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THE GOOD NEWS PAPER No. 437 au.challenge.news SAVED FROM AN

Spencer Nicholls EARLY GRAVE and his family. ooking at Spencer Nicholls walked right off the pier into the today, a happily married father freezing water. of three and a board member He would have drowned if not for of a successful addiction recov- the fact that he suddenly saw ‘an Lery centre in Western Australia, it’s unbelievably bright light’ that led almost impossible to imagine him him to shore. at 17, unconscious on the fl oor of a A few years later, he was a pas- public toilet foaming at the mouth senger in a stolen car being driven and close to death after yet another by a friend who was high from sniff - heroin overdose. ing petrol. The blonde 45-year-old is boyish Travelling at more than 100kmh and irrepressibly joyful. He is an in the middle of winter, the car shot absolute Duracell bunny of a man around a corner, skidded, spun on when he speaks to crowds about the icy road, clipped another vehicle his work, hopping and bouncing on and flipped, catapulting Spencer stage like he has hidden springs in through the windscreen, into the air his shoes. and head fi rst into a fi eld turned to Yet 30 years ago that is exactly rock by ice. where Spencer was – passed out Spencer blacked out. When he on the fi lthy fl oor of a public toi- opened his eyes, the first thing let. Hopelessly addicted to heroin, he realised was that his head was cocaine, alcohol and promiscuity by underground. The next thing he the time he hit his early teens, he was realised was that against all odds, destined for an early grave. he was not dead. Ironically the person who rescued Yet even with all these near him and called the ambulance that misses, he could not break free from night was his drug dealer – who him- his addictions. As it turned out, he self had gone to the toilet to shoot up could do nothing to help himself. some drugs. But God could. Spencer is a living That wasn’t the only time Spencer testimony of that because today, almost died. When he was 13, he the former heroin and crack cocaine was high on LSD at a beach party in addict is a pastor in one of Perth’s his hometown of Kent in the United largest churches. Kingdom. Seeing ‘pretty things’ in “I think I was born with that pro- the distance, he followed them – and pensity to addiction,” Spencer told Challenge. “Once I started taking drugs and the story of the prodigal son (Luke BACK alcohol and got involved with the sex 15: 11-32). PAGE scene I just couldn’t stop.” “Everyone else turned their backs It wasn’t that he didn’t try to kick to him but somehow something I know I know you his addictions. He went to several about that story touched a nerve rehab centres and would stay clean in me, gripped me. As I heard it I BY DR. VICTOR KULIGIN for a while. But invariably the old thought to myself: ‘I’m the son, I’m habits would resurface and before the son.’” DO you know Brad Pitt? The question is trickier than you might think. long he would be back to square one. The story of the prodigal son is Some people will immediately answer yes, but if I asked instead, “Do you Finally he was sent to a hospital about a young man who demands an know Brad Pitt personally?” then most of them would have to say no. You that was part rehab centre, part early inheritance from his father and see, you may “know” Brad Pitt in the sense of knowing something about asylum. “We could hear the screams leaves home with it. Before long, he him, without really knowing him personally and having a relationship with coming from the asylum,” Spencer squanders all of it on fast and loose him. remembers. “It was a way to scare living and has to go back to his father Similarly, I could ask, “Do you know God?” those of us in rehab that we could to beg for forgiveness. The father, How you reply to this question may be the most important thing you ever become like that if we didn’t get who in the story represents God, answer. Once again, it all depends on what I mean by “know.” RACE & FAITH clean.” shows his son great mercy instead of How can we know God? BENJAMIN WATSON It was there that Spencer met the anger, and welcomes him back with Typically, people use the word “revelation” to label this topic of knowing man who would change his life – open arms and a big party. God. The Bible teaches that there are two categories of revelation—two an old village chaplain who visited After the service, Spencer ways to know God. regularly. approached the chaplain who told First, there is revelation about God that is clear to all people—what we “It was mandatory for the patients him to kneel down that night and call general revelation. W: challengenews.online to attend his talks even though we simply say “God if you’re real, show The other kind is special revelation—knowledge about God only certain F: challengenews didn’t want to,” Spencer chuckles. yourself to me”. people have received. You can’t know this information unless someone expressly tells it to you. T: @challengegoodn “The day that I was there, he read G Turn to page 3 G Turn to page 2 2 Challenge • Edition 437 Hope is still alive When life feels meaningless BY ALAN BAILEY BY RICK LEWERS QUOTES ON MEANINGLESSNESS THERE IF is a force in you are person who would like some stark honesty about Words without actions are meaningless, but actions the universe called life, Ecclesiastes in the Bible is the book for you. If you look without words are confusing. - Anonymous entropy. It means that around your world confronted by its confusing nature and I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a everything wears out, almost accidentally respond with a despairing sigh, then meaningless life. – Corazon Aquino all energies are slowly Ecclesiastes is the book for you. It is a disturbing read and winding down, nothing deliberately so. Its sigh is the sigh captured in the words, So many people walk around with a meaningless life. lasts forever. We live “meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless.” This book is They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing with this day after day. an analysis of life designed to help a person consider life, things they think are important. This is because they’re Our rubbish bins fi ll lived under the sun, without God. chasing the wrong things. - Morrie Schwartz up, appliances die now The writer of Ecclesiastes is an observer, an investigator, Man cannot stand a meaningless life. - Carl Jung and then, and the car is a philosopher whose thoughts take him honestly into God alone can deliver us from a life of meaningless becoming old and tired, the dark and meaningless implications of life lived under activities. - T. B. Joshua needing replacement. the sun where God is absent. The writer is ancient but But think how it go in its refusal to acknowledge His signifi cantly contemporary. If you met him today you might posing eternal questions. Here is what he says, “The more aff ects our bodies. Day by day we authority. Because God is shut out of fi nd him on the sidewalk observing the protestations of words that are spoken, the more smoke there is in the air. age and draw away from youth and our lives and out of our reckoning, the individualist. He’d be among the press asking questions And who is any better off ? And who knows what’s best for vigour, slowly making our way to age trouble follows. The Bible points out of leadership while watching the falling markets and us as we live out our meagre smoke-and-shadow lives? And and its limitations. Recent months that things will get worse toward listening to the gasps of the money lovers. He’s one of who can tell any of us the next chapter of our lives?” have brought us a loud alarm. The the end of history. The times will us, so you would inevitably catch a glimpse of him at the They are great questions and our answers either bring a virus. It has changed our world and be diffi cult and hope will seem to crematorium or grave side or dining at table with those meaningless sigh or purposeful joy to living. done untold damage. There seems disappear completely. dividing up inheritances. He’s not a single issue writer but I learnt, this week, that George Bernard Shaw, the famous to be added to this a wave of natural But there is a way that leads to a an observer of life where God is neglected or dismissed. 19th century atheist, put his mind to these very questions disasters, deep divisions among place where entropy does not exist. He’s not looking for a soap box to preach some narrow and it is worth hearing his conclusions: “Man’s life is brief people of the same country, violent It is God’s plan to usher in a kingdom passion, nor is he looking to unite with others to make his and powerless. On him and his race, the slow, sure doom crime and for some places, continual where there is peace and unbroken individual voice louder. The writer of Ecclesiastes upon falls pitiless and dark. Condemned today to lose his dearest, war. Leaders of countries have been harmony. There is a reason why the his observations is simply seeking to correspond with the tomorrow to pass through the gates of darkness, it remains sorely tried and not all have handled present world goes on as it is. The bigger principles of life. only to cherish the lofty thoughts that ennoble his little things well. human race is being given time. God is The writer of Ecclesiastes is a time watcher or to put it day and to worship at the shrine that his own hands have All this seems to have cast a not willing that any should perish but another way, a watcher of the times. He’s intelligent not built.” shadow over many lives. A feeling of that all should come to repentance (2 disregarding history. That history he knows informs the This giant of history, this great mind, this godless man hopelessness. The question arises, Peter 3:9). He has opened the way for immediate and shapes one’s future. His observation of the off ers as a conclusion to life lived under the sun the sigh of “Will we ever get out of such a mess?” us to enter His program if we will. On past, the present and the future, issue in a despairing sigh his own meaninglessness. People can be excused for thinking in His part, He has shown great mercy. and force upon him an educational search for something George Bernard Shaw is not the only one to off er the sigh this way, wondering what lies ahead He sent Jesus, Son of God to take our bigger than himself and others. of meaninglessness upon the removal of God. It is why the for our grandchildren. place and pay for our sins. When Jesus His research reveals a time for everything – birth writer of Ecclesiastes presents his fi ndings, exposing the Hope is not lost rose from death, hope was assured. It and death, planting and uprooting, killing and healing, living to the truth that we cannot live life without God. And So much appears to be out of is a hope that can never ever diminish. tearing down and building up, weeping and laughing, we don’t have to. control. It does look that way. But the The real life stories in this paper silence or speech, war and peace. In fact he even has this Into a world made meaningless by human rejection of truth is that it is not. God is Sovereign show how it is working out for many Covid season covered when he says, “there is a time to God, God entered in the person of His son, Jesus Christ. Ruler. In the Bible, warnings abound who have found life in Christ. embrace and a time to shun embracing.” He’s observed the His life, death and resurrection introduces us to a time regarding the way the world will The door is open. ● gynaecologist, watched the horticulturalist, stood with the when God was made obvious, where unbelief was off ered surgeon, held a hammer, been entertained by the comic, forgiveness through Christ, and hope was restored through heard the sane and wished for the silence of the insane in resurrection. God in that moment of time came to us with a world of wars and peace. Without God his conclusion is a the off er of relationship with the giver of life. His purpose Crossword despairing sigh of meaninglessness. for us was joy and His desire for us was to bring the sigh of But this researcher from the past fi nds life under the sun relief. ● ACROSS 11 Say cheese! action 18 An answer or 23 To wander 2 Elephant worker 12 Wipes the board response 24 Bible ark builder 7 A car for hire clean 19 They blink and 25 This describes 8 Plant anchors 13 Beach material wink seawater 9 Coastal sandhill 15 Eject a tenant 21 Closer than before 26 A Mexican food 10 Cosmetic powder 16 Stores below deck 22 Egyptian city I KNOW I KNOW YOU 27 Short sight DOWN ● From page 1 by the things that are made, even His brightness of [God’s] glory and eternal power and Godhead, so that the express image of His person.” 1 Standing, prestige Let me use some examples they are without excuse.” We need not only have a general 2 To cut into very to clarify what I mean. As I walk This means that something about knowledge of God. We can know God small pieces around, everyone can easily see my God not only can be known, but is intimately by knowing Jesus. 3 Fireman’s hose skin colour. It’s a form of general known, by everyone. The Bible leaves Do you know God? point revelation about me to the world. no doubt about this. We all know In a conversation Jesus had with 4 Long locks But what’s my favourite food? that a powerful and divine God exists His followers, He makes this very 5 The aristocracy This personal fact about me is not because His world speaks of His clear : 6 Route upwards generally plain. The only way others intentional design and power. “I am the way, the truth, and the 14 Wedding can realise it is if I specifi cally reveal it However, this general revelation life. No one comes to the Father ceremony to them. This is an example of special about God is not enough for us to except through Me. If you had known 16 Word of similar revelation. have a loving relationship with Him. Me, you would have known My meaning Our knowledge of God also works Other than knowing some general Father also; and from now on you 17 Destroyer, say in these two ways. And we can only facts about God, creation does not know Him and have seen Him. . . . 18 Ethnic prejudice have a meaningful relationship with tell us how to relate to our Creator. He who has seen Me has seen the 19 Errors in printing someone through special revelation That is why God revealed more Father.” (John 14:6-7, 9) 20 An emblem of that person to us, and us to them. What can we know about God? about Himself through a special How do we know Jesus? The SOLUTION PAGE 11 revelation—His very own words. God best way to know Jesus is to read The Bible says that everybody has spoke to us. And we fi nd this special the Bible. A great place to start is a general knowledge of God. He has revelation in the Bible. the Gospel of John, where we are made certain aspects of Himself clear How can we know God? introduced to the works and words Sudoku 82 by what He has made. We call the Bible God’s “self- of Jesus. For example, King David says in 35 4 revelation,” because in it God reveals So let me ask you, “Do you know Fill in the grid so Psalm 19:1-4, “The heavens declare things about Himself that we couldn’t God personally?” that every row, every the glory of God; and the fi rmament 513 otherwise know, so that we can have He wants you to know Him. He’s column, and every 3x3 shows His handiwork. Day unto a relationship with Him. We can know written His existence in the skies and box contains the digits 98 day utters speech, and night unto God in a personal, even intimate way. written Himself into our humanity 1 through 9. night reveals knowledge. There is And the Bible makes it clear that so that you could have a relationship Puzzle Level: Medium 4 no speech nor language where their this only happens through God’s with Him. Will you seek Him today? voice is not heard. Their line has gone Son, Jesus. Because God the Son It’s as easy as opening up the Bible. 2473out through all the earth, and their 6 3 8 became a human, Jesus the “God- words to the end of the world.” ● 695 man” perfectly represents the nature The apostle Paul similarly writes in Dr Victor Kuligin is an international author 4 2 9 and being of God the Father to us in a Romans 1:20, “For since the creation and speaker who served as a missionary in 79 6 way we can understand. Africa for 24 years. He has written fi ve books, of the world His invisible attributes 7 5 1 Hebrews 1:3 says the Son is “the including Ten Things I Wish Jesus Never Said, SOLUTION PAGE 11 5187are clearly seen, being understood available at koorong.com or online. • Edition 437 3

GNAWING SENSE OF WITH KARL FAASE Just think! HUMAN beings are equipped with the ability to learn and DISSATISFACTION reason. We can grasp logical laws and relationships, sense our or as long as I could remember, I regarded by this new sense of guilt that was not in existence surroundings, remember the past, myself as a morally superior person. I would before. A family member, seeing my struggle, and reflect on ourselves through observe the happenings of the world and encouraged me to explore a book on new age medi- introspection. How did these conclude “If the world was more like me, the tation. This book was fascinating to me at the time; abilities originate? Fworld would be a better place.” it taught that I was actually God and that there are The Bible insists that God At the same time however, a gnawing sense of no clear categories of moral right and wrong. created our minds and bodies for a dissatisfaction nipped at my heart as every pleasure This created a perfect storm for a person like me purpose. He made us in His image seemed to always come to an end; much anticipated who struggled with a sense of guilt. As I meditated so that, among other things, we holidays would come and then just as easily pass, upon these principles, I honestly felt like I was could think like Him. Although sin video games would give me a thrill for a while but slowly dying inside. I would fall into sexual sin, feel affects even our mental lives, it then inevitably end. guilty, and then meditate until my guilty conscience does not obliterate our capacity for This fact of life was proved to be very frustrating had been numbed. reason altogether. So Christianity to me. Everything left me feeling thirsty. I thought I slowly began to realise that my problem was accounts for the fact that our “Is life all just about temporary pleas- not solely dissatisfaction, but rather, a reasoning powers are generally, ure?” In retrospect, I know I was spiritual deadness. I realised I did not though not perfectly, reliable. thirsting after a relationship. John have the power to live a life that was On the other hand, if atheism 7:37 states “….If anyone is thirsty, let morally right. I picked up the dusty I REALISED were correct, humans would be him come to Me and drink.” Bible that sat neglected on my table the byproducts of blind forces As my thirst increased, my distorted I DID NOT and began to read the gospels. I was which had no intention to pursuits of pleasure also increased. I immediately struck by the strange, yet HAVE THE produce rational creatures. From fell headstrong into sexual immoral- faultless character of Jesus Christ. I evolutionary philosopher Daniel ity and pornography, though I had no POWER TO thought to myself ‘this man is unusual Dennett’s perspective, “the human sense that there was anything immoral but I cannot fault him, he is perfect!’ LIVE A LIFE mind is something of a bag of about it. Shortly after, the relationship This realization was enough for me to THAT WAS tricks, cobbled together over the I was in ended. begin to believe in Him. eons by the foresightless process My gnawing sense of dissatisfaction MORALLY The pivotal moment that brought David Barry of evolution by natural selection.” had now morphed into a depression me to becoming a Christian was when I RIGHT. But if our minds were not that crippled me to the extent that I read the following words from Jesus in now have the privilege to work for Voice of The designed, why would we trust could not hold onto a job or complete Luke 5:32 “I have not come to call the Martyrs which is a beautiful ministry that serves them? In a happenstance my university studies. This resulted in righteous but sinners to repentance.” I persecuted believers with practical and spiritual evolutionary world we would not me medicating myself through immo- was astonished! The very reality that I assistance. This is a highlight of my life that God expect our minds to guide us to rality. I felt miserable as my lack of joy sprung from thought would make me unacceptable to God, was would consider me, a person who could not previ- truth. the reality that there was no hope on the horizon the very reality that would lead me to eternal life, ously hold a job, to serve countless believers who As C.S. Lewis recognized, for a failure like me. namely, the acknowledgement that I was a sinner are persecuted for Christ. “If my own mind is a product of One day I was pacing around in my kitchen before God in need of forgiveness! Please share the gospel with family, friends, the irrational … how shall I trust thinking about my predicament, when suddenly a At that moment I asked God to forgive all my sins neighbours, and strangers for this is the very gospel my mind when it tells me about foreign thought seemed to penetrate my thoughts and received the gift of the Holy Spirit to overcome that persecuted believers are willing to die for. The Evolution?” ● “You are not as good as you think you are”. Sud- my depraved addictions. I am not perfect, but I sole justifying reason for the Apostle Paul’s suffer- denly I realised how selfish I was, especially in the rest on Christ’s finished work on the cross while Dennett, D., Breaking the Spell: Religion as a ing in prison is succinctly summarised in Philip- Natural Phenomenon, Viking, New York, NY, context of the relationship I was in. I had used the pursuing his righteousness for he has said in 1 Peter pians 1:12 - “Now I want you to know, brothers p. 107, 2006. relationship for my own gain. 1:16 – “Be holy for I am holy” and sisters, that what has happened to me has Lewis, C.S., Christian Reflections, Eerdmans, I now had a new problem. I became burdened By God’s grace (undeserved love of God), I actually served to advance the gospel.” ●Grand Rapids, MI, p. 89, 1967.

KEYS TO RECOVERY BY PS. SPENCER NICHOLLS Saved from an early grave 1. Surrender to God ● From page 1 Not long after that Spencer, old life, the many times I nearly Life as a Christian is a series of now at last knowing who he was died. Then I felt God say very surrenders. The first surrender Spencer did indeed pray that praying to, asked Jesus to come clearly to me, ‘I’ve saved you for is the unconscious one you make prayer before going to bed that into his life. Instantly something a purpose. If you’d died then you when you’re desperate. It’s that night. “I didn’t know who I was completely foreign to him settled would have gone to hell. But I first prayer to turn your life over praying to,” he laughs. “God, in his heart – peace. saved you for a purpose.’ That’s to God as I did when the heroin Allah, Jesus they were all the same “That was one of the biggest when I knew for sure I was called almost killed me. to me. I just said ‘God’.” changes in my life,” Spencer says. into the ministry.” But then many people find, as Thankfully, God had no prob- “I tried using drugs to find peace Spencer’s life is now dedicated I did, that as you get better, you lem identifying Himself and but it never worked. Then I asked to helping others who are in the start to want to take your will answered in extraordinary ways. Jesus into my life and that was same struggle he was. He is one back, do things your way again, Beginning the next day and con- it – the peace came, the uneasi- of the pastors who runs a recovery or you start listening to the old tinuing for weeks, Spencer met ness left. program called Tenacious House, voices or the fear and anxiety Christian after Christian in the “I realise now I was in the grip a residential program that helps most unexpected places. of a greater power. I began to men who have had life addiction creep back in. That’s when you “First it was two really attractive sense another voice leading me problems find their feet again. He need to move to the next level of girls from a local church youth in a different direction. I’d always is also a member of Alcoholics surrender and make it a conscious group who came to visit one of my wanted to change but I never had Anonymous and acts as sponsor decision to shut the door on your friends at the rehab centre,” Spen- the strength. In fact, I was com- and mentor to their programs. old life. cer says. “Then I was moved to pletely powerless against those “The reality is the propensity That surrender is about making another rehab centre and shared compulsions. But miraculously, towards addiction has not left a decision to be obedient to God a room with a guy who told me now that I had God’s strength in me,” he admits. “God did not take contrary to what you think or feel. the whole gospel story because me I was actually able to say no that away. What He did do was As we do that, we reconnect with his mother was a Christian. After and turn my life around.” empower me to make different God and the peace and victory that, someone else came into my Soon he went back to univer- choices.” are the fruit. room with a Bible and invited me sity and graduated. He became He pauses, chokes up a little. “I 2. Stay connected to God. to church. involved with the youth and chil- am so grateful for my life today. I know that if I don’t stay close “That’s when I realised the God dren’s ministry in his local church. It’s a miracle, a miracle. Only God to God my thoughts will still go of the Bible was the true God. I Feeling God was calling him to be could have done it. towards suicide, not so much the didn’t suddenly get Hindus or a pastor, he went to Bible College. “There is absolutely no way I alcohol and drugs, but suicide, Buddhists or Muslims popping up One night, as he was praying would be alive today if not for anxiety and fear. The difficulties all over my life, only Christians. I for direction in his life, he says he Him. If He hadn’t saved me, I don’t magically go away but God had asked God to show Himself to had a vision. know for sure I would be institu- enables us to overcome them. ● me and this was how He did it.” “I saw my past unfolding; my tionalised or dead.” ● 4 Challenge • Edition 437 Court off court but still serving argaret Court remembers sion, insomnia and heart disease (a her first tennis racket. torn heart valve) and quite an over- It was a piece of paling whelming feeling of uselessness as wood from a wooden fence, the demands of motherhood and life scroungedM from the street near her put far more pressure on her than any home in Albury, New South Wales. centre-court tie-breaker ever had. No strings attached. She wrote in her autobiography: Money was tight. Her father had an “Depression became a way of life. I alcohol problem bad enough that her became nauseated, lost weight and mother had to cycle to his workplace suffered from insomnia.” every payday to make sure she got to During the French Open in 1973, his pay packet before he did. Margaret attended a Protestant There were tennis courts near Mar- church service. She began to think garet’s house and she would go there about God and what knowing Him every day to escape the arguments at really meant. home. It was a fun thing for a seven- “I said ‘God where are you? I want year-old to do. to know you. Are you real?’ I knew One of Margaret’s mother’s friends there was something more than me. saw her at the courts day after day Even while I was playing I would and gave her one of her own rackets, talk to Him, Lord help me, Lord never imagining the fruit that would thank you. I want to win. This is a come from such an act of kindness. gift from You. The wooden racket was so big “My mum always told me my talent Margaret could hardly wrap her was a gift from God. The Press would hand around it but it didn’t matter. ask me why are you so good and I’d To Margaret, the new racket was say it’s a gift from God. smashing. “Every person has a gift. But many It was from those humble begin- people get sidetracked and never Reverend Doctor Margaret Court in her office. nings that one of the greatest tennis fulfil their destiny or their goal, or players of all time would emerge. By discover what God has for them. God the time she retired in 1976, Margaret pastor of Victory Life Church in tennis court, Margaret defended tennis circuit. knew us before we were born. I look had won 64 Grand Slam tournament Western Australia. her position with determination and “I would thank God for helping me back and I see how God’s hand was titles - including a record 24 singles In 2017, Australia legalised gay dignity. and protecting me. It was just there in upon me even from when I was little.” titles - achievements no tennis player, marriage. Right from the outset, Margaret was raised a Catholic, my heart. I used to go to church even A friend gave her a small book ‘How man or woman, has beaten. She was Margaret denounced the move, going and says that she always had an while playing, more out of fear than to Be Born Again.’ which Margaret inducted into the International Hall so far as to boycott Qantas because awareness of God, but no real rela- anything. I believed it was a mortal read over and over. Returning to of Fame three years later. its CEO, Alan Joyce, supported the tionship with Him. sin not to go. I thought if I didn’t go Perth, she discovered another friend, Margaret’s achievements on the legislation. She has been heavily “I would go to church on Sunday,” I might lose.” Anne, who had become a ‘born again’ tennis court are well known and criticised for standing for her Biblical she said. “It didn’t mean much, but She was also very open about her Christian and marvelled at the new deservedly celebrated. Equally well- beliefs and been called a homophobe I knew Christmas, I knew Easter. I personal struggles, struggles that radiance she saw in her. known but far more controversial and a bigot. didn’t know Jesus but I knew about ultimately led her to a real relation- Soon she went to a church meeting in recent times has been her second But she has not flinched. As she Him. I used to kneel down every ship with Jesus. with Anne and responded to the platform in life, as the founder and had done hundreds of times on the night and pray, even while on the She had severe post-natal depres- pastor’s invitation to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. Another friend, Barbara Oldfield described that moment. “A struggle of infinite proportions went on inside Margaret that night, for she knew that everyone in that meeting Ex-abortion doctor changes his tune would know who she was if she went forward.” r Haywood Robinson used to be an abor- wood was deeply moved. She was still the number one tennis tionist. Lured by the profitability and think- Up until that point, he had never player in the world at that time, and ing they were helping people in need, the heard the gospel, the good news of her pride in that achievement, almost doctor and his wife terminated hundreds of forgiveness for our wrong doing, stopped her from going forward. Dpregnancies in the United States. or what it meant to be a Christian. But she was compelled to go. As But an encounter with Jesus Christ quite lit- “I just didn’t know the truth of soon as she prayed and asked Jesus erally turned Haywood’s beliefs on their head. the gospel but I knew something to come into her life, she says it was Almost overnight he went from being a pro-choice was different,” he said. That experi- as though someone had switched the abortionist to a pro-life advocate. His story shows ence changed everything. light on inside. An incredible peace how a relationship with Jesus and insight into the Haywood prayed and asked and joy flooded her whole being. medical world can fundamentally change how one Jesus Christ to come into his life. The verse that sparked her faith views abortion. This led to a transformation of was 2 Timothy 1:7 - ‘For God has not Haywood, 66, who recently became the Director his worldview and prompted him given us a spirit of fear, but of power of Medical Affairs and Education for pro-life group and his wife to leave the abortion and of love and of a sound mind’. It 40 Days for Life, told “The Pure Flix Podcast” about industry entirely and to move into brought her the salvation she says she how his stunning transformation took place. pro-life advocacy. yearned for and a cure to the physical “I wanted to become a physician since the time “God opened our eyes to how and emotional ailments that made I was about four or five years old,” he said, noting heinous this war against babies is her post-playing life such a misery that he grew up in South Central Los Angeles. and He launched us on a pro-life that she had actually contemplated Haywood’s passion for medicine spurred him career,” he said. suicide. on and he did his residency training close to his Haywood — who says he now She said she knew there and then childhood home. believes doctors break “a great that if she died she would go to be Haywood was trained in the 1970s after Roe v. human trust” when they embrace with the Lord. “That’s how real it Wade — the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion — explained how being Dr Haywood Robinson and his wife Noreen. was to me.” abortion nationwide — became the law of the land. an abortion doctor can lead to When she told her husband Barry “During that residency training … is when I in abortion clinics became commonplace. Money desensitization and a failure to realize the gravity she wanted to go to Bible College, learned to do the abortion procedure — dilation became a motivator, as the pay was substantial. of one’s decisions. he agreed. and curettage,” he said. The seeds for the change in both the Robinsons “You become desensitized to the point where At Bible College Margaret said Discussion about the ethics of the procedures were first planted when they married and moved the physician dehumanizes that baby inside the she slowly saw her heart healed, her or instruction regarding alternatives was not part to a conservative area, a neighbourhood in which uterus and it’s no longer something that is precious depression drop off and her life being of the training. Performing abortion required so their abortion practice was less palatable. in God’s eyes — it’s no longer a precious human put back together again. little effort, everyone was doing it, and they didn’t “Being the community abortionist would not life,” he said. Much has changed for the tall and seem to have a problem with it, so why should he? be something compatible with practicing in the He believes God has truly transformed him — still fit and athletic-looking woman “Abortion facilities were all over Southern Cali- community,” Haywood said. “We no longer were and he offered a message to anyone else who might who stunned the tennis world. Yet fornia,” he said. “I learned to do the procedure in involved with doing abortions though we still be looking for life-change. this one thing remains: She serves 1978 and I spent three years training in family believed in it and we still referred patients to other “Jesus, He comes in [to your life] and He the Lord now as single-mindedly medicine.” doctors to do them.” shifts everything around,” the doctor said. “We as she served her opponents in her He soon met Noreen, who would later become One day in 1986, the couple went to a church become a new creature. He transforms our mind competitive heyday. And surely, his wife and partner in the abortion clinic. As their concert. The preacher made a call for anyone who and we line up with His word by His spirit, so it’s nobody could fault her for that. ● relationship progressed, “moonlighting” together wanted to be “right with God,” to stand up. Hay- new life.” ● 8 • Edition 437 TEENTALK Child art prodigy paints the sublime BY MARK ELLIS “Most of my spiritual experiences I y life began kept secret, so as not in an unusual to overwhelm my par- way,” says Aki- ents,” she says. ane Kramarik, “When I was four “Mnow 25, who spent her early years old, suddenly years in rural Illinois. By I started experienc- unusual, she refers to her ing vivid impres- underwater birth in “a shack” sions about differ- on the edge of a cornfi eld. ent dimensions and a “Our family had no money, great desire to express no friends, no relatives, no tel- them through art,” she evision or radio. Our life was says. quite simple,” she says. Initially, she utilized Her mother, Forelli, is a whatever medium Lithuanian immigrant educa- was on hand: candles, tor. Akiane’s father, Mark, is lipstick, fruits, veg- a chef from Chicago. In her etables, charcoal or early family life, there was no pencils. ABOVE: Eight-year-old Akiane Kramarik in prayer, no discussions of God, At eight-years-old, 2003 with the painting she did called ‘Prince and no visits to church. Yet Akiane decided she of Peace’, and LEFT Akiane in 2019 with in the insular atheistic envi- wanted to paint the another painting of Jesus called ‘I AM’. ronment her parents created face of Jesus, based – free from media infl uences on the visions she or even outside babysitters – had received. She age nine. “I have way,” she says. Akiane suddenly began to talk looked for a person painted about “I alone know how impor- about God. she might use as an 10 paintings of tant Jesus is for me. Instead She spoke of colourful artist’s model for a long time, was a painstaking eff ort. “The only matured and deepened Jesus,” she says, “including of writing it is best for me to dreams and visions about and fi nally told her family they ‘Prince of Peace’ took me 40 since age four. As I grow I see His mother Mary and many express (this) through my heaven, Jesus, and God’s should pray for God to send hours to paint and another 20 how vast and unlimited His paintings of His creation. My personal connection — art. I amazing love. Her stunned someone. hours of working with model love is.” current painting is another portray Jesus how I see Him, parents realized her intense On the day sketching,” Akiane “Jesus remains my highest tribute to Jesus, a very special as human and as divine. focus on God could not have they prayed, a says. “The light side authority, love, and God,” she portrait, titled ‘I AM.’” “My art is only a represen- been inspired by anything in mysterious car- of his face repre- adds. “I pray every day that As Akiane gets older, some tation of what I see — Jesus’ the world they created for her. penter showed SINCE sents the truth, the people will one day follow of the early dreams and glory is beyond any descrip- Indeed, Akiane seemed to be up at their front dark side repre- Jesus, His teachings and feel visions have begun to fade in tion!” ● having supernatural encoun- door looking for NOBODY sents suff ering,” she His love.” her memory. “Although I have Mark Ellis is the founder of God Reports, ters with the living God. work. Akiane TOLD ME notes. Akiane completed her forgotten most of my early a website devoted to promoting Christian missions. This article first took one look Akiane was second painting of Jesus, heavenly contacts, my recent at the man’s WHO GOD struck by the beauty appeared on godreports.com and is “Father Forgive Them,” at visions continue in a special used with permission. facial features WAS, I of Jesus’ eyes. – remark- “All I remember ably close to FOUND GOD were the eyes,” Aki-

AU.CHALLENGE.NEWS the vision she MYSELF. ane says, “and they received – and were like no other Testimonies • Children’s pages Lifestyle articles • Sports told her mother colours that were Published 11 months of the year by Challenge Literature Fellowship (ABN 98 206 125 814) in association with he was the one. ever created. The the international family of Challenge newspapers. In humility, the man ini- closest colour I can depict Editor: Carl Carmody. Staff writers: Jody Bennett, Janice Teo, tially said he was not worthy through paints is a sapphire NEVER EVER GIVE UP Ainsley Gaebler. to represent his Master. But LOSING your 12-year-old to cancer is some- God’s plan was to use heaven for healing,” they PRICING hue.” au.challenge.news/pricing/ reluctantly, the man agreed, Colton identifi ed the colour thing awful to contemplate wrote on Facebook after she died. Order Challenge from Being the 12-year-old getting diagnosed “Jessie earned her wings today and is with Challenge Literature Fellowship although he asked to remain of Jesus’ eyes as blue-green. PO Box 978 Cloverdale WA 6985 anonymous. In 2010, Akiane told Seattle with the inoperable brain tumour would, one Jesus now!!! No pain ... complete vision ... Call 08 9453 3311 Email: [email protected] Akiane’s painting of Jesus station KCTS that her spiritual imagines, cause unquenchable grief and angry spreading joy,” the post continued. epiphanies caused her parents disbelief. But not for Jessica Joy Rees, who They then elaborated on their continued to start seeking answers. “We somehow lived up to her middle name through plans to help advance cancer research. went through almost eve- all of the short 10 months and two days the The response of those parents, just days rything,” Akiane said. “We cancer took to kill her. after their daughter’s death is just as astonish- went through being Christian, And not only did she bravely soldier on ing as her own attitude towards her sickness. being a Catholic, we studied through her treatments in 2011-12, but she Jessie wasn’t out of touch with reality. Some Buddhism. At this point every thought of other kids going through the same of her posts were honest about her struggles one of my siblings have their thing and determined to do something to as she underwent radiation and chemotherapy own path toward a spiritual help them. treatments; others urged readers to support enlightenment. Jessie, as she was known, developed the idea paediatric cancer research and to pray for “I have my own and my of Joy Jars – putting toys and lollies in plastic other children with the illness. parents have theirs and my jars to give to cancer-aff ected kids in order What her incredible positivity was based on brothers have theirs,” she con- to brighten up their lives a bit. While dying was, fi rstly, a conviction that her life, however tinued. “I’m the same person herself, Jessie fi lled over 3000 jars and, with long, had meaning – she was put on earth as when I was four-years-old. the help of her parents, left a lasting legacy in with a job to do – and secondly that there was I haven’t changed.” the form of the charity organisation negu.org. a life after death where her suff ering would Akiane’s discovery of God Now, eight years on, NEGU have given kids be rewarded and the tears of this life would seems remarkably personal. over 300,000 Joy Jars and raised over $19 be dried. “Since nobody told me who million for cancer research. NEGU was Jessie’s Reading her father’s blog on the negu.org Delivery Address: We are looking forward God was, I found God myself. slogan – Never Ever Give Up spreading love, website it is evident that Jessie had a per- PSSM Mailbox Club to hearing from you! He’s been there for me through joy and hope. sonal relationship with Jesus and that she PO Box 357 (07) 5433 1628 the years. I don’t belong to Jessie’s parents Eric and Stacey Rees, who was baptised to publically proclaim this on Morayfi eld 4506 [email protected] any denomination or religion. pastor a church, had prayed fervently that April 2, 2011. Queensland pssm.com.au I belong to God.” their daughter would be healed, that some It is also evident that although her parents To eliminate any confusion, new treatment would be developed or that a grieve terribly, they are able to look forward however, Jesus is fi rst in her miracle would occur. to the day that they will see Jessie again in mind. “He is the only way to Unfortunately, their prayers were answered heaven. God — the only way to heaven diff erently than they hoped. “Miss you so much … love you tons more! and joy,” she states. “My “We have prayed and prayed and prayed See you in a wink … promise!!!” her dad ended personal views on Jesus have for sweet Jessie to be healed here on earth but one post. ● • Edition 437 9 Coping with Covid ...Coping with Covid ... Coping with Covid... Coping with Covid... Be creative

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” - Arthur Ashe

A son hugs his father at the Geriatric Clinic Três Figueiras on June 16, 2020 in Gravatai, Brazil. The clinic has created the Tunel do Abraco (hug tunnel) for elderly residents to be able to hug relatives after more than 70 days apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tunnel is made of a thick View of the illuminated statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil plastic curtain with sleeves, which in April 2020 that reads “Thank you” in tribute to medical workers amidst the guarantees the safety of families. Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Photo Buda Mendes/Getty Images) After each use, the environment is cleaned by a clinic professional. On the positive side (Photo Lucas Uebel/Getty Images) of the pandemic BY CARL CARMODY let me just say I am well aware there is a less savoury side too. Enforced THE death toll from Covid-19 family closeness, job losses and has been horrific, the losses financial hardship can and have heartbreaking. As the world reels it sparked a rise in domestic violence has caused many of us to wonder and addiction. I do not in any way what the future holds. want to minimise the difficulties However, there are some thrust upon our community. encouraging aspects even in this But let us not throw out the baby present darkness I have noticed with the bathwater. Let us instead over the last few months. What this celebrate the good we do see while lockdown and social distancing seem extending a hand in any way we can to have done is to have reminded to those who are struggling. people just how important real There is another thing that has human connection is and perhaps been on my mind, something I think how much we have come to take it for we all need to think about. Have we granted. ever asked ourselves what happens From driveway street parties to to us when we die? Are we ready for communal balcony fitness sessions death? It would appear lots of people to clinking wine glasses held by long were caught off guard when Covid-19 poles of bamboo, social distancing exploded into their lives, even though has ironically revived old-school we know that 100% of us will die neighbourliness. Peyton Manker (18) has made a prom dress entirely out of duct tape in order to win a contest for eventually. Just the other day some people a $20,000 scholarship. Her elaborate creation, including a facemask, jewellery, a virus handbag, The Bible has some interesting walking past my home shouted a shoes and a hair piece, took four months and 41 rolls of duct tape to complete. things to say about this. Hebrews good morning to me, which rarely chapter 9 and verse 27 says; “It is happens. And while queuing up at appointed unto man to die once and Woolworths I noticed people chatting then comes the judgment.” This tells to each other and smiling as they us that we are all in the queue but shared their stories of what was what makes the difference is whether Be kind happening at home. we are prepared for it or not. I’ve also noticed so many more The sad thing is that we become so An Irish pharmacy is giving out chocolate people, especially fathers, going on concerned about setting ourselves up “prescriptions” to spread good will during walks or bike rides with their children, for this life we forget there is another the coronavirus pandemic. Staunton’s or playing basketball in their driveway. life to come, that we need to be Pharmacy in County Mayo are giving What wonderful dividends this will customers a milk bar after visits to the pay. prepared for. local chemist along with a kind message. There have been stories of how A few months ago we celebrated people have gone out of their way to Easter, which is all about how Jesus care for their neighbours to make sure came to Earth and died on a cross to Australian filmmaker Jason all is well. Normally in our busy world pay the penalty for our sins. He rose van Genderen’s mother such acts of kindness are very much from the dead so that we can know Hendrika is 87 years old the exception. forgiveness for our sin and be set free and has Alzheimer’s disease It has been heart-warming from the power of sin in our lives. and vascular dementia. watching families camp in their own A pandemic reminds us how Inspired by some of his backyard and seeing kids so excited incredibly fragile we humans are, childhood memories, Jason as they watch the tent go up. What a and how easily death can take us decided to transform their joy it has been to see families pulling unawares. What we do with Jesus in home into an aquarium, out a board game that hasn’t seen the this life, determines what He will do much like the one he used light of day in years. with us in the next. to visit with his parents. It has been so nice to hear of Doubt it? Here is a thought for you; With help from his wife and people getting around to doing those if I am wrong and there is no afterlife, kids, he hung parchment jobs that have been on the back you have nothing to lose but if I am paper inside some large burner for years. Gardens are looking right, your eternity is in the balance. windows in their house well-tended and, if the shortage of Consider this Bible verse from John and used two projectors to DIY products at Bunnings is anything chapter 3 and verse 16; “For God so display a video of tropical to go by, houses are getting long- loved the world, that He gave his only fish gently gliding through delayed renos and make-overs. begotten Son, that whoever believes the water. His mother was Lest you feel I am painting far too in Him should not perish but have delighted. rosy a picture of family togetherness, eternal life.” ● 10 • Edition 437 Why biologist stopped trying to blend evolution and creation Dr. Gary E. Parker did his doctoral work in biology and geology. He is the author of five widely used programmed instruction books in biology. He explains his evolution to creationism.

hen Gary Parker started theistic part. I fi nally had to give it teaching college biology up.” he was an enthusiastic Gary’s main problem with theis- evolutionist. tic evolution centered around the W“The idea of evolution was very phrase, “very good” in Genesis. At the satisfying to me. It gave me a feeling end of each creation day (except the of being one with the huge, evolving second) God said that His creation universe continually progressing was good. At the end of the sixth day toward grander things. Evolution was He said that all His works of creation really my religion, a faith commit- were “very good”. ment and a complete world-and-life “Now all the theistic evolutionists view that organized everything else and progressive creationists try to fi t for me, and I got quite emotional ‘geologic time’ and the fossil record when evolution was challenged,” he into the creation periods. But regard- remembers. less of how old they are, the fossils “As a religion, evolution answered show the same things that we have on and eventually to my delight, just cesses would produce, we know an in the operation of nature, and the my questions about God, sin, and earth today – famine, disease, disas- about every course I took was full of outside creative agent was involved. I Scriptures guarantee both that order salvation. God was unnecessary, or ter, extinction, fl oods, earthquakes, more and more problems in evolu- began to see the same thing in a study and man’s ability to understand it, at least did no more than make the etc. So if fossils represent stages in tion, and more and more support of living things, especially in the area infusing science with enthusiastic particles and processes from which God’s creative activity, why should for the basic points of of my major interest, hope and richer meaning. Further- all else mechanistically followed. Christians oppose disease and famine Biblical creationism molecular biology. more, creationists are able to recog- ‘Sin’ was only the result of animal or help preserve an endangered spe- outlined in The Gene- “All living things nize both spontaneous and created instincts that had outlived their use- cies? If the fossils were formed dur- sis Flood and Morris’ depend upon a work- (i.e., internally and externally deter- fulness, and salvation involved only ing the creation week, then all these later book, Scientifi c ing relationship mined) patterns of order, and this personal adjustment, enlightened things would be ‘very good’. Creationism. between inheritable opened my eyes to a far greater range self-interest, and perhaps one day “In Genesis 3, Romans 8 and many “For instance, nucleic acid mole- of theories and models to deal with the benefi ts of genetic engineering.” other passages, we learn that such when we started dis- cules, like DNA, and the data from such diverse fi elds as However, even though Gary was negative features were not part of the cussing uranium-lead proteins. To make physiology, systematics, and ecology. such a content evolutionist, through world that God created, but entered and other radiometric proteins, living crea- “Creationism has certainly made a Bible study group he and his wife only after Adam’s sin. By ignoring methods for estimat- tures use a sequence the classroom a much more exciting joined at fi rst for purely social rea- this point, either intentionally or ing the age of the of DNA bases to line place. So much of biology touches sons, God began convincing him unintentionally, theistic evolutionists earth. I thought all up a sequence of on key ethical issues, such as genetic to lean not on his own opinions or and progressive creationists come the creationists’ argu- amino acid Rgroups. engineering, the ecological crisis, those of other human authorities, but into confl ict with the whole pattern ments would be shot But the normal reac- reproduction and development, and to acknowledge God and to let Him of Scripture: the great themes of down and crumble, tions between DNA now I have so much more to off er direct his paths. Creation, the Fall, and Redemption – but just the opposite and proteins are the than just my own opinions and the His conversion to Christianity did how God made the world perfect and happened. ‘wrong’ ones, and act severely limited perspectives of other not however, make Gary a creationist. beautiful; how man’s sin brought a “In one graduate class, the profes- with time and chance to disrupt human authorities. And my students “Like so many before and since, curse upon the world; and how Christ sor told us we didn’t have to memo- living systems. Just as phosphorus, and I have the freedom to discuss I simply combined my new-found came to save us from our sins and to rize the dates of the geologic systems glass, and copper will work together both evolution and creation. Christian religion with the ‘facts’ of restore all things.” since they were far too uncertain in a television set only if properly “Creationists have to pay the price science and became a theistic evolu- Gary admits that intellectual pride and confl icting. Then in geophysics arranged by human engineers, so of academic ridicule and occasional tionist [God created using evolution] stood in the way of him giving up we went over all of the assumptions DNA and protein will work in produc- personal attacks, but these are and then a progressive creationist theistic evolution. “I didn’t want to that go into radiometric dating. tive harmony only if properly ordered nothing compared to the riches of [each Bible day represents millions face academic ridicule. … I don’t Afterwards, the professor said, ‘If a by an outside creative agent.” knowledge and wisdom that are of years]. I thought the Bible told me think I would have had the courage, fundamentalist ever got hold of this Creationism has infl uenced Gary’s ours through Christ!” Gary exclaims. who created, and that evolution told especially as a professor of biology, to stuff , he would make havoc of the work as a scientist and teacher in “I only wish that more people me how. give up evolution or theistic evolution radiometric dating system.’ many positive ways. could share the joy and challenge of “But then I began to fi nd scientifi c without fi nding out that the bulk of “Another example is the word “Science is based on the assump- looking at God’s world through God’s problems with the evolutionary part, scientifi c data actually argues against para-conformity. In The Genesis tion of an understandable orderliness eyes.” ● and theological problems with the evolution. Flood, I had heard that para- “A colleague conformity was a word used by evo- introduced me lutionary geologists for fossil systems to Morris’ and out of order, but with no evidence Whitcomb’s of erosion or overthrusting. When GET ANSWERS FOR YOUR FAMILY famous book, paraconformities and other uncon- The Genesis formities came up in geology class Young people struggle to nd purpose in life, my professor said essentially the Flood. At fi rst believing that ‘science’ has made God irrelevant. I reacted same thing as Morris and Whitcomb. strongly He presented paraconformities as CREATION MAGAZINE provides answers for your family. against the a real mystery and something very book, using diffi cult to explain in evolutionary or all the evolu- uniformitarian terms. tionist argu- “So again, instead of challenging  A rms the complete my creationist ideas, all the geology ments I knew reliability of the Bible so well. But I was learning in graduate school was  Refutes evolution with at that crucial supporting it. time, I got a “The evidence for creation is also real-world evidence fellowship very strong. For instance, all of us can  Helps Christians share grant to study recognize objects that man has cre- and defend their faith a doctorate ated, whether paintings, sculptures, Gary and Mary and creation- or just a Coke bottle. Because the pat- Parker ist arguments tern of relationships in those objects fi rst hand. To is contrary to relationships that time, my surprise, chance, and natural physical pro- Subscribe at CREATION.COM/CMAG • Edition 437 11 Lessons BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS from a TAKING OUT TOXIC THOUGHTS sausage BY ROB FURLONG Bible. As a mentor of mine has often recital of all the bad reminded me, when the negative things I see in that per- (Part 4) LAST month we began a discussion “tape” (remember those?!) begins, son, leaving me with a dog on the impact our mental health eject it and replace it with a new, “set” against them. has on the quality of our life and more positive one. “Changing the Learning to arrest BY JODY BENNETT relationships. tape/CD/Podcast” should become your thinking before In particular, we focused on ways your mantra. it gets out of hand will HAVING a dog is very good for that we can address the toxic thinking I have discovered that one nega- require several attempts one’s ego. that plagues our thought life. tive thought will inevitably lead to but over time, I have To have a creature greet you Here are some more principles another and you can very quickly discovered that by regu- like a celebrity every time you I have found extremely helpful in spiral out of control. Linked together, larly practicing this it come home, look at you with dealing with my own toxic thinking: these thoughts become a chain of will become a habit and slavish devotion and follow you When you become aware of a toxic negativity that punishes not only you, you can pull yourself up “doggedly” around as if they thought, actively replace it with a but others around you. more quickly. are afraid you will disappear at positive one. Sing a song or remind When I fi nd myself in this situ- Arch Hart recom- any moment is healing balm yourself of an encouraging thing ation I consciously pull myself up mends putting the in a world of criticism and someone said about you. with the words “I am not going down thought on trial in disappointments. In my case, because I come from a that trail.” the courtroom of your Christian perspective, I fi nd it help- An example of this is when I think mind and asking it some ful to remind myself of encouraging of someone who has wronged me or tough questions. “What and meaningful passages from the perhaps just did something they are evidence do you present Photo: unaware of but I was off ended by to say this thought is Getty it. My thinking goes like this: “I am true?” Images off ended by what they just said or did. “What gives you the “That’s typical of (whoever) – they right to say that?” always do this! “How do you know “Remember the time they said/did things will not get better?” (Arch Hart, My experience is that God does this to you..?” Habits of the mind.) listen to our prayers and you have From there, I usually go into a A recent development for me has everything to gain by praying. Many been to simply tell the toxic thought, doctors and health professionals Having a cat, as far as I “You are not welcome here!” acknowledge that we are spiritual remember from my cat-owning I am a great believer in prayer, so beings and we need to give attention days, does not bestow on when I experience those times when to our inner lives. I certainly want to you the same king-like status my mind is being bombarded with point you in the direction of God but though; cats might yawn from How can I become toxic thoughts (usually when I am I will not force that. I can only speak where they are curled up on the tired) I talk to God about it. from my own experience and I have couch as you walk in the door, a Christian? I say things like, “God – this is not found that prayer works! or perhaps get up to meow near who I am and it is not how You see The important thing to remember is their food bowl in complaint at Anyone can gain the eternal life o ered though Jesus Christ me. I cannot control these thoughts that all of the above takes time. Devel- the delay in feeding them. We read in God’s word: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, right now, so please help me. I will oping new habits always does. But Or they just won’t be there if that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) rest in You – You are in control. Help don’t forget, you have spent a lifetime they have better things to do. me to do my part – I will leave the developing your toxic thinking so it is Dogs are dependant, cats are OUR Separation from God rest to You.” to be expected that you will have to independent. That is why dogs PROBLEM: “Everyone has sinned. Nobody is good enough because Prayer may be a foreign concept work hard to eradicate it. have a reputation for being God’s standards are perfect” (Romans 3:23) DMIT A for some of you reading this but as I Healthy thinking leads to a healthier man’s best friend and are the have said before in this column – why life and healthier relationships so inspiration for such tales of GOD’S Jesus died on the cross not try it? here’s to healthier thinking! ● faithfulness as Red Dog or Lassie. REMEDY / “God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we I am not trying to get into SOLUTION: were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) ELIEVE B a cat-lovers versus dog-lovers Trust Jesus by receiving Him argument here, as I think both “To all who received Him, to those who believed in make good pets, but they OUR His name, He gave the right to become children do display two extremes of RESPONSE: of God” (John 1:12) COMMIT FREE TO PICK YOUR MASTER responses to kindness; much like our own attitudes towards God BY DR JIM DENISON ABRIDGED our Master. Consider this profound Here is an example of how you can pray. observation by Frederick Buechner: when we realise He loves us and Dear Father in Heaven. I come to you now because I want to be saved. NEW York Gov. Andrew Cuomo We have freedom to the degree that wants to be in relationship with Please, forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to captured the spirit of our age when he the master whom we obey grants it to us us so much that He sent Jesus die for me and that you have raised him from the dead. I now ask Jesus Christ said of declining coronavirus cases in his in return for our obedience. We do well to to die in our place for our sins to come into my life as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Please state, “The number is down because we choose a master in terms of how much (wrongdoing). make me the person You created me to be. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen brought the number down. God did not freedom we get for how much obedience. We can have the cat’s attitude The Lord Jesus says: “I tell you the truth. Everyone who believes in me do that. Faith did not do that. Destiny To obey the law of the land leaves us of, “My master cares for me, feeds has eternal life.” (John 6:47). He gives life of a wonderful quality that continues forever. did not do that. A lot of pain and our constitutional freedom, but not the me, pets me, provides for me AS A NEXT STEP : su ering did that” (his emphasis). freedom to follow our own consciences and lets me sleep on his bed, In his worldview, we have a binary wherever they lead. which is proof that I am special If you prayed If you have NOT prayed choice: either we do something, or God To obey the dictates of our own and valuable, and it is only what the above prayer, the prayer at this I deserve.” tick this box stage, tick this box does it. The governor doesn’t seem to consciences leaves us freedom from understand that God employs people to the sense of moral guilt, but not the Or we can have the dog’s I have prayed I would like to do His work, that He can lead scientists freedom to gratify our own strongest attitude, which says: “My master this prayer. think about this. and empower doctors in our fallen appetites. cares for me, feeds me, pets me, To obey our strongest appetites for provides for me and lets me Please send me: Please send me: world. Or that praying for His help is essential to experiencing the fullness of drink, sex, power, revenge, or whatever sleep on his bed, which is proof Bible More information as I am inquiring leaves us the freedom of an animal to that he is such a wonderful, about being a Christian. His omnipotent grace: “You do not have, Some ‘starting off ’ literature take what we want when we want it, but loving master, and it is more than I have a problem (see att ached lett er) because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Information on a helpful church We obviously need scientists and not the freedom of a human being to I deserve.” leaders to do their work. We need to be human. God loves and draws you to * Please tick and write clearly * shelter in place until we can return to The old prayer speaks of God Himself, not because you are “normal.” “in whose service is perfect freedom.” so important or talented, but Name ______But as we search for ways to defeat The paradox is not as opaque as it because He is so gracious and sounds. It means that to obey Love long-su ering, as the Bible says Address ______this disease, how many of our leaders are turning to God for help? When we itself, which above all else wishes us “all our good deeds [done in our Phone ______make progress in battling the virus, how well, leaves us the freedom to be the own strength] are as lthy rags”. many of our people are turning publicly best and gladdest that we have it in But when we do come to Christ, Age and occupation (it helps) ______to God in gratitude? us to become. The only freedom Love we realise we are valuable, denies us is the freedom to destroy unique and beloved in Jesus and Challenge Literature Fellowship Fax (08) 9453 3006 or email The only path to perfect freedom ourselves ultimately. How free are you our gratitude causes us to love, PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985 [email protected] When we submit our lives to Christ Jesus, we experience the paradoxical today? ● obey and praise Him even more. All overseas enquiries are referred onto someone in their own country freedom that comes from making Him See the full article at denisonforum.org ● Matthew Slater #18 and Benjamin Watson #84 of the New England Patriots kneel to pray with Christian Wilkins #94 and John Jenkins #95 of the Miami Dolphins after a game at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

REASON,mid the violence, hatred and But we can influence the nextRACE gen- the physical ills of the world withAND enrichment opportunities throughFAITH anger that has been expressed eration, our kids, and Benjamin is a the hope of sharing the essential, charities in order to spread the love around racial issues recently, strong advocate for the importance equalizing and everlasting spiritual and hope of Christ to One More soul. former NFL player Benjamin of fathers. He encourages parents: cure for mankind’s most pressing As regards racial issues, Benjamin AWatson has emerged as a voice of “Our children watch our nonverbal dilemma [sin].” wrote on Facebook in 2016: “Only in thoughtful reason. reactions to race as well as hear our Raised in a pastor’s home, with Christ do the temporal distinctions His speech at the recent “Boston comments. loving parents, Benjamin chose to between us fade, as our oneness Pray” rally held on June 14 pointed “Be mindful of both because they follow Jesus as a six year old. Even in Him takes precedence over our his audience to truth, justice, kind- are equally destructive. Racial jokes, at such a young age he realised his color, creed and culture; and our ness and faith, echoing his 2015 generalisations, and stereotypes sins separated him from a holy God allegiance to Him compels us to book Under Our Skin: Getting Real inevitably influence their expecta- and that Jesus offered him salvation make those who matter to Him, About Race--And Getting Free From tions as they grow older and eternal life. He says matter most to us.” the Fears and Frustrations That and form the bias that that his mom remembers He told Fox News in June, “Right Divide Us. sometimes creates the WE NEED that he always wanted to now at a time of turmoil and a time Benjamin who has long been outcomes we witness on be a football player and of trying to figure out where we go outspoken about both his Chris- our television screens.” TO SEEK a missionary. He met his next as a nation, we need to seek tian faith and opposition to racism Christians can some- KINDNESS wife, Kirsten, through the kindness, we need to treat people believes, as most Christians do, that times think that they Fellowship of Christian with compassion, we need to seek the two are inseparable. have to focus on either Athletes at the University justice - whether that is protection Benjamin Watson and his wife, The former tight end, who retired Biblical values or social of Georgia, and together or punishment, and we need to seek Producer and Host of Divided Hearts this past March and has played 16 justice issues, but Benjamin is they now have seven children. He is righteousness – the moral law that of America Kirsten Watson, attend seasons for various teams in the a great believer that the two go also a vocal opponent of abortion, we all should live by.” ● Stork Ball 2020 in Washington, DC. NFL, opened the prayer rally by together. and an advocate for the homeless. (Photo Leigh Vogel/Getty Images) quoting Jeremiah 9:24: “Let him “As believers, the Gospel informs Benjamin remembers that when who boasts boast in this, that he how we view the world, it doesn’t he first started to play NFL football understands and knows Me, that I mean that we don’t see what’s really he was such a perfectionist and so am the Lord who practices steadfast happening. It doesn’t mean that we afraid of failure. However, through love, justice, and righteousness neglect facts. It doesn’t mean that we an ACL injury and deep discussions in the earth. For in these things I aren’t hurt and upset when injustice with his father, he came to realise delight, declares the Lord.” occurs. What it does mean is that that the grace (undeserved love) This verse reflects Benjamin’s own we know a God who can correct all Jesus Christ offers means he doesn’t values showcased on his website of those things. And it means that have to be perfect, he can try and - truth, justice, faith, family, father- when we enter into these types of maybe fail and always be forgiven. hood and kindness. issues we need to enter in with truth This insight gave him the freedom Benjamin declared, “Our ultimate and humility,” he told Faith Driven to boldly live out his convictions and purpose in life is to glorify God. If Athlete: attain new heights both profession- you ever think you’re too important, On his website, he states: “The ally and personally.

ask your kid about your grandfather; Gospel must always remain at the He and Kirsten established the DISTRIBUTED BY: she doesn’t know him. That’s how center of our lives because it is the One More Foundation in 2008, fast we are here. You are two genera- power of God unto salvation for devoted to meeting real needs, Print Post Approved 100001398. Published by Challenge Literature Fellowship (Aust.) Inc. of tions from being forgotten.” all who believe. I fervently address promoting education and providing PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985. Ph (08) 9453 3311. Email: [email protected] - Printed 08/2020