OzThoughts Monday 1st January 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
If Christmas is the season of joy and excitement then what of the New Year? How would you describe its meaning for you?
(Although our attention to New Year swamps it, we are still in the Twelve Days of Christmas and Orthodox Christians are still looking forward to their Christmas which comes at the end of our Twelve Days).
It is certainly a time for looking back over a year past. In all that has happened there is a hymn that comes readily to my mind:
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3469.mp3 ]
Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Hath blessed on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
(SA Song Book Song Number 12)
It is a time of thanksgiving and also time for looking forward with prayerful expectation to a year when we can seize the God given opportunities. I remember that Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem is indeed “Mighty God”. I think of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he says:
16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you--every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks.
17 But I do more than thank. I ask--ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory--to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,
18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians,
19 oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him--endless energy, boundless strength!
20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.
22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.
23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Ephesians 1: The Message).
Yes the mighty God we serve is there for us in this year.
PRAYER:
[Listen: Band and Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_766.mp3 ]
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and him who reigns
With them in highest Heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:12
Author: Martin Rinkart (1588-1649)
Translated by : Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 31st December 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 31st December 2009
[ A Happy New Year to all readers of OzThoughts. My prayer is that this year will be a year of rich blessings for you and your loved ones.
Welcome to new members of OzThoughts Internet Ministry Group. Our prayer is that you will find OzThoughts helpful in your daily Christian walk.
Thank you , too, to members who invite friends to join or share it with them, by email, by printed page , on websites and email groups, or in your own ministry. ]
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
This week we are thinking about Jesus, the Wonderful Counsellor and some of the messages he shared about how e should live.
Jesus was not a counsellor with personal standards which he purposely kept hidden to have people try to work out their own acceptable standards. Jesus does not operate as a “non –directive” counsellor. He knew that his Heavenly Father has set a code of acceptable behaviour long ago and people should live their life according to that. His counsel was in giving clearer understanding of what God’s standards are.
Again as Jesus spoke to his disciples on the mountainside he gave clear advice. His advice shows clearly God’s standards have not and do not change.
17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.
18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.
19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.
20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, "Do not murder.'
22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother "idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell "stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,
24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.
26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.
27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: "Don't go to bed with another's spouse.'
28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt.
29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile.
30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. (Matthew 5 The Message).
PRAYER AND MEDITATION:
[Listen: Tune: Belmont (also used yesterday): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Crimond: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3322.mp3 ]
I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or fond desire,
To catch the wandering of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.
O may the least omission pain
My well-instructed soul,
And drive me to the blood again
Which makes the wounded whole.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 425
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
[ A Happy New Year to all readers of OzThoughts. My prayer is that this year will be a year of rich blessings for you and your loved ones.
Welcome to new members of OzThoughts Internet Ministry Group. Our prayer is that you will find OzThoughts helpful in your daily Christian walk.
Thank you , too, to members who invite friends to join or share it with them, by email, by printed page , on websites and email groups, or in your own ministry. ]
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
This week we are thinking about Jesus, the Wonderful Counsellor and some of the messages he shared about how e should live.
Jesus was not a counsellor with personal standards which he purposely kept hidden to have people try to work out their own acceptable standards. Jesus does not operate as a “non –directive” counsellor. He knew that his Heavenly Father has set a code of acceptable behaviour long ago and people should live their life according to that. His counsel was in giving clearer understanding of what God’s standards are.
Again as Jesus spoke to his disciples on the mountainside he gave clear advice. His advice shows clearly God’s standards have not and do not change.
17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.
18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.
19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.
20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, "Do not murder.'
22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother "idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell "stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,
24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.
26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.
27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: "Don't go to bed with another's spouse.'
28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt.
29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile.
30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. (Matthew 5 The Message).
PRAYER AND MEDITATION:
[Listen: Tune: Belmont (also used yesterday): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Crimond: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3322.mp3 ]
I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or fond desire,
To catch the wandering of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.
O may the least omission pain
My well-instructed soul,
And drive me to the blood again
Which makes the wounded whole.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 425
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 30th December 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 30th December 2009
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
Yesterday, we thought about some characteristics that Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor commended when he sat on a mountainside and spoke to his Disciples.
One of the situations that we confront in life is our possessions and our needs for daily living. Years ago when I did some work for a marriage guidance council, I found that often, the couples lifestyle expectations and what they considered necessary and essential expenditure was a major cause of conflict. Their desires far exceeded their income.
Jesus on the mountainside has a lot to say about possessions and lifestyle expectations.
19 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars.
20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.
21 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.
23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
25 If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27 "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?
28 All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,
29 but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
31 What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
32 People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6. The Message).
PRAYER AND MEDITATION:
[Listen: Tune: Belmont: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Tune: Fewster: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_962.mp3 ]
There is a holy hill of God,
Its heights by faith I see;
Now to ascend my soul aspires,
To leave earth's vanity.
Chorus
Lord, cleanse my hands, and cleanse my heart,
All selfish aims I flee,
My faith reward, thy love impart,
And let me dwell with thee.
Though great the world's attractions be,
I pass contented by;
Gladly I sacrifice their charms
For those enjoyed on high.
I seek the blessing from the Lord
That humble saints receive,
And righteousness, his own reward
To all who dare believe.
O let me now thy hill ascend,
Made worthy by thy grace,
There in thy strength to stand and serve
Within the holy place!
Authors: William Drake Pennick (1884-1944)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 461
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
Yesterday, we thought about some characteristics that Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor commended when he sat on a mountainside and spoke to his Disciples.
One of the situations that we confront in life is our possessions and our needs for daily living. Years ago when I did some work for a marriage guidance council, I found that often, the couples lifestyle expectations and what they considered necessary and essential expenditure was a major cause of conflict. Their desires far exceeded their income.
Jesus on the mountainside has a lot to say about possessions and lifestyle expectations.
19 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars.
20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.
21 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.
23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
25 If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27 "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?
28 All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,
29 but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
31 What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
32 People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6. The Message).
PRAYER AND MEDITATION:
[Listen: Tune: Belmont: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Tune: Fewster: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_962.mp3 ]
There is a holy hill of God,
Its heights by faith I see;
Now to ascend my soul aspires,
To leave earth's vanity.
Chorus
Lord, cleanse my hands, and cleanse my heart,
All selfish aims I flee,
My faith reward, thy love impart,
And let me dwell with thee.
Though great the world's attractions be,
I pass contented by;
Gladly I sacrifice their charms
For those enjoyed on high.
I seek the blessing from the Lord
That humble saints receive,
And righteousness, his own reward
To all who dare believe.
O let me now thy hill ascend,
Made worthy by thy grace,
There in thy strength to stand and serve
Within the holy place!
Authors: William Drake Pennick (1884-1944)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 461
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, December 28, 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 29th December 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 29th December 2009
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
Isaiah predicts one of the names of Jesus will be “Wonderful Counsellor”. I have met some people who think they are mighty and wonderful counselors. They attack every problem with an open mouth and seem to love people depending on them for advice.
I am sure Jesus was not like that. He did have some understanding he wished to share and what he gave was good counsel. However, he would have listened carefully to people to understand them. He did not quickly treat them as the stereotypes that were popular at the time.
As he sat on a mountainside talking to his disciples, he showed them patterns for living that could be considered successful lifestyles:
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11 "Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
12 You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Matthew 5 (The Message)
PRAYER;
Heavenly Father, help me to listen to the words of Jesus. I pray that my life will be blessed because I live as he would have me live. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3524.mp3 ]
There's no other name but this name,
And no other name will do.
There's no other name but Jesus
For folk like me and you.
For no other name brings pardon
And sets everybody free,
There's no other name but Jesus
For you and me.
Say, is there a name to live by?
Is there a name for joy?
Is there a name to change men,
Their hate and greed destroy?
Have we a name for healing?
Have we a name for peace?
Have we a name for freedom,
Deliverance and release?
Say, is there a name for meaning?
Is there a name for might?
Is there a name for mercy,
A name for life and light?
Have we a name for laughter?
Have we a name for grace?
Have we a name for glory
Transcending time and space?
Say, is there a name for pardon?
Is there a name for power?
Is there a name to guide us
Each day and every hour?
Have we a name for cleansing?
Have we a name for care?
Have we a name for all men
For always, everywhere?
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 71
Author: John Gowans
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
Isaiah predicts one of the names of Jesus will be “Wonderful Counsellor”. I have met some people who think they are mighty and wonderful counselors. They attack every problem with an open mouth and seem to love people depending on them for advice.
I am sure Jesus was not like that. He did have some understanding he wished to share and what he gave was good counsel. However, he would have listened carefully to people to understand them. He did not quickly treat them as the stereotypes that were popular at the time.
As he sat on a mountainside talking to his disciples, he showed them patterns for living that could be considered successful lifestyles:
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11 "Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
12 You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Matthew 5 (The Message)
PRAYER;
Heavenly Father, help me to listen to the words of Jesus. I pray that my life will be blessed because I live as he would have me live. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3524.mp3 ]
There's no other name but this name,
And no other name will do.
There's no other name but Jesus
For folk like me and you.
For no other name brings pardon
And sets everybody free,
There's no other name but Jesus
For you and me.
Say, is there a name to live by?
Is there a name for joy?
Is there a name to change men,
Their hate and greed destroy?
Have we a name for healing?
Have we a name for peace?
Have we a name for freedom,
Deliverance and release?
Say, is there a name for meaning?
Is there a name for might?
Is there a name for mercy,
A name for life and light?
Have we a name for laughter?
Have we a name for grace?
Have we a name for glory
Transcending time and space?
Say, is there a name for pardon?
Is there a name for power?
Is there a name to guide us
Each day and every hour?
Have we a name for cleansing?
Have we a name for care?
Have we a name for all men
For always, everywhere?
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 71
Author: John Gowans
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, December 27, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009
OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day and then a weekend but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues. If, as some suggest, “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If, we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen some years ago told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we will not eat so much next Christmas, and in all this, the love of the God of Christmas continues.
Even, on the first Christmas, people reacted differently.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: Band: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/Chicago%20Staff%20Band%20-%20Wonderful%20Story%20Of%20Love%20&%20Trust%20and%20Obey%20-%201953.mp3 (One verse of “Wonderful Story of Love” then “Trust and Obey”) ]
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word.
What a glory he sheds on our way;
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still.
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But his smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of his love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
And the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at this feet,
Or we'll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 397
Author: John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day and then a weekend but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues. If, as some suggest, “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If, we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen some years ago told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we will not eat so much next Christmas, and in all this, the love of the God of Christmas continues.
Even, on the first Christmas, people reacted differently.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: Band: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/Chicago%20Staff%20Band%20-%20Wonderful%20Story%20Of%20Love%20&%20Trust%20and%20Obey%20-%201953.mp3 (One verse of “Wonderful Story of Love” then “Trust and Obey”) ]
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word.
What a glory he sheds on our way;
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still.
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But his smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of his love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
And the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at this feet,
Or we'll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 397
Author: John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009
OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day and then a weekend but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues. If, as some suggest, “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If, we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen some years ago told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we will not eat so much next Christmas, and in all this, the love of the God of Christmas continues.
Even, on the first Christmas, people reacted differently.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: Band: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/Chicago%20Staff%20Band%20-%20Wonderful%20Story%20Of%20Love%20&%20Trust%20and%20Obey%20-%201953.mp3 (One verse of “Wonderful Story of Love” then “Trust and Obey”) ]
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word.
What a glory he sheds on our way;
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still.
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But his smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of his love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
And the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at this feet,
Or we'll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 397
Author: John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day and then a weekend but Christmas continues.
I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.
Christmas continues. If, as some suggest, “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If, we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen some years ago told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.
Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we will not eat so much next Christmas, and in all this, the love of the God of Christmas continues.
Even, on the first Christmas, people reacted differently.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.
MEDITATION:
[Listen: Band: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/Chicago%20Staff%20Band%20-%20Wonderful%20Story%20Of%20Love%20&%20Trust%20and%20Obey%20-%201953.mp3 (One verse of “Wonderful Story of Love” then “Trust and Obey”) ]
Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!
Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!
Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word.
What a glory he sheds on our way;
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still.
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But his smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of his love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
And the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at this feet,
Or we'll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 397
Author: John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Saturday, December 26, 2009
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th December 2009
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th December 2009
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1-5 Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6 He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7-12 Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.
13-14 Let them praise the name of GOD—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2
Authors: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)
[Listen: Band and Festival Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3
or
Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_204.mp3 ]
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:
Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:
3.
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:
4.
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:
5.
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Psalm 138 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
4-6 When they hear what you have to say, GOD,
all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
They'll sing of what you've done:
"How great the glory of GOD!"
And here's why: GOD, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, GOD.
Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 33
Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960)
[Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_048.WMV
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Chorus
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
2.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
The General's Christmas Message 2009
All My Heart Rejoices
WHAT a night! The night our Saviour was born! A night to rejoice with all our hearts!
Sweet angel voices, sounding far and near, announced his birth: Christ is born! It was as though the entire sky announced this matchless message. Joy filled the air. Joy-bells still ring to hail his coming.
If we listen carefully, our ear attuned, we can still hear the holy baby’s first cry from the manger in Bethlehem. It is as though from birth he has been calling us, entreating, pleading with us to flee from the snares and dangers that await our souls. ‘Come to me,’ he says. ‘Leave all that grieves and burdens you. I can offer freedom. I can give you all you need.’
So let us accept his divine invitation, you and I together. Let us do so without delay. He invites us all. He calls to the lowly and the great alike. We cannot impress him with our education or our income, so whoever we are we approach him together with awe and wonder as equals. He invites us to commit ourselves to him. He wants us to return the love he offers us all. The Christmas star, high and bright in the sky, is a hope-filled sign of divine love.
Coming to the newborn Christ-child is a signal that we have come to our senses. We come to him, deciding to live in obedience to him, and finding our hope of Heaven in him. He offers us the matchless prospect of living with him for ever. Who else promises matchless joy both now and in all eternity?
For all these reasons my heart rejoices. Christ is born!
By General Shaw Clifton
with acknowledgements to Paulus Gerhardt (1607-76)
and 'The Song Book of The Salvation Army', No 73
[http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/1688A7C25D2C21EC8025768200014020?openDocument]
Meditation: The Wonder of Christmas: (Selection of Christmas music)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7072.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
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Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1-5 Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6 He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7-12 Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.
13-14 Let them praise the name of GOD—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2
Authors: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)
[Listen: Band and Festival Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3
or
Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_204.mp3 ]
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:
Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:
3.
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:
4.
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:
5.
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Psalm 138 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
4-6 When they hear what you have to say, GOD,
all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
They'll sing of what you've done:
"How great the glory of GOD!"
And here's why: GOD, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, GOD.
Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 33
Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960)
[Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_048.WMV
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Chorus
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.
2.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
The General's Christmas Message 2009
All My Heart Rejoices
WHAT a night! The night our Saviour was born! A night to rejoice with all our hearts!
Sweet angel voices, sounding far and near, announced his birth: Christ is born! It was as though the entire sky announced this matchless message. Joy filled the air. Joy-bells still ring to hail his coming.
If we listen carefully, our ear attuned, we can still hear the holy baby’s first cry from the manger in Bethlehem. It is as though from birth he has been calling us, entreating, pleading with us to flee from the snares and dangers that await our souls. ‘Come to me,’ he says. ‘Leave all that grieves and burdens you. I can offer freedom. I can give you all you need.’
So let us accept his divine invitation, you and I together. Let us do so without delay. He invites us all. He calls to the lowly and the great alike. We cannot impress him with our education or our income, so whoever we are we approach him together with awe and wonder as equals. He invites us to commit ourselves to him. He wants us to return the love he offers us all. The Christmas star, high and bright in the sky, is a hope-filled sign of divine love.
Coming to the newborn Christ-child is a signal that we have come to our senses. We come to him, deciding to live in obedience to him, and finding our hope of Heaven in him. He offers us the matchless prospect of living with him for ever. Who else promises matchless joy both now and in all eternity?
For all these reasons my heart rejoices. Christ is born!
By General Shaw Clifton
with acknowledgements to Paulus Gerhardt (1607-76)
and 'The Song Book of The Salvation Army', No 73
[http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/1688A7C25D2C21EC8025768200014020?openDocument]
Meditation: The Wonder of Christmas: (Selection of Christmas music)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7072.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Friday, December 25, 2009
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 26th & 27th December, 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 26th & 27th December, 2009.
See and do
The other afternoon on radio, people were telephoning the host and suggesting what they would be doing Christmas Day and in the holidays that followed it. Of course , it was dominated by family gatherings and talk of traditional and novel foods to prepare and celebrate.
One man said if you want a good laugh to go to any boat ramp on Christmas Day afternoon or Boxing Day and watch people launch their new toys they got for Christmas. He said you will laugh your head off as they try to reverse down the ramp, and remember they haven’t put in the drainage hole bung (screwed plug) or try to start their motor, maybe for the first time.
I remembered that a few years ago I had witnessed such scenes at a boat ramp. Just a few days before Christmas, my little Swiss Mate and I went fishing. It was not the most successful day’s fishing. We came home with one fish!It was our last fishing trip before she was to fly to Switzerland to be home for a “proper cold Christmas” with her family rather than the very hot Australian Christmas. When we got back to the boat ramp we found it was quite busy with people coming and going. We had to wait our turn to load our boat onto our trailer.
There were obviously some Christmas presents a day or four early. There was one bloke (guy) with a magnificent 5 metre (17ft) boat on a trailer and he was towing it with a brand new Holden Monaro (in USA its called a Pontiac GTO). He was taking photos of the combination. Then there was the other bloke with a four wheel drive (SUV) towing a trailer with a brand new Sea-Doo (personal recreational boat – like a motorbike for the water). We had to wait while he reversed the trailer down the ramp to unload the Sea-Doo.
The bloke demonstrated very quickly that he did not have a clue on how to reverse a trailer. In fact he managed to get his 4WD onto the ramp with a bit of good luck. When the trailer started to head for the side, he decided another approach was necessary. He decided to unhook the trailer and take it down the ramp by hand. All went well until he unhooked it and the jockey wheel on the tow bar of the trailer was in place. It was about then he realised that the only brakes the trailer had was him. He almost ran down the ramp trying to hold the trailer from getting faster. Two things helped him. The ramp is not very long and the water had a natural braking effect when the wheels entered it. So he managed to hold the trailer at just about the right place in the water.
Now he had to get the Sea-Doo off the trailer and then return the trailer to his vehicle and clear the ramp. It was about this time that I decided it may be quicker to help him immediately instead of just enjoying the comedy show. (I should say here that as a small boat fisherman I don’t like Sea-Doos and similar noisy things that disrupt quiet time fishing). I got down there just in time to show him that it was probably safer to use the handle for the ratchet on the winch than to pull it back with his fingers. He commenced to wind the handle of the winch but the Sea-Doo did not move. He then unhooked it from the winch strap and gave it a great push. Same result.
I suggested to him there may be a strap at the back which held it to the trailer, as by now the back should have been floating. He went to the back and unhooked the strap and immediately it popped up to float on the surface. He came back to the front and gave a great push. The tightening chain at the front indicated something. It took him a little while to realise that the Sea-Doo was still attached to the trailer by a strong chain. It took him a little longer to undo the chain. The Sea-Doo was immediately free and he was able to beach it next to the ramp. He then returned the trailer to the vehicle and I rushed to my car to get my turn on the ramp. I decided it was best not to take an opportunity to watch someone on a Sea-Doo for the first time without an instructor.
I thought of two things.
The first was “When all else fails read the instructions”
The second was the verse from the King James Version of the Bible where Paul says to his spiritual son, Timothy “ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
This can be applied to Christmas. What is the meaning of Christmas? We can often think about Christmas with a mix of Bible knowledge, traditional stories and legends and more modern inventions and interpretations of the events and season.
It is a lovely exercise at this time of the year to turn to the first chapters of the Gospel in the New Testaments. Here we find Matthew, and Luke, each relate some of the events we associate with the birth of Christ. John’s Gospel talks about the reason Jesus came and His eternal existence and its benefit to us. They are all well worth reading and thinking about.
You want to know about the real Christmas ? Read the instructions and events in the Bible. (Various Bible versions can be accessed on the search window drop down menu at : http://www.biblegateway.com).
[Listen: Songsters (78 rpm) : http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF305%20-%20Vocal%20-%20Tell%20Me%20The%20Story%20of%20Jesus.mp3 ]
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
Sang, as they welcomed his birth:
Glory to God in the highest,
Peace and good tidings to earth!
Chorus
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that he passed;
How he was tried and was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of his labors,
Tell of the sorrows he bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
Tell of the cross where they nailed him,
Mocking his anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid him;
Tell how he liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Glory for ever to Jesus,
He paid the ransom for me.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
The Salvation Army Song Book : Song Number: 99
[Listen: Congregation and Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_077.mp3]
Tell me the old, old story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and wary,
And helpless and defiled.
Chorus
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning
Has passed away at noon.
Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember! I'm the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be
In any time of trouble
A comforter to me.
Tell me the same old story
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory
Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
Christ Jesus makes thee whole.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 98
Author: Arabella Catherine Hankey (1834-1911)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
See and do
The other afternoon on radio, people were telephoning the host and suggesting what they would be doing Christmas Day and in the holidays that followed it. Of course , it was dominated by family gatherings and talk of traditional and novel foods to prepare and celebrate.
One man said if you want a good laugh to go to any boat ramp on Christmas Day afternoon or Boxing Day and watch people launch their new toys they got for Christmas. He said you will laugh your head off as they try to reverse down the ramp, and remember they haven’t put in the drainage hole bung (screwed plug) or try to start their motor, maybe for the first time.
I remembered that a few years ago I had witnessed such scenes at a boat ramp. Just a few days before Christmas, my little Swiss Mate and I went fishing. It was not the most successful day’s fishing. We came home with one fish!It was our last fishing trip before she was to fly to Switzerland to be home for a “proper cold Christmas” with her family rather than the very hot Australian Christmas. When we got back to the boat ramp we found it was quite busy with people coming and going. We had to wait our turn to load our boat onto our trailer.
There were obviously some Christmas presents a day or four early. There was one bloke (guy) with a magnificent 5 metre (17ft) boat on a trailer and he was towing it with a brand new Holden Monaro (in USA its called a Pontiac GTO). He was taking photos of the combination. Then there was the other bloke with a four wheel drive (SUV) towing a trailer with a brand new Sea-Doo (personal recreational boat – like a motorbike for the water). We had to wait while he reversed the trailer down the ramp to unload the Sea-Doo.
The bloke demonstrated very quickly that he did not have a clue on how to reverse a trailer. In fact he managed to get his 4WD onto the ramp with a bit of good luck. When the trailer started to head for the side, he decided another approach was necessary. He decided to unhook the trailer and take it down the ramp by hand. All went well until he unhooked it and the jockey wheel on the tow bar of the trailer was in place. It was about then he realised that the only brakes the trailer had was him. He almost ran down the ramp trying to hold the trailer from getting faster. Two things helped him. The ramp is not very long and the water had a natural braking effect when the wheels entered it. So he managed to hold the trailer at just about the right place in the water.
Now he had to get the Sea-Doo off the trailer and then return the trailer to his vehicle and clear the ramp. It was about this time that I decided it may be quicker to help him immediately instead of just enjoying the comedy show. (I should say here that as a small boat fisherman I don’t like Sea-Doos and similar noisy things that disrupt quiet time fishing). I got down there just in time to show him that it was probably safer to use the handle for the ratchet on the winch than to pull it back with his fingers. He commenced to wind the handle of the winch but the Sea-Doo did not move. He then unhooked it from the winch strap and gave it a great push. Same result.
I suggested to him there may be a strap at the back which held it to the trailer, as by now the back should have been floating. He went to the back and unhooked the strap and immediately it popped up to float on the surface. He came back to the front and gave a great push. The tightening chain at the front indicated something. It took him a little while to realise that the Sea-Doo was still attached to the trailer by a strong chain. It took him a little longer to undo the chain. The Sea-Doo was immediately free and he was able to beach it next to the ramp. He then returned the trailer to the vehicle and I rushed to my car to get my turn on the ramp. I decided it was best not to take an opportunity to watch someone on a Sea-Doo for the first time without an instructor.
I thought of two things.
The first was “When all else fails read the instructions”
The second was the verse from the King James Version of the Bible where Paul says to his spiritual son, Timothy “ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
This can be applied to Christmas. What is the meaning of Christmas? We can often think about Christmas with a mix of Bible knowledge, traditional stories and legends and more modern inventions and interpretations of the events and season.
It is a lovely exercise at this time of the year to turn to the first chapters of the Gospel in the New Testaments. Here we find Matthew, and Luke, each relate some of the events we associate with the birth of Christ. John’s Gospel talks about the reason Jesus came and His eternal existence and its benefit to us. They are all well worth reading and thinking about.
You want to know about the real Christmas ? Read the instructions and events in the Bible. (Various Bible versions can be accessed on the search window drop down menu at : http://www.biblegateway.com).
[Listen: Songsters (78 rpm) : http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF305%20-%20Vocal%20-%20Tell%20Me%20The%20Story%20of%20Jesus.mp3 ]
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
Sang, as they welcomed his birth:
Glory to God in the highest,
Peace and good tidings to earth!
Chorus
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that he passed;
How he was tried and was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of his labors,
Tell of the sorrows he bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.
Tell of the cross where they nailed him,
Mocking his anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid him;
Tell how he liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Glory for ever to Jesus,
He paid the ransom for me.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
The Salvation Army Song Book : Song Number: 99
[Listen: Congregation and Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_077.mp3]
Tell me the old, old story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and wary,
And helpless and defiled.
Chorus
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning
Has passed away at noon.
Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember! I'm the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be
In any time of trouble
A comforter to me.
Tell me the same old story
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory
Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
Christ Jesus makes thee whole.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 98
Author: Arabella Catherine Hankey (1834-1911)
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, December 24, 2009
OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2009.
OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2009.
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
OzThoughts Internet Ministry
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3359.mp3 ]
All our hearts rejoice this morning,
On this happy Christmas day;
Praise and joy to God we're sounding,
Love and peace have come our way.
Jesus Christ, our loving Saviour,
Came to earth with gifts sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
2.
All the angels told the story
On the hillside long ago
Of the babe who came from Glory
Bringing peace in endless flow.
Angels, shepherds, wise men worshiped,
Bowed before the child sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
3.
Let us hear again the story
Of the angels' glorious song,
Hear again the message ringing:
Christ will triumph over wrong.
His salvation freely given
Is his gift to all mankind;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
The Salvation Arm,my Song Book: Song Number: 74
Author: Ernest Henry Parr
Psalm 96
1-2 Sing GOD a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship GOD!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For GOD is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 GOD made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, GOD, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!
10 Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.
11 Let's hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
12 Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir—
13 An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
Luke 2:1-7 (The Message)
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4793.mp3
Or
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_453.mp3 ]
Christians awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born!
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.
2.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald's voice: Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations on the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!
3.
O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 78
Author: John Byrom (1692-1763)
Luke 2:8-20 (The Message)
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
[Listen: Songsters; http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3196.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_457.mp3 ]
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Chorus
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King.
2.
Christ, by highest Heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
3.
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 82
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
PRAYER:
Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Today we think of his birth and we see clearly your love for us. I pray that we might experience that love in a special way today and having experienced it, pass it on as a gift to others. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3367.mp3 ]
Down from His glory, ever living story,
My God and Saviour came, and Jesus was His name;
Born in a manger to His own a stranger,
A man of sorrows, tears and agony!
Chorus
Oh how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour,
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him!
What condescension, bringing us redemption,
That in the dead of night, not one faint hope in sight,
God gracious, tender laid aside His splendor,
Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul!
Without reluctance, flesh and blood His substance,
He took the form of man, revealed the hidden plan;
O glorious myst'ry sacrifice of Calv'ry!
And now I know He is the great "I AM"!
Words by William E. Booth-Clibborn
Music by Eduardo di Capua
1921
John 6:38
"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine
own will, but the will of him that sent me."
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray and Denice
OzThoughts Internet Ministry
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3359.mp3 ]
All our hearts rejoice this morning,
On this happy Christmas day;
Praise and joy to God we're sounding,
Love and peace have come our way.
Jesus Christ, our loving Saviour,
Came to earth with gifts sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
2.
All the angels told the story
On the hillside long ago
Of the babe who came from Glory
Bringing peace in endless flow.
Angels, shepherds, wise men worshiped,
Bowed before the child sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
3.
Let us hear again the story
Of the angels' glorious song,
Hear again the message ringing:
Christ will triumph over wrong.
His salvation freely given
Is his gift to all mankind;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
The Salvation Arm,my Song Book: Song Number: 74
Author: Ernest Henry Parr
Psalm 96
1-2 Sing GOD a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship GOD!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For GOD is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 GOD made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, GOD, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!
10 Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.
11 Let's hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
12 Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir—
13 An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
Luke 2:1-7 (The Message)
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4793.mp3
Or
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_453.mp3 ]
Christians awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born!
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.
2.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald's voice: Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations on the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!
3.
O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 78
Author: John Byrom (1692-1763)
Luke 2:8-20 (The Message)
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
[Listen: Songsters; http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3196.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_457.mp3 ]
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Chorus
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King.
2.
Christ, by highest Heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
3.
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 82
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
PRAYER:
Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Today we think of his birth and we see clearly your love for us. I pray that we might experience that love in a special way today and having experienced it, pass it on as a gift to others. Amen.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3367.mp3 ]
Down from His glory, ever living story,
My God and Saviour came, and Jesus was His name;
Born in a manger to His own a stranger,
A man of sorrows, tears and agony!
Chorus
Oh how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour,
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him!
What condescension, bringing us redemption,
That in the dead of night, not one faint hope in sight,
God gracious, tender laid aside His splendor,
Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul!
Without reluctance, flesh and blood His substance,
He took the form of man, revealed the hidden plan;
O glorious myst'ry sacrifice of Calv'ry!
And now I know He is the great "I AM"!
Words by William E. Booth-Clibborn
Music by Eduardo di Capua
1921
John 6:38
"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine
own will, but the will of him that sent me."
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 24th December 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 24th December 2009
Phillips Brooks catches the quietness of Christmas:
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_433.mp3 ]
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his Heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.
Author: Phillips Brooks (1835-93)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:86
There is plenty of boisterous things happening about Christmas. It is a noisy season. I know many of us reading this add to the noise. There is the bands playing, the choirs singing and for some the bells ringing.
For some it is the sounds of house cleaning and the noises of a busy kitchen as Christmas treats are prepared early. For others it may be the hammering and sawing as special items are constructed in the workshop.
There was a quietness about the first Christmas. The shepherds listened to the bleating sheep and were alert for other sounds in the night. The quietness was broken by a most unexpected sound: the sound of an Angel speaking. Then there was the beautiful sound of the heavenly choir. Bethlehem was still asleep as the Shepherds arrived at the stable and found the baby in the manger and Mary and Joseph sitting quietly smiling at their child and each other as proud new parents do.
The wise men came up on camels. The soft pads of the camel’s feet silently moving along the hard stone street. Quietly the wise men dismounted and conversed with Mary and Joseph and presented their gifts. Then just as silently as they came , they left.
At least one song writer imagines the quietness of the occasion, if not the accurate truth of the matter when he writes “but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes”.
Many years ago the Prophet Isaiah recorded the words “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15b KJV).
Seek out the quiet time in your hectic schedule of this season so you can be at peace with your God as you worship his Son.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I come quietly to you. The world rushes by, but help me to renew my strength in these special moments I spend with you. Amen.
Isaiah 9:1-7 (The Message)
Isaiah 9
A Child Has Been Born—for Us!
1 But there'll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he'll make that whole area glorious— the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.
2-7The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese
Christmas 2003
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Phillips Brooks catches the quietness of Christmas:
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_433.mp3 ]
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his Heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.
Author: Phillips Brooks (1835-93)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:86
There is plenty of boisterous things happening about Christmas. It is a noisy season. I know many of us reading this add to the noise. There is the bands playing, the choirs singing and for some the bells ringing.
For some it is the sounds of house cleaning and the noises of a busy kitchen as Christmas treats are prepared early. For others it may be the hammering and sawing as special items are constructed in the workshop.
There was a quietness about the first Christmas. The shepherds listened to the bleating sheep and were alert for other sounds in the night. The quietness was broken by a most unexpected sound: the sound of an Angel speaking. Then there was the beautiful sound of the heavenly choir. Bethlehem was still asleep as the Shepherds arrived at the stable and found the baby in the manger and Mary and Joseph sitting quietly smiling at their child and each other as proud new parents do.
The wise men came up on camels. The soft pads of the camel’s feet silently moving along the hard stone street. Quietly the wise men dismounted and conversed with Mary and Joseph and presented their gifts. Then just as silently as they came , they left.
At least one song writer imagines the quietness of the occasion, if not the accurate truth of the matter when he writes “but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes”.
Many years ago the Prophet Isaiah recorded the words “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15b KJV).
Seek out the quiet time in your hectic schedule of this season so you can be at peace with your God as you worship his Son.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I come quietly to you. The world rushes by, but help me to renew my strength in these special moments I spend with you. Amen.
Isaiah 9:1-7 (The Message)
Isaiah 9
A Child Has Been Born—for Us!
1 But there'll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he'll make that whole area glorious— the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.
2-7The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
Where is Christ in Christmas?
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.
“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.
Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.
Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.
Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.
Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.
Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese
Christmas 2003
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 23rd December 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 23rd December 2009
One of the real joys of this Christmas has been sharing fellowship with Salvationists and other Christians throughout the world who are doing their part in proclaiming “Joy to the World” in many ways.
Some have told of lone stands at Christmas Kettles, doing their part in a God empowered ministry of witnessing. Some have told of enjoying fellowship with other Christian and community groups and bringing their witness to them. Others have told of special indoor and outdoor concerts where the message of Christmas is wrapped in seasonal entertainment. Thousands have enjoyed themselves as they heard of the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary.
On Monday, I was with a Christian pianist and two other Chaplains in a hospital ward with aged people waiting for placement in appropriate accommodation in the community. It was great seeing them join in the carols and other Christmas songs. I know we are just one of many, many groups who will do a similar ministry to the sick and aged.
We can only thank God for the opportunities that are provided to us to do what we can , where we can to follow like the Angels and the Shepherds, and everyone involved in telling of the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:15-18 (The Message)
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank you for your world wide ministry we are involved in with The Salvation Army, and the wider Christian Church. We thank you for the fellowship we share with hundreds who are about the same task. I pray that many might be found kneeling at the Saviour’s feet this Christmas. Amen.
MEDITATION:
They came at Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They, with tears, said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)
.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Author: Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
One of the real joys of this Christmas has been sharing fellowship with Salvationists and other Christians throughout the world who are doing their part in proclaiming “Joy to the World” in many ways.
Some have told of lone stands at Christmas Kettles, doing their part in a God empowered ministry of witnessing. Some have told of enjoying fellowship with other Christian and community groups and bringing their witness to them. Others have told of special indoor and outdoor concerts where the message of Christmas is wrapped in seasonal entertainment. Thousands have enjoyed themselves as they heard of the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary.
On Monday, I was with a Christian pianist and two other Chaplains in a hospital ward with aged people waiting for placement in appropriate accommodation in the community. It was great seeing them join in the carols and other Christmas songs. I know we are just one of many, many groups who will do a similar ministry to the sick and aged.
We can only thank God for the opportunities that are provided to us to do what we can , where we can to follow like the Angels and the Shepherds, and everyone involved in telling of the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:15-18 (The Message)
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
PRAYER:
Father God, thank you for your world wide ministry we are involved in with The Salvation Army, and the wider Christian Church. We thank you for the fellowship we share with hundreds who are about the same task. I pray that many might be found kneeling at the Saviour’s feet this Christmas. Amen.
MEDITATION:
They came at Christmas
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They, with tears, said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)
.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]
Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.
He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.
He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Author: Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, December 20, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 21st December 2009
OzThoughts Monday 21st December 2009
These are busy days. Much of the events planned are happy events. However, we must be careful not to brush aside the people who are sorrowing or sick at this time. The very busy times and varying emotions of Christmas often come from the things that surround Christmas, rather than the focusing on the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.
This is a time to make sure we do not major on the trivial and crowd out the essentials of the season.
Today and this week will be full of many things for most people. There will be holidays for some, but mostly it will be shopping, work, family and personal preparations for Christmas and so much more. Oh, and of course a few more carols to be played and sung, and presents bought and parcels to be wrapped.
The Shepherds were busy men caring for their sheep. When the Angels came with their announcement, their initial fear turned to action as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. With joy they worshipped the new born babe.
I wonder what they did as they worshipped. Did they sing a hymn? Did they recite some Scriptures? Did they say a familiar prayer or some other ritual of words?
I imagine they told Mary and Joseph about the Angels and their message. They would have listened to Mary and Joseph repeat the events as they knew them.
I imagine these shepherds each held the baby Jesus. They held him in hands that were more often holding young submissive new born lambs. Minds that often reflected on the wonder of nature’s birth miracle, reflected on the miracle of the birth of this child. Quietly and to each other and to God they would have expressed their gratitude to have beheld and held the Son of God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father in the busy times of this week, help me to take time to consider Jesus, God with us, as the babe of Bethlehem. Help me to share that joy with others. Father, I pray too for those who need our prayers because of difficult times through which they are passing just now. Amen
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_436.mp3 ]
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!
Author: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 93
Luke 2 (The Message ©)
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
……………………………………….
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
These are busy days. Much of the events planned are happy events. However, we must be careful not to brush aside the people who are sorrowing or sick at this time. The very busy times and varying emotions of Christmas often come from the things that surround Christmas, rather than the focusing on the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.
This is a time to make sure we do not major on the trivial and crowd out the essentials of the season.
Today and this week will be full of many things for most people. There will be holidays for some, but mostly it will be shopping, work, family and personal preparations for Christmas and so much more. Oh, and of course a few more carols to be played and sung, and presents bought and parcels to be wrapped.
The Shepherds were busy men caring for their sheep. When the Angels came with their announcement, their initial fear turned to action as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. With joy they worshipped the new born babe.
I wonder what they did as they worshipped. Did they sing a hymn? Did they recite some Scriptures? Did they say a familiar prayer or some other ritual of words?
I imagine they told Mary and Joseph about the Angels and their message. They would have listened to Mary and Joseph repeat the events as they knew them.
I imagine these shepherds each held the baby Jesus. They held him in hands that were more often holding young submissive new born lambs. Minds that often reflected on the wonder of nature’s birth miracle, reflected on the miracle of the birth of this child. Quietly and to each other and to God they would have expressed their gratitude to have beheld and held the Son of God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father in the busy times of this week, help me to take time to consider Jesus, God with us, as the babe of Bethlehem. Help me to share that joy with others. Father, I pray too for those who need our prayers because of difficult times through which they are passing just now. Amen
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_436.mp3 ]
While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.
Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:
All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!
Author: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 93
Luke 2 (The Message ©)
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
……………………………………….
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Saturday, December 19, 2009
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 20th December 2009
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 20th December 2009
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 80:1-7 (The Message)
1-2 Listen, Shepherd, Israel's Shepherd—
Get all your Joseph sheep together.
Throw beams of light
from your dazzling throne
So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh
can see where they're going.
Get out of bed—you've slept long enough!
Come on the run before it's too late.
3 God, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.
4-6 GOD, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano
while your people call for fire and brimstone?
You put us on a diet of tears,
bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink.
You make us look ridiculous to our friends;
our enemies poke fun day after day.
7 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 84
Authors: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3204.mp3
or
Congregation: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3253.mp3 ]
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and nature sing.
2.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
3.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love.
Psalm 113 (The Message)
Psalm 113
1-3 Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!
4-9 GOD is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with GOD, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
[Listen: http://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!
2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Meditation: Selection of Carols and Christmas Songs
(The Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_6072.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 80:1-7 (The Message)
1-2 Listen, Shepherd, Israel's Shepherd—
Get all your Joseph sheep together.
Throw beams of light
from your dazzling throne
So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh
can see where they're going.
Get out of bed—you've slept long enough!
Come on the run before it's too late.
3 God, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.
4-6 GOD, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano
while your people call for fire and brimstone?
You put us on a diet of tears,
bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink.
You make us look ridiculous to our friends;
our enemies poke fun day after day.
7 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 84
Authors: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3204.mp3
or
Congregation: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3253.mp3 ]
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and nature sing.
2.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
3.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love.
Psalm 113 (The Message)
Psalm 113
1-3 Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!
4-9 GOD is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with GOD, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
[Listen: http://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!
2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Meditation: Selection of Carols and Christmas Songs
(The Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_6072.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 19th December, 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 19th December, 2009.
The Colours of Christmas
What colour do you associate with Christmas? I wonder who answered with the song “I'm dreaming of a white Christmas”? Irving Berlin’s 1942 music and lyrics originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. However, this song still gives shape to the dreams of many today.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
In Australia that is probably not a possibility. Some are probably wondering if the snow in England will hang around for Christmas Day. I would think some of my friends in Canada wish the snow would move on and let them dream of a “White Christmas”.
The nightmare of a white Christmas for some in Australian focuses on white and black ash from bushfires. The snowy white Christmas seems a distant dream for others while they endure heat in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit(38c)..
Some others will not be wanting a white Christmas as a fierce storm dumps tons of damaging hails on homes and every part of the landscape. The town of Armidale i In New South Wales, received an early white Christmas in 2006 when a severe stormed dumped damaging hail on the city. Hail of more than 50 centimetres thick blanketed parts of the city.
The five-minute storm brought flash flooding and high winds and stripped trees of their foliage. About 170 homes were damaged in the storm.
A news report said:
"A lot of homes have broken windows from the hail, which was described earlier this afternoon or this evening as anywhere between golf-ball to tennis-ball size," he said.
"One of the lasting impressions that came back from Armidale was that after the storm, there was about two foot of hail just lying around the place like a snow scape."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1816868.htm
Many Australian have a dream not for a white Christmas of any type but have a dream and a real prayer for a green Christmas. They pray for the drought to break with torrential rain. They would love to see their paddocks filled with green grass and the green of growing crops. However, they look out on the yellow of dying or dead grass and the earthy colours of dry dirt and dust.
Even home gardeners in some places who have been banned from hosing their lawns and can only put buckets of water on their gardens at regulated times would love to have a surround of green lawns and colourful gardens.
We do not have to wander far from thinking about gardens to think of some other green symbols of Christmas. Well not the gardens where I live. Holly does not grow here. The only place I will find holly is on a Christmas decoration. My mother had a couple of artificial glossy green sprigs of holly with bright red berries which she used for a good number of years as a decoration on a Christmas pudding or Christmas cake.
We do have ivy. In fact over the years we have shaped an ivy plant over wire to shape as a Christmas wreath. The months of shaping and clipping seem worth it when other decorations are added to these growing symbols.
A few people may have ‘live’ Christmas trees growing in pots or recently cut from a plantation or the thinnings from a forestry area. Most people however have an artificial tree. It is so much easier to take it out of its box each year and put it back again after Christmas. If the box is big enough the decorations can be left on from year to year.
Some would see a “green Christmas” as one that cares for the environment. In these days of “global warming” and of personal and sought after national responsibility to “save the earth”, there are those who not only make their own Christmas environmentally friendly but crusade that others do so as well. Many, of course, just se red when these campaigns are mentioned.
The colour red is prominent at Christmas but not only in Santa’s suit. Someone has written that even more than holly or ivy, more, even, than pine or spruce, poinsettia that has come to be the plant symbolise Christmas. The bright-red parts of the plant are not the flowers (they are tiny and white) but the bracts that surround the flowers. Now I am sure the person who wrote that was not an Australian. When I headed up a project which sold about $200,000 worth of Christmas Cards each year, I chose two cards with poinsettias on them. I continually heard the comment that the cards were “too American” and that the poinsettia was not Christmas here.
I remember when I first went to Sydney to live. The person I shared a house with came in quite excited one day telling us we had a “Christmas Bush” at our front gate. I went out to see what he was talking about and there was a small tree with a mass of whitish cream coloured flowers. I was still puzzled at his excitement. Then the flowers got darker in colour and appeared to be dying. Then I also noticed day by day the sepals of the developing seed capsules became a brilliant red and the whole bush appeared red. I saw the reason his excitement. My friend’s wife cut small branches off the tree and brought them into the house as decorations. They looked great.
(See http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/gall2ae.html ).
When my wife and I had the pleasure of crossing “The ditch” to New Zealand for two weeks, we saw growing in profusion there another delightful shrub which as its “Australian” name indicates is native to that land. New Zealand Christmas bush with its red flowers was growing everywhere. The red flowers contrasted with the silvery olive green of the leaves. These bushes are featuring in gardens and parks in Australia but are relatively rare in Australian Christmas decorations.
(See: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo409644.htm.
Some years ago on a Canadian United Church website, I was introduced to the idea of a Blue Christmas service. This was a special service for those people who feel a little more than a tinge of sadness at Christmas time because of love ones no longer there. A Canadian Anglican Church has also a “blue Christmas Service and says:
“Christmas time can be a very lonely, depressing, "blue" time for those grieving the loss of loved ones or other losses or for those who are all alone when others are partying and gathering with family members. A number of pastors concerned for those who find it difficult to "celebrate" at this time of year have developed various "Blue Christmas Services" to minister to these people. (http://ottawa.anglican.ca/blue.shtml)
There is more to helping people during this season than a Christmas Hamper or Dinner and a Christmas Carol or two. I hope we Salvationists never forget that. A Blue Christmas is a reality for many of us.
A number of singers, including Elvis, I think, have sung “Blue Christmas”,
Blue Christmas
I'll have a blue Christmas
without you;
I'll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red
on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if
you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain;
And when that blue heartache starts hurting,
You'll be doing all right
with your Christmas of white,
but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.
By B.Hayes, J.Johnson ©1948
Many Australian homes and home gardens have taken on a multi-colour Christmas with every Christmas image and symbol imaginable and coloured lights making a delightful scene. If you have seen the movie “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” you wil know the type of decorations I mean. However, Clarkm Griswold’s light show to some of today’s decorations is like the Wright Bothers’ plane compared to the latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner which made its maiden flight this week.
Today’s animated light shows are not only a string of light bulbs and spot lights on cardboard cut-outs but hundreds of thousands of lights, animated objects and music all driven by computers.
Thousands of people stand in awe and coach and mini-bus loads of others drive slowly past. It is a lovely relaxed atmosphere. When on a number of occasions in past years, the Gold Coast Temple Band played in one of these streets hundreds of people of all ages have stopped to listen.
Christmas in Australia takes on many colours. One way this is captured is in the “Australian Christmas Carols”.
Christmas Day
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_431.mp3 ]
The North Wind is tossing the leaves,
The red dust is over the town,
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddock is brown;
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.
The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
The cool stream flows silently by;
The joy bells are greeting the day,
And the chimes are adrift in the sky,
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.
Words and Music : William James
The Three Drovers
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_425.mp3]
Across the plains one Christmas night
Three drovers riding blithe and gay,
Looked up and saw a starry light
More radiant than the Milky Way;
And on their hearts such wonder fell,
They sang with joy. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
The air was dry with summer heat,
And smoke was on the yellow moon;
But from the heavens, faint and sweet,
Came floating down a wond'rous turn;
And as they heard, they sang full well
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
The black swans flew across the sky,
The wild dog called across the plain,
The starry lustre blazed on high,
Still echoed on the heavenly strain;
And still they sang, 'Noel! Noel!'
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
Words by John Wheeler.
Music by William G.James.
You can read more about Australian Christmas here: http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/christmas
Now in Ozzie:
I wish yous all a bonzer Chrissie and hope you get the urge to stop for a tick or three, shake the dust off your boots and pay your dues to the little bloke who was born in a cow shed and ended up using the food trough for a cot. Great stuff, that!
THEY CAME AT CHRISTMAS
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Author: Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)
Not Alone at Christmas
Joan lay all alone on this hot summer morn
The sun beaming in woke her just after dawn
It would be another day long and alone
Age had wearied her right to the bone.
With the dawning that this was Christmas Day
Her memories came of children at Christmas play
She remembered her own sisters and brothers
And a happy house crowded with so many others.
Then many years later when her children came
It was a happy house with kids just the same
There was laughter and food and presents of toys
Exactly right for each of the girls and boys
She thought of how they grew years quickly went
Then her eldest son to War in Vietnam was sent
Life about then seemed to become so very sad
As a heart attack took her husband the kids’ dad.
The other kids soon seemed to move on with life
As they took- for themselves a husband or wife
Kids were soon at play again but in distant places
And all Joan could do was remember their faces.
Joan lay all alone on this hot Christmas morn
Cards eagerly from their envelopes she had torn
Wishing Mother a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Each with a message this Christmas they would not be here.
Joan lay on her bed lost in her thoughts once more
Soon there was a loud knock on the front door
Was it that a son or daughter had come to visit
She grabbed her gown and shouted “Who is it?”
She flung open the door to see who stood there
Joan saw the one person who really seemed to care
A cheery greeting and a wide smile a friendly face
A Blue Nurse had brought Christmas to Joan’s place.
The nurse handed Joan a small gift and a handmade card
And when they hugged she felt Joan hug so hard
A shower was soon done and Joan dressed in her best
She felt this Christmas she was specially blessed.
Not only at Christmas but every single day
A Blue Nurse calls to get her on her way
A life that alone is so long and people bare
Is broken by the Blue Nurse’s loving care.
Ray Reese
Christmas 2005
[A Blue Nurse is a domiciliary nurse of the Blue Care organisation, a part of the Uniting Church of Australia]
```````````````````````````````````````
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray
OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
````````````````````````````````````````````````
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
The Colours of Christmas
What colour do you associate with Christmas? I wonder who answered with the song “I'm dreaming of a white Christmas”? Irving Berlin’s 1942 music and lyrics originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. However, this song still gives shape to the dreams of many today.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
In Australia that is probably not a possibility. Some are probably wondering if the snow in England will hang around for Christmas Day. I would think some of my friends in Canada wish the snow would move on and let them dream of a “White Christmas”.
The nightmare of a white Christmas for some in Australian focuses on white and black ash from bushfires. The snowy white Christmas seems a distant dream for others while they endure heat in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit(38c)..
Some others will not be wanting a white Christmas as a fierce storm dumps tons of damaging hails on homes and every part of the landscape. The town of Armidale i In New South Wales, received an early white Christmas in 2006 when a severe stormed dumped damaging hail on the city. Hail of more than 50 centimetres thick blanketed parts of the city.
The five-minute storm brought flash flooding and high winds and stripped trees of their foliage. About 170 homes were damaged in the storm.
A news report said:
"A lot of homes have broken windows from the hail, which was described earlier this afternoon or this evening as anywhere between golf-ball to tennis-ball size," he said.
"One of the lasting impressions that came back from Armidale was that after the storm, there was about two foot of hail just lying around the place like a snow scape."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1816868.htm
Many Australian have a dream not for a white Christmas of any type but have a dream and a real prayer for a green Christmas. They pray for the drought to break with torrential rain. They would love to see their paddocks filled with green grass and the green of growing crops. However, they look out on the yellow of dying or dead grass and the earthy colours of dry dirt and dust.
Even home gardeners in some places who have been banned from hosing their lawns and can only put buckets of water on their gardens at regulated times would love to have a surround of green lawns and colourful gardens.
We do not have to wander far from thinking about gardens to think of some other green symbols of Christmas. Well not the gardens where I live. Holly does not grow here. The only place I will find holly is on a Christmas decoration. My mother had a couple of artificial glossy green sprigs of holly with bright red berries which she used for a good number of years as a decoration on a Christmas pudding or Christmas cake.
We do have ivy. In fact over the years we have shaped an ivy plant over wire to shape as a Christmas wreath. The months of shaping and clipping seem worth it when other decorations are added to these growing symbols.
A few people may have ‘live’ Christmas trees growing in pots or recently cut from a plantation or the thinnings from a forestry area. Most people however have an artificial tree. It is so much easier to take it out of its box each year and put it back again after Christmas. If the box is big enough the decorations can be left on from year to year.
Some would see a “green Christmas” as one that cares for the environment. In these days of “global warming” and of personal and sought after national responsibility to “save the earth”, there are those who not only make their own Christmas environmentally friendly but crusade that others do so as well. Many, of course, just se red when these campaigns are mentioned.
The colour red is prominent at Christmas but not only in Santa’s suit. Someone has written that even more than holly or ivy, more, even, than pine or spruce, poinsettia that has come to be the plant symbolise Christmas. The bright-red parts of the plant are not the flowers (they are tiny and white) but the bracts that surround the flowers. Now I am sure the person who wrote that was not an Australian. When I headed up a project which sold about $200,000 worth of Christmas Cards each year, I chose two cards with poinsettias on them. I continually heard the comment that the cards were “too American” and that the poinsettia was not Christmas here.
I remember when I first went to Sydney to live. The person I shared a house with came in quite excited one day telling us we had a “Christmas Bush” at our front gate. I went out to see what he was talking about and there was a small tree with a mass of whitish cream coloured flowers. I was still puzzled at his excitement. Then the flowers got darker in colour and appeared to be dying. Then I also noticed day by day the sepals of the developing seed capsules became a brilliant red and the whole bush appeared red. I saw the reason his excitement. My friend’s wife cut small branches off the tree and brought them into the house as decorations. They looked great.
(See http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/gall2ae.html ).
When my wife and I had the pleasure of crossing “The ditch” to New Zealand for two weeks, we saw growing in profusion there another delightful shrub which as its “Australian” name indicates is native to that land. New Zealand Christmas bush with its red flowers was growing everywhere. The red flowers contrasted with the silvery olive green of the leaves. These bushes are featuring in gardens and parks in Australia but are relatively rare in Australian Christmas decorations.
(See: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo409644.htm.
Some years ago on a Canadian United Church website, I was introduced to the idea of a Blue Christmas service. This was a special service for those people who feel a little more than a tinge of sadness at Christmas time because of love ones no longer there. A Canadian Anglican Church has also a “blue Christmas Service and says:
“Christmas time can be a very lonely, depressing, "blue" time for those grieving the loss of loved ones or other losses or for those who are all alone when others are partying and gathering with family members. A number of pastors concerned for those who find it difficult to "celebrate" at this time of year have developed various "Blue Christmas Services" to minister to these people. (http://ottawa.anglican.ca/blue.shtml)
There is more to helping people during this season than a Christmas Hamper or Dinner and a Christmas Carol or two. I hope we Salvationists never forget that. A Blue Christmas is a reality for many of us.
A number of singers, including Elvis, I think, have sung “Blue Christmas”,
Blue Christmas
I'll have a blue Christmas
without you;
I'll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red
on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if
you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain;
And when that blue heartache starts hurting,
You'll be doing all right
with your Christmas of white,
but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.
By B.Hayes, J.Johnson ©1948
Many Australian homes and home gardens have taken on a multi-colour Christmas with every Christmas image and symbol imaginable and coloured lights making a delightful scene. If you have seen the movie “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” you wil know the type of decorations I mean. However, Clarkm Griswold’s light show to some of today’s decorations is like the Wright Bothers’ plane compared to the latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner which made its maiden flight this week.
Today’s animated light shows are not only a string of light bulbs and spot lights on cardboard cut-outs but hundreds of thousands of lights, animated objects and music all driven by computers.
Thousands of people stand in awe and coach and mini-bus loads of others drive slowly past. It is a lovely relaxed atmosphere. When on a number of occasions in past years, the Gold Coast Temple Band played in one of these streets hundreds of people of all ages have stopped to listen.
Christmas in Australia takes on many colours. One way this is captured is in the “Australian Christmas Carols”.
Christmas Day
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_431.mp3 ]
The North Wind is tossing the leaves,
The red dust is over the town,
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddock is brown;
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.
The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
The cool stream flows silently by;
The joy bells are greeting the day,
And the chimes are adrift in the sky,
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.
Words and Music : William James
The Three Drovers
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_425.mp3]
Across the plains one Christmas night
Three drovers riding blithe and gay,
Looked up and saw a starry light
More radiant than the Milky Way;
And on their hearts such wonder fell,
They sang with joy. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
The air was dry with summer heat,
And smoke was on the yellow moon;
But from the heavens, faint and sweet,
Came floating down a wond'rous turn;
And as they heard, they sang full well
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
The black swans flew across the sky,
The wild dog called across the plain,
The starry lustre blazed on high,
Still echoed on the heavenly strain;
And still they sang, 'Noel! Noel!'
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
Words by John Wheeler.
Music by William G.James.
You can read more about Australian Christmas here: http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/christmas
Now in Ozzie:
I wish yous all a bonzer Chrissie and hope you get the urge to stop for a tick or three, shake the dust off your boots and pay your dues to the little bloke who was born in a cow shed and ended up using the food trough for a cot. Great stuff, that!
THEY CAME AT CHRISTMAS
In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night
Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.
They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.
Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.
Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Author: Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)
Not Alone at Christmas
Joan lay all alone on this hot summer morn
The sun beaming in woke her just after dawn
It would be another day long and alone
Age had wearied her right to the bone.
With the dawning that this was Christmas Day
Her memories came of children at Christmas play
She remembered her own sisters and brothers
And a happy house crowded with so many others.
Then many years later when her children came
It was a happy house with kids just the same
There was laughter and food and presents of toys
Exactly right for each of the girls and boys
She thought of how they grew years quickly went
Then her eldest son to War in Vietnam was sent
Life about then seemed to become so very sad
As a heart attack took her husband the kids’ dad.
The other kids soon seemed to move on with life
As they took- for themselves a husband or wife
Kids were soon at play again but in distant places
And all Joan could do was remember their faces.
Joan lay all alone on this hot Christmas morn
Cards eagerly from their envelopes she had torn
Wishing Mother a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Each with a message this Christmas they would not be here.
Joan lay on her bed lost in her thoughts once more
Soon there was a loud knock on the front door
Was it that a son or daughter had come to visit
She grabbed her gown and shouted “Who is it?”
She flung open the door to see who stood there
Joan saw the one person who really seemed to care
A cheery greeting and a wide smile a friendly face
A Blue Nurse had brought Christmas to Joan’s place.
The nurse handed Joan a small gift and a handmade card
And when they hugged she felt Joan hug so hard
A shower was soon done and Joan dressed in her best
She felt this Christmas she was specially blessed.
Not only at Christmas but every single day
A Blue Nurse calls to get her on her way
A life that alone is so long and people bare
Is broken by the Blue Nurse’s loving care.
Ray Reese
Christmas 2005
[A Blue Nurse is a domiciliary nurse of the Blue Care organisation, a part of the Uniting Church of Australia]
```````````````````````````````````````
This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.
Ray
OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
````````````````````````````````````````````````
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
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