Category Archives: Type

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching, Terrorism

TERROR IN BRUSSELS: Making Sense Out of the Senseless

Another tragedy, another headline: Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, and now Brussels. Belgium authorities knew that an attack was possible. The stakes were raised even higher after the capture a few days earlier of Salah Abdel Salaam, an Islamic State operative accused of being part of the Paris Massacre of Friday 13th November 2015. The death total was 129.
Yet, when on March 22, 2016, terrorists struck Zaventem International Airport in Brussels, transit point for 23 million people a year, and a train station, resulting in over 31 deaths, several missing, and 270 injured, it seemed to come as a surprise. What was not a surprise is that the so-called Islamic State claimed credit.
Yes, there were condemnations from world leaders, expressions of sympathy to the people of Belgium, declarations of support as well as action against terrorism. Before all else, we need to ask: how do we make sense of the senseless?
First, it is important to face the situation with healthy realism and honesty. Put aside political correctness and the fear that you ‘might offend’ someone, and let’s call the situation for what it is. As Tarek Fateh of the Toronto Sun says, ‘Deploring jihadist attacks without naming who is responsible just doesn’t cut it anymore.’
First, what happened is really an act of war. True, you don’t have uniformed soldiers, facing each other on the battlefront, equally armed and determined to take or defend territory. But it is still a war.
Nature of War
Consider the some other aspects of war today:
1.    High-tech: you can attack an enemy without ever-seeing him.
2.    Asymmetrical: The parties are not evenly matched, one is smaller than the other, like David and Goliath. In this case, it is Belgium and the EU vs. the Islamic State.
3.    Intra-Muslim: From Nigeria in the West to Pakistan in the East, there is a low-level world war among Muslims, between radicals and mainstream, Sunni vs Shia, modernists vs. feudalists. The players may vary, be it Nigeria and Boko Haram, Somalia/Kenya and al Shabaab, Yemen and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and the Taliban,yet this multi-faceted war for the soul of Islam has wounded and killed many, mostly Muslims themselves. Today, the war in Syrian has morphed: no longer is it a civil war between pro-government, pro-Assad forces and Syrian rebels. Today, it is a regional proxy war between the Sunnis (Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) versus the Shia (al Assad, Iran, and Hizballah).
4.    Trans-Muslim war: Here the radical, militant Islamists are also targeting the West; examples include September 11th in New York and Washington (2001); Madrid bombings (2004); London bombings (2005), and so on.
Brussels is more than the capital of Belgium, and a place of great chocolate: it houses the headquarters of the European Union. It is the hub of the vision of a ‘peaceful, secular, democratic united Europe.’ That’s why the French President Francois Hollande said ‘terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted – and all the world that is concerned.’ Let’s face it: as Tarek Fateh said earlier, you cannot win a war until you are first ready to name your enemy!
The Brussels attack was both an act of war and an act of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as using criminal, violent means in order to bring political change. Terrorism may not be an existential threat to a nation state, but it can cause much damage, especially if the terrorists have weapons of mass destruction.
It is very common to condemn terrorism, but also to make exceptions, as if there are ‘good terrorists’ and ‘bad terrorists.’ Often we hear the phrase, ‘I condemn this act of terror, but ….’ Until we are unequivocal that all terrorism is evil, such double-minded thinking will only make the problem worse.
Sensible Solutions
What can be done? For starters, remember that terrorists try to exploit loopholes in security. Plug the loopholes and the chances of an attack are greatly diminished. Belgium authorities exhibited a shocking lapse of intelligence and security, despite the warnings. Brussels knew that an attack was possible and yet there was no visible, increased police presence, especially at the public transport areas. Anyone could walk into the airport, and that’s exactly what two suicide bombers did laden with explosive vests.
Contrast that with Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, where you can’t even walk through the front door unless you go through security, including all your luggage x-rayed, and then, after checking in, you go through another security check. At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, there are 11 visible security posts or inspection points from the entry to the airport until you board the plane. This explains why there has not been a hijacking or attack at Ben Gurion Airport in 40 years.
Increased intelligence is also a key that can be very effective. Brussels has a Muslim-majority suburb called Molenbeck, where Belgium police do not go. A place of criminal gangs and drugs, Molenbeck is ripe for radicalisation. Jihadis returning from the war in Syria would find it an ideal place to plot attacks on Belgian soil. It is time that Belgium and Europe reclaim their sovereign territory and clean out the nest.
As a long-term world-watcher, this author is of the conviction that the root cause of our social and political problems is spiritual – and so is the answer. Two points on this: prayer can and does make a big difference. The lead-up to the 1991 Gulf War to dislodge Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army was fraught with peril. We were warned of a war lasting months or years, 10,000s or 100,000s of coalition deaths, and the possibility of Saddam unleashing terrorist attacks in the West. In the end, Kuwait was liberated in only 43 days with less than 300 allied casualties and the terrorists stayed home. No question about it: the concerted prayer intensive at the time gave us such results.

Second point: remember that the goal of terrorism is to cause fear. If you are a prayerful, faithful, Spirit-filled person, you will not capitulate to fear. Make a decision to be fearless and get on with normal life – vigilant and observant – but normal, and you and your nation will not be defeated.
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching, Terrorism

TERROR IN BRUSSELS: Making Sense Out of the Senseless

Another tragedy, another headline: Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, and now Brussels. Belgium authorities knew that an attack was possible. The stakes were raised even higher after the capture a few days earlier of Salah Abdel Salaam, an Islamic State operative accused of being part of the Paris Massacre of Friday 13th November 2015. The death total was 129.
Yet, when on March 22, 2016, terrorists struck Zaventem International Airport in Brussels, transit point for 23 million people a year, and a train station, resulting in over 31 deaths, several missing, and 270 injured, it seemed to come as a surprise. What was not a surprise is that the so-called Islamic State claimed credit.
Yes, there were condemnations from world leaders, expressions of sympathy to the people of Belgium, declarations of support as well as action against terrorism. Before all else, we need to ask: how do we make sense of the senseless?
First, it is important to face the situation with healthy realism and honesty. Put aside political correctness and the fear that you ‘might offend’ someone, and let’s call the situation for what it is. As Tarek Fateh of the Toronto Sun says, ‘Deploring jihadist attacks without naming who is responsible just doesn’t cut it anymore.’
First, what happened is really an act of war. True, you don’t have uniformed soldiers, facing each other on the battlefront, equally armed and determined to take or defend territory. But it is still a war.
Nature of War
Consider the some other aspects of war today:
1.    High-tech: you can attack an enemy without ever-seeing him.
2.    Asymmetrical: The parties are not evenly matched, one is smaller than the other, like David and Goliath. In this case, it is Belgium and the EU vs. the Islamic State.
3.    Intra-Muslim: From Nigeria in the West to Pakistan in the East, there is a low-level world war among Muslims, between radicals and mainstream, Sunni vs Shia, modernists vs. feudalists. The players may vary, be it Nigeria and Boko Haram, Somalia/Kenya and al Shabaab, Yemen and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and the Taliban,yet this multi-faceted war for the soul of Islam has wounded and killed many, mostly Muslims themselves. Today, the war in Syrian has morphed: no longer is it a civil war between pro-government, pro-Assad forces and Syrian rebels. Today, it is a regional proxy war between the Sunnis (Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) versus the Shia (al Assad, Iran, and Hizballah).
4.    Trans-Muslim war: Here the radical, militant Islamists are also targeting the West; examples include September 11th in New York and Washington (2001); Madrid bombings (2004); London bombings (2005), and so on.
Brussels is more than the capital of Belgium, and a place of great chocolate: it houses the headquarters of the European Union. It is the hub of the vision of a ‘peaceful, secular, democratic united Europe.’ That’s why the French President Francois Hollande said ‘terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted – and all the world that is concerned.’ Let’s face it: as Tarek Fateh said earlier, you cannot win a war until you are first ready to name your enemy!
The Brussels attack was both an act of war and an act of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as using criminal, violent means in order to bring political change. Terrorism may not be an existential threat to a nation state, but it can cause much damage, especially if the terrorists have weapons of mass destruction.
It is very common to condemn terrorism, but also to make exceptions, as if there are ‘good terrorists’ and ‘bad terrorists.’ Often we hear the phrase, ‘I condemn this act of terror, but ….’ Until we are unequivocal that all terrorism is evil, such double-minded thinking will only make the problem worse.
Sensible Solutions
What can be done? For starters, remember that terrorists try to exploit loopholes in security. Plug the loopholes and the chances of an attack are greatly diminished. Belgium authorities exhibited a shocking lapse of intelligence and security, despite the warnings. Brussels knew that an attack was possible and yet there was no visible, increased police presence, especially at the public transport areas. Anyone could walk into the airport, and that’s exactly what two suicide bombers did laden with explosive vests.
Contrast that with Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, where you can’t even walk through the front door unless you go through security, including all your luggage x-rayed, and then, after checking in, you go through another security check. At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, there are 11 visible security posts or inspection points from the entry to the airport until you board the plane. This explains why there has not been a hijacking or attack at Ben Gurion Airport in 40 years.
Increased intelligence is also a key that can be very effective. Brussels has a Muslim-majority suburb called Molenbeck, where Belgium police do not go. A place of criminal gangs and drugs, Molenbeck is ripe for radicalisation. Jihadis returning from the war in Syria would find it an ideal place to plot attacks on Belgian soil. It is time that Belgium and Europe reclaim their sovereign territory and clean out the nest.
As a long-term world-watcher, this author is of the conviction that the root cause of our social and political problems is spiritual – and so is the answer. Two points on this: prayer can and does make a big difference. The lead-up to the 1991 Gulf War to dislodge Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army was fraught with peril. We were warned of a war lasting months or years, 10,000s or 100,000s of coalition deaths, and the possibility of Saddam unleashing terrorist attacks in the West. In the end, Kuwait was liberated in only 43 days with less than 300 allied casualties and the terrorists stayed home. No question about it: the concerted prayer intensive at the time gave us such results.

Second point: remember that the goal of terrorism is to cause fear. If you are a prayerful, faithful, Spirit-filled person, you will not capitulate to fear. Make a decision to be fearless and get on with normal life – vigilant and observant – but normal, and you and your nation will not be defeated.
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

IT’S A DEAL: TIME TO FOCUS ON TURKEY

On March 18, 2016, former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the current President of the European Council, announced that the European Union has successfully concluded a deal with Turkey to curb the flow of migrants coming into Europe from its territory. Action was imperative: in 2015 over 1 million migrants came by sea and entered into Europe, seeking asylum. In the first two months of 2016, another 127,000 entered Europe, mainly from Turkey to Greece. Europe has not seen this level of mass migration since the end of World War II.
DEFINITION: The term ‘migrant’ is being employed to describe all people who are migrating from Asia and Africa to Europe. This includes genuine refugees fleeing from war and terror, as well as those who are looking for a better way of life, known as ‘economic migrants.’
Anyone who has objectively watched the situation closely realises that something had to be done. Despite its advanced societies and extensive welfare system, Europe and the EU simply cannot absorb an unlimited amount of migrants from North Africa and Asia. High unemployment, increased indebtedness, failure to assimilate into European society, strains on the welfare system, the threat of jihadist migration and attack – all these coalesce to cause Europe to take action.
The Schengen zone, with passport-free travel between 26 European countries, is now under threat as transit countries are closing their doors to migrant passage. Economically-challenged Greece now finds itself an unwitting host to migrants who are not allowed to proceed northward, especially to Germany and Sweden. Turkey itself is housing up to 3 million migrants and it is being stretched to the limit while it continues to battle with Kurdish separatist (and terrorist attacks in Ankara & Istanbul) as well as the so-called Islamic State in Syria.
The terms of the agreement are as follows:
1.    Migrants who leave Turkey and sail to Greece unauthorised in order to enter the European Union (EU) will be sent back to Turkey; this is to discourage them from making the dangerous journey and also to put the people-smugglers out of business;
2.    Greece will individually assess all arrivals and those who are ‘irregular’ will be sent back to Turkey;
3.    Migrants who are verified refugees, Syrians being the priority, and patiently wait in Turkey may be settled in the European Union; this will be capped at 72,000.
4.    The EU will help Turkey with 3 billion euros and also pledge another 3 billion in 2018;
5.    Turkey’s application for membership in the EU will be accelerated.
6.    Turkish nationals will have access to Schengen passport-free zone by June, but this does not apply to non-Schengen nations like Great Britain.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said ‘It’s a historic day today because we reach a very important agreement between Turkey and the EU. Today we realised that Turkey and EU have the same destiny, the same challenges and the same future.’
Of course, there is opposition to this deal. There may be legal challenges. Amnesty International declared on a large screen ‘Don’t trade refugees. Stop the deal.’ The question should be asked: who is to pay for such ‘compassion,’ in money, resource, national cohesion and security?
Something had to be done, and it has been.
While the motivation of this agreement is to slow down the flow of unauthorised migration to Europe, there is a bigger picture: how to handle Russia and the war in Syria. Russia has been hit with sanctions because of its annexation of Crimea and meddling in Ukraine. Yet it has become a force to be reckoned with in Syria and the world.
All this attention gives us an opportunity to focus on Turkey. This author has been saying for years that, if you can only focus on one country in the Middle East (apart from Israel), it should be Turkey. Yes, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, all have their important places, yet none of them have the clout that Turkey has.
Simply put: Turkey is the key player in the region. Look at any map and you will see that it is the nicely located navel of the world. It sits at the cross roads of Europe, Central Asia, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean. Home to several key empires, including the Hittites, Byzantine, Seljuks, and Ottoman, Turkey has connections with the former Soviet Central Asian republics (they are Turkic people) and the Balkans in Europe. The Bosnians, Albanians, and Kosovaars – white Europeans – all converted to Islam when the Ottoman Turks ruled their region. Most of all, Turkey holds the balance of power in the region. It can be a great force, either for peace or war.
Modern Turkey is vastly different from its imperialist, feudalistic, religious Ottoman past, just as the Federal Republic of Germany is from the Nazi era. This is courtesy of Ataturk (1881-1938), founder of the Turkish Republic. He single-handedly caused his nation to become secular, western-leaning, and (somewhat) democratic.
In recent times, Turkey had a military alliance with Israel (1996-2011), but relations soured after the incident of the ship Mavi Marmara which tried to break of blockage of Gaza and resulted in the death of 9 Turks. Yet recently, Turkey has reached out to Israel. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on 2 January 2016: Turkey needs Israel.
A fact that is not appreciated is Turkey is part and parcel of the Bible lands, especially the New Testament. It was the stage of many of Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts. It housed the churches that received such masterful epistles like Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Timothy, recipient of the pastoral epistles of 1 & 2 Timothy, came from Lystra in central Turkey. Finally, the seven churches of the Book of Revelation were located in western central Turkey.
Regarding the future, what should the EU do about Turkey’s application for membership? Until now, the EU has done a ‘go-slow.’ There is clearly resistance from some EU member states about welcoming Turkey into the ‘European club.’ They say that Turkey’s human rights record is not good and/or that Turkey is not ‘European enough.’
Yet, with some needed safeguards, letting Turkey into the EU makes senses. It could have some positive benefits for Europe and the world, especially in preserving Turkey’s secular heritage. For as long as Turkey remains ‘Ataturk secular,’ then the balance of power in the Middle East will remain stable.
If, however, Europe finally rejects Turkey, it will conclude that its century-old attempt to go western and secular has failed, they will never be accepted by Europe, and they might as well return to a religious (fundamentalist or even fanatical orientation), like in the days of the Ottomans.
If that happens, the whole world will feel the tremors.
Therefore, in light of all of the above, it behooves us to watch Turkey.
BOOK OF REVELATION TOUR NOVEMBER 2016
This tour will explore the Bible lands of the 7 churches of Revelation, Cappadocia and Greece. For more information, contact Leanne at leanne@tan.org.au

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

IT’S A DEAL: TIME TO FOCUS ON TURKEY

On March 18, 2016, former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the current President of the European Council, announced that the European Union has successfully concluded a deal with Turkey to curb the flow of migrants coming into Europe from its territory. Action was imperative: in 2015 over 1 million migrants came by sea and entered into Europe, seeking asylum. In the first two months of 2016, another 127,000 entered Europe, mainly from Turkey to Greece. Europe has not seen this level of mass migration since the end of World War II.
DEFINITION: The term ‘migrant’ is being employed to describe all people who are migrating from Asia and Africa to Europe. This includes genuine refugees fleeing from war and terror, as well as those who are looking for a better way of life, known as ‘economic migrants.’
Anyone who has objectively watched the situation closely realises that something had to be done. Despite its advanced societies and extensive welfare system, Europe and the EU simply cannot absorb an unlimited amount of migrants from North Africa and Asia. High unemployment, increased indebtedness, failure to assimilate into European society, strains on the welfare system, the threat of jihadist migration and attack – all these coalesce to cause Europe to take action.
The Schengen zone, with passport-free travel between 26 European countries, is now under threat as transit countries are closing their doors to migrant passage. Economically-challenged Greece now finds itself an unwitting host to migrants who are not allowed to proceed northward, especially to Germany and Sweden. Turkey itself is housing up to 3 million migrants and it is being stretched to the limit while it continues to battle with Kurdish separatist (and terrorist attacks in Ankara & Istanbul) as well as the so-called Islamic State in Syria.
The terms of the agreement are as follows:
1.    Migrants who leave Turkey and sail to Greece unauthorised in order to enter the European Union (EU) will be sent back to Turkey; this is to discourage them from making the dangerous journey and also to put the people-smugglers out of business;
2.    Greece will individually assess all arrivals and those who are ‘irregular’ will be sent back to Turkey;
3.    Migrants who are verified refugees, Syrians being the priority, and patiently wait in Turkey may be settled in the European Union; this will be capped at 72,000.
4.    The EU will help Turkey with 3 billion euros and also pledge another 3 billion in 2018;
5.    Turkey’s application for membership in the EU will be accelerated.
6.    Turkish nationals will have access to Schengen passport-free zone by June, but this does not apply to non-Schengen nations like Great Britain.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said ‘It’s a historic day today because we reach a very important agreement between Turkey and the EU. Today we realised that Turkey and EU have the same destiny, the same challenges and the same future.’
Of course, there is opposition to this deal. There may be legal challenges. Amnesty International declared on a large screen ‘Don’t trade refugees. Stop the deal.’ The question should be asked: who is to pay for such ‘compassion,’ in money, resource, national cohesion and security?
Something had to be done, and it has been.
While the motivation of this agreement is to slow down the flow of unauthorised migration to Europe, there is a bigger picture: how to handle Russia and the war in Syria. Russia has been hit with sanctions because of its annexation of Crimea and meddling in Ukraine. Yet it has become a force to be reckoned with in Syria and the world.
All this attention gives us an opportunity to focus on Turkey. This author has been saying for years that, if you can only focus on one country in the Middle East (apart from Israel), it should be Turkey. Yes, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, all have their important places, yet none of them have the clout that Turkey has.
Simply put: Turkey is the key player in the region. Look at any map and you will see that it is the nicely located navel of the world. It sits at the cross roads of Europe, Central Asia, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean. Home to several key empires, including the Hittites, Byzantine, Seljuks, and Ottoman, Turkey has connections with the former Soviet Central Asian republics (they are Turkic people) and the Balkans in Europe. The Bosnians, Albanians, and Kosovaars – white Europeans – all converted to Islam when the Ottoman Turks ruled their region. Most of all, Turkey holds the balance of power in the region. It can be a great force, either for peace or war.
Modern Turkey is vastly different from its imperialist, feudalistic, religious Ottoman past, just as the Federal Republic of Germany is from the Nazi era. This is courtesy of Ataturk (1881-1938), founder of the Turkish Republic. He single-handedly caused his nation to become secular, western-leaning, and (somewhat) democratic.
In recent times, Turkey had a military alliance with Israel (1996-2011), but relations soured after the incident of the ship Mavi Marmara which tried to break of blockage of Gaza and resulted in the death of 9 Turks. Yet recently, Turkey has reached out to Israel. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted on 2 January 2016: Turkey needs Israel.
A fact that is not appreciated is Turkey is part and parcel of the Bible lands, especially the New Testament. It was the stage of many of Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts. It housed the churches that received such masterful epistles like Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Timothy, recipient of the pastoral epistles of 1 & 2 Timothy, came from Lystra in central Turkey. Finally, the seven churches of the Book of Revelation were located in western central Turkey.
Regarding the future, what should the EU do about Turkey’s application for membership? Until now, the EU has done a ‘go-slow.’ There is clearly resistance from some EU member states about welcoming Turkey into the ‘European club.’ They say that Turkey’s human rights record is not good and/or that Turkey is not ‘European enough.’
Yet, with some needed safeguards, letting Turkey into the EU makes senses. It could have some positive benefits for Europe and the world, especially in preserving Turkey’s secular heritage. For as long as Turkey remains ‘Ataturk secular,’ then the balance of power in the Middle East will remain stable.
If, however, Europe finally rejects Turkey, it will conclude that its century-old attempt to go western and secular has failed, they will never be accepted by Europe, and they might as well return to a religious (fundamentalist or even fanatical orientation), like in the days of the Ottomans.
If that happens, the whole world will feel the tremors.
Therefore, in light of all of the above, it behooves us to watch Turkey.
BOOK OF REVELATION TOUR NOVEMBER 2016
This tour will explore the Bible lands of the 7 churches of Revelation, Cappadocia and Greece. For more information, contact Leanne at leanne@tan.org.au

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

A Power Couple: Ronald & Nancy Reagan

With the death of former US First Lady Nancy Reagan on March 6, 2016, age 94, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the legacy of her husband, former President Ronald Reagan. For these two Hollywood actors, who had a half-a century love affair, forged one of the most powerful and successful political partnerships in American history. There are some potent leadership lessons we can learn.
But first, let’s focus on Nancy Reagan.
As First Lady, Nancy did not enjoy the popularity that her affable witty husband had. She was accused of interfering with White House staff, being extravagant in her White House and personal tastes, happily received expensive freebies, and regularly consulted astrologers. In the 1991 best-seller Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorised Biography, author Kitty Kelley wrote a scathing account, claiming Nancy was mean-spirited to her father and stepchildren, formidable and intimidating to staff, thoroughly ungrateful, and dependant on astrology. Most shocking of all, Kelley accused Mrs. Reagan of being the ‘petticoat president,’ making presidential decisions because of her husband yet-undiagnosed mental decline.
Such accusations, even if they are true, overlook the bigger picture. Next to her husband, Nancy was the most important pillar of the Reagan Administration, one that enjoyed some historic successes.
First, it reinvigorated US economy. ‘Reagonomics’ ignited a long boom that carried on for years to come.
Second, the Reagan Administration, like Nehemiah of old, helped lift the nation’s morale. The national malaise was easy to understand: The long night of 1960s rebellion – the most violent decade is US history apart from the Civil War – the Vietnam War debacle, the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon presidency, and the Carter Administration’s perception of weakness in the face of the Iranian hostage crisis. America needed a cheer-leader and Ronald Reagan, the ‘Great Communicator,’ fulfilled that role to the hilt. His buoyant optimism was contagious. In 1992, three years out of office, Reagan brought the house down when he declared: America’s best days are yet ahead.
Third, on the moral front, President Reagan was consistently and staunchly pro-life. Apart from his memoirs, he wrote a book about it called Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation. His pro-life convictions were not universally shared, even by his cabinet or family. But he stuck to them because he believed they were right. He single-handedly and successfully fought Congress to limit government funding of abortion.
Ronald Reagan also instilled a new respect for the US military, which helped him in his greatest achievement: Bringing a peaceful end to the Cold War. He showed courage in the face of challenge, conviction when others compromise, consistency where others caved in to expedience, and candour where others settled for politically correct spin. He called the Soviet Union an ‘evil empire,’ brought them to the negotiating table, outspent and outgunned them.
Then there was the Berlin Wall, the 160 km concrete barrier around West Berlin that symbolised the imprisonment of the Soviet bloc nations. Reagan came to Berlin in 1987 and said the immortal words at the Brandenburg Gate: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Two years later, the notorious Wall fell and so did Soviet Communism in Europe and the USSR. (Ironically, the Nobel committee awarded the Peace Prize to Mikhail Gorbachev, last President of the Soviet Union, ignoring Reagan’s key role in ending the Cold War). Yet even if the Nobel committee overlooked Ronald Reagan, East Europeans did not. When he died in 2004, many East Europeans came to the US Capitol to pay their respects to the man who set their country free
The late US Senator Edward ‘Teddy’ Kennedy (1932-2009), a political opponent of Reagan, gave this tribute: ‘…. Whether we agreed with him or not, Ronald Reagan was a successful candidate and an effective President above all else because he stood for a set of ideas. He stated them in 1980 — and it turned out that he meant them — and he wrote most of them not only into public law but into the national consciousness.’
Nancy Reagan was no spectator in all this. She was highly intelligent and convincingly loyal to her husband, both during his tenure as Governor of California, President of the United States, and during his ‘long good-bye’ with Alzheimer. Her signature work in the White House was an anti-drug campaign called ‘Just Say “No.”’
After ‘The Great Communicator’ gave the nation his last message, announcing he had Alzheimer, in 1994, Nancy became the gracious family spokeswoman from that time until her death. She helped raise millions of dollars for Alzheimer’s research. And she was a devoted patron to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, where, as she put it, young people can learn the benefits of democracy. As close friend, the late Michael Deaver said, without Nancy there would have been no ‘Governor Reagan’ or ‘President Reagan.’
Who said that great leaders have to be flawless? We need to realise that great leader’s can often have great faults (don’t forget that Winston Churchill had a particular fondness for alcohol – yet he saved Britain and Europe). The such a leader contains or overcomes their faults, while using their gifts to the maximum in times of need or opportunity. Whatever the shortcomings of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, they led America and the world into a new era of prosperity and peace that still pays dividends.

As First Lady, Nancy was a vital part of a leadership team that serves as a role model even to this day. Conviction, courage, consistency, and character, were the hallmarks. As Americans, Australians and the world face an election year and wonder ‘Where are the real leaders?,’ many can rightly look back to the Reagan era as one of leadership that makes the a world of difference.
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

A Power Couple: Ronald & Nancy Reagan

With the death of former US First Lady Nancy Reagan on March 6, 2016, age 94, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the legacy of her husband, former President Ronald Reagan. For these two Hollywood actors, who had a half-a century love affair, forged one of the most powerful and successful political partnerships in American history. There are some potent leadership lessons we can learn.
But first, let’s focus on Nancy Reagan.
As First Lady, Nancy did not enjoy the popularity that her affable witty husband had. She was accused of interfering with White House staff, being extravagant in her White House and personal tastes, happily received expensive freebies, and regularly consulted astrologers. In the 1991 best-seller Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorised Biography, author Kitty Kelley wrote a scathing account, claiming Nancy was mean-spirited to her father and stepchildren, formidable and intimidating to staff, thoroughly ungrateful, and dependant on astrology. Most shocking of all, Kelley accused Mrs. Reagan of being the ‘petticoat president,’ making presidential decisions because of her husband yet-undiagnosed mental decline.
Such accusations, even if they are true, overlook the bigger picture. Next to her husband, Nancy was the most important pillar of the Reagan Administration, one that enjoyed some historic successes.
First, it reinvigorated US economy. ‘Reagonomics’ ignited a long boom that carried on for years to come.
Second, the Reagan Administration, like Nehemiah of old, helped lift the nation’s morale. The national malaise was easy to understand: The long night of 1960s rebellion – the most violent decade is US history apart from the Civil War – the Vietnam War debacle, the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon presidency, and the Carter Administration’s perception of weakness in the face of the Iranian hostage crisis. America needed a cheer-leader and Ronald Reagan, the ‘Great Communicator,’ fulfilled that role to the hilt. His buoyant optimism was contagious. In 1992, three years out of office, Reagan brought the house down when he declared: America’s best days are yet ahead.
Third, on the moral front, President Reagan was consistently and staunchly pro-life. Apart from his memoirs, he wrote a book about it called Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation. His pro-life convictions were not universally shared, even by his cabinet or family. But he stuck to them because he believed they were right. He single-handedly and successfully fought Congress to limit government funding of abortion.
Ronald Reagan also instilled a new respect for the US military, which helped him in his greatest achievement: Bringing a peaceful end to the Cold War. He showed courage in the face of challenge, conviction when others compromise, consistency where others caved in to expedience, and candour where others settled for politically correct spin. He called the Soviet Union an ‘evil empire,’ brought them to the negotiating table, outspent and outgunned them.
Then there was the Berlin Wall, the 160 km concrete barrier around West Berlin that symbolised the imprisonment of the Soviet bloc nations. Reagan came to Berlin in 1987 and said the immortal words at the Brandenburg Gate: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Two years later, the notorious Wall fell and so did Soviet Communism in Europe and the USSR. (Ironically, the Nobel committee awarded the Peace Prize to Mikhail Gorbachev, last President of the Soviet Union, ignoring Reagan’s key role in ending the Cold War). Yet even if the Nobel committee overlooked Ronald Reagan, East Europeans did not. When he died in 2004, many East Europeans came to the US Capitol to pay their respects to the man who set their country free
The late US Senator Edward ‘Teddy’ Kennedy (1932-2009), a political opponent of Reagan, gave this tribute: ‘…. Whether we agreed with him or not, Ronald Reagan was a successful candidate and an effective President above all else because he stood for a set of ideas. He stated them in 1980 — and it turned out that he meant them — and he wrote most of them not only into public law but into the national consciousness.’
Nancy Reagan was no spectator in all this. She was highly intelligent and convincingly loyal to her husband, both during his tenure as Governor of California, President of the United States, and during his ‘long good-bye’ with Alzheimer. Her signature work in the White House was an anti-drug campaign called ‘Just Say “No.”’
After ‘The Great Communicator’ gave the nation his last message, announcing he had Alzheimer, in 1994, Nancy became the gracious family spokeswoman from that time until her death. She helped raise millions of dollars for Alzheimer’s research. And she was a devoted patron to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, where, as she put it, young people can learn the benefits of democracy. As close friend, the late Michael Deaver said, without Nancy there would have been no ‘Governor Reagan’ or ‘President Reagan.’
Who said that great leaders have to be flawless? We need to realise that great leader’s can often have great faults (don’t forget that Winston Churchill had a particular fondness for alcohol – yet he saved Britain and Europe). The such a leader contains or overcomes their faults, while using their gifts to the maximum in times of need or opportunity. Whatever the shortcomings of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, they led America and the world into a new era of prosperity and peace that still pays dividends.

As First Lady, Nancy was a vital part of a leadership team that serves as a role model even to this day. Conviction, courage, consistency, and character, were the hallmarks. As Americans, Australians and the world face an election year and wonder ‘Where are the real leaders?,’ many can rightly look back to the Reagan era as one of leadership that makes the a world of difference.
News, Presbyterian

Kirkbrae Development Project

The new development at Kirkbrae has now reached the stage where the Social Services Committee at the February meeting was informed by our architect, Brett Somerville of Thomson Adsett, that the completion date for the administration building is 6 May, and the eight apartments, 22 July. The committee was encouraged by this news with the knowledge that there is increased community awareness of the new apartments with inquiries from retirees wishing to come and live at Kirkbrae.

With momentum gathering for the development, the committee decided at the February meeting to continue with the renovation of the cottage kitchens and bathrooms to meet community expectations for modern facilities.

To meet this need, the committee drew on the Mavis Smith Bequest for $54,000 which was generously matched by the Scots’ Property Trustees through a Trust held by the Trustees for housing elderly people. This total funding of $108,000 will enable the committee to undertake the renovation of six cottages.

This is an exciting time for the committee, the executive team and residents as we all look forward to the completion of the first stage of the redevelopment of Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes.

Robert Lowe
Convener
Social Services Committee
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

WHAT’S NEXT IN 2016 PART 2

In Part 01, we focused on the American presidential campaign.
AUSTRALIA: Australia is due to have a federal election in 2016. Current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who successfully won a leadership challenge against former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in September 2015, appears to enjoy public goodwill, even though he has left the Abbott government’s policies intact. .
While Mr. Turnbull could be considered a left-leaning PM of a conservative political party, he has to decided – decisively so – if the Australian Liberal Party which he leads will remain ‘broad church’ – encompassing people with a range of positions – or go down the pathway of solid ‘progressivism,’ (e.g. big government with lots of borrowing, taxing, spending, and liberal on social issues), which would virtually mirror the left-wing Australian Labor Party.
The ‘broad church’ approach was used successfully by former Prime Minister John Howard, who was elected four times. If Turnbull goes the latter way and becomes a ‘Labor lookalike, conservative Liberal Parliamentarians will be muscled out and conservative Australians will abandon the party in droves, virtually handing government to Labor Party.
UNITED KINGDOM: Current Prime Minister David Cameron is fighting another uphill battle, perhaps the biggest of his political career. In September 2014, the UK survived intact after the defeat of the Scottish Independence Referendum. Cameron had a shock victory in the general elections of May 2015, even though ‘experts’ and the media predicted a hung parliament. This time, there will be a referendum on 23 June 2016 about continued UK-membership in the European Union. The referendum, a simple ‘In or Out Vote.’ For Cameron to succeed, he needs to secure a better deal from Brussels for Britain, which he claimed to receive before setting the referendum date. For example, Britain wants to delay child payments to non-British EU citizens working in the UK. It also wants increased British sovereignty, including the right to veto EU law. Though the EU wants a ‘ever closer union,’ Britain wants to opt out and never become part of a European superstate. Cameron favours remaining in the EU and says leaving would be a ‘leap in the dark.’ Yet some of his closest political allies will campaign to for Britain to leave the EU, known as ‘Brexit.’ As a key member, it will shake the entire Union. This is a referendum worth watching.
MERKEL & GERMANY: Angela Merkel has been Chancellor of Germany since 2005. Her long tenure has earned her admiration and respect inside and outside her nation. In many ways, as premier of the EU’s strongest economy, Merkel is the de facto leader of Europe. Moderate and cautious, she has overseen a prosperous Germany while helping put out forest fires within the European Union, especially regarding Greece’s economic woes that could drag down the entire Union.
Merkel has been leading Germany and Europe into ‘convergence,’ meaning an ‘ever-closer union.’ Of course, that is the goal of the European Union movers and shakers, with a universal currency, Schengen open borders, free movement of peoples, etc., with the end result being a European superstate. This drawing the 28 members states into a stronger union was considered inevitable, until now. And that’s not counting the possibility of a British exit (Brexit).
Convergence was also applied within Germany. Despite some big gaps in economy and culture, the former East Germany has been greatly integrated to the West. Turkish migrants from the 1960s are considered part of the German mainstream, and society has been more tolerant. The grand coalition between the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats almost erased the distinction between left-wing and right-wing.
Merkel’s seemingly impromptu ‘open door’ invitation to ‘Syrian refugees’ has resulted in a flood of migrants from various countries into Europe. In less than 12 months, 1.1 million have come to Germany alone, outstripping all previous records. But her decision did not affect Germany alone – other EU countries that sit between Greece and Germany have felt the migrant footprints as they trek north. The sordid reports of sexual harassment of German women in Cologne and elsewhere have created a backlash. The ‘Alternate for Germany’ right-wing nationalist political party and PERGIDA movement have attracted Eastern Germans, older white men, and others disaffected by convergence.
The Chancellor’s normally high approval rating has fallen to only 46% while over 80% of Germans disagree with her policy towards the Middle East migrants. She has even hinted that once the Syrian war is over and ISIS is history, the Syrians need to go home.
Could we be seeing the end of the Merkel era? Or the European Union? As ‘children of Issachar,’ we need to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41).
MELBOURNE AREA FRIENDS – Mark Your Calenders:
There will be TWO public meetings (known as ‘Your Early Warning Service’ or YEWS) regarding Europe, the Middle East, and last days.
Monday 18 April 2016 (7:30 PM): South West Christian Church, 147-155 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing (Melway 202 E9)
Monday 9 May 2016 (7:30 PM): Grow Church, 3/4 100 New Street, Ringwood (Melway 49 F10).
Proposed topics:
Syrian Meltdown and World War III?
The European Union, the Middle East, and the Future’

‘Tidal Wave: What Does the Migrant Flow Mean for Europe, the Middle East, and the Future?’
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

WHAT’S NEXT IN 2016 PART 2

In Part 01, we focused on the American presidential campaign.
AUSTRALIA: Australia is due to have a federal election in 2016. Current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who successfully won a leadership challenge against former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in September 2015, appears to enjoy public goodwill, even though he has left the Abbott government’s policies intact. .
While Mr. Turnbull could be considered a left-leaning PM of a conservative political party, he has to decided – decisively so – if the Australian Liberal Party which he leads will remain ‘broad church’ – encompassing people with a range of positions – or go down the pathway of solid ‘progressivism,’ (e.g. big government with lots of borrowing, taxing, spending, and liberal on social issues), which would virtually mirror the left-wing Australian Labor Party.
The ‘broad church’ approach was used successfully by former Prime Minister John Howard, who was elected four times. If Turnbull goes the latter way and becomes a ‘Labor lookalike, conservative Liberal Parliamentarians will be muscled out and conservative Australians will abandon the party in droves, virtually handing government to Labor Party.
UNITED KINGDOM: Current Prime Minister David Cameron is fighting another uphill battle, perhaps the biggest of his political career. In September 2014, the UK survived intact after the defeat of the Scottish Independence Referendum. Cameron had a shock victory in the general elections of May 2015, even though ‘experts’ and the media predicted a hung parliament. This time, there will be a referendum on 23 June 2016 about continued UK-membership in the European Union. The referendum, a simple ‘In or Out Vote.’ For Cameron to succeed, he needs to secure a better deal from Brussels for Britain, which he claimed to receive before setting the referendum date. For example, Britain wants to delay child payments to non-British EU citizens working in the UK. It also wants increased British sovereignty, including the right to veto EU law. Though the EU wants a ‘ever closer union,’ Britain wants to opt out and never become part of a European superstate. Cameron favours remaining in the EU and says leaving would be a ‘leap in the dark.’ Yet some of his closest political allies will campaign to for Britain to leave the EU, known as ‘Brexit.’ As a key member, it will shake the entire Union. This is a referendum worth watching.
MERKEL & GERMANY: Angela Merkel has been Chancellor of Germany since 2005. Her long tenure has earned her admiration and respect inside and outside her nation. In many ways, as premier of the EU’s strongest economy, Merkel is the de facto leader of Europe. Moderate and cautious, she has overseen a prosperous Germany while helping put out forest fires within the European Union, especially regarding Greece’s economic woes that could drag down the entire Union.
Merkel has been leading Germany and Europe into ‘convergence,’ meaning an ‘ever-closer union.’ Of course, that is the goal of the European Union movers and shakers, with a universal currency, Schengen open borders, free movement of peoples, etc., with the end result being a European superstate. This drawing the 28 members states into a stronger union was considered inevitable, until now. And that’s not counting the possibility of a British exit (Brexit).
Convergence was also applied within Germany. Despite some big gaps in economy and culture, the former East Germany has been greatly integrated to the West. Turkish migrants from the 1960s are considered part of the German mainstream, and society has been more tolerant. The grand coalition between the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats almost erased the distinction between left-wing and right-wing.
Merkel’s seemingly impromptu ‘open door’ invitation to ‘Syrian refugees’ has resulted in a flood of migrants from various countries into Europe. In less than 12 months, 1.1 million have come to Germany alone, outstripping all previous records. But her decision did not affect Germany alone – other EU countries that sit between Greece and Germany have felt the migrant footprints as they trek north. The sordid reports of sexual harassment of German women in Cologne and elsewhere have created a backlash. The ‘Alternate for Germany’ right-wing nationalist political party and PERGIDA movement have attracted Eastern Germans, older white men, and others disaffected by convergence.
The Chancellor’s normally high approval rating has fallen to only 46% while over 80% of Germans disagree with her policy towards the Middle East migrants. She has even hinted that once the Syrian war is over and ISIS is history, the Syrians need to go home.
Could we be seeing the end of the Merkel era? Or the European Union? As ‘children of Issachar,’ we need to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41).
MELBOURNE AREA FRIENDS – Mark Your Calenders:
There will be TWO public meetings (known as ‘Your Early Warning Service’ or YEWS) regarding Europe, the Middle East, and last days.
Monday 18 April 2016 (7:30 PM): South West Christian Church, 147-155 Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing (Melway 202 E9)
Monday 9 May 2016 (7:30 PM): Grow Church, 3/4 100 New Street, Ringwood (Melway 49 F10).
Proposed topics:
Syrian Meltdown and World War III?
The European Union, the Middle East, and the Future’

‘Tidal Wave: What Does the Migrant Flow Mean for Europe, the Middle East, and the Future?’