This is our Church. It is composed of people like me. We make it what it is.

I want it to be a church that is a lamp to the path of pilgrims; leading them to goodness, truth and beauty. It will be if I am. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do a great work, if I work. It will bring other people into it’s worship and fellowship, if I bring them.

It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and love; and a church of a noble spirit if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these.

A nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher.

The note read: "Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety".

Failing to observe the punctuation, he startled his audience by announcing:

"Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety".

Thanks go to Pastor Tim for this joke ... see http://www.cybersalt.org/entertainment.

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
    ... Galatians 5 : 18, New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE ...
I want you to think about an orange rhinoceros flying with blue wings. Now quit, I don't want you to think about it anymore. You know there is no such thing as an orange rhino that flies, much less one that flies on blue wings. Oh course the point is simple: the more we try to not do something, the more we focus on it and ensure we do what we are not supposed to do. That's why the gift of the Holy Spirit is so important. He enables and empowers us to move beyond our sin -- not by focusing on it and refusing it, but by enriching us and "distracting" us with the important things of God.

MY PRAYER ...
Abba Father, I thank you so much for your Holy Spirit that lives in me, and is now interceding with you for me. Please fill me with your Spirit so that my life more nearly reflects your will and focuses on your concerns. Through Jesus, who poured out your Spirit upon me at my baptism, I pray. Amen.

Last week's question was:
Who expressed the wish "Oh that my head be waters, and my eyes were a fountain of tears!"

Jeremiah "rhw weeping prophat" (Jeremiah 9 : 1)

Questions are taken from the Jumbo Bible Word Search Collection Volume 2 published by Barbour Publishing Inc. and used by permission. All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Please address any suggestions or comments that you may have to Josh Young at aleatoric@intermail.co.za. You may alternatively phone 021-761-2660 or 083-229-6352 (cell).