I was born in Germany and have been living in New Zealand non-stop since the end of 1979.

That’s why I am very much interested in what I read today in the magazine called NORTH & SOUTH (February 2011):

COOPERS BEACH / NORTHLAND / NZ

A New Zealander, living in Germany, was asked, “How is New Zealand perceived by Germans?”

Here is his answer:

“Mention the name ‘New Zealand’ and their eyes light up. The image of New Zealand as a beautiful landscape translates for many people into thinking that the country is an organic, liberal, non-polluted and totally relaxed, problem-free paradise.”

My eyes light up when you mention ‘HEAVEN’.

Heaven is a place without death, tears, sorrow, crying, pain hunger, thirst, liars and thieves.

Heaven is called paradise. Second Corinthians 12:4

Yesterday I learned about an “internet resource to support communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.”

CommunityNet Aotearoa

On the back of the card it says, “At CommunityNet Aotearoa, you’ll find resources to help New Zealand community groups do amazing things, as well as news, job vacancies, new policies, upcoming events, training, hot topics.”

Let us pray that the “hot topic” will be praying for the community.

Linda Bond is the general of The Salvation Army and she says:

“Revival comes, when we stop praying for ourselves and start praying for the community.  God has raised up The Salvation Army for its communities.”

SHOVEL

“When we ask God to move a mountain, God may give us a shovel.” – Shane Claiborne

“Get the right kinds of religion and it will make you feel. If you have not the right kind of feeling, I am afraid you do not have the right kind of religion.” – Catherine Booth, Papers in Godliness

“Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.” – Second Chronicles 24:19

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do, and doesn’t to it, sins.” – James 4:17

“Who’s been the most influential teacher in your life?” I am finding the question at the end of an article in a Reader’s Digest. (December 2012, page 83)

It says there also “Join the conversation at readersdigest.co.nz/mag.”

I have been to many schools and I have had many teachers, but the most influential teacher was Ernie Klassen (Uncle Ernie) at the Bibelschule Brake in Germany.

BIBELSCHULE BRAKE IN GERMANY Picture / Bibellschule Brake

He did not teach the subject PERSONAL EVANGELISM, but he practiced it and he is still practicing it in Canada, where he lives now. He is preaching the Gospel wherever he goes.

MY TEACHER IS ACTUALLY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.

“‘When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.'” – Luke 12:11,12

“‘But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything, I have said to you.'” – John 14:26

“This is what I speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” – First Corinthians 2:13

“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” – First John 2:27 (NLT)

God the Holy Spirit  is also the teacher  of “Uncle Ernie.”

HARAKEKE – FLAX

“We can live in our own wonderful religious environment, as long as God does not bother us.” – Oswald Chambers