2002 Webpastor Weekly Hits! Archives begins... =================================================== Subject: [Hits] Webpastor Weekly HITS! 2002 Vol 1 No 1 Sender: Hits-admin@webpastor.com Errors-To: Hits-admin@webpastor.com X-BeenThere: Hits@webpastor.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.1 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: Dear Netfamily, Wow! Has it really been another year? Didn't it go by quickly? READING FROM THE WORD OF GOD Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:17-25 (NIV) New Year always arrives with mixed feelings, doesn't it? You look forward to what the future brings, but there is always that fear that this year may not bring pleasant things. Who could have predicted September 11? Civil disruption in Argentina? The terrible crash in the Swiss road tunnel? As the Scriptures say, "All men are like grass..." Yet, for those who love God and have been forgiven by Him, the word "fear" has a totally different meaning. It means reverence, not terror. It means security and comfort, not because we are good people, but totally due to the sacrifice of Jesus. That is why God can judge impartially, because His standard is Jesus, the pure and perfect unstained Lamb. TESTIMONY Why Christmas? There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!" he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home. A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window, then another thump on the window. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed. The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud. Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn and one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!" --Author unknown (submitted by Jennie Graham) PRAYER POINTS ***Thank God that He is a God of mercy, who was willing to come to earth in human form, to lead those who would follow to eternal safety. ***Praise God for the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, who is the only way to the Father. ***Pray for those friends and family who do not yet know this truth, that they might accept it in their hearts and begin a truly new year, indeed a new life. ***Thank God for part-time work for Mark D. Pray for Lynn's dad, suffering from multiple strokes, and needing full-time care. ***Pray for the bushfire crisis in Sydney, NSW and interstate to be brought under control and for much needed rain. ***Pray for Mary F and Anna S, expecting babies this month. ***Pray for Noel O's back problems and sleep apnoea. ***Pray for those undertaking new ventures. Keep Rocco, Sue & the girls in your prayers as they head for Melbourne later this month for further training for the mission field. HAHAHA CORNER Subject: Great Women ***Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what happened. -Cora Harvey Armstrong ***I refuse to think of them as chin hairs. I think of them as stray eyebrows. -Janette Barber ***Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry with your girlfriends. -Laurie Kuslansky ***My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. -Erma Bombeck ***Old age ain't no place for sissies. -Bette Davis ***The phrase "working mother" is redundant. -Jane Sellman ***Every time I close the door on reality it comes in through the windows. -Jennifer Unlimited ***Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart. -Caryn Leschen ***I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once. -Jennifer Unlimited ***If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning. -Catherine Aird ***I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I'm also not blonde. -Dolly Parton ***I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride. -Roseanne Barr ***When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. -Elayne Boosler ***I never married, because there was no need. I have three pets at home which answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog that growls every morning and afternoon, and a cat that comes home late every night. -Marie Corelli ***I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house. -Zsa Zsa Gabor =============================================== Sue: "Hey Rocco, I once saw an ad that read: 'Due to illness, Zsa Zsa Gabor has cancelled all her engagements for the week ... however her marriages will go on as usual!' Rocco:(groans) "And on that note ... Happy New Year to all of you! <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Subject: [Hits] Webpastor Weekly Hits! 2002 Vol 1 No 3 Sender: Hits-admin@webpastor.com Errors-To: Hits-admin@webpastor.com X-BeenThere: Hits@webpastor.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.1 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: We are in the midst of serious packing, so we missed the Hits! last week. We hope a few of you did too! And here it is! READING FROM THE WORD OF GOD Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Anyone can say anything about themselves, but as the old saying says: the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Jesus had risen from the dead: that proved that he had the right to say the sweeping statement of verse 18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..." Do we believe it? Because if we do, it impacts on every corner of our lives. We can hide nothing from the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. We owe him our lives. We cannot refuse him anything: we do so at our peril. Therefore, he says, since I am who I am, you who say you are mine must GO. But, we say, we must be practical Lord. Sure, we love you, but we have jobs, we have families, commitments. Jesus just looks us straight in the eye and says: "GO!" So where do we go? Jesus elaborates on this in Acts 1, "...you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." We used to hear a saying in Christian circles that "Some can go, most can support, all can pray." This is not what Jesus said. No Christian has the excuse not to go to their neighbours, to their workmates, to their families and tell them about Jesus. No Christian has the excuse not to set such a radical lifestyle that it does not impact upon the people around them. That is going. Anything less is standing still. INSPIRATIONAL STORY An eye witness account from New York City on a cold day in December: A little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, "My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in that window?" "I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," was the boy's reply. The lady took him by the hand and went into the store and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with a towel. By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, "No doubt, my little fellow, you feel more comfortable now?" As she turned to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up in her face, with tears in his eyes, answered the question with these words: "Are you God's Wife?" (Ed. Not his wife, little man, but definitely part of His family) -submitted by Rosemary T PRAYER POINTS -Praise God that He did not spare His own Son for our sake. -Thank God for those people who obeyed the command of Jesus in their lives and brought the Gospel to us. -Pray for the Scarcella's as they move to Melbourne soon and for family and friends who will miss them. -Pray for the Middle East,Argentina, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, that peace may come to the suffering populations of these lands. -Pray for the poor in Europe who are struggling with intense cold and floods (Russia). Pray for those in Australia who lost their homes and possessions in the terrible bushfires of the last few weeks. Thank God that the worst seems to be over, and there was not one life lost to the fires! Pray also that the hands of arsonists will be restrained, as (sadly) many of these fires were deliberately lit. HAHAHA CORNER UNNECESSARY BUT FASCINATING FACTS TO CLOG YOUR BRAIN -A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out. -A snail can sleep for three years. -Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age. -Butterflies taste with their feet. -Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds. Dogs only have about 10. -February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon. -In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated. - Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors. -No word in the English language rhymes with month. -Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. -Shakespeare invented the words 'assassination' and 'bump'. -"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand, "lollipop" with your right. -The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with. -TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. -Women blink nearly twice as much as men. -If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at a red light. -In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on a watch face is 10:10. -The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid. -There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious." -There is a word in the English language with only one vowel, which occurs five times: "indivisibility." -The Bible does not say there were three wise men; it only says there were three gifts. -Did you know that crocodiles never outgrow the pool in which they live? That means that if you put a baby croc in an aquarium, it would be little for the rest of its life. -submitted by Pat C. A Musical Collection 1."Haven't I seen your face before?" a judge demanded, looking down at the defendant. "You have, Your Honor," the man answered hopefully. "I gave your son violin lessons last winter." "Ah, yes," recalled the judge. "Twenty years!" 2.What do you get when you drop a piano down a mine shaft? A flat minor. 3.What do you get when you drop a piano on an army base? A flat major. 4.Two musicians are walking down the street, and one says to the other, "Who was that piccolo I saw you with last night?" The other replies, "That was no piccolo, that was my fife." 5.How do you fix a broken tuba? With a tuba glue. 6.What's the difference between a vocalist and a terrorist? You can negotiate with a terrorist. 7.How do you tell if a drummer is actually dead? Hold out a check (but don't be fooled: a slight, residual spasmodic clutching action may occur even hours after death has occurred). 8.Why do choirs travel so often? Keeps assassins guessing. 9.What's the least-used sentence in the English language? "Isn't that the banjo player's Porsche?" 10.What's the difference between an Uzi and an accordion? The Uzi stops after 20 rounds. 11.What does it say on a blues singer's tombstone? "I didn't wake up this morning..." -Anon. ================================================ Rocco: "Sue, I think that last one insulted just about everyone in the music world." Sue: "Well, after all, we have to be fair..." Until next week, folks!!!! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: [Hits] Webpastor Weekly Hits! 2002 Vol 2. No.1 Sender: Hits-admin@webpastor.com Errors-To: Hits-admin@webpastor.com X-BeenThere: Hits@webpastor.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.1 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: Dear Net Family, It seems ages since we last wrote. That's because we have been packing moving and then settling in here in Melbourne about 1,00kms from home. We're also just getting the internet network access worked out so corresondence may be a little erratic. But back to Melbourne: who could think there would be such a cultural difference between two cities in the same country! The Americans and Canadians could possibly understand this. Still, this place has style... and trams. Rocco is still trying not to collide with one whenever he drives! The girls have started at their new "no uniforms!" school just across the park here in the centre of this leafy city. Sue is trying to get used to the street names. But on the up side, she has already found plenty of second hand shops. AAAggggghhh!!! READING FROM THE WORD OF GOD For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 2 Corinthians 8:21 (NIV) The passage above is taken from a part of Paul's letter where he addresses the taking of appeal money from wealthy churches like Corinth, to poorer churches in Macedonia. Titus, a Cretan Christian, has volunteered to help gather the funds. Paul not only sends him, but another "brother". He has good reason for this: he wants two men to look after the money, not one, in case there is criticism over its collection and handling. Although in many things, Paul does not worry what people think, as long as the Lord knows his heart, in the case of finances, it is another ball game. It is most important to not only do the right thing, but be seen to do the right thing in regards to the donated money and goods of others. Those involved in such ministries must always be at pains to keep their records up to date, open to and able to pass, the deepest scrutiny from outsiders. For it is not only our personal reputation that is at stake, but that of the Lord. INSPIRATIONAL WORDS I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied , 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way !' So I went forth and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night . And he led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East. Minnie Louise Harkins 1875-1957 PRAYER POINTS *Thank God that He is holy and incorruptible. *Thank Him that even though He is holy and corruptible, He loves sinners and sent His Son to die for them. *Thank Jesus for His willingness to go to the Cross for us, and for the proof of His payment for sin: the resurrection. *Pray for the Middle East as it reels from tragedy to tragedy. *Keep the Afghani people in your prayers as they seek to rebuild their country. *Pray that our nations, our leaders,and we ourselves, will walk in the light of Christ. *Pray for countries hit by natural disasters, such as earthquakes,volcanic eruptions fires, droughts and floods. *Pray for us as we settle into a new city, and a different way of life. Pray for our girls as they cope with a new school, one that is very different in ethos from their old one. HAHAHA CORNER 1)Warning: Housework Is Dangerous to Your Health One day I was vacuuming my house. I thought I was further away from the couch then what I really was. I turned and my toes hit against the leg of the couch. After screaming at the top of my lungs......"Oh for mercy me, I have hurt myself" Or words to that effect. I realized I had broken my toe. Not the little one, or the big one, but the one right next to the big one. Now I know going to the Dr. wouldn't do any good. They don't cast the toes. I pulled the toe back into place,....... more "mercy me." I wrapped Duct Tape around the broken toe and the big toe. Taping them together held the broken one in place. I am happy to say that today the toe is great. I did a good job of setting it, and the Duct Tape did a great job holding it in place while it healed. Everything in life is a learning experience. I learned that house work is hazardous to your health. AND never attempt it without a roll of Duct Tape. --- Jayne Sherman 2)Julia Quinn Biography Biography: (from the back of her book "The Viscount Who Loved Me") Julia learned to read before she learned to talk, and her family is still trying to figure out it if that explains (A) why she reads so fast (B) why she talks so much, or (C) both. In addition to writing romances, she practices yoga, grows terrifyingly huge zucchinis, and tries to think up really good reasons why housework is dangerous to her health. The author of many acclaimed novels for Avon Books, she is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe colleges and lives in Colordo with her husband Paul, and a cat. 3)Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. -- Phyllis Diller 4)There is no need to do any housework at all. After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse. -- Quentin Crisp 5)Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance? --Phyllis Diller 6)I buried a lot of my ironing in the back yard. --Phyllis Diller 7)My husband and I are either going to buy a dog or have a child. We can't decide to ruin our carpet or ruin our lives. --Rita Rudner 8)I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride on. --Roseanne 9) There are Dust Bunnies under the bed, Yes you heard right that's what I said, Little bunnies that are all soft and gray, They sprout year round', not just in May, It would be hard for me to exactly tell, When the first dust bunny rang, my clean bell, I was somewhat surprised that they invited me, To a "Thank You for Life" Party kind of tea, I showed up, under the bed, in my bedroom, I realized then I had forgotten the broom, It would have been an impolite thing to do, To sweep them out, as they thanked you know who, They talked for hours about how gracious I was, These little dust bunnies of gray & white fuzz, They spoke of how kind I seemed to always be, These dust bunnies were as cute as any you'll see. I didn't have the heart or courage to do, What needed to be done by someone who, Doesn't mind sweeping out these cute little guys, So there they still are, all gray, fuzzy and wise. ---Mom's Journal ======================================================== Sue: "I always knew that housework was a danger." Rocco: "How about a contest, Sue? Let's ask the NetFamily to tell us some good housework stories. Sue: "Ok. Send your stories to housework@webpastor.com " Rocco: "Until next week.. Happy housework!. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Subject: [Hits] WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS! 2002 Vol 3 No 1 Sender: Hits-admin@webpastor.com Errors-To: Hits-admin@webpastor.com X-BeenThere: Hits@webpastor.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.1 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: Hi Hitsters! Okay! Okay! It does get very busy down here. Perhaps we should go for a new name like "Monthly" Hits! LOL! Of course, we DON’T want to keep apologising all the time for delays in getting the Hits! published. Rather, we are now happily resigned to the fact that there are going to be less editions during this intensive time of training and preparation. So, we ARE still here, just not ONLINE as often as we used to be! So don’t panic. Your dose [although reduced] of homily and humour is about to be given. Ready? Here we go... READINGS FROM THE WORD OF GOD Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matthew 11: 28-29 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us them approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: 14-16 (NIV) What is rest? Some people say that rest is lying down doing nothing. The Bible says something quite different. In the final "rest" (Hebrews 4: 10), it says, "anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." If, we are resting from our own work, but entering God’s rest, then we are doing His work - the good works He has set out for us to do from the beginning of time. That seems hard. How do we do God’s work? We are weak. We see from further on in Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus is not heartless and unfeeling. He "empathises" with is. That is: He feels all that we feel. In fact, the verse says that he was "tempted in every way, just as we are "yet was without sin." Let’s go back to Matthew 11:28-29. So, if we are entering into God’s rest, we are being yoked with Christ to do God’s work. Let’s imagine that scene drawn from farming imagery. An inexperienced cow was always yoked to an experienced cow, to learn. The inexperienced cow did not know what to do at first, so the experienced cow had to pull both the load and the inexperienced cow along. In fact, the older cow did all the work. The other merely followed the lead and learnt. So it must be with us. What we have to do is follow Jesus, not try to pull by ourselves, for that is dangerous. If we try to pull by ourselves, we find we cannot. We burn out. We have to admit we cannot, get under Jesus’ yoke and let Him lead us. TESTIMONY (since it’s St Patrick’s Day coming up, let’s hear from the man himself) St Patrick about the Bible: I bind myself today to: God’s Word to speak to me. (From "The Breastplate") St Patrick about himself: I am Patrick, a sinner. * I did not know the true God. * I was like a stone lying in the deep mire and He that is mighty came and in His mercy lifted me up. St Patrick about his salvation: * The Lord opened the sense of my unbelief * that I might at last remember my sins * and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God. St Patrick about salvation: *Eternal life is in Christ Jesus Our Lord *Whoever believes shall be saved; whoever does not believe shall be condemned *Thus shall sinners and deceivers perish from the face of the Lord, but the righteous shall feast continually with Christ. St Patrick about the Bible: *These are not my words, but those of God and the Apostles and Prophets, who have never lied. *God has spoken. St Patrick's slogan: Christ with me before me behind me in me below me above me St Patrick's slogan: Christ At my right hand At my left In length In breadth In height St Patrick's slogan: Christ In the heart of everyone who thinks of me In the mouth of everyone who speaks to me In every eye that sees me In every ear that hears me PRAYER POINTS ***Praise God for who He is, and that He sent His Son to die for us and carry the yoke of life in God on our behalf. ***Thank God for safe arrival down here in Melbourne and for His presence during tough and not-so-tough moments. ***Pray for our studies here at St Andrew’s Hall and for what God has in store after the course. Give thanks for the staff too. ***Thank God for faithful friends and supporters who have prayed for us. May God give them their hearts’ desires. ***Pray for our fellow students, Paul and Lyndal T (with little Ebony and another on the way) and Jane W. ***Pray for the trouble spots of the world: Indonesia, Afghanistan, parts of Africa. Pray for the Christians in those areas who are suffering at the hands of evil. ***Pray for Zimbabwe and the elections there, that the will of the people might prevail. ***Pray for Steve, Sue’s brother, as he battles serious illness and now faces chemotherapy. Pray for his salvation. ***Pray for Wayne S’s mum, for a brain tumour and the need for Jesus. HAHAHA CORNER We are on a missionary theme this letter. *** What did the cannibal say when he saw the missionary in his car? -Oh goody. Meals on wheels. -anon ***The Missionary had just arrived when a terrible drumming started. "Good grief," he cried, "what’s that?" "Nothing," said the locals. "Don’t worry." Three days later, the drumming stopped suddenly. The locals went pale and began to run and hide. "Oh no," cried the missionary, "What happens now?" Said the locals, "Guitar solo". --anon. ============================================================= Rocco: Who wrote those jokes, Sue? Sue: I don’t know. It arrived anonymously. Rocco: Yeah, I guess I wouldn’t own up to them either. Bye for now! Rocco & Sue. ============================================================= Subject: [Hits] Webpastor Hits! 2002 Vol. 5 No. 1 Sender: Hits-admin@webpastor.com Errors-To: Hits-admin@webpastor.com X-BeenThere: Hits@webpastor.com X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.1 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: WEBPASTOR WEEKLY HITS List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: Dear Hitsters! Greetings! Yes, it's been a while between "Hits!" So, there is quite a bit of personal news to update you on since we last wrote. And, here it is! PERSONAL UPDATE FROM ROCCO & SUE: The Inter-Cultural Studies course we're doing here in beautiful downtown Melbourne is gradually nearing completion. We've made new friends, enjoyed the mixture of ethnic backgrounds and international experiences and had opportunity to rekindle our passion for mission in ideal surroundings. We've really enjoyed being part of MPC - our very lively church here in Melbourne that has many uni students who are Indonesian-speaking. It was originally founded by Dr Jeff Hammond, who is currently ministering to refugees in Manado, Sulawesi with his wife Annette and a dedicated team. It was great to share lunch with Jeff while he was home on furlough and learn of the struggles of Christians in that volatile part of Indonesia and of what God is doing through Jeff's ministry ("Bless Indonesia Today"). Our current MPC Indonesian-speaking Pastor Yuda (yes, nicknamed "Yoda" thanks to Star Wars!) is a humble collegue and we are thankful for his readiness to involve us in the church's ministries as time and our study commitments permit. The warmth and gentleness of his wife, Anna, is also refreshing! Indeed, so many of the leadership team and music ministry team have inspired us and lifted us up by their example of dedication and zeal for serving the body of Christ. In so many ways, it was a weekly reminder of our former church (CoGS). Once again, when the time comes it will be hard to say our "good-byes". At Easter time, our elder daughter, Livia, went back to Sydney to complete studies at her old school and is making pleasing progress. Tina is still here with us generally enjoying the abundance of shops and getting about on the trams! Sue has been ably juggling being a full-time student, wife and mum - including mum to the possums she's "adopted"! Unfortunately, I (Rocco) have just had a run of bad health this month: initially, the flu (along with almost 100% of the staff and students here! - yes, we believe in sharing!) and then last week some minor heart problems that has meant a brief stay in hospital, a battery of tests, prescribed rest & medication and a much stronger desire to pursue a healthier lifestyle! For various reasons, we have decided to delay full-time missionary work in Indonesia - at least until both our girls complete their high school studies. Evenso, our desire and passion especially for Bali remains unchanged! We hope to continue our tradition of annual short-term trips for mission and R&R! So, what will we be doing at the end of this course? In early July, we will be returning to parish ministry in Sydney. I am pleased to say that I have been offered a position as a Senior Assistant Minister at Sylvania Anglican Church. Sue and I are really looking forward to ministry with Don and Carol Anderson and the whole team there. So, as you can see, God has been extremely gracious in continuing to provide for all our needs in these days. Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and fellowship from afar. Blessings to you all! Rocco. DEVOTIONAL: "Then he [Jesus] went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Luke 4: 31-37 One of the best-known Balinese dances is the Barong Dance. The story of the dance concerns a widow named Queen Calonarang. She is extremely evil and wants to sacrifice her son, named Sadewa, to obtain magic powers. But Sadewa is set free by the Barong. Because of that the widow becomes enraged and changes into a witch named Rangda. Rangda symbolises all that is evil in this world. Rangda fights against the Barong who symbolises good. Rangda is defeated by the Barong but only for a short time. The war between good and evil, according to Hindu-Balinese teachings, will continue forever. On a certain day, the Lord Jesus cast out a demon from a man. Many times in the Word of God, the Bible, we see miracles like that: demons are cast out, the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead live again. All of this is done by the All-Powerful Lord Jesus. Jesus says that the war between good and evil will not continue forever. On the cross, Jesus conquered sin. By rising from the dead he overcame the grave. Jesus obtained forgiveness for the whole world. People who want to follow Jesus are freed from the ties of evil. On a certain day, the Lord Jesus who is now in heaven with His Father, will return to this earth to judge mankind. After that, all His followers will enter into the presence of the Lord God to live in that perfect place for ever and ever. As is written in the Word of God: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 Do you want to receive this gift of eternal life, which is offered by Jesus. Today is the best day to receive it. Who knows if tomorrow will come? HAHAHA CORNER: Lost on a rainy day, a nun stumbles across a monastery and requests shelter there. Fortunately, she's just in time for dinner and is treated to the best fish and chips she's ever tasted. After dinner, she went to the kitchen to thank the Chefs. She was met by two of the Brothers. The first one said: "Hello, I am Brother Michael, and this is Brother Charles." "I'm very pleased to meet you." replied the Nun. "I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful dinner. The fish & chips were the best I've Ever had. Out of curiosity, who cooked what?'' Brother Charles replied: "Well, I'm the fish Friar." The Nun turned to the other Brother and asked: "Then you must be...? "Yes,I'm afraid so... I'm the chip monk." --submitted by Gregson M. PRAYER CORNER: ++Give thanks for: *God's provision for all our needs and for the fellowship of the body of Christ. *Opportunities for ministry, work, study, rest and recreation. *Livia's progress with her senior school studies and those caring for her. *All the brethren at MPC [Rocco & Sue's church in Melbourne] *Family, church and friends at those "times of emergency". ++Pray for: *The love and truth of Jesus to penetrate the hearts of lost humanity. *Christians suffering for their faith in difficult parts of the world. *More mission-hearted people to be raised up. *Dr Jeff Hammond & the "Bless Indonesia today" team in Manado, Sulawesi. *Peace in the world - especially in the hotspots - Pakistan/India & the Middle East. *Good health for all the staff and students here at St Andrew's Hall, Melbourne - especially for Lyndal T. expecting her second child in June and for Rocco's recovery after hospitalisation for heart problems. *Rocc & Sue's future ministry based at Sylvania Anglican Church. AN EVENING PRAYER: "Dear God, When I am lonely and, Perhaps I feel despair. Let not my ailing heart forget, That YOU hear every prayer. Remind me that no matter what, I do or fail to do, There still is hope for as long As I have FAITH in YOU. Let not my eyes be blinded by Some folly I commit. But help me to regret my wrong, And to make up for it. Inspire me to put my fears, Upon a hidden shelf, And in the future never to Be sorry for myself. Give me the restful sleep I need, Before another dawn, And bless me in the morning with "the courage to go on." AMEN. --submitted by Pat Croisant. ====================================================== We love hearing from YOU! So, if you can manage to send us a brief email this week letting us know how you are - that would be great! (Feel free to include a joke too!) Write to: rocco@webpastor.com Until next time, Yours, Rocco & Sue. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++