~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Issue Vol 1 # 6 FreEzine@telstra.easymail.com.au December 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: Guest Editorial, by Robert W. Harvey, Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church. News Break: What's On? Seminars & Workshops Repeatable Quotable: The Pharisee's Night Before Christmas Serial story: The Continuing Saga of Peter Blank Article: The Gift Of Christmas Article: Christmas the Island Opinion - by the editor: What is Character? Focus on Health: God's gift of Hope Book Look: Fasting: A Biblical Perspective. Take a Hint: Computer tips Agony Aunt Ezine: Letters to the Editor The Funny Bone: My forgetter's getting better Overheard: Watch This Space Subscription & other information Last words: No Charge ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Guest Editorial, by Robert W. Harvey, Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church. Many of us think fondly of that dismal, old grey donkey Eeyore in the Winnie-the-Pooh children's books by A.A. Milne. While loveable and secretly good-hearted, he is usually gloomy and negative, always expecting the worst. During my twenty-five years as a pastor, I've met many people like that. They never accept responsibility because they're certain they'll fail. Or, they serve "faithfully" in the church, but gloomily imagine critics in every pew and corner. Picture for a moment the person who "never receives enough attention," never initiates friendships, and assumes the church is really run by an inner circle where he or she will never be welcomed. Would you agree that person often sounds like Eeyore in this conversation with Rabbit? "Nobody tells me," said Eeyore, "nobody keeps me Informed. I make it seventeen days come Friday since anybody spoke to me." "It certainly isn't seventeen days--" "Come Friday," explained Eeyore. "And today's Saturday," said Rabbit. "So that would make it eleven days. And I was here myself a week ago." "Not conversing," said Eeyore. "Not first one and then the other. You said 'Hallo' and Flashed Past. I saw your tail in the distance as I was meditating my reply. I had thought of saying 'What?'--but, of course, it was then too late." "Well, I was in a hurry." "No Give and Take," Eeyore went on. "No Exchange of Thought: 'Hallo--What'--I mean, it gets you nowhere, particularly if the other person's tail is only in sight for the second half of the conversation." "It's your fault, Eeyore. You've never been to see any of us. You just stay here in this corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. Why don't you go to them sometimes?" Eeyore was silent for a little while, thinking. "There may be something in what you say, Rabbit," he said at last. "I must move more. I must come and go." "That's right, Eeyore. Drop in on any of us at any time, when you feel like it." "Thank-you, Rabbit. And if anybody says in a Loud Voice, 'Bother, it's Eeyore,' I can drop out again." We've all known other Eeyores. But as I chuckled over this conversation, another thought stabbed me. How much like Eeyore am I? How often to I expect the worst? Do I anticipate defeat? Do I let that Eeyore-ish gloom dominate my spiritual life or my expectations of my family? Am I prone to suspect there's a hidden conspiracy in the church to "do things" without me? In my little corner of God's forest, have I forgotten Paul's prayer? "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). How can I tolerate gloomy expectations when my Lord is Jesus, the God of creation? When my family is in His faithful care? When my church is His church, under His sovereign direction? And when every Eeyore I know in God's congregation is His Eeyore--including me! ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- News Break: Seminars coming February & March 2001: Subject: Christian Assurance - Can Believers Know that They are Saved? Presenters: Dr Desmond Ford & Pastor Ron Allen At Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. For more information 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: The Pharisee's Night Before Christmas Also known as "A Visit From an Oddly Familiar Stranger" 'Twas the night before Christmas in the Pharisee's house Not a dissenter whispered; not even his spouse. The plywood was nailed o'er the fireplace with care No demonic "Santa" would dare show up there! The children were cowering in fear in their beds, Wondering if Dad heard a voice in his head. "Christmas is pagan!" he'd ranted and raved "How can you kiss Baal and expect to get saved?" "But it's Jesus' birthday tomorrow!" one child said. "No, it's not!" his dad thundered, his face turning red. "It's vile Saturnalia! Now get up to your room And pray God will spare you hell's fiery doom!" His wife tucked them in, then came back downstairs. And timidly said, "I'm not sure this is fair." "Fair schmair!" he yelled back. "You can't argue with facts!" And he stomped off to study his old Jack Chick tracts. As he read about Baphomet, old Babylon And the Great Whore of Rome and its demonic spawn When what, his deaf ears could no longer ignore, But a quiet, gentle tapping out at the front door. He saw through the peephole long hair and dark eyes. Annoyed and impatient, he heaved a great sigh. "A beggar!" he groused. "Can't these bums just get jobs?" He shut off the alarm and twisted the knob. The stranger's eyes twinkled with humor and love The moonlight glowed soft on his head from above. The Pharisee sneered, and I think I should mention He'd've known who it was if he'd just paid attention. "Look, I gave at the office!" the Pharisee lied, "So don't look for a handout!" The stranger just smiled. "You have nothing for me," said the stranger, "that's true; But you see, I came here to give something to you." "You give something to me?" said the Pharisee. "Right! Lemme guess: You can bless me this holiday night With a chance to give generously, hmm? Well, forget it!" Said the stranger with sorrow, "My friend, you don't get it." "It's not about money at all," said the stranger, "My gift is to warn you your soul is in danger. I offer you peace, hope and joy - free! Try it! If you knew the Father, you'd know you can't buy it." "If I knew the Father?" the Pharisee yelled, till The stranger's head rang like the Liberty Bell. "God himself is my Father!" the Pharisee swore. The stranger's eyes rolled. He'd heard that one before. "Who do you," said the Pharisee, "think you are? Eh? To malign my good standing with God in this way?" The stranger replied to this challenge as well: "Does 'I stand at the door and I knock' ring a bell?" The Pharisee said, "Oh, you want to come in? And after you dared to accuse me of sin? Not if you were the last of the whole human race!" And so saying, he banged the door shut in his face. Then the stranger exclaimed as he went down the walk, "I'll always be listening if you want to talk. I'll return soon, my friend: I'll come, ready or not; And if you're not prepared, things are gonna get hot!" Source: http://christianhumor.about.com/comedy/christianhumor/library/weekly/aa120100a.htm ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- 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 6: Peter's Teeth Change Peter (c20 years) had set up an hobby business, making 16mm. audition movies for budding actors, actresses and musicians. With cameras and tripods, and numerous items of lighting and sound equipment to be lugged around, he desired to build a custom-made trailer or caravan to make movie-making on location easier. He purchased an old Fordson truck and, with the help of an elder brother, proceeded to convert it into a caravan/workshop. The engine and gearbox were sold to a scrap-metal merchant, and an engineering friend designed an automatic steering mechanism using two motorcycle shock-absorbers to replace the steering wheel. A solid draw bar was fashioned from steel and, although rigid enough to steer the vehicle in motion, hinged up against front of the vehicle when it was not being towed. Unconcerned about the weight of their new creation (Peter had an old two-ton Humber Super-snipe Limousine to tow it) the two brothers set about welding steel panels where the radiator grill used to be, bolting new flooring where the truck driver once sat, and installing an assortment of shelving, cupboards, kitchen equipment and bedding in the body of the van. The creation was finished with several coats of paint before obtaining the mandatory road-worthy registration. The vehicle proved itself to be practical and Peter reaped considerable benefit from it. However, one memorable Friday it bit back. Almost two ton of van and contents was often difficult to manoeuvre unless it was attached to a vehicle and on this occasion, as they were only a few metres apart, instead of backing the limo to the van, Peter decided to pull the van towards the limo. But the van was measure heavier than puny Peter anticipated. With the dramatic grunt of a circus strongman straining against a football team in a tug-of-war, Peter pulled on the draw-bar with all his (petty) might. The van remained stationary; Peter moved. His feet slid on the roadway and he disappeared under the van. He would have continued completely out of sight if (fortunately?) the draw-bar hadn't stopped him suddenly! It met him in the teeth and in one stunning milli-second, the heavy steel fist impacted all his front teeth up into his face, pushing his cheeks and nose against his eyes. In piercing agony and blurry vision he cautiously but quickly drove to the local hospital. There he was given injections to dull the pain and halt the bleeding -- and escorted home to await surgery two days later "while the swelling subsides"! Peter has little recall of those two days, save that they ended on Sunday afternoon in the surgery of his regular dentist. This skillful artisan, with his patient under a general anaesthetic, extracted what remained of Peter's upper teeth and reshaped his face. Using X-rays from a previous dental consultation, he fashioned an upper denture, cleverly reproducing even a chipped front tooth for realism. Peter left the surgery that day with the denture in situ, and his first look in a mirror welled up within him a gratitude to God, for the miraculous restoration. However, the lesson for Peter is not finished yet. 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: The Gift Of Christmas Have you ever taken a great deal of time and trouble to find and purchase a gift for someone, then have them ignore it, reject it or even hand it back unopened? It would be a rather shocking experience to say the least. Christmas reminds us of the gift that God offers all of humanity - a gift-wrapped in the covering of Jesus Christ His Son. The Bible shows us that God loved the world so much that He planned a way for us to enjoy eternal life with Him. He willingly provided this way at His great cost. Jesus Christ came into the world and died to take the punishment for our wrongdoing. The gifts of forgiveness and eternal life are free to all people who put their trust in what Jesus had done. What should you do when someone offers you a gift? Ignore it? Never! Reject it? Never! Hand it back? Never! The thing to do is accept it, thank the giver and make full use of the gift. Bega Christian Writers (WeR4Jesus@justaminute.bizland.com.) Contributor's note: "If you need help with prayer, send an e-mail to prayerdesk@justaminute.bizland.com. All requests for prayer are treated with absolute confidence." ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Article: Christmas the Island In the Indian Ocean there is a Christmas Island; an almost lost, isolated speck of land. There is another Christmas Island, an equally isolated speck of land almost lost in the Pacific Ocean. Christmas is always an island; an island of hope in a world of despair, an island of love in a world of indifference, an island of giving in a self-centred world. Come to Christmas Island! -- Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company, 1997). ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Opinion - by the editor: What is Character? Character is not what the Church folk see It is what we are at home; Character is not what our neighbours see For they never see us alone. For the measure of character is not by man who the outward behaviour sees, For while we may be saints abroad While we're at home, our God will measure The development of our character treasure (Under the shadow of His blood) For the real test of what will please Is how I behave when I think no-one sees. So although only God can measure my character I KNOW I'm going home Because although my character I'm taking with me And leaving all else behind, It is not my character that makes me worthy, Not my character that makes me "mind" Not my character that makes me kind But accepting and believing in God's only Son Who has already paid for your life and mine! (Copyright) ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Focus on Health: God's gift of Hope What is supposed to be a time of peace and good will becomes, for some, a time when the reality of human greed and folly and cruelty mocks the lovely sentiments of the season. But I'm not sure anyone can experience what Christmas really means without confronting that sense of lost innocence and the potential for disillusionment the holiday can bring. Only after we truly face up to Christmas without Santa can we as adults begin to grapple with what Christmas is all about ... God's gift of ultimate hope that our human destiny is something more than a brief doomed moment in "the benign indifference of the universe." -- Jerry Shin in an editorial in the Charlotte Observer (Dec. 22, 1986) ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Book Look: Fasting: A Biblical Perspective. By Lionel Hartley In this book,(also available on audio-cassette for the sight impaired), Lionel Hartley explored in depth the biblical concept of fasting and its relevancy today. He looks at the ten different types of fasting and their practical considerations. Contents: Passive fasting / Abstinence / Active fasting (Redemptive, Medicative, Curative, and Excessive) / Intercessive fasting / Interactive fasting / Creative fasting / Practicalities of fasting: Fluids, Glucose, Medicines, Diets, Energy, Duration, Publicity, and Personal practicalities. Paperback or electronic book $7.50, Cassette $5.00 plus PP&H Available from http://www.users.bigpond.com/lionelhartley/ Or from your editor, email hartley@telstra.easymail.com.au ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Aside: Have we ... reduced the stable scene to some cutesy little scenario that has no meaning left in it at all? Have we lost the sense of awe that there, in that stable, God became man? What can be the point of Christmas if it is here today and gone tomorrow? For all our celebrations this time of year, why do so many fail to recognise Christmas's Lord? ... The fact remains that our world never comes as close to being in contact with its greatest hope as it does at Christmas. -- Rick Mylander in The Covenant Companion. Christianity Today, Vol. 34, no. 18. ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Aside: Christians behind the Iron Curtain in Ukraine and Serbia recently celebrated their Christmas. I was touched when I read a little article about Christmas Day in Sarejevo. The awful warfare was all around them despite promise after promise of a cease-fire. The airport was closed. More than a dozen civilians had already been killed when the article was written. Shelling the residential sections of the city, the Serbian army, just to break morale, caused havoc on Christmas Day. One reporter was downtown when the horrid sounds of indiscriminate shelling died down. And he said, "I suddenly was arrested because from several directions, from several churches, I heard people singing Christmas carols." Friends, that's the spirit it's going to take in the future for Christianity in this nation. Trust in God and don't quit. -- W. Frank Harrington, "When You Really Want to Quit," Preaching Today, Tape 138. ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Take a Hint: FOR WINDOWS: To always delete files without sending them to the Recycle Bin first, right click on the Recycle Bin icon and check the box next to "Do Not Move Files to Recycle Bin." Then click OK. Library of Windows 2000/NT tips: http://windows2000.about.com/library/tips/bltip041.htm Take a Hint: FOR MAC: To make a subfolder into a main folder in Outlook Express 5, select the subfolder and drag it on top of the "Folders" column heading. Complete library of Mac OS tips: http://macos.about.com/library/bltipsubject.htm ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Agony Aunt Ezine - A service provided by The Listening Post Dear Listening Post, I am a 34-year-old guy with a rather worrying problem. For many years now I have felt the need to constantly check and re-check things to make sure that they are in place. I seem to need to lock and unlock doors and windows before I leave a room or my house, to make sure they are locked. I live alone and have constant fears about members of my family being struck down with cancer or something. I read about obsessive-compulsive disorder on a poster at the local hospital and wonder if I need to seek some mental help. I feel quite distress by it all. Name Withheld, NSW ------------------------------- Dear reader, The behaviour you mention is indeed typical of the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Don't be frightened by it though, as people with this malady - those with obsessive thoughts (often of death) and compulsive behaviours (often in regard to safety) are not alone in feeling this way. This is a very common disorder of the personality, but there is help available. I suggest you speak with the staff at the hospital where you saw the poster or with your local GP for a referral to a specialist in matters affecting the psyche. All of us, at some time have problems, not just with our physical health, but also our mental health where we need help outside of ourselves. (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) (Still waiting) ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- The Funny Bone: My forgetter's getting better. My forgetter's getting better But my rememberer is broke To you that may seem funny But, to me, that is no joke For when I'm "here" I'm wondering If I really should be "there" And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer! Oft times I walk into a room, Say, "what am I here for?" I wrack my brain, but all in vain A zero, is my score. At times I put something away Where it is safe, but, need, The person it is safest from Is, generally, me! When shopping I may see someone, Say "Hi" and have a chat, Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, "who's that?" Yes, my forgetter's getting better While my rememberer is broke, And it's driving me plumb crazy And that isn't any joke. Submitted by Karen B Staley to www.witandwisdom.org ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Overheard: Freddie was a bird, a fat little robin whose mother was a terrible scold. One day, after she had given Freddie's father a terrible tongue-lashing, the abused bird ruffled his feathers and screeched: 'You can't talk to me like that! Some day the worm will turn!" Freddie thought about what his father had said as he went looking for food. Suddenly he saw a worm squirming away from him. "Aha," thought Freddie, "some day the worm will turn. I'll just hop along behind and catch him when he does." But this was no ordinary worm. It was Willie Worm whose parents had just lectured him about the importance of being honest. "Always go straight, Willie," they said, "you'll never regret it." So Willie heeded their advice. Instead of turning, he kept going straight, Freddie the robin hopped along behind until he fainted from hunger. Willie overdid it, however. He kept on in a straight line until he fell off the edge of the world. All of which goes to show: (a) that you can't take things too literally, (b) you've got to be careful what you say in front of children, and (c) the world is really flat. By John Luther Source: Bits & Pieces, April 30, 1992, Copyright (c) Economic Press, Inc., www.epinc.com ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Aside: I realised that songs, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying "yes" to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying "yes" to a hope based on God's initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work, and not mine. -- Henri Nouwen, New Oxford Review (Nov. 1986). Christianity Today, Vol.31, # 18. ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- 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) ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- 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. Contents of FreEzine are copyright and we make every endeavour to acknowledge sources. You may freely quote from FreEzine PROVIDED FreEzine@telstra.easymail.com.au is cited as a reference source. Occasional contributions from Good News Australia are used with permission. YOUR contributions and comments most welcome. E&OE ~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*-~-*- Last words: A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening when she was fixing the dinner and he handed her a piece of paper which he had been writing on. And after wiping her hands on her apron she read it. This is what it said: "For mowing the lawn, 5 dollars For making my own bed this week, 1 dollar For going to the store, 50 cents And for playing with little brother while you went shopping, 25 cents Taking out the rubbish, 1 dollar And getting a good report card, 5 dollars Leaf raking the yard, 2 dollars Total load - Fourteen, seventy-five." Well, his mum looked at him standing there expectantly, and the memories flashed through her mind. So she picked up the pen, and turning the paper over, this is what she wrote: "For the nine months I carried you, growing inside me, no charge. For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you, prayed for you, no charge. For the time and the tears that you've caused through the years, no charge. When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is 'no charge,'" For the nights filled with dread and all the worries ahead, no charge. For the advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college, no charge. For toys, the food and clothes and even for wiping your nose, there's no charge. When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is no charge" Well, when he finished reading it, he had great big tears in his eyes. And he looked up at her standing there and said, Mum, I sure do love you. And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote, "Paid in full", And the Lord knows, when you add it all up the cost of real love is "no charge". --Anon. Cited in Lionel Hartley, Middlessence, Mid-life Crisis and Menopause, L&R Hartley, Publishers, NSW, 2000 (Introduction to Chapter 8 - The Empty Nest Syndrome)