Today's Verse
South Pacific Christian Cassettes
- now called "Pacific Reach"
Use these cassettes! You could have the joy of introducing someone to Christ.
More ... and they're free!
* * * * *
What does John's Gospel chapter 3 and verse 16 say? To find out,
type in "John 3:16" in the right-hand space below!
Is the word "believe" in the Bible?
Type in "believe" in the left-hand space and see!
Search the Bible with BibleGateway.com
BibleGateway.com is a service of Gospelcom.net
Videos
TO BUY OR HIRE ON ISRAEL, ISLAM & THE MIDDLE EAST.
Also:
DNA vs BOOK OF MORMON New 50 min. video release by Living Hope Ministries costing $25 + postage.
Mormons express their honest concerns about Joseph Smith's claim that it is the most correct book on earth.
Order from:
S.A.F.J.
P O Box 38-060
Christchurch 8030
Fax: 03 383 6245
Email: safj@actrix.gen.nz
* * * * *
What does the Bible say about "faith?"
Type the word "faith" in the space and find out!
HALLOWEEN
Off-site links:
"Halloween in Light of the Scriptures" -
Go to ...http://dianedew.com/hallowen.htm
"Happy Halloween? Is there any good reason for a Christian to celebrate it?" (Castle) -
Go to ... www.bibletruths.org/holidays/hallowen.html
"Why do many churches oppose Halloween?" (Robbins) -
Go to ... www.victorious.org/chur68.htm
"Halloween: The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows"
(Library of Congress article) -
Go to ... http://lcweb.loc.gov/folklife/halloween.html
"Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween" -
Go to ... www.vintonenterprises.com/ilive4theking/halloween.html
"Halloween! Harmless? or Hazardous?? The History of Halloween" -
Go to ... www.angelfire.com/nd/trickortreat
"Halloween - A Harmless Ritual?" -
Go to ... www.anointedlinks.com/halloween.html
"Halloween - Harmless Fun or Pagan Rituals?" -
Go to ... www.watchman.org/occult/hallow.htm
"The Dark Side of Halloween" (Logos Communications) -
Go to ... http://logosresourcepages.org/halloween.html
How to ...
From time to time,
Christians have opportunities to give a biblical perspective
on current societal issues.
Writing to a newspaper or magazine is one.
The following may be of help when you decide to
"tell it like it is!"
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Short, concise letters are always more likely to be published than long, meandering ones; try to keep them under 100 words. Longer letters are more likely to be edited - it's better that you do your own editing.
Ever notice how you read letters to the editor in the paper? Most people read the shorter letters first and then perhaps later read the longer ones. Thus, your shorter letter has a better chance of being read.
WHAT TO WRITE?
You can select from an enormous range of subjects. Replying to editorials - agreeing or disagreeing - is very effective. Every day the news offers us many topics on which to comment.
Be timely; try to respond within two or three days of the article's publication. Pick an issue of particular importance to you - don't be afraid to let some passion show through. Here are some stylistic considerations:
1. State the argument you're rebutting or responding to as briefly as possible in the letter's introduction. Don't do a lengthy rehash; it's a waste of valuable space and boring.
2. Stick to a single subject. Deal with one issue per letter.
3. Be Christlike - not shrill or abusive. Editors tend to discard letters containing personal attacks. Even though you'd love to call Marion Hobbs a blustering fool, stifle the urge.
4. Your letter should be logically organised. First a brief recitation of the argument you are opposing, followed by a statement of your own position. Then present your evidence. Close with a short restatement of your position or a pithy comment: (Example only: "Tim Anderson says possession of firearms should be limited to law enforcement officers. I say when only the police have guns, the police state is just around the corner.")
5. Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible. This raises your letters above the "sez you, sez me" category. For instance: "Michael Cullen calls for taxing the rich as a way to balance the budget. Is he aware of the fact that if we confiscated the entire income of the top wage earners in this country (those with income above $100,000), this would run the government for exactly 8 days?"
Readers respect the opinions of people with special knowledge or expertise. Use expert testimony to bolster your case (An example: "Charles Upton claims we need to draft to defend New Zealand. But Colonel James C. Meyer, Army Chief of Staff, recently stated . . .").
6. Proofread your letter carefully for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Newspapers will usually edit to correct these mistakes but your piece is more likely to be published if it is "clean" to begin with. Read your letter to a friend for objective input. One suggestion is that a letter shouldn't be mailed the same day it is written. Write, proofread and edit the piece. Then put it aside until the next day. Rereading your letter in a fresh light often helps you to spot errors in reasoning, stilted language and the like. On the other hand, don't let the letter sit too long and lose it's timeliness.
7. Try to view the letter from the reader's perspective. Will the arguments make sense to someone without a special background on this issue? Did you use technical terms not familiar to the average reader?
8. Should your letter be typed? In this day and age, generally "Yes." Double or triple space the letter if it is short. If it is faxed, the letter should fit on one page so single spacing might be the only option available unless you shorten it.
9. Direct your missives to "Letters to the Editor," or some similar sounding title.
10. Always include your name, address, day-time phone number and signature. The papers will not publish this information but they may use it to verify that you wrote the letter.
11. Most important - WRITE! Do not try to do a perfect letter. Just give it a good effort and send it off. Letter writing is the one thing that any one of us can do on our own without the need to work through a group. No committees are necessary. Just do it!
Don't be discouraged if your letter isn't published. The editor may have received more responses on that issue than is possible to handle.
New to the Internet?
Question:
Are you wondering why some words on web pages are coloured blue and underlined in blue?
Short Answer!
Words and names that are coloured and underlined in blue indicate they can be clicked on to tell you more on that subject and/or quickly enable you to reach people.
LEARN HOW TO DO IT!
Place your computer mouse on its pad. (Usually, a computer mouse will have two buttons. Some may have three buttons.) We will concentrate
on just using the left button of the mouse.
You will have noticed that on a web page - when you move the mouse across blue writing that has a blue line under it - a hand appears. The hand indicates that it will take you to this subject or person or website if you click on it.
To Point & Click (written for righted-handed users)
*
Rest your hand lightly on the mouse with your index finger on the left button.
*
Slide the mouse around on the pad while you're looking at the computer screen
in front of you.
*
You'll see that by moving the mouse, you're moving the pointer on the screen.
The pointer changes shape depending on where it's moved.
*
When you move it across a link to a subject, person or website, it turns into a hand.
*
Stop when the hand appears.
*
With the hand showing, lightly and quickly press the left mouse button once
with your index finger and release.
That's called clicking.
When you do this, the word colouring may change to purple (on some computers) and you are taken to the subject, person or website that you want.
Try this out on the article below!
* * * * *
South Pacific Christian Cassettes - now called "Pacific Reach"
Use these cassettes! You could have the joy of introducing someone to Christ.
More ... and they're free!
* * * * *
What does John's Gospel chapter 3 and verse 16 say? To find out,
type in "John 3:16" in the right-hand space below!
Is the word "believe" in the Bible?
Type in "believe" in the left-hand space and see!
Search the Bible with BibleGateway.com
BibleGateway.com is a service of Gospelcom.net
Videos
TO BUY OR HIRE ON ISRAEL, ISLAM & THE MIDDLE EAST.
Also:
DNA vs BOOK OF MORMON New 50 min. video release by Living Hope Ministries costing $25 + postage.
Mormons express their honest concerns about Joseph Smith's claim that it is the most correct book on earth.
Order from: S.A.F.J.
P O Box 38-060
Christchurch 8030
Fax: 03 383 6245
Email: safj@actrix.gen.nz
* * * * *
What does the Bible say about "faith?"
Type the word "faith" in the space and find out!
HALLOWEEN
Off-site links:
"Halloween in Light of the Scriptures" -
Go to ... http://dianedew.com/hallowen.htm
"Happy Halloween? Is there any good reason for a Christian to celebrate it?" (Castle) -
Go to ... www.bibletruths.org/holidays/hallowen.html
"Why do many churches oppose Halloween?" (Robbins) -
Go to ... www.victorious.org/chur68.htm
"Halloween: The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows"
(Library of Congress article) -
Go to ... http://lcweb.loc.gov/folklife/halloween.html
"Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween" -
Go to ... www.vintonenterprises.com/ilive4theking/halloween.html
"Halloween! Harmless? or Hazardous?? The History of Halloween" -
Go to ... www.angelfire.com/nd/trickortreat
"Halloween - A Harmless Ritual?" -
Go to ... www.anointedlinks.com/halloween.html
"Halloween - Harmless Fun or Pagan Rituals?" -
Go to ... www.watchman.org/occult/hallow.htm
"The Dark Side of Halloween" (Logos Communications) -
Go to ... http://logosresourcepages.org/halloween.html
How to ...
From time to time,
Christians have opportunities to give a biblical perspective
on current societal issues.
Writing to a newspaper or magazine is one.
The following may be of help when you decide to
"tell it like it is!"
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Short, concise letters are always more likely to be published than long, meandering ones; try to keep them under 100 words. Longer letters are more likely to be edited - it's better that you do your own editing.
Ever notice how you read letters to the editor in the paper? Most people read the shorter letters first and then perhaps later read the longer ones. Thus, your shorter letter has a better chance of being read.
WHAT TO WRITE?
You can select from an enormous range of subjects. Replying to editorials - agreeing or disagreeing - is very effective. Every day the news offers us many topics on which to comment.
Be timely; try to respond within two or three days of the article's publication. Pick an issue of particular importance to you - don't be afraid to let some passion show through. Here are some stylistic considerations:
1. State the argument you're rebutting or responding to as briefly as possible in the letter's introduction. Don't do a lengthy rehash; it's a waste of valuable space and boring.
2. Stick to a single subject. Deal with one issue per letter.
3. Be Christlike - not shrill or abusive. Editors tend to discard letters containing personal attacks. Even though you'd love to call Marion Hobbs a blustering fool, stifle the urge.
4. Your letter should be logically organised. First a brief recitation of the argument you are opposing, followed by a statement of your own position. Then present your evidence. Close with a short restatement of your position or a pithy comment: (Example only: "Tim Anderson says possession of firearms should be limited to law enforcement officers. I say when only the police have guns, the police state is just around the corner.")
5. Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible. This raises your letters above the "sez you, sez me" category. For instance: "Michael Cullen calls for taxing the rich as a way to balance the budget. Is he aware of the fact that if we confiscated the entire income of the top wage earners in this country (those with income above $100,000), this would run the government for exactly 8 days?"
Readers respect the opinions of people with special knowledge or expertise. Use expert testimony to bolster your case (An example: "Charles Upton claims we need to draft to defend New Zealand. But Colonel James C. Meyer, Army Chief of Staff, recently stated . . .").
6. Proofread your letter carefully for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Newspapers will usually edit to correct these mistakes but your piece is more likely to be published if it is "clean" to begin with. Read your letter to a friend for objective input. One suggestion is that a letter shouldn't be mailed the same day it is written. Write, proofread and edit the piece. Then put it aside until the next day. Rereading your letter in a fresh light often helps you to spot errors in reasoning, stilted language and the like. On the other hand, don't let the letter sit too long and lose it's timeliness.
7. Try to view the letter from the reader's perspective. Will the arguments make sense to someone without a special background on this issue? Did you use technical terms not familiar to the average reader?
8. Should your letter be typed? In this day and age, generally "Yes." Double or triple space the letter if it is short. If it is faxed, the letter should fit on one page so single spacing might be the only option available unless you shorten it.
9. Direct your missives to "Letters to the Editor," or some similar sounding title.
10. Always include your name, address, day-time phone number and signature. The papers will not publish this information but they may use it to verify that you wrote the letter.
11. Most important - WRITE! Do not try to do a perfect letter. Just give it a good effort and send it off. Letter writing is the one thing that any one of us can do on our own without the need to work through a group. No committees are necessary. Just do it!
Don't be discouraged if your letter isn't published. The editor may have received more responses on that issue than is possible to handle.