You can see this sign in the middle of Whangarei. I still have to find out what the meaning is. But this sign has the following message for me:

“YES, LORD,”YOUR WORD IS LAW.”

Psalm 119:17,18 “DO GOOD TO YOUR SERVANT, AND I WILL LIVE, I WILL OBEY YOUR WORD. OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE THE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOIUR LAW.”

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On the way to Auckland I picked up the paper “NeuseelandNews” in Whangarei. I read that German Television in producing a New Zealand documentary called “LAND DER TRAEUME, LAND DER TRAEUMER.”

Unfortunately we did not have pleasant dreams in the guestroom we stayed in Auckland. One night we did not even get any sleep and the room was not quiet.

THE NEIGHBOURS WERE VERY KIND IN SHARING THEIR MUSIC AND NOISE WITH US ALMOST THE WHOLE NIGHT.

SO MUCH FOR THE LAND OF DREAMS AND THE LAND OF DREAMERS!

PS: The picture was hanging on the wall of the room we occupied!

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“SEARCH FOR TRUTH,” I read in the local paper, “THE NORTHERN NEWS.” That was the headline for the column “Getting personal” not too many days ago. I was immediately interested to read the whole article. It was an interview with a young man and one question was, “What are you most passionate about?”. The answer,” I’m most passionate about the truth. I think that’s the reason we are here – to keep searching for the higher truth.”

I am so interested, because that was exactly my story many years ago. I only put it a bit different. I was looking for the meaning to life. But that is actually looking for the truth. Because the meaning to life is the Lord Jesus Christ and He is the truth.

It was a joy for me and an encouragement to watch the director of Open Air Campaigners in action on that sunny day in September. When I talked to him afterwards, he showed me the questionnaire he is using when talking to people. He told me also to feel free to use it. Praise the Lord!

CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE THE WRITING!

This time it was in a RED CROSS SHOP where I found those precious books. I have actually said before, that I find the books I like best in second hand shops. Two of the books – Isobel Kuhn: “Stones of Fire” and Geoffrey T Bull: “When Iron Gates Yield” – are really precious to others also and I ‘lost’ them already. With other words they are now in the possession of other people. And believe it or not, they took them without asking. Never mind!

The BIBLE says in Ecclesiastes 12:12 “Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”

The book “Prison to Praise” by M. R. Carothers was also in the RED CROSS SHOP. In fact I found two copies, one to give away!

I know, it is a very old book. First printing July, 1970; Seventy-fourth printing, 1992. On the front cover of one copy I have it says, “Over 210 weeks National Bestseller.” On the back cover it says,” Many people list it as the most unusual book they have ever read.”

I belong also to those people. I have read it once, but I think I am going to read it again.

* “There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” – J. Brodsky

ALSO WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF A REFRIGERATOR!

I remember reading James 1:2,3,4 –

“CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE. PERSEVERANCE MUST FINISH ITS WORK SO THAT YOU MAY BE MATURE AND COMPLETE, NOT LACKING ANYTHING.”

– many years ago in Bangkok in the RONGREEM (Hotel) “EUROPE” in a paraphrased translation of the Bible. That was the first time when these verses became meaningful to me.

I was reminded of this incident in the capital of Thailand again, when I saw written on the back of a refrigerator, “THE ART OF LIVING LIES LESS IN ELIMINATING OUR TROUBLES THAN IN GROWING WITH THEM.”

According to he dictionary the words trial, trouble, grief have all the same meaning!

Sometimes I go even out of my way to have a look what is written on the blackboard here in Kaitaia. It is erected in front of TOPVETS LTD and the address is 17 North Road, Kaitaia.

My question is only, “Why don’t Churches make use of blackboards like that?” Verses from the BIBLE should be written on the blackboard. For example,”COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.”

But it seems to be so difficult to motivate people.