OzThoughts Wednesday 1st April 2009.
Sometimes I wonder when I hear the doom and gloom predicted for our world because of what some see as our careless way of living in western society. I am caused to wonder because this is God’s world. He made it and I believe he is still in control.
Now, I believe we have to live responsibility and take responsibility for the things we do that can cause problems for others in both the long term and the short term.
Some years ago, in Wollongong, I got called to help out at a home that was completely flooded in a huge downpour. A torrent of water rushing down the hill had come in the back door and windows and continued on its way down the hill, leaving by the front door and windows of the house. Such was the force of water, it appeared the house had moved.
Everything in the home was destroyed including a grand piano and many music scores. Many of them were original compositions still in manuscript. Many possessions had been carried out of the house and distributed down the hillside or carried right into the ocean at the bottom of the hill.
As we cleaned up what we could, we noted the soil had been washed away from the foundations. The builder had put a few huge boulders in a gully, covered them with soil and built a house on it which he then sold to an unsuspecting buyer.
I am not sure how it was resolved but it looked like the builder was at fault. Others argued the foundations for the new electric train line up the hill had acted as a dam holding back water until it burst sending a torrent down the hill onto the house.
Clearly it was the builder of the train line or the house who were at fault. God could not be blamed. In other cases the action of man causing his own problems or problems for others cannot be seen so clearly. What we can say is that God is still in control.
This is what the Psalmist says:
Psalm 75 (The Message)
1 We thank you, God, we thank you— your Name is our favorite word;
your mighty works are all we talk about.
2-4 You say, "I'm calling this meeting to order,
I'm ready to set things right.
When the earth goes topsy-turvy
And nobody knows which end is up,
I nail it all down,
I put everything in place again.
I say to the smart alecks, 'That's enough,'
to the bullies, 'Not so fast.'"
5-6 Don't raise your fist against High God.
Don't raise your voice against Rock of Ages.
He's the One from east to west;
from desert to mountains, he's the One.
7-8 God rules: he brings this one down to his knees,
pulls that one up on her feet.
God has a cup in his hand,
a bowl of wine, full to the brim.
He draws from it and pours;
it's drained to the dregs.
Earth's wicked ones drink it all,
drink it down to the last bitter drop!
9-10 And I'm telling the story of God Eternal,
singing the praises of Jacob's God.
The fists of the wicked
are bloody stumps,
The arms of the righteous
are lofty green branches.
Prayer: (Using our Song Book as a Prayer Book):
[Listen: Congregational song : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_766.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3633.mp3 ]
Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his wold rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Hath blessed on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and him who reigns
With them in highest Heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
Authors: Martin Rinkart (1588-1649)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 12
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 31st March 2009.
OzThoughts Tuesday 31st March 2009.
In today’s short reading from Luke’s Gospel, once again a trap is set for Jesus by religious leaders. Jesus has an answer ready for them and we read it left them speechless.
Luke 20:19-26 (The Message)
19The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.
Paying Taxes
20-22Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23-24He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"
25"Caesar," they said.
Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his."
26Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.
So what does this say for us? Can I suggest it says to keep your life in balance to meet both your civic or secular obligations as well as your personal spiritual ones.
Paul also writes to the Philippians about getting things into the right focus. Now, he is a Christian, many of the things he counted as important he now counts for nothing compared with what he has in Christ. It’s worth taking the time to read what he says particularly in verses 15 and 16.
Philippians 3:7-16 (The Message)
7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.
10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Prayer: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4035.mp3
or
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1755.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its 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.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses),
W.H. Williams (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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In today’s short reading from Luke’s Gospel, once again a trap is set for Jesus by religious leaders. Jesus has an answer ready for them and we read it left them speechless.
Luke 20:19-26 (The Message)
19The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.
Paying Taxes
20-22Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23-24He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"
25"Caesar," they said.
Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his."
26Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.
So what does this say for us? Can I suggest it says to keep your life in balance to meet both your civic or secular obligations as well as your personal spiritual ones.
Paul also writes to the Philippians about getting things into the right focus. Now, he is a Christian, many of the things he counted as important he now counts for nothing compared with what he has in Christ. It’s worth taking the time to read what he says particularly in verses 15 and 16.
Philippians 3:7-16 (The Message)
7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.
10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Prayer: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer Book):
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4035.mp3
or
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1755.mp3 ]
I bring to thee my heart to fill;
I feel how weak I am, but still
To thee for help I call.
In joy or grief, to live or die,
For earth or Heaven, this is my cry,
Be thou my all in all.
Chorus
Christ is all, yes, all in all.
My Christ is all in all.
Around me in the world I see
No joy that turns my soul from thee;
Its 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.
I've little strength to call my own,
And what I've done, before thy throne
I here confess, is small;
But on thy strength. O God, I lean,
And through the blood that makes me clean,
Thou art my all in all.
No tempest can my courage shake,
My love from thee no pain can take,
No fear my heart appall;
And where I cannot see I'll trust,
For then I know thou surely must
Be still my all in all.
Authors: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926) (verses),
W.H. Williams (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 489
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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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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Sunday, March 29, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 30th March 2009.
OzThoughts Monday 30th March 2009.
Today’s reading from John’s Gospel is well known. It is probably better to say the incident in Jesus life that is described is well known and various conclusions are drawn from it. We need to be careful that any conclusions are based on the actual reading and not from people’s memories of part of it which may be inaccurate.
John 8:1-11 (The Message)
1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3-6The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
6-8Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
9-10Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"
11"No one, Master."
"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
What does the reading say to us at the beginning of another week of activity after our day of worship?
We should note that Jesus was teaching in the Temple when the religious scholars and Pharisees pt him to the test. They asked him to interpret the law and judge this woman caught in adultery. John tells us it was a trap.
There is not much point in guessing what Jesus wrote on the ground with his finger but we can hear his voice clearly "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone”
Soon all the would-be accusers left. Jesus was alone with the woman and his voice comes clearly again “"Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
What a relief it must have been that Jesus did not condemn her. But, she now had a responsibility of which Jesus reminded her “From now on, don't sin."
What a wonderful thing it is for us to know that through Jesus there is forgiveness. This week Jesus says to us again “From now on, don't sin."
We can be confident (since Calvary) :
He (Jesus) breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood avails for me “
(TSA Song Book: 64 Charles Wesley)
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer book).
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4962.mp3
or Band Selection based on “Just as I am” http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2878.mp3 ]
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down,
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Author: Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 293
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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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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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Today’s reading from John’s Gospel is well known. It is probably better to say the incident in Jesus life that is described is well known and various conclusions are drawn from it. We need to be careful that any conclusions are based on the actual reading and not from people’s memories of part of it which may be inaccurate.
John 8:1-11 (The Message)
1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. 3-6The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
6-8Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
9-10Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"
11"No one, Master."
"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
What does the reading say to us at the beginning of another week of activity after our day of worship?
We should note that Jesus was teaching in the Temple when the religious scholars and Pharisees pt him to the test. They asked him to interpret the law and judge this woman caught in adultery. John tells us it was a trap.
There is not much point in guessing what Jesus wrote on the ground with his finger but we can hear his voice clearly "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone”
Soon all the would-be accusers left. Jesus was alone with the woman and his voice comes clearly again “"Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?" "Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."
What a relief it must have been that Jesus did not condemn her. But, she now had a responsibility of which Jesus reminded her “From now on, don't sin."
What a wonderful thing it is for us to know that through Jesus there is forgiveness. This week Jesus says to us again “From now on, don't sin."
We can be confident (since Calvary) :
He (Jesus) breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood avails for me “
(TSA Song Book: 64 Charles Wesley)
PRAYER: (Using our Song Book as our Prayer book).
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4962.mp3
or Band Selection based on “Just as I am” http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2878.mp3 ]
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings within and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am, thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down,
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!
Author: Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 293
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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Saturday, March 28, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 29th March, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 29th 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).
So 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. Hebrews 10:22 (The Message)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
Authors: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]
Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!
2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Psalm 31 – Selected Verses (The Message)
1-2I run to you, GOD; I run for dear life.
Don't let me down!
Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
and please—no procrastination!
Your granite cave a hiding place,
your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
3-5 You're my cave to hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
I want to hide in you.
I've put my life in your hands.
You won't drop me,
you'll never let me down.
6-? I hate all this silly religion,
but you, God, I trust.
I'm leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
you saw my pain,
you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn't leave me in their clutches
but gave me room to breathe.
14-? Desperate, I throw myself on you:
you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
safe from the hands out to get me.
Warm me, your servant, with a smile;
save me because you love me.
19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.
You hide them safely away
from the opposition.
As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces,
you silence the poisonous gossip.
Blessed GOD!
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
"Out of sight, out of mind," I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.
23 Love GOD, all you saints;
GOD takes care of all who stay close to him,
But he pays back in full
those arrogant enough to go it alone.
24 Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon
.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 734
Authors: Edward Turney (1816-72)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3713.mp3
or
Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/ill_go_in_the_strength_of_the_lord.wmv ]
I'll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths he has marked for my feet;
I'll follow the light of his word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,
His presence my steps shall attend,
His fulness my wants shall supply;
On him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.
Chorus
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord.
2.
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To work he appoints me to do;
In joy which his smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm.
His power my sufficiency prove;
I'll trust his omnipotent arm,
And prove his unchangeable love.
3.
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require,
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command.
To meet and encounter the foe,
With his sword of truth in my hand.
To suffer and triumph I'll go.
PRAYER:
We consecrate this day to your service, O Lord; may all our thoughts, words, and actions be well-pleasing to you and serve the good of our brothers and sisters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.. (A Prayer Book for Australia).
May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! Romans 15:5-6 (The Message)
Listen: Make His Praise Glorious:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2342.mp3
…………
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.
……………………………………………..
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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
[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).
So 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. Hebrews 10:22 (The Message)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
Authors: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]
Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!
2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?
3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!
4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.
5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Psalm 31 – Selected Verses (The Message)
1-2I run to you, GOD; I run for dear life.
Don't let me down!
Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
and please—no procrastination!
Your granite cave a hiding place,
your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
3-5 You're my cave to hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
I want to hide in you.
I've put my life in your hands.
You won't drop me,
you'll never let me down.
6-? I hate all this silly religion,
but you, God, I trust.
I'm leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
you saw my pain,
you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn't leave me in their clutches
but gave me room to breathe.
14-? Desperate, I throw myself on you:
you are my God!
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
safe from the hands out to get me.
Warm me, your servant, with a smile;
save me because you love me.
19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.
You hide them safely away
from the opposition.
As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces,
you silence the poisonous gossip.
Blessed GOD!
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
"Out of sight, out of mind," I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.
23 Love GOD, all you saints;
GOD takes care of all who stay close to him,
But he pays back in full
those arrogant enough to go it alone.
24 Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon
.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 734
Authors: Edward Turney (1816-72)
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3713.mp3
or
Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/ill_go_in_the_strength_of_the_lord.wmv ]
I'll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths he has marked for my feet;
I'll follow the light of his word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,
His presence my steps shall attend,
His fulness my wants shall supply;
On him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.
Chorus
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord.
2.
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To work he appoints me to do;
In joy which his smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm.
His power my sufficiency prove;
I'll trust his omnipotent arm,
And prove his unchangeable love.
3.
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require,
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command.
To meet and encounter the foe,
With his sword of truth in my hand.
To suffer and triumph I'll go.
PRAYER:
We consecrate this day to your service, O Lord; may all our thoughts, words, and actions be well-pleasing to you and serve the good of our brothers and sisters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.. (A Prayer Book for Australia).
May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus! Romans 15:5-6 (The Message)
Listen: Make His Praise Glorious:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2342.mp3
…………
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.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group (which you are welcome to join):
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, March 19, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 19th March 2009.
OzThoughts Thursday 19th March 2009.
[Note: There will be no ATAW tomorrow, Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer. ]
What’s important to you? A religious scholar asked Jesus “"Which is most important of all the commandments?" Mark records the incident and it is today’s reading:
Mark 12:28-34 (The Message)
28 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?"
29-31 Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."
32-33 The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"
34 When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, "You're almost there, right on the border of God's kingdom."
After that, no one else dared ask a question. (Mark 12:28-34. The Message)
Here we see again what could quickly be said is the slogan “Heart to God and hand to man” expressed in Jesus’ answer. We can see very clearly the heart (or whole) of man reaching out to God and giving him due place.
I wonder if Jesus answer about the second in importance does not indicate more than “hand to man?” We can easily give “a hand” but 'Love others as well as you love yourself ' indicate more than giving ‘a hand’ to others?
The religion scholar summarises Jesus’ answer and adds comments “Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"
[Listen: Band: (Hymn Tune : Margaret) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2543.mp3
or
Look and Listen: Organ (Hymn Tune: Richmond) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKA56XYieJg ]
O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels the blood
So freely spilt for me.
Chorus
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus:
There is room in my heart for thee.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great redeemer's throne;
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true and clean;
Which neither life nor death can part
From him that dwells within.
A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;
Perfect and right, and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of love.
Authors: Charles Wesley (1707-88) (verses),
Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836-97) (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 444
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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):
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Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
[Note: There will be no ATAW tomorrow, Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer. ]
What’s important to you? A religious scholar asked Jesus “"Which is most important of all the commandments?" Mark records the incident and it is today’s reading:
Mark 12:28-34 (The Message)
28 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?"
29-31 Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."
32-33 The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"
34 When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, "You're almost there, right on the border of God's kingdom."
After that, no one else dared ask a question. (Mark 12:28-34. The Message)
Here we see again what could quickly be said is the slogan “Heart to God and hand to man” expressed in Jesus’ answer. We can see very clearly the heart (or whole) of man reaching out to God and giving him due place.
I wonder if Jesus answer about the second in importance does not indicate more than “hand to man?” We can easily give “a hand” but 'Love others as well as you love yourself ' indicate more than giving ‘a hand’ to others?
The religion scholar summarises Jesus’ answer and adds comments “Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"
[Listen: Band: (Hymn Tune : Margaret) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2543.mp3
or
Look and Listen: Organ (Hymn Tune: Richmond) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKA56XYieJg ]
O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels the blood
So freely spilt for me.
Chorus
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus:
There is room in my heart for thee.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great redeemer's throne;
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true and clean;
Which neither life nor death can part
From him that dwells within.
A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;
Perfect and right, and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of love.
Authors: Charles Wesley (1707-88) (verses),
Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836-97) (chorus)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 444
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 19th March 2009.
OzThoughts Thursday 19th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
Today’s reading from the Psalms is one which just allows us to think and meditate how great God is. And what he does for us. All we need to do it to absorb so we respond to God as the Psalmist does.
Psalm 46 (The Message)
1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city,
this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.
7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything."
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
[Listen: Band : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3616.mp3
or Look and Listen: NYSB Male voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3nM4bpWWVs ]
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfil thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress,
Helpless, look to thee for grace,
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Author: Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-78)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 302
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
Today’s reading from the Psalms is one which just allows us to think and meditate how great God is. And what he does for us. All we need to do it to absorb so we respond to God as the Psalmist does.
Psalm 46 (The Message)
1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city,
this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.
7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything."
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
[Listen: Band : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3616.mp3
or Look and Listen: NYSB Male voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3nM4bpWWVs ]
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfil thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress,
Helpless, look to thee for grace,
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
Author: Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-78)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 302
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, March 16, 2009
OzThoughts Tuesday 17th March 2009.
OzThoughts Tuesday 17th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
I am always a more than little sad when I hear someone say that all Christianity does is make people feel guilty. I remember sitting with a Headquarters Officer looking at the Corps rolls and discussing the individuals on it.
On one list of people was a lady who never missed attending each Sunday Morning and to Home League. As we came to her name I remembered she had told me she knew this particular HQ Officer, so I mentioned the fact. At first, he did not remember her but then quickly realized this was her married name that we were looking at.
He then remembered who she was. He told me that they had grown up in a Corps together and they both became Senior Soldiers. He had gone to the Training College and later had heard that this lady had got involved with a fellow, became pregnant outside marriage and was promptly removed from Soldiership.
As he sat and looked at the name, he said “I wonder, I wonder…” Then he said to me “I wonder if anyone told her there was a way back.” He went on to remind me, an Officer in my first appointment that the way back was through forgiveness. We have a God who forgives and we must forgive, too.
The Christian message is one of forgiveness. How many times must we forgive? That is what Peter asked Jesus.
Matthew 18:21-35 (The Message)
21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
23-25"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26-27"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28"The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29-31"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32-35"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
[Listen: 1933 78 rpm recording Adjudant J Coulter with piano, cello and violins:
http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF224%20-%20(G21721)%20-%20Song%20-%20The%20Penitent's%20Plea.mp3 ]
Saviour, hear me while before thy feet
I the record of my sins repeat.
Stained with guilt, myself abhorring,
Filled with grief, my soul outpouring;
Canst thou still in mercy think of me,
Stoop to set my shackled spirit free,
Raise my sinking heart and bid me be
Thy child once more?
Chorus
Grace there is my every debt to pay,
Blood to wash my every sin away,
Power to keep me spotless day by day,
For me, for me!
All the memories of deeds gone by
Rise within me and thy power defy;
With a deathly chill ensnaring,
They would leave my soul despairing.
Saviour, take my hand, I cannot tell
How to stem the tides that round me swell,
How to ease my conscience, or to quell
My flaming heart.
Yet why should I fear? Hast thou not died
That no seeking soul should be denied?
To that heart, its sins confessing,
Canst thou fail to give a blessing?
By the love and pity thou hast shown,
By the blood that did for me atone,
Boldly will I kneel before thy throne,
A pleading soul.
All the rivers of thy grace I claim,
Over every promise write my name;
As I am I come, believing,
As thou art thou dost, receiving,
Bid me rise a free and pardoned slave,
Master o'er my sin, the world, the grave,
Charging me to preach thy power to save
To sinbound souls.
Author: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 303
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
I am always a more than little sad when I hear someone say that all Christianity does is make people feel guilty. I remember sitting with a Headquarters Officer looking at the Corps rolls and discussing the individuals on it.
On one list of people was a lady who never missed attending each Sunday Morning and to Home League. As we came to her name I remembered she had told me she knew this particular HQ Officer, so I mentioned the fact. At first, he did not remember her but then quickly realized this was her married name that we were looking at.
He then remembered who she was. He told me that they had grown up in a Corps together and they both became Senior Soldiers. He had gone to the Training College and later had heard that this lady had got involved with a fellow, became pregnant outside marriage and was promptly removed from Soldiership.
As he sat and looked at the name, he said “I wonder, I wonder…” Then he said to me “I wonder if anyone told her there was a way back.” He went on to remind me, an Officer in my first appointment that the way back was through forgiveness. We have a God who forgives and we must forgive, too.
The Christian message is one of forgiveness. How many times must we forgive? That is what Peter asked Jesus.
Matthew 18:21-35 (The Message)
21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"
22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.
23-25"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26-27"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28"The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29-31"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32-35"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
[Listen: 1933 78 rpm recording Adjudant J Coulter with piano, cello and violins:
http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF224%20-%20(G21721)%20-%20Song%20-%20The%20Penitent's%20Plea.mp3 ]
Saviour, hear me while before thy feet
I the record of my sins repeat.
Stained with guilt, myself abhorring,
Filled with grief, my soul outpouring;
Canst thou still in mercy think of me,
Stoop to set my shackled spirit free,
Raise my sinking heart and bid me be
Thy child once more?
Chorus
Grace there is my every debt to pay,
Blood to wash my every sin away,
Power to keep me spotless day by day,
For me, for me!
All the memories of deeds gone by
Rise within me and thy power defy;
With a deathly chill ensnaring,
They would leave my soul despairing.
Saviour, take my hand, I cannot tell
How to stem the tides that round me swell,
How to ease my conscience, or to quell
My flaming heart.
Yet why should I fear? Hast thou not died
That no seeking soul should be denied?
To that heart, its sins confessing,
Canst thou fail to give a blessing?
By the love and pity thou hast shown,
By the blood that did for me atone,
Boldly will I kneel before thy throne,
A pleading soul.
All the rivers of thy grace I claim,
Over every promise write my name;
As I am I come, believing,
As thou art thou dost, receiving,
Bid me rise a free and pardoned slave,
Master o'er my sin, the world, the grave,
Charging me to preach thy power to save
To sinbound souls.
Author: Herbert Howard Booth (1862-1926)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 303
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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):
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 16th March 2009.
OzThoughts Monday 16th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
What is your reaction to the first verse of today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel? It simply says “By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently.”
My mind went back to July last year. I was walking around the East End of London and I paused for some time outside the Blind Beggar Inn. It was there, exactly 143 years before, William Booth had commenced the work for God that we now know as The Salvation Army.
A short time later, a little way along the road, I found the statue of William Booth that marked this historic commencement. I stood there for about twenty minutes waiting for someone whom, I thought I could trust with camera to take my photo at the statue. Eventually a young lady got off a bus and agreed to take the photographs.
I also needed to have my mobile phone unlocked from my Australian provider so I could add a suitable UK sim card. Many of the road side stalls had signs indicating they could do this and even a few shops has similar signs. However, as I looked at the workers in these places, I wondered if I would see my phone again.
As I walked around I saw men sleeping on the streets. I saw people whose clothing and demeanor indicated deep poverty. 143 years before I walked the streets of the East End, William Booth had seen similar scenes and went home to declare to his wife “Kate, I have found my destiny”.
It is clear now that what Booth declared as his destiny was, in fact, only a very small beginning of a great worldwide work of seeking the poor and lost and telling them that Jesus loved them.
Truly Booth could write and countless millions since have sung:
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise
Who opened his bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
Luke 15:1-10 (The Message)
1-3By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
The Story of the Lost Coin
8-10"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
.[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4261.mp3
or
Band and congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4085.mp3 ]
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love,
O fulness of mercy, Christ brought from above.
The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
My sins they are many, their stains are so deep.
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But useless is weeping; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me I
My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,
They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong;
Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see,
O come, mighty ocean, and roll over me!
Now tossed with temptation, then haunted with fears,
My life has been joyless and useless for years;
I feel something better most surely would be
If once thy pure waters would roll over me.
O ocean of mercy, oft longing I've stood
On the brink of thy wonderful, life-giving flood!
Once more I have reached this soul-cleansing sea,
I will not go back till it rolls over me.
The tide is now flowing, I'm touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of the mighty to save;
My faith's growing bolder, delivered I'll be;
I plunge 'neath the waters, they roll over me.
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise
Who opened his bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
Author: William Booth (1829-1912)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 298
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
What is your reaction to the first verse of today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel? It simply says “By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently.”
My mind went back to July last year. I was walking around the East End of London and I paused for some time outside the Blind Beggar Inn. It was there, exactly 143 years before, William Booth had commenced the work for God that we now know as The Salvation Army.
A short time later, a little way along the road, I found the statue of William Booth that marked this historic commencement. I stood there for about twenty minutes waiting for someone whom, I thought I could trust with camera to take my photo at the statue. Eventually a young lady got off a bus and agreed to take the photographs.
I also needed to have my mobile phone unlocked from my Australian provider so I could add a suitable UK sim card. Many of the road side stalls had signs indicating they could do this and even a few shops has similar signs. However, as I looked at the workers in these places, I wondered if I would see my phone again.
As I walked around I saw men sleeping on the streets. I saw people whose clothing and demeanor indicated deep poverty. 143 years before I walked the streets of the East End, William Booth had seen similar scenes and went home to declare to his wife “Kate, I have found my destiny”.
It is clear now that what Booth declared as his destiny was, in fact, only a very small beginning of a great worldwide work of seeking the poor and lost and telling them that Jesus loved them.
Truly Booth could write and countless millions since have sung:
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise
Who opened his bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
Luke 15:1-10 (The Message)
1-3By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
The Story of the Lost Coin
8-10"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
.[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4261.mp3
or
Band and congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4085.mp3 ]
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love,
O fulness of mercy, Christ brought from above.
The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
My sins they are many, their stains are so deep.
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But useless is weeping; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me I
My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,
They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong;
Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see,
O come, mighty ocean, and roll over me!
Now tossed with temptation, then haunted with fears,
My life has been joyless and useless for years;
I feel something better most surely would be
If once thy pure waters would roll over me.
O ocean of mercy, oft longing I've stood
On the brink of thy wonderful, life-giving flood!
Once more I have reached this soul-cleansing sea,
I will not go back till it rolls over me.
The tide is now flowing, I'm touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of the mighty to save;
My faith's growing bolder, delivered I'll be;
I plunge 'neath the waters, they roll over me.
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise
Who opened his bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.
Author: William Booth (1829-1912)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 298
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 21st March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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
Saturday, March 14, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 15th March, 2009
OzThoughts Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 15th 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
Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)
[Listen: Choir : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3
or
Congregational song with Band : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_151.mp3 ]
Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Psalm 103:1-5 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless GOD. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless GOD,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 396
Authors: Johnson Oatman (1856-1922)
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4436.mp3
or
Watch and listen: Songsters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4hOYf6Mn5g
(if it keeps stopping as you play it turn your sound down and when it finishes play it again with the sound turned up) ]
When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly.
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
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.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
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Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
[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
Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)
[Listen: Choir : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3
or
Congregational song with Band : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_151.mp3 ]
Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Psalm 103:1-5 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-2 O my soul, bless GOD. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless GOD,
don't forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 396
Authors: Johnson Oatman (1856-1922)
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4436.mp3
or
Watch and listen: Songsters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4hOYf6Mn5g
(if it keeps stopping as you play it turn your sound down and when it finishes play it again with the sound turned up) ]
When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly.
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
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.
……………………………………………..
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th March , 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th March , 2009.
[Adapted from a ATAW first published 1st May, 2005]
KOALAS
I am not sure too many of you would have missed seeing Sam, the Koala on television or on the internet since the Victorian bushfires. If you did then you will find what you missed on YouTube. You can make your selection from the many choices here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Sam+koala&aq=f
I have written elsewhere that people who are not familiar with koalas may not realise just how unusual this experience was. Koalas are not people friendly but that is not all.
Koala means “no water” in the language of the Aborigines. Koalas live on a diet of eucalytus leaves alone and they absorb moisture from the gum leaves, so rarely need to drink. In a long drought, the water content of leaves is reduced, so koalas may sometimes have to look for water to drink. You can get more information about koalas from the Australian Koala foundation who have the slogan “no tree no me”. https://www.savethekoala.com/index.html)
I heard some time ago that in southern Australia’ drought, koalas have been coming to the backyards of homes seeking water. Some have been seen drinking from a dog’s water dish and another used the “doggy door” (small flap door in the main back door which allows pet dogs and cats free access) to enter a house. People are being warned not to interfere with these animals and to protect them from attack by the family pets.
I have a lovely framed photograph on my desk of my wife, my little Swiss Mate and me with a koala called Lindsay at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Australia’s Gold Coast. The adult koala is resting baby-like in an upright position sitting in my wife’s clasped hands with its head on my wife’s shoulder. One of its “hands” also rests on my wife’s shoulder. My Swiss Mate smiles as she feels the soft fur on the koala’s back.
My photo is one that gives a false impression of koalas. Koalas are not normally cuddly animals that enjoy resting in people’s arms. This particular photo was taken at one of the very few places where koalas can be held and photographed. Some zoos and sanctuaries do not allow contact with their koalas claiming it as it gives a false impression that koalas are cuddly pets. They also claim it stresses them and exposes them to human disease.
Koalas appear to be slow moving and sleepy. There are two main reasons for this. One is that they sleep during the day and that’s when we want to observe them. They are most active just after sunset and during the early hours of the night. The second is that they are “folivorous” eating the leaves of Eucalypt trees. These leaves are pretty low on nutrition and do not supply the energy for an over active lifestyle. As stated above these leaves also normally supply their need for water and they very rarely drink.
However, try to pick up a koala and it will very quickly become a hissing, biting, scratching bundle of fur. The koala’s main enemy was the dingo, Australia’s native dog. Today, it is more likely to be man, who is clearing its habitat for development or likely to be introduced foxes and domestic dogs. The koala was once shot for its fur but is now absolutely protected by wildlife preservation laws. Souvenir and toy koalas are made of kangaroo and sometimes rabbit fur.
In the photo my wife has something in her hands besides the koala. The koala’s carer was kind enough to provide a paper towel. The reason of course is that koalas have about the same bladder and bowel control as human babies. While we were waiting for the photographer, the carer told us that it seems to be continuous when they are awake.
As I watched a television program the other night about koalas, I noticed one of the men interviewed called them “bears” in every answer he gave. It is not uncommon to hear them referred to as koala bears but zoologists and school teachers following their notes closely will point out that koalas are not bears but are marsupials.
Marsupials are that group of animals which rear the baby after birth in the mother’s pouch. That’s right after birth. The baby grows in the mother’s womb for about 35 days and then is born (or is it birthed?) in the usual way.
The tiny baby called a "joey" is about 2 centimetres long and weighs less than 1 gram. The joey looks rather like a pink jellybean or jelly baby as it is totally hairless, blind and has no ears. The joey makes its way from the birth canal to the pouch completely unaided, relying on its already well-developed senses of smell and touch, strong forelimbs and claws and an innate sense of direction. Once inside the safety of the pouch, it attaches itself to one of the two teats, which swells to fill its mouth. This prevents the joey from being dislodged from its source of food
A "joey" remains in the mother's pouch for approximately six months drinking only mother's milk. During this time in the pouch the young koala slowly grows and develops eyes, ears, fur etc. At about 22 weeks, its eyes open and it begins to peep out of the pouch. At this time also it will begin to reach out of the pouch to supplementary feed on “pap” special mushy droppings the mother excretes.
At about 6 months the joey leaves the pouch and clings to its mother's belly to feed. Eventually it begins to feed upon fresh leaves as it rides on her back. The young koala continues to take milk from its mother until it is about a year old, but as it can no longer fit in the pouch, the mother's teat elongates to protrude from the pouch opening. Weaning occurs at one year of age. The joey will stay with the mother until it is displaced by the new year’s joey emerging from the pouch. If there is no new joey it may stay a little longer before moving away to establish its own home territory.
Koalas are very selective feeders eating only certain eucalypt leaves off particular types of eucalypt trees. The clearing of their habitat reduced their numbers but people are becoming more koala aware. In some areas people are being encouraged to plant koala feed trees in their gardens and on their farms.
There has also been suggestion that in some areas dogs should be banned or at least kept restrained at night so koalas can move around safely. Roads are also a great hazard for koalas which have no road sense and often will sit in the middle of the road when confused by car headlights. In some areas road speed limits are reduced in koala breeding season to try to preserve them from death on the road. In breeding season koalas move around much more seeking mates.
There are some islands off the coast such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia where koalas have no natural enemies and have bred to the point where they are threatened by their own over population. There is a great debate going on over the solution to this problem.
My reading tells me there used to be a lot more marsupials than there are now. North America now only has one. Australia has lost the marsupial Tasmanian Tiger in relatively recent years. Some people optimistically say they still exist but none has been seen for fifty years. Some hope that science will be able to do a “Jurrasic Park” and produce live animals from cells taken from preserved remains.
The more I look at nature the more I marvel at all the wonders of creation. Who told a jelly bean like baby koala that if it crawled through the fur on its mother’s belly it would come to the top of a pouch and in that pouch it would find a teat to suckle? Who arranged that when the baby had grown to a certain stage the droppings of the mother would change and provide mushy food containing bacteria which the baby would need in its stomach to digest eucalyptus leaves?
Whenever I come to look at nature I see the handiwork of God. There are times when I think the wonder, the intricacy of the design and the intriguing interlock of timing and events of all nature speak to me louder about creator God than a few verses in the early Chapters of my Bible.
I only learn some things about God from those initial Genesis Chapters and there is a whole Book full of revelation of God to follow. I learn there, too, of the beginnings of nature. As I discover more about nature so I discover its need for a Creator who can put the wonder of it all in place. Each animal, each bird, each reptile, frog and fish, each plant, and each other form of life has its great design, its particular environment and its relationships with the rest of creation. I understand so little of it all but what I know points me in the direction of God.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 He was wiser than any other man…And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4: 29- 34 New International Version).
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4139.mp3 ]
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world;
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world
The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.
Authors: Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858-1901)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 42
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
2Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
4Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
5Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD-
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
8Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
9Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
10Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
11Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
12Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, greybeards and little children.
13Let them praise the name of GOD-
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
14he's built a monument--his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 22nd March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
[Adapted from a ATAW first published 1st May, 2005]
KOALAS
I am not sure too many of you would have missed seeing Sam, the Koala on television or on the internet since the Victorian bushfires. If you did then you will find what you missed on YouTube. You can make your selection from the many choices here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Sam+koala&aq=f
I have written elsewhere that people who are not familiar with koalas may not realise just how unusual this experience was. Koalas are not people friendly but that is not all.
Koala means “no water” in the language of the Aborigines. Koalas live on a diet of eucalytus leaves alone and they absorb moisture from the gum leaves, so rarely need to drink. In a long drought, the water content of leaves is reduced, so koalas may sometimes have to look for water to drink. You can get more information about koalas from the Australian Koala foundation who have the slogan “no tree no me”. https://www.savethekoala.com/index.html)
I heard some time ago that in southern Australia’ drought, koalas have been coming to the backyards of homes seeking water. Some have been seen drinking from a dog’s water dish and another used the “doggy door” (small flap door in the main back door which allows pet dogs and cats free access) to enter a house. People are being warned not to interfere with these animals and to protect them from attack by the family pets.
I have a lovely framed photograph on my desk of my wife, my little Swiss Mate and me with a koala called Lindsay at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Australia’s Gold Coast. The adult koala is resting baby-like in an upright position sitting in my wife’s clasped hands with its head on my wife’s shoulder. One of its “hands” also rests on my wife’s shoulder. My Swiss Mate smiles as she feels the soft fur on the koala’s back.
My photo is one that gives a false impression of koalas. Koalas are not normally cuddly animals that enjoy resting in people’s arms. This particular photo was taken at one of the very few places where koalas can be held and photographed. Some zoos and sanctuaries do not allow contact with their koalas claiming it as it gives a false impression that koalas are cuddly pets. They also claim it stresses them and exposes them to human disease.
Koalas appear to be slow moving and sleepy. There are two main reasons for this. One is that they sleep during the day and that’s when we want to observe them. They are most active just after sunset and during the early hours of the night. The second is that they are “folivorous” eating the leaves of Eucalypt trees. These leaves are pretty low on nutrition and do not supply the energy for an over active lifestyle. As stated above these leaves also normally supply their need for water and they very rarely drink.
However, try to pick up a koala and it will very quickly become a hissing, biting, scratching bundle of fur. The koala’s main enemy was the dingo, Australia’s native dog. Today, it is more likely to be man, who is clearing its habitat for development or likely to be introduced foxes and domestic dogs. The koala was once shot for its fur but is now absolutely protected by wildlife preservation laws. Souvenir and toy koalas are made of kangaroo and sometimes rabbit fur.
In the photo my wife has something in her hands besides the koala. The koala’s carer was kind enough to provide a paper towel. The reason of course is that koalas have about the same bladder and bowel control as human babies. While we were waiting for the photographer, the carer told us that it seems to be continuous when they are awake.
As I watched a television program the other night about koalas, I noticed one of the men interviewed called them “bears” in every answer he gave. It is not uncommon to hear them referred to as koala bears but zoologists and school teachers following their notes closely will point out that koalas are not bears but are marsupials.
Marsupials are that group of animals which rear the baby after birth in the mother’s pouch. That’s right after birth. The baby grows in the mother’s womb for about 35 days and then is born (or is it birthed?) in the usual way.
The tiny baby called a "joey" is about 2 centimetres long and weighs less than 1 gram. The joey looks rather like a pink jellybean or jelly baby as it is totally hairless, blind and has no ears. The joey makes its way from the birth canal to the pouch completely unaided, relying on its already well-developed senses of smell and touch, strong forelimbs and claws and an innate sense of direction. Once inside the safety of the pouch, it attaches itself to one of the two teats, which swells to fill its mouth. This prevents the joey from being dislodged from its source of food
A "joey" remains in the mother's pouch for approximately six months drinking only mother's milk. During this time in the pouch the young koala slowly grows and develops eyes, ears, fur etc. At about 22 weeks, its eyes open and it begins to peep out of the pouch. At this time also it will begin to reach out of the pouch to supplementary feed on “pap” special mushy droppings the mother excretes.
At about 6 months the joey leaves the pouch and clings to its mother's belly to feed. Eventually it begins to feed upon fresh leaves as it rides on her back. The young koala continues to take milk from its mother until it is about a year old, but as it can no longer fit in the pouch, the mother's teat elongates to protrude from the pouch opening. Weaning occurs at one year of age. The joey will stay with the mother until it is displaced by the new year’s joey emerging from the pouch. If there is no new joey it may stay a little longer before moving away to establish its own home territory.
Koalas are very selective feeders eating only certain eucalypt leaves off particular types of eucalypt trees. The clearing of their habitat reduced their numbers but people are becoming more koala aware. In some areas people are being encouraged to plant koala feed trees in their gardens and on their farms.
There has also been suggestion that in some areas dogs should be banned or at least kept restrained at night so koalas can move around safely. Roads are also a great hazard for koalas which have no road sense and often will sit in the middle of the road when confused by car headlights. In some areas road speed limits are reduced in koala breeding season to try to preserve them from death on the road. In breeding season koalas move around much more seeking mates.
There are some islands off the coast such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia where koalas have no natural enemies and have bred to the point where they are threatened by their own over population. There is a great debate going on over the solution to this problem.
My reading tells me there used to be a lot more marsupials than there are now. North America now only has one. Australia has lost the marsupial Tasmanian Tiger in relatively recent years. Some people optimistically say they still exist but none has been seen for fifty years. Some hope that science will be able to do a “Jurrasic Park” and produce live animals from cells taken from preserved remains.
The more I look at nature the more I marvel at all the wonders of creation. Who told a jelly bean like baby koala that if it crawled through the fur on its mother’s belly it would come to the top of a pouch and in that pouch it would find a teat to suckle? Who arranged that when the baby had grown to a certain stage the droppings of the mother would change and provide mushy food containing bacteria which the baby would need in its stomach to digest eucalyptus leaves?
Whenever I come to look at nature I see the handiwork of God. There are times when I think the wonder, the intricacy of the design and the intriguing interlock of timing and events of all nature speak to me louder about creator God than a few verses in the early Chapters of my Bible.
I only learn some things about God from those initial Genesis Chapters and there is a whole Book full of revelation of God to follow. I learn there, too, of the beginnings of nature. As I discover more about nature so I discover its need for a Creator who can put the wonder of it all in place. Each animal, each bird, each reptile, frog and fish, each plant, and each other form of life has its great design, its particular environment and its relationships with the rest of creation. I understand so little of it all but what I know points me in the direction of God.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 He was wiser than any other man…And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4: 29- 34 New International Version).
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4139.mp3 ]
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world;
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world
The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.
Authors: Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858-1901)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 42
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
2Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
4Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
5Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD-
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
8Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
9Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
10Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
11Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
12Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, greybeards and little children.
13Let them praise the name of GOD-
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
14he's built a monument--his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 22nd March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Poems from the Lord by Ailsa Yates: http://groups.msn.com/PoemsfromtheLordbyAilsaYates
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th March , 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 14th March , 2009.
[Adapted from a ATAW first published 1st May, 2005]
KOALAS
I am not sure too many of you would have missed seeing Sam, the Koala on television or on the internet since the Victorian bushfires. If you did then you will find what you missed on YouTube. You can make your selection from the many choices here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Sam+koala&aq=f
I have written elsewhere that people who are not familiar with koalas may not realise just how unusual this experience was. Koalas are not people friendly but that is not all.
Koala means “no water” in the language of the Aborigines. Koalas live on a diet of eucalytus leaves alone and they absorb moisture from the gum leaves, so rarely need to drink. In a long drought, the water content of leaves is reduced, so koalas may sometimes have to look for water to drink. You can get more information about koalas from the Australian Koala foundation who have the slogan “no tree no me”. https://www.savethekoala.com/index.html)
I heard some time ago that in southern Australia’ drought, koalas have been coming to the backyards of homes seeking water. Some have been seen drinking from a dog’s water dish and another used the “doggy door” (small flap door in the main back door which allows pet dogs and cats free access) to enter a house. People are being warned not to interfere with these animals and to protect them from attack by the family pets.
I have a lovely framed photograph on my desk of my wife, my little Swiss Mate and me with a koala called Lindsay at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Australia’s Gold Coast. The adult koala is resting baby-like in an upright position sitting in my wife’s clasped hands with its head on my wife’s shoulder. One of its “hands” also rests on my wife’s shoulder. My Swiss Mate smiles as she feels the soft fur on the koala’s back.
My photo is one that gives a false impression of koalas. Koalas are not normally cuddly animals that enjoy resting in people’s arms. This particular photo was taken at one of the very few places where koalas can be held and photographed. Some zoos and sanctuaries do not allow contact with their koalas claiming it as it gives a false impression that koalas are cuddly pets. They also claim it stresses them and exposes them to human disease.
Koalas appear to be slow moving and sleepy. There are two main reasons for this. One is that they sleep during the day and that’s when we want to observe them. They are most active just after sunset and during the early hours of the night. The second is that they are “folivorous” eating the leaves of Eucalypt trees. These leaves are pretty low on nutrition and do not supply the energy for an over active lifestyle. As stated above these leaves also normally supply their need for water and they very rarely drink.
However, try to pick up a koala and it will very quickly become a hissing, biting, scratching bundle of fur. The koala’s main enemy was the dingo, Australia’s native dog. Today, it is more likely to be man, who is clearing its habitat for development or likely to be introduced foxes and domestic dogs. The koala was once shot for its fur but is now absolutely protected by wildlife preservation laws. Souvenir and toy koalas are made of kangaroo and sometimes rabbit fur.
In the photo my wife has something in her hands besides the koala. The koala’s carer was kind enough to provide a paper towel. The reason of course is that koalas have about the same bladder and bowel control as human babies. While we were waiting for the photographer, the carer told us that it seems to be continuous when they are awake.
As I watched a television program the other night about koalas, I noticed one of the men interviewed called them “bears” in every answer he gave. It is not uncommon to hear them referred to as koala bears but zoologists and school teachers following their notes closely will point out that koalas are not bears but are marsupials.
Marsupials are that group of animals which rear the baby after birth in the mother’s pouch. That’s right after birth. The baby grows in the mother’s womb for about 35 days and then is born (or is it birthed?) in the usual way.
The tiny baby called a "joey" is about 2 centimetres long and weighs less than 1 gram. The joey looks rather like a pink jellybean or jelly baby as it is totally hairless, blind and has no ears. The joey makes its way from the birth canal to the pouch completely unaided, relying on its already well-developed senses of smell and touch, strong forelimbs and claws and an innate sense of direction. Once inside the safety of the pouch, it attaches itself to one of the two teats, which swells to fill its mouth. This prevents the joey from being dislodged from its source of food
A "joey" remains in the mother's pouch for approximately six months drinking only mother's milk. During this time in the pouch the young koala slowly grows and develops eyes, ears, fur etc. At about 22 weeks, its eyes open and it begins to peep out of the pouch. At this time also it will begin to reach out of the pouch to supplementary feed on “pap” special mushy droppings the mother excretes.
At about 6 months the joey leaves the pouch and clings to its mother's belly to feed. Eventually it begins to feed upon fresh leaves as it rides on her back. The young koala continues to take milk from its mother until it is about a year old, but as it can no longer fit in the pouch, the mother's teat elongates to protrude from the pouch opening. Weaning occurs at one year of age. The joey will stay with the mother until it is displaced by the new year’s joey emerging from the pouch. If there is no new joey it may stay a little longer before moving away to establish its own home territory.
Koalas are very selective feeders eating only certain eucalypt leaves off particular types of eucalypt trees. The clearing of their habitat reduced their numbers but people are becoming more koala aware. In some areas people are being encouraged to plant koala feed trees in their gardens and on their farms.
There has also been suggestion that in some areas dogs should be banned or at least kept restrained at night so koalas can move around safely. Roads are also a great hazard for koalas which have no road sense and often will sit in the middle of the road when confused by car headlights. In some areas road speed limits are reduced in koala breeding season to try to preserve them from death on the road. In breeding season koalas move around much more seeking mates.
There are some islands off the coast such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia where koalas have no natural enemies and have bred to the point where they are threatened by their own over population. There is a great debate going on over the solution to this problem.
My reading tells me there used to be a lot more marsupials than there are now. North America now only has one. Australia has lost the marsupial Tasmanian Tiger in relatively recent years. Some people optimistically say they still exist but none has been seen for fifty years. Some hope that science will be able to do a “Jurrasic Park” and produce live animals from cells taken from preserved remains.
The more I look at nature the more I marvel at all the wonders of creation. Who told a jelly bean like baby koala that if it crawled through the fur on its mother’s belly it would come to the top of a pouch and in that pouch it would find a teat to suckle? Who arranged that when the baby had grown to a certain stage the droppings of the mother would change and provide mushy food containing bacteria which the baby would need in its stomach to digest eucalyptus leaves?
Whenever I come to look at nature I see the handiwork of God. There are times when I think the wonder, the intricacy of the design and the intriguing interlock of timing and events of all nature speak to me louder about creator God than a few verses in the early Chapters of my Bible.
I only learn some things about God from those initial Genesis Chapters and there is a whole Book full of revelation of God to follow. I learn there, too, of the beginnings of nature. As I discover more about nature so I discover its need for a Creator who can put the wonder of it all in place. Each animal, each bird, each reptile, frog and fish, each plant, and each other form of life has its great design, its particular environment and its relationships with the rest of creation. I understand so little of it all but what I know points me in the direction of God.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 He was wiser than any other man…And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4: 29- 34 New International Version).
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4139.mp3 ]
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world;
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world
The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.
Authors: Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858-1901)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 42
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
2Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
4Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
5Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD-
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
8Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
9Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
10Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
11Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
12Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, greybeards and little children.
13Let them praise the name of GOD-
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
14he's built a monument--his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 22nd March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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[Adapted from a ATAW first published 1st May, 2005]
KOALAS
I am not sure too many of you would have missed seeing Sam, the Koala on television or on the internet since the Victorian bushfires. If you did then you will find what you missed on YouTube. You can make your selection from the many choices here: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Sam+koala&aq=f
I have written elsewhere that people who are not familiar with koalas may not realise just how unusual this experience was. Koalas are not people friendly but that is not all.
Koala means “no water” in the language of the Aborigines. Koalas live on a diet of eucalytus leaves alone and they absorb moisture from the gum leaves, so rarely need to drink. In a long drought, the water content of leaves is reduced, so koalas may sometimes have to look for water to drink. You can get more information about koalas from the Australian Koala foundation who have the slogan “no tree no me”. https://www.savethekoala.com/index.html)
I heard some time ago that in southern Australia’ drought, koalas have been coming to the backyards of homes seeking water. Some have been seen drinking from a dog’s water dish and another used the “doggy door” (small flap door in the main back door which allows pet dogs and cats free access) to enter a house. People are being warned not to interfere with these animals and to protect them from attack by the family pets.
I have a lovely framed photograph on my desk of my wife, my little Swiss Mate and me with a koala called Lindsay at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Australia’s Gold Coast. The adult koala is resting baby-like in an upright position sitting in my wife’s clasped hands with its head on my wife’s shoulder. One of its “hands” also rests on my wife’s shoulder. My Swiss Mate smiles as she feels the soft fur on the koala’s back.
My photo is one that gives a false impression of koalas. Koalas are not normally cuddly animals that enjoy resting in people’s arms. This particular photo was taken at one of the very few places where koalas can be held and photographed. Some zoos and sanctuaries do not allow contact with their koalas claiming it as it gives a false impression that koalas are cuddly pets. They also claim it stresses them and exposes them to human disease.
Koalas appear to be slow moving and sleepy. There are two main reasons for this. One is that they sleep during the day and that’s when we want to observe them. They are most active just after sunset and during the early hours of the night. The second is that they are “folivorous” eating the leaves of Eucalypt trees. These leaves are pretty low on nutrition and do not supply the energy for an over active lifestyle. As stated above these leaves also normally supply their need for water and they very rarely drink.
However, try to pick up a koala and it will very quickly become a hissing, biting, scratching bundle of fur. The koala’s main enemy was the dingo, Australia’s native dog. Today, it is more likely to be man, who is clearing its habitat for development or likely to be introduced foxes and domestic dogs. The koala was once shot for its fur but is now absolutely protected by wildlife preservation laws. Souvenir and toy koalas are made of kangaroo and sometimes rabbit fur.
In the photo my wife has something in her hands besides the koala. The koala’s carer was kind enough to provide a paper towel. The reason of course is that koalas have about the same bladder and bowel control as human babies. While we were waiting for the photographer, the carer told us that it seems to be continuous when they are awake.
As I watched a television program the other night about koalas, I noticed one of the men interviewed called them “bears” in every answer he gave. It is not uncommon to hear them referred to as koala bears but zoologists and school teachers following their notes closely will point out that koalas are not bears but are marsupials.
Marsupials are that group of animals which rear the baby after birth in the mother’s pouch. That’s right after birth. The baby grows in the mother’s womb for about 35 days and then is born (or is it birthed?) in the usual way.
The tiny baby called a "joey" is about 2 centimetres long and weighs less than 1 gram. The joey looks rather like a pink jellybean or jelly baby as it is totally hairless, blind and has no ears. The joey makes its way from the birth canal to the pouch completely unaided, relying on its already well-developed senses of smell and touch, strong forelimbs and claws and an innate sense of direction. Once inside the safety of the pouch, it attaches itself to one of the two teats, which swells to fill its mouth. This prevents the joey from being dislodged from its source of food
A "joey" remains in the mother's pouch for approximately six months drinking only mother's milk. During this time in the pouch the young koala slowly grows and develops eyes, ears, fur etc. At about 22 weeks, its eyes open and it begins to peep out of the pouch. At this time also it will begin to reach out of the pouch to supplementary feed on “pap” special mushy droppings the mother excretes.
At about 6 months the joey leaves the pouch and clings to its mother's belly to feed. Eventually it begins to feed upon fresh leaves as it rides on her back. The young koala continues to take milk from its mother until it is about a year old, but as it can no longer fit in the pouch, the mother's teat elongates to protrude from the pouch opening. Weaning occurs at one year of age. The joey will stay with the mother until it is displaced by the new year’s joey emerging from the pouch. If there is no new joey it may stay a little longer before moving away to establish its own home territory.
Koalas are very selective feeders eating only certain eucalypt leaves off particular types of eucalypt trees. The clearing of their habitat reduced their numbers but people are becoming more koala aware. In some areas people are being encouraged to plant koala feed trees in their gardens and on their farms.
There has also been suggestion that in some areas dogs should be banned or at least kept restrained at night so koalas can move around safely. Roads are also a great hazard for koalas which have no road sense and often will sit in the middle of the road when confused by car headlights. In some areas road speed limits are reduced in koala breeding season to try to preserve them from death on the road. In breeding season koalas move around much more seeking mates.
There are some islands off the coast such as Kangaroo Island in South Australia where koalas have no natural enemies and have bred to the point where they are threatened by their own over population. There is a great debate going on over the solution to this problem.
My reading tells me there used to be a lot more marsupials than there are now. North America now only has one. Australia has lost the marsupial Tasmanian Tiger in relatively recent years. Some people optimistically say they still exist but none has been seen for fifty years. Some hope that science will be able to do a “Jurrasic Park” and produce live animals from cells taken from preserved remains.
The more I look at nature the more I marvel at all the wonders of creation. Who told a jelly bean like baby koala that if it crawled through the fur on its mother’s belly it would come to the top of a pouch and in that pouch it would find a teat to suckle? Who arranged that when the baby had grown to a certain stage the droppings of the mother would change and provide mushy food containing bacteria which the baby would need in its stomach to digest eucalyptus leaves?
Whenever I come to look at nature I see the handiwork of God. There are times when I think the wonder, the intricacy of the design and the intriguing interlock of timing and events of all nature speak to me louder about creator God than a few verses in the early Chapters of my Bible.
I only learn some things about God from those initial Genesis Chapters and there is a whole Book full of revelation of God to follow. I learn there, too, of the beginnings of nature. As I discover more about nature so I discover its need for a Creator who can put the wonder of it all in place. Each animal, each bird, each reptile, frog and fish, each plant, and each other form of life has its great design, its particular environment and its relationships with the rest of creation. I understand so little of it all but what I know points me in the direction of God.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 He was wiser than any other man…And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4: 29- 34 New International Version).
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4139.mp3 ]
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears,
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world;
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world
The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one.
Authors: Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858-1901)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 42
Psalm 148 (The Message)
1Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
2Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
4Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
5Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD-
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
8Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
9Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
10Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
11Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
12Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, greybeards and little children.
13Let them praise the name of GOD-
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
14he's built a monument--his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
Note: There will be no ATAW next Saturday, 22nd March or OzThoughts from Sunday 22nd to Friday 27th March as I will be away from the computer.
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
OzThoughts Friday 13th March 2009.
OzThoughts Friday 13th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
So often we think of Lent as a season of discipline. Some times the discipline is imposed by tradition (no meat on Fridays or no self indulgence) or it is a self imposed discipline which selects what we will do to personally and spiritually mark the period.
We should not lose sight of what the season is really about. It is a time of personal spiritual preparation for the coming Easter. Jesus did not lose sight of why he had come. Today , we read of his answer when he was challenged at the temple by the chief priests and elders. Jesus clearly shows it was the plan of God that he should come and he would be killed by the religious leaders. Others who had come as God’s representative had suffered at their hands. He would surely be killed.
(Matthew 21:33-46 (The Message)
33-34 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.
35-37 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'
38-39 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.
40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"
41 "He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."
42-44 Jesus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:
The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."
45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4660.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4453.mp3 ]
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died he for me who caused his pain,
For me who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left his Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite his grace,
Emptied himself of all but love
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine.
Alive in him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 283
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
So often we think of Lent as a season of discipline. Some times the discipline is imposed by tradition (no meat on Fridays or no self indulgence) or it is a self imposed discipline which selects what we will do to personally and spiritually mark the period.
We should not lose sight of what the season is really about. It is a time of personal spiritual preparation for the coming Easter. Jesus did not lose sight of why he had come. Today , we read of his answer when he was challenged at the temple by the chief priests and elders. Jesus clearly shows it was the plan of God that he should come and he would be killed by the religious leaders. Others who had come as God’s representative had suffered at their hands. He would surely be killed.
(Matthew 21:33-46 (The Message)
33-34 "Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.
35-37 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'
38-39 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.
40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"
41 "He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."
42-44 Jesus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:
The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."
45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4660.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4453.mp3 ]
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died he for me who caused his pain,
For me who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left his Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite his grace,
Emptied himself of all but love
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine.
Alive in him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 283
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
OzThoughts Thursday 12th March 2009.
OzThoughts Thursday 12th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
When an Australian Prime Minister was asked about his religion, he described himself as a “fellow traveller with Christianity”. If I understood what he meant he was saying he agreed with the philosophy of Christianity but had no commitment to Jesus as saviour or in the sense of daily religious observances.
I wonder if this was the type of thing that Jesus was talking about when he answered the bystander’s question in today’s reading. I wonder, too, if there is a warning there also for people inside the church who are “sometimes worshippers” or those who spend all their time arguing the minute details of belief and practice rather than serving Christ as Lord and Master.
What do you think?
Luke 13:22-30 (The Message)
22 He went on teaching from town to village, village to town, but keeping on a steady course toward Jerusalem.
23-25 A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
26-27 "You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
28-30 "That's when you'll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You'll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God's kingdom. You'll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God's kingdom. And all the time you'll be outside looking in—and wondering what happened. This is the Great Reversal: the last in line put at the head of the line, and the so-called first ending up last."
[Listen: Songsters : (Tune: Flow Gently Sweet Afton) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3
or
Band (Tune: Unsworth): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_001.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
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
When an Australian Prime Minister was asked about his religion, he described himself as a “fellow traveller with Christianity”. If I understood what he meant he was saying he agreed with the philosophy of Christianity but had no commitment to Jesus as saviour or in the sense of daily religious observances.
I wonder if this was the type of thing that Jesus was talking about when he answered the bystander’s question in today’s reading. I wonder, too, if there is a warning there also for people inside the church who are “sometimes worshippers” or those who spend all their time arguing the minute details of belief and practice rather than serving Christ as Lord and Master.
What do you think?
Luke 13:22-30 (The Message)
22 He went on teaching from town to village, village to town, but keeping on a steady course toward Jerusalem.
23-25 A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
26-27 "You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
28-30 "That's when you'll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You'll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God's kingdom. You'll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God's kingdom. And all the time you'll be outside looking in—and wondering what happened. This is the Great Reversal: the last in line put at the head of the line, and the so-called first ending up last."
[Listen: Songsters : (Tune: Flow Gently Sweet Afton) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3
or
Band (Tune: Unsworth): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_001.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
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
OzThoughts Wednesday 11th March 2009.
OzThoughts Wednesday 11th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
“They just don’t get it!” How often have you heard those words? Certainly we could be excused for thinking that about the Disciples as we read today’s portion of Scripture from Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew Chapter 20 records that Jesus was teaching his Disciples about exactly what would happen soon when they arrived in Jerusalem:
When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive." (part of 17-19 )
Matthew then tells us about the request from the mother of two of the Disciples that they, James and John, should have the highest place in the Kingdom. Jesus answers her and involves James and John in his answer.
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you're asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?"
They said, "Sure, why not?"
23 Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that's not my business. My Father is taking care of that."
Jesus contrasts the way worldly rulers dominate others with the way it will be in God’s Kingdom:
26 – 28 It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
How do we respond to Jesus teaching and example in the way we live?
[Listen:
Vocal Solo: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1139.mp3
or
Piano and organ: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_111.mp3 ]
And is it so? A gift from me
Dost thou, dear Lord, request?
Then speak thy will, whate'er it be:
Obeying, I am blest.
Chorus
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
For that great love which made thee mine:
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
But all I have is thine.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
The talents I possess?
Such as I have I give to thee
That others I may bless.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
The gift of passing time?
My hours I'll give, not grudgingly,
I feel by right they're thine.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
A loving, faithful heart?
'Tis thine, for thou on Calvary
For me with all didst part.
Author: Richard Slater (1854-1939)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 475
Matthew 20:17-28 (The Message)
17-19 Jesus, now well on the way up to Jerusalem, took the Twelve off to the side of the road and said, "Listen to me carefully. We are on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive."
20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
21 "What do you want?" Jesus asked.
She said, "Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand."
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you're asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?"
They said, "Sure, why not?"
23 Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that's not my business. My Father is taking care of that."
24-28 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
“They just don’t get it!” How often have you heard those words? Certainly we could be excused for thinking that about the Disciples as we read today’s portion of Scripture from Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew Chapter 20 records that Jesus was teaching his Disciples about exactly what would happen soon when they arrived in Jerusalem:
When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive." (part of 17-19 )
Matthew then tells us about the request from the mother of two of the Disciples that they, James and John, should have the highest place in the Kingdom. Jesus answers her and involves James and John in his answer.
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you're asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?"
They said, "Sure, why not?"
23 Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that's not my business. My Father is taking care of that."
Jesus contrasts the way worldly rulers dominate others with the way it will be in God’s Kingdom:
26 – 28 It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
How do we respond to Jesus teaching and example in the way we live?
[Listen:
Vocal Solo: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1139.mp3
or
Piano and organ: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_111.mp3 ]
And is it so? A gift from me
Dost thou, dear Lord, request?
Then speak thy will, whate'er it be:
Obeying, I am blest.
Chorus
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
For that great love which made thee mine:
I have not much to give thee, Lord,
But all I have is thine.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
The talents I possess?
Such as I have I give to thee
That others I may bless.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
The gift of passing time?
My hours I'll give, not grudgingly,
I feel by right they're thine.
And dost thou ask a gift from me:
A loving, faithful heart?
'Tis thine, for thou on Calvary
For me with all didst part.
Author: Richard Slater (1854-1939)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 475
Matthew 20:17-28 (The Message)
17-19 Jesus, now well on the way up to Jerusalem, took the Twelve off to the side of the road and said, "Listen to me carefully. We are on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive."
20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
21 "What do you want?" Jesus asked.
She said, "Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand."
22 Jesus responded, "You have no idea what you're asking." And he said to James and John, "Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?"
They said, "Sure, why not?"
23 Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honour, that's not my business. My Father is taking care of that."
24-28 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
OzThoughts Tuesday 10th March 2009.
OzThoughts Tuesday 10th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
There is some debate about “VIP Tours” of disaster areas. A government leader obviously being followed by reporters and camera men is shown on television with some victims in an evacuation centre. Or maybe they are shown “helping” some emergency workers or discussing the situation in the emergency management centre.
One side of the debate says that they just get in the way and distract the emergency management and volunteers from the real tasks. This side of the debate maintains they are only there to get “brownie points” for their caring attitude. The other side of the debate says that when government leaders visit it lifts the spirits of both workers and victims and the good effect cannot be measured.
Years ago, I was working in one flood evacuation serving coffee in pouring rain, when yet another person arrived to ask how things were going. I answered without looking up as I made yet another coffee. My teenage son who was helping me began chatting to the person as I worked. When I could I went to join the conversation and found myself face to face with the Lord Mayor of the city.
Here he was with a raincoat on, shoes in water, rain dripping from his hat, talking to us and the folk we were serving hot coffee. There were no reporters or cameras but a man showing he really was concerned and cared. I was fairly new to the city but I learnt that this was his style. He was not a “poser” , he was “fair dinkum”.
Matthew 23:1-12 (The Message)
1-3 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.
4-7 "Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'
8-10 "Don't let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven. And don't let people manoeuvre you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
11-12 "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
O that in me the mind of Christ
A fixed abiding-place may find,
That I may know the will of God,
And live in him for lost mankind.
Chorus
Doing the will of God,
Doing the will of God,
The best thing I know in this world below
Is doing the will of God.
The suffering servant he became,
Yea more; in loneliness and loss
He bore for me in grief and shame,
A crown of thorns. a heavy cross.
O that in me this mind might be,
The will of God be all my joy,
Prepared with him to go or stay,
My chief delight his sweet employ.
More than all else I would become
The servant of my servant-Lord;
My highest glory his reproach,
To do his will my best reward.
Author: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 451
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
To unsubscribe send an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
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OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following groups (which you are welcome to join):
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
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OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
There is some debate about “VIP Tours” of disaster areas. A government leader obviously being followed by reporters and camera men is shown on television with some victims in an evacuation centre. Or maybe they are shown “helping” some emergency workers or discussing the situation in the emergency management centre.
One side of the debate says that they just get in the way and distract the emergency management and volunteers from the real tasks. This side of the debate maintains they are only there to get “brownie points” for their caring attitude. The other side of the debate says that when government leaders visit it lifts the spirits of both workers and victims and the good effect cannot be measured.
Years ago, I was working in one flood evacuation serving coffee in pouring rain, when yet another person arrived to ask how things were going. I answered without looking up as I made yet another coffee. My teenage son who was helping me began chatting to the person as I worked. When I could I went to join the conversation and found myself face to face with the Lord Mayor of the city.
Here he was with a raincoat on, shoes in water, rain dripping from his hat, talking to us and the folk we were serving hot coffee. There were no reporters or cameras but a man showing he really was concerned and cared. I was fairly new to the city but I learnt that this was his style. He was not a “poser” , he was “fair dinkum”.
Matthew 23:1-12 (The Message)
1-3 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.
4-7 "Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'
8-10 "Don't let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven. And don't let people manoeuvre you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
11-12 "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Prayer: (Using the Song Book as a Prayer Book):
O that in me the mind of Christ
A fixed abiding-place may find,
That I may know the will of God,
And live in him for lost mankind.
Chorus
Doing the will of God,
Doing the will of God,
The best thing I know in this world below
Is doing the will of God.
The suffering servant he became,
Yea more; in loneliness and loss
He bore for me in grief and shame,
A crown of thorns. a heavy cross.
O that in me this mind might be,
The will of God be all my joy,
Prepared with him to go or stay,
My chief delight his sweet employ.
More than all else I would become
The servant of my servant-Lord;
My highest glory his reproach,
To do his will my best reward.
Author: Edward Henry Joy (1871-1949)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 451
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Sunday, March 8, 2009
OzThoughts Monday 9th March 2009.
OzThoughts Monday 9th March 2009.
(Please forward this OzThoughts to your friends).
One of the things we cannot escape this week is other people. They will be passengers of the same bus or train. They will be making their way along the same road or pathway. They will be in the same shop or workplace. They will be in the school, college or hospital. They will be on the sporting field or in the entertainment centre. Some we will meet at our home or church.
Luke records Jesus commenting that each of these people could be an enemy. If they are Jesus says love them. If they are not an enemy do not treat them in a way that will make them one.
Jesus says Gods love to us must be our example. God’s love to is marked by generosity, graciousness and kindness. As we meet people Jesus says we must give of ourselves generously.
Luke 6:36-38 (The Message)
35-36 "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
37-38 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
PRAYER:
[Listen: Brass Band musical meditation on the hymn tune “Hyfrydol” to which these words can be sung : http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF322%20-%20Meditation%20-%20Hyfrydol.mp3 ]
Wanted, hearts baptized with fire,
Hearts completely cleansed from sin,
Hearts that will go to the mire,
Hearts that dare do aught for him;
Hearts that will be firmer, braver,
Hearts like heroes gone before,
Hearts enjoying God's full favor,
Hearts to love him more and more.
Chorus
Hearts to hoist the colors bravely,
Hearts to share the hardest fight,
Hearts that know their duty clearly,
Hearts to dare and do the right.
Wanted, hearts that beat true ever,
Hearts that can for others feel,
Hearts that prove the traitor never,
Hearts that will the wounded heal;
Hearts o'erflowing with compassion,
Hearts renewed by grace divine,
Hearts aglow with full salvation,
Hearts to say: Thy will, not mine!
Wanted, hearts to love the masses,
Hearts to help him seek the lost,
Hearts to help him save all classes,
Hearts to help him save the worst;
Hearts to share with him the weeping,
Hearts to bear with him the cross,
Hearts to help him with the reaping,
Hearts to trust through gain or loss.
Wanted, hearts like thine, Lord, holy,
Hearts that in thine image shine,
Hearts that turn from sin and folly,
Hearts to know no way but thine;
Hearts that unto thee are given,
Hearts possessed with dying love,
Hearts on earth but filled with Heaven,
Hearts inspired from above.
Author: John Lawley (1859-1922)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 704
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
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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One of the things we cannot escape this week is other people. They will be passengers of the same bus or train. They will be making their way along the same road or pathway. They will be in the same shop or workplace. They will be in the school, college or hospital. They will be on the sporting field or in the entertainment centre. Some we will meet at our home or church.
Luke records Jesus commenting that each of these people could be an enemy. If they are Jesus says love them. If they are not an enemy do not treat them in a way that will make them one.
Jesus says Gods love to us must be our example. God’s love to is marked by generosity, graciousness and kindness. As we meet people Jesus says we must give of ourselves generously.
Luke 6:36-38 (The Message)
35-36 "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
37-38 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
PRAYER:
[Listen: Brass Band musical meditation on the hymn tune “Hyfrydol” to which these words can be sung : http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF322%20-%20Meditation%20-%20Hyfrydol.mp3 ]
Wanted, hearts baptized with fire,
Hearts completely cleansed from sin,
Hearts that will go to the mire,
Hearts that dare do aught for him;
Hearts that will be firmer, braver,
Hearts like heroes gone before,
Hearts enjoying God's full favor,
Hearts to love him more and more.
Chorus
Hearts to hoist the colors bravely,
Hearts to share the hardest fight,
Hearts that know their duty clearly,
Hearts to dare and do the right.
Wanted, hearts that beat true ever,
Hearts that can for others feel,
Hearts that prove the traitor never,
Hearts that will the wounded heal;
Hearts o'erflowing with compassion,
Hearts renewed by grace divine,
Hearts aglow with full salvation,
Hearts to say: Thy will, not mine!
Wanted, hearts to love the masses,
Hearts to help him seek the lost,
Hearts to help him save all classes,
Hearts to help him save the worst;
Hearts to share with him the weeping,
Hearts to bear with him the cross,
Hearts to help him with the reaping,
Hearts to trust through gain or loss.
Wanted, hearts like thine, Lord, holy,
Hearts that in thine image shine,
Hearts that turn from sin and folly,
Hearts to know no way but thine;
Hearts that unto thee are given,
Hearts possessed with dying love,
Hearts on earth but filled with Heaven,
Hearts inspired from above.
Author: John Lawley (1859-1922)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 704
[ In preparation for Easter read a Christian book during Lent which is now. ]
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