God's Diet

In the beginning God covered the earth with broccoli,Cauliflower and spinach, with green, yellow and red vegetables of all kinds so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.Then using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Dairy Ice Cream and Magnums. And Satan said, "You want hot fudge with that? And Man said, Yes!" And Woman said, "I'll have one too with chocolate chips". And lo and behold they gained 10 pounds.

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.

Dear Friends of Grace,

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.

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.

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.