individuals on our Christian walk with Christ. My prayer is that we may all be helped in our walk by pausing a short while, thinking, praying , and reading scripture and meditating on a song or hymn.
I pray that each of us had a great Christmas when Jesus was really close and will have a fantastic New Year when we know that “God is still with us” in every circumstance.
The following ATAW was written a couple of years ago and points to those around us and shows Christmas may have its hurts as well as its joys. I pray that as we commence this New Year of 2009, we may be aware of people around us who are carrying burdens and may we through our caring communication with them lift their burden and point them to the one who says simply “Come, unto me all you who carry heavy loads and I will give you rest”.
Father, let me dedicate,
This new year to thee,
In whatever worldly state
Thou wilt have me be;
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Would I ask that thou shouldst spare;
This alone shall be my prayer,
Glorify thy name.
Chorus
Thy great name! Thy great name!
Let my life, O Lord, each day
Glorify thy name.
If in mercy thou wilt spare
Joys that yet are mine,
If on life serene and fair
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
Rise by faith's exultant wings,
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify thy name.
If thou callest to the cross,
And its shadow come
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how thy dear Son
His eternal glory won,
And in steadfast faith pray on:
Glorify thy name.
Author: Lawrence Tuttiett (1825-97) (verses), alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 916
CHRISTMAS STILL WRAPPED
It was the first Rotary Club weekly meeting after Christmas. It was one of those meetings were casual formality was the order of the day. Many of the members were away on holidays. Some were holidaying at home and this was reflected in their casual clothes rather than the suit and tie they normally wore when they came straight from the office to the lunchtime meeting. It was a time of laughter and good fun.
The meeting was full of stories about Christmas events. Some had taken time to worship. Others told of family visits. There was comment on the recreational activities or sporting events many had played. Many talked about the cricket and some spoke about the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
After the meeting one of the Rotarians came to me and asked if it would be possible for me to call at his home and pick up the presents which were under the tree. We agreed that I would do it immediately. As I was handed the parcels, I learnt these were for his children who were with his former wife. It had been promised they would be with him for Christmas. They had not arrived. He said it was obvious his former wife had once again broken agreements about access.
I was able to make sure these beautiful gifts went to other children and pass their thanks to the father whose Christmas had been empty of the expected joy.
I thought about this event when I heard on our Television News a father say he had no answer to the question asked by his son “Dad, should I buy a present for Daniel?” Daniel had disappeared on his way to the shops to buy Christmas presents a couple of weeks previous to the question being asked. An intensive amount of police work, extensive searching, and a huge amount of media exposure has brought no result. (Unfortunately it has still brought no result at the end of 2008, although one million dollar reward is being offered for information).
Christmas is a sad time for many. There are many gifts under trees and in peoples hearts which are stilled wrapped. God’s gift of his son and his gifts through his son often are still wrapped by those who need them and could apply them in their daily living.
As I think of this two songs come to mind. The first, considered a Christmas Carol, comes from the 18th century and is written by a leading scholar and Congregational minister of the time who overcame all types of difficulty including being orphaned at an early age. The second more modern was written by Annie Johnson who also was orphaned before she was six and adopted by a family called Flint. She was afflicted by painful arthritis when she was in her teens and was soon unable to walk. When she could not be a composer and concert pianist as she wished, she decided to become a poet. At first she saw this only as an acceptable alternative to being a pianist but soon realised it was a gift from God. Later in life she wrote many of her poems using a typewriter as she was unable to hold a pen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81]
***************************************
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1862.mp3 ]
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 579]
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, December 25, 2008
OzThoughts Friday 26th December 2008
OzThoughts Friday 26th December 2008
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues in the Church. I believe this coming Sunday is called “Low Sunday”. I have not followed it through but one suggestion I have seen is that it is called that because only the “faithful” attend. After the huge crowds of Christmas Eve and Christmas day services, the numbers may not only seem low but be low.
Christmas continues. I was talking to some who will meet over the next week with members of the extended family “to do Christmas” with them .
Christmas continues. If as some suggest “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we won’t eat so much next Christmas and in all this the love of the God of Christmas continues.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
Philippians 2 (The Message)
5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues in the Church. I believe this coming Sunday is called “Low Sunday”. I have not followed it through but one suggestion I have seen is that it is called that because only the “faithful” attend. After the huge crowds of Christmas Eve and Christmas day services, the numbers may not only seem low but be low.
Christmas continues. I was talking to some who will meet over the next week with members of the extended family “to do Christmas” with them .
Christmas continues. If as some suggest “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we won’t eat so much next Christmas and in all this the love of the God of Christmas continues.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
Philippians 2 (The Message)
5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2008.
OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2008.
I wandered around the hospital yesterday, and I was very aware it was Christmas. Every patient I visited told me one of two things: either they were going home or they were staying. Some were getting anxious as they waited for the doctor tosay the work and they would be off home.
One lady had come in for an out-patients clinic check up and found herself in hospital requiring more blood. She told the nurse who came in while I was there that they had better hurry with the blood as her son was picking her up at 5am on Christmas morning to take her to the family gathering.
Some were clearly disappointed that they would be in hospital on Christmas day but I did find one man who seemed excited that he had just ordered turkey for his Christmas lunch from the ‘patient’s menu‘. He told me that ‘They would see that he had a good Christmas”. They obviously were the hospital staff.
There were decorations in every part of the hospital. Many of the staff and volunteers had added Christmas items to their clothing and hair. Even the skeleton which stands silently in the Medical Library was wearing a Santa suit.
The number of patients in the hospital was a lot less than on usual days and some wards were closed. Many staff were already on leave.
Some of the Chaplains are taking leave and there were only two of us at prayers. One of the Catholic priests and I shared in prayers from the Anglican Prayer Book and one of our readings was from Ephesians:
Blessed are you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: for you have blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
You chose us to be yours in Christ before the foundation of the world: that we should be holy and blameless before you.
In love you destined us to be your children, through Jesus Christ: according to the purpose of your will,
To the praise of your glorious grace: which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1.3-6 (Prayer Book for Australia - The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace).
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Whilst this is the set readings for every Wednesday morning, it seemed a particularly appropriate this week when we are focusing on the birth of Jesus. It clearly tells us the reason for the season.
PRAYER:
Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Today we think of his birth and we see clearly your love for us. I pray that we might experience that love in a special way today and having experienced it, pass it on as a gift to others. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4721.mp3 ]
All our hearts rejoice this morning,
On this happy Christmas day;
Praise and joy to God we're sounding,
Love and peace have come our way.
Jesus Christ, our loving Saviour,
Came to earth with gifts sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
All the angels told the story
On the hillside long ago
Of the babe who came from Glory
Bringing peace in endless flow.
Angels, shepherds, wise men worshiped,
Bowed before the child sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
Let us hear again the story
Of the angels' glorious song,
Hear again the message ringing:
Christ will triumph over wrong.
His salvation freely given
Is his gift to all mankind;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
Author: Ernest Henry Parr
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 74
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
I wandered around the hospital yesterday, and I was very aware it was Christmas. Every patient I visited told me one of two things: either they were going home or they were staying. Some were getting anxious as they waited for the doctor tosay the work and they would be off home.
One lady had come in for an out-patients clinic check up and found herself in hospital requiring more blood. She told the nurse who came in while I was there that they had better hurry with the blood as her son was picking her up at 5am on Christmas morning to take her to the family gathering.
Some were clearly disappointed that they would be in hospital on Christmas day but I did find one man who seemed excited that he had just ordered turkey for his Christmas lunch from the ‘patient’s menu‘. He told me that ‘They would see that he had a good Christmas”. They obviously were the hospital staff.
There were decorations in every part of the hospital. Many of the staff and volunteers had added Christmas items to their clothing and hair. Even the skeleton which stands silently in the Medical Library was wearing a Santa suit.
The number of patients in the hospital was a lot less than on usual days and some wards were closed. Many staff were already on leave.
Some of the Chaplains are taking leave and there were only two of us at prayers. One of the Catholic priests and I shared in prayers from the Anglican Prayer Book and one of our readings was from Ephesians:
Blessed are you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: for you have blessed us in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
You chose us to be yours in Christ before the foundation of the world: that we should be holy and blameless before you.
In love you destined us to be your children, through Jesus Christ: according to the purpose of your will,
To the praise of your glorious grace: which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1.3-6 (Prayer Book for Australia - The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace).
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Whilst this is the set readings for every Wednesday morning, it seemed a particularly appropriate this week when we are focusing on the birth of Jesus. It clearly tells us the reason for the season.
PRAYER:
Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Today we think of his birth and we see clearly your love for us. I pray that we might experience that love in a special way today and having experienced it, pass it on as a gift to others. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4721.mp3 ]
All our hearts rejoice this morning,
On this happy Christmas day;
Praise and joy to God we're sounding,
Love and peace have come our way.
Jesus Christ, our loving Saviour,
Came to earth with gifts sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
All the angels told the story
On the hillside long ago
Of the babe who came from Glory
Bringing peace in endless flow.
Angels, shepherds, wise men worshiped,
Bowed before the child sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
Let us hear again the story
Of the angels' glorious song,
Hear again the message ringing:
Christ will triumph over wrong.
His salvation freely given
Is his gift to all mankind;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
Author: Ernest Henry Parr
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 74
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
OzThoughts – Christmas Eve
OzThoughts – Christmas Eve
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
rayreese@hotmail.com
OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
John 1:9-14 (New Living Translation)
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night,
when Christ was born!
O night divine, 0 night, 0 night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand;
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
He knows our need,
He guardeth us from danger;
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4945.mp3 ]
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
………………………………………………
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
`````````````````````````````
They Came At Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003).
``````````````````````````````````
The Australian Family at Christmas
The bush flies retreat to who knows where
The Currawongs strange cries fill the air
Mosquitoes arrive in swarms with a loud hum.
And the kids wonder if Christmas beetles will come
As they often do as the day ends with a darkening sky
In the south lightening plays in dark clouds up high
Dad says “this is Christmas and the weather’s humid”
And mums says “hey someone can you open this lid”?
Soon a Christmas beetle crashes into the door screen
And the kids gather to admire its glistening sheen
Silvers and blues and reds with greens and over all gold
Soon young John has caught it in his firm hand’s hold
To let it live out its last hours admired in a bottle
A long way from its native gum tree or wattle.
Dad turns steak and sausages on the barbecue
While Mum “says do you kids want salad, too”?
So continues another Aussie Christmas play
At the end of yet another hot summer’s day
There is no written script to learn at all
But almost everything it seems is by recall
Of some ritual acts our forebears laid down
When they came to build in bush and town
Dad turns a steak and says “this here steak’s done”
And mum in reply says “we’ve got food by the ton”.
At church they have been saying Christmas is changing
That people today don’t know the essential thing
Of why we stop the things we do and celebrate
With food and drink and things that taste great
People don’t know why they sing seasonal songs at night
In the park with thousands of others at “Carols by Candlelight”
Dad says out loud “the kids about Christmas don’t have a clue”
Mum says “I think if you ask them, you will find that’s not true”.
So this Christmas night around the almost empty meal table
Dad decides to test if the kids know Christmas fact from fable
Why do we sing of snow and of Santa with reindeer?
And why do we worry so much about presents dear?
John clutching his precious beetle in its jar
Says “oh well Dad that’s a Christmas from places far”
Dad says “on Christmas night I want you kids to think…”
And mum says “who wants another ice cold drink”?
The lightning seems to be getting closer in its play
As Jodie says we celebrate in a modern Aussie way
Its fun to sing of snow, Santa sleighs and jingle bells
But we sing of six white boomers and rusty utes as well.
Santa comes in shorts and stops for a chilled drink or three
And every kid here too eagerly asks “what will he bring me”?
Dad says”that’s very well but why does he always come”?
Mum says “there’s still ice cream left. Who wants some”?
Jodie says “well Dad we love to have our games and fun”
Johns chimes in “yes and I love my toys. Yes every one.”
And young Suzie lisps “I didn’t get my two front teeth
But I know Jesus came at Christmas so we can have ‘peath’”
Jodie laughs “Peath! Yes! Peace for everyone is what God gives
That’s the best gift at Christmas –that’s why the baby Jesus lives”
Dad says “you are the very best of kids and I will tell you why”
But mum says “I think I hear angels singing quietly in the sky…”
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” they again sing
And a whole choir of crickets and cicadas join in before they take wing
Flying foxes flapping by loudly chatter a song that only they understand
A frogmouth flies by and dad swipes a mosquito that lands on his hand.
John looking at his beetle in the jar says “God I am sure made this pretty thing
And he gave Jesus that we might like the wise men to him our gifts bring”
Dad says “yes we are so far away both in time and in this great land”
Mums says “the washing ups to be done who’ll give a hand”?
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
………………………………………………………………
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
rayreese@hotmail.com
OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
John 1:9-14 (New Living Translation)
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night,
when Christ was born!
O night divine, 0 night, 0 night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand;
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
He knows our need,
He guardeth us from danger;
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4945.mp3 ]
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
………………………………………………
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
`````````````````````````````
They Came At Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003).
``````````````````````````````````
The Australian Family at Christmas
The bush flies retreat to who knows where
The Currawongs strange cries fill the air
Mosquitoes arrive in swarms with a loud hum.
And the kids wonder if Christmas beetles will come
As they often do as the day ends with a darkening sky
In the south lightening plays in dark clouds up high
Dad says “this is Christmas and the weather’s humid”
And mums says “hey someone can you open this lid”?
Soon a Christmas beetle crashes into the door screen
And the kids gather to admire its glistening sheen
Silvers and blues and reds with greens and over all gold
Soon young John has caught it in his firm hand’s hold
To let it live out its last hours admired in a bottle
A long way from its native gum tree or wattle.
Dad turns steak and sausages on the barbecue
While Mum “says do you kids want salad, too”?
So continues another Aussie Christmas play
At the end of yet another hot summer’s day
There is no written script to learn at all
But almost everything it seems is by recall
Of some ritual acts our forebears laid down
When they came to build in bush and town
Dad turns a steak and says “this here steak’s done”
And mum in reply says “we’ve got food by the ton”.
At church they have been saying Christmas is changing
That people today don’t know the essential thing
Of why we stop the things we do and celebrate
With food and drink and things that taste great
People don’t know why they sing seasonal songs at night
In the park with thousands of others at “Carols by Candlelight”
Dad says out loud “the kids about Christmas don’t have a clue”
Mum says “I think if you ask them, you will find that’s not true”.
So this Christmas night around the almost empty meal table
Dad decides to test if the kids know Christmas fact from fable
Why do we sing of snow and of Santa with reindeer?
And why do we worry so much about presents dear?
John clutching his precious beetle in its jar
Says “oh well Dad that’s a Christmas from places far”
Dad says “on Christmas night I want you kids to think…”
And mum says “who wants another ice cold drink”?
The lightning seems to be getting closer in its play
As Jodie says we celebrate in a modern Aussie way
Its fun to sing of snow, Santa sleighs and jingle bells
But we sing of six white boomers and rusty utes as well.
Santa comes in shorts and stops for a chilled drink or three
And every kid here too eagerly asks “what will he bring me”?
Dad says”that’s very well but why does he always come”?
Mum says “there’s still ice cream left. Who wants some”?
Jodie says “well Dad we love to have our games and fun”
Johns chimes in “yes and I love my toys. Yes every one.”
And young Suzie lisps “I didn’t get my two front teeth
But I know Jesus came at Christmas so we can have ‘peath’”
Jodie laughs “Peath! Yes! Peace for everyone is what God gives
That’s the best gift at Christmas –that’s why the baby Jesus lives”
Dad says “you are the very best of kids and I will tell you why”
But mum says “I think I hear angels singing quietly in the sky…”
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” they again sing
And a whole choir of crickets and cicadas join in before they take wing
Flying foxes flapping by loudly chatter a song that only they understand
A frogmouth flies by and dad swipes a mosquito that lands on his hand.
John looking at his beetle in the jar says “God I am sure made this pretty thing
And he gave Jesus that we might like the wise men to him our gifts bring”
Dad says “yes we are so far away both in time and in this great land”
Mums says “the washing ups to be done who’ll give a hand”?
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
………………………………………………………………
OzThoughts – Christmas Eve
OzThoughts – Christmas Eve
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
rayreese@hotmail.com
OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
John 1:9-14 (New Living Translation)
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night,
when Christ was born!
O night divine, 0 night, 0 night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand;
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
He knows our need,
He guardeth us from danger;
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4945.mp3 ]
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
………………………………………………
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
`````````````````````````````
They Came At Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003).
``````````````````````````````````
The Australian Family at Christmas
The bush flies retreat to who knows where
The Currawongs strange cries fill the air
Mosquitoes arrive in swarms with a loud hum.
And the kids wonder if Christmas beetles will come
As they often do as the day ends with a darkening sky
In the south lightening plays in dark clouds up high
Dad says “this is Christmas and the weather’s humid”
And mums says “hey someone can you open this lid”?
Soon a Christmas beetle crashes into the door screen
And the kids gather to admire its glistening sheen
Silvers and blues and reds with greens and over all gold
Soon young John has caught it in his firm hand’s hold
To let it live out its last hours admired in a bottle
A long way from its native gum tree or wattle.
Dad turns steak and sausages on the barbecue
While Mum “says do you kids want salad, too”?
So continues another Aussie Christmas play
At the end of yet another hot summer’s day
There is no written script to learn at all
But almost everything it seems is by recall
Of some ritual acts our forebears laid down
When they came to build in bush and town
Dad turns a steak and says “this here steak’s done”
And mum in reply says “we’ve got food by the ton”.
At church they have been saying Christmas is changing
That people today don’t know the essential thing
Of why we stop the things we do and celebrate
With food and drink and things that taste great
People don’t know why they sing seasonal songs at night
In the park with thousands of others at “Carols by Candlelight”
Dad says out loud “the kids about Christmas don’t have a clue”
Mum says “I think if you ask them, you will find that’s not true”.
So this Christmas night around the almost empty meal table
Dad decides to test if the kids know Christmas fact from fable
Why do we sing of snow and of Santa with reindeer?
And why do we worry so much about presents dear?
John clutching his precious beetle in its jar
Says “oh well Dad that’s a Christmas from places far”
Dad says “on Christmas night I want you kids to think…”
And mum says “who wants another ice cold drink”?
The lightning seems to be getting closer in its play
As Jodie says we celebrate in a modern Aussie way
Its fun to sing of snow, Santa sleighs and jingle bells
But we sing of six white boomers and rusty utes as well.
Santa comes in shorts and stops for a chilled drink or three
And every kid here too eagerly asks “what will he bring me”?
Dad says”that’s very well but why does he always come”?
Mum says “there’s still ice cream left. Who wants some”?
Jodie says “well Dad we love to have our games and fun”
Johns chimes in “yes and I love my toys. Yes every one.”
And young Suzie lisps “I didn’t get my two front teeth
But I know Jesus came at Christmas so we can have ‘peath’”
Jodie laughs “Peath! Yes! Peace for everyone is what God gives
That’s the best gift at Christmas –that’s why the baby Jesus lives”
Dad says “you are the very best of kids and I will tell you why”
But mum says “I think I hear angels singing quietly in the sky…”
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” they again sing
And a whole choir of crickets and cicadas join in before they take wing
Flying foxes flapping by loudly chatter a song that only they understand
A frogmouth flies by and dad swipes a mosquito that lands on his hand.
John looking at his beetle in the jar says “God I am sure made this pretty thing
And he gave Jesus that we might like the wise men to him our gifts bring”
Dad says “yes we are so far away both in time and in this great land”
Mums says “the washing ups to be done who’ll give a hand”?
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
………………………………………………………………
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
rayreese@hotmail.com
OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
John 1:9-14 (New Living Translation)
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night,
when Christ was born!
O night divine, 0 night, 0 night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand;
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
He knows our need,
He guardeth us from danger;
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! before the lowly bend!
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4945.mp3 ]
Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
………………………………………………
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
`````````````````````````````
They Came At Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003).
``````````````````````````````````
The Australian Family at Christmas
The bush flies retreat to who knows where
The Currawongs strange cries fill the air
Mosquitoes arrive in swarms with a loud hum.
And the kids wonder if Christmas beetles will come
As they often do as the day ends with a darkening sky
In the south lightening plays in dark clouds up high
Dad says “this is Christmas and the weather’s humid”
And mums says “hey someone can you open this lid”?
Soon a Christmas beetle crashes into the door screen
And the kids gather to admire its glistening sheen
Silvers and blues and reds with greens and over all gold
Soon young John has caught it in his firm hand’s hold
To let it live out its last hours admired in a bottle
A long way from its native gum tree or wattle.
Dad turns steak and sausages on the barbecue
While Mum “says do you kids want salad, too”?
So continues another Aussie Christmas play
At the end of yet another hot summer’s day
There is no written script to learn at all
But almost everything it seems is by recall
Of some ritual acts our forebears laid down
When they came to build in bush and town
Dad turns a steak and says “this here steak’s done”
And mum in reply says “we’ve got food by the ton”.
At church they have been saying Christmas is changing
That people today don’t know the essential thing
Of why we stop the things we do and celebrate
With food and drink and things that taste great
People don’t know why they sing seasonal songs at night
In the park with thousands of others at “Carols by Candlelight”
Dad says out loud “the kids about Christmas don’t have a clue”
Mum says “I think if you ask them, you will find that’s not true”.
So this Christmas night around the almost empty meal table
Dad decides to test if the kids know Christmas fact from fable
Why do we sing of snow and of Santa with reindeer?
And why do we worry so much about presents dear?
John clutching his precious beetle in its jar
Says “oh well Dad that’s a Christmas from places far”
Dad says “on Christmas night I want you kids to think…”
And mum says “who wants another ice cold drink”?
The lightning seems to be getting closer in its play
As Jodie says we celebrate in a modern Aussie way
Its fun to sing of snow, Santa sleighs and jingle bells
But we sing of six white boomers and rusty utes as well.
Santa comes in shorts and stops for a chilled drink or three
And every kid here too eagerly asks “what will he bring me”?
Dad says”that’s very well but why does he always come”?
Mum says “there’s still ice cream left. Who wants some”?
Jodie says “well Dad we love to have our games and fun”
Johns chimes in “yes and I love my toys. Yes every one.”
And young Suzie lisps “I didn’t get my two front teeth
But I know Jesus came at Christmas so we can have ‘peath’”
Jodie laughs “Peath! Yes! Peace for everyone is what God gives
That’s the best gift at Christmas –that’s why the baby Jesus lives”
Dad says “you are the very best of kids and I will tell you why”
But mum says “I think I hear angels singing quietly in the sky…”
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” they again sing
And a whole choir of crickets and cicadas join in before they take wing
Flying foxes flapping by loudly chatter a song that only they understand
A frogmouth flies by and dad swipes a mosquito that lands on his hand.
John looking at his beetle in the jar says “God I am sure made this pretty thing
And he gave Jesus that we might like the wise men to him our gifts bring”
Dad says “yes we are so far away both in time and in this great land”
Mums says “the washing ups to be done who’ll give a hand”?
Author: Ray Reese (Christmas 2003)
………………………………………………………………
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
OzThoughts Wednesday. 24th December, 2008.
OzThoughts Wednesday. 24th December, 2008.
It was many years ago, I made my way to the maternity hospital where my wife had given birth to our daughter. It was a very special moment as I saw my wife, who that day had become the mother of our child. It was even a greater experience, a sacred moment when I held in my arms my first born daughter.
She was so small, yet so perfect. As I held her in my arms her small tongue came slowly out between her lips and remained there for a moment before returning to her mouth. Then she sneezed. When I told my mother of the tongue and the sneeze she said simply “She is her father’s daughter”. There was so much in those few words my mum said. My wife and I rejoiced that we were not only a married couple we were now parents. We are a family!
I think of the birth of Jesus. Joseph and Mary held in their arms their beautiful gift of a son. There was no maternity hospital. We don’t know of any tongue showing between the lips or of any sneeze with the unfamiliar smells of the stable. We do see the love of the parents and the reminder that “Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them” (Luke 2:19 GNB).
I remember too he was his Heavenly Father’s son foretold so long ago:
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 6,7 (New International Version)
`````````````````````````````````
6For a child has been born--for us!
the gift of a son--for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
7His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this. Isaiah 6:6,7 (The Message)
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you and praise you for the wonderful gift of your son. I thank you that in him is the completion of your plan for our salvation. I pray that at this Christmas time, we shall draw closer to you through the realization of the fullness of your love there is in him. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4948.mp3 ]
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name.
O Lord, we magnify your name,
Prince of peace, mighty God, O Lord God almighty.
Words: Based on Psalm 8, Michael W. Smith
Tune: Michael W. Smith, 1981
Text and music copyright © 1981
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry@yahoogroups.com.au; salvationarmy3@yahoogroups.com; phantomfan46@hotmail.com, robyn.collins@aue.salvationarmy.org; Vicki.Clarke@aue.salvationarmy.org, raeehoward@hotmail.com; heidinordhagen@hotmail.com; dgodby@tpg.com.au; abentham@bigpond.net.au; lyall.reese@aue.salvationarmy.org
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
It was many years ago, I made my way to the maternity hospital where my wife had given birth to our daughter. It was a very special moment as I saw my wife, who that day had become the mother of our child. It was even a greater experience, a sacred moment when I held in my arms my first born daughter.
She was so small, yet so perfect. As I held her in my arms her small tongue came slowly out between her lips and remained there for a moment before returning to her mouth. Then she sneezed. When I told my mother of the tongue and the sneeze she said simply “She is her father’s daughter”. There was so much in those few words my mum said. My wife and I rejoiced that we were not only a married couple we were now parents. We are a family!
I think of the birth of Jesus. Joseph and Mary held in their arms their beautiful gift of a son. There was no maternity hospital. We don’t know of any tongue showing between the lips or of any sneeze with the unfamiliar smells of the stable. We do see the love of the parents and the reminder that “Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them” (Luke 2:19 GNB).
I remember too he was his Heavenly Father’s son foretold so long ago:
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9: 6,7 (New International Version)
`````````````````````````````````
6For a child has been born--for us!
the gift of a son--for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
7His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this. Isaiah 6:6,7 (The Message)
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you and praise you for the wonderful gift of your son. I thank you that in him is the completion of your plan for our salvation. I pray that at this Christmas time, we shall draw closer to you through the realization of the fullness of your love there is in him. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4948.mp3 ]
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name.
O Lord, we magnify your name,
Prince of peace, mighty God, O Lord God almighty.
Words: Based on Psalm 8, Michael W. Smith
Tune: Michael W. Smith, 1981
Text and music copyright © 1981
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry@yahoogroups.com.au; salvationarmy3@yahoogroups.com; phantomfan46@hotmail.com, robyn.collins@aue.salvationarmy.org; Vicki.Clarke@aue.salvationarmy.org, raeehoward@hotmail.com; heidinordhagen@hotmail.com; dgodby@tpg.com.au; abentham@bigpond.net.au; lyall.reese@aue.salvationarmy.org
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, December 22, 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 23rd December 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 23rd December 2008
A few years ago after our afternoon sound check for a night time Carols by Candlelight concert, some of the bandsmen were standing around and as I walked up to them I heard a man in good casual clothes say “ we will be reminding the crowds all night that Christmas is really about Jesus dying for our sins” . One of the bands men answered “Yes, that is right”. With that the man walked away.
I did not know who he was but I thought “here is a man who has it right. He knows Jesus is not the reason for the season but we are. It was our sin and the penalty that Christ must pay for our sin that caused Christmas”. I thought about that a lot until the concert started.
As the concert started, it was time for the Organising Committee to welcome everyone. In fact, it was our friend who was previously talking to the bandsmen who did this. He welcomed the crowd and said there is one thing we must remember and that is “We celebrate at Christmas Jesus dying for our sins!” He said nothing about a “coming” or a “birth”.
The story of Jesus is more than “From birth to dying cry”. Christmas is just a joyful and wonderful part of the story.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, As I in my mind gaze at the babe of Bethlehem, help me to see the beginning and the end. I pray that I might be found faithful so I will be with him at the end. Amen.
The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm THE GOD WHO IS, THE GOD WHO WAS, AND THE GOD ABOUT TO ARRIVE. I'm the Sovereign-Strong." Revelation 1 :8 The Message
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1 : 8 New International Version.
A light came out of darkness;
No light, no hope had we,
Till Jesus came from Heaven
Our light and hope to be.
Oh, as I read the story
From birth to dying cry,
A longing fills my bosom
To meet him by and by.
Chorus
Shall you, shall I, meet Jesus by and by?
And when we reach the Glory Land,
We'll swell the song of the angel band.
Shall you, shall I, meet Jesus by and by?
How tender his compassion,
How loving was his call,
How earnest his entreaty
To sinners, one and all.
He wooed and won them to him
By love, and that is why
I long to be like Jesus,
And meet him by and by.
Yet deeper do I ponder,
His cross and sorrow see,
And ever gaze and wonder
Why Jesus died for me.
And shall I fear to own him?
Can I my Lord deny?
No, let me love him, serve him,
And meet him by and by.
Author: William A. Hawley (1870-1929)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 94
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would a friend like this as well?
Why not forward this email to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
A few years ago after our afternoon sound check for a night time Carols by Candlelight concert, some of the bandsmen were standing around and as I walked up to them I heard a man in good casual clothes say “ we will be reminding the crowds all night that Christmas is really about Jesus dying for our sins” . One of the bands men answered “Yes, that is right”. With that the man walked away.
I did not know who he was but I thought “here is a man who has it right. He knows Jesus is not the reason for the season but we are. It was our sin and the penalty that Christ must pay for our sin that caused Christmas”. I thought about that a lot until the concert started.
As the concert started, it was time for the Organising Committee to welcome everyone. In fact, it was our friend who was previously talking to the bandsmen who did this. He welcomed the crowd and said there is one thing we must remember and that is “We celebrate at Christmas Jesus dying for our sins!” He said nothing about a “coming” or a “birth”.
The story of Jesus is more than “From birth to dying cry”. Christmas is just a joyful and wonderful part of the story.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, As I in my mind gaze at the babe of Bethlehem, help me to see the beginning and the end. I pray that I might be found faithful so I will be with him at the end. Amen.
The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm THE GOD WHO IS, THE GOD WHO WAS, AND THE GOD ABOUT TO ARRIVE. I'm the Sovereign-Strong." Revelation 1 :8 The Message
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1 : 8 New International Version.
A light came out of darkness;
No light, no hope had we,
Till Jesus came from Heaven
Our light and hope to be.
Oh, as I read the story
From birth to dying cry,
A longing fills my bosom
To meet him by and by.
Chorus
Shall you, shall I, meet Jesus by and by?
And when we reach the Glory Land,
We'll swell the song of the angel band.
Shall you, shall I, meet Jesus by and by?
How tender his compassion,
How loving was his call,
How earnest his entreaty
To sinners, one and all.
He wooed and won them to him
By love, and that is why
I long to be like Jesus,
And meet him by and by.
Yet deeper do I ponder,
His cross and sorrow see,
And ever gaze and wonder
Why Jesus died for me.
And shall I fear to own him?
Can I my Lord deny?
No, let me love him, serve him,
And meet him by and by.
Author: William A. Hawley (1870-1929)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 94
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would a friend like this as well?
Why not forward this email to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, December 21, 2008
OzThoughts Monday 22nd December 2008
OzThoughts Monday 22nd December 2008
These are busy days. Much of the events planned are happy events. However, we must be careful not to brush aside the people who are sorrowing or sick at this time. The very busy times and varying emotions of Christmas often come from the things that surround Christmas, rather than the focusing on the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.
Today and this week will be full of many things for most people. There will be holidays for some, but mostly it will be shopping, work, family and personal preparations for Christmas and so much more. Oh, and of course a few more carols to be played and sung, and presents bought and parcels to be wrapped.
The Shepherds were busy men caring for their sheep. When the Angels came with their announcement, their initial fear turned to action as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. With joy they worshipped the new born babe.
I wonder what they did as they worshipped. Did they sing a hymn? Did they recite some Scriptures? Did they say a familiar prayer or some other ritual of words?
I imagine they told Mary and Joseph about the Angels and their message. They would have listened to Mary and Joseph repeat the events as they knew them.
I imagine these shepherds each held the baby Jesus. They held him in hands that were more often holding young submissive new born lambs. Minds that often reflected on the wonder of nature’s birth miracle, reflected on the miracle of the birth of this child. Quietly and to each other and to God they would have expressed their gratitude to have beheld and held the Son of God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father in the busy times of this week, help me to take time to consider Jesus, God with us, as the babe of Bethlehem. Help me to share that joy with others. Father, I pray too for those who need our prayers because of difficult times through which they are passing just now. Amen
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_436.mp3 ]
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!
Author: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 93
Luke 2 (The Message ©)
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
These are busy days. Much of the events planned are happy events. However, we must be careful not to brush aside the people who are sorrowing or sick at this time. The very busy times and varying emotions of Christmas often come from the things that surround Christmas, rather than the focusing on the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.
Today and this week will be full of many things for most people. There will be holidays for some, but mostly it will be shopping, work, family and personal preparations for Christmas and so much more. Oh, and of course a few more carols to be played and sung, and presents bought and parcels to be wrapped.
The Shepherds were busy men caring for their sheep. When the Angels came with their announcement, their initial fear turned to action as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. With joy they worshipped the new born babe.
I wonder what they did as they worshipped. Did they sing a hymn? Did they recite some Scriptures? Did they say a familiar prayer or some other ritual of words?
I imagine they told Mary and Joseph about the Angels and their message. They would have listened to Mary and Joseph repeat the events as they knew them.
I imagine these shepherds each held the baby Jesus. They held him in hands that were more often holding young submissive new born lambs. Minds that often reflected on the wonder of nature’s birth miracle, reflected on the miracle of the birth of this child. Quietly and to each other and to God they would have expressed their gratitude to have beheld and held the Son of God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father in the busy times of this week, help me to take time to consider Jesus, God with us, as the babe of Bethlehem. Help me to share that joy with others. Father, I pray too for those who need our prayers because of difficult times through which they are passing just now. Amen
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_436.mp3 ]
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!
Author: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 93
Luke 2 (The Message ©)
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 20th and 21st December 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 20th and 21st December 2008
Again this week, it is two poems that I wrote sometime ago. I hope you enjoy reading them.
The Band Lad
At eight I was in the Young People’s Band
All said in my band uniform I looked grand
Then I first played carols from a printed card
And my 2nd Baritone part seemed very hard
It seemed I had to play notes without reason
But this was my part in the Christmas Season
My mates on 1st Cornet seemed to have it made
As there was some tunes in what they played.
One day the YP Band Leader came to me
He said today in the Senior Band you will be
The Bandmaster wants a few more players
He said not outstanding stars but stayers
Who will benefit from the experience
When they play in the band in years hence
So with the seniors in the band I played
And a life’s banding foundation was laid.
Christmas carolling here came with summer’s heat
It seemed that some of winter’s snow would be neat
It was hot and we dripped with perspiration
As we played our Christmas season’s exultation.
A solo cornet player in sucking for air inhaled a fly
He coughed and spluttered as if he was about to die
The bandsmen all around him struggled to play on
They couldn’t for laughing until he said it was gone.
The bandsmen between carols told a story or three
And the old days brought amusement to a kid like me
Some told of days before they went to fight the war
Incidents from before I was born certainly did not bore
They held my interest as they told of other days
And how as bandsmen they carolled in other ways.
One told of playing carols in the very cold snows
When the rain froze in icicles on his cornet and nose.
Many years have passed since when carolling we marched
From street to street in the heat with tongues parched
My playing of carols has proclaimed the Saviour’s birth
And now my recounting those past days brings joy and mirth
I have played my carols on cornet, horn, tuba and trombone
But after trying euphonium I am back where I began on baritone
I played in prisons and hospitals, parks, churches and halls
On radio, and television and now I play in beachside malls.
It might be for some ice and snow and for us here flies and heat
But Christmas carolling as a Salvo bandsman you can’t beat.
It brings a sound of joy to a busy and wonderful season
With a message that God’s love for us was the only reason:
That God sent his son Jesus to live on earth among us
And it is Jesus birth that we celebrate with all this fuss.
So as Salvo bandsmen we play carols wherever we are able
To tell of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem’s humble stable.
Author: Ray Reese
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes, they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing.
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Again this week, it is two poems that I wrote sometime ago. I hope you enjoy reading them.
The Band Lad
At eight I was in the Young People’s Band
All said in my band uniform I looked grand
Then I first played carols from a printed card
And my 2nd Baritone part seemed very hard
It seemed I had to play notes without reason
But this was my part in the Christmas Season
My mates on 1st Cornet seemed to have it made
As there was some tunes in what they played.
One day the YP Band Leader came to me
He said today in the Senior Band you will be
The Bandmaster wants a few more players
He said not outstanding stars but stayers
Who will benefit from the experience
When they play in the band in years hence
So with the seniors in the band I played
And a life’s banding foundation was laid.
Christmas carolling here came with summer’s heat
It seemed that some of winter’s snow would be neat
It was hot and we dripped with perspiration
As we played our Christmas season’s exultation.
A solo cornet player in sucking for air inhaled a fly
He coughed and spluttered as if he was about to die
The bandsmen all around him struggled to play on
They couldn’t for laughing until he said it was gone.
The bandsmen between carols told a story or three
And the old days brought amusement to a kid like me
Some told of days before they went to fight the war
Incidents from before I was born certainly did not bore
They held my interest as they told of other days
And how as bandsmen they carolled in other ways.
One told of playing carols in the very cold snows
When the rain froze in icicles on his cornet and nose.
Many years have passed since when carolling we marched
From street to street in the heat with tongues parched
My playing of carols has proclaimed the Saviour’s birth
And now my recounting those past days brings joy and mirth
I have played my carols on cornet, horn, tuba and trombone
But after trying euphonium I am back where I began on baritone
I played in prisons and hospitals, parks, churches and halls
On radio, and television and now I play in beachside malls.
It might be for some ice and snow and for us here flies and heat
But Christmas carolling as a Salvo bandsman you can’t beat.
It brings a sound of joy to a busy and wonderful season
With a message that God’s love for us was the only reason:
That God sent his son Jesus to live on earth among us
And it is Jesus birth that we celebrate with all this fuss.
So as Salvo bandsmen we play carols wherever we are able
To tell of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem’s humble stable.
Author: Ray Reese
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes, they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing.
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese
……………………………………….
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Friday, December 19, 2008
OzThoughts Friday 19th December 2008
OzThoughts Friday 19th December 2008
In Tuesday’s OzThoughts I related some stories where there was a sound recording or sound system malfunction to demonstrate how with the best intentions of all concerned sometimes the message does not get through.
I attempted then to show by quoting from Hebrews that God had sent many messages in many ways through different people but now he spoke through his Son, Jesus. For various reasons, even with the perfection there was in Jesus some people did not receive him as John states in his first Chapter, verse 11.
I apologize to those who thought I was criticizing “sound people” that was certainly not my intention and on many occasions I have been the “sound person” for a meeting or event.
It comes as a reminder to me to take care with what I write but also, I wonder if those who saw criticism only got that far and whether they saw the point I was endeavoring to make.
When Jesus came there were many who because of their own agendas, ideas, training, traditions, and position did not accept him as God’s son, the Messiah. They had their own road they were walking and as they walked they failed to see who Jesus was. Some, in fact many even claimed to be looking for him.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, again I thank you for Jesus. I pray that I might not get caught up in other things which distract me from you and your will for me. I pray today, I might see Jesus.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_001.mp3 ]
I know thee who thou art,
And what thy healing name;
For when my fainting heart
The burden nigh o'ercame,
I saw thy footprints on my road
Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine
By every human tie,
And my new name is thine,
A child of God am I;
And never more alone, since thou
Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk,
I will delight in thee
In sweet communion talk
Of all thou art to me;
The beauty of thy face behold
And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back
Or turn my heart from thee,
But by the Calvary track
Bring me at last to see
The courts of God, that city fair,
And find my name is written there.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 59
John 1 (The Message)
1The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
2in readiness for God from day one.
3Everything was created through him;
nothing--not one thing!-
came into being without him.
4What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
5The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn't put it out.
6There once was a man, his name John, sent by God
7to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.
8John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
9The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life
he brings into Light.
10He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn't even notice.
11He came to his own people,
but they didn't want him.
12But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
13These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
14The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
15John pointed him out and called, "This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word."
16We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
17We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding--
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
18No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would a friend like this as well?
Why not forward this email to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
In Tuesday’s OzThoughts I related some stories where there was a sound recording or sound system malfunction to demonstrate how with the best intentions of all concerned sometimes the message does not get through.
I attempted then to show by quoting from Hebrews that God had sent many messages in many ways through different people but now he spoke through his Son, Jesus. For various reasons, even with the perfection there was in Jesus some people did not receive him as John states in his first Chapter, verse 11.
I apologize to those who thought I was criticizing “sound people” that was certainly not my intention and on many occasions I have been the “sound person” for a meeting or event.
It comes as a reminder to me to take care with what I write but also, I wonder if those who saw criticism only got that far and whether they saw the point I was endeavoring to make.
When Jesus came there were many who because of their own agendas, ideas, training, traditions, and position did not accept him as God’s son, the Messiah. They had their own road they were walking and as they walked they failed to see who Jesus was. Some, in fact many even claimed to be looking for him.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, again I thank you for Jesus. I pray that I might not get caught up in other things which distract me from you and your will for me. I pray today, I might see Jesus.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_001.mp3 ]
I know thee who thou art,
And what thy healing name;
For when my fainting heart
The burden nigh o'ercame,
I saw thy footprints on my road
Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine
By every human tie,
And my new name is thine,
A child of God am I;
And never more alone, since thou
Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk,
I will delight in thee
In sweet communion talk
Of all thou art to me;
The beauty of thy face behold
And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back
Or turn my heart from thee,
But by the Calvary track
Bring me at last to see
The courts of God, that city fair,
And find my name is written there.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 59
John 1 (The Message)
1The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
2in readiness for God from day one.
3Everything was created through him;
nothing--not one thing!-
came into being without him.
4What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
5The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn't put it out.
6There once was a man, his name John, sent by God
7to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.
8John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
9The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life
he brings into Light.
10He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn't even notice.
11He came to his own people,
but they didn't want him.
12But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
13These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
14The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
15John pointed him out and called, "This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word."
16We all live off his generous bounty,
gift after gift after gift.
17We got the basics from Moses,
and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
This endless knowing and understanding--
all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
18No one has ever seen God,
not so much as a glimpse.
This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
who exists at the very heart of the Father,
has made him plain as day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would a friend like this as well?
Why not forward this email to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)