><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine - ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Issue 27 Vol 3 # 9 September 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: God's Gifts in the 23rd. Psalm Newsbreak: Warning on Imported Olive-pomace Oils What's On? Seminars & Workshops Repeatable Quotable: Taking Life Easy Article: Some Thoughts on a Different Aspect of the Sanctuary Havagiggle: The Peace and Love of God The Extensive Exposition: An Analysis on Those Who Leave the Adventist Church The Funny Bone: Remember Split Second Wisdom: Free Advice Reader's Write: The Devil - It's Not a Myth Sermon Snippet: Do You Know Psalm 23? Theologically speaking: The Angry Atheist For the Children: If God Should Go On Strike Take a Hint: Opening Computer Files With Different Applications Freebies: Free tips for crochet & knitting From My Case Files: Well, You Asked For It. Letters to the Editor Watch This Space Observation: Preaching God's Love for Sinners Back Page: My Favourite Things Subscription & Other Information ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine -FreEzine ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Editorial: God's Gifts in the 23rd. Psalm. 1. Relationship: The Lord is my Shepherd 2. Supply: I shall not want 3. Rest: He maketh me to lie down 4. Beauty: In green pastures 5. Refreshment: He leadeth me (beside still waters) 6. Tranquillity: Beside still waters 7. Healing: He restoreth my soul 8. Guidance: He leadeth me 9. Direction: In the paths of righteousness 10. Purpose: For His name sake 11. Challenge: Yea, though I walk through the valley 12. Continual presence: (The valley) of the shadow of death 13. Assurance: I will fear no evil 14. Faithfulness: For thou art with me 15. Safety & shelter: Thy rod and thy staff 16. Comfort: They comfort me 17. Provision: Thou preparest a table before me 18. Hope: (Thou preparest a table ...) in the presence of mine enemies 19. Consecration: Thou anointest my head with oil 20. Abundance: My cup runneth over 21. Blessings: Goodness and mercy ... all the days of my life 22. Security: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord 23. Family: (In the house of the Lord) 24. Eternity: Forever. -- Lionel Hartley, Editor. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Newsbreak: Warning on Imported Olive-pomace Oils Food safety authorities are warning the public about olive-pomace oils that may contain a known carcinogen. The oil is made from olive residues. Pure olive oil is not affected by the warning. Four brands of Italian and Spanish olive-pomace oil: Vero, Mi Tierra, Verdeoro, and Coopoliva, were tested by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and found to contain up to 100 times approved levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Long-term exposure to PAHs has been linked to increased levels of cancer but they do not present an acute risk to health. According to an article in the Christchurch Press (), there is a general warning not to use any olive-pomace oils bought before December last year. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> What's On? Seminars & Workshops: For free Seminars in your area, locally, nationally & internationally, visit . ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Repeatable Quotable: Taking Life Easy Don't go too fast, you'll get there before your time - Lionel Hartley, 'Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur', First Chance Publishing, London, 2000, p168 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Article: Some Thoughts on a Different Aspect of the Sanctuary. When we think of the Old Testament Sanctuary, we possibly think of blood sacrifices, atonement, incense, different apartments, priests etc. So, without diminishing the importance of these, I would like to share some thoughts on a different aspect of the sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a 3-dimentional painting of the eternal plan of salvation. It points us to the Lamb of God and the great masterminded plan for our eternal redemption. But have you considered the application of the picture of the Sanctuary for our day-to-day practical Christianity? 2 Chronicles 20: 9 says, "If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help." The clause translated 'we stand before this house' in the original Hebrew is 'paw-neem zeh bah'-yith' - literally to turn your face towards any house. Bah'-yith can mean a house in the greatest variety of applications, including a family home, courtyard, dungeon, winter house, palace, in fact, any place. However, the phrase 'for thy name is in this house', or more accurately 'your name IS this house', makes it clear that we are talking primarily about the Sanctuary (see also the surrounding verses), although there is room to include our God-filled family homes in this application. The verse says that we 'cry unto thee in our affliction'. This is not talking about Gentiles here. This is talking about God's people -- about you and me. The verse does not promise we will be free from trial, in fact the earlier part of the verse mentions specifically the evils of the sword, judgement, pestilence or disease, and famine or hunger. And that word translated 'cry' is 'zaw-ak' which means literally to shriek from anguish or danger. But the verse does contain a promise. If we turn our face towards God's house (a modern rendering may be, 'if we come to fellowship with other Christians') and acknowledge that God is in this place then, the verse says, 'God will hear and help'. The word 'hear' is translated from 'shaw-mah', which means to listen attentively and the word 'help' is translated from 'yaw-shah', meaning to be free, safe, delivered, helped, preserved, rescued, have salvation or to get victory. In other words, God helps us in the way that is best for us, with room for either a 'yes', a 'no' or a 'not yet' response. Therefore I would like to suggest that next time we think about the Sanctuary, let us add to our comprehension the aspect of God's willingness to respond to our petitions. This is taking our understanding of the sanctuary out of the realm of mere doctrine and applying it to everyday living. This verse, 2 Chronicles 20: 9 also contains an interesting chronological sequence of events. It starts by talking about our daily trials. Then it lists -- note the specific order -- four 'if's': - If we turn to face God - that's repentance. - Then if we come into his presence - which can be at church, or it can be anywhere you are willing to let Him in. - Then if we acknowledge His name - that's praising and worshipping Him - And then if we cry unto Him - that's the asking part, - Then He will respond to our best good. God is so willing that we commune with Him, that these conditions also become a model for prayer. A prayer that includes -- in order -- repentance or confession first, corporate or individual praise and worship next, then thanksgiving, and finally we present our petitions. We then can confidently wait for God to answer with His 'yes', 'no' or 'not yet' response. So then 'If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help'. -- Lionel Hartley <> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Havagiggle: The Peace and Love of God After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons. "Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God!" The pastor was thrilled. "No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why." "Well - it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever!" -- ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> 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 'An Analysis on Those Who Leave the Adventist Church' by Dr. Reinder Bruinsma Articles may be obtained free by writing to the editor and asking for the article by name. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Funny Bone: Remember. (Editor's longer title: I Just Remembered that I Forgot to Remind you to Remember not to Forget.) "George is so forgetful," the sales manager complained to his secretary. "It's a wonder he can sell anything. I asked him to pick me up some sandwiches on his way back from lunch, and I'm not sure he'll even remember to come back." Just then, the door flew open and in bounced George. "You'll never guess what happened!" he shouted, "While I was at lunch, I met old man Brown, who hasn't bought anything from us for five years. Well, we got to talking, and he gave me this half-million dollar order!" "See," sighed the sales manager to his secretary, "I told you he'd forget the sandwiches." -- Adapted from ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Split Second Wisdom: Free advice is usually worth almost as much as it costs. -PCNAG ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Reader's Write: The Devil - It's Not a Myth I like the story of the two boys who were talking about the devil after a Sunday School session. One asked, " Is the devil for real?" The other boy replied, "No! He is like Santa Claus. He is your Father." In the modern world, it is fashionable to claim that Satan is just a myth. For myself , I must accept and believe that Satan is a real spiritual person because I learn about him from the same source I learn about Jesus Christ - the Holy Bible. We hear about Satan in all the Bible, showing how he tried to tempt men and women to commit sin. Jesus Himself tells us that He was `tempted of the devil for 40 days and nights' at the beginning of His ministry.(Mark I :13) Even in today's society, many people say, when caught out in doing something bad, "The devil made me do it," even though he claims he does not believe in God or the devil. Ridiculous, Isn't it ? This little poem expresses what I am saying: Men don't believe in the devil today, as their fathers used to do; They have forced the door of the widest creed to let his majesty through. There's not a mark of his cloven foot, or a fiery dart from his bow To be found in the earth or the air today.. for men have voted it so. But who is making the fatal draft that palsies heart and brain, And fills the world each passing year with ten hundred thousand slain? Who dogs the steps of the toiling saint, and digs a pit for his feet; And sows his tares in the field of time wherever God sows His wheat? The devil is voted not to be.. and of course it must be true; but I wonder who's doing the kind of work the devil alone should do? -- Rev. Frank Hollands, Presbyterian Church, Bega, NSW. If you have something you have written that you would like us to consider publishing, a free 60 page Style Guide is available online at , or from the Editor of this FreEzine. Submissions for FreEzine must not exceed 500 words and may be sent within the body of an email addressed to . ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Sermon Snippet: Do You Know Psalm 23? Once upon a time there was a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…", the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the Psalm, they wold rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life. But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?" The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent. With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training - but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?" The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm...I know the Shepherd." -- Editor's Archives. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Theologically Speaking: The Angry Atheist The story is told of the Atheist who accosted a preacher. "Do you believe in eternal life?" The preacher has no time to reply. "Well its a load of rubbish!" shouted the Atheist. "I believe in science, evolution, survival of the fittest, and when we die, that's it! No eternal life, no great judgement, and no God!" The Atheist continues his assault against the preacher repetitiously and tirelessly. "Eternal life! Eternal life! Ha! "Its all pie in the sky when you die." When I die that's it, the end, no eternal life, no nothing. He continues, until he reaches his climax, "I will be buried six feet under when I die and that's it! Nothing! Kaput! When I die I am utterly convinced that that will be the end of me!" "Well thank God for that" replies the preacher! -- ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> For the Children: If God Should Go On Strike. How is it that God above has never gone on strike, because he was not treated fair in things He didn't like. If only once He'd given up, and said, 'That's it, I'm through! I've had enough of those on earth, so this is what I'll do; I'll give my orders to the sun - 'Cut off the heat supply!' And to the moon - 'Give no more light, and run the ocean dry.' Then just to make things really tough and put the pressures on, turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone!' You know, He would be justified if fairness was the game; for no one has been abused or met with more disdain than God, any yet He carries on supplying you and me with all the favors of His grace and everything for free. Men say they want a better deal and so on strike they go. But what a deal we've given to God to whom all things we owe. We don't care whom we hurt to gain the things we like. But what a mess we'd all be in if God should go on strike!! -- ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Take A Hint: Opening Computer Files With Different Applications For Windows(r) users: Suppose you want to open in a document in an application other than its usual application. For example if you want to open a data file in the Windows Notepad you can put a shortcut to notepad in the SendTo menu and use a 'right' mouse click to 'send' the file to that application. You can drag any shortcut to the SendTo folder. Shortcuts can be to a printer, fax, network drive, or any Windows programme (such as PhotoShop, MS Word, etc.). To open the SendTo folder, click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type SendTo, and then press ENTER. Use the right mouse button to drag the item's icon into the SendTo window. The shortcut appears on the SendTo menu. Right-click a document or folder icon, click Send To, and then click a menu item. For example (as above), if create a link to Notepad.exe in your SendTo folder. Then, if you right-click a document, you can click Send To, and then click Notepad. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Freebies: Free tips for crochet & knitting For a whole page of free tips for crochet & knitting, go to ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> From My Case Files: Well, You Asked For It. 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 protect privacy. Maggie's argument began when she asked her husband, Egbert, for a compliment on her new pair of 'jeans'. 'Honey', she asked, 'Do these new jeans really make my bottom look like a sack of potatoes?' In a counselling session I was told of Egbert's reply. 'No dear,' he said, 'Potato sacks aren't blue!' ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Letters to the Editor Cantos de poetry, Catchwords, Changes, Clamourings, Clichés, Commendations, Comments, Commercials, Complaints, Compliments, Congratulates, Credits, Cries, Criticisms, Critiques? We'll Take All! ER writes, 'Occasionally when I have too many things open at once or when on the "web" I loose the taskbar from the bottom of my screen Is there any way I can restore it without re-booting Windows' Dear ER. If you need to restart a hidden taskbar or restart the taskbar after you've changed a registry entry, press CTRL+ALT+DEL (once only), click Explorer, and then click End Task. The taskbar is removed and then restarts. If you want to 'auto hide' the task bar, right click on the taskbar, select PROPERTIES, and then check mark AUTO HIDE. Hold the cursor below the hidden taskbar and it will reappear. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> 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. ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Observation: Preaching God's Love for Sinners In the latter half of the sixteenth century, during what was known as "the killing time" in Scotland, John Welsh (or Welsche), a Covenantor preacher and son-in-law of Scottish reformer John Knox, was pursued mercilessly by those who wished to take his life. For a long time he managed to elude his pursuers, but finally there seemed to be no safe place to go. He prayed, and believed God gave him a plan to outwit his enemies. That night Welsh knocked at the door of a man who was well known for his bitter opposition to the so-called field preachers, a man who was seeking to arrest Welsh but who had never met him. Unrecognised by the householder, Welsh was received with kindness. During the evening the conversation turned to the hated Welsh. His host complained bitterly that he had not been able to apprehend this man whom he considered a rebel and an agent of Satan. "I have been commissioned," said Welsh, "to apprehend these people. I know where Welsh is going to preach tomorrow. If you like, I will put him in your hands." "Nothing could please me better," said his host. The next day Welsh and his host walked to the place where the Covenantors had agreed to meet. Welsh invited his host to sit in the only chair available - one Welsh had especially provided for him. Then he began to preach about God's love for sinners. He spoke with such persuasive power and pathos that his enemy's heart was melted. At the close of the meeting Welsh said, "Sir, I am Welsh. Take and arrest me, and do whatever you wish." His former enemy, now his friend and convert, declined! --From Donald E. and Vesta W. Mansell, Sure As The Dawn, Review & Herald Publ., 1993 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> The Back Page: My Favourite Things New words for an old song from 'The Sound of Music': Maalox and nosedrops and needles for knittin', Walkers and handrails and new dental fittin's, Bundles of magazines tied up with string, These are a few of my favourite things. Cadillacs, cataracts, hearing aids, bloating gases, Polident, Fixodent, false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings, These are a few of my favourite things. When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad, Then I remember my favourite things And then I don't feel so bad Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food and no food with onions, Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favourite things. Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin', Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin'. And we won't mention our short shrunken frames When we remember our favourite things. When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim, Then I remember the great life I've had, And then I don't feel so bad. -- Author Unknown, courtesy ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> Subscription Information: FreEzine is a Free ezine magazine/newsletter, published by Lionel Hartley () 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. Although we encourage our readers to forward a copy of FreEzine to their friends and invite them to subscribe, we have a strictly No Spam Policy. To subscribe, please send an email telling us where you heard about FreEzine, to and type SUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. To change your email address, please send a blank message to and type ADDRESS CHANGE FREEZINE in the subject line. To unsubscribe, simply send a blank message (we invite your comments also) to and type UNSUBSCRIBE FREEZINE in the subject line. It is NOT necessary to access a website and/or go through a complicated ritual to unsubscribe from FreEzine! 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 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 ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><> : <>< : ><>