OzThoughts Monday 11h January 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Everlasting Father
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
The “Everlasting Father!” I have never heard Jesus called that. Was Isaiah right in this prophecy? Isn’t it confusing that we have followed Jesus example and acknowledged the Heavenly Father, and here it is suggested that Jesus be called “Father” too.
Now when I was a Salvation Army Officer, there was, in those days, a tradition said I should be called “Lieutenant” or “Captain”. When people called me “Mr” I just laughed and said “That’s my father he died some years ago, I am Captain”.
Some years after I, in fact, became “Mr” I got a shock when I phoned the hospital and asked to speak to my son, a patient, by his christian and surname and the nurse who took the call said “Oh you are wanting to speak to “Mr Reese”. Yep, I suppose I did. I nearly said “ No, that’s my father and he died 25 years ago”.
I tell that story to remind us not to let the fact that both God and in this passage Jesus are referred to as Father cloud the truth Isaiah is proclaiming. We need to look beyond the familiar to the message in his words.
Isaiah is saying Jesus will be the Father of the Everlasting and also everlasting himself. I think of John who wrote:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1: 1-5 New International Version).
Well there are the credentials for the job of “Everlasting Father”. When John wrote that he was not writing a job application for Jesus. He knew the outcome and was writing history. Eternal history that is! Jesus, like a father gives us life, and that life is everlasting.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you that in your word we can see Jesus and what he means to us. I pray that you will be with us as we explore something more about Jesus. May the reality of Jesus be with us each in this week. Amen.
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MEDITATION
(Note particularly the last verse )
[Listen: Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3154.mp3
or
Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3196.mp3 ]
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Chorus
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest Heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Authors: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 82
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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
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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
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 10th January 2010
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 10th January 2010
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 29 (The Message)
1-2 Bravo, GOD, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
In awe before the glory,
in awe before God's visible power.
Stand at attention!
Dress your best to honor him!
3 GOD thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
GOD, across the flood waters.
4 GOD's thunder tympanic,
GOD's thunder symphonic.
5 GOD's thunder smashes cedars,
GOD topples the northern cedars.
6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.
7-8 GOD's thunder spits fire.
GOD thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.
9 GOD's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"
10 Above the floodwaters is GOD's throne
from which his power flows,
from which he rules the world.
11 GOD makes his people strong.
GOD gives his people peace.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 8
Author: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4790.mp3
or
Band arrangement: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4884.mp3 ]
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3.
To all life thou givest, to both great and small,
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.
4.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light.
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
Psalm 111 (The Message)
1-10 Hallelujah! I give thanks to GOD with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This GOD of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of GOD—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of GOD.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 34
Authors: John Milton (1608-74)
[Listen: Congregational Song:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_215.mp3
Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for he is kind:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
2.
Let us blaze his name abroad,
For of gods he is the God:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
3.
He, with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
4.
He the golden-tressed sun
Caused all day his course to run:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
5.
All things living he doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Meditation: Favourite (20) Hymns:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7029.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 29 (The Message)
1-2 Bravo, GOD, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
In awe before the glory,
in awe before God's visible power.
Stand at attention!
Dress your best to honor him!
3 GOD thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
GOD, across the flood waters.
4 GOD's thunder tympanic,
GOD's thunder symphonic.
5 GOD's thunder smashes cedars,
GOD topples the northern cedars.
6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.
7-8 GOD's thunder spits fire.
GOD thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.
9 GOD's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"
10 Above the floodwaters is GOD's throne
from which his power flows,
from which he rules the world.
11 GOD makes his people strong.
GOD gives his people peace.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 8
Author: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4790.mp3
or
Band arrangement: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4884.mp3 ]
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
2.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3.
To all life thou givest, to both great and small,
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.
4.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light.
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
Psalm 111 (The Message)
1-10 Hallelujah! I give thanks to GOD with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This GOD of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of GOD—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of GOD.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 34
Authors: John Milton (1608-74)
[Listen: Congregational Song:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_215.mp3
Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord, for he is kind:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
2.
Let us blaze his name abroad,
For of gods he is the God:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
3.
He, with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
4.
He the golden-tressed sun
Caused all day his course to run:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
5.
All things living he doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need:
For his mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Meditation: Favourite (20) Hymns:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7029.mp3
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Friday, January 8, 2010
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 9th & 10th January, 2010.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 9th & 10th January, 2010.
Let Loose!
As you drive further and further from the coast in Australia into the outback, you often will come to a fence with solid posts each side of the road. A grid made of about 15 parallel rail lines about a human foot width apart is between the posts across the road. These rails at road level and at right angles to the traffic flow cause the vehicle to shudder and form a barrier which cattle will not cross. Under the rails is a small pit probably about a foot (30cm) deep. Nailed to a post nearby is an official road sign which says something like “Grid” or “Cattle Grid”. On another post, or sometimes on the same one another sign will say “Caution Cattle - Unfenced Road”. Sometimes it will indicate for a distance of 50, 100 or 200 kilometres.
Experienced drivers know they are entering the big paddock where cattle are turned loose and fend for themselves finding water and food. The further from the coast one travels the bigger the paddocks are where cattle roam free. Sometimes the barriers on one side of the paddock may be a river or even a line of hills or mountains. Cattle that are turned loose like this are mustered once a year when men on horse, motorbike or in a helicopter will push the cattle into mobs and then the mob into holding yards.
Mustering time is a time of frantic work as cattle are drafted from the big mob into smaller mobs. One mob will be the clean skins to be hot iron branded with the stamp of ownership. Others will be drafted to go to market. Others will face a sharp knife before facing the next year or so as steers fattening for market. Then those to be returned to the big paddock will be set loose to go where they want to seek shade, water and food. For a year they will go where they wish within the bounds of the far apart fences.
I thought of all this when a friend told me how her life had changed when she let God loose in her life some years ago. She quickly added that talking about God let loose seemed disrespectful. I assured her I never saw it that way.
Since then I have thought about it as very appropriate to describe a relationship with God, where God is not restrained. The cattle let loose are not restrained .Within the bounds of distant fences, they are free to do as they wish, go where they will. In a sense, they make their own arrangements.
I believe it is like that when we commit our life to God. God takes control and He is let loose. He can enter every area of our life. In fact, God must control every area of our life if we are to be completely committed to Him. Mustering time is a time of assessing the cattle in the paddock.
Clearly, we can not muster God. However, we can allow His Holy Spirit help us assess our lives and show how and where God is working and still needs to work.. New Year is a good “mustering” time in our lives. It is the time when we can look at what God is doing in our life and allow Him to continue to make us more what He wants us to be.
In Australia, Christmas and New Year coincides with summer holidays. Children commence or return to school at the end of January. Final arrangements are being made for commencement of College and University courses. Those who have graduated may be starting in new work situations.
In Salvation Army Corps and churches, it is also a time of new beginnings. Sunday School and many other activities and groups will commence their year when school returns. The Band and Songsters will resume their rehearsals in preparation for a time of ministry.
This is certainly not a time for us to let ourselves loose in a whirlwind of activities. Instead it is a time to seek God’s guidance and direction about our involvement in various activities. There may be activities which when we pray about them, we hear the voice of God saying “not for you at this time”. There may be activities which we have never really considered but the voice of God says “Yes, that’s for you!”
Just like the station (ranch owner or manager has a plan for each beast in the muster, so God has a plan for us. He has given us the privilege to talk to him, our Heavenly Father and to listen to him about his plans that involve us.
Hebrews 12 - Selected Verses (The Message)
1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
…
My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
12-13So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
14-17Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
….
28-29Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!
[Listen: (Chalvey cannot be located other than with different words - http://www.regalzonophone.com/EP's%20&%20LP's%20-%20SPS049%20-%20On%20Reflection%20(1986).htm Open page and scroll down to “I have no claim on grace” on simulated player).
Alternate tunes:
Diademata: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_973.mp3
or
Peace: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1596.mp3 ]
Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword,
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life's alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms
And strong shall be my hand.
My heart is weak and poor
Until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
It varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
Till thou hast wrought its chain;
Enslave it with thy matchless love
And deathless it shall reign.
My will is not my own
Till thou hast made it thine;
If it would reach a monarch's throne
It must its crown resign;
It only stands unbent
Amid the clashing strife,
When on thy bosom it has leant
And found in thee its life.
Author: George Matheson (1842-1906)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 508
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Let Loose!
As you drive further and further from the coast in Australia into the outback, you often will come to a fence with solid posts each side of the road. A grid made of about 15 parallel rail lines about a human foot width apart is between the posts across the road. These rails at road level and at right angles to the traffic flow cause the vehicle to shudder and form a barrier which cattle will not cross. Under the rails is a small pit probably about a foot (30cm) deep. Nailed to a post nearby is an official road sign which says something like “Grid” or “Cattle Grid”. On another post, or sometimes on the same one another sign will say “Caution Cattle - Unfenced Road”. Sometimes it will indicate for a distance of 50, 100 or 200 kilometres.
Experienced drivers know they are entering the big paddock where cattle are turned loose and fend for themselves finding water and food. The further from the coast one travels the bigger the paddocks are where cattle roam free. Sometimes the barriers on one side of the paddock may be a river or even a line of hills or mountains. Cattle that are turned loose like this are mustered once a year when men on horse, motorbike or in a helicopter will push the cattle into mobs and then the mob into holding yards.
Mustering time is a time of frantic work as cattle are drafted from the big mob into smaller mobs. One mob will be the clean skins to be hot iron branded with the stamp of ownership. Others will be drafted to go to market. Others will face a sharp knife before facing the next year or so as steers fattening for market. Then those to be returned to the big paddock will be set loose to go where they want to seek shade, water and food. For a year they will go where they wish within the bounds of the far apart fences.
I thought of all this when a friend told me how her life had changed when she let God loose in her life some years ago. She quickly added that talking about God let loose seemed disrespectful. I assured her I never saw it that way.
Since then I have thought about it as very appropriate to describe a relationship with God, where God is not restrained. The cattle let loose are not restrained .Within the bounds of distant fences, they are free to do as they wish, go where they will. In a sense, they make their own arrangements.
I believe it is like that when we commit our life to God. God takes control and He is let loose. He can enter every area of our life. In fact, God must control every area of our life if we are to be completely committed to Him. Mustering time is a time of assessing the cattle in the paddock.
Clearly, we can not muster God. However, we can allow His Holy Spirit help us assess our lives and show how and where God is working and still needs to work.. New Year is a good “mustering” time in our lives. It is the time when we can look at what God is doing in our life and allow Him to continue to make us more what He wants us to be.
In Australia, Christmas and New Year coincides with summer holidays. Children commence or return to school at the end of January. Final arrangements are being made for commencement of College and University courses. Those who have graduated may be starting in new work situations.
In Salvation Army Corps and churches, it is also a time of new beginnings. Sunday School and many other activities and groups will commence their year when school returns. The Band and Songsters will resume their rehearsals in preparation for a time of ministry.
This is certainly not a time for us to let ourselves loose in a whirlwind of activities. Instead it is a time to seek God’s guidance and direction about our involvement in various activities. There may be activities which when we pray about them, we hear the voice of God saying “not for you at this time”. There may be activities which we have never really considered but the voice of God says “Yes, that’s for you!”
Just like the station (ranch owner or manager has a plan for each beast in the muster, so God has a plan for us. He has given us the privilege to talk to him, our Heavenly Father and to listen to him about his plans that involve us.
Hebrews 12 - Selected Verses (The Message)
1-3Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
…
My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
12-13So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
14-17Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
….
28-29Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!
[Listen: (Chalvey cannot be located other than with different words - http://www.regalzonophone.com/EP's%20&%20LP's%20-%20SPS049%20-%20On%20Reflection%20(1986).htm Open page and scroll down to “I have no claim on grace” on simulated player).
Alternate tunes:
Diademata: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_973.mp3
or
Peace: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1596.mp3 ]
Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword,
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life's alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms
And strong shall be my hand.
My heart is weak and poor
Until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
It varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
Till thou hast wrought its chain;
Enslave it with thy matchless love
And deathless it shall reign.
My will is not my own
Till thou hast made it thine;
If it would reach a monarch's throne
It must its crown resign;
It only stands unbent
Amid the clashing strife,
When on thy bosom it has leant
And found in thee its life.
Author: George Matheson (1842-1906)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 508
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Thursday, January 7, 2010
OzThoughts Friday 8th January 2010
OzThoughts Friday 8th January 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
The Book of Hebrews is an interesting book as it makes a very strong link between the way things were under the old covenant and the way things are under the new covenant. The writer (and we do not know who he is) shows that Christ is superior to the prophets,
and to the angels. He is superior to Moses and also to the priesthood.
Jesus is clearly shown as the new and living way to God. The book is just 13 short chapters but they are packed with information on how God, through his son, Jesus, has placed us into a new relationship.
We are reminded, too, of our responsibilities in this new relationship we have with God.
Christ’s work is complete it is up to us, now. He is seated at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 10:11-18 (The Message)
Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:
This new plan I'm making with Israel
isn't going to be written on paper,
isn't going to be chiseled in stone;
This time "I'm writing out the plan in them,
carving it on the lining of their hearts."
He concludes,
I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.
[Listen: Male Voice (Tune: Wells): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1603.mp3
or
Songsters: (Tune: Toplady): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3538.mp3
or
Band selection around tune Norwood: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3467.mp3
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
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
The Book of Hebrews is an interesting book as it makes a very strong link between the way things were under the old covenant and the way things are under the new covenant. The writer (and we do not know who he is) shows that Christ is superior to the prophets,
and to the angels. He is superior to Moses and also to the priesthood.
Jesus is clearly shown as the new and living way to God. The book is just 13 short chapters but they are packed with information on how God, through his son, Jesus, has placed us into a new relationship.
We are reminded, too, of our responsibilities in this new relationship we have with God.
Christ’s work is complete it is up to us, now. He is seated at God’s right hand.
Hebrews 10:11-18 (The Message)
Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:
This new plan I'm making with Israel
isn't going to be written on paper,
isn't going to be chiseled in stone;
This time "I'm writing out the plan in them,
carving it on the lining of their hearts."
He concludes,
I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.
[Listen: Male Voice (Tune: Wells): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1603.mp3
or
Songsters: (Tune: Toplady): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3538.mp3
or
Band selection around tune Norwood: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3467.mp3
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
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
OzThoughts Thursday 7th January 2010
OzThoughts Thursday 7th January 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
The conflict over whether Jesus was almighty God never ceased at the cross. It did not cease with the resurrection. Thomas doubted whether it was Jesus who appeared to the other Disciples. Yet his encounter with him brought him to the declaration:
"My Master! My God!" (John 20:26-28. The Message)
Later, we come to Saul. Saul (later known by the Roman name Paul) was a young and highly educated activist. Saul determined that he would do his part to put this nonsense about Jesus being spread by his followers to a stop. In fact, he would do his best to put the followers to a stop just like they had done when they stoned Stephen to death.
However, in an extraordinary roadside encounter, Saul meets with Jesus. There as he lies on the ground, a conversation takes place:
5 He (Saul) said, "Who are you, Master?"
"I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down.
6 I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
(Acts 9; 5-6 The Message)
Saul becomes a follower of Jesus and much later out of the revelations from God and the understanding he has he declares:
Philippians 2:6-11 (The Message)
6 He (Jesus) had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.
7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth--even those long ago dead and buried--will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,
11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given your Son Jesus to us. Thank you, too, for your revelation through your servants and your holy Word just who he is. I pray that we might be more like Jesus in our attitudes and more worthy followers of him. Amen.
John 20:26-28 (The Message)
26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2624.mp3 ]
All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
Didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
That in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou cam'st to us in lowliness of thought;
By thee the outcast and the poor were sought;
And by thy death was God's salvation wrought:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let this mind be in us which was in thee,
Who wast a servant that we might be free,
Humbling thyself to death on Calvary:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Wherefore, by God's eternal purpose, thou
Art high exalted o'er all creatures now,
And given the name to which all knees shall bow:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let every tongue confess with one accord
In Heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord:
And God the Father be by all adored:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Author: Francis Bland Tucker (1895-1984)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 174
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
The conflict over whether Jesus was almighty God never ceased at the cross. It did not cease with the resurrection. Thomas doubted whether it was Jesus who appeared to the other Disciples. Yet his encounter with him brought him to the declaration:
"My Master! My God!" (John 20:26-28. The Message)
Later, we come to Saul. Saul (later known by the Roman name Paul) was a young and highly educated activist. Saul determined that he would do his part to put this nonsense about Jesus being spread by his followers to a stop. In fact, he would do his best to put the followers to a stop just like they had done when they stoned Stephen to death.
However, in an extraordinary roadside encounter, Saul meets with Jesus. There as he lies on the ground, a conversation takes place:
5 He (Saul) said, "Who are you, Master?"
"I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down.
6 I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
(Acts 9; 5-6 The Message)
Saul becomes a follower of Jesus and much later out of the revelations from God and the understanding he has he declares:
Philippians 2:6-11 (The Message)
6 He (Jesus) had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.
7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth--even those long ago dead and buried--will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,
11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given your Son Jesus to us. Thank you, too, for your revelation through your servants and your holy Word just who he is. I pray that we might be more like Jesus in our attitudes and more worthy followers of him. Amen.
John 20:26-28 (The Message)
26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2624.mp3 ]
All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
Didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
That in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou cam'st to us in lowliness of thought;
By thee the outcast and the poor were sought;
And by thy death was God's salvation wrought:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let this mind be in us which was in thee,
Who wast a servant that we might be free,
Humbling thyself to death on Calvary:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Wherefore, by God's eternal purpose, thou
Art high exalted o'er all creatures now,
And given the name to which all knees shall bow:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let every tongue confess with one accord
In Heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord:
And God the Father be by all adored:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Author: Francis Bland Tucker (1895-1984)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 174
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Monday, January 4, 2010
OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010
OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
By now many of you know I like messing around in my boat. However, I do not get to do it as often as you might imagine. Not only has time to be available but also the weather needs to be right. In a small aluminium boat, wind and waves mean too much water in the boat. I now have the use of a boat that is about a metre longer and proportionately larger. It certainly feels a lot safer but it still has severe restrictions on where and when it can be used.
Unfortunately, it seems that regularly there are stories of mishaps caused by wind and waves. Sometimes, there is loss of life or very serious injury. At other times people are rescued and come to realise how fortunate they were that help was close at hand.
Some of Jesus disciples not only enjoyed messing around in boats but were professional fishermen. Their lives and their income depended upon them understanding their boat and the sea and not only its seasons but its moods. Mark tells this story
36 They took him (Jesus) in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
37 A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it.
38 And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
39 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.
40 Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!" (Mark 4:36-45 The Message)
Who is this? As the last verse of a song which has well known early verses says:
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Yes, it is Jesus, Mighty God, even the wind and sea obey him.
PRAYER;
Father God, thank you for the power we see demonstrated in your Son, Jesus. We have a confidence in him as we face this new year. Help us in the storms to have a confidence, in you our almighty God and in your son, Jesus. Amen.
A little ship was on the sea,
It was a pretty sight;
It sailed along so pleasantly,
And all was calm and bright.
When lo! a storm began to rise,
The wind grew loud and strong;
It blew the clouds across the skies,
It blew the waves along.
And all, but One, were sore afraid
Of sinking in the deep:
His head was on a pillow laid,
And He was fast asleep.
"Master, we perish! -- Master, save!"
They cried, -- their Master heard;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And stilled them with a word.
He to the storm says, "Peace, be still,"
The raging billows cease;
The mighty winds obey His will,
And all are hushed to peace.
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Author : Anonymous
Psalm 107:23-30 (The Message)
23 Some of you set sail in big ships;
you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
24 Out at sea you saw GOD in action,
saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
25 With a word he called up the wind--
an ocean storm, towering waves!
26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
your hearts were stuck in your throats.
27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
you didn't know which end was up.
28 Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
30 And you were so glad when the storm died down,
and he led you safely back to harbor.
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
By now many of you know I like messing around in my boat. However, I do not get to do it as often as you might imagine. Not only has time to be available but also the weather needs to be right. In a small aluminium boat, wind and waves mean too much water in the boat. I now have the use of a boat that is about a metre longer and proportionately larger. It certainly feels a lot safer but it still has severe restrictions on where and when it can be used.
Unfortunately, it seems that regularly there are stories of mishaps caused by wind and waves. Sometimes, there is loss of life or very serious injury. At other times people are rescued and come to realise how fortunate they were that help was close at hand.
Some of Jesus disciples not only enjoyed messing around in boats but were professional fishermen. Their lives and their income depended upon them understanding their boat and the sea and not only its seasons but its moods. Mark tells this story
36 They took him (Jesus) in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
37 A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it.
38 And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
39 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.
40 Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!" (Mark 4:36-45 The Message)
Who is this? As the last verse of a song which has well known early verses says:
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Yes, it is Jesus, Mighty God, even the wind and sea obey him.
PRAYER;
Father God, thank you for the power we see demonstrated in your Son, Jesus. We have a confidence in him as we face this new year. Help us in the storms to have a confidence, in you our almighty God and in your son, Jesus. Amen.
A little ship was on the sea,
It was a pretty sight;
It sailed along so pleasantly,
And all was calm and bright.
When lo! a storm began to rise,
The wind grew loud and strong;
It blew the clouds across the skies,
It blew the waves along.
And all, but One, were sore afraid
Of sinking in the deep:
His head was on a pillow laid,
And He was fast asleep.
"Master, we perish! -- Master, save!"
They cried, -- their Master heard;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And stilled them with a word.
He to the storm says, "Peace, be still,"
The raging billows cease;
The mighty winds obey His will,
And all are hushed to peace.
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Author : Anonymous
Psalm 107:23-30 (The Message)
23 Some of you set sail in big ships;
you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
24 Out at sea you saw GOD in action,
saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
25 With a word he called up the wind--
an ocean storm, towering waves!
26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
your hearts were stuck in your throats.
27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
you didn't know which end was up.
28 Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
30 And you were so glad when the storm died down,
and he led you safely back to harbor.
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010
OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
By now many of you know I like messing around in my boat. However, I do not get to do it as often as you might imagine. Not only has time to be available but also the weather needs to be right. In a small aluminium boat, wind and waves mean too much water in the boat. I now have the use of a boat that is about a metre longer and proportionately larger. It certainly feels a lot safer but it still has severe restrictions on where and when it can be used.
Unfortunately, it seems that regularly there are stories of mishaps caused by wind and waves. Sometimes, there is loss of life or very serious injury. At other times people are rescued and come to realise how fortunate they were that help was close at hand.
Some of Jesus disciples not only enjoyed messing around in boats but were professional fishermen. Their lives and their income depended upon them understanding their boat and the sea and not only its seasons but its moods. Mark tells this story
36 They took him (Jesus) in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
37 A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it.
38 And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
39 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.
40 Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!" (Mark 4:36-45 The Message)
Who is this? As the last verse of a song which has well known early verses says:
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Yes, it is Jesus, Mighty God, even the wind and sea obey him.
PRAYER;
Father God, thank you for the power we see demonstrated in your Son, Jesus. We have a confidence in him as we face this new year. Help us in the storms to have a confidence, in you our almighty God and in your son, Jesus. Amen.
A little ship was on the sea,
It was a pretty sight;
It sailed along so pleasantly,
And all was calm and bright.
When lo! a storm began to rise,
The wind grew loud and strong;
It blew the clouds across the skies,
It blew the waves along.
And all, but One, were sore afraid
Of sinking in the deep:
His head was on a pillow laid,
And He was fast asleep.
"Master, we perish! -- Master, save!"
They cried, -- their Master heard;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And stilled them with a word.
He to the storm says, "Peace, be still,"
The raging billows cease;
The mighty winds obey His will,
And all are hushed to peace.
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Author : Anonymous
Psalm 107:23-30 (The Message)
23 Some of you set sail in big ships;
you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
24 Out at sea you saw GOD in action,
saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
25 With a word he called up the wind--
an ocean storm, towering waves!
26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
your hearts were stuck in your throats.
27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
you didn't know which end was up.
28 Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
30 And you were so glad when the storm died down,
and he led you safely back to harbor.
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).
By now many of you know I like messing around in my boat. However, I do not get to do it as often as you might imagine. Not only has time to be available but also the weather needs to be right. In a small aluminium boat, wind and waves mean too much water in the boat. I now have the use of a boat that is about a metre longer and proportionately larger. It certainly feels a lot safer but it still has severe restrictions on where and when it can be used.
Unfortunately, it seems that regularly there are stories of mishaps caused by wind and waves. Sometimes, there is loss of life or very serious injury. At other times people are rescued and come to realise how fortunate they were that help was close at hand.
Some of Jesus disciples not only enjoyed messing around in boats but were professional fishermen. Their lives and their income depended upon them understanding their boat and the sea and not only its seasons but its moods. Mark tells this story
36 They took him (Jesus) in the boat as he was. Other boats came along.
37 A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it.
38 And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?"
39 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.
40 Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!" (Mark 4:36-45 The Message)
Who is this? As the last verse of a song which has well known early verses says:
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Yes, it is Jesus, Mighty God, even the wind and sea obey him.
PRAYER;
Father God, thank you for the power we see demonstrated in your Son, Jesus. We have a confidence in him as we face this new year. Help us in the storms to have a confidence, in you our almighty God and in your son, Jesus. Amen.
A little ship was on the sea,
It was a pretty sight;
It sailed along so pleasantly,
And all was calm and bright.
When lo! a storm began to rise,
The wind grew loud and strong;
It blew the clouds across the skies,
It blew the waves along.
And all, but One, were sore afraid
Of sinking in the deep:
His head was on a pillow laid,
And He was fast asleep.
"Master, we perish! -- Master, save!"
They cried, -- their Master heard;
He rose, rebuked the wind and wave,
And stilled them with a word.
He to the storm says, "Peace, be still,"
The raging billows cease;
The mighty winds obey His will,
And all are hushed to peace.
O, well we know it was the Lord,
Our Saviour and our Friend,
Whose care of those who trust His word
Will never, never end.
Author : Anonymous
Psalm 107:23-30 (The Message)
23 Some of you set sail in big ships;
you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
24 Out at sea you saw GOD in action,
saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
25 With a word he called up the wind--
an ocean storm, towering waves!
26 You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
your hearts were stuck in your throats.
27 You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
you didn't know which end was up.
28 Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition;
he got you out in the nick of time.
29 He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
put a muzzle on all the big waves.
30 And you were so glad when the storm died down,
and he led you safely back to harbor.
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Saturday, January 2, 2010
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 3rd January 2010
OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 3rd January 2010
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 147:12-20 (The Message)
12-18 Jerusalem, worship GOD!
Zion, praise your God!
He made your city secure,
he blessed your children among you.
He keeps the peace at your borders,
he puts the best bread on your tables.
He launches his promises earthward—
how swift and sure they come!
He spreads snow like a white fleece,
he scatters frost like ashes,
He broadcasts hail like birdseed—
who can survive his winter?
Then he gives the command and it all melts;
he breathes on winter—suddenly it's spring!
19-20 He speaks the same way to Jacob,
speaks words that work to Israel.
He never did this to the other nations;
they never heard such commands.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 43
Author: Anon
[Listen: Budapest (Hungary) Citadel Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1534.mp3
or
London Citadel (Canada) Band:
http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2963.mp3 ]
Come, let us all unite to sing:
God is love!
Let Heaven and earth their praises bring,
God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Each in his heart sweet music make,
And sing with us, for Jesus' sake:
God is love!
2.
O tell to earth's remotest bound,
God is love!
In Christ we have redemption found,
God is love!
His blood has washed our sins away,
His Spirit turned our night to day,
And now we can rejoice to say:
God is love!
3.
How happy is our portion here,
God is love!
His promises our spirits cheer,
God is love!
He is our sun and shield by day,
Our help, our hope, our strength, our stay;
He will be with us all the way;
God is love!
4.
In Canaan we will sing again:
God is love!
And this shall be our loudest strain:
God is love!
Whilst endless ages roll along,
We'll triumph with the heavenly throng,
And this shall be our sweetest song:
God is love!
Psalm 84:1-8 (The Message)
1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I've always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
singing their songs in the place where we worship.
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
How blessed they are to live and sing there!
5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
8-9 GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:
O God of Jacob, open your ears—I'm praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,
our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 613
Author: Victor Ottaway
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_108.mp3
or
Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2974f.mp3 ]
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As in thy temple I give praise;
Attentive to thy holy word.
Or in glad song my voice to raise.
That I may feel thy Spirit's power,
O come, invade my soul this hour.
2.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As supplicant, I bow the knee.
My faith. though small, wilt thou reward
That contact I may make with thee
And thus obtain that inward calm
That makes of life a living psalm.
3.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As with thy children I unite
To share that wondrous heritage
Of Calvary and Easter light
O Master, let thy people be
Consistently aware of thee.
Meditation: Joy & Devotion - Music of Howard Davies
Camberwell Salvation Army Citadel
(Note instructions on page when it opens))
http://www.regalzonophone.com/EP's%20&%20LP's%20-%20SF344%20-%20Camberwell%20Citadel%20-%20Joy%20&%20Devotion.htm
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 147:12-20 (The Message)
12-18 Jerusalem, worship GOD!
Zion, praise your God!
He made your city secure,
he blessed your children among you.
He keeps the peace at your borders,
he puts the best bread on your tables.
He launches his promises earthward—
how swift and sure they come!
He spreads snow like a white fleece,
he scatters frost like ashes,
He broadcasts hail like birdseed—
who can survive his winter?
Then he gives the command and it all melts;
he breathes on winter—suddenly it's spring!
19-20 He speaks the same way to Jacob,
speaks words that work to Israel.
He never did this to the other nations;
they never heard such commands.
Hallelujah!
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 43
Author: Anon
[Listen: Budapest (Hungary) Citadel Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1534.mp3
or
London Citadel (Canada) Band:
http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2963.mp3 ]
Come, let us all unite to sing:
God is love!
Let Heaven and earth their praises bring,
God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Each in his heart sweet music make,
And sing with us, for Jesus' sake:
God is love!
2.
O tell to earth's remotest bound,
God is love!
In Christ we have redemption found,
God is love!
His blood has washed our sins away,
His Spirit turned our night to day,
And now we can rejoice to say:
God is love!
3.
How happy is our portion here,
God is love!
His promises our spirits cheer,
God is love!
He is our sun and shield by day,
Our help, our hope, our strength, our stay;
He will be with us all the way;
God is love!
4.
In Canaan we will sing again:
God is love!
And this shall be our loudest strain:
God is love!
Whilst endless ages roll along,
We'll triumph with the heavenly throng,
And this shall be our sweetest song:
God is love!
Psalm 84:1-8 (The Message)
1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I've always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
singing their songs in the place where we worship.
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!
How blessed they are to live and sing there!
5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
8-9 GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:
O God of Jacob, open your ears—I'm praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,
our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 613
Author: Victor Ottaway
[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_108.mp3
or
Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2974f.mp3 ]
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As in thy temple I give praise;
Attentive to thy holy word.
Or in glad song my voice to raise.
That I may feel thy Spirit's power,
O come, invade my soul this hour.
2.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As supplicant, I bow the knee.
My faith. though small, wilt thou reward
That contact I may make with thee
And thus obtain that inward calm
That makes of life a living psalm.
3.
Make me aware of thee, O Lord,
As with thy children I unite
To share that wondrous heritage
Of Calvary and Easter light
O Master, let thy people be
Consistently aware of thee.
Meditation: Joy & Devotion - Music of Howard Davies
Camberwell Salvation Army Citadel
(Note instructions on page when it opens))
http://www.regalzonophone.com/EP's%20&%20LP's%20-%20SF344%20-%20Camberwell%20Citadel%20-%20Joy%20&%20Devotion.htm
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
Friday, January 1, 2010
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 2nd and 3rd January, 2009.
Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 2nd and 3rd January, 2009.
New Year in Australia is much the same as the rest of the world. It is a time of celebrations and parties to see the New Year arrive. Well, it is much the same except that here Down Under it is the height of summer. So people gather outdoors on lovely warm nights to celebrate. The biggest gathering of people is in Sydney where people gather at every vantage point to watch the fireworks on and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
On the Gold Coast where I live there are fireworks on Surfers Paradise Beach. It is thought that more than 50,000 people gathered to watch the fireworks with the display based on Q1 one of the world’s tallest residential buildings with 80 residential floors (http://www.q1.com.au/home56.html). Other people will gather at other beaches where smaller displays will be held and of course they will see the Surfers Paradise ones in the distance. I imagine this all went to plan on a lovely clear warm night as I was sound asleep by then. My son, my wife and I had celebrated earlier at a Chinese restaurant.
This morning is a beautiful sunny morning. It is only 8am as I write but I know that already hundreds of people will have walked along the beaches, on their morning ritual walk. Others will be on surf boards and quite a few will already be swimming and body surfing. All types of water craft will be being used on the still water and some larger boats will be pushing out through the shore swell to seek fish on the reefs in the deeper water offshore.
What will the year 2010 bring? For a start it brings discussion on how we will say it. Will it be two thousand and ten or twenty-ten? I have heard a number of people say that it is an aberration to say “thousand” as we have in the past ten years. How did we pronounce 175, 1865, 1908 (19-0-8) and 1930?
Sadly, we know it will be a year when many will suffer great need. That’s a flow on from 2009 and our experience tells us natural and other disasters will continue to occur. We know too, that some will suffer personal difficulties and loss.
I heard a Bishop asked after the Boxing Day Asian Tsunami of 2004, where was God in all this? The Bishop answered “I can not answer that as I do not know. But I do know God is there motivating many of the thousands who are giving and will give a helping hand to those who suffer from this disaster. He went on to talk about the way the Church has organized to help in such times and mentioned many individual Christians work through non-church agencies.
It is heartwarming to know that that need whether from war or disaster or person and family suffering will be responded to by people who care. Especially those who care for Christ’s sake and in his name.
One of my duties as an employee of Red Cross back in the 1990s was to address groups and put the international needs of our organization. In many groups, a person would stand and say “don’t you think charity begins at home?” I would always agree, which brought a smile to my questioners face. I would say yes, there are those in our country who have needs. We must respond to that. So that’s where charity begins. However, it only begins there it doesn’t stay there. I would then go on to say that there is another way to look at “Charity begins at home”. It could mean that we are taught to be charitable and generous people at home as children. Generous children will become warm hearted adults who reach out to meet need wherever it is found. I would say I am here today to thank people who learnt charity at home, and show them the needs in our world today.
Many have been guided by St Paul’s writings in working out their Christian faith. I am reminded of his words on generosity as part of the Christian response in Romans Chapter 12 (particularly verse 8):
If it is encouraging, let him encourage;
If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
If it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
(New International Version )
Let us all search our hearts and be ready to do God’s will in this great year of 2010.
``````````
Romans 12 (The Message)
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
[Listen: The suggested tunes of St Michael or Silchester could not be located on the internet . However, Diademata gives a good and confident feel to this song (two verses to once through tune):
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_973.mp3 ]
My times are in thy hand,
My God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul I leave
Entirely to thy care.
My times are in thy hand,
Whatever they may be,
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to thee.
My times are in thy hand,
Why should I doubt or fear?
A Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless care.
My times are in thy hand,
Jesus, the crucified;
The hand my cruel sins had pierced
Is now my guard and guide.
My times are in thy hand,
I'll always trust in thee;
And after death at thy right hand
I shall forever be.
Author: William Freeman Lloyd (1791-1853)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 917
```````````````````````````````
Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.
If you invite friends to subscribe they do it by sending an email (without a message) to :
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au (Tell them to check their junk box for the reply if it does not seem to come).
You can also receive OzThoughts from the following group which you are welcome to join:
SalvationArmy3: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/salvationarmy3/
Subscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
Unsubscribe: OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.au
OzThoughts
Writer (Only): OzThoughts@yahoo.com.au
New Year in Australia is much the same as the rest of the world. It is a time of celebrations and parties to see the New Year arrive. Well, it is much the same except that here Down Under it is the height of summer. So people gather outdoors on lovely warm nights to celebrate. The biggest gathering of people is in Sydney where people gather at every vantage point to watch the fireworks on and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
On the Gold Coast where I live there are fireworks on Surfers Paradise Beach. It is thought that more than 50,000 people gathered to watch the fireworks with the display based on Q1 one of the world’s tallest residential buildings with 80 residential floors (http://www.q1.com.au/home56.html). Other people will gather at other beaches where smaller displays will be held and of course they will see the Surfers Paradise ones in the distance. I imagine this all went to plan on a lovely clear warm night as I was sound asleep by then. My son, my wife and I had celebrated earlier at a Chinese restaurant.
This morning is a beautiful sunny morning. It is only 8am as I write but I know that already hundreds of people will have walked along the beaches, on their morning ritual walk. Others will be on surf boards and quite a few will already be swimming and body surfing. All types of water craft will be being used on the still water and some larger boats will be pushing out through the shore swell to seek fish on the reefs in the deeper water offshore.
What will the year 2010 bring? For a start it brings discussion on how we will say it. Will it be two thousand and ten or twenty-ten? I have heard a number of people say that it is an aberration to say “thousand” as we have in the past ten years. How did we pronounce 175, 1865, 1908 (19-0-8) and 1930?
Sadly, we know it will be a year when many will suffer great need. That’s a flow on from 2009 and our experience tells us natural and other disasters will continue to occur. We know too, that some will suffer personal difficulties and loss.
I heard a Bishop asked after the Boxing Day Asian Tsunami of 2004, where was God in all this? The Bishop answered “I can not answer that as I do not know. But I do know God is there motivating many of the thousands who are giving and will give a helping hand to those who suffer from this disaster. He went on to talk about the way the Church has organized to help in such times and mentioned many individual Christians work through non-church agencies.
It is heartwarming to know that that need whether from war or disaster or person and family suffering will be responded to by people who care. Especially those who care for Christ’s sake and in his name.
One of my duties as an employee of Red Cross back in the 1990s was to address groups and put the international needs of our organization. In many groups, a person would stand and say “don’t you think charity begins at home?” I would always agree, which brought a smile to my questioners face. I would say yes, there are those in our country who have needs. We must respond to that. So that’s where charity begins. However, it only begins there it doesn’t stay there. I would then go on to say that there is another way to look at “Charity begins at home”. It could mean that we are taught to be charitable and generous people at home as children. Generous children will become warm hearted adults who reach out to meet need wherever it is found. I would say I am here today to thank people who learnt charity at home, and show them the needs in our world today.
Many have been guided by St Paul’s writings in working out their Christian faith. I am reminded of his words on generosity as part of the Christian response in Romans Chapter 12 (particularly verse 8):
If it is encouraging, let him encourage;
If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
If it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
(New International Version )
Let us all search our hearts and be ready to do God’s will in this great year of 2010.
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Romans 12 (The Message)
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
[Listen: The suggested tunes of St Michael or Silchester could not be located on the internet . However, Diademata gives a good and confident feel to this song (two verses to once through tune):
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_973.mp3 ]
My times are in thy hand,
My God, I wish them there;
My life, my friends, my soul I leave
Entirely to thy care.
My times are in thy hand,
Whatever they may be,
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to thee.
My times are in thy hand,
Why should I doubt or fear?
A Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless care.
My times are in thy hand,
Jesus, the crucified;
The hand my cruel sins had pierced
Is now my guard and guide.
My times are in thy hand,
I'll always trust in thee;
And after death at thy right hand
I shall forever be.
Author: William Freeman Lloyd (1791-1853)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 917
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