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WELCOME!!!!
THE WAY Ministries
and
BLACK-TOP GOSPEL MUSIC MINISTRY.
Vol. 1 Issue # 2
March 2001 issue
THE
WAY MINISTRIES
This is a new on-line e-maga-zine published and edited by:
The Way Ministries
http://communities.msn.ca/NewTestamentChurchRevivalTheWay/homepage
This e-maga-zine will contain the following sections.
Main article (THE MARTYRDOM OF POLYCARP) part 2
Inspirational
Story.
Womens Section.
News Story.
Featured Web Sites in this Issue.
GREAT SITE FOR WOMEN
http://communities.msn.com/THEWINDBENEATHMYWINGSTHESONGINMYHEART
GREAT SITE FOR ALL
http://www.coffeeintherain.com
Whether you turn to the right or to
the left, your ears will hear a voice
behind you saying, "THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT. Isa. 30 v 21
We
are continuing the story of Polycarp in this second edition of our e-maga-zine series. To show the attitude of the early Christians,
in comparison with the present attitude. It is the work of this ministry to restore, revive, and revitalize the victorious
Spirit of the early church.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp sets out quite clearly both the issues at stake--- Lord Christ
versus Lord Caesar--- and the states (as well as the general populations) view of Christians as disloyal atheists who threatened
the well-being of the empire. In face of this antipathy, the steadfastness of Polycarps faith in Christ and the fearlessness
with which he faced death became a model for many Believers who found themselves in similar circumstances during the course
of the next century and a half, until various edicts of toleration issued between A. D. 311 and 313 (including the letter
of Constantine and Licinius in 313 known as the Edict of Milan) brought an end to the conflict and victory to the Church.
The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrnam
Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp
------------
The Church of God which sojourns at Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in Philomelium,1 and to all the congregations2
of the Holy and Universal Church in every place: Mercy, peace, and love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be
multiplied.
<DIR>
Chapter I.-Subject of Which We Write.
</DIR>
We have written to
you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution,
having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one],
took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the Gospel. For he waited to be delivered up, even
as the Lord had done, that we also might become his followers, while we look not merely at what concerns ourselves but have
regard also to our neighbours. For it is the part of a true and well-founded love, not only to wish one's self to be saved,
but also all the brethren.
<DIR>
Chapter II.-The Wonderful Constancy of the Martyrs.
</DIR>
All the martyrdoms, then, were blessed and noble which took place according to the will of God. For it becomes us who
profess3 greater piety than others, to ascribe the authority over all things to God. And truly,4 who can fail to admire their
nobleness of mind, and their patience, with that love towards their Lord which they displayed?-who, when they were so torn
with scourges, that the frame of their bodies, even to the very inward veins and arteries, was laid open, still patiently
endured, while even those that stood by pitied and bewailed them. But they reached such a pitch of magnanimity, that not one
of them let a sigh or a groan escape them; thus proving to us all that those holy martyrs of Christ, at the very time when
they suffered such torments, were absent from the body, or rather, that the Lord then stood by them, and communed with them.
And, looking to the grace of Christ, they despised all the torments of this world, redeeming themselves from eternal punishment
by [the suffering of] a single hour. For this reason the fire of their savage executioners appeared cool to them. For they
kept before their view escape from that fire which is eternal and never shall be quenched, and looked forward with the eyes
of their heart to those good things which are laid up for such as endure; things "which ear hath not heard, nor eye seen,
neither have entered into the heart of man,"5 but were revealed by the Lord to them, inasmuch as they were no longer
men, but had already become angels. And, in like manner, those who were condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures,
being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were
possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them to a denial [of Christ].
<DIR>
Chapter
III.-The Constancy of Germanicus. The Death of Polycarp is Demanded.
</DIR>
For the devil did indeed invent
many things against them; but thanks be to God, he could not prevail over all. For the most noble Germanicus strengthened
the timidity of others by his own patience, and fought heroically6 with the wild beasts. For, when the proconsul sought to
persuade him, and urged him7 to take pity upon his age, he attracted the wild beast towards himself, and provoked it, being
desirous to escape all the more quickly from an unrighteous and impious world. But upon this the whole multitude, marvelling
at the nobility of mind displayed by the devout and godly race of Christians,8 cried out, "Away with the Atheists; let
Polycarp be sought out!"
--------
To be continued.in next newsletter.
INSPIRATIONAL STORY:
This story should help us in realizing where Polycarp was at. He could not deny his lord and this man from the war
could not go home to his family because of what happened to him in the war. He would not be accepted because he was DIFFERENT.
Judge Me By The Footprints I Leave Behind
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after
having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor
to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me. "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped
on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us." "I'm
sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live." "No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with
us." "Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be
a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think
you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the
son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San
Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The
grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized
him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The
parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we
don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as
healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves
us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. Tonight, before
you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they
are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!
Womens Section
Innocent
Gossip?
by Taprina Milburn
My friends surrounded me at a cozy table. We hadnt been together in years.
Immediately we reverted to the chatty group of teenagers we had once been.
One friend told about a classmates divorce.
"It was nasty. His wife took everything," she said. We listened, drawn in by someone elses misery. My friend acted
as if she knew the whole story, both sides. But did she? Who cared? This was good stuff.
Wheres the harm?
An
occasional hour of gossip with the girls isnt so bador is it? Id never given much thought to gossips harm as I participated,
both listening and spreading. When I passed on information Id heard about someone, I didnt care if the tidbit was true or
hurtful. And I didnt think about how untrustworthy I appeared to other people who heard me gossip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Id never given much thought to gossips harm as I participated, both listening and spreading. When I passed on
information Id heard about someone, I didnt care if the tidbit was true or hurtful.
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In recent years, an unusual circumstance brought the subject of gossip into a different light. An acquaintance
began spewing unsolicited information about a dear friend to me. As she divulged secrets, I was put in a position to make
a decision: Should I ask her to stop talking, or should I listen to the criticism and exaggerations? Would she be offended
if I asked her to stop?
"The person youre talking about is my friend," I blurted. "I cant listen
to this."
Stunned, the gossip looked at her watch. We said goodbye with a great deal of discomfort. We havent
said much to each other since.
This incident brought to me another question: Should I listen only to gossip about
and criticism of people I dont know or dont like? Or did I have to stop participating completely?
Do not conform
any longer
At a conference several years ago, I listened to a speaker talk about the hate she saw among Christians as
they tore one another down instead of building one another up. James 3:9 came to mind as I listened to her: "With the
tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in Gods likeness."
Gossip
and destructive criticism are common in our society. Theyre on television and in the newspapers. But we dont have to turn
on the TV or pick up a paper to get a dose. Its in our homes, churches and businesses, too. Christine works for a large corporation.
Her challenge each day is to keep out of the gossip circle at work.
"Ill admit that Im occasionally yanked
back into it," she said. "I know as soon as I start to listen or open my mouth that Ive become part of the problem.
Many times, when I feel Ive walked away from it, Ill return to my desk and find on my computer an e-mail thats full of gossip.
Its everywhere, and it makes building friendships at work difficult because you dont know whom you can trust."
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We dont
even have to turn on the TV or pick up a paper to get a dose of gossip or destructive criticism. Its in our homes, churches
and businesses, too.
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Cutting the gossip habit may be like weaning a baby from its pacifier: Youll feel a little unsure about what to do
with your mouth in certain situations. In her book Lord, Change Me! Evelyn Christenson says ,"I find . . . it is impossible
to pray for and gossip about a person at the same time. I cant thank God for all the good things about a person and be filled
with accusations at the same time."
Kathy, a teachers assistant, says she purposely starts her day with a commitment
to God that she will avoid gossip.
"My goal each day is not to talk bad about anybody or overly complain about
bad situations," she says. "I also have to make sure my mind is free of criticism. If I really feel that I need
to share some information with someone about another person, I think first about what my purpose and motive are for sharing
it."
In my journey to prevent myself from gossiping, Ive learned some things about myself.
A gossip may
be fun to listen to, but she cant be trusted enough to build intimate relationships with.
No matter how jolly a person
seems, gossip and criticism reveal on the outside whats going on in the insidenegative thinking and hatred.
Gossip and
criticism are used to make us feel better about our positions in lifewe feel good when someone else is worse off.
Criticism
of other people will eventually spill over into my own family. The more I see wrong in people with whom I work or mingle,
the more critical my eyes become at home.
Gossip and criticism pull down your spirit. "Garbage in, garbage out,"
a friends mother used to say. Listening to gossip can be as harmful as speaking it. It changes the way you look at and feel
about people.
Damage control
This anonymous quote is tacked to my bulletin board, and it reminds me to keep
a rein on my tongue: "A gossip is a person who will never tell a lie if the truth will do as much damage." Here
are a few pointers.
Make a commitment with your circle of friends to lift up people instead of tearing them down.
Firmly tell the messenger you do not want to hear gossip. Be prepared for the relationship to change.
Examine what you
fill your mind with. Does your mental diet consist of tell-all books, despondent music or television programs that portray
the most sinister side of human behavior?
Choose friends carefully. The special part of friendship is being able to
confide in each other during rough times. This is unsafe if your friend is known to gossip. If youre a known gossip, people
will not trust you.
Make it a daily goal to think before you say something about someone. Ask yourself: What is my motivation?
I still keep in touch with my friends from childhood, but we no longer keep the gossip flame
burning. Our friendships have grown deeper since weve shelved negativity. Were now able to have conversations about things
with substancefamily and faith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article appeared in Focus on the Family magazine.
Copyright © 2000 Taprina Milburn.
All rights
reserved.
I thought this would go very nicely with the above story about Gossip. It should remind us of how Satan
keeps us from the word of God and His work as long as we are this Busy.
Makes you wonder...
This one
hits home!!!!
Satan called a worldwide convention.
In his opening address to his evil angels, he said,
"We
can't keep the Christians from going to church.
We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and
knowing the truth.
We can't even keep them from
forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience
in Christ. If they gain that connection
with Jesus,
our power over them is broken. So let them go to their
churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles,
but steal their time, so they can't gain that
relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want
you to do, angels.
Distract them from gaining hold of
their Savior and maintaining that vital connection
throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.
Keep them busy in the non essentials of life and
invent
innumerable scheme to occupy their minds," he
answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and
borrow,
borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to
work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days
each week, 10-12
hours a day, so they can afford their
empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with
their children. As their
family fragments, soon, their
home will offer no escape from the pressures of work!
Over-stimulate their minds so
that they cannot hear
that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player
whenever
they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and
their PCs going constantly in their home and see to
it that every store and
restaurant in the world plays
non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their
minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.
Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.
Invade
their driving moments with billboards. Flood
their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,
sweepstakes, and
every kind of newsletter and
promotional offering free products, services and false
hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful
models on the magazines
so the husbands will believe that external beauty is
what's important, and they'll become
dissatisfied with
their wives. Ha! That will fragment those families
quickly!" "Even in their recreation,
let them be
excessive. Have them return from their recreation
exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming
week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on
God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting
events,
concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy,
busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual
fellowship, involve them
in gossip and small talk so
that they leave with troubled consciences and
unsettled emotions."
"Go
ahead, let them be involved in soul winning; but
crowd their lives with so many good causes they have
no time to seek
power from Jesus. Soon they will be
working in their own strength, sacrificing their
health and family for the good
of the cause. It will
work! It will work!"
It was quite a convention. The evil angels went
eagerly to
their assignments causing Christians
everywhere to get more busy and more rushed, going
here and there.
**********************************************
I guess the question is:
Has the devil been successful at his scheme?
You be the judge! Does "busy"
mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan's
Y-oke?
Please pass this on or are you too BUSY?!
Recipe
Rich
Rum Sticky Buns Dough Ingredients:
1 cup warm milk (105 to 115 degs)
1 pk active dry yeast
2 cups
bread flour (plus enough to make firm dough)
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Filling:
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground
cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup golden raisins
Topping:
1 cup packed light brown
sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup rum
1-1/2 cups pecan halves
One day before serving:
Dough:
Pour the milk into a large bowl.
Stir in the yeast and
1/2-cup brown sugar and let stand 5 minutes.
Beat in 2 cups of the flour, all the softened butter, the eggs, orange
zest, 2 tablespoons cinnamon and the salt until blended. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Knead on a alightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Place the dough in a buttered
large bowl and turn to coat the dough with butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in the refrigerator overnight.
Filling:
Process 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 cup chopped pecans
in a food processor fitted with a steel blade until combined but still coarse and crumbly. Add the raisins and process very
briefly to distribute the raisins evenly through the mixture. Set the filling aside.
Topping:
Mix the 1
cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup honey and melted butter in a small bowl. Stir in the rum and pecan halves. Set the topping aside.
Assembly: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and punch down. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface into a large
rectangle, about 1/3-inch thick. Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and press it into the dough with a rolling pin.
Starting at one long edge, roll up the dough as lightly as possible like a jelly roll. Lightly butter the sides of
a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Spread the topping evenly on the bottom. Cut the dough crosswise into 3/4-inch slices and arrange
in rows of 3 over the topping, leaving room for the buns to rise. You should be able to fit 12 to 14 slices in the pan. Cover
and let rise until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake the buns 25 to 30 minutes. Remove
from the oven and let cool 10 minutes. Invert the buns onto large platter and serve immediately.
My husband
and I have 10 children which are grown and gone from home. We also have 17 grandchildren, but this leaves me with cooking
for two. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
Loretta.
NEWS STORY
ISRAEL
The atmosphere of Arab-Israeli
relations today remains fundamentally altered from what it was. In fact, it resembles the bad old days of pre-1967. Back then,
Israels enemies widely believed that they could dispatch the Jewish State with one good blow. Their overconfidence explains
why, with no one planning or wanting it, full-scale war broke out in June1967. Israels astonishing victory in the six day
war then seemingly destroyed Arab exuberance and forever closed the question of its permanent existence. But it was not to
be. The Oslo process, along with other signals of Israeli demoralization over the past 7 years, reignited Arab overconfidence
and wakened the sleeping dogs of war. The enemies of Israel are again tempted by Military option. As usual, the Iraq acts
the boldest, calling for a jihad to "liberate Palestine" and "put an end to Zionism." Saddam Hussien has
noisily recruited 2 million volunteers to fight Israel and sent a division of soldiers to his border closest with Israel.
Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, has called Israel a "cantankerous tumor" that must " be removed".
Jerusalem Post editorial 12/20/2000.
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