Many Happy Returns – from Mars!”
Sadly, that?s a misleading and deceptive greeting—in actual fact there is no possibility of a return to Earth from Mars for space explorers.
Drop in at the Boutique (below), and meet YWAM Associate Dr Raye Kass (DTS 1988), who is involved in planning this oneway expedition to Mars—80,000 already signed up!
Mysogynistic Me?
Me, a disliker—or worse—a hater of women?
No sirreee, not me. Never! I love and appreciate the fair sex—always have and always will, beginning with my mother and my sister, who from the beginning, both loved me well. Why then would I give a passing thought to even being a tiny shade mysogynistic? Maybe I need to ask myself some questions.
So, here goes: “Am I prejudiced toward women?” And “Do I think that women have a lesser value in life than men?” (Some extremists pray: ‘I thank God I was not born a woman . . .’) “What are my convictions about women having certain roles in life (other than raising a family)?” Oh Oh!
Red flag alert! Troubled waters ahead!
I must tell you that I’m from a culture that neatly placed men supreme in church matters; and most often the women got to rule the roost. But having fledged from the roost when I was eleven, these issues were not high on my ‘think-about’ list for many years. When I was about 13, I discovered girls, holding them in some kind of awe as I grew to manhood. But I don’t think I developed any male-type prejudices.
At this point, I need to make a distinction between two kinds of women:
- Followers of Jesus . . . and
- those who are not. Yet.
I’m going to stay away from women’s roles in the Christian church and other such ministry (much greater minds than mine cannot agree on this, so I’m not rushing in where angels fear to tread). Let’s look at the realities of being a believing woman, from this man’s slant—and I trust, the Bible’s view.
Godly women in the Bible (with the horrific exception of Jael (Judges 4:17-22), were influencers. Miriam, (Rahab?), Deborah, Ruth, Esther, The Excellent Wife of Proverbs 31, Mary the mother of Jesus, Anna, Mary (and Martha) of Bethany, Lydia, Priscilla . . . to name some key women with ‘muscle.’
All these women were strong in character. But were they aggressive, as men tend to be? Was Deborah a lady or a woman? Were women designed to fight? (Were men?)
Donna is a Registered Nurse. When our children came along, she laid that ministry down. Later, as the kids were in their teens, God fanned a new ministry in her, as a teacher. Donna is a woman clothed in strength and dignity.
It’s not that women do no wrong—all of us carry the shame of sin. But women don’t rape men, don’t traffic people, don’t do most domestic violence, though they are responsible for around 10% of murders and 14% of violent offenses. You get the picture.
I do have a pet peeve: women in combat. It’s too horrifying for me to even think about. The testosterone levels required for the battlefield, lead to horrors unimaginable. I don’t think I can be changed on that one. (I know, I know; some nations require their women to serve in the military.)
God created us male and female, in His image, with equal value, yet with different but complementary roles. Finding God’s role and position in life, for you and for me, is the challenge.
Come on men! Let’s love women into their God-given part of life, rather than leaving them ‘hanging out there,’ having to grasp for position.
As I read over this, I realize I’ve only touched a topic that is enormous, and to some extent, preoccupies every one of us. Next month I want to continue this general subject and discuss—from this man’s point of view—how men should treat women.
Am I asking for trouble?
Till then
A Taser from Tozer
How may we remain free from self-deception? The answer sounds old-fashioned and dull but here it is:
Mean what you say and never say what you do not mean, either to God or man. Think candid thoughts and act forthrightly always, whatever the consequence. To do this will bring the cross into your life and keep you dead to self and to public opinion. But it may get you into trouble sometimes, too. But a guileless mind is a great treasure; it is worth any price.
From “Man—The Dwelling Place of God” by A.W. Tozer
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God promised an old man a lot of kids. Abraham trusted God to come through. That is way harder than believing. Believing has wiggle room. Trusting doesn’t.
From “Why I Don’t Believe in God Anymore” by Peter Enns: Click here to read the blog.
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People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln
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It has been said that a genuine apology opens the door to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation, and that genuine forgiveness removes the barrier that was created by the offense and opens the door to restoring trust. We can then say that a genuine apology always reaches out for forgiveness, and forgiveness sets the stage for meaningful reconciliation. The word of God gives us a divine model to follow: we can forgive others because God has forgiven us for our wrongdoing, through our Savior Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. If we confess our sins and repent, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. We have the capacity to forgive through Christ.
Quoting Kenny Blacksmith: The Stand
More on Cultural Greetings from April’s
“Yes,” writes a friend from Vancouver, “I have eaten today.” And he proposed a typically western answer: “I had toast and coffee.” Then he suggested another greeting: “How much do you weigh today?” That could only be Ralph Bromley.
Ralph also points out that my freshly-coined word ‘prumble,’ meaning proudly humble – is an oxymoron (which is not a mad cow), but in fact is a combination of contradictory or incongruous terms. As in a short distance, or a whole part, or an open secret. A gift of my book to the creator of the most original oxymoron, relating in some way to missions.
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I know that you send eTouch to many people, but it always brings me encouragement, as though you were writing just to me. Sometimes life hurts (like now), even when we listen to the Spirit and seek with all our hearts to follow Him. Hearing truth and following Him doesn’t exempt us from pain, but sometimes there is much pain that seems to never end. Thanks for listening and understanding. (I) Am in a place where it isn’t really safe to talk about the pain—it is really confusing at the moment. I just needed to say to someone, “I hurt,” so thanks for letting me tell you. CW
To Mars—and Beyond?
Dr Raye Kass (Kona Crossroads DTS 1988), has been asked to join the team that would ensure the chosen ones would be adequately prepared for their One Way trip. 78,000 have already put their names on the list which closes in August. Raye is a Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at Concordia University in Montreal. Link to webpage
It is said that, “A change is as good as a rest.” If that resonates with you, and you are hankering to serve ‘out there’ again – short term – would you pray about giving your vacation as an offering? There are YWAM associates who head up ministries that would love to offer you another Service Opportunity (ServOpp).
This month we feature . . .
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine you did for me. Matthew 25: 35-36, 40
From mid-June to the end of August, Gleanings, which is located in central California, is flat-out processing fruit and vegetables for distribution to those in need all over the world. Volunteer teams enhance their fulltime staff so as to accomplish this! Could you pull together a team from your church or youth group? Click here for information about opportunities to serve.
Donna’s Corner
Reflecting Jesus
Dear Friend,
Do you want to walk with God or just be used by Him?
Jesus often asked questions. My heart?s desire is to walk with Him continually and then when He wants to use me I’m right there to do what He asks and speak what He says. This takes a lot of practice and perseverance.
Our greatest need is to walk intimately with God, including Him in all that we do.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb 13:5-6) It’s always us that leaves Him—for something to satisfy the flesh, or because we’re not content with what we have—so we try to do things in our own strength.
If you really believe He is walking with you, then you can give Him all your burdens. Jesus said, Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Mt 11:28-30)
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. (Psalm 68:19) Carrying our own burdens can hinder us from listening to God. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1Peter 5:7) I have found that burdens weigh us down and anxiety kills the dreams and visions that God has given us.
When you wake up in the morning, give Him your burdens for that day. Sometimes we are to carry other people’s burdens (Gal 6:1-2). This isn’t wrong, but did God ask you to carry that burden? If not, give it to Him. Do you think sometimes we don’t give it to Him because we don’t trust Him? When you go to sleep, hand Him your daily burdens and anxieties, and don’t take them back.
My friends, fears, anxieties and burdens are going to increase, so stay close to Him, walk with Him and include Him in all that you do. You may think that God isn’t interested in the little things in your life; but really, the big things are little to Him. He know the numbers of hairs on your head, He knows your every thought before a word comes out of your mouth. He just wants you to walk with him and include Him in all that you do.
Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Is this truth? Because if it is, the truth will set you free to be who God created you to be, and to have that close relationship with Him that continues for all eternity
Keep walking and talking with Him, including Him in all that you do.
Love and Blessings,
Renewal Camps & Gatherings 2013
A Dean Sherman Tripleheader this summer in Europe!
June 16 – 22 Piemont, Italy: Speaker – Dean, click here for details
June 20 – 23 Black Forest, Germany: Elke and Uwe Wieger Click here for details
June 30 – July 6: Restenäs, Sweden: Dean, again! click here
July 7 – 13: Sighisoara, Romania: Dean, Once more! Yes! click here
July 22 – 27: Skjærgårdsheimen, Norway: Edwin Fillies, click here
August 4 – 10: YWAM Champagne Le Gault, France have a look here
For more information about the European Camps click here
November 6 – 10: Singapore: Dean Fujishima, Peter & Donna Jordan & Team click here to email for information
And Finally . . . May 27th, US Memorial Day
To all my American friends, and in special memory of all Americans (and others) who lost their lives in the Pacific during World War Two, thank you! Have a blessed Memorial Day.
Why do I specify the Pacific?
I read a book called “Flyboys” by James Bradley about the Pacific war (not a pretty story), in which among other things, he detailed the shooting down and rescue of US Navy pilot Lieutenant George H. W. Bush (later to become the 43rd President). Also in the book there was one statistic given—I forget the exact details—which listed the number of American military personnel who died in the Pacific conflict 1941-45.
During those years, I was a British civilian prisoner of war in Shanghai. I started wondering how many Americans made the supreme sacrifice in order that my family of five would be liberated. So I did a little research comparing the number of prisoners being held in Asia to the number of lives lost in liberating us, and I discovered that almost two Americans gave their lives to free just our family.
And then in September 1945, with the war only weeks over, the American Red Cross transported us via ship to San Francisco, train to Vancouver and then across Canada, and finally to England by ship from Halifax. Thank you America, I am forever grateful to you!
Till next time,
The Small Print
—and the whole ministry of YWAM Associates—is for the encouragement and building up of the saints.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a saint.
YWAM Associates exists by faith, daring to live on the edge,
yet relying upon God and his people to supply everyday ministry needs.
To help us continue this ministry, donations are gratefully received. For details click here!
Feel free to use anything from , in whole or in part, in any way that will glorify God and advance His Kingdom.
We love to hear from you, and it would be great if you would send us email addresses (Name, City & Country) of your friends.
Editor, Peter Jordan; Regular Contributor, Donna Jordan; Copy Editor, Laurie Jordan-Worrall;
Mascot, Ruth Worrall
