Cole Lived a Simple, Youtube, Instagram and Happy Life in a Christian Home with Ctwitter Accounts Where He ﬁ Ve Siblings and Two Parents

THE GOOD NEWS PAPER No. 416 YOUTUBER’SYOUTUBER’S ‘‘HUMDRUM’HUMDRUM’ HHAPPINESSAPPINESS

ole LaBrant is a social choose Him and be free.” media sensation on his Growing up, Cole lived a simple, YouTube, Instagram and happy life in a Christian home with CTwitter accounts where he fi ve siblings and two parents. frequently uploads funny As a result, he says in a recent family-friendly videos and shares YouTube video, that he always beautiful pictures of him, his wife, felt that his fashion blogger Savannah, and his story of com- stepdaughter, Everleigh Rose. ing to believe He started fi lming videos while in Jesus was he was attending a high school in bland com- Alabama. His fame began to grow pared to when he and two of his friends made many others. videos together and entered com- “Whenever I petitions. The trio became known hear a testi- as Dem White Boyz and they soon mony about found considerable popularity on someone the web. This led to Cole creating his whose life was own solo account. falling apart Something that is very common and they’re for Cole to openly discuss on his suicidal or public platforms now is his faith in something, Jesus Christ. I could not “Just give me Jesus,” he wrote personally in a recent Twitter post. “Imagine relate,” he says, “But I thought it Cole LaBrant with wife Savannah and daughter Everleigh Rose: ‘You can still love Jesus while having fun’. purposely taking a murderers’ death was such an awesome, powerful INSET: Cole LaBrant at the beach, under his social media handle ‘thesupercole’ he is a sentence in his place or doing the testimony. It was great to watch and social media infl uencer with over a million followers on the musical.ly app. jail time a drug dealer deserves for I was like, ‘Man, God delivered that him. We would never. But that’s person and that’s crazy but me, I work in the humdrum as well as the with lying, dishonesty, lust, anger went to feel good. My church was exactly what Jesus did for us on have not done any of these things.’” dramatic and every story of faith is and all these other things. I was full of people who did not want to the cross. He willingly took what He felt that somehow his story inspiring in its own way. not on drugs, I was not addicted to change a single thing in their lives; we deserved just so that we may wasn’t worth telling. But God is at Cole admits that he has “struggled alcohol, but I was far from perfect. they just went there to make them- “I cannot remember an exact selves feel better.” moment in my life where I was ● like, ‘Now I believe in Jesus,’” Cole Turn to page 3 shares. “I remember that it was at some point around the ninth or TAKEN “AS IS,” FLAWS AND ALL tenth grade where I was like, ‘I’m BACK going to start pursuing Jesus instead PAGE BY CAROL ROUND, ASSIST NEWS SERVICE Author Steve Goodier once shared that humorous story and I saved it as a reminder not to expect of pursuing the world.’ But there HAVE you ever purchased a product labeled “as is?” We perfection in another while ignoring my own faults. was no determined point in my life trust the lowered price of the item we’ve bought will be We’re all fl awed and imperfect. Wouldn’t life be boring if where Jesus revealed Himself to me. worth whatever hidden fl aws might emerge later on. everyone were perfect? It was like His goodness has always On her 50th wedding anniversary, a woman revealed Goodier adds, “Even pottery may be closer to been there. I think that’s just a part the secret of her long and happy marriage. She said, “On perfection than we humans, if Belleek Pottery in Ireland of growing up and being blessed my wedding day, I decided to make a list of 10 of my is any example.” with a Christian family in a Christian husband’s faults which, for the sake of the marriage, I According to Goodier, every nished piece of home.” would overlook.” pottery undergoes a nal inspection. To examine for Cole confesses that, as a young One of her guests asked her what some of the faults imperfections, each pottery piece is held up to a bright boy, he struggled to fi nd meaning in she chose to overlook were. “To tell you the truth,” she light and examined for fl aws. If even the slightest church. “I did not really like church. replied, “I never did get around to making that list. But defect is discovered, the cup, plate, vase or sugar bowl It was so boring,” he says with a SSHOTHOT PPUTTINGUTTING whenever my husband did something that made me is destroyed—smashed to pieces. Blemished items are laugh. “You didn’t go to church hopping mad, I would say to myself, ‘Lucky for him that’s never sold as “seconds.” because you loved God or wanted FORFOR A PURPOS EA PURPOSE one of the 10!’” ● Turn to page 2 to have your life changed. You just 2 Challenge Edition 416 HOW TO BE AN OPTIMIST TThehe cchallengehallenge Jesus in jeans BY ALAN BAILEY either be optimists or pessimists as we face the future. But then, we say, THERE are many defi nitions of it all depends. It depends on how Pt 2: The fancy optimists and pessimists. I heard that we feel at a given moment. We are an optimist is a man who, having a bit like children in a playground. ooff forgivenesorgivenesss fallen o a twenty storey building, was Now back and forth on a swing, or banquet heard to say as he passed the window up and down on a see-saw, or going of the second level, “I’m OK so far.” round and round on the roundabout BY RICK LEWERS I know God has answers to all BY JODY BENNETT A pessimist is a man who until we don’t know what we think. things but that does not mean He wears a belt and braces too. The best thing to do is to live for have always needed forgive- lets us know what the answers are A modern rendering of the parable in So the optimist is the today, forgetting the question ness and I live in a world to all things. So, I must live by Matthew 22:1-14 person who looks on of whether there is hope for surrounded by people who faith in God amid my confusions THERE was a tycoon who threw a I party at a swanky restaurant. He issued the bright side, feeling tomorrow. need me to be forgiving. The and life’s imponderables. GETTING A LOOK AT THE an invitation in the local press that that better things are diffi culty is that accepting for- My friend let a lot of people up ahead. The pessimist FUTURE giveness or offering forgiveness down and misrepresented him- “whomsoever” wanted to come were is afraid that things will The Bible shows us that can be a real challenge. self and we could resent that for- invited. The only proviso was that they turn out badly. optimism and pessimism both have Such a challenge came with a ever but forgiveness is better. It is had to be dressed properly in the dinner PESSIMISM ON PARADE their place. In a clear way, the Bible morning phone call telling me my better for those guilty of sinning jacket that he provided. His Son had gone Today, you don’t have to try hard to shows that the human race is heading friend had been arrested the day against us and better for those out and, at much cost to himself, bought fi nd a pessimist. Ask an unemployed for a sticky end because the majority before. I was informed that 40 hurt by such sin. enough jackets to provide for all possible person, the person who has just lost are choosing to live without God. It years ago, my friend began hiding I note that forgiveness has attendees. money in business or has scrambled speaks of trouble and destruction of what he had done. nothing to do with deservedness. Well, the poor beggar man was only too out of the wreckage of a broken this earth, then judgment by God that I was reminded of those oft Forgiveness comes as an unde- pleased to exchange his raggedy coat for family. Why, not a news bulletin goes lasts forever. That’s pessimistic. quoted words, “be sure your sins served grace. It says volumes the fancy dinner jacket and go into the by, not a daily paper printed, without But then it speaks of great and will fi nd you out”. I don’t know about the forgiver while for the party. He was overfl owing with gratitude a good dose of gloomy forecasts. Aids, glorious things up ahead. It tells why people think they can hide forgiven they fi nd healing. I have and couldn’t believe his good fortune. the economy, trends in crime, the of people who are “more than their sins. If people don’t catch discovered that the most forgiv- Likewise the scantily clad woman environment, the threat of climate conquerors”; then it tells of people for you out, the guilt will trap you in. ing, merciful and gracious people who was cold in her fashionable but change, questions of peace and whom “all things work together for A family member said that in life are usually those who have inadequate outfi t, happily traded in her war. All fi t well with the pessimist’s good”. It goes on to say that nothing he had been living with guilt all been forgiven themselves. crop top for the lovely jacket and didn’t outlook. in all the world can separate them those years. I loved my friend and Forgiveness is costly to give care whether it matched her denim skirt Finding an optimist is harder, but from the love of God. so much of his life was good but because we must turn aside our or not. She knew she could never have not impossible. There is still a good ON WHICH SIDE? past mistakes carried a life time anger. We have to lose a little or a orded such a beautifully cut piece of deal of confi dence that eventually It all depends on which side you of regret. even a lot of ourselves to offer cloth. human beings will get it right; that at are. For those who shut God out of It is this that makes forgive- forgiveness. The businessman, however, was rather last we will conquer our problems and their lives, who never experience ness so precious. I know of few It is a humble and generous gift o ended that his suit jacket wasn’t good enjoy peace and tranquillity. Science the saving power of Jesus Christ, a heavier loads than guilt. My guess in an age where selfi sh pride so enough for the party and argued that will be our saviour. With knowledge pessimistic future is right in line. is that the 40 years made the guilt often resists. But if we can let go he should be able to get in as is. His we will overcome. Cynicism would For those whose trust is in God who heavier. of our hurts suffi ciently to forgive clothes were clean, expensive and just as suggest that it is mainly politicians has brought them to Himself in Christ, The years certainly heightened we might just save a few lives. good as anything the tycoon o ered, he looking for votes that speak about the there is a most optimistic future, the shame. Every one of his suc- Indeed that is what God does. maintained. good days up ahead. better than anything we can imagine. cessful years of life made his He turns away his anger from us When the doorman insisted that no WHERE DO WE FIT? There is a world of di erence in downfall worse, leaving no doubt and to offer forgiveness Jesus other jacket would do but those provided, Little people like you and me must these destinies. ● that a sin quickly dealt with is Christ loses His life in order to the businessman insisted he would pay better than a long hidden secret give us life. for it or not accept it at all. When he heard fi nally exposed. Forgiveness is not easy to the astronomical price, he went o to An early confession may have give but equally forgiveness can try and earn enough money to pay for been painful but the outcome be hard to accept. lt requires a the jacket, because he was too proud to Crossword may have been better than a humility that allows oneself to accept it as a free gift. long-hidden guilt and escalating be loved. The man in cultural robes was o ended ACROSS 13 Artist’s stand 27 Unexpected DOWN shame that ended with the second You can’t give anything for it, it too – how dare the tycoon insist that 3 Selected, with “for” 14 Take a dislike to meetings 1 Shalom most shocking piece of informa- can’t be purchased or repaid. The he conform to the tycoon’s tastes and 8 Darjeeling and oolong 20 In a tidy manner 28 Volcanic rock (pl.) 2 “All kidding ___...” manner of dress! Didn’t he know that 10 Verbally disagree 23 Mental activity 29 Nervously irritable tion - my friend had taken his only thing the forgiven can do is 4 Fancy liver spread this man’s ancestors had been dressing 11 Public-health concern while asleep 30 Onetime Japan own life. be thankful. And to be loved and 5 Criminal group like this for thousands of years and that 12 Battery fl uid 26 Ballet move capital It will take me some time to thankful is a great start for a bet- 6 They can be come to terms with my friend’s ter life beyond our sins. his robes held symbolic and sentimental infl ated past and his suicide. Amid grief I Oh, that I had had the meaning for him? It would be denying his 7 Seaside sandhills have been left bewildered, disori- opportunity to talk with my whole people group to exchange his robe 8 Winter Palace ented and suffering all the emo- friend about forgiveness but may for that dinner jacket! He fl atly refused. residents tions described in the seminars this article prove a life saver for And the runway model, when o ered 9 Biscotto fl avour on suicide I have attended. others. ● the expensive and well-made jacket, 15 Convert raw scorned that it was “so last season”, of hide to leather an outdated cut and “not very fashion 16 War horse forward”. It also didn’t match her outfi t 17 Wanderer and “advanced outmoded patriarchal 18 A pause for rest ideas by expecting everyone to dress as a 19 Chocolate source Taken ‘as is’ flaws & all man”. So she refused. 21 Modify The religious man took the pro ered 22 The “L” of XXL ● From page 1 jacket but, before he went into the 24 Grudging party, decided he would add his own admiration The Japanese have a word for the art adornments to it – a few sequins and 25 The bulk of fi nding beauty in imperfection. Called bows and a tassel or two, maybe a nice wabi-sabi, the term emerged in the 15th big symbol. There, that looked more SOLUTION century as a reaction to the then prevailing impressive. The tycoon couldn’t object – PAGE 11 trend of using lavish, ornamental and rich after all it was the same jacket! But as he materials in their surroundings. was taking his seat at the table, the tycoon Wabi-sabi is a reminder of our transient life. Our came by and asked him why his jacket Sudoku 79bodies and the world around us are in a perpetual process of returning had been embellished. The religious man, to dust. Growth, decay and erosion can be found all around us: in the ashamed, had no answer for him and was 428 wrinkles and liver spots of an aging person, the frayed edges of worn-out thrown out of the venue. Fill in the grid so God, (the tycoon) has prepared an that every row, every jeans and the rust of an old, abandoned car. If we look closely, we just 827 eternal feast and invited all humanity column, and every 3x3 might fi nd the beauty in those imperfections. to attend. Jesus, His Son, has acquired box contains the digits 3256 Christ has seen us at our best and at our very worst, but He still accepts 1 through 9. us “as is.” It’s a reminder for us to see others through His eyes, loving and for us robes of righteousness that we could never earn ourselves. He is willing Puzzle Level: Medium 68accepting one another in spite of the imperfections. When we do, God gets the praise. to give them to us, free of charge, if we 8165 The Christian life isn’t about perfection. It’s about the transforming are humble enough to admit our need 6 3 8 grace of Jesus Christ, the only perfect man to ever walk this earth. and to exchange our self-made morality 17 8 In Philippians 3:12, the Apostle Paul says, “I don’t mean to say I am and independence for His holiness. It 4 2 9 46 5 perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward requires us to conform to God’s rules and that day when I will fi nally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to change, but it is the only way into the 7 5 1 to be.” God takes us “as is,” and His amazing grace transforms us into the party of heaven. ● SOLUTION PAGE 11 21 best deal ever. ● MMemoryemory lossloss showsshows wwhathat mattersmatters mmost Editiono 416st3

rofessor Arlene Chan, an oncologist who specialises Pin breast cancer treatment, was involved in a motorcar accident while she was at university, which left her with broken bones and a severe head injury. She had retrograde and antegrade amnesia for about three months, los- ing all memory of events in her life for several weeks before the accident, all memory of the accident itself and for a couple of months after the accident. “The ensuing months of lost mem- ories meant that I could not return to my studies at medical school,” Arlene says as she remembers how diffi cult this period of time was in her life. Growing up, Arlene was the “typi- cal teen who wanted to be popular with my friends, took my good health and homely comforts for granted and, coming from a Chinese family, wanted to achieve good marks as I knew this would be pleasing to my parents”. When asked if she had ever thought about God or spiritual things as a child, she answers, “I knew about Arlene Chan with her family. the Christian faith but really only had ‘head’ knowledge of it. It was never university course that I had chosen – live. It became clear to me that the life on the cross paid for my sins to trust Him more, love others more personal for me.” yet, there seemed to be a void. Even offer of a new life with a new purpose and allowed me to become a child and be more like Jesus,” she contin- Arlene shares that she started though, materially, I seemed to have could only come through knowing of God – the Creator of everything. ues. “My passion for helping others really thinking about her belief everything I wanted, I thought there and accepting Jesus as my personal My understanding of science and the solely stems from the example that system mid-way through medical must be more to life than this! Saviour.” world, the importance of relation- Jesus showed me of how great His school. “Seemingly, I had everything “I recall [a day] when I broke Arlene recounts the life-changing ships, the desire to help others – all love is for me by His sacrifi ce, and I thought would make me happy,” she down in tears,” she says. “I saw how event as “I recognised that I was a became clear to me as I saw this was I want to be like Him in how I care admits, “Friends, comforts, doing the meaningless a life I had chosen to sinner and Jesus’ sacrifi ce of His God’s intention for me and for all for others. people.” “The purpose I have and my A few months after Arlene assurance of being with Christ when committed her life to Jesus, she I die, leads me to want this certainty suffered the car for all people I know accident that should – my children, family Youtuber’soutuber’s ‘‘humdrum’humdrum’ have killed her. “KNOWING and others in my life. Instead, as she was I have His Word to recovering from her JESUS HAS guide me and I have injuries, Arlene saw GIVEN ME prayer to enable me the accident and the ABSOLUTE to communicate with happinesshappiness amnesia that resulted Him regarding the from it as “God CLARITY ... AND needs of others and protecting me from the CONFIDENCE” for myself.” ● From page 1 pain of my injuries”. God has provided When Arlene could Arlene with many Cole says “that’s how I grew up in not return to medical high points in her my church for a long time. I knew school, she had to place her trust fully life, including the birth of her two God and I knew He was real and all in God. “These were the times that children after the loss of her fi rst this stuff but I did not love God. I had taught me how faithful God is and as pregnancy. absolutely no desire to change the I look back at those days, the accident “Seeing my daughter come to world, do only good things for God was clearly part of God’s perfect plan Christ and watching her life and rela- or live for Him.” for my life,” she says. tionships blossom is such a blessing,” It wasn’t until Cole’s early high It took several months for Arlene Arlene says happily. “The knowledge school years, when he was a part of to fully recover from her injuries and, that God has given me the skills and a “great youth group” that he began to her great joy, she was allowed to the opportunities to help others – to to see things differently. “I realised resume medical school; but she had see the relief and diminution of fear that you could still love Jesus while to repeat her fourth year of studies. in the faces of those who I help, is having fun,” he says. “I think that is “The following year was a time truly rewarding. so important because nobody is going that I learned to depend on God’s “I feel God’s protection, guidance to want to become a Christian or live sovereignty and grace, as I slowly and blessing every day – this includes for Jesus if we are all uptight about resumed my life,” Arlene smiles. “The the good health and physical endur- everything and pointing out faults accident focused my thoughts on how ance to deal with the needs of those in everybody while we ourselves are precious life is. It showed me that if that are under my care with breast living these hypocritical lives. Maybe I was given the opportunity to work cancer.” we have secret sins or we are prideful CColeole LLaBrantaBrant aandnd hishis ffamilyamily in the profession that I had chosen, Arlene is blessed to have the joy or maybe addicted to pornography; mmakake llifeife llookook fun.fun. that this was a gift and was my way to bring cure and prolong the life things that people don’t really fi nd of serving God and sharing His love to some, but only through God’s out much about. As Christians, we a Christian than someone who has someone about whether God is real with the people that I would care for strength can she support and min- need to show God’s love and have so gone through those things. or not. We need to disperse that love as a doctor.” ister to others who face death from much fun while doing it. “We are all sinners and regardless that Jesus has given to us to others. She explains that “becoming a the disease. “[As a boy] I had an awareness of what we have been through, the You cannot explain God, you can only Christian means that I know where I “It is only His strength that gives that God was always there. I always end destination is still Jesus; and experience God. I have experienced come from, why I am here and what me the capacity to help shoulder knew what was right and what was until or unless we get to Jesus, it God and I have experienced the world I am to do in this life that I have the hurts faced by my patients and good and I stuck with that. Obvi- does not matter if you had an easy and I know which one I will choose. been given. I never would have met their loved ones,” she says. “I learn ously, Satan intervened in so many good family life or if you grew up The closer I try and get to perfection, my husband had I not had my car my compassion from Jesus and am ways and even now, I struggle with and never knew Jesus; whatever it is: the farther away I am. accident; and for that, I am ever so reminded that unconditional love for countless sins. I am not perfect by until you fi nd Jesus, it doesn’t matter “Fear, shame, guilt, greed, pride, grateful. Having experienced a few others, which was fi rst shown us by any means. Just because I have never what you have been through, Jesus is hate … Over time you will listen to trials and tribulations in my adult Christ, is the one gift that we have to drank alcohol and do not go around the end goal.” those voices. But there is only one life, God has shown me [through offer others.” having sex with everybody and being Cole fi nishes with a statement that Voice that will silence every other if them] that He is always consistent In short, Arlene says that “knowing addicted to drugs and growing up in a he hopes will touch other people’s you choose to listen to it, the One that and will never allow me to experience Jesus has given me absolute clarity in bad family life; whatever it is, it does hearts. “Lives are never changed whispers that you are so loved. Only more than I can bear. why I am here and confi dence that not make me anymore or any less of through an argument or a fi ght with Jesus.” ● “These situations have taught me every event is in His control”. ● 4 Challenge Edition 416 BORN GGangsterangster ffindsinds aamazingmazing TWICE, DIE Japanese mobster thought he needed God like a hole in ggracerace the head – until he got one! JUST ONCE rowing up in communist Cuba in the 70s and 80s, Victor Manuel’s grandparents Gbravely taught him about the God of the Bible, despite there being a strong threat of persecution and a general rejection of religion in society. Victor’s biological father was a communist and an alcoholic, and his step-father was a communist too. However, while Victor was still a young man, his mother became a Christian by accepting Jesus as her Saviour and Lord, and began praying for her son. By this time Victor had fallen into alcoholism himself, begun smoking and was working as a bartender in a nightclub. But a single phrase was about to change his life forever. “One day my mother, who knew how much I liked the English language, invited me to a service where an American evangelist would be that night. ABOVE: Yasumasa Aoki displays his tattoos I accepted the invitation to go but was unable get asumasa Aoki’s tattooed and mutilated and mutilated fi ngers.LEFT: Aoki speaking inside, so I stayed outside looking through one of body bears testimony to his criminal at his graduation from Bible college in this the windows. That man of God said a phrase that past. Since 18 and for most of his life, he Youtube screen grab. acted as a trigger for me. He said: ‘Those who are Y was a member of the Yakuza, a power- born once, die twice; those who are born twice, ful Japanese organized crime syndicate. Aoki “I had a deep hunger to know more about die just once’. is covered with a full-body tattoo and is miss- God so I prayed fervently for a way to go to ing parts of his fi ngers, which he chopped off theological college. By God’s grace, I received in Yakuza rituals to show penance or apology. a scholarship. “As a teenager, I landed in youth prison “At college my mind had been renewed by twice and five times in juvenile homes. the Word of God and the presence of the Holy Between ages 16 to 20, I spent only six months Spirit [invisible power of God] each day. I’ve out of prison. As an adult, I was jailed another learned to broaden my heart so that God can three times,” Aoki admits. are with me,’ I felt peace for the fi rst time in use me to make a difference in this world. In the Yakuza society, power is obtained my life,” he shares. ‘I have learned Christianity is about through violence. As a Yakuza leader, Aoki During his prison term, Aoki was relocated loving people different from attacked and killed people with a katana (a to a prison in Kumamoto for hardcore prison- us with God’s love,” Aoki, samurai sword). He was also into alcohol, ers. There he met a pastor who came to speak who once killed his gambling, fi ghts, drugs and other vices. to the prisoners regularly and who led Aoki enemies, says. “At age 47, I was caught by the police in to pray to God for forgiveness for all his sins “I a case considered taboo even among the and for the strength to live right. am now 64 Yakuza. Three people died and fi ve committed In September 2005, Aoki was baptized years old and I’ve suicide because of this case. I was sentenced [immersed in water as an outward sign of his spent half my life doing to 15 years in prison. The police also told me commitment to Jesus]. worthless things,” he admits, “but I have a that a rival gang was after my life and there “I will never forget the gratefulness I felt Victor with his wife Elaine, daughter dream to start a halfway house for former was a bounty of $500,000 on my head,” Aoki that day, that Jesus would save a wretch like Keren and son Victor Samuel. convicts to provide a safe environment for tells the students at City Harvest’s School of me,” Aoki says. their rehabilitation and to bridge them into Theology during their graduation ceremony. His pastor continued to mentor him and mainstream society and employment.” “That phrase impacted my life and I refl ected “True enough, an inmate from the rival gave him devotional books to read, which Aoki’s story is a strong reminder that no on it for several weeks after hearing the message,” gang attacked me and smashed my head with Aoki used to teach a small group of other one is too evil for God to save. Victor recalls. a hammer. I was admitted to hospital with a inmates. “And such were some of you. But you The preacher had been referring to Jesus’ skull fracture. When I woke up, there was a On 3 March 2011, Aoki completed his 15 were washed, you were sanctifi ed, you were teaching in John 3 in the Bible that no one can see Bible by my bedside. When I read Psalm 23:4, years in prison and started attending church justifi ed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the on the outside and heard about the School of and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians Jesus then goes on to explain that the second birth shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You Theology run nearby. 6:11. ● is a spiritual one. About a month later, Victor witnessed a fatal accident and heard God say clearly inside him: “You could have been one of them.” “That night I decided to go to church and three days later I accepted Jesus as my Lord and LEARNING TO LET GO OF HIS ANGER Saviour. God took my sins away and He made me a new person in Christ. I was baptized [immersed uane Golliday was a lost soul. He had I found myself getting heavily involved in a time of regression in his Christian walk. in water as an outward sign of dying to my old never been a follower of the crowd, ministry at my church.” “I came to realise that I needed to own self] on September 24, 1995. From this time on I but had never used his leadership Duane also got spiritual guidance through my faith and not allow circumstances to felt a strong desire to serve the Lord. A year later I D ability in the right manner either. He his older sister, who was a Christian. His dictate how my Christian life was travelling,” gave up my work as a bartender because that place just didn’t have the drive he needed in order conversion came about through prayer, Duane shares. “I have learned to listen to the was not compatible with my new life in Christ,” to succeed in life. discussions with other believers, spirit and follow my conscience. Now that I Victor shares. “I had no ambition and no and a conviction [strong internal know more of God’s Word, I have the ability Initially unable to fi nd work, Victor began realistic goals in life,” Duane “I NEEDED prompting] from the Holy Spirit. to discern right from wrong and am more volunteering in his church. God provided for him admits sadly. “I didn’t respect “One Wednesday night, Bible familiar with His will for my life.” fi nancially and made his work so successful that he women, my peers or authority TO OWN study night, on November Duane says that God changed his attitude. realised God was calling him to become a pastor. very well at all.” MY FAITH” 22nd 2002, I responded to the He had held a lot of anger against his Dad for In 1997 he married his wife Elaine and they have At the age of nineteen, Duane invitation and was led in a prayer the way he treated his Mum, but he realised since had two children together. The following experienced the devastating loss of commitment,” Duane explains. that he still needed to respect his father. He year Victor started studying towards a theological of his grandmother. Her death “I acknowledged the fact that I had to let go of his anger. degree with a seminary in Eastern Cuba. caused something within him to change. was a sinner and accepted Jesus Christ as my “God has done so much for me,” Duane “The Lord has allowed me to continue studying, Although Duane had become familiar with personal Lord and Saviour. shares happily. “He has taught me how to be obtaining a Master’s degree in Old Testament the Bible at 10 and his mother had made sure “My journey towards this commitment committed, honest and bold. He has shown and, if it is God’s Will, I aspire to start a Doctoral to get him involved with church, Duane did involved a sense of God at work in my life. me through His Word how to live. The things degree,” says Victor. Besides this, he has been not really know God. “I started reading and studying the Bible. I used to do, I no longer have to do. Grudges kept busy running a Christian conference centre, “[After my grandmother’s death], I started I became more involved in church. I started I may have held against people, including my teaching at a seminary, serving on the board of to keep to myself a lot, and began praying on teaching Sunday school and Bible studies and Dad, I don’t hold them anymore. his denomination and spreading the Good News what God would have me to do,” Duane states. even preached on occasion.” “I have learned to trust in God, not in man. of the story of Jesus to his community in Baire, in “It took a few months but through prayer and Through many different and difficult He has delivered me from so many things. I southern Cuba. ● numerous talks with family and my pastor, circumstances, however, Duane went through can’t help but thank Him.” ● 8 Edition 416FFindinginding ttruthruth aamidmid hhypocrisyypocrisy

WITH KARL FAASE ock band drummer Jen Forsake the Ledger saw the hypoc- Rrisy around her in the church and youth vanity of group she attended as a young teen and decided Christianity the crowd was “a load of rubbish”. THESE days most people She shares in a YouTube are on digital platforms video “you turned up [for like Facebook, Instagram, church] on a Sunday but basi- Twitter, and Youtube trying cally you did what you wanted to build the number of for the rest of the week. Grow- their followers. Gaining ing up, my life looked no dif- and maintaining your ferent to someone who wasn’t social media crowd often a Christian. “The youth group leaders and the teachers and everyone older than me that I looked up too were sleeping around, partying and doing all the stuff that they say we should not do,” she recalls. “I remember going to this Bible course that our church was running dependsdd and we were reading about on feeding your Satan. Then the leader tells followers what they want us, ‘Satan’s not even real, you to hear. know, lies and stealing – that’s At its worst this is just Satan’.” vanity and ego. Most Jen got home and told her people believe that mother faith was all a load of these failures are a very nonsense and she was done modern problem. You with it. “I was so over it,” Jen may be surprised to know admits. “It was just really Jen Ledger of Skillet performs at MAPFRE Stadium on May 20, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Squires/Getty Images) that vanity is an age old hypocritical people trying to problem. feel better about themselves Christianity were radically get rid of stuff that I loved, “I realised that God was do things when He’s with you.” Early church leader and you know what? I was challenged when she went I knew I was being asked to real,” she states. “If God was During Jen’s stay at the Polycarp, Bishop of just done.” along to a church camp and change my life and I just did real, then this [Bible] story Bible school, she was discov- Smyrna, who lived around For the next while she lived encountered the presence of not want too. that I am reading is incred- ered by Grammy Award nomi- 100AD, wrote these words; for herself. “I tried to fi nd ful- God. “The whole of that next year, ible! All of a sudden, things nated Christian rock band “Let us, therefore, forsake fi lment in the normal things “It happened during the my life looked no different at became exciting! [In the Bible] Skillet when they toured her the vanity of the crowd that every teenager would: music session: suddenly I’m all. What had happened was I was reading about Shadrach, school and invited her to audi- and their false teachings, becoming popular, being in tears and I’m feeling some- an amazing moment that I Meshach and Abednego and tion. She was 18 at the time, and turn back to the Word sporty, being good at stuff, thing I haven’t felt before,” quite easily forgot.” how they got saved from fi re. secured the gig and has been a delivered to us from the and having a cool boyfriend. Jen shares. “It was all the But when Jen was 16, she They were thrown into a fi re so part of the four-member band beginning.” I thought my life was so cool same Bible stories that I had and her family moved to hot that the people throwing for the last ten years. And even earlier, the [without God].” heard before and I am with America to attend a Bible them in died [Daniel 3:8-25]. She is also starting to branch Apostle Paul wrote in the Jen, from Coventry in Eng- the same Christian people as school. “I had to leave my “That’s the same God you’re out on her own, and released book of Philippians: “Do land, began drumming as a 13 before, but all of a sudden I entire life behind,” Jen says. saying I know? It was like her debut EP, Ledger, in early nothing out of selfi sh year old and was a fi nalist for just sensed God’s presence. “God ripped me out of my life everything changed because April of this year. ambition or vain conceit. the United Kingdom Drum- He’s real, He’s asking me to and I never realised that I was it became real. I thought my Jen knows who deserves all Rather, in humility value mer of the Year competition come forward right now and I never going home. I thought I life was awesome and great the praise for her success – in others above yourselves, in 2006. When she was 16, don’t know what to do because would go back in a few months but I didn’t realise it could get life and music. “God just really not looking to your own she relocated to the United I don’t want too and I hate all but God removed me from my better. It wasn’t until I was 16 radically intervened, and He interests but each of you States to major in drums with of these people and they’re situation and I met Him in years old that I met the Lord changed me...It’s only by His to the interests of the a scholarship at a school in all liars. a way that I didn’t think was in a way that I didn’t think was grace (undeserved love), and others.” (Chapter 2, verses Wisconsin. “Then someone said, ‘If possible.” possible and it’s changed my goodness, and power that you feel like you’re meant to 3 and 4.) ● But the year before, her According to The Blaze, life completely since. Now I’m I’ve achieved anything. It was life and her assessment of do something with music in Jen’s whole family came to doing things I never thought nothing to do with me and all your life, come forward,’ and faith through the Bible school. I’d do. God is real and you can to do with Him.” ● all of a sudden, I’m at the front. I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m weeping, someone’s praying for me, I’m on the fl oor crying. It was a bizarre A letterletter fromfrom GodGod toto thosethose feelingfeeling unlovedunloved moment when God moved on BY JODY BENNETT ‘Cause as long as you try to fi nd meaning me and I did not know what In the meaningless things of this world was happening.” DEAR Child, I heard when you said today You’ll continue feeling lonely and broken, Later, a pastor called Jen That your life has no purpose or worth, Purposeless and unfulfi lled. up to the front and told her, And I cried because it’s had meaning in front of a room fi lled with Since before the foundations of earth. If your body is aching and your heart is a wound hundreds of people, that she And your mind is a place of despair, needed to change her life. I knit you together in the depth of the womb Place the mess of your life in My Almighty hands “I go home and I don’t And I’ve numbered the hairs on your head. I made you and I can repair. change a thing,” Jen confesses. I’ve cherished each smile, I’ve caught every tear “I knew I was being asked to I’ve heard all the words that you’ve said. You see, nothing you’ve done is so awful That I can’t forgive or restore I’ve remembered your birthday when others Because the blood that I shed at Calvary forgot Can cleanse all your sins and then more. Delivery Address: We are looking forward I’ve chartered the course of your life PSSM Mailbox Club to hearing from you! WWW.CHALLENGENEWS.ORG And I’ve been there in the sickness, the sorrow I stand at the door of your heart and I knock PO Box 357 (07) 5433 1628 Testimonies Children’s pages and pain And I want to come in and bring peace Morayfi eld 4506 [email protected] Lifestyle articles Sports Published 11 months of the year by Challenge In the hurt and the anger and strife. To reveal all those things that you long for Queensland pssm.com.au Literature Fellowship (ABN 98 206 125 814) in association with the international family of Blessings, abundance, release. Challenge newspapers. Editor: Carl Carmody. But each time I’ve come close, You’ve pushed me Staff writers: Jody Bennett, Ainsley Gaebler. away, My name’s Jesus Christ, My Father is God, PRICING https://au.challenge.news/pricing/ And said that you don’t need the church. His Spirit’s the one who is guide Order Challenge from But I’m not a tradition - I’m a person, a Friend, Child, you’ll never know healing or wholeness Challenge Literature Fellowship PO Box 978 Cloverdale WA 6985 I’m the answer, the end of your search. or love Call 08 9453 3311 Email: [email protected] ‘Til your heart is the place We reside. ● AcclaimedAcclaimed sscientist’scientist’s mmostost aamazingmazing ffind Editionin 416 d9

r James Tour is a brilliant chest. He realised he WAS a sinner. life.” scientist who was voted one “All of a sudden, Somebody who He says: “All of a sudden Some- Dof the 50 most influential lived 2000 years ago was calling me one was in my room. That man, minds in the world, has writ- out on it!” he exclaims. “I felt imme- Jesus Christ, stood in my room. This ten over 650 research publications, diately convicted. When I understood amazing sense of the presence of is the holder of over 120 patents, from the Scriptures what sin was, I God fi lled my room and - I wasn’t the starter of more than half a dozen knew I was a sinner. How was I going scared – I just started weeping. companies and is in the US National to get across the chasm to God?” The Presence was so glorious and an Academy of inventors. He works As a Jew, James knew that without enveloping sense of forgiveness came in areas that range from computer the shedding of blood there is no upon me. science to electronics and material forgiveness of sins. “I didn’t want to get science to medicine. Isaiah 53, which is up. I didn’t know what “But more than any of that,” he part of the Jewish scrip- “HOW to do. I didn’t know who states emotionally in a Youtube tures, gives a beautiful COULD YOU to tell. Here’s this Jewish video, “what means the most to me description of how the kid from New York City – is that I am a Jew who believes that perfect Lamb of God, DO THAT?! what am I going to say?!” Jesus is the Messiah.” would come to suffer YOU’RE James’ family and He grew up in a Jewish neigh- and die and atone for the extended relations were bourhood outside New York City sins of the world by His JEWISH!” very shocked. “How could and thought that everyone was a dying in our place for us you do that?! You’re Jew. James felt no particular inter- (on the cross). Jewish!” est in religious things as a child Dr James Tour shares his story in this screengrab from Youtube. James realised that His mother wept when but attended synagogue and bar Jesus was this Lamb. He was God in James told her he had invited Jesus mitzvahs. He remembers once try- Gospel” [literally ‘good news’] to James says that in modern Juda- human form, taking upon Himself all into his life. His parents weren’t ing to talk to a Rabbi and getting the James. He drew a man on the edge ism, sin is not mentioned. “I don’t of James’ sin. happy at all. His mother said she brush off. of a cliff, with God on another cliff, remember EVER talking about sin “The Perfect God comes and gives didn’t blame the Jews in Bible for “There was very little explanation on the other side of a huge chasm, in my home,” he says. Himself for us,” he realised, amazed. killing Jesus after the things that He [of religion] for me,” he says. labelled “sin”. Then the student pointed James to “I started to see how Jewish the New said. She felt Jesus, this young man When he went to college he started James immediately said, “Well, the passage in Matthew 5:28 where Testament is. It’s so Jewish! It was all in his thirties, had deserved it for meeting a number of people who I’m not a sinner. I have never killed Jesus says “I tell you that anyone about Jewish people!” daring to criticise the religious lead- called themselves “born again Chris- anyone or robbed a bank.” who looks at a woman lustfully has On November 7, 1977, James knelt ers of his day. tians”, which he thought was an odd His fellow student then got James already committed adultery with her by his bed, fi lled with the realisation Then she carefully read the whole term. “What did they mean by ‘born to read a passage from the New Tes- in his heart.” that “Yeshua” (the Hebrew word for Old Testament, which are all the again’?” tament in Romans 3:23: “There is no Unbeknown to this guy, James had Jesus) was the One who died on the books of the Jewish Scriptures. One day, in the laundry room, one difference between Jew and Gentile, recently got addicted to pornography cross for him. James asked her, “What did you of these Christians used an illustra- for all have sinned and fall short of through some magazines and this “Lord, I am sinner,” he prayed. think?” tion to explain what he called “the the glory of God.” passage hit him like a punch in the “Please, forgive me. Come into my “God warned us over and over again [that we would be judged for our sin],” she said in realisation. Years later she had a long talk to her granddaughter – James’ now 15-year-old daughter – who Celtic star survived rock ‘n roll lifestyle explained the Gospel to her. Then James’ mum read the New Testament as well as the Old and, at the age of any know Moya led to success, heartache, and “We learned about God 72, she called James on the phone to Brennan as ‘the eventually spiritual fulfil- and read stories from the say, “Jimmy, you won’t believe what voice of Clan- ment. “Growing up in rural Bible,” she shares. “My par- happened. I was reading and it just Mnad’ – the fam- Ireland, I had a lovely child- ents wanted to lay a strong hit me the way Jesus gave His life for ily folk band hood,” she reminisces. “My foundation [for my life] so me! I believe it now! Jesus is the Son that shot to fame in the sev- dad had a show band while they involved us in church of God!” ● enties, graduating to chart my grandmother played activities, and I loved sing- success in the early eighties. drums. I think she was ing in the choir. I remember She is also the the fi rst lady having a real sense of God’s sister of famous drummer presence and the feeling that Celtic soloist “GRADUALLY, in Ireland! He would always take care Enya. My mum of me.” GRATITUDE Today, Moya’s I BEGAN TO was a music But by the time Moya was performances NOTICE GOD teacher, so a teenager, the faith of her IS GOOD are still a family WORKING IN naturally she childhood was receding. affair. Back in was keen we “Suddenly, going to church FOR YOU 1970, she joined MY LIFE AND should learn and reading the Bible was her two brothers MY FAITH to play an not cool anymore,” she IT’S so easy to get caught up in and twin uncles instrument. says. “Later, when Clannad running errands and checking to form a tal- BLOSSOMED.” I started out became successful, I was items off your to-do list, but ented quintet. on piano, launched into a party culture what’s the point of getting all that On her 14-date although I that, at the time, seemed stuff done if you never stop to be UK tour last did not want exciting. We may have been grateful for it? March, she was accompanied to practise. I am so blessed a folk band but we were still In fact, researchers have found by daughter Aisling and son that my parents insisted.” exposed to ‘sex, drugs and gratitude isn’t just good for your Paul, both gifted musicians. As well as music, Moya’s rock ‘n’ roll’. mind, it’s practically a magic pill In a soft Irish accent, she parents taught her another “On tour, we were always with all kinds of health benefi ts! talks about the journey that important lesson. being invited to parties For example, researchers studied where alcohol and Moya backstage at Glastonbury 2011 law students (think: high stress) drugs were freely and found that those who available. I have to more heartache she found, There was no immediate identifi ed themselves as more admit, at fi rst I did including the trauma of an transformation but I felt not like the taste [of abortion. that a huge weight had been optimistic actually had more blood booze], but it was “Thanks to the prayers of lifted. Gradually, I began to cells that protected their immune ‘cool’ so I persevered. my mum and dad, I never notice God working in my system by midterms, compared to It is the same today: did become addicted to drugs life and my faith blossomed.” their pessimistic classmates. young people think or drink, but my life was a It has been over 40 years Another study even found they are having a mess,” she confesses. “I real- since the young Irish girl people who count their blessings ‘good time’ so they ised I could not fi x it. I came set out to earn her title, ‘the are less likely to have a heart end up involved across an old prayer book my fi rst lady of Celtic music’. attack! with an unhealthy grandmother had given me Along the way, she has So grab a pen and paper and lifestyle.” and as I read, I began to pray added others such as ‘wife’ write down fi ve things you’re The further Moya and ask God for forgiveness. and ‘mother’, but the most grateful for. Big or small. Clannad, left to right: Pól Brennan, Ciarán Brennan, Moya Brennan wandered from her “I told Him, it is up to you important one that will last Congrats! You just improved and their twin uncles, Noel Duggan and Pádraig Duggan. childhood faith, the now, I cannot do it alone. for eternity is ‘child of God’. ● your health. Credit: Morning Smile by inspiremore.com 10 MathsMath Editions 416YoutubeYoutube sensationsensation eexplainsxplains wwhyhy thethe univuniveerserse iiss bbeautifuleautiful

n award-winning high school Young Alumni Award, and he was mathematics teacher says the a top 10 fi nalist in the 2018 Global Aelegance of maths points to Teacher Prize. He has been given the intelligent design of the the title “master teacher” in the universe. NSW Department of Education, and Eddie Woo is an innovative maths travels the state mentoring students teacher and internet sensation who and teachers. was named 2018’s New South Wales But Eddie is not wooed by argu- Hero. In 2015 he won the Premier’s ments that say science has explained Prize for Innovation in Science and God away. He says you only have to Mathematics in NSW, in 2016 he scratch a little beneath the surface of gained the ChooseMATHS Teacher any science subject to fi nd the design Excellence Award, last year Sydney of God in the world, and with math- University honoured him with a ematics it’s so obvious. “We talk about the fact that the universe is designed in this way and you can fi nd all of these patterns; do you think that that’s a coinci- Believe it dence?” he asks. “One of the things I love to point out is we call the ABOVE: Eddie Woo doing what he does universe the cosmos, which means best - explaining maths to a student. or not to be ordered and structured and RIGHT: Eddie and his family (Photo: Tealily Photography) designed, as opposed to chaos; and the reason why we can fi nd these that God crafted the universe.” But he fi rst heard the Biggest mathematical principles is because Eddie’s faith is the reason he Gospel and accepted there was a Designer. became a teacher. the stories of Jesus as dinosaur It didn’t just spring “My faith is inte- explained in simple terms into being. It has gral to my identity by his older brother, immense beauty. WHY ON EARTH and what I do. I’m Kevin, who had always ever found? “I mean, how can SHOULD THE not a teacher who’s been trustworthy and it be that mathemati- a Christian. I’m a reliable, “so, why not?” BY CREATION MINISTRIES cians and physicians EQUATIONS OF Christian who’s a Born in Sydney, Eddie INTERNATIONAL all agree that one of THE EARTH BE teacher,” he states. said his Chinese-Malay- the primary criteria BEAUTIFUL? He became con- sian parents took the ON the basis of a signifi cant for judging whether vinced of God’s real- family to church because This is an example Eddie has taken number of fossilized bones found something is math- ity in Year 9, after they thought Australia was a broadly on board. As well as his day job, he in Patagonia, Argentina, scientists ematically true or seeing how other Christian nation. is a volunteer at the University of believe a plant-eating dinosaur not, is whether the students changed for “And I had great Christian teach- Sydney, where he has guided more they have named Dreadnoughtus equations are beautiful? Why on the better when they embraced Chris- ers [at the public selective school I than 1400 students from disadvan- schrani to be the world’s biggest— earth should the equations of the tianity: “I recognised that it changed attended] who showed me how peo- taged backgrounds, a father to three and that it was still growing when earth be beautiful? And the answer their character and their decisions ple can live out their faith in a secular small children and a Youtube star its life ended. is we have a beautiful Designer who day to day – for many of them it context by demonstrating their faith whose free Wootube channel has over designs things beautifully. So for me changed the whole trajectory of their in a way that makes a difference in 280,000 subscribers and more than it’s a source of marvelling at the way lives, which was a revelation to me.” other people’s lives.” 14 million views worldwide. ● MMAYBEAYBE BABY,BABY, I’MI’M A ‘‘THEYBIE’THEYBIE’ Estimated to weigh 60 t (65 US- tons) and at 25 m (80 ft) in length, BY JIM DENISON abortion” is now common around Graham Lotz asks, “Can you imagine generation of people who have grown the dinosaur is still only about a the world. When a couple learns that the chaos that would result if a up living according to their own moral third of the weight of God’s largest ZYLER and Kadyn Sharpe are three- their unborn child is not the gender multilane highway had no painted codes, defying the boundaries set by creature, the blue whale, at about year-old fraternal twins living in they wanted, they have the baby markings to give direction to the God. As a result, it is a generation with 170 tonnes (190 US-tons) and 30 Cambridge, Massachusetts. Which is aborted. According to Newsweek, such tra c? Accidents and confusion no peace or sense of security. Rather m (100 ft) long. a boy, and which is a girl? According abortions “are rife in the U.S.” would be the order of the day. No than inhibiting us, moral guidelines Some researchers claim to their parents, that’s a question only Letting a child choose his or her one complains about or resents the free us to live in peace and security. another giant Argentine dinosaur, the children can decide. gender, choosing a child based on markings because drivers know the The statistics on crime, divorce, Argentinosaurus, may have Nate and Julia Sharpe have kept gender, and aborting a child based painted boundaries exist for their own abortion, and suicide give eloquent been bigger—about 82 tonnes their children’s biological sex a secret on gender are all symptoms of an benefi t and safety. witness to the danger of living outside (US-90 tons)—but base that on from their birth. They have not underlying condition. At their heart, “Today we are surrounded by a God’s boundaries.” ● far fewer skeletal remains than taught them to associate their body they succumb to the temptation, “You the Dreadnoughtus specimens. parts with being a boy or a girl. They will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). And the supposedly biggest are going to allow their children to The Bible clearly teaches that God dinosaur of all, Amphicoelias determine their gender. Such children created us in His image as “male and fragillimus(claimed at 40–60 m are known as “theybies.” female” (Genesis 1:27) and values [130–200 ft] long and 122 t [135 Other parents are making the males and females equally (Galatians US-tons]) is known from only one opposite decision. 3:28). He has a purpose for our lives incomplete vertebra that has been Model Chrissy Teigen and her before He makes us (Jeremiah 1:5). lost. husband, singer John Legend, made For several decades, however, our As with all dinosaurs, headlines when they announced culture has embraced the lie that Dreadnoughtus would not have that they had selected the sex of truth is what we believe it to be. been much bigger than a football their unborn child. They used in vitro Such relativism explains the sexual as a baby, and it’s likely that it fertilization to become pregnant. revolution of the 1960s and the went through a ‘teenage’ growth This process creates embryos in the legalization of abortion in the US spurt like other dinosaurs. So laboratory, which are then implanted in 1973. It gave birth to same-sex a juvenile pair of the dinosaur in the mother’s womb. Teigen and marriage. It makes our bodies and kind to which it belonged would Legend asked doctors to select a lives our own to do with as we wish. have easily been able to walk female embryo for her to carry to To paraphrase Dr. Phil, how’s that through the door of Noah’s Ark. term. working for us? See also www.creation.com/ In related news, “sex-selective Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne dreadnoughtus. ● Dreadnoughtus makes T. rex look puny, news24.com, 9 April 2014, Astoundingly huge dinosaur discovered (video), livesci- How’s that working for us? ence.com, 2014. DR. PHIL Edition 416 11  Ask Y Peter Meadows FFATHERSATHERS MODELLINGMODELLING FORGIVENESSFORGIVENESS answers your “WE MUST LOVE THEM bringing healing to the lives of the the testimony of a couple who had CORRIE. We must show them that women who had been shattered by publicly forgiven a drunk driver who questions about God. love is stronger than hate…” the Nazis through the brutal Concen- had killed their son, my Dad replied, Those words were uttered by Betsie tration Camps. “I could never do that.” ‘Born again’’ ten Boom to her younger sister Cor- But Betsie was actually speaking I realise that forgiveness never rie, as Betsie lay dying in Ravens- about their captors and her heart was comes easily, especially in a situation sounds weird bruck Concentration Camp in 1944. to minister the love and forgiveness like that, but it left me wondering – what does They may sound like strange words of God to them. whether my Dad was even willing to it mean? to quote at the beginning of a Father’s As Corrie said, when she looked at try and forgive. support of others. Day piece but they are words that the guards she saw only hate-fi lled Forgiveness is one of those princi- “It is to one’s glory to overlook an t does soundnd changed my life. people, but Betsie saw broken human ples that is vital for us as men to both offense” said King Solomon. strange, doesn’t it?it? I fi rst read them in Corrie ten beings. practice and teach to our children. Persistent unforgiveness and stuff- IAnd unfortunatelyly Boom’s autobiography, The Hiding What does any of this have to do Consider the number of men in ing your anger down deep inside will it’s often associatedd Place, when I was about 14 years old. with Father’s Day? recent years who have murdered destroy your life in the end. with a certain ‘brand’ of Christian I say they were life-changing Good question. their children and then taken their Which is why Betsie ten Boom’s – those who come at you full-on. because of the context in which Betsie I have been thinking a lot lately own lives as their way of responding words are so precious to me. Despite that, it still gets used spoke them. about the number of things that we to the breakdown of a relationship or As impacted as I was by them as a a lot, way outside of the church. Sharing her vision with Corrie of men will face in life but no one ever family. It is the ultimate payback and boy of 14, it is has taken a lifetime for For example, Volkswagen once what they might do once the war was prepares us for and it has led me to devastates not just individuals but me to learn to put them into practice. advertised a new Golf with just over, Corrie thought that Betsie was refl ect upon the things that I would whole communities. And with the help of my Heavenly two words in the headline – ‘Born’ referring to them both loving and have liked my Dad to have modeled When men experience depression Father, I have learned and practiced and ‘Again’. So they must have to me in my growing up years. (and they will) and bottle up their the wisdom of them again and again assumed we all understood! One of these was the importance of anger they leave a legacy of destruc- and experienced the healing that And I guess we do, up to a practicing forgiveness. tion that is passed on from generation comes with them. point. The advert implied the well- My Dad did not fi nd it easy to for- to generation. It is a principle that I have endeav- known model had been recreated give and there is a history of grudge I have seen men who nurse hurts oured to pass on to all of my children. from scratch. And many headlines holding in my family that goes back and grudges for years ultimately It is a principle that has set me have described the careers of poli- through the generations. becoming angry bullies to everyone progressively free from the past and ticians, celebrities or sport stars On one occasion, after hearing around them, reacting in violent rage which I fi rst encountered all those as ‘born again’ if they have made at the merest of provocations. years ago through The Hiding Place. a comeback – but it’s nothing to Inevitably they isolate themselves And it’s a principle as men we do with faith. from everyone and become increas- must both practice and model to the In each case the meaning is ingly resistant to change and the generations to come. ● clear: a ‘totally new start’. What How can I become most have probably forgotten is that the words originate from Jesus – and carry much more a Christian? meaning. Jesus told one of the most Anyone can gain the eternal life off ered though Jesus Christ Lessons from religious people of His day: We read in God’s word: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, “You must be born again.” Jesus that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) wanted this sincere and enquiring a ggolfolferer - Pt 1t 1 God-follower to understand that OUR Separation from God obeying religious rules, in which PROBLEM: “Everyone has sinned. Nobody is good enough because ADMIT he had a triple-A star, was not God’s standards are perfect” (Romans 3:23) the way to a living encounter with BY PETER BRAIN God. Instead, Jesus was saying Jesus died on the cross GOD’S that something had to happen ‘on REMEDY / “God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we I AM sure you have all heard the stories about intrepid golfers. SOLUTION: were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) BELIEVE There is the one about Bill. Nothing ever phased him. His concentration was the inside’. legendary. He could not be distracted. Imagine the surprise of his mates when Using the term ‘born again’ Trust Jesus by receiving Him he interrupted his putting on the 11th green (that is the green near the main was Jesus’ way of explaining that “To all who received Him, to those who believed in pleasing God is not something OUR road) to remove his cap and stand to attention as the funeral procession drove His name, He gave the right to become children we can do by our own outward RESPONSE: past. When his mates asked him why he interrupted his golf he replied, “She of God” (John 1:12) COMMIT was a good woman; we had been married 38 years!” efforts. Rather, it involves being Golfers are keen, if they are nothing else. transformed from the inside. Here is an example of how you can pray. We need such a radical change My father-in-law reckons that it never rains on the golf course. Not at the Dear Father in Heaven. I come to you now because I want to be saved. of heart that it’s like becoming a 19th hole anyway! Please, forgive me of my sins. I believe that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to new person and starting life all die for me and that you have raised him from the dead. I now ask Jesus Christ But what has all this got to do with God? Well, let me explain. over again. That’s not something to come into my life as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Please I rst started playing when I was about 10 with a “Hickory shafted nib-lick” we can do for ourselves. We need make me the person You created me to be. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen found in my grandfather’s garage. That was almost 40 years ago. I do not a spiritual birth to have a relation- The Lord Jesus says: “I tell you the truth. Everyone who believes in me think I play a whole lot better than then, but I have enjoyed the game and the ship with God, who is Spirit. has eternal life.” (John 6:47). He gives life of a wonderful quality that continues forever. company. I have been taken by the similarities with life. Being ‘born again’ is about hav- AS A NEXT STEP : Let me share 18 of my thoughts – one for each hole, in the hope that they ing the same kind of relationship might help you. with God that there is between an If you prayed If you have NOT prayed 1. Golf is a great leveller. I can remember sinking a 14-metre putt and on infant and its parent. Not rules the above prayer, the prayer at this and rituals, but a relationship. tick this box stage, tick this box the next hole taking four putts from three metres. As in life, it is not wise to become arrogant about one’s achievement. It’s why, when we have been born I have prayed I would like to Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs spiritually into His family, we are this prayer. think about this. 16:18 able to talk of God as our Father. How does it happen? We stop Please send me: Please send me: 2. I’ve enjoyed teaching my three sons to play. They have often heard me ask them after they have miss-hit a shot … “which is the most important trusting in our best efforts to Bible More information as I am inquiring please God, realising we will never about being a Christian. shot in golf?” They reply “the next one”. You can’t play it again, what’s Some ‘starting off ’ literature done is done. That’s life. It’s so easy to ruin life by dwelling on the past. The be good enough, and ask God to I have a problem (see att ached lett er) Information on a helpful church past may need to be put right or learnt from. God forgives those who are change our hearts. Only He can genuinely sorry for past wrong and promises to help us learn from past do it. It’s a wonderful relief to * Please tick and write clearly * mistakes. understand that God does that for For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward us. We just need to turn away from Name ______those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our old life, genuinely ask for His Address ______our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12 freely-given forgiveness, and then 3. In life it is ever so easy to blame others for our actions. It is not much fun go forward with His power to help Phone ______playing golf with someone who is always blaming the clubs, the poor us live His way. ● Peter Meadows is co-author of The Age and occupation (it helps) ______greens, or even the trees planted in the wrong places! None of us are perfect. It is great to be able to accept that … especially for those who Book of Y, the basics for the Y Course that explores life’s biggest questions. If Challenge Literature Fellowship Fax (08) 9453 3006 or email have got to play the game of life with us! you have a question about faith or God, PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985 [email protected] For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under Peter will do his best to answer it. Write sin. As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:9-10 to: [email protected] with All overseas enquiries are referred onto someone in their own country ASK Y in the subject line. ● TO BE CONTINUED Challenge SPORT

US' Michelle Carter competes in the woman's shot put during the Diamond League athletics competition in Doha, in May 2017. (Photo: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images) INSET: Michelle Carter attends the 2016 USATF Black Tie & Sneakers Gala in New York City in 2016. (Photo Steve Mack//Getty Imagges) PUT HERE BY DESIGN

merican shot putter the opportunity to have him as my Michelle acknowledges that her But not everything has been a “You have to understand Michelle Carter knows coach.” faith in Christ helps her to deal smooth ride for Michelle, especially everyone’s body was built to do what she was designed However, she says that she with the pressure that accompanies in 2011. something,” she explains. “I was Ato do and Who designed cares about something much more being an elite athlete. “It was a hard year for me in built to do something, and that’s her for it. important: her personal relation- “It is easier to deal with things my sport,” she admits. “I almost how I was built. I think the world The champion took gold in the ship with Jesus Christ. that are not going my way on the wanted to quit and I started think- is realising we were promoting one 2016 Olympic Games after setting “I grew up in church. I do track,” she says. “I know the kind of ing about the pros and cons of con- body type and there have always the American record in the event not know anything different,” God I serve and I know what He can tinuing to throw. I was by far one of been many.” with a distance of 20.63 m. In Michelle shares. “I received Jesus do through me. I have been taught the weakest throwers, but I threw Michelle has realised that her doing so, Michelle became the fi rst as my Saviour and was baptized to believe and to have faith in Him further than most. [Then I realized infl uence extends beyond the realm United States women’s athlete to [immersed in water as an outward and His plan for me.” that] there has to be a reason why of athletics. win the event since it became an sign of confession of sin] when I Michelle is always careful to put I was doing what I was doing with “People notice how I am living Olympic sport in 1948, and only the was around six or seven years old. God ahead of her career. During little effort. This has to be one of my out my faith,” she tells Athletes in second American woman to win an So my faith has always been a big an international competition in gifts, a God-given talent.” Action. “Sometimes it takes me by Olympic medal in shot put. part of my life. Istanbul, Turkey, she and some Besides being involved in the surprise how much they notice. She is also a three-time bronze “I remember at the age of eight, I of her teammates from the track sports fi eld, Michelle is also a certi- Even when no one is looking, the and one-time gold medallist in the could not [even imagine] that God wanted to have a Bible Study before fi ed professional make-up artist. way I act is important because it is a World Championships and has was not real. I remember times as the competition. She has focused on body image refl ection of how I walk with Christ. been named a National Champion a child when I would be in my bed “There was no one else around both on and off the fi eld, talking “I have Christ in my heart, I six times. praying about a problem. I always so I opened a devotional book I to young women about confi dence already have the victory. Through The 32-year-old, however, is knew that whatever was going on, was personally reading through through her program, You Throw Christ all things are possible.” characteristically modest about her I could pray and God would take and shared it with everyone,” she Girl. (Philippians 4:13) ● achievements. care of it.” states. “We talked about giving “The best piece of advice my For Michelle, the real test came everything we had to God and father gave me was to always work when she went away to college, trusting in Him. I even had a hard,” Michelle says. away from her structured life. couple of teammates come up to Shot putting runs in her blood. “I was faced with all the things me afterwards and tell me how Her dad, Michael Carter, won silver that were going on around me that God used that to speak to them.” for the sport in the 1984 Olympics. I was not accustomed to facing on That is what Michelle’s goal is: He is now Michelle’s coach, but he my own,” she recalls. “Enjoying to be a faithful witness for Christ was not the one who got her into my new-found freedom, I put my wherever she goes. “I understand the sport. relationship with Christ on the now that Christ [wants to] work “My junior high coach asked ‘back burner’. through me so that others can me to try out for the team, and I “That’s when I realised how hard get to know Him,” she says. “If came home, and [my dad] was like, life is when you are not close to I want more people to get to ‘Alright, how do you feel about it?’” Him. I knew that if I continued to know Jesus, I have to work hard Michelle recalls. “I informed him stray away from Jesus and not do to exemplify His presence in my that I was ready to go and from what He wanted me to do, I was not life. I started thinking about how then on, it was full steam ahead.” going to win in life. The older I get, this is not about me, it’s about DISTRIBUTED BY: Michelle admits that “people the more I realise the things that I Him; and by letting Him work have higher expectations for me was taught at an early age apply to through me I will be blessed and because of my dad’s success and my life now.” be a blessing.” 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 9/2018