OzThoughts Monday

I pray that you will carry the thoughts and
meditations of Sunday into the week that lies ahead
with its blessings and challenges.

Yesterday morning at Palm Beach Elanora Corps (on the
Gold Coast in Australia), we read from The Message
Psalm 104  where the final few verses make a wonderful
response to God and His marvelous creation.

33Oh, let me sing to GOD all my life long,
sing hymns to my God as long as I live!
34Oh, let my song please him;
I'm so pleased to be singing to GOD.
35But clear the ground of sinners--
no more godless men and women!

O my soul, bless GOD!

We also sang the great words of  “My Jesus, I love
thee”. These make a great response to Jesus us babe of
Bethlehem

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author:  William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:  357


PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, help me today and the rest of this
week to live in response to your love for me. Help me
in this time of preparation for Christmas show Jesus
through all my activities. Help me too to deal with
those who seem to oppose you even through
indifference. Amen.



The New International Version (NIV®) and The Message ®
are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church purposes”. These versions plus
others may be accessed at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org




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Gday

Welcome to everyone who has subscribed to OzThoughts Internet
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Love and peace

MadOzzie

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend

Bring a Plate

Every Australian knows what is meant by the phrase
“Bring a plate”.  I had for many years heard stories
of people who had done just that when there was to be
food and drink after the evening meeting, a Saturday
night social gathering or some such event.

The stories of people who brought a plate without food
on it were common. In fact, the stories would almost
seem to be what we call today an “urban myth”.
However, I assure you it is not so. The stories are
true. I have heard the confessions of a number of
English immigrants or “Ten Quid Ozzies” that when
invited to “bring a plate” they did just that. (A Ten
Quid Ozzie is an immigrant from the UK who paid 10
English Pounds for a passage to Australia by ship in
the 1950s and I think 1960s). They arrived with empty
plates. They admitted later they thought it was a bit
strange but that is what the announcement said. Maybe
like I do, they remember the days before disposable
cups when we all took a cup (empty of course) to
Sunday School picnics. Usually on a string or ribbon
around our necks.

You can imagine their embarrassment when they arrived
at the hall with an empty plate and noticed others
bearing plates of all types of tasty things. I guess
this placed them in a bit of a dilemma. Would they
remain for the supper and eat that which they had not
contributed to? I am sure every Ozzie I know would
want them to stay. It is much better to have a good
laugh with the “victim” there than absent.

Some of these suppers are the most amazing events in
the variety of food. I have shared in “bring a plate”
events in three States and have found a most amazing
assortment of food. People will bring many amazing
foods. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold and some times
frozen and that’s only the food that really ought to
be hot.

I am not sure whether times have changed but I am
noticing a lot more shop bought items appearing. I
have noticed at a few suppers at our Corps that
biscuits appear in their packets, cakes appear in
their packaging straight from the supermarket shelves
and sausage rolls or party pies come in their
cardboard boxes. One thing I do like to see from the
shops is the coffee flavored cheesecake from Sara Lea
or similar manufactures. Yum!

When I worked for another organization, my wife and I
were sitting in a food shop in a town a morning’s
drive west from here having lunch before going to an
early afternoon Annual General Meeting where I was the
guest speaker. A very well dressed lady came into the
shop, and handing the lady behind the counter a plate
asked her to fill it with some cake squares. We then
heard her say, can you put a plastic cling wrap cover
over it to make it look like it is homemade. As the
plastic was placed over the plate, she then confessed
she had to take the plate to the meeting where I was
the guess speaker. I wonder when, I stood to talk
whether she recognized us as being in the shop where
she “made” her cakes.

It was when I worked for this organization, I traveled
the State and spoke to many meetings. Often during my
talks I would be almost distracted by the lovely
smells that came from the kitchen. This was made worse
when I had driven a long way to be on time and had not
had a chance to eat. Hunger and lovely smells from the
kitchen are not a good combination when you are trying
to give a suitable informative yet entertaining talk.
One further problem was that after the meeting when
the food was served often someone would have an
important question to ask me and would keep me from
the food. Sometimes, so long that all the food had
gone before I was released from my captivity. It was
always good when my wife was with me as she could
bring food to the prisoner.

Mentioning my wife, made me think of another occasion,
when a group of us husbands were standing in the semi
dark waiting for our wives to finish their “Ladies
Evening Fellowship” meeting. One of the ladies
appeared and asked us if we would like to try her
‘eggs’.  A number of the guys said they did not want
to try them. I accepted and on the first bite was
sorry I did. They were pickled eggs. I am sure
something went wrong with the process. They were off
and I am lucky I did not get salmonella or something
worse. Well, maybe that’s how they were supposed to
taste but it was not pleasant. The other husbands got
a good laugh though. I am glad it was dark and the
lady did not see the horror on my face as I tasted her
delicacy.

That is a hazard of “bring a plate” occasions. It is
either feast or famine. It is famine if you get
trapped talking and the food is all gone as I said
earlier. It becomes a feast when various ladies
confront me with a plate of delicious looking food and
say you must try this. They go on to explain it is a
special recipe and that they always make it because
everyone just loves it. So of course, I must try it.
No one ever said a moment on your lips and a lifetime
on your hips, did they? Charming ladies special
recipes never count in that.

I remember well the chorus we sang in Primary Sunday
school “my cup is full and running over”. I remember
visions of a mess! It was the sort of thing mum
encouraged me not to do. “Don’t fill it too much! Oh!
Look what you’ve done! Now get a cloth and clean up
that mess!” I don’t know when I came to understand the
chorus. I however can identify with a Policeman who is
a Salvationist and who also trains Salvation Army
Emergency Service people. He indicates his more than
adequate size and says “Some people claim to be a
‘Trophy of God’s Grace’. I am a ‘Trophy of His
Provision’ ”

Country people in Australia are known for their
generosity in their catering. Here is not only the
quality of the country food but they seem to supply it
in huge quantities. I think I first encountered this
after an Anzac Day (Oz National War Remembrance Day)
March our Band did every year. It was just into the
country and the ladies piled the food on a long table
down the center of the room. The young band boys
started at one end of the table and the Scouts who
carried the banners and flags started the other end
and moved towards the center of the table like a swarm
of locusts across a wheat field. It wasn’t my cup that
ran over on those days.

Another song which I claim as a favorite is “When the
trumpet of the lord shall sound”. I like particularly
the chorus which says “When the rolls ARE SERVED up
yonder, I’ll be there!”  I also maintain that we must
stick to copyright and sing the correct words when
singing grace. It may be a lovely thought to “live and
serve Thee faithfully” but I enjoy singing expectantly
“grant that we may feast in Paradise with Thee.”

All jokes aside, we have a wonderful God who gives us
our daily bread and so much more. He truly supplies
our needs and we must raise our thanks to Him. Many
are expressing the thought that it is sad that in the
Salvation Army in Australia. Our Harvest Festival
Thanksgiving has disappeared from our Corps calendars.
We can thank God at all times but it does good to
focus on his provision of our daily needs. Maybe on
that weekend, we can look beyond our Corps financial
needs, and give a special offering for the daily needs
of others in lands where things are so tough. It could
be the basis of a child sponsorship or a small project
in a land of famine.

Thank you for the world so sweet;
Thank you for the food we eat;
Thank you for the birds that sing;
Thank you, God for ev'rything.
Amen.
Thank You for the World so Sweet

(Tune: Michael Row your Boat ashore)
Thank you for the world so sweet. Alleluia
Thank you for the food we eat. Alleluia
Thank your for the birds that sing. Alleluia
Thank you God for everything. Alleluia






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OzThoughts – Friday

As I listened to the radio today I could not help but think of the
many ways people prepared for and then enjoy Christmas.  There were
many recipes being given for parties and for the Day itself. People
were talking about parties they had attended or would attend. One
expert in business etiquette talked about how to behave and enjoy
oneself in a workplace party which was a mix of party and business.

I have heard also an advertisement for a "Christmas with the Salvo
Band" which will be held in the forecourt of one of Brisbane's
oldest and best known pubs. It is being sponsored by the radio
station.

I remember last year that My Little Swiss Mate was visiting us and
she said that it did not seem like Christmas. The things that make
it feel like Christmas to me are the things that give her the
opposite feeling. It begins to feel like Christmas to me when the
temperature rises and is joined by high humidity. The days are
longer and the clouds often gather and drop their rain accompanied
by thunder and lightning. The rain, as it seems to do this time
every year, is interrupting the first cricket test being played in
nearby Brisbane. SwissMiss says it feels like Christmas when days
are shorter and colder. A white Christmas is not only a dream but a
reality as the colder temperatures are accompanied by snow falls
which blanket the whole season. Snowy scenes are not only on
Christmas cards but are a reality.

Our Prime Minister was reported today as saying that people should
say "Merry Christmas" and not "Season's Greetings". He even went
further and said he was annoyed shops did not display nativity
scenes like they did in the past. He said the nativity is what it is
all about.

PRAYER:

Our Father, God. Help us to experience the reality of Christmas.
Make  Christmas a heart feeling rather than a response to the
external things around us. Father, let Christmas begin within us
with the Spirit of the baby Jesus of Christmas and then be an
experience we share with others. Amen.

MEDITATION:

1..
Who is he in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Chorus
'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story,
'Tis the Lord, the King of Glory!
At his feet we humbly fall,
Crown him, crown him Lord of all!

2.
Who is he in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

3.
Who is he to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

4.
Who is he on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

5.
Who is he who from the grave
Comes to succor, help and save?

6.
Who is he whom from his throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?
Author: Benjamin Russell Hanby (1833-97)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 104



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message ® are
copyright and are used here with permissions granted for "church
publications" and "not for profit' purposes. These versions plus
others may be accessed at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be accessed at
www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year "OzThoughts" and for nearly two years "Australian
Thoughts at the Weekend" have been sent out on 6 days of every week
by individual email. With about 500 subscribers it is taking
considerable time each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses per email and
a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I have to send from a number
of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just for OzThoughts
and ATAW. You will receive an invitation to join this group soon.
You can receive Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual email after
December 5th. They will continue to be posted on various other
websites and lists as at present.

OzThoughts – Thursday

One of the lovely things about the Christmas season is
the opportunity it affords to say thank you. A visit,
a note, a phone call or a card sent through the snail
mail and in these days an e-card or an email greeting
are a way of contact. That contact is a way of saying
thank you for the friendship and expressing a
Christmas greeting. The cards I have valued, maybe
more highly than all the lovely ones which come, are
those from someone whose life I have touched maybe
briefly and then our lives have moved on. The card in
expressing a Christmas greeting says words of
appreciation which are heart felt. The card shows the
relationship is valued, although in these days the
contact may not be as often as it once was.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, please help me to do those things
which show my love to you. Your gifts to me are so
freely thrust upon me and I feel my words of thanks
are so inadequate. Please help me to do better in
saying thanks to you by doing your will more
completely. Amen.

MEDITATION:

Psalm 135 (The Message ®)

1Hallelujah! Praise the name of GOD,
praise the works of GOD.
2All you priests on duty in GOD's temple,
serving in the sacred halls of our God,
3Shout "
Hallelujah!" because GOD's so good,
sing anthems to his beautiful name.
4And why? Because GOD chose Jacob,
embraced Israel as a prize possession.

5I too give witness to the greatness of GOD,
our Lord, high above all other gods.
6He does just as he pleases--
however, wherever, whenever.
7He makes the weather--clouds and thunder,
lightning and rain, wind pouring out of the north.
8He struck down the Egyptian firstborn,
both human and animal firstborn.
9He made Egypt sit up and take notice,
confronted Pharaoh and his servants with miracles.
10Yes, he struck down great nations,
he slew mighty kings--
11Sihon king of the Amorites, also Og of Bashan--
every last one of the Canaanite kings!
12Then he turned their land over to Israel,
a gift of good land to his people.

13GOD, your name is eternal,
GOD, you'll never be out--of-date.
14GOD stands up for his people,
GOD holds the hands of his people.
15The gods of the godless nations are mere trinkets,
made for quick sale in the markets:
16Chiseled mouths that can't talk,
painted eyes that can't see,
17Carved ears that can't hear--
dead wood! cold metal!
18Those who make and trust them
become like them.

19Family of Israel, bless GOD!
Family of Aaron, bless GOD!
20Family of Levi, bless GOD!
You who fear GOD, bless GOD!
21Oh, blessed be GOD of Zion,
First Citizen of Jerusalem!

Stand up and bless the Lord,
Ye people of his choice;
Stand up and bless the Lord your God
With heart and soul and voice.
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!

2.
Though high above all praise,
Above all blessing high,
Who would not fear his holy name,
And laud and magnify?

3.
O for the living flame
From his own altar brought,
To touch our lips, our minds inspire,
And wing to Heaven our thought!

4.
God is our strength and song,
And his salvation ours;
Then be his love in Christ proclaimed
With all our ransomed powers.

5.
Stand up and bless the Lord,
The Lord your God adore;
Stand up and bless his glorious name
Henceforth for evermore.
Author:  James Montgomery (1771-1854)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 20


The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message
® are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church publications” and “not for profit’
purposes. These versions plus others may be accessed
at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year “OzThoughts” and for nearly two years
“Australian Thoughts at the Weekend” have been sent
out on 6 days of every week by individual email. With
about 500 subscribers it is taking considerable time
each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses
per email and a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I
have to send from a number of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just
for OzThoughts and ATAW. You will receive an
invitation to join this group soon. You can receive
Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send
an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual
email after December 5th. They will continue to be
posted on various other websites and lists as at
present.







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OzThoughts Wednesday

I listened recently to a guest speaker who told a group of people
gathered for lunch that "Children enjoy toys. Adults enjoy giving."

He is certainly right about children and toys. Christmas is a great
demonstration of that. I have watched my children when they were
little exploring the many toy catalogues that came to our mail box.
Now the toy catalogues seem so wasted. Although we sometimes resort
to looking through them to see what toys our grandkids are wanting.
We hear their requests clearly but we need to check the catalogues
to see what it is they have asked us to give.

When I think about adults giving, I think the speaker is probably
right, too. Becoming a generous giver marks a shift towards maturity
and becoming a useful contributor to society. I heard one time that
when Princess Diana met Mother Teresa, the Princess said in effect
she had so much and Teresa had so little but Teresa seemed to have a
happiness that escaped the Princess. The story as I heard it was
that Mother Teresa suggested that the Princess become more giving.
Certainly, in a life that it seems was very complex, the Princess
became known for her care and giving to others.

I am sure Mother Teresa new there was much more to a happy life than
giving but what a wonderful example there is in our God who gives.
The story of Christmas is about giving. As we know it is about God
giving His son because He loves us.

As Paul writes to the Roman Church:

8But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in
sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. (Romans
5. The Message ®)

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving Jesus to me. I feel so
unworthy but I thank you. I pray that my life may be useful in
giving to others because of your love for me and them.. Amen.

  MEDITATION:

(Note verse 3 in particular)

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Hail thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the clouds of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.

2.
All thy works with joy surround thee,
Earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Bloss'ming meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in thee.

3.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest.
Thou the Father, Christ our brother--
All who live in love are thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

4.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Father-love is reigning o'er us,
Brother-love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Author: Henry van Dyke (1852-1933)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 10

OzThoughts Tuesday

On Sunday night our Corps Contemporary group
“Subliminal” sang a number of songs. One song which I
have thought about many times, fitted very well into
the Advent Season. Yes, we can lift the Lords name
high as we praise him for coming from Heaven to earth.
Then from the earth to the cross and so on as we
praise God for the full cycle of Jesus life.  It comes
as a reminder that we do not only worship the babe of
Bethlehem but we worship Christ our risen Saviour.

Lord I Lift Your Name On High

Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us

You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high

Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I'm so glad You are in my life
I'm so glad You came to save us

You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high

You came from heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high
	 Words and Music: Rick Founds

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you that
he is a living reality to me to day. Help me to lift
his name on high as I move through the events of my
life today. Amen.


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OzThoughts Monday

In an excellent meeting for the first Sunday in Advent, a lovely
Salvationist couple lit the Advent Candle and we as a congregation
looked expectantly to Jesus, the Babe and Christ of Christmas.

The meeting led by Retired Officers had many beautiful segments but
one of the blessings, I carry with me is the singing of our
Songsters. They sang beautifully Commissioner Arch Wiggins songs
which beautifully reminded all of us involved in ministry during the
Advent and Christmas period, the basis of it all.


Though in declaring Christ to the sinner,
I may all men surpass,
If love impassioned seal not the message,
I am naught but sounding brass.

Chorus
Love suffereth patiently;
Love worketh silently;
Love seeketh not her own.
Love never faileth;
Love still prevaileth;
Lord, in me thy love enthrone!

2.
Though I have wisdom lighting all mysteries;
Though I may all things know;
Though great my faith be, removing mountains,
Without love 'tis empty show.

3.
Though I distribute all my possessions;
Though as a martyr die;
My sacrifices profit me nothing.
Unless love doth sanctify.
Author:  Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:  530

PRAYER:

Father, I pray that I might know and show your love during this
season of preparation, proclamation and praise for your coming. Help
me to find your love within my heart to encourage others at this
time. Amen.

MEDITATION:

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message ®)

The Way of Love
1If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love,
I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and
making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a
mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.
3If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to
be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no
matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt
without love.

4Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
5Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
6Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
7Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

8Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in
tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.
9We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is
always incomplete. 10But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes
will be canceled.
11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed
like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering
through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and
the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly
as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things
to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God,
hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is
love.




The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message (MSG®)are
copyright and are used here with permissions granted for "church
publications" and "not for profit' purposes. These versions plus
others may be accessed at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be accessed at
www.salvationist.org

Welcome to Australian Thoughts at the Weekend via Ozthoughts
Internet Ministry Yahoo Group. Thank you for subscribing . Please
encourage others to subscribe also.

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend

This week a television show has disappeared from Australian screens
never to return. Well yes, we saw the last episode of "Friends" and
also the final of the "Australian Idol" television show. However,
the one that will be missed most is "Burke's Backyard".
[See: www.burkesbackyard.com.au]

Don Burke started life on television and in other media as the "Lazy
Gardener". He set out to show some simple shortcuts to achieving
good results in the garden. Until this time, most Australian's
learnt their gardening on the hand down method. They learnt the
skills with their parents or grandparents showing the way.

Also previous to Don , anyone wanting a book to give the best advice
on preparing a garden and when to plant what, would turn to
the "Yate's Garden Guide". The Yates Seed Company was an Australian
institution and most gardening stores, nurseries and supermarkets
(and grocery stores before that) had their little packets of seeds.
Yates gave advice on how to dig soil for a garden. Anyone (and most
did) who followed their instructions knew it was back breaking work.

Don came along as an advocate of the `no dig' school. This was truly
lazy gardening. The garden was built up on the existing and heavily
mulched. The plant roots were encouraged to find their way through
the existing soil. However, after some time people saw Burke bending
his back doing the hard work of preparing and planting as he
established new gardens and landscapes.

Don had a beard but his personality shone through this. He was easy
going and he wore in winter brightly colored woolen jumpers. He
laughed often and so did his other presenters. Previous television
shows such as one run by Alan Seale one of the writers of the Yates
Garden Guide were very serious garden shows with long segments.

Don introduced a series of presenters who introduced short and to
the point segments. These presenters were experts in the field they
were presenting. Densey Cline and her husband Jim Frazier who were
experts in insects and insect photography and presented insects
found in our backyards. Other presenters showed other wildlife, home
projects and crafts, home decorating, recipes, unusual gardens and a
veterinarian "road tested" various pets suitable for backyards.

In fact, dogs became something of a crusade for Don. The vet would
talk about problems some breeds had such as bad hips, knees, eyes
and heart. Aggression in some breeds was a problem too, and made
them unsuitable as pets in a city backyard or where there are
children. Don's crusade was against breeds which commonly showed
these problems. He upset breeders who bred for the show ring and
ignored health and aggression problems with their breed. He
demonstrated that many cross bred dogs had better health and
disposition than finely bred show dogs.

Don became something of a crusader in other areas. He liked
challenging ritual. The pruning of roses had become such a
ritualistic and precise art that many people fled in horror at the
thought of it in case they got it wrong and the rose or some expert
noticed.
Don demonstrated that pruning roses was easy and the rose usually
recovered well. If it didn't which was unlikely it was a great
opportunity to plant another one.

Don showed that many plants benefit from heavy pruning and do so
much better after it.

Many people said that many Australian native plants should not be
pruned by Don suggested in the bush (natural environment) kangaroos
and other animals, birds and insects do it quite naturally.

Don showed us that there are very high standards in gardening and
landscaping that can be achieved and showed us the best overseas and
here. He also showed us that we can grow a garden to suit our own
personality and lifestyle and enjoy it. Part of the enjoyment was
allowing others to enjoy it also.

One of the delights was to wander with Don each week around a
celebrity's garden and home while the celebrity explained their love
of gardening or complete lack of knowledge and enthusiasm in that
area. Just as delightful was the visit to the gardens of people who
were just a little off center in their gardening style or in the
various collections of odd things they had gathered along life's way.

I am sure Don with his knowledge and easy relaxed style is too
valuable a commodity to just let wander off with his birds,
Australian plants and dogs. With the brightly patterned jumpers like
his, he will always be noticed. Thanks Don for a great show over 17
and a half years.

As I think of the various aspects of Burke's Backyard my mind runs
over the song that was it's theme.:


HOME AMONG THE GUM TREES

I've been around the world a couple
of times or maybe more
I've seen the sights, I've had delights
On every foreign shore
But when my friends all ask me the place
that I adore I tell them right away

(Chorus)

Give me a home among the gum trees
With lots of plum trees
A sheep or two, a kangaroo
A clothes-line out the back
Verandah out the front
And an old rocking chair

You can see me in the kitchen
Cookin' up a roast
Or Vegemite on toast
Just you and me, a cup of tea
Later on we'll settle down
And mull up on the porch
And watch the possums play

(Chorus)

Some people like their houses
With fences all around
Others live in mansions
And some beneath the ground
But me, I like the bush, you know
With rabbits running 'round
And a pumpkin vine out the back
(Chorus Twice)

We could also sing as we look at the delights of the garden and the
Australian backyard:

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

1.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings:

2.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning
That brightens up the sky:

3.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one:

4.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well:
Author: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 25



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message ® are
copyright and are used here with permissions granted for "church
publications" and "not for profit' purposes. These versions plus
others may be accessed at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be accessed at
www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year "OzThoughts" and for nearly two years "Australian
Thoughts at the Weekend" have been sent out on 6 days of every week
by individual email. With about 500 subscribers it is taking
considerable time each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses per email and
a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I have to send from a number
of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just for OzThoughts
and ATAW. You will receive an invitation to join this group soon.
You can receive Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual email after
November 30th. They will continue to be posted on various other
websites and lists as at present.

My computer has been sick  but is now back on line. Ozthoughts will
resume at the weekend.

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend

Gephyrophobia

On the 23rd October this year, I conquered my
gephyrophobia. My little Swiss mate was there to
witness it as I completed the treetop walk at
O’Reilly’s. In fact, I believed she videoed it. I
don’t have a video camera so I could not video her as
she ventured out on a boat whale watching. No, she
hadn’t been drinking green cordal! Anyway, here is a
reprint of my ATAW from October last year where I
talked about my gephyrophobia and her green cordial.

It is great to have friends. A friend will tell you
things that others will not tell you. Some times we
can tell stories about friends that we would not tell
about other people. It is great when friends stop to
say thank you. I enjoy it when people forward to me
little rhymes and poems often sweetly decorated with
drawings or photographs of natural things that cause
me to stop and be grateful for the people who send
them.

Last week I told of an ocean fishing trip that was
enjoyed by a bunch of friends. In telling that story I
mentioned my little Swiss mate. Yes it was she with
the projectile bright green cordial. She assures me
that it won’t happen again and if she visits here the
Swiss sailor will venture seaward again. However, she
tells me there is a penalty for me mentioning the
cordial. She says I must tell you about O’Reilly’s.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse is one of the places
that I have always wanted to visit again. It was just
over 35 years ago that I visited there for the first
time and until recently only time.  It is on the top
of the mountains behind the Gold Coast City where I
now live. My little Swiss mate tells me these
mountains are not high mountains. They are covered
with a very thick growth of trees and vines and a
variety of plants including orchids and numerous ferns
and fungi. Birds abound but most love to hide from any
visitors to their domain. The cracking whip sound of
the whip bird will sound through the trees and other
birds may be glimpsed hurrying away.

The eight O’Reilly brothers and cousins cut their way
up the rain forest coloured slopes to make their dairy
farms high on the McPherson Ranges. Soon after their
arrival two things happened. One was the Government
declared the mountains around them a National Park,
there by cutting them off from the outside road except
for their established tracks. The second thing was
that people loved to visit the O’Reilly’s wilderness
retreat. So many did this that one of the families
established a guesthouse which is still the focal
point for visitors.

That is what led eventually to the test of my
gephyrophobia and is still causing my little mate back
home in Switzerland to laugh as the snows begin to
fall around her.
O’Reillys have taken advantage of the graded tracks
and walking tracks (trails) through the rain forest
but have also developed a number of ways which assist
people to enjoying this seeming different world from
the hectic world of the Gold Coast City less than two
hours away.

One of the developments I had heard was a “tree top
walk” which allows people to walk through the forest
top amongst the branches of the high trees. This walk
allows visitors to look right at the birds etc in the
beauty of their preferred home. It was put on my list
of “must dos’ and a good reason to re-visit O’Reillys
after 35 years.

So the day came when we headed to O’Reillys. It was
cloudy and we could not really enjoy the panoramic
views of the mountains and the valleys as we drove the
twists and turns through the tree lined roads. It was
not long after we arrived and after some adjustments
to our personal comfort that we headed out the damp
earth pathway into the rainforest. The dampness around
us and the mixed smells including decaying vegetation
reminded us why this prolific growth was called rain
forest. We followed the path as it wound around huge
trees entwined with vines and covered in lichens, fern
and other growths. We noticed where birds or animals
had been scratching in the decaying mulch like floor
of the forest. So we came to the entrance of the Tree
Top Walk.  Our little group comprise my wife, my son,
and my little Swiss mate. We followed some Japanese
tourists onto the walk and we had not gone far when I
felt the onset of gephyrophobia or was it acrophobia?
The walk was a narrow walkway suspended between
cables. When we came to the first viewing platform
there was an opportunity to climb to a lookout. This
gave me time to discuss the situation. Basically,
there was no discussion. Before us was the longest
span of the walkway that bridged the highest point.
Surrounded by this crowd of witnesses, I simply said
“I can not go on, I am going back”. So I did. It was
maybe a combination of gephyrophobia (fear of bridges)
and acrophobia (fear of heights). Whatever it was my
little Swiss mate laughed when she came of the bridge
and said simply “wuss!” At least that is easier to
spell. (Yes! She said wuss and not a Germanic accented
vuss!).

The others spent time, walking and enjoying the view.
With my feet firmly on the earth, I enjoyed the view
closer to the ground. In fact, I found a lovely area
where one man had taken the time and laboured to
create a bush garden with plants representative of
those growing throughout the whole area. It was lovely
time of quietness as I alone looked at the plants and
then came to a memorial to those who had lost their
life in a plane crash nearby.

As I reflect on this experience, a number of songs
come to mind.  The first is the verse of the favourite
made popular by George Beverley Shea and the Massed
Choirs of the Billy Graham Crusades of the 1950s and
through to the 1970s:


O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed:

Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee;
How great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great thou art!

2.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

[The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number:  37
Authors:  Stuart K. Hine]


In my reflection I think too of the words of “How firm
a foundation, ye saints of the Lord”.


1.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled:
Chorus
No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised he never would leave me,
Never, no never, alone.

2.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid!
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to
stand,
Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow,
For I will be with thee thy trials to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
[The Salvation Army Song Book. Song Number:  653
Authors:  Anon]

And I cannot but remember and find peace and comfort
in the beautiful words which reflect a story of Jesus
when I think of my fears:

Like to a lamb who from the fold has strayed
Far on the mountain, of the dark afraid,
Seeking a shelter from the night's alarm,
Longing for comfort of the shepherd's arm,
So Jesus found me on sin's mountain drear,
Gathered me close and banished all my fear.

Chorus
In the Love of Jesus there is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest.
In the love of Jesus is all I need,
While I follow closely where my Lord may lead;
By his grace forgiven,
In his presence blest,
In the love of Jesus, is perfect rest,
Is perfect rest.

Like to a pilgrim in an unknown land
Seeking the comfort of a guiding hand,
Fearing the perils of the winding way,
Pleading for strength sufficient every day,
I met my Lord; and, though the path be dim,
He knows the way and I will walk with him.

Like to a child who, when the night may fall,
Out of the darkness hears his father call,
Far and a-weary though his feet may roam,
Sees in the distance shining lights of home,
So at the last the music of his voice
Will calm my fears and make my heart rejoice.

[The Salvation Army Song Book. Song Number:  740
Authors:  Ivy Mawby (1903-83)]



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message
® are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church publications” and “not for profit’
purposes. These versions plus others may be accessed
at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year “OzThoughts” and for nearly two years
“Australian Thoughts at the Weekend” have been sent
out on 6 days of every week by individual email. With
about 500 subscribers it is taking considerable time
each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses
per email and a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I
have to send from a number of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just
for OzThoughts and ATAW. You will receive an
invitation to join this group soon. You can receive
Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send
an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual
email after November 30th. They will continue to be
posted on various other websites and lists as at
present.








Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
http://au.movies.yahoo.com

OzThoughts Friday

Friday. For most people it the end of the work week
and a time of beginning to relax with friends for the
weekend. I remember when I was taxi driving I would be
taking people home rather late from work after they
had tarried with friends. If I was lucky, maybe a
street or two away, I would pick up some other
passengers who were going to spend the night in
enjoyment with friends.

Men I was taking home from work would want to know
where to buy flowers for their wife because they were
late. Sometimes the ladies would ask if I thought they
looked okay. Did I think their dress was okay? Did
they look okay?  Was I to say that sometimes they
looked less than okay? Could I sound too enthusiastic
in saying they looked fantastic?

Our relationships with others are governed by lots of
things. For the Christian our lives are governed by
Christ. Our choice of friends and our choice of
leisure activities are all governed by Christ. It is
interesting to meditate on what Paul writes to the
Colossians:


10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of
your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator,
with his label on it. All the old fashions are now
obsolete.
11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and
irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and
uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on
everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in
Christ.
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress
in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion,
kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick
to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and
completely as the Master forgave you.
14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without
it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each
other, in step with each other. None of this going off
and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of
the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.
Instruct and direct one another using good common
sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions,
whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,
thanking God the Father every step of the way.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the direction you
give my life through Christ. I pray today as I meet
and relax with workmates and other friends that I will
live well for you. Help me to live and act as you
would have me do. Amen.

I've  a friend, of friends the fairest,
I have known and proved him long;
His is beauty, purest, rarest,
His is love most true and strong.
Ever since his kindness drew me,
And my newborn soul found breath,
Jesus has been growing dearer,
Till to lose him would be death.

Chorus
Take the world, but give me Jesus,
He alone can satisfy;
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
Neath his cross I'll live and die.

2.
When my heart with joy is glowing,
'Tis of Jesus I would sing,
When my cup is overflowing,
To his feet my praises bring.
And when care and sorrow meet me,
Pain and grief and dark distress,
Still I cry: O give me Jesus,
He alone can help and bless!

3.
Would you gain this friend so tender?
Would you find this faithful guide?
Come then, make a full surrender,
Yield to Jesus crucified.
Take his easy yoke upon you,
And his purpose daily learn,
Just to do his will entirely,
Pleasing him your chief concern.
	 Authors:  Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 343



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message
® are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church publications” and “not for profit’
purposes. These versions plus others may be accessed
at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year “OzThoughts” and for nearly two years
“Australian Thoughts at the Weekend” have been sent
out on 6 days of every week by individual email. With
about 500 subscribers it is taking considerable time
each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses
per email and a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I
have to send from a number of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just
for OzThoughts and ATAW. You will receive an
invitation to join this group soon. You can receive
Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send
an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual
email after November 30th. They will continue to be
posted on various other websites and lists as at
present.







Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
http://au.movies.yahoo.com

OzThoughts Thursday


Yesterday I saw a sign on a church. Thousands of cars
pass it every day. There are a few trees in front of
the sign but I read it easily enough. Those who drive
past daily on their way to the city would soon get the
message “clear and plain”:

Jesus came to pay a debt he did not owe
Because we owed a debt we could not pay

When I got home, I searched the internet to find the
origins of the phrase. It seems it comes from an
anonymous song which I have printed below. I have also
given a website where you will also be able to listen
to the music. Less helpful to me at least was a site
that gave the words and chords for a mandolin !!

PRAYER:

Today, I come to you Heavenly Father in thanksgiving
for the “clear and plain” message of the coming
Christmas season. I thank you for the babe of
Bethlehem who came for me. I praise you for that gift
of love, and I pray today that I might live worthy of
your love and share it with others. I pray for the
ministry of your Church as we prepare for this season
of Goodwill and Good News. Amen.

MEDITATION:

1 John 4
9This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his
only Son into the world so we might live through him.
(The Message®)

He Paid A Debt

1.
He paid a debt He did not owe.
I owed a debt I could not pay.
I needed Someone to wash my sins away.
And now I sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace,"
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

2.
He paid a debt at Calvary,
He cleansed my soul and made me free,
I'm glad that Jesus did all my sins erase;
I now can sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace,"
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

3.
One day He's coming back for me
To live with Him eternally,
Won't it be glory to see Him on that day!
I then will sing a brand new song, "Amazing Grace,"
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
	 Author: Hymn and music anonymous
Listen to the music of this song:
http://s89015200.onlinehome.us/hymn/Paiddebt.htm



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message
® are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church publications” and “not for profit’
purposes. These versions plus others may be accessed
at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year “OzThoughts” and for nearly two years
“Australian Thoughts at the Weekend” have been sent
out on 6 days of every week by individual email. With
about 500 subscribers it is taking considerable time
each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses
per email and a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I
have to send from a number of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just
for OzThoughts and ATAW. You will receive an
invitation to join this group soon. You can receive
Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively don't wait for the invitation. You can
subscribe (free) now. Just send an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual
email after November 30th. They will continue to be
posted on various other websites and lists as at
present.






Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
http://au.movies.yahoo.com

OzThoughts Wednesday

Sometimes it is just good to soak in the Word of God
and allow it to speak to our mind, body and spirit. I
feel like this when I read Paul’s statement of faith
and praise in Colossians.

Christ Holds It All Together
15We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be
seen. We look at this Son and see God's original
purpose in everything created.
16For everything, absolutely everything, above and
below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after
rank of angels--everything got started in him and
finds its purpose in him.
17He was there before any of it came into existence
and holds it all together right up to this moment.
18And when it comes to the church, he organizes and
holds it together, like a head does a body.
He was supreme in the beginning and--leading the
resurrection parade--he is supreme in the end. From
beginning to end he's there, towering far above
everything, everyone. 19So spacious is he, so roomy,
that everything of God finds its proper place in him
without crowding.
20Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated
pieces of the universe--people and things, animals and
atoms--get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant
harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that
poured down from the Cross.
21You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At
one time you all had your backs turned to God,
thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him
trouble every chance you got.
22But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross,
actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to
God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy
in his presence.
23You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay
grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly
tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted
or diverted. There is no other Message--just this one.
Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I,
Paul, am a messenger of this Message. Colossians 1
(The Message®).

PRAYER:

Father, I join in praise of you because of all your
benefits to me. Help me to go out from this time of
worship and reflection as your servant. Amen.

MEDITATION:

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

2.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

3.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

4.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

5.
For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
	 Author:  Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 28



The New International Version (NIV® ) and The Message
® are copyright and are used here with permissions
granted for “church publications” and “not for profit’
purposes. These versions plus others may be accessed
at www.gospelcom.net

Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book may be
accessed at www.salvationist.org

Administration Notice:

For over a year “OzThoughts” and for nearly two years
“Australian Thoughts at the Weekend” have been sent
out on 6 days of every week by individual email. With
about 500 subscribers it is taking considerable time
each day to send out about 12 groups of emails by
Hotmail. It is complicated by a limit of 50 addresses
per email and a limit of 150 emails in 24 hours. So I
have to send from a number of accounts.

It has been decided to establish a Yahoo Group just
for OzThoughts and ATAW. You will receive an
invitation to join this group soon. You can receive
Ozthoughts by email from the group or visit the
website at your convenience to view each OzThoughts.

Alternatively you can subscribe (free) now. Just send
an email to:
OzThoughtsInternetMinistry-subscribe@...

OzThoughts or ATAW will not be sent by individual
email after November 30th. They will continue to be
posted on various other websites and lists as at
present.






Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
http://au.movies.yahoo.com

OzThoughts Monday

GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness. (Psalm: 145.3 The Message®)

Today my heart is full of praise to God because of his goodness. I
return to work today to greet workmates and to accept the challenges
and joys of the daily round. As I do that I reflect on the past week
when I have spent time with family and friends enjoying the
greatness of God's creation.

From mountain top to seashore I have marvelled at his handiwork. I
have walked and driven through rain forest and swum in both a fresh
water lake perched high on a sand hill.

I watched a wild dingo wander around the lawns of the centre where I
was staying looking for morsels of food.

I stood on a tourist filled boat and watched a mother humpback whale
with her baby sleeping beside her. I then saw them as they woke and
the baby played around mum.

I held a handful of bird seed as colourful parrots (Crimson Rosellas
and Australian King Parrots) stood on my arm and fought each other
to get the choice seeds. I only discovered later they dug their
claws in and drew blood.

Countless other birds and insects flew around in various places each
busy about their business. Each one demonstrated the marvels of
design and purpose in God's nature.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for your greatness demonstrated in
nature. I praise you for family and friends. I pray now as I come to
the beginning of this work week, that you will be with me and I will
marvel at your planning and leadership in my life. I pray, Father,
for my family and friends. I pray that each one will know your
friendship, and your daily care for them. Amen.

PRAYER REQUEST.

A former workmate, Lesley, who is a committed Christian has asked
that I might pray for her oldest daughter. The outcome of tests
shows that surgery is necessary. Lesley asks that we pray for her
daughter and those who have responsibility for her health care right
now.

PRAYER THANKS:

My friend Satish from India has asked me to pass on thanks for
prayers which have been answered in regard to his father's health.
His father was strong enough to attend a meeting last Sunday.

MEDITATION:
Psalm 145
1I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your
name into eternity.
2I'll bless you every day,
and keep it up from now to eternity.
3GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
5Your beauty and splendour have everyone talking;
I compose songs on your wonders.
6Your marvellous doings are headline news;
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
7The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
your righteousness is on everyone's lips.

8GOD is all mercy and grace--
not quick to anger, is rich in love.
9GOD is good to one and all;
everything he does is suffused with grace.
10Creation and creatures applaud you, GOD;
11your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
they exclaim over your splendour,
12Letting the world know of your power for good,
the lavish splendour of your kingdom.
13Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
you never get voted out of office.
GOD always does what he says,
and is gracious in everything he does.
14GOD gives a hand to those down on their luck,
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15All eyes are on you, expectant;
you give them their meals on time.
16Generous to a fault,
you lavish your favour on all creatures.
17Everything GOD does is right--
the trademark on all his works is love.

18GOD's there, listening for all who pray,
for all who pray and mean it.
19He does what's best for those who fear him--
hears them call out, and saves them.
20GOD sticks by all who love him,
but it's all over for those who don't.
21My mouth is filled with GOD's praise.
Let everything living bless him,
bless his holy name from now to eternity!
(The Message ®)



For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

2.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

3.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

4.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

5.
For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven,
Father, unto thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
	 Author:  Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 28