><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Issue Vol 1 # 4 FreEzine@telstra.easymail.com.au October 2000 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< FreEzine is a free email magazine/newsletter containing articles of interest from a Christian perspective and is published no less than monthly. FreEzine is NOT Spam and is only sent to people who request it. If you ever want to stop (or start) receiving FreEzine you'll find instructions at the end of this newsletter. A special "hello" to all of our new subscribers. We welcome and appreciate feedback on how we can improve this e-zine for you. IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL... ... PLEASE FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< IN THIS ISSUE: Editorial: Roy Gee News Break: First National Pastors Convention What's On? Seminars & Workshops Repeatable Quotable: Doing Better Serial story: The Continuing Saga of Peter Blank Article: Every Eye Shall See Him Opinion: Television Focus on Health: How Fit Are You? Book Look: You've Got To Laugh Your Way Out Website Review: J-e-s-u-s.net Cook's Corner: Adas Careh (Lentil Butter) Take a Hint: Diet tips Agony Aunt Ezine: How Old Are You? Letters to the Editor The Funny Bone: How Bad Is Your Church? Overheard: How Rich Are You? Watch This Space Subscription & other information Last words: How Mad Are You? ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Guest Editorial By Roy Gee In 1989, poet and playwright, Vaclav Havel was invited by some artistic friends to a bonfire and night-time picnic. It was held on the outskirts of Prague, where the lights of the city turn into the darkness of the country. Everyone had a great time. They stood around the roaring fire and talked and baked potatoes. One of Vaclav's friends drank too much. Vaclav says, "I hadn't drunk anything, so I said I'd take my friend home. "We came to a street where there was no street light. It was very dark. My friend was drunk and I was sober, but I was the one that fell into the hole." There's no polite way to describe what Vaclav fell into when he fell into the hole. "Sewage" is the most polite description. The hole was too deep to climb out of, and was lined with smooth cement. There was no way Vaclav could get out, and no way he could swim in the-ahem-sewage. He was drowning in the -you know what. There was panic up above: flashlights flashing, people shouting, people running. Some took off their coats and, hanging on to them tightly, lowered them into the hole. Vaclav grabbed at them and tried to hang on. But sewage is slippery, and the coats kept slipping from his grasp. He knew he was going to drown in that stinking sewage in the darkness. One man thought clearly. He ran and brought a long ladder. The crowd lowered the ladder until it hit the bottom of the hole. Vaclav wrapped his arms and legs around the ladder. He kept slipping. But he hung on. Slowly he made his way up the ladder out of the filth, out of the darkness. People grabbed him and pulled him to safety. "To my surprise," says Vaclav, "a few months later I was president of Czechoslovakia." Because he is a poet and a playwright, he sees that loathsome episode as a parable. "That's where the human race is: right down in that sewage, in the darkness. And the only way you can climb out is if you believe that life has a meaning and life has purpose. If you do, you can climb out of the darkness and the filth. You can come up the ladder of meaning, and reach hope." The Bible alone describes the true ladder. Jesus is the Ladder between heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12). We must cling to that ladder. Some think the gospel is a once-for-all-time-experience. But the gospel is a once-for-all-time-historical event. The apostle Paul describes that event, "I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you. . . For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The gospel is what Christ did for us in his life and death and resurrection. It's not what I have done, or am doing. It's not what the church is doing. It's what Christ has done. Paul says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you" (1 Corinthians 15: 2). Vaclav had to cling to the ladder to get out of the sewage . He didn't cling just at the beginning, then climb out on his own. He had to cling to it all the time if he were to be lifted out. We must cling to the gospel every day. Not once for all time do you cling to it. You must cling to it every day, every hour. Climb onto the ladder and cling on. "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to it." ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< News Break: First National Pastors Convention An all-new, world-class gathering for church leaders, the National Pastors Convention. This exciting event, sponsored by Leadership Journal, Youth Specialties, and Zondervan Church Source, will be held February 13-17, 2001, in San Diego. Confirmed speakers include Philip Yancey, Joseph Garlington, Will Willimon, Larry Crabb, Dallas Willard, Roberta Hestenes, Earl Palmer, John Ortberg, Erwin McManus, and many, many more. The National Pastors Convention will sharpen your skills and refresh your soul. For more information, and info on Australian Seminars, go to: http://members.nbci.com/seminars_workshops/whats_on.htm ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< What's On? Seminars & Workshops - See the Website mentioned above (http://members.nbci.com/seminars_workshops/whats_on.htm) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Repeatable Quotable: When someone is no longer anxious to do better, that person is done for. Source: Bits & Pieces, June 22, 1995, Copyright (c) Economic Press - www.epinc.com/ ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Serial story: "Not Finished Yet" - Episodes in the Continuing Saga of Peter Blank. This serial saga, although novel, is not a novel. It is merely a series of true-life episodes highlighting the extraordinary working of an extraordinary God in a very ordinary life. Each episode contained a lesson for Peter Blank, a lesson we can all learn, from a lesson-book life that is not finished yet. Episode 4: The Stolen Bell Eight-year-old Peter befriended a school chum named Buddy. Not that Buddy was really Peter's 'type', but Buddy was teased by everyone else and gravitated toward Peter for friendship and Peter responded. (Maybe it was because Peter was a loner too. Peter regretfully admits that he was also a teaser, so that wasn't the reason!) Buddy lived in a neighbouring suburb to Peter, and the two often walked home together as far as Peter's place before Buddy continued on to his own. Unlike Peter, Buddy tried to buy friendship by doing daring things. One day, he stole the little brass bell from the counter in a shop a few doors from where he lived. Buddy gave the bell to Peter, without telling him where it came from. However in the district where Peter lived, it seemed that everybody knew everybody-else's business, and it didn't take long for word to spread around the community that the little bell had been stolen from the shop in the next neighbourhood. Soon Peter found out the bell was stolen and he challenged Buddy about it. Buddy quietly confessed, but was scared to do anything about it. So Peter took the matter into his own hands. He boldly went into the shop and placed the bell on the counter. 'I stole this from you,' he lied, 'and I have come to return it and apologise!' He then turned to hurriedly leave. The elderly shopkeeper looked at Peter with one eye and demanded, 'When? I've never seen you in my shop before!' This put Peter on the spot as he had no idea when the bell was stolen, but as Buddy had given it to him about three days prior, he lied, 'Three days ago.' The shopkeeper continued to stare at Peter, which made the lad feel most uneasy. He remembered his mother's warning about lying: 'If you tell even the tiniest fib,' she had cautioned, 'it will catch up with you and you will have to keep on lying to cover up and it will then take a whopper to cover it.' Peter tried to dismiss his mother's portrait in his mind. 'I stole this from you three days ago, and I apologise!' he mendaciously announced a second time. 'You're covering up for someone else, aren't you?' the gentleman demanded. At this Peter broke down and confessed to lying, and tried to leave Buddy out of the story. But the persistence of the shopkeeper pushed Peter further and further into a corner. Finally, Peter named Buddy as the culprit. It was then that Peter felt sick in the stomach. He had betrayed the very one he had sought to protect. And he had lied in the process -- thrice. This was a hard lesson for Peter and he wondered if lying wasn't worse than stealing. He determined then and there to shy away from dishonest at whatever cost. His friendship with Buddy somehow survived. Peter never learned what action the shopkeeper took against Buddy but neither forgot the lesson in honesty they learned that day. Reform, however, is a process and for Peter the lessons were to continue... Watch in the next newsletter for the next episode in the continuing true-life saga of Peter Blank. "Not Finished Yet" is Copyright ((c) 2000, FreEzine) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Article: Every Eye Shall See Him I heard recently on National Radio that an apparition of Jesus Christ had appeared every night for some time on the fence of a caravan park in Port Germein, South Australia and many people were flocking there for a look. Knowing what the Bible says I was very suspicious of such sightings. When on earth, Jesus warned His followers of such things saying "...at that time if anyone says to you 'Look, here is the Christ!' or There He is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. See I have told you ahead of time." He went on to describe what WILL happen: "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."(Matthew 24:26,27) So it will not be an isolated affair, the world will know about it. When Jesus returned to heaven about 2000 years ago with His mission on earth complete for the salvation of mankind, by dying for our sins and rising from the dead, two angels appeared to the disciples gazing upward, and declared that one day Jesus would "come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) Ever since then, people have expected Jesus to return as He promised. Many people have claimed to have had secret sightings of Him but they were untrue. The Bible tells us clearly that every one will know about it. Revelation 1:7 is quite clear: "Look, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him." So, I don't see the apparition on the fence in Port Germein as any big deal. When Jesus returns no one will say they missed it because "every eye" will see Him. -- Pat Jones, Presbyterian Church, Bega. (WeR4Jesus@justaminute.bizland.com.) Editor's note: Pat adds, "If you need help with prayer, send an e-mail to prayerdesk@justaminute.bizland.com. All requests for prayer are treated with absolute confidence." ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Opinion: Television (by the editor). In a picture frame above our TV at home we have a home-printed poster which reads, "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes. Psalm 101:3a" As a consequence, I have not switched the TV on in years! In the compilation, Fables Old and Morals New, (L&R Hartley,(c)1998), your editor contributed the following fable: A Sponge Knoweth No Discrimination "The frog - he had a problem. His pond was far too green. Another's pond was bluer (he heard the birds had seen). But Froggie had an answer: he'd suck up all the green, and so he bought a bath sponge - the biggest ever seen! Well, sponges have no manners. They suck up good and bad. And very soon an empty pond was all that poor frog had. A sponge does no deciding - only you can choose. Expose your mind to evil and you will surely lose. By choosing what you see and hear; what you eat and do, then you control the input and you won't get sucked in too!" Perhaps we can summarise it this way: Watch what you watch; it becomes your thoughts_ Watch your thoughts; they become your words_ Watch your words; they become your actions_ Watch your actions; they become your habits_ Watch your habits; they become your character_ Watch your character; it becomes your destiny_ Watch your destiny; it affects your eternity! (Editor) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Focus on Health: Physical exercise is good for you. I know that I should do it daily, but my body doesn't want me to do too much, so I have worked out this programme of strenuous activities that do not require physical exercise. You are invited to use my programme without charge. 1) Beating around the bush 2) Jumping to conclusions 3) Climbing the walls 4) Swallowing my pride 5) Passing the buck 6) Throwing my weight around 7) Dragging my heels 8) Pushing my luck 9) Making mountains out of molehills 10) Hitting the nail on the head 11) Wading through paperwork 12) Bending over backwards 13) Jumping on the bandwagon 14) Balancing the books 15) Running around in circles 16) Eating crow 17) Tooting my own horn 18) Climbing the ladder of success 19) Pulling out the stops 20) Adding fuel to the fire 21) Opening a can of worms 22) Putting my foot in my mouth 23) Starting the ball rolling 24) Going over the edge 25) Picking up the pieces 26) Diving into chores 27) Swimming through chaos 28) Jumping through hoops 29) Singing the blues 30) Kicking the bucket Whew! What a workout! I think I'll exercise my caution now, and sit down. (-- From the God Squad ) Your editor adds, try 'Dragging the chain', which is really easy compared with trying to push one! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Book Look: You've Got To Laugh Your Way Out by Chantelle Hart and Lionel Hartley Chantelle Hart's perceptive work is an autobiographical path from the cage of drug control to the freedom found in a Power outside of herself. In "You've Got To Laugh Your Way Out" she invites the reader to learn from her joy and enthusiastically grasp with her that same Power. (Also available is the sequel: On A Mission) Book 88pp, and also available as an Electronic book Available from Good News Unlimited, email goodnews@coolgold.com.au Or from your editor, email hartley@telstra.easymail.com.au ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Website Review: J-e-s-u-s.net - Christian Resources FREE Christian Resources, Free ePostcards, Free Web Sites, Free Email, Free Daily Comics, Free Software, Free Community Banner Xchange, Christian Marketplace, Books Magazines, Music, Movies, Singles, Videos - quite a comprehensive site. http://www.j-e-s-u-s.net/ ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Cook's Corner: Adas Careh (Lentil Butter) A vegetarian appetiser from Ethiopia 1 cup uncooked lentils / half teaspoon salt / 2 and a quarter cup water / 1 tablespoon olive oil / six green onions, sliced / small clove garlic, minced / pinch parsley, cayenne, turmeric / quarter cup water as needed. Directions: Combine water, lentils, and salt in a pot. Cook until lentils are soft. Drain, reserve stock. Heat oil in skillet & sauté onions & garlic till onions are translucent. Add parsley & spices & cook another minute. Set aside. Combine lentils, cooking water & onion mixture in a food processor, adding more water a tablespoon at a time as needed till the mixture reaches a spreadable consistency. Refrigerate a few hours before serving. Spread on whole grain crackers or use as a vegetable dip. Source: Swift Platinum ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Take a Hint: Diet Tips: If no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out. When eating with someone else, calories don't count if you both eat the same thing. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts, such as hot chocolate, toast, and cheesecake. If you fatten up everyone else around you, you look thinner. Movie-related foods don't count because they are simply part of the entertainment experience and not a part of one's personal fuel, such as peppermints or hot popcorn with butter (Enjoy your Diet!) -- Malcolm Kushner ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Agony Aunt Ezine - A service provided by The Listening Post Dear Listening Post, I read that experts believe that man is really build to last about 100 years and that medical advances and more healthful living habits could bring this about soon. What good is it to add years to life if the extra years will just be an additional burden? I am 70 and I am growing old. How can I learn to grow old gracefully? J. M. NSW ------------------------------- Dear J. M. What good is it to add years to life if we do not also add life to years? Aging, while adding life to our years, consists of moulding the changes in our senses and mobility into the positive attitude we can have to life. You can keep your sense of humour in tune by surrounding yourself with pleasant and interesting people. Just act your age and you won't be afraid to laugh at yourself even when no else is around. Knowing the role that physical activity plays in our lives, remember to do something physical every day. And mental exercise is a great rejuvenator too - for example studying the Bible with friends will not only add life to your years it will bring you in touch with One who can give you life beyond these mortal years. (c)2000 Listening Post (TM) is a trademark of the Listening Post Counselling Service. Address your questions to: listeningpost@telstra.easymail.com.au ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Letters to the Editor (hartley@telstra.easymail.com.au) Bunni (email) writes 'Here is the Measure of a Man... NOT "How did he die?" BUT "How did he live?" NOT "What did he gain?" BUT "What did he give?" NOT "What was his station?" BUT "Had he a heart?" AND "How did he play his God-given part?" NOT "What was his shrine? NOR "What was his creed?" BUT "Had he befriended those really in need?" NOT "What did the piece in the newspaper say?" BUT "How many were sorry when he passed away?" Was he ever ready with a word or good cheer, To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of birth. (-- Author Unknown)' ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< The Funny Bone: Top Ten Ways You Know You're in a Bad Church 10. The church bus has gun racks. 9. The church staff consists of Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor and Socio-pastor. 8. The Bible they use is the "Dr. Seuss Version." 7. There's an ATM in the lobby. 6. Choir wears leather robes. 5. Worship services are B.Y.O.S. -- "Bring Your Own Snake." 4. No cover charge, but communion is a two-drink minimum. 3. Karaoke Worship Time. 2. Ushers ask, "Smoking or non-smoking?" 1. The only song the organist knows is "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." (http://christianhumor.about.com/library/dj/bl.0718.htm) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Overheard: How Rich Are You? One day the father of a rich family took his young son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him just how poor some people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "Very good, Dad!" "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Yeah!" "And what did you learn?" The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden and they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard yet they have a whole horizon." When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless. His son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!" (http://www.Godswork.org) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Watch This Space: Future issues will include other sections not listed here. Why not write to us suggesting what you would like to see included. (hartley@telstra.easymail.com.au) Occasional contributions from Good News Australia are used with permission. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Subscription information: FreEzine is a Free ezine magazine/newsletter, published no less than monthly. To subscribe, please send a blank message to FreEzine@telstra.easymail.com.au and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. To unsubscribe, please send a message to FreEzine@telstra.easymail.com.au and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line (we invite your comments also). Privacy: Protecting your privacy is very important to us. We will not share, rent, sell, or exchange your e-mail address with a third party for any purpose. Unsubscribing permanently removes your name and address. A note on the format: Your editor has considered many possible formats, including a colourfully illustrated E-book, webpage, Portable Document Format (.pdf), etc. Reluctantly, plain text was chosen to make this ezine available to the greatest number of users - DOS, Windows(r), Macintosh, etc. Address all correspondence to the editor: hartley@telstra.easymail.com.au Please do not use "Reply To Sender" email option as this magazine may occasionally be sent out by a commercial or other distributor, unrelated to FreEzine. Back issues? Contact the editor for information. Contributions and comments most welcome. E&OE ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< Last words: "But I don't want to go among the mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can't help that," said the cat, "we're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad." "How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.