October 29, 2003 V1N26
Hello...After missing the last issue due to Bible School in CO, we should be back on our regular schedule...Incidently, this issue marks the last one of R4A's first year! If enough of you want to contribute to the first birthday edition, maybe we can make it bigger than normal...In the meantime, here's a piece on waiting for God to move.
Unfolding the Rose
When we think we know the answer to what it is God would have us do and for the times when we get frustrated when it is not exposed to us, think of the following....
A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rose bush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact....
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.
Noticing the young preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem:
It is only a tiny rosebud A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly, Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom To unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading Each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His guidance Each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.
~Submitted by Deborah Epp
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Don't Send Me to Africa
O Lord I'm your willing servant
You know that I have been for years
I'm here in this pew every Sunday and Wednesday
I've stained it with many a tear
I've given you years of my service
I've always given my best
And I've never asked you for anything much
So Lord I deserve this request:
Chorus:
Please don't send me to Africa
I don't think I've got what it takes
I'm just a man, I'm not a tarzan
Don't like lions, or rivers, or snakes
I'll serve you here in suburbia
In my comfortable middle class life
But please don't send me out in the bush
Where the natives are restless at night
I'll see that the money is gathered,
I'll see that the money is sent,
I'll wash and stack the communion cups,
I'll tithe 11 percent.
I'll volunteer for the nursery,
I'll go on the youth retreat,
I'll usher, I'll deacon, I'll go door to door,
Just let me keep warming this seat!
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Verse of the Week
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.
This verse really stuck out to me two weeks ago, espcially that phrase, "by the faith of the Son of God." This life we live is made possible because of Jesus' faith in us.It's by HIS faith, the faith of the One who "loved me and gave Himself for me." "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." Aaaaamen!
~Jamie Scharf
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Prayer & Praise
I would like to thank God for another great Youth Bible School and request prayer that everyone who went will be able to retain and put to practice what we have seen and heard. Thanks!
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Word Study
Only be thou strong and very courageous..... Turn not to the right hand or to the left....,
Be strong and of good courage..., Fear not nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Joshua 1:7, 1 Chron. 28:20
Be Strong:
having moral or intellectual power; not mild or weak; not easily injured; not easly subdued or taken; well established; firm.
And of Good Courage:
mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, and difficulty.
Joshua 1:9 1 Corinthians 16:13
Psalm 71: 1-8 Ephesians 6:10-18
Proverbs 14:26 2 Timothy 2:1
Isaiah 35:4
Fear Not:
Genesis 15:1 Isaiah 44:8
Dueteronomy 20:3, 31:6,8 Matthew 10:31
Isaiah 41:10,13, 43:1,5 Luke 12:7, 32
If anyone has suggestions, ideas or comments please email me, would appreciate it very much: missrosepetal@yahoo.com
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Point2Ponder
I was hungry, and you were overweight.
I was thirsty, and you continued to water your lawn.
I was a stranger, and you called the police.
I was naked, and you were shopping for the latest fashions.
I was sick, and you asked, "Can I catch it from him?"
I was in prison, and you said, "That's where people like you belong."
~submitted by Kiley Smith
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Matthew 25:40
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Selected Sayings
1. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire lifetime to forget them.
2. Take the time to LIVE!!! Distance and time may separate us, but friendship and memories won't.
3. None of us can stand other people having the same faults as ourselves.
4. On top of those very billows which look like they will overwhelm us, walks the Son of God. ~Oswald Chambers
Smiley
Farmers Fred and Luke were fishing on the side of the road. They made a sign saying "The End is Near! Turn yourself around now before it's too late!," and showed it to each passing car.
One driver that passed didn't appreciate the sign and shouted, "Leave us alone you religious nuts!"
All of a sudden they heard a big splash.
Fred grinned at Luke. "Do you think we should just put up a sign that says: 'Bridge Out' instead?"
Thanks for taking time to read this! Thanks to everyone who contributed and thanks to everyone who's told me how much they appreciate this magazine. I've forwarded your compliments to the editor-in-chief.
By the way, if you want to send something in (please don't hesitate: I can always use more) the email address is ready4anything_2003@yahoo.com. Also if you know anyone who'd be interested please send their name and email address in.
The website is at www.oocities.org/ready4anything_2003 and hopefully I will be updating it soon.
You all have a great day in Jesus!
Staff: Editor in Chief: Jesus Christ
Assistant Editors: Jamie Scharf & April Pilgrim
Website Coodinator: Joshua Champagne
Columnist: April Pilgrim
Contributers: Deborah Epp
Kiley Smith
Jamie Scharf
What does God want me to do right now?!!!