Hot News & Humour

The English language can sometime be rather misleading - especially where there are two or even three meanings for a particular word.  For example ‘fair’ - can mean a country fair, it can mean a fair complexion, or it can mean to be fair.  There are also other words that are spelt differently but have the same sound.  For example to, too, and two, or there, their, and they’re. 

An extreme example is the word "set" which apparently has 464 different definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary - the word "run" has 396 different meanings - and the word "go" seemingly has 368 different meanings.  Far to/too/two numerous to/too/two get your head around.

Sometime the meaning of the word is mixed up when we translate them into another language.   For example a warning to motorists in Tokyo said that "When a passenger of the foot heave in sight, tootle the horn.  Trumpet at him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage, then tootle him with vigour."  Or as seen in a hotel in Athens - Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. daily.  Or as advertised by a Hong Kong dentist - "Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists".

How many times do you remember being told as a kid - to mind your language, when you have used words that we deem to be inappropriate or classed as ‘swear words’ - however they are all just words.  Our words have their own way of conveying messages to other people.  Sometimes that is straightforward and easy, while other times we misunderstand or only partially hear the words of another person and we may become annoyed, or shocked, or pleasantly surprised by what we think we hear.  The words we receive from others are put through the filter of our own thoughts and own understanding of life - where we place specific meaning of some words, and almost no meaning on others.

In this way words can change people’s lives - they can destroy, and they can move people to such an extent that they change their whole life direction.  For example allegations of sexual misconduct against a person can destroy that person’s future prospects - whether they are true or not - for often mud sticks.  Likewise, the right words used at the right time, in the right manner, with the right attitude, can build up, and encourage, and support a person to stretch out their hands and walk forward with confidence and conviction.

Such words have the capacity to squeeze out despair, and replace it with hope - to replace desolation with possibility - and to remove misery, and replace it with hopefulness.  These are words of life to the dejected and the hopeless - words of possibility to the downtrodden and despairing - words of new and exciting possibilities that a moment ago, were simply dust.

Jesus had a fantastic way of using words to challenge and to support, to confront and to comfort, to provoke and to enthuse.  And we also know that Jesus lived in a physical world with all of its situational realities, and yet was not one to let people get away with simply feeling sorry for themselves because of another’s words - or by being fobbed off with well worn clichés - or by racing ahead of ourselves with half-truths and hear-say.  Jesus was - and still is - looking for real answers - with real commitment - from real people.

At his eloquent best, Jesus spoke of enormously significant events in an easy and understandable manner.  He would also often answer questions with questions - to bring about more thought and hopefully some insight to the questioner - or as modern theory goes - to practice mindfulness.  He was also known for offending the people of his day - not out of spite, but to get them to look past their well trodden, habitual, and often restrictive cultural and domestic habits.

Jesus well understood that his words would have a deep impact on those who listened.  Many of his words and his actions upset the local church authorities - troubled those who were traditionally in charge - and agitated those who kept strict control of the masses.

If you choose to be Christian, be prepared to answer hard questions.  Jesus’ love comes in the form of questions and we can’t simply just fob him off.  So choose your words carefully, as words have power - however, it’s ultimately our actions - motivated by our thoughts and our beliefs - that will make the difference on our world.  We will be known by whether our actions fit with our words.

Peace   Rev. Bruce Wood

What a great way to Celebrate Easter morning and the rising of the sun/son for a new day.

About 20 of our people travelled to the Shady Creek property of Eric and Margaret Smith to participate in, and to enjoy a short dawn service —
followed by warm coffee and hot cross buns.

6.35am

6.55am

7.00am

A crowd of approximately 40 enthusiastic participants enjoyed a delicious meal seated around tables in the Activities Room, which allowed for much engaging, absorbing, and sometimes frivolous conversation. Entertainment for the night included soulful background music played by Hannah - and Peter Dell emceed the evening and provided comedic relief. Many thanks to the Elders and Di Carson for their initiative - a very successful night was had by all.

At our Men's Group meeting on Monday 6 May, Don Cracknell shared his “Tale of Life's Journey: Forks and Choices through 80 Years”.

Inspired by the Robert Frost poem (The Road not taken) Don reflected on life’s “forks in the road” and the consequences of the choices we make.

“Two roads diverged in the wood, and I took the one less travelled and that has made all the difference”.

Don and Meryl’s story covered their life in Papua New Guinea, nearby Islands,  northern Australia, south west Victoria and to finally settling in Gippsland.

Those who attended were blessed to hear Don and Merryl’s inspiring story.

Thank you for supporting our 2019 Church Fete.  Saturday 13 April was a great day of activity, fun, and fellowship at our church!  From apples and manure to model trains and books, from white elephants and plants, to a delicious lunch and the local band.  A good time was had by all.  The financial total at the end of the day was $5,556.60

However, with considerable ’post-fete’ sales of potatoes, apples and garden manure, we have reached a magnificent total of $6,683.64

B.B.Q.	Books
Craft	Plants

Warragul Municipal Band

Garage Sale (in Foyer & Outside)

Cakes

Produce	Luncheon prep.
Model Trains	Garden Manure

Glasses Cleaning

Apples

Devonshire Teas / Coffees

Newly sealed Southern Carpark well used!

POLICE

It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the
station.  As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking.

I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked.
'It sure is,' I replied.

Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van.
Finally he said, 'What'd he do?'

ELDERLY

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins,
I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds.  She was
unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the
canes, walkers and wheelchairs.

One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass.
As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered
'The tooth fairy will never believe this!'