Monthly Archives: November 2016

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Seven Pillars to Understanding the Future: Introduction Part 01

We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there—US INVENTOR CHARLES FRANCES KETTERING
When you think about it, the Christian faith is not just wedded to the ancient past or focusing on a successful present. It is helping to prepare people for a glorious future that will never end. Failure to keep our eyes on the future makes us less ready for it.
Consider this: Today’s world is change-filled, increasingly complex, crisis-riddled and chaos-laden. The rise of jihadism, an assertive China in the South China Sea, a temperamental nuclear-armed North Korea, growing western debt, an uncertain European Union, and redefinition of like marriage and family.
Part of the issue is that the situations we face today are unprecedented – we have never been this way before. The best and brightest among us, when pressed on the point, have to admit that they don’t know what to do. That includes leadership. If our leaders do not know what to do, what hope have we?
Thank God, there is a way forward. It comes from the Bible. One of the great practical verses from Scripture is a key to making the most of today while preparing for a bright tomorrow:
I Chronicles 12:32f And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.
When you meditate on this verse, it becomes obvious that there is a simple yet profound insight. ‘Understanding the times’ is the key for direction today and blessing tomorrow. It is important to know what is happening and also why it is happening. The ‘what’ is knowledge,’ the ‘why’ is understanding, and when you add both, you end up with ‘wisdom.’ It is ‘wisdom’ that leads you on what to do. In other words, if you seek knowledge and understanding, as the book of Proverbs exhorts, then God will download to you the wisdom of what to do, also known as divine guidance (see Proverbs 3:5-6).
Where do you get wisdom? Does it come by studying the ancient Greek philosophers? Going to university? Hobnobbing with the intellectual elite? Actually, wisdom is not an ideology, a corpus of knowledge, or even a combination of bright minds. The Bible describes wisdom as a person: Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:30). To put it simply and straight: the wisest thing you can do is to invite this Wise One, the Saviour of the world, into your life (John 1:12; Revelation 3:20). Since He is truly God’s wisdom from above, then ignoring or rejecting Him would be the most foolish thing we can do.
Where do you get ‘understanding?’ Just as the source of wisdom is a Divine Person, so is the source of understanding. The Holy Spirit, the Third Person in the Godhead, is the source of understanding. We learn through John 14:26; 16:13, that He is the instructor, the advocate, who teaches us all things and reminds us of all things that Christ has commanded us. He searches all things, including the deep things of God (I Corinthians 2:10), and is more than able to give us the understanding we need to proceed.
In the coming articles, we will be introduced to seven pillars in understanding the future. When you know and put into practice these things, then you will be in an optimal position to become ‘future-ready.’ Stay tuned for more.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

TRUMP CHRONICLES PART 01: AMERICAN BREXIT? The Triumph of Donald Trump

NOTE: This author is constantly being asked to comment about Donald Trump, even though his topics are on other matters. This is the first of a series of articles called ‘The Trump Chronicles.’ Terminology: US Republicans are roughly equivalent to Liberal/Nationals in Australia and Tories in the UK. US Democrats are similar to Australia and Britain’s Labor Parties).
The Great Political Upset
They said he would never make it. The media, the Democratic Party, even part of his own Republican Party, were all against him. He faced the formidable, ‘cashed-up’ Clinton political machine. The campaign itself was long, gruelling, and the dirtiest in 100 years. The polls were predicting a Clinton win, even a landslide.
Yet, despite it all, Donald J. Trump pulled off one of the greatest political upsets in US history to become America’s 45th President. In addition, his Republican Party retained majorities in both houses of Congress.
What are we to make of all this?
First, the US election is the latest of several ‘shock’ electoral results that happened in the last two years. In 2015, national elections in Sri Lanka, Israel, and the United Kingdom delivered results totally the opposite to what experts, pundits and pollsters predicted. Ironically, David Cameron’s stunning unexpected majority win in 2015 set the stage for a promised referendum on continued UK membership in the European Union, which ultimately led to his political demise. The UK vote to leave the European Union on June 23, 2016, popularly known as ‘Brexit,’ was probably the biggest shock vote to date — until the election of Donald Trump.
How Did He Do It?
How did Donald Trump win the election? Is the American election a populist revolt equivalent to Brexit?
As this author has been stating for a while, our world is in a time of shaking: economic, social, political, and spiritual. These shock elections are part of it. When it comes to Donald Trump, the billionaire business mogul who entered the political fray only 17 months ago, he defied the odds and won the election.
First, Trump had a simple, catchy, compelling slogan: Make America Great Again. Effective campaigning means finding a vision that means something to the people, encapsulate it in a simple phrase, and talk about nothing else. Trump did this effectively. But there’s more.
Second, Trump capitalised on voter dissatisfaction on both sides. The electorate believes that career politicians are ‘out-of-touch,’ only giving them the time of day during an election campaign and telling them what they want to hear. Once (re)elected, the politicians go back to ‘business as usual:’ Serving the demands of big money and special interests rather than the person on Main Street.
Trump understood this. As a billionaire, he said that he could not be bought off by special interests. His rhetoric could be harsh, abrasive and politically incorrect, to the consternation of the cultural elite. Even some supporters were uncomfortable with his words. But here’s what the experts miss: Trump, unlike career politicians, did not sound like he was reading off a script. He was telling people what he really believed. The electorate found his honesty breathtakingly refreshing.
Third, Trump projected strength and resilience: Consider this – a 70 year old man went through the rigours of a protracted (17 month), nasty, divisive, bruising political campaign, facing the daunting Clinton political organisation. The media, academia, and Hollywood were all against him. A liberal Supreme Court justice denounced him. Even the Pope condemned his ‘Mexican wall’ as ‘unChristian.’ Despite all this, he triumphed and emerged without a smudge. Talk about ‘Teflon factor’ and strength. No wonder Vladimir Putin loves him!
Another point: Trump is an outsider. He is not part of the political establishment. He does not owe anyone favours. He does not bow the knee to special interests.
Trump also knew how to handle the often hostile mainstream media. Like Samson with the Philistines, he lampooned again and again while brushing off attacks against himself. He got a lot of publicity, for free.
Trump promised to be a man of action: Despite the mainstream media harping about his controversial phrases on Mexican walls, Muslim immigration, or age-old crude comments in private, he talked about issues Americans care about: Reforming the health system, rebuilding the military so America can start winning wars, taking care of war veterans, fixing the Clinton-era China trade agreement that has seen the loss of 1000s of US jobs, repair the immigration mess, the ailing economy, and restore pride in the country.
Finally, there was much prayer and fasting for the American election in the mode of II Chronicles 7:14. The same can be said for the other elections, including Brexit.
A Word from the Optimists
Let’s hear from a couple of people who predicted a Trump victory from Day One, despite the polls.
JM Shepal, author of the book Why Donald Trump Will Become the Next US President, said: ‘The main reason they (the American voters) are coming out to vote, they love his rhetoric, they love the way he carries himself, they love what he says and how he says it, but most of all, they love the fact that there is a candidate that is a political outsider and that understands what the people want from their next leader.’
Wayne Allyn Root, who was predicting the ultimate success of Trump’s campaign since the very day his candidacy was announced, gave some interesting insights in his October 24, 2016 article: ‘Why I’m (still) betting big on Donald Trump to Win.’ http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/10/24/why-im-still-betting-big-on-donald-trump-to-win.html  At the time the article was written, many (though not all) polls predicted a Clinton victory. Root pointed out some interesting signs that were totally overlooked by the political and media establishment:
1)      A Las Vegas cab driver routinely asked every passenger who they were voting for. Without exception, they said ‘Trump.’
2)      That on a drive from Washington DC to Florida (a distance of perhaps 1,000 kilometres or 620 miles), the driver saw 100s of Trump campaign signs along the highway. They did not see one ‘Vote for Hillary’ sign.
3)      Despite her massive profile and positive standing in the polls, sales of Hillary’s new book were lagging. Trump’s book Great Again is a best-seller.
4)      Trump rallies were attracting 1000s while Hillary’s only 100s.
Trump learned how to by-pass the special interests, cultural elite, and the ‘kingmakers’ in order to connect directly with the person on Main Street. Also, many independents and Democrats were crossing over to Trump because they found a man who was willing to listen to them.
American Brexit?
Is the election of Donald Trump the equivalent of BREXIT? Trump apparently thinks so. He calls it ‘Brexit plus plus plus.’ Former UKIP and BREXIT leader Nigel Farage says Trump’s victory is ‘bigger than Brexit.’ Wayne Allyn Root called Trump’s election ‘America’s Brexit.’
There are clearly parallels. Both elections had the political, media, and business elite supporting the familiar, status-quo situation (e.g. remain in the European Union; vote for Hillary Clinton). Both elites thought they controlled the narrative. Their rhetoric was that of condescension, scare-mongering, and insults. Supporters of Brexit were called small minded little Englanders; uneducated, old white men, etc. while Trump supporters were called ‘bitter,’ ‘deplorables,’ and ‘uneducated.’ The polls pointed to a status quo victory. Despite it all, in both cases the  found their voice, ignored the elites, and said ‘We want our country back.’
Trump and the Middle East
It is way too early to say what Trump will do in the Middle East, but he is clearly going in a different direction to his predecessor. He has expressed skepticism over the Iran nuclear deal and there are hints that he could scrap it. Of course, Tehran did respond with concern in the light of his election.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi appeared to be a bit more relaxed. He said that Trump’s election rhetoric may differ from his policies once he takes the oath of office. Furthermore, he said he understands Trump’s measures of registering Muslims in the US as a means of achieving stability and peace for his nation.
Trump said he was tired of Israel being treated as a second class citizen and promised to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In the past, other presidential candidates have promised to do the same thing but once in office, they backtracked. Nevertheless, a Palestinian official, sensing that Trump marches to a different drummer, threatened to use their power in the United Nations if Trump dares to make an embassy move.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed joy at Trump’s victory. He called the President-elect a ‘true friend of Israel.’ A post-election position paper by the Trump campaign said the Palestinians must renounce violence and recognise Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state before being receiving statehood.

Regardless of your political persuasion, country of residence and citizenship, the world should pray for the success of Donald Trump’s presidency. In this globalised world, we all have a vested interest in it.
Articles, Culture, Education, News

News Update – 25 Nov – Activists, Discrimination, Euthanasia and more…

News Update – 25 Nov – Activists, Discrimination, Euthanasia and more…

A round up of the news…

Every week I try to cover some of the highlights… from the issues we cover. Naturaylly I can’t cover EVERYTHING!

 

Australian of the Year – MORE ACTIVISTS nominated!

The finalists from each State for the ‘Australian of the Year’ have been announced.

Again, a number of activists have been nominated. IN Victoria the nomination for ‘Young Australian of the Year’, the homosexual footballer who has campaigned for the AFL to have a ‘Pride Round’ and so on. He is described as a “diversity and inclusion champion”.

Other ‘causes’ of the nominees (for both ‘Australian of the Year’ and ‘Young Australian of the Year’) include refugees, anti-torture, suicide prevention, reconciliation, and campaigns against slavery.

Some former winners of the award have spoken up, saying that the awards have been ‘hijacked by activists’ and the system should be overhauled!

Ironically, one of them was transgender advocate Cate McGregor, formerly army officer Malcolm McGregor, who missed out on being chosen as ‘Australian of the Year’ this year when David Morrison, the former Army Chief who champions against ‘Domestic Violence’ was chosen! At the time we noted that it is becoming the ‘battle of the causes’!

Article: Australian of the Year finalists, News.com.au, 24/11/2016.

Article: Australian of the Year awards hijacked by activists, say former winners, The Australian, 25/11/2016.

Victoria – Poll finds Premier Daniel Andrew loses control on crime wave

A new poll has found that about HALF of Labor voters think Labor Premier Daniel Andrews is not tough enough on crime.

Perhaps he should be spending more time trying to deal with youth crime, carjackings etc. instead of on programs like the Safe Schools Coalition that tell young people they can ‘be what you want to be, do what you want to do’!

The Herald Sun reports, “The results from the Herald Sun/Galaxy poll show it’s not just Coalition-leaning voters who believe the Premier is a soft touch. About half of Labor supporters believe Dan Andrews’s government isn’t tough enough on youth crime, and more than half (56 per cent) think Apex is in control.”

Daniel Andrews still has a 24 point lead over Liberal leader Matthew Guy, though 28% were uncommitted.

Article: Labor supporters call on Premier Daniel Andrews to get tough on law and order, Herald Sun, 21/11/2016. [Subscriber article – try Googling title if link doesn’t show article.]

http://this.deakin.edu.au/culture/where-are-you-on-the-sexuality-spectrum?utm_source=plista&utm_medium=mc_display&utm_campaign=contenthub_16H1

Photographer who caught Roz Ward in action CLOSES his business after THREATS

Kenji Wardenclyffe, the freelance photojournalist who took the photo of Safe Schools Coalition founder Roz Ward harassing a bystander during an anti-Trump rally in Melbourne on 12 November, has closed his business because of the threats he had received. He is known for taking photos of ‘left-right’ clashes and has always tried to be unbiased in his portrayal of events. He says, “In my work I attempt to remain unbiased, and my first loyalty is to the truth. I cannot take sides or censor, it goes against my journalist ethics”.

Here is his Kenjii’s Facebook photo album of photos taken at the rally on 12 November. The link opens to the photo of the young man who is wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt and cap, and the following two photos show Roz Ward trying to remove his cap.

Kenjii announced on Facebook, “Wardenclyffe Photography is now on indefinite hiatus.” He made a follow-up Facebook post, explaining the CONTEXT of taking the photo, and it being published, and said, “Unfortunately people felt hurt by this, of which I understand, but I have since received threats, abuse, harassment and been told in no simple terms I probably will not be welcome to cover left wing rallies (none of this by the subject of the photo, just to be clear) so I felt like I needed to remove myself from the situation.”

Kenjii has since closed his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Although he has closed his active photojournalism business for now, Kenjii has just released a 10 minute video on ‘Press Freedoms and Unbiased Media’… see it here. Of that, he writes, “This is a video I thought I should make in light of recent events. I needed to explain the ethical and professional motivations behind why I kept myself as unbiased as possible and why I wouldn’t self censor nor allow others to me censor while I did photojournalism.”

Watch Kenjii’s video – posted on Facebook – click here.

We support Kenjii’s action in proclaiming that the press should be free and unbiased – instead of being harassed by the left when they don’t do their bidding!

One question: Kenjii notes that there were many other photographers taking photos of the incident involving Roz Ward. If they were from the media, where are their photos?

Media report: Photographer who captured Safe Schools founder harassing bystander shuts down business, News.com.au, 24/11/2016.

Vic legislation: Birth certificates and transgender – Bill in Legislative Council

The Labor government’s Bill would allow people to change the sex on their birth certificate WITHOUT having sex re-assignment surgery, allow people to choose their OWN sex/gender descriptor, allow the ‘gender’ of children to be changed on birth certificates and allow a married person to change their sex on their birth certificate.

It has still NOT been debated by the Legislative Council.

There are ONLY THREE more sitting days left this year – 6, 7, 8 December. The government MAY try and push the legislation through in that sitting week, so PLEASE CONTACT your FIVE Members in the Legislative Council NOW!

For information about the progress of the Bill, see the Parliament’s Bills and Legislation page.
Then scroll down to “Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill 2016” and click on title.

Citizen Go is running a PETITION that asks the Legislative Council to NOT PASS this proposed Bill.
Sign it online – click here.

Contact your FIVE Members in the Legislative Council
Keep your letter simple
Put the key message in the Header – Please vote AGAINST the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill 2016 (use own words).

Address the Member by name (you only have five to do!)

Tell them you are IN THEIR ELECTORATE/REGION.

Tell them you are very concerned about the proposed changes this Bill – that is will allow people to change the sex on their birth certificate WITHOUT having sex re-assignment surgery, allow people to choose their OWN sex/gender descriptor, allow the ‘gender’ of children to be changed on birth certificates and allow a married person to change their sex on their birth certificate.
Keep the letter short and polite. Add some other info if you like.

Ask for a response.

Finish with a ‘Yours sincerely’ or similar greeting, along with your name, address and phone number. 

MLC Details…
Click here to find your SIX MLCs. Enter your postcode, click ‘Search’ and pink and green boxes appear.

Click the pink one and your SIX MLCS will be shown.
Have your letter prepared… Click through to their email address, then paste your letter and adjust the name and Region.

Aboriginal ‘Sistergirls and Brotherboys’ – transgender gathering

In aboriginal communities, people who claim to be ‘transgender’ use different terms… Men who change to be a woman are called ‘Sistergirls’ and women who want to be men are called ‘Brotherboys’.

The ABC reports that, “Recently Sistergirls, brotherboys and gender-diverse Aboriginal Australians from around the country have come together to share stories of culture, identity and struggle”.

These terns are both used in the Safe Schools Coalition ‘All of Us’ curriculum as variations of gender (see Page 34).

Article: Sistergirls and Brotherboys unite to strengthen spirits, ABC, 21/11/2016.

Euthanasia – medical oncologist changes his mind on euthanasia – now supports palliative care

An insightful article about death and dying, euthanasia and palliative care by Ian Haines. He describes himself as a ‘secular humanist’ and says palliative care means people can “die with equal or more dignity than euthanasia will provide”.

Ian is a medical oncologist who says he used to support euthanasia but now believes that palliative care is the best option. Ian talks about receiving requests for euthanasia, but writes, “I have invariably found that they quickly disappear as reassurance and adequate medication doses provide the comfort that is desired and the newly exposed opportunities for patients and families to share deep and poignant moments of bonding and reflection, or nurse a new-born grandchild, or attend a wedding or a graduation.”

He does talk about increasing medication to relieve suffering, writing, “If a patient and their family needs help for a comfortable and peaceful death, doctors routinely increase the dose of medications, even if the patient dies sooner as a result. As long as the primary goal of this treatment is the relief of suffering and not to cause death, this is permitted.”

He notes he is a secular humanist… “This “law of double effect” is a legal grey area that allows doctors to provide optimal care short of primarily trying to kill the patient. Some would call it passive euthanasia. Perhaps it is. However, as a secular humanist, it is a subtle but huge difference that allows me to relieve suffering, to share some of the most profound human experiences possible and to sleep comfortably at night.”

Then adds, “As an oncologist with 35 years’ full-time experience, I have seen palliative care reach the point where the terminally ill can die with equal or more dignity than euthanasia will provide.”

Article: ‘I believed that euthanasia was the only humane solution. I no longer believe that.’, The Age, 20/11/2016.

Deakin Uni: ‘Where are YOU on the sexuality spectrum?’

This is what our universities are spending time on to research… all with our taxpayer dollars of course.

The following article, on the Deakin University website, explains the ‘sexuality spectrum – but goes into bisexuality, polyamory and more…

“Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, a Senior Lecturer with Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development recently worked with Sara Lubowitz from the Sydney-based Women With Bi Partners Network to study mixed-orientation relationships or MOREs, as she refers to them.

“The research included interviews with 78 culturally and sexually diverse Australian women aged between 19 and 65. All of the women had been in monogamous, open and polyamorous relationships with bisexual men. They identified as heterosexual, bisexual and lesbian, while some didn’t label themselves.”

If you want to see the extent of this, this article provides an insight into ‘fluid sexuality’!

Article: Where are YOU on the sexuality spectrum?, Deakin Uni.

Comment: An Australian Donald Trump-style politician is around the corner

Political analyst Jennifer Oriel, writing at The Australian, warns that “Unless the major parties correct their course, it seems likely that a Donald Trump-style politician will rise to prominence in Australia.”

She says, “The appeal of populist and ­nationalist politicians lies in their novelty, their revival of patriotism and pride in Western culture. The five causes that fired Trump’s ascendancy are being championed by anti-establishment figures across the West. During the past week, three of those causes came to the fore in Australian politics: sovereign borders, the PC establishment and freedom of speech…”

Jennifer concludes with the agenda of the Greens on these issues, and concludes: “Let us counter their efforts!”

Article: An Australian Donald Trump-style politician is around the corner, The Australian, 22/11/2016. [Or Google title.]

Overseas News

Europe – Homosexual ‘marriage’ and suicide rates

We often hear about suicide rates and homosexuality – in fact, the recent Media Release from the Salvation Army, about their support for Safe Schools, mentioned higher suicide rates.

Often the activists blame the discrimination and non-acceptance by society as major factors.

But recent research from Europe shows that homosexuals who are ‘married’, with all the so-called acceptance that brings, have a higher risk of suicide.

Lifesite reports: “Homosexuals who “marry” each other are almost three times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, even in very gay-friendly Sweden, according to a study published in the May issue of the European Journal of Epidemiology.

The authors of the study noted that social intolerance of homosexual behavior could not so easily be blamed for increased suicide risk, given that Sweden is known for its accepting attitude towards same-sex relationships.

“Even in a country with a comparatively tolerant climate regarding homosexuality such as Sweden, same-sex married individuals evidence a higher risk for suicide than other married individuals,” the authors note.

The study, “Suicide in married couples in Sweden: Is the risk greater in same-sex couples?” used the government of Sweden’s detailed databases to compare a population of over six thousand homosexual “married” couples to the larger population of heterosexual couples who married during the period between 1996 and 2009, following them until 2011.

The study found that participants in homosexual marriages had an overall 2.7 times greater chance of suicide than participants in heterosexual marriages, with the true value having a 95% probability of falling somewhere between 1.5 and 4.8.

Homosexual men in same-sex “marriages” were found to have a higher elevated risk (2.9) than women (2.5).”

Read more at the Lifesite article… there is also data about “a strong relationship between homosexual behavior and a variety of negative psychological outcomes, even in countries that are very accepting of homosexual behavior….”

Article: People in homosexual ‘marriages’ almost 3 times more likely to commit suicide: study, Lifesite, 5/8/2016.

Transgender rhetoric – Glenn Stanton writes of the ‘inconsistencies’

Glenn Stanton from Focus on the Family has an insightful article about the inconsistences in the transgender ‘message’… he begins, “Gender theory is pure ideology. It is not based in any science or logical objectivity. Its proponents literally make it up as they go along, based solely on the way they wish nature were.”

If we bend the truth, we are sure to get caught in contradictions. This is exactly what’s happening with today’s gender theorists, who tell us everything we have traditionally thought about sex difference is wrong. As their made-up theories are tested in real life, the inevitable contradictions come to light in embarrassing ways. Here are only five of the most damning.

Under these headings, you’ll have to read the article to see all the ‘inconsistencies’!

1. Gender Is a Spectrum
2. Binary Is Bad, But L, G, B, and T Require It
3. Male-Female Is Not Natural, Unless You’re Trans
4. Androgyny Is Natural
5. My Little Boy Is Actually a Girl

Article: 5 Damning Inconsistencies In Transgender Dogma, Glenn Stanton, Focus on the Family, 2/11/2016.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

How to Inherit the Earth: Biblical Meekness Part 01

A Better Way To Inherit the Earth

It has been the goal of dictators and despots for millennia. Having conquered their home base, they seek to go further afield. Whether Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte,  Adolf Hitler or a cast of others, these hyper-ambitious megalomaniacs try to extend their imperial reach worldwide but overextend themselves. Then they fail and fall, bringing their empire crashing down with them.
Even ‘the beast’ in the Book of Revelation, also known as the antichrist, attempts to rule the entire world. At first glance, it appears that he succeeds but if so, his success is short-lived. Not only are there wars of rebellion against him in the tribulation period, but antichrist will take one step too many and end up losing his battle. His end is in the lake of fire.
Bible students should know that the earth – all of it – belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). Yet He also makes an amazing offer. To people who possess a certain character quality, they can also inherit the earth.
What is this quality? It is not ambition. It is not assertiveness. It is definitely not arrogance. The dictators and despots mentioned above have plenty of all these things, yet they failed every time. So what is the key.
Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5 tell us: The meek shall inherit the earth.
Meekness Defined
Irony of ironies. Meekness is actually the key to acquisition. Yet, before we acquire, we need to understand what it really is. In the Bible, the Hebrew word translated meek is anav, meaning poor, weak, afflicted. In Greek it is praos, meaning ‘meek, mild, gentle.’ None of these adjectives sound like the ingredients of inheriting the earth.
Yet consider this: The man Moses was very meek, above all the men who were upon the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). Jesus Christ refers to Himself as meek (Matthew 11:29). So since Moses and Jesus were meek, did that mean they were also ‘weak?’
Not at all. Indeed, no where did two men demonstrate more anointing and power than Jesus and Moses Somehow, meekness is the pathway to power, a power that helps you inherit the earth.
Let’s then consider a description of true Biblical, earth-inheriting meekness: When a person commits and submits to God, to the point that their own personal traits and desires decrease and Christ-in-them, the hope of glory, increases, then they begin to live by the power of God. In short, the meek are willing to decrease so that Christ in them increases – thereby releasing power, effectiveness and fruit.
If you are a ‘Great Commission Christian’ – and you should be  – committed to helping the gospel go worldwide and raising up disciples of Jesus – then remember God’s way to inherit the earth. Biblical meekness, possessing a sterling attitude, an empowering grace, and a regal calm, will obtain for you that which has eluded the worldly ambitious throughout human history. It truly is the ‘high road’ to overcoming power, victory, and possessing your possession.

(NEXT MONTH: We will see a great Biblical example of meekness in action).

Baptist

Domestic Violence – where is God in the grief?

For some of us, death, especially so premature, is a reminder of our own limits on life. We sit in the presence of eternity, and reflected on what we are living for, and whether we are prepared for life with God.  

All too often the media relates horrific stories of our fractured and violent world. Women and children battered, abused and often murdered by partners or family members. Domestic violence un-checked in a society where the weak and vulnerable stand little chance, confronted with anger, addiction, abuse.

At least one woman each week is killed in Australia by their former or current partner. Do you know that women in certain age brackets are more likely to die of violence than obesity and smoking, or drugs and alcohol abuse? For this, tears AND anger are appropriate.

Domestic and family violence is the major cause of homelessness for women and their children. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report, Specialist Homelessness Services 2011-12, shows that people experiencing domestic or family violence make up one-third of the almost 230,000 Australians that accessed specialist homelessness services in that period. Of such clients, 78 per cent were female.

On Friday 18 October, 500 people gathered at Aberfeldie Baptist Church for a thanksgiving service for Rekiah O’Donnell. Rekiah grew up at Aberfeldie Baptist with her parents Craig and Kerryn, and siblings Jesse and Indiana. This year she turned 22, but in early October she was shot by a violent ex- partner, leaving her family and friends, and the broader community, shocked by the violent injustice.    

But I suspect many of us also sat with anger and rage. We were digging deep for comfort and peace, relying on God and one another for reassurance and grace; but whether with words or tears we struggled with the confusion and fear, and senseless and tragic loss of Rekiah. We sat with that, but I prayed – for God’s sake and for Rekiah’s and for others like her – I prayed that we wouldn't just sit but take a stand for hope. 

We sat at Aberfledie with our memories and grief, with friends and family we love. But as we left the church, Rekiah’s life AND death reminded us to take a stand for a world that is more loving and compassionate, more hope-ful and safe; a world where justice and respect, hope and grace are a reality for all. 

In times of grief and loss we’re confronted with our deep desire to nurture our relationships; we cry out for people to take a stand for safer neighbourhoods, for healthy living, for respect for one another – for communities that are more in line with God’s dream. To say NO this is not the way things should be. We ask “Where is God? Where was God?”  Whether we ask it after Auschwitz or 9/11, after the disaster of hurricanes or accidents, after the murder of Tracy Connelly in St Kilda or Jill Meagher in Brunswick, of after Rekiah O’Donnell’s murder in Sunshine, can we answer anything else other than God is here in the pain. God is suffering too.

Our hope comes not from being rescued from pain, but in experiencing God coming alongside us in our pain, that we would know and experience God’s love and comfort, and grow wiser and stronger though we feel crushed and bereft.

Our hope is outworked in taking action, standing up against injustice. Standing for respect and safety. Our hope is outworked when we notice those at risk and offer support and way out. Our hope is given voice when we break the silence and speak out about violence.

White Ribbon Day (25 November) is one action people are taking to raise the issue of violence against women.

How can you take a stand?

How can your church get involved? http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

A version of this article was originally published online as Darren Cronshaw, “Domestic Violence – Where Is God in the Grief?”, Witness (20 November 2013).

 

Source: BUV News

Baptist, News

Domestic Violence – where is God in the grief?

For some of us, death, especially so premature, is a reminder of our own limits on life. We sit in the presence of eternity, and reflected on what we are living for, and whether we are prepared for life with God.  

All too often the media relates horrific stories of our fractured and violent world. Women and children battered, abused and often murdered by partners or family members. Domestic violence un-checked in a society where the weak and vulnerable stand little chance, confronted with anger, addiction, abuse.

At least one woman each week is killed in Australia by their former or current partner. Do you know that women in certain age brackets are more likely to die of violence than obesity and smoking, or drugs and alcohol abuse? For this, tears AND anger are appropriate.

Domestic and family violence is the major cause of homelessness for women and their children. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s report, Specialist Homelessness Services 2011-12, shows that people experiencing domestic or family violence make up one-third of the almost 230,000 Australians that accessed specialist homelessness services in that period. Of such clients, 78 per cent were female.

On Friday 18 October, 500 people gathered at Aberfeldie Baptist Church for a thanksgiving service for Rekiah O’Donnell. Rekiah grew up at Aberfeldie Baptist with her parents Craig and Kerryn, and siblings Jesse and Indiana. This year she turned 22, but in early October she was shot by a violent ex- partner, leaving her family and friends, and the broader community, shocked by the violent injustice.    

But I suspect many of us also sat with anger and rage. We were digging deep for comfort and peace, relying on God and one another for reassurance and grace; but whether with words or tears we struggled with the confusion and fear, and senseless and tragic loss of Rekiah. We sat with that, but I prayed – for God’s sake and for Rekiah’s and for others like her – I prayed that we wouldn't just sit but take a stand for hope. 

We sat at Aberfledie with our memories and grief, with friends and family we love. But as we left the church, Rekiah’s life AND death reminded us to take a stand for a world that is more loving and compassionate, more hope-ful and safe; a world where justice and respect, hope and grace are a reality for all. 

In times of grief and loss we’re confronted with our deep desire to nurture our relationships; we cry out for people to take a stand for safer neighbourhoods, for healthy living, for respect for one another – for communities that are more in line with God’s dream. To say NO this is not the way things should be. We ask “Where is God? Where was God?”  Whether we ask it after Auschwitz or 9/11, after the disaster of hurricanes or accidents, after the murder of Tracy Connelly in St Kilda or Jill Meagher in Brunswick, of after Rekiah O’Donnell’s murder in Sunshine, can we answer anything else other than God is here in the pain. God is suffering too.

Our hope comes not from being rescued from pain, but in experiencing God coming alongside us in our pain, that we would know and experience God’s love and comfort, and grow wiser and stronger though we feel crushed and bereft.

Our hope is outworked in taking action, standing up against injustice. Standing for respect and safety. Our hope is outworked when we notice those at risk and offer support and way out. Our hope is given voice when we break the silence and speak out about violence.

White Ribbon Day (25 November) is one action people are taking to raise the issue of violence against women.

How can you take a stand?

How can your church get involved? http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

A version of this article was originally published online as Darren Cronshaw, “Domestic Violence – Where Is God in the Grief?”, Witness (20 November 2013).