Lucky, the Dog Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named “Lucky”. Lucky was a real charac‐ ter. Whenever they had company come for a weekend visit, they warned their friends not to leave their cases open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would go missing.
The operation was harder on Mary than the doctors had anticipated and she was hospitalised for over 2 weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
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Finally the day came for Mary to leave hospital. When she arrived home, she was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the stairs. Jim made his wife comfortable Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in on the couch and left her to rest. Lucky stood there watching Mary but he didn’t the basement and there the treasures come to her when she called. It would be, amid all of Lucky’s made Mary sad but sleep some other favourite toys. Luck al‐ overcame her and she dozed. ways stashed his finds in his When Mary woke, she couldn’t toy box and he was very par‐ understand what was wrong. ticular that his toys stay in the She couldn’t move her head and box. body felt heavy and hot. But It happened that Mary found panic soon gave way to laughter she had breast cancer. Some‐ thing told her she was going to die of this when Mary realised the problem. She was disease … in fact she was sure it was fatal. covered with, literally blanketed with every treasure Lucky owned. While she She scheduled a double mastectomy, fear had slept, the sorrowing dog had made riding her shoulders. The night before she trip after trip to the basement bringing his was to go to the hospital she cuddled with beloved mistress all his favourite things in Lucky. A thought struck her … What would life. He had covered her with his love. happen to Lucky? Although the 3 year old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through Mary forgot about dying, instead she and and through. If I die, Lucky will feel aban‐ Lucky began walking further and further everyday together. It’s been 12 years now doned. Mary thought. He won’t under‐ stand that I didn’t wasn't to leave him. The and Mary is still cancer‐free. Lucky? He thought made her sadder than thinking of still treasures and stashes. her own death.
Editor: Ruth Telfer 171 Main North Road Nailsworth SA 5083 Phone: (08) 8269 7873 Fax: (08) 8269 7860 E‐mail:
[email protected] Page 8
Reprinted from ACT Newsletter Bookings for all Women’s Ministry events & enquiries are to be made to the State Office Please make all cheques for events payable to Churches of Christ in SA & NT Inc Deadlines for all articles for the Wise Link is the 10th of the month prior to publication Wise Link
AUGUST 2009 August 2009
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Directed by God in the garden and looking for guidance from Years ago I commenced a Bible Study with a group of friends who were Chris‐ His Father. tians but not members of our church. How much more This group of ladies wanted to get to then do we need really know God and what He wanted to take time out and allow God to be at of them. For me, it was energizing but the control panel of our lives and let very daunting. Him make the changes. One thing for sure—there would never be the mis‐ As we discussed what we would study we came up with the idea of beginning takes that have to be fixed. How often have we heard the saying, “If all else fails, read the directions!”
in the Old testament and studying the Women of the Bible. That sounded great. But then as I commenced my preparation to lead, I found the task difficult, especially when it came to Sarah. Here was a woman who wanted everything and in her own timing, and the lesson she had to learn was to “Let Go and Let God” do His thing. “How hard is that, You may ask.?” For me it was too close to home.
When we pray "Not my will, God, but Yours," we’re aligning ourselves with the strength and power of the Spirit of God. This is the “Letting go, and Letting God,” and in doing so you've opened the way for something new to replace the negative thinking. And isn't it com‐ forting to know that whatever the "something new" may be, it's directed by God's love and wisdom?
As we “Let go” and allow God’s will to I am always running ahead of God and permeate our lives we are removing our wanting Him to catch up quickly. I want egos from the equation, and we go from a situation of somewhat helpless‐ Him to see and do it my way. But it is not His Way. This is not being “Directed ness to a life of certainty—as His peace by God!” It is a lesson that I need to put fills our body, mind and soul. into practice daily—and I am sure I am Listen within and let God's wisdom gen‐ tly turn your thoughts over and over not the only one in that position. until the questions become answers, I need to Let Go and Let God in my life, and the doubts become newborn faith. allowing Him to be in control and let‐ You will see that everything has been ting His will lead me in my life. and is working for your good. It is in Jesus that we find our example to follow. He was willing to pray to God, Let God direct and your way will be “Not my will but Yours,” when He was secure. Page 2
Wise Link
A Spiritual Renewal Retreat ‘A time to be alone with the Lord’
Sevenhill Retreat Centre Clare Valley, Sevenhill
Commencing Monday night, Sept 28 2009 Depart Thursday morning, Oct 1 2009
All inclusive cost $200
Limited to 10 participants (This is being held during school holidays, so people who could not otherwise may be able.) Register Now Churches of Christ in SA/NT Inc, 171 Main North Rd, Nailsworth SA 5083 Phone: 8269 7873 or email to: reception@churchesofchrist‐sa.org.au A Ministry of the Spiritual Formation Resource Group
Actions speak louder than words A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy street. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her mobile phone and makeup. As she was still in mid‐rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was finger printed photographed, and placed in a holding cell. August 2009
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ’What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‟Choose Life’ license plate holder, the ‟Follow Me to Sunday School” bumper sticker and the chrome‐ plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk so naturally . . . I assumed you had stolen the car. Reprinted from Qld Connexions Newsletter
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‘Encounter at the Well’
Country Day 2009 Kadina Church of Christ
A Spiritual Refreshment Retreat Sevenhill Retreat Centre Sevenhill, Clare Valley. September 25th – 27th, 2009
Thursday November 26th @ 10.30 am
Commencing with Morning Tea
‘Crumb Counting Gooey icing stuck to the knife as my mother sliced through the remainder of the cake. There would be two pieces when she had finished her work and we waited to see which one would be ours.
Guest Speaker: yet, we keep crumb counting...
Cost: $35 For Bus Fare & lunch Buses are programmed to leave Mt Barker 7.00am Edwardstown 7.30am
She is prettier than I am.
Their children are more successful than My brother, his eyes barely peeking over mine are. the counter, pointed at the larger piece. His house is bigger than my house. "That one is mine!" I am being left out of the group that "Is not!" I retorted. goes to lunch together every Tuesday. "Is too." Crumb counting. "Is not!" Crumb counting leads to envy and the "Is too." My mother, acting as if she hadn't heard problem with envy is that it destroys the our bantering, placed the cake on two one thing that can make us feel truly dessert plates and handed them to us happy in this life: thankfulness. with a remark about them being the Crumb counting makes us feel afraid, left same size. out, not good enough, and as if we lack I can't remember who ended up with the something that is causing us to "get larger piece that day and it doesn't what they have." We feel jealous and matter who did. But, there is always a many poor choices (such as unkind larger piece, even if it is only one crumb words or unethical behavior) are self‐ bigger. Nothing in this life is exactly justified because jealousy has blinded our hearts. We fail to see that when we even, equal or the same size. God doesn't hand out the same gift to are grateful for the crumbs we have each of us. We each have unique talents, been blessed with and use them wisely, blessings, opportunities, personalities God tends to bless us with more crumbs. and experiences. As a result, we end up We don't have to worry one bit about it. So, why don't we pull ourselves up to the table, pour a glass of milk, and enjoy That's life. It happens. We will never have every good thing we see other the dessert that life has placed on our people enjoying and it is impossible for a tables. single individual to have every good gift. What flavor of cake do you have? Mine's We know this in our hearts, right? And chocolate. © ‐ Ro Paxman with different piles of goodies.
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Jane Ford
Wise Link
Other bus stops will be organized as we see where they are best suited for the people travelling. Book in early to reserve your seat on the bus. A great programme is being organized with Jane Ford as the Speaker. Jane has been on a quite a Life Journey and will share with us some of it and how God has triumphed in her life.. There will be the Cards from GMP, and Marj Dredge will have the jewelry and other things from Klong Toey on sale, just in time for Christmas.
JUDGE NOT I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its décor. But it was the folks in heaven Who made me sputter and gasp‐ The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics, the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice. Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake “And why’s everyone so quiet, So somber? Give me a clue.” “Hush, child,” said he, “they’re all in shock. No‐one thought they’d be seeing you.”
Eyre Peninsula Camp Oct 30th—November 1st 2009 at Redcliffs Campsite As in previous years we are organizing a bus going over from Adelaide. The cost of the bus will be $80 and the cost of the camp will be $30. with the travel costs approx $80 per person. The speaker for the camp is Dorothy White with the theme “Serving”. The weekend is one of inspiration and fun. Meeting and making new friends and renewing other friendships. The more people that go on the bus the less it will cost. August 2009
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Global Mission Partners
Apology Re “The Law of the Garbage TruckTM
SA Volunteer Team GMP is a great place to volunteer with the Skills: satisfaction of knowing that you are con‐ ♦ Accurate typing skills tributing your skills to the wider ministry of ♦ Phone skills mission. Packing and Mailing volunteer 1 day a There are currently three great opportuni‐ week. ties to volunteer with special roles and Tasks: responsibilities. ♦ Regular envelope & parcel mailout ♦ General administration support to the ♦ Child Sponsorship Administrator GMP team. ♦ Database Administrator ♦ Packing and Mailing volunteer
If you are able to assist with one of the above volunteer roles please contact the Child Sponsorship Administrator 1 day / fortnight + one week in January, one week GMP office on 8212 4446 or at the end of July and one week at the end
[email protected]. You will know that your time has been well used by the of November. difference you make to the total work of Tasks: GMP. ♦ Mailing letters to children’s homes from sponsors. ♦ New sponsor management (under the supervision of Val Zerna) ♦ Email children’s homes the names of new sponsors. ♦ Prepare letters including financial statement, with child report and pho‐ tos.
Skills: ♦ Letter writing ♦ Computing skills
Database Administrator 1 day a week. Tasks: ♦ Adding new entries to database ♦ Consolidating current addresses & data Ensuring that all data is up‐to‐date and accurate Page 4
In the last issue of Wise Link I printed an article entitled “The Law of the Garbage TruckTM”. Since printing it and putting it up on the website, we have discovered that it is a trademarked piece of writing and who the writer of it actually is. We have been in contact with David Pollay and he has graciously waived the cost which we should have incurred by using it, but now I need to advise you all of the details and the links to his site. I have found reading the blog very interesting, seeing as David is the person who actually sat in the back of the cab some 20 years ago and it changed his life. There are many other links on the side of the blog that also make for a very interesting read. If you receive “The Law of the Garbage TruckTM” via email, please include the details of the author of it as you forward it on to share with your friends and contacts. It does have a real message for us and we have an obligation to include the details of the writer in our emails , if we know them, as we forward them on. Here are the links firstly to his biography and then to his newsletter
http://davidjpollay.typepad.com/ david_j_pollay/ lawofthegarbagetruck.html http://davidjpollay.typepad.com/ david_j_pollay/david‐j‐pollays‐ newslette.html Here is his biography from his website. David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™. He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker. David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out later this year. You can find out about the “The Law of the Garbage TruckTM “at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com David is the founder and president of the consulting and seminar organization, The Momentum Project. He is also a founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). If you want to reprint one of David’s columns, email
[email protected]
Bhimrao & Kanta Thavare in Adelaide We have just confirmed that Bhimrao and Kanta Thavare will be in Adelaide on Sep‐ tember 2nd & 3rd. Venues and times when you can meet them and hear more about God at work in Fiji will be available shortly on the website www.inpartnership.org.au. Wise Link
August 2009
© Pearly Gates
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