><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Issue Vol 3 # 3 Mar 2002 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> 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: Egbert's Toothache Newsbreak: Telstra Easymail (repeat) What's On? Seminars & Workshops: Repeatable Quotable: Friendship Article: In Heavenly Places, by Richard Wurmbrand Havagiggle: Sermon Titles The Extensive Exposition: Faith: Response in Relationship The Funny Bone: Courthouse Bloopers Split Second Wisdom: Are you Crazy? Sermon Snippet: What Easter Means to Me Theologically speaking: Children's Letters to God Take a Hint: Watching Television For the Children: A Child's Prayer About Her Brother Freebies: More Software From My Case Files: The Anniversary Gift Letters to the Editor Watch This Space Subscription & Other Information Penultimate: Source of last issues' 'Penultimate' quote The Last Word: A Tribute to the Bible ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Editorial: Egbert's Toothache It was Saturday, and Egbert (not his real name) had toothache. He lived 20klm from the nearest town but the aching forced him to drive into town to seek some aid. As the dentist was closed for the weekend, Egbert went to the dental department at the hospital. It too was closed, however the dentist was there and was sorting through some records. Egbert presented his dilemma and was asked if he had an "Health Care Card". He replied no, but was willing to pay, if only the dentist would remove his aching tooth. To Egbert's dismay, he was told that even money could not persuade the dentist into action without the necessary "Health Care Card". Sadly, Egbert returned home to wait until Monday when he could see a "regular" dentist. Through the afternoon the pain got steadily worse, until, in desperation, Egbert went into his shed and grabbed a pair of pliers. With the aid of a mirror, Egbert struggled and finally removed a large tooth from his jaw. The tooth came out, but the pain seemed to remain. Egbert figured that the pain would subside with time so he swigged a cup of tea and waited. Throughout Sunday the pain appeared worse and early Monday morning Egbert eagerly waited at the dentist's door. When the dentist looked in Egbert's mouth he asked what Egbert had been doing to himself. As Egbert explained, the dentist interrupted by asking, 'Did you think to sterilise the pliers?' Egbert's negative reply explained in part the continued pain. Egbert not only had an infection in the gum, he had pulled out the wrong tooth! Now, I'm not suggesting we are all as impatient as Egbert, but we all, at times, want to do things our own way and on our own. Remember, however, that the man who claims to be a self-made man has a fool for a maker. When you and I try and do our own things (on our own), we are liable to end up like aching Egbert. Why not claim and prayerfully follow through with the following promise from Philippians 4:13 -- "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me" (emphasis mine). -- Lionel Hartley, Editor ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Newsbreak (repeat): Telstra Easymail Closing Due to the announcement by Telstra of the soon closure of the Easymail service, we request that readers note the change of the FreEzine email address. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> What's On? Seminars & Workshops: 1. Resources from the previously advertised 'A Christ for Everyone' seminar with Dr Des Ford & Pr Ron Allen are available from 2. Please note: As mentioned in the last issue, the previously advertised seminar website is no longer available. The new site is ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Repeatable Quotable: Friendship Friends are neither made nor bought We find them when we're feeling glum When we've waited lonely years Then friendship's found, when friendship's sought Through a comrade, a pal, a buddy or a chum To still the deepest fears and tears. We need neither explanation nor reason - A glance, a look, a sigh. A clasp of the hand can clasp the heart. No matter what the season When a friend comes by There are bonds that time can never part. For once you have a true friend Whose touch reaches to your need And with gracious patience, an ear that bends - The words of Jesus will then blend With those your friend will plead, "Henceforth not servants; I have called you friends!" God grants our friendship grow With his grace to impart A greater measure of his love - So that we may truly know The warmth that fills our heart Is given from above. --Lionel Hartley 28/4/98 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><>? Aside: Praying for Strength & Bravery "If we were stronger, we might be less tenderly treated. If we were braver, we might be sent, with far less help, to defend far more desperate posts in the great battle." quoted in Disappointment With God, Philip Yancey, Zondervan, p. 208. A good selection of Philip Yancy books (including this one) are available from ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Article: In Heavenly Places By Richard Wurmbrand 'I said, "You are gods, and all of you children of the most high"' (Psalm 82:6). '...we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is' (1 John 3:2). Dear brothers and sisters, 'Jesus answered them, "is it not written in your law, Ye are gods? (John 10:34). This is very rarely mentioned in churches and in sermons. It is also written that when he will appear, 'we will be like him' (1 John 3:2). If you say to somebody, you will be like the Queen, you will be like the President of the United States, you will be a genius like Einstein, it is a very big assertion. Jesus is the King of Kings and John says you will be like him. You can be like him only because you have the seed of Jesus within. As an embryo will be a full man, we will be such a high being. We can be safe from the misery, from the ups and downs of human life and become partakers of the divine nature. Really fulfil these words which Jesus has said, 'Ye are gods'. I preached in a church and I met a man who told me he heard me preach there 18 years ago. I asked him, 'What did I preach?' To my great amazement, he knew. He said, 'Eighteen years ago you told us that a Communist officer had come to torture you with his implements of torture, the rubber truncheons, red-hot irons with which to burn, knives, and you looked into his eyes and you told him what beautiful eyes he had'. I never hated the Communists. I love them with all my heart and wish they should be saved. This should be clear. But when they came to power in my country, they did what they do wherever they come to power. They put thousands of Christians in jail, and some of us, who were considered more dangerous, were each put alone in a cell. Our World In Prison For three years I was alone in a cell, thirty feet beneath the earth. Never seeing sun, moon, snow, flowers or stars. There was a time I forgot these things existed. We never saw a colour. We saw only the grey walls of the cell and our grey uniform. For a time I forgot blue, yellow, violet and pink existed. Our world was grey. We had no Bible or any other book. We were very hungry. I will not describe our menu to you because you would lose your appetite for weeks. There were beatings. There were tortures. I will not describe the tortures you brothers and sisters in communist countries endure. And in the Muslim would the situation is no better. For 14 years I never had a pen in my hand. Never had paper or anything. There was no intellectual activity of any kind. In these years of solitary confinement, we never heard a voice, we never heard a whisper. Every one of us was alone. We were so alone. Those who passed near the jail did not know it was a jail. We were alone, and we remembered the words of Jesus, 'Ye are gods'. God has been alone. Before he created the world, the world of angels and the world of men. He has been alone, we were like God-alone. We lived in timelessness. We did not know any more-is it March, is it October, is it Tuesday, is it Saturday? If it was eight o'clock in the morning, if it was three o'clock during the night, we did not know the difference. We lived in timelessness. We said to ourselves, like God we are alone, like God we are outside of time, like God we have nothing and we are gods. Then let us act like God, let us create a world. Evoking The Spiritual In these dark subterranean prison cells we created for ourselves a beautiful world. It was so beautiful. It started like this. I spoke to Jesus. I did not see him, I did not experience him. I believed and I spoke with him. When you speak much with God, and you speak really in faith, something happens. You all know what erotic obsessions are. How terrible they are especially in prison. I have not seen a girl in fourteen years. I have not seen a woman in fourteen years. It can obsess you. You lie down a little bit, and you see before you, girls and women talking, and you never see your wife. You see somebody else's wife. As our minds can evoke erotic things, our minds can evoke spiritual things. You can evoke the presence of Jesus. I can close my eyes now. I can see my son. I can see my grandchildren. You can evoke the presence of somebody. We evoked the presence of Jesus. We evoked the presence of angels. We evoked the presence of saints. With time, we oriented ourselves in this entirely other world. We evoked beautiful forests and lakes, and see shores, and so many beautiful places. We lived in this world which we had created. We lived in a world with so many good men, with so many saintly men. It was a pleasure to be with them, to discuss with them. Years passed. We did not observe the passing of time. There was no time for us. We had created for ourselves a beautiful world. Be Seated In Heavenly Places This was our experience. I plead with you. I know we had our sufferings there. You have yours. Many of you are very, much alone. You have married and you are still alone because your spouse does not understand you. You have children but they break your heart. You have parents who are brutal. They don't understand you. In your church you are misunderstood. Pastors get misunderstood. Parishioners get misunderstood. There is so much. Loneliness. Hallelujah! God was alone. St. Paul was in a jail, a subterranean jail, in Rome. I have seen it. It was exactly like the cell in which I have been under the earth. He sat on the stone. He had no bed. There on the stone, beaten and hungry, he wrote to the Ephesians. 'We (he meant himself and the other disciples) are seated in heavenly places'. If you asked him what he meant he would tell you, 'Well, this is the material world in which I am detained somehow against my will, but I am a god. I am also a creator. I am a son of God. I can create a world of mine, and I can see myself and my dear brethren seated in heavenly places'. I am not writing to tell you how much Christians suffer in Communist countries, and how many beatings they get, and how much you should help them. I want to tell you they have spiritual experiences apart, which could be the common treasure of Christians also in the free world. You don't have their sadness, but you have yours. You have your grievances. You have your sorrows. You must not live in your pains. You can be above all these things. You can be seated in heavenly places. I plead with you, learn from the underground church, In Christ, Richard Wurmbrand. or <> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Havagiggle: Sermon Titles A Fat Servant is Better than a Skinny Corpse (Luke 15:17) A Few Good Men: Gideon's Army (J.F. Higgins) A Good God On A Bad Day A Lot to Learn from Lot (Genesis 14) A Major Message From A Minor Prophet (Zephaniah 3:14-20) A Nude Dude in a Rude Mood: A sermon on the Gadarene Demoniac A Serious birth Defect (Psalm 51) (PLG) A sermon on the Prodigal: Giving the Pigs a Permanent Wave (Paul Frerking) All stressed up and nowhere to go American Culture-Polytheisism at its Best (A.S.) An address to Submarine Christians--those who surface Christmas and Easter! Antidote for Anxiety (Philippians 4:6-8) Are You a Low-Sodium Christian? Then Add a Little Spiritual Spice to Your Life! (Matthew 6) Are You a Wet Water Walker or A Dry Boat Rider (Matthew 14:28)? (Aldren Sadler Sr.) Are you in the Way, or are you in the way? (John 14:6) (JLN) Are You Suffering from Malnutrition? (Matthew 4:1-4) Bay of Pigs (casting demons into swine) Be Careful With What You Think You Know (John 3:1-17) Born to RAZE Hell. (raze-destroy,break down, demolish) (Tom Foster) Bringing in the sheep (Looking for the one lamb) But GOD Romans 5-8 Christians Stink - We are called to be the odorant to the world. Relating to the odorant added to LP gas. (R.P.) Countdown To The Showdown (Armaggedon) Crummy Faith (Matthew 15:21-28) Devilled Ham (Luke 8:26-39) (Jim Robinson) (or: How about When Pigs Fly) Do you have any NIKE's (Gr. for victories) Does God have a Plan B for us? Don't Panic It's Just A Test Don't park in the handicap zone (be active in church) Steve Dixon Don't Set the Stage for Rage (on anger) Don't wait till the battle is over--shout now! Driven to Distraction (Luke 10:38-42, Martha distracted by many things) Free: Eternal Life Insurance! (L. Parman) Get Off Your Donkey - Parable of Good Samaritan. (W. Vendt) God wants to deal with your BUT (II Kings 5:1 Naaman was a mighty man of valour, but he was... - S. Green) Gone With The Wind: (house on a rock) (RWJ) Heaven Can't Wait! (Revelation 21) He's Making A List And Checking It Twice (R. Wright) Hind-sight, Blind-sight -Jesus heals the man born blind, and the Pharisees remain sightless. (C. Jennings) Honey, We Need to Shrink the Camel (Matthew 19:23-26) (Jim Robinson) How Are You Going To Get Along In Heaven With People You Can't Get Along With Here? How Big is Your Barn? (Storing up treasures on earth) How Does Your Garden Grow? (Parable of the Sower) Human Sacrifice - Live at Eleven - (Communion) If You Can't Keep Up, Keep Going I'm gonna be in heaven with him? Is God your steering wheel or your spare tire. Is Time your enemy or is time your friend? (Rev. G. Gregory) Lamb Chops Anyone? (John 10:11-18) Lost in His Own Back Yard (the older Brother) Love 'Em All, and Let God Sort 'Em Out (loving your enemies) Milk does the body Good (I Peter 2:2) (Rev Gino Dennis) More Zip for the Trip - Elijah out running the chariots Not Your Typical (Baptist) (Luke 3:1-6) Nothing but Net (John 21) (Bobby Holland) On Naaman - Lather, Rinse, Repeat Prayer Meeting in Hell (Lazarus and the Rich Man) Remember Lot's wife. She was halted, she was exhalted, she was salted. Seven Ducks In A Puddle (Namaan) (II Kings 5) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, They didn't bend they didn't bow, they didn't BURN. Casual Christianity Shared Any Good 'Yokes' Lately? (message on servanthood) (David A. Hall) Solve our Problems, but Save our Pigs (J. M.) Some Will Wear Crowns...Others Will Wear Frowns (Judgement seat of Christ) (C. Spurlock) Standing On The Promises or Sitting On The Premises (sermon on service) (David A. Hall) Survival of the Fittest or Cross training Table Manners (On Communion) The Buts of the Believer (II Corinthians 4:7-9) (JLN) The Church - Some assembly required (Mike Petzer) The company you keep! (I Samuel 10:5-11) (Eld. Harvin) The Great Ommission The little red devil behind the Pearly White Gates (sermon on the power of the tongue) The Man in the Middle The Mighty Mite-The Widow's Mite The rude, crude, dude in the nude (Luke 8:26) The Saline Solution (Salt of the earth) Three (Wise) Men and a Baby Christmas Sermon (Pastor Manuel Cruz Jr.) Turn or Burn! (Revelation 20:15) Unthawing the Frozen Chosen Wait Watchers (Advent Sermon) Wake Up - and Sell The Coffin (The widow of Nain's son) (Mark Winters) WANTED: SAINTS - DEAD OR ALIVE! (John 11:32-44 -- M. Stone) What on Earth are you Doing for Heavens' sake? What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do (Rev. Larry Moore) What's Up Doc? (Luke's account of the Ascension) When Lefty Killed Fatty! (Ehud) When the Load gets Heavy (Matthew 11: 28-30) You Are What You Eat - Communion sermon on Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6) You Better Be Humble...Or You Will Stumble (PRIDE) (I Peter 5:5-6) (C. Spurlock) You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith too (sermon on Adultery) (David A. Hall) You Can't Win If You Don't Begin (David A. Hall) --Compiler of This List Unknown. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Extensive Exposition. Each issue we will make available a longer article available by email free to those who request it. This is to keep the FreEzine a readable length yet make available more in-depth material for those who are interested. Articles provided under this section do not always reflect totally the beliefs of the editor. In some issues more than one article will be available under this section and articles will need to be asked for by name to save confusion. We have no separate mailing list for the automatic despatch of articles in The Extensive Exposition so a separate request will need to be made for each article. This month's article: Faith: Response in Relationship by Douglas John Hall. A fresh look at faith from The Living Pulpit Inc. Articles may be obtained free by writing to the editor and asking for the article by name. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Funny Bone: Courthouse Bloopers (You have the right to remain silent and anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you). Mary Louise Gilman, the editor of the National Shorthand Reporter has collected many hilarious courtroom bloopers and has published these in two books - Humor in the Court (1977) and More Humor in the Court. Here follows a tiny selection: Q. Now, Mrs. Johnson, how was your first marriage terminated? A. By death. Q. And by whose death was it terminated? Q. Doctor, did you say he was shot in the woods? A. No, I said he was shot in the lumbar region. Q. What is your name? A. Ernestine McDowell. Q. And what is your marital status? A. Fair. Q. Are you married? A. No, I'm divorced. Q. And what did your husband do before you divorced him? A. A lot of things I didn't know about. Q. do you believe that you are emotionally unstable? A. I should be. Q. How many times have you committed suicide? A. Four times. Q. Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people? A. All my autopsies have been performed on dead people. What happened then? A. He told me, he says, "I have to kill you because you can identify me." Q. Did he kill you? A. No. THE COURT: Now, as we begin, I must ask you to banish all present information and prejudice from your minds, if you have any. Q. Did he pick the dog up by the ears? A. No. Q. What was he doing with the dog's ears? A. Picking them up in the air. Q. Where was the dog at this time? A. Attached to the ears. Q. When he went, had you gone and had she, if she wanted to and were able, for the time being excluding all the restraints on her not to go, gone also, would he have brought you, meaning you and she, with him to the station? MR. BROOKS: Objection. That question should be taken out and shot. Q. And lastly, Jimmy, all your responses must be oral. O.K.? What school do you go to? A. Oral. Q. How old are you? A. Oral. Q. Then, later on.. what did you see? A. I had a skin graft. My whole buttocks and leg were removed and put on top of my head. Q. Could you see him from where you were standing? A. I could see his head. Q. And where was his head? A. Just above his shoulders. Q. ...any suggestions as to what prevented this from being a murder trial instead of an attempted murder trial? A. The victim lived. Q. You too were shot in the fracas? A. No, sir. I was shot midway between the fracas and the naval. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Aside: Are you a writer, a poet or an illustrator? If you have something you have written or illustrated that you would like to consider having published, a free 60 page Style Guide is available online at , or from the Editor of this FreEzine. There is no charge for publishing and YOU receive payment on publication (see the free Style Guide for details). ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Split Second Wisdom: Psychiatrists say that one out of four people is mentally ill. Check three of your friends. If they're OK, you're it. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Aside: Remember St Patrick's day in style. For a free Irish recipe book (ebook) or a free Irish songbook (ebook), visit ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Sermon Snippet: What Easter Means To Me From early years I've learned The baby Jesus from above Would grow up to be our King, A Saviour full of ardent love. <>< I forever owe Him my gratitude And the road He once did walk Carrying the sins of a dying world, Shedding His blood our redemption was bought. <>< He provided a lamb for you and me. Seeing His people were hopelessly lost. So in the flesh, He arrived to die; Was humiliated and hung on an old rugged cross. <>< Death could not keep Him, Sin would lose it's sting. The grave was then opened And the angels began to sing. <>< My Saviour is alive! Even though He died alone. My precious Lord endured the pain And all His children are welcomed home. <>< Easter means everything to me because I know that some day I will dwell in heaven with Jesus. His dying on the cross and resurrection is a gift that no one could give to us but our Father in Heaven. Written by Janet Ford April 2001 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Theologically speaking: Children's Letters to God Dear God, Are you really invisible or is it a trick? - Lucy Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? Norma Dear God, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You just keep the ones You have now? -Jane Dear God, Who draws the lines around the countries? -Nan Dear God, What does it mean You're a Jealous God? I thought You had everything -Jane Dear God, Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you?" Because if you did, then I'm going to fix my brother -Darla Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother, but I prayed for a puppy -Joyce Dear God, Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed to be our day of rest -Tom L. Dear God, Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before, You can look it up -Bruce Dear God, If we come back as something - please don't let me be Jennifer Horton because I hate her - Denise Dear God, If You give me a genie lamp like Aladdin, I will give you anything you want, except my money or my chess set -Raphael Dear God, maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother -Larry Dear God, I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions -Ruth M. Dear God, My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. They're kidding, aren't they? -Marsha Dear God, If You watch me in church Sunday, I'll show You my new shoes -Mickey D. Dear God, I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the Bible. Love, Chris Dear God, We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said You did it -Donna Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday - Eugene --Editor's archives ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> For the Children: A Child's Prayer About Her Brother. Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving me my own special mirror. Thank you Jesus for my brother. Funny how my brother looks just like me. At night we pray together, so don't think it is me praying twice. Amen (-Anon) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Take a Hint: Watching Television 1. The Bible and the TV Guide On the table side by side The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide. One is well worn, yet cherished with pride, But that one is not the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide. <>< One is used daily to help folks decide, No! it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide. As the pages are turned what shall they see? Oh! it doesn't matter, just turn on the T.V. <>< Then confusion is started, for they can't all agree On what they shall watch on the old T.V. So they refer to the book in which they all confide But it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide. <>< The Word of God is seldom read. Maybe a verse before they fall into bed. Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be, Not from reading the Bible, but from watching T.V. <>< Then back to the table side by side, The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide. No time for prayer, No time for the Word. The plan of salvation is seldom heard. <>< Forgiveness of sin so full and free We find in the Bible and not on T.V. --Author Unknown <>< 2. The Television Psalm (a pasquinade on Psalm 23) The TV is my Shepherd, I shall not want anything else. It maketh me to lie down on the sofa. It leadeth me away from the Scripture. It destroyeth my soul. It leadeth me in the paths of sex and violence for the sponsors sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will enjoy the evil, for blood and sex, they excite me. It prepares a filthy commercial before me in the presence of my children. It anoints my head with humanism. My coveting runneth over. Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow my family all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house watching TV forever. --Author Unknown <>< 3. TV criterion: I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - Psalm 101:3a (Editor's selection) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Freebies: More software. Due to a reader request, I have included another link for free software. As I have several hard-drives on my computer, I have found the Stats 2000 a very handy disk utility. Stats 2000 is a freeware programme which collects numerous disk statistics including file types, file ages, age distribution, and file size distribution. It works over multiple disk drives. All graphs are in 3D. It has a dazzling opening animation. Also on this site is a freeware KJV Bible study tool and a selection of useful productivity tools. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> From My Case Files: The Anniversary Gift After three decades of counselling, your editor (a retired sociologist) sometimes ponders some of the things which have come up in counselling that, in retrospect, contain an element of humour. This feature section will be included from time to time to share some of these snippets. Names have been changed to protest privacy. Egbert said to his wife that he was going to get her a special twenty-fourth anniversary gift. "I'm going to take you to England," he said. Maggie agreed with his idea with a smile and challenged him in front of me: "That's going to be hard to beat. What are you going to do for our 25th anniversary?" "Easy," Egbert replied, "I'll go back and get you." ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Letters to the Editor Dear Doctor Hartley We do enjoy the FreEzine magazine/paper you mail us monthly. Thank you! In your last edition I noted the article on haemorrhoids. My older brother had what he supposed were 'haemorrhoids' for some years. When a locum was filling in for his regular GP, it was suggested that the haemorrhoids be checked out. A procedure/test found that my brother had bowel cancer - so far advanced that it was inoperable. He passed away within six months. I would suggest that a warning be given always that bleeding from the bowel be thoroughly investigated. Yours in Christian love Barbara S Thank-you Barbara, I am aware of a similar case. Thank you for bringing this to my attention once again. <>< Herb M asked about a copy of Pilgrim's Progress. I am happy to say that, although it is not yet listed on the current International Ebook Website, it is nevertheless definitely available as an ebook from . (The International Ebook Website is not up-to-date and there are numerous books available that are not listed yet.) ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> 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. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Subscription Information: (NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!) FreEzine is a Free ezine magazine/newsletter, published no less than monthly and sent out only to those who request it. As FreEzine uses an opt-in email list, we never buy or otherwise obtain email addresses. We have a strictly No Spam Policy. To subscribe, please send a blank message (we invite your comments also) to and type SUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. 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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 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. Free offers in FreEzine of CD-ROMs, Back issues, software, posters, additional articles, screensavers, etc. have a time limit which is normally until the issue of the next edition of FreEzine. Special exceptions are sometimes made. Contact the editor for information. In order to cater for a variety of tastes and beliefs, the content of FreEzine does not always reflect totally the beliefs of the editor. Contents of FreEzine are COPYRIGHT and we make every endeavour to acknowledge sources. You may freely quote from FreEzine PROVIDED is cited as a reference source. Occasional contributions from Good News Australia are used with permission. YOUR contributions and comments most welcome. E&OE PS. This could be your next home: Check out ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Penultimate: Last issue I shared the following "anonymous" quote from my archives: 'Two prisoners looked through the self-same bars One saw the mud; the other saw the stars.' FreEzine chooses to acknowledge authors and sources, so thank you to the reader who kindly sent me what s/he suggests may be the original: "Two men look out through the same bars; one sees mud, and one the stars." --Frederick Langbridge Ironically, the reader who sent this quote chooses to remain anonymous. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Last Word: A Tribute to the Bible The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish or a book that will work wonders by its very presence. It is a book that will work wonders in every life, here and hereafter, if acted upon and obeyed in faith and sincerity. It is God's inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things, written in the simplest human language possible so that the most unlearned can understand and obey its teachings. It is self-interpreting and covers every subject of human knowledge and need now and forever. As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever made. It is a divine library of 66 books, some of considerable size, and others no larger than a tract. These books include various forms of literature - history, biography, poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns, letters, directions for elaborate ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories, prophecy, drama, and others. They embrace all manner of literary styles in human expression. It is the book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of Salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are Holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. The Bible contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilots compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christians charter. Here heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, and the Glory of God its end. It should fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet in true righteousness and true holiness. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously. Read it through and through until it becomes a part of your being and generates faith that will move mountains. The Bible is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure. It is given to you in this life, will be opened at the judgement, and will stand forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the least to the greatest of labour, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. Author Unknown Shared by Bro. Lankford