I read there today and it speaks to me: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! First John 3:1!

But let us remember that the letters ( the apostle Paul has written 13 ) in the New Testament are written to born again believers.

But what a BLESSING to know that we are children of God.

wd

We arrived at a small village near Salogbad north of Nakornsawan called Bahnrai in THAILAND. My Thai Friend would start in a minute to preach the GOSPEL, ( Romans 1:16,17 ) using the loudspeaker equipment we used to carry on our small motorbike while I was busy with the literature we would distribute. The village was so remote and I was thinking nobody has ever preached the GOSPEL here. We are the first missionaries at this place.

But what a surprise to find Coca Cola in the village when we became thirsty. The bottomline is that business people are quicker off the mark than preachers of the Gospel.

But what is more important, that people drink the LIVING WATER ( John 4:13,14) or Coca Cola?

It is a beautiful day and I am looking through the window panes of the ranchslider door. I can see two palm trees not too big and not too small. They were actually here when we bought the place.

Many years ago–at another place– I had the desire to plant some palm trees. I thought that would be really something. But I never did. All of a sudden Psalm 37:4 came to my mind again: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. And I have always said that the Lord gives us more than we ask for. He is good!

Look at the two beautiful palm trees in front of our house! Praise the Lord!

If love slips away

RELATIONSHIPS

When I was at Bible College we had a guestspeaker from the USA. Once he was asked, “Have you ever thought about divorcing your wife?” “No,” was his answer,” but sometimes I thought about shooting her.”– Relationship difficulties? Yes! That’s why we have the Organization Relationship Services with phone number. Only when I rang once I did not get a connection. (WANTED TO KNOW HOW THEY HELP PEOPLE!)

Even those who have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, those who have the right foundation ( First Corinthians 3:11) do have difficulties. Now what about those who do not know the Lord?– Only the Lord Jesus Christ can help us to keep things together. (Colossians 1:16,17) In verse 17 it says,” in HIM all things hold together.” The Lord is holding us together. He is also holding our relationships together.

Those who are having a living relationship with their Lord can best help others. Prayer is also important. The Lord is a God, who is answering prayers. Also the love of the Lord is never leaving us. The Lord is listening to our prayers 24/7! There are never any hindrances.

You remember that I did not get connected when I rang the number on the advertisement.

wd

Ancient Kauri Kingdom

On the brochure it says:” Our showroom features our handcrafted products, fine art, crafts and spectacular furniture made on site from the 45 000 year old Ancient Kauri Logs extracted from local farmland.”

MAI IM

(The Thai language is a tonal language. Each syllable has a certain tone. There are five tones altogether, low-rising- high-falling and even. ‘Mai’ is a falling tone and ‘im’ is a low tone)

I remember once in Thailand a Thai saying to me while drinking chinese tea,”MAI IM!” That means I drink and drink and cannot quench my thirst. He found it difficult to quench his bodily thirst.

Even after we have been drinking WATER WITH A SPLASH OF LIFE we will be thirsty again. We need to drink from the water the Lord Jesus Christ wants to give us. John 4:13,14

John 7:37-39

John 4:10-15

MILK

Saw this written on a milk truck today: Meadow fresh– FUEL FOR LIFE–Fresh Milk.

I was interested especially in Fuel for Life. Milk is fuel for life. What else is fuel for Life? For me the Word of God, the BIBLE, is fuel for life. When I arrived at home I remembered that milk is mentioned in the Bible. Here are the verses: (Read them for yourself by clicking on the verses) First Peter 2:2; First Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12.

I did not have my camera on me and was not able to take a picture of the truck. But later on I drove to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom and took a picture of a dairy window in Awanui.

wd

We used to live in Kaikohe for 23 years from 1981-2004 working with the United Maori Mission (UMM). During that time we used to run a meeting for children in the play centre in Ohaeawai. At the play centre was a poster with the title Children learn what they live. When I read that I was very impressed with what I read but did not write it down.

How pleased was I today when I came across the writing again in the bookshop here in Kaitaia. The author is Dorothy Law Nolte.

If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice. If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.