TM

THE GOOD NEWS PAPER No. 414 BBROKENROKEN OOUTSIDEUTSIDE BBUTUT WWHOLEHOLE WITHINWITHIN

ick Vujicic knows intimately fi rst four months. It took her and thought that stopped me from going what it is to feel different Dad quite a while before they could through with it was the love I had Nand rejected. He was born trust in God that He did not make for my parents. I loved them so with tetra-amelia syndrome, a mistake; that He did not forget much, and all they did was love me. an extremely rare disorder that them or me.” I pictured my funeral. I pictured my leaves a person without fully formed Nick’s parents handed their fear parents, and all I saw was guilt on limbs. Nick has no legs about their son’s dis- their shoulders that they could not just, what he calls, a ability over to the have done more.” “chicken foot”, and no Lord Jesus, choosing One day, when he was 15, Nick’s arms. “WHY DIDN’T to trust Him and His mother had him read an article “It was so hard to GOD GIVE promise that He had about a severely disabled man, be strong when peo- a plan and a purpose. which had a great impact on his life. ple constantly told ME WHAT However, as the years She told him, “Nick, God’s going to me, ‘You are not good EVERYBODY passed, Nick, on the use you. I do not know how. I do enough. Go away. We other hand, had dif- not know when, but God’s going to do not want anything ELSE HAS?” ficulty trusting in a use you.” to do with you,’” Nick God that he felt had “I have a choice,” Nick says, “to remembers sadly. given him less. either be angry at God for what I do Nick was born in “I challenged God,” not have or be thankful for what I Melbourne, Australia, to two Chris- Nick recalls. “I said, ‘God, I know do have. That’s when I started see- tian Serbian immigrants from that I am a sinner. I know that I ing that there is no point in being Yugoslavia. will not have peace until You are complete on the outside when you “My dad said that his head was in my heart. But I will not let You are broken on the inside. I found next to my mum’s as I was being into my heart until You answer me, out that God can heal you without born,” Nick told The 700 Club. “He why? Why did you take my arms changing your circumstance. saw my shoulder and that I had no and legs? Why didn’t You give me “So I gave my life to Jesus Christ. right arm. He had to leave the room what everybody else has? God, until In the Bible, I read through the ninth because he could not believe what he You answer that question, I will not chapter of the Gospel of John. It was had seen. The doctor came in, and serve You.’” about this man who was blind from my dad said, ‘My son has no right One day, at the age of eight, Nick birth. People asked Jesus, when He arm.’ [The doctor] replied, ‘No, your decided to end it all. “If God was not saw him, ‘Why was this man born son has no arms or legs.’ My Dad going to end my pain, I was going to that way?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was Australian preacher and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic displays his “chicken nearly fell on the fl oor. end it myself,” he says. done so that the works of God may foot” and his humour to an audience during his public lecture at Zhengzhou “At fi rst, my mum did not want Nick tried to drown himself in a be revealed through him.’ International Convention and Exhibition Center in 2012 in China. to hold me or breastfeed me. She bathtub fi lled with four inches of (Photo VCG/VCG via Getty Images) just felt very uncomfortable for the water, but he couldn’t do it. “The ● Turn to page 2

Fun for Kids Off drink into dream life PPagesages 55,6,7,6,7 ggrewrew up in an Aborigi- white folks, who visited, was known placing his hand on my head and ask- nnalal community at One as paradise, with its clear blue waters ing Jesus and the Holy Spirit to come IAArmrm Point, about 210 km and white sandy beach. Sometimes I into my life. While on the mission I BACK nnorth ort of Broome in the wonder why God took me away from heard about my dad’s passing. PAGE West Kimberley region in paradise, but I believe He had His rea- After a year at Roelands Mission, I WesternWes Australia. My sons, because I used to go to Sunday was sent to Perth, to a boys’ hostel in ggrandmotherr and my School at the community. My Sunday Mt Lawley, and I attended Cyril Jack- ddad raised me. My dad School teacher convinced my dad and son High School. I used to spend week- and mum separated my grandmother and the rest of the ends going to Christian youth groups when I was about two family that I should go to a Christian on Saturday night, and Sunday night years old, and I was boarding school down south. In 1982, church service, on Sundays. That was left with my dad and I was sent to Roelands Christian Mis- in 1983. I joined the East Perth Sports grandmother to take sion, which was situated between Club, playing basketball and football. I care of me. My dad Bunbury and Harvey. was all around State Champion in Bas- came from a Catholic I spent every Sunday going to ketball for the under 16s, representing MMission,is Beagle Bay, and Church and Bible study on the mis- the East Perth Club. GGOD’SOD’S MMarkark CoxCox hashas donedone moremore MMumum fromfr Sunday Island, in sion. One night a friend asked me if I After a year in Perth, I went back to GOLFERGOLFER iinn hhisis lifelife thathan he evern he everthe KingKin Sound area. wanted to ask Jesus into my life and the Kimberleys. cooulduld hhaveave iimagined.magined. OneOne Arm Point to many I said, “OK”, so he prayed for me by ● Turn to page 2 ANDREWANDREW GGEORGIOUEORGIOU 2 Challenge Edition 414 Is there a light at the BBrokenroken ooutside,utside, end of the tunnel?

likelil ke a mightymi maze, but it BY ALAN BAILEY isi not without a plan. bbutut wwholehole wwithinithin DO you ever wonderder TheThT e main reason why where the human it lolooks so ugly in ● From page 1 race is heading? placesppla is that there is Is it fl at out going suchssu a thing as evil. downhill to its YouYo see evidences “I believe God breathed life and own destruction ofof it every day. faith into me,” Nick shares excitedly. or is there a brightt GodGo is holy in an “This peace came over me. I felt like peaceful future onn absoluteab sense and God answered my question that I had the way? Opinionss is utterly opposed been waiting for. The question I had will range betweenen to it. asked was: ‘Why did you make me these poles but I ffancyancy RatherRath than come this way?’ The answer was: ‘Do you pessimism is in thee downdow on all evil with trust Me?’ When you say yes to that majority. There the heavy hand of question, nothing else matters. There are so many signs a ddespot,e God has was nothing else I could fi nd. There of civilization comingming allowedallowed SatanS a certain was nothing else that could give me apart at the seams. Acts of cruelty, measure of freedom. Evil needs to peace. I knew arms and legs would oppression and war are on the run its course. As part of His great not give me peace anyway. I need to increase. Weapons are becoming plan He gave the beloved Son Jesus know the truth of who I am, why I am more frightening as technology to die for sinners on a cross. His here and where I am going when I am advances. We look to national leaders rising from the dead heralds the not here. I have not found that truth to navigate the way forward, but  nal victory of God. He doesn’t want anywhere else but in Jesus Christ.” Nick Vujicic and his wife Kanae, with their eldest two children. agreement is hard to  nd. Hatreds, angry conscripts in His kingdom, He By the age of 19, Nick started prejudices and cruel ideologies keep wants those who will love and serve reaching out to others and bringing getting in the way. Him willingly and gladly. them the Gospel of Jesus, through his own sense of purpose. Jesus Christ. Hope is when you com- Do you wonder if anyone is in Today we see the nations sharing his own story about how God Nick is married to Kanae and pare your suffering to the infi nite, charge, in a sovereign way, ruling gathering in the Middle East in a way has changed his life and given him a together they’ve had four children, immeasurable love and grace of God! over everything? The reports we see that the Bible forecast many years hope and a future. Kiyoshi, Dejan and identical twins, “Isaiah 40, verse 31 says, ‘Those and hear from the media day after ago. Final scenes of battle lie ahead. In the last decade, Nick has shared Olivia and Ellie. who wait upon the Lord, who renew day don’t encourage the idea. All The prophets have so far been spot his testimony [personal story] in 24 “I want to look right at you and their strength, shall mount up on seems so random, outcomes seem on. God’s great program is nearing its countries to over three million peo- tell you that God loves you,” Nick wings as eagles.’ I do not need my so unsatisfactory, human wisdom consummation. ple. He is the founding president and concludes. “He has not forgotten circumstance to change. I do not need and human nature disappoint—let’s Which calls for the question, CEO of the non-profi t organisation your pain. He has not forgotten your arms and legs. I need the wings of face it. We are not able to rescue “Whose side are you on?” It’s all- and ministry, Life Without Limbs. He family. Maybe you’re comparing your the Holy Spirit. I am fl ying, because ourselves. important that we bow the knee to has also written an autobiographical sufferings to my suffering, but that I know Jesus is holding me up. Does the Bible reveal some light the one and only Saviour, Jesus. He book, Life Without Limits, on how his is not where hope is. Hope is in the “Don’t give up on God, because at the end of the tunnel? Is there said “Come to me, all you who are faith in God has helped him to fi nd name of God, the name of our Lord God will not give up on you.” ● any sense in history’s long line of weary and burdened, and I will give events? Yes there is. The world looks you rest.” ●

Crossword OOffff drinkdrink intointo ddreamream llifeife ● From page 1 of me. There were only three things in In 1998 - 1999 I did a mission ACROSS DOWN 8 Choice part of a group 14 With few storeys (3-4) My mum was living in Kununurra, my life of drinking: fi ghting, jail and training course with Youth With A 7 Acquired 9 Foot part 17 Short snooze 1 Money with her second husband and two hospital for alcohol poisoning. Mission (YWAM) in Darwin. That led relative 10 Rubbish, trash 19 Hold tight manufacturer kids. My two older brothers were also In 1994 God came back into my to doing mission outreach through (2-3) 11 Cancel a subscription 20 Role player 2 Toolbox item in Kununurra. I went to Kununurra life. I had a very bad hangover from outback Australia (from Darwin to 3 Gulp of drink to visit and stay with my mum. In drinking for two weeks in town. One Coober Pedy in South Australia) and Saturday night a cloud of blackness on an outreach mission trip to Indo- 4 Decimal Kununurra I mixed with the wrong shadowed my mind. I could not see nesia - to Bali and Lomboke Island. (system) teenage crowd, and ended up drink- ing alcohol and smoking. I started a thing. I was afraid and In Acts 1- 8, Jesus said, 5 Travel drinking alcohol at 16, in 1985. called out to God to for- “You will receive power document I drifted away from God and the give me for every wrong “JESUS when the Holy Spirit comes 6 Erase church. thing in my life and take CAME TO upon you, and you shall be 11 Open with Alcohol ruined my life. I drank away all the darkness. my witnesses in Jerusalem, key from 1985 to 1996. There were a lot The blackness left me GIVE ME in all Judea and Samaria, 12 River span of broken relationships that I went and I could see again. I LIFE TO and to the ends of the 13 Set a ame through. I played football and was felt the Holy Spirit come earth.” over me and felt peace THE FULL” In 2003 I did a two- 15 Small dam good at it but alcohol got the better in my heart. I felt the year course at Perth Bible 16 Test love of GodG and tears College. 18 Comb line sstartedtarted runningr down After returning to the mmyy face.face. In that instant God took Kimberleys, I enrolled in Notre Dame away my desire to drink and smoke. University in Broome to do a two- I knew GGodo had forgiven me, and that year Education course, graduating HHee was rreal.e in 2006. I was cast as an extra in the SOLUTION IInn JerJeremiahe 33:3 God says: “Call to award-winning movie Bran Nue Dae PAGE 11 mmee and I will answer you, and show in 2008. yyouou greatgreat and mighty things, which In 2011, I needed to refresh my 93 15 8 yyouou dodo not know.” In my new- spirit so I went to Brisbane to study Sudoku ffoundound faith in Christ, I wanted to at the Nazarene University. I spent 49 ffollowollo Him and so I got baptized two years there. Since returning from Fill in the grid so iinn Kununurra in the Order Brisbane I have worked in different that every row, every 432 RRiver, during a big Christian jobs in Broome. In July 2015 God column, and every 3x3 cconvention in 1997. called me to work with Aborignal box contains the digits 13 Since giving my life to students from the Kimberleys and 1 through 9. Jesus Christ, God has around Western Australia, at the Puzzle Level: Medium 73 59 blessed me in taking me to Christian Aboriginal Parent School 42 places that I used to only (CAPS) in Coolgardie, in the gold- 6 3 8 dream about going, and fi elds. I now live in Broome and 15 4 helping me to do things fellowship in the Peoples Church, 4 2 9 I never thought I’d do. God helping out in leading the Sunday 62 hhelpedelped me in getting a driver’s night service. 7 5 1 llicence,icence and to study at a training In John 10:10, Jesus said: “I have MMarkark CCoxox centre in Derby for two years, in come that you may have life and have SOLUTION PAGE 11 83514 11996-996- 1997. it to the full.” ● Edition 414 3

BBababyy-faced-faced SSelenaelena aalreadylready WITH KARL FAASE We are richer wisewise aboutabout liflife than we think AUSTRALIANS are like most ctress and popstar Selena heart, my every last people in other western Gomez opened up recently ounce of energy on nations, in that we all think we about her lifelong journey stage,” she says. “I are worse off than we actually with God at last year’s would think that A are. Australian newspaper the Hillsong Conference in Los these loud screams in 2017 Angeles, attended by thousands of from thousands of Sydney Morning Herald people. people will be the reported on one study. She surprised worshippers at the very thing that saves The interactive calculator concert with a performance of her me … but it wasn’t.” asked readers to guess how song “Nobody”, which alludes to how In 2015, Selena their household income no one can love her like God does and was diagnosed with compared with the rest of is included in her Revival album. an auto-immune Australia. The 25-year-old singer also shared disease, Lupus. She About 80 per cent of her testimony in the form of a letter, received chemother- users ranked their incomes which details her life from a child apy to treat it and in somewhere in the middle three until now. August 2016, shrank bands; less than half actually “You already have faith, but you from the spotlight belonged here. have no idea what you have faith due to symptoms The majority of Australians in,” Selena says of her 15 year old associated with the believe they worse off self. “You are already being pursued disease. fi nancially then they by God who knit you together and In the summer of actually are. called you His, but you still do not 2017, Selena under- This is not know that this can be more than a went a kidney trans- Selena Gomez attends Harper’s BAZAAR Celebration of ‘ICONS By Carine Roitfeld’ at The Plaza Hotel surprising nightly prayer, you do not know that plant, a kidney being on September 8, 2017 in New York City. (Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) as people this will become the most important donated to her by her seek to give relationship.” good friend, actress Francia Raisa. When she was 23, her fame growing, and downs in her life and experienced the impression of Selena was born to teenage par- “There aren’t the words to describe Selena shared that she was “sitting in pain and heartbreak, but her bold wealth via the status symbols, ents in Texas and how I can possibly thank my beau- a church service and everything within declaration of faith in Jesus has set which leaves everyone around suffered emotion- tiful friend,” Selena captioned an me just shifted.” the course for the well-known model them feeling poor. ally as a child. She “YOU ARE Instagram post of her and Francia “The God that had been pursuing me and singer to begin a new path in life. It is another reminder that blamed her mother recovering from surgery, holding all along felt tangible,” she states. “The “Selena, you are enough!” she con- we would all do well to learn for her parents’ sep- ENOUGH hands in side-by-side hospital Holy Spirit spoke louder than anything cludes her testimony. “Not because the great Apostle Paul’s secret aration when she beds. “She gave me the ultimate that has called for my attention. you have tried hard, not because you of a good life, learn to be BECAUSE rd was fi ve years old. gift and sacrifi ce … I am incredibly “On my 23 birthday, Jesus became have loved hard or put on your best content with whatever you Without her dad, OF GOD’S blessed.” real to me. He was more than a nightly face. Not because you have been given have. the family struggled Selena ended her post with the prayer, more than the strength of a large platform and not because oth- GRACE” “Keep your lives free from the financially. They phrase, “Grace through faith” friends, more than the Name in a ers tell you ‘you are enough’. You are love of money and be content scrounged up quar- which is a reference to Ephesians devotional, He became real. enough because you are a child of God with what you have, because ters to put petrol in 2:8, “For it is by grace you have “I am a Christian,” the 25-year-old who has been pursued from the very God has said, ‘Never will I leave the car and frequently fed on spa- been saved, through faith – and this states unabashedly in a YouTube beginning. You are enough because His you; never will I forsake you’.” ghetti from the Dollar Store. is not from yourselves, it is the gift interview. grace [undeserved love] has saved you (Hebrews 13:5) “I was frustrated that my parents of God.” Selena has gone through many ups and covered you.” ● ● weren’t together and never saw the light at the end of the tunnel where my mom was working hard to provide a better life for me,” she shares. “My mom was really strong around me. Having me at 16 had to have been NNashvilleashville DDarlingarling hhasas aallll sshehe nneedseeds a big responsibility. She gave up everything for me, had three jobs, supported me and sacrifi ced her life n 2012, people fell in love with TV About Heaven, the chorus of which for me.” drama Nashville, about country goes: Knowing what I know about Selena got her start in acting with a Isingers in America’s country heaven/ Believing that you’re all childhood role as Gianna on Barney capital. the way home/ Knowing that you’re and Friends. Later, she landed the Well, Sarah Darling’s story is a somewhere better/ Is all I need to starring role of Alex Russo on the Dis- real-life Nashville plotline. In 2003, let you go ney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Sarah made her name known when She wrote that song, Sarah explains Place from 2007-12. She was follow- she became a top-three fi nalist on E! to The Christian Post, about her ing in the footsteps of fellow Disney Entertainment’s The Entertainer, grandfather. stars Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas and hosted by Wayne Newton. “When I was six, my grandpa went Demi Lovato, who kept squeaky clean Sarah came just short of win- in for heart surgery,” the singer says. images as Disney teens only to go off ning, however, because Newton did “He died and they revived him and the rails when they branched out on not see her as a good fi t for the Las they said he had a year to live.” their own. Vegas crowd. He advised her to go to Her grandfather was still alive Selena too seemed to be falling Nashville, Tennessee, to focus on her when she wrote the song, and still into the post-Disney struggles. She country music. alive in 2013 when she told the story, cultivated a sultry songstress image By 2009, her debut Jack of Hearts 26 years after his attack. Sarah says and ran with the Hollywood A-listers, had made Country Music Television’s she wanted to write a song that Sarah Darling performs in Nashville, Texas. (Photo Getty Images). including BFF Taylor Swift. Song top 20 countdown. painted a picture. after song topped the charts, and Her second album, Angels & Dev- “Why on earth would we want “You can easily get lost in the music she says, “but he is probably the she became the girlfriend of a trou- ils, was released in 2011. someone back here when they’re business if you don’t have God as wisest person I’ve known on this bled Justin Bieber for a year, only In late 2012, her single Home to going to heaven? [Heaven] is our your centre, Christ as your centre,” planet. He loves the Lord and I ended to stumble through another year of Me sold over 8000 copies in the home — our real home. she says. up having an amazing childhood of on-and-off-again rumours. fi rst week of release and became the “It’s a song that really helps people “Faith has always been the centre having God centred in my life. Selena admits that her life in Hol- top-selling single from a new female deal with death, which is a very dif- of what I do. Singing, life, every- “I think that if I did not have my lywood was confusing and painful. artist since May 2011. It landed on US fi cult thing,” she adds. “Doctors can thing— it gets me through and keeps faith in Christ,” she adds, “I could not “I lived out my mistakes in front of Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. tell you, ‘You’ve got a year to live’, me grounded. do this career or have the patience the world, I was picked apart com- With a bright, clear voice, fl ow- but it’s really up to God. He knows “God gave me this gift and I want or perseverance to go on with it. pletely,” she shares tearfully. “I wish ing blonde waves, and a collection the day and the hour when you are to use it in the right ways, but I can’t Faith keeps me in the right place and I could tell you that it goes away, but of statement earrings, Sarah is the meant to leave this earth.” let my head get too big. That would everything in perspective.” it just gets bigger and bigger and you embodiment of country. Sarah has always been very be my biggest struggle.” Sarah recognises the gift God has start feeling smaller and smaller.” Only one thing sets her apart. open about her Christian faith and Once again, Sarah’s grandfather given her and she praises Him with it. Selena sought for peace and secu- In 2009, as part of her debut album regularly credits God for the strength comes into her story, because he is As she sings in All You’ve Got, “You rity to fi ll the void in her heart. Every Monday Morning, Sarah and perseverance it took her to make “a big part of [her] faith.” don’t know God is all you need until “I would show up and give my released Knowing What I Know it in the industry. “I wouldn’t call him a preacher,” God is all you’ve got.” ● 4 Challenge Edition 414 “Jesus, take the controls” 1 min after The recent response of you die a Southwest Airlines The third part in a short pilot to imminent series that explores the disaster, is a lesson to ultimate end of us all. us all. BY RICK LEWERS THE idea and hope of immortality beyond BY AINSLEY GAEBLER the grave is not new to any generation. An Egyptian corpse, for example, considered ecently, the story of a South- worthy of immortality was mummifi ed and west pilot having to make items useful for the afterlife buried with them. an emergency landing amid R A Greek corpse had a coin placed between the engine failure has made world corpse’s teeth so that the dead person would headlines. have the fare to pay the way across the mystic On April 17th, Tammie Jo Shults, sea. American Indians were buried with their an ex-military pilot, safely guided the bow, arrows and pony for when they entered damaged aircraft to the ground after the happy hunting ground. Cryonics, cloning one of the plane’s engines blew up, may be our 21st century equivalents. sending shrapnel straight through a Afterlife questions can only be answered window. One passenger was partially with certainty from beyond the grave sucked out of the broken window making Jesus Christ crucial. When Jesus was but was rescued and pulled back in, Investigators examine damage to the engine belonging to Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 that separated during alive He pulled back the curtain on death unfortunately dying later that day, fl ight on April 17, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Investigators can’t explain with certainty why the engine and gave to a group of people, who loved while seven others sustained minor malfunctioned but are directing their attention to metal fatigue on fan blades. One woman died due to the money, a sneak peek into the afterlife. The injuries. incident. (Photo Keith Holloway/National Transportation Safety Board via Getty Images) story is not introduced as a parable. Jesus Tammie Jo was hailed a hero by paints the reality, wanting to off er people surviving passengers for her calm an opportunity to understand death’s dual and level-headed response to the However, the former Navy fi ghter can resonate and awaken peo- our lives, we are really powerless destinies. The story is found in Luke’s Gospel situation, which resulted in her sav- pilot shares that she was not alone in ple’s eyes to how great a God we to control situations, other peo- in the sixteenth chapter beginning in the 19th ing the lives of the 149 people who that moment of crisis. have,” Tammie Jo shares. “I just ple, the weather or even, many verse. were on board. “My biggest goal amid the emer- want people to know that, the times, our own emotions. We Two men, a rich man and a very poor bloke gency landing and subse- entire time, He was there with pretend we are self-determining called Lazarus die and the distinctives around quent media coverage is that me, that He helped me to get in but really we are dependent on their deaths are remarkable, if not disturbing. I can share my faith and it control of that plane.” God for our every breath and For Lazarus there is no mention of a burial but Tammie Jo is a Christian, every heartbeat. there is of angels that carry him to his rest. active in her church and mar- Many people can testify to The rich man is buried but there are no angels Southwest Airlines Captain ried to a fellow pilot the relief and honesty and his destination one minute after he dies is Tammie Jo Shults, who with whom she has two there is in acknowledg- dreadful. One fi nds himself at Abraham’s side was the pilot of Southwest children. She says that ing their dependency which is short hand for enjoying the promises Airlines Flight 1380 which sitting in the captain’s “THE on God and placing the of God’s heaven while the other fi nds himself experienced engine failure chair gives her “the reins of their life in His ENTIRE in Hades, the place of the dead. between New York and Dallas opportunity to share hands. TIME, One minute after these men die four things in April, during a meeting about Christ on almost When a person fi rst are observable from what Jesus says. Firstly with US President Donald every fl ight.” JESUS becomes a Christian, the men are fully conscious. While Lazarus Trump and crew members Her journey into they have to be willing WAS is consciously at peace, the rich man knows and passengers of the fl ight aviation was not easy to turn everything over thirst that can’t be quenched, requests that in the Oval O ce of the and she had to over- THERE to God and make Him can’t be answered, and worry for his loved White House in Washington, come many obstacles their Lord. When they WITH ones that can’t be satisfi ed. DC, May 1, 2018. (Photo Saul in a male-dominated do that, they can enjoy Secondly, the men realise that their Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) environment, even- ME” the peace and security destinations are irrevocably fi xed. A chasm tually becoming one of knowing that God is lies between the two men such that nothing of the first women with them always and can cross to damage the peace of Lazarus fi ghter pilots in the US that He has everything but equally nothing can cross to satisfy the military. But Tammie Jo’s com- under control. frustrations of the rich man. mitment to excel in what she Of course, becoming a believer Lifeboat Thirdly, both men recognise the does has granted her a national in Jesus does not mean that rightness of their destinations. Lazarus platform by which she can share you no longer make mistakes. rests thankfully while the rich man doesn’t BY JODY BENNETT her faith in Jesus. We are all sinners, but turning rail against God about the unfairness of His “[That safe landing] was away from our sin is the best MY teenager was asked by a justice, but recognises how wrong he has because of God, not me. I was thing about being a Christian. boy at school this week: “I’m an been about God. just a teammate and a co-cap- You can ask the Lord and oth- atheist does that mean that I am Finally, with the focus particularly on the tain. God was the captain,” she ers that you may have hurt for condemned to hell?” rich man, the rich man becomes committed stated later. forgiveness and know that once She wasn’t sure what to say – as to God’s mission to save people, not This story made me stop and you have been forgiven, your a Christian she knows that the Bible the only thing that can save you!” wanting anyone to come where he is. think about how many people slate is wiped clean and you can teaches that apart from belief in the How silly for the drowning Why the diff erent destinations? Well it’s got are really willing to let God be start afresh. atoning death of Jesus on the cross to reply “How dare you say I’m nothing to do with rich or poor. Jesus says it’s the “captain” of their lives. We Many a life has gone awry we all go to hell, but how to say that drowning! I’m not drowning, I’m got to do with Moses and the Prophets. That is feel like we have a right to govern because it was not lived in sub- in a way that doesn’t sound harsh swimming just fi ne thanks. You think to say it has got to do with living and trusting and dictate the course of our own mission and obedience to God. and judgemental? you are so special in that lifeboat, God’s word. God’s word was not enough lives, especially in modern soci- So, just as Tammie Jo turned It made me think of the analogy who do think you are? You’re no for the rich man but he thought if someone ety where ideas of independence over the controls of that plane of a shipwreck. Imagine we are all in better than me!” came back from the dead then people would and equal rights are strongly to Him, let us, also, turn over the water, we are all going to drown. Christians know we are no better. listen to God. He neither knew God or people promoted. We want to live how the steering wheel of our lives Some of us don’t realise it because But we also know that we have because since Jesus rose from the dead, we please, regardless of the to God. It is a great comfort to we are such good swimmers that we found out how to escape drowning, amazingly, people have kept trying to bury consequences, because we think know that, in times of trouble, can’t yet see we are in trouble. Some and from our perspective on the Him. there is no one to answer to. we don’t have to be brave or of us are holding on to bits of the lifeboat we can see how those in Pulling back the curtain on death, one But the fact is, even when we invincible, because our God is wreckage and think that that will the water are struggling, how cold minute after you die the future is one of think we are calling the shots in mighty to save. save us. But like the survivors of the and tired they are and how some of ● two destinations. What’s at stake if you are Titanic found out, the water is too them are swimming in the wrong unforgiven? Well relationally you are shot and cold, we can’t stay in it, we have to direction and getting further and unforgiven people are unwelcome people. get out if we are going to live. further from help. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign So what happens one minute after you die if Those of us who are Christians Christians are not arrogant and Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:20 you meet God unforgiven? A right response have found the lifeboat, we are self-righteous when they say Jesus is to Jesus Christ who has risen from the dead standing in it calling to those who the only way to salvation – they are “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue and acceptance of the forgiveness He off ers are drowning, “You’re going to rescued and dry and safe, and they him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my means you will never have to worry about the drown, come here, this lifeboat is want to share that hope with you. name.” Psalm 91:14 ● answer. Others will. ● 8 Edition 414 MIRACLE PIANO PLAYER HIT THE RIGHT NOTE

o you believe in mira- Andraé was nine years old, his Tribute (To God be the Glory)” cles? Do you think God father was invited to preach AAndraéndraé CrouchCrouch and “The Blood Will Never Dcan perform inexpli- at a little church in Val Verde, inin 20062006 atat Lose Its Power”. In addition, cable, supernatural California. There was only a FFranklinranklin Andraé, toured extensively feats in our modern era? How fi ve people in the service, but GGrahamraham and collaborated with pop art- about an 11-year-old boy who he got behind that pulpit and FFestivalestival atat ists such as Elvis Presley and can suddenly play the piano he preached like there were OOrioleriole ParkPark atat Michael Jackson. He received overnight? Impossible? a thousand people out there. CamdenCamden Yards.Yards. nine Grammy awards and an Grammy Award winning “We had never heard our Academy Award nomination. American Gospel singer father preach before, but here After his father’s death, Andraé Crouch spent over 40 he preached on salvation,” Andraé and Sandra spent years writing, recording and Andraé remembered. “I went a lot of time pastoring the arranging music, yet never forward. I never experienced church that their father pio- learned to read it, and played anything so great in my life. I neered. Even so, he was still in the piano at 11 without any accepted Jesus as my Saviour demand for his music. lessons or practice. and my mother was right “I give all the glory to God Andraé was a singer, song- there with me. My father said, because it’s amazing!” Andraé writer, arranger, record pro- ‘repeat the sinner’s prayer’. I said at the time. “Probably ducer and pastor during the prayed it and I knew Jesus had three-fourths of the songs [on 1960s and 70s. He is referred come into my life.” my latest album] have come to to as “the father of modern The church did not have a me when I’m standing in the Gospel music” by music pro- pastor so they invited Andraé’s pulpit in the middle of a ser- fessionals, for his talent at father to become their pastor. mon - bam! Like a laser beam. incorporating contemporary It was there, two years later, And out of all the millions of music styles into that Andraé’s mira- got a cardboard keyboard. I “So I went up there and he ers, he was driven towards a people in this world, God gives the church music cle occurred. thought, ‘What is this?’ But said, ‘If you’re gonna play, music career. ME a song.” he grew up with. GOD “At the time, I anyway, I got on it and pre- play.’ He pointed down at He formed his fi rst serious In early December 2014, He was born was 11 and I stut- tended to play.” the sustain pedal and said, Gospel group during the early Andraé was hospitalized for in Compton, Los LOVED tered really badly, He continued, “So to make ‘This holds your notes.’ And I 1960s, Andraé Crouch and the pneumonia and congestive Angeles, along HIM BEST I couldn’t say a long story short, my father said, ‘Okay’. And then my ears Disciples. In 1977, the group heart failure. with his twin sister, one sentence,” he called me up to the front the popped. I heard something released their fi rst album, This A month later, he died in Sandra, in 1942. wrote. “I could next Sunday. They had started go ‘pop’ and I found the tonic is Another Day. Eventually the hospital of a heart attack at His parents owned never testify to singing a song called ‘What A note, ‘What a Friend We Have ‘Disciples’ name was dropped, the age of 72. a dry cleaning business and anybody about my conversion Friend We Have in Jesus’ and in Jesus.’ I knew that was the as the albums were credited His sister released the a restaurant in L.A., but they because I stuttered. I wanted he called me up while they key. It was the Holy Spirit. solely to Andraé. following statement, “Today also preached on the streets so bad to talk properly. So as were singing it and I go, ‘What And I just started playing.” His career quickly began my twin brother, womb-mate and visited hospitals and a way of escape I would always does he want now?’ I knew he Although Andraé studied to soar as he continued to and best friend went home prisons to tell others the Good just listen to music - gospel wasn’t calling me up to play elementary education in col- release albums. His most to be with the Lord. I tried to News of Jesus Christ’s life, music. because I had never touched lege and worked as a counsel- well-known songs include the keep him here but God loved death and resurrection to save “When it came time for my a real piano before. lor for recovering drug abus- modern Gospel classics, “My him best.” ● us from our sins. father to preach that Sunday According to his biogra- morning, he said, ‘Andraé phy, Through It all, when come up here.’ And I thought, ‘What does he want with me because he knows I can’t talk?’ ‘‘EvenEven wworseorse tthanhan tthehe SSomme’omme’ He said to me, ‘Andraé, if God gave you the gift of music to alter Young was a British survived. But life for me at this time play and sing for Him would soldier in three of the great- seemed one long round of almost you do it for His glory all your WWW.CHALLENGENEWS.ORG est battles of World War unbroken misery with hardly anything life?’ I said, ‘Yeah Daddy.’ My Testimonies Children’s pages W One: the Somme, Ypres and to relieve it.” Lifestyle articles Sports father laid his hands on my Published 11 months of the year by Challenge Passchendaele – it is incredible that he Yet it was here that Walter felt Literature Fellowship (ABN 98 206 125 814) head and said, ‘God if you in association with the international family of lived through all three horrors. that God was saying to him that his want me to preach, I’ll do Challenge newspapers. Yet he would later describe his time fellow prisoners were ‘sheep without Editor: Carl Carmody. anything you want me to do. If Staff writers: Jody Bennett, Ainsley Gaebler. as a POW (prisoner of war) as “the a shepherd’. And so he asked a Ger- PRICING it’s your will for me to preach https://au.challenge.news/pricing/ most miserable time of my life”. man offi cer for permission to hold a and give up my business then Order Challenge from Walter signed up in 1915, serving service. It was granted, and the series enable this boy to play music.’ Challenge Literature Fellowship in the London Regiment (Post Offi ce of services began. PO Box 978 Cloverdale WA 6985 I went back to my seat. The Call 08 9453 3311 Rifl es) for three years. At the fi rst service, “all the accom- Email: [email protected] next day my mother went and His last month in action was spent modation was occupied and some as a stretcher bearer, saving many were standing, and the congregation lives. He was awarded the Military included not only British but French- Medal for bravery under fi re, but was men and Russians as well. I suppose shot and captured in March 1918 after we numbered about 40 in all. enduring the horrors of trench life for “It was a strange scene for a service. three years. There was only one light and that was Long after his death in 1957, his partially obscured by the steam from family discovered that Walter had WWIWWI soldiersoldier WalterWalter YYoungoung some boiler, which made a fairly loud written down his memories of the war. hissing noise all the time. Nobody had Among those memoirs was the story a hymn book and it was obvious that of his time as a POW in a coal mine in another warmly as Christian brothers and only a very few well-known hymns could East Prussia, where he and many others be eager to show respect for one another. be chosen. were put to work until their release in “Work hard and do not be lazy. Let your “So from my hymn book I read out the November 1918. hope keep you joyful, be patient in your words, verse by verse, and most of them Despite being extremely shy and troubles and pray at all times… Ask God joined in the singing, which was led by a reserved, Walter arranged to hold a Chris- to bless those who persecute you – yes, violin player. It was a very simple Gospel tian service in the washroom where the ask Him to bless, not to curse.” service. men washed after working in the mine. As These words would have held particular “If anything was attempted with a feel- a Christian, he just felt he had to help his relevance in the prisoner of war camp, but ing of unfi tness and inadequacy surely it Delivery Address: We are looking forward fellow prisoners, who were all suffering in they were clearly precious to the 25-year- was these few services. But possibly that PSSM Mailbox Club to hearing from you! PO Box 357 (07) 5433 1628 the harsh conditions. old former post offi ce sorter from London. very feeling of weakness was my greatest Morayfi eld 4506 [email protected] Using a New Testament (second half He read them repeatedly, not just through strength, for I could place no dependence Queensland pssm.com.au of the Bible) given to him by his church the War, but every week of his life. on myself or on others.” when he enlisted, it was the fi rst of several Despite the horrors of battle, Walter He depended on God to help him serve services he led. wrote that his time as a prisoner was his his comrades, just as he had kept his trust Even today, Walter’s New Testament worst in the war: “This was about the most in God on the frontline. falls open at Romans 12, so it’s highly miserable period of my life. True, life in Returning home after the war, Walter likely that he would have read this chap- the dirtiest and most dangerous trenches married in 1922 and was a deacon at his ter to his colleagues. It says: “Hate what was worse while it lasted, but there was church in North Islington for many years. is evil, hold onto what is good. Love one always the relief to look forward to if one ● Edition 414 9 JJesusesus’’ss ccompassionompassion fforor thosethose whowho lloove pornve porn

BY MO ISOM that He stood amid my fi lth—mercy the power to alter our perspective. outstretched and immovable—began Because when we invite His Holy or more than a decade to peel back the scales from my eyes Spirit to censor our lives and make I silently wrestled with a in understanding how God responds sensitive our eyes, His response fi xation on pornography and to sexual sin. changes our vision. Fsexual exposure. From 8 to 18 All throughout Scripture we see RECLAIM I quietly sought out and fi lled Jesus traveling from town to town, YOUR SIGHT my eyes, my mind, and my heart with place to place, having compassion One of the shameful things. I learned to please on the affl icted, the sick, the lame, most detrimental my own body, sought out others to the suffering. And all throughout effects of sexual please it for me, and ultimately wor- Scripture we see His love and mercy overexposure is shiped lust and lonely pleasure at a colliding with their trust in Him to that it changes shadowy and anonymous altar. bring about miraculous and life- the way we think But at the root, I knew it was changing healing. about people— empty. I knew it was debasing. I knew Jesus saw the desperation of far more than it was temporary and unfulfi lling and impure hearts that didn’t even know we even realise. demoralising. I felt void of actual the depth of their own depravity, Humans become Former All-American soccer goalkeeper Mo Isom is open love. I didn’t think I was worth much and He was overwhelmed with com- objects; humans about her past struggle with pornographic addiction. to any man unless he fi rst knew I was passionate pity. His love for them become body valuable sexually. revealed the deep mercy of God—and parts. Individu- What my eyes had taken in for if that was Jesus’s heart toward the als made in the the King being exploited will set no worthless thing before my years and years, my heart had trans- people then, I must believe it remains image of a holy for sexual reasons, your eyes” (Psalm 101:3). lated into feelings of insuffi ciency, His heart toward people now. God ultimately become things to be vision is renewed. If we are what we see, may we into dependence on affirmation We’re living in a society that is used rather than people to be loved, When the sex scene in the movie is fi ght to reclaim our sight and set our from others consuming the same feeding off our sin inclinations, our valued, and seen. And when we reach seen as another cheap attempt by the gaze on things that are true and holy perspective-warping things. easily addicted natures, and our a place where we’re capable of dehu- box offi ce to make money, your vision (Phillippians 4:8). May we fi x our But then Jesus collided with my naïveté. We, the masses, are harassed manizing others for our own sexual is renewed. eyes on Jesus—the One whose love story. by overexposure to sexual material. fulfi lment, we’re not only harming When you realize the reality TV has the power to give us new eyes, HIS COMPASSION We’re drowned in constant visual others but also draining our own soul show about singles willing to compro- new hearts, and new vision toward a At 19 I met a King who stared right content that battles for allegiance and of vitality. mise just about anything to get a rose world that is hurting. ● at my sexual brokenness, fi lth, and infatuation in our hearts. And we’re If we want to understand the root and a ring looks nothing like a pure defi led body, and then picked up my blinded by images that muddy the of so many of our sexual issues, we’d and holy and God-honouring reality, This is an adapted excerpt from Sex, Jesus, and the heart and called me redeemed. It clear vision of God’s desire for purity. be wise to pay attention to what we your vision is renewed. Conversations the Church Forgot (Baker). was radical love, radical grace that We’re sheep without a shepherd, see and watch and read and how But most notably, when you begin Mo Isom is the bestselling author of Sex, Jesus, changed everything. Just as Jesus addicted to our lost wandering. we’re being desensitized. Our prayer to see the beauty of God’s design for and the Conversations the Church Forgot and . She maintains a US speaking min- met the woman at the well and But even here Jesus meets us with must become, “God, give me eyes to sex, you begin to understand why Wreck My Life istry and facilitates a faith-centred blog (moisom. offered her living water. Just as He compassion. His grace extends salva- see the world as You do”. Then we sexual sin breaks His heart. com). Isom is a former All-American goalkeeper cast no stone at the guilty adulteress. tion to us and, in the same breath, will actually think about what we’re We’re called in Scripture to guard for the Louisiana State University soccer team and Just as He used Rahab, the prosti- refuses to leave us the same. The consuming. our eyes and guard our hearts holds the LSU all-time goalkeeper record. She and tute, in the lineage of the Messiah— compassion of a God who sees us When the naked man on your fi ercely. May we have the commit- her husband, Jeremiah Aiken, live with their two He met me in my wandering. The fact in our fi lth and washes us clean has screen is seen as an image-bearer of ment of David, who promised, “I children in Atlanta, Georgia. Betrayed and tortured, yet forgives

ean-Louis Kassis works as a minister of “So I prayed a prayer: ‘Lord, save me from religion, becoming a caring face for the this prison and I will follow You.’” abused, drug addicts, and alcoholics. In the fall of April, one early morning, Jean’s JWhy? Because he knows exactly how it door was opened and he was told that he could feels to be unwanted and unloved. return home. “I was born in Beirut, Lebanon. When I was “I went through gate after gate to get out of growing up, my childhood wasn’t very good,” prison, all the time thinking they would shoot Jean shares sadly. “My dad was always saying me in the back,” he remembers. things like, ‘When you came along, you just As soon as he was able, Jean went to a made us poorer’ and ‘I wish I had brought a bookshop and bought his fi rst Lebanese Bible. donkey or even a dog instead of you.’ “It was like God had opened the window “As a little boy, I felt like I was not accepted, of heaven and poured His love on me!” Jean that I was rejected, that I was just a number, exclaims. “He started convicting me to go and that I was a mistake in life.” release forgiveness for the man responsible for Things grew worse when Jean’s godfather, landing me in prison. I drove more than four who was supposed to teach him about the hours to go and see him.” Christian life, began sexually abusing him. Afterwards, Jean went to his father and “I didn’t trust anybody,” Jean admits. “I was asked him for forgiveness. However, he says afraid to tell anyone what was going on because that the hardest thing for him to do was to go to I thought they wouldn’t believe me, that they’d ABOVE: Jean-Louis Kassis has known torture, abuse and betrayal, but with God’s the graveyard where his godfather was buried. look at me in a different way. I thought, ‘No one power, he has learnt to forgive. INSET: Jean-Louis as an unhappy child. “To just stand there and release forgiveness will help me. I can only trust myself’.” on him, after all that he had done to me in Jean started smoking. His habit grew until Soon afterwards, Jean joined the army body. They broke my nose by kicking my face the past, was very hard,” Jean says. “But with it peeked at 60 cigarettes a day. and became a sergeant responsible for 300 with their boots. I was tortured every morning, God’s mercy and grace and love, I was able to “I was like a chimney,” he remembers. “I just soldiers. lunch and evening. It was very hard.” stand up and go forward. I am no longer sit- smoked one after the other after the other.” “One of my colleges fi led a report about me,” While he was in there, Jean practised his old ting down, lingering on the past. Everything’s Jean got into black magic, still searching to he says. “He said I was giving information to religion, praying 10 times a day for his god to changed. fi nd real love and acceptance. He called himself the enemy. The secret police came and took save him. “I think in Jesus’ way, I see through His a rebellious “pastor’s kid.” me to a secure prison, which I stayed in for “But then I remembered a story from eyes, I listen to His voice. He’s changed me, “I was like someone searching in the sand for 45 days.” the Christian Bible,” Jean recalls. “It was not because of me, but because of Him! He’s something precious,” he states. “I was search- It was often circulated around the army that about a prodigal son who took his father’s transformed me 180 degrees! ing for that moment, searching for somebody whoever went inside this particular prison inheritance and spent all the money. When “Without Christ,” he concludes. “I am not to love me … without any motive, without them would die. he had hit rock-bottom, he said, ‘Let me go here. Without Christ, I may have died a long wanting something from me. It was really “I was tortured for that amount of time,” back to my dad and ask him to be his servant.’ time ago. But I am here now and I will rise up hard. It was not pleasant at all.” Jean recalls. “I still have the marks on my [Luke 15:11-32] with Christ.” ● 10 Edition 414 CCanan ddeatheath bbee aabolished?bolished?1 Believe it

Plus, it doesn’t solve all forms of sensibly survive the huge culture and brought life and immortality to or not BY GEOFF CHAPMAN death—anti-ageing treatments could shock and interact with the world as light through the gospel” (2 Timothy here is no doubt that life expec- forestall (not cure) some types of it would then be? 1:10). This includes new resurrection tancy is higher than a century death but could never prevent death THE ORIGIN OF DEATH bodies for all believers in the future 2 And the ago. There are now 14,000 by such things as explosion or plane Although death is a physical thing, (1 Corinthians 15:42–44; Philippians T 5 centenarians in Britain, and crash. the reason for death is spiritual, as 3:20–21)—how much better than according to the Offi ce of National MOST SCIENTISTS the Bible makes clear. Referring the vain hope of ‘conquering’ death answer is: 26 Statistics, one in three of today’s SKEPTICAL back to the Fall in Genesis 3, Paul by science! babies will live to see their 100th A fi nal thought: ‘Theistic evolu- Others have pinnednned wwrote,rote “sin came into the BY CREATION MINISTRIES birthday. Some scientists and medi- tion’, which accepts the theory that their hopes on a woworld through one man, INTERNATIONAL cal experts are even claiming that process calledd aand death through sin, humans evolved from non-human ageing could be delayed indefi nitely. cryonics, which and so death spread ape-like creatures, cannot be rec- IN an article titled ‘Questions we POSTPONING DEATH? involves pre- to all men because onciled with the biblical view of the thought had no answers’, Time British doctor Dr Aubrey de Grey serving peo- all sinned” (Romans origin of death, as it implies that we magazine confi dently declares believes people who have already ple’s bodies 5:12). Paul also evolved from ancestors who later that they now have the answer been born could live for ten centuries by immersing described death as an died. Rather than being an “enemy” to how long until intelligent alien because of ongoing research being them in liquid “enemy” (1 Corinthi- to be conquered, death is seen as part life is discovered. The answer, they done into “repairing the effects of nitrogen at the ans 15:26). It was never of a process which God supposedly say, is 26 years, or perhaps even ageing”.3 He hopes ultimately to cre- super-low tem-- GGod’s intention that we set up as part of His method of creat- sooner! ate treatments that mean death could perature of –196°C6°C sshouldho die. Death was an ing life. The secularists (who hope to This ‘certainty’ is based on the be postponed by constantly repairing (–321°F). This is ddone itintruder d into His “very good” conquer death by scientifi c means) ‘fact’ that life evolved on earth— our bodies, so that we can live as long in the belief that, in the creation (Genesis 1:31). That’s why and the theistic evolutionists (who so it must have done so as 1,000 years or possibly even for- future, cures will be found for He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, believe God used evolution) have elseelsewhere.w ever. Dr de Grey founded the aptly- whatever caused death, and that the to die and rise again so that the sin both got it wrong! ● AAlso,lso because named Methuselah Foundation. Its bodies can be brought back to life. which brought death can be forgiven 1. First published in Creation Update 108, ttherehere are an Creation Resources Trust (UK), Spring 2018. website states that, “By advancing Cryopreservation can cost anything and we can receive the gift of eternal See their website www.crt.org.uk . Used with estimated tissue engineering and regenerative from US$28,000 to US$200,000, life. “For as by a man came death, by permission. 100 medicine, we want to create a world and has to be started immediately a man has come also the resurrection 2. The reason for this is largely because more people are surviving childhood (due to billion where 90-year olds can be as healthy after death.6 There are currently four of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so advances in nutrition, hygiene, and medicine; stars (and as 50-year olds—by 2030.”4 facilities where bodies are stored, also in Christ shall all be made alive” see Genetic entropy and human lifespans). llikelyikely even mmany 3. Austin, J., Key to eternal life? Someone already Helping people to live a long, three in the USA and one in Rus- (1 Corinthians 15:21–22). born ‘live to 1,000 and immortality IS possible’, more) in oouru galaxy, healthy life is a laudable aim, but sia. Most mainstream scientists are THE DESTRUCTION www.express.co.uk, 1 May 2016. tthehe MiMilkylky Way, the for Christians, the idea of living for- skeptical, insisting that there is no 4. See mfoundation.org. OF DEATH! 5. A true cure for death (as only the Gospel can probabilityb bili of alien ever in our fallen world is not very feasible way a human body can be Those who are attempting to con- provide) would have to cover all forms of life is high. attractive—we look forward instead brought back to life. Even if it were quer death are 2,000 years behind! death. Time writes: to the perfections of a new heaven feasible, how could someone who 6. Hastings, R. and Ballard, M., Cryonics: The As Paul again wrote, “our Saviour chilling facts, www.independent.co.uk, 26 July “Estimates of the number of and new earth (Revelation 21:1–5). was revived, perhaps centuries later, Christ Jesus [has] abolished death 2011. active alien civilizations [in the Galaxy] range from 10,000 to 1 million. So far we have examined only a few thousand star systems. But the rate at which we’re doing UFOUFO researcherresearcher findsfinds answersanswers so doubles about every two years. At that rate, we will have examined 1 million systems by the monthly MUFON meetings, Joe was he was dealing in the spiritual realm the name of Jesus. He found that the BY GARY BATES mid-2030s and 10 million by 2040, strongly confronted by the spiritual and thus needed protection. “So, I Bible has the answers to explain what making it highly probable we will oe Jordan used to describe him- paradigm of the UFO-believers. He pulled out my crystals”, Joe said. is really happening and that what fi nd someone or something.” self as a ‘crystal-ball-rolling new- realized that, for many, it is a full- “But she shared the Bible with me people perceive as “aliens” are actu- Real science reinforces the ager’ with an interest in science blown religion. instead. It was the fi rst time I’d ever ally deceptive, malevolent spiritual J impossibility of life evolving by fi ction, which he saw as merely Although Joe was brought up in heard a true gospel presentation and beings ie. demons. ● itself from chemicals anywhere, escapism. Although an evolutionist the church, like many youth he aban- understood what Christianity was 1. See www.creation.com/roswell, 6 July 2007, not just on earth. And the Bible due to his public school education, doned the idea of a biblical creator. really all about. I confessed my sins and Bates. G., Alien Intrusion: UFOs and makes it clear that the idea it was not immediately obvious to This ‘new religion’ gave Joe a sense of and became a Christian.” the Evolution Connection, Creation Book Publishers, Atlanta, May 2010, pp. 179–194. of intelligent extra-terrestrial him that most sci-fi and its depic- spirituality, but without the account- Now Joe wanted to reconcile the The majority of the claims about Roswell have civilizations (evolved or created) is tion of alien life has evolutionism ability that the Bible demands. With UFO phenomenon with his faith. In been shown to be fi ction. at its core (if life evolved on Earth no supreme creator, man can make 2005, after reading the fi rst edition 2. Three shepherd children claimed that on 13 a non-starter (see www.creation. October, 1917, a miraculous event would it must have evolved elsewhere in up his own rules. Each experience of Gary Bates’ book Alien Intrusion, com/life-planets). occur. It is claimed that tens of thousands So it is hardly going out on a 14-billion-year- is just part of one’s Joe said, “That book has helped me of people saw the sun ‘dance and spin’. The old universe). spiritual growth into shut the door on the idea of ET life. event was attributed by many to ‘Our Lady of a limb for us to confi dently Fatima’—an alleged apparition of the Virgin predict that the number of alien Initially, Joe the new age. Despite what most Christians think, Mary. did not know Around this it showed me that the Bible clearly 3. www.CE4research.com civilizations discovered will much about the time Joe and fel- does not allow for such things.” 4. A UFO classification system devised by continue to be the same as at former government researcher Dr J. Allen present: zero. phenomenon. A low MUFON inves- One of Joe’s cases involved a Hynek. See www.creation.com/the-fourth- ● book called UFO tigator, Wes Clark, brand-new Christian called Bill D. kind, and Bates. G., Alien Intrusion: UFOs and When will we discover alien life? Crash at Roswell started their own During an alleged alien abduction the Evolution Connection, Creation Book Time, p. 69, 8–15 September Publishers, Atlanta, May 2010, Chapter 7, pp. 2014, time.com/alien-life. piqued his inter- research group called he cried out “Jesus, help me!” and 255–266. est.1 It claimed CE43 specifically to the encounter immediately stopped. to be a scientifi c deal with alleged When Joe contacted other MUFON investigation of alien abductions or investigators to see if they had had the alleged crash ‘Close Encounters similar cases, they would only agree of a fl ying saucer of the Fourth Kind’4 to talk to Joe if it was ‘off the record’ at Roswell, New Joe Jordan and Gary Bates experiences. They for fear of their careers. Mexico, in July at Roswell. attempted to unravel The truth was they all knew of 1947, and con- the more bizarre similar accounts of abductions being vinced many readers that the gov- aspects of this phenomenon that defy stopped by people praying, singing ernment was complicit in hiding the scientifi c explanation. Experiencers hymns or calling on the name of truth about aliens. record huge chunks of ‘missing time’; Jesus. But because it was ‘religious Now ‘hooked’, Joe wanted to allegedly physical aliens are claimed in nature’ and not ‘scientifi c’, the know more. He visited a local UFO to walk through walls; and the experi- evidence was being deliberately museum, talked with UFO research- encers themselves are often taken up ignored and actually hidden. A local ers and read up. He was surprised to to the spaceship through the ceiling. newspaper, Florida Today, reported see a large array of ‘spiritual’ UFO MUFON and other researchers had on CE4’s initial fi ndings. The story books dealing with events like the enormous problems trying to explain went viral via the press and internet, Fatima sightings.2 the physics-defying aspects of these and suddenly, lots of people were Joe quickly qualifi ed to be a state experiences, which were escalating. contacting CE4 sharing similar section director and investigator Joe saw the damage these were testimonies. with the highly respected Mutual causing in the lives of the experienc- Joe currently counsels many expe- UFO Network (MUFON), investi- ers. In the fall of 1996, he was work- riencers with the aim of leading them gating claims of UFO sightings and ing on two particularly disturbing to Christ. To date, he has worked experiences of those who claim accounts which seemed especially with over 400 people who have had encounters with ‘alien’ beings. At sinister. A Christian friend told him their ‘abduction’ episodes halted in Edition 414 11  AAsksk Y ARE YOU REALLY LISTENING TO ME? Peter Meadows was asked recently to speak at a be almost the greatest service that Good listeners answers your seminar on The Five Love Lan- any human being ever performs for engage with you by Iguages and my topic was Quality another.” making eye contact questions about God. Time. “Being heard is so close to being with you, seeking Gary Chapman, author of The Five loved that for the average person to connect with you “I want a new start – but Love Languages describes Qual- they are almost indistinguishable.” personally. following Jesus looks too hard.” ity Time as “giving someone your The similarity between the quotes Looking someone undivided attention” and that it is a is obvious because they both identify in the eyes is risky “powerful emotional communicator listening to another person as a key because it makes both TRUE, it is a big step to launch of love.” concept in giving someone quality you and the other out on a new relationship with Giving people our attention com- time. person vulnerable to Jesus. It makes sense to seriously municates that we are interested in An ancient proverb also illustrates each other’s emotions. ask yourself, “Am I going to make them and that we are also treating this by stating, “The purposes of a When you look into it?” them with respect. But for some person’s heart are deep waters, but another’s eyes you see their pain, erbs declares that the wise person But there is a huge difference people, it is the primary way in which one who has insight draws them sorrow, laughter and joy. “uses words with restraint.” between deciding to follow Jesus they both show and receive love. out.” (Prov. 20:5). When we look into each other’s Good listeners do not make and a New Year resolution to This idea is borne out by the follow- I have found in my own experi- eyes when listening we develop quick assumptions or judge- run a marathon or swim the ing two quotes, the fi rst by Douglas ence that the development of good empathy for and with the other per- ments about the other person. Channel. That’s because, unlike Steere and the second by well- known listening skills is a journey that takes son and this naturally progresses to How easy it is to fall into the trap such physical challenges, living counselor, David Augsburger: a lifetime. greater intimacy. of assuming that we know precisely as a Christian is not a feat of “To listen to another’s soul… may So what are some simple skills that Looking a person in the eyes also why a person is feeling a certain way endurance that can only be can assist us along the way? conveys acceptance. It’s a powerful, without listening to them fully. achieved by the sweat of your Good listeners make good eye non-verbal way of saying, “I see you Equally damaging is our pro- brow. contact. When they listen to you, and I accept you!” pensity to judge a person’s motives Instead, it is a wonderful they look you in the eye. A word of warning however - eye without fully listening to their story. journey of adventure – with a They do not constantly glance at contact does not mean boring a hole Wrong assumptions and unfair guide to help you and an endless their watch, look over the top of your into the person’s eyes! Good eye judgements have led to the break- supply of forgiveness when you head when you are speaking, text on contact is done naturally and from down of many a relationship when get it wrong. their phone or look disinterestedly time to time it needs to be broken a simple, well thought out question All Jesus asks is for you to turn around the room. otherwise you run the risk of looking would have clarifi ed the matter and from your past and a life centred like an unblinking robot, completely most likely have preserved the mar- on you, and to start walking in oblivious of everything else! riage or friendship. His direction with a life centred Good listeners repeat back These skills are simple and on Him. what they have heard. It need straightforward, but as I said ear- What if you severely mess up? How can I become not be a verbatim report, but refl ect- lier, they take a lifetime to develop Well, it’s not a case of ‘if’ but ing back at appropriate times in the and master. ‘when’! a Christian? conversation what you have heard Giving someone your undivided Like a child learning to walk, the other person say is an excellent attention is a great way to commu- there are times when you will way to communicate that you are nicate love and value to them. graze your spiritual knees as you Anyone can gain the eternal life off ered though Jesus Christ listening to them. We all love to be heard – but take your fi rst tottering steps in We read in God’s word: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Good listeners do not inter- what a priceless gift we bestow following Jesus. That’s how it is (John 3:16) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” rupt. This one needs no explanation when we truly listen to the heart of for all of us who put our hand in – it is pretty straightforward. Prov- another! ● His. And the reason is simple – Separation from God OUR those who follow Jesus are not PROBLEM: “Everyone has sinned. Nobody is good enough because perfect but forgiven. God’s standards are perfect” (Romans 3:23) ADMIT God is on your side. He will help you make it, and forgive you GOD’S Jesus died on the cross REMEDY / “God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we when you don’t. God’s a loving SOLUTION: were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) BELIEVE MMovieovie father, not a manic personal trainer. Trust Jesus by receiving Him RReeviewview In fact, it is your understanding “To all who received Him, to those who believed in OUR of what following Jesus truly His name, He gave the right to become children RESPONSE: means that matters most. of God” (John 1:12) COMMIT Imagine you arrive at the gates Here is an example of how you can pray. MARY MAGDALENE of heaven and there you are WHAT might it have been like to walk alongside Jesus, asked, “Why should God let you Dear Father in Heaven. I come to you now because I want to be saved. back when He was alive in the First Century? Before in?” Please, forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to Your answer will show if you die for me and that you have raised him from the dead. I now ask Jesus Christ most people had even heard of Him – before there was have really understood Christ’s to come into my life as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Please even a religion called ‘Christianity’? message. If it’s along the lines of make me the person You created me to be. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen The new fi lm, Mary Magdalene, imagines exactly this, through the eyes of one of the Bible’s most “I’ve tried my best, been nice, and The Lord Jesus says: “I tell you the truth. Everyone who believes in me misunderstood and neglected fi gures. never done anything really bad”, has eternal life.” (John 6:47). He gives life of a wonderful quality that continues forever. The story portrays Mary of Magdala (Rooney Mara) as or “I’ve gone to church a lot, read AS A NEXT STEP : an independent young woman who is troubled by the your book and prayed a bit” then you’ve missed the whole point. If you prayed If you have NOT prayed path that her family expects her to follow. Women in the above prayer, the prayer at this her society are supposed to marry, have children and look up to their husbands Following Jesus is not about tick this box stage, tick this box for spiritual guidance; but Mary feels a deep calling to a di erent kind of life, what we try to do but what He and a closer relationship with God. has already done for us. Entering I have prayed I would like to After facing abuse from her family, who think that she’s possessed by a heaven is not for those who have this prayer. think about this. demon, Mary fi nds what she’s looking for. She leaves everything behind to ‘tried hard’, ‘been sincere’, ‘done Please send me: Please send me: follow Jesus (Joaquin Phoenix), a wandering Jewish teacher who performs my best’ or even ‘been religious’. Bible More information as I am inquiring many miracles and talks about a new way of living. Heaven is not something we can earn by our own effort. It’s Some ‘starting off ’ literature about being a Christian. Unlike the other men in her life, Jesus treats Mary like an equal, listening to fi lled with those who do not Information on a helpful church I have a problem (see att ached lett er) her questions and encouraging her. She begins to understand what none of His other followers have yet grasped: that His message is not about political power deserve it, but Jesus paid the and destroying enemies, but about love, compassion and sacrifi ce. price to let them in. * Please tick and write clearly * Mary Magdalene is a surprising and powerful drama, transporting us to a That’s why, as you set out on Name ______time and place very di erent from our own, and inviting us to imagine some this great adventure, all Jesus familiar stories through fresh eyes. asks of you is to put your hand Address ______The fi lm reminds us of the incredible mark which Jesus made on history, in His and trust Him to help you live life His way. ● Phone ______challenging us to look again at our personal response to Him. Even if, like Mary, we are not the kind of person who is ‘supposed’ to follow Jesus, He accepts and Peter Meadows is co-author of The Age and occupation (it helps) ______welcomes us, seeing us for who we really are. Book of Y, the basics for the Y Course Just like the very fi rst people who heard Him speak, we can make up our own that explores life’s biggest questions. Challenge Literature Fellowship Fax (08) 9453 3006 or email minds about what His teachings and actions really meant. Do we really believe If you have a question about faith or God, write to: [email protected] with PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985 [email protected] the report – fi rst made by Mary herself – that He rose from the dead? If we do, ASK Y in the subject line, or to: Good News then it changes everything. Editor, PO Box 9831, Nottingham NG2 9JN. All overseas enquiries are referred onto someone in their own country ● Review by Damaris Media AAfterfter tthehe SunshineSunshine AAfterfter eighteight yyearsears aass a pprofessionalrofessional ggolfer,olfer, 332-year-old2-year-old SSouthouth AAfricanfrican AAndrewndrew GeorgiouGeorgiou hashas ddecidedecided toto retireretire fromfrom thethe SouthSouth AfricanAfrican SunshineSunshine TTourour andand focusfocus onon businessbusiness opportunities,opportunities, iinn pparticulararticular hhisis nnewew ggolfingolfing aapp.pp.

ndrew, who played in because qualifi cation would have the 2012 British Open, greatly expanded his opportunities 2014 Canadian Open and in the sport. Aon several other tours in “The problem was that I wanted South Africa and Europe, it so badly, that God was not my debuted in 2009, after growing fi rst priority. He taught me the les- up on the Erinvale Golf Course in son that He does indeed work in Somerset West (where he holds mysterious ways and that He always the course record of 62). He now needs to be number one in my life,” spends half his time there and half Andrew learnt. in Atlanta, Georgia, As Philippians 4, verse 9 having moved to in the Bible tells us, God’s the States origi- YOU ARE A ways are higher than our nally on a full-ride ways, though, and His plans golf scholarship to WINNER IN for those who love Him are Columbus State JESUS’ EYES, always ultimately for their University in 2005. NO MATTER good; which Andrew found The home out when those who were Andrew grew up in WHAT chosen ended up doingng was not only sur- HAPPENS poorly in very bad condi-di- rounded by golfi ng tions, leaving him higher in greens and beauti- the rankings for NOT going.ng. ful mountains, but He went on to play well in also by a very strong faith in the God the South African Boys tournamentent of the Bible and His Son Jesus. the following week and got a spotpot His mother, Erin, is the editor on the four-man Junior World Cupup and publisher of Joy!, Africa’s lead- team that travelled to Japan. Thereere ing evangelical Christian magazine. Andrew fi nished 12 in the world,ld, Andrew attended Sunday School which led to his scholarship to from an early age and later the Columbus! church youth group. He was nine Andrew had an exceptional when he prayed to ask Jesus to for- college career and was a four- give his sins and rule his life. time All American and the “I was young and didn’t fully only player in CSU history to understand the commitment I was compete in every single event making but the Holy Spirit [invisible for four years. power of God] guided me through In college, he made friends my teens,” he remembers, and the with other Christian golfers ABOVE: difference God has made in his life who met regularly for prayer, Andrew Georgiou hits his tee shot on the 2nd during day one of the is evident. “There were many times and, when playing on the Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on February 23, 2017 in South Africa. (Photo Warren Little/Getty Images). in my teens where I could have tried South African Sunshine Tour, drugs and gone down the wrong he joined several prominent INSET: A relaxed Andrew in a photo from Facebook. path but I can happily say that I golfers who met in a Bible study him based on his fame, rather than have never tried any type of drug group called ‘Golfers for God’. his character. greens to all sorts of golfers, through however I now know that the Lord in my life. There was and is still the As he tweeted recently, “having “Now that I’m not on tour any- the connections made. has a greater purpose and plan and pressure of sexual immorality but one Lord worldwide makes me at more I’m just Andrew and a lot of The app allows golfers to keep He provides me with an inner peace fortunately I can also say that I am peace no matter where I am!” people who used to look up to me track of and share with others, whatever situation I fi nd myself in. I waiting for marriage.” Andrew shares that the tough- now don’t,” he says wryly. where, how, in what conditions and look forward to what He has in store His faith also informs his approach est part of being a Christian pro That is when he remembers that with whom they played. It is avail- for my journey and I will glorify Him to sport. “Before every round of golf, golfer is “being in a different city his identity is grounded in God’s able free on iOS and Android. all the way.” ● I commit it to Jesus, then go out and every week can be very tempting” love for him, not in how much “I can truly say that without Jesus compete as hard as I can,” Andrew because “we’re surrounded by non- money he makes or what his golfi ng in my life I wouldn’t have ended up says. “I know my Lord wants me to believers in a very no-accountability handicap is. where I am today,” Andrew declares. be a winner. He wants me to give 100 situation”. God has gifted Andrew not only “I still have my ups and downs, percent of everything I have - in my “I’m so glad that I have been able in sport but with creativity and a practice, in using my mind, and in to be strong in my faith,” he says, good head for business. With the playing the best I know how - and “And it really helps to surround input of his father, the entrepreneur then thank Him for the results, yourself with other believers!” has been developing a niche golfi ng whatever they are. That takes a lot of The Bible offers him this encour- app for the last few years. This year pressure off because if you do that, agement: “So, if you think you are Golfplayed was launched globally at you are a winner in Jesus’ eyes, no standing fi rm, be careful that you the annual PGA Merchandise Show matter what happens.” don’t fall! No temptation has over- in Florida, USA. Andrew also got an However, just because someone taken you except what is common opportunity to promote the app to is serving God does not mean there to mankind. And God is faithful; He The Shark Tank in Atlanta, Georgia won’t be challenges and disappoint- will not let you be tempted beyond in order to get development funding. ments in life. what you can bear. But when you The idea was conceived from At 17 Andrew learnt a valuable are tempted, He will also provide a scratch after Andrew was once asked lesson about how God does not way out so that you can endure it.” how many courses he had played always work in the way we expect or (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) and he had no idea, and couldn’t DISTRIBUTED BY: always answer our prayers as we’d Andrew says he has found transi- fi nd an app to help him capture his like, when he failed to qualify for the tioning from the status and prestige golfi ng memories. He calls his free SA Amateur Championship. He was of the Sunshine Tour diffi cult, as app the “The LinkedIn of golf!” and really angry with himself and God there are some who only respected hopes it will open up the world’s Print Post Approved 10001398. Published by Challenge Literature Fellowship (Aust.) Inc. of PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985. Ph (08) 9453 3311. Email: [email protected] - Printed 7/2018