OzThoughts Monday 1st December 2008
I pray that you will carry the thoughts and meditations and the blessings of Sunday into the week that lies ahead with its blessings and challenges.
Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. For Salvationists, certainly where I am, it is the beginning of a season of singing and playing Christmas Carols out in the community. I thought of the opportunities for singing and music making when I read from the Psalms. I have been reading from The Message Psalm 104 where the final few verses make a wonderful response to God and His marvelous creation.
33 Oh, let me sing to GOD all my life long,
sing hymns to my God as long as I live!
34 Oh, let my song please him;
I'm so pleased to be singing to GOD.
35 But clear the ground of sinners--
no more godless men and women!
O my soul, bless GOD!
As I reflected on my music making, I thought of a favorite song of mine, “My Jesus, I love thee”. These words make a great response to Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3 ]
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author: William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 357
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me today and the rest of this week to live in response to your love for me. Help me in this time of preparation for Christmas show Jesus through all my activities. Help me too to deal with those who seem to oppose you even through indifference. Amen.
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Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
OzThoughts Friday 28th November 2008
OzThoughts Friday 28th November 2008
As we think of our place before God and as his servants in the world, there must be many, many thoughts that course like a stream through our mind. There are some affirmations that we can make. With David the Psalmist we can say “the Lord is my shepherd” or with Peter “You are the Christ”. We can declare with the chorus writers “God is still on his throne” and “He’s the same today as yesterday”. We can say with the song writer “Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing and ever blest”.
However Miriam Richards looks at a number of questions we can ask as a servant of God and then supplies a wonderful affirmation in the chorus. We can allow God to speak to us as we prayerfully meditate on these words. Can we shout “amen” and “hallelujah” to this affirmation?
What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.
Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.
What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.
What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 706
Psalm 24 (The Message)
A David psalm
1GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
2He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
4Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
6This, Jacob, is what happens
to God--seekers, God--questers.
7Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10Who is this King-Glory?
GOD of the angel armies:
he is King-Glory.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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As we think of our place before God and as his servants in the world, there must be many, many thoughts that course like a stream through our mind. There are some affirmations that we can make. With David the Psalmist we can say “the Lord is my shepherd” or with Peter “You are the Christ”. We can declare with the chorus writers “God is still on his throne” and “He’s the same today as yesterday”. We can say with the song writer “Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing and ever blest”.
However Miriam Richards looks at a number of questions we can ask as a servant of God and then supplies a wonderful affirmation in the chorus. We can allow God to speak to us as we prayerfully meditate on these words. Can we shout “amen” and “hallelujah” to this affirmation?
What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.
Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.
What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.
What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 706
Psalm 24 (The Message)
A David psalm
1GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
2He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
4Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
6This, Jacob, is what happens
to God--seekers, God--questers.
7Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10Who is this King-Glory?
GOD of the angel armies:
he is King-Glory.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, November 27, 2008
OzThoughts Friday 28th November 2008
OzThoughts Friday 28th November 2008
As we think of our place before God and as his servants in the world, there must be many, many thoughts that course like a stream through our mind. There are some affirmations that we can make. With David the Psalmist we can say “the Lord is my shepherd” or with Peter “You are the Christ”. We can declare with the chorus writers “God is still on his throne” and “He’s the same today as yesterday”. We can say with the song writer “Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing and ever blest”.
However Miriam Richards looks at a number of questions we can ask as a servant of God and then supplies a wonderful affirmation in the chorus. We can allow God to speak to us as we prayerfully meditate on these words. Can we shout “amen” and “hallelujah” to this affirmation?
What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.
Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.
What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.
What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 706
Psalm 24 (The Message)
A David psalm
1GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
2He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
4Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
6This, Jacob, is what happens
to God--seekers, God--questers.
7Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10Who is this King-Glory?
GOD of the angel armies:
he is King-Glory.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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).
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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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
As we think of our place before God and as his servants in the world, there must be many, many thoughts that course like a stream through our mind. There are some affirmations that we can make. With David the Psalmist we can say “the Lord is my shepherd” or with Peter “You are the Christ”. We can declare with the chorus writers “God is still on his throne” and “He’s the same today as yesterday”. We can say with the song writer “Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing and ever blest”.
However Miriam Richards looks at a number of questions we can ask as a servant of God and then supplies a wonderful affirmation in the chorus. We can allow God to speak to us as we prayerfully meditate on these words. Can we shout “amen” and “hallelujah” to this affirmation?
What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.
Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.
What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.
What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 706
Psalm 24 (The Message)
A David psalm
1GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
2He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
4Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
6This, Jacob, is what happens
to God--seekers, God--questers.
7Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.
9Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10Who is this King-Glory?
GOD of the angel armies:
he is King-Glory.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 27th November 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 27th November 2008
As we think about Jesus demonstrating his compassion to many people , even those of “other peoples” such as the Samaritan woman at the well and the Syro-Phonecian woman, there is a lesson there for us to “go and do likewise”. The Christian church has a very long history of going to “other peoples” reaching back to Jesus and early church missionaries such as St Paul come to mind. The early Salvation Army was most enthusiastic and some of its earliest slogans were “Christ for the world” and “The world for Christ”.
I remember reading years ago that when we consider the story of the Good Samaritan with its challenge to consider “other peoples” as our neighbours, not to forget our neighbour is also the person who lives next door! Sometimes, we give ourselves to overseas missions but neglect the mission field over our home’s boundary fences.
It is not always easy to work in that mission field. Even Jesus found that. Three of the four Gospel writers include the story of Jesus being rejected at Nazareth. It is a sad story:
Mark 6:1-6 (The Message)
Just a Carpenter
1He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. 2On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?"
3But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter--Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.
4Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child." 5Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there--he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all. 6He couldn't get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
Jesus accepted the challenge of their stubbornness and moved on. However, as he moved on he had the knowledge he had tried to teach them. It was in doing that he failed. He never gave up before he tried to teach them. He did not walk away from them because he knew them. They rejected him because they thought they knew him already.
I guess that is one of the difficulties of our home mission field. So many people think they know Jesus. We must try to share his love and the message that he is “The way, the truth and the life (John 14: 6). People then need to make their own decision about him. Our task is to love them and give them that chance.
PRAYER:
Father, I pray that you will help me in the hardest mission field. That is the places where I am known. Help me to share Jesus in the love I show today. Amen.
[Listen: CongregationalSong: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_014.mp3
Vocal solo: Mandy Williams: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_256.mp3]
The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.
Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?
It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 527
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
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OzThoughts
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As we think about Jesus demonstrating his compassion to many people , even those of “other peoples” such as the Samaritan woman at the well and the Syro-Phonecian woman, there is a lesson there for us to “go and do likewise”. The Christian church has a very long history of going to “other peoples” reaching back to Jesus and early church missionaries such as St Paul come to mind. The early Salvation Army was most enthusiastic and some of its earliest slogans were “Christ for the world” and “The world for Christ”.
I remember reading years ago that when we consider the story of the Good Samaritan with its challenge to consider “other peoples” as our neighbours, not to forget our neighbour is also the person who lives next door! Sometimes, we give ourselves to overseas missions but neglect the mission field over our home’s boundary fences.
It is not always easy to work in that mission field. Even Jesus found that. Three of the four Gospel writers include the story of Jesus being rejected at Nazareth. It is a sad story:
Mark 6:1-6 (The Message)
Just a Carpenter
1He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. 2On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?"
3But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter--Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.
4Jesus told them, "A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child." 5Jesus wasn't able to do much of anything there--he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that's all. 6He couldn't get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.
Jesus accepted the challenge of their stubbornness and moved on. However, as he moved on he had the knowledge he had tried to teach them. It was in doing that he failed. He never gave up before he tried to teach them. He did not walk away from them because he knew them. They rejected him because they thought they knew him already.
I guess that is one of the difficulties of our home mission field. So many people think they know Jesus. We must try to share his love and the message that he is “The way, the truth and the life (John 14: 6). People then need to make their own decision about him. Our task is to love them and give them that chance.
PRAYER:
Father, I pray that you will help me in the hardest mission field. That is the places where I am known. Help me to share Jesus in the love I show today. Amen.
[Listen: CongregationalSong: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_014.mp3
Vocal solo: Mandy Williams: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_256.mp3]
The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.
Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?
It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 527
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 25th November 2008
OzThoughts Tuesday 25th November 2008
For a number of reasons, I have been thinking about a visit to a Catholic church for a christening some years ago. One of the things I noticed was the Priest was wearing sandals. They were not the leather sandals like Jesus wore or even a modern leather version of them. They were what we know in Australia as surf sandals which are made of (and I am guessing here) plastic and nylon and are fastened with Velcro.
The fact that he belonged to a Franciscan order probably had something to do with his clothing and sandals and the simple robes he wore. Certainly it was simpler and much less formal than the average Salvo uniform. As I thought about this I thought of the simple faith of many believers. St Francis in choosing Jesus chose to live a simple life. He called others to live simply as he lived and to reach out to those in need around them.
I think, too, of Jesus. In thinking of Jesus I thought again, as we did recently, of Isaiah who said:
I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6: 1,2. New International Version.)
What a contrast there is in the picture St Paul describes:
Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 5b-11).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father. Help me to live as Jesus would have me live today so that I might be useful for you. Amen.
O that in me the mind of Christ
A fixed abiding-place may find,
That I may know the will of God,
And live in him for lost mankind.
Chorus
Doing the will of God,
Doing the will of God,
The best thing I know in this world below
Is doing the will of God.
The suffering servant he became,
Yea more; in loneliness and loss
He bore for me in grief and shame,
A crown of thorns. a heavy cross.
O that in me this mind might be,
The will of God be all my joy,
Prepared with him to go or stay,
My chief delight his sweet employ.
More than all else I would become
The servant of my servant-Lord;
My highest glory his reproach,
To do his will my best reward.
Author: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 451
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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For a number of reasons, I have been thinking about a visit to a Catholic church for a christening some years ago. One of the things I noticed was the Priest was wearing sandals. They were not the leather sandals like Jesus wore or even a modern leather version of them. They were what we know in Australia as surf sandals which are made of (and I am guessing here) plastic and nylon and are fastened with Velcro.
The fact that he belonged to a Franciscan order probably had something to do with his clothing and sandals and the simple robes he wore. Certainly it was simpler and much less formal than the average Salvo uniform. As I thought about this I thought of the simple faith of many believers. St Francis in choosing Jesus chose to live a simple life. He called others to live simply as he lived and to reach out to those in need around them.
I think, too, of Jesus. In thinking of Jesus I thought again, as we did recently, of Isaiah who said:
I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6: 1,2. New International Version.)
What a contrast there is in the picture St Paul describes:
Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 5b-11).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father. Help me to live as Jesus would have me live today so that I might be useful for you. Amen.
O that in me the mind of Christ
A fixed abiding-place may find,
That I may know the will of God,
And live in him for lost mankind.
Chorus
Doing the will of God,
Doing the will of God,
The best thing I know in this world below
Is doing the will of God.
The suffering servant he became,
Yea more; in loneliness and loss
He bore for me in grief and shame,
A crown of thorns. a heavy cross.
O that in me this mind might be,
The will of God be all my joy,
Prepared with him to go or stay,
My chief delight his sweet employ.
More than all else I would become
The servant of my servant-Lord;
My highest glory his reproach,
To do his will my best reward.
Author: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 451
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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Sunday, November 23, 2008
OzThoughts Monday 24th November 2008
OzThoughts Monday 24th November 2008
I am of the age where I look back on many hymns and spiritual songs and see them as markers in my life. It means something to me to sing them. Sometimes, too, as I sing a hymn I can share with the writer the struggle and eventual victory through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Other hymns remind me of truths I have learnt and I believe can be a teaching tool for others.
Salvationists have always looked for new songs. The Salvation Army press have churned out new songs and new melodies since our earliest days. Our Founder, William booth could write in a Preface to a new Song Book ”Surely, no man has ever been called upon to make, or direct the making of, so many Song Books ,as I have.
Some of the newer songs leave me cold. However, there are others which I embrace and enjoy. One of the newer songs which I have thought about many times, fits very well into the coming Advent Season. Yes, we can lift the Lords name high as we praise him for coming from Heaven to earth. Then from the earth to the cross and so on as we praise God for the full cycle of Jesus life. It comes as a reminder that we do not only worship the babe of Bethlehem but we worship Christ our risen Saviour.
Lord I Lift Your Name On High
[Watch and Listen : http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8&feature=related ]
Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Words and Music: Rick Founds
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you that he is a living reality to me to day. Help me to lift his name on high as I move through the events of my life today. Amen.
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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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):
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
I am of the age where I look back on many hymns and spiritual songs and see them as markers in my life. It means something to me to sing them. Sometimes, too, as I sing a hymn I can share with the writer the struggle and eventual victory through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Other hymns remind me of truths I have learnt and I believe can be a teaching tool for others.
Salvationists have always looked for new songs. The Salvation Army press have churned out new songs and new melodies since our earliest days. Our Founder, William booth could write in a Preface to a new Song Book ”Surely, no man has ever been called upon to make, or direct the making of, so many Song Books ,as I have.
Some of the newer songs leave me cold. However, there are others which I embrace and enjoy. One of the newer songs which I have thought about many times, fits very well into the coming Advent Season. Yes, we can lift the Lords name high as we praise him for coming from Heaven to earth. Then from the earth to the cross and so on as we praise God for the full cycle of Jesus life. It comes as a reminder that we do not only worship the babe of Bethlehem but we worship Christ our risen Saviour.
Lord I Lift Your Name On High
[Watch and Listen : http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=COQ6cni_TG8&feature=related ]
Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
Words and Music: Rick Founds
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you that he is a living reality to me to day. Help me to lift his name on high as I move through the events of my life today. Amen.
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
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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
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, November 20, 2008
OzThoughts Friday 20th November, 2008.
OzThoughts Friday 20th November, 2008.
Friday. For most people it the end of the work week and a time of beginning to relax with friends for the weekend. I remember when I was taxi driving I would be taking people home rather late from work after they had tarried with friends. If I was lucky, maybe a street or two away, I would pick up some other passengers who were going to spend the night in enjoyment with friends.
Men I was taking home from work would want to know where to buy flowers for their wife because they were late. Sometimes the ladies would ask if I thought they looked okay. Did I think their dress was okay? Did they look okay? Was I to say that sometimes they looked less than okay? Could I sound too enthusiastic in saying they looked fantastic?
Our relationships with others are governed by lots of things. For the Christian our lives are governed by Christ. Our choice of friends and our choice of leisure activities are all governed by Christ. It is interesting to meditate on what Paul writes to the Colossians:
10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.
11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the direction you give my life through Christ. I pray today as I meet and relax with workmates and other friends that I will live well for you. Help me to live and act as you would have me do. Amen.
I've a friend, of friends the fairest,
I have known and proved him long;
His is beauty, purest, rarest,
His is love most true and strong.
Ever since his kindness drew me,
And my newborn soul found breath,
Jesus has been growing dearer,
Till to lose him would be death.
Chorus
Take the world, but give me Jesus,
He alone can satisfy;
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
Neath his cross I'll live and die.
When my heart with joy is glowing,
'Tis of Jesus I would sing,
When my cup is overflowing,
To his feet my praises bring.
And when care and sorrow meet me,
Pain and grief and dark distress,
Still I cry: O give me Jesus,
He alone can help and bless!
Would you gain this friend so tender?
Would you find this faithful guide?
Come then, make a full surrender,
Yield to Jesus crucified.
Take his easy yoke upon you,
And his purpose daily learn,
Just to do his will entirely,
Pleasing him your chief concern.
Authors: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 343
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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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/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Friday. For most people it the end of the work week and a time of beginning to relax with friends for the weekend. I remember when I was taxi driving I would be taking people home rather late from work after they had tarried with friends. If I was lucky, maybe a street or two away, I would pick up some other passengers who were going to spend the night in enjoyment with friends.
Men I was taking home from work would want to know where to buy flowers for their wife because they were late. Sometimes the ladies would ask if I thought they looked okay. Did I think their dress was okay? Did they look okay? Was I to say that sometimes they looked less than okay? Could I sound too enthusiastic in saying they looked fantastic?
Our relationships with others are governed by lots of things. For the Christian our lives are governed by Christ. Our choice of friends and our choice of leisure activities are all governed by Christ. It is interesting to meditate on what Paul writes to the Colossians:
10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.
11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the direction you give my life through Christ. I pray today as I meet and relax with workmates and other friends that I will live well for you. Help me to live and act as you would have me do. Amen.
I've a friend, of friends the fairest,
I have known and proved him long;
His is beauty, purest, rarest,
His is love most true and strong.
Ever since his kindness drew me,
And my newborn soul found breath,
Jesus has been growing dearer,
Till to lose him would be death.
Chorus
Take the world, but give me Jesus,
He alone can satisfy;
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
Neath his cross I'll live and die.
When my heart with joy is glowing,
'Tis of Jesus I would sing,
When my cup is overflowing,
To his feet my praises bring.
And when care and sorrow meet me,
Pain and grief and dark distress,
Still I cry: O give me Jesus,
He alone can help and bless!
Would you gain this friend so tender?
Would you find this faithful guide?
Come then, make a full surrender,
Yield to Jesus crucified.
Take his easy yoke upon you,
And his purpose daily learn,
Just to do his will entirely,
Pleasing him your chief concern.
Authors: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 343
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
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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
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 20th November 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 20th November 2008
Some years ago, I worked for Australian Red Cross and in particular, I was involved in management of the volunteer branches throughout the State. I was often called on to chair the branch annual general meetings.
Sometimes it was difficult to get people to act as executives of the branch. So we would urge people present to accept nomination as President, Secretary or Treasurer. We always felt satisfied when someone said “Yes, I will accept nomination”. It then became my task to train and mentor this person in the tasks of the position.
Sometimes I wondered at the ease with which a person was accepted into the position and in my mind contrasted it with the selection process I was familiar with in Salvation Army Corps (churches). So often it is difficult to know who is willing to serve in what task in the church.
A story which is very special and tells the story of a man and his servant relationship with God is the story of Isaiah.
Isaiah 6 (The Message)
Holy, Holy, Holy!
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Master sitting on a throne--high, exalted!-and the train of his robes filled the Temple.
2 Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew."
3 And they called back and forth one to the other,
Holy, Holy, Holy is GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
His bright glory fills the whole earth.
4 The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke.
5 I said, "Doom! It's Doomsday! I'm as good as dead!
Every word I've ever spoken is tainted--
blasphemous even!
And the people I live with talk the same way,
using words that corrupt and desecrate.
And here I've looked God in the face!
The King! GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!"
6 Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 He touched my mouth with the coal and said,
"Look. This coal has touched your lips.
Gone your guilt,
your sins wiped out."
8 And then I heard the voice of the Master:
"Whom shall I send?
Who will go for us?"
I spoke up,
"I'll go.
Send me!"
He said, "Go and tell this people…”
Here in a few verses is worship, cleansing, a call and a response and then a commissioning. God needed someone. Isaiah was ready because he submitted to God and was in a right relationship with God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I worship you in all your holiness, I like Isaiah feel so unworthy and unclean in your presence. However, Father, I am here to do your will. If it pleases, you show me your will today. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_062.mp3 ]
I would be thy holy temple,
Sacred and indwelt by thee;
Naught then could stain my commission,
'Tis thy divine charge to me.
Chorus
Take thou my life, Lord,
In deep submission I pray,
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Seeking to mirror thy glory,
Living to answer thy call,
Each faithful vow now renewing,
Gladly I yield thee my all.
Time, health and talents presenting,
All that I have shall be thine;
Heart mind and will consecrating,
No longer shall they be mine.
O for a heart of compassion,
Moved at the impulse of love,
Lost ones to bring to thy footstool,
Thy gracious riches to prove!
Author: Brindley Boon
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 786
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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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/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Some years ago, I worked for Australian Red Cross and in particular, I was involved in management of the volunteer branches throughout the State. I was often called on to chair the branch annual general meetings.
Sometimes it was difficult to get people to act as executives of the branch. So we would urge people present to accept nomination as President, Secretary or Treasurer. We always felt satisfied when someone said “Yes, I will accept nomination”. It then became my task to train and mentor this person in the tasks of the position.
Sometimes I wondered at the ease with which a person was accepted into the position and in my mind contrasted it with the selection process I was familiar with in Salvation Army Corps (churches). So often it is difficult to know who is willing to serve in what task in the church.
A story which is very special and tells the story of a man and his servant relationship with God is the story of Isaiah.
Isaiah 6 (The Message)
Holy, Holy, Holy!
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Master sitting on a throne--high, exalted!-and the train of his robes filled the Temple.
2 Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew."
3 And they called back and forth one to the other,
Holy, Holy, Holy is GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
His bright glory fills the whole earth.
4 The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke.
5 I said, "Doom! It's Doomsday! I'm as good as dead!
Every word I've ever spoken is tainted--
blasphemous even!
And the people I live with talk the same way,
using words that corrupt and desecrate.
And here I've looked God in the face!
The King! GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!"
6 Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
7 He touched my mouth with the coal and said,
"Look. This coal has touched your lips.
Gone your guilt,
your sins wiped out."
8 And then I heard the voice of the Master:
"Whom shall I send?
Who will go for us?"
I spoke up,
"I'll go.
Send me!"
He said, "Go and tell this people…”
Here in a few verses is worship, cleansing, a call and a response and then a commissioning. God needed someone. Isaiah was ready because he submitted to God and was in a right relationship with God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I worship you in all your holiness, I like Isaiah feel so unworthy and unclean in your presence. However, Father, I am here to do your will. If it pleases, you show me your will today. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_062.mp3 ]
I would be thy holy temple,
Sacred and indwelt by thee;
Naught then could stain my commission,
'Tis thy divine charge to me.
Chorus
Take thou my life, Lord,
In deep submission I pray,
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
Take thou my life, Lord, I pray;
My all to thee dedicating,
Accept my offering today.
Seeking to mirror thy glory,
Living to answer thy call,
Each faithful vow now renewing,
Gladly I yield thee my all.
Time, health and talents presenting,
All that I have shall be thine;
Heart mind and will consecrating,
No longer shall they be mine.
O for a heart of compassion,
Moved at the impulse of love,
Lost ones to bring to thy footstool,
Thy gracious riches to prove!
Author: Brindley Boon
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 786
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008
OzThoughts Wednesday 19th November 2008
OzThoughts Wednesday 19th November 2008
At the moment I can hear the sound of abundance of rain. Here in the south east corner of Queensland, we had a massive chain of storms on Sunday afternoon and there has been a lot of damage with houses destroyed and badly damaged in the western suburbs of Brisbane. At Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland falling trees were a major hazard. Please pray for those who have suffered.
For most people, there was no damage and our lawns and gardens are benefiting for the good soaking of rain. Our country badly needs this rain and we pray our water supply dams will benefit from the downpours.
Sometimes it is just good to soak in the Word of God and allow it to speak to our mind, body and spirit. I feel like this when I read Paul’s statement of faith and praise in Colossians.
[Listen: For the beauty of the earth : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1519.mp3 ]
Christ Holds It All Together
15We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
16For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.
17He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
18And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
He was supreme in the beginning and--leading the resurrection parade--he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. 19So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.
20Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe--people and things, animals and atoms--get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross.
21You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.
22But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.
23You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message--just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. Colossians 1 (The Message).
PRAYER:
God, our Father, we pray today for those who are suffering through natural events and man made causes. We pray that people will look to you and be aware of your majesty, your holiness and your love.
Father, I join in praise of you because of all your benefits to me. Help me to go out from this time of worship and reflection as your servant. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2370.mp3 ]
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
Author: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 28
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At the moment I can hear the sound of abundance of rain. Here in the south east corner of Queensland, we had a massive chain of storms on Sunday afternoon and there has been a lot of damage with houses destroyed and badly damaged in the western suburbs of Brisbane. At Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterland falling trees were a major hazard. Please pray for those who have suffered.
For most people, there was no damage and our lawns and gardens are benefiting for the good soaking of rain. Our country badly needs this rain and we pray our water supply dams will benefit from the downpours.
Sometimes it is just good to soak in the Word of God and allow it to speak to our mind, body and spirit. I feel like this when I read Paul’s statement of faith and praise in Colossians.
[Listen: For the beauty of the earth : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1519.mp3 ]
Christ Holds It All Together
15We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
16For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.
17He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
18And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
He was supreme in the beginning and--leading the resurrection parade--he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. 19So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.
20Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe--people and things, animals and atoms--get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross.
21You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.
22But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.
23You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message--just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. Colossians 1 (The Message).
PRAYER:
God, our Father, we pray today for those who are suffering through natural events and man made causes. We pray that people will look to you and be aware of your majesty, your holiness and your love.
Father, I join in praise of you because of all your benefits to me. Help me to go out from this time of worship and reflection as your servant. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2370.mp3 ]
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
Author: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 28
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Monday, November 17, 2008
OzThoughts – Tuesday 18th November 2008
OzThoughts – Tuesday 18th November 2008
I find it interesting the lack of stories of the childhood of Jesus. The lack of interest in stories of his childhood by the Gospel writers may be reflected in the incidents they did tell where Jesus emphasised the worth of a child.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me “comes readily to mind. It is an interesting exercise for a quiet time to do a word search of “child” on www.gospelcom.net Use a Keyword search ( http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword ) and search the Gospels.
Mark 9:36-37 (The Message)
36 He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said,
37 "Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me--God who sent me."
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the reminder from Jesus of the worth of a child. Thanks for the joy of our children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews who make our lives a delight. Thanks, too, for the joy of the young people in church. May you continue to bless them all and especially those people whose ministry in your name is with the children. Amen
[Listen: 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.
Jemima Luke (1813-1906)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 794
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I find it interesting the lack of stories of the childhood of Jesus. The lack of interest in stories of his childhood by the Gospel writers may be reflected in the incidents they did tell where Jesus emphasised the worth of a child.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me “comes readily to mind. It is an interesting exercise for a quiet time to do a word search of “child” on www.gospelcom.net Use a Keyword search ( http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword ) and search the Gospels.
Mark 9:36-37 (The Message)
36 He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said,
37 "Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me--God who sent me."
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the reminder from Jesus of the worth of a child. Thanks for the joy of our children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews who make our lives a delight. Thanks, too, for the joy of the young people in church. May you continue to bless them all and especially those people whose ministry in your name is with the children. Amen
[Listen: 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.
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 :
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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OzThoughts Monday 17th November 2008.
OzThoughts Monday 17th November 2008.
I think I may have told of a Salvation Army Officer Training College teacher who often told us "we must get our ‘prioritrees’ right”. So “prioritrees” was a word we worked into the conversation between classmates. If someone said “priorities” there would be a chorus saying you mean ‘prioritrees”.
As Christian our priority must be Christ and living for him. Today as we step into the workplace or into the school, if we claim to be a Christian then our words and actions must reflect that.
Christ must be supreme in our daily living. As Paul writes: “6My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. 7You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. (Colossians 2 The Message )
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I pray today that I might live Christ. I thank you for my salvation. I pray that the Holy Spirit might give me opportunity, wisdom, words and love to share with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1600.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its honours fade and fall;
But with thee, though I mount the cross,
I count it gain to suffer loss,
For thou art all in all.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses),
W.H. Williams (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
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I think I may have told of a Salvation Army Officer Training College teacher who often told us "we must get our ‘prioritrees’ right”. So “prioritrees” was a word we worked into the conversation between classmates. If someone said “priorities” there would be a chorus saying you mean ‘prioritrees”.
As Christian our priority must be Christ and living for him. Today as we step into the workplace or into the school, if we claim to be a Christian then our words and actions must reflect that.
Christ must be supreme in our daily living. As Paul writes: “6My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. 7You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. (Colossians 2 The Message )
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I pray today that I might live Christ. I thank you for my salvation. I pray that the Holy Spirit might give me opportunity, wisdom, words and love to share with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1600.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its honours fade and fall;
But with thee, though I mount the cross,
I count it gain to suffer loss,
For thou art all in all.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses),
W.H. Williams (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 15th and 16th November, 2008.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 15th and 16th November, 2008.
FLIES AND FLIES.
I was at a barbecue lunch to celebrate my niece’s engagement today. It was warm and I would think about 30c/86f. Someone remarked “summer is here” and I thought not really as there are no flies. However, soon after the barbecue was lit and the sausages and steak put on it the flies arrived. Flies are a part of life here in Australia and various ways have been made to discourage them. Sometime ago I wrote about them.
Time flies like an arrow
Blow flies like a banana
The Australian Bush is not a place where time flies. It’s a place of work until it is done. Sleep and eat when you must and then face another day. It is a place where there is always time to stop and have a yarn. It is a place where time doesn’t matter if a mate is in trouble or asks to give a hand. It is a place where things are done after milking. They happen after dinner which is the meal that happens when the sun is high in the sky. Tea most often happens after dark when there is no light to continue working. Tea is the evening meal.
In days gone by many a new chum just out in the colony for the experience or some other unmentioned reason learnt that to be invited for tea was not an invitation to a genteel cup of tea and a tasty sandwich or sweet creamy cake. It was an invitation to a lump of corn beef or pickled pork or if he was lucky a slab of steak which would have fed the whole boarding house at school. With that would be as many spuds ( potatoes) or a heap of mashed spud that any Irishman would die for. A couple of boiled onions or some tinned (canned) peas would complete the main course. Oh, and there would be the gravy. There would be damper or home made bread which on good days had butter or jam or cocky’s joy (golden syrup) to go with it but mostly was handy for soaking up the gravy and helping it to the mouth. Right from the beginning of the meal, there would be copious amounts of tea, sometimes with fresh milk often with tinned condensed milk and a couple of spoons of sugar to sweeten it. Tea was the accompaniment to any meal. However as I was indicating it was not referred to as tea it was a “cuppa” or more recently a “brew.”
The other accompaniments to the meal were flies. The smaller bush flies or house flies were always there. They buzzed from place to place and tried to grab a quick snack from the plates. If you gave your attention to the meat they wanted the vegies, or would be satisfied with the bread. These small flies are brushed away with the sweep of a hand. The sweep of the fly chasing hand across ones face was known as the Aussie wave or Aussie salute. The buzz of a blow fly will draw people to action like a soldier called to attention. This is no parade ground but people are very wary of the blow fly which will quickly deposit a wriggling minute maggot or a dozen wherever it lands.
Blow flies like bananas. Well, they might but they prefer the smell of meat cooking and love the sight of meat unattended on a plate of a careless diner not guarding his meal.
I remember once sitting with a group of people in a country town backyard. The wafting smell of barbecuing meat had alerted all the flies of the district that lunch was nearly ready. So they gathered.
We had not long asked the Lord’s blessing on the meal when the old retired Brigadier (Salvation Army Officer) who was very wise to the ways of the bush took the sugar bowl and emptied a couple of small heaps on the table beside him. We all looked and thought the years had taken their toll. We were rescued by his wife who asked “Stan, what are you doing?” Brigadier Stan simply said “that’s for the flies, it will keep them busy!”
There is debate at times about flies and what attracts them most. It seems that most people are agreed that horses, sheep, cattle, ducks, and chooks (chickens) attract their fair share of flies. In recent times, with enlightenment meaning we do not spray insecticides as much as we used to, people are looking for natural ways of curbing flies.
One of the introductions to Oz to help curb them has been the dung beetle. This busy little burrowing beetle has a great love of dung. So much so, that he not only eats the stuff but takes it home to use when breeding. A dung beetle or a number of them can very quickly reduce a cow pat to nothing having either eaten it or taken down into the tunnels it has dug. The digging activity of the tunnelling beetles results in the aeration of soil as well as the transfer of nutrients to the soil by releasing the nutrients in the dung. Also, dung beetles break down dung and prevent flies from breeding in it.
It a hot summer’s day in the Outback you can watch people doing “the great Australian salute”. Moisture seeking small bush flies love to land on the face and collect moisture there or go to the corner of the eyes beside the nose to have a drink. Thus a rapid movement of the open hand from side to side across the face chases the flies, until they return again. Watch a politician or a farmer being interviewed in the bush and you will see the great Australian salute in action.
The other thing that happens in the dry heat of summer is that flies will gather on the sweat wet back of a shirt. It is nothing to see someone walking along the street or working and find 30 or more flies on the back of their shirt or blouse. Again the flies know it is a source of moisture.
Today most homes are screened against flies and mosquitos. However, in days gone by there were all types of sprays and traps to keep the flies away. In fact browse the supermarket shelves and they are still available. Some of the poisons have gone but they are replaced by some that in the makers enthusiasm for the safety of their ‘natural’ product almost invites you to have it on your toast.
One of my favourites when I was a kid before we had fly screens on the windows was the sticky fly paper. This was a strip of very sticky paper that was uncoiled from the container and hung with a thumb tack from the ceiling. It attracted the flies and when they landed on it there was no escape. It was great entertainment to watch the flies land on a new strip and listen to them buzz until they grew silent, all the effort to escape having taken all their energy.
It was great fun, too, to chase the flies around the house with a fly swatter. It took some skill or was it luck to get a fly before it landed? Yes, this was the days before television when life was uncomplicated and simple. I noticed last week one of my Swiss friends pick up a fly swat in a tourist souvenir shop. It was a great souvenir. The wide action end of the swat was in the shape of a map of Australia. I imagine it is more useful than some of the souvenirs that are offered to our visitors.
In the hot days and evenings of summer, Salvation Army bandsmen in Australia have to go out and play Christmas carols. Carolling is something that the bandsmen usually look forward to but there are some hazards. One is flies. More than once in mid carol, I have heard a bandsman break into a spasm of enthusiastic coughing. You see as he tried for a quick but deep breath through the corners of his mouth without losing time, he has suddenly lost it as he realises he has also inhaled a fly.
In the evening, the hazard is not so much flies as mosquitos. As the sun sets and the bandsmen come out for an evening of carols, the mosquitos find a new target has moved into their territory. These days the well equipped bandsmen goes equipped with roll on or spray insect repellent. Forearmed in this way the bandsmen is able to continue without slapping at the singing hordes of insects.
At one small corps in the northern suburbs of Newcastle (Australia) surrounding swamp made a great breeding place for mosquitos that came to visit any unwary person. It was interesting to note that in the Corps information for open air meetings and Christmas Carolling were instructions on how to burn cow dung to keep the mosquitos away. When I was at the corps we used insect repellent but I often wondered about the band turning up in the street with music and song, War Crys and collection boxes and a can of smouldering cow dung.
Flies are pests. They must have a purpose. I breed Australian finches but I have hesitated to do as books recommend and hang a sheep’s heart in my aviary. The idea is that flies will infest it with maggots and as the maggots fall from the heart the parent finches will grab them and use them as protein feed for their young.
I am also a keen fisherman, and although I have used a lot of baits, again I have hesitated to use “gentes” or maggots as bait. They say they are okay to use but I will leave that to someone else.
Flies were some of the pests God sent to annoy the Pharaoh and his Egyptian citizens (Exodus Chapter 8) so that the Pharaoh might let the Children of Israel go and allow Moses to lead them to the Promised Land.
The Psalmist refers to God’s power over his enemies. “GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies”. (Psalm 118: 7 The Message ®)
This weekend I will leave you to suggest a song or chorus that contains the word “fly” or “flies”. For example: “Trusting as the moments fly”. ;-)
Psalm 118 (The Message®)
1Thank GOD because he's good, because his love never quits.
2Tell the world, Israel,
"His love never quits."
3And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,
"His love never quits."
4And you who fear GOD, join in,
"His love never quits."
5Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD;
from the wide open spaces, he answered.
6GOD's now at my side and I'm not afraid;
who would dare lay a hand on me?
7GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies.
8Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in people;
9Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in celebrities.
10Hemmed in by barbarians,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
11Hemmed in and with no way out,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
12Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
13I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
when GOD grabbed and held me.
14GOD's my strength, he's also my song,
and now he's my salvation.
15Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
in the camp of the saved?
"The hand of GOD has turned the tide!
16The hand of GOD is raised in victory!
The hand of GOD has turned the tide!"
```````````````````````````
27GOD is God,
he has bathed us in light.
Festoon the shrine with garlands,
hang coloured banners above the altar!
28You're my God, and I thank you.
O my God, I lift high your praise.
29Thank GOD-he's so good.
His love never quits!
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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FLIES AND FLIES.
I was at a barbecue lunch to celebrate my niece’s engagement today. It was warm and I would think about 30c/86f. Someone remarked “summer is here” and I thought not really as there are no flies. However, soon after the barbecue was lit and the sausages and steak put on it the flies arrived. Flies are a part of life here in Australia and various ways have been made to discourage them. Sometime ago I wrote about them.
Time flies like an arrow
Blow flies like a banana
The Australian Bush is not a place where time flies. It’s a place of work until it is done. Sleep and eat when you must and then face another day. It is a place where there is always time to stop and have a yarn. It is a place where time doesn’t matter if a mate is in trouble or asks to give a hand. It is a place where things are done after milking. They happen after dinner which is the meal that happens when the sun is high in the sky. Tea most often happens after dark when there is no light to continue working. Tea is the evening meal.
In days gone by many a new chum just out in the colony for the experience or some other unmentioned reason learnt that to be invited for tea was not an invitation to a genteel cup of tea and a tasty sandwich or sweet creamy cake. It was an invitation to a lump of corn beef or pickled pork or if he was lucky a slab of steak which would have fed the whole boarding house at school. With that would be as many spuds ( potatoes) or a heap of mashed spud that any Irishman would die for. A couple of boiled onions or some tinned (canned) peas would complete the main course. Oh, and there would be the gravy. There would be damper or home made bread which on good days had butter or jam or cocky’s joy (golden syrup) to go with it but mostly was handy for soaking up the gravy and helping it to the mouth. Right from the beginning of the meal, there would be copious amounts of tea, sometimes with fresh milk often with tinned condensed milk and a couple of spoons of sugar to sweeten it. Tea was the accompaniment to any meal. However as I was indicating it was not referred to as tea it was a “cuppa” or more recently a “brew.”
The other accompaniments to the meal were flies. The smaller bush flies or house flies were always there. They buzzed from place to place and tried to grab a quick snack from the plates. If you gave your attention to the meat they wanted the vegies, or would be satisfied with the bread. These small flies are brushed away with the sweep of a hand. The sweep of the fly chasing hand across ones face was known as the Aussie wave or Aussie salute. The buzz of a blow fly will draw people to action like a soldier called to attention. This is no parade ground but people are very wary of the blow fly which will quickly deposit a wriggling minute maggot or a dozen wherever it lands.
Blow flies like bananas. Well, they might but they prefer the smell of meat cooking and love the sight of meat unattended on a plate of a careless diner not guarding his meal.
I remember once sitting with a group of people in a country town backyard. The wafting smell of barbecuing meat had alerted all the flies of the district that lunch was nearly ready. So they gathered.
We had not long asked the Lord’s blessing on the meal when the old retired Brigadier (Salvation Army Officer) who was very wise to the ways of the bush took the sugar bowl and emptied a couple of small heaps on the table beside him. We all looked and thought the years had taken their toll. We were rescued by his wife who asked “Stan, what are you doing?” Brigadier Stan simply said “that’s for the flies, it will keep them busy!”
There is debate at times about flies and what attracts them most. It seems that most people are agreed that horses, sheep, cattle, ducks, and chooks (chickens) attract their fair share of flies. In recent times, with enlightenment meaning we do not spray insecticides as much as we used to, people are looking for natural ways of curbing flies.
One of the introductions to Oz to help curb them has been the dung beetle. This busy little burrowing beetle has a great love of dung. So much so, that he not only eats the stuff but takes it home to use when breeding. A dung beetle or a number of them can very quickly reduce a cow pat to nothing having either eaten it or taken down into the tunnels it has dug. The digging activity of the tunnelling beetles results in the aeration of soil as well as the transfer of nutrients to the soil by releasing the nutrients in the dung. Also, dung beetles break down dung and prevent flies from breeding in it.
It a hot summer’s day in the Outback you can watch people doing “the great Australian salute”. Moisture seeking small bush flies love to land on the face and collect moisture there or go to the corner of the eyes beside the nose to have a drink. Thus a rapid movement of the open hand from side to side across the face chases the flies, until they return again. Watch a politician or a farmer being interviewed in the bush and you will see the great Australian salute in action.
The other thing that happens in the dry heat of summer is that flies will gather on the sweat wet back of a shirt. It is nothing to see someone walking along the street or working and find 30 or more flies on the back of their shirt or blouse. Again the flies know it is a source of moisture.
Today most homes are screened against flies and mosquitos. However, in days gone by there were all types of sprays and traps to keep the flies away. In fact browse the supermarket shelves and they are still available. Some of the poisons have gone but they are replaced by some that in the makers enthusiasm for the safety of their ‘natural’ product almost invites you to have it on your toast.
One of my favourites when I was a kid before we had fly screens on the windows was the sticky fly paper. This was a strip of very sticky paper that was uncoiled from the container and hung with a thumb tack from the ceiling. It attracted the flies and when they landed on it there was no escape. It was great entertainment to watch the flies land on a new strip and listen to them buzz until they grew silent, all the effort to escape having taken all their energy.
It was great fun, too, to chase the flies around the house with a fly swatter. It took some skill or was it luck to get a fly before it landed? Yes, this was the days before television when life was uncomplicated and simple. I noticed last week one of my Swiss friends pick up a fly swat in a tourist souvenir shop. It was a great souvenir. The wide action end of the swat was in the shape of a map of Australia. I imagine it is more useful than some of the souvenirs that are offered to our visitors.
In the hot days and evenings of summer, Salvation Army bandsmen in Australia have to go out and play Christmas carols. Carolling is something that the bandsmen usually look forward to but there are some hazards. One is flies. More than once in mid carol, I have heard a bandsman break into a spasm of enthusiastic coughing. You see as he tried for a quick but deep breath through the corners of his mouth without losing time, he has suddenly lost it as he realises he has also inhaled a fly.
In the evening, the hazard is not so much flies as mosquitos. As the sun sets and the bandsmen come out for an evening of carols, the mosquitos find a new target has moved into their territory. These days the well equipped bandsmen goes equipped with roll on or spray insect repellent. Forearmed in this way the bandsmen is able to continue without slapping at the singing hordes of insects.
At one small corps in the northern suburbs of Newcastle (Australia) surrounding swamp made a great breeding place for mosquitos that came to visit any unwary person. It was interesting to note that in the Corps information for open air meetings and Christmas Carolling were instructions on how to burn cow dung to keep the mosquitos away. When I was at the corps we used insect repellent but I often wondered about the band turning up in the street with music and song, War Crys and collection boxes and a can of smouldering cow dung.
Flies are pests. They must have a purpose. I breed Australian finches but I have hesitated to do as books recommend and hang a sheep’s heart in my aviary. The idea is that flies will infest it with maggots and as the maggots fall from the heart the parent finches will grab them and use them as protein feed for their young.
I am also a keen fisherman, and although I have used a lot of baits, again I have hesitated to use “gentes” or maggots as bait. They say they are okay to use but I will leave that to someone else.
Flies were some of the pests God sent to annoy the Pharaoh and his Egyptian citizens (Exodus Chapter 8) so that the Pharaoh might let the Children of Israel go and allow Moses to lead them to the Promised Land.
The Psalmist refers to God’s power over his enemies. “GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies”. (Psalm 118: 7 The Message ®)
This weekend I will leave you to suggest a song or chorus that contains the word “fly” or “flies”. For example: “Trusting as the moments fly”. ;-)
Psalm 118 (The Message®)
1Thank GOD because he's good, because his love never quits.
2Tell the world, Israel,
"His love never quits."
3And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,
"His love never quits."
4And you who fear GOD, join in,
"His love never quits."
5Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD;
from the wide open spaces, he answered.
6GOD's now at my side and I'm not afraid;
who would dare lay a hand on me?
7GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies.
8Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in people;
9Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in celebrities.
10Hemmed in by barbarians,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
11Hemmed in and with no way out,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
12Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
13I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
when GOD grabbed and held me.
14GOD's my strength, he's also my song,
and now he's my salvation.
15Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
in the camp of the saved?
"The hand of GOD has turned the tide!
16The hand of GOD is raised in victory!
The hand of GOD has turned the tide!"
```````````````````````````
27GOD is God,
he has bathed us in light.
Festoon the shrine with garlands,
hang coloured banners above the altar!
28You're my God, and I thank you.
O my God, I lift high your praise.
29Thank GOD-he's so good.
His love never quits!
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
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, November 13, 2008
OzThoughts – Friday 14th November 2008
OzThoughts – Friday 14th November 2008
As I come to the end of the work week (for most of us workers), I look back and praise God for the many blessings I have received. As a fulltime hospital chaplain, I am continually in contact with people whose life is certainly not going to what they had dreamt or planned for it.
However, I am always meeting people whose faith encourages me. I think of six people in this last week who have shared their strong faith with me in spite of a very restricted life as they receive treatment or wait for the result of tests. It has been a pleasure to pray with them and shake their hand as I move off to see another patient.
The strong message I hear from them is that they trust God who is a loving Heavenly Father who hears their prayers and is with them as they face their situation. As I hear them I praise God and am happy that he is my Heavenly Father. I share my joy in Jesus with them and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.
This week, an old hymn has been going through my mind:
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
This is a hymn the congregation can sing heartily and the enthusiastic playing of the band can really made music that lifts our hearts as we sing God’s praise.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I praise you and thank you for your many, many blessings you continue to give to me. I thank you for family and friends, for good work to do and your daily provision of my needs. I pray for those who are feeling the loss of a love one, for those who are ill, and those who are feeling a down at this time. I pray that your Holy Spirit will come along side each on and bless them with your presence and love. Amen.
[Listen: Hendon Band & Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2519.mp3
Huddersfield Choral Society:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4792.mp3 ]
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those he came to save;
His glories now we sing
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives, that death may die.
Crown him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease
And all be prayer and praise;
His reign shall know no end,
And round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of Paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown him the Lord of love;
Behold his hands and side.
Those wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified;
All hail, redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
Throughout eternity.
Authors: Matthew Bridges (1800-94) (verses 1,3,4),
Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) (verse 2)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 156
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
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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/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
As I come to the end of the work week (for most of us workers), I look back and praise God for the many blessings I have received. As a fulltime hospital chaplain, I am continually in contact with people whose life is certainly not going to what they had dreamt or planned for it.
However, I am always meeting people whose faith encourages me. I think of six people in this last week who have shared their strong faith with me in spite of a very restricted life as they receive treatment or wait for the result of tests. It has been a pleasure to pray with them and shake their hand as I move off to see another patient.
The strong message I hear from them is that they trust God who is a loving Heavenly Father who hears their prayers and is with them as they face their situation. As I hear them I praise God and am happy that he is my Heavenly Father. I share my joy in Jesus with them and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.
This week, an old hymn has been going through my mind:
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
This is a hymn the congregation can sing heartily and the enthusiastic playing of the band can really made music that lifts our hearts as we sing God’s praise.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I praise you and thank you for your many, many blessings you continue to give to me. I thank you for family and friends, for good work to do and your daily provision of my needs. I pray for those who are feeling the loss of a love one, for those who are ill, and those who are feeling a down at this time. I pray that your Holy Spirit will come along side each on and bless them with your presence and love. Amen.
[Listen: Hendon Band & Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2519.mp3
Huddersfield Choral Society:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4792.mp3 ]
Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those he came to save;
His glories now we sing
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives, that death may die.
Crown him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease
And all be prayer and praise;
His reign shall know no end,
And round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of Paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.
Crown him the Lord of love;
Behold his hands and side.
Those wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified;
All hail, redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
Throughout eternity.
Authors: Matthew Bridges (1800-94) (verses 1,3,4),
Godfrey Thring (1823-1903) (verse 2)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 156
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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 13th November 2008
OzThoughts Thursday 13th November 2008
Yesterday, I got an email from a Christian group selling merchandise for Christmas. With the international exchange rate as it is at the moment and the high cost of postage, it would be impractical possible for me to purchase any of the items.
I loved the short message on each of the items. It simply said: “Jesus is the gift”. My immediate reaction was “What a great theme”. It fits right into the concern of most people in this coming season of Christmas. On one level it is the great season of gift giving.
This theme reminds us in the season of Christmas giving that Jesus is the gift. He is the initial and real gift of the Christmas season.
St Paul tells the Ephesians that “It's God's gift from start to finish!”
Yes, Jesus is the gift”.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (The Message)
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
PRAYER:
Today, I come to you Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for the “clear and plain” message of the coming Christmas season. I thank you for the babe of Bethlehem who came for me. I praise you for that gift of love, and I pray today that I might live worthy of your love and share it with others. I pray for the ministry of your Church as we prepare for this season of Goodwill and Good News. Amen.
Love has a language, all its own making,
Voiced in its giving, love gives its best;
Instant and constant with joy while awaking,
Tells its own story--love stands the test.
Chorus
Love stands the test,
Love gives its best,
Love planned our life's course, designedly blest;
Love won in the garden,
Love climbed the green hill;
Love will live on,
for love stands the test.
Love's life is always all its best giving,
Giving, it lives, for love thrives on this;
Thus, when the best in this world is decaying,
Love will live on, for love stands the test.
Love's gift is God's gift--God is all-loving;
We can be like him in this blest quest;
Let love's sweet echo in you be resounding:
Love will live on, For love stands the test.
Author: Joseph Buck (1889-1945)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 51
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
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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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Yesterday, I got an email from a Christian group selling merchandise for Christmas. With the international exchange rate as it is at the moment and the high cost of postage, it would be impractical possible for me to purchase any of the items.
I loved the short message on each of the items. It simply said: “Jesus is the gift”. My immediate reaction was “What a great theme”. It fits right into the concern of most people in this coming season of Christmas. On one level it is the great season of gift giving.
This theme reminds us in the season of Christmas giving that Jesus is the gift. He is the initial and real gift of the Christmas season.
St Paul tells the Ephesians that “It's God's gift from start to finish!”
Yes, Jesus is the gift”.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (The Message)
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
PRAYER:
Today, I come to you Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for the “clear and plain” message of the coming Christmas season. I thank you for the babe of Bethlehem who came for me. I praise you for that gift of love, and I pray today that I might live worthy of your love and share it with others. I pray for the ministry of your Church as we prepare for this season of Goodwill and Good News. Amen.
Love has a language, all its own making,
Voiced in its giving, love gives its best;
Instant and constant with joy while awaking,
Tells its own story--love stands the test.
Chorus
Love stands the test,
Love gives its best,
Love planned our life's course, designedly blest;
Love won in the garden,
Love climbed the green hill;
Love will live on,
for love stands the test.
Love's life is always all its best giving,
Giving, it lives, for love thrives on this;
Thus, when the best in this world is decaying,
Love will live on, for love stands the test.
Love's gift is God's gift--God is all-loving;
We can be like him in this blest quest;
Let love's sweet echo in you be resounding:
Love will live on, For love stands the test.
Author: Joseph Buck (1889-1945)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 51
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
OzThoughts – Wednesday 12th November, 2008
OzThoughts – Wednesday 12th November, 2008
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I love to hear;
Things I would ask him to tell me
If he were here:
Scenes by the wayside,
Tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus.
Tell them to me.
Yes, tell me the stories of Jesus! I really do love to hear them. In fact, I love to read them and think about them. This year with many Christians, I am reading through the Gospel of Luke, a few verses each day following the Common Lectionary. It does me good to think about the things Jesus said and did.
As I type this my mind comes to the present and I think of the simple phrase that is so popular “What would Jesus do?” Many times it is represented by the initials “WWJD”. That’s a challenge to recall the stories of Jesus. It is a call to listen again to his words. It is a reason to reflect. Most of all it a recognition of Jesus, God’s son as our supreme example.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father thank you for your son, Jesus. I pray that today I might meditate on his words and actions. Help me to make Jesus my motivation and example in all I do. Amen
Listen: The London Citadel Songsters, Canada : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2760.mp3
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I love to hear;
Things I would ask him to tell me
If he were here:
Scenes by the wayside,
Tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus.
Tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children
Stood round his knee;
And I shall fancy his blessing
Resting on me;
Words full of kindness,
Deeds full of grace,
All in the love-light
Of Jesus' face.
Tell me, in accents of wonder,
How rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest
On Galilee;
And how the Master,
Ready and kind,
Chided the billows
And hushed the wind.
Into the city I'd follow
The children's band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree
High in my hand;
One of his heralds,
Yes, I would sing
Loudest hosannas:
Jesus is King!
Show me that scene, in the garden,
Of bitter pain;
And of the cross where my Saviour
For me was slain;
Sad ones or bright ones,
So that they be
Stories of Jesus;
Tell them to me.
Author: William Henry Parker (1845-1929)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 848
Hebrews 12 (The Message - Selected Verses)
2Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honour, right alongside God.
3When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
4In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through--all that bloodshed!
5So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
6It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
7God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training,
8the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?
9We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live?
10While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best.
11At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
12So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!
13Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
14Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse 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
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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/
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Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I love to hear;
Things I would ask him to tell me
If he were here:
Scenes by the wayside,
Tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus.
Tell them to me.
Yes, tell me the stories of Jesus! I really do love to hear them. In fact, I love to read them and think about them. This year with many Christians, I am reading through the Gospel of Luke, a few verses each day following the Common Lectionary. It does me good to think about the things Jesus said and did.
As I type this my mind comes to the present and I think of the simple phrase that is so popular “What would Jesus do?” Many times it is represented by the initials “WWJD”. That’s a challenge to recall the stories of Jesus. It is a call to listen again to his words. It is a reason to reflect. Most of all it a recognition of Jesus, God’s son as our supreme example.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father thank you for your son, Jesus. I pray that today I might meditate on his words and actions. Help me to make Jesus my motivation and example in all I do. Amen
Listen: The London Citadel Songsters, Canada : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2760.mp3
Tell me the stories of Jesus
I love to hear;
Things I would ask him to tell me
If he were here:
Scenes by the wayside,
Tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus.
Tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children
Stood round his knee;
And I shall fancy his blessing
Resting on me;
Words full of kindness,
Deeds full of grace,
All in the love-light
Of Jesus' face.
Tell me, in accents of wonder,
How rolled the sea,
Tossing the boat in a tempest
On Galilee;
And how the Master,
Ready and kind,
Chided the billows
And hushed the wind.
Into the city I'd follow
The children's band,
Waving a branch of the palm tree
High in my hand;
One of his heralds,
Yes, I would sing
Loudest hosannas:
Jesus is King!
Show me that scene, in the garden,
Of bitter pain;
And of the cross where my Saviour
For me was slain;
Sad ones or bright ones,
So that they be
Stories of Jesus;
Tell them to me.
Author: William Henry Parker (1845-1929)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 848
Hebrews 12 (The Message - Selected Verses)
2Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honour, right alongside God.
3When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
4In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through--all that bloodshed!
5So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
6It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
7God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training,
8the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?
9We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live?
10While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best.
11At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
12So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!
13Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
14Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse 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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, November 10, 2008
OzThoughts – Tuesday 11th November 2008
OzThoughts – Tuesday 11th November 2008
16Be cheerful no matter what; 17pray all the time; 18thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (1 Thessalonians 5. The Message )
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5. New International Version )
I am mindful that today is Remembrance Day. The 11th November each year being the time when we pause for a minute or two at the 11th hour and remember those who suffered during World War 1. There have been since and is still many wars and conflicts happening. People continue to be caught up in conflict.
Today we can thank God for our freedoms and our peace. We have so many things we can thank God for. As we thank God we can also pray for others who suffer because of war.
They are great words written by Paul to the Thessalonians. He gives a strong reminder of God’s will for us, that we be joyful, prayerful and thankful always.
I love the beautiful hymns “Praise my soul, the King of Heaven” and “Give to Jesus glory”. The music is good to listen to as music but the words open up new thoughts that I think of just now. Again the skill of the composers and the authors draw me close to God.
PRAYER:
Father, I praise you for the good things you bring into my life. I thank you for family, friends and all the blessings of each day. Today Father as I praise you for the circumstances of my life, I am mindful of the needs of others. I pray that you wil meet them just as you meet mine.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for those who defended us in wars of other days. I pray also for those who continue to suffer because of war. I pray that there might be peace in our time. Amen.
[Listen: Dean Goffin’s “Symphony of Thanksgiving” which combines the music of these two hymns: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2744.mp3
Listen: Huddersfield Choral Society :
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3]
Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 17
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
To save the world the Saviour came;
It was for this in mercy
He gave his life; the news proclaim
And give to Jesus glory.
Chorus
Give to Jesus glory,
Give to Jesus glory,
Proclaim redemption's wondrous plan
And give to Jesus glory.
What matchless grace, how rich, how free!
Our Saviour calls all to him;
A Saviour he to all would be;
O give to Jesus glory!
In every land where man is found,
Let us make known the story
Of love divine; its praises sound
And give to Jesus glory.
There pardon is for all who come
Their sins confessing truly;
Then pardon claim, O guilty one,
And give to Jesus glory.
Authors: Richard Slater (1854-1939) (verses), W.H. Clark (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 831
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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/
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Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
16Be cheerful no matter what; 17pray all the time; 18thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (1 Thessalonians 5. The Message )
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5. New International Version )
I am mindful that today is Remembrance Day. The 11th November each year being the time when we pause for a minute or two at the 11th hour and remember those who suffered during World War 1. There have been since and is still many wars and conflicts happening. People continue to be caught up in conflict.
Today we can thank God for our freedoms and our peace. We have so many things we can thank God for. As we thank God we can also pray for others who suffer because of war.
They are great words written by Paul to the Thessalonians. He gives a strong reminder of God’s will for us, that we be joyful, prayerful and thankful always.
I love the beautiful hymns “Praise my soul, the King of Heaven” and “Give to Jesus glory”. The music is good to listen to as music but the words open up new thoughts that I think of just now. Again the skill of the composers and the authors draw me close to God.
PRAYER:
Father, I praise you for the good things you bring into my life. I thank you for family, friends and all the blessings of each day. Today Father as I praise you for the circumstances of my life, I am mindful of the needs of others. I pray that you wil meet them just as you meet mine.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for those who defended us in wars of other days. I pray also for those who continue to suffer because of war. I pray that there might be peace in our time. Amen.
[Listen: Dean Goffin’s “Symphony of Thanksgiving” which combines the music of these two hymns: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2744.mp3
Listen: Huddersfield Choral Society :
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3]
Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 17
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
To save the world the Saviour came;
It was for this in mercy
He gave his life; the news proclaim
And give to Jesus glory.
Chorus
Give to Jesus glory,
Give to Jesus glory,
Proclaim redemption's wondrous plan
And give to Jesus glory.
What matchless grace, how rich, how free!
Our Saviour calls all to him;
A Saviour he to all would be;
O give to Jesus glory!
In every land where man is found,
Let us make known the story
Of love divine; its praises sound
And give to Jesus glory.
There pardon is for all who come
Their sins confessing truly;
Then pardon claim, O guilty one,
And give to Jesus glory.
Authors: Richard Slater (1854-1939) (verses), W.H. Clark (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 831
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, November 9, 2008
OzThoughts – Monday 10th November, 2008
OzThoughts – Monday 10th November, 2008
In our Worship meeting yesterday morning, we read a short selection of verses from Psalm 118. As we read verses 24 to 29, I quickly scanned the beginning of the Psalm. I thought how suitable these are for the week in which we remember the end of World War 1. The Psalmist speaks to me about spiritual battles that we face daily in our walk with God.
Psalm 118 (The Message)
Psalm 118
1-4 Thank GOD because he's good,
because his love never quits.
Tell the world, Israel,
"His love never quits."
And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,
"His love never quits."
And you who fear GOD, join in,
"His love never quits."
5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD;
from the wide open spaces, he answered.
GOD's now at my side and I'm not afraid;
who would dare lay a hand on me?
GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies.
Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in people;
Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in celebrities.
Hemmed in by barbarians,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Hemmed in and with no way out,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
when GOD grabbed and held me.
God's my strength, he's also my song,
and now he's my salvation.
Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
in the camp of the saved?
"The hand of GOD has turned the tide!
The hand of GOD is raised in victory!
The hand of GOD has turned the tide!"
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]
Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
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
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
In our Worship meeting yesterday morning, we read a short selection of verses from Psalm 118. As we read verses 24 to 29, I quickly scanned the beginning of the Psalm. I thought how suitable these are for the week in which we remember the end of World War 1. The Psalmist speaks to me about spiritual battles that we face daily in our walk with God.
Psalm 118 (The Message)
Psalm 118
1-4 Thank GOD because he's good,
because his love never quits.
Tell the world, Israel,
"His love never quits."
And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,
"His love never quits."
And you who fear GOD, join in,
"His love never quits."
5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called to GOD;
from the wide open spaces, he answered.
GOD's now at my side and I'm not afraid;
who would dare lay a hand on me?
GOD's my strong champion;
I flick off my enemies like flies.
Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in people;
Far better to take refuge in GOD
than trust in celebrities.
Hemmed in by barbarians,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Hemmed in and with no way out,
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
in GOD's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
when GOD grabbed and held me.
God's my strength, he's also my song,
and now he's my salvation.
Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
in the camp of the saved?
"The hand of GOD has turned the tide!
The hand of GOD is raised in victory!
The hand of GOD has turned the tide!"
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]
Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 8th and 9th November 2008
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 8th and 9th November 2008
Last Friday afternoon, as our plane landed at Mascot Airport in Sydney, I looked around to see if I could see Qantas newest plane the Airbus A380. It was only in the last month or so it has come into service. I could not see it, but across at the International Terminal, I did notice an A380 in the colours of Singapore Airlines. It was certainly much bigger than the Boeing 747 parked beside it, so it must have been an A380. It was almost exactly 3years ago that I saw an A380 at Brisbane Airport. Here is what I wrote at the time. (19th November,2005):
A380
On Tuesday afternoon last week, I was driving home from work when I heard the new Airbus A380 was at Brisbane Airport. Now, as I was working north of Brisbane, I had to go right past the airport to get to home. So I made a deviation from the main road and drove to the back of the airport when the Qantas maintenance hanger is.
There parked just inside the airport boundary fence was not only the A380 but in the hanger I could see the former Qantas 707B which had been parked outside the day before. Now the A380 for those who do not know is the world’s newest and biggest passenger jet and it is not due to come into service until next year.
At first it did not look so big. However, when I parked my car, and began to look at the people standing around it, it put it into perspective. I soon realised that while there was nothing between it and the boundary fence, it was probably more than 50 metres inside the fence.
Outside the fence were an assortment of adults and children. Some people had brought ladders or happened to have their work ladder on their truck. Some stood on the top of their 4WDs or work vans. Others had climbed nearby trees. Most people had a camera. One fellow stood on the top of his 4WD and camera with a huge telephoto lens mounted on a tripod. I noticed a few people were talking excitedly on their cell phones to friends and describing the plane.
At one stage the crowd started calling out “John , John, John and there walking in front of us and under the tail section of the plane was John Travolta. Yes, that John Travolta! The former Qantas 707B I mentioned earlier has the registration number N707JT is John’s private jet and is painted in the original delivery Qantas colours. John is an ambassador for Qantas.
The A380 is a fantastic creation. The people walking around on the ground below it place it into perspective. The tail soars way above them. The wingspan is 80 metres (262.5 feet). Each wing is just 100 feet (30.5 metres). Did you realize that the Wright Brother’s flight was not much more than the length of one wing? The Wright Brothers first flight was 120feet (36.5Metres).
Except that their wings were too wide ay 40 feet, the Wrights could have taken off and flown that first flight in the cabin of the airbus (length 73m (239ft 6in). Open the front window to let them land! It was only 102 years ago that the Wrights made that first pilot controlled heavier than air flight.
The Airbus A830 and John Travolta were in Brisbane to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Qantas which was formed at Longreach as The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. I was fortunate top grow up just a few miles from Brisbane Airport so I remember some stages of the growth of Qantas. I particularly remember the Super Constellation and how we stood and looked at its long and sleek silver body with its characteristic shape. It looked so modern and must be the ultimate in international transport. However, it did not seem too long before a BOAC (later British Airways) Comet flew over our school on its way to the airport.
However, as fantastic as the jet engined Comet might be, we soon learnt that Qantas would buy American Boeing 707 planes. Again, we eagerly watched the skies as this modern day transport arrived. However, it was only a few years and Qantas announced it would buy the new Boeing 747 planes. These were still the days when flying was something very special and something one dressed up for and the air hostesses or stewards treated one like royalty. Or so we pretended.
It is not that long ago that men and women stood and watched the birds and dreamt of flight. Today, some of us catch planes with no more thought than catching a bus to the city or a train home after a day’s work. Yet there is still something marvellous about a huge plane than can lift 55 passengers and take them safely and seeming little effort to the other side of the world.
I notice Qantas has ordered 10 Airbus A830s. Emirates airlines have ordered 48!
I wonder whether Isaiah had stood on the Mount of Olives and watched eagles soaring. He certainly was thinking of this wonderful spectacle when he wrote his wonderful God inspired promise:
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
31But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
(Isaiah 40: 30, 31. The Message).
Call on Jesus
I'm so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I'm hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who's afraid of the dark
But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call
Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You're not alone
If you're tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can't find the strength to carry on
Call Him in the mornin'
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin'
He'll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He'll be there
Author : Nicole C. Mullen
from "Talk About It"
For they that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings,
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint:
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint:
They shall run and not be weary;
Shall walk and not faint.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Chorus Number: 66
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Last Friday afternoon, as our plane landed at Mascot Airport in Sydney, I looked around to see if I could see Qantas newest plane the Airbus A380. It was only in the last month or so it has come into service. I could not see it, but across at the International Terminal, I did notice an A380 in the colours of Singapore Airlines. It was certainly much bigger than the Boeing 747 parked beside it, so it must have been an A380. It was almost exactly 3years ago that I saw an A380 at Brisbane Airport. Here is what I wrote at the time. (19th November,2005):
A380
On Tuesday afternoon last week, I was driving home from work when I heard the new Airbus A380 was at Brisbane Airport. Now, as I was working north of Brisbane, I had to go right past the airport to get to home. So I made a deviation from the main road and drove to the back of the airport when the Qantas maintenance hanger is.
There parked just inside the airport boundary fence was not only the A380 but in the hanger I could see the former Qantas 707B which had been parked outside the day before. Now the A380 for those who do not know is the world’s newest and biggest passenger jet and it is not due to come into service until next year.
At first it did not look so big. However, when I parked my car, and began to look at the people standing around it, it put it into perspective. I soon realised that while there was nothing between it and the boundary fence, it was probably more than 50 metres inside the fence.
Outside the fence were an assortment of adults and children. Some people had brought ladders or happened to have their work ladder on their truck. Some stood on the top of their 4WDs or work vans. Others had climbed nearby trees. Most people had a camera. One fellow stood on the top of his 4WD and camera with a huge telephoto lens mounted on a tripod. I noticed a few people were talking excitedly on their cell phones to friends and describing the plane.
At one stage the crowd started calling out “John , John, John and there walking in front of us and under the tail section of the plane was John Travolta. Yes, that John Travolta! The former Qantas 707B I mentioned earlier has the registration number N707JT is John’s private jet and is painted in the original delivery Qantas colours. John is an ambassador for Qantas.
The A380 is a fantastic creation. The people walking around on the ground below it place it into perspective. The tail soars way above them. The wingspan is 80 metres (262.5 feet). Each wing is just 100 feet (30.5 metres). Did you realize that the Wright Brother’s flight was not much more than the length of one wing? The Wright Brothers first flight was 120feet (36.5Metres).
Except that their wings were too wide ay 40 feet, the Wrights could have taken off and flown that first flight in the cabin of the airbus (length 73m (239ft 6in). Open the front window to let them land! It was only 102 years ago that the Wrights made that first pilot controlled heavier than air flight.
The Airbus A830 and John Travolta were in Brisbane to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Qantas which was formed at Longreach as The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. I was fortunate top grow up just a few miles from Brisbane Airport so I remember some stages of the growth of Qantas. I particularly remember the Super Constellation and how we stood and looked at its long and sleek silver body with its characteristic shape. It looked so modern and must be the ultimate in international transport. However, it did not seem too long before a BOAC (later British Airways) Comet flew over our school on its way to the airport.
However, as fantastic as the jet engined Comet might be, we soon learnt that Qantas would buy American Boeing 707 planes. Again, we eagerly watched the skies as this modern day transport arrived. However, it was only a few years and Qantas announced it would buy the new Boeing 747 planes. These were still the days when flying was something very special and something one dressed up for and the air hostesses or stewards treated one like royalty. Or so we pretended.
It is not that long ago that men and women stood and watched the birds and dreamt of flight. Today, some of us catch planes with no more thought than catching a bus to the city or a train home after a day’s work. Yet there is still something marvellous about a huge plane than can lift 55 passengers and take them safely and seeming little effort to the other side of the world.
I notice Qantas has ordered 10 Airbus A830s. Emirates airlines have ordered 48!
I wonder whether Isaiah had stood on the Mount of Olives and watched eagles soaring. He certainly was thinking of this wonderful spectacle when he wrote his wonderful God inspired promise:
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
31But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
(Isaiah 40: 30, 31. The Message).
Call on Jesus
I'm so very ordinary
Nothing special on my own
I have never walked on water
I have never calmed a storm
Sometimes I'm hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who's afraid of the dark
But when I call on Jesus
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles and soar
When I call on Jesus
Mountains are gonna fall
'Cause He'll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call
Weary brother
Broken daughter
Widowed, widowed lover
You're not alone
If you're tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can't find the strength to carry on
Call Him in the mornin'
In the afternoon time
Late in the evenin'
He'll be there
When your heart is broken
And you feel discouraged
You can just remember that He said
He'll be there
Author : Nicole C. Mullen
from "Talk About It"
For they that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings,
They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint:
They shall run and not be weary;
They shall walk and not faint:
They shall run and not be weary;
Shall walk and not faint.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Chorus Number: 66
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/
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Thursday, November 6, 2008
OzThoughts – Friday 7th November, 2008
OzThoughts – Friday 7th November, 2008
Last Friday, I was in Sydney and stopped to take a photograph of Liverpool Citadel. I remembered one occasion when the friendliness of this Corps was demonstrated to others.
The Corps became aware one of it most faithful members was to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary on a coming Sunday. For much of this time, this lady had attended the corps which she came to when she and her husband settled in Australia as immigrants from England. Although she was not as well as she had been, she was still one of the most faithful and active people in the Corps. Her husband was also a very faithful Christian attending his Catholic Church on Sunday and at least one day during the week, and on special days for worship and the Mass.
The Church decided that a special morning tea before the Sunday worship was appropriate to mark this milestone as no other celebration had been planned by the couple. It was a lovely informal occasion when we congratulated this couple on their many happy years together.
When I spoke to the wife privately afterwards she told me her husband was absolutely delighted and completely overwhelmed. She said her husband could not understand why his wife’s church would want to do this. She also said she doubted whether her husband knew more than a handful of people at his church although he has attended several times a week for more than 20 years. He was amazed again at the friendliness of our people.
This special occasion was an outcome, I believe, of the real community that the Church is. The Christian community is more than just a collection of saved people sitting in the same building on Sunday morning. It is more than blending our voices in hymns and spiritual songs. It is more than a quick ritualistic handshake.
The outcome of the coming of the Holy Spirit was that the 120 became a community of more than 3,000. The story of the coming of the Holy Spirit is the beginning of a new phase of community as they shared together. On this day the community we call the church was born.
The Christian community is one for responding to and sharing the love of God. It is the sharing of that love with each other as we worship, fellowship and serve. It is community through love adopting and adapting our Spirit given gifts in meeting the daily demands of God’s will. God chooses to use us in community. He brings us to a community. He directs how that community should serve him in living in the society where he has placed it. The Christian community is the body of Christ. Christ is its head.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the church community where you have placed me. I thank you for each friend I interact with there. I pray that the community might grow in its love for you and its care for each other and those who you bring into community with us. Help me to be faithful to your will, today. Amen
MEDITATION:
A New Commandment
A new commandment I give unto you,
That you love one another as I have loved you,
That you love one another as I have loved you.
By this shall all men know that you are My disciples,
if you have love one for another.
By this shall all men know that you are My disciples,
if you have love one for another.
- John 13:34-35
Bind us together, Lord,
bind us together with cords
that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
bind us together,
bind us together with love.
There is only one God.
There is only one King.
There is only one Body.
That is why we sing:
Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by his precious Son,
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.
You are the family of God,
You are the promise divine,
You are God's chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
38Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away--whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
41That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.
42They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43Everyone around was in awe--all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!
44And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful,
47as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (Acts 2 The Message)
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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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/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Last Friday, I was in Sydney and stopped to take a photograph of Liverpool Citadel. I remembered one occasion when the friendliness of this Corps was demonstrated to others.
The Corps became aware one of it most faithful members was to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary on a coming Sunday. For much of this time, this lady had attended the corps which she came to when she and her husband settled in Australia as immigrants from England. Although she was not as well as she had been, she was still one of the most faithful and active people in the Corps. Her husband was also a very faithful Christian attending his Catholic Church on Sunday and at least one day during the week, and on special days for worship and the Mass.
The Church decided that a special morning tea before the Sunday worship was appropriate to mark this milestone as no other celebration had been planned by the couple. It was a lovely informal occasion when we congratulated this couple on their many happy years together.
When I spoke to the wife privately afterwards she told me her husband was absolutely delighted and completely overwhelmed. She said her husband could not understand why his wife’s church would want to do this. She also said she doubted whether her husband knew more than a handful of people at his church although he has attended several times a week for more than 20 years. He was amazed again at the friendliness of our people.
This special occasion was an outcome, I believe, of the real community that the Church is. The Christian community is more than just a collection of saved people sitting in the same building on Sunday morning. It is more than blending our voices in hymns and spiritual songs. It is more than a quick ritualistic handshake.
The outcome of the coming of the Holy Spirit was that the 120 became a community of more than 3,000. The story of the coming of the Holy Spirit is the beginning of a new phase of community as they shared together. On this day the community we call the church was born.
The Christian community is one for responding to and sharing the love of God. It is the sharing of that love with each other as we worship, fellowship and serve. It is community through love adopting and adapting our Spirit given gifts in meeting the daily demands of God’s will. God chooses to use us in community. He brings us to a community. He directs how that community should serve him in living in the society where he has placed it. The Christian community is the body of Christ. Christ is its head.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the church community where you have placed me. I thank you for each friend I interact with there. I pray that the community might grow in its love for you and its care for each other and those who you bring into community with us. Help me to be faithful to your will, today. Amen
MEDITATION:
A New Commandment
A new commandment I give unto you,
That you love one another as I have loved you,
That you love one another as I have loved you.
By this shall all men know that you are My disciples,
if you have love one for another.
By this shall all men know that you are My disciples,
if you have love one for another.
- John 13:34-35
Bind us together, Lord,
bind us together with cords
that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
bind us together,
bind us together with love.
There is only one God.
There is only one King.
There is only one Body.
That is why we sing:
Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by his precious Son,
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.
You are the family of God,
You are the promise divine,
You are God's chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
38Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away--whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
41That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.
42They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43Everyone around was in awe--all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!
44And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. 45They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful,
47as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (Acts 2 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
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
OzThoughts – Thursday 6th November 2008
OzThoughts – Thursday 6th November 2008
Shortly after I awoke this morning, I heard one man say on radio “The election is over. Let’s forget it, stop talking about it and get on with things”. If only life was that simple. Many of us have prayed for this election, that God’s will be done. We must continue to pray for President Elect Barack Obama in these days of transition, that God will guide him in the big decisions he has to make.
I have listened in these past hours to many African Americans say they did not think they would see a black man elected as President. Many have people have referred to Martin Luther King’s speech. I heard one man say it was “only half a life time ago”. He expressed that he had never dared to dream that this was possible in his lifetime.
Way back in the first book of the Bible, long before Jesus lived there was a young man named Joseph. We mostly remember him as the fellow with the colourful coat.
Anyway Joseph’s brothers hated him so much they sold him as a slave to be taken to Egypt. Many years later Joseph is Prime Minister of Egypt and his brothers come seeking help. Eventually, Joseph reveals he knows them and he is their brother. He forgives them immediately. His faith shows through as he says:
“Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people”. (Genesis 50:20 The Message)
Years later, the Disciple Peter, faces a huge crowd and reminds them of the death and resurrection of Jesus. You people killed Jesus he says but you had no idea what you were doing. You did not know it was God’s plan…
"And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders.
18But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans.
19"Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you,
20and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus”. (Acts 3: 17 – 20 The Message)
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, sometimes there is so much going on it seems confusing. Help me to sort out my priorities and do the things you want me to do. Bless the people of the United States who have elected their new leader. Please be with that new leader as he makes the decisions about his team and the courses of action he will take. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4443.mp3 ]
From the heart of Jesus flowing,
Cometh Heaven's peace to me,
Ever deeper, richer growing,
Through the cross of Calvary.
Passing mortal understanding,
Yet to seeking ones made known,
And, for all the race expanding,
Gift of God unto his own.
To the heart where strife was reigning,
Jesus spake, dissension ceased;
From the bonds, so long enchaining,
I was instantly released.
Pardon for all past transgression,
Grace for every time of need;
With such treasure in possession,
Happy is my lot indeed.
Undisturbed, throughout the ages,
Heaven's peace is in God's will,
Present though the conflict rages,
Blessing me through good or ill.
Jesus, source of calm unfailing,
With his peace my heart has filled,
He abides, o'er all prevailing,
And, in him, life's storms are stilled.
Charles Coller (1863-1935)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 539
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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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/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Shortly after I awoke this morning, I heard one man say on radio “The election is over. Let’s forget it, stop talking about it and get on with things”. If only life was that simple. Many of us have prayed for this election, that God’s will be done. We must continue to pray for President Elect Barack Obama in these days of transition, that God will guide him in the big decisions he has to make.
I have listened in these past hours to many African Americans say they did not think they would see a black man elected as President. Many have people have referred to Martin Luther King’s speech. I heard one man say it was “only half a life time ago”. He expressed that he had never dared to dream that this was possible in his lifetime.
Way back in the first book of the Bible, long before Jesus lived there was a young man named Joseph. We mostly remember him as the fellow with the colourful coat.
Anyway Joseph’s brothers hated him so much they sold him as a slave to be taken to Egypt. Many years later Joseph is Prime Minister of Egypt and his brothers come seeking help. Eventually, Joseph reveals he knows them and he is their brother. He forgives them immediately. His faith shows through as he says:
“Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people”. (Genesis 50:20 The Message)
Years later, the Disciple Peter, faces a huge crowd and reminds them of the death and resurrection of Jesus. You people killed Jesus he says but you had no idea what you were doing. You did not know it was God’s plan…
"And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders.
18But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans.
19"Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you,
20and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus”. (Acts 3: 17 – 20 The Message)
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, sometimes there is so much going on it seems confusing. Help me to sort out my priorities and do the things you want me to do. Bless the people of the United States who have elected their new leader. Please be with that new leader as he makes the decisions about his team and the courses of action he will take. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4443.mp3 ]
From the heart of Jesus flowing,
Cometh Heaven's peace to me,
Ever deeper, richer growing,
Through the cross of Calvary.
Passing mortal understanding,
Yet to seeking ones made known,
And, for all the race expanding,
Gift of God unto his own.
To the heart where strife was reigning,
Jesus spake, dissension ceased;
From the bonds, so long enchaining,
I was instantly released.
Pardon for all past transgression,
Grace for every time of need;
With such treasure in possession,
Happy is my lot indeed.
Undisturbed, throughout the ages,
Heaven's peace is in God's will,
Present though the conflict rages,
Blessing me through good or ill.
Jesus, source of calm unfailing,
With his peace my heart has filled,
He abides, o'er all prevailing,
And, in him, life's storms are stilled.
Charles Coller (1863-1935)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 539
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