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E-zine for prayer, revival and church growth |
No 493 | 24 December 2004 |
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IN THIS EDITION: JN493-1. The three priests: a Celtic parable on unity JN493-2. How God used an ordinary missionary JN493-3. Have a party for sharing Christ --- JN493-1. The three priests: a Celtic parable on unity There were three priests living in a small town. One wanted to preserve the old Celtic styles of religion: "I abide by the traditions of Patrick and Brigit, the founders of our church," he said. The second wanted to adopt the new, sophisticated styles and doctrines of the Roman church: "I want to be part of the universal church under the pope in Rome - and that is what Patrick and Brigit wanted." he said. The third said, "Let all people worship and believe as they think best; if religion is just going to cause division, I want none of it." These three priests remained friends and often met for dinner; but their meetings always ended in argument. Sometimes they argued about how certain rituals should be performed. Sometimes they argued about heaven, and who would get there. "I believe that only those who remain loyal to the old Celtic traditions will get to heaven," the first said. "I believe that only those who accept the authority of the pope in Rome will be saved," the second said. "Let each person try to lead a good and honest life," the third said, "and then God will be the judge." Some years later the three priests died, and arrived at the gate of heaven. Peter took the hand of the first priest. "Welcome friend," Peter said, "you go and sit over there among those who preserved the Celtic traditions." Then Peter took the hand of the second priest. "Welcome friend," Peter said, "you go and sit over there among the others who have obeyed the pope in Rome." Finally Peter took the hand of the third priest. "Welcome friend," he said, "you are free to wander wherever you want." So the third priest wandered freely amongst the different groups in heaven. And amongst the other people he saw wandering amongst the different groups were Patrick and Brigit - and Jesus Christ himself. Source: Unknown --- JN493-2. How God used an ordinary missionary Last week Eric Olson died in a hospital in Norway. This evangelist inspired many because he went to places where most people wouldn't go: hospitals, prisons and orphanages in the Kola peninsula in arctic Russia. In Joel News we published several of his 'typically God' stories, that we republish with the prayer that God will raise up many pioneers like him with compassion for the unreached. God's love for an ordinary missionary http://www.joelnews.org/news-en/jn401.htm#1 Jesus' love for prisoners in arctic Russia http://www.joelnews.org/news-en/jn451.htm#1 --- JN493-3. Have a party for sharing Christ About 25 years ago, Norm and Becky Wretlind discovered that loving your neighbors really could be fun. In fact it could be a party! Hosting a Christmas party in their neighborhood was the perfect way to create a bridge for their neighbors to meet Christ. Various additional parties led to home Bible studies, and over a three-year period, more than sixty neighbors accepted Christ as their Savior. Even whole families came to faith. It was like living in the book of Acts! Soon a church was born, and today over one thousand 'neighbors' gather weekly to worship the Lord. As a result of this experience, the Wretlinds developed training materials that are equipping thousands of families across the USA to also 'have a party' for sharing Christ. LINK: http://www.neighborhope.com |
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 C O L O P H O N Joel News is an international e-zine with news reports and articles on prayer, revival and church growth. It aims at leaders, intercessors, church planters and other Christians who carry a vision for the advance of God's Kingdom in every sphere of life. The reports are meant to encourage, challenge and inform. A keen selection of only the most relevant entries from over a hundred reliable sources in six continents, make Joel News a great help and time-saver for Christians in ministry. Joel News is published weekly on the basis of an annual donation. For more information visit our donation page: http://www.joelnews.org/donation.htm. Joel News partners with a wide range of international networks and ministries in the area of prayer, saturation church planting, revival and world missions. News reports (no regular mailing lists) can be sent to our editorial team at info@joelnews.org. Has this edition been forwarded to you? Then get yourself a free 2-month trial subscription at http://www.joelnews.org/subscribe.htm. (c) JOEL NEWS, 2005 | republication only with full creditline www.joelnews.org |
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