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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 439|23 March 2012

News Briefs

Climate change on agenda
CLIMATE change is one of the main topics that will be discussed at the 43rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Cook Islands next month.
Senior officials from the Smaller Island States (SIS) within the Pacific Islands Forum met at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in a series of meetings last week to prepare for the official Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting.
“Climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of SIS,” secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Tuiloma Neroni Slade said.
“SIS Leaders emphasised the need to address the significance of current impacts of climate change on the SIS as urgent, requiring immediate resourcing and support.”
A regional technical support mechanism for SIS to access and manage the expected increased flows of climate change resources will be discussed in the Cook Islands. “As you know, CROP (Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific) agencies are developing a regional technical support mechanism for SIS to effectively access and manage the expected increased flows of climate change resources,” said Mr Slade
He also reaffirmed the Pacific Plan as the master strategy for strengthening regional co-operation and integration for the region including the special needs of the SIS. -Torika Tokalau Fiji Times , August 03, 2012


Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,
In a recent CI Herald Chooks Corner snippet there were some suggestions for Rarotonga projects for tourism. Just to let the public know, that the majority of landowners of the 4th, 5th and 8th areas: (airport, Avana and of the Muri hills) are unlikely to agree to any such developments.
As it is, we are annoyed that the airport land brings no return to the landowners while government reaps all the benefits.
A marina has been opposed on the Avana waterfront for quite some time and the Muri landowners are trying to stop certain tourist tours from ruining our peace and quiet.
So before everyone gets carried away with these wild schemes, let’s have a dose of reality which is that we landowners would oppose any further encroachments into our lands.
We are entitled to have quiet enjoyment and not have everyone running all over our lands just because they happen to be amongst the most scenic and iconic areas in Rarotonga.
That is our good fortune having the right ancestors and we will defend our rights.
Landowner family member
1 August 2012

Telecom repays outer island hospitality

With festivities taking place in Rarotonga, Te Maeva Nui Gold Sponsors Telecom Cook Islands made a sizable donation to the contributing outer islands in this year’s Te Maeva Nui celebrations.
Over the past 12 months Telecom staff have visited a number of the outer islands launching mobiles, re-pointing satellites, completing maintenance, “And this was a great opportunity to repay the hospitality extended to us whilst working out there on the islands telecommunications,” said Telecom Sales and Marketing Manager Damien Beddoes.
Stopping at all nine of the outer islands hostels, the Telecom entourage left their Parekura head quarters led by a truck of drummers. On arrival at each of the accommodations, lead speaker Carl Glassie addressed the crowd with a speech of acceptance before presenting the donation. Compensating the hospitality received by staff posted to the outer islands, Telecoms donated a total of $5,000 in food and top up phone cards for all the islands each receiving four cartons of chicken, two cartons of chops and $20 Top up cards, The food is more practicable especially with such large numbers to feed and care for, and the top up is to help with costs of calling home to speak to loved ones, “Hence the reason for the combination of food and credit for calling,” said Beddoes. -Maria Tanner

Living above average
During Part 1 of this article of Encouragement I stated that too often many people do not live life the way God wanted them to live and the Bible reference used to draw some lessons from was I Chronicles 4v.9-10 (NKJV) to encourage us to “LIVE ABOVE AVERAGE”. This Bible reading says that “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bore him in pain. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying. ‘Oh, that You would bless me in deed, and enlarge my territory, that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain’. So God granted him what he requested.” God never meant for us to live an average life. He purposed for us to live in victory and dominion ship! Too often we settle for less than what God has for us. The question is, ‘What was it that Jabez did that sets him apart from the crowd?’ Lesson 1 is that, Jabez had a ‘Dream’ WE NEED A DREAM! Jabez had a Dream that God would give him more land! In I Chronicles 4v.10 Jabez prayed to God “Please bless me and give me a lot of land…(CEV) People who have a dream stand out in the crowd. Dare to dream of something great for your life, dare to dream great works you can do for God. Jabez thought big and said “..bless me and give me a lot of land..” In I Chronicles 4v.10 it reads “..God did just what Jabez had asked.” Lesson 2 is WE NEED A GROWING FAITH We need to believe that God can accomplish the dream through us. Jabez not only had a Great DREAM, but he CONFESSED it. As we CONFESS our Dream we hear it, and we become inspired, and committed to it! In Mark 9v.23 Jesus tells us that “Everything is possible for him who believes.” No dream is without it’s opposition, that’s why Jabez said, “..Be with me so I will be safe from harm..” Jabez has no special talent instead he had a growing faith, believing in his confession to God. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4v.13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV). Lesson 3 on How To Live Above Average, is that WE NEED A GENUINE PRAYER LIFE. When we read Jabez’s prayer, we think he is selfish, because he wanted more! Yet, God approved what Jabez asked. Ambition is neither good or bad, but it is the motive behind it. Proverbs 16v.2 (CEV) reads “..the Lord is the judge of our motives.” James 4v.2(b)-3 (CEV) says “..you won’t get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it. Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.” It is not so much what we ask for, but rather the motive behind it! If it is self glorifying, self pleasing, then don’t expect God to bless you! If it is within the scripture of ..seeking first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, then God will bless us! In a genuine prayer life, Jabez shows us THREE Things we can pray for. First, GOD’S POWER in our lives! Jabez prayed “Please bless me and give me a lot of land..” More land means more power! Jabez needed more power than his own to accomplish his dream! Ephesians 3v.20 (CEV) says “..His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.” Secondly, we can pray for GOD’S PRESENCE in our lives! Jabez said to God (v.10) “..Be with me..” More responsibility means a greater need for God’s presence. Being successful become independent of God rather than depending on Him. God wants to be in our success & failures! If we do not desire God’s presence, then pride is in our lives. Thirdly, Jabez prayed to God “..Be with me so I will be safe from harm..” Jabez prayed for GOD’S PROTECTION. We too should do the same. May this article encourage you and may you have a God blessed weekend. Te Atua te aroa.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009

 
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