OzThoughts Wednesday 1st October 2008

OzThoughts Wednesday 1st October 2008

GOD, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries.
Don't turn your back on me
just when I need you so desperately.
Pay attention! This is a cry for help!
And hurry—this can't wait! Psalm 102 (The Message)

As I read these words at the beginning of Psalm 102 my mind went back about 30 years. My son, when he was about four and a half lost his hearing as a result of meningitis. My memory went to a time when I was chastising him for something he had done. He just closed his eyes and said “I cannot hear you”. He had a smile on his face that said talk all you like. You are wasting your breath. I will admit my frustration was such I took hold of him and said “you listen to me”. I should have said open your eyes and look at me!
I hear in this Psalm the frustration of the Psalmist when he comes in prayer to God. His frustration is so great that’s he feels it is as if God had turned his back and is not listening to his prayers.

Have you ever felt like this? Do you feel that God has turned his back on you and is not hearing you?

Meditation: In Quiet Pastures - Congress Hall Salvation Army Band, Sydney. http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3004.mp3

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


`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````


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 Tuesday 30th September 2008

OzThoughts Tuesday 30th September 2008


For many years I have messed around with photography. My first camera was a plastic Kodak Brownie Box camera. I still have it amongst my collection of old cameras. It was such a simple camera. It is so different to my pocket sized digital camera I now have.

I think one of the first lessons I learnt was about light. Simply it was too dark and sometimes too bright. Images I wished to capture were either too dark or too light. Sometimes it seems nothing has changed. I was given a flash for my old box camera and I remember it used bulbs which gave out a blinding flash. Now the digital camera has a tiny inbuilt flash which illuminates the subject. I guess the box camera taught me some lessons about light .More complicated cameras taught me even more.

As a little kid I soon learnt that light removed darkness and with darkness gone I lost my fear of the dark. When the sun shone or the light was on, I was safe. It was a simple lesson but one that gave me great comfort.

I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist:

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27 (New International Version)


PRAYER;
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are there to remove my fears. I pray today, you will be with me in every situation I face. Amen.


MEDITATION:

Summer suns are glowing
Over land and sea,
Happy light is flowing
Bountiful and free;
Everything rejoices
In the mellow rays,
All earth's thousand voices
Swell the psalm of praise.

God's free mercy streameth
Over all the world,
And his banner gleameth
Everywhere unfurled;
Broad and deep and glorious
As the heaven above,
Shines in might victorious
His eternal love.

Lord, upon our blindness
Thy pure radiance pour;
For thy loving kindness
Make us love thee more.
And when clouds are drifting
Dark across the sky,
Then, the veil uplifting,
Father, be thou nigh.

We will never doubt thee,
Though thou veil thy light:
Life is dark without thee;
Death with thee is bright.
Light of light, shine o'er us
On our pilgrim way,
Go thou still before us
To the endless day.
Author: William Walsham How (1823-97)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 40

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````


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 – Monday 29th September, 2008.

OzThoughts – Monday 29th September, 2008.


I am praying for you! What wonderful words they are. There is something very comforting and also encouraging to hear those words. We can pray for ourselves but to know people are taking time to bring us before God is something very special.

As hospital chaplain, I regularly pray for people. I often ask “Would you like me to pray with you?” I can hear an enthusiasm in their voice as they agreed that I should.

I remember when I was an aged care chaplain I prayed with a woman whose husband died unexpectedly in her arms when she was visiting him in a nursing home. She told me she was not religious. I offered later in our conversation to pray with her. She accepted and her smile was a blessing to me. I hope my prayer released a blessing which resulted in that smile. Family members appreciate the caring of all staff for their relatives but many ask that the chaplain might continue to visit and pray with their loved one.

I can imagine that’s how the Church at Philippi felt when Paul wrote to them. (It is interesting he addresses his letter to all the Christians, Pastors and Ministers included).

Paul writes:

3 “ Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. 4Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.”

Paul goes on to say a number of things about the prayers. He tells them the reasons he is praying for them and tells them what his prayer for them is.

It is good to stop in our time of meditation and thank God for those who are praying for us. God hears their prayers and as we pray that His will be done in our lives, those prayers are answered in us.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for my friends who in their love for you and me find time to bring my needs as they understand them to you. I think of many who have uttered those words “I am praying for you” and I thank you for each one. I pray that all of us will have a special outpouring of your love today. Amen.

[ Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2430.mp3 ]

1. When my heart was so broken
That I could not pray,
When love wasn’t easy to see,
Someone was there, somebody cared,
Somebody prayed for me.

Somebody went to the throne of Heaven,
Somebody lifted my name,
Bringing me into his holy presence,
Saying what I could not say.
Somebody showed me the face of his mercy
When darkness was all I could see,
Somebody pleaded the blood of Jesus,
Somebody prayed for me.

2. When the future looked hopeless
And I’d given up,
When I had lost sight of my dreams,
Somebody near dried every tear,
Somebody prayed for me.

Somebody went to the throne of Heaven,
Somebody lifted my name,
Bringing me into his holy presence,
Saying what I could not say.
Somebody showed me the face of his mercy
When darkness was all I could see,
Somebody pleaded the blood of Jesus,
Somebody prayed for me.

Somebody went to the throne of Heaven,
Somebody lifted my name,
Bringing me into his holy presence,
Saying what I could not say.
Somebody showed me the face of his mercy
When darkness was all I could see,
Somebody pleaded the blood of Jesus,
Somebody prayed, somebody prayed,
Somebody prayed, somebody prayed,
Somebody prayed, somebody prayed for me.
Somebody prayed for me.


Philippians 1 (The Message)

3Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. 4Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. 5I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. 6There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. 8He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings 10so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: 11bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.1. When my heart was so broken 5I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.
6There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God.
8He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings
10so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of:
11bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

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 and 28th September 2008

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 27th and 28th September 2008

Lost and Found

Most of my school holidays were spent riding along side my father in his truck. Dad had his own business and he delivered parcels and other small items to various places around the city of Brisbane. I enjoyed the mornings when we would go from place to place picking up the morning’s deliveries. At each place there was a brief chat with the people there and a quick look around the various places. We would repeat it all again each afternoon.

The variety of goods was huge. It was a very diverse range of goods that ended up in the back of the truck. There were parts for cars, trucks and machinery. There were items made of various plastics, from kitchen sinks to plastic wallets and folders. There would be framed pictures and empty frames and various cartons of food products and other well wrapped items. The variety over the years included popcorn, furniture, tobacco curing equipment, chainsaws, petrol and diesel engines. When Perspex was popular in the late 1950s we had every perspex item imaginable from sunvisors for cars to shelving and toilet seats.

The places we went to were just as varied. We delivered to rail stations and rail sheds, the airport and many truck depots and bus terminals. Shops, factories and houses were also on the list. As we went from place to place there were people and many other interesting things to be seen. I really enjoyed learning about the city and its life.

One of the lessons I have never forgotten was map reading. There must have been times when dad could tell I was not too excited about what was happening and he could tell I was getting bored. It was then I learnt something I have never forgotten. It could not have been very long after I began to read that dad introduced me to the “Refidex”. I soon learnt as every Brisbanite knows that a Refidex is the book of maps of the city. It is the street directory. In other places in Australia it is the UBD or Gregory’s or Melway but in Brisbane it is the Refidex.

Dad showed me to read it in a practical way. He would tell me the name of the next street we were going to and by using the index I would find the page and cross reference and then locate the street we wanted. The ritual was then that I would tell dad the name of the two streets before it on the same side of the road. I, of course, would tell him whether it was on the right or left side. Dad would then tell me to watch for the streets I had told him and let him know when we were passing them and then to get ready to turn.

Map reading has been a very useful skill. Since about 1966 all my work has involved a lot of driving, not only in the city I grew up in but in many other cities and towns. It enabled me to find my way quickly to strange places, as long as I had the Refidex or other street directory in the car.

However, my map reading skills may be becoming obsolete. Many of us have probably been in cars with an electronic map and voice instruction that after the destination is set tells you street by street and turn by turn how to get there. I rode in a car recently that had an electronic system. On one occasion, when the driver took a different route to the instruction, he was told when he was able to do a U turn. When he ignored this the voice then readjusted and began to give correct instructions from where the car now was. I later heard an advertisement on the radio that these fixed or hand held systems can be purchased for under $300 Australian. Maybe the next Refidex I buy will be the last as I imagine these systems will become standard in cars soon.

If I think there has been change in my life time, there is a much bigger change if I look back through the pages of the Bible. I see Abraham being told where to go. Moses is told to lead God’s people from Egypt to the Promised Land and God leads them with a cloud by day and a sky fire at night. To others the place where God wanted them was much more apparent.

Much later, David could reflect on God being his Shepherd. We can gather from the Biblical story of David’s life that there was a little more to it than the familiar:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23 King James Version).

David was not always a saint. If God was his Shepherd, then there was not only a need for the gentle comforting rod but I am sure a touch up or two with the rod got the sheep David back on track. God was not always a “sheep whisperer” with his “still small voice”.

I am reminded too of the words of Jesus when he spoke to the Disciples about their future of making more disciples for him “I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28.20 The Message)

[ Listen: MSB Male Voice: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1076.mp3 ISSongsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_236.mp3 ]

He leadeth me! O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

Chorus
He leadeth me, he leadeth me!
By his own hand he leadeth me;
His faithful follower I will be,
For by his hand he leadeth me.

Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur or repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by thy grace the victory's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Authors: Joseph Henry Gilmore (1834-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 725

The Book of revelation gives a wonderful vision of the last days when God leads the victorious who have come through great suffering:

9I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there--all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb
10and heartily singing:

Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!

11All who were standing around the Throne--Angels, Elders, Animals--fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God,
12singing:

Oh, Yes!

The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!

Oh, Yes!

13Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?"
14Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea--but you must know."
Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb.
15That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them:
16no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat.
17The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7 (The Message).

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 Friday 26th September 2008

OzThoughts Friday 26th September 2008

14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.
16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16 (The Message).

While Jesus a number of times referred to himself as the light of the world, on the mountain as he spoke to his followers he declared them to be the light of the world. It seems that here he is charging his followers to carry out the same task that he has been given by his heavenly father. He says at the same time do not be shy about it.

Graham Kendrick’s song has become a favourite of many. We love to sing “Shine Jesus, Shine”. However Jesus is saying to us that it is our task to shine. Wee should substitute our own name in there so we sing “ Shine, (your name) shine”. In fact we should not miss the point that Kendrick’s last verse comes to this point:

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I pray that your light may shine on me and that in turn I shall show your light today. Help me to be bold and shine brightly for you, not hiding me light from those I meet. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1702.mp3 ]

Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Graham Kendrick


`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````


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 group (which you are welcome to join):

SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/


Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au

Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au

OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au

OzThoughts Thursday 25th September 2008

OzThoughts Thursday 25th September 2008

This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.
6 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth--we're not living what we claim.
7 But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. 1 John 1 (The Message).

God is light! John writes very clearly that this is what he and the others heard from Jesus. I have a double spotlight on a tripod for when I am working outside. It has two 500w halogen bulbs. Technically I do not know what that means. In practice, I know it is a very bright white light. When I move it on their tripod it can be used to illuminate it any area where I am working.

One thing I learnt very quickly is not to look at the source of the light. I quickly leant that there is such an intensity of light that when I turn away I am still seeing that light. I think that is what John is trying to say that god is a strong pure light. There is no darkness in him at all. He is not a flickering candle or a variable flame burning on some oil filled wick.

When we walk in God’s light there is no stumbling around crashing into furniture or other things that are carelessly left around the place. When we walk in the light with God His Son, Jesus removes the sin from our lives. John is calling sin the darkness and in God’s light their must be no sin in our lives.

PRAYER:

Father God, thank you for your light in which I live. Thank you for Jesus who removes my sin. Let me enjoy fellowship with you today. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4441.mp3 ]

(See particularly verse 3).

God's love to me is wonderful,
That he should deign to hear
The faintest whisper of my heart,
Wipe from mine eyes the tear;
And though I cannot comprehend
Such love, so great, so deep,
In his strong hands my soul I trust,
He will not fail to keep.

Chorus
God's love is wonderful,
God's love is wonderful,
Wonderful that he should give his Son to die for me;
God's love is wonderful!

God's love to me is wonderful!
My very steps are planned;
When mists of doubt encompass me,
I hold my Father's hand.
His love has banished every fear,
In freedom I rejoice,
And with my quickened ears I hear
The music of his voice.

God's love to me is wonderful!
He lights the darkest way;
I now enjoy his fellowship,
'Twill last through endless day.
My Father doth not ask that I
Great gifts on him bestow,
But only that I love him too,
And serve him here below.
Authors: Sidney Edward Cox (1887-1975)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 48

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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 Wednesday 24th September 2008

OzThoughts Wednesday 24th September 2008

Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." John 8:12 (The Message).

For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light." John 9:5 (The Message).

I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won't have to stay any longer in the dark. John 12:46 (The Message)

One of our bandsmen remarked about the lights that were on in The Temple on Sunday Night before the meeting that whoever switched them on had not got it right. He pointed out that they had some 1000 watt spotlights on and yet the main lights in the same area were only on the first switch which meant only one 20 watt tube was on instead of two in each light. He pointed out there was plenty of light but it was very costly in comparison to what it could have been.

Jesus came that we might have light and not stumble around in the darkness. As he says he provides plenty of light for us to live in. Some people live out light in the gloom because they fear the cost. Others have inadequate lights. A weak bulb struggles to break through the gloom and illuminate the page or even the dangers lurking on the floor.

It is possible to search in many places and in many ways for light to illuminate our spiritual lives. Some look to other’s spirituality. Some look within themselves. Some will turn page after page in book after book to seek spiritual enlightenment. Jesus says clearly that He is the light. He says further that people who come to a belief in him won’t have to endure the dark any longer.

Listen: The Light of the World – Dean Goffin (International Staff Band): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3789.mp3]


PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your son Jesus who brings light to me today. I pray that I might be kept safe through his power. Amen.


Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see,
Open mine eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Chorus: 99

God is our light and God is our sunshine,
Lighting our pathway from day unto day;
In him we trust when all else seems dreary,
For with his sunshine he brightens our way.

Chorus
Sunshine, sunshine, shining along our pathway,
Guiding, guiding, just where the Saviour would go;
Shining, shining when all the way seems gloomy,
Jesus lights our way up to Glory with sunshine rays.

Sometimes we're tempted, often grow weary,
'Tis for the sunshine at such times we pray;
Then through the dark his bright rays come beaming,
Turning our darkness and fears all away.
Authors: Richard Nuttall (1891-1946)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 316

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

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 Tuesday 23rd September, 2008.

OzThoughts Tuesday 23rd September, 2008.

I enjoy many of the stories that come to me through the internet. Here is one that
has made me think over the past few days. Maybe its telling was inspired by the recent Paralympic Games. It can be a meditation that we share together. Pray that god will bless our weakness and make of it a strength.

Strength Made Perfect in Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

(Alan Smith from the 4th Kid)
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

OzThoughtsInternetMinistry@yahoogroups.com.au; salvationarmy3@yahoogroups.com; phantomfan46@hotmail.com, robyn.collins@aue.salvationarmy.org; Vicki.Clarke@aue.salvationarmy.org, raeehoward@hotmail.com

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 – Monday 22nd September 2008.

OzThoughts – Monday 22nd September 2008.

When Epaphras came to Colossae, the people not only heard his message of Jesus but saw it in the love Epaphras showed. The message of the love of Jesus as demonstrated by Epaphras had permeated the village. When Paul wrote to the Church at Colossae he could commend them for the love they showed to all. The challenge is for each of us to show Jesus love in the whole of life.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you again for the complete demonstration of love we seen in your Son Jesus. I pray that that love will be so much in my life today that it be noticed by those I am in contact with today. May that love be used to bring encouragement and hope in Jesus to others. Amen.


Colossians 1 (The Message)

1 I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan. Together with my friend Timothy, 2 I greet the Christians and stalwart followers of Christ who live in Colossae. May everything good from God our Father be yours!

3 Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!
4 We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.
5 The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.
The Message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time.
6 It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, you've been hungry for more.
7 It's as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always depend on him.
8 He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.
9 Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works.
10 We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.
11 We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul--not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,
12 thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
13 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much,
14 the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.


[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_652.mp3 ]

Saviour, thy dying love Thou gavest me,
Nor should I aught withhold,
My Lord, from thee.
In love my soul would bow,
My heart fulfil its vow,
Some offering bring thee now,
Something for thee.

At the blest mercy seat,
Pleading for me,
My feeble faith looks up,
Jesus, to thee.
Help me the cross to bear,
Thy wondrous love declare,
Some song to raise, or prayer,
Something for thee.

Give me a faithful heart,
Likeness to thee,
That each departing day
Henceforth may see
Some work of love begun,
Some deed of kindness done,
Some wanderer sought and won,
Something for thee.

All that I am and have,
Thy gifts so free,
In joy, in grief, through life,
I yield to thee.
And when thy face I see,
My ransomed soul shall be
Through all eternity
All, all for thee.
Author: Sylvanus Dryden Phelps (1816-95)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 524

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. 20th and 21st September, 2008.

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 20th and 21st September, 2008.

GREY EXILES

You might remember that I wrote some time ago about “Grey Nomads”. It is the term in Australia that we apply to retired people who hitch up their caravan or load their motorhome and set off to roam Australia. Some have a leisurely drive towards a fixed destination while others will “do the big lap”. Some only do half a lap while others will just stop and rest a while until a few day’s or week’s is finished or the next pension cheque arrives. Many grey nomads leave the cool winters of the south to head north but many northerners will also take to the roads in their mobile homes. I believe that in USA and Canada “snowbirds” is the term used for grey nomads. (See: www.thegreynomads.com.au or do a Google search of “grey nomad” for more information. There is plenty to read).

It seems that this year some outback towns have suffered a scarcity of grey nomads but others have reported it is business as in other years. Grey nomads must be feeling the cost of petrol but many see the increase as an extra cost and maybe equivalent to a few nights accommodation in a caravan park than can be saved by shortening the trip or staying on a roadside area on some nights. Others have claimed that loss in the value of shares has decreased their superannuation and that means a tightening of the belt.

I think it was last year that Australia Tourism introduced a theme to their advertising which said in effect “Where are you?” (my paraphrase deleting rough language). This was not aimed at missing grey nomads but at international tourists and suggested if they were here in Australia they would be enjoying many attractions.

However, now when I ask “Where are you?”, I am not writing about grey nomads but what I have termed grey exiles. Let me tell you how I discovered these “grey exiles”. I was working in fundraising for a church home nursing and residential aged care organisation and my task was to visit donors to say “thanks” and to present the idea of leaving a bequest to the organisation.

Many of the people I visited were aged and often past or present clients of the organisation. My conversation with them was generally to get to know something of them and to present an up to date picture of the large organisation they had supported. More than one I found these people were exiles. They were exiles from the church where they had served and worshipped.

I found just as the people of Jerusalem longed for the Holy City and the opportunity to again live and worship there, so these people longed for some contact with their church. I thought of an early verse of Lamentations:

After years of pain and hard labour, Judah has gone into exile.
She camps out among the nations, never feels at home.
Hunted by all, she's stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lamentations 1:3 (The Message)
My mind goes now to one lady who was the church organist. Her home was immaculate and furnished with quality furniture. In one corner of her lounge room was a beautiful piano and she told me of how she often sat and played and remembered good times of other years.
Her story was one that I was going to hear again and again. Through ill health she was not able to attend church and slowly but surely contact with the church was lost. At first she was sent the weekly newsletter and at least some one visited her to bring her a set of envelopes. She said to me with a twinkle in her eye, “they must have decided it was a waste of money giving me envelopes, as I never used them. I just posted them a cheque each month.”
She then remembered to tell me the newsletters had stopped coming then the box of envelopes were posted a couple of times. Then they stopped coming. She then added I still send a cheque each month but I never get a receipt or even a letter of thanks. She had never met the present minister and other than sending her regular cheque had no contact with anyone from the church.
No she had not moved away she had just got sick, old and frail. She still lived in the same house where she lived when she was active in the church. Yes husband had died and she had sold her car as she had given up driving long ago. I would guess she was in her early nineties. Her body was frail but her mind was active.
This was another time when my bequest brochure was given and my official reason for the visit was over. However, this was the Lord’s business, so I took the opportunity to pray for and with this dear soul.
I had a feeling there was a ministry opportunity here but it was not to be my opportunity to visit again. My role with the organisation changed from fundraiser to chaplain and I found my self a chaplain to residential age care homes. Again, and again, people identified the fact they were Christian but had no contact with their church of choice.
During the almost two years I was a relief Chaplain, I worked visiting people in about 15 hostels and nursing homes. These days, hostels are classed as low care and nursing homes as high care facilities. I conducted regular chapel services and also short services in various sections of some of the facilities.
However, it was the one to one conversations with people that I enjoyed. It was here that I could learn the person’s story and pray for their particular needs and those of their families. Again and again, I heard stories of people’s previous involvement in a local church carrying out all type of activities and enjoying a particular worship service with others of their church. Time and time again people described their exile from the church they loved to worship and be involved in.
Last week in my role as Chaplain at a large private hospital, I visited to a lady from interstate. When I mentioned her denomination she had listed on entry to the hospital, her reply was “That’s what it used to be”. I said “what is it now?”

Then she unfolded a story like those above. Ill health and difficulty with walking had shut her within the walls of her home. The government provided services to allow her to remain in her home. This lady had been a church member all her life. She had worked as a missionary in an aboriginal mission in Western Australia. She received no visit or contact from her church.
My mind went to the words of James:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ( James 1:27 New International Version).

Our churches often emphasise the work with children and youth as we see the future of the church in their hands. However, is the future of the church our business? Isn’t our core business to tell the message of God’s love to everyone?

Does our church or your church have a plan to minister to the “grey exiles” of your congregation? I have noted that churches which place an emphasis on providing communion to its members takes this responsibility seriously. I saw this demonstrated in hostels and nursing homes as well as now in the hospital.

Sure, we believe in the “priesthood of all believers” and that we can pray anywhere anytime but surely just as we enjoy encouragement and inspiration from meeting with others, we should endeavour to provide a ministry to the “grey exiles”.

I spoke to a Catholic sister about this during the week and she said she finds a reluctance of people to go to private homes. As we spoke we remembered that Jesus sent out his Disciples two by two and maybe we should follow his example in this ministry.

In the Salvation Army we have long had League of Mercy workers and more lately Community Service workers who move through hospitals and nursing homes with their ministry. Should we expand this ministry to minister to and with our own “grey exiles”?

I find my team of Chaplains (there are 15 of us) often report that we go to minister to patients and they minister to us. Many of the people are a real joy to visit as they share their faith in the midst of life’s health difficulties and sometimes severe pain. I am sure the “grey exiles” will welcome us. Many are asking “Where are you?”

OzThoughts – Friday 19th September 2008.

OzThoughts – Friday 19th September 2008.

Who is my neighbour? A religious scholar asked Jesus a related question: "And just how would you define 'neighbour'?" (Luke 10: 29 The Message). Jesus no doubt knew the scholar was looking for a loophole but he answered him by telling the story we know as “The Good Samaritan”

30b-32 " There was once a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

33-35 "A Samaritan travelling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

36 "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by robbers?"

37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same." (Luke 10: 30-37 The Message).

So the answer is The Samaritan is the neighbour. This is one of the stories where Jesus challenged the thinking of his listeners. He makes it clear that it is not the high placed or the privileged or even the acceptable religious types who are the neighbours. It is the man who shows care and concern for a fellow in trouble.

Jesus was extending the boundaries or breaking down the barriers that existed in people’s thinking.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Loving God, help me today to look at the people around me with the eyes of Jesus. Help me to become a neighbour and show concern to people who are not necessarily “like me”. There are so many people around mewho come from different places, help me to relate to them today, and be prepared to pay the cost like the Samaritan for Jesus sake. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3580.mp3

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Both the rich and the poor,
the despised, the distressed,
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
And none will ask what they have been
Provided that their robes are clean;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
To be met by their Father and welcomed and blessed,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
The black, the white, the dark, the fair,
Your colour will not matter there;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.

They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west,
And sit down in the Kingdom of God;
Out of great tribulation to triumph and rest
They'll sit down in the Kingdom of God.
From every tribe and every race,
All men as brothers shall embrace;
They shall come from the east,
they shall come from the west.
And sit down in the Kingdom of God.
Authors: John Gowans
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 170

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 –Thursday 18th September 2008.

OzThoughts –Thursday 18th September 2008.

Is there any times when friends are not valued? I often speak to people who are without family, yet have valued friends who share the way with them. I remember one man who told me how he had no family but had some great friends he met to play golf with twice a week. He went on to share about others in his life he counted as friends. Some had started as business relationships but now he counted them as friends. His life sounded pretty good to me.

On the other hand I have met people with family yet through hurts, bumps and lasting bruises they have deliberately grown apart. It is great when there are times or reconciliation and the lost years are regretted but soon forgotten in the overwhelming joy of the new union.

Paul knew the value of friends. Throughout the Acts of the Apostles and particularly in his Letters to the Churches which make up a great part of the New Testament, we see the friends one after another, and group by group. He has no recorded family but he has many brothers and sisters in Christ and a spiritual son in young Timothy. Paul’s relationships, at times, were not without difficulty, but he accepted as brothers and sisters those who were in Christ and witnessed Christ was in them.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for this great world wide family I belong to through your son, Jesus. I pray for each one. Father, you know some are carrying heavy burdens,. Others are weighed down with grief. I pray that your Holy Spirit will be a comfort to each and bring us together in love through Jesus. Amen.


A friend of Jesus! O what bliss
That one, so vile as I,
Should ever have a friend like this
To lead me to the sky
Chorus
Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine,
O what blessed sweet communion,
Jesus is a friend of mine!

A friend when other friendships cease,
A friend when others fail,
A friend who gives me joy and peace,
A friend who will prevail.

A friend when sickness lays me low,
A friend when death draws near,
A friend as through the vale I go,
A friend to help and cheer.

A friend when life’s short race is o'er,
A friend when earth is past,
A friend to meet on Heaven's shore,
A friend when home at last.
Author: Joseph C. Ludgate (d 1947)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 709

Philemon 1 (The Message)

1I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—
2also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house.
3God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!
4Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!
5" I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.
6And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.
7Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

To Call the Slave Your Friend
8In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary,
9but I'd rather make it a personal request.
10While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter--Onesimus!
11He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us. 12I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.
13I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.
14But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.
15Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good—
16and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me--he'll be even more than that to you.
17So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. 18If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.
19This is my personal signature--Paul-and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)
20Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.
21I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.
22And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.
23Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. 24Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. 25All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!

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 – Wednesday 17th September 2008.

OzThoughts – Wednesday 17th September 2008.

I was roaming around the internet and I found two beautiful morning prayers. I share them with you and have noted the website from where I copied and pasted them. They go well with the words of Thank You.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2618.mp3 ]
Thank you for giving me the morning.
Thank you for ev'ry day that's new.
Thank you that I can know my worries
Can be cast on you.

Thank you for all my friends and brothers,
Thank you for all the men that live.
Thank you, for even greatest enemies
I can forgive.

Thank you, I have my occupation.
Thank you for ev'ry pleasure small.
Thank you for music, light and gladness.
Thank you for them all.

Thank you, O Lord, your love is boundless.
Thank you that I am full of you.
Thank you, you make me feel so glad and
Thankful as I do.
The mercies of the Lord are never exhausted; the mercies of the Lord are never spent: but they are new each morning. (Lam 3:22)
A) God of my life, I welcome this new day. It is your gift to me, the first day of the rest of my life. I thank you for the gift of being alive this morning. I thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me. I thank you for the chance to begin life all over again.
Lord, this day is full of promise and of opportunity. Help me to waste none of it. This day is full of mystery and of the unknown. Help me to face it without fear or anxiety. This day is full of beauty and adventure. Help me to be fully alive to it all.
During this day, may I become a more thoughtful person, a more prayerful, generous and kind person. Help me not to be turned in on myself, but to be sensitive and helpful to others, eager to bring joy to others. Let me grow in integrity and in fidelity to the truth.
When night comes, may I look back upon this day without regrets, and may no one suffer needlessly because of anything I have done or failed to do.
Lord, bless this day for me and for all of us. Make it a day in which we grow more like your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, friend and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. (St Richard of Chichester)

B) Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of a new day. Thank you for the sleep which has refreshed me and for the chance to begin life again today. I welcome this new day as your gift to me, and in its first moments, I offer myself to you.
Father, I will quietly and serenely receive from your hand the work and burden of this day: its joys, its sorrows, its challenges, its responsibilities and its opportunities.
Bless this day for me, for those I love, and for all your children. To us all, grant your provisions for our needs today and the grace to see this day in the light of eternity. Amen.
( http://themissionchurch .com/morneveprayers.htm )


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 –Tuesday 16th September 2008.

OzThoughts –Tuesday 16th September 2008.


Children and animals seem to go so well together. When our daughter was about 18 months old she loved the new kitten her uncle and auntie bought. Its name was Sam. As we could not have a pet at the time she loved to visit them so she could cuddle him and just enjoy holding and playing with him. Between visits she often talked about Sam. I am sure you can picture a little blonde toddler cuddling a tiny ginger kitten.

We went to visit some people from our Church, and as we walked in the front gate, she saw their dog lying on the front verandah. Before we had even seen it she began running towards it and was up the three or four stairs and across the verandah to it. Greeting it with “Hello Sam!!” she threw her arms around its neck and gave it a hug.

It seemed that her arms must have only got partway round its neck, because we saw as she ran up the stairs towards it, this was no tiny ginger kitten but a very large brindle Great Dane. Our friends assured us that their huge dog was very placid and loved children. He obviously loved the attention our daughter gave him and I have been sorry the encounter was not captured on film.

I think my daughter has inherited my love of animals. I remember at school being envious of some kids in my class who could take their pets to church. I even saw a photograph of it in the newspaper. It seems the local Church of England Church (Anglican/Episcopalian) was the Church of St Francis of Assisi and there luck would have it Francis was the Patron Saint of animals. So one day each year the Parish Priest would bless all the pet animals of the parishioners.

That sounds like an excellent idea for us to copy. In these days when young people, in fact all of us, are being taught to be environmentally conscious, that we could highlight God’s creation and his care for it. It is sad that today, many Corps are not observing the “Harvest Festival” when we thank God for his provision for us through nature.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your creation of this world and all that is in it. I pray that you will continue to provide my daily needs and help me then to minister to others in your name. I pray that you will give me wisdom in my relationship with all your creation. Help me to do what I can to make this world a better place for all. Amen.


[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3 ]

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:
Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Author: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2

PSALM 50 (The Message)

1The God of gods--it's GOD!-speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
2From the dazzle of Zion,
God blazes into view.
3Our God makes his entrance,
he's not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

4He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
he's taking his people to court:
5"Round up my saints who swore
on the Bible their loyalty to me."

6The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
that here God is judge.

7"Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak;
Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
8I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
9But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
10Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
11I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
12If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
13Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats' blood?
14Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
15And call for help when you're in trouble--
I'll help you, and you'll honor me."

16Next, God calls up the wicked:
"What are you up to, quoting my laws,
talking like we are good friends?
17You never answer the door when I call;
you treat my words like garbage.
18If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;
adulterers are your friends of choice.
19Your mouth drools filth;
lying is a serious art form with you.
20You stab your own brother in the back,
rip off your little sister.
21I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;
you thought I went along with your game.
I'm calling you on the carpet, now,
laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

22"Time's up for playing fast and
loose with me.
I'm ready to pass sentence,
and there's no help in sight!
23It's the praising life that honors me.
As soon as you set your foot on the Way,
I'll show you my salvation."

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 –Monday 15th September 2008.

OzThoughts –Monday 15th September 2008.

When our kids were small, a print of a painting of Jesus with two children immediately appealed to us. I do not know who painted it. We immediately decided to buy it as one of those “must have” purchases. The kids in the painting looked like our kids. The girl was about 6 and had blonde hair which hung to her shoulders or there about. The boy was a similar age to our son and his hair was again similar to our son’s, being a little darker than my daughter’s and the girl’s in the painting.

One of the other things that attracted us was that it expressed very clearly the value of children to Jesus. It was clear that there was love being exchanged in the relationship. It was in the stance, the look and the touch. It said much to us about the value of our children but beyond that it told of the value of all children to Jesus. It was something we already knew well but the painting reinforced that message.

My wife has recalled a number of times how when a group of women, the wives of Rotarians met in our home, one of the women chose to stay back after the others had left. She expressed how during the gathering she was not able to take her eyes of the picture which hung in the room where they met. She thanked my wife for what the picture had said to her.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways that you remind us of your love for each one of us, no matter how young or old we are. Thank you that through Jesus we see your love so clearly. May we experience that love today and have an overflow to share with others we meet. Amen


Mark 10 (The Message)

13The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them.
14The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very centre of life in the kingdom.
15Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."
16Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

[Listen: Chatswood Salvation Army Singing Company:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3639.mp3

I think, when I read that sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men,
How he called little children as lambs to his fold,
I should like to have been with them then.
I wish that his hands had been placed on my head,
That his arm had been thrown around me,
And that I might have seen his kind look when he said:
Let the little ones come unto me!

Yet still to his footstool in prayer I may go,
And ask for a share in his love;
And if I now earnestly seek him below,
I shall see him and hear him above,
In that beautiful place he is gone to prepare
For all who are washed and forgiven;
And many dear children are gathering there,
For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.

But thousands and thousands who wander and fall
Never heard of that heavenly home;
I should like them to know there is room for them all,
And that Jesus has bid them to come.
I long for the joys of that glorious time,
The sweetest and brightest and best,
When the dear little children of every clime
Shall crowd to his arms and be blessed.
Author: Jemima Luke (1813-1906)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 794

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 13 and 14th September 2008

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 13 and 14th September 2008

Think

Have you been watching the Paralympics? I have only caught a few seconds of it in the TV news and heard some results on radio. I have heard people complaining on radio that the Paralympics should get as much exposure on TV and radio as the Olympics. The point is made that the Paralympians train as hard as the Olympians and overcome their disability in amazing ways to achieve the high level of ability in their chosen sport.

Even in normal life, I have met people with disabilities who have amazed me by their enthusiasm for life and their sheer energy in pursuing their goals. I think of a delightful young volunteer worker who has limited sight and very limited use of one hand and leg. She has a bubbling personality and a friendly manner. I asked her simply “What keeps you busy?” She gave me a list of volunteer work for various organisations that would make most of us tired. As well as that she attends a special gymnasium for rehabilitation and muscle strengthening work.

Here was another example of those who appear to have less but have so much more in their giving. I am sure she is an encouragement to all she meets. I began to think about how our first assessment of people can be wrong and when we get to know them we find real value in them as people, and as friends.

I thought back to days when I used to visit a workshop for people with mental disabilities and learnt to interact with them and to value them as people. I learnt that often the “disability” tag was wrong. I prefer the old tag “handicapped”. A disability is something that one has for ever, or during the time of assessment. A handicap is something which can be overcome.

A horse may be lame. Now, if it is a race horse or a show horse that lameness is a disability. However, another horse may run in a handicap race. It may be handicapped by starting later than the rest of the horses, by having to run a greater distance to the finish line or by carrying extra weight. Its ability allows it to accept the challenge of the handicap and to come out a winner.

I have met many winners who have overcome their obvious handicaps. It’s great to know such people. It makes me stop and think how I can overcome the challenges life presents me.

Some years ago, I wrote of a visit to a place which was described as a workshop for training people with a disability. I repeat that Australian Thoughts for the Weekend here.

Some years ago in the course of my employment, I often visited a workshop where disabled people were trained to take their place in the workplace. I noticed that on one wall of the timber workshop someone had nailed up a large sheet of scrap plywood with the word “THINK” roughly painted in large red letters. To me it certainly was an attention getter.

I wondered about its affect on the workforce. My immediate thought was to the disabled trainees. Many trainees had disabilities which would cause the casual and maybe uninformed observer to conclude that this was their shortcoming. Here was a workshop with expensive materials being used to make various items. Without thinking, there was many ways in which this expensive timber could be ruined and even hours of work already done destroyed. Then, of course, there was the machinery and tools which unless one concentrated on their correct use could cause problems including injury to the user or others nearby.


When I thought about it further the word “THINK” could apply to the trainers. These trainers were skilled tradesmen who had the responsibility of guiding and directing the trainees in the task at hand. I began to think what a great responsibility these trainers had as they took another person along side them and taught them. They taught not only the skills of woodworking but also taught them the correct attitudes to the task and the workplace itself and everyone else in it. The trainers need to think of the task they had in hand. The task not only of shaping timber into useful items to meet the needs of waiting customers but of shaping lives with attitude and skills which would stand by them for a lifetime.

It was many years ago that I learnt St Paul’s word on thinking for Christians. Of course in those days, any memory verse came from the King James Version… “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”(Philippians 4:8).

In more recent days I have enjoyed Eugene Peterson’s version from The Message “Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (Philippians 4: 8. The Message).

The New Living Bible translation also is worth thinking about “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4: 8 The New Living Bible).
.
When it comes to our faith, there is much that we ought to think about. Paul suggests that we think about the best. In our faith we must aim for the highest and that takes thought and effort.

[ Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1197.mp3 ]

Have you ever stopped to think how God loves you?
It sounds quite incredible, and yet it's true.
Nothing on this earth or in the heavens above
Is as sure and certain as God's love.

Chorus
O it's as high as the sky and it's as deep as the sea,
And it's as wide as the world, God's love for you and for me.
We can't escape his love, or take ourselves out of his care,
So where could we hide from his love?
His love is everywhere.

Everything is changing in the world today,
There's one thing reliable in every way,
Other things may alter but it's clear and plain
That the love of God is just the same.

Wider than the human mind can realize,
His love is unlimited and never dies;
Though we don't deserve it, every day it's new;
That's the love of God for me and you.
Author: John Gowans
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 49


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 – Friday 12th September 2008

OzThoughts – Friday 12th September 2008

Little Johnny has been bringing his drawings home from kindergarten everyday since he started a month ago.
Each day his mother admires the pictures and hangs them on the refrigerator.
One thing starts bothering her though.
Little Johnny only uses black and browns for his drawings.
Fearing a problem with her young son and not wanting to make it worse, she decides to take him to a child psychologist.

The psychologist delicately goes to work. He gives Johnny a battery of psychological tests. He chats with Johnny.
Everything seems perfectly normal. The tests continue over a period of two weeks. Yet everyday, little Johnny continues to bring home drawings in only black and brown.

Frustrated at not being able to get to the root of the problem and fearful that something is terribly wrong, the child psychologist decides to give little Johnny some paper and a box of crayons and observe what happens.

Little Johnny opens the box of crayons and says "oh boy!
A new box of crayons!
At school we only have old boxes. The only ones left in mine are black and brown!"


I wonder sometimes if our religious practices are like that. We are using the old historic and traditional boxes and only pulling old experiences out and reliving them? Or are we seeking new things from God who makes all things new.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the freshness of each new morning. May I today find new experiences in my relation ship with you. Help me through your Holy Spirit to seek growth in this new day. Amen.

Meditation:

Lamentations 3 (The Message)
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

[Listen: Hymn Tune Melcombe : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_981.mp3

New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove,
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.

If on our daily course our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still of countless price
God will provide for sacrifice.

Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be
As more of Heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask;
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O Lord, in thy great love,
Fit us for perfect rest above;
And help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.
Author: John Keble (1792-1866)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 668


[ Watch and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_songs.htm
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2112.mp3 ]


Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Chorus
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book Song Number: 33


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 –Thursday 11th September 2008

OzThoughts –Thursday 11th September 2008

There has been some comment in Australia in recent days about whether people from different countries and having different religions and cultures are fitting into Australian society. It is an interesting thing to look at the way Jesus reached out to individuals from minority groups of people. Jesus lifted up children, women, Samaritans, the sick and disabled, tax collectors and others whose lifestyle, etc., placed them outside the mainstream society.

The challenge of Jesus came again to the leaders and people of the early church. God’s challenge to Peter (Acts 10) was not only about eating food which was not kosher. Peter was being prepared for something much bigger. Peter was being prepared to break boundaries. They were boundaries that had stood between Jews and non-Jews or Gentiles for years.

Peter had got a clear message that he was not to consider unclean the things that God had cleansed. Peter soon learnt that this included people. The story takes a couple of minutes to read but it is exciting stuff that Christianity breaks through the barrier that the Jewish religion had seen so clearly. God works in wonderful ways and breaks down barriers we see so clearly and accept so firmly as being correct.

PRAYER;

Heavenly Father, I thank you that I can read in the Bible stories like this. I pray that you will direct my life as clearly as you directed Peter. As I read and meditate on this story I wonder what the barriers are that keep me from serving in the name of Jesus. Help me to see your way more clearly.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4437.mp3 ]

In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim;
He knows the way he taketh,
And I will walk with him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o'er me,
Where the dark clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure,
My path to life is free;
My Saviour has my treasure,
And he will walk with me.
Author: Anna Laetitia Waring (1823-1910)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 736

[This is a long reading – but worth reading at least twice and thinking about it and what it means for us , today]
Acts 10 (The Message)

Peter's Vision
1There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there.
2He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer.
3One day about three o'clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbour, came in and said, "Cornelius."
4Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, "What do you want, sir?"
The angel said, "Your prayers and neighbourly acts have brought you to God's attention.
5Here's what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter.
6He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea."
7As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two servants and one particularly devout soldier from the guard.
8He went over with them in great detail everything that had just happened, and then sent them off to Joppa.
9The next day as the three travellers were approaching the town, Peter went out on the balcony to pray. It was about noon.
10Peter got hungry and started thinking about lunch. While lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11He saw the skies open up. Something that looked like a huge blanket lowered by ropes at its four corners settled on the ground.
12Every kind of animal and reptile and bird you could think of was on it. 13Then a voice came: "Go to it, Peter--kill and eat."
14Peter said, "Oh, no, Lord. I've never so much as tasted food that was not kosher."
15The voice came a second time: "If God says it's okay, it's okay."
16This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the skies.
17As
Peter, puzzled, sat there trying to figure out what it all meant, the men sent by Cornelius showed up at Simon's front door.
18They called in, asking if there was a Simon, also called
Peter, staying there.
19Peter, lost in thought, didn't hear them, so the Spirit whispered to him, "Three men are knocking at the door looking for you.
20Get down there and go with them. Don't ask any questions. I sent them to get you."
21Peter went down and said to the men, "I think I'm the man you're looking for. What's up?"
22They said, "Captain Cornelius, a God-fearing man well-known for his fair play--ask any Jew in this part of the country--was commanded by a holy angel to get you and bring you to his house so he could hear what you had to say."
23Peter invited them in and made them feel at home.
The next morning he got up and went with them. Some of his friends from Joppa went along.

God Plays No Favorites
24A day later they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had his relatives and close friends waiting with him.
25The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him--and then down on his face worshiping him!
26Peter pulled him up and said, "None of that--I'm a man and only a man, no different from you."
27Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come.
28Peter addressed them, "You know, I'm sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don't do this--visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other.
29So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked. But now I'd like to know why you sent for me."
30Cornelius said, "Four days ago at about this time, midafternoon, I was home praying. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. 31He said, "Cornelius, your daily prayers and neighbourly acts have brought you to God's attention.
32I want you to send to Joppa to get Simon, the one they call Peter. He's staying with Simon the Tanner down by the sea.'
33"So I did it--I sent for you. And you've been good enough to come. And now we're all here in God's presence, ready to listen to whatever the Master put in your heart to tell us."
34Peter fairly exploded with his good news: "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favourites!
35It makes no difference who you are or where you're from--if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.
36The Message he sent to the children of Israel--that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again--well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone.
37"You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change.
38Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39"And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross.
40But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen.
41Not everyone saw him--he wasn't put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand--us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. 42He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead.
43But we're not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets."
44No sooner were these words out of Peter's mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners.
45The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on "outsider" Gentiles,
46but there it was--they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
Then Peter said,
47"Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They've received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did."
48Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

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

To email OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au