 The following is an E-Mail Ministry message. If you are not already a subscriber and would like to be, please see the bottom of this message. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< LESSONS ON LIFE
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later. -- Author Unknown <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< To learn more about E-Mail Ministry and read previous messages, visit our web site at: http://www.emailministry.org 
Some of us are romantic by nature and some just haven't got a clue. Some people think it's all about the bling and some think it's all about the sex. Wrong on both counts. Don't get me wrong both beautiful jewelry and great sex are appreciated. But when days turn into weeks, weeks to months and months to years, it's the touch of hands across a dinner table, the brush of his leg against yours under the table, the hand in yours as you walk down a city street on a warm summer evening, the arm around your shoulder in the ice cream parlor, the gentle caress of your arm, the moments when it's just you and he even though you're in a group, the moments that leave you breathless and make your heart skip a beat -- it's the romantic gesture that's unforgettable. Here are just a few of the most unforgettable moments I've ever known: - being sent flowers that reminded me of a specific place in a park where we once walked
- being surprised with a dinner that was a very special take-out order from a five-star restaurant
- being surprised with a home-cooked meal that was amazingly good.
- the drive from Boston to Montreal
- receiving six poinsettias and a miniature tree for a first Christmas in a new apartment.
- sitting in a bubble bath together with champagne and candles
- feeling arms wrapped around me, a kiss on the cheek and then being handed a chilled glass of wine while preparing a dinner for friends.
- changing his dinner order once he saw my reaction to his selection - welsh rarebit. I have a thing about anyone that eats relatives of Bambi, Thumper, any of their woodland friends, Flipper or Skippy.
- unexpectedly receiving a book on a subject that I am researching.
- picking a specific time of each day to think of and/or pray for each other.
- curling up on the sofa watching classic movies until sunrise
- receiving a book of love poems with hand written entries on specific pages
- wake-up and/or goodnight calls
- and finally getting to keep his favorite well-worn jacket because I adore the way he smells.
Enough from me, here are a few tips on the "Mindset of a Romantic" by Gregory J.P. Godek from his book "1001 Ways to Be Romantic" Enjoy! plk Mindset of a Romantic Romantics are Flexible Decide on the spur-of-the-moment to take a half day off work! Consciously "change gears" at the end of the day -- from your "business mode" into your "personal mode". Most working people need to practice turning their feelings back on at the end of the day Romantics are mind-readers Yes, being more romantic enhances your ESP!. Actually, those who are tuned in to their lovers -- those who listen well -- develop a kind of "sixth sense" about what their lovers would love. One of the best things about long-term relationships is that you develop this sense. And as it develops, your relationship deepens and your intimacy grows. Get her/him a gift -- not a present What has he/she really wanted for a long time, but held back from buying? Get it for him/her! Romantics have a good sense of humor. There's no such thing as a "humorless romantic". While the foundation of romance is a serious love, the nature of romance is light-hearted. Do you laugh together a lot? Do you let you True Self shine through? Do something Zany tonight! Romantics are passionate (#1) I'm not talking about sexual passion here, but about a passion or life. Romantics don't allow their lives, or love lives, to slide into boredom -- the deadly enemy of all relationships. Express the true depth of your feelings for your lover What is your lover passionate about? Recognize it, act on it. Romantics are passionate ( #2) Yes, as a matter of fact, romantics do tend to be more sexually passionate than the average mortal. ( Just another of the many side-benefits of the romantic lifestyle!) Romantics "work at it" -- and "play at it" too ! Being a romantic is not the same as being a starry-eyed, unrealistic dreamer. Romantics often work long and hard to pull off some of their "romantic masterpieces". And, of course, romantics play and have a lot of fun. If you haven't gathered that by now, there's probably no hope for you. Romantics are always "dating" Familiarity breeds contempt only if you let it. There are thousands of ways to keep your relationship fresh and new. Romantics live in the moment. "Carpe diem" -- seize the day!. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Do something passionate for your lover. Do it now!. Do it with feeling! Romantics are magnets for romantic ideas Romantics have a portion of their brains assigned to the task of recognizing romantic opportunities when they appear. Other people screen them out. Romantics notice unique gifts when shopping for other things. Romantics are cheerleaders Romantics are the biggest fans of their lovers. They provide enthusiastic support, constant encouragement and unconditional love. ( They don't succeed 100% of the time, naturally, but they're always in there trying.) Romantics are creative They see their relationships as opportunities to express their creativity, as arenas for self expression, as safe havens for experimenting, and as places for growth. Romantics have their priorities straight What are your true priorities? Where do you really expend your time, energy and creativity? Rank these categories according to their relative importance in your life: - Relationship
- Family
- Faith
- Health
- Work
- Community
- Education
- Leisure.
How do your priorities line up?
The following is a powerful message by David Tait of Walking With Jesus Ministries on what it means to be "kingdom minded" about our finances. If everyone that professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ viewed their finances based on biblical principles not only would every man and woman have heard the the "good news" of Jesus Christ but the hungry would be fed, the naked would be clothed and no one would go without proper medical coverage. plk DO WE REALLY NEED IT?
Several times over recent weeks I have seen 'prophecies', from leading 'prophets', stating that the church is about to inherit vast resources from the (evil) world to enable it to fulfil its function of evangelising the earth, in order that Jesus can return. You may well know of these, as such teaching seems common in church circles today.
As time has gone on, I have felt increasingly uneasy in my spirit about the truth of this particular theme of prophecy. I needed to know, "is this true, is it misguided wishful human thinking, or worse still, a ruse by satan to delay Christians from fulfilling the Great Commission by waiting for the pennies, not to fall from heaven, but rather, to rise from hell!"
What follows, is what the Lord has shown me - and in the words of Paul I think that I too have the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 7:40) You may, or may not, agree!
All the figures quoted here are taken from "World Christian Trends AD 30 - AD 2200. Interpreting the annual Christian megacensus." by David Barrett and Todd Johnson.
Let's start with some figures that may surprise you.
!!! Christians by income: 58% rich (11% affluent, 37% well off, 10% just coping), 42% poor (29% needy, 13% absolutely poor).
!!! Annual Personal incomes of 2 billion Christians (church members) $US15.2 Trillion
!!! Worldwide Christian per capita income: $US8,050
!!! Average Christian Family income: $US34,000
!!! Average giving per church member per week: $US2.75 (1.8% of Income)
!!! Total Christian Giving: $US270 Billion
!!! To Churches: $US108 Billion
!!! To Christian Organisations: $US162 Billion
!!! New Church Buildings: $US8 Billion annually
!!! Foreign Missions: $US15 Billion
!!! Average Giving to Foreign Missions: $US0.15 (0.1% of income)
!!! Christian Broadcasting (Radio/TV): $US5.8 Billion
And now for some facts to shock you!
!*!*!* Emboldened by lax procedures, trusted church treasurers are embezzling each year $16 billion out of church funds, but only 5% ever get found out.
!*!*!* Christians spend more on the annual audits of their churches and agencies ($810 million) than on all their workers in the non-Christian world. (Obviously not hugely effective, given the figure for embezzlement above!)
!*!*!* The total cost of Christian outreach averages $330,000 for each and every newly baptized person.
!*!*!* Despite Christ’s command to evangelize, 67% of all humans from AD 30 to the present day have never even heard of his name.
!*!*!* 648 million Christians today (called Great Commission Christians)are active in Christ’s world mission; 1,352 million Christians ignore this mission.
Now let's extrapolate these figures.
EVERY 1c OF CHRISTIANS WEEKLY GIVING TOTALS $US1 BILLION!
IF EVERY CHRISTIAN GAVE 10C MORE PER WEEK, $US10 BILLION WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM. AT $US1 p.w. - $US100 BILLION!
IF CHRISTIANS GAVE AN AVERAGE OF 10% OF THEIR INCOME, TOTAL CHRISTIAN GIVING WOULD BE $US1,500 BILLION (1.5 TRILLION) OR $US375 FOR EVERY UNBELIEVER EVERY YEAR! SURELY MORE THAN ENOUGH TO FULFIL THE 'GREAT COMMISSION'!
This is not a thesis on tithing (all too often we don't value the 'widow's mite' in the way Jesus did. Some people cannot give 10% while others can easily afford more), simply expressing what our New Covenant, heart attitude towards kingdom giving, should be.
From the figures above, it is easily seen that we Christians don't really need more money to fulfil the Great Commission. We simply need to be kingdom minded stewards of what we have! To get kingdom priorities right in our lives and our wallet, and then to ensure what we do give is spent effectively.
Of course, in the final analysis, money, while it helps, and at times is necessary, won't of itself build the kingdom. For the kingdom consists of kingdom minded people and so is most effectively built by people reflecting Jesus to other people. While money is a practical help, ultimately, our living testimony is God's most effective weapon of witness to the world.
So, what about these prophets and their titillating prophecies? For any 'prophet' who promises financial prosperity, particularly if it doesn't have to be worked for, will be extremely well received, and likely well remunerated! But what is it that Jesus really wants - and the Holy Spirit is truly saying? Is God going to drop the Great Commission into our lap, something to be achieved through unlimited funding, or are we responsible for it's accomplishment? Are we simply to be believers, or does He desire us to become disciples, fully committed to His cause? You be the judge. Better still, read ALL the New Testament and let the Word itself be your guide!
Find out more about us at... http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php~~~~~~~~~~~ WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nzWeb: wwj.org.nz
THE NEW CREATION
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was activated in Dec. 1970 with William Ruckelshaus as its director. The Agency had been established earlier in July by executive order of President Nixon.
THE BEGINNING In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He was immediately slapped with a class-action suit for failing to file an environmental impact statement with the EPA. God was granted a temporary permit for the project but was stymied with the cease-and-desist order for the earthly part.
At the hearing, God said, "Let there be light." Immediately, the officials demanded to know how the light would be made. Would there be strip mining? What about thermal pollution?
God explained that the light would come from a huge ball of fire. He was granted provisional permission to make light, assuming that no smoke would result from the ball of fire, that he would obtain a building permit and that, to conserve energy, he would turn the light off half the time.
God agreed and said he would call the light "day" and the darkness "night". Officials replied that they were not interested in semantics.
God said, "Let the earth bring forth green herbs and bear much seed." The EPA agreed, as long as native seed was used.
Then God said, "Let waters bring forth creeping creatures begetting life; and the fowl that may fly over the earth." Officials pointed out this would require approval from the Department of Game coordinated with the Heavenly Wildlife Federation and the Audubongelic Society.
Everything went smoothly until God said He wanted to complete the project in six days. Officials said it would take at lease 200 days to review the application and impact statement. After that there would be a public hearing. Then there would be a 10 to 12 month approval period before....
At that point, God created Hell.
© Walking With Jesus Ministries Charitable Trust: As this material is freely received, use is freely given, indeed encouraged, for non-commercial purposes. Acknowledgement of the source is always appreciated.
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