“G’Day Digger! Owergoin’mateorrite?”
“Grouse Mate! I’m off to a Refresh.
“So what’s a Refresh?”
If you’re an Aussie—or not—you can find out what
is all about!
“It’s Down Under Digger . . . down ‘ere ↓ near the bottom.”
Tom Bloomer is a YWAM treasure. What follows moved me and I think it will move you as well.
Tom is Provost of the University of the Nations and lives in Switzerland. Earlier this year, Tom’s wife Cynthia passed into the presence of her King after contracting a little-known ‘wasting disease.’ All YWAM prayed, avidly following the almost-daily—and always-worsening reports—until she took her final breath on this earth. All YWAM mourned.
Bad News – Good news
By Tom Blommer
Francis Schaeffer said we should always start with the bad news, and end with the good.
So here goes with the bad news; and please fasten your seat belts because it’s not just bad, it’s brutal: Everyone close to you is going to die. Most will go peacefully we hope, but some will die in horrific accidents, some with wasting diseases. And the Lord is not going to heal all of them, even though He could.
Why not? Why does He not control every detail of everything on earth, and make it all better? Because He set this world up for love, not for control; and as Jan Amos Comenius said, “There is no control in love . . .”
Love risks, and as the old song says, “Love hurts.”
Besides, He left us the job of making everything better, for all of Creation. There are no guarantees on this earth; the guarantees are only in Eternity. He indeed promises us eternal love and eternal life, but down here we have no contracts with the Lord; He owes us nothing, because He has already given us everything.
We need to remember how many times each of us has prayed, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven . . .” and been surprised when His will is done, and not ours.
We blithely forget our prayers; but He does not. He takes our prayers so much more seriously than we do . . . As the old saying goes, “Today is all we have, and it’s a gift . . . that’s why it’s called ‘the present’.”
So here is some good news: there are some strategies for living that work for me: The most important is to lean into the Lord (NOTE: best to have learned how to do this before the unthinkable happens . . .)
- Read the book ‘Heaven is for Real’ if you haven’t already – Cynthia did.
- Laugh daily, through the tears if necessary.
- Hang out with little kids, they laugh a lot more than adults do.
- Watch at least one sunset a day.
- Eat all the Swiss chocolate you can.
- Adopt as many flowers as you can handle.
- Tend your relationships even better than your flowers, because they are your greatest treasures . . . they are the only things you can take with you into eternity.
- Dance as if nobody’s watching (yes, there is one song that used to get me dancing when alone in my living room, and no, it’s not going up on YouTube, and no, I’m not even telling you which song it is).
- Love all you can.
- Live as if there’s no tomorrow – because sometimes there isn’t here on this old earth.
Bye now! I’m off to spend time with my flowers; but maybe I’ll put that song on and dance a little first, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that . . .
Unconventional Wisdom
“The chief danger of the 20th Century will be: religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, heaven without hell.” William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army
I like to live in the future; there are no problems! Loren Cunningham
Every time we emphasize something, we can be de-emphasizing something else. David Hamilton
Justice rules for those in authority (or it should).
We teach by our lives. What are others learning?
Focus on what you have—not on what you’ve lost. Spotted on a billboard in London’s Heathrow Airport.
Miscellaneous Matters (it really does!)
* Thank you for the wonderful eTouch that I so look forward to read every time. It has blest me greatly and I have used portions of it to encourage others as well. It helps keep the tribe connected as a family. Selvi Yalamarthy
* I got an email the other day from a long-time 
YWAM leader and friend; his Christian parents had held on to a long-time skepticism toward the mission in general, and their son’s calling in particular. He happened upon “The Last Thing I’d Ever Do!” and after reading it, gave it to his Mom and Dad. “Oh! Now I understand YWAM!” was their response, accompanied by their blessing.
Perhaps you have friends or family members who don’t understand YWAM. This might be a good Christmas present.
* “Principles are what we follow when we no longer hear from God,” was a Profound & Pithy quote last month, and it raised some eyebrows and even a couple of hackles. There was no intention to slam principles . . . they are foundational to our faith. Also, I neglected to add a name to the quote—it was our dear friend Dean Fujishima who pastors in Honolulu. I asked him to flesh out his meaning, and he responded:
“When we haven’t heard God we live by principle, but hearing Him is the goal. We should be following the Lord, a person, not just relying on principles. We can follow principles and still end up not knowing God. God will always honor His principles but we are called to something deeper, into a relationship with Him. Spiritual principles are like natural laws. They work for whoever obeys them. But only His sheep hear His voice.”
* And don’t forget to read the Small Print (bottom of page)
DONNA’S CORNER
Replacement Peterology
Don’t worry, don’t worry, I could never replace Donna, she’ll be back. Donna is in the middle of a huge chunk of TNT (travel and teaching) and asked to be excused. We took a vote and she was narrowly let off the hook this month.
Here Come Da Judge
“Don’t judge.” Jesus was very clear about that in Matt 7:1.
“Better not judge,” wrote Donna back in March.
“Who, me?” I asked myself, somewhat self-righteously.
“Yes, you,” I heard in response.
“But Lord . . . “ I whinged, “I discern things; I don’t judge.”
“Oh,” came the answer. “Reflect back over yesterday and think through your ‘discernments’ again.” So I did.
A Day in the Life: Sunday
- 7.00am: Wakey, wakey! Internal debate, “Will I or won’t I?” Go to church, that is. “Visiting preacher. Don’t like visiting preachers.” Roll over, back to sleep.
- 7.30am: That voice, “Time to get up.” Grudgingly, “OK, Lord.”
- 8.45am: “Lousy, dishwatery coffee. Who ground it wrong? Oh, it was me.”
- 8.59am: In car, “I’ve got one minute to drive three miles.”
- 9.14am: “I’ll just slip into the back row. Shoot! Full of a bunch of Back Row Baptists!”
- 9.17am: “Don’t like this song, why can’t we have something like Amazing Grace?”
- 9.22am: “Worship leader has pride coming out of his ears . . . all smarmy and smiley.”
- 9.23am: “Drummer thinks she’s Ringo Starr.”
- 9.29am: “Glad that’s over.”
- 9.35am: “Announcements are taking forever. Can’t stand the coffee, awfull stuff.”
- 9.37am: “Oh no! The offering. Guess I can cough up five bucks.”
- 9.40am: “This guy has nothing to say.” I turn him off and retreat into my private world.
True, that was a bit hyperbolic, and if you don’t know that hyperbolic means exaggerated, you’re ignorant and uneducated! Ooooooh, am I judging or what?
Judging and discerning often get mixed up.
When you judge someone, you’re basically condemning them.
When you discern something in someone, or in an event, you observe that this or that is right or wrong. What you do with that bit of information determines whether you are judging or discerning.
If you discern something is wrong, bottom line is, “ . . . stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Rom 14:13
So, it’s back on us. We are responsible to not put stumbling blocks in other people’s way!
When you discern something wrong, if you can’t do something positive and helpful about it, just give it to the Lord. And as with all gifts, don’t take it back!
There’s another form of judging that recently convicted me. In YWAM there is a multiplicity of ministries and a voracious variety of vision to offer. Simply not caring about what my brother or sister has vision for, is a form of judging. When my inbox overflows with appeals and announcemnts, it is so easy for me to just press DELETE without even taking a moment to consider the need. That is judging; I’m judging that they are not worthy of my consideration. The least I can do is skim their message, be informed, and then offer a little prayer on their behalf.
Let’s be discerners, not judges. Leave the judging to the judges.
Love doesn’t judge.
for Donna, just this time
Coming to Australia this October!
Weekend Refresh Days & Other Gatherings with Peter & Donna Jordan
Hobart: Oct 6: All Day Refresh – To contact Shiree Lind click here
Adelaide: Oct 10: Ladies afternoon with Donna
Oct 13: All Day Refresh
Adelaide events, to contact Linda Hoffman click here
Newcastle: Oct 16: Youth Street Refresh night
Oct 17: Open Meeting with Peter & Donna
Also more Newcastle 20th Anniversary Celebrations during the week.
To contact Julianne click here
Melbourne: Lots going on here!
Oct 24: Afternoon Kids Hear from God!
Oct 24: Mums Evening Intimacy with God with Donna
Oct 25: Night Refresh
Oct 26: An Evening Teaching
Oct 27: All Day Refresh
Oct 28: An Afternoon & Dinner with Peter
Melbourne events, to contact Marg Auty click here
Brisbane
Oct 28: Lunch & Dinner meetings with Donna
For Brisbane events, to contact Gina click here
Overall Coordinator: Marg Auty, click here
‘We all have a destiny – a call, dreams, passions that stir our hearts. Yet life is challenging, & we can struggle or carry more than we need.
The purpose of Refresh is to provide a place where people can safely come, share hearts & challenges that are common to us all, allow others to listen well, and for God the Father to deeply comfort & restore individuals into His good purposes for them – more freedom, affirmation & direction (Phil1:4-7)
Renewal Camps & Gatherings 2013
Feb 10-15 Kona, Hawaii: YWAM Associates Second MedGathering with Drs David & Ruth Demian. Hosts: Dr Bruce & Barbara Thompson, Peter & Donna Jordan.
This Gathering is open to all! Click on the flags to register!
June 16 – 22 Piedmont, Italy: NEW! Speaker – Dean Sherman.
June 30 – July 6: Restenäs, Sweden, once again!
July 7 – 13: Sighisoara in Transylvania, Romania, New!
July 22 – 27: Skjærgårdsheimen Norway Contact Lidvard click here
August 4 – 10: YWAM Champagne Le Gault, France
For info: http://www.intouchcamps.net/?cat=4
Click here to email for information
And Finally . . .
In a perfect world . . . I wouldn’t be here.
Actually, maybe I would be here . . . “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb 10:14)
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. If God should lead you to support us, write check to “YWAM Associates,” and mail to address below.
US & Canadian tax receipts provided.
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
