Monthly Archives: June 2020

Baptist, News

Connection in Chaos

Yes I just used hyperbole to grab your attention – but it is true.  We know some people have really struggled being “stuck” at home, and our campers kept expressing their frustration at missing out on camp.  It’s crazy just how much camping is a highlight of the year for many people from school kids, to church families and youth.  People need and rely on those incredible times of connection, community and encouragement. 

So, as an organization, we began brainstorming how we could help our valued camping community in ISO to adjust to not camping by giving the people an online portion of what they are missing.  We came up with a plan to offer daily content that would bring joy-filled memories, as well as practical things to do at home. Here are some of our specifics:

On Sundays, we have started dropping video segments of “Cowboy Chapel”.  Shot in the historic 1888 chapel out at Milly Valley Ranch, we go through our famous kid’s songs that have been sung for generations.  The team run through the actions for those who are unfamiliar, then invite you to join them in the shenanigans.  We finish by explaining what the song really means and why we love to sing it. 

Cowboy Chapel has been a huge hit with our online community with many tagging each other in posts as they reminisce old times. A parent who used to come and camp as a kid commented
 “So great to be able to share this with my kids now… they loved it.” 

Another parent from a recent family camp said: “The kids and I are still singing the songs from the Family Camp in March – so glad we got to have a fun weekend before all this isolation business.  The kids talk about it all the time and can’t wait to come back…Oh and “I Just Wanna Be a Sheep” is the catchiest song ever – it stays in your head for weeks!”   and another said  “Miss these days, memories and songs at the Ranch.  So grateful to be able to hear them again and straight from the chapel… lovely to see familiar faces and hope there is more to come 😊.”  

“Testimony Tuesdays” are where we shine a spotlight on some of our incredible “Vollies”, staff and campers.  We hear their stories of connection and transformation through their involvement with Baptist Camping over the years.  Many, having come as campers themselves, continue to come back and serve or sponsor other campers because of the impact camping had on their lives.

On “Throwback Thursday” we take a pictorial trip down memory lane celebrating some of the best and most memorable moments of the organisation’s 70+ year history.  For most people, camping holds some of the most unique and rich experiences of our life.  By putting up these nostalgic and momentous occasions, we are seeking to help people reconnect with their own special camping moments and spiritual highlights.  People have gone crazy tagging each other in posts of old photos which has reconnected many people who were important in their past.


Finally, on Fridays we are putting up short videos for teachers, parents and kids of the fun, initiative camp games that you can do at home.  With the current health crisis forcing us to bunker down with just our immediate family, we have all become aware of the precious gift that family is – in whatever capacity you refer to your family.  Games done together create connection, fun and memories, so keep an eye out for Friday fun games you can do at home with your family too. 

It is a privilege to put up content that is triggering such happy memories and experiences for people during this time.

If the easing of restrictions keeps its trajectory, we are hoping to be back in operation and running camps by the July school holidays – maybe wishful thinking, but were as keen as mustard to be back. If the timeline changes, we’ll let you know –keep checking in on our social media for more updates, activities, songs and trips down memory lane.  

Thanks and stay having fun!

Steve and the team at Baptist Camping Victoria.

Want to hear the songs and see the posts for yourself – head to Facebook and Instagram and follow Baptist Camping Victoria to stay connected and informed. 

Video links 

 

Facebook Page

Baptist

Connection in Chaos

Yes I just used hyperbole to grab your attention – but it is true.  We know some people have really struggled being “stuck” at home, and our campers kept expressing their frustration at missing out on camp.  It’s crazy just how much camping is a highlight of the year for many people from school kids, to church families and youth.  People need and rely on those incredible times of connection, community and encouragement. 

So, as an organization, we began brainstorming how we could help our valued camping community in ISO to adjust to not camping by giving the people an online portion of what they are missing.  We came up with a plan to offer daily content that would bring joy-filled memories, as well as practical things to do at home. Here are some of our specifics:

On Sundays, we have started dropping video segments of “Cowboy Chapel”.  Shot in the historic 1888 chapel out at Milly Valley Ranch, we go through our famous kid’s songs that have been sung for generations.  The team run through the actions for those who are unfamiliar, then invite you to join them in the shenanigans.  We finish by explaining what the song really means and why we love to sing it. 

Cowboy Chapel has been a huge hit with our online community with many tagging each other in posts as they reminisce old times. A parent who used to come and camp as a kid commented
 “So great to be able to share this with my kids now… they loved it.” 

Another parent from a recent family camp said: “The kids and I are still singing the songs from the Family Camp in March – so glad we got to have a fun weekend before all this isolation business.  The kids talk about it all the time and can’t wait to come back…Oh and “I Just Wanna Be a Sheep” is the catchiest song ever – it stays in your head for weeks!”   and another said  “Miss these days, memories and songs at the Ranch.  So grateful to be able to hear them again and straight from the chapel… lovely to see familiar faces and hope there is more to come 😊.”  

“Testimony Tuesdays” are where we shine a spotlight on some of our incredible “Vollies”, staff and campers.  We hear their stories of connection and transformation through their involvement with Baptist Camping over the years.  Many, having come as campers themselves, continue to come back and serve or sponsor other campers because of the impact camping had on their lives.

On “Throwback Thursday” we take a pictorial trip down memory lane celebrating some of the best and most memorable moments of the organisation’s 70+ year history.  For most people, camping holds some of the most unique and rich experiences of our life.  By putting up these nostalgic and momentous occasions, we are seeking to help people reconnect with their own special camping moments and spiritual highlights.  People have gone crazy tagging each other in posts of old photos which has reconnected many people who were important in their past.


Finally, on Fridays we are putting up short videos for teachers, parents and kids of the fun, initiative camp games that you can do at home.  With the current health crisis forcing us to bunker down with just our immediate family, we have all become aware of the precious gift that family is – in whatever capacity you refer to your family.  Games done together create connection, fun and memories, so keep an eye out for Friday fun games you can do at home with your family too. 

It is a privilege to put up content that is triggering such happy memories and experiences for people during this time.

If the easing of restrictions keeps its trajectory, we are hoping to be back in operation and running camps by the July school holidays – maybe wishful thinking, but were as keen as mustard to be back. If the timeline changes, we’ll let you know –keep checking in on our social media for more updates, activities, songs and trips down memory lane.  

Thanks and stay having fun!

Steve and the team at Baptist Camping Victoria.

Want to hear the songs and see the posts for yourself – head to Facebook and Instagram and follow Baptist Camping Victoria to stay connected and informed. 

Video links 

 

Facebook Page

Source: BUV News

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Take Your Rest: The Fourth Commandment Part 01

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it — Exodus 20:8-11
It has to be seen to be believed. Go to any major city in Israel: it is busy, bustling, traffic jams, full of noise and activity. Tel Aviv is where the party never stops, almost
Then comes Friday sundown and when the horn sounds, everything comes to a grinding halt. Businesses close, cars come off the roads and get parked for a day, while a holy hush comes upon the streets.
Congratulations. You have just experienced the beginning of the Sabbath. During the evening a special family meal is prepared and the Sabbath candle is lit. The Sabbath is synonymous with food, family, and fellowship, which occurs the next morning in the synagogue. It is clearly a highlight, even the Queen, of the week.
Sabbath-keeping is not just part of Jewish tradition; it is the 4th of the 10 Commandments. The key command is that you can and should work 6 days a week; but on the 7th day, as the Lord’s commandment, you, your family, and even the livestock shall not do any work at. Failure to observe the Sabbath was a capital crime (Exodus 31:15) and in one instance a man was executed for gathering sticks on the day of rest (Numbers 15:32-35).
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made – Genesis 2:1-3
The Sabbath is tied to the act of creation. After 6 days of ‘working’ on creation of the heavens and earth, God finished everything on the 7th day. According to Genesis 2:2, the LORD ‘rested,’ blessed,’ and ‘sanctified’ this day. From here came the 4th Commandment and one of its great features is a memorial to creation. Of course, the notion of God being tired and needing a rest may seem strange, since God doesn’t slumber of sleep (Psalm 121:4). A better way to understand it is that God is completed His creative work, paused to reflect, and He saw it ‘was very good.’
While the command to ‘not work’ sounds simple enough, in practice it became complicated and controversial. The rabbis were in a constant conversation on how to practically observe the Sabbath. Many rules and regulations have been made during the centuries. Is turning on a light switch ‘work’ which violates the Sabbath? Is walking more than a kilometre a violation? Today Jewish hotels have ‘Sabbath-elevators’ that stop on every floor, so no one will transgress the sabbath by pushing the button. Trying so hard to not violate the Sabbath can be hard work.
What was Jesus’ attitude to the Sabbath? What should the attitude of Biblical Christians today? If we believe in a Sabbath’s rest, then what will that look like?
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Beyond Covid-19: Is There A Word from the Lord? Pt 02

“YES” Without question, the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown, and shutdown of the global economy, is the most significant event since World War II. This is followed by the international protests and riots in the aftermath of the death on the street while in police custody of George Floyd. Who could have a imagined, even six months ago, that life as we know it would change radically? Indeed, it did and we still are not sure where it will all end.
In Part 01, we learned that, ‘Yes,’ there is a word from the Lord. In fact, there are several key words and phrases. The Introductory Key Phrase: ‘God is always speaking.’ In these last days He speaks through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
After this, The First Key Phrase is: Prophetic Times. We believe that our days were spoken by the ancient Hebrew prophets millennia ago. There are numerous passages regarding this but a favoured place to start is Matthew 24:4-5:
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Second Key Phrase: Time of Deception
We covered this in Part 01; so now we come to
Third Key Phrase: Watch Out for False Christs, otherwise known as False Messiahs or Antichrists.
Since Jesus Christ is the personification of truth (John 14:6), and combined with the Holy Spirit’s truth (John 16:13) and the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17), forms the bulwark of divine universal truth. It is God’s truth and truth alone that protects us from devilish deception. Not surprisingly, the devil wants to hijack such truth. He is a liar and the father of lies; in fact lying is his native language (John 8:44). He can’t even say, ‘Good morning’ without lying.
One of the key ways he promotes lies is by introducing false christ or false messiahs as a counterfeit to the genuine one. That’s why Jesus warns us that many will come in His name, saying they are the Messiah, and shall deceive man (Matthew 24:5). These are antichrist figures who seek to oppose the real Jesus or replace Him.
Throughout church history there have been dozens of false messiahs, who have managed to attract a large following. Eventually the truth came out and the myth died out … until the next pretender came to the scene. Secular charismatic figures have also fit this description of false christ or antichrist; they start out with great promise and end up being genocidal dictators; the 20th Century had a few notable ones.
False messiahs can also come from erroneous doctrines or portraits of Christ. Today, there are several false portraits of Christ and we need the discernment to recognise and refute them. Like so many deceptions, it takes a kernel of truth and wraps it in lies – attractive lies. These include the following:
1.            Sentimental Jesus: This is the all-loving, non-judgemental Jesus who wouldn’t dream to send anyone to hell. Jesus is love but this does not preclude His role as coming king and judge;
2.            Mystical Jesus: He is like an eastern religion or new age guru who does magic tricks; Jesus’ supernatural acts were in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3.            Marxist Jesus: This is liberation theology which comes from Latin America: This Jesus came to liberate the poor people who will inherit the wealth of the rich, like a Messianic Robin Hood.
4.            Progressive Jesus: This Jesus is ‘sublimely tolerant’ and ‘radically inclusive,’ accepting lifestyles that are clearly rejected in Scripture.
5.            Life-Coach Jesus: This Jesus invites you to come to Him, so He can make you healthy and handsome, wealthy and wise, popular and prosperous. If you prosper, you will have friends but once those riches sprout wings and fly away, so will the friends.
In training agents to discern counterfeit money from genuine, it is reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) teaches it employees to become very familiar with genuine money. Once they master every detail, they are optimally prepared to spot a counterfeit note.
Likewise, the more familiar you are with the real Jesus, the more immunised you will be from following a false one.
The Real Jesus
The genuine Jesus Christ of Nazareth can be discerned because of His three-fold roles. All are indispensable and uniquely found in this one person.
First, Jesus is known as Son of David. This is synonymous to the title Messiah (Hebrew) or Christ (Greek). God promised King David that he would have a Son to sit on his throne forever, and that the Son of David would also be God’s Son (II Samuel 7:12-17; I Chronicles 17:11-15; Psalm 132:10-12). ‘The Messiah’ means ‘the anointed one,’ thus making Jesus ‘the anointed of the anointed.’ That’s why when believers are born again by the Holy Spirit, they become ‘Christians’ or ‘christianos’ meaning ‘little anointed ones.’ What a wonderful title!
Second, Jesus is the Son of God, the ‘Word’ that was God, with God in the beginning, and was made flesh (John 1:1,2,14). His identity/divinity is vouched for by the resurrection (Romans 1:4), as well as the 5 credible witnesses of John 5:31-45. They include:
1.              John the Baptist (v 31);
2.              Works or miracles (v. 36);
3.              Heavenly Father (v. 37);
4.              Scriptures (v. 39);
5.              Moses (v. 45)
Jesus’ divine and earthly Fathers are alluded to in Luke 1:32-33 and John 20:31. Jesus had to be God to save us and man to die for us.
Finally, we learn that the real Jesus is Saviour. It says in Matthew 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.’ The name of Jesus was used 938 times in the New Testament. The Hebrew name is Yeshua, which is the diminutive of Yehoshua (Joshua), which means ‘saviour.’ He is a great Saviour that grants a great salvation from sin, sickness, danger, the world (or worldliness), devil, death, and hell. These are formidable foes of which no one else on earth has even been able to defeat one. Jesus defeats all 7.
Now that you have a better understanding of the real Jesus, why settle or anything less or anyone else?
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

e Prophet to Nineveh: Why Study the Book of Nahum Part 01

INTRODUCTION TO NAHUM
The Book of Nahum belongs to three minor prophets in the Bible that are directed primarily to a foreign entities: Jonah to Nineveh and Obadiah to Edom are the others. Nahum prophesied to the city of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire, but he came much later than Jonah. Using dramatic speech, Nahum graphically tells about the fall of the city that once terrified the ancient world, including Jerusalem and Judah.
Jonah came to Nineveh 150 years earlier and his ministry was stunningly successful. Despite his reluctance to go, Jonah’s preaching spawned mass repentance; this is impressive for a heathen nation. Would to God we had these kind of results today!
After Jonah’s day, Assyria grew to be a great empire. In the time of King Ahab, the Assyrians tried to conquer the 10 tribes of Israel but failed. Then during the reign of Ashurbanipal III, the little tribe of Benjamin was taken. Finally, in the year 722 BC, under Shalmaneser, the other 9 tribes were conquered and exiled to the far-flung reaches of the Assyrian empire. Heathen people were transplanted in their place (see II Kings 17) and by the New Testament era they became known to the world as Samaritans.
After the Northern Kingdom of Israel was deported, Assyria set its sights on the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the House of David. The siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC was one of the great, though harrowing, events of Scripture, told 3 times: In II Kings, II Chronicles, and Isaiah.In the natural, Assyria’s military was so formidable and numerous, Jerusalem should have fallen with ease. Yet, through divine intervention, the Assyrian troops were smitten. Assyria continued its march of conquest, taking Thebes in Upper Egypt. The empire expanded but fortunately, Judah was spared and even outlasted Nineveh.
Yes, despite their conquest and victories, Assyria’s pride and arrogance was its undoing. Nahum predicted that Nineveh’s days were numbered and there was no way out.
HEBREW NAME OF NAHUM
Nahum means ‘comfort, consolation’ and is the abbreviation of Nehemiah, ‘comfort of Jehovah.’
AUTHOR OF NAHUM
Nahum is the author of the book that bears his name; however, we know nothing about him except he is an Elkoshite (1:1) . We are not even sure whether his village of Elkosh is in the regions Judah or Galilee.
DATE OF NAHUM
Written between 660-620 BC, Nahum does not mention the Judean king, possibly because it was evil Manasseh, son of righteous Hezekiah. Attacked by the Medes from the North and by the Babylonians from the South, Nineveh fell in 612 BC. The Babylonian empire succeeded the Assyrian.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN NAHUM
There are no Messianic prophecies in Nahum, but we know that Christ will be judge at His second coming (1:2-8) and He is the good Lord, a stronghold in the day of trouble (1:7; Proverbs 18:10).
THEME OF BOOK OF NAHUM
Nineveh, since the time of Jonah, presided over a growing empire whose tentacles reached out to the land of Israel. Known for pride, arrogance, and cruelty, the Lord had had enough. Though known for His slow anger and long-suffering, Nineveh and Assyria passed the point of no return and their judgement would be swift and sure.
While this prophecy is bad news for Nineveh, it is good news for Judah. It provides comfort that God punishes (Assyrian) wickedness and will fulfil His covenantal promises. It also shows that God is the righteous judge (II Timothy 4:8), rewarding people and nations according to their works, whether good or evil.
TO BE CONTINUED

Baptist

Bushfire recovery amidst COVID-19

As part of the BUV Bushfire Recovery strategy, a partnership was formed between the BUV Hub, NewHope Baptist Church and Lakes Entrance Baptist Church. This allowed Lakes Entrance Baptist Church to immediately get local church member, William Florance, on the ground to assist those who had been affected by the fires. This ongoing partnership has allowed William to continue in the role where, months after the fires, he is still meeting people who are very much at ‘first base’ in the process of recovery. Add COVID-19 to this and the result is that many people are struggling with layers of trauma and complexity. Once again, thanks to the generosity of our Baptist Family, we are able to be in this for the long haul and to be able to continue supporting the pastors and volunteers who are out working with those who continue to be impacted by the events of the last few months. Here’s a video interview with William by Katrina Lambert (from NewHope BC).

Source: BUV News

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Issues Facing the Church: Road to Mental Health & Well-Being Part 01

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. — Psalm 42:11
One of the great challenges of our time is not external issues — the economy, geo-political challenges, or pandemics. It has to do with mental health. Whether one is young or old, male or female, Christian or non-Christian, mental health is one of the issues, even crises, of our day and it’s not going away soon. Today’s church needs to begin a conversation on this vital issue.
This author claims no expertise whatsoever on this important subject, but after years of Bible teaching and pastoral ministry experience has some thoughts to offer.
Mental health includes a fully operative cognitive skills, sense of understanding one’s gifting and limitations, an ability to cope with stress, living a productive and fruitful life that contributes to society. The opposite of mental health is mental illness. If one had to choose between a physical ailment or mental illness, often times the latter proves to be more challenging, even harrowing, than the former. What is even more concerning is that Christians are not exempt from mental illness, including those in the ministry.
Some of life’s events that can contribute to mental illness include, but by no means are limited to, sexuality, illness, rejection, divorce, death of a loved one, family history, abuse, betrayal, bullying, or even a chemical imbalance. If left unaddressed, mental illness can develop, which includes worry, a spirit of fear, anxiety, depression, despair, low-mood, and/or self-harming. In some instances, mental illness can lead to addiction in tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, pornography, or illicit sexual relations. These life-controlling items only help make the situation worse than ever.
In trying to understand, let alone overcome, mental illness, a few points need to be kept in mind:
1.        Mental illness is common, and in some cases, growing. Modern living can be compact, complicated, over-busy and highly pressurised. Ironically, in peaceful and prosperous country like Australia, there is an alarming amount of depression, often manifested and masked by apathy.
2.        Those who suffer from mental illness should not be stigmatised. It can happen to anyone, including those who seem to ‘have it together:’ The educated, successful, and prominent.
3.        While medication may be necessary in a few cases, balanced, practical, and Bible-based principles should be employed. A holistic approach to body, mind, soul, and spirit is what is needed.
On the practical side, some issue to consider include:
Diet: A healthy, balanced diet is strongly recommended. You are what you eat and you can’t go wrong having a menu including whole grains, 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, protein, and a measure of carbohydrates and fats (yes, our body needs fats – the right kind in the right amount);
TO BE CONTINUED