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The Frequency |
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December 2008 Year 7 No. 10 |
Newsletter of the Amateur
Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.) |
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Another
good year of fellowship on the air, with numbers being maintained on Saturday
nets, and increasing numbers on a Sunday as conditions improve. Grateful thanks
for continued faithfulness, and valuable comments and wisdom shared week by
week. Our prayer is that God will always have pre-eminence in all that is said
and done, so that our continued existence will depend only upon His presence
with us. As always, special thanks to our regular Netmasters, Kelvin ZL1LY and
Trevor ZL2TN. Without you both, and the sensitivity you bring to your role, the
running of the nets would be difficult indeed. Grateful thanks also to those
who have often helped in this area when needed: Gary ZL3SV, Ken ZL3OZ, James
ZL3IJ, Paul ZL2BEQ; and for Gary's help with Echolink connections and website –
thank you. Mary and Graham have much
appreciated wisdom and guidance from Kelvin and Trevor (and Ken as able) in
their capacity as Advisors. God's
blessing on you all.
Our
warmest birthday wishes go out this month to Glenda ZL2GEM(5th);
Warren ZL3WPS(6th); Noel ZL1AIB(11th); Bill ZL4AE(19th),
plus any others whose birth dates are unknown to us. God bless you.
Alan
ZL2TAG – We had a great night on 13th December when Alan, through
Echolink arranged by Gary, checked in from Thailand. Thank you Alan for coming
on and being an encouragement to us all. God's blessing be upon you and Averil
in your mission there, and keep you always in safety.
Cecil
ZL1BXT – Mavis has been unwell and hospitalised, though now home again. We know
members will remember this faithful couple in their prayers. Special thanks to
Brian ZL1HN for letting us know about Mavis, so we were able to contact Cecil.
Gary
ZL3SV – Christine was last Thursday bereaved of her loved Father in
Christchurch. Our love and prayers are with Christine and her Mother in coming days, and with Gary as he gives
support.
Hugh
ZL2BHK (New Plymouth) – It was good to catch up again with Hugh and Jennifer on
their way to and from the deep south, where they had attended the 25th anniversary of the
Clifton Salvation Army near Invercargill. Hugh will hopefully be joining
Saturday nets via Echolink once this can be arranged.
Barry
ZL2FV – Spent a recent week in Napier.
Ron
ZL2OY – We appreciated Ron's letter dated 2nd December, in which he
mentioned that he likes hearing from the Newsletter how his Christian ham
friends are getting on, and endeavours to pray for all those listed as needing
prayer. On 26th November Ron
had some long-awaited surgery, following which he had restrictions in driving
and lifting. Unfortunately there are no chances of having an aerial up at his
Retirement Village; the only possibility may be one attached to the bull-bars
on his vehicle, but unsure as to when this may happen. Ron is within walking
distance of his church, and was hoping to soon return to services and choir
practise. Ron's daughter Sharon is settled in Maddison Home, one block away. We
wish God's blessing on Ron and Sharon.
Profiles: We
would welcome Life Profiles from any of you who have not yet sent one in. These
are of great interest to others, along with any short articles on radio-related
matters. Also any suggestions as to improvement in newsletter content would be
welcome.
We Remember in Prayer
Please
pray, as you are able, for the following of our Fellowship family: David ZL1UTS; Kelvin ZL1LY; John ZL3TR;
Peter ZL1CDF and Estelle; Lindsay ZL2LKS and Eril; Hans ZL1JA(son); Stan ZL4OW
and daughter Jennifer; Christine xyl of Gary ZL3SV; Cecil ZL1BXT and Mavis;
Warren ZL3WPS as he cares for Mother; Graham ZL3NZ as he awaits word of cardiac
surgery. You will notice most of these concern the health of a member or loved
one; let us pray in faith.
In Conclusion
"Into Enemy
Territory"
The
fighting was fierce in the days before Christmas during the first World War. A
German soldier emerged from his trench and tried to advance, but he was hit by
gunfire and severely wounded. As he tried to crawl back to safety, he became
caught in barbed wire. After his screams turned to moans, an American climbed
out of his trench and inched his way to the injured man.
When the two opposing commanders saw
what was happening, they ordered their troops to cease fire. In the eerie
silence, the American comforted and freed the wounded German, then carried him
to the waiting arms of his comrades. The guns remained silent until he returned
to his trench.
There is another story, even more
dramatic. Jesus, because of the loving sacrifice of His Father, crossed into
"enemy territory" to rescue us from spiritual death. Even though we
deserved to die, He accepted the humiliation, pain, and death of the cross to
pay the price for our sin. The Apostle Paul wrote, "When we were still
without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly". (Rom.5:6).
So when we look upon the lovely
nativity scenes with models of the stable, the hay, the cattle, the star, the
shepherds, the loving parents, and the Baby – somewhere in the shadows should
be the figure of a Cross. Because this, truly, is the reason for the season.
He came from
heaven to earth to show the way,
From the earth
to the Cross, my debt to pay,
From the Cross
to the grave,
From the grave
to the sky –
Lord, we lift
your name on high!
We
wish you all a season filled with the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and look forward to hearing you and perhaps even meeting you, in this coming
year.
73
Graham
ZL3NZ and Mary ZL3MD