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The Frequency |
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Feb / March 2009 Year 7 No. 2
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Newsletter of the Amateur
Radio Christian Fellowship (N.Z.) |
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Greetings to all members, friends and families of
the New Zealand Amateur Radio Christian Fellowship, in the name of our Lord,
Jesus Christ. Today, Sunday 1 March, is our first day of autumn, and the sun
shines warmly across the emerald-green lawn outside. We trust this letter finds
you all strong in your faith, and rejoicing in the daily mercies of our Father.
Our Best
Wishes
This month we remember Alfred ZL3QA (Pahiatua) who
according to our records celebrates a birthday on 6 March (89) and John ZL3TR
whose birthday is on 19 March. May God richly bless you with health, strength,
and His protection through the coming year. Greetings to any others of whose
birth dates we are unaware.
To VK
Members
Ross VK2ER (Orange, NSW), Stephen VK3JY and
Margaret (Canterbury, Vic), and Robert VK2VRD and Karen (Daruka, NSW). May God's abundant blessing be upon you all,
and we hope to hear one or more of you on our nets as conditions continue to
improve. We remember those in Australia who have suffered from loss of life,
family, friends and homes in recent fires and floods. If any of you personally
has been so affected, we pray that you will know the reality of God's presence
in your circumstances, Who alone is able to "
bestow
on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of
mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair". [Isaiah
61NIV].
Christchurch
ARCF Members
We recently counted up 12 members/friends of ARCF
who live in the Christchurch area, seven of whom come up on nets. This has
prompted us to think how good it would be to meet together some afternoon for a
short time of fellowship in a mutually convenient place. We will think further
about this, and would invite any suggestions.
News of
Members
ALAN ZL2TAG and Averil (Thailand) Thanks to the
echolink connection organised by Gary ZL3SV, Alan has several times been able
to come loudly and clearly on air. Last evening we were encouraged by his news
of growth in their Christian community, which is most evident in the crowds on
occasions like funerals and weddings, in which Alan often takes part. As a
Fellowship, and I am sure individually, we pray for this couple as they labour
in that land, so different in every way from home. May God's Spirit move upon
the hearts of those they work amongst, and give protection to the workers. This
applies also to other family members working in the Sudan.
BARRY ZL2FV (Palmerston North Has a new antenna
up. It is encouraging to hear Barry more frequently on nets, with greatly
improved reception here.
BOB ZL1BMA (Hamilton) Good to hear Bob on
echolink on 31 January. This facility has been wonderful in bringing in some
who otherwise may find difficulty in joining nets.
DAVID ZL2DEK (Palmerston North) - We welcomed David
to the net on 14 February, and look forward to many future contacts.
Congratulations David on gaining radio licence late last year.
DAVID ZL1UTS and Lyn (Auckland) We give thanks to
God for answered prayer and surgeon's skill for Lyn. We also congratulate David
on success in electrical examinations, and pray for continued strength and
blessing for this family in future challenges, and success in David's next
examination in June.
ERIC ZL1ASI (Whangarei) Our thoughts and sympathy
to xyl Rowan in the passing of her Mother during January.
GARY ZL3SV and xyl Christine (Motueka) paid us a
surprise and welcome visit on Sunday 22 February. It was indeed a great time of
fellowship for us all. Thank you both so much for coming.
GEOFF ZL3PX (Christchurch) Geoff came to our door
a few weeks ago, when he and Graham spent a very pleasant and profitable time
together catching up on the past 40 years. This busy man is fully committed to
his local Church, his family, his work, yet he has assured us that he and xyl
Vera will visit us some time, and we look forward to that.
IAN ZL1KK (Matamata) Good to hear Ian on air on 1
February. Ian can switch between a vertical and dipole(multiband) but can be
copied better on dipole. He and xyl Ngaire (ZL1KN) belong to the Huntly Club,
and manage to catch up on Peter ZL1CDF and Estelle now and again. We send
warmest congratulations to Ian and Ngaire on becoming Grandparents late last
year, and look forward to future contacts. Ngaire would be warmly welcome to
join the nets.
JOHN ZL3TR (Christchurch) May we share John's joy
at his youngest Granddaughter's recent success? She is second year at
Intermediate, and has won the Challenge Cup for short-story writing, as well as
a prize for metalwork. She is Head Prefect for the second-year students. We
would join in John's prayers for God's blessing on this young girl, on her
parents, and on her future.
PETER ZL3AQN (Lyttelton) Peter's involvement in
the restored Lyttelton Tug has provided him with events of special interest in
recent days, such as the 6am arrival of the Cunard cruise ship Queen Victoria
on 15 February, Sunday harbour cruises, and on 21 February a colourful wedding
on board the Tug. Many thanks Peter for sharing this with us.
Remember
to Pray
You may refer to recent newsletters for names of
those needing ongoing prayer, and we mention here those known to us who are at
this time coping with health and other
challenges either personal or family: Stan ZL4OW; John ZL3TR;
Alan ZL2TAG; Keith ZL3AHL and Grace;
Kelvin ZL1LY; David ZL1UTS. May
God's grace, healing and strength be yours.
A Word
from Graham ZL3NZ
To all those who kept me in mind in your prayers I
can but say a huge thank you - with my surgery over life is returning to normal
once again albeit just a little slower. Enjoying being outside once again in
the garden and getting ready to build some new inverted Vs for 160.
In
Conclusion
True Measure of Spiritual Maturity?
Is it possible to measure a Christian's spiritual
maturity? Certainly we cannot judge it by the length or even the content of
one's prayers. Too much public praying is done for its effect on the
"listeners" instead of the "Listener". Even the generosity
of one's giving is not an infallible test of spirituality, for it too may be
for personal recognition or easing of a guilty conscience.
Perhaps the surest test is our ability to forgive. Is
it hard to forgive someone who has offended us? When we think of how much God
has forgiven us, we should be willing in turn to forgive others as God in
Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).
British pastor and evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was travelling
with General James Oglethorpe, who was angry with one of his subordinates. The
man came to the general and humbly asked for forgiveness, but he was gruffly
told, "I never forgive!" Wesley looked the general in the eye and
said, "Then I hope, sir, that you never sin."
Would we want God to forgive us in the same way we
forgive others? Let us think about it.
[The
above was adapted from a 2001 edition of Our Daily Bread].
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