Monthly Archives: January 2018

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Fire & Fury: What Are We To Make of the Latest Book on Donald Trump?

It was an instant best-seller. The January 5, 2018 release of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff became an instant best-seller. US President Donald Trump tried vigorously to stop the release of the book, which no doubt make it even more attractive, especially for the ‘anti-Trump’ and ‘never-Trump’ crowd.
What are we to make of this book which is highly unflattering to the President? There are issues that are bigger than any one book, even if it is a runaway bestseller.
Let’s remember a important issues.
Freedom of Speech
We should be solidly behind the notion of free speech, even though it means people can be offensive and obnoxious. Without this freedom, all other freedoms will be at risk, including freedom of religion, conscience, and association.
Remember, however, in a free society there are justifiable limits to absolute free speech, like laws against liable, defamation, and perjury under oath. However, we face serious erosion of free speech through the twin threats of political correctness and hate speech laws.
So regarding Fire and Fury, Mr. Wolff has every right to publish a book and say what he wants … within reason. This also means that if he’s ‘got it wrong,’ he can take the flack that goes with inaccuracy and untruth.
Factual and accurate
Whether you are a journalist or scholar, professional and personal integrity demands that you ‘get it right.’ We need to use reliable, primary sources. Second hand sources are to be used sparingly if necessary and unreliable sources should not be used at all. Part of reason we have so much inaccurate and deceptive information in the public square is that people are more dedicated to ‘the narrative’ than they are to the truth. Where else can you explain the proliferation of ‘fake news,’ which is spreading deception, denial, and distortion. This should not be, especially for Spirit-led, Bible-believing Christians as well as all people of integrity.
Regarding Fire and Fury, there are legitimate serious questions about truth and accuracy. For example, in an interview, Mr. Wolff was asked to produce the evidence of his book. His reply: ‘My evidence is the book, read the book. …if it strikes a cord, if it rings true, it is true.’ By his own admission, Wolff said that some of his sources lied while other contradicted each other – yet he used ‘journalistic judgement’ that helped him arrive at a version he ‘believed to be true.’ Add to this mix the fact that at least 8 high profile people who were quoted in the book denied making such statements. Truth has a measuring rod and it is verified by credible external witnesses; it is not determined by perception, prejudice, or feelings.
Donald Trump has denounced the book in a tweet, saying it was ‘full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that don’t exist.’ White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the book was ‘complete fantasy and just full of tabloid gossip.’ In the end, the reader will need to decide it is is true or not, or even whether the book is worth reading.
Five star? Be very careful
Within 8 days on Amazon, the book amassed a whopping 2,459 readers’ reviews who gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a highly favourable. Does it mean the book is accurate? Does it mean it is worthwhile?
Nancy DeMoss, in her excellent teaching series ‘Deception and Discernment,’ spoke about an unnamed best-selling ‘Christian book’ that was getting rave reviews, some even saying it was the next best book to the Bible itself. Yet, even lay Christian noted that there were serious Biblical and theological errors in the book. Amazingly, despite the clear omissions and distortions, people were prepared to overlook these deadly deficiencies because the book touched a chord in their hearts.
The moral of the story: just because a book is ‘Christian,’ popular, a best-seller, gets excited reviews, and, for that matter, published by a Christian publisher and sold in the Christian bookstore, does not mean it is right, correct, or true. A lack of discernment can be deadly.
If true, so what?
Let’s say that the book Fire and Fury is completely 100% true: that Donald Trump did not want to win the Presidency, that Melania Trump cried on election night, that key people said the President is an ‘idiot’ behind his back, that Ivanka wants to be the first female President … the question should be asked: So what? On the scale of White House and Washington gossip, it is mild.
Motivation should always be considered. Was the book written to bring better governance, fire-up the economy, put people to work, or bring peace on earth? Is it an honest attempt to bring light and accountability to the White House, or point out a scandal that threatens the national interest? Or is it a muck-racking, liable-filled, money-spinner?
This writer remembers an author who wrote best-selling, unauthorised biographies of very famous people. This person would conduct 1,000 interviews and, like a master jigsaw puzzler player, they pieced together a portrait that was detailed and, by all accounts, accurate. While there was indignation from the spokespersons of those famous individuals, the credibility of the book was not questioned. Having read two of this author’s books, I have to say they were very well-sourced and believable, though they were also thoroughly unflattering biographies.
Yet I ask the question: even if it is true, why tell it? What good will it do for society? No public figure is paid enough to put up with the bad publicity, criticism, scrutiny, and books written, intrusion of privacy, needless spotlight on family? If the book is well-researched and seeks to point out a serious scandal or injustice, then that’s a good thing. If it is merely to demean and embarrass a public servant, that’s another story.
Honour Leadership
Political leaders definitely need to be accountable and their actions and policies can be scrutinised and criticised. This is fair enough, especially in a democracy. However, Biblically-speaking, we are to be careful how we speak.
I Peter 2:17says ‘Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.’
Exodus 22:28 commands that we don’t curse the ruler of thy people.’
Paul, referring to this verse, says in Acts 23:5f … for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.’
We are to honour political leadership, even if we don’t particularly like them or did not vote for them. People, especially Christians, need to be scrupulous in this area. Donald Trump is not the only polarising US President in modern history … Bill Clinton and George W. Bush … received hysterical opposition. Yet no one has experience the level of flack, from so many areas, even before taking the oath of office, as Donald Trump.

Whether you are ‘pro-Trump,’ ‘anti-Trump,’ or ‘never-Trump,’ God’s word is clear: You are commanded to pray for kings and all who are in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4). That includes the President of the United States. Let’s remember: that to be critical and disrespectful is part of the problem; that to pray, honour and be honourable is to be part of the solution.
Baptist

Innovate 2018

Innovate 2018

“To reach people we’ve never reached before, we need to do things we have never done before”

There is no denying that the church in Australia is struggling to reach unchurched Aussies, and we need to be thinking outside of the box. We believe that God is calling us, as a family of churches to put resources into encouraging pioneering ministry – put another way: to releasing our apostles to lead us into new territory. Every church needs to be setting aside small groups of creative thinkers to pray and dream about possible new initiatives, and our Innovate process can help to encourage, support and resource these individuals and groups.

  • Watch the video below and be inspired by some of the projects that we have helped get started.
  • Share this video in church, and with your leaders and start praying about who you could send to our 2018 process.

You will notice that this year we are running 2 steams. The first is for those who are at the dreaming stage, and need to have their dreams fuelled and enfleshed. The second is for those who already have a clear idea of what they want to do, and may even be already running a project, but would value the opportunity to network and learn from the experience and creativity of others, and ensure that ventures stay missional.

  • Who can you send?
  • What might God be opening for your church in 2018?

Be part of our vision to release at least 72 pioneering ventures by 2020, and start connecting with our wider community and sharing God’s love in new ways.

 

More information on Innovate available on our BUV website here

Register here for our 2018 Innovate Launch event and come and find out more

 

Insert video here

Source: BUV News

Baptist, News

Rise@Carlton: A Pioneer’s Story

by Rev Gayle Hill

Two and half years ago, the Baptist Union of Victoria risked supporting a holy discontent that had laid unabated within me to establish a new faith presence and community within my locale in Carlton. At the same time, the Mission Catalyst Team were challenging our union to send out 72 pioneers to establish unique and distinctive new expressions of faith.

The seeding grant of two days per week for two years from the BUV enabled both my husband Warren and I to commence a small disparate group of believers to meet in our even smaller home in Carlton. Some were disaffected Christians who had come from elsewhere and thought the idea of house church would be what they were seeking. Although we experienced a great sense of community at the time, it was improbable to continue when only a few of us were local. After a year it fell apart but we have retained four intrepid members who continue with Rise.

It’s actually ten years since we felt the Spirit’s call to Carlton to plant a faith community – and like so many that have gone before us, Warren and I are able to say that our Lord is faithful in spite of the many challenges, setbacks and grace-filled opportunities that have presented themselves these past years.

After our initial trial at house church, a stint at cafe church, rejections from Melbourne City Council for hiring local spaces for a faith gathering, rejections from the two primary schools for voluntary chaplaincy, I started to ask, “ Where did God want this freelancing missionary to establish a permanent presence”?

Carlton has three distinct demographics. An upwardly professional group (mainly young with an increasingly mature demographic like ourselves) and who comprise the majority of our neighbours. A large student population (with three universities on our doorstep), and the largest social/government housing demographic for an inner urban suburb in Melbourne. There are major churches in Carlton particularly focused on the student population and the social housing demographic in Lygon Street. We didn’t believe it was to students, as there were local church’s focusing on this demographic. Warren and I intentionally and proactively pursued friendship with our neighbours’ with “ Nova Nights” on Mondays (the local cinema is half price), and regular gatherings, and half a dozen of them have become “people of peace” despite their agnostic beliefs. However, none have been interested in attending our house church.

So, after persistent prayer for our community, the answer came unexpectedly, yet, spiritually intuitively.

A new community hub had been established with the radical experiment of raising old public housing buildings and combining a private and public precinct on Nicholson and Elgin streets The new community centre had not been used for two years. Warren and I walked through this precinct and past this centre for a year on our early morning walks. After enquiring with the Department of Health and Housing, it seemed they were unable to find any outside group to use the centre for community building. Here was an open invitation to use the facility to help establish community with the public housing residents; the only provision, that we provide a families’ afterschool care program. Despite having only myself and a member of our small community who was also living in the social housing available, we embarked upon what seemed to be a daunting and risking endeavour.

Eighteen months later, a community engagement grant from Baptcare for resources for the program, we have between 50 – 60 people attending weekly. It has been a privilege and a testament to God’s faithfulness to see His hand in creating community from such a diverse group of ethnicities, faith, genders and ages. This gathering has been the conduit for conversations and opportunities to invest more deeply into the lives of the people living there.


From this has grown a faith community established last February (early days) but with a consistent 15 members and growing called Rise@Carlton.

In essence, the Lord has been amazingly gracious and has blessed us with the following:

We are invited into a community which could have rejected us, but instead continually welcomes us more and more into their lives

Now almost every month our Lord adds to our numbers at Rise@Carlton’s faith community, but even more encouraging is the enquiry from non-believers about Jesus, the Bible and how life can be improved through Him.

Instead of being a voluntary chaplain to the local schools, I am now a voluntary chaplain to the residents of the public housing.

A pioneer needs to be bi-vocational and so I am employed by the BUV as the Director of Ordination. On the days that I am not working in this role, I am involved pastorally and act as an advocate for many of the residents, in particular, women who have experienced domestic violence. I find this such an incredible privilege and another indication of ongoing favour, invitation and welcome.

When we hosted a Christmas Eve celebration recently without any publicity and through word of mouth only, 50 people attended.


We don’t pay anything for the new and functional premises and the recent application for 2018 from the Department was enthusiastically returned with key and all requests for further hire granted.

We have 30 people attending at the end of January a Scripture Union Christian camp for single parents. Two of these are fathers who have recently come out of jail and reconnecting with their sons. Three families are Muslim! Two grandmothers and their grandchildren and most of these children rarely get out of Carlton! SU are funding half of the costs!! NewHope and Church of all Nations are supplying the buses. God’s generosity knows no bounds!

We have started a Messenger app with members from the community and this has created a further sense of connection for people. Isolation and the sense of not being able to be included in the advantages of mainstream life is a crippling experience and mental health issues relating to this is clear. Community and connection is everything and people are starting to care for one another.

We continue to run the Afterschool Families Program where people tell us that before we came there was no community, and now there is!

This year we will be adding to our weekly rhythm of Afterschool Families and Rise@Carlton faith community a Wednesday afternoon “Breathe” group. This will be a personal development/vision/wisdom scriptures (bible) space for residents. It has been  requested by some of the residents and will incorporate an amalgam of experiences, knowledge and ideas with biblical insight. This will be our primary discipleship tool for this demographic.

The community is still very tenuous, there are constant conflicts and challenges, but it is such a privilege to experience the sense the direct work of the Spirit here. I am convinced that this occurs more when we are in a place of “ risk”.

It hasn’t always been an easy journey but I have had the strength, love and support of a husband who does what he can when he can as he works full time elsewhere. I have had the support of the BUV and the Balwyn Baptist Church who financially support us as much as they can. To this I am exceedingly grateful.

But, more than anything, I would love to encourage more of us to step out and risk the pioneering road as it really does lead to a life of adventure – and God’s providence. The great motifs for the life and presence of Jesus; Community, Compassion and Creativity has become my experience at Rise.

 

Baptist

Rise@Carlton: A Pioneer's Story

by Rev Gayle Hill

Two and half years ago, the Baptist Union of Victoria risked supporting a holy discontent that had laid unabated within me to establish a new faith presence and community within my locale in Carlton. At the same time, the Mission Catalyst Team were challenging our union to send out 72 pioneers to establish unique and distinctive new expressions of faith.

The seeding grant of two days per week for two years from the BUV enabled both my husband Warren and I to commence a small disparate group of believers to meet in our even smaller home in Carlton. Some were disaffected Christians who had come from elsewhere and thought the idea of house church would be what they were seeking. Although we experienced a great sense of community at the time, it was improbable to continue when only a few of us were local. After a year it fell apart but we have retained four intrepid members who continue with Rise.

It’s actually ten years since we felt the Spirit’s call to Carlton to plant a faith community – and like so many that have gone before us, Warren and I are able to say that our Lord is faithful in spite of the many challenges, setbacks and grace-filled opportunities that have presented themselves these past years.

After our initial trial at house church, a stint at cafe church, rejections from Melbourne City Council for hiring local spaces for a faith gathering, rejections from the two primary schools for voluntary chaplaincy, I started to ask, “ Where did God want this freelancing missionary to establish a permanent presence”?

Carlton has three distinct demographics. An upwardly professional group (mainly young with an increasingly mature demographic like ourselves) and who comprise the majority of our neighbours. A large student population (with three universities on our doorstep), and the largest social/government housing demographic for an inner urban suburb in Melbourne. There are major churches in Carlton particularly focused on the student population and the social housing demographic in Lygon Street. We didn’t believe it was to students, as there were local church’s focusing on this demographic. Warren and I intentionally and proactively pursued friendship with our neighbours’ with “ Nova Nights” on Mondays (the local cinema is half price), and regular gatherings, and half a dozen of them have become “people of peace” despite their agnostic beliefs. However, none have been interested in attending our house church.

So, after persistent prayer for our community, the answer came unexpectedly, yet, spiritually intuitively.

A new community hub had been established with the radical experiment of raising old public housing buildings and combining a private and public precinct on Nicholson and Elgin streets The new community centre had not been used for two years. Warren and I walked through this precinct and past this centre for a year on our early morning walks. After enquiring with the Department of Health and Housing, it seemed they were unable to find any outside group to use the centre for community building. Here was an open invitation to use the facility to help establish community with the public housing residents; the only provision, that we provide a families’ afterschool care program. Despite having only myself and a member of our small community who was also living in the social housing available, we embarked upon what seemed to be a daunting and risking endeavour.

Eighteen months later, a community engagement grant from Baptcare for resources for the program, we have between 50 – 60 people attending weekly. It has been a privilege and a testament to God’s faithfulness to see His hand in creating community from such a diverse group of ethnicities, faith, genders and ages. This gathering has been the conduit for conversations and opportunities to invest more deeply into the lives of the people living there.


From this has grown a faith community established last February (early days) but with a consistent 15 members and growing called Rise@Carlton.

In essence, the Lord has been amazingly gracious and has blessed us with the following:

We are invited into a community which could have rejected us, but instead continually welcomes us more and more into their lives

Now almost every month our Lord adds to our numbers at Rise@Carlton’s faith community, but even more encouraging is the enquiry from non-believers about Jesus, the Bible and how life can be improved through Him.

Instead of being a voluntary chaplain to the local schools, I am now a voluntary chaplain to the residents of the public housing.

A pioneer needs to be bi-vocational and so I am employed by the BUV as the Director of Ordination. On the days that I am not working in this role, I am involved pastorally and act as an advocate for many of the residents, in particular, women who have experienced domestic violence. I find this such an incredible privilege and another indication of ongoing favour, invitation and welcome.

When we hosted a Christmas Eve celebration recently without any publicity and through word of mouth only, 50 people attended.


We don’t pay anything for the new and functional premises and the recent application for 2018 from the Department was enthusiastically returned with key and all requests for further hire granted.

We have 30 people attending at the end of January a Scripture Union Christian camp for single parents. Two of these are fathers who have recently come out of jail and reconnecting with their sons. Three families are Muslim! Two grandmothers and their grandchildren and most of these children rarely get out of Carlton! SU are funding half of the costs!! NewHope and Church of all Nations are supplying the buses. God’s generosity knows no bounds!

We have started a Messenger app with members from the community and this has created a further sense of connection for people. Isolation and the sense of not being able to be included in the advantages of mainstream life is a crippling experience and mental health issues relating to this is clear. Community and connection is everything and people are starting to care for one another.

We continue to run the Afterschool Families Program where people tell us that before we came there was no community, and now there is!

This year we will be adding to our weekly rhythm of Afterschool Families and Rise@Carlton faith community a Wednesday afternoon “Breathe” group. This will be a personal development/vision/wisdom scriptures (bible) space for residents. It has been  requested by some of the residents and will incorporate an amalgam of experiences, knowledge and ideas with biblical insight. This will be our primary discipleship tool for this demographic.

The community is still very tenuous, there are constant conflicts and challenges, but it is such a privilege to experience the sense the direct work of the Spirit here. I am convinced that this occurs more when we are in a place of “ risk”.

It hasn’t always been an easy journey but I have had the strength, love and support of a husband who does what he can when he can as he works full time elsewhere. I have had the support of the BUV and the Balwyn Baptist Church who financially support us as much as they can. To this I am exceedingly grateful.

But, more than anything, I would love to encourage more of us to step out and risk the pioneering road as it really does lead to a life of adventure – and God’s providence. The great motifs for the life and presence of Jesus; Community, Compassion and Creativity has become my experience at Rise.

 

Source: BUV News

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Eternity’s Hymnbook: Why Study the Book of Psalms

(David playing the harp, Mount Zion – Photo courtesy of Teach All Nations)

 Psalm 23
A Psalm of David
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
It is the most beloved prose in the English language. Recited at secular funerals, Psalm 23 is part of the largest book of the Bible.
If we could only have one book of the Bible, instead of 66, that contained the essential message of Scripture, which one would it be? The answer is The Psalms.
The longest book of the Bible, with the longest chapter (Psalm 119 – 176 verses), contains the Bible in miniature. History, prophecy, covenants, personal struggles, victorious living, every type of human experience  – it’s all there in the Psalms. The New Testament has 116 direct quotes from the Psalms. That’s why Martin Luther called Psalms ‘a little Bible.’
Written in order to be sung, the Book of Psalms has been the ‘hymnbook’ of Israel and the church for centuries. David the king authored most of them. Some of the psalms are stand-alone
Another great reformer said this of the Psalms: ‘An anatomy of all the parts of the soul; for no one will find in himself a single feeling of which the image is not reflected in this mirror’ — John CALVIN
HEBREW NAME
Called Sepher Tehillim or the ‘Book of Praises.’ In the Greek it is called psalmos or psalmoi, meaning ‘a song, words with music, or a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. ‘
AUTHORS OF THE PSALMS
Psalms clearly has several authors, since it is a compilation of praises and prayers to God. There are 150 psalms or poems set to music and meant to be sung. Here is what we know about the authorship of Psalms and how many they wrote:
•    David, the ‘sweet psalmist of Israel – II Samuel 23:1 – (73), nearly half.
•    Asaph (12);
•    Sons of Korah (10);
•    Solomon (2).
•    Moses, author of the Pentateuch, (1 – Psalm 90).
•    Ethan (1 – Psalm 89);
•    Heman (1 – Psalm 88);
•    Anonymous (50)
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
The entire gamut of the gospel is represented in Psalm. Jesus tells His disciples after His resurrection that ‘All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me’ (Luke 24:44ff).
The Son of God & King: In Psalm 2, Christ is the Son (v. 7), the king set on the holy hill of Zion (v. 6), who will rule with a rod of iron (v. 9) from David’s throne. Other kingly notations are found in Psalms 21, 45, and 72.
Priestly Messiah: Psalm 40:6, 8; 22; 49; 110.
Suffering of Messiah: Psalm 22 and 69.
Christ’s resurrection: Psalm 16.
THEME OF PSALMS
The Psalms cover the entire range human experience and emotion from the heights of praise to the depths of depression (Psalm 42; 88). The Psalms teach on praise, thanksgiving, repentance, trust, distress, history, and prophecy.
The bottom line: Psalms takes a person from where they are at, turns their focus off sin, self, and the world and finally puts it squarely on Almighty God Himself, who is worthy to be praised. It takes their eyes off the problem and puts in on the (divine) solution.
KEY VERSES IN PSALMS
Psalm 149
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 150
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
SUMMARY OF PSALMS
In the Psalms, you can find:
•    Biblical history (42; 63; 80; 84; 137);
•    Confession and Repentance, a key theme in Psalms (6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143);
•    Times of Distress (4; 13; 55; 64; 88). The psalmist experienced the same challenges and emotions that we all do;
•    Teaching psalms (1, 5, 7, 15, 17, 50, 73, 94, 101);
•    Curses (35, 52, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137, 140). This is before the coming of Christ; now, we are called to ‘bless’ our enemies;
•    Trusting God (3; 27; 31; 46; 56; 62; 86);
•    Praise (8, 29, 93; 100);
•    Thanksgiving (16, 18, 30, 65; 103; 107; 116);
•    Messianic prophecy (2; 16; 22; 24; 40; 45; 68; 69; 72; 97; 110; 118);
•    Pilgrimage psalms (120-134). These were what the pilgrims sang when they made the ascent to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
OUTLINE OF PSALMS
Psalms, like the Torah or Pentateuch, can be divided into five books:
Book One   — Psalms 1  –  41
            Psalms of humanity, mostly all from David
Book Two   — Psalms 41  –  72
            Psalms of Israel, from ruin to redemption
Book Three — Psalms 73  –  89
            Psalms of the Sanctuary
Book Four  — Psalms 90  –  106
            Psalms of the earth
Book Five  — Psalms 107 – 150
            The Word of God (especially Psalm 119)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Eternity’s Hymnbook: Why Study the Book of Psalms

(David playing the harp, Mount Zion – Photo courtesy of Teach All Nations)

 Psalm 23
A Psalm of David
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
It is the most beloved prose in the English language. Recited at secular funerals, Psalm 23 is part of the largest book of the Bible.
If we could only have one book of the Bible, instead of 66, that contained the essential message of Scripture, which one would it be? The answer is The Psalms.
The longest book of the Bible, with the longest chapter (Psalm 119 – 176 verses), contains the Bible in miniature. History, prophecy, covenants, personal struggles, victorious living, every type of human experience  – it’s all there in the Psalms. The New Testament has 116 direct quotes from the Psalms. That’s why Martin Luther called Psalms ‘a little Bible.’
Written in order to be sung, the Book of Psalms has been the ‘hymnbook’ of Israel and the church for centuries. David the king authored most of them. Some of the psalms are stand-alone
Another great reformer said this of the Psalms: ‘An anatomy of all the parts of the soul; for no one will find in himself a single feeling of which the image is not reflected in this mirror’ — John CALVIN
HEBREW NAME
Called Sepher Tehillim or the ‘Book of Praises.’ In the Greek it is called psalmos or psalmoi, meaning ‘a song, words with music, or a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. ‘
AUTHORS OF THE PSALMS
Psalms clearly has several authors, since it is a compilation of praises and prayers to God. There are 150 psalms or poems set to music and meant to be sung. Here is what we know about the authorship of Psalms and how many they wrote:
•    David, the ‘sweet psalmist of Israel – II Samuel 23:1 – (73), nearly half.
•    Asaph (12);
•    Sons of Korah (10);
•    Solomon (2).
•    Moses, author of the Pentateuch, (1 – Psalm 90).
•    Ethan (1 – Psalm 89);
•    Heman (1 – Psalm 88);
•    Anonymous (50)
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
The entire gamut of the gospel is represented in Psalm. Jesus tells His disciples after His resurrection that ‘All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me’ (Luke 24:44ff).
The Son of God & King: In Psalm 2, Christ is the Son (v. 7), the king set on the holy hill of Zion (v. 6), who will rule with a rod of iron (v. 9) from David’s throne. Other kingly notations are found in Psalms 21, 45, and 72.
Priestly Messiah: Psalm 40:6, 8; 22; 49; 110.
Suffering of Messiah: Psalm 22 and 69.
Christ’s resurrection: Psalm 16.
THEME OF PSALMS
The Psalms cover the entire range human experience and emotion from the heights of praise to the depths of depression (Psalm 42; 88). The Psalms teach on praise, thanksgiving, repentance, trust, distress, history, and prophecy.
The bottom line: Psalms takes a person from where they are at, turns their focus off sin, self, and the world and finally puts it squarely on Almighty God Himself, who is worthy to be praised. It takes their eyes off the problem and puts in on the (divine) solution.
KEY VERSES IN PSALMS
Psalm 149
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 150
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
SUMMARY OF PSALMS
In the Psalms, you can find:
•    Biblical history (42; 63; 80; 84; 137);
•    Confession and Repentance, a key theme in Psalms (6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143);
•    Times of Distress (4; 13; 55; 64; 88). The psalmist experienced the same challenges and emotions that we all do;
•    Teaching psalms (1, 5, 7, 15, 17, 50, 73, 94, 101);
•    Curses (35, 52, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137, 140). This is before the coming of Christ; now, we are called to ‘bless’ our enemies;
•    Trusting God (3; 27; 31; 46; 56; 62; 86);
•    Praise (8, 29, 93; 100);
•    Thanksgiving (16, 18, 30, 65; 103; 107; 116);
•    Messianic prophecy (2; 16; 22; 24; 40; 45; 68; 69; 72; 97; 110; 118);
•    Pilgrimage psalms (120-134). These were what the pilgrims sang when they made the ascent to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
OUTLINE OF PSALMS
Psalms, like the Torah or Pentateuch, can be divided into five books:
Book One   — Psalms 1  –  41
            Psalms of humanity, mostly all from David
Book Two   — Psalms 41  –  72
            Psalms of Israel, from ruin to redemption
Book Three — Psalms 73  –  89
            Psalms of the Sanctuary
Book Four  — Psalms 90  –  106
            Psalms of the earth
Book Five  — Psalms 107 – 150
            The Word of God (especially Psalm 119)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

THAI RED CHICKEN CURRY

I never grew up on curries and tended to avoid them because of the ‘heat.’ However, in recent years, due to travels in Asia, I have had a change of heart and palate. The following recipe is mouth-watering, however, two recommendations.

1.       Don’t be generous: If you are not use to spicy hot food, reduce the amount of red curry paste (e.g. Use 2 teaspoons instead of 2 Tablespoons). Don’t be generous – better to add some heat later than have regrets because you put too much; you want to aim at having ‘no tears’ meal.
2.       Be generous: Load up on your favourite vegetables. This meal is a good way to get young and old to ‘eat their veggies.’
THAI RED CHICKEN CURRY
Ingredients (serves 4)
•         1 1/2 Tablespoons oil
•         250 g skinless sliced chicken fillet; breast or thigh according to your preference.
•         1 onion, sliced
•         1 (or more) red capsicum (bell pepper)
•         200g (or more) mushrooms, stems trimmed, halved
•         230g can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
•         2 Tablespoon Thai red curry paste; use less if you are not used to spicy hot
•         1 cup chicken stock
•         1 Tablespoon fish sauce
•         1 Tablespoon brown sugar
•         1 can (375 ml) coconut cream or coconut milk (for a lighter version, there are evaporated milks that have a coconut flavour)
•         1 cup (or more) frozen peas (try baby peas)
•         Hand-full of fresh (Thai) basil, if available (or cilantro/coriander)
•         Steamed basmati or jasmine rice, to serve
Method
1.           Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, for 1 to 2 minutes each side or until golden. Add onion, red capsicum, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and sauté 1-2 minutes. Set to the side.
2.           Reduce frying pan heat to low. Add remaining oil to pan. Add curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes or until aromatic. Add stock and stir until curry paste has dissolved. Return chicken, onion, mushrooms, red capsicum, and bamboo shoots to the pan.
3.           Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine fish sauce, brown sugar and coconut cream/milk in a jug. Stir into curry. Cook another 5-10 minutes. Add peas near the end, lest they gets overcooked and soggy.

4.           Stir in basil or coriander. Spoon curry over rice. Serve.
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

THAI RED CHICKEN CURRY

I never grew up on curries and tended to avoid them because of the ‘heat.’ However, in recent years, due to travels in Asia, I have had a change of heart and palate. The following recipe is mouth-watering, however, two recommendations.

1.       Don’t be generous: If you are not use to spicy hot food, reduce the amount of red curry paste (e.g. Use 2 teaspoons instead of 2 Tablespoons). Don’t be generous – better to add some heat later than have regrets because you put too much; you want to aim at having ‘no tears’ meal.
2.       Be generous: Load up on your favourite vegetables. This meal is a good way to get young and old to ‘eat their veggies.’
THAI RED CHICKEN CURRY
Ingredients (serves 4)
•         1 1/2 Tablespoons oil
•         250 g skinless sliced chicken fillet; breast or thigh according to your preference.
•         1 onion, sliced
•         1 (or more) red capsicum (bell pepper)
•         200g (or more) mushrooms, stems trimmed, halved
•         230g can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
•         2 Tablespoon Thai red curry paste; use less if you are not used to spicy hot
•         1 cup chicken stock
•         1 Tablespoon fish sauce
•         1 Tablespoon brown sugar
•         1 can (375 ml) coconut cream or coconut milk (for a lighter version, there are evaporated milks that have a coconut flavour)
•         1 cup (or more) frozen peas (try baby peas)
•         Hand-full of fresh (Thai) basil, if available (or cilantro/coriander)
•         Steamed basmati or jasmine rice, to serve
Method
1.           Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, for 1 to 2 minutes each side or until golden. Add onion, red capsicum, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and sauté 1-2 minutes. Set to the side.
2.           Reduce frying pan heat to low. Add remaining oil to pan. Add curry paste and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes or until aromatic. Add stock and stir until curry paste has dissolved. Return chicken, onion, mushrooms, red capsicum, and bamboo shoots to the pan.
3.           Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine fish sauce, brown sugar and coconut cream/milk in a jug. Stir into curry. Cook another 5-10 minutes. Add peas near the end, lest they gets overcooked and soggy.

4.           Stir in basil or coriander. Spoon curry over rice. Serve.
Baptist

The Bystander Dilemma Legislation Can Help Bad Samaritans Become Good

by Dr Ree Bodie

You notice that a female worker is being sexually harassed by her manager who makes suggestive comments and unwelcome sexual advances. You must decide to either help or ignore the situation.

 

 

 

 

We’d all like to think that when we see something bad happening – a person being sexually harassed, for example, that we’d step forward to render aid. But in reality most of us don’t; it’s inconvenient, or we don’t want to get involved, or we think someone else will help out.

Good people see bad things and fail to get involved with troubling frequency. Within the Christian Holy Texts there is a story that highlights the responsibilities of a bystander. In Luke 10: 29–37  we hear the story of a man travelling along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho who was stripped of his clothes and belongings, beaten up and left for dead. Both a priest and a Levite saw the injured man, and passed on by the other side. A Samaritan, a person from Samaria, who was on a journey, saw the injured man, felt compassion, and tended to his wounds. The Samaritan provided him shelter, paying for his upkeep and care at an inn. The Samaritan did not know whether the man was good or bad, or the circumstances of his injury, only that he needed help. The Good Samaritan was willing to help others without reward, and not out of fear or duty.  Similarly, in the Torah (Sifra 2:12) and the Qu’ran (4: 36), Jews and Muslims are urged to be good neighbours.

Good Samaritan law in Australia provides that bystanders who come to the aid of a victim, who is exposed to danger, can do so even if there is no special relationship between the victim and the rescuer.

This legislation works to prevent a bystander who has voluntarily assisted a person in distress from being successfully sued for a “wrongdoing”. The purpose of this law is a social utility, in that it encourages people to assist others in need without fearing legal repercussions for some error in treatment.

People who are inclined to help others, true Good Samaritans, will continue to do so regardless of whether there is legislation that facilitates this help. “Bad” Samaritans, those who would ignore a victim without offering aid, either out of fear, lack of empathy for others, etc will probably continue to do so regardless of whether there is legislation in place that would make it easier for them to intervene. That being said, such laws might help the undecided bystander to act by reminding them of their moral and civic duty.

Think Prevent is a bystander education and training program adopted by the Faith Communities Council of Victoria, Victorian Council of Churches, Wyndham Interfaith Network,  Melton Interfaith Network,  St Peter's Anglican to RMIT Chaplaincy, Anglican Mothers' Union Melbourne and, various institutions within TAFE Victoria. The goal of the program is to create, over time, positive change to our cultural and social norms to prevent domestic and sexual violence.

BOOKING THINK PREVENT FOR 2018

To make an inquiry about guest speaking, workshops or consultancy support for your organisation to promote Bystander Intervention to prevent domestic and or relationship violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault link here 

VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESOURCES & REPORTS 

Legislation –  Legal liabilities for assistance and lack of assistance rendered by good samaritans and volunteers
Legislation –  Child safety matters – Victorian legislative requirements
Free App –  Be a voice against abuse 
Video – Bystander tips to prevent sexual assault
Playlist – Bystander intervention & child sexual abuse prevention training videos  
Human Rights Commission – Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Harrasment and Sexual Assault at Australian Universities (2017) 
Royal Commission Report Case study 42: The responses of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle to instances and allegation of child sexual abuse (2017)

 

Dr Ree Boddé can be contacted at:  (M) 0450039288. Email: thinkprevent@gmail.com

Source: BUV News

Baptist, News

The Bystander Dilemma Legislation Can Help Bad Samaritans Become Good

by Dr Ree Bodie

You notice that a female worker is being sexually harassed by her manager who makes suggestive comments and unwelcome sexual advances. You must decide to either help or ignore the situation.

 

 

 

 

We’d all like to think that when we see something bad happening – a person being sexually harassed, for example, that we’d step forward to render aid. But in reality most of us don’t; it’s inconvenient, or we don’t want to get involved, or we think someone else will help out.

Good people see bad things and fail to get involved with troubling frequency. Within the Christian Holy Texts there is a story that highlights the responsibilities of a bystander. In Luke 10: 29–37  we hear the story of a man travelling along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho who was stripped of his clothes and belongings, beaten up and left for dead. Both a priest and a Levite saw the injured man, and passed on by the other side. A Samaritan, a person from Samaria, who was on a journey, saw the injured man, felt compassion, and tended to his wounds. The Samaritan provided him shelter, paying for his upkeep and care at an inn. The Samaritan did not know whether the man was good or bad, or the circumstances of his injury, only that he needed help. The Good Samaritan was willing to help others without reward, and not out of fear or duty.  Similarly, in the Torah (Sifra 2:12) and the Qu’ran (4: 36), Jews and Muslims are urged to be good neighbours.

Good Samaritan law in Australia provides that bystanders who come to the aid of a victim, who is exposed to danger, can do so even if there is no special relationship between the victim and the rescuer.

This legislation works to prevent a bystander who has voluntarily assisted a person in distress from being successfully sued for a “wrongdoing”. The purpose of this law is a social utility, in that it encourages people to assist others in need without fearing legal repercussions for some error in treatment.

People who are inclined to help others, true Good Samaritans, will continue to do so regardless of whether there is legislation that facilitates this help. “Bad” Samaritans, those who would ignore a victim without offering aid, either out of fear, lack of empathy for others, etc will probably continue to do so regardless of whether there is legislation in place that would make it easier for them to intervene. That being said, such laws might help the undecided bystander to act by reminding them of their moral and civic duty.

Think Prevent is a bystander education and training program adopted by the Faith Communities Council of Victoria, Victorian Council of Churches, Wyndham Interfaith Network,  Melton Interfaith Network,  St Peter's Anglican to RMIT Chaplaincy, Anglican Mothers' Union Melbourne and, various institutions within TAFE Victoria. The goal of the program is to create, over time, positive change to our cultural and social norms to prevent domestic and sexual violence.

BOOKING THINK PREVENT FOR 2018

To make an inquiry about guest speaking, workshops or consultancy support for your organisation to promote Bystander Intervention to prevent domestic and or relationship violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault link here 

VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESOURCES & REPORTS 

Legislation –  Legal liabilities for assistance and lack of assistance rendered by good samaritans and volunteers
Legislation –  Child safety matters – Victorian legislative requirements
Free App –  Be a voice against abuse 
Video – Bystander tips to prevent sexual assault
Playlist – Bystander intervention & child sexual abuse prevention training videos  
Human Rights Commission – Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Harrasment and Sexual Assault at Australian Universities (2017) 
Royal Commission Report Case study 42: The responses of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle to instances and allegation of child sexual abuse (2017)

 

Dr Ree Boddé can be contacted at:  (M) 0450039288. Email: thinkprevent@gmail.com