OzThoughts

OzThoughts Monday 11h January 2010

2010-01-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

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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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 10th January 2010

2010-01-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

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

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 9th & 10th January, 2010.

2010-01-08T18:09:00.000-08:00

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

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Friday 8th January 2010

2010-01-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

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

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Thursday 7th January 2010

2010-01-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

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

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010

2010-01-04T01:08:00.001-08:00

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.
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OzThoughts. Tuesday 4th January, 2010

2010-01-04T01:08:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 3rd January 2010

2010-01-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

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
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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 2nd and 3rd January, 2009.

2010-01-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

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.

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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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OzThoughts Monday 1st January 2010

2009-12-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Monday 1st January 2010

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).

If Christmas is the season of joy and excitement then what of the New Year? How would you describe its meaning for you?

(Although our attention to New Year swamps it, we are still in the Twelve Days of Christmas and Orthodox Christians are still looking forward to their Christmas which comes at the end of our Twelve Days).

It is certainly a time for looking back over a year past. In all that has happened there is a hymn that comes readily to my mind:

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3469.mp3 ]

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Hath blessed on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
(SA Song Book Song Number 12)

It is a time of thanksgiving and also time for looking forward with prayerful expectation to a year when we can seize the God given opportunities. I remember that Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem is indeed “Mighty God”. I think of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he says:

16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you--every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks.
17 But I do more than thank. I ask--ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory--to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,
18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians,
19 oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him--endless energy, boundless strength!
20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever.
22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.
23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. (Ephesians 1: The Message).

Yes the mighty God we serve is there for us in this year.

PRAYER:

[Listen: Band and Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_766.mp3 ]

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and him who reigns
With them in highest Heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:12
Author: Martin Rinkart (1588-1649)
Translated by : Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Thursday 31st December 2009

2009-12-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 31st December 2009

[ A Happy New Year to all readers of OzThoughts. My prayer is that this year will be a year of rich blessings for you and your loved ones.

Welcome to new members of OzThoughts Internet Ministry Group. Our prayer is that you will find OzThoughts helpful in your daily Christian walk.

Thank you , too, to members who invite friends to join or share it with them, by email, by printed page , on websites and email groups, or in your own ministry. ]

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).

This week we are thinking about Jesus, the Wonderful Counsellor and some of the messages he shared about how e should live.

Jesus was not a counsellor with personal standards which he purposely kept hidden to have people try to work out their own acceptable standards. Jesus does not operate as a “non –directive” counsellor. He knew that his Heavenly Father has set a code of acceptable behaviour long ago and people should live their life according to that. His counsel was in giving clearer understanding of what God’s standards are.

Again as Jesus spoke to his disciples on the mountainside he gave clear advice. His advice shows clearly God’s standards have not and do not change.

17 "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.
18 God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working.
19 "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom.
20 Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

21 "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, "Do not murder.'
22 I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother "idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell "stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23 "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,
24 abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25 "Or say you're out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don't lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you're likely to end up in court, maybe even jail.
26 If that happens, you won't get out without a stiff fine.

27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: "Don't go to bed with another's spouse.'
28 But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices--they also corrupt.
29 "Let's not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here's what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile.
30 And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump. (Matthew 5 The Message).

PRAYER AND MEDITATION:

[Listen: Tune: Belmont (also used yesterday): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Crimond: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3322.mp3 ]

I want a principle within
Of jealous, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.

I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or fond desire,
To catch the wandering of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.

Quick as the apple of an eye,
O God, my conscience make
Awake my soul when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.

O may the least omission pain
My well-instructed soul,
And drive me to the blood again
Which makes the wounded whole.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 425

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Wednesday 30th December 2009

2009-12-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Wednesday 30th December 2009

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).

Yesterday, we thought about some characteristics that Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor commended when he sat on a mountainside and spoke to his Disciples.

One of the situations that we confront in life is our possessions and our needs for daily living. Years ago when I did some work for a marriage guidance council, I found that often, the couples lifestyle expectations and what they considered necessary and essential expenditure was a major cause of conflict. Their desires far exceeded their income.

Jesus on the mountainside has a lot to say about possessions and lifestyle expectations.

19 "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or--worse!-stolen by burglars.
20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars.
21 It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22 "Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.
23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.
25 If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.
26 Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27 "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?
28 All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,
29 but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
31 What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
32 People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.
33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6. The Message).

PRAYER AND MEDITATION:

[Listen: Tune: Belmont: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_976.mp3
or
Tune: Fewster: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_962.mp3 ]

There is a holy hill of God,
Its heights by faith I see;
Now to ascend my soul aspires,
To leave earth's vanity.

Chorus
Lord, cleanse my hands, and cleanse my heart,
All selfish aims I flee,
My faith reward, thy love impart,
And let me dwell with thee.

Though great the world's attractions be,
I pass contented by;
Gladly I sacrifice their charms
For those enjoyed on high.

I seek the blessing from the Lord
That humble saints receive,
And righteousness, his own reward
To all who dare believe.

O let me now thy hill ascend,
Made worthy by thy grace,
There in thy strength to stand and serve
Within the holy place!
Authors: William Drake Pennick (1884-1944)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 461

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Thank you for your prayers and support for OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Tuesday 29th December 2009

2009-12-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Tuesday 29th December 2009

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).

Isaiah predicts one of the names of Jesus will be “Wonderful Counsellor”. I have met some people who think they are mighty and wonderful counselors. They attack every problem with an open mouth and seem to love people depending on them for advice.

I am sure Jesus was not like that. He did have some understanding he wished to share and what he gave was good counsel. However, he would have listened carefully to people to understand them. He did not quickly treat them as the stereotypes that were popular at the time.

As he sat on a mountainside talking to his disciples, he showed them patterns for living that could be considered successful lifestyles:

3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11 "Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
12 You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Matthew 5 (The Message)

PRAYER;

Heavenly Father, help me to listen to the words of Jesus. I pray that my life will be blessed because I live as he would have me live. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3524.mp3 ]

There's no other name but this name,
And no other name will do.
There's no other name but Jesus
For folk like me and you.
For no other name brings pardon
And sets everybody free,
There's no other name but Jesus
For you and me.

Say, is there a name to live by?
Is there a name for joy?
Is there a name to change men,
Their hate and greed destroy?
Have we a name for healing?
Have we a name for peace?
Have we a name for freedom,
Deliverance and release?

Say, is there a name for meaning?
Is there a name for might?
Is there a name for mercy,
A name for life and light?
Have we a name for laughter?
Have we a name for grace?
Have we a name for glory
Transcending time and space?

Say, is there a name for pardon?
Is there a name for power?
Is there a name to guide us
Each day and every hour?
Have we a name for cleansing?
Have we a name for care?
Have we a name for all men
For always, everywhere?
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 71
Author: John Gowans

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OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009

2009-12-27T14:33:00.001-08:00

OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009

The wrappings have been torn off. The gifts revealed. The food has been shared and the contact with loved ones enjoyed. So that was Christmas! Well, it was Christmas Day and then a weekend but Christmas continues.

I noticed shops at one center were tearing down their Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon. I guess they move into their next season of encouragement for customers to “swipe the plastic”. Christmas is done for them. Maybe all that is left of Christmas will be the long lines of people with returns when they reopen for business today.

Christmas continues. If, as some suggest, “Jesus is the reason for the season” then Jesus the Babe of Bethlehem was not a one day wonder. If, we with others find good basis in The Bible for the thinking that the reason for the season was God’s love for us that continues. If as one gentlemen some years ago told a huge crowd of people gathered to sing Christmas Carols that at Christmas we celebrate Jesus death for us, then it stretches right through to Easter.

Christmas is a personal season. So we decide if it continues for us. God’s love comes to us in the love we find inn the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary. Christmas love continues as we worship God and share that love with others in His Holy Name. We can put away the wrapping, pull down the trees and lights, decide we will not eat so much next Christmas, and in all this, the love of the God of Christmas continues.

Even, on the first Christmas, people reacted differently.

19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for Christmas. Thank you for what it means to me. May your love through Jesus continue to be evident in my life, my home and in my friendships with others. Amen.

MEDITATION:

[Listen: Band: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/Chicago%20Staff%20Band%20-%20Wonderful%20Story%20Of%20Love%20&%20Trust%20and%20Obey%20-%201953.mp3 (One verse of “Wonderful Story of Love” then “Trust and Obey”) ]

Wonderful story of love!
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love!
Wake the immortal strain.
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, O won't you believe it?
Wonderful story of love!

Chorus
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful story, wonderful story of love!

Wonderful story of love!
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love!
Still he doth call today.
Calling from Calvary's mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E'en from the dawn of creation;
Wonderful story of love!

Wonderful story of love!
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love!
For all the pure and blest;
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who've gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus;
Wonderful story of love!
Author: John Merritte Driver (1858-1918)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 139

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word.
What a glory he sheds on our way;
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still.
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But his smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Not a frown nor a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove
The delights of his love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
And the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at this feet,
Or we'll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do,
Where he sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 397
Author: John Henry Sammis (1846-1919)

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OzThoughts Monday 28th December 2009

2009-12-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th December 2009

2009-12-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 27th December 2009

This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)

Almighty God, who gave your only begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of the Virgin Mary, grant that we being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen

Psalm 148 (The Message)

1-5 Hallelujah! Praise GOD from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of GOD—
he spoke the word, and there they were!

6 He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!

7-12 Praise GOD from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.

13-14 Let them praise the name of GOD—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love GOD!
Israel's children, intimate friends of GOD.
Hallelujah!

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2
Authors: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)

[Listen: Band and Festival Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3
or
Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_204.mp3 ]

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:

Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:

3.
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:

4.
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:

5.
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:

Psalm 138 (The Message)
A David Psalm
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.

4-6 When they hear what you have to say, GOD,
all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
They'll sing of what you've done:
"How great the glory of GOD!"
And here's why: GOD, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, GOD.
Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 33
Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960)
[Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_048.WMV

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Chorus
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

2.
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

3.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

The General's Christmas Message 2009
All My Heart Rejoices

WHAT a night! The night our Saviour was born! A night to rejoice with all our hearts!

Sweet angel voices, sounding far and near, announced his birth: Christ is born! It was as though the entire sky announced this matchless message. Joy filled the air. Joy-bells still ring to hail his coming.

If we listen carefully, our ear attuned, we can still hear the holy baby’s first cry from the manger in Bethlehem. It is as though from birth he has been calling us, entreating, pleading with us to flee from the snares and dangers that await our souls. ‘Come to me,’ he says. ‘Leave all that grieves and burdens you. I can offer freedom. I can give you all you need.’

So let us accept his divine invitation, you and I together. Let us do so without delay. He invites us all. He calls to the lowly and the great alike. We cannot impress him with our education or our income, so whoever we are we approach him together with awe and wonder as equals. He invites us to commit ourselves to him. He wants us to return the love he offers us all. The Christmas star, high and bright in the sky, is a hope-filled sign of divine love.

Coming to the newborn Christ-child is a signal that we have come to our senses. We come to him, deciding to live in obedience to him, and finding our hope of Heaven in him. He offers us the matchless prospect of living with him for ever. Who else promises matchless joy both now and in all eternity?

For all these reasons my heart rejoices. Christ is born!

By General Shaw Clifton
with acknowledgements to Paulus Gerhardt (1607-76)
and 'The Song Book of The Salvation Army', No 73
[http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/www_sa.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/1688A7C25D2C21EC8025768200014020?openDocument]

Meditation: The Wonder of Christmas: (Selection of Christmas music)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7072.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 26th & 27th December, 2009.

2009-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 26th & 27th December, 2009.

See and do

The other afternoon on radio, people were telephoning the host and suggesting what they would be doing Christmas Day and in the holidays that followed it. Of course , it was dominated by family gatherings and talk of traditional and novel foods to prepare and celebrate.

One man said if you want a good laugh to go to any boat ramp on Christmas Day afternoon or Boxing Day and watch people launch their new toys they got for Christmas. He said you will laugh your head off as they try to reverse down the ramp, and remember they haven’t put in the drainage hole bung (screwed plug) or try to start their motor, maybe for the first time.

I remembered that a few years ago I had witnessed such scenes at a boat ramp. Just a few days before Christmas, my little Swiss Mate and I went fishing. It was not the most successful day’s fishing. We came home with one fish!It was our last fishing trip before she was to fly to Switzerland to be home for a “proper cold Christmas” with her family rather than the very hot Australian Christmas. When we got back to the boat ramp we found it was quite busy with people coming and going. We had to wait our turn to load our boat onto our trailer.

There were obviously some Christmas presents a day or four early. There was one bloke (guy) with a magnificent 5 metre (17ft) boat on a trailer and he was towing it with a brand new Holden Monaro (in USA its called a Pontiac GTO). He was taking photos of the combination. Then there was the other bloke with a four wheel drive (SUV) towing a trailer with a brand new Sea-Doo (personal recreational boat – like a motorbike for the water). We had to wait while he reversed the trailer down the ramp to unload the Sea-Doo.

The bloke demonstrated very quickly that he did not have a clue on how to reverse a trailer. In fact he managed to get his 4WD onto the ramp with a bit of good luck. When the trailer started to head for the side, he decided another approach was necessary. He decided to unhook the trailer and take it down the ramp by hand. All went well until he unhooked it and the jockey wheel on the tow bar of the trailer was in place. It was about then he realised that the only brakes the trailer had was him. He almost ran down the ramp trying to hold the trailer from getting faster. Two things helped him. The ramp is not very long and the water had a natural braking effect when the wheels entered it. So he managed to hold the trailer at just about the right place in the water.

Now he had to get the Sea-Doo off the trailer and then return the trailer to his vehicle and clear the ramp. It was about this time that I decided it may be quicker to help him immediately instead of just enjoying the comedy show. (I should say here that as a small boat fisherman I don’t like Sea-Doos and similar noisy things that disrupt quiet time fishing). I got down there just in time to show him that it was probably safer to use the handle for the ratchet on the winch than to pull it back with his fingers. He commenced to wind the handle of the winch but the Sea-Doo did not move. He then unhooked it from the winch strap and gave it a great push. Same result.

I suggested to him there may be a strap at the back which held it to the trailer, as by now the back should have been floating. He went to the back and unhooked the strap and immediately it popped up to float on the surface. He came back to the front and gave a great push. The tightening chain at the front indicated something. It took him a little while to realise that the Sea-Doo was still attached to the trailer by a strong chain. It took him a little longer to undo the chain. The Sea-Doo was immediately free and he was able to beach it next to the ramp. He then returned the trailer to the vehicle and I rushed to my car to get my turn on the ramp. I decided it was best not to take an opportunity to watch someone on a Sea-Doo for the first time without an instructor.

I thought of two things.

The first was “When all else fails read the instructions”

The second was the verse from the King James Version of the Bible where Paul says to his spiritual son, Timothy “ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

This can be applied to Christmas. What is the meaning of Christmas? We can often think about Christmas with a mix of Bible knowledge, traditional stories and legends and more modern inventions and interpretations of the events and season.

It is a lovely exercise at this time of the year to turn to the first chapters of the Gospel in the New Testaments. Here we find Matthew, and Luke, each relate some of the events we associate with the birth of Christ. John’s Gospel talks about the reason Jesus came and His eternal existence and its benefit to us. They are all well worth reading and thinking about.

You want to know about the real Christmas ? Read the instructions and events in the Bible. (Various Bible versions can be accessed on the search window drop down menu at : http://www.biblegateway.com).

[Listen: Songsters (78 rpm) : http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF305%20-%20Vocal%20-%20Tell%20Me%20The%20Story%20of%20Jesus.mp3 ]

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus
Sang, as they welcomed his birth:
Glory to God in the highest,
Peace and good tidings to earth!

Chorus
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that he passed;
How he was tried and was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of his labors,
Tell of the sorrows he bore;
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Tell of the cross where they nailed him,
Mocking his anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid him;
Tell how he liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Glory for ever to Jesus,
He paid the ransom for me.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
The Salvation Army Song Book : Song Number: 99

[Listen: Congregation and Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_077.mp3]

Tell me the old, old story
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child,
For I am weak and wary,
And helpless and defiled.

Chorus
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love.

Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption,
God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning
Has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember! I'm the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be
In any time of trouble
A comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story
When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory
Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory
Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story:
Christ Jesus makes thee whole.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 98
Author: Arabella Catherine Hankey (1834-1911)

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OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2009.

2009-12-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Christmas Day 2009.

This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.

Ray and Denice
OzThoughts Internet Ministry

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3359.mp3 ]

All our hearts rejoice this morning,
On this happy Christmas day;
Praise and joy to God we're sounding,
Love and peace have come our way.
Jesus Christ, our loving Saviour,
Came to earth with gifts sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!

2.
All the angels told the story
On the hillside long ago
Of the babe who came from Glory
Bringing peace in endless flow.
Angels, shepherds, wise men worshiped,
Bowed before the child sublime;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!

3.
Let us hear again the story
Of the angels' glorious song,
Hear again the message ringing:
Christ will triumph over wrong.
His salvation freely given
Is his gift to all mankind;
Let us join our voices singing:
What a glory, he is mine!
The Salvation Arm,my Song Book: Song Number: 74
Author: Ernest Henry Parr

Psalm 96

1-2 Sing GOD a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship GOD!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For GOD is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 GOD made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, GOD, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!

10 Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.

11 Let's hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.

12 Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

13 An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Luke 2:1-7 (The Message)
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4793.mp3
Or
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_453.mp3 ]

Christians awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born!
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.

2.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald's voice: Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations on the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!

3.
O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 78
Author: John Byrom (1692-1763)

Luke 2:8-20 (The Message)
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
[Listen: Songsters; http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3196.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_457.mp3 ]

Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Chorus
Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the new-born King.

2.
Christ, by highest Heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

3.
Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 82
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)

PRAYER:

Thank you, our Heavenly Father, for Jesus. Today we think of his birth and we see clearly your love for us. I pray that we might experience that love in a special way today and having experienced it, pass it on as a gift to others. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3367.mp3 ]

Down from His glory, ever living story,
My God and Saviour came, and Jesus was His name;
Born in a manger to His own a stranger,
A man of sorrows, tears and agony!

Chorus
Oh how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
The great Creator became my Saviour,
And all God's fullness dwelleth in Him!

What condescension, bringing us redemption,
That in the dead of night, not one faint hope in sight,
God gracious, tender laid aside His splendor,
Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul!

Without reluctance, flesh and blood His substance,
He took the form of man, revealed the hidden plan;
O glorious myst'ry sacrifice of Calv'ry!
And now I know He is the great "I AM"!

Words by William E. Booth-Clibborn
Music by Eduardo di Capua
1921
John 6:38
"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine
own will, but the will of him that sent me."

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OzThoughts Thursday 24th December 2009

2009-12-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 24th December 2009

Phillips Brooks catches the quietness of Christmas:

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_433.mp3 ]

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary;
And, gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his Heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel.
Author: Phillips Brooks (1835-93)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:86

There is plenty of boisterous things happening about Christmas. It is a noisy season. I know many of us reading this add to the noise. There is the bands playing, the choirs singing and for some the bells ringing.

For some it is the sounds of house cleaning and the noises of a busy kitchen as Christmas treats are prepared early. For others it may be the hammering and sawing as special items are constructed in the workshop.

There was a quietness about the first Christmas. The shepherds listened to the bleating sheep and were alert for other sounds in the night. The quietness was broken by a most unexpected sound: the sound of an Angel speaking. Then there was the beautiful sound of the heavenly choir. Bethlehem was still asleep as the Shepherds arrived at the stable and found the baby in the manger and Mary and Joseph sitting quietly smiling at their child and each other as proud new parents do.

The wise men came up on camels. The soft pads of the camel’s feet silently moving along the hard stone street. Quietly the wise men dismounted and conversed with Mary and Joseph and presented their gifts. Then just as silently as they came , they left.

At least one song writer imagines the quietness of the occasion, if not the accurate truth of the matter when he writes “but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes”.

Many years ago the Prophet Isaiah recorded the words “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15b KJV).

Seek out the quiet time in your hectic schedule of this season so you can be at peace with your God as you worship his Son.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I come quietly to you. The world rushes by, but help me to renew my strength in these special moments I spend with you. Amen.

Isaiah 9:1-7 (The Message)
Isaiah 9
A Child Has Been Born—for Us!
1 But there'll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he'll make that whole area glorious— the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.
2-7The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.

Where is Christ in Christmas?

“Where is Christ in Christmas?” they ask.
I am too busy to answer as I do another task.
I have decorated the house and the tree
Oh yes they said this year they would help me.
However again I am stuck with all the chores
Things to do and things to make without a pause
Then after that there is the Christmas cake to make
And I mustn’t forget the fruit mince pies to bake.

“Where is Christ in Christmas?” I now ponder
As I do my Christmas chores my mind does wander.
“Where is Christ?” the wise men asked of Herod the King
But he joined the chorus who would ask the same thing
“Where is he?” said his parents on their way from Jerusalem
When suddenly they found he wasn’t travelling with them.
He was in the Temple among the wisest men of God
Doing His Father’s will He did not find at all so odd.

Where is Christ in Christmas? I now begin a list
To think of those who Christ never missed
I think of crowds but he found Bartimeus blind,
The lepers and a man in the tombstones out of his mind
A boy with his lunch and a woman at Jacob’s Well
And a woman who touched the hem he made well.
It is strange how a carpenter tells of seeds in the ground
And the one sheep, one coin and a son that must be found.

Where is Christ in Christmas? How could I face
The comments if he came to stay at my place?
Some said he will stay with them in Jericho
Surely to one of the Temple Priest’s place he’ll go.
However after all their preparations and endless fuss
He goes off with that little Tax Collector Zacchaeus.
Oh how it irritates the religious leaders when
Jesus says he is more at home with sinful men.

Where is Christ in Christmas? I think again
Surely he will be with the influential men?
The Pharisees, and scribes, the whole pious lot
Who say they live their lives without a sinful blot.
I hear he’s gone with Matthew and his friends to dine.
Drink more likely with that lot so fond of their wine.
Then when they wake to take in the morning’s fresh air
They find He is out in the garden alone and at prayer.

Where is Christ in Christmas? The thought arises
That he is off to Bethany before the sun rises
To spend the time there with Mary and Martha
(Why wasn’t Lazarus their brother called Arthur?)
“Where was Christ?” they asked when Lazarus died
But Jesus raised him to live as He too wept and cried.
They say that Martha is busy about the house doing chores
But Mary spends all her time with Jesus she adores.

Where is Christ in Christmas? It seems to me
That he is not always where we want Him to be.
We look for him in churches with or without a steeple
But more often he is out there among the people
I saw him the other day with a lady old and tired
Not a woman by her dress or manner admired
But there he was with her without any great fuss
Helping her with all her parcels to catch her bus.

Where is Christ in Christmas? Surely I dream
But to me it really, yes, it really did seem
In the shopping mall he was sitting in red
As a young blind and crippled child was led
To request a simple toy on this old man’s knee
And bring a tear to the eye of many more than me.
It may be my crazy imagination running wild
But surely it was Christ who hugged that child.

Where is Christ in Christmas? I simply pray
Christ be with us all on this Christmas day.
With my family and the crowds to church I will go
Personally to worship Christ and Him better to know.
I really want to know and see Christ in every place
To see Him in the Christmas joy on every face.
Thank Him that even in every necessary chore
I can come and you my Lord, Jesus Christ adore.
Author: Ray Reese
Christmas 2003

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OzThoughts Wednesday 23rd December 2009

2009-12-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Wednesday 23rd December 2009

One of the real joys of this Christmas has been sharing fellowship with Salvationists and other Christians throughout the world who are doing their part in proclaiming “Joy to the World” in many ways.

Some have told of lone stands at Christmas Kettles, doing their part in a God empowered ministry of witnessing. Some have told of enjoying fellowship with other Christian and community groups and bringing their witness to them. Others have told of special indoor and outdoor concerts where the message of Christmas is wrapped in seasonal entertainment. Thousands have enjoyed themselves as they heard of the Babe of Bethlehem and the Christ of Calvary.

On Monday, I was with a Christian pianist and two other Chaplains in a hospital ward with aged people waiting for placement in appropriate accommodation in the community. It was great seeing them join in the carols and other Christmas songs. I know we are just one of many, many groups who will do a similar ministry to the sick and aged.

We can only thank God for the opportunities that are provided to us to do what we can , where we can to follow like the Angels and the Shepherds, and everyone involved in telling of the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:15-18 (The Message)

15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

PRAYER:

Father God, thank you for your world wide ministry we are involved in with The Salvation Army, and the wider Christian Church. We thank you for the fellowship we share with hundreds who are about the same task. I pray that many might be found kneeling at the Saviour’s feet this Christmas. Amen.

MEDITATION:

They came at Christmas

In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night

Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.

They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.

Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They, with tears, said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.

Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)

.
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_034.mp3 ]

Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.

He comes, the prisoners to release
In Satan's bondage held;
The gates of brass before him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind,
The wounded soul to cure,
And with the treasures of his grace,
To enrich the humble poor.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim,
And Heaven's eternal arches ring
With thy beloved name.
Author: Philip Doddridge (1702-51)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 81

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OzThoughts Monday 21st December 2009

2009-12-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Monday 21st December 2009

These are busy days. Much of the events planned are happy events. However, we must be careful not to brush aside the people who are sorrowing or sick at this time. The very busy times and varying emotions of Christmas often come from the things that surround Christmas, rather than the focusing on the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.

This is a time to make sure we do not major on the trivial and crowd out the essentials of the season.

Today and this week will be full of many things for most people. There will be holidays for some, but mostly it will be shopping, work, family and personal preparations for Christmas and so much more. Oh, and of course a few more carols to be played and sung, and presents bought and parcels to be wrapped.

The Shepherds were busy men caring for their sheep. When the Angels came with their announcement, their initial fear turned to action as they hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. With joy they worshipped the new born babe.

I wonder what they did as they worshipped. Did they sing a hymn? Did they recite some Scriptures? Did they say a familiar prayer or some other ritual of words?

I imagine they told Mary and Joseph about the Angels and their message. They would have listened to Mary and Joseph repeat the events as they knew them.

I imagine these shepherds each held the baby Jesus. They held him in hands that were more often holding young submissive new born lambs. Minds that often reflected on the wonder of nature’s birth miracle, reflected on the miracle of the birth of this child. Quietly and to each other and to God they would have expressed their gratitude to have beheld and held the Son of God.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father in the busy times of this week, help me to take time to consider Jesus, God with us, as the babe of Bethlehem. Help me to share that joy with others. Father, I pray too for those who need our prayers because of difficult times through which they are passing just now. Amen

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_436.mp3 ]

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

Fear not! said he; for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

To you, in David's town, this day
Is born, of David's line,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign:

The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, and thus
Addressed their joyful song:

All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease!
Author: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 93

Luke 2 (The Message ©)
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

……………………………………….

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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 20th December 2009

2009-12-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 20th December 2009

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 80:1-7 (The Message)

1-2 Listen, Shepherd, Israel's Shepherd—
Get all your Joseph sheep together.
Throw beams of light
from your dazzling throne
So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh
can see where they're going.
Get out of bed—you've slept long enough!
Come on the run before it's too late.

3 God, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.

4-6 GOD, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano
while your people call for fire and brimstone?
You put us on a diet of tears,
bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink.
You make us look ridiculous to our friends;
our enemies poke fun day after day.

7 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!
Smile your blessing smile:
That will be our salvation.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 84
Authors: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3204.mp3
or
Congregation: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3253.mp3 ]

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and nature sing.

2.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

3.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love.

Psalm 113 (The Message)
Psalm 113

1-3 Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!

4-9 GOD is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with GOD, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)

[Listen: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]

Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!

2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?

3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!

4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.

5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.

Meditation: Selection of Carols and Christmas Songs
(The Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters)

http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_6072.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 19th December, 2009.

2009-12-19T01:46:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 19th December, 2009.

The Colours of Christmas
What colour do you associate with Christmas? I wonder who answered with the song “I'm dreaming of a white Christmas”? Irving Berlin’s 1942 music and lyrics originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. However, this song still gives shape to the dreams of many today.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

In Australia that is probably not a possibility. Some are probably wondering if the snow in England will hang around for Christmas Day. I would think some of my friends in Canada wish the snow would move on and let them dream of a “White Christmas”.

The nightmare of a white Christmas for some in Australian focuses on white and black ash from bushfires. The snowy white Christmas seems a distant dream for others while they endure heat in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit(38c)..

Some others will not be wanting a white Christmas as a fierce storm dumps tons of damaging hails on homes and every part of the landscape. The town of Armidale i In New South Wales, received an early white Christmas in 2006 when a severe stormed dumped damaging hail on the city. Hail of more than 50 centimetres thick blanketed parts of the city.

The five-minute storm brought flash flooding and high winds and stripped trees of their foliage. About 170 homes were damaged in the storm.

A news report said:

"A lot of homes have broken windows from the hail, which was described earlier this afternoon or this evening as anywhere between golf-ball to tennis-ball size," he said.

"One of the lasting impressions that came back from Armidale was that after the storm, there was about two foot of hail just lying around the place like a snow scape."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1816868.htm

Many Australian have a dream not for a white Christmas of any type but have a dream and a real prayer for a green Christmas. They pray for the drought to break with torrential rain. They would love to see their paddocks filled with green grass and the green of growing crops. However, they look out on the yellow of dying or dead grass and the earthy colours of dry dirt and dust.

Even home gardeners in some places who have been banned from hosing their lawns and can only put buckets of water on their gardens at regulated times would love to have a surround of green lawns and colourful gardens.

We do not have to wander far from thinking about gardens to think of some other green symbols of Christmas. Well not the gardens where I live. Holly does not grow here. The only place I will find holly is on a Christmas decoration. My mother had a couple of artificial glossy green sprigs of holly with bright red berries which she used for a good number of years as a decoration on a Christmas pudding or Christmas cake.

We do have ivy. In fact over the years we have shaped an ivy plant over wire to shape as a Christmas wreath. The months of shaping and clipping seem worth it when other decorations are added to these growing symbols.

A few people may have ‘live’ Christmas trees growing in pots or recently cut from a plantation or the thinnings from a forestry area. Most people however have an artificial tree. It is so much easier to take it out of its box each year and put it back again after Christmas. If the box is big enough the decorations can be left on from year to year.

Some would see a “green Christmas” as one that cares for the environment. In these days of “global warming” and of personal and sought after national responsibility to “save the earth”, there are those who not only make their own Christmas environmentally friendly but crusade that others do so as well. Many, of course, just se red when these campaigns are mentioned.

The colour red is prominent at Christmas but not only in Santa’s suit. Someone has written that even more than holly or ivy, more, even, than pine or spruce, poinsettia that has come to be the plant symbolise Christmas. The bright-red parts of the plant are not the flowers (they are tiny and white) but the bracts that surround the flowers. Now I am sure the person who wrote that was not an Australian. When I headed up a project which sold about $200,000 worth of Christmas Cards each year, I chose two cards with poinsettias on them. I continually heard the comment that the cards were “too American” and that the poinsettia was not Christmas here.

I remember when I first went to Sydney to live. The person I shared a house with came in quite excited one day telling us we had a “Christmas Bush” at our front gate. I went out to see what he was talking about and there was a small tree with a mass of whitish cream coloured flowers. I was still puzzled at his excitement. Then the flowers got darker in colour and appeared to be dying. Then I also noticed day by day the sepals of the developing seed capsules became a brilliant red and the whole bush appeared red. I saw the reason his excitement. My friend’s wife cut small branches off the tree and brought them into the house as decorations. They looked great.
(See http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/gall2ae.html ).

When my wife and I had the pleasure of crossing “The ditch” to New Zealand for two weeks, we saw growing in profusion there another delightful shrub which as its “Australian” name indicates is native to that land. New Zealand Christmas bush with its red flowers was growing everywhere. The red flowers contrasted with the silvery olive green of the leaves. These bushes are featuring in gardens and parks in Australia but are relatively rare in Australian Christmas decorations.
(See: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo409644.htm.

Some years ago on a Canadian United Church website, I was introduced to the idea of a Blue Christmas service. This was a special service for those people who feel a little more than a tinge of sadness at Christmas time because of love ones no longer there. A Canadian Anglican Church has also a “blue Christmas Service and says:

“Christmas time can be a very lonely, depressing, "blue" time for those grieving the loss of loved ones or other losses or for those who are all alone when others are partying and gathering with family members. A number of pastors concerned for those who find it difficult to "celebrate" at this time of year have developed various "Blue Christmas Services" to minister to these people. (http://ottawa.anglican.ca/blue.shtml)

There is more to helping people during this season than a Christmas Hamper or Dinner and a Christmas Carol or two. I hope we Salvationists never forget that. A Blue Christmas is a reality for many of us.

A number of singers, including Elvis, I think, have sung “Blue Christmas”,

Blue Christmas

I'll have a blue Christmas
without you;
I'll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red
on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing if
you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain;
And when that blue heartache starts hurting,
You'll be doing all right
with your Christmas of white,
but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas.
By B.Hayes, J.Johnson ©1948

Many Australian homes and home gardens have taken on a multi-colour Christmas with every Christmas image and symbol imaginable and coloured lights making a delightful scene. If you have seen the movie “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” you wil know the type of decorations I mean. However, Clarkm Griswold’s light show to some of today’s decorations is like the Wright Bothers’ plane compared to the latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner which made its maiden flight this week.

Today’s animated light shows are not only a string of light bulbs and spot lights on cardboard cut-outs but hundreds of thousands of lights, animated objects and music all driven by computers.

Thousands of people stand in awe and coach and mini-bus loads of others drive slowly past. It is a lovely relaxed atmosphere. When on a number of occasions in past years, the Gold Coast Temple Band played in one of these streets hundreds of people of all ages have stopped to listen.

Christmas in Australia takes on many colours. One way this is captured is in the “Australian Christmas Carols”.

Christmas Day

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_431.mp3 ]

The North Wind is tossing the leaves,
The red dust is over the town,
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddock is brown;
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.

The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
The cool stream flows silently by;
The joy bells are greeting the day,
And the chimes are adrift in the sky,
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.
Words and Music : William James

The Three Drovers

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_425.mp3]

Across the plains one Christmas night
Three drovers riding blithe and gay,
Looked up and saw a starry light
More radiant than the Milky Way;
And on their hearts such wonder fell,
They sang with joy. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'

The air was dry with summer heat,
And smoke was on the yellow moon;
But from the heavens, faint and sweet,
Came floating down a wond'rous turn;
And as they heard, they sang full well
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'

The black swans flew across the sky,
The wild dog called across the plain,
The starry lustre blazed on high,
Still echoed on the heavenly strain;
And still they sang, 'Noel! Noel!'
Those drovers three. 'Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!'
Words by John Wheeler.
Music by William G.James.

You can read more about Australian Christmas here: http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/christmas

Now in Ozzie:

I wish yous all a bonzer Chrissie and hope you get the urge to stop for a tick or three, shake the dust off your boots and pay your dues to the little bloke who was born in a cow shed and ended up using the food trough for a cot. Great stuff, that!

THEY CAME AT CHRISTMAS

In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night

Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.

They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.

Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.

Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Author: Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)

Not Alone at Christmas

Joan lay all alone on this hot summer morn
The sun beaming in woke her just after dawn
It would be another day long and alone
Age had wearied her right to the bone.

With the dawning that this was Christmas Day
Her memories came of children at Christmas play
She remembered her own sisters and brothers
And a happy house crowded with so many others.

Then many years later when her children came
It was a happy house with kids just the same
There was laughter and food and presents of toys
Exactly right for each of the girls and boys

She thought of how they grew years quickly went
Then her eldest son to War in Vietnam was sent
Life about then seemed to become so very sad
As a heart attack took her husband the kids’ dad.

The other kids soon seemed to move on with life
As they took- for themselves a husband or wife
Kids were soon at play again but in distant places
And all Joan could do was remember their faces.

Joan lay all alone on this hot Christmas morn
Cards eagerly from their envelopes she had torn
Wishing Mother a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Each with a message this Christmas they would not be here.

Joan lay on her bed lost in her thoughts once more
Soon there was a loud knock on the front door
Was it that a son or daughter had come to visit
She grabbed her gown and shouted “Who is it?”

She flung open the door to see who stood there
Joan saw the one person who really seemed to care
A cheery greeting and a wide smile a friendly face
A Blue Nurse had brought Christmas to Joan’s place.

The nurse handed Joan a small gift and a handmade card
And when they hugged she felt Joan hug so hard
A shower was soon done and Joan dressed in her best
She felt this Christmas she was specially blessed.

Not only at Christmas but every single day
A Blue Nurse calls to get her on her way
A life that alone is so long and people bare
Is broken by the Blue Nurse’s loving care.
Ray Reese
Christmas 2005

[A Blue Nurse is a domiciliary nurse of the Blue Care organisation, a part of the Uniting Church of Australia]

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This Christmas may our Saviour
enfold you with His Love;
May He fill your heart
with gladness
and blessings from above.

Ray
OzThoughts Internet Ministry.

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OzThoughts Friday 18th December 2009

2009-12-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Friday 18th December 2009

13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! (Luke 2 The Message).

The Shepherds (‘Sheepherders’ as The Message calls them), Mary, Joseph and the baby make a beautiful, innocent and simple picture.

Let’s think of Mary and Joseph with their precious first born child. How did you feel as you held your first born child? Did you feel confident while help was all around you in a hospital or from a mid-wife? How did your confidence change as you headed home with the responsibility for this little help less child? Now think of Mary and Joseph with those feelings and add to those feelings that this child is the “God-baby”, the Saviour of the World.

Now let us think about the Shepherds. How confident were they to walk right up to the stable with the story of Angels announcing the birth of a baby to them? Was there really a baby there? Why would the parents want them to see their baby? What would they say? What would they do?

This is truly a beautiful, innocent and simple picture that is painted by Luke. We can imagine all we like about the scene but Luke tells what actually happened. Notice however Luke tells more about what happened after the meeting than the meeting itself.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, when we return tour daily chores from our time with you today help us to share about you with those that we meet. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_427.mp3 ]

Angels, from the realms of Glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth:
Ye, who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Chorus:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ the new-born King.

Shepherds in the field abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder sines the infant light.

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear.

Sinners moved by true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you, break your chains.
Authors: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 75

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OzThoughts Thursday 17th December 2009

2009-12-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 17th December 2009

I was looking through my Christmas files and I found this story, which I think gives us good reason to stop and think about the busy round that is imposed on us at this time of the year.

Who Started Christmas?

Take a moment to consider this Christmas story.

A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many
hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the car. She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her.

As the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and blurted out,
"Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot."

From the back of the car, a quiet calm voice responded, "Don't worry, we've already crucified Him." The rest of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this
whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Wise men still seek Him.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and for rising from the dead. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. I trust You now to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Please make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

[Listen: Band and Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_321.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_587.mp3 ]

1.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!

2.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

3.
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

4.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
Author: Stuart K. Hine
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 37

John 3:16 (The Message)
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

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OzThoughts Wednesday 16th December 2009.

2009-12-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Wednesday 16th December 2009.

[Thank you to all who send OzThoughts to their friends].

As we think about the message of Christmas and how we receive it, our attention must come to bear on the Baby of Bethlehem. As we considered yesterday, the beginning of John’s Gospel sets out a statement of faith as to who Jesus is and his existence as God at creation. John goes on to make the statement that “The word became flesh and dwelt amongst us.”

Matthew in his story of Jesus tells something more of the one who became flesh and dwelt amongst us. The angel messenger told Joseph in a dream two names that Mary’s son would bear. The first name was Jesus, which sets out in its meaning the mission of Jesus: “for he shall save his people from their sins”. The second name was “Emmanuel” which sets out the reminder of the fact that “God is with us”.

We see more clearly a part of the message of Christmas, the Babe of Bethlehem is God with us who is to be the Saviour from our sins.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you again for the Babe of Bethlehem. There is so much I do not understand but I thank you for your holy Word which reminds me of your message to men through Jesus. I see a message of your presence and your salvation. I pray that the holy spirit may continue to reveal the fullness of this truth to me. Amen.

[Listen: Two Tracks: (1) A Child this day is born; and (2) Who is He :
http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF306%20-%20Vocal%20-%20(a)A%20Child%20This%20Day%20is%20Born%20(b)Who%20is%20He.mp3]

A child this day is born,
A child of high renown,
Most worthy of a scepter,
A scepter and a crown.

Chorus
Noel, Noel, Noel,
Noel, sing all we may,
Because the King of all kings
Was born this blessed day.

These tidings shepherds heard
While watching o'er their fold;
'Twas by an angel told them,
That night revealed and told.

They saw a host on high,
In robes of white arrayed,
Which said: go ye to Bethlehem,
And be ye not afraid.

This day your Lord is born,
By name Immanuel,
Whom prophets long ago foretold
Should ransom Israel.

The shepherds joyful sped
To Bethlehem straightway,
And while with joy they hasten on
They chant this sacred lay:

All glory be to God
Who reigns enthroned on high,
Goodwill to men and peace on earth.
O wondrous melody!
Author: Anon
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 72

Who is he in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?

Chorus
'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story,
'Tis the Lord, the King of Glory!
At his feet we humbly fall,
Crown him, crown him Lord of all!

Who is he in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Who is he to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is he on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is he who from the grave
Comes to succor, help and save?

Who is he whom from his throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?
Author: Benjamin Russell Hanby (1833-97)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 104

Matthew 1 (New International Version)

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1 (The Message)

21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus--"God saves'--because he will save his people from their sins."
22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:
23 Watch for this--a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is
with us").
24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.
25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
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OzThoughts Tuesday 15th December 2009

2009-12-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Tuesday 15th December 2009

As I read John Chapter 1, I thought about receiving the Word. Some people just do not get it. John says something about them, too.

Sometimes the message gets confused in the delivery. Jesus, God’s son made it clear and plain. All the other messengers were lesser than the perfection there was in Jesus. They told of God. Jesus was God.

Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the message or the messenger. Sometimes we fail to hear. I am often intrigued when speakers for some reason will say “I don’t need a microphone”. They have it out of perspective. A speaker never needs a microphone.

Most speakers can hear what they are saying. However, the listener may need the speaker’s voice to be amplified so they can hear it clearly. The listener, who may have a hearing loss, needs the speaker to use the microphone. On some occasions I have heard listeners remind the speaker that they need to use the microphone as they, the listener, cannot hear what is being said.

John reminds us that

“1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (New International Version )

But John also reminds us that Jesus came as God’s Word but many did not receive Jesus:

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (New International Version)

But to those who received him there was great benefit:

12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–
13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (New International Version)

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for Jesus. I pray that in this Advent Season as Christmas approaches, people will stop and think about your Son, Jesus. I pray that as we do our part to tell out the message clearly and plainly the Holy Spirit will take the message to people whose hearts he has prepared for the message. Amen.

MEDITATION:

[Look and Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4d4UXSJXig&feature=channel ]

At the name of Jesus
Every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess him
King of Glory now;
'Tis the Father's pleasure
We should call him Lord,
Who from the beginning
Was the mighty Word.

At his voice creation
Sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces,
All the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations,
Stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders
In their great array.

Humbled for a season,
To receive a name
From the lips of sinners
Unto whom he came,
Faithfully he bore it
Spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious
When from death he passed.

Bore it up triumphant
With its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures
To the central height,
To the throne of Godhead,
To the Father's breast;
Filled it with the glory
Of that perfect rest.

In your hearts enthrone him;
There let him subdue
All that is not holy,
All that is not true;
Crown him as your captain
In temptation's hour;
Let his will enfold you
In its light and power.
Author: Caroline Maria Noel (1817-77)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 141

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OzThoughts Monday. 14th December 2009.

2009-12-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Monday. 14th December 2009.

Last night our Band and “Choir” were involved in an outdoor Christmas Carols night which is organized by a Rotary Club. Can you picture it? Picture a park right beside the ocean with waves breaking against the white sand. Some people are swimming while others relax on the beach. While it was still light surfers could be seen waiting to catch a wave on their boards. The temperature was about 25c/80f.

As night begins to take over from day, thousands of rainbow lorikeets (parrots) descend into the tall pine trees to roost for the night. Their screeching and call each other is quite load. Santa arrived by a Surf Rescue helicopter and is let down onto the beach on a rope as the helicopter hovers low. He comes to the stage and is joined by a troop of dancers who dance to our band playing “Jingle bells”.

The night is a mix of sacred and secular songs and, of course, the familiar carols. A Christmas message is brought by a local Pastor. The night ends with a fireworks display.

It was said there were about 20,000 people there, so is a wonderful opportunity for the Salvation Army to be seen and heard. It will be on the television news tomorrow night.

What a challenge Christmas is for us as Salvationists to carry the message of the Christ of Christmas to the people in our community. It is a challenge for us to be more than a pleasant sounding band or songsters and to share music with a message.

While that is a challenge for us as a group of musicians, there is also a challenge for us to share our personal belief in a Christian Christmas. It is easy for us to talk about the secular side of Christmas like parties and gifts and holidays but the challenge is to share the message of Christmas with workmates and other friends.

While we might see it as a challenge, what does God say about it? We should seek his guidance through prayer. The Holy Spirit will help prepare our communication with others. It is God’s work we are his servants.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I will have lots of conversations with people about Christmas. Show me the ones I ought to share with spiritually. Give me the message and the words to speak, if it be your will. Amen.

Luke 2:8-14 (The Message)
8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

[Listen: Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3174.mp3
or
Vocal solo (Soprano): http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3263.mp3 ]

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Author: Adolphe Charles Adam

They came at Christmas

In white shirts and caps on a truck they came
And stopped our kids’ street cricket game
They played a Christmas song or two
And then they called for us to sing
So we kids sang to everyone’s delight
Of baby Jesus birth on a Silent Night

Another Christmas they came again
After mum had told us with heartfelt pain
That this Christmas there would be no toys
And we were the saddest of girls and boys.
Mum told us there were many like us
And that we would not make a fuss
But simply enjoy whatever we could.

They came this time without the band
But they brought to us a Christmas grand
They put bags and boxes on our kitchen table.
They said they knew we were not able
To have the Christmas we would like
Because dad’s workplace was on strike.
Now their love gifts meant without his pay
We could celebrate with joy on Christmas Day.

Another Christmas they came to our place
They came again without the band
And they carried no gifts in their hand
But they came on a mission of love
They with tears said from their God above
And we knew they could do no more
Than pray for our dear brother lost in war.

Again this Christmas throughout this land
The Salvos will come with song and band.
They will come to some with food and toys
And somehow share in many Christmas joys.
They come that they might with everyone share
The very essence of the Christmas season where
In Bethlehem’s stable God’s gift Jesus was born.
(Ray Reese - Christmas 2003)

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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 13th December 2009

2009-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 13th December 2009

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 18:1-19 (The Message)

1-2 I love you, GOD— you make me strong.
GOD is bedrock under my feet,
the castle in which I live,
my rescuing knight.
My God—the high crag
where I run for dear life,
hiding behind the boulders,
safe in the granite hideout.

3 I sing to GOD, the Praise-Lofty,
and find myself safe and saved.

4-5 The hangman's noose was tight at my throat;
devil waters rushed over me.
Hell's ropes cinched me tight;
death traps barred every exit.

6 A hostile world! I call to GOD,
I cry to God to help me.
From his palace he hears my call;
my cry brings me right into his presence—
a private audience!

7-15 Earth wobbles and lurches;
huge mountains shake like leaves,
Quake like aspen leaves
because of his rage.
His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke;
his mouth spits fire.
Tongues of fire dart in and out;
he lowers the sky.
He steps down;
under his feet an abyss opens up.
He's riding a winged creature,
swift on wind-wings.
Now he's wrapped himself
in a trenchcoat of black-cloud darkness.
But his cloud-brightness bursts through,
spraying hailstones and fireballs.
Then GOD thundered out of heaven;
the High God gave a great shout,
spraying hailstones and fireballs.
God shoots his arrows—pandemonium!
He hurls his lightnings—a rout!
The secret sources of ocean are exposed,
the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered
The moment you roar in protest,
let loose your hurricane anger.

16-19 But me he caught—reached all the way
from sky to sea; he pulled me out
Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,
the void in which I was drowning.
They hit me when I was down,
but GOD stuck by me.
He stood me up on a wide-open field;
I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 43
Authors: Anon

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1534.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 18:20-26 (The Message)
20-24 GOD made my life complete
when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I got my act together,
he gave me a fresh start.
Now I'm alert to GOD's ways;
I don't take God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works;
I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
and I'm watching my step.
GOD rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

25-27 The good people taste your goodness,
The whole people taste your health,
The true people taste your truth,
The bad ones can't figure you out.
You take the side of the down-and-out,
But the stuck-up you take down a peg.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 17
Authors: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)

[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4785.mp3 ]

Praise, my soul, the King the Heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like thee his praise should sing?
Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.

2.
Praise him for this grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless;
Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.

3.
Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows,
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.

4.
Angels in the heights adore him,
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him:
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Meditation: How Majestic is your Name http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4948.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 12th and 13th December, 2009.

2009-12-12T02:25:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 12th and 13th December, 2009.

I think I was about ten when my mother woke me at 4am on Christmas morning. I was to go carolling with the Senior Band commencing as soon as it was light enough to play. I quickly got dressed in my Junior Soldier’s uniform and headed to the breakfast table, wishing mum and dad a sleepy “Merry Christmas” as I arrived.

Dad told me there was a present under the Christmas tree that I should open now. The rest could wait until I got back from carolling, when my brother and sisters were awake. I soon found the reason I was invited to open this particular present. It was a music stand I could use when I played in the band. I remember thinking later if it was not something useful that morning, I would not have opened any presents until I got home in time for Christmas lunch.

In those days, we rode from street to street in the back of a truck. Forms from the hall were tied to the sides of the truck and the bandsmen took their place on the truck in a square formation. Even in that early post dawn hour of Christmas Day, families appeared on the verandas of their homes and on the side of the rode to greet the band. Some of the timbrelists moved from family to family collecting donations and giving out the Christmas issue of the War Cry.

We enjoyed it when the truck driver stopped the truck in the shade under a tree. The bandmaster made comments about the tree muffling the pure sound of the band. To most of us that was only a technical detail as we enjoyed a cool interlude. One hazard we did encounter under some trees were swarms of mosquitoes which made the tree their home. However, a few well placed hits and they were soon dispatched to the next life. At times though, they seemed to be queuing up for their opportunity to be despatched to eternity.

In those early days, we had breakfast about 8am at the Corps Sergeant Major’s home. His wife was recognised as a good cook. We agreed. Now, I can’t remember whether it was while we were eating breakfast or right after that the CSM put on his mantle radio and we listened carefully to the national broadcast by the Melbourne Staff Band. Refreshed and inspired we trekked out to the truck to continue our morning’s carolling.

I had only been a “helping” member of the Senior Band for about 5 years when it became impossible to maintain the Christmas Morning carolling as many bandsmen with their families were away on holidays at the time. A bigger effort was put into the pre-Christmas carolling to make sure as much as possible of our Corps district was covered.

Our family was one of the families that would go away for the Christmas New Year period. It is summer holiday time in Australia. Now as luck or otherwise would have it, we visited my uncle and aunty who were Corps Officers at Southport Corps, on the Gold Coast. Their small band still played carols from dawn on Christmas morning. So, it was into another truck, and off, not this time to residential streets as at home, but to the seaside camping areas where we would play amongst the tents and caravans.

People appeared out of their tents, sometimes still in pyjamas but often in their swimming attire to listen to the band. So throughout the morning, stopping only at a Salvations home where we had breakfast in a large tent in their backyard, we moved on from camping area to camping area right down the Coast.

The morning ended with the band at the Beachcomber Motel, in Surfers Paradise where the bandsmen sat on deck chairs and lounges around the swimming pool. People appeared on the balconies above us and threw coins down to us. Occasionally a note would flutter down. These were the early days of television, and bandsmen were excited to be filmed by the news team for that night’s television news. Excitedly, we would gather in our individual homes around our television sets to see ourselves on the news.

Interestingly, Southport Corps Band is now the Gold Coast Temple Band and I am a regular member of the band. Today, our carolling is not amongst the tents and caravans but mostly in playing at carol singing events and in a shopping centre.

As I think of the early Christmas morning Christmas carols one carol which comes to mind is “Christians Awake”. I remember one Corps where two friends of mine along with other bandsman got tired year after year of the Bandmaster saying he had not missed a Christmas morning carolling in all the many years he had been a bandsman. Looking accusingly at others, he would always add not only was he never late but he was always first there ready to play.

In a casual conversation they found out what time the bandmaster set his alarm for. However, with the cooperation of the rest of the band, they arrived outside his home, and just before the Bandmaster’s alarm went off, they played “Christians Awake!” He laughed as he came out to the band but his bandsmen knew him well enough to know he was not happy.

It was a small corps band faithfully playing Christmas carols in my wife’s neighbourhood that reminded her of the babe of Bethlehem. It reminded her, too, of days spent at Sunday School at the Corps. She went back to the Corps and eventually became a Soldier and Local Officer. She left the Corps for the Training College. Today, she serves the Lord quietly, in a ministry of encouragement and prayer.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (New King James Version)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (New International Version)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal

1 Corinthians 13:1 (The Message)
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

My prayer is that the playing of our bands will be more than sounding brass, a gong, or the creaking of a rusty gate to the families we encounter.

The Band Lad

At eight I was in the Young People’s Band
All said in my band uniform I looked grand
Then I first played carols from a printed card
And my 2nd Baritone part seemed very hard
It seemed I had to play notes without reason
But this was my part in the Christmas Season
My mates on 1st Cornet seemed to have it made
As there was some tunes in what they played.

One day the YP Band Leader came to me
He said today in the Senior Band you will be
The Bandmaster wants a few more players
He said not outstanding stars but stayers
Who will benefit from the experience
When they play in the band in years hence
So with the seniors in the band I played
And a life’s banding foundation was laid.

Christmas carolling here came with summer’s heat
It seemed that some of winter’s snow would be neat
It was hot and we dripped with perspiration
As we played our Christmas season’s exultation.
A solo cornet player in sucking for air inhaled a fly
He coughed and spluttered as if he was about to die
The bandsmen all around him struggled to play on
They couldn’t for laughing until he said it was gone.

The bandsmen between carols told a story or three
And the old days brought amusement to a kid like me
Some told of days before they went to fight the war
Incidents from before I was born certainly did not bore
They held my interest as they told of other days
And how as bandsmen they carolled in other ways.
One told of playing carols in the very cold snows
When the rain froze in icicles on his cornet and nose.

Many years have passed since when carolling we marched
From street to street in the heat with tongues parched
My playing of carols has proclaimed the Saviour’s birth
And now my recounting those past days brings joy and mirth
I have played my carols on cornet, horn, tuba and trombone
But after trying euphonium I am back where I began on baritone
I played in prisons and hospitals, parks, churches and halls
On radio, and television and now I play in beachside malls.

It might be for some ice and snow and for us here flies and heat
But Christmas carolling as a Salvo bandsman you can’t beat.
It brings a sound of joy to a busy and wonderful season
With a message God’s love for us was the only reason:
That God sent his son Jesus to live on earth among us
And it is Jesus birth that we celebrate with all this fuss.
So as Salvo bandsmen we play carols wherever we are able
To tell of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem’s humble stable.
Ray Reese
Written: Christmas 2005

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OzThoughts Friday 11th December 2009

2009-12-10T12:19:00.001-08:00

OzThoughts Friday 11th December 2009

“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Worship the Lord in the spirit of praise.
Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him,
Come let us worship in spirit and truth.”
Author: James Curnow

“Worship the Lord in the spirit of praise.”

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving. Enter into his courts with praise” Psalm 100.4. This text is on the wall of the Gold Coast Temple above the band as they sit to one side of the platform.

I have often thought as I read this text (and I have seen it in many places of worship) that I agree we should enter with praise and thanksgiving but what then? I am sure the intention and the only answer is to continue as we have begun. Whatever we do in our time in God’s house do it with praise and thanksgiving. Paul gives us some clues in Philippians Chapter 3 where he tells us what is essential in our worship and ministry for God.

Philippians 3 (The Message).

3 The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—
4 even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:
5 a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law;
6 a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.
7 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash--along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ.
8 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant--dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ
9 and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ--God's righteousness.
10 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.

PRAYER:
Father God. I pray that I might do everything with an attitude of gratitude and praise to you. Fill me with the spirit of Jesus which is a spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_075.mp3 ]

Do you know the song that the angels sang
On that night in the long ago,
When the heavens above with their music rang
Till it echoed in the earth below?

Chorus
All glory in the highest,
Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
Glory in the highest,
Peace, goodwill to men;
Glory in the highest;
Glory in the highest;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Do you know the song that the shepherds heard
As they watched o'er their flocks by night,
When the skies bent down, and their hearts were stirred
By the voices of the angels bright?

Do you know the story that the wise men learned
As they journeyed from the East afar,
O'er a pathway plain, for there nightly burned
In their sight a glorious guiding star?
Author: Abner P Cobb
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 80

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OzThoughts Friday 11th December 2009

2009-12-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 10th December 2009

2009-12-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 10th December 2009

“Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2 :15b KJV)

I was about 13 when television came to our city. I was 14 when it came to our home. I am a child of radio and 78rpm records. By that, I mean Salvation Army band and songster records.

One record we had was different and has etched itself very well into my mind. It was a record and a picture book called “The First Christmas”. The narration, of course, was on the record, and at the ding of a bell, the page of the book needed to be turned. I loved to have my turn to flip the pages on the bell. We listened very carefully for the bell, and it was not long before we had memorised where the bell would sound. We often began to turn the page just before the bell sounded. The rest of the family would cry out “wait!”

We not only learnt when the bell would ring but we also learnt the narration. I can still here it as Luke 2 from the King James Version is read.

I can still hear the narrator telling of the shepherds deciding to go to Bethlehem. Their fear, if they had any, had given way to anticipation and joy. They hurried to Bethlehem to see, to know and to stand in awe before the baby.

This was not just any baby, this was “a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

My prayer is that we might have that same joyful expectation which becomes awe and worship as we see the baby who is our Saviour Christ the Lord.

PRAYER:

Father, show Jesus to us in a real and wonderful way today. Help us to show real joy as we love and live for you. Amen.

[Listen: Congregational Song: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4238.mp3
or: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3451.mp3 ]

Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart!
O joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind thou art,
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but his loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
And through eternity.
Authors: Attributed to: Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153),
Translated: Edward Caswall (1814-78)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 61

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OzThoughts Tuesday 8th December 2009

2009-12-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Tuesday 8th December 2009

How important is the task of the “sound person” is at any public event. Have the sound too soft and no one hears. Have it too loud and it is so uncomfortable, people refuse to listen. Out door events such as the carols by candlelight nights we are having here in Australia, test not only the equipment but those who are using it, at both ends of the microphone cord.

I remember an occasion, the sound person employed to operate the sound system at a Congress obviously was accustomed to rock concerts. He highly amplified the piano as if it was the solo instrument and that the 200 or so voices in the united Songster Brigade were there for its accompaniment. Hmmm, an interesting concept. Not!

I remember, too, when for rehearsal after rehearsal at the Training College the “Cadet’s Songsters” got used to singing with the accompaniment of guitars instead of the usual piano for the special effect for a special song. We practiced until our conductor who had composed the song and could “hear” the sound he wanted decided we had the balance right. We then went to a near by Corps to record our effort. Again, we took time to get the balance right. However, when the tape arrived at the College, it was as if we were singing a cappella (without instruments). Obviously the sound man did not like guitars!

In the same way I imagine bandmasters who struggle for a certain “sound balance” for their bands that meets their judgment have been horrified by the re-balancing of the sound by others who use multiple microphones and broadcast their own mix of blended highly amplified sounds.

[Sound people I have been a sound person and my hobby for years was recording Salvation Army bands in performance. I understand your task well, and use this as an illustration. It is an illustration, just like the story of the farmer who planted seed on rocky ground or where the birds got it. Sometimes, it just does not work out. It wasn’t a criticism of the farmer.].

I wonder how many messages have not been clearly understood or have lost their meaning and effect for various reasons including the wrong use or adjustment of the sound system. I must say that I understand that being the “sound person” is not easy but at the same time can make or break the atmosphere in a meeting and sometimes make it difficult for people to follow the speaker.

I am reminded that God speaks to us in many ways. The writer to the Hebrews says this, right at the beginning of his letter:

1 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries.
2 Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end.
3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says--powerful words!
After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God,
The Son Is Higher than Angels
4 far higher than any angel in rank and rule.
5 Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you"? Or, "I'm his Father, he's my Son"?
6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." Hebrews 1 (The Message)

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for Jesus. May I today see and hear him more clearly, and love him more dearly and follow more nearly. Amen.

[Listen: Godspell – Sydney Congress Hall Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_696.mp3 ].

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

[ Day By Day from
GODSPELL by Stephen Schwartz]
…………………………………..

[ Listen: (Richard Philips- Piano)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1764.mp3 ]

Lord, I pray that I may know thee,
Risen One, enthroned on high;
Empty hands I'm stretching to thee,
Show thyself to me, I cry.

Chorus
Show thyself to me, show thyself to me,
That I may reveal thy beauty;
Show thyself to me.

All that once I thought most worthy,
All of which I once did boast,
In thy light seems poor and passing,
'Tis thyself I covet most.

Give thyself to me, give thyself to me,
That I may show forth thy power;
Give thyself to me.

Only as I truly know thee
Can I make thee truly known;
Only bring the power to others
Which in my own life is shown.

Show thy power in me, show thy power in me,
That I may be used for others;
Show thy power in me.
Author: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 435

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OzThoughts Monday 7th December 2009

2009-12-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Monday 7th December 2009

In The Message Psalm 104, the final few verses make a wonderful response to God and His marvelous creation and his gift to us of salvation through his son, Jesus.

33Oh, let me sing to GOD all my life long,
sing hymns to my God as long as I live!
34Oh, let my song please him;
I'm so pleased to be singing to GOD.
35But clear the ground of sinners--
no more godless men and women!

O my soul, bless GOD!

The great words of “My Jesus, I love thee”. These make a great response to Jesus us babe of Bethlehem

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4047.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_001.mp3 ]

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author: William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 357

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, help me today and the rest of this week to live in response to your love for me. Help me in this time of preparation for Christmas show Jesus through all my activities. Help me too to deal with those who seem to oppose you even through indifference. Amen.

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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 6th December 2009

2009-12-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 6th December 2009

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
Luke 1:67-79 (The Message)
The Song of Zechariah. (Benedictus).
67-79Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the centre of our lives,
and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
as he remembers to do what he said he'd do,
What he swore to our father Abraham—
a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
made holy before him as long as we live.

And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest,"
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 44
Author: John Gowans

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1210.mp3 ]

Don't assume that God's dismissed you from his mind,
Don't assume that God's forgotten to be kind;
For no matter what you do, his love still follows you;
Don't think that you have left him far behind.

Chorus
For his love remains the same,
He knows you by your name,
Don't think because you failed him he despairs;
For he gives to those who ask
His grace for every task,
God plans for you in love for he still cares.

2.
Don't assume that God will plan for you no more,
Don't assume that there's no future to explore;
For your life he'll re-design, the pattern be divine;
Don't think that your repentance he'll ignore.

3.
Don't assume you cannot give what he'll demand,
Don't assume that God condemns you out of hand;
For he gives to those who ask his grace for every task;
Don't think that God will fail to understand.

Psalm 85 (The Message)
1-3 God, you smiled on your good earth!
You brought good times back to Jacob!
You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,
you put their sins far out of sight.
You took back your sin-provoked threats,
you cooled your hot, righteous anger.
4-7 Help us again, God of our help;
don't hold a grudge against us forever.
You aren't going to keep this up, are you?
scowling and angry, year after year?
Why not help us make a fresh start—a resurrection life?
Then your people will laugh and sing!
Show us how much you love us, GOD!
Give us the salvation we need!

8-9 I can't wait to hear what he'll say.
GOD's about to pronounce his people well,
The holy people he loves so much,
so they'll never again live like fools.
See how close his salvation is to those who fear him?
Our country is home base for Glory!

10-13 Love and Truth meet in the street,
Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!
Truth sprouts green from the ground,
Right Living pours down from the skies!
Oh yes! GOD gives Goodness and Beauty;
our land responds with Bounty and Blessing.
Right Living strides out before him,
and clears a path for his passage.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 16
Author: Robert Grant (1779-1838)

[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_980.mp3
or
Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4784.mp3
or
Congregation and Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3522.mp3 ]

O worship the King, all glorious above;
O gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2.
O tell of his might, O sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3.
The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy power hath founded of old,
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

4.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

5.
Frail children of dust and feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.

6.
O measureless Might! Ineffable Love!
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to thy praise.

Meditation: He came to give us life
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3519.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 5th & 6th December 2009.

2009-12-05T02:46:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend. 5th & 6th December 2009.

Bring a Plate

Every Australian knows what is meant by the phrase “Bring a plate”. I had for many years heard stories of people who had done just that when there was to be food and drink after the evening meeting, a Saturday night social gathering or some such event.

The stories of people who brought a plate without food on it were common. In fact, the stories would almost seem to be what we call today an “urban myth”. However, I assure you it is not so. The stories are true. I have heard the confessions of a number of English immigrants or “Ten Quid Ozzies” that when invited to “bring a plate” they did just that. They arrived with empty plates. They admitted later they thought it was a bit strange but that is what the announcement said. Maybe like I do, they remember the days before disposable cups when we all took a cup (empty of course) to Sunday School picnics. Usually this was carried swinging on a string or ribbon home-made lanyard around our necks. (A Ten Quid Ozzie is an immigrant from the UK who paid 10 English Pounds for a passage to Australia by ship in the 1950s and I think 1960s).

You can imagine their embarrassment when they arrived at the hall with an empty plate and noticed others bearing plates of all types of tasty things. I guess this placed them in a bit of a dilemma. Would they remain for the supper and eat that which they had not contributed to? I am sure every Ozzie I know would want them to stay. It is much better to have a good laugh with the “victim” there than absent.

Some of these suppers are the most amazing events in the variety of food. I have shared in “bring a plate” events in three States and have found a most amazing assortment of food. People will bring many amazing foods. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold and some times frozen and that’s only the food that really ought to be hot. A frozen meat or fruit pie or sausage roll seems to be somewhat short of ideal.

I am not sure whether times have changed but I am noticing a lot more shop bought items appearing at suppers. I have noticed at a few suppers at our Corps that biscuits appear in their packets, cakes appear in their packaging straight from the supermarket shelves and sausage rolls or party pies come in their cardboard boxes. One thing I do like to see from the shops is the coffee flavored cheesecake from Sara Lea or similar manufactures. Yum!

When I worked for another organization, my wife and I were sitting in a food shop in a town a morning’s drive west from home having lunch before going to an early afternoon Annual General Meeting where I was the guest speaker. A very well dressed lady came into the shop, and handing the lady behind the counter a plate asked her to fill it with some cake squares. We then heard her say, can you put a plastic cling wrap cover over it to make it look like it is homemade. As the plastic was placed over the plate, she then confessed to the shop assistant she had to take the plate to the meeting where I was the guess speaker. I wonder when I stood to talk whether she recognized us as being in the shop where she “made” her cakes.

It was when I worked for this organization, I traveled the State and spoke to many meetings. Often during my talks I would be almost distracted by the lovely smells that came from the kitchen. This was made worse when I had driven a long way to be on time and had not had a chance to eat. Hunger and lovely smells from the kitchen are not a good combination when you are trying to give a suitable informative yet entertaining talk.

One further problem was that after the meeting when the food was served often someone would have an important question to ask me and would keep me from the food. Sometimes, I was kept prisoner so long that all the food had gone before I was released from my captivity. It was always good when my wife was with me as she could bring food to the prisoner.

Mentioning my wife, made me think of another occasion, when a group of us husbands were standing in the semi dark waiting for our wives to finish their “Ladies Evening Fellowship” meeting. One of the ladies appeared and asked us if we would like to try her ‘eggs’. A number of the guys said they did not want to try them. I accepted and on the first bite was sorry I did. They were pickled eggs. I am sure something went wrong with the process. They were off and I am lucky I did not get salmonella or something worse. Well, maybe that’s how they were supposed to taste but it was not pleasant. The other husbands got a good laugh though. Some confessed they had tried them previously. I am glad it was dark and the lady did not see the horror on my face as I tasted her delicacy.

That is a hazard of “bring a plate” occasions. It is either feast or famine. It is famine if you get trapped talking and the food is all gone as I said earlier. It becomes a feast when various ladies confront me with a plate of delicious looking food and say you must try this. They go on to explain it is a special recipe and that they always make it because everyone just loves it. So of course, I must try it. No one ever said a moment on your lips and a lifetime on your hips, did they? Charming ladies’ special recipes never count in that.

On a personal note, I want to place on public record that I am going to try to lose about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) which I have been carrying around for some time. However, the season of Advent is a dangerous season as all the Christmas goodies make their appearance at various functions and gatherings. The Ten Quid Ozzies’ version of “Bring a plate” may be appropriate in the next few weeks.

I remember well the chorus we sang in Primary Sunday school “my cup is full and running over”. I remember as a young child visions of a mess! It was the sort of thing mum encouraged me not to do. “Don’t fill it too much! Oh! Look what you’ve done! Now get a cloth and clean up that mess!” I don’t know when I came to understand the chorus.

I however can identify with a Police Officer and Salvationist who led a training day for Salvation Army Emergency Service people. He indicates his more than adequate size and says “Some people claim to be a ‘Trophy of God’s Grace’. I am a ‘Trophy of God’s Provision’ ”

Country people in Australia are known for their generosity in their catering. Here is not only the quality of the country food but they seem to supply it in huge quantities. I think I first encountered this after an Anzac Day (Oz National War Remembrance Day) March our Band did every year. It was just into the country and the ladies piled the food on a long table down the center of the room. The young band boys started at one end of the table and the Scouts who carried the banners and flags started the other end and moved towards the center of the table like a swarm of locusts across a wheat field. It wasn’t my cup that ran over on those days.

Another song which I claim as a favorite is “When the trumpet of the lord shall sound”. I like particularly the chorus which says “When the rolls ARE SERVED up yonder, I’ll be there!” I also maintain that we must stick to copyright and sing the correct words when singing grace. It may be a lovely thought to “live and serve Thee faithfully” but I enjoy singing expectantly “grant that we may feast in Paradise with Thee.”

All jokes aside, we have a wonderful God who gives us our daily bread and so much more. He truly supplies our needs and we must raise our thanks to Him. Many are expressing the thought that it is sad that in the Salvation Army in Australia our Harvest Festival Thanksgiving has disappeared from our Corps calendars. We can thank God at all times but it does good to focus on his provision of our daily needs. Maybe on that weekend, we can look beyond our Corps financial needs, and give a special offering for the daily needs of others in lands where things are so tough. It could be the basis of a child sponsorship or a small project in a land of famine.

It can be a time also when we thank God for the rain and sunshine which make life possible on this planet. In Australia, in this time of drought, we are continually reminded of his provision for us.
Thank you for the world so sweet;
Thank you for the food we eat;
Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you, God for ev'rything.
Amen.
Thank You for the World so Sweet
(Tune: Michael Row your Boat ashore)

Thank you for the world so sweet. Alleluia
Thank you for the food we eat. Alleluia
Thank your for the birds that sing. Alleluia
Thank you God for everything. Alleluia

Psalm 23 (New international Version)

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [1]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

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OzThoughts Friday 4th December 2009.

2009-12-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Friday 4th December 2009.

Last night our band broken up into three groups played at a local shopping Mall. There were people everywhere busy about the things of Christmas. We played familiar carols and Christmas songs and some of the people stopped and listened. I saw some of the people singing along wit the familiar tunes.

As we drove home, my wife and I made some brief detours and passed houses where people had made a great effort at decorating their houses with all types iof shapes and coloured lights. It truly looked like a Christmas wonderland.

At some of the houses, we could miss the fact that the owners had made a deliberate effort to highlight the stable and the manger with the baby, Jesus and his parents.

I was thinking that so many people are busy with doing and express so many things about Christmas, but we can thank God we have the freedom to tell about Jesus and what he means to us.

As I write this I think of Robert, the blind man I led from the captivity of his almost bare bedroom where he was imprisoned by his “relatives”. I think of his joy at being free. I remember his joy at joining with a crowd at an outdoor carol service. He never knew such things existed. He was now set free to enjoy life.

I think of Nick born in a body that had no arms or legs. I see and hear his joy in accepting that his different body does not imprison him to a life of despair. I hear the joy of his freedom to serve God with what God has given him.

I though of the words of Isaiah which Jesus proclaimed in the Nazareth Synagogue he fulfilled:

16 He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read,
17 he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,

18 God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
19 to announce, "This is God's year to act!"

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent.
21 Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I rejoice in the freedom to live that comes through Jesus. I pray that I may do my part to announce that Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem came that we might have freedom and life.

Father, I pray today for my friends who are captured for the moment by illness, worry and stress, and sadness at the passing of love ones. I pray that you will be with them and the prayers, smiles and hugs of loved ones may minister to them in your name and they shall find freedom through Jesus. Amen.

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3204.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_424.mp3 ]

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love.
Author: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 84

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OzThoughts Thursday 5th December 2009

2009-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 5th December 2009

“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
Worship the Lord in the spirit of praise.
Bow down before Him,
Love and adore Him,
Come let us worship in spirit and truth.”
Author: James Curnow

“In the beauty of holiness”. What type of picture does that build up in your mind? For some it may be the quieter, more reflective meetings we used to have Sunday morning.

I was told the story of a Divisional Corps Cadet Rally (do they still have them?) which was held at a major city corps. The Corps Cadets (members of systematic Bible study class for teenagers) in their enthusiasm felt the good rhythm of the opening song and when they came to the chorus, they began playing their timbrels and clapping to the rhythm. It was going to be a great meeting.

They were only a few bars into the chorus when the Bandmaster stopped the band and spoke to the meeting leader, telling him this was a Holiness Meeting and we don’t have timbrels and clapping. The story as I heard it contained an offer of compromise. There was a choice either the timbrels and clapping stop or the band would stop.

Others may feel the beauty of holiness in the rain forest, the rolling hills, or a steep mountain slope pushing its heights into a snowy cover. Some may see it beside a lake, a mountain stream or the gentle lapping of the sea or the rolling surf at the ocean’s meeting with the land.

Others may feel they are in the presence of God in a church, chapel, cathedral or a citadel. In the quietness and the peace of the special place they find a sacredness in which they discover the beautiful holiness of God.

There may be even some who see the beauty of holiness in the comfort given to an abused child or woman, to a bashed man or in bathing a man who had been sleeping rough for too many weeks. They find it in the quiet hour in counselling an alcoholic, a gambler or a prisoner.

The shepherds found the holiness of God when they found the baby Jesus lying in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem. They thanked God right there as they knelt in the straw for this precious gift of a special child. None of the Gospel writers mention they felt a need to go to a ‘holy place’ like Bethlehem’s Synagogue to worship God in the beauty of holiness.

PRAYER:

Thank you that today I am found a part of the great ‘church” which is carrying out the mission of Christ. May I find the beauty of holiness in the moments of today. Amen.

Luke 2: 8-20 (The Message)

8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11 A Saviour has just been born in David's town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.
12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

[Listen: Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3174.mp3
or
Look and Listen: choose what you would like from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=O+Holy+night&search_type=&aq=f ]
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Author: Placide Clappeau, 1847;
Translated from French to English by John S. Dwight (1812-1893).

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OzThoughts Wednesday 4th November 2009

2009-12-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Wednesday 4th November 2009

A guest speaker told a group of people gathered for lunch that “Children enjoy toys. Adults enjoy giving.”

He is certainly right about children and toys. Christmas is a great demonstration of that. I have watched my children when they were little exploring the many toy catalogues that came to our mail box. Now the toy catalogues seem so wasted. Although we sometimes resort to looking through them to see what toys our grandkids are wanting. We hear their requests clearly but we need to check the catalogues to see what it is they have asked us to give.

When I think about adults giving, I think the speaker is probably right, too. Becoming a generous giver marks a shift towards maturity and becoming a useful contributor to society. I heard one time that when Princess Diana met Mother Teresa, the Princess said in effect she had so much and Teresa had so little but Teresa seemed to have a happiness that escaped the Princess. The story as I heard it was that Mother Teresa suggested that the Princess become more giving. Certainly, in a life that it seems was very complex, the Princess became known for her care and giving to others.

I am sure Mother Teresa knew there was much more to a happy life than giving but what a wonderful example there is in our God who gives. The story of Christmas is about giving. As we know it is about God giving His son because He loves us.

As Paul writes to the Roman Church:

But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. (Romans 5: 8. The Message).

And to the church in Corinth:

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.
2 (Corinthians 9:8-11 The Message)

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving Jesus to me. I feel so unworthy but I thank you. I pray that my life may be useful in giving to others because of your love for me and them. Amen.

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2445.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1497.mp3 ]

(Note verse 3 in particular)

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Hail thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the clouds of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround thee,
Earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Bloss'ming meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest.
Thou the Father, Christ our brother--
All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Father-love is reigning o'er us,
Brother-love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Author: Henry van Dyke (1852-1933)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 10

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OzThoughts Tuesday. 1st December 2009

2009-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Tuesday. 1st December 2009

The first day of December already! It is also the first day of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also only 25 days to Christmas.

Christmas ! So many things to do! So many things to get! I have been reminded in recent days of Matt Redman’s song:

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus
I'm sorry lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus.
(Matt Redman)

I see the challenge to look to the real things of Christmas. To look to the reason Jesus came. The world needed a Saviour. Look to the unexpected way God sent his Son. Our worship is to welcome and praise him.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for Christmas and all it means to the relationship between you and me. Help me to grow in that relationship as I seek to know more of you. Help me to see and show Christmas is all about you, Jesus.
“I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it, when it's all about you, all about you Jesus”. Amen.

The Heart of Worship
Author: Matt Redman

[Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZgPPmtZgS4 ]

When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
All about you Jesus.

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours, every single breath.

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
All about you Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-20 (The Message)
15-18We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
18-20He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
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OzThoughts Monday 30th November 2009.

2009-11-29T12:19:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Monday 30th November 2009.

I noticed in an email message from a Christian Bookshop that if we do not tell the Christmas message during Advent then a lot of folk will not hear the story of the birth of our Saviour. The writer, a Christian author was no doubt reflecting the discussion in his denomination that Christmas carols belong to the Church Season of Christmas not the Season of Advent. He was putting the view that church people disappear after Christmas Day, so the Christmas story would be told faithfully but to empty pews.

Now, most of my readers would have guessed that this author was not a Salvationist, as the first Sunday of Advent drops the starting flag on the busy season of caroling, collecting, standing kettles, bell ringing or what ever we call it. It’s a busy season of giving out and appeals to replenish the storehouse.

As I was playing carols on Saturday morning, (I think this is already the fourth involvement of our bandsmen in Christmas this year), I thought of the Bible reading from our Bible study a few weeks ago. It was the familiar passage from 1 Corinthians 13 which says:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13: 1 NKJV).

As I thought about our caroling and the whole “Christmas effort” I thought we could be so much “sounding brass or clanging bells”. My mind went to the song where Commissioner Arch Wiggins took the thoughts of this passage and gave us words which remind us all who are involved in ministry during the Advent and Christmas period, the basis of it all.

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2255.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1684.mp3 ]

Though in declaring Christ to the sinner,
I may all men surpass,
If love impassioned seal not the message,
I am naught but sounding brass.

Chorus
Love suffereth patiently;
Love worketh silently;
Love seeketh not her own.
Love never faileth;
Love still prevaileth;
Lord, in me thy love enthrone!

2.
Though I have wisdom lighting all mysteries;
Though I may all things know;
Though great my faith be, removing mountains,
Without love 'tis empty show.

3.
Though I distribute all my possessions;
Though as a martyr die;
My sacrifices profit me nothing.
Unless love doth sanctify.
Author: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 530

PRAYER:

Father, I pray that I might know and show your love during this season of preparation, proclamation and praise for your coming. Help me to find your love within my heart to encourage others at this time. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

1If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.
3If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

4Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
5Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
6Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
7Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

8Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.
9We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. 10But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 29th November 2009

2009-11-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 29th November 2009

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm 25:1-10 (The Message)
Psalm 25
A David Psalm
1-2 My head is high, GOD, held high;
I'm looking to you, GOD;
No hangdog skulking for me.

3 I've thrown in my lot with you;
You won't embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?
Don't embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It's the traitors who should be humiliated.

4 Show me how you work, GOD;
School me in your ways.

5 Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren't you?

6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

7 Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, GOD!

8 GOD is fair and just;
He corrects the misdirected,
Sends them in the right direction.

9 He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.

10 From now on every road you travel
Will take you to GOD.
Follow the Covenant signs;
Read the charted directions.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 53
Author: Henry Williams Baker (1821-77)

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1815.mp3
or
Look and Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lORmhLjgHM ]

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

2.
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth.

3.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

4.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

5.
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.

Psalm 25:11-22 (The Message)

11 Keep up your reputation, GOD;
Forgive my bad life;
It's been a very bad life.

12 My question: What are God-worshipers like?
Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.

13 They settle down in a promising place;
Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.

14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers;
They are the ones he confides in.

15 If I keep my eyes on GOD,
I won't trip over my own feet.

16 Look at me and help me!
I'm all alone and in big trouble.

17 My heart and kidneys are fighting each other;
Call a truce to this civil war.

18 Take a hard look at my life of hard labor,
Then lift this ton of sin.

19 Do you see how many people
Have it in for me?
How viciously they hate me?

20 Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble;
Don't let me down when I run to you.

21 Use all your skill to put me together;
I wait to see your finished product.

22 GOD, give your people a break
From this run of bad luck.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 9
Author: Attributed to Samuel Barnard (d 1807)

[Listen: Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1806.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1598.mp3 ]

Jehovah is our strength,
And he shall be our song;
We shall o'ercome at length
Although our foes be strong.
In vain does Satan then oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.

2.
The Lord our refuge is
And ever will remain;
Since he has made us his
He will our cause maintain.
In vain our enemies oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.

3.
The Lord our shepherd is;
He knows our every need,
And since we now are his,
His care our souls will feed.
In vain do sin and death oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.

4.
Our God our Father is;
Our names are on his heart;
We ever will be his,
He ne'er from us will part.
In vain the mightiest powers oppose,
For God is stronger than his foes.

Philippians 2:5-11 (The Message)
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He 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. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 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.
9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 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, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.
Meditation: How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds:
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1280.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 28th & 29th November 2009.

2009-11-28T03:51:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 28th & 29th November 2009.

A FEW THINGS ABOUT CAIRNS

Last week, I wrote about my gephyrophobia. A few people asked what it meant. My dictionary, and that’s where I discovered the word, tells me it is fear of bridges. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gephyrophobia). It is something that I can identify I have but it is not a fear of all bridges. The bridges I fear are those ones that swing in the breeze or friends can make bounce as I walk on them.

I used to have a fear of walking on jetties or piers (which are bridges which lead nowhere). I remember as a young child I was afraid of the cracks between the large slabs of timber which formed the deck. Somehow as a five year old, I thought that if I could see the sea through the crack, then I was in danger of falling through.

I got a chance to test my gephyrophobia when we holidayed in Cairns earlier this year. Before I tell that story, I will tell you a bit about Cairns. I have visited Cairns about six times for holidays and for work. This time my wife and I took advantage of discount air fares to fly the 1800 kilometres (1,120 miles) and we stayed at inexpensive Salvation Army owned holiday units. A hire care helped us to get around.

Cairns is a tourist city in tropical far north Queensland and has tourist attractions to the north, south, east and west. Originally, Cairns was settles as a port for the shipment of tin and gold from the mines in the mountains to the west and the ships brought supplies as well as new settlers and would be miners to the area. Cairns was the fourth port to be settled following Cooktown, Port Duglas and Smithfield on the Barron River.

To the east of Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef which is a must visit for visitors to the Cairns region. The colours and shapes of the corals and the colours, sizes and numbers of fish can not be imagined and documentaries on television or at the movies cannot do them justice.

To the south are sugar cane fields, and sugar mills, banana plantations, Australia’s biggest tea plantations, Queensland highest mountain Mount Bartle Frere, and the wettest part of Australia. It was on a trip to the south, that I put my gephyrophobia to the test. We drove to Paronella Park which was established by an eccentric Spanish immigrant, Jose Paronella. The thing that dominates the park are the ruins of the castle that Jose built. (http://www.paronellapark.com.au/index.html - then click on discover the park). The castle is built beside a waterfall in a creek. Across the creek is a suspension bridge and my walk across this bridge tested my gephyrophobia. I can report it is almost cured. (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2920899400_9c4a9b83cc.jpg?v=0)

To the north of Cairns is another tourist town, Port Douglas, and beyond that Mossman. The drive from Cairns to Port Douglas gives some sights of the tropical green-blue sea and some beautiful white beaches with coconut trees growing right next to the sand. On the right of the road is the beach and the sea and on the left is rain forest covered hills. After Mossman one gets the sense of driving into the unknown as the patches of rain forest get thicker and the farming properties along the road side look like intruders into the natural way things should be.

Eventually, we reached the village of Daintree where there is on offer boat rides on the river to see wild crocodiles. Just how wild they are, was demonstrated earlier this month when the dominant male crocodile in the area, Fat Albert attacked a tourist boat (http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,26316885-5014090,00.html ).
We did not take this opportunity but drove on and crossed the river in our car on a car ferry. Our destination was Cape tribulation where the rain forest truly meets the sea. It was certainly a beautiful drive.

To the west of Cairns is the Atherton Tableland and the rain forest village of Kuranda is a gateway to the tableland. Many tourists, like us this time, went no further but after visiting several markets and a small museum to view dinosaur bones and other geology exhibits, we had lunch and returned to Cairns.

We did not drive to Kuranda but travelled by train. The train travels fro Cairns and after leaving the city and the sugar canefields, begins a slow climb up the mountain. When I first did this trip almost 50 years ago, the train was pulled by a steam engine. However this time a diesel engine hauled the historic carriages. The carriages are old fashioned country train carriages with leather seats and viewing platforms at the end of the carriage.

As it winds up the mountain along ledges cut into the mountain side, through tunnels and over trestle bridges, it is very difficult to imagine the fact this train track was cut into the mountain by hand. The train stops at Barron Falls Station to allow the passengers to go to viewing platforms on the station to see the Barron Falls. There is now a dam above the falls which regulates the water flow but it is still spectacular. The most spectacular time is when the river is in flood and flowing over the dam wall before tumbling over the falls. http://www.ksr.com.au/the_history/cns_kur_Railway/default.asp

Our return trip from Kuranda to Cairns was by the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The Skyrail tested my gephyrophobia and my acrophobia (fear of high places). I do not mind telling you I was very nervous at first and hung on tightly. However, the beauty of looking down on the rain forest, the mountains and the Baron River soon overcame my fears.

We got off the Skyrail at both of the two rainforest mid-stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls. These station are right in the rain forest and boardwalks allowed us to explore the amazing environment and scenic look-outs gave great photograph opportunities. The Skyrail lookout is on the opposite side of the river to the train so allows the Barron Falls to be viewed from a different perspective. It is amazing, too, to see the train line across the river valley. http://www.skyrail.com.au

I highly recommend Cairns for a holiday. It is very hot and very humid from November to February and that is also the monsoonal wet season. Torrential and flooding rain often falls most days during the wet and sometimes the rain arrives as destructive cyclones. However, the Australian winter (and really, autumn and spring, too) is an ideal time to visit and escape the cold of the south and enjoy the warm days and nights of the Australian tropics.

Psalm 22 (The Message)
A David Psalm

1-2 God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.

3-5 And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?
We know you were there for our parents:
they cried for your help and you gave it;
they trusted and lived a good life.

6-8 And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm,
something to step on, to squash.
Everyone pokes fun at me;
they make faces at me, they shake their heads:
"Let's see how God handles this one;
since God likes him so much, let him help him!"

9-11 And to think you were midwife at my birth,
setting me at my mother's breasts!
When I left the womb you cradled me;
since the moment of birth you've been my God.
Then you moved far away
and trouble moved in next door.
I need a neighbor.

12-13 Herds of bulls come at me,
the raging bulls stampede,
Horns lowered, nostrils flaring,
like a herd of buffalo on the move.

14-15 I'm a bucket kicked over and spilled,
every joint in my body has been pulled apart.
My heart is a blob
of melted wax in my gut.
I'm dry as a bone,
my tongue black and swollen.
They have laid me out for burial
in the dirt.

16-18 Now packs of wild dogs come at me;
thugs gang up on me.
They pin me down hand and foot,
and lock me in a cage—a bag
Of bones in a cage, stared at
by every passerby.
They take my wallet and the shirt off my back,
and then throw dice for my clothes.

19-21 You, GOD—don't put off my rescue!
Hurry and help me!
Don't let them cut my throat;
don't let those mongrels devour me.
If you don't show up soon,
I'm done for—gored by the bulls,
meat for the lions.

22-24 Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship,
and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
give glory, you sons of Jacob;
adore him, you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down,
never looked the other way
when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
he has been right there, listening.

25-26 Here in this great gathering for worship
I have discovered this praise-life.
And I'll do what I promised right here
in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at GOD's table
and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
is here, praising him.
"Live it up, from head to toe.
Don't ever quit!"

27-28 From the four corners of the earth
people are coming to their senses,
are running back to GOD.
Long-lost families
are falling on their faces before him.
GOD has taken charge;
from now on he has the last word.

29 All the power-mongers are before him
—worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
—worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
—worshiping!

30-31 Our children and their children
will get in on this
As the word is passed along
from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
will hear the good news—
that God does what he says.

[Listen: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2972.mp3 ]

Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.

Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!

Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?

O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!

God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.

Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Author: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20

…………………………………………………….
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2009-11-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Friday 27th November 2009

As we think of our place before God and as his servants in the world, there must be many, many thoughts that course like a stream through our mind. There are some affirmations that we can make. With David the Psalmist we can say “The Lord is my shepherd”. We can declare with the chorus writers “God is still on his throne” and “He’s the same today as yesterday”. We can say with the song writer “Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing and ever blest”.

However Miriam Richards looks at a number of questions we can ask as a servant of God and then supplies a wonderful affirmation in the chorus. We can allow God to speak to us as we prayerfully meditate on these words. Can we shout “amen” and “hallelujah” to this affirmation?

[Listen: No recording of these words could be located on the internet]

What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.

Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.

What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.

What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.
Author: Miriam M. Richards
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 706

Hebrews 12:1-17 (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!
4-11In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
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.

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OzThoughts – Thursday 26th November 2009.

2009-11-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Thursday 26th November 2009.

[Admin note: There are 5 band selections with “Thanksgiving” in their title at the end of today’s OzThoughts. ]

Today in The USA is Thanksgiving. Canada had their’s last month. The rest of the world does not celebrate a special day called “Thanksgiving”. In some places there are Harvest Festivals which are a time of thanksgiving for the harvest.

There are many who live by St Paul’s suggestion to a small church in Greece,

“Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live”. (1 Thessalonians 5: 18 - The Message)

PRAYER:

My Heavenly Father, I thank you for every thing you give me. I thank you for life and its turnings. Thank you for the thorns amongst the most beautiful perfume flowers, the bones in my meal of fresh fish and the seeds in the grapes I enjoy. Help me to se they have their purpose in your creation. Amen.

Psalm 24 (The Message)
1-2 GOD claims Earth and everything in it,
GOD claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.

3-4 Who can climb Mount GOD?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.

5-6 GOD is at their side;
with GOD's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.

7 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.

8 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD, armed
and battle-ready.

9 Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.

10 Who is this King-Glory?
GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.

[Listen: Band and Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1033.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:

Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Author: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2

Symphony of Thanksgiving (Dean Goffin): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2744.mp3

Fanfare, Hymn and Thanksgiving (Dudley Bright): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2553.mp3

Music of Thanksgiving: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2683.mp3

Tone Poem- Thanksgiving (Albert Jakeaway) Recorded 1950: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3685.mp3

Prayer of Thanksgiving (William Himes): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1218.mp3

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OzThoughts – Wednesday 25th November 2009

2009-11-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Wednesday 25th November 2009

Today I begin the 12th year of life with a new heart valve. It seems it is a pretty routine operation. The heart is bypassed and stopped. The surgeon does his work and the heart is restarted. Later consciousness is slowly regained and the world comes back into reality. There is the reality of pain, the reality of relief with drugs, the reality of hearing the new valve tick with each heart beat and the reality of regaining new strength. The reality that life is new again is something beyond normal experience.

I think, too, that sometimes our salvation bought at such great cost with the death of God’s son, Jesus, seems so routine. It helps sometimes to consider the cost of our salvation.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about cheap grace and costly grace and reminded us that discipleship and commitment to Christ was an essential part of our eternal salvation.
(See: http://www.crossroad.to/Persecution/Bonhoffer.html ).

A new valve gives a new lease of life, but that new life will only continue as I daily take medication and have regular blood checks to make sure the dose is correct. The medication also calls for a commitment to a slight change in diet as certain foods may affect the medication.

Living for Jesus means much more than calling ourselves “Christian because God loves us all”.

PRAYER:

Father, I thank you for my salvation bought at such a price. May I not take it lightly and live today a life pleasing to you. Help me to share the good news of your full salvation with others. Amen.

Ephesians 2: 1 -13 (The Message)
1-6It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
11-13But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.
[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4242.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3616.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 labours 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

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OzThoughts – Tuesday 24th November 2009

2009-11-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Tuesday 24th November 2009

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World”.

Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many”.
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help”. The girl hesitated, then read:

“I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. To See

2. To Hear

3. To Touch

4. To Taste

5. To Feel

6. To Laugh

7. And to Love”.

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!
A gentle reminder -- that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

Prayer:

Our Father, God. I thank you that you have given me these lovely things. I pray that today I might enjoy them and that others might share this enjoyment. Amen

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)
1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3469.mp3 ]

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his wold rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Hath blessed on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and him who reigns
With them in highest Heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
Author: Martin Rinkart (1588-1649)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 12

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OzThoughts – Monday 24th November 2009.

2009-11-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Monday 24th November 2009.

Eleven years ago today, I entered hospital for open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. As I settled into the ward, I was introduced to the others who were in the other three beds in the room. I learnt one was recovering from receiving a heart transplant. That put my surgery into perspective. I was to receive a little valve. He received a new heart!

Later that day, I learnt the patient with the new heart was also a Salvationist and a bandsman. He knew my brother and he knew many of the bandsmen at the Corps I attended. Later, his former Corps band came to play to him and I hope he got as much blessing as I did. We also shared a lot of visitors who knew us both.

We have a wonderful God and I believe he not only guided the surgeons and others we had prayed for but he did much more than we could ever imagine.

Geoff Bullock’s song has meant a lot to me then and in the time since. It is the prayer that I pray as I start this new week of blessings:

The Power of Your Love
(Geoff Bullock)
[Listen: Band: http://salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2671.mp3
or
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1810.mp3 ]

Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I’ve found in You
Lord I’ve come to know
The weakenesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love

And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Ephesians 3:14-21 (The Message)
14-19My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 22nd November 2009

2009-11-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 22nd November 2009

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 New International Version)
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm 93 (New International Version)
1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days, O LORD.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 16
Authors: Robert Grant (1779-1838)

[Listen: Choir: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4784.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_980.mp3 ]

O worship the King, all glorious above;
O gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2.
O tell of his might, O sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3.
The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy power hath founded of old,
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

4.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

5.
Frail children of dust and feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend.

6.
O measureless Might! Ineffable Love!
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to thy praise.

Psalm 95:1-7 (The Message)

1-2 Come, let's shout praises to GOD,
Raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let's march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!
3-5 And why? Because GOD is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!
6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he's our God,
and we're the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 12
Authors: Martin Rinkart (1588-1649)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1827-78)

[Listen: Band and Congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_766.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3633.mp3 ]

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his wold rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
Hath blessed on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

2.
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever-joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

3.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and him who reigns
With them in highest Heaven.
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Philippians 2:5-11 (The Message)
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He 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. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 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.
9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, 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, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.
Meditation: Grant us Thy Peace:

http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2754.mp3

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Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 21st & 22nd November, 2009

2009-11-21T02:24:00.000-08:00

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 21st & 22nd November, 2009

Gephyrophobia

I do not need to tell anyone living in Adelaide and in those parts of Australia east and north of Adelaide that it has been very, very hot in the last few weeks. It is still spring until the 30th November, but we are already experiencing heat equal to or more than that of Summer. There are a number of ways to escape the heat. One is to go for a swim or surf. Another is to turn up the air conditioner. Others might seek the coolness of the mountains. Others will go to the shopping centres and seek the coolness of the air conditioning there. A small group from our Band did that today, as for two hours we played Christmas carols to the pre-Christmas crowds.

Near to the Gold Coast there are several choices. The closest to where I live is Mt Tamborine (http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au/visiting/tourist_info/tourist_info.cfm). There is also Springbrook (http://www.springbrooktourism.com.au), Binna Burra (http://www.verygoldcoast.com.au/binna-burra/attractions/scenic-drives-and-walks) or the spot known as O’Reilly’s in Lamington National Park (http://www.oreillys.com.au ).

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse is one of the places that I always want to visit again. It was just over 40 years ago that I visited there for the first time. It is on the top of the mountains behind the Gold Coast City where I now live. My little Swiss mate tells me these mountains are not really mountains. She says they are just big hills. They are covered with a very thick growth of trees and vines and a variety of plants including orchids and numerous ferns and fungi. Birds abound but you will be lucky to see them as most love to hide from any visitors to their domain. The cracking whip sound of the whip bird will sound through the trees and other birds may be glimpsed hurrying away.

The eight O’Reilly brothers and cousins cut their way up the rain forest coloured slopes to make their dairy farms high on the McPherson Ranges. Soon after their arrival two things happened. One was the Government declared the mountains around them a National Park, there by cutting them off from the outside road except for their established tracks. The second thing was that people loved to visit the O’Reilly’s wilderness retreat. So many people visited that one of the families established a guesthouse which is still the focal point for visitors.

That is what led eventually to the test of my gephyrophobia and is still causing my little mate back home in Switzerland to laugh as the snows begin to fall around her.
O’Reillys have taken advantage of the graded tracks and walking tracks (trails) through the rain forest but have also developed a number of ways which assist people to enjoying this seeming different world from the hectic world of the Gold Coast City less than two hours away.

One of the developments I had heard was a “tree top walk” which allows people to walk through the forest top amongst the branches of the high trees. This walk allows visitors to look right at the birds etc in the beauty of their preferred home. It was put on my list of “must dos’ and a good reason to re-visit O’Reillys after 35 years.

So the day came when we headed to O’Reillys. It was cloudy and we could not really enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains and the valleys as we drove the twists and turns through the tree lined roads. It was not long after we arrived and after some adjustments to our personal comfort that we headed out the damp earth pathway into the rainforest. The dampness around us and the mixed smells including decaying vegetation reminded us why this prolific growth was called rain forest.

We followed the path as it wound around huge trees entwined with vines and covered in lichens, fern and other growths. We noticed where birds or animals had been scratching in the decaying mulch like floor of the forest. So we came to the entrance of the Tree Top Walk. Our little group comprise my wife, my son, and my little Swiss mate.

We followed some Japanese tourists onto the walk and we had not gone far when I felt the onset of gephyrophobia or was it acrophobia? The walk was a narrow walkway suspended between cables. When we came to the first viewing platform there was an opportunity to climb to a lookout. This gave me time to discuss the situation. Basically, there was no discussion. Before us was the longest span of the walkway that bridged the highest point. Surrounded by this crowd of witnesses, I simply said “I can not go on, I am going back”. So I did. It was maybe a combination of gephyrophobia (fear of bridges) and acrophobia (fear of heights). Whatever it was my little Swiss mate laughed when she came of the bridge and said simply “wuss!” At least that is easier to spell. (Yes! She said wuss and not a Germanic accented vuss!).

The others spent time, walking and enjoying the view. With my feet firmly on the earth, I enjoyed the view closer to the ground. In fact, I found a lovely area where one man had taken the time and laboured to create a bush garden with plants representative of those growing throughout the whole area. It was lovely time of quietness as I alone looked at the plants and then came to a memorial to those who had lost their life in a plane crash nearby.

As I reflect on this experience, a number of songs come to mind. The first is the verse of the favourite made popular by George Beverley Shea and the Massed Choirs of the Billy Graham Crusades of the 1950s and through to the 1970s:

[Listen: Band and vocal solo: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_3326.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2879.mp3

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Author: Stuart K. Hine
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 37

In my reflection I think too of the words of “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord”.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_080.mp3 ]

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled:

Chorus
No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised he never would leave me,
Never, no never, alone.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid!
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow,
For I will be with thee thy trials to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Author: Anon
The Salvation Army Song Book. Song Number: 653

And I cannot but remember and find peace and comfort in the beautiful words which reflect a story of Jesus when I think of my fears:

[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3795.mp3
or
Piano: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_6036.mp3

Like to a lamb who from the fold has strayed
Far on the mountain, of the dark afraid,
Seeking a shelter from the night's alarm,
Longing for comfort of the shepherd's arm,
So Jesus found me on sin's mountain drear,
Gathered me close and banished all my fear.

Chorus
In the Love of Jesus there is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest.
In the love of Jesus is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest,
Is perfect rest.

Like to a pilgrim in an unknown land
Seeking the comfort of a guiding hand,
Fearing the perils of the winding way,
Pleading for strength sufficient every day,
I met my Lord; and, though the path be dim,
He knows the way and I will walk with him.

Like to a child who, when the night may fall,
Out of the darkness hears his father call,
Far and a-weary though his feet may roam,
Sees in the distance shining lights of home,
So at the last the music of his voice
Will calm my fears and make my heart rejoice.
Author: Ivy Mawby (1903-83)]
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 740

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OzThoughts – Friday 20th November 2009.

2009-11-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Friday 20th November 2009.

Today is the beginning of the annual “Schoolies Week” when up to 50,000 17 year olds who have just finished High School will come to the Gold Coast for a time of relaxation and celebration.

It is a time when we know from previous experience many will experiment with alcohol, drugs and sex. Most, however, are only here to have a great time and want to have a trouble free holiday and celebration of the end of 12 years schooling.

About half the volunteers working at Schoolies come from the churches and will be working under the banner of the “Hotel Chaplains”. They make contact with young people by handing out red frogs and cooking pancakes for breakfast. They are available to give assistance and share their faith as appropriate. For more information and video: http://salvos.org.au/more/whats-new/event-calendar/2009/11/20/red-frogs/ and
http://www.redfrogs.com.au/hotelchaplaincy .

PRAYER:

Our Father, I think of this huge crowd of young people. I pray you will give them a safe and happy time. May Jesus be victorious in the lives of those who love you. Please be with the Hotel Chaplains and give them wisdom and words to minister at this time. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)
16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3648.mp3
or
Look and Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_028.WMV
or
Listen (Audio of above video) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3704.mp3

Come, join our Army, to battle we go,
Jesus will help us to conquer the foe;
Fighting for right and opposing the wrong,
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Chorus
Marching along, marching along,
The Salvation Army is marching along;
Soldiers of Jesus, be valiant and strong;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, the foe must be driven;
To Jesus, our captain, the world shall be given;
Foes may surround us, we'll press through the throng;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, the foe we defy,
True to our colours, we'll fight till we die;
Saved from all sin is our war cry and song;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, and do not delay,
The time for enlisting is passing away;
Fierce is the battle, but victory will come;
The Salvation Army is marching along.
Author: William James Pearson (1832-92)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 681

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OzThoughts Thursday 19th November 2009

2009-11-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts Thursday 19th November 2009

Sometimes it is just good to soak in the Word of God and allow it to speak to our mind, body and spirit. I feel like this when I read Paul’s statement of faith and praise in Colossians.

15 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
16 For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels--everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.
17 He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
18 And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
He was supreme in the beginning and--leading the resurrection parade--he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. 19 So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.
20 Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe--people and things, animals and atoms--get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the Cross.
21 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.
22 But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.
23 You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message--just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. Colossians 1 (The Message).

PRAYER:

Father, I join in praise of you because of all your benefits to me. Help me to go out from this time of worship and reflection as your servant. Amen.

[Listen: Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2623.mp3
or
Songsters; http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2370.mp3 ]

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
Author: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 28

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OzThoughts – Wednesday 18th November 2009

2009-11-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Wednesday 18th November 2009

Last Saturday afternoon, I drove our Corps mini-bus full of members of our over 50’s club past the place where we used to have our open air meetings at Surfers Paradise.

Those open air meetings attracted a good number of people, many of them dressed in their best swimming wear. Others were dressed in casual clothes suitable for walking around the area looking at the other tourists and the shops.

On one occasion, I was leading the open air meeting and I was reading out the words of the next song the band was to play. A man very deliberately came up to me and started to interrupt. I was about halfway through the verse but then he decided to wait until I finished. When I finished he said “religious fanaticism is a form of mental illness.” I simply said “That’s good” and he quickly left to join his friend.

As the band played I thought how stupid was that answer. “What’s good about that?”

1 Corinthians 1 :: The Message (MSG)

1I, Paul, have been called and sent by Jesus, the Messiah, according to God's plan…
17God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn't send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center--Christ on the Cross--be trivialized into mere words.
18The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.
19It's written,

I'll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I'll expose so-called experts as crackpots.

20So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn't God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense?
21Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb--preaching, of all things!-to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.
22While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom,
23we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle--and Greeks pass it off as absurd.
24But to us who are personally called by God himself--both Jews and Greeks--Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
25Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can't begin to compete with God's "weakness."
26Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families.
27Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses,
28chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? 29That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God.
30Everything that we have--right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start--comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
31That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I believe you have called me and equipped me. Thank you for every opportunity you give. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who meets my needs with “medication” for the foolishness I suffer. Thank you for your Word which feeds me daily. Thanks too for friends who encourage me. Amen

[Listen: Band : (Geibel): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1588.mp3
or
Band and Male Voice (Geibel) : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4064.mp3
or
Band and congregation (God bless the Prince of Wales): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_134.mp3 ]

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross!
Lift high his royal banner.
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army he shall lead
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on salvation armor,
And watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be,
He with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.
Author: George Duffield (1818-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 699

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OzThoughts – Tuesday 17th November 2009

2009-11-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Tuesday 17th November 2009

Christmas is the season of goodwill. People go about doing good. I remember some years ago on radio I heard a woman telephoning to say she believed Christmas was a season for doing good. She said she was an atheist but in the spirit of goodwill she would pay the $180 fine a person had occurred because they could not afford to pay their car registration fee on time.

It becomes a challenge to us who are Christians and want to do good as a witness to Jesus. The challenge is not to be just another “do gooder” but to do it in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, accept the things I do as a gift of worship and service to you. If it be your will use my various actions and words in this season to praise Jesus and as a way of commending Jesus to others. Amen.

Romans 12:6-10 (The Message)
6-8 If 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.
9-10 Love from the centre 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.

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1586.mp3 ]

Who is on the Lord's side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be his helpers
Other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side?
Who for him will go?

Chorus
By thy grand redemption,
By thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side;
Saviour, we are thine.

Not for weight of glory,
Not for crown and palm,
Enter we the army,
Raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth
Lives for whom he died;
He whom Jesus nameth
Must be on his side.

Jesus, thou hast bought us,
Not with gold or gem,
But with thine own life-blood
For thy diadem.
With thy blessing filling
Each who comes to thee,
Thou hast made us willing,
Thou hast made us free.

Fierce may be the conflict,
Strong may be the foe,
But the King's own army
None can overthrow.
Round his standard ranging,
Victory is secure,
For this truth unchanging
Makes the triumph sure.

Final Chorus
Master, thou wilt keep us,
By thy grace divine.
Always on the Lord's side,
Saviour, always thine.
Author: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-79)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 707

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OzThoughts – Monday 16th November, 2009

2009-11-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts – Monday 16th November, 2009

Yesterday morning in our church we witnessed three young children becoming Junior Soldiers. Following that ceremony the other Junior Soldiers and their Prayer Pals renewed their promises. It was great to see members of the new Junior Soldier’s extended families visiting our Corps to give encouragement.

On Saturday, I met with many of our Corps Over 50’s group for their annual pre-Christmas lunch. As I looked around the group, I saw quite a number who have joined our group in the past few years. Others represented many years of personal commitment to God through the Army in a number of Corps. For many of them, even some in their eighties, it is service they continue to give.

I thought about each of these two groups and saw different levels of understanding and service but I saw the same determination to be servants of God for the Army’s and the Kingdom’s sake.

The words of one of the songs we used to sing as a statement of commitment in our worship time give cause for each of us to reflect and pray as we commence another week of opportunity:

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2369.mp3 ]

In the secret of thy presence,
Where the pure in heart may dwell,
Are the springs of sacred service
And a power that none can tell.
There my love must bring its offering,
There my heart must yield its praise,
And the Lord will come, revealing
All the secrets of his ways.

Chorus
In the secret of thy presence,
In the hiding of thy power,
Let me love thee, let me serve thee,
Every consecrated hour.

More than all my lips may utter,
More than all I do or bring,
Is the depth of my devotion
To my Saviour, Lord and King.
Nothing less will keep me tender;
Nothing less will keep me true;
Nothing less will keep the fragrance
And the bloom on all I do!

Blessed Lord, to see thee truly,
Then to tell as I have seen,
This shall rule my life supremely,
This shall be the sacred gleam.
Sealed again is all the sealing,
Pledged again my willing heart,
First to know thee, then to serve thee,
Then to see thee as thou art.
Authors: Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)
[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number 591]

Romans 12 (The Message)
Place Your Life Before God
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.
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OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 15th November 2009

2009-11-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

OzThoughts - Sunday Hymns and Psalms. Sunday 15th November 2009

This is the very day God acted—
let's celebrate and be festive! (Psalm 118:24 The Message)
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm 62 (The Message)

1-2 God, the one and only—
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.

3-4 How long will you gang up on me?
How long will you run with the bullies?
There's nothing to you, any of you—
rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
but every "blessing" breathes a curse.

5-6 God, the one and only—
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.

7-8 My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.

9 Man as such is smoke,
woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they're nothing;
two times nothing is nothing.

10 And a windfall, if it comes—
don't make too much of it.

11 God said this once and for all;
how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes
Straight from God."

12 Love to you, Lord God!
You pay a fair wage for a good day's work!

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 1
Author: Martin Luther (1483-1546),
Translator: Frederick Henry Hedge (1805-90)

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_193.mp3
or Look and Listen; Choir : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADamVJaXZMg&feature=related ]

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood,
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

2.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.

3.
And though this world, with demons filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him,
His rage we can endure,
For lo! His doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

4.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is for ever.
Psalm 16 (The Message)

1-2 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!"
Without you, nothing makes sense.

3 And these God-chosen lives all around—
what splendid friends they make!

4 Don't just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names
like brand-names.

5-6 My choice is you, GOD, first and only.
And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!

7-8 The wise counsel GOD gives when I'm awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with GOD;
I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.

9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that's not my destination!

11 Now you've got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I'm on the right way.

The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 510
Author: Susie Forrest Swift (1862-1916)

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_219.mp3 ]

Mine to rise when thou dost call me,
Lifelong though the journey be;
Thine to measure all its windings,
Leading step by step to thee.

Chorus
I am thine, O Lord and Master,
Thine to follow to the end
Thou art mine, O Christ my Saviour.
Guide and helper, lover, friend!

2.
Mine to follow, even blindly,
Thine, O Christ, to go before;
Mine to try and scale the barrier,
Thine to fling an open door.

3.
Mine to smile in face of failure,
Thine to gladden my defeat;
Mine to kneel and drink of Marah,
Thine to make its waters sweet.

4.
Thine the sealing and revealing
All the outcome of my vow,
As I give thee soul and body,
Mine no longer, thine just now.

Praise:
Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)
The God of Glory
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Meditation: Songsters: The Wonder of His Grace

http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1273.mp3

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