The Frequency
	January 2009 Year 8 No. 1		Newsletter of the Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.)

We begin this letter by wishing each member of ARCF, with their families, and also all friends, the blessing and peace of God at the beginning of this year, 2009. Perhaps like no other year in recent times, the only "certainty" it promises is uncertainty. Yet as believers in the one true God of Israel and Abraham, we do not fear, but trust in Him. A comment made recently by Mark Earley, US President of Prison Fellowship Ministries and a former Virginia state senator and Attorney General: "Being at peace when everyone else is afraid is a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel."

Many of you have probably travelled a bit during the holidays, and we trust your journeys were made in safety, and you are now enjoying the benefits of "time out", away from the normal events of daily life.

Although we have enjoyed hearing quite a good number on the nets, we do not appear to have a lot of news, but we just wish to keep in touch with you all, and make known to you any matters needing your thoughts and your prayers.

Fellowship News

Alan ZL2TAG – (Thailand) Alan was able to join us on 80m on 24/1 via echolink. It is good to know he and Averil are well, and enjoying family visits from NZ and Australia. They are looking forward to visiting NZ again around mid-2009. God's blessing be on you both.

David ZL1DGK – In response to an email, David says his time on HF now is very limited due to S9+60 QRM from a neighbouring Sky decoder. He has however been enjoying listening to the National System lately, due to the National System Award. David is now very happily engaged to be married, and we wish him and his fiancé every happiness and blessing. Thank you, David, for contacting us, and we hope to hear you again some day.

David ZL1UFE – We appreciated a phone call from David letting us know that Jean, xyl of Malcolm ZL1UE (Silent Key) has now moved to Trevellyn Home in Hamilton. Jean was visiting her daughter Ruth in Ngarawahia when we phoned her a few days ago.

Gary ZL3SV – For Gary and Christine, the Christmas/new year period has been occupied with finalizing and "tidying" things from the past year, and following their recent bereavement. Not an easy time, and our thoughts are with you both.

Hugh ZL2BHK – Hugh joined us on 80m via echolink for the first time on 3/1. With xyl Jennifer by his side able to give a greeting, this has been very special, and we look forward to future contacts.

Peter ZL2HOT – On 4/1 we were glad to hear again from Peter, Pastor of a Porirua Christian congregation, where he told of salvation and deliverance among their people there. This is always an encouragement. God's blessing on your ministry, Peter, and thanks for keeping in touch.

Stan ZL4OW – Was able to spend Christmas with Jennifer and family in Ashburton, then travel on to Christchurch. We thank God for keeping Stan safe while travelling.

Echolink

It has been good to have several contacts via echolink on 80m over the past few months. These have been with Alan ZL2TAG (Thailand), Clive ZL1HZ (Auckland), Hugh ZL2BHK (New Plymouth) and Keith ZL3AHL (Christchurch). Sincere thanks to Gary ZL3SV for arranging these contacts. We know that without this facility, we would miss these contacts.

Celebrations

Those of our members who have supplied dates of birth on their documents, enable us to record here their birthdays, and the following have birthdays during January and February: (We will record some "milestone" ages, but not all, as we're unsure how some would feel about this). January 12^th Cecil ZL1BXT (93); 23^rd Gary ZL3SV; 26^th Alan ZL2TAG; 29^th Stan ZL4OW (87).

February 2^nd Eric ZL1ASI (70); 8^th Kelvin ZL1LY; 15^th James ZL3IJ; 16^th David ZL1DGK; 19^th Barry ZL2FV (75); 26^th Brian ZL3BCR.

May you each know the blessing and peace of God upon your lives, all your remaining days. This applies also to any of whose birthdays we are unaware.

Remember to Pray

There are many who need, and who are always grateful for, the prayers of others, and this month we list the following of whom we are currently aware. But do not forget those mentioned in previous letters, as needing ongoing prayer. John ZL3TR; Ruth, xyl of Trevor ZL2TN; Barry ZL2FV; Warren ZL3WPS; Rachael, daughter of Alan ZL2AEB; Graham ZL3NZ; David ZL1UTS and xyl Lyn; Peter ZL1CDF and xyl Estelle; Stan ZL4OW and Jennifer; Kelvin ZL1LY. Also Alan ZL2TAG and Averil, Thailand, and their family on Sudanese mission field. Thank you, those who pray believing. If you wish to know more detail about specific needs, you may contact us or the person concerned. We would also value prayer for this Fellowship, that it will always glorify God.

Contributions for this Newsletter

Please don't forget that any contributions appropriate for inclusion in this letter, would be ever so welcome. This includes a short personal profile about yourself, personal testimony, a contribution for the "In Conclusion" segment, or any other news-worthy items.

In Conclusion "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom". (Psalm 90:12). Many metaphors are used in literature to describe life's brevity. It is a dream, a swift runner, a mist, a puff of smoke, a shadow, a gesture in the air, a sentence written in the sand, a bird flying in one window of a house and out another. Another symbolic description was suggested by a friend of mine who said that the short dash between the dates of birth and death on tombstones represents the brief span of one's life. In Shakespeare's As You Like It, we read, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts …".

When we were young, time loitered. But as we get closer to the end of our lives, time moves with increasing swiftness, like water swirling down a drain.

It's good to ponder the brevity of life now and again. Life is too short to treat it carelessly. In Psalm 90, after describing the shortness of life, Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

To make the most of our earthly existence, we must lose ourselves in the will of God (1 Peter 4:2). This we can do even when time is running out. It's never too late to give ourselves totally to God, trusting Him for our present and our future. – Based on David Roper in Our Daily Bread.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our Guard while life shall last,

And our eternal home.

-Isaac Watts

Don't just count your days – make your days count.

73s, and committing you all into our Heavenly Father's care until we meet again.

Graham ZL3NZ and Mary ZL3MD

Fellowship Motto

To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

Contact us: Graham and Mary Dacombe, 20 Allin Drive, Waikuku Beach 7402 North Canterbury

Phone: 03-312 7782 Fax: 03-312 7783 Email: arcf@xtra.co.nz

Nets: Saturdays 7.30 p.m. on 3.650 MHz – Sundays 4 p.m. on 7.050 MHz

Website www.arcf.co.nz