tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39680357216197508912024-03-06T19:06:25.644+13:00Paul Long's RamblingsPlease note that this site represents my PERSONAL ramblings, perceptions and thoughts and NOT that of my family members or any other groups or organizations I am affiliated with :-)Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.comBlogger762125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-67648477794686144312023-03-31T13:56:00.005+13:002023-03-31T13:59:14.563+13:00Ramblings on an active,full, and tiring two weeks but restful rather than "busy" two weeks<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU_EojZeaRL3bNVIfP23s9V_ie5U32PzR_0HuBnzno80oqxOVf2JUgD8keJpGYeeF7KdE0l-Ty204EA9O7ToJP-yHmygO9xDJllrIcbx5hoi78IDfcad1ytPdJiNrDqLMg-DaiIbPqFCqFdiB89CWkFvGcAnfTXM5rB4dBWeuJBQ-5EtY8oSWWC6h/s1920/Matthew%201128%E2%80%9330%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU_EojZeaRL3bNVIfP23s9V_ie5U32PzR_0HuBnzno80oqxOVf2JUgD8keJpGYeeF7KdE0l-Ty204EA9O7ToJP-yHmygO9xDJllrIcbx5hoi78IDfcad1ytPdJiNrDqLMg-DaiIbPqFCqFdiB89CWkFvGcAnfTXM5rB4dBWeuJBQ-5EtY8oSWWC6h/w400-h225/Matthew%201128%E2%80%9330%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="2vmbn-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2vmbn-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2vmbn-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="b0c0a-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b0c0a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b0c0a-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Happy and grateful to God that this week I got a lot of preparation done (the behind-the-scenes stuff). It has been full (maybe even overflowing), and certainly tiring, but happily not "busy". </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="dk6b8-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dk6b8-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="dk6b8-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Setting aside the many regular and emergency activities, there has been a lot of preparation (behind the scenes) matters that required my attention. In danger of feeling overwhelmed as many things got "stuck". It has been in a sense of stressful week that is actually a spillover from last week.</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">But by the grace of God, a lot fell into place and was completed this week. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0" style="position: relative; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span data-offset-key="3u8ff-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">This Sunday's sermon.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">My Easter sermon for next week (but as usual, I expect there will be a few last-minute revisions š)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Weekly notes for April's bulletins</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">The next home group meeting study questions about Moses' life.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">My mental block was removed so was able to start work on study questions on the book of Jeremiah Same for a youth Bible study on the book of Acts.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="fmgq0-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fmgq0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="fmgq0-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="background-color: white;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">While I still have 5 more Sunday sermons in a row to prepare, I have breathing space and a sense of rhythm. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">There has been a lot more going on the last couple of weeks BUT I am happy that while I have had a bit of stress, and have felt tired, I have experienced more REST. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I have felt less "busy" despite technically having a lot more to do beyond my usual church and community activities. I was tempted to pull out of an interview (helping a seminary student with her thesis research). Glad I did not.</span></span></li><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I was tempted to skip a prayer meeting (since I attend three a week) as I was tired. Glad I did not,</span></span></li><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Was tempted to skip a few of my "quadrant two" things like having people over for home-cooked meals. It's quadrant two as it is about relationship building.</span></span></li><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Was tempted to skip the whole NZ and Beyond conference - even the couple of sessions I blocked time for a month earlier. Glad I did not. It's quadrant two for me as it is about personal development.</span></span></li><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Was tempted to put aside yet another series of Logos training videos or another day (the number of videos is so huge now). Glad I decided to view a few despite feeling that I don't have time). Also glad I did not. Has helpful quadrant two long-term benefits.</span></span></li><li><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I went to visit a friend in the hospital this week, and a mutual friend came along with me. On the trip to the hospital, he asked me why I did not simply re-use old sermons when I preach at our Mandarin-speaking congregation. Logically it made sense to save time and work. Told him that I need to prepare sermons specifically with the congregation in mind. It's a conviction and I am glad I don't take such shortcuts. It's part of personal growth. And it is great to learn new things from the Bible and see God break through my mental and spiritual barriers.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I even spent a couple of hours last night playing a PC game (not my usual three games) - quadrant two leisure š</span></li></ul></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> I think that the paradox of active work and yet finding rest happens by the grace of God and learning each day to walk with God. I have always loved Peterson's phrase "the unforced rhythms of grace". Thanks be to God. š</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="e5ftj-0-0" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <b><i> āAre you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and youāll recover your life. Iāll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with meāwatch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I wonāt lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and youāll learn to live freely and lightly.ā - </i></b>Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Mt 11:28ā30). NavPress.</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="9f544-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9f544-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9f544-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="67jlq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="67jlq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="enqlj" data-offset-key="46rvt-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-5098769368284270062023-03-15T08:24:00.004+13:002023-03-15T08:24:34.690+13:00My 60th birthday wish and ramblings<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WyGugoqoFzBGfx7BoOgMWD6z7m4zHoOj8K7Z-p5Ut-bANxl9HpQAlu367lTm2HCvnUHBf-3u7dOlA1Dk_ferCPfkOIlIpLr4jLh2HSlAehv2A1eTUjThFzveJzuBwojYXuDpnO5AaYnqLsuQeKAoDLeWahtSclWK9wK5qroRyZeYnqk5_RS3fUiE/s1920/Psalm%20274%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WyGugoqoFzBGfx7BoOgMWD6z7m4zHoOj8K7Z-p5Ut-bANxl9HpQAlu367lTm2HCvnUHBf-3u7dOlA1Dk_ferCPfkOIlIpLr4jLh2HSlAehv2A1eTUjThFzveJzuBwojYXuDpnO5AaYnqLsuQeKAoDLeWahtSclWK9wK5qroRyZeYnqk5_RS3fUiE/w400-h225/Psalm%20274%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks, everyone for the birthday wishes via FB, FB messenger, regular text, and WhatsApp.</span></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="ac7mf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ac7mf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="ac7mf-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I am not one that is big on celebrating my birthdays. But since it was my 60th, the one thing I did was take the day off to relax. I did some reading, watched TV, and played a PC game. No not Civ 6 or Xcom2 but something different - Age of Empires 4. Rather educational cut scenes too š</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="35kdc-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="35kdc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="35kdc-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="b7h24-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b7h24-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="b7h24-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">No special meals as my wife had to work. But on Monday she made me a huge cheesecake and a large tray of lasagna. š</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="cr60a-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cr60a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="cr60a-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">And I ate that for three meals š¤£ Monday night's dinner, and yesterday for lunch and dinner. No complaint. was good.</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="d39ki-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d39ki-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d39ki-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="3lp3f-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3lp3f-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3lp3f-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">My plan was to attend a magic lecture last night BUT, plans for derailed due to helping sort out my wife's car. The lecture was part of my personal birthday plans šBUT all good, wife comes first!</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="23ds9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="23ds9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="23ds9-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="f81n6-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f81n6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="f81n6-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I told my family NOT to buy me anything as I think can end up being a waste of money if it ends up being something I don't really want or need. Instead, I decided to buy myself an expensive present. šI bought myself an iPad mini and passed my current iPad to my wife š</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="55dmr-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="55dmr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="55dmr-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br data-text="true" /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="1hfv3-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1hfv3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1hfv3-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">For me, the next significant birthday would be in 4 years' time. The question will be along the lines of ""Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?" š¤£š¤£š¤£</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="eskh-0-0" style="background-color: white;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eskh-0-0" style="color: #050505; direction: ltr; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">But seriously, if I am still around then, it would be the year I start seriously planning for turning 65. Right now, by the grace of God, everything is right on track. </span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">For me, turning 60 is not a big deal as it is just a number. And I am grateful that with a growing list of health issues over the last few years, I am basically healthy in body and spirit. The removal of a gangrenous gall bladder, septicemia, daily pain of seronegative arthritis, and back-to-back covid have not really affected my outlook on life. It's just more opportunities to grow in grace and count my many blessings. I have the basic necessities of life - clothes on my back, food to eat, and a house over my head, and healthy relationships.
Happily married for over 32 years, two adult children doing well in life, a great daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren! A mother who despite the early onset of dementia and Alzheimer's is still handling life well. She is surrounded by great family and friends who look out for her. </span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0" style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I belong to a wonderful community church that appreciates me as their pastor, and enjoy my "job" as a pastor. I also enjoy working with like-minded people in my wider local community. Plus </span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a great fellowship of like-minded pastors in my West Auckland Pastor's fellowship. Of course, there are challenges and it may at times be stressful, but again opportunities to grow in grace, and count my many blessings. </span></span>
<span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>When upon lifeās billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessingsāname them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessingsāevāry doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>
When you look at others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; count your many blessingsāmoney cannot buy your reward in heaven nor your home on high.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>
So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged. God is over all; count your many blessingsāangels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journeyās end.
</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Chorus: Count your blessingsāname them one by one; count your blessingsāsee what God hath done.</i>
</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Here's my regular birthday wish - hope it is yours too</u></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Psalm 27:4 (ESV)</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.</i></b></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span data-offset-key="eskh-0-0"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6mgf" data-offset-key="cnlbk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-39355010518609106012023-03-14T14:51:00.018+13:002023-03-14T14:51:00.218+13:00Psalm 31: An antidote to anxiety<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another sermon ppt notes from last year. On Anxiety based on Psalm 31. Hope this helps someone. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY0i6WlB8HOobyQjs-pB6SXmLslp1eTIgdigMZnjX3xiGfbtM6KqFr6J8gf2NvpOwLy6hNnBmLYg8oxotnYWjtMfpm3SUk2DEcT_UpvQf10yHsWTCWSG9zE09BLHxmucXBPQgoVmlJflfgurglpm6yTac-6qd2-9h7rPUS1d21O1dxRfwZ6kZQv-FU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY0i6WlB8HOobyQjs-pB6SXmLslp1eTIgdigMZnjX3xiGfbtM6KqFr6J8gf2NvpOwLy6hNnBmLYg8oxotnYWjtMfpm3SUk2DEcT_UpvQf10yHsWTCWSG9zE09BLHxmucXBPQgoVmlJflfgurglpm6yTac-6qd2-9h7rPUS1d21O1dxRfwZ6kZQv-FU=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUDougH6dhRys3T80jujogb4GgqEy4YGG5ckMXoRO0KVRdu40ouyifPGyUEYSYOblLMfTHFZ5kmdioJXJr6tfXaIsk7LqUZUSngwCQCsVtCs1-D_VyhsU9SeRIeqZTBkaXDM3kB2x6yne7OuYrS-iqAHHGMNuOuVVK8SsuOtmkKPBcWNhIVuEBGJ42" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd4M3ilW_lhC0ATHutryGb8__5h6x4uX21cmBfvZTMinLSIHhw3JxMiIJ-fjli2cZQa2jAajK6o1Y79ATuknzTrXRflty3RS-7xUnWMA8p7pW-bqZSgz1mzf4biCKeMMeQfwa0GGgA1lNd14FoeLnNfIGxZFyVKfr--UvfRPPiHfcqBRnwpVd8d3Jk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd4M3ilW_lhC0ATHutryGb8__5h6x4uX21cmBfvZTMinLSIHhw3JxMiIJ-fjli2cZQa2jAajK6o1Y79ATuknzTrXRflty3RS-7xUnWMA8p7pW-bqZSgz1mzf4biCKeMMeQfwa0GGgA1lNd14FoeLnNfIGxZFyVKfr--UvfRPPiHfcqBRnwpVd8d3Jk=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0A1PEZFSycppLPRmIK-Jv6-iRa22aHjnkTtZvz6ZVW6XZQERPs417yKrGYWScWwyxJbdrTnwtb9iC1DtzzfQ2FlEHOLqu0yNzbAWxd-Ne-Vvn-eLpxz3v9oGmB-nlox2XqmJsiFa3NOaWJ9ATewrb-rtq0j7IDT7rudb1SnA9K4Fs5ZlAIQfm_ZFM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0A1PEZFSycppLPRmIK-Jv6-iRa22aHjnkTtZvz6ZVW6XZQERPs417yKrGYWScWwyxJbdrTnwtb9iC1DtzzfQ2FlEHOLqu0yNzbAWxd-Ne-Vvn-eLpxz3v9oGmB-nlox2XqmJsiFa3NOaWJ9ATewrb-rtq0j7IDT7rudb1SnA9K4Fs5ZlAIQfm_ZFM=w640-h359" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-48961847554533851672023-03-02T09:03:00.002+13:002023-03-02T09:03:17.913+13:00Random thoughts on "I don't want to be a busy pastor"<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJNueDNDB0GcUrgo66K0AtPGXdl3EH1j9p2MWi_Llmne2fNi3aoCpsQQzKtGFyvReH3dMbli00dgJ1iR6NkiL0-oXfxWQMjSmO2NSlYsEo0u94aCBZO5B9XzaUjA_GlHwA-_UDoVT-yT8wyIjWRAnkWjzcIBZ1u6S2qVqrV1hv3liXUZj2GT4DmlE/s1920/Esther%20Quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJNueDNDB0GcUrgo66K0AtPGXdl3EH1j9p2MWi_Llmne2fNi3aoCpsQQzKtGFyvReH3dMbli00dgJ1iR6NkiL0-oXfxWQMjSmO2NSlYsEo0u94aCBZO5B9XzaUjA_GlHwA-_UDoVT-yT8wyIjWRAnkWjzcIBZ1u6S2qVqrV1hv3liXUZj2GT4DmlE/w422-h237/Esther%20Quote.png" width="422" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Have recently been re-reading (slowly) Eugene Peterson's <b><i>"The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the art of spiritual direction".</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A key reason for re-reading is that it has probably been 20 years since I first read this book, and my hope is that over the years, my perspective on life and ministry would have grown deeper. New experiences and growth in perspectives(s) I think often bring helpful insights to good books.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And now, I also have the Logos version of the book so it's a fresh interesting way of interactive reading (not just the printed paper, but reading on a handheld device and on a PC).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Been re-reading a few times his chapter on <b>"The Unbusy Pastor".</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I think I cannot help but be busy as that is a part of who I am. But I have been for a few weeks now consciously doing my best to avoid describing myself or my schedule and activities as "busy". It's probably just "semantics" and splitting hairs but I do think that either not using the term "busy" or trying to redefine "busy" in my life does help.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How does it help? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For one thing, it's countering the mindset and wrong assumptions of the importance of being "busy". Peterson puts it this way ...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i><b>I am busy because I am vain. I want to appear important. Significant. What better way than to be busy? The incredible hours, the crowded schedule, and the heavy demands on my time are proof to myselfāand to all who will noticeāthat I am important.</b></i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">That is a real temptation - wanting to appear to be important, and it is unhealthy. In addition, if I really am busy with activities (as opposed to just pretending to be busy), then my lifestyle would be inadvertently focused on "works" and not grace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Peterson's chapter subtitle is a question I have been pondering as to its theological and practical implications in my life and ministry. The question is: </span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How can I persuade a person to live by faith and not by works if I have to juggle my schedule constantly to make everything fit into place?</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He asks a very important question, and I like how he answers his own question. </span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If Iām not busy making my mark in the world or doing what everyone expects me to do, what do I do? What is my proper work? What does it mean to be a pastor? If no one asked me to do anything, what would I do?</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Three things.</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">I can be a pastor who prays. I want to cultivate my relationship with God. I want all of life to be intimateāsometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciouslyāwith the God who made, directs, and loves me. .... </i>(he elaborates more on this)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And he goes on to use a word that I like that replaces "busy" and still does not end up with the opposite effect of being lazy. </span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I know I canāt be busy and pray at the same time. I can be active and pray; I can work and pray; but I cannot be busy and pray</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It has been very refreshing when I "force myself" to pause from being "busy" and set aside time for more deliberate and focused prayer. It's not just spiritually helpful, and theologically sound, but practical.<br /><br />He continues ...<br /></span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I cannot be inwardly rushed, distracted, or dispersed. In order to pray I have to be paying more attention to God than to what people are saying to me; to God than to my clamoring ego. Usually, for that to happen there must be a deliberate withdrawal from the noise of the day, a disciplined detachment from the insatiable self.</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The second thing he writes is: <b><i>I can be a pastor who preaches</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">One of the insights and convictions he writes on preaching is something I can identify with as that is also my deep conviction. </span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I need a drenching in Scripture; I require an immersion in biblical studies. I need reflective hours over the pages of Scripture as well as personal struggles with the meaning of Scripture. That takes far more time than it takes to prepare a sermon.</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The third thing he writes about what a pastor should focus on is: <b><i>I can be a pastor who listens.</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here are some challenging and insightful words from Peterson. </span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pastoral listening requires unhurried leisure, even if itās only for five minutes. Leisure is a quality of spirit, not a quantity of time. Only in that ambiance of leisure do persons know they are listened to with absolute seriousness, treated with dignity and importance. Speaking to people does not have the same personal intensity as listening to them. The question I put to myself is not āHow many people have you spoken to about Christ this week?ā but āHow many people have you listened to in Christ this week?ā The number of persons listened to must necessarily be less than the number spoken to. Listening to a story always takes more time than delivering a message, so I must discard my compulsion to count, to compile the statistics that will justify my existence.</span></b></i></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I canāt listen if Iām busy. When my schedule is crowded, Iām not free to listen: I have to keep my next appointment; I have to get to the next meeting. But if I provide margins to my day, there is ample time to listen.</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is a hard read because I am not a naturally good listener. I can get quite easily distracted by other things happening around me. This is especially the case on Sundays. Too many people to talk to, and a false sense of guilt that when I actually do take the time to listen to one person, I miss checking up on another. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But I know there are practical things I can do (and have been trying to do regularly) - set aside (schedule) time to listen. I think this is a good extension of Peterson's advice to "provide margins to my day so there is ample time to listen".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I don't want to be a busy pastor. I want to be an active pastor who focuses on the essential work of a pastor. Is the core just prayer, preaching, and listening? I am not certain, but it is definitely a good three to focus on. </b></span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-12865154374723044502023-02-20T00:00:00.174+13:002023-02-20T00:00:00.216+13:00Jesus' authority over uncontrollable nature (Jesus with His disciples in the boat)<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5T_t_hsaxU6JJM8AGIXMmH96Q4A9lztocbHKwrfpQW4J1HcWeeN_Rit7BgEW0UFmyLR-CEP0U1hqAFkNrcZtyGWjQpInqUlzqgId4CIH0C4WtRAxscxhRxbC9_AV7LC5jielFqYMDhdZikZSsYSWLopH3USiMWkl47-6OT51Y_Ejp6GN1pKksXkl/s994/the-storm-on-the-sea-of-galilee.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="800" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5T_t_hsaxU6JJM8AGIXMmH96Q4A9lztocbHKwrfpQW4J1HcWeeN_Rit7BgEW0UFmyLR-CEP0U1hqAFkNrcZtyGWjQpInqUlzqgId4CIH0C4WtRAxscxhRxbC9_AV7LC5jielFqYMDhdZikZSsYSWLopH3USiMWkl47-6OT51Y_Ejp6GN1pKksXkl/w334-h414/the-storm-on-the-sea-of-galilee.jpg" width="334" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As I write this - to be posted next week when life goes back to yet another difficult "new "normal", New Zealand (especially the upper North Island) is still undergoing (hopefully the end) the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As I reflect and pray about the situation, my mind naturally goes to Bible passages such as the one where Jesus calms the storm. So I pulled out a sermon I preached (15 September 2019) on this passage.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> Mark 4:35-41</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, āLet us go across to the other side.ā 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, āTeacher, do you not care that we are perishing?ā 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, āPeace! Be still!ā And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, āWhy are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?ā 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, āWho then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?ā</i> <!--[if !supportLists]--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I preached on this passage as part of a long expository series on the gospel of Mark, not as a topical or pastoral sermon in response to a cyclone. I wondered if my approach and contents would be significantly different. The answer I found is NO.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Some of my sermon's basic points in summary (1st half only)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1. The passage is part of the many "impossible challenges" that Jesus faced and easily conquered. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2. It's about Jesus' identity and power as God incarnate. In Jewish understanding, the one who rules and controls the winds and seas is God. (See for example Psalm 107:28-32, and Jonah 1:15-16)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3. The focus of "the storms in our lives" may be important, but is secondary in significance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">4. The disciples' reaction is sadly too common today - accuse Jesus of not caring when we undergo difficulties</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5. Jesus' response to His disciples' reaction is to command the wind and sea to be still. The irony and important point is that this demonstration of power creates in them an even more fearful reaction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">6. Jesus expected His disciples (and us too) to respond with faith and trust. Jesus is literally and metaphorically in the boat with us as it goes through the frightening storm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">7. For me it seems to be a contradiction to believe that God loves us, and Jesus dies on the cross for our sins, rose again from the dead, and yet not be willing to trust Him when life gets difficult.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ok, skipping the second half (lest it is a <b>"long"</b> sermon). Jumping now to (near) the end of my sermon ...<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Remember
James 1:2ā4 (ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><sup><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2</span></span></sup></i><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> Count it all joy, my brothers, when
you meet trials of various kinds, <sup>3</sup> for you know that the testing of
your faith produces steadfastness. <sup>4</sup> And let steadfastness have its
full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">-----</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In
the Gardiner Museum in Boston (before it was stolen in 1990) there was a
painting by Rembrandt <b>entitled "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee."<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"> It is Rembrandt's interpretation of this story
in Mark 4. It shows panic etched on the faces of the disciples, as their small
vessel is being raised up on a high wave, about to be crashed down. Two of the
disciples are attempting to rouse Jesus who is asleep in the stern of the boat.
But if you look more closely, you will discover that there is something that is
not quite right. There are too many people in the picture. So you count them.
There are fourteen. There should only be thirteen (twelve disciples and Jesus).
But instead there are fourteen. It is then that you notice that one of the men
in the boat is Rembrandt. He has painted himself into the picture. He has
placed himself in the same boat.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is the way that Rembrandt wants us to apply this passage. And I think he is insightful and correct<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;">We are in the boat with
Jesus, faithful but frightened. There is no immunity for any of us. One day we
will probably be in a difficult situation ā afraid and wanting to run away ā
from our problems or even God. And our faith will be tested</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Storms will come and
some may be severe but that is the<i> </i>way life is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Will you accuse God and say āYou donāt careā? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 11.25pt 36pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Or will you apply your knowledge
of Scripture and experience in a deeper way the power and presence of God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Check out the link below on for more information on this painting by Rembrandt </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">https://www.rembrandtpaintings.com/the-storm-on-the-sea-of-galilee.jsp</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-76255730336717199102023-02-13T12:00:00.001+13:002023-02-13T19:06:17.306+13:00Find the Source of Your Loneliness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDAZ_JwcnqXdwPRGQIU6PFzQ3-PZpK1Ya4wVH-KM0VRd_3qKfoqqgR4Vdgho7qDswes_RqigciPUSk2dvOi2_MN7zbBiQMCb4VttG2xGiFGtPrVC-jE8PiaYiUvs2vNAyogh0M05aDNPBtnw-i_lsfbPwa0XycSybSt3RKjg1UvEZe-xqq8cvzbEc/s1920/Song%20of%20Solomon%20216%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDAZ_JwcnqXdwPRGQIU6PFzQ3-PZpK1Ya4wVH-KM0VRd_3qKfoqqgR4Vdgho7qDswes_RqigciPUSk2dvOi2_MN7zbBiQMCb4VttG2xGiFGtPrVC-jE8PiaYiUvs2vNAyogh0M05aDNPBtnw-i_lsfbPwa0XycSybSt3RKjg1UvEZe-xqq8cvzbEc/w396-h223/Song%20of%20Solomon%20216%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" width="396" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my favourite authors is the late Henri Nouwen. Every time I read something from him, he almost always makes me pause to reflect and pray. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How relevant and timely is this excerpt from his book "You are the beloved". More and more I read and hear about the increase in people struggling with mental health related challenges. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the most common is the feeling of loneliness, even among Christians, which Henri Nouwen (below) rightly describes can lead to depression if not dealt with properly. I can certainly identify with this first hand. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read what he says and I hope it helps as he gives advice that he himself followed in his life. The highlighted in bold part is my doing. </span></p><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="m_62843025645682835editor-text" style="color: #4b4b4b; display: block; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 20px;" valign="top"><div style="font-size: 16px;"></div><div><div>Whenever you feel lonely, you must try to find the source of this feeling. You are inclined either to run away from your loneliness or to dwell in it. When you run away from it, your loneliness does not really diminish; you simply force it out of your mind temporarily. When you start dwelling in it, your feelings only become stronger, and you slip into depression.</div><div><br /></div><div>The spiritual task is not to escape your loneliness, not to let yourself drown in it, but to find its source. This is not so easy to do, but when you can somehow identify the place from which these feelings emerge, they will lose some of their power over you. This identification is not an intellectual task; it is a task of the heart. With your heart you must search for that place without fear.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is an important search because it leads you to discern something good about yourself. <b>The pain of your loneliness may be rooted in your deepest vocation. You might find that your loneliness is linked to your call to live completely for God. Thus your loneliness may be revealed to you as the other side of your unique gift. Once you can experience in your innermost being the truth of this, you may find your loneliness not only tolerable but even fruitful.</b> What seemed primarily painful may then become a feeling that, though painful, opens for you the way to an even deeper knowledge of Godās love.</div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I should add that lest this seems like God demands service in order to alleviate our loneliness, this is not the case. It is first finding God and realizing and experiencing the love of God - how we are God's beloved. Then when we grow to realise our life finds fullest meaning in God, will we naturally seek and desire to live fully for God. </span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />Ups and downs will happen, and there will be periods of loneliness (even Jesus Christ on earth experienced loneliness). BUT the loneliness doesn't last long!</span></div>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-29425273901390248732023-02-08T11:53:00.004+13:002023-02-08T12:02:13.497+13:00A thought on the meaning of "blessed" in the Beatitudes<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircC8Ezb8cCu9G6bwUEs6otePDlCA9rSJNpXwCL1JQUGV0R4mcanexU4iwqDDix6g8nzrvSZiznjulrhTM931UIX4SFA1xKQPWe_3X7iFUYyn6qf02QgD6_F-FDN2OybmLva4O_krvEXZDrvQAuvK0KX6qCV0hwSiB1vmZtj-n8HCS4Ff0jaPtCIqL/s1920/Cita%20Azul.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircC8Ezb8cCu9G6bwUEs6otePDlCA9rSJNpXwCL1JQUGV0R4mcanexU4iwqDDix6g8nzrvSZiznjulrhTM931UIX4SFA1xKQPWe_3X7iFUYyn6qf02QgD6_F-FDN2OybmLva4O_krvEXZDrvQAuvK0KX6qCV0hwSiB1vmZtj-n8HCS4Ff0jaPtCIqL/w375-h211/Cita%20Azul.png" width="375" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am currently preparing to launch a new sermon series in my church on the Beatitudes. One of the reasons I chose this series and wish to preach an introductory sermon to start of the series is my concern that there is a lot of misunderstanding about God's blessings, and happiness among Christians. Things like being blessed means just having a trouble free life, financial wealth, good health etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So as I delve deeper into this subject and try to clarify my own thoughts, knowing that a little mist in the pew will be a thick fog in the pews (to paraphrase a well-known preaching aphorism), I came across the following from Kenneth Bailey in his book <b><i>"</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels"</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's a part of his helpful observation.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">In Hebrew (as in Greek) there are two words that are translated into English as āblessed.ā The two Greek words parallel the Hebrew words, and it is important to understand the differences between them. One of these Greek words, eulogeÅ, has the Hebrew word bÄrÄkĆ¢ behind it in the Old Testament. EulogeÅ does not appear in the Beatitudes. This word is used in prayer when the worship leader asks God for some blessing that the individual or community is eager to receive from God. EulogeÅ is the right word for āO Lord, bless the sickā or āO Lord, bless the children.ā</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The other word in Hebrew, ŹæÄÅ”Ć®r makarios in Greek are word clusters which with their cognates are described by Raymond Brown as ānot part of a wish and to not invoke a blessing. Rather they recognize an existing state of happiness or good fortune.ā t</span></i><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">hat is they affirm a quality of spirituality that is already present. In English we communicate this sense of the word with a hyphen or an accent. When saying, āMs. So-and-so is a bless-ed person in our church,ā one is not asking for something but rather affirming a quality in Ms. So-and-so that already exists. In the Beatitudes the term for āblessedā is makarios, the second of these two words. The presence of makarios in the Beatitudes makes a great difference.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is such an important point. I look forward to incorporating this gem into my sermon. <br />It is so true that I am already blessed. We are so blessed to be in Christ. How do we live in such a way so this inner quality of blessedness shines through daily?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as they lyrics of an old favourite song by Scott Wesley Brown goes: "<b><i>We are blessed to be a blessing."</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-35820453333972683942023-02-08T10:57:00.000+13:002023-02-08T10:57:26.976+13:00Blogging again after almost eight years <p> I had a look and saw that my last post was 25 Feb, 2015! Why have I been gone so long? And why am I back? (hopefully :-)) </p><p>I have been gone as life just became busier and decided to move more to posting and interacting on Facebook - both my personal account and my church's FB account. </p><p>I am back because when I agreed to help post weekly on https://thedailyprayerblog.blogspot.com/, had to log in to blogger, and I thought "why not?" When I have in between time and I need a break, why not post something on my blog?</p><p>I still agree with Henri Nouwen's words that started me blogging (the side bar on this blog with the title: "Making our lives available to others").</p><p><br /></p>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-76237668056739643542015-02-25T12:41:00.001+13:002015-02-25T12:41:13.900+13:00Giving to Caesar and giving to God<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 23px;">1 March Pastorās notes<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="line-height: 23px;">Giving to Caesar and giving to God<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23px;">Lastās weekās WHAM verse of the week was Matthews 22:17-22. The context is interesting (read v.15-22) as two normally opposing groups, the Pharisees and the Herodians, joined together to try to trap Jesus. The former were strict nationalistic Jewish religious teachers, and were against Roman occupation. And the latter were from a Jewish political party who sympathized with the Herodian rulers from Rome. Natural enemies became āfriendsā to lay a trap for their common enemy Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">The plan they thought of was brilliant and fool proof (at least they thought it was). The Pharisees sent their disciples so it would look as if the question was a genuine query. They would flatter Jesus to get his guard down and then hit Jesus with a question where to answer either yes or no would place Jesus in a most difficult and dangerous position. āYesā would make him seem like a traitor and a non- patriotic Jew. āNoā would give the Herodians good evidence to report him to the Roman authorities for sedition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"> āTeacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyoneās opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23px;">But without missing a beat, Jesus avoids incriminating himself and uses the opportunity to teach an important lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="line-height: 23px;">But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, āWhy put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.ā And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, āWhose likeness and inscription is this?ā They said, āCaesarās.ā Then he said to them, āTherefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesarās, and to God the things that are Godās.ā<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">The coin had Caesarās image and title on it, and therefore by extension, belonged to Caesar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">But it is more than that. If Caesar is to be given his due, God should likewise be given His due. For not only is the whole earth Godās and everything in it (Psalms 24:1), <b>we bear Godās image and so belong to God. </b>What we are required to give God was is not just some monetary taxes but our entire lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">Itās something important to reflect on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? </span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">(Matt 16:26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-64085677801527551692015-02-20T14:36:00.000+13:002015-02-20T14:39:15.078+13:00A question on Christian tradition<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">A question on Christian tradition <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">Pastorās notes for 22 Feb 2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">Last
weekās WHAM verse(s) of the week were <b><i>1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to
Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 āWhy do your disciples break the
tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.ā
3 He answered them, āAnd why do you break the commandment of God for the
sake of your tradition?</i></b><i> </i>(Matt
15:1-3)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Matthew 15:1-19 is personally challenging for me. The issue was a complaint by religious
leaders as to why Jesusā disciples were not more stringent in keeping the
tradition of the Jewish elders. The ātradition of the eldersā is a reference to
a body of oral traditions that was passed down from generation to generation. The
intention was noble ā to help the people obey Godās commands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The tradition of ceremonial cleanness had the purpose of reminding the
people about the need for purity of heart because God is a holy God. This was a
good tradition. But sadly it became it took the place of the Law because the outward
cleanliness ritual became the sole focus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Hence Jesusā harsh response where he accuses them of being hypocrites
who were scrupulous in externals rites of cleanliness, yet did not take the
same care to be clean (holy) internally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">One example Jesus gave was how they broke the commandment of God to āHonor
your father and your motherā by making a tradition that actually replaced the basic
obligations of this sacred command of God. And to cement his point, Jesus
applies the words of the prophet Isaiah as describing them ā insincere in
worship and only acting holy; making rules that were not from God to suit their
own personal agendas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This passage is challenging to me because we need church tradition and
rituals to help us worship God in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. Good
tradition and rituals are helpful applications of Godās commands. But they can sometimes be a distraction and
can usurp the biblical principle in question. How do we keep good traditions
and yet not allow them to replace the commands of God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Two simple examples related to prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Giving thanks always to God is a command. Giving thanks to God for the
food we eat is an excellent tradition. But saying āgraceā can sometimes be just
nice words that do not come from our heart. Have we for example found ourselves
in the habit of saying āgraceā before a meal (giving thanks for it) but soon
after be often found complain about the meal?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Opening in prayer before a meeting or Bible study, humbly asking God to
guide us and be with us, is a wonderful tradition based on biblical teaching.
But it can become meaningless. Have we
for example been guilty of coming to meetings or studies with closed hearts and
minds and with a spirit of pride? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">We
should often humbly pray to God for grace and discernment in this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">WHAM verse of the week: <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">17 Tell us, then, what you
think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?ā 18 But Jesus, aware
of their malice, said, āWhy put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me
the coin for the tax.ā And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said
to them, āWhose likeness and inscription is this?ā 21 They said,
āCaesarās.ā Then he said to them, āTherefore render to Caesar the things that
are Caesarās, and to God the things that are Godās.ā 22 When they heard
it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 115%;">Matthew 22:17ā22.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-17886667814534808282015-02-12T13:21:00.000+13:002015-02-12T13:21:02.600+13:00Amazing Faith<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pastorās notes for 15 Feb 2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last
weekās WHAM verse of the week was: </span><b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those
who followed him, āTruly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such
faith. (</span></i></b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Matt 8:10). Do read Matthew 8:5-13 for the context if you have not done
so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
mentioned this passage in passing in my sermon last month on the humanity of
Jesus and how he was able to be surprised. But it is actually more than surprised. The Greek
word <b><i>āthaumazoā</i></b>
translated āmarvelledā has the meaning of wonder, admiration, AMAZEMENT. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ponder
for a moment. This pagan centurion had faith that was able to actually amaze
the Son of God. (This is an example of how the word āamazingā should be used!) Compare
the centurions understanding of prayer and faith in comparison to what we see
prevalent in ancient times and even in the church today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He understood the concept
of authority and extended his understanding to the true and complete authority
of Jesus and his relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The centurion understood
that he only had authority (as a centurion) because he was willing to be under the
proper authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even Jesus
lived under the authority of the Father and because of that had real authority.
The centurion understood this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There cannot
be amazing faith when the authority of the Bible is challenged. Nor when the authority of church leaders or
our won authority is higher than authority than of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He did not have any
pre-conceived (āsuperstitiousā) expectations as to how the healing had to be
achieved. All he required was that Jesusā speak the word. And only when Jesus assented to this request
did he exercise faith. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There cannot
be amazing faith when we depend more on techniques to force faith rather than
depend on Godās sovereignty. Nor when we jump the gun and proclaim
authoritatively āhealingā (or whatever the matter may be) in the name (and
authority of Jesus) before God has actually agreed to our prayer request. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">āOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your
kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.ā </span></i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Matt 6:9-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We can only
have faith when Jesus has actually assented to our request and it has to be in
the will of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His whole demeanour was
one of humility ā from his request to his acknowledgement of Jesusā granting
his request. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There cannot
be amazing faith when our demeanour is that of arrogance rather than humility. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>āFather,
if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but
yours, be done.ā </i>(Luke 22:42) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> āYou will drink
my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it
is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.ā</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Matt 20:23-24) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Jesus
prayed or granted a request, it had to be in accordance to the will of God the
Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-3616755409761819932015-02-03T13:40:00.002+13:002015-02-03T13:54:06.129+13:00To judge or not to judge <div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">Pastorās notes for 8 Feb 2015</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
hope you have been enjoying the WHAM Bible reading challenge. If you havenāt
started, do not lose heart. Just join in this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last
Sundayās WHAM verse(s) of the week was <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 </span></sup></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why
do you see the speck that is in your brotherās eye, but do not notice the log
that is in your own eye? <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Or
how can you say to your brother, āLet me take the speck out of your eye,ā when
there is the log in your own eye? <b><sup>5 </sup></b>You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your brotherās eye. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Matt 7:3-5)</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
selected it as it is in the context of a sadly oft quoted verse, taken out of
context and with the wrong attitude: <i> āJudge
not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you
will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Matt
7:1-2)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Verse
1-2 seems to teach it is not our place to judge anyone. And verses 3-5, that to
do so would make us hypocrites as none of us are sinless. But is this the case?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Verse
6 set in the immediate context of verses 1-5 indicates that Jesus asked us to
make a judgment and be discerning on how we interact with those who may treat
holy things with disdain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus
is not teaching us not to pass judgment, but to be wise and fair in our
judgment of others. And with good measure he adds that we need to be humble in
our approach - and realize that we should not judge others more harshly than is
warranted or by a standard that is different from that which we judge
ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
some who might be thinking along the lines of āthen it is best I do not judge
at all ā¦ā, that is not an option. What we should be striving to do is to learn
and know Godās standard (the context is the āSermon on the Mountā), strive by
Godās grace to live by that standard and make help each other live by those
standards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
let us do our best to do so with grace and mercy, and remember that ultimate
judgment comes from God and not us. Jesusā parable in Matthew 18 might help ā
it ends this way ā¦ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And should
not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? </span></i></b><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Matt 18:33)<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-64556075906979424672015-01-28T12:57:00.001+13:002015-02-03T13:42:28.997+13:00WHAM and the MāCheyne Bible Reading Programme<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">* It has been a very long time since I posted in this blog. Hope I can be more consistent this year but it is not a New Year's resolution :-)<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;">For Pastorās notes 1 Feb 2015 (i.e. my church's Sunday bulletin)</span><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">WHAM and the MāCheyne Bible Reading Programme<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />This Sunday we start on a journey / challenge as a church that hopefully all of us will undertake together: to read through the Bible in a year. To be more accurate, we will be attempting to read through the whole OT once, and the NT and Psalms twice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">To assist us, we will be using a Bible reading programme created by a Pastor named Robert Murray MāCheyne. A little about MāCheyne might help inspire you. MāCheyne passed away in 1843 before he even turned 30. Yet as young as he was, he was known throughout Scotland as <i>āthe saintly MāCheyneā.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">We know of him because a friend and colleague Andrew Bonar collected his sermons, messages and papers and published them in a book about his life. Here is an excerpt from the book, ā<b><i>Memoirs and remains of the Rev. Robert Murray MāCheyneā </i></b>on something he wrote to a young man. His advice is still helpful today especially as the acronym WHAM (Word, Heart and Mind) summarizes our focus for launching this programme / challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"> āYou read your Bible regularly, of course; but do try and understand it, and still more, to feel it. Read more parts than one at a time. For example, if you are reading Genesis, read a psalm also; or, if you are reading Matthew, read a small bit of an epistle also. Turn the Bible into prayer. Thus, if you were reading the 1st Psalm, spread the Bible on the chair before you, and kneel, and pray, āO Lord, give me the blessedness of the man,ā etc. āLet me not stand in the counsel of the ungodly,ā etc. āThis is the best way of knowing the meaning of the Bible, and of learning to pray. In prayer confess your sins by nameāgoing over those of the past day, one by one. Pray for your friends by nameāfather, mother, etc. etc. If you love them, surely you will pray for their souls. I know well that there are prayers constantly ascending for you from your own house; and will you not pray for them back again? Do this regularly. If you pray sincerely for others, it will make you pray for yourselfā. (</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">p.58)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">You will note that his Bible reading programme, which he devised to help himself and his congregation read the Bible, encourages reading 4 different parts of the Bible a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">Let me encourage you by saying that if you miss a day or two or even a few weeks of readings, DO NOT give up. If you are far behind and find it difficult to catch up, just skip ahead and read along the readings of the week with the rest of the church. It is often easier to read as a community than as an individual. The point is to read as much as we can and enjoy and grow spiritually from the experience. Better to have read some weeks than not at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">Also if this is the first time you are attempting to read through the Bible and you find it daunting along the way, focus on reading just the first 2 passages on each dayās list. So for example, you will note that the readings for 1 Feb are: Gen 1, Matt 1, Ezra 1 and Acts 1. Just read Gen 1 and Matt 1. This way you would at least have read the whole NT and Psalms in a year and lots of the OT. And in 2016, if you read the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> readings you will complete the rest of the OT and would have read again the whole NT and Psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">One last tip: If you do not set aside a special time to read you will find it difficult to do so. So block time to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">Throughout the year I will use my Pastorās Notes column to focus mainly on short devotions related to a passage or two from the weekās first two readings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.1666660308838px;"><br /></span></sup></i></b></div>
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<b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.1666660308838px;">2 </span></sup></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvationā <b><sup>3 </sup></b>if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">.1 Peter 2:2-3</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">p/s special thanks to Jin Wan, Shuren Sum, Steven Long, Jessica Boey, Matt Phang, Mabel Wong and Shermaine Au for being part of the WHAM team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;">WHAM verse of the week:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></i><b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19.1666660308838px;">3 </span></sup></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">Why do you see the speck that is in your brotherās eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Or how can you say to your brother, āLet me take the speck out of your eye,ā when there is the log in your own eye? <b><sup>5 </sup></b>You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brotherās eye. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">(Matt 7:3-5)</span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-36923495745053512452014-04-02T09:54:00.000+13:002014-04-02T09:54:06.111+13:00Giving Thanks for Our Trouble<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>For the 6 April 2014 bulletin</b></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Giving Thanks for Our Trouble<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">During the week I came across this story that I hope will challenge you
as much as it challenged me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Ours is a God who does not
despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted and does not hide his face
from them.ā There is always a sense in which great living is found the midst of
suffering and tears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">An old Yiddish folk story tells
of a well-to-do gentleman of leisured much interested in the Hebrew Scriptures.
He visited a wise rabbi to ask a question. He said: āI think I grasp the sense
and meaning of these writings except for one thing. I cannot understand how we
can be expected to give God thanks for our troubles.ā The rabbi knew instantly
that he could not explain this with mere words. He said to the gentleman: āIf
you want to understand this, you will have to visit Isaac the water-carrier.ā
The gentleman was mystified by this, but knowing the rabbi to be wise, crossed
to a poor section of the settlement and came upon Isaac the water-carrier, an
old man who had been engaged in mean, lowly, backbreaking labor for some fifty
years.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">The gentleman explained the
reason for his visit. Isaac paused from his labors. Finally, after several
minutes of silence, looking baffled, he spoke: āI know that the rabbi is the
wisest of men. But I cannot understand why he would send you to me with that
question. I canāt answer it because Iāve had nothing but wonderful things
happen to me. I thank God every morning and night for all his many blessings on
me and my family.ā<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">It is true, is it not? The pure
in heart see God. The humble in spirit know Christās joy and enter into Godās
glory. āFor I consider,ā writes Paul, āthat the sufferings of the present time
are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.ā<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In taking a fresh
look at Ephesians 5:20 (see below) I would like to add that giving thanks to
God is part and parcel of living wisely in a time of evil. May God bless us as
we reflect on our attitude in giving thanks (or lack of). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">15 Look carefully
then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of
the time, because the days are evil. </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">17 Therefore do
not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not
get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody to the Lord with your heart, <b>20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ</b>, 21 submitting to one another out of
reverence for Christ</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
(Ephesians 5:15-21: ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-47225373670257245332013-12-11T09:45:00.002+13:002013-12-11T09:45:46.286+13:00ListeningBeen neglecting this blog ... Might be time to resurrect it<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Pastor's notes for 15 Dec 2013</span></b><br /><br />
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<b><u><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One important word during the season of Advent is <b>āWAITā</b>. Last Sunday I shared an article by Margaret Manning on the theme of waiting. One important reminder she shared was:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The season of Advent that precedes Christmas is a season of hope-filled waiting. Advent looks forward in anticipation of Christās return, but also remembers all those who awaited his arrival into our world more than two thousand years ago. Advent is a season of stillness and reflection and as such, it is the antithesis of all the busyness and chaos of the Christmas shopping season.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-NZ" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I would like to add another word for our consideration. And that word is <b>āLISTENā</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We live in a culture where we are not used to waiting. Popular culture works at conditioning us to want everything now. New quickly becomes old and we being conditioned to be easily distracted and impatient for the next cool thing, the latest upgrade etc. Many get restless and bored within minutes and get agitated and have to plug in the ear phones for some music to fill the silence or to drown out the activities around them. It is almost as living in the present has become unbearable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are often in such a hurry to get to the next exciting thing that we miss out of the wonder of the present. Revelation 1:8, 22:13, Exodus 3:14 and Hebrews 13:8 are some key passages that remind us that God is timeless, unchanging and at work simultaneously in the past, present and future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Advent we are preparing to remember a past event of eternal significance ā the birth of the Saviour. We are also waiting in anticipation of a future event of eternal significance ā the return of the Saviour. But we will miss out the wonder and appreciation of these two events if we forget the significance of the present ā the now. God is at work in the present and we will miss this when we do not take time to wait upon Him and listen to what He is saying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of us are familiar with the beautiful promise of Isaiah 40:30-31 related to waiting. But read on to the next verse 41:1 and see how listening is connected with waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><sup><span lang="EN-US">30 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US"> Even youths shall faint and be weary,</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">and young men shall fall exhausted;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US"></span><b><sup><span lang="EN-US">31 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US"> but they who wait for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> shall renew their strength;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">they shall mount up with wings like eagles;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US"> they shall run and not be weary;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>they shall walk and not faint.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span lang="EN-US">41:1 </span></b><span lang="EN-US">Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">let the peoples renew their strength;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US"> let them approach, then let them speak;</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">let us together draw near for judgment.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most church ministries like home group, youth, Sunday School have closed for the year. Others are also winding down. Ministries have slowed down so we can have time to rest and be refreshed. A big part of this refreshment can only truly happen when we take time to slow down, wait and listen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May you hear the voice of God this Advent season!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">āAdvent: the time to listen for footsteps ā you can't hear footsteps when you're running yourself.ā - </span></i></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Bill McKibben<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-14069606097669953142013-07-11T10:49:00.000+12:002013-07-11T11:04:07.438+12:00A Lesson from back packing?<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;">For the 14 July 2013 bulletin</span></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;">A Lesson from back
packing?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">I came across this interesting illustration recently which
pulled together a lot of my stray thoughts over the last few days. First the
illustration... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i>Backpacking has taught me the value of
traveling light. One seasoned hiker explained it this way. Prepare for a hike
by making three piles. The first pile should contain only those things you
absolutely cannot live without. In the second pile put the things you would
like to have but don't have to have. Then in the third pile, put all those
things that would make life on the trail a lot more comfortable but which you
could get along without. This is where you put the light weight hammock, the
camp chair, and your extra clean clothes. Now, discard everything that is in
piles two and three, pick up the first pile and head for the woods. That is
what Jesus is advising his disciples to do in today's lesson (i.e. Luke 10).
Travel light. Don't get bogged down with too many things</i>. </span>(N. Fred Jordan,
Jr.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">2 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">And he said to them, āThe harvest is plentiful, but
the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into his harvest. <sup>3 </sup>Go your way; behold, I am
sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. <sup>4 </sup>Carry no
moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.</span></i></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"> </span>(Luke 10:2-4) ā do read the full context though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">While I am
certainly not a backpacker, I would certainly qualify (as do all of us) as a traveller simply because the world we live in is transient. As the line from
the old song goes <i><span style="color: purple;">āThis world is not my
home, Iām just a passing through.ā </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">There was Raymondās
sharing on Sunday during communion that made me think afresh on the frailty of life
and our purpose here on earth. Then, dinner and then conversation with an old
friend (one of my ex youth) which brought back memories of how she close she was
to dying of serious blood loss right in front of me (āfreakā accident) and the
amazing series of back to back ācoincidencesā that prevented that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Then there
were many conversations with people who happened to be cleaning up their rooms
or homes because of clutter or downsizing. And in the process, they discover huge
amounts of items that are good and nice, but ultimately unnecessary and unused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Then a
picture on someoneās Facebook status that was divided into four quadrants
columns comparing the rich and the poor. Top left a beautiful house (rich), top
right a shack (poor). And bottom left, a hole in the ground (a grave for the
rich), and bottom right, the same picture. The point being that both the rich
and poor will share the same fate one day ā death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">There is
nothing inherently wrong with having āstuffā as long as they do not distract us
from remembering our true purpose on this earth (living for the glory of God). I
am reminded of an old story I read years ago of a man showing off all his many
and wonderful possessions, his latest acquisitions etc. to his new neighbour (a
Quaker Christian). After politely listening, the Quaker smiled and replied
something to the effect of <i>ā<span style="color: purple;">If you ever want to know how to be truly happy
without all these things, call me and I will be happy to share with you.ā</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Let us
beware lest our possessions that are meant to be a blessing become a
distraction. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-80771422638365526432013-06-28T09:44:00.000+12:002013-06-28T09:44:57.611+12:00 A brief reflection on Joshuaās ordination as a leader.<b><span style="color: red;">Pastor's notes for the 30 June 2013 bulletin</span></b><br />
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<b><u>A
brief reflection on Joshuaās ordination as a leader.<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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In my reading this week, Numbers
27:18-20 caught my special attention. In them Moses is told by God to <b><i><span lang="EN-US">āTake Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit,
and lay your hand on him. <sup> </sup>Make him stand before Eleazar the
priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US">. </span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US">You shall invest
him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of
Israel may obey.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US"> (ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The phrase in verse 19: <b><i>āin
whom is the Spiritā </i></b>emphasizes that Joshua position of leadership is
God ordained. It marked him out as different from all the many capable leaders
of Israel. It made me ponder again why
God chose Joshua to take over from Moses. There were others who were surely eligible for this
position. There were for example 70 elders who had experience in leadership,
there was Eleazar, Phinehas and even Caleb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps the most obvious reason would seem to
be that Joshua was a skilled military commander. But it is clear in the book of
Joshua that while this may have been so, God was the one who was responsible
for the victories using humanly speaking at times using questionable strategies.
Before the battle, God sent and angel to Joshua, who identified himself as the
Commander of the Lordās army (Joshua 5:13-15) to make it absolutely clear that
God was in charge of the battles not Joshua. And the way their first major
victory was won, as was their first defeat made left no doubt about this (read
Joshua 6 and 7).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think though that the most probable (and
main) reason was that Joshua was a consistent, humble and faithful assistant to
Moses. This is how Exodus 33:11 describes Joshua: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>ā</i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US">Thus the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> used to speak
to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again
into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not
depart from the tent.ā</span></i></b><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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The phrase āwould not depart from the tentā
is very revealing. It is a description of faithfulness to Moses and his
responsibility before God. It is a description of humility to take his place
outside and not demand to be in the inner circle. It is a description of his consistency
to do for around 40 years for remember Joshua was already Moses assistant when
Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Biblical Christian leadership is not primarily
about skill and intelligence. It is about faithfulness to God, humility in
service and long consistency in doing so. Jesus himself modelled and taught this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><sup><span lang="EN-US">24 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US">A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded
as the greatest. <sup>25 </sup>And he said to them, āThe kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are
called benefactors. <sup>26 </sup>But not so with you. Rather, let the
greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. <sup>27 </sup>For
who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the
one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. </span></i></b><span lang="EN-US">(Luke 22:24-27)<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-31660200830846537612013-06-28T09:43:00.002+12:002013-06-28T09:43:50.631+12:00The common language of brokenness<b><span style="color: red;">For the 16 June 2013 bulletin</span></b><br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
common language of brokenness<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I read a fascinating story some months back which I filed away
that I would like to share. It was about a North Carolina Judge Jesse Caldwell
who told a story of Vietnamese woman who was waiting her turn to be examined in
a crowded hospital emergency room.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">She
gradually became aware of a frustrating ānon-conversationā being attempted a
few seats down. A nurse was trying to ask a new patient for some details on her
illness. The patient spoke Spanish. The nurse did not.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The
Vietnamese woman listened for a minute then realized that while she didnāt
speak Spanish she did understand the broken-English bits and phrases the
Spanish speaking patient offered as answers. Because of her own experience of
learning to communicate in ābroken English,ā the Vietnamese woman could hear
the heart and gist of what this other woman was trying to say. The Vietnamese
woman offered to ātranslateā the broken English of the Spanish speaker into
something the nurse could understand. She was so successful at bridging the
brokenness of their languages that eventually the Vietnamese woman was hired by
the hospital as a kind of generic translator. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">āBroken Englishā is actually acknowledge as an actual
language! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While broken
English was clearly the common language of so many hospital patients, there is
large common denominator of broken-ness that we all share. All of us at one
point of our lives (if not already on numerous occasions) will have our hearts
broken as part and parcel of our human experience. While that may not certainly
be a comforting thought, what is comforting is that God not only intimately
understands broken heartedness, He is able to heal our broken hearts and our
broken lives because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 53 is
just one of many passages in the Bible which reminds us of this. May this
passage encourage us to turn to a God who cares in our times of need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> He was despised and rejected by men; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and as one from whom men hide their faces
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he was despised, and we esteemed him not. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <b><sup>4 </sup></b> Surely he has borne our griefs </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and carried our sorrows; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> yet we esteemed him stricken, </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">smitten by God, and afflicted. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <b><sup>5 </sup></b> But he was pierced for our transgressions; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he was crushed for our iniquities; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> upon him was the chastisement that
brought us peace, </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and with his wounds we are healed. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <b><sup>6 </sup></b> All we like sheep have gone astray; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">we have turnedāevery oneāto his own way; </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and
the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has laid on him </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the iniquity of us all. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-54772517282173496142013-06-06T14:24:00.001+12:002013-06-06T14:24:18.394+12:00How do we use the time God has given to us?<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For the 9 June 2013 bulletin</b></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we use the time God has given to us?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier this week, someone posted on FB a link to a NZ Herald story in which a 19 year old Whangarei man who was "sick of playing Xbox" while on home detention asked and was granted his wish to serve the rest of his sentence in jail. He had already served 10 months of an 11-month home detention term and with one month to go "had run out of Xbox games to play", and told the police that if he wasn't picked up and taken to jail, he would breach his home detention sentence..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Apart from the usual expected incredulous reactions to this story, I found myself wondering how I would spend my time if I could not leave my house for 11 months. Psalm 90:12 came to mind</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;">: ā<b><i><span style="color: blue;">So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdomā</span>. </i></b>And it made me wonder: </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">Would I have wasted my time like this young man or would I have been able to use it wisely?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thereās a lot of teaching in the Bible concerning time, but just a couple of thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Old Testament, M.H. Cressey in <b><i>The New Bible Dictionary</i></b> aptly points out that <i><span style="color: purple;">ā ā¦ the most frequent contexts of the words translated ātimesā and āseasonsā suggest a concern for appointed times, the right time, the opportunity for some event or action ā¦. In particular, all these words are used to refer to the times appointed by God, the opportunities given by him (e.g. Dt. 11:14; Ps. 145:15; Is. 49:8; Je. 18:23).ā</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The start of winter will restrict or take away (for some of us) some of our regular fun daily activities. Cold wet nights for example may āforce usā to stay indoors, but surely it should not create a situation where we quickly find ourselves bored or wasting time?. It is a good time to ask God how we should be spending our āhome detentionā. Perhaps these times are simply Godās appointed opportunities for us to slow down, or reflect on the direction of our lives and how we use our time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paulās admonishment to us in Ephesians 5:15-17 is worth meditating on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1<span style="color: blue;">5 </span></span></span></sup></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, <sup>16 </sup>making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. <sup>17 </sup>Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. </span></span></i></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-18743294920256706122013-06-06T14:18:00.002+12:002013-06-06T14:18:59.765+12:00Jesus Loves Me<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For the 2nd June 2013 bulletin</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus Loves Me</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anna B. Warner, 1820ā1915</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. </i></b>(Luke 18:17)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story is told of a brilliant professor at Princeton Seminary who always left his graduation class with these words: āGentlemen, there is still much in this world and in the Bible that I do not understand, but of one thing I am certaināāJesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me soāāand gentlemen, that is sufficient!ā</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without doubt the song that has been sung more by children than any other hymn is this simply stated one by Anna Warner. Written in 1860, it is still one of the first hymns taught to new converts in other lands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Warner wrote this text in collaboration with her sister Susan. It was part of their novel Say and Seal, one of the best selling books of that day. Today few individuals would know or remember the plot of that story, which once stirred the hearts of many readers. But the simple poem spoken by one of the characters, Mr. Linden, as he comforts Johnny Fax, a dying child, still remains the favorite hymn of countless children around the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus loves me! loves me still, tho Iām very weak and ill, that I might from sin be free, bled and died upon the tree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus loves me! He who died heavenās gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way. Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">William Bradbury, the composer of the music, was one of the leading contributors to the development of early gospel music in America. He became recognized as one of the pioneers in childrenās music both for the church and in the public schools. In 1861 Bradbury composed the music for Anna Warnerās text and personally added the chorus to her four stanzas. The hymn appeared the following year in Bradburyās hymnal collection, The Golden Sower. It had an immediate response.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Today: Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3; Matthew 11:25; Mark 10:16</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">āIf there is anything that will endure the eye of God, because it still is pure, it is the spirit of a little child, fresh from His hand, and therefore undefiled.ā Ask God to give you this kind of spirit.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: Osbeck, K. W. (1996). Amazing grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions</span>Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-68648967823800159272013-05-23T14:45:00.002+12:002013-05-23T14:45:37.669+12:00A pastorās struggle with same sex attraction<span style="color: red;">For the 26 May 2013 bulletin</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><u>A pastorās struggle with same sex attraction</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">I recently came across this blog / article I
found very helpful. It is by </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sam Alberry, an associate
pastor at St Mary's Church in Maidenhead, UK. The following is some excerpts
from his article. You can read the full article at: </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/01/10/how-can-the-gospel-be-good-news-to-gays/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/01/10/how-can-the-gospel-be-good-news-to-gays/</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"> )</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">Homosexuality
is an issue I have grappled with my entire Christian life. It took a long time
to admit to myself, longer to admit to others, and even longer to see something
of God's good purposes through it all. There have been all sorts of ups and
downs. But this battle is not devoid of blessings, as Paul discovered with his
own unyielding thorn in the flesh. Struggling with sexuality has been an
opportunity to experience more of God's grace, rather than less.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">Only in recent months have I felt compelled to be more open on this
issue. For many years I had no intention of being public about it. I am
conscious that raising it here may lead to any number of responses---some
welcome, some perhaps less so. But over the last couple of years I have felt
increasingly concerned that, when it comes to our gay friends and family
members, many of us Bible-believing Christians are losing confidence in the
gospel. We are not always convinced it really is good news for gay people. We are not always sure we can
really expect them to live by what the Bible says.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">As my mind raced that lunchtime God gave me a verse to share with my
friend. It demonstrates precisely why following Jesus is worth it, in this
lifetime, and even when we have to give up things we could never imagine living
without: Peter said to Jesus, "We have left everything to follow
you!"<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>"I tell
you the truth," Jesus replied, "no-one who has left home or brothers
or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will
fail to receive a hundred times as much as in this present age (homes,
brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields---and with them, persecutions)
and in the age to come, eternal life." (</i></b><b><i><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Mark%2010.28-30" target="_blank">Mark 10:28-30</a></i></b><b><i>)<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">Following Jesus involves leaving things behind and giving things up. For
gay people, it involves leaving behind a gay lifestyle</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">He continues by briefly explaining some biblical texts on the issue, and
this was his conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">As someone
who experiences homosexual feelings this is not always an easy word to hear. It
has sometimes been very painful to come to terms with what the Bible says. There
have been times of acute temptation and longing---times when I have been
"in love." And yet Scripture shows that these longings distort what
God has created me for.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">And, finally he ends with these words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">There is a
huge amount to say on this issue, but the main point is this: the moment you
think following Jesus will be a poor deal for someone, you call Jesus a liar.
Discipleship is not always easy. Leaving anything cherished behind is
profoundly hard. But Jesus is always worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-36726477767296467372013-05-18T11:29:00.003+12:002013-05-18T11:29:32.464+12:00Great is thy faithfulness and Pentecost Sunday thoughts (pastor's noyes)<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the 19 May 2013 bulletin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Aharoni;">PASTORāS </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;">NOTES</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The following piece was submitted by Magdalene, which I found so timely as last week I was discussing </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">with a number of church members the stories </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">behind some of the great hymns of the church. Enjoy!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold;">Story behind the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold;">hymn:<br />Great </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold;">is Thy Faithfulness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thomas Obadiah </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chisolm</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> (1866-1960) had a difficult early adult life. His health was </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">fragile that there were periods of time when he was confined to bed, unable to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">work</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Between </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">bouts of illness he would have to push himself to put in extra hours </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">at </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">various jobs in order to make ends meet</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After coming to Christ at age 27, Thomas found great comfort in the Scriptures, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the fact that God was faithful to be his strength in time of illness and weakness, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">to provide his needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lamentations </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3:22-23 was one of his </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">favorite</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> scriptures: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">āIt </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">They </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">.ā</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">While away from home on a missions trip, Thomas often wrote to one of his good </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">friends</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, William </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Runyan</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, a relatively unknown musician. Several poems were </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">exchanged </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">in these letters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Runyan</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">found one of Williams' poems so moving that he </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">decided </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">to compose a musical score to accompany the lyrics. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Great is Thy </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Faithfulness</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">was published in 1923.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For several years ,the hymn got very little recognition, until it was discovered by a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Moody </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Bible Institute professor who loved it so much and requested it sung so often </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">at </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">chapel services, that the song became the unofficial theme song of the college</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was not until 1945 when George Beverly Shea began to sing </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Great is Thy </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Faithfulness </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">at the Billy Graham evangelistic crusades, that the hymn was heard </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">around </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the world</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thomas </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chisolm</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> died in 1960 at age 94. During his lifetime, he wrote more than </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1,200 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">poems and hymns including </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">O To Be Like</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Thee and Living for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Jesus</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">A brief thought on Pentecost Sunday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue;">Today is also Pentecost Sunday, where it is common (and a good thing) for many to reflect again on Acts 2. But I thought that it might help bring some freshness to also consider Genesis 11:1-9, which is the OT reading for Pentecost Sunday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue;">This passage reminds us that sin is a serious matter and humanity united in sin and disobedience can destroy all that is good in the world. It is a helpful context to understand Acts 2. In Acts 2, God reversed the confusion of the languages and signalled among other things a new unity through the Holy Spirit ā a unity not for evil but for good in the power of, and through obedience to the Holy Spirit .</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue;">It is in this age of the Holy Spirit that we now live ā and it is good to reflect on how we can be united in Christ for the sake of living holy lives and doing our part to usher in the kingdom of God. </span></span></div>
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Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-39650046233896178012013-05-18T11:24:00.002+12:002013-05-18T11:24:34.198+12:00why God made mums (Pastor's noyes)<span style="color: red;"><b>For the 12 May 2013 bulletin</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Aharoni;">PASTORāS </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;">NOTES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Happy mother's day! I got this in the mail earlier this week and
thought it would be nice to have something light on mothers this Sunday </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold;">Why God made Mums</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Brilliant
answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">:</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Why did God make </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">mothers?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1.
She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.
Mostly to clean the house</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">How </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">did God make mothers?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. He
used dirt, just like for the rest of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
Magic plus super powers and a lot of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">stirring</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">What </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">ingredients are mothers made of?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. God
makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and
one dab of mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I
think.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Why </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">did God give you your mother and not some other mom?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.
We're related</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.</span></div>
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</div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">What
kind of little girl was your mom?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. My mom has always been my mom and
none of that other stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.
They say she used to be nice.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">What </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">did
Mom need to know about Dad before she married him?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. His last name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Why
did your mom marry your dad?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. My dad makes the best spaghetti
in the world. And my mom eats a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
She got too old to do anything else with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.
My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">Who's
</span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">the boss at your house?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but
she has to because dad's such a goof ball.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.
I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than Dad.</span></div>
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</div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">What's
the difference between moms & dads?</span></u></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; line-height: 112%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 16pt; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. Moms works at work and works at
home & dads just go to work at work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.
Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's
who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4.
Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">What </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">would
it take to make your mom perfect?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. On the inside she's already
perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
Diet. You know her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">If </span></u><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-style: italic;">you
could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?</span></u></div>
<div style="direction: ltr; line-height: 112%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 16pt; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. She has this weird thing about me
keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2.
I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and
not me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.
I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her
head.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-80551611199087368082013-05-07T14:05:00.002+12:002013-05-07T14:05:30.049+12:00Time (a poem / prayer by Michael Quoist)<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the 5 May 2013 bulletin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Time</u></b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (a poem
/ prayer by Michael Quoist)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All men
complain that they haven't enough time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They look
at their lives from too human a point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is
always time to do what God wants us to do,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but we
must put ourselves completely into each moment that he offers us now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went
out, Lord. Men were coming and going, walking and running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything
was rushing; cars, trucks, the street, the whole town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Men were
rushing not to waste time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To catch
up with time, to gain time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good bye,
Sir, excuse me, I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll come
back, I can't wait, I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must
end this letter - I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love
to help you, but I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't
accept, having no time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't
think, I can't read, I'm swamped, I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd like
to pray, but I haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
understand, Lord, they simply haven't the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The child
is playing, he hasn't time right now..later on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
schoolboy has his homework to do, he hasn't time..later on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
student had his courses, and so much work...later on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young
man is at his sports, he hasn't time...later on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young
married man has his new house; he has to fix it up, he hasn't time...later on..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
grandparents have their grandchildren, they haven't time... later on...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are
dying, they have no...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too
late!...They have no more time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so
all men run after time, Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They pass
through life running - hurried, jostled, overburdened, frantic,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and they
never get there. They haven't time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In spite of
all their efforts they're still short of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of a
great deal of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, you
must have made a mistake in your calculations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is
a big mistake somewhere. The hours are too short, the days are too short.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our lives
are too short.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You who
are beyond time, Lord, you smile to see us fighting it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And you
know what you are doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You make
no mistakes in your distribution of time to men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You give
each one time to do what you want him to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we
must not lose time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">waste
time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kill
time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For time
is a gift that you give us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But a
perishable gift,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A gift
that does not keep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, I
have time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have
plenty of time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the
time that you give me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The years
of my life, the days of my years, the hours of my days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are
all mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mine to
fill, quietly, calmly,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But to
fill completely, up to the brim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To offer
them to you, that of their insipid water You may make a rich<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wine as
you made once in Galilee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not
asking you tonight, Lord, for time to do this and then that,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but your
grace to do conscientiously, in the time that you give,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what you
want me to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Paul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.com0