The great paradox of life is that those who lose their lives will gain them. This paradox becomes visible in very ordinary situations. If we cling to our friends, we may lose them, but when we are nonpossessive in our relationships, we will make many friends. When fame is what we seek and desire, it often vanishes as soon as we acquire it, but when we have no need to be known, we might be remembered long after our deaths. When we want to be in the centre, we easily end up on the margins, but when we are free enough to be wherever we must be, we find ourselves often in the centre.  Giving away our lives for others is the greatest of all human arts. This will gain us our lives.
http://www.henrinouwen.org/

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Some home churches are watching the Todd Bentley meetings at Lakeland on ‘GodTV’ and on YouTube on the Web and have asked me to comment.  I have watched some of the YouTube clips.  These comments are my own and not necessarily those of the OIKOS Team.  These comments are also my views about these sorts of revival meetings generally and not necessarily specifically about the Lakeland meetings.  Feel free to send me your comments.

I do not question that some people are healed and blessed at these sorts of gatherings, but these ‘revivals’ are often a mixture of some things that may well be spiritually and biblically true, but are open also to the natural human emotional extremes and even of the demonic.  It is a concern if people fly from around the world to be at these meetings simply to chase ‘experiences’.  Read the rest of this entry »

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People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies. 
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

~ Kent Keith, made famous by Mother Teresa*

* Kent Keith originated this poem in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed it on her children’s home in Calcutta in a slightly different version. As a result, many have attributed it to Mother Teresa.

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UNOH (Urban Neighbours of Hope) make this appeal…… 

Could I ask for your urgent prayers and action for Burma today? On Saturday May 10, I met with Burmese friends here in Bangkok to get the latest news on the Cyclone Nargis disaster and to ask how UNOH could best help with the relief effort. Dr San Aung, Maung Maung and Zin Linn are part of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). Led by elected Burmese MPs from the National League for Democracy (NLD), this is the peak body of Burmese leaders working for democracy.

But, what can we do? After listening to these Burmese leaders, I believe we can best support the relief effort by supporting NCGUB.

UNOH is setting up a UNOH Burma Cyclone Appeal so that Australians can donate on-line to help the relief effort through NCGUB/NLD Burmese workers on the ground.

For further details, please click on the hyperlink below:
http://unoh.org/?a1B1b&J27&wAU&4Y2

Blessings,
UNOH

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Upcoming seminar to be held in Melbourne - Click here for brochure. real-spiritual-warfare.pdf

Diana and Malcolm Dow

Beth Tephillah Ministry Centre - a ministry of Williamstown Baptist Church

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From Ross Langmead, Whitley College,

I’d like to let you know about a free seminar in Melbourne demonstrating the features of Accordance, the highly acclaimed Bible software package. 

As keen users of Accordance, we at Whitley College are providing the venue for the seminar on Wednesday 23 July 2008 from 10 to 5, to be led by those who designed the software.

Accordance is an extensive modular Bible software package, best explained on its web site at <http://www.accordancebible.com>.

It works natively on a Mac but can be run on a PC using a Mac emulator (obtainable with Accordance).

This email is going to a range of people and colleges I thought might be interested.  Please feel free to pass it on to others.

If you want information on the Brisbane and Sydney seminars as well, see <http://www.accordancebible.com/about/shows.php>.

Note that an RSVP is necessary, two weeks beforehand, not to me but to <seminars@accordancebible.com>.

Shalom,

Ross

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Just a quick reminder about the Shift meeting this Saturday, 3rd May 2008.
 
The subject for the day is:
 
Negotiating the Leadership Maze
 
There will be some teaching and discussion sessions.
 
Starting time:  11am, and finish at about 4pm
 
Venue: St. Andrew’s House of Prayer
            106 Kissing Point Rd,
             Turramurra
 
Entry free, but bring a plate for morning & afternoon tea if you are able.
 
Lunch - pizza will be available for $5 per person.
 
Come prepared for a great day of fun & fellowship.
 
Please call me on 0417 411026 if you need any further information.
 
Blessings
 
David Newby.

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Check out the great program for SURRENDER:08 this year with Archbishop Elias Chacour, Jackie Pullinger, Dave Andrews and international singer/songwriter Andy Flannagan.

Also don’t forget to book soon, early bird discounts end May 15!

For further details, please click on the hyperlink below:
http://unoh.org/?a1N18&Ll5&9yW&vih

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From John Fenn……www.ifaithhome.org

I’ve been thinking for some time on why Acts 10:38 says of Jesus: “Who went about doing good”, before it says “and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, (for God was with him).”

When WE think of the life of Jesus we first call to remembrance his healings & miracles. But when a writer lists things it’s understood the most important point comes first, in the same way we might tell a person the highlight of our day first and later include other things we did. Thus Luke said he went about doing good first, and then added that he healed people.

So I’ve been looking for evidence of what was apparently the most notable aspect of Jesus’ life for those who lived at the same time as the Lord - he went about doing good. Read the rest of this entry »

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