One day, when I was a freshman in high school,
I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.
His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?
He must really be a nerd."
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.
They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks."
They really should get lives.
" He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"
There was a big smile on his face.
It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.
As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.
He said he had gone to private school before now.
I would have never hung ou t with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.
He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.
I asked him if he wanted to play a little football
with my friends
He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.
I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!
" He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..
When we were seniors we began to think about college.
Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never
be a problem.
He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd.
He had to prepare a speech for graduation.
I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak
Graduation day, I saw Kyle.
He looked great.
He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.
He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.
Boy, sometimes I was jealous!
Today was one of those days.
I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
" Thanks," he said.
As h e started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began
"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.
Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...
I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.
I am going to tell you a story."
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the
story of the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.
He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
"Thankfully, I was saved.
My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
For better or for worse.
God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Look for God in others.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Life's lessons: Garbage Truck
How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitiveEmployee ruin your day? Unless you are the Terminator, for an instant you are probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successfulperson is how quickly he can get back his focus on what's important.
Sixteen years ago I learnt this lesson. I learnt it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened.
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We weredriving in the right lane when all of a sudden, and I mean withoutwarning, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car'sback end by just inches.
Here's what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy whoalmost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any New Yorker, some wordsin New York come with a special face. Now, here's what blew me away. Mytaxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruinedyour car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi drivertold me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage,full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As theirgarbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they will dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't takeit personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'llbe happy you did. I guarantee it. So this was it: The "Law of the Garbage Truck."
I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me?And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: atwork, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Goodparents know that they have to welcome their children home from schoolwith hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks takeover their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here's my bet. You'll behappier. I guarantee it.
Why the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger...
This is interesting. Try it out!Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger? There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese....
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner &
the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later. Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives. Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day. Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse). You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT...., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!! Please try this out............. ISN'T THIS A LOVELY THEORY?
Monday, November 5, 2007
I don’t think it is good to support such a movie!
Dear Friends,
If you have children, or you like going to the movies, the following link is very informative about the movie The Golden Compass, due for release soon.
It is a movie based on a trilogy of books that is very anti God, and seeks to impress on children that God is senile and just a fantasy.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp I don’t think it is good to support such a movie!
Rev Peter Abetz
168 Twickenham Dve
Kingsley WA 6026
Phone: Home & Office +61 (0)8 9408 1023
Mobile: 0409 076 155
Email: pabetz@crca.org.au
Grace Christian Reformed Church
Current Place of Worship:
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Wendling Rd
North Beach WA 6020
Worship times: Sundays 9.30 am
Website: www.gracecrc.org.au
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Victorian Disaster
I lived in Victoria in the 1980s
Until 1984 the Victorian police and govt were turning a blind eye to the sex industry. The police pretended it did not exist. Under that system we had 50 brothels and escort agencies operating.
Due to complaints about street walkers, the Victorian Govt legalized prostitution on the grounds that it could clean up the sex industry.
Let me tell you what happened
Within a few months of prostitution being legalised, there were 3 in your face legal brothels in our suburb, and at least 2 illegal ones, trading much more obviously than the single illegal one had ever done before.
Some years after legalizing and supposedly regulating prostitution, there were over 450 registered brothels and escort agencies, and over 1,100 licensed single operator prostitutes!
And that is only the legal industry. The police admit that the illegal industry in Victoria is at least twice the size of the legal one. So cleaning up the sex industry led to a growth from 50 to over 1200 brothels and escort agencies. That is a 24 fold increase! And that does not include the single operator prostitutes. Mr Mc Ginty, we don’t want that disaster to befall our state!
Organised crime become far more involved, because brothels became safe havens for drug dealing, because police had no reason to visit brothels, since they were now legitimate businesses.
Child prostitution increased as the illegal brothels tried to gain a competitive advantage over the legal ones, by providing services these could not provide.
Let me tell you: NOT one of the stated aims of the legalising of prostitution has been achieved in Victoria.
By 1994 things had gotten so out of hand, the Kennett Liberal Govt tried to fix the problems by rewriting the act.
But it has not made any difference. The sex industry is totally out of control in Victoria. The Victorian Attorney General in 1999 admitted that the legalisation of prostitution had been a miserable failure.
What about the Dutch model:
In 2000 I was in the Netherlands, and I spent two nights accompanying a vice squad police officer in the city of Utrecht, and saw the workings of their decriminalized industry. It is not a pretty picture. Don’t let anyone fool you. It is a riddled with drugs and broken women.
And to keep it within its legal limits in that city the police said it takes 2 full time police officers for every 50 registered prostitutes – anything less results in organized crime moving in.
We don’t have enough police officers to investigate house burglaries, let alone police the sex industry.
I challenge Mr McGinty to tell us of one country where legalizing prostitution has resulted in a reduction in the sex industry.
He can not give an example because there isn’t one on the face of the earth. What makes him think that WA is so unique that legalizing wont have the same effect here as it has had in every other country where it has been done?
Legalising always results in a two tiered sex industry.
An in your face legal industry
And a much expanded illegal industry.
The bill before our parliament will do absolutely nothing to reduce the damage being caused to women and children by prostitution.
The civilized world has long recognised that prostitution is not a legitimate industry.
The most effective legislation for reducing prostitution and the damage it does to women and children, is the Swedish legislation.
I call on Mr McGinty to listen to the people of WA, and abandon the Prostitution Amendment Bill. And if he wont, I call on the Greens (Giz Watson) to use their balance of power in the upper house to force this govt to abandon it, and force the Govt to implement a version of the Swedish model, and give genuine protection to the women and children of WA.
Further comments: Phone Peter Abetz on 0409 076 155
Email pabetz@crca.org.au
UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of others.
requires signatory states to enact laws which punish any person who procures, entices or leads away , for the purposes of prostitution another person, even with the consent of that person.
It goes on to say that laws must be enacted which punish any person who knowingly lets or rents a building or other place or part thereof for the purpose of the prostitution of others.
and the UN Discrimination Convention
UN Discrimination Convention)Article 6:
calls on governments to : suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.
And Australia is a signatory of both conventions.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
God's Diet
Then God created the healthy yoghurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair.And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 12 to size 14So God said, "Try my fresh green salad".And Satan presented Blue Cheese dressing and garlic croutons on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
God then said "I have sent you healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them".And Satan brought forth deep fried coconut king prawns, butter-dipped lobster chunks and chicken fried steak, so big it needed its own platter. And Man's cholesterol went through the roof.Then God brought forth the potato; naturally low in fat and brimming with potassium and good nutrition. Then Satan peeled off the healthy skin and sliced he starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats adding copious quantities of salt. And Man put on more pounds.
God then brought forth running shoes so that his Children might lose those extra pounds.And Satan came forth with a cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretch jogging suits.
Then God gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonalds and the 99p double cheeseburger.Then Satan said, "You want fries with that?" and Man replied, "Yes, and super size 'em". And Satan said, "It is good." And Man and Woman went into cardiac arrest.
God sighed and created quadruple by-pass surgery.And then. Satan chuckled and created the National Health Service.
THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION
After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health:
1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Classis Meeting September 2007.
For the benefit of those who were unable to attend church this morning, I have pasted the short minutes of the Classis meeting into the email below, to let you know that classis agreed for us to become an independent congregation within the denomination.
So do your utmost to be there on Nov 18th for the special service!
Classis Meeting September 2007.
Classis began the meeting with a scripture reading from John 14 and 1 Cor 15 which focused on the hope that we have through Christ’s resurrection. Prayers were offered for Clinton Berends recently diagnosed with active cancer and the family Bylsma who lost their wife and mother through cancer recently.
The Classis welcomed Ps Tony Van Drimmelen into the classis and then proceeded to the preliminary examination of Vicar Jonathan Deenick. Jonathan was examined on his sermons and preaching. These were both sustained. Following this the classis examined Jonathan on Old and New Testament and dogmatics (which looks at the basic theological truths of the Bible). In all these areas of knowledge Jonathan demonstrated a solid understanding of God’s word. The classis sustained Jonathan’s overall preliminary examination.
Churches reported on their individual work of outreach and church education programs. Australind is running the introducing God series for the church prior to running it for the community. Gateway is running a number of outreach and connecting events including a holiday club, music night, and outreach services. Gosnells is running introducing God and two ways to live outreach programs. New members classes have also been running. Grace CRC has been focusing mostly on reaching the South African migrant community and connect them to the church. Perth recently had Prof Bill Berends teach them about how to share a personal testimony, and what Christ means to them. This is an important way to share the gospel. Willetton has been blessed with a number of young people without a church background coming to the church. Thanksgiving and prayer was offered for all the outreach and nurture works of the churches.
The classis, in rescinding an earlier decision, endorsed the view that the local church council will determine what constitutes “special circumstances” when interpreting the synod decision that “elders may administer the sacraments (but only) in special circumstances”. Where time permits Classis asked the churches to seek advice from classis where this may be needed in the future.
Grace CRC in conjunction with the Willetton CRC requested that they may be instituted as a separate congregation within the Classis. The classis whole heartedly endorsed this and the Grace CRC will have an institution service on Sunday 18th November at 2pm. We praise the Lord for his provision of this CRC congregation north of the river.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Prayer requests for PBC team to India
Team from Perth Bible College
Back: Michael Paway, Ronelle Melville and Anton Beukes (leader).
Middle: Magdaleen van Blerk, Michelle Evans and Annelize Jensen.
Front: Audrey Crompton and Hannah Kim.
Praise the Lord for
· The opportunity to serve in India,
· All the blessings through finances, prayer and
support,
· Our support from our churches,
· The visas that were approved,
· The training and preparations that went well, and
· The team’s commitment and enthusiasm.
Please pray
· That all our final preparations and training be
completed. That we may be ready to fill the role
God has set aside for us,
· That all college work that is required, be
completed ,
· That all travel arrangements are finalized,
For the protection, health and safety of the team during
our travel and whilst in India,
· For team unity,
· That the Holy Spirit prepares us and works through
us,
· That we may see the Lord and listen for the
prompting of his Holy Spirit,
· That we will be a continuing witness for Christ in
our words and actions,
· For the ministries of the Hindustan Bible Institute
and for their preparations for our stay,
· For the staff at HBI, the students and the children
in the orphanages,
· For good communication, that we may come
alongside in unity to minister together, and
· That the people in India respond positively to the
gospel and come to know Jesus.
Monday, September 3, 2007
What goes around comes around
One day a man saw a old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even
in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in
front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when
he approached her.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to
help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he
looked poor and hungry.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold and
the rain. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in
you.
He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car
where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.'
Well, all she had was a flat tyre, but for an old lady, that was bad
enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack,
skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tyre. But he had
to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and
began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just
passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she
owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all
the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never
thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping
someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the
past.
He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act
any other way.
He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she
saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they
needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.'
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold
and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing
into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab
a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip
home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The
whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel
to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for
the whole day couldn't erase.
The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a
stranger.
Then she remembered Bryan .
After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill.
The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the
old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the
waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed
something written on the napkin.
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You
don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the
way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do
not let this chain of love end with you.'
Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to
serve,but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home
from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady
had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it?
With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....
She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to
her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to
be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'
There is an old saying 'What goes around comes around.' Today I sent you
this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on. Let this light shine.
Monday, August 27, 2007
The night Jesus visited
and all through the house,
not a person was praying,
not one in the house ..
The Bible was left
on the shelf without care,
for no one thought
Jesus would come there ..
The children were dressing
to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling
or bowing their head..
And Mom in the rocking chair
with babe on her lap,
was watching the Late Show
as I took a nap ...
When out of the east
there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet
to see what was the matter ...
Away to the window
I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters
and lifted the sash ....
When what to my wondering
eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming
that Jesus was here ...
The light of His face
made me cover my head...
was Jesus returning
just like He'd said ...
And though I possessed
worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him
in spite of myself ...
In the Book of Life
which he held in his hand,
was written the name
of every saved man ...
He spoke not a word
as he searched for my name,
when He said "it's not here"
My head hung in shame ...
The people whose names
had been written with love,
He gathered to take
to his Father above ...
With those who were ready
He rose without sound,
while all of the others
were left standing around ...
I fell to my knees
but it was too late,
I'd waited too long
and thus sealed my fate ...
I stood and I cried
as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd known
that this was the night ...
In the words of this poem
the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus
is now drawing near ...
There's only one life
and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible
was true after all.
B - Basic
I - Instruction
B - Before
L - Leaving
E - Earth
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Measuring our growth as parents
Our growth as parents and grandparents is rather similar!
We don’t see ourselves becoming obviously more
gentle or patient or a better listener in a day! Even
when we strain and stress to improve our performance,
we often seem to take two steps back and no
steps forward! We get excited when our children reach
the door handle or get their drivers’ licenses. We celebrate
young children who confidently step forward and
succeed in new tasks and tell us they don’t need our
help any more, while we wonder if we’re up to this parenting
task. It sometimes seems to take us so long to
learn to be firm, or patient, or to listen better!
When it comes to measuring our achievements or failures,
it’s good to take an overall view, looking back
over the last week or month, or year or even longer.
Have we had some successes in terms of some good
parenting outcomes in the last six months? Celebrate
these and thank God for them. And just as we don’t
measure each of our children's achievements and setbacks
using grades or positive or negative marks - a
good school report earns an 8, an ‘incident’ at school a
minus 2, a ‘good week’ a 6 and a ‘confrontation’ a minus
5 - so parents need not grade themselves.
That does not mean we can be complacent. We need
to remain vigilant at all times. But God doesn’t measure
our failures or successes, just as we don’t measure
those of others. Whether it’s your shortcomings or
those of your children, or your parents and neighbours,
it’s God’s forgiveness that counts.
God’s Word reminds us that just as we are in relationship
with our children, God is in relationship with us
and remembering failures and successes is never
God’s way.
Parents do need to grow, and our growth comes out of
our relationship with God, based on God’s forgiveness
through Jesus and as we daily ‘feed on his Word’. Just
as we feed our children every day. There will be failures
- and successes. (Feeding our kids also has its
ups and downs!) But God’s love covers all that. We
move forward, because we …”are being transformed
into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which
comes from the Lord …" 2 Cor. 3:18
Produced by Helen Vanderbom, Children’s Work Coordinator
CRCA : childrens@crca.org.au
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Russia 2007 photos - Concerts - us in skeleton outfits
We participated in quite a few of the concerts... yes, that really is us in the skeleton costumes!!
Russia 2007 photos - Some team photos - games, worship and meals
Playing a game together, our morning worship time and some of our mealtimes together.
Russia 2007 photos - the dental hygiene program
We did the dental Hygiene program with the 3 youngest groups and gave them a toothbrush as well as tooth paste at the end of it.
Russia 2007 photos - Craft room activities
Some of the activities we did with the kids in our craft room!
Russia 2007 photos - the kids touched our hearts!
Some of the kids we met... especially the orphan kids touched our hearts! Sometimes we wished we could take them home with us!
Russia 2007 photos - Making spiders - craft time
Spiders and more spiders... a great way to tell about Australia... the red-back spider... as well as talk about how Jesus is the anti-venom for our sin.
Russia 2007 photos - Our trip to St Petersburg
Our trip to St Petersburg! We also went to Natalie's church and then had a feast at the pancake place to celebrate Jenny's birthday. This year we returned home on an empty train, compared to the almost dangerous number of people in last year's train!
Russia 2007 photos - Arrival of the Bibles
Arrival of Bibles! The Bibles were stacked and stored in our craft room.
Russia 2007 photos - handing out Bibles
Handing out Bibles is such a joy! Just look at their faces! It was great to hear the children talk the next day about how much they had already read in their Bible or story book.
Russia 2007 photos - our accommodation
Our accommodation: a little house on the edge of the camp with its own kitchen and toilet!
