OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms 1st March, 2009
[Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends].
This is the day which the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118.24).
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 17
Authors: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3
OR
Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4959.mp3]
Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
2.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
3.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
4.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Psalm 146 (The Message)
1-2 Hallelujah! O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I'll praise God,
singing songs to my God as long as I live.
3-9 Don't put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don't have what it takes;
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
GOD loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
10 GOD's in charge—always.
Zion's God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 438
Authors: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4440.mp3 ]
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of Heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every longing heart.
2.
Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above;
Pray and praise thee without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.
3.
Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in Heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise.
PRAYER:
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer Book for Australia).
…………
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 started on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
……………………………………………..
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 28th February, 2009
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 28th February, 2009
My Collecting Gene
[Updated from a ATAW first published December, 2005]
I have a number of collections. Firstly, there is my collection of stamps. I started out in this when I was about ten. It taught be about different countries and something about them. In fact I learnt to recognise Chinese, Japanese and Korean stamps fairly quickly. I also learnt that some countries have strange names for themselves. Switzerland called itself Helvetia. Norge seemed a strange way to spell Norway. So it went on. I learnt about Kings, Queens and Presidents. I learnt about special events. I learnt things like the United States of America could not put its flag on a stamp as the postal cancellation mark would deface the flag. Some years later the flag appeared on a stamp of the United States. I also learnt something about the value of various stamps. Most of mine were low value but I collected on for a number of years. I now have hoarded bags of stamps that I have collected over the years.
Some years before I started collecting stamps, I started collecting books. The first ones were Little Golden Books. Johnny Appleseed was a favourite then. To these were added my Sunday School prizes. I loved the story of Shadow the Sheep Dog. I soon added other books and my collection has grown to where it is now several large collections.
I have a collection of various translations of the Bible and New Testaments. That’s really a part of a big collection of religious books. Another part of this collection is a collection of hymn books and Salvation Army Song Books. Although many of these are a bit battered, I treasure them. I have several books about hymns and hymn writers which I also value as a resource. However, much of the information about hymns is now easily found on the internet.
Of course, I have many Salvation Army books. I would guess there are well over 500, maybe a 1000 volumes. I have made a start on cataloguing these. I am grateful that my parents had valued Army writings and had a few books which they suggested I read about the time I commenced Corps Cadets as a young teenager. That reminds me I have a big collection of Corps Cadet Books of the Month. Often these were the short biographies that could be read in an hour or two but also included some major books by Commissioner Brengle and General Coutts. I only have a few of my own Corps Cadet Handbooks but I have quite a collection from later when I was responsible for leading. Corps Cadet groups.
Sunday School (we never used the term – it was always the Company Meeting) provided quite a heap of resources for my collection. I have about two dozen of the red International Company Orders books (one or two years are green covered) and the later Living and Believing and the Manual of Bible Teaching Series. I also have quite a collection of the annual booklets which were published as a resource for the Young People’s Anniversary which included songs, poems and short dramatic items and tableaux.
Another major part of my book collection is my Australian collection. I have several hundred books about Australia and by Australian authors. These range from the academic to the very lightweight. There is historical fact and fiction. There is politics and travel.
Of course, I have book collections relating to my other hobbies such as gardening, woodwork and fishing. Another hobby is photography and that has not so much generated a collection of books but a collection of cameras. Gardening and woodwork, too, are not only hobbies but have generated their own collections of tools. Fishing has generated a collection of more than a dozen fishing reels and a collection of rods for various purposes.
Oh, I forgot birds. I breed birds so that has generated a collection of about a dozen books and about 120 birds. It is the breeding season so I have not done a recent count. These are mostly zebra finches of various colours, a diminishing number of canaries and at the moment four quail. I have a general interest in Australian wildlife and yes that means more books.
In the past year, I have been collecting CDs of Salvation Army Bands playing Christmas Carols. So far I have catalogued my collection gives me a choice of over 140 carols and Christmas songs. By Christmas that number will probably increase.
My most recent collections are caps, key rings and flags of various nations. I was disappointed not to be able to find a Vatican City flag when we visited there but I found one in a shop in Rome while looking at other souvenirs. Our holiday to Europe last year provided opportunity to add to this collection and in the next few weeks, I will arrange the display of these in my office here at home. I must add I am grateful to friends who have sent me flags, key rings and caps from their countries.
Years ago, my wife found and cut out of a newspaper a small cartoon. It was one of the “Love is” series. It simply said “Love is letting him keep his junk”. So we have developed a respect for each others collections.
I thanked my parents for introducing me to Army books. I think I can also thank them for the collecting gene. My father had a few prized possessions but none more than his motor mechanic’s tools. Along side those tools, in his shed was, I think, every part he ever replaced in the various cars and trucks he owned over the twenty years he lived at that address.
My dear mum has the real collector’s gene. Some less reverent people would call it a hoarder’s gene. One of her uncles was a champion. When Uncle Les died, his house was absolutely full of newspapers stacked in order in the various rooms and passageways. He also had a huge collection of empty tin cans and various screw top bottles which would come in handy for something one day. Unfortunately, those who cleaned up after him did not share his vision.
I have been thinking about my collections and my inclinations in that direction since I heard a program on radio that hoarding is a disease. Not only was the speaker was saying that but she has a program to break hoarders of the disease. I guess Uncle Les was a sufferer of OCHD (Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder).
I thought about my collections and their worth to me when I read during this week the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus very clearly says:
"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 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. (Matthew 6: 19 -21 The Message).
I am also reminded of what the Letter to the Hebrews says:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 New International Version)
I can feel a New Year’s resolution coming on. I guess I can do a bit more collecting by then.
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
Life will pass away;
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
For the great accounting day;
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
Though men count thee poor,
Thou shalt reign with the sons of God
For evermore.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Chorus Number 249.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
My Collecting Gene
[Updated from a ATAW first published December, 2005]
I have a number of collections. Firstly, there is my collection of stamps. I started out in this when I was about ten. It taught be about different countries and something about them. In fact I learnt to recognise Chinese, Japanese and Korean stamps fairly quickly. I also learnt that some countries have strange names for themselves. Switzerland called itself Helvetia. Norge seemed a strange way to spell Norway. So it went on. I learnt about Kings, Queens and Presidents. I learnt about special events. I learnt things like the United States of America could not put its flag on a stamp as the postal cancellation mark would deface the flag. Some years later the flag appeared on a stamp of the United States. I also learnt something about the value of various stamps. Most of mine were low value but I collected on for a number of years. I now have hoarded bags of stamps that I have collected over the years.
Some years before I started collecting stamps, I started collecting books. The first ones were Little Golden Books. Johnny Appleseed was a favourite then. To these were added my Sunday School prizes. I loved the story of Shadow the Sheep Dog. I soon added other books and my collection has grown to where it is now several large collections.
I have a collection of various translations of the Bible and New Testaments. That’s really a part of a big collection of religious books. Another part of this collection is a collection of hymn books and Salvation Army Song Books. Although many of these are a bit battered, I treasure them. I have several books about hymns and hymn writers which I also value as a resource. However, much of the information about hymns is now easily found on the internet.
Of course, I have many Salvation Army books. I would guess there are well over 500, maybe a 1000 volumes. I have made a start on cataloguing these. I am grateful that my parents had valued Army writings and had a few books which they suggested I read about the time I commenced Corps Cadets as a young teenager. That reminds me I have a big collection of Corps Cadet Books of the Month. Often these were the short biographies that could be read in an hour or two but also included some major books by Commissioner Brengle and General Coutts. I only have a few of my own Corps Cadet Handbooks but I have quite a collection from later when I was responsible for leading. Corps Cadet groups.
Sunday School (we never used the term – it was always the Company Meeting) provided quite a heap of resources for my collection. I have about two dozen of the red International Company Orders books (one or two years are green covered) and the later Living and Believing and the Manual of Bible Teaching Series. I also have quite a collection of the annual booklets which were published as a resource for the Young People’s Anniversary which included songs, poems and short dramatic items and tableaux.
Another major part of my book collection is my Australian collection. I have several hundred books about Australia and by Australian authors. These range from the academic to the very lightweight. There is historical fact and fiction. There is politics and travel.
Of course, I have book collections relating to my other hobbies such as gardening, woodwork and fishing. Another hobby is photography and that has not so much generated a collection of books but a collection of cameras. Gardening and woodwork, too, are not only hobbies but have generated their own collections of tools. Fishing has generated a collection of more than a dozen fishing reels and a collection of rods for various purposes.
Oh, I forgot birds. I breed birds so that has generated a collection of about a dozen books and about 120 birds. It is the breeding season so I have not done a recent count. These are mostly zebra finches of various colours, a diminishing number of canaries and at the moment four quail. I have a general interest in Australian wildlife and yes that means more books.
In the past year, I have been collecting CDs of Salvation Army Bands playing Christmas Carols. So far I have catalogued my collection gives me a choice of over 140 carols and Christmas songs. By Christmas that number will probably increase.
My most recent collections are caps, key rings and flags of various nations. I was disappointed not to be able to find a Vatican City flag when we visited there but I found one in a shop in Rome while looking at other souvenirs. Our holiday to Europe last year provided opportunity to add to this collection and in the next few weeks, I will arrange the display of these in my office here at home. I must add I am grateful to friends who have sent me flags, key rings and caps from their countries.
Years ago, my wife found and cut out of a newspaper a small cartoon. It was one of the “Love is” series. It simply said “Love is letting him keep his junk”. So we have developed a respect for each others collections.
I thanked my parents for introducing me to Army books. I think I can also thank them for the collecting gene. My father had a few prized possessions but none more than his motor mechanic’s tools. Along side those tools, in his shed was, I think, every part he ever replaced in the various cars and trucks he owned over the twenty years he lived at that address.
My dear mum has the real collector’s gene. Some less reverent people would call it a hoarder’s gene. One of her uncles was a champion. When Uncle Les died, his house was absolutely full of newspapers stacked in order in the various rooms and passageways. He also had a huge collection of empty tin cans and various screw top bottles which would come in handy for something one day. Unfortunately, those who cleaned up after him did not share his vision.
I have been thinking about my collections and my inclinations in that direction since I heard a program on radio that hoarding is a disease. Not only was the speaker was saying that but she has a program to break hoarders of the disease. I guess Uncle Les was a sufferer of OCHD (Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder).
I thought about my collections and their worth to me when I read during this week the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus very clearly says:
"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 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. (Matthew 6: 19 -21 The Message).
I am also reminded of what the Letter to the Hebrews says:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 New International Version)
I can feel a New Year’s resolution coming on. I guess I can do a bit more collecting by then.
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
Life will pass away;
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
For the great accounting day;
Lay up treasure in Heaven,
Though men count thee poor,
Thou shalt reign with the sons of God
For evermore.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Chorus Number 249.
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
OzThoughts Friday 27th February 2009
OzThoughts Friday 27th February 2009
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Anyone who announces they are a Christian will soon be asked what Church they belong to. No doubt the answer will press a button in the questioner’s mind and a tape will run will some details of the church or of previous encounters with it. I wonder how many times, when I tell people I am a Salvo, they have responded with “They do a great job” or “They were good in the war”?
Others, of course, will have a personal view of what “right religion” is and will question more deeply about Salvation Army beliefs and practices or even lack of certain practices. I do not find that a problem as I love to discuss my faith. I can not say that without saying I also like to listen to the reasoning of others.
Matthew records the followers of John the Baptist coming and questioning Jesus about how Jesus Disciples did not fast as they and the Pharisees did. Jesus tells them it is because they are celebrating, just like a wedding feast while the bridegroom is present.
Jesus
Matthew 9:14-15 (The Message)
14 A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"
15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_054.mp3 ]
Jesus comes! Let all adore him!
Lord of mercy, love and truth.
Now prepare the way before him,
Make the rugged places smooth;
Through the desert mark his road,
Make a highway for our God.
Jesus comes! Reward is with him,
Let the valleys all be raised,
God's great glory now revealing
As the mountains are abased.
Lift thy voice and greet the Lord,
Cry to Zion: See thy God!
Jesus comes! The Christ is marching
Through the places waste and wild;
He his Kingdom is enlarging
Where no verdure ever smiled.
Soon the desert will be glad
And with beauty shall be clad.
Jesus comes! Where thorns have flourished
Trees shall now be seen to grow,
Stablished by the Lord and nourished,
Strong and fair and fruitful too.
They shall rise on every side,
Spread their branches far and wide.
Jesus comes! From barren mountains
Rivers shall begin to flow,
There the Lord will open fountains
And supply the plains below;
As he passes, every land
Shall acclaim his powerful hand.
Author: Thomas Kelly (1769-1855),alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 159
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Anyone who announces they are a Christian will soon be asked what Church they belong to. No doubt the answer will press a button in the questioner’s mind and a tape will run will some details of the church or of previous encounters with it. I wonder how many times, when I tell people I am a Salvo, they have responded with “They do a great job” or “They were good in the war”?
Others, of course, will have a personal view of what “right religion” is and will question more deeply about Salvation Army beliefs and practices or even lack of certain practices. I do not find that a problem as I love to discuss my faith. I can not say that without saying I also like to listen to the reasoning of others.
Matthew records the followers of John the Baptist coming and questioning Jesus about how Jesus Disciples did not fast as they and the Pharisees did. Jesus tells them it is because they are celebrating, just like a wedding feast while the bridegroom is present.
Jesus
Matthew 9:14-15 (The Message)
14 A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"
15 Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_054.mp3 ]
Jesus comes! Let all adore him!
Lord of mercy, love and truth.
Now prepare the way before him,
Make the rugged places smooth;
Through the desert mark his road,
Make a highway for our God.
Jesus comes! Reward is with him,
Let the valleys all be raised,
God's great glory now revealing
As the mountains are abased.
Lift thy voice and greet the Lord,
Cry to Zion: See thy God!
Jesus comes! The Christ is marching
Through the places waste and wild;
He his Kingdom is enlarging
Where no verdure ever smiled.
Soon the desert will be glad
And with beauty shall be clad.
Jesus comes! Where thorns have flourished
Trees shall now be seen to grow,
Stablished by the Lord and nourished,
Strong and fair and fruitful too.
They shall rise on every side,
Spread their branches far and wide.
Jesus comes! From barren mountains
Rivers shall begin to flow,
There the Lord will open fountains
And supply the plains below;
As he passes, every land
Shall acclaim his powerful hand.
Author: Thomas Kelly (1769-1855),alt
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 159
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 26th February 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 26th February 2009
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
The Salvation Army has a number of well known mottos and slogans. One which is prominent when thinking of our work in the community is “Heart to God and Hand to Man”. It expresses a similar thought as the religious scholar’s answer to Jesus question in the passage from Luke’s Gospel we read today:
25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
26 He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
27 He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."
28 "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live." (Luke 10 The Message)
We all know that the slogan is used by the Salvation Army in a powerful comment on our motivation and practice in our assistance to individuals and communities in need. It is linked often with our fundraising for our community work.
Jesus was not talking about a public relations slogan or even the basis for doing good in society. He was talking to an individual about eternal life and how to get it. Eternal life comes from a right relationship with God and a right relationship with other people.
“Others” was one of the Salvation Army’s earliest mottos. It is interesting to put ourselves in the place of the religious scholar and see how Jesus would challenge us about our relationship with “Others”. What “other” would Jesus use instead of “Samaritan” if Jesus was talking to me?
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer book):
[Listen: Hymn Tune: Maryton: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF347%20-%20Hymn%20Tunes%20-%20(a)%20Maryton%20(b)%20Ramsgate.mp3
(This recording also includes the hymn tune: O Disclose Thy Lovely Face - Song 412) ]
O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil. the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong;
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way,
In peace that only thou canst give,
For thee, O Master, let me live.
Author: Washington Gladden (1836-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 519
Luke 10:25-37 (The Message)
25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
26 He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
27 He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."
28 "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."
29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"
30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35 "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'
36 "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
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[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
The Salvation Army has a number of well known mottos and slogans. One which is prominent when thinking of our work in the community is “Heart to God and Hand to Man”. It expresses a similar thought as the religious scholar’s answer to Jesus question in the passage from Luke’s Gospel we read today:
25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
26 He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
27 He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."
28 "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live." (Luke 10 The Message)
We all know that the slogan is used by the Salvation Army in a powerful comment on our motivation and practice in our assistance to individuals and communities in need. It is linked often with our fundraising for our community work.
Jesus was not talking about a public relations slogan or even the basis for doing good in society. He was talking to an individual about eternal life and how to get it. Eternal life comes from a right relationship with God and a right relationship with other people.
“Others” was one of the Salvation Army’s earliest mottos. It is interesting to put ourselves in the place of the religious scholar and see how Jesus would challenge us about our relationship with “Others”. What “other” would Jesus use instead of “Samaritan” if Jesus was talking to me?
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer book):
[Listen: Hymn Tune: Maryton: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF347%20-%20Hymn%20Tunes%20-%20(a)%20Maryton%20(b)%20Ramsgate.mp3
(This recording also includes the hymn tune: O Disclose Thy Lovely Face - Song 412) ]
O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil. the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong;
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way,
In peace that only thou canst give,
For thee, O Master, let me live.
Author: Washington Gladden (1836-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 519
Luke 10:25-37 (The Message)
25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"
26 He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"
27 He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."
28 "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."
29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"
30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35 "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'
36 "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 25th February 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 25th February 2009
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent starts today, Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
ASH WEDNESDAY (See explanation after Scripture reading below).
Years ago when my daughter, who is now a grandmother, was about two, she was playing with her tea set on her small table and chairs. She asked me to have a cup of tea. So I sat on one of the small chairs. She placed the tiny cup and saucer in front of me and I began play acting enjoying the cup of tea. I slurped but didn’t burp and in a great burst of imaginary and dramatic show, I told her how I enjoyed the tea and thanked her profusely. Her answer? “But Dad, I have not poured into the cup, yet!” So we started all over again.
In that gold mine of Jesus’ teaching we know as “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus tells us not to go play acting our religion. When we are doing good for others, when we are praying and when we are fasting, we are not to do it as a performance and in a way to attract the attention and applause of others.
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Hymn Tune “Lloyd” to which these words can be sung:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_850.mp3 ]
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry: Behold, he prays!
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters Heaven with prayer.
O thou by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 625
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21 (The Message).
1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.
2-4 "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
…………………..
16-18 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
19-21 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 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.
Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent, observed 46 days before Easter, is so called from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead of the worshiper as a sign of penitence. In the Roman Catholic Church, these ashes are obtained from burning palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday observation. (Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem a week before Easter Sunday, and it begins Holy Week. On Ash Wednesday, the ashes are placed on the forehead of the communicant during Mass. The recipient is told, "Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return" or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." (http://www.bookrags.com/research/glossary-of-religious-holidays-wen-01/)
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent starts today, Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
ASH WEDNESDAY (See explanation after Scripture reading below).
Years ago when my daughter, who is now a grandmother, was about two, she was playing with her tea set on her small table and chairs. She asked me to have a cup of tea. So I sat on one of the small chairs. She placed the tiny cup and saucer in front of me and I began play acting enjoying the cup of tea. I slurped but didn’t burp and in a great burst of imaginary and dramatic show, I told her how I enjoyed the tea and thanked her profusely. Her answer? “But Dad, I have not poured into the cup, yet!” So we started all over again.
In that gold mine of Jesus’ teaching we know as “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus tells us not to go play acting our religion. When we are doing good for others, when we are praying and when we are fasting, we are not to do it as a performance and in a way to attract the attention and applause of others.
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Hymn Tune “Lloyd” to which these words can be sung:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_850.mp3 ]
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry: Behold, he prays!
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters Heaven with prayer.
O thou by whom we come to God,
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 625
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21 (The Message).
1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.
2-4 "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
…………………..
16-18 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
19-21 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 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.
Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent, observed 46 days before Easter, is so called from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead of the worshiper as a sign of penitence. In the Roman Catholic Church, these ashes are obtained from burning palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday observation. (Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem a week before Easter Sunday, and it begins Holy Week. On Ash Wednesday, the ashes are placed on the forehead of the communicant during Mass. The recipient is told, "Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return" or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." (http://www.bookrags.com/research/glossary-of-religious-holidays-wen-01/)
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Monday, February 23, 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 24th February 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 24th February 2009
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent will start this Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
Somehow yesterday I got into two conversations which both talked about our works and God’s grace. In both there was agreement that God’s grace – his undeserved and unmerited love towards us – demonstrated in Jesus dying on the cross and being raised to new life brings about our salvation. We said Christians are busy about doing God’s work.
That, however, is not to earn our salvation but is actually an outcome of our salvation which was freely given and freely received.
As you read today’s portion from John’s Gospel, note carefully the words of Jesus in verses 16 and 17.
John 15:9-17 (The Message)
9-10"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
16"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
17"But remember the root command: Love one another.
Prayer: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book)
[ Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3 ]
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author: William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 357
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent will start this Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
Somehow yesterday I got into two conversations which both talked about our works and God’s grace. In both there was agreement that God’s grace – his undeserved and unmerited love towards us – demonstrated in Jesus dying on the cross and being raised to new life brings about our salvation. We said Christians are busy about doing God’s work.
That, however, is not to earn our salvation but is actually an outcome of our salvation which was freely given and freely received.
As you read today’s portion from John’s Gospel, note carefully the words of Jesus in verses 16 and 17.
John 15:9-17 (The Message)
9-10"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.
11-15"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
16"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
17"But remember the root command: Love one another.
Prayer: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book)
[ Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3 ]
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author: William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 357
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 23rd February 2009
OzThoughts Monday 23rd February 2009
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent will start this Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
Yesterday many Churches would have read the reading from Mark, which I have chosen for today. However, as The Salvation Army does not follow the Common Lectionary readings, many Salvationists would not have read the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.
Sometimes we get hung up on the trivial. When I read the story of the Transfiguration, I cannot help remembering a fellow Cadet at the Officer Training College who challenged our Old Testament Bible Teacher when she said Moses never entered the Promised Land. He maintained his Bible said Moses did enter the Promised Land. When asked for proof, he turned to this account where Moses (and Elijah) appeared with Jesus.
It is probably not trivial but have you considered if Peter had his way, we could have had Three Tabernacles as the symbol of our religion. With three tabernacles, Jesus would have stood as one of three leaders or even three prophets.
It was God who lifted Jesus way above the suggestions of man. The voice in the cloud proclaimed "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."
Jesus was not only a leader, not only a prophet, but a loved Son. Jesus looked ahead beyond the three tabernacles, beyond the mountain experience and told his Disciples it would all be plain to when he rose from the dead. Already the shadow of the cross which would become an eternal memorial and marker of our faith was falling on Jesus. Jesus knew they need the whole experience before they could understand the reality that confronted him and them.
[Listen: Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_962.mp3
OR
Male Voice: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2611.mp3 ]
When Jesus looked o'er Galilee,
So blue and calm and fair,
Upon her bosom, could he see
A cross reflected there?
When sunrise dyed the lovely deeps,
And sparkled in his hair,
O did the light rays seem to say:
A crown of thorns he'll wear?
When in the hush of eventide,
Cool waters touched his feet,
Was it a hymn of Calvary's road
He heard the waves repeat?
But when the winds triumphantly
Swept from the open plain,
The Master surely heard the song:
The Lord shall live again!
Author: Catherine Baird (1895-1984)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 103
Mark 9:2-9 (The Message)
2-4Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.
5-6Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials— one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing.
7Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."
8The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.
9-10Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you're free to talk." They puzzled over that, wondering what on earth "rising from the dead" meant.
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[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent will start this Wednesday, 25th of February, and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April. ]
Yesterday many Churches would have read the reading from Mark, which I have chosen for today. However, as The Salvation Army does not follow the Common Lectionary readings, many Salvationists would not have read the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.
Sometimes we get hung up on the trivial. When I read the story of the Transfiguration, I cannot help remembering a fellow Cadet at the Officer Training College who challenged our Old Testament Bible Teacher when she said Moses never entered the Promised Land. He maintained his Bible said Moses did enter the Promised Land. When asked for proof, he turned to this account where Moses (and Elijah) appeared with Jesus.
It is probably not trivial but have you considered if Peter had his way, we could have had Three Tabernacles as the symbol of our religion. With three tabernacles, Jesus would have stood as one of three leaders or even three prophets.
It was God who lifted Jesus way above the suggestions of man. The voice in the cloud proclaimed "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."
Jesus was not only a leader, not only a prophet, but a loved Son. Jesus looked ahead beyond the three tabernacles, beyond the mountain experience and told his Disciples it would all be plain to when he rose from the dead. Already the shadow of the cross which would become an eternal memorial and marker of our faith was falling on Jesus. Jesus knew they need the whole experience before they could understand the reality that confronted him and them.
[Listen: Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_962.mp3
OR
Male Voice: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2611.mp3 ]
When Jesus looked o'er Galilee,
So blue and calm and fair,
Upon her bosom, could he see
A cross reflected there?
When sunrise dyed the lovely deeps,
And sparkled in his hair,
O did the light rays seem to say:
A crown of thorns he'll wear?
When in the hush of eventide,
Cool waters touched his feet,
Was it a hymn of Calvary's road
He heard the waves repeat?
But when the winds triumphantly
Swept from the open plain,
The Master surely heard the song:
The Lord shall live again!
Author: Catherine Baird (1895-1984)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 103
Mark 9:2-9 (The Message)
2-4Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.
5-6Peter interrupted, "Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let's build three memorials— one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing.
7Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."
8The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.
9-10Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you're free to talk." They puzzled over that, wondering what on earth "rising from the dead" meant.
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms 22nd February 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms 22nd February 2009
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 220
Author: Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
[Listen: Hendon Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2529.mp3
Look and Listen: Hawthorne Citadel Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_063.WMV ]
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2.
Holy, holy, holy; all the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be!
3.
Holy, holy, holy; though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity!
4.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Psalm 41 (The Message) – Selected Verses.
1-3Dignify those who are down on their luck;
you'll feel good—that's what God does.
God looks after us all,
makes us robust with life—
Lucky to be in the land,
we're free from enemy worries.
Whenever we're sick and in bed,
God becomes our nurse,
nurses us back to health.
…
10 God, give grace, get me up on my feet.
I'll show them a thing or two.
11-12 Meanwhile, I'm sure you're on my side—
no victory shouts yet from the enemy camp!
You know me inside and out, you hold me together,
you never fail to stand me tall in your presence
so I can look you in the eye.
13 Blessed is God, Israel's God,
always, always, always.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses), W.H. Williams (chorus)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1600.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
2.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its honors fade and fall;
But with thee, though I mount the cross,
I count it gain to suffer loss,
For thou art all in all.
3.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
4.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
PRAYER:
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer Book for Australia).
…………
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 220
Author: Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
[Listen: Hendon Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2529.mp3
Look and Listen: Hawthorne Citadel Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_063.WMV ]
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2.
Holy, holy, holy; all the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be!
3.
Holy, holy, holy; though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity!
4.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Psalm 41 (The Message) – Selected Verses.
1-3Dignify those who are down on their luck;
you'll feel good—that's what God does.
God looks after us all,
makes us robust with life—
Lucky to be in the land,
we're free from enemy worries.
Whenever we're sick and in bed,
God becomes our nurse,
nurses us back to health.
…
10 God, give grace, get me up on my feet.
I'll show them a thing or two.
11-12 Meanwhile, I'm sure you're on my side—
no victory shouts yet from the enemy camp!
You know me inside and out, you hold me together,
you never fail to stand me tall in your presence
so I can look you in the eye.
13 Blessed is God, Israel's God,
always, always, always.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses), W.H. Williams (chorus)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1600.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
2.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its honors fade and fall;
But with thee, though I mount the cross,
I count it gain to suffer loss,
For thou art all in all.
3.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
4.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
PRAYER:
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer Book for Australia).
…………
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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Friday, February 20, 2009
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 21st February, 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 21st February, 2009.
GOING BOLDLY
The other day, I read the well known chapter of Hebrews which includes the words:
So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. (Hebrews 10: 19-21 The Message)
Some may be more familiar with the King James Version:
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:19-20 King James Version)
I began to reflect on the idea of going boldly into the presence of God. I was thinking what a privilege it is. I have no access to the Premier of our State, Queensland, to the Prime Minister of Australia or to the Queen of Queensland and Australia who also happens to be the Queen of England and many other places.
When I was in Rome last year, I visited the Vatican City and St Peters Basilica. However, I had no access to the Pope. It would have been difficult as he was in Sydney, Australia at the time. I could go boldly to view the Vatican art as I had paid my entrance fee and walk through St Peters. There were limits to where I could boldly go and I had the idea that security people were watching.
I continued to think about going boldly and I remembered the prayer we pray each Monday in the Chapel before we gin our hospital patient visiting. It is based on 2 Timothy 1: 6-7:
God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. May we rekindle the gift of God within us. Amen.
Again, I like The Message version of those verses on which the prayer is based:
And the special gift of ministry you received when I (Paul) laid hands on you (Timothy) and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. (2 Timothy 1: 6-7 The Message).
I have been in seven or eight different prisons but there is one night when I went boldly. I think it was boldly on the outside although it was far from it inside. This particular night I was visiting without my fellow Chaplain and the guards on one cell block told me there was no one available to escort me down 100 meters of the internal road to the next cell block.
I waited while they telephoned ahead and then I set out down the road through the dark. I would think that the guards at each end of the road were watching me as I swiftly made my way. I was about half way when I saw something moving in the dark down towards the perimeter fence. I quickened my pace and had visions of being taken hostage by a stray prisoner.
When I got to the cell block, the gate was unlocked and I moved into the safety of the compound. I reported the movement I had seen to the guard and he smiled as he said “Sir, they are Mr King’s kangaroos”. I remembered, then, the kangaroos the Prison Governor had inside the external boundary fence.
I remember another time there was a prison officers’ strike at Parramatta Prison in Sydney. It was a tough prison with some very tough prisoners. The Salvation Army with the agreement of the Prison officers’ Union was given the responsibility of feeding the prisoners.
We did this by placing the essentials for 3 meals, including one hot chicken dinner with vegetables in two supermarket bags. This was the daily ration for each prisoner. When all was ready we took the meal packs to each cell block. There was one Salvation Army Officer, about three armed Police Officers and one prison manager in each cell block.
We approached the cell door. The prisoner was commanded to stand back. The Prison manger tested the door to make sure it was not electrically live. (Prisoners had previous occasions ripped electrical wiring from the walls and connected the metal doors to the electric light supply which was painful to anyone touching the door). The peep hole was then used to make sure the prisoner was back from the door and the door unlocked and opened.
I then boldly stepped forward and placed the meal bags in the doorway and quickly stepped back. The prisoner was then told to come forward, pick up his meal bags and slowly return to his cell. The door was locked and we repeated the procedure at the next cell door. After the prisoners had been in “lock down” mode for a few days without a shower or exercise the relationship of many of the prisoners with police and prison officers was very abusive. It was always a great relief to hear the door bang closed behind me and I could breathe easy the fumes of Parramatta traffic outside the prison.
It was about the same time as I my visits to Parramatta Prison to be part of a team preparing and delivering meals to the prisoners in their cells that I was appointed as a Fire Brigade Chaplain and was called to attend a fatal vehicle accident for the first time. I will not dwell on the details but that first time and every time since that I was called to a fatal fire or a vehicle accident with death and severe injuries, my prayer was that God would give me courage to go boldly and be of use to the people at the scene and to distressed relatives and friends who arrived.
The Ambassador for South Africa was to visit a country town where I was the Corps Officer at the time. The Town Council put on a Civic Reception for him and I was invited to attend. It was a Friday night. Friday night, I used to do my hotel rounds with my bundle of War Crys and my collection box. It was quite tight timing but I managed to complete the hotel round in time to walk home and then around the corner to the Town Hall for the reception. As I reflected later, I thought what a contrast there was between the last hotel, probably with the lowest socio economic group in town and the reception where I met not only the official guest but mingled with every community and business leader in the town. I had never spoken to an Ambassador before or since, but he sought me out and spoke highly of The Salvation Army and its work in his home land.
I have told the story before of the young blind man whom I took from the dreadful circumstances in which he was living almost kept prisoner by relatives who had taken every advantage of his pension income and gave almost nothing in return. Yes, I not only went boldly and with a prayer but reported to the police station before and after the “rescue” as his relatives were known for their violence.
It was in my first appointment that we had a Saturday night “coffee shop” for teenagers. It had been going for about three years and it was mostly attended by young people from the community. There behaviour was sometimes far less than desirable especially when they had spent the Saturday afternoon drinking alcohol. They often upset our neighbours and we spent a lot of time trying to bring peace to the situation.
One night they upset one of the neighbours who went to a nearby hotel and gathered friends to fix us up. His friends like him all seemed about 30cm (1 foot) taller than me. They all looked like they were practiced in battle. Just as I wqas confronted by the group, our rock group of guitars and drums struck up another song. Luckily, it wasn’t their loud and raucous version of “Wild Thing”, “Proud Mary” or “Bad moon Rising” but their vocalist Robyn singing with quiet accompaniment “Amazing Grace”.
The leader of the pack told his friends to shut up and listen. As Robyn’s clear voice sang the well known words, the leader said “Anyone with music like that can’t be bad. Let’s go”. With that he shook me by the hand, told me to have a good night and joined his friends as they went back to wherever they had come from.
The neighbour was not satisfied. A few Saturday night’s later he confronted me with a shotgun on the footpath outside our Citadel. I felt a lot better when the police arrived. I was bold but not stupid. I closed the Saturday night Coffee Shop a week later. Our outreach tot eh young people continued on Wednesday night when we had our Bible Study and games night. On Wednesdays they had been at work or school so they came and of course stayed sober.
I started out by quoting from Hebrews. Remember ?
So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. (Hebrews 10: 19-21 The Message)
The writer to the Hebrews does not stop there he goes on:
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3805.mp3 ]
There's a path that's sometimes thorny,
There's a narrow way, and straight;
It is called the path of duty,
And it leads to Heaven's gate.
While we tread this path of duty,
We will find our needs supplied
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing close beside.
Chorus
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.
'Tis a blessed way and holy,
'Tis a path of peace and joy;
Though sometimes the way be stony
And the cares of life annoy.
But this path that we call duty
Is the way the Master trod,
And the smile of love and beauty
Lights the way that leads to God.
Let us walk this path of duty
With our faces to the sun,
Carry all our burdens gladly,
Finish well what we've begun.
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing by the way,
We may drink and find refreshing
For the burdens of the day.
Author: Sidney Edward Cox (1887-1975)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 462
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
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GOING BOLDLY
The other day, I read the well known chapter of Hebrews which includes the words:
So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. (Hebrews 10: 19-21 The Message)
Some may be more familiar with the King James Version:
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (Hebrews 10:19-20 King James Version)
I began to reflect on the idea of going boldly into the presence of God. I was thinking what a privilege it is. I have no access to the Premier of our State, Queensland, to the Prime Minister of Australia or to the Queen of Queensland and Australia who also happens to be the Queen of England and many other places.
When I was in Rome last year, I visited the Vatican City and St Peters Basilica. However, I had no access to the Pope. It would have been difficult as he was in Sydney, Australia at the time. I could go boldly to view the Vatican art as I had paid my entrance fee and walk through St Peters. There were limits to where I could boldly go and I had the idea that security people were watching.
I continued to think about going boldly and I remembered the prayer we pray each Monday in the Chapel before we gin our hospital patient visiting. It is based on 2 Timothy 1: 6-7:
God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. May we rekindle the gift of God within us. Amen.
Again, I like The Message version of those verses on which the prayer is based:
And the special gift of ministry you received when I (Paul) laid hands on you (Timothy) and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. (2 Timothy 1: 6-7 The Message).
I have been in seven or eight different prisons but there is one night when I went boldly. I think it was boldly on the outside although it was far from it inside. This particular night I was visiting without my fellow Chaplain and the guards on one cell block told me there was no one available to escort me down 100 meters of the internal road to the next cell block.
I waited while they telephoned ahead and then I set out down the road through the dark. I would think that the guards at each end of the road were watching me as I swiftly made my way. I was about half way when I saw something moving in the dark down towards the perimeter fence. I quickened my pace and had visions of being taken hostage by a stray prisoner.
When I got to the cell block, the gate was unlocked and I moved into the safety of the compound. I reported the movement I had seen to the guard and he smiled as he said “Sir, they are Mr King’s kangaroos”. I remembered, then, the kangaroos the Prison Governor had inside the external boundary fence.
I remember another time there was a prison officers’ strike at Parramatta Prison in Sydney. It was a tough prison with some very tough prisoners. The Salvation Army with the agreement of the Prison officers’ Union was given the responsibility of feeding the prisoners.
We did this by placing the essentials for 3 meals, including one hot chicken dinner with vegetables in two supermarket bags. This was the daily ration for each prisoner. When all was ready we took the meal packs to each cell block. There was one Salvation Army Officer, about three armed Police Officers and one prison manager in each cell block.
We approached the cell door. The prisoner was commanded to stand back. The Prison manger tested the door to make sure it was not electrically live. (Prisoners had previous occasions ripped electrical wiring from the walls and connected the metal doors to the electric light supply which was painful to anyone touching the door). The peep hole was then used to make sure the prisoner was back from the door and the door unlocked and opened.
I then boldly stepped forward and placed the meal bags in the doorway and quickly stepped back. The prisoner was then told to come forward, pick up his meal bags and slowly return to his cell. The door was locked and we repeated the procedure at the next cell door. After the prisoners had been in “lock down” mode for a few days without a shower or exercise the relationship of many of the prisoners with police and prison officers was very abusive. It was always a great relief to hear the door bang closed behind me and I could breathe easy the fumes of Parramatta traffic outside the prison.
It was about the same time as I my visits to Parramatta Prison to be part of a team preparing and delivering meals to the prisoners in their cells that I was appointed as a Fire Brigade Chaplain and was called to attend a fatal vehicle accident for the first time. I will not dwell on the details but that first time and every time since that I was called to a fatal fire or a vehicle accident with death and severe injuries, my prayer was that God would give me courage to go boldly and be of use to the people at the scene and to distressed relatives and friends who arrived.
The Ambassador for South Africa was to visit a country town where I was the Corps Officer at the time. The Town Council put on a Civic Reception for him and I was invited to attend. It was a Friday night. Friday night, I used to do my hotel rounds with my bundle of War Crys and my collection box. It was quite tight timing but I managed to complete the hotel round in time to walk home and then around the corner to the Town Hall for the reception. As I reflected later, I thought what a contrast there was between the last hotel, probably with the lowest socio economic group in town and the reception where I met not only the official guest but mingled with every community and business leader in the town. I had never spoken to an Ambassador before or since, but he sought me out and spoke highly of The Salvation Army and its work in his home land.
I have told the story before of the young blind man whom I took from the dreadful circumstances in which he was living almost kept prisoner by relatives who had taken every advantage of his pension income and gave almost nothing in return. Yes, I not only went boldly and with a prayer but reported to the police station before and after the “rescue” as his relatives were known for their violence.
It was in my first appointment that we had a Saturday night “coffee shop” for teenagers. It had been going for about three years and it was mostly attended by young people from the community. There behaviour was sometimes far less than desirable especially when they had spent the Saturday afternoon drinking alcohol. They often upset our neighbours and we spent a lot of time trying to bring peace to the situation.
One night they upset one of the neighbours who went to a nearby hotel and gathered friends to fix us up. His friends like him all seemed about 30cm (1 foot) taller than me. They all looked like they were practiced in battle. Just as I wqas confronted by the group, our rock group of guitars and drums struck up another song. Luckily, it wasn’t their loud and raucous version of “Wild Thing”, “Proud Mary” or “Bad moon Rising” but their vocalist Robyn singing with quiet accompaniment “Amazing Grace”.
The leader of the pack told his friends to shut up and listen. As Robyn’s clear voice sang the well known words, the leader said “Anyone with music like that can’t be bad. Let’s go”. With that he shook me by the hand, told me to have a good night and joined his friends as they went back to wherever they had come from.
The neighbour was not satisfied. A few Saturday night’s later he confronted me with a shotgun on the footpath outside our Citadel. I felt a lot better when the police arrived. I was bold but not stupid. I closed the Saturday night Coffee Shop a week later. Our outreach tot eh young people continued on Wednesday night when we had our Bible Study and games night. On Wednesdays they had been at work or school so they came and of course stayed sober.
I started out by quoting from Hebrews. Remember ?
So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. (Hebrews 10: 19-21 The Message)
The writer to the Hebrews does not stop there he goes on:
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3805.mp3 ]
There's a path that's sometimes thorny,
There's a narrow way, and straight;
It is called the path of duty,
And it leads to Heaven's gate.
While we tread this path of duty,
We will find our needs supplied
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing close beside.
Chorus
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God's grace.
'Tis a blessed way and holy,
'Tis a path of peace and joy;
Though sometimes the way be stony
And the cares of life annoy.
But this path that we call duty
Is the way the Master trod,
And the smile of love and beauty
Lights the way that leads to God.
Let us walk this path of duty
With our faces to the sun,
Carry all our burdens gladly,
Finish well what we've begun.
From the river of God's mercy
That is flowing by the way,
We may drink and find refreshing
For the burdens of the day.
Author: Sidney Edward Cox (1887-1975)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 462
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
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To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
OzThoughts Friday 20th February 2009
OzThoughts Friday 20th February 2009
Yesterday the question was how would you answer “Who is Jesus?” Today’s reading really poses the question “who would you tell your answer to?” Do you let people know that Jesus is in control of your life?
I remember one Salvation Army Officer telling us that he found it quite amusing his daughter told her friends at school that her father was a cheese salesman. It makes me wonder about how we answer questions which would declare our faith.
Do we answer “what did you do on Sunday?” with “I spent time with the family” instead of “I went to Church with the family on Sunday”. How about “I wear this uniform as I play in a Salvation Army Band” rather than “I wear this uniform as a Soldier of Christ? The “Ss” on my uniform collar declare “Saved to serve”.
Jesus is talking about the “Big C”: Commitment.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3 ]
Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.
Hold thou my feet, let there be no returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.
I would bring peace to lives now torn asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Authors: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 529
Mark 8:34-39 - Mark 9: 1
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
38 "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Mark 9: 1 Then he drove it home by saying, "This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force."
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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Yesterday the question was how would you answer “Who is Jesus?” Today’s reading really poses the question “who would you tell your answer to?” Do you let people know that Jesus is in control of your life?
I remember one Salvation Army Officer telling us that he found it quite amusing his daughter told her friends at school that her father was a cheese salesman. It makes me wonder about how we answer questions which would declare our faith.
Do we answer “what did you do on Sunday?” with “I spent time with the family” instead of “I went to Church with the family on Sunday”. How about “I wear this uniform as I play in a Salvation Army Band” rather than “I wear this uniform as a Soldier of Christ? The “Ss” on my uniform collar declare “Saved to serve”.
Jesus is talking about the “Big C”: Commitment.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3 ]
Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.
Hold thou my feet, let there be no returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.
I would bring peace to lives now torn asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Authors: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 529
Mark 8:34-39 - Mark 9: 1
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
38 "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Mark 9: 1 Then he drove it home by saying, "This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force."
Read a Christian book during Lent.
Lent in 2009 will start on Wednesday, the 25th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 11th of April.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 19th February 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 19th February 2009
How often are we challenged about our faith? I had a fellow decide he would challenge me about my faith and he was going strong. When I suggested the story he was telling about Jesus saying to Paul “sell everything you have and give to the poor” was not about Paul but about the “Rich young ruler”, he lost interest in his challenge. However, I gave a brief statement of my faith in Jesus and who he was to me.
In today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus challenged his Disciples very directly "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter answers and it seems very quickly "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
We cannot escape answering the same question. We must answer it for ourselves. I believe we must also answer it for others who question us.
David Pawson says that god all-matey has replaced God Almighty. Others have suggested that in none of all the “I am” statements in the Gospel does Jesus say “I am your best friend”. Even others have suggested that the “Jesus is my (boy/girl?) friend theology in some choruses is no theology but just another song aping popular culture.
Even Peter’s statement "You are the Christ, the Messiah." needed development by Jesus and Jesus outlines what being the Christ would mean. When Peter challenges that development, Jesus does not hesitate in saying “"Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (NIV).
How do we answer Jesus question "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?" Does our answer reflect our thoughts are the things of God, or the things of men?
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3888.mp3 ]
I know thee who thou art,
And what thy healing name;
For when my fainting heart
The burden nigh o'ercame,
I saw thy footprints on my road
Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine
By every human tie,
And my new name is thine,
A child of God am I;
And never more alone, since thou
Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk,
I will delight in thee
In sweet communion talk
Of all thou art to me;
The beauty of thy face behold
And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back
Or turn my heart from thee,
But by the Calvary track
Bring me at last to see
The courts of God, that city fair,
And find my name is written there.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 59
Mark 8:27-33 (The Message)
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, "Who do the people say I am?"
28 "Some say 'John the Baptizer,'" they said. "Others say 'Elijah.' Still others say 'one of the prophets.'"
29 He then asked, "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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How often are we challenged about our faith? I had a fellow decide he would challenge me about my faith and he was going strong. When I suggested the story he was telling about Jesus saying to Paul “sell everything you have and give to the poor” was not about Paul but about the “Rich young ruler”, he lost interest in his challenge. However, I gave a brief statement of my faith in Jesus and who he was to me.
In today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus challenged his Disciples very directly "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter answers and it seems very quickly "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
We cannot escape answering the same question. We must answer it for ourselves. I believe we must also answer it for others who question us.
David Pawson says that god all-matey has replaced God Almighty. Others have suggested that in none of all the “I am” statements in the Gospel does Jesus say “I am your best friend”. Even others have suggested that the “Jesus is my (boy/girl?) friend theology in some choruses is no theology but just another song aping popular culture.
Even Peter’s statement "You are the Christ, the Messiah." needed development by Jesus and Jesus outlines what being the Christ would mean. When Peter challenges that development, Jesus does not hesitate in saying “"Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (NIV).
How do we answer Jesus question "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?" Does our answer reflect our thoughts are the things of God, or the things of men?
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3888.mp3 ]
I know thee who thou art,
And what thy healing name;
For when my fainting heart
The burden nigh o'ercame,
I saw thy footprints on my road
Where lately passed the Son of God.
Thy name is joined with mine
By every human tie,
And my new name is thine,
A child of God am I;
And never more alone, since thou
Art on the road beside me now.
Beside thee as I walk,
I will delight in thee
In sweet communion talk
Of all thou art to me;
The beauty of thy face behold
And know thy mercies manifold.
Let nothing draw me back
Or turn my heart from thee,
But by the Calvary track
Bring me at last to see
The courts of God, that city fair,
And find my name is written there.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 59
Mark 8:27-33 (The Message)
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, "Who do the people say I am?"
28 "Some say 'John the Baptizer,'" they said. "Others say 'Elijah.' Still others say 'one of the prophets.'"
29 He then asked, "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Monday, February 16, 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 17th February 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 17th February 2009
“But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn't a crumb in the boat.” Is it great to know the Disciples are like us. They forget things. Yesterday I forgot to take my wallet with me to work. Luckily, I did not need my money, my credit card or my Driver’s Licence it contained.
Jesus takes the opportunity of their forgetfulness to remind them of two things. Firstly he tells them to beware of the contaminating yeast of the Pharisees and Herod’s followers. Yeast is a mould or single cell fungi and Jesus obviously knows there are good and bad moulds.
Secondly, Jesus reminds them of the fact, he has already demonstrated his ability to supply “our daily bread”. He reminds them of two occasions when he not only supplied enough bread for thousands from a few loaves but had plenty over.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen : Hymn Tunes Lathbury* and St Cuthbert :
http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF387%20-%20Hymn%20Tunes%20(a)%20Lathbury%20(b)%20St%20Cuthbert.mp3
*Lathbury is the tune for the following words:
Break thou the bread of life,
O Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves
Beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page
I seek thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for thee,
O living Word!
Thou art the bread of life,
O Lord, to me,
Thy holy word the truth
That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live
With thee above;
Teach me to love thy truth,
For thou art love.
O send thy Spirit, Lord,
Now unto me,
That he may touch my eyes
And make me see;
Show me the truth concealed
Within thy word,
And in thy book revealed
I see the Lord.
Authors: Mary Artemisia Lathbury (1841-1913), (verse 1 )
Alexander Groves, (1843-1909) (verses 2 and 3 )
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 650
Mark 8:14-21 (The Message)
13-15 He then left them, got back in the boat, and headed for the other side. But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn't a crumb in the boat. Jesus warned, "Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of Pharisees and the followers of Herod."
16-19 Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?"
They said, "Twelve."
20 "And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?"
"Seven."
21 He said, "Do you still not get it?"
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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“But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn't a crumb in the boat.” Is it great to know the Disciples are like us. They forget things. Yesterday I forgot to take my wallet with me to work. Luckily, I did not need my money, my credit card or my Driver’s Licence it contained.
Jesus takes the opportunity of their forgetfulness to remind them of two things. Firstly he tells them to beware of the contaminating yeast of the Pharisees and Herod’s followers. Yeast is a mould or single cell fungi and Jesus obviously knows there are good and bad moulds.
Secondly, Jesus reminds them of the fact, he has already demonstrated his ability to supply “our daily bread”. He reminds them of two occasions when he not only supplied enough bread for thousands from a few loaves but had plenty over.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen : Hymn Tunes Lathbury* and St Cuthbert :
http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF387%20-%20Hymn%20Tunes%20(a)%20Lathbury%20(b)%20St%20Cuthbert.mp3
*Lathbury is the tune for the following words:
Break thou the bread of life,
O Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves
Beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page
I seek thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for thee,
O living Word!
Thou art the bread of life,
O Lord, to me,
Thy holy word the truth
That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live
With thee above;
Teach me to love thy truth,
For thou art love.
O send thy Spirit, Lord,
Now unto me,
That he may touch my eyes
And make me see;
Show me the truth concealed
Within thy word,
And in thy book revealed
I see the Lord.
Authors: Mary Artemisia Lathbury (1841-1913), (verse 1 )
Alexander Groves, (1843-1909) (verses 2 and 3 )
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 650
Mark 8:14-21 (The Message)
13-15 He then left them, got back in the boat, and headed for the other side. But the disciples forgot to pack a lunch. Except for a single loaf of bread, there wasn't a crumb in the boat. Jesus warned, "Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of Pharisees and the followers of Herod."
16-19 Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?"
They said, "Twelve."
20 "And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?"
"Seven."
21 He said, "Do you still not get it?"
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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Sunday, February 15, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 16th February 2009
OzThoughts Monday 16th February 2009
So we come to the beginning of another week. It will be different for each of us. What are some of the things we will face this week? Maybe challenges at work or at school for some. Some will face health problems. Others will face family or financial problems. Some are dealing with floods and fire while others are dealing with snow or drought.
In the midst of all this the Psalmist reminds us to “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.”
In other words: Don’t miss out on the blessings God has for us. Actually the Psalmist suggests how we should react:
Psalm 105:1-7 (The Message)
1-7 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
He's God, our God,
in charge of the whole earth.
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness:
Through the years of yesterday;
Thank you, too, for present mercies
And your blessing on my way.
Thank you for each revelation,
And for what you choose to hide;
Thank you, Lord, for grace sustaining
As I in your love abide.
Thank you, Lord, for sunlit pathways,
Thank you, too, for byways rough;
Thank you for the fruitful summers
Also for the winters tough.
Thank you, Lord, for fragrant flowers
Growing right amid the weeds;
Thank you for the peace you give me
Even when my spirit bleeds.
Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for wayside roses,
Even for the thorns beside;
Thank you for the prayers you granted
And for those that you denied;
Thank you, Lord, for precious comfort
In my hours of grief and pain;
Thank you for your precious promise
Life eternal I shall gain.
Authors: August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914),
Translator: Flora Larsson
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 552
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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So we come to the beginning of another week. It will be different for each of us. What are some of the things we will face this week? Maybe challenges at work or at school for some. Some will face health problems. Others will face family or financial problems. Some are dealing with floods and fire while others are dealing with snow or drought.
In the midst of all this the Psalmist reminds us to “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.”
In other words: Don’t miss out on the blessings God has for us. Actually the Psalmist suggests how we should react:
Psalm 105:1-7 (The Message)
1-7 Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
O seed of Abraham, his servant,
O child of Jacob, his chosen.
He's God, our God,
in charge of the whole earth.
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness:
Through the years of yesterday;
Thank you, too, for present mercies
And your blessing on my way.
Thank you for each revelation,
And for what you choose to hide;
Thank you, Lord, for grace sustaining
As I in your love abide.
Thank you, Lord, for sunlit pathways,
Thank you, too, for byways rough;
Thank you for the fruitful summers
Also for the winters tough.
Thank you, Lord, for fragrant flowers
Growing right amid the weeds;
Thank you for the peace you give me
Even when my spirit bleeds.
Chorus
Thank you, Lord, for wayside roses,
Even for the thorns beside;
Thank you for the prayers you granted
And for those that you denied;
Thank you, Lord, for precious comfort
In my hours of grief and pain;
Thank you for your precious promise
Life eternal I shall gain.
Authors: August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914),
Translator: Flora Larsson
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 552
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Saturday, February 14, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms 15th February 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms 15th February 2009
[Administration Note:
A recent thank you note to OzThoughts reminded me that there are people like the writer of that note who cannot get to Sunday Meetings. While this cannot replace that experience, my prayer is that these hymns, Psalms and prayers might help people to feel a time of communion with God but feel connected with others across the world who are sharing the experience of this time of worship and meditation.
You may wish to forward this to others who you would like to share the experience. ]
[Listen: Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1598.mp3
OR
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1806.mp3
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 9
Authors: Attr Samuel Barnard (d 1807)
Jehovah is our strength,
And he shall be our song;
We shall o'ercome at length
Although our foes be strong.
In vain does Satan then oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
2.
The Lord our refuge is
And ever will remain;
Since he has made us his
He will our cause maintain.
In vain our enemies oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
3.
The Lord our shepherd is;
He knows our every need,
And since we now are his,
His care our souls will feed.
In vain do sin and death oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
4.
Our God our Father is;
Our names are on his heart;
We ever will be his,
He ne'er from us will part.
In vain the mightiest powers oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
Psalm 30 (The Message)
1 I give you all the credit, GOD— you got me out of that mess,
you didn't let my foes gloat.
2-3 GOD, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
GOD, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to GOD!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm GOD's favorite.
He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces.
8-10 I called out to you, GOD;
I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!"
11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
GOD, my God,
I can't thank you enough.
The Salvation Army Song Book: SongNumber: 022
Authors: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_033.mp3
OR
Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3537.mp3 ]
To God be the glory, great things he hath done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son;
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Chorus
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things he hath done!
2.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3.
Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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[Administration Note:
A recent thank you note to OzThoughts reminded me that there are people like the writer of that note who cannot get to Sunday Meetings. While this cannot replace that experience, my prayer is that these hymns, Psalms and prayers might help people to feel a time of communion with God but feel connected with others across the world who are sharing the experience of this time of worship and meditation.
You may wish to forward this to others who you would like to share the experience. ]
[Listen: Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1598.mp3
OR
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1806.mp3
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 9
Authors: Attr Samuel Barnard (d 1807)
Jehovah is our strength,
And he shall be our song;
We shall o'ercome at length
Although our foes be strong.
In vain does Satan then oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
2.
The Lord our refuge is
And ever will remain;
Since he has made us his
He will our cause maintain.
In vain our enemies oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
3.
The Lord our shepherd is;
He knows our every need,
And since we now are his,
His care our souls will feed.
In vain do sin and death oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
4.
Our God our Father is;
Our names are on his heart;
We ever will be his,
He ne'er from us will part.
In vain the mightiest powers oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.
Psalm 30 (The Message)
1 I give you all the credit, GOD— you got me out of that mess,
you didn't let my foes gloat.
2-3 GOD, my God, I yelled for help
and you put me together.
GOD, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life
when I was down-and-out.
4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to GOD!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
6-7 When things were going great
I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm GOD's favorite.
He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
and I fell to pieces.
8-10 I called out to you, GOD;
I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
Help me out of this!"
11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
GOD, my God,
I can't thank you enough.
The Salvation Army Song Book: SongNumber: 022
Authors: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_033.mp3
OR
Brass Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3537.mp3 ]
To God be the glory, great things he hath done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son;
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Chorus
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things he hath done!
2.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3.
Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer and higher and greater will be
Our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th February, 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th February, 2009.
Next Tuesday is the anniversary of the crash of a Stinson passenger airliner. The crash occurred on 17th February, 1937. Eventually two survivors of the crash were rescued. The story of their rescue is one of those stories that if it was fiction we would dismiss as not only unbelievable but unlikely to ever happen.
A couple of years ago, I visited O’Reilly’s Guest House in the rugged mountain ranges at the back of the Gold Coast. Following that visit I wrote a few thoughts about the visit and told the story of the rescue. Such was the interest in that story that I wrote a longer version.
As we approach this anniversary I have repeated the two versions and added some websites which are worth a visit. I apologise to those who have read this account in ATAW since I first wrote it in 2004 but isn’t a good story worth reading again?
Anyone who has visited the mountains behind the Gold Coast will have a good idea of the single-minded determination of Bernard O’Reilly and the Herculean effort he made. As we think of him and his massive effort, notice how he dismisses it and calls it an answer to prayer. I have no doubt it was an answer to prayer. Do you agree?
The Stinson Disaster
Most people seemed to ignore the statue in the forecourts of O’Reilly’s Guesthouse. . Some stopped and looked for a moment barely having time to read the plaque. Tourists who had arrived on buses mingled with those who arrived by private transport and from packets sprinkled seeds and other morsels which were eagerly gobbled by the colourful parrots and other birds. It was the birds which were the attraction. Those who were lucky enough to have birds land on their hands or head hoped their friends with still and video cameras had captured the moment. Some might get the statue in the background of their pictures and may wonder at the story behind it. It is a story of strength and tenacity and answers to prayer.
It is the story of a man who searched for a plane that went missing after all others had given up. It was 68 years ago this weekend on the 19th February, 1937 that the Stinson tri-motor 'City of Brisbane' (VH-UHH), flying its regular service flight to Sydney, took off from Brisbane into the teeth of a cyclone. When the luxury tri-motor with its 2 crew and 5 passengers failed to arrive in Sydney, the largest air search in Australia's history began. (See longer version of story below)
Bernard O’Reilly began his search over a week after the crash and after the official search had been called off. He searched in the rugged subtropical rain forest covered mountains of the New South Wales and Queensland Border. He was guided by a burnt out tree on a far ridge to where the wreck of the plane and two survivors lay injured and exhausted beside it. It is the story of his extra human feat in getting down the mountain and getting help to get these two men to safety.
It was a remarkable four days from when he left home to begin his search to when the survivors were brought to the waiting ambulances. With only limited sleep and food and massive human exertion during that time it was in the realm of heroic feat yet O’Reilly pointed to God. It was God who was his help as prayers were answered.
In one place as he considers comments made about his bushcraft he says that word ‘bushcraft’ was overworked. He says that anyone who carefully studies the topography and vegetation of the Border Ranges would know that no matter how well a man was equipped with bush instinct he might search there unsuccessfully for fifty years. He says the fact should be noted and due credit given to his mother who was saying her prayers back home.
Reflecting further on the rescue O’Reilly wrote in “Green Mountains”:
It is a wild dream now- that wild run (from Westray to the open forest where he met the rifle man) – I was quite mad – my heart had been wrung out with horror and pity – no one who looked upon those poor survivors could help praying as I did: “that God would let me live long enough to help these men.” I knew that I was sobbing and that I only paused when tears blinded me. I remember, too, that the shock and jar of leaping and landing on these rocks at top speed was telling on me, even though I was in splendid condition, but I was given strength to complete the task.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4355.mp3 ]
If human hearts are often tender,
And human minds can pity know,
If human love is touched with splendour,
And human hands compassion show,
Chorus
Then how much more shall God our Father
In love forgive, in love forgive!
Then how much more shall God our Father
Our wants supply, and none deny!
If sometimes men can live for others,
And sometimes give where gifts are spurned,
If sometimes treat their foes as brothers,
And love where love is not returned,
If men will often share their gladness,
If men respond when children cry,
If men can feel each other's sadness,
Each other's tears attempt to dry,
John Gowans
The Salvation Army Song Book Song Number: 50
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
The Stinson Disaster
It was 72 years ago this week on the 19th February, 1937 that the Stinson tri-motor 'City of Brisbane' (VH-UHH), flying its regular service flight to Sydney, took off from Brisbane into the teeth of a cyclone. When the luxury tri-motor with its 2 crew and 5 passengers failed to arrive in Sydney, the largest air search in Australia's history began.
Over the next couple of days, hundreds of seemingly reliable reports and sightings flooded in. Thousands of searchers and dozens of aircraft combed the 1000 km of mountains, beaches, and ocean between Brisbane and Sydney. Many reports said they had heard or seen the plane close to Sydney and therefore officials narrowed the search to the mountainous ravines and gullies of Broken Bay and the Kuringai Chase National Park just north of Sydney. After a week of exhaustive investigations from the air and on land, the official search was abandoned. It was to be assumed that, for some unknown reason, the plane had headed out to sea on its approach to Mascot Airport in Sydney and had crashed into the ocean.
On Thursday 25 February, Mrs H. Proud, mother of one of the missing passengers, offered a 500 pound reward to anyone who found the missing plane. Over the previous few days she had had a recurring vision. She could see her son sitting in the bush beside burnt-out wreckage. He was still alive. (This dream was documented in newspapers of the time.)
On the Queensland - New South Wales border ranges nine hundred kilometres away from the search around Sydney, Bernard O'Reilly, a dairy farmer, led his packhorses down into the valley with his week's cream supply. His property had been carved from the rainforest on the mountain tops in the early 1900s, just before the area was declared a National Park. The farm was surrounded by the towering trees of the rainforest, and the only track to his farm was up the side of the treacherous ravines that overshadow the valley.
Bernard visited his brother Herb (who had a farm in the valley) and, during the day, Bernard had the opportunity to read the newspapers from the previous week. He read details of the search for the missing Stinson, but from all of the conflicting reports, there appeared to be only one key fact: there were four passengers waiting to be collected in Lismore and the plane hadn't arrived.
During the day, Herb commented idly: 'The plane flew over here, you know. It was so low it scared all the chooks and they didn't lay for a few days.' Bernard rang a couple of Herb's neighbours to see if they had seen the distinctive aircraft flying over and, from their discussions, found a number of the locals had seen the plane passing. The last farmer up the valley had watched as the plane disappeared into the clouds—heading towards, but high enough to clear the mountains.
That evening, as the final search planes returned to Sydney without success, Bernard O'Reilly wound his way back up the track to his farm, he pondered the plane's fate and decided that, after his chores next morning, he would take a ride out to the border ranges to see if he could see anything. He drew a line on his map with a pencil and school ruler from where the farmer had seen the aircraft climbing higher over the mountains to Lismore. He reasoned that the plane if it crashed would be on one of the northern slopes of the four east-west mountain ranges along the line indicated by the pencil line.
Shortly after dawn, O’Reilly set out on horse back and rode as far as the horse could take him on the narrow track through the thick rain forest. Sending the horse back home, he turned to face the battle though the forest on foot. The rest of the day he battled on rising up the ranges and down the gorges, noting as he went huge trees which had been felled by the previous week’s cyclone.
After an almost sleepless night spent in the company of the forest’s nocturnal creatures including howling dingoes, tiger cats and powerful owls, he pushed on towards the high peak from which he hoped to survey the landscape across several mountain ranges. Upon arrival at the top of the mountain he looked and surveyed a scene of swirling low cloud. As he stood enjoying the cooling breezes suddenly the clouds parted and he could see clearly across three mountain ranges.
On the third range, in the sea of green trees, with the occasional white flowering tree was a tree that was light brown. A tree that was burnt or dying. O’Reilly decided that it was no coincidence this tree was right on the pencil line marking the guessed route of the plane. He set off with renewed vigour to cross the gorges and ranges between him and the tree. It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon he eventually reached the top of the range where the dead tree by his calculations was situated.
After regaining his breath he sent out the great Australian bush call: “Coo-ee”. It echoed across the gorge. There also came a clear answering call from close by. Then there was a second call which woke him from the physical shock of the first. Continuing to call and hear answering calls, he moved as quickly as possible the two hundred yards or so where he saw the burnt out remains of the plane. From under the wreck came the voices of the two survivors.
As O’Reilly looked at the man he saw first, he saw the broken swollen and maggoty leg and realised this man, John Proud, had lain there in pain for ten days and he was probably too late to save him. The second man, Jim Binstead, too, was in poor condition but had been able through the ten days to drag himself over rocks and vines, etc., 300 metres down and back up a steep slope to get water. But that journey was now impossible. The last one had taken him 5 hours.
O’Reilly found enough dry material to start a fire and soon had the billy boiling to make tea. Meantime, he heard the tale of the crash. How the plane had been caught in a sudden downdraft of the cyclone and dashed against the trees chopping off their tops and then finally hitting the big tree which had become the guiding beacon. Four, the two pilots and two passengers, were killed instantly in the crash and subsequent fire. A third man an Englishman, Jim Westray, had also escaped the crash and had helped Binstead drag Proud clear. Westray had gone for help but had not returned.
Not much more than a half hour after finding the two men, O’Reilly set off for help. Westray had chosen the best direction for help, so he went the same way down along the creek. Eventually, he came to a waterfall and saw where Westray had slipped over it as he tried to move around it. O’Reilly expected to find his broken body at the bottom but it wasn’t there. Westray had dragged himself down the steam for several more miles and successfully past other waterfalls until eventually he died as he sat with his back against a rock bathing a smashed ankle in the cooling pool and with his last cigarette in his hand.
O’Reilly had no time to stop. Light was fading and he must get as far as he could before night’s darkness was complete. He was driven on, as mile after mile of obstacles in the creek bed passed by, by the thought that Proud was dying. Eventually, he came to an area where the jungle gave way to more open forest and he eventually found a broad timber-getters track. Nearby there was the crack of a rifle. O’Reilly called out and received a cheery youthful reply. As they met, the rifle’s owner said he was just shooting flying foxes but asked where O’Reilly came from.
O’Reilly broke the news he had found the plane and two survivors. As quickly as they could they got to the young man’s house and phoned the news the plane was found. As the news went out, a rescue party organised. A doctor, ambulance cars and the police were notified. Men from the district were organised into two groups. One with the doctor to go back to the wreck, the way O’Reilly had come. The other group would go to a closer vantage point and would commence cutting through vine and bush with brush hooks and axes to make a way for the men on stretchers to be brought.
It was 10am when the rescue party got to the wreck. O’Reilly had come down to the open country in three hours. It had been 8 hours since he met the doctor and the party and began the same upward climb. The doctor quickly began treating Proud’s wounds as the rescuers began to fashion stretchers from saplings and chaff bags. A bush tent was made for the two men to rest in with the aid of sedatives. My nightfall the men cutting the track through the jungle emerged at the wreck. It was time for a night’s rest for all. Not many slept. After refreshing billy tea in the pre-dawn darkness the stretcher bearers set of down the slope. At times depending whether they were travelling up or down the carriers had their end of the stretcher high above their heads while at the other end it was carried well below the knees of weary yet willing men.
Eleven hours after the dawn departure, the weary party arrived at “base camp” where ambulance cars waited and the local women had set up a canteen. Four days after O’Reilly left home he could now rest except for those, friends and strangers, newsmen and photographers who questioned him and remarked about his “bushcraft”.
In one place as he considers comments made about his bushcraft he says that word was overworked. He says that anyone who carefully studies the topography and vegetation of the Border Ranges would know that no matter how well a man was equipped with bush instinct he might search there unsuccessfully for fifty years. He says the fact should be noted and due credit given to his mother who was saying her prayers back home.
Reflecting further on the rescue O’Reilly wrote in “Green Mountains”:
It is a wild dream now- that wild run (from Westray to the open forest where he met the rifle man) – I was quite mad – my heart had been wrung out with horror and pity – no one who looked upon those poor survivors could help praying as I did: “that God would let me live long enough to help these men.” I knew that I was sobbing and that I only paused when tears blinded me. I remember, too, that the shock and jar of leaping and landing on these rocks at top speed was telling on me, even though I was in splendid condition, but I was given strength to complete the task. (1941. p 45).
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````Bernard O'Reilly's book Green Mountains tells the story of his family pioneering, clearing and settling the rainforest of the McPherson Ranges and, in his book, he dedicates three chapters to his search for the missing Stinson. O’Reilly’s Guesthouse in the mountains behind the Gold Coast continues to provide a link with the family and the home of this heroic pioneer.
http://www.oreillys.com.au/
http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Other/stin.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s678197.htm
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21085822-5003416,00.html
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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Next Tuesday is the anniversary of the crash of a Stinson passenger airliner. The crash occurred on 17th February, 1937. Eventually two survivors of the crash were rescued. The story of their rescue is one of those stories that if it was fiction we would dismiss as not only unbelievable but unlikely to ever happen.
A couple of years ago, I visited O’Reilly’s Guest House in the rugged mountain ranges at the back of the Gold Coast. Following that visit I wrote a few thoughts about the visit and told the story of the rescue. Such was the interest in that story that I wrote a longer version.
As we approach this anniversary I have repeated the two versions and added some websites which are worth a visit. I apologise to those who have read this account in ATAW since I first wrote it in 2004 but isn’t a good story worth reading again?
Anyone who has visited the mountains behind the Gold Coast will have a good idea of the single-minded determination of Bernard O’Reilly and the Herculean effort he made. As we think of him and his massive effort, notice how he dismisses it and calls it an answer to prayer. I have no doubt it was an answer to prayer. Do you agree?
The Stinson Disaster
Most people seemed to ignore the statue in the forecourts of O’Reilly’s Guesthouse. . Some stopped and looked for a moment barely having time to read the plaque. Tourists who had arrived on buses mingled with those who arrived by private transport and from packets sprinkled seeds and other morsels which were eagerly gobbled by the colourful parrots and other birds. It was the birds which were the attraction. Those who were lucky enough to have birds land on their hands or head hoped their friends with still and video cameras had captured the moment. Some might get the statue in the background of their pictures and may wonder at the story behind it. It is a story of strength and tenacity and answers to prayer.
It is the story of a man who searched for a plane that went missing after all others had given up. It was 68 years ago this weekend on the 19th February, 1937 that the Stinson tri-motor 'City of Brisbane' (VH-UHH), flying its regular service flight to Sydney, took off from Brisbane into the teeth of a cyclone. When the luxury tri-motor with its 2 crew and 5 passengers failed to arrive in Sydney, the largest air search in Australia's history began. (See longer version of story below)
Bernard O’Reilly began his search over a week after the crash and after the official search had been called off. He searched in the rugged subtropical rain forest covered mountains of the New South Wales and Queensland Border. He was guided by a burnt out tree on a far ridge to where the wreck of the plane and two survivors lay injured and exhausted beside it. It is the story of his extra human feat in getting down the mountain and getting help to get these two men to safety.
It was a remarkable four days from when he left home to begin his search to when the survivors were brought to the waiting ambulances. With only limited sleep and food and massive human exertion during that time it was in the realm of heroic feat yet O’Reilly pointed to God. It was God who was his help as prayers were answered.
In one place as he considers comments made about his bushcraft he says that word ‘bushcraft’ was overworked. He says that anyone who carefully studies the topography and vegetation of the Border Ranges would know that no matter how well a man was equipped with bush instinct he might search there unsuccessfully for fifty years. He says the fact should be noted and due credit given to his mother who was saying her prayers back home.
Reflecting further on the rescue O’Reilly wrote in “Green Mountains”:
It is a wild dream now- that wild run (from Westray to the open forest where he met the rifle man) – I was quite mad – my heart had been wrung out with horror and pity – no one who looked upon those poor survivors could help praying as I did: “that God would let me live long enough to help these men.” I knew that I was sobbing and that I only paused when tears blinded me. I remember, too, that the shock and jar of leaping and landing on these rocks at top speed was telling on me, even though I was in splendid condition, but I was given strength to complete the task.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4355.mp3 ]
If human hearts are often tender,
And human minds can pity know,
If human love is touched with splendour,
And human hands compassion show,
Chorus
Then how much more shall God our Father
In love forgive, in love forgive!
Then how much more shall God our Father
Our wants supply, and none deny!
If sometimes men can live for others,
And sometimes give where gifts are spurned,
If sometimes treat their foes as brothers,
And love where love is not returned,
If men will often share their gladness,
If men respond when children cry,
If men can feel each other's sadness,
Each other's tears attempt to dry,
John Gowans
The Salvation Army Song Book Song Number: 50
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
The Stinson Disaster
It was 72 years ago this week on the 19th February, 1937 that the Stinson tri-motor 'City of Brisbane' (VH-UHH), flying its regular service flight to Sydney, took off from Brisbane into the teeth of a cyclone. When the luxury tri-motor with its 2 crew and 5 passengers failed to arrive in Sydney, the largest air search in Australia's history began.
Over the next couple of days, hundreds of seemingly reliable reports and sightings flooded in. Thousands of searchers and dozens of aircraft combed the 1000 km of mountains, beaches, and ocean between Brisbane and Sydney. Many reports said they had heard or seen the plane close to Sydney and therefore officials narrowed the search to the mountainous ravines and gullies of Broken Bay and the Kuringai Chase National Park just north of Sydney. After a week of exhaustive investigations from the air and on land, the official search was abandoned. It was to be assumed that, for some unknown reason, the plane had headed out to sea on its approach to Mascot Airport in Sydney and had crashed into the ocean.
On Thursday 25 February, Mrs H. Proud, mother of one of the missing passengers, offered a 500 pound reward to anyone who found the missing plane. Over the previous few days she had had a recurring vision. She could see her son sitting in the bush beside burnt-out wreckage. He was still alive. (This dream was documented in newspapers of the time.)
On the Queensland - New South Wales border ranges nine hundred kilometres away from the search around Sydney, Bernard O'Reilly, a dairy farmer, led his packhorses down into the valley with his week's cream supply. His property had been carved from the rainforest on the mountain tops in the early 1900s, just before the area was declared a National Park. The farm was surrounded by the towering trees of the rainforest, and the only track to his farm was up the side of the treacherous ravines that overshadow the valley.
Bernard visited his brother Herb (who had a farm in the valley) and, during the day, Bernard had the opportunity to read the newspapers from the previous week. He read details of the search for the missing Stinson, but from all of the conflicting reports, there appeared to be only one key fact: there were four passengers waiting to be collected in Lismore and the plane hadn't arrived.
During the day, Herb commented idly: 'The plane flew over here, you know. It was so low it scared all the chooks and they didn't lay for a few days.' Bernard rang a couple of Herb's neighbours to see if they had seen the distinctive aircraft flying over and, from their discussions, found a number of the locals had seen the plane passing. The last farmer up the valley had watched as the plane disappeared into the clouds—heading towards, but high enough to clear the mountains.
That evening, as the final search planes returned to Sydney without success, Bernard O'Reilly wound his way back up the track to his farm, he pondered the plane's fate and decided that, after his chores next morning, he would take a ride out to the border ranges to see if he could see anything. He drew a line on his map with a pencil and school ruler from where the farmer had seen the aircraft climbing higher over the mountains to Lismore. He reasoned that the plane if it crashed would be on one of the northern slopes of the four east-west mountain ranges along the line indicated by the pencil line.
Shortly after dawn, O’Reilly set out on horse back and rode as far as the horse could take him on the narrow track through the thick rain forest. Sending the horse back home, he turned to face the battle though the forest on foot. The rest of the day he battled on rising up the ranges and down the gorges, noting as he went huge trees which had been felled by the previous week’s cyclone.
After an almost sleepless night spent in the company of the forest’s nocturnal creatures including howling dingoes, tiger cats and powerful owls, he pushed on towards the high peak from which he hoped to survey the landscape across several mountain ranges. Upon arrival at the top of the mountain he looked and surveyed a scene of swirling low cloud. As he stood enjoying the cooling breezes suddenly the clouds parted and he could see clearly across three mountain ranges.
On the third range, in the sea of green trees, with the occasional white flowering tree was a tree that was light brown. A tree that was burnt or dying. O’Reilly decided that it was no coincidence this tree was right on the pencil line marking the guessed route of the plane. He set off with renewed vigour to cross the gorges and ranges between him and the tree. It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon he eventually reached the top of the range where the dead tree by his calculations was situated.
After regaining his breath he sent out the great Australian bush call: “Coo-ee”. It echoed across the gorge. There also came a clear answering call from close by. Then there was a second call which woke him from the physical shock of the first. Continuing to call and hear answering calls, he moved as quickly as possible the two hundred yards or so where he saw the burnt out remains of the plane. From under the wreck came the voices of the two survivors.
As O’Reilly looked at the man he saw first, he saw the broken swollen and maggoty leg and realised this man, John Proud, had lain there in pain for ten days and he was probably too late to save him. The second man, Jim Binstead, too, was in poor condition but had been able through the ten days to drag himself over rocks and vines, etc., 300 metres down and back up a steep slope to get water. But that journey was now impossible. The last one had taken him 5 hours.
O’Reilly found enough dry material to start a fire and soon had the billy boiling to make tea. Meantime, he heard the tale of the crash. How the plane had been caught in a sudden downdraft of the cyclone and dashed against the trees chopping off their tops and then finally hitting the big tree which had become the guiding beacon. Four, the two pilots and two passengers, were killed instantly in the crash and subsequent fire. A third man an Englishman, Jim Westray, had also escaped the crash and had helped Binstead drag Proud clear. Westray had gone for help but had not returned.
Not much more than a half hour after finding the two men, O’Reilly set off for help. Westray had chosen the best direction for help, so he went the same way down along the creek. Eventually, he came to a waterfall and saw where Westray had slipped over it as he tried to move around it. O’Reilly expected to find his broken body at the bottom but it wasn’t there. Westray had dragged himself down the steam for several more miles and successfully past other waterfalls until eventually he died as he sat with his back against a rock bathing a smashed ankle in the cooling pool and with his last cigarette in his hand.
O’Reilly had no time to stop. Light was fading and he must get as far as he could before night’s darkness was complete. He was driven on, as mile after mile of obstacles in the creek bed passed by, by the thought that Proud was dying. Eventually, he came to an area where the jungle gave way to more open forest and he eventually found a broad timber-getters track. Nearby there was the crack of a rifle. O’Reilly called out and received a cheery youthful reply. As they met, the rifle’s owner said he was just shooting flying foxes but asked where O’Reilly came from.
O’Reilly broke the news he had found the plane and two survivors. As quickly as they could they got to the young man’s house and phoned the news the plane was found. As the news went out, a rescue party organised. A doctor, ambulance cars and the police were notified. Men from the district were organised into two groups. One with the doctor to go back to the wreck, the way O’Reilly had come. The other group would go to a closer vantage point and would commence cutting through vine and bush with brush hooks and axes to make a way for the men on stretchers to be brought.
It was 10am when the rescue party got to the wreck. O’Reilly had come down to the open country in three hours. It had been 8 hours since he met the doctor and the party and began the same upward climb. The doctor quickly began treating Proud’s wounds as the rescuers began to fashion stretchers from saplings and chaff bags. A bush tent was made for the two men to rest in with the aid of sedatives. My nightfall the men cutting the track through the jungle emerged at the wreck. It was time for a night’s rest for all. Not many slept. After refreshing billy tea in the pre-dawn darkness the stretcher bearers set of down the slope. At times depending whether they were travelling up or down the carriers had their end of the stretcher high above their heads while at the other end it was carried well below the knees of weary yet willing men.
Eleven hours after the dawn departure, the weary party arrived at “base camp” where ambulance cars waited and the local women had set up a canteen. Four days after O’Reilly left home he could now rest except for those, friends and strangers, newsmen and photographers who questioned him and remarked about his “bushcraft”.
In one place as he considers comments made about his bushcraft he says that word was overworked. He says that anyone who carefully studies the topography and vegetation of the Border Ranges would know that no matter how well a man was equipped with bush instinct he might search there unsuccessfully for fifty years. He says the fact should be noted and due credit given to his mother who was saying her prayers back home.
Reflecting further on the rescue O’Reilly wrote in “Green Mountains”:
It is a wild dream now- that wild run (from Westray to the open forest where he met the rifle man) – I was quite mad – my heart had been wrung out with horror and pity – no one who looked upon those poor survivors could help praying as I did: “that God would let me live long enough to help these men.” I knew that I was sobbing and that I only paused when tears blinded me. I remember, too, that the shock and jar of leaping and landing on these rocks at top speed was telling on me, even though I was in splendid condition, but I was given strength to complete the task. (1941. p 45).
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````Bernard O'Reilly's book Green Mountains tells the story of his family pioneering, clearing and settling the rainforest of the McPherson Ranges and, in his book, he dedicates three chapters to his search for the missing Stinson. O’Reilly’s Guesthouse in the mountains behind the Gold Coast continues to provide a link with the family and the home of this heroic pioneer.
http://www.oreillys.com.au/
http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Other/stin.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_in_time/Transcripts/s678197.htm
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21085822-5003416,00.html
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
OzThoughts Friday 13th February 2009
OzThoughts Friday 13th February 2009
Say "Ephphatha!” three times quickly. How did you go? “Ephphatha” is the command Jesus gave to the man who was unable to hear or speak and who had been brought to Jesus by friends. The result we read was immediately “the man’s hearing was clear and his speech was plain”.
I like the comment Mark gives right after this healing “Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement."He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_199.mp3 ]
Master, speak: thy servant heareth,
Waiting for thy gracious word,
Longing for thy voice that cheereth;
Master, let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
What hast thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me.
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the shepherd leads the flock
In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak: though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart.
Master, speak! for O thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need;
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak: and make me ready,
When thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
Master, speak: O speak to me!
Author: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-79)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 614
Mark 7:31-37 (The Message)
31-35 Then he left the region of Tyre, went through Sidon back to Galilee Lake and over to the district of the Ten Towns. Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him. He took the man off by himself, put his fingers in the man's ears and some spit on the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, "Ephphatha!—Open up!" And it happened. The man's hearing was clear and his speech plain—just like that.
36-37 Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Say "Ephphatha!” three times quickly. How did you go? “Ephphatha” is the command Jesus gave to the man who was unable to hear or speak and who had been brought to Jesus by friends. The result we read was immediately “the man’s hearing was clear and his speech was plain”.
I like the comment Mark gives right after this healing “Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement."He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_199.mp3 ]
Master, speak: thy servant heareth,
Waiting for thy gracious word,
Longing for thy voice that cheereth;
Master, let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
What hast thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me.
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the shepherd leads the flock
In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak: though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart.
Master, speak! for O thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need;
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak: and make me ready,
When thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
Master, speak: O speak to me!
Author: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-79)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 614
Mark 7:31-37 (The Message)
31-35 Then he left the region of Tyre, went through Sidon back to Galilee Lake and over to the district of the Ten Towns. Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him. He took the man off by himself, put his fingers in the man's ears and some spit on the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, "Ephphatha!—Open up!" And it happened. The man's hearing was clear and his speech plain—just like that.
36-37 Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 12th February 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 12th February 2009
I have always considered today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel as a demonstration of Jesus’ sense of humour as well as his ability to use God’s power to heal. There are those who might see Jesus’ words to the woman as politically incorrect but that is applying today’s “rules” into a historic situation.
The woman comes back with a quick answer that implies the dog’s get fed at the same time as the children or you can’t feed the children without feeding the dogs.
We really see his a wonderful demonstration of Jesus compassion and healing. Jesus could have treated this woman as just the next person in the queue but his conversation reminded everyone that his healing was for everyone, not only those who “Children of Abraham”.
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Congregational Song (Tune: The Old Rustic Bridge): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_014.mp3
OR
Hollywood Tabernacle Band: Tenor Horn Solo: The Old Rustic Bridge:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4114.mp3
OR
Vocal Solo : Mandy Williams : (different Tune): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_256.mp3]
The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.
Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?
It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 527
Mark 7:24-30 (The Message)
24-26 From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn't think he would be found, but he couldn't escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter.
27 He said, "Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there's any left over, the dogs get it."
28She said, "Of course, Master. But don't dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?"
29-30 Jesus was impressed. "You're right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone." She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.
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I have always considered today’s reading from Mark’s Gospel as a demonstration of Jesus’ sense of humour as well as his ability to use God’s power to heal. There are those who might see Jesus’ words to the woman as politically incorrect but that is applying today’s “rules” into a historic situation.
The woman comes back with a quick answer that implies the dog’s get fed at the same time as the children or you can’t feed the children without feeding the dogs.
We really see his a wonderful demonstration of Jesus compassion and healing. Jesus could have treated this woman as just the next person in the queue but his conversation reminded everyone that his healing was for everyone, not only those who “Children of Abraham”.
PRAYER: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Congregational Song (Tune: The Old Rustic Bridge): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_014.mp3
OR
Hollywood Tabernacle Band: Tenor Horn Solo: The Old Rustic Bridge:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4114.mp3
OR
Vocal Solo : Mandy Williams : (different Tune): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_256.mp3]
The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the laborers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.
Chorus
Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.
O is not the Christ 'midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master's own love,
Without his anointing and seal?
It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.
Author: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 527
Mark 7:24-30 (The Message)
24-26 From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn't think he would be found, but he couldn't escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter.
27 He said, "Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there's any left over, the dogs get it."
28She said, "Of course, Master. But don't dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?"
29-30 Jesus was impressed. "You're right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone." She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
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You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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