Cost: FREE A quarterly electronic Christian magazine.

Please purchase gifts or donate online to help support this ministry: www.spagmag.com Siinglle Persoon Approved by God

- Creation Ministries: Do you know the laws of the heavens? - Inspirational People: Dr Louis Appia - Five errors of the prosperity gospel - When Jesus was a pop star - Close encounters of the cockroach kind

Regullar Segments: ☬ Letters to Lou ☬ Puzzle Page ☬ Open Doors ☬ ☬ Tantalising Trivia ☬ Inspirational People ☬ Creation Ministries ☬ ☬ Kristie’s Kitchen ☬ Words of Wisdom ☬ Rest Ministries ☬ A quarterly, electronic magazine for all Christians, with a focus on singles. Issue No. 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Contents

Contents

We’ve got to hurry When Jesus was a Don’t get married 2018 September What if it was your popstar Compassion Games church?

What if the worst Four things God says to Perspective No good deed goes happens? singles unpunished

Tantalising Trivia In 1994 in Spain after a truck collided with a car, the truck then fell down onto a railway track and was crushed by a train. Both the driver and the passenger of the truck escaped unharmed. Think they were fortunate? Just imagine being Aime Grosjean of Switzerland, who at the age of 72, was blown from the balcony on the 17th floor of a building by a huge gust of Short Story: I’ve been to 12 schoolies and Five errors of the wind, but as she was falling, another strong gust picked The Toy Maker it gets better every year prosperity gospel her up, and she landed unharmed on a lower floor!

Regular Segments

The Bible and the Make Your Shoes Inspirational people: Hydrologic Cycle Last Longer Dr Louis Appia

29, 32, 39, 55 Tantalising Trivia Words of Nutty Names 44 Wisdom Various 34, 64, 70 Five of the most Up Close & Good Grief: The Pressing in powerful images Personal with the Hidden Grief of from 2017 Saltwater Crocodile Singleness

Are you pacing A time for ‘Madman’ Jesus Close encounters Spot the difference too much and learning causes havoc in of the cockroach missing God’s temple kind calls?

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Editor’s Letter, SPAG Staff and Contact Details

SPAG Magazine Staff and Contact Details

Vicki Nunn:: Editor, Journalist, layout planner, graphic artist

Joseph Kolapudi:: Journalist

Welcome to the fourteenth issue of SPAG! Lori Yanez:: Journalist Our feature article in this issue may be an eye-opener for many Liz Gill: Journalist (Modern Missionaries) church leaders and married people, but for those of us who have experienced it, we know the very real pain and grief that we keep Michael Hannett:: Journalist hidden. It’s not something that’s easy to talk about, but is very real for many Christian women and men. I encourage you to check out Lore Kristie:: Chef Ferguson’s article, “The Hidden Grief of Singleness.” (page 35) Lou: SPAG Counsellor (anonymous) We have several articles in this issue with a focus on singles: on Lou: page 27, Laura Tharion shares her thoughts in the article, “Don’t Get Contact us: Married,” and on page 40, Vaughan Roberts provides insight into the Mail: PO Box 9772, Frenchville, Qld 4701, Australia subject “Four Things God Says to Singles.” Email: [email protected] These singles articles are vitally important for church leaders and Phone: (+61) 042 44 33 772 married couples to read to gain an understanding and empathy for Web SPAG address: (Single www.spagmag.com Person Approved by God) is a free quarterly, their single brothers and sisters in Christ. But as always, we have electronic magazine for adult Christians, with a focus on singles. articles suitable for everyone - check out 2018 September Compassion While it is based in Australia, it is an international, inter- Games on page 30, a sixteen day annual (non-Christian) global event denominational publication aimed at encouraging, challenging and this month to draw communities across the world closer together and inspiring all believers, with articles suitable for all. encourages us to act in intentionally compassionate ways. Another of our aims is to provide Church leaders and married There are great articles by writers from Press Service International couples with some insight into the problems and needs of the (Christian Today Australia and New Zealand) who speak on a variety singles in their congregation who can sometimes feel overlooked or of relevant subjects. even unwanted in their church. Andrew Brandon shares his remarkable story-writing skills in the SUBMISSIONS: tale “The Toy Maker,” on page 47. Inspired by Andrew, we’re Please feel free to write to SPAG via our email: considering adding a regular fiction spot into SPAG Magazine, so if [email protected]. Ensure you title your email with the you’re an aspiring writer or poet and would love to share your relevant section of SPAG or address it to the Editor. You may feel Christian-themed piece, please email it at [email protected]. Or compelled to respond to an article, or you may like to submit an consider contributing an article for our “Creative Urge” segment like article1 or photo1 of your own for consideration. Perhaps you have Aliki Whitfield on page 54 who talks about how she is inspired. a question for Lou, SPAG's Counsellor. Won’t you join me in sending out a warm welcome to Michael Please note that any item or photo for publication must be your Hannett who has joined SPAG Magazine to take on our Prayer Points own original work and not copied from elsewhere.1 segment (page 58) and will also share an occasional article as well. In ADVERTISING: this issue, Michael shares a small spot on the subject “No Good deed If you would like to promote your business or major Christian Goes Unpunished,” on page 46. Welcome Michael! activity in SPAG, please contact the Editor, Vicki Nunn on email: Congratulations to Joseph Kolapudi, one of SPAG’s journalists who [email protected] or phone (+61) 042 44 33 772. You can find was a finalist in the 2018 Young Community Achiever of the Year, for more information about advertising costs on SPAG's website (link his work in India on community development and raising awareness here.). for youth engagement. He spoke in schools in North India about Community or non-profit groups are advertised free, though mental health and fostering healthy relationships, and assisted in we cannot guarantee that there will always be sufficient space. driving positive business and social enterprises. Well done Joseph! ------I hope you’ve gained some real insight through Ruth Lindsay’s 1. By submitting your letter, item or article for inclusion in SPAG, you personally accept all legal articles on domestic violence and the church in our two previous responsibility for your submission, and acknowledge that you have not extracted nor copied written issues. It’s vital that we as a church, consider how we should tackle or photographic or other material from elsewhere that does not belong to you or whose copyright is owned by another. You hereby accept all legal responsibility and exempt SPAG and anyone this difficult problem within some Christian marriages, rather than associated with this magazine from any and all legal consequences and responsibilities. By pretend it’s not happening. The final article will be in our next issue. submitting your letter, item or article you are giving your complete approval for SPAG Magazine and anyone associated with it, to freely use it in SPAG Magazine or on our website, agreeing that To finish, I want you to know that I’m conscious that not everyone use of said item will be without charge and that you waive all financial compensations for said item. is going to agree with all of the views and topics that we share in SPAG agrees not to share your personal details or your contribution with any other organisation SPAG Magazine, but if we manage to challenge, inspire and/or or person not associated with it. encourage you to prayerfully consider another point of view on Singles: we understand that you may feel invisible, overlooked or important Christian topics, then we’ve achieved half of our aim. At the present time, it is more important than ever that we work to even unwanted in the church. Be assured that your needs, concerns support, challenge and grow each other in our walk, whatever our and problems are real. You are not alone, but are part of a vast denomination or background. family of brothers and sisters. God sees you and your struggles: He knows you and He loves you. The articles here are written to Warm regards encourage, challenge and inspire you, whether single or married. Vicki Nunn, Vicki Nunn, ~Please feel free to share this magazine with other Christians.~ SPAG Editor

3 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 3 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Letters to Lou

Letter 1 – How to Find a New Church singles family. If we cared to look around church we Dear Lou would see widows, widowers, divorcees, unmarried I moved to a new town after God encouraged me to go mums and singles who have never married. Often there. While I miss my friends and family, I have a good these people make up a good percentage of the church friend here and some close relatives. But I can't seem to find population. a church to settle in. Contact the pastor and remind him of what he said I'd like to find somewhere that there are single people and listen to his response. This will enable you to like me, and who are mature so we can support each other. determine whether you will get care in that church It's important to me to find a church where there's real family. Ask simply what is being done to care for Biblical teaching and encourages Christian growth. singles and their needs. Personal contact from you is My question is, how do I find a church that meets my far better than a letter. needs, and one where I believe God wants me to go? I've My encouragement would be to find other singles already been to a couple and at one church, where I was in the church and build some new friendships, but starting to feel comfortable, the Pastor said something that don’t neglect getting to know couples and others in really made me feel angry. During his sermon he said that the church. their church was aimed at families, because families have Ask your family and other friends if they know of many needs, not like single people who are more selfish! other singles in the community. If you can’t develop Can you believe he said that? So, if that's their attitude this singles ministry in your church, look at building a towards single people, then I don't want to go there healthy singles ministry on an interdenominational anymore! basis. I wanted to write to him and tell him how he made me Kind regards feel, but I don't know if that would really help his attitude. Lou Can you help me figure out how to find a good church? ------Rachel Hi Rachel, Letter 2 – Sometimes I Struggle with Being Alone As a person passionate about ministry to single and Dear Lou single again people, I can say that the sentiment of I'm now in my 30s and although I'm ok with that, I still your letter is one I have heard on a regular basis. struggle sometimes with being alone and feeling lonely. First priority is to find a church which is sound It would be nice sometimes having someone to sit and biblically and provides solid teaching. It would appear watch movies with or go for walks, etc. I've got some that you are doing this. friends I can hang out with, but most of them have partners Second priority is to find yourself in a home group and kids, and when I crave time with friends or when I'm where you can connect with people at a deeper level. feeling a bit low, they aren't always available because Priority three is to start a ministry group for single they're busy with their own lives. and single again people. Offer your services to build Sometimes I pray about it, but it doesn't make my such a group. sadness or loneliness go away. Can you tell me how I can If that is not welcome - look for another church. make myself feel better when I'm feeling down? If God isn’t It is extremely disappointing to hear the comments going to give me a husband, why does being alone have to made by the pastor regarding singles, yet this is a be so hard? comment I have heard said on a regular basis from Giselle leaders of churches. So often churches do not care about or seek to understand the specific needs of our

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Letters to Lou

Hi Giselle, Testament. I'm sure there are still plenty of demons around You correctly identify one of the most significant today, so shouldn't we be doing it? struggles faced by singles. In fact you identify one of I find it confusing that things those early Christians did, the struggles of our modern day society. Some years we don't do them today. Does that mean there's something ago I read that sixty percent of the population noted wrong with our modern churches? Does it mean we aren't that loneliness was their major personal issue. obeying God? Whenever I am with a crowd of people I look Peter around and wonder which ones are desperately Hi Peter lonely. The key for living is to find an opportunity to Thanks for your question and concern. get to find these people and be a friend to them. In all churches that I have been, a part of anointing The key issue for you is to not sit down and people with oil is a common practice. James 5 is the wonder why you can’t find friends, but to be proactive key for us in this. and go out and look for people you can bring into your care. I believe it is a privilege for pastors and leaders to pray over people and to anoint with oil. This can be I would encourage you to get busy doing things for done within the context of church services, or in a other people, get involved in your church, or sporting home group, or by going to a family or individual and club, or a group which has similar interests or hobbies anointing with oil. My encouragement is to make this to yourself and work hard at being a giver and not a a key practice within your spiritual journey. receiver only. My first port of call in praying for people who are Doing this does not necessarily take away the supposedly possessed by evil spirits is to always check loneliness you will face at times, but it will be a way of to see if there is unconfessed sin in their life. Sadly, meaningfully filling your life. people blame the devil for stuff which in reality is I meet people on a regular basis who are living their own sinful action. Unconfessed sin will always fulfilled lives because of the effort they make to reach bring bondage in a person’s life. other people. This is applicable to people of all ages. The Bible tells me very clearly that we know this Make the effort to get involved with people and fact, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the care for people who need someone to speak into their world.” I John 4:4. Because of this a person walking lives. closely with the Lord does not have to worry about Continue to pray that God would provide for you a demon possession. very special group of caring friends. On the other hand demonic influences are all Lou around us. The devil and his cohorts were defeated by ------Jesus on the cross. Letter 3 – Anointing with Oil for Healing and Blessing Our hope is in Christ. Dear Lou Keep praying for people, and keep anointing with oil as we are commanded to do in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament and in the New Testament, there are references to anointing people with oil for healing, Sincerely blessing or consecration. Lou Why don't churches do that today? I mean, if it's talked about in the New Testament as a way to heal, or bless or consecrate, why aren't we doing that? Well, at least not in the churches I have been to. How come we don't see or hear of demons being cast out of people? The disciples were casting out demons in the New

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ We’ve Got to Hurry! We’ve Got To Hurry!

Lagging behind on a by Leah walk: “I’m singing to the McDermott birds.” Not coming in for a bath: “I’m watching this I wanted to tell him to hurry worm to see how fast it up... but I paused and asked can dig.” instead. His response, “I want to Do you see what’s see if the vultures think I’m a dead happening here? animal.” Our adult brains are I hadn’t even noticed the conditioned to move so vultures flying overhead... I was rapidly… to hurry as so focused on finishing the task quickly as possible and moving on to the next thing from one activity to the that I was missing everything. next, always rushing, How many times in a day do always thinking about the next Watch your world change you tell your child to “hurry up?” thing and never, NEVER paying before your eyes… to slowing Rushing out the door, “Get attention to the current, present, down. [END] your shoes on;” “Eat your dinner beautiful moment. ------faster;” “Walk quicker;” “Chin up, But our children? They haven’t Biography: eyes forward, let’s go!” been changed yet. They’re still I’m a homeschooling mother of two, We’ve got to HURRY….. To curious and full of wonder. They natural learning advocate, Master teacher, where? To what? speaker, author, and the founder of ‘Your still see the beauty in weeds and Natural Learner.’ Do you stop and ask yourself will take the time to hop over My greatest joy comes from parents what you’re rushing for? What is every crack in the sidewalk for and teachers seeing their children have so important that you are pushing miles. that AHA! moment when something they’re excited about finally connects! your child so quickly through Why on earth would we want I help families and educators connect their childhood? to do anything but encourage their children with Mother Nature Do you ever wonder why? them to keep that passion, that through unstructured play, focused Why they are moving so slowly? attention to detail, and the ability learning activities, engaging learning Why they are staring off into to SLOW DOWN and just enjoy spaces. space? the world around them? I believe that each and every child learns in a unique and timely way - that Well…. did you ever ask? Did In fact, we can learn a lot from they learn best when they can follow their you ever just STOP and try to get watching our children, and from interests and passions, and that we as inside their head? asking ourselves why we are facilitators should provide them with the resources necessary to fulfil their curious I stopped hurrying, and I rushing constantly. Why we are so desires. asked, and these are just a few of concerned about the next moment instead of focusing on enjoying ------the answers I got: Bibliography: the present one? Not eating dinner: “I’m counting McDermott, Leah, 24 May 2018, Facebook: my peas.” Ask yourself. Why? Your Natural Learner, available: www.facebook.com/yournaturallearner/photos/ Taking forever to get shoes on: Ask your child, what are they a.522306884521473.1073741825.22946968713852 “I’m trying to decide which shoes are doing in THIS moment, and can I 9/1675643922521091/?type=3&theatre, accessed 21/06/18. the best shoes.” join you?

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle

Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle

Whilst these state- by Ron Neller ments may not seem B.A. (Hons) PH.D. unusual to a reader Geomorphology today, many of these It is often assumed that the statements may have Bible’s statements relating to seemed uncertain to natural phenomena can only readers when they were reflect the inadequate scientific first recorded. knowledge of the period when the Perhaps the most relevant portion of it was written. common reference in the This is often used to deflect Bible to nature is to from and ‘explain away’ the aspects of the hydrologic obvious conflict between Genesis cycle, or the distribution and the current ‘scientific’ and movement of water. paradigm of origins and pre- Water is essential to history. However, as this article life, a cleansing sub- seeks to show, consideration of the stance, and a necessary hydrologic cycle indicates the basis for any civilisation. divine inspiration of the text by Figure 1: The hydrologic cycle Water is also referred revealing detailed knowledge of hundred years ago, even though to in the Bible as a component of the physical world that was not the major processes of the purification, festivals, and cere- understood by ‘science’ until hydrologic cycle were recorded in monies. Not only are there many many centuries, if not millennia, the Bible. later. statements on the hydrologic cycle in the Bible, but when combined What is the Hydrologic Cycle? The Bible contains many from the various books of the The hydrologic cycle is simply observations of the natural world. Bible they provide an accurate the distribution and movement of On the planetary side there are insight into most aspects of the water on our planet and it has a descriptions of landscapes, movement of water and the cyclic movement as suggested by weather and storm conditions, processes associated with these the name (figure 1). and of rivers and oceans. On the movements. Precipitation falls to the earth biological side there are and may be temporarily held in descriptions of species, habitats, As will be shown in this paper, freshwater surface storage, infil- and ecosystem functions. There through a focus primarily on the trates into the ground where some are also statements of physical and wisdom literature (especially the of it is stored as soil water and biological processes and of Books of Job, Ecclesiastes, and groundwater, and some of it is changing environments. Psalms), an adequate scientific description of the hydrologic cycle immediately evaporated. evaded scholars till only a few

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle That which cannot be stored or dawn of civilisation immediately returned to the before a clear under- atmosphere then finds its way into standing of certain streams and rivers and eventually aspects of the hydrologic reaches lakes or the oceans. cycle was developed. Waters retained temporarily in Andah1 observed that the soils or in depressions on the early civilisations were land are then transpired by plants able to manipulate and (evapotranspiration) or eventually manage surface water evaporated from soils and open flows without a clear water bodies back into the understanding of the atmosphere, where they are blown hydrologic cycle per se, Figure 2: The Aqueduct of Segovia in central Spain dates around the globe to begin the and that this was from around the 2nd century, and is an excellent example of the Roman Empire aqueducts that are still found across cycle once again. achieved through damm- Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Its purpose ing and irrigation. Evaporation also occurs across was to transport water from nearby mountains, some the oceans. Obviously there is a lot Shanan2 notes that 17km away. Although the Roman engineers did not have a more to it than this and we have rain-fed farming can be a good understanding of the global water cycle, they nonetheless undertook significant water projects. skipped over many of the finer risky venture, particu- details (a more detailed descript- larly if there is seasonal rainfall sometime between 150 BC and AD 5 tion can be found in the uncertainty, whereas irrigation 250. So it is important to introductory chapter of any reduces this uncertainty and understand this distinction hydrologic book) but the allows farming in otherwise between the simple use of water continuous and cyclic nature of unproductive lands. Shanan on the one hand and a thorough this movement of water is quite quotes an inscription on the tomb understanding of its movements apparent. of Queen Semiramis of Assyria and processes on the other. (about 2000 BC): “I constrained the The hydrologic cycle is the These early civilisations mighty river to flow according to planet’s cleansing system, remov- demonstrated that you did not my will and led its waters to ing dust from the atmosphere and need a full and thorough under- fertilise lands that before had been flushing streams and rivers clean. standing of how natural processes barren and without inhabitants.2” worked before you could It is also critical to all aspects of In Egypt, records of river manipulate them (figure 2). life as it is responsible for the heights (or stages) were collected breakdown and movement of What the Philosophers and from the Nile from the earliest nutrients and therefore the most Scientists Discovered days (as recorded on ancient important geologic process. A The ancient Greeks had various manuscripts3) and a canal to regular and consistent supply of ideas on the hydrologic cycle. transport potable water had been clean water has been required by According to Thales of Miletus built between Cairo and the Suez.1 all civilisations and water has for (late 6th - early 5th century BC) From other ancient civilisations most of civilised history been the streams and rivers emerged from Biswas4 provides an extensive list major form of transport, particu- underground. There was believed of major water infrastructures, larly of goods and produce. to be a vast subterranean fresh- including water supply works and Ancient Civilisations and Their water lake, connected to the flood control structures, well Use of Water surface of the world by chasms before 600 BC. and through surface springs water Before we examine the These irrigation and aqueduct then flowed out into the rivers of development of scientific thinking systems were developed before a the world. on the hydrologic cycle it is rudimentary knowledge of flow worthwhile noting that significant Variations on this theme were dynamics emerged with the expressed by numerous other engineering and water supply pioneering fluid flow investi- systems were developed at the Greek philosophers such as Plato gations of Hero of Alexandria and Anaxagoras of Clazomenae

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle (500–428 BC) who believed the With the emergence of modern not simply recording current earth to be full of watery caverns science there remained world views of the hydrologic that provided springs for rivers as uncertainty on why water cycle. well as rainfall. continued to flow in rivers long The Book of Job, though Aristotle’s (mid-3rd century after rainfall. Dooge5 notes that written primarily as poetic BC) view was somewhat more even Leonardo da Vinci dialogue on the theology of accurate. He argued in his work postulated on the underground suffering from a Hebrew Meteorologica: lifting mechanisms of water into perspective, provides a rich source the mountains in his writings “Now the earth remains but the of commentary on the hydrologic (sometime between 1504 and 1506 moisture surrounding it is made cycle, and as such is a great place AD) and that Galileo (around 1600 to evaporate by the sun’s rays … to start. But its author and age AD) was frustrated by stream and rises. But when the heat have been subject to considerable flow. 7 which was raising it leaves it, … debate. Habel notes that then the vapour cools because its It was not until the first “Scholars have proposed dates heat is gone and because the place quantitative measurement of the from the 10th century to the 4th is cold, and condenses again and hydrologic cycle was “The Book of Job, century BC” and turns from air into water. And made by Pierre suggests this is though written after the water has formed it falls Perrault in the 16th because there are down again to the earth.”6 century that the primarily as poetic no historical argument was events mentioned Aristotle nonetheless remained dialogue on the finally laid to rest. in Job. What we convinced that subterranean water theology of suffering do know is that was the main source of stream Perrault from a Hebrew fragments of the flow. He believed it was ‘absurd’ measured both Book of Job were “…if one were to suppose that precipitation and perspective, provides a found amongst rivers drew all their water from streamflow in the rich source of the Dead Sea the sources we see (for most rivers Seine basin in France commentary on the Scrolls,8 dated at do flow from springs.)”6 and determined that the amount of water hydrologic cycle, and around 200 BC, Referring to Thales, Plato, and precipitated was six and that they Aristotle, Dooge5 writes: “A as such is a great place times that flowing in were written in common error in all their thinking to start.” the river. In short, ‘paleo-Hebrew’ was the firm conviction that there was more than enough script. “The many rare words and rainfall was not sufficient to rainfall to keep the rivers flowing textural disturbances make the provide the flow of springs and long after the last rain had ceased. Hebrew text of Job one of the most rivers.” In determining this, a more obscure in the OT.”9 Moreover: Vitruvius, a 1st century BC complete understanding of the “It is clear that the author wrote Roman architect, provided a hydrologic cycle finally emerged. in a dialect distinct from the reasonable description of the What the Bible Says: Hebrew of Jerusalem, in which water cycle for his time. He much of the OT is composed. His described precipitation processes How old are the books of the dialect was much closer to and the relationships between Bible? Aramaic. … He drew skilfully on precipitation and surface flow, Before we compare what the his rich vocabulary and and on the basis of these Bible records about the hydrologic knowledge of the various dialects observations recognised that cycle with what the philosophers of Hebrew to probe the depth of rivers were primarily derived and scientists determined, we his subject.”9 from precipitation, not from need to ensure that the two Habel7 argues “the cumulative springs. Nonetheless, Vitruvius’s accounts are independent. To do evidence may tend to suggest a concept was rejected by so we need to understand when postexilic era” (late 5th to 4th subsequent scholars. these books were written, to centuries BC). Numerous experts ensure that the Bible authors were

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle note that no Levitical institutions are mentioned and Job personally “He wraps up the waters in his clouds…” offers sacrifices typical of pre- Tabernacle days (Patriarch tradition). Harris8 states that “in view of patriarchal milieu, it seems possible to hold to a Mosaic or slightly pre-Mosaic date in accord with much older Jewish and Christian sentiment”. Hartley9 believes “the interplay between this book and other OT books, especially Isaiah, can best be accounted for by placing this work in the 7th century BC”. Regardless of these divergences, most experts propose a date for the Book of Job no later than the 4th century BC, and most likely much earlier, these matters in a scientific or water jars of the heavens?” (Job possibly pre-Mosaic. explanatory manner. Rather, God 38:37). Other references to the speaks to His people using “… when he made a decree for hydrologic cycle can be drawn common language and common the rain and a path for the from Genesis, Deuteronomy, concepts. Water is a common thunderstorm” (Job 28:26). Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah. topic. As noted earlier, these verses Whilst the earliest fragments of The Book of Job makes a were not primarily provided as these are also to be found in the number of points on what we explanations of a hydrologic cycle. Dead Sea Scrolls (around 200 BC) today call the hydrologic cycle. Rather they were used as there is little argument amongst But unlike the reflections of commonly understood images to scholars that they were in fact Thales, Job provides a clear illustrate God’s Kingdom, and in written much earlier (and placed description of the concepts that the scripture listed above of God’s with the Ark of the Covenant). underpin the hydrologic cycle: authority over mankind. The balance of evidence “He wraps up the waters in his In Job 26:28 God uses the water strongly suggests these books of clouds, yet the clouds do not burst cycle to demonstrate that He does the Bible pre-date the Greek under their weight” (Job 26:8). not deal with His people by philosopher Thales. As we shall “He draws up the drops of chance but that just as nature is see in the following sections, there water, which distil as rain to the bound by a set of decrees so too is are also significant differences in streams; the clouds pour down God’s Kingdom bound by laws. these accounts and there is no their moisture and abundant Job 38:33–34 reiterates His evidence to suggest the reflections showers fall on mankind” (Job dominion over the earth and these of Thales or of the author of Job 36:27–28). laws, challenging humanity to were in any manner connected. “Do you know the laws of the comprehend His authority. Biblical descriptions of the heavens? Can you set up God’s Having illustrated Job’s hydrologic cycle dominion over the earth? Can you ignorance of these matters, Job Because water is a necessary raise your voice to the clouds and 38:37 further highlights mankind’s component of life it is not cover yourself with a flood of weakness by focusing on their surprising that the Bible has water?” (Job 38:33–34). inability to comprehend the most something to say on the “Who has the wisdom to count visible works of nature. distribution and movement of the clouds? Who can tip over the water. The Bible does not raise

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~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle Though the purpose of these Secondly, the concept of a cycle Ecclesiastes 1 provides a state- verses was to illustrate God’s is established in Job - the drops of ment of important concepts Kingdom, nonetheless they waters are drawn up from the underpinning the hydrologic cycle contain some powerful hydrologic ground (evaporation), distilled as we know it today. concepts that were well beyond (cleansed), stored (water jars or “The wind blows to the south the thinking of natural clouds that do not burst), moved and turns to the north; round and philosophers and scholars of the (path-ways), converted to rain round it goes, ever returning on its day. (condensation and precipitation) course. All streams flow into the Firstly there is the concept of and returned to the ground sea, yet the sea is never full. To the ‘laws’ or ‘decrees’. God is a ‘abundantly’ and blessedly for place the streams come from, there rational being and here He mankind. they return again” (Ecclesiastes exhibits this rationality by creating Though this cycle was later 1:6–7). laws or decrees for what we now described by Aristotle and Seneca, Embedded in these verses are know to be the pathways of the neither believed that it could the concepts of a cycle and of a hydrologic cycle. account for the observed water balance (conservation of This is perhaps a more streamflow. matter). Ecclesiastes was written important point than people today It was not until the 1st century hundreds of years before might realise. At the time of BC that Vitruvius believed it to be Vitruvius first echoed similar writing the Book of Job, other sufficient and it was not until the concepts. major civilisations were 16th century AD that measure- Elsewhere in the Bible, various polytheistic (worshipped many ments were able to record that hydrologic processes are further gods). there was more than enough described. Evaporation is recorded In polytheistic cultures rainfall to keep streams flowing. in a number of other books: Yet the Book of Job says that the explanations for the human spirit “He causes the vapours to rainfall is ‘abundant’ for man to and the mysteries of the natural ascend from the ends of the earth” use. world were sought from many (Psalm 135:7); gods. Indeed the uncertainties in life were so common that virtually all city states would have their own resident god. For example, the patron goddess of Athens was Athena, whose statue was housed in the Parthenon. In polytheistic societies the concept that there were laws or decrees for natural phenomena was bordering on blasphemy. The irregularities of nature (flooding and droughts for example) were attributed to the gods who were unpredictable and potentially in conflict with each other. The idea that nature could be systematic and predictable, provided we understood the laws or decree of a creator God, was Figure 3: Dew is an essential source of moisture in Israel during the revolutionary. summer, being blown in from the Mediterranean Sea. God likens Himself to dew (Hosea 14:5) in that the Israelites needed Him to survive.

11 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 11

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle as is precipitation: dew during the long dry season responsible for sustaining life?’ “He waters the mountains from throughout the summer months. Surprisingly it does, but on only his upper chambers” (Psalm According to Sansom11 this dew one occasion. 104:13); is critical to the economic viability “… but streams came up from as well as the source of dew of this region. the earth and watered the whole (atmospheric [figure 3]) and the Likewise Isaiah 55:10 is a surface of the ground” (Genesis storage of groundwaters: promise that God’s divine truth 2:6). “May the LORD bless his land (like precipitation) shall be fruitful The Garden of Eden was with the precious dew from heaven and does not described as paradise above and with the deep waters return to him “The Garden of on Earth, a land of void - the writer plenty deriving its life- that lie below” (Deuteronomy Eden was described 33:13); knows that water giving water as a (an analogy for matter of course from the process of infiltration (soaking as paradise on the living water) underground. But we into the ground) as well as Earth, a land of falls as rain and turned our back on that precipitation once again: plenty deriving its snow and returns paradise. “As the rain and the snow come as vapour from life-giving water as Finally, there are down from heaven, and do not whence it came, a matter of course also a number of return to it without watering the and that before it occasions when water earth and making it bud and from underground.” does it provides flowed out from the flourish” (Isaiah 55:10); moisture and nourishment for an ground when there were no and the release of groundwaters eventual harvest (Pulpit natural springs but these are all through springs: Commentaries.) described in the Bible as miracles, “The angel of the LORD found In summary, the physical not laws. One occurred when the Hagar near a spring in the desert; descriptions of the water cycle three kings were challenged by it was the spring that is beside the used throughout the Bible to Moab: road to Shur” (Genesis 16:7); illustrate authority, blessings, and “… and he said, ‘This is what “He makes springs pour water salvation are accurate. the LORD says: I will fill this into the ravines; it flows between Unlike the scholarly enquiries valley with pools of water. For this the mountains” (Psalm 104:10). between 600 BC and AD 1600, the is what the LORD says: You will There are even insights into Bible does not present uncertainty, see neither wind nor rain, yet this groundwater hydrology. Isaiah inaccuracy, or contradiction with valley will be filled with water, 4:3–5 refers to a ‘yaval’ or ‘yuval’ its description of hydrologic and you, your cattle and your which is a “sudden flood that processes. The hydrologic cycle is other animals will drink. This is an appears in a dry wash after a not described as subterranean easy thing in the eyes of the storm”10 and replenishes the water waters sucked up into the LORD; he will also deliver Moab table in semi-arid areas, allowing mountains, to flow forth as into your hands’” (2 Kings 3:16– willows with deep roots (but not springs that feed the rivers of the 18). grasses) to survive difficult years. world. Instead the Bible paints a Another is an Exodus miracle Again, these verses are not flawless picture of the dynamics when water flowed from rock designed to ‘explain’ the and components of the water cycle after being struck by Moses: more than a thousand years before hydrologic cycle, but to use visible “In their hunger you gave them the first ‘scientific’ measurement works of nature as metaphors. bread from heaven and in their confirmed that this was so. Deuteronomy 33:13 for thirst you brought them water example, refers to Moses blessing Before we conclude, however, from the rock … ” (Nehemiah Joseph prior to his death - that the we need to ask the question: ‘Does 9:15). the Bible ever state that waters Lord continue to provide precious To reiterate - these were both emerging from underground are announced by God as His work, the primary source of waters

12 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 12

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: Do You Know the Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle His miracle, and outside of the laws that He decreed. To summarise, the Bible accurately describes the hydro- logic cycle of our planet and did so well before an accurate modern scientific account emerged. Reflections A correct scientific under- standing of the hydrologic cycle was a long time coming, but a divine explanation of this most critical life support system was provided to us from the beginning. Over 2000 years of scientific debate, observation, and measurement have now confirmed what God revealed in the mountain headwaters flows the hydrologic cycle during the (albeit in passing comments and faster than the apparently sluggish Middle Ages (after the early analogies) to His chosen people. river on the plains but this is often achievements of Greek and a perception. Velocity Roman philosophers) Bulu3 makes What Lessons Can We Learn measurements show that in the a mistake common to scientists: From This? majority of cases this is not so. It is “Understanding and investigating Firstly, God does not hide merely our perception that the … nature had almost stopped difficult concepts from us - He splashing loud waters in the hills because of the power of the does not protect us in our are flowing fast. Likewise, when Christian Church.” This ignorance from the truth of His people see a major river flowing stagnation instead stemmed from creation. Was the hydrologic cycle months after the last rainfall many decentralised communities and difficult to fathom? Absolutely, are unlikely to believe that the governance following the collapse and to give the ancient river flow did in fact originate as of the Roman Empire, increasing philosophers due recognition it rainfall months earlier and that it reliance on local technologies such would be arrogant to assume that simply took its time to get to the as watermills rather than canals, we wouldn’t have made the same river (via soil and groundwater and a reduction in slave labour for mistakes of interpretation flow). To reiterate this point then - large infrastructural develop- regarding the global hydrologic God did not simplify His revealed ments.5 Despite the incorrect cycle if we did not have access to, word because it would have been beliefs of scientists like Bulu, and a belief in, a creator God who difficult for people of that era to scholarly thinking on nature was ‘decreed’ the laws of nature. fathom. So why do we think that promoted by the church, as In particular, it could be argued He may have done so in other evidenced for example by that observational data (that Books and in other accounts (such Bartholoeus Anglicus (about AD which scientists use to generate as Genesis)? 1250), a Franciscan professor at the hypotheses and ideas) could have Secondly, this account University of Paris, who examined been misleading in this case. What illustrates quite clearly that when the lifting mechanism to get water is meant by this? Quite simply, science and the Bible are at odds, into the mountains. what we perceive nature does and science can be wrong. But all too After 2,000 years of pondering, what nature actually does can be often scientists seek alternative observing, and measuring, do we quite different. For example, many explanations. For example, when now fully understand how this people would agree with the commenting on the stagnation of global hydrologic system works? statement that a bubbling stream scientific enquiry into research on If we do, why then are rainfall

13 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 13

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Creation Ministries: The Bible and the Hydrologic Cycle; What is it? & Thrifty Tips

Acknowledgments predictions still estimates only? Why it’s Good to be Single And why aren’t scientists able to I would like to thank the two unknown reviewers for their insightful comments. predict the severity of the next References and notes flood or drought? We still need to 1. Andah, K., Water resources technology ask the question - will we ever transfer and capacity building; in: Water- fully understand this cycle? Related Education, Training and Technology Transfer, Encyclopedia of Life Perhaps we have already been Support Systems (EOLSS), Eolss Publishers, given the answer to that question Oxford, UK, 2004. in Job: “Indeed, can anyone 2. Shanan, L., The impact of irrigation; in: Wolman, M.G. and Fournier, F.G.A (Eds), understand the spreading of Land Transformation in Agriculture, clouds, the thunder from His SCOPE, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 115 –131, 1987. canopy?” (Job 36:29). [END] 3. Bulu, A., Historical development of ------hydrology, Paper presented to BALWOIS Biography: 2010, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia, 25–29 We zoomed in on an object which you May 2010. Ron holds a B.A. (Hons) and a Ph.D., can see below. Can you guess what it is? 4. Biswas, A.K., A short history of hydrology: both in fluvial geomorphology. The progress of hydrology, Proceedings of He has held lecturing and research the 1st International Seminar for Hydrology positions at universities in various Professors, vol. II, University of Illinois, IL, Answer countries. He has also initiated and pp. 914–934, 1956. on page 73 directed a research institute in 5. Dooge, J.C.I., Background to modern environmental sustainability and hydrology; in: Rodda, J.C. and Ubertini, L. established two research stations in (Eds), The Basis of Civilization - Water natural resource management. Science?, IAHS Publication, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK, pp. 3-12, 2004. While in these positions Ron 6. Aristotle, Meteorology (350 BC), book 1, How to $ave money! undertook landscape studies in Australia, part 13, transl. Webster, E.W., Internet China, Finland, Peru, The Pacific Islands, Classics Archive (classics.mit.edu). Make Your Shoes and Libya. He held numerous 7. Habel, N.C., The Book of Job: A Last Longer government advisory positions with the Commentary, Westminster Press, Your feet can produce Queensland Government and the Federal Philadelphia, PA, 1985. up to a cup of moisture Government of Australia in natural 8. Harris, J.L., The book of Job and its doctrine every day, much of which heritage management as well as working of God, Grace Theological J. 13(3):3–33, ends up soaking into your with international agencies such as the 1972. shoes. All of that moisture OECD. 9. Hartley, J.E., The Book of Job, Wm. B. can take two days or more to dry out and for Ron was an occasional churchgoer Eerdmans, MI, 1998. the shoes to regain their shape. If you put the through parts of his life, but only gave his 10. Ross, B., Phreatophytes in the Bible, same shoes on again every day, you run the life to Christ in his early 50s. Although not Ground Water 45(5):652–654, 2007. risk of mould, other nasties and stinky a Christian in his earlier years, he was also 11. Sansom, H., Weather in the Bible, Weather footwear. The ongoing moisture can cause not a supporter of geological evolution. 55:461–465, 2000. them to permanently change shape which is His research suggested otherwise. Indeed, ------how they get looser more quickly on your it was only upon becoming a Christian Bibliography: feet, and consequently they get worn faster, that his data (derived from decades of Neller, Ron, December 2014, Creation and can even lead to calluses and pain. research on landscape change) finally Ministries International: “Do You Know the So how do you make them last longer? started to make sense. He then Laws of the Heavens? The Bible and the Put aside some cash every week until you commenced to speak at local churches Hydrologic Cycle,“ available: have enough money to buy three pairs of about this journey to the acceptance of the www.creation.com/the-bible-and-the- shoes for everyday use. If you wear a hydrologic-cycle, accessed 20/11/16 Bible’s history regarding origins and the different pair over each three day period, Flood of Noah, and faith in Christ. Bible version used: [ESV] English Standard those three sets of shoes will last as long as Version, The Holy Bible, English Standard Ron is now part of the Creation four pairs of shoes, because they’ve had Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © Ministries International (CMI) team in sufficient time to dry out between wearings. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry Brisbane, where he works as a researcher, of Good News Publishers. Continue putting aside a few extra dollars writer and speaker. His articles are now every week so that eventually when those appearing in Creation magazine and the first three pairs have finally worn out, you’ll Journal of Creation. have enough to buy three new pair of shoes. Consider how much that might be saving ------you in podiatrist bills or painful feet.

14 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 14

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Inspirational People: Dr Louis Appia Inspirational People:

Dr Louis Appia

War-time Work by Vicki Nunn During the Austro-Sardinian war in 1859, his brother George, a Pastor, wrote about the shocking Introduction conditions of the victims and the October 13 this year marks two wounded. Dr Appia made his way hundred years since Swiss to Italy and took on medical work surgeon Louis Appia was born. in Turin, Brescia, Milan and Later he became a doctor Desenzano del Garda. specialising in military medicine. While there he gave out copies Dr Appia was one of the five of his treatise on treating the Dr Louis Appia founders of the “Committee of wounded, to both French and of a neutral organisation which Five” (Geneva) which was the Italian doctors, and arranged for would provide care for soldiers forerunner of the International the collection of vital supplies. He wounded in wars. It was Dr Appia Committee of the Red Cross. also wrote to his Genevan friends who suggested that volunteers Earlier Years requesting donations to support wear white armbands so that they In 1838 in Heidelberg he treatment of the wounded. were easier to identify on the studied medicine before returning It was at this time that Dr battlefield, and later it was to Frankfurt. Appia’s earlier design for the decided to place a red cross on the immobilisation of broken limbs Ten years later during the band which is the inverse symbol February revolution in France as was successfully tested in Milan.. of the Swiss flag. well as the revolution in March in Upon returning to Geneva, he The group became the the German states, he helped the completed his treatise on the "International Committee for wounded. It was due to this immobilisation of broken limbs, Relief to Wounded Soldiers" experience that Dr Appia’s focus with the help of his friend Dr which in 1876 was renamed the and specialty became about Théodore Maunoir and they "International Committee of the improving treatment of the war- published it in book form. The wounded. book was distributed to important After his father’s death in 1849, military personnel and political he accompanied his mother to leaders in Europe. Geneva where he began practising For his medical work during as a surgeon. While there, he the war, Dr Appia was awarded wrote a thesis about surgical the "Medal of the Saints Maurice treatment for the war-wounded, and Lazarus," the second-highest and designed a way to immobilise honour in the Kingdom of Italy. a broken limb for the trans- After obtaining Genevan portation of a wounded person. citizenship in late 1860, he became He married Anne Lassere in a member of the Geneva Medical 1853, and they had two sons and Society. two daughters. Their son Foundation of the Red Cross Adolphe, went on to become an Dr Appia was invited to join architect and pioneered modern the “Committee of Five” in 1863 to stage design. consider Henry Dunant’s concepts Henry Dunant

15 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 15 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Inspirational People: Dr Louis Appia Civil War and he asked her why Organisation Promotion the United States had chosen not

to the sign the Geneva Con- vention1 (about protections for people during war.) Operation Christmas Child The nurse had been unaware of “A stranger

Red Cross" (ICRC). Henry Dunant’s concept of the loves me? How Red cross and upon returning to The first ever delegates to wear can that be, America, she was instrumental in the white armbands with the red when founding the American Red Cross cross were Dr Appia and Captain neighbours in and the US agreement to sign the Charles Van de Velde during the Rwanda had Geneva Convention. Danish-Prussian war at the Battle tried to kill of Dybbøl, both as neutral Dr Appia was deployed as a us?” delegate during the Franco- observers and medical care Meet Yves. providers. Prussian War (1870–1871), and in October 1872, supported the He grew up surrounded by war and In June 1866, after a request creation of the first non-European hatred, on the run from those seeking from his brother, Dr Appia Red Cross while in Egypt. became involved in the Italian to kill him and his family. unification struggle, where he and He was supportive of Clara As a result, his heart was hardened two volunteers treated the Burton’s idea to extend the Red by all he had experienced during his Cross societies’ missions to wounded. short life. include victims of epidemics and After Henry Dunant dropped natural disasters. Yves thought he had the world out of the committee, Dr Appia figured out, but when he was young, took over the position of Secretary. Conclusion The Committee continued meeting In his final years, Dr Appia he received a shoebox and felt the love about three to four times a month continued on as an active member expressed through that small gift, and in his home. of the ICRC and studied further his world was flipped upside down… The Formation of Other Red into injuries during wartime, until for the better. his death in 1898 when he was in Cross Organisations Soon after receiving his shoebox, he his eightieth year. [END] In August 1869, he met Clara gave his life to Christ, and is now giving ------Barton, an American who had Note: back to communities where he once been a nurse during the American 1. The Geneva Convention established lived, through helping to dig wells. standards of international law for humanitarian treatment in wars and Yves has also become a speaker later came to include rights of wartime about his life-changing experience prisoners, protection for the sick and through an Operation Christmas Child the wounded, as well as protections gift. for civilians in and around war-zones. ------Bibliography: Join us! Unspecified author, unspecified date, Wikipedia: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ...in sharing the Louis_Appia, accessed 29 January 2017. love of Jesus with Unspecified author, unspecified date, children in need. Wikipedia: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Clara_Barton, accessed 15 August 2018. Unspecified author, unspecified date, Connect with us to learn more! Wikipedia: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Geneva_Conventions, accessed 15 August 2018. Web: www.operationchristmaschild.org.au Phone: 1800 684 300 (Australia)

[Clara Barton

16 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 16

Operation Christmas Child ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017 Open Doors:

Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017

by Mike Gore 2am to kill him. Samson replied, “Jesus loves you and I forgive you.” Open Doors Eight people with machine Australia & New guns and knives. They said, They asked him, “Do you Zealand “Come with us.” accept Islam?”

This story first appeared on Open Doors Blog Samson could not see their And he said, “No I've found the (www.opendoors.org.au/blog) faces as they were wearing black truth, the creator of earth, heaven I want to share five key photos head coverings that only left their and all mankind. People created from 2017 and the stories behind eyes visible. religion. ‘You [God] created holy them. Samson told his wife, “My work. Please reveal Your work to 1. Samson, Central Asia friends have come and I'll be back my brothers here, salvation, We had arrived at another in the morning. When you hear protection for their children, and registered, but very much under my voice then open the door.” let them know that my blood is not on their hands. Please bless the radar, church in Central Asia. Samson's wife locked the door their families and I forgive them. We met Samson, he looked like a and Samson went with them. They Amen.’” wrestler - in his early 50s but lean took him to a garbage tip. The Mujahideen (Islamic and strong. As we sat on the floor They said, “Today is the last extremists) screamed at him, “Are broke bread and sipped tea, day for you. Jesus is not a God. He you a fool? We want to kill you. Samson began to share his will not save you.” testimony. And you are blessing our families! The Mujahedeen came and Go home, we will come again and This is - without a doubt - one grabbed his hair and pulled his take you.” of the craziest stories I've heard head back placing a knife on his Two weeks later thirty people from my time at Open Doors. throat. They asked Samson, “What and two Mujahideen’s came back. One Sunday night they came at do you want to say?” They said, “We want to talk! We are those that wanted to kill you.” And Samson replied, “If you want to kill me now please give me five minutes. I have been working so much I didn’t get time to hug my children. I will not tell them you are going to kill me. I will come back.” They said, “We are not going to kill you.” The two Mujahideen standing at the front said the thirty men behind them were their army, “As the leaders we are the ones who kill our victims.” They proceeded to tell Samson how twenty-four heads Samson holding a Bible

17 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 17 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017 of the army would retreat to the you salvation.” beating her. According to Joseph, hills during the day and come The man said to Samson, “I will it was a common practice within down at night into the town. never fight again.” They threw Islamic culture. Recently twenty-four leaders open their arms and said to the Sally tells us that many times came down from the mountains at soldiers, “This Christian speaks they were going to divorce but night and walked into an ambush truth. I will accept Jesus.” didn’t want the children to grow set up by the government. ------up without a father so they stuck it out. Their love for each other is The two leaders at the front of 2. Joseph, Central Asia the group told how they laid on so evident and beautiful. They From the moment I met Joseph the ground with bullets flying have a wonderful sense of humour one of the things that stood out to over from all four sides. They and laugh a lot with each other. me was his warm and inviting couldn't raise their heads or they Joseph began drinking when he personality. Don't get me wrong, would get shot. was 10, and not long after he is a tough man and I get the dropped out of school and joined One of the leaders said, “While impression that he's someone the military. we were lying there we saw you you'd never want to get on the and you came to us and said, wrong side of, but he radiates In 1998, Sally’s brother John ‘Throw yourself into the water Godly love. was sent to jail. A Christian man and you will survive,’ and the two by the name of Paul would visit But this has not always been of us jumped into the water and John in prison, and also Sally and the case. we survived. The twenty-two Joseph at their home. In Christian circles we often other leaders were killed.” In those days Joseph was one of talk about radical transformation, They asked Samson, “How did the most well-known jewellers in stories like that of the Damascus you manage to come to us? And Central Asia. He had loads of road, - and Joseph’s is exactly that. why weren’t you shot?” money and would often walk Joseph and his wife Sally have Samson replied, “I was not home from work drunk throwing been married for 26 years. there but my God sent an angel wads of money at people. who looked like me because I am As we sat eating dinner, Sally One day Paul came and visited his servant. He did it for you to told us that for 12 years of their Joseph at work. Joseph had come to me to tell you Jesus loves marriage she lived with blue eyes cigarettes and vodka on his desk. you, died for you and can give because he was always drunk and He said to Joseph, “I see that you want to quit drinking but you cannot.” Joseph said, “That's true but I cannot because I've been drinking so many years.” Paul replied, “I know one person who can help you. Jesus Christ.” Joseph thought, “What can He do?” Paul told Joseph how Jesus had changed his own life and that Jesus could change Joseph 's life too. After that, they would meet together every week. Paul would tell Joseph about Jesus, and Joseph would try to disprove him. Joseph, Central Asia In prison, Sally’s brother

18 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 18 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017 became a Christian. Not long after, “Only later did I realise that for long but why never in the Joseph accepted Jesus too. those 4 years John and Paul had presence of your father? I don’t But this is the part that undid been praying for me and that day want anything from you except me. In my thinking, from this their prayers had been answered. for one thing that our relationship moment onwards Joseph should On that day 28 people one by one would be the same as you had be a changed man, a good man - accepted Jesus. And that day I with your father.” but that's not how it worked at all. promised the Lord I would serve Joseph rolled down onto the Him faithfully.” Joseph didn’t stop drinking, he floor and started to cry. “Lord for didn’t stop beating Sally. He did But still for years, Joseph me, you were so far away from start evangelizing, especially continued to drink. me, you were in the sky in the when he was drunk. One day, while he was lying on heaven but since today and this moment you are my Father.” When John was released from the couch he heard the audible prison, he came home and started voice of God. He told us that since that telling everyone about Jesus, and God said to him, “Did you love moment his life had changed - his trying to encourage Joseph to your earthly father? Why do you world has changed. God has change his ways. But Joseph love your father?” provided miracles, restored the relationship with his wife Sally, continued. Joseph said to God, “Because his children and brothers. One day John came to visit he is my father.” Joseph finished by telling us: Joseph, they went to church The Lord replied, “Joseph together. Joseph got dressed into you've been drinking for 21 years “There are Christians who want his nice clothes – they were also of your life. Why during these 21 their children to live without any his Islamic clothes. years have you never dared drink problems, without any needs. It Everyone was shocked when he in the presence of your father? always surprises me. I would tell them that we need to teach our walked into church. They thought “You've been smoking for so Joseph had got the mosque children the different things. confused with the church. He entered the church but didn’t take off his Islamic hat and everyone was whispering between themselves. John was sitting next to him and Paul went forward to preach, at the end Paul made an alter call. Joseph told us, “Something happened inside me and I was not able to stay. I stood up and said to John, let me go and I went directly to the pulpit and I could hear people asking what was going on. I am sure people thought I was going to beat the pastor but I fell to my knees and started to repent and pray. The Holy Spirit was doing something supernatural in my heart. Then John ran to me and gave me a hug and fell to his knees. We were all crying and praising the Lord. They are Muslim and they are seeking Jesus, Lebanon

19 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 19 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017 Moses says, learn to love the Lord day, after day, after day with an feet of Christ to those living as your God with all your heart, expectation that He will respond. refugees in their community, mind and might and we need to It's the moment I realised, I sharing Jesus in a way that doesn't teach our children the same. If we can't remember what I prayed for compromise the gospel but brings would teach them today how to yesterday, let alone last week – it to life and offers them salvation. love God, then God promises, ‘The and more than that, what have I Isn't it funny? How something one who believes in Me will never ever consistently prayed for with so simple can become so complex. be ashamed.’” an expectation so great, it drove It's as though the moment Jesus ------me to look for the answer? answers our prayers, and reveals 3. They Are Muslim and They I've learnt that Jesus hears our himself to Muslims all over the Are Seeking Jesus, Lebanon prayers, but doesn’t necessarily world, we question the process. On a trip to the Syrian border answer them overnight. That We love the end stories of sometimes we're called to pray conversion but their journey to in Lebanon I learnt more about more than once for something. salvation, it makes us feel prayer from Muslims than you could ever imagine. That to ask without expectation is uncomfortable even awkward. I've an insult to God. That trust filled learnt from people still searching The convicting reality that respect in God should drive us to for Christ, that expectation filled Muslims have a greater look for the answer. I've learnt prayer brings the gospel to life. expectation that Jesus will answer that prayer is more than asking for their prayer than I do, is How's your prayer life? the things I want. It's trusting him Because mine was in desperate something I will never forget. for the things I need. And that need of change. They pray with an expectation prayer, is indisputably an act of ------unlike anything I've ever seen. worship. 4. In the Company of Legends, The first church service here is It's on the Syrian border in Vietnam full of Muslim converts. refugee camps that this is The second… veiled women happening. We had come to Vietnam to see at what cost following Jesus came seeking Jesus. These people are for believers in this country. The pastor They’re Syrian. They are begins the Muslim, and they are As we walked into the church service by asking asking that seeking Jesus. there were three men sitting at a small table. We introduced whose prayer Many of them have Jesus would ourselves and sat down eager to from last week been displaced for five hear from them. did Jesus make years and when it answer? hands comes to prayer, they're Dion began with his story of go up, testimony Himself real not asking for shiny almost unbelievable persecution. after testimony, new things. He lives in a remote village, and the service to them… he had travelled for two days just They're asking that finishes with the to meet with us. As Dion began to Jesus would make himself real to pastor asking the women their speak, the translator told us that it them in their moment of need. prayer requests for the coming was the first time Dion had ever They're asking for things like food, week, because, not only do they shared his testimony. shelter, warmth, education and have them ready to share, but they safety for their children. Dion was the only Christian in wake up with an expectation that his village, in an animistic culture And time and time again, Jesus Jesus will have heard, and (where they offer sacrifices to is answering their prayer and answered their prayer. idols) conversion is noticed almost more often than not He does so by And even in those times where immediately. moving the heart of the local He may not answer them church. Courageously obedient When he converted, the local overnight they continue to pray and unquestionably the hands and police arranged a public screening

20 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 20 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017

In the company of legends, Vietnam of a film denouncing Christianity. a final insult they destroyed his people who came and beat me, my It was a video showing extreme house. wife and my son and they don't poverty in other countries - Large rocks were thrown know about God and God is a claiming that’s what happens to through the roof of his house, his heart changing God and I just Christians. wife and child inside. pray that one day they would come to know God and become a They were essentially turning In August 2015, a group of Christian.” the entire village against him. young men came looking for Dion, The next tactic was to drag they told his wife they wanted to 5. A Challenging Journey, Dion in front of the entire village kill him. India each night for a whole week and Dion escaped, and ran 50km to India, it's a place that I have humiliate him and demand he a nearby village and the safety of a always wrestled with. renounce his faith. pastor’s house. In 1981 I was born in Madras, But Dion said quietly but Dion told us that it’s that kind India and at the age of 6 months boldly, “I simply believe that God of ongoing persecution that makes was adopted by a Christian family is powerful and he is coming back him so afraid that he spends much in Australia. very soon.” of the time just wandering. For as long as I can remember The authorities came and He then said, “If you tell me to growing up my parents always slashed all of his crops, deny my faith. I will never do it.” said they'd take me back confiscated his field, killed two of He continued, “I always pray whenever I wanted to go. In 2000 I his ducks, hurt his cow so it could for them (the persecutors) the decided that it was time. Upon no longer plow the fields. And as

21 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 21 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Open Doors: Five of the Most Powerful Images from 2017 reflection I think I did this more to four weeks never wanting to Yes, I'm back in India and I'm bring joy to my parents as I know return but remember feeling the feeling every bit of it. they desperately wanted to show Holy Spirit say, 'you'll be back one There is a difference though. I me the country of my birth. day.' I didn’t want to acknowledge can tell I've done a lot of growing For much of my childhood I it and in many ways have tried to up in the last 17 years. I'm feeling experienced varying forms of avoid it since. hopeful not fearful. I'm feeling racism. I was spat on. Verbally Flash forward 17 years and I excited at seeing what courage abused and ostracised at times find myself just landed in New and boldness the believers here from other children. Delhi, India. This time it is with have. Don't get me wrong. I had a Open Doors. It's for the persecuted I know that the cost of faith in good childhood with many friends church and I'm conflicted because India is increasing rapidly. I know but there was always an element there is a part of me that wants to what this ministry does, and I of 'not fitting in', so heading back be here and a part that doesn't. know that as a believer in Christ I to India I was naively convinced We landed at the airport and have a carry in that. that the mother land would open went to the hotel. We're not even Yep, this will be a different trip. her arms and welcome home a five minutes from the airport It will be a life-changing trip. It long last son. I was shocked when when we happen across two will be a confronting trip. But I this did not happen. lifeless bodies lying on the side of believe that the Lord is going to I remember we landed in the the road. use it powerfully to pull down year 2000 and started our four A crowd begins to gather and some walls and rebuild some. week tour of India and from the as we drive past I find myself Speak Lord, your servant is moment we exited the airport I looking at a well and truly dead listening. [END] didn’t want to be there. I stood body. ------out. I wasn't ready for the poverty, Bibliography: Blood streaming from a head Gore, Mike, 24 December 2017, Open the population density, the smell. I wound and one other male lying Doors: 5 of the Most Powerful Images from just wasn't ready. on the ground breathing laboured 2017, accessed 10/01/18, available: www.opendoors.org.au/persecuted- This experience really tarnished and no doubt on the verge of christians/blog/5-of-the-most-powerful-images- my view of India. I left after those death. from-2017/

A challenging journey, India

22 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 22 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Up Close and Personal with Wildlife: The Saltwater Crocodile Up Close and Personal with Wildlife: ~ The Saltwater Crocodile ~ (Crocodylus Porosus)

by Vicki Nunn

The largest of all living reptiles, and the biggest waterway/ocean predator in the world is the saltwater crocodile, known informally as a saltie in Australia. This is definitely an animal we should avoid coming up close and personal with! Although males can on rare occasions reach up to 7m (23’) their mature length is usually hundred times the number of They are extremely aggressive around 6.3m (20.7’) and they people killed by sharks each year and males can often have little fear weigh between 1,000 and 1,200kg, in the water. of man, unlike sharks which are while the females are generally Human deaths per year usually frightened by humans. much smaller at 3m (9.8.’) While a shark may take a bite and Sharks Crocodiles The saltwater crocodile can be swim off, crocodiles are not afraid found in northern Australia, New 10 1,000 to fight to ensure their meal is Guinea, Southeast Asia, Myanmar The saltie will ambush and killed, particularly when hungry. and the eastern coat of India. drown larger prey before The saltwater crocodile is They’re also found in some areas attempting to eat it, or simply considered the most dangerous in Thailand, Malaysia, the swallow smaller prey whole. and largest of the existing Bismarck Archipelago, the Aru Not picky eaters, they have crocodile species in the world Islands, Vanuatu, the Solomon been known to kill and eat sharks, today. Islands, the Maluke Islands, Kai and will consume anything edible In short bursts, they can swim Islands, other islands in the area that they find including birds, including Timor, and most islands mammals, reptiles, fish and many within the Torres Strait. other water creatures. They can Where once they were present exist for long periods on little food in countries such as Thailand, but will venture further afield Vietnam and even Southern should their food sources dry up. China, they have been wiped out. Thanks to movies like “Jaws,” many people consider the shark to be the most frightening predator in the water, while it is in fact the various crocodiles species of the world that kill more than one

23 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 23 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Up Close and Personal with Wildlife: The Saltwater Crocodile 200,000 adults and in many areas they’ve been known to co-exist with smaller crocodile species. Before the wet season, they will mate and during the wet season will lay their eggs in a muddy mound of vegetation, where the parents will remain to protect the nest and their young. The average number of eggs in a nest are between forty and sixty, but can be as high as ninety. When the eggs are hatching, up to 29km per hour (18mph) only about 71g (2.5 oz) and the mother can hear the ‘yelping’ which is three times faster than measure just 28cm (11”) in length. of the young inside the nest. She the fastest human swimmers, Within their first year they’ve has even been known to roll eggs though most of the time they usually grown to 1m and weigh in her mouth to assist hatching of cruise at between 3.2 and 4.8km around 2.5kg (5.5 lb). her young. per hour (2 to 3 mph). Their weight increases expo- Once hatched she carries them It is their speed at the water’s nentially as their length increases, to water in her mouth and spends edge where they use the enormous so a 6m crocodile can weigh several months with them. Despite power of their tail and feet to double that of a 5m specimen. her ongoing vigilance, only explosively burst towards their Unlike other crocodile species around one percent of hatchlings prey or to chase other males, that that will share food and basking will survive to adulthood. is quite an alarming spectacle. spots with others of their kind, When searching for new While this may suggest that all salties are very territorial. Males territorial land, the saltwater humans they attack will be killed, will only share their territory with crocodile can spend weeks at sea. around fifty percent of people will females and will chase off rival Some spend sufficient time at sea survive a crocodile attack. males. Dominant males which that barnacles have been noted Despite their exceedingly high patrol the best food producing growing occasionally on these sea- bite force, the muscles to open territories, usually outweigh other voyaging crocodiles. [END] their jaws are very small and week males. ------Bibliography: in comparison, which explains In Australia where killing of why their jaws can be easily closed No name, no date, Wikipedia: “Saltwater crocodiles has been outlawed, the Crocodile,” available: www.en.wikipedia. shut using several layers of tape or saltie is thriving in northern-most org/wiki/Saltwater_crocodile, accessed rope. areas, with an estimated 15/12/16 Newly hatched salties weigh population of between 100,000 to

24 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 24 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ When Jesus was a Pop Star When Jesus was a Pop Star

I staggered emotionally part of this unknown album, even by Emma McGeorge through a haze of flashbacks and the first hum of notes was foreign fears. Could all this hurt still dwell and unfamiliar to me. Press Service in me? Could all this pain still cut With the opening piano International so deep? arpeggios and the accompanying The rain trickled in shiny rivers The tears poured hot and silent throb of the deep bass chords, a down the car window, blurring down my cheeks, blurring the vivid image suddenly blazed into the outside world into a grey, rainy world outside into a my mind. I stared wide-eyed out muffled cocoon. My brother melancholy fog. The words the rain-washed window, seeing drove silently while my two poured hot and stinging through nothing that was before me, seeing sisters slept and I, in the back seat, my heart, slicing me with their only a detailed picture. kept the silence, lost in my own dissonant mantra: A man stood on a stage, poised, thoughts after a long and eventful “I am not worth keeping.” ready to sing. day. Part of me held fast - defiant A microphone stood before him I leaned my head against the and angry that these words would on its base. He lifted a hand to seat and watched the smudged try to bruise me so, but part of me pull the mic free and held it cars and blinking city lights whirl had already given in to the firmly, his graceful movement past in the melting twilight. A despair, wrapping my heart in the illuminated in the soft, blue music album I didn’t know was cold cloak of sorrow, and slowly spotlight. playing in the background, and I crumpling beneath the harsh half-listened to the unfamiliar The wings and backstage slept discouragement. tunes, my ears slurring the words in darkness. The seating area in tiredness, but despite the peace The tears fell, the rain fell, the before him also lay in hushed of the quiet car and the soft music, words fell harder still. darkness. There was no audience, it seemed that my mood was “I am not worth keeping.” no visible orchestra or band. Just the music pulsing through the being coloured by the day outside, At that moment, as I inwardly shadows and this man, alone, gradually becoming greyer. swayed on the edge of raw grief centre stage. The droplets drummed on the and pain, the track changed. The roof, the wheels swished through next song began to play. Still a He wore dark grey pants, a the rain, the tears began to pool - silvery-blue shirt, and black inwardly I froze, caught in the glare of hurried and hurting thoughts. Then one phrase throbbed heavily into my heart, as I gazed out at the crying landscape: “I am not worth keeping.” The thought was as unexpected as it was painful, and in seconds my mind flew back over hastily buried memories: memories of friendships lost, of trust broken, of painful misunderstandings... and the overall nagging thought that I was too easily cropped out of others’ pictures.

25 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 25 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ When Jesus was a Pop Star “You’re like Gold Dust deep within my soul. A melody It rains over me had looped itself into my heart, A foreign sun that I thought I’d and it wasn’t going anywhere. never see And I - staring out the window You’re like Gold Dust into the driving rain, tears pouring Oh don’t change down my face - I knew the truth, Ever the real truth that laughed in No don’t change defiance at the ‘I am not worthies’. There’s a The truth that had flashed before Hollow in this house whenever my eyes in the form of a solitary you go…” singer on a solitary stage. polished shoes. His dark blonde My skin tingled with electricity, I had felt it shiver up my spine. hair was stylishly cut, short on the my ears burned with wonder as I had heard it in an unknown sides and swept over the top in the the music spilled over me. My song, and now I knew: style of a modern pop artist. entire being was smothered in When Jesus was a pop star, I I caught my breath, as I wonder and beauty. suddenly realised that his eyes - a I listened. I wept. He sang. was his song. For I am gold dust. [END] strong grey blue - were looking He sang with such depth and straight at me as I stood on stage raw feeling that I was completely ------right. He held me in his gaze, and swallowed up in the music. His Biography: I could do nothing but silently passion ebbed in every note, his Emma is an Italian-South African with stare back. We looked at each love painted each word gold, and I a New Zealand passport, living in Papua other, quiet, unflinching, waiting realised that he was not only New Guinea. As well as years of running a puppet ministry and directing student expectantly as the song pre- singing, but singing desperately. liminaries continued to build choirs, she has served with Mission He was desperate for me to Aviation Fellowship since 2007, currently around him. own this song. based in PNG. Emma's deep joy is in Suddenly and inexplicably, I writing, music, playing with her ginger “You’re like Gold Dust knew two very specific facts: cats and finding God in unexpected It rains over me... places. First, this man - this pop star - Oh don’t change Read Emma's creative expressions at was Jesus. www.girlkaleidoscope.wordpress.com or Second, whatever this song Ever follow her PNG adventures at was, whatever it was that I was No don’t change www.pngponderings.wordpress.com Emma McGeorge’s previous articles about to hear, he was going to sing There’s a may be viewed at www.pressserviceinter it personally for me. Hollow in this house whenever national.org/emma-mcgeorge.html The chills swept up my spine, you go…” ------the air was thick with anticipation He was desperate that I would Notes: - his and mine. The cruel words know it was from him; desperate "Gold Dust" is a song by Swedish electronic from moments before still hovered music duo Galantis. It was released on 23 that I would know it was to me. February 2015 as the third single from their in the background, but I brushed His song was for me? debut studio album Pharmacy (2015). them aside. I knew that when he This piece was originally published as began to sing, they would His song was me. “Gold Dust” by Emma McGeorge: link. disappear completely from the The last shadows flickered and ------scene. died, shrouding the scene in soft, Bibliography: My heart thumped wildly as serene darkness. McGeorge, Emma, undated, Christian Today: When Jesus Was a Pop Star, available: Jesus - handsome and confident, The broken pieces of my soul www.christiantoday.com.au/news/when-jesus- poised and strong - lifted the had lifted to listen in fresh hope. was-a-pop-star.html, accessed 23/03/18. microphone to his mouth. He took An inner glow had started to hum, a breath. He sang:

26 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 26 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Don’t Get Married

Don’t Get Married

by Laura Tharion This article first Appeared in “Fixing Her Eyes.org” When I was fourteen, I took a friend to see Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. I had seen it before; she hadn’t. Entering the sunlight afterwards, she looked at me with mascara sodden eyes and shouted in a voice wrought with horror, “You didn’t tell me they died!” I still wonder at the thought of watching Romeo and Juliet with- out this knowledge; it rends the heart enough without anticipating a happy ending. But few people get to experience the story afresh - the tale looms large in the Western imagination as an epitome of tragedy. We expect the story to go wrong. We expect to come away heartbroken. The Cinderella Story What story typifies the opposite of tragedy? What story is our quintessential ‘happily-ever- after’ tale? Did your thoughts jump to a girl who sleeps among the cinders, whose good heart is rewarded with a rags-to-riches transformation, cumulating in a the narrative arc of our lives waiting to claim his prize, the should follow the Cinderella crowd gathered to solemnly glass slipper that fits and marriage to a charming prince? We even use pattern. Our lives should progress witness and joyously celebrate the towards better, and this union, and the bells and whistles the idiom ‘Cinderella story’ to refer to any story - in life and progression is defined as of ceremony inexplicably forging fiction - where against all odds, overcoming trouble, finding true two people into one and launching evil is overcome, dreams come love, and getting married. them onwards into a new, better true, and happiness is forever And getting married… life. secured. Let’s have a glance at how Perhaps let’s look at how our Why is this fairy-tale so emblematic a modern Western culture treats singleness not as a prolific? Perhaps because within wedding is of ultimate success, legitimate, complete, and satisfying state of being, but as a the groundwater of shared happiness secured, and dreams disease to be cured, or a waiting convictions sitting beneath our comes true - the bride radiant and culture is an embedded belief that victorious, the scrubbed-up groom room of unchosen ones, living in a

27 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 27 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Don’t Get Married holding pattern, hoping to be ministry work, charming, cantank- have never heard this from a called forth into a fully realised erous, and an unashamed pulpit. future. goofball. He still is. What Damage is Done? I grew up in Sydney’s inner We made a home, we raise a What damage is done if we fail west (Australia) - white, privi- family. Life is full of joy and to challenge the Cinderella leged, and with academics for trouble, swaddled with God’s narrative? parents. Our house was filled with fingerprints, and interlaced with We leave people who are single books and my whole family read intersections which allow me to drowning in a culture which tells voraciously. embrace my twin-fold mission: them that life at its fullest has left my growth in Christ-likeness, and I by no means had anyone them behind; we risk deluding my shaping as a vessel through telling me that marriage was a those married into believing which God can spread his light. must, yet when I looked to the securing their nuclear family is future, at what it meant to grow So it is not without a good their ultimate mission; and we up, at how my adulthood would measure of self-conscious irony give those whose feel their life is culminate, at how my story would that I now use this growth to look progressing from better to worse unfold, I nurtured back and question no way to make sense of suffering the following What damage the Cinderella but that they have failed to be hopes/expectations - narrative I allowed sufficient as a person. I would go to is done if we to fishhook my Recently as the question of university, I would aspirations. fail to marriage equality has come to the get a satisfying job in As a young fore within Australia, marriage a field where my challenge the Christian I received has been thrust rather nakedly gifting met my Cinderella teaching on into the public spotlight. Voices on interests. I would abstaining from sex either side of the debate shout find a soul-mate and narrative? until marriage, forth its immortal splendour and marry. I would own fostering content- unparalleled virtues, yet I fear the a house, make a home, and raise a ment if single, and various church’s voice in this loud family. warnings against marrying discussion - both affirming and As circumspectness and unwisely, but never did any book, non-affirming of extending the cynicism arrived with my teenage teacher, or mentor I encountered marriage act - has revealed an years, I became aware that ever suggest singleness as the unhealthy and unscriptural insufficiencies within myself could most fruitful way I could live out alliance to this embedded hinder this narrative. I may fail in my purpose to be loved by God Cinderella narrative. the field of my choice and end up and shine his image into all I can only hope that this forced in an unsatisfying job; I may not creation. exposure will cause our inflated be desirable enough for anyone to Yet when Paul instructs the view of marriage to burst like a marry; I may not find a soul-mate; young church on how best to live distended balloon and fall back to houses are rather expensive and I as shining Spirit filled outposts of earth. Marriage deserves a place may be bad at making money; my the new creation within this of honour and wonderment. God body could prove recalcitrant trouble filled final age between takes two whole people and when it came to baby production; Jesus’ two comings, he presents mysteriously forges them into one. but I questioned myself, never the singleness as the ideal state and Within this bond God has narrative. A future unmarried was marriage as a concession. Don’t purposed children to be seeded, a story gone wrong, survivable get married, Paul says several enabling humanity to fill the earth. and with its own joys, but a lesser times in 1 Corinthians 7: time is Yet let’s not forget that man and state of being nevertheless. short, life will be hard, there is women were united as mutual I married at twenty. He was work to do, and marriage brings bearers of God’s image and dangerously handsome, irresist- extra trouble and distraction. I commissioned together as ibly driven and devoted in his guardians of creation before

28 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 28 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Don’t Get Married & Words of Wisdom mention of marriage. Then in Genesis 2, marriage is introduced as one way Adam and Eve realised this calling. But we are not in newborn Eden anymore; we are in the last days. Times have changed; priorities have changed. Jesus reminded his critics that marriage is finite not eternal; we enter the world single, and single we enter the new creation, and Jesus recommissioned those rebirthed in his image, not to marry and raise a family, but to go - filled with light and Spirit - and make disciples of every nation. Old Testament women are ability, nationality, class, sexuality, before my three lovely little boys arrived or marriage status. In this story to fill my days. Here I picked up the pet often defined by marriage and soap-boxes of mission advocacy and fertility, yet they are burdened suffering is expected and will be teaching the Bible as one unified story. with the need to birth the child redeemed for God’s good I have a heart to write - sermons, who will crush the serpent. In the purpose. In this story no one studies, articles, meditations, poetry, and New Testament, women simply willing gets left behind. epic novels, all which aim to explore theology and encourage everyone to fully appear as gospel workers, and Do get married, don’t get realise all they have been given and Paul warns that marriage can married - it has little relevance to commissioned in Christ. I can be found hinder this calling. Does this not eternity. Do in all things and in all writing at lauratharion.com or Facebook. all suggest that marriage is no relationships seek God’s Kingdom ------preeminent state, but one of many first. Do read scripture voraciously Bibliography: paths in which humanity can unite to gain a biblically broad and Tharion, Laura, 5 October 2017, Fixing Her to carry our purpose and identity, beautiful imagination regarding Eyes: Don’t Get Married, available: www.fixinghereyes.org/single- to live loved by God as vessels of how to live as light within each post/2017/10/05/Dont-Get- his light? moment God has given you Marriedhttp://www.fixinghereyes.org/single- post/2017/10/05/Dont-Get-Married, accessed We Christ-followers have an within this final age. 15/04/18. epic narrative to underpin our Please let us teach this to our identity, our hopes, our actions, hearts, to our congregations, and our stories - salvation history, the most importantly to our young gospel, and this epic plays out far people, because Cinderella is a Words of Wisdom more like a dystopian novel than a good story but a lie as life’s “If through a broken fairy-tale romance. narrative. Only in Christ are we The story of our world has fulfilled and completed. [END] heart God can bring gone wrong, and we are called to ------His purposes to make a choice: slot into place Biography: within all the dehumanising forces I am passionate about spreading the pass in the world, then that have taken grip of our society joy and wonder to be found in living a resurrected life inside Jesus Christ. I enjoy thank Him - or join the resistance, strive to tea, cake, history, hammocks, wild seed light into the darkness, and bushland, gardening, reading, and gifting for breaking hope in a coming new world. my favourite books into the hands of your heart.” This is a story we can all be part others. I had the pleasure of studying at Sydney Missionary and Bible College of, regardless of age, gender, Oswald Chambers

29 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 29 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ 2018 September Compassion Games 2018 September Compassion Games

Play in the September Games spread prosperity and freedom, and results in real time with teams The 2018 September Com- protect and restore our planet. and players around the world. passion Games, is a 16-day Let’s use this campaign to come 4. Receive invitations to exciting challenge to unify communities together to build the relationships online events that feature around the world in an expression that address our complex and renown luminaries and of globally synchronised inten- interwoven challenges such as “Champions of Compassion” tions with locally organised ending terrorism, reversing who offer wisdom and new compassionate action. climate change, preventing ways to engage in compass- Starting on September 8 and pandemics, and achieving the ionate action. culminating on World Peace Sustainable Development Goals as 5. Gain access to personalised Weekend (September 22-23), defined by the United Nations. coaching with Head Coach players and teams will challenge Individuals and teams from all Sommer Albertsen, along with and inspire each other to organise over the world can sign up to play many resources to ensure your actions that build bridges between and participate in the upcoming experience is positive, support- peace, prosperity, and the planet. 2018 September Compassion ed, and meaningful! Players can create or join their Games. 6. And much, much more…! own service projects and/or Let’s play together and bring participant in any of the featured compassion to life for Global ways to play. As players and Unity! (Link here to sign-up page.) teams participate, results are How to Play in the Unity Games shared on the Compassion Report Why Play in the September There are many ways that Map to highlight, measure, and Games? individuals and teams can play, celebrate the collective impact our 1. Receive daily Compassion from organising creative service actions have around the world! Missions for each day of the projects to give back to one’s The Global Unity Games are coopetition to inspire simple, community to performing acts of part of the World Peace & Global thoughtful, and meaningful kindness to promote unity of the Unity Campaign organised by actions in your life and human family. Unify and Compassion Games. community; Watch the Campaign video on this All players will 2. Elevate your experience during receive an Agent of link. the coopetition by participating Compassion mission The motivating vision for the with fellow players and to use each day of the Campaign states: change-makers; be inspired by Global Unity Games, We are at a turning point in the the actions of others and benefit offering meaningful, development of our global from the element of playful tangible ideas and inspiration for community. It’s an unprecedented competition to ignite more activities as a way to play. time when many of us are excitement around your Players then report on their reflecting on how we can make the service. activities on the Compassion most positive impact. 3. Share your experiences on a Report Map. The reports of We are ready for more brand new Compassion Report Registered Teams are reflected on authentic connections, to promote Map that displays coopetition the Global Unity Games Score- peace and understanding, to

3 0 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 30 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ 2018 September Compassion Games board, displaying the number of weekend celebration of peace and volunteers, number of hours music events and activities to take served, number of people served, place around the world. From and the monies raised for local or Saturday, September 22 through global causes. Sunday, September 23, The Cities League To play the Compassion communities and teams will Games, you only need to follow organise Musical Events, Peace Teams from cities all around four steps! Vigils, Peace Marches, Flashmobs, the world are challenging each Service Projects, and Community other to see “who’s got the edge Sign Up to Play Service Activities. On Sunday, on kindness.” (Watch Mayor Greg 1. Sign up to play as an individual September 23 at 12:00 pm PST, Fischer putting out the call to play in the or as a team! Invite and challenge UNIFY is conducting a World’s Games.) others to generate excitement and largest Global Synchronised This initiative is in partnership catalyse more compassion! Meditation for World Peace. Add with the Charter for Compassion Play Your Hearts Out Your Local World Peace Weekend and their 400 Compassionate 2. Organise service projects and Events here! Cities and 1,700 Sector Partners. inspire acts of kindness to give Does your City have the back to your community! Fulfil kindness edge? Show us what “Missions of Compassion” during you’ve got! Learn more here. the annual games, and get ideas Contact jon@compassiongames from the gallery of Ways to Play to .org if you are interested in having get started! your city become a Compassionate Report and Reflect City. 3. After your compassionate Be a Patron actions, report on your activities “We the Global People” are and outcomes on the Compassion collaborating on a Grand Strategy Report Map, capturing the to reinvent the planet, contribute number of volunteers, hours to achieving the Global Goals, and served, monies raised, and people create Peace on Earth by 2030. served! Become an ongoing monthly Share and Celebrate member patron of Compassion International Day of Peace 4. Share your Compassion Report Games. As a flame and above you Lead by the UN, there will be a to elevate compassion in the world get lifetime access to all 9 Peace Minute of Silence on September and inspire others to play! Wave Summits leading up to 21st 12:00pm in each time zone, 9/20/2020, be a special guest on FEATURED WAYS TO PLAY resulting in a “Peace Wave” our monthly Global Social Media around the world. Cafes & Collaboratories, and so much more. See what you can do on UN International Day of Peace Site The call to action becomes a here. patron of Compassion Games and See events in your local let’s help each other achieve our dreams. community and add your own on the Global Calendar with We The World Peace Weekend Become a patron of World & Compassion Games and The World Peace Weekend is Compassion Games and help also UNIFY’s World Peace Event the culmination of the World make the impossible possible, Map. Peace Campaign and builds on the creating Peace on Earth by 2030 International Day of Peace by (link here.) organising and supporting a

31 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 31 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ 2018 September Compassion Games & Words of Wisdom Missions of Compassion this September? Share this image  The Compassion Torch is By signing up as above to spread the Global Unity passed in a ‘relay’ between a Player or Team, Action on your favourite Social Champions of Compassion, you will receive a Media Pages and what you plan each benefitting from the unique Mission of on doing. Game On! goodwill of highlighting the Compassion each work of others while being day of the Global honoured in return. [END] Unity Games. Each mission offers simple, thoughtful, and fun ways to bring compassion to life for oneself, others, and our Earth! View the missions for the 2017 Global Unity The Compassion Report Map Games here. During the Annual Com- passion Games, players and teams Resources: report their compassionate actions Hashtags: #BuildingBridges, on the Compassion Report Map, #CompassionUnites elevating their impact and Follow Compassion Games on inspiring others with their kind- Social Media: Facebook Page | ness and commitment to making Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram the world a safer, kinder, and 11 Days of Global Unity Videos: better place to live. Hosted by We The World, the 1. Mayor Greg Fischer - Global

11 Days of Global Unity, Unity Compassion Games September 11-21, bridges these Challenge gaps by connecting and promoting 2. World Peace Global Unity for us all to take action in 11 Update identified ‘themes,’ such as Compassion Relays Environment, Health, Human

Rights and Peace - to create a Compassion Relays illuminate comprehensive blueprint for outstanding organisations and global transformation. individuals around the world Donation link here: 11 Days of Global Unity whose work is contributing to a ------September 11th to September 21st more peaceful, just, and com- Bibliography: annually highlights 11 year-round passionate planet. These entities Unnamed author, undated, Compassion Games: Survival of the Kindest, available: Campaigns For Change which call are known as Champions of www.compassiongames.org/global-unity- forth the values, spirit and service Compassion. Here’s how it works: games/, accessed 23/06/18 needed to move us towards a  For each day of the Global culture of peace and a world that Unity Games, a Champion of Words of Wisdom works for all. Compassion will receive and then pass the Compassion Check out We the World’s “Always find Facebook Page for daily live Torch. streams about each theme and  During the period a Champion opportunities to how to take action. has the Torch, their legacy is make someone smile, You can see resources, actions, broadcasted over social media and to offer random and events that are part of the (in news articles, posts, acts of kindness in interviews, etc. ) to raise vision for 11 Days of Global Unity everyday life.” hereWhat. is your theme of action awareness around the issues Roy T. Bennett important to them.

32 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 32 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ What if it Was Your Church? What if it Was Your Church?

by Renee Jenner Press Service International

Some Background On Sunday 17th December 2017, two Islamist terrorists attacked a morning service in Quetta, Pakistan. This same Sunday, a church met in Sydney and didn't even know. A Sunday in Pakistan The cat from the street was purring outside my window. I checked the time, it was 6.30am and he needed some food. I woke up and gathered a few leftovers from last night's meeting - it had huddled close together in the Our fears had been confirmed been a serious one. furthest corner of the room. and our prayers felt forsaken. The The elders of the church had We ran to meet them and night prior I had chosen to peek met together in my father's house embraced them in tears. We were through a crack to listen to a faith to discuss if they should risk worried. We didn't know what filled conversation, now I was to meeting the following day for our was going to happen that day. peek through a crack into a faith weekly service. I had filled massacre. Our guitarist started to play a eavesdropped on their soft melody to one of my favourite A Sunday in Australia conversation through the cracked hymns and my spirit began to lift The sun shone through the door. The outcome was to go to as I sung the words to God. We windows and my alarm beeped to the church building the next were quiet in our singing in case wake me up. It was 7.30am. I morning. we became so loud that the snoozed my alarm for a bit. There After feeding the cat I went to outside world would hear us. I wasn't any hurry to wake up. It my mother, who had been looked around; some were smiling was Sunday, and I wasn't ‘on’ for muttering prayers since the crack with closed eyes and others were anything at church. I could sleep of dawn, to see how she was looking up in desperation. in. feeling. She told me to urge my It was during this special By 8am, I thought I should brothers to get ready. We hurried moment that we were interrupted make myself some breakfast. I put out the door shortly after. by a sudden yell from outside, on some loud worship music and The church was far from our “The Christians are inside! Get ate my breakfast in peace. After house, yet we still parked our car them!” we were all ready for our church two blocks away from it and My heart dropped… or gathering, we left for the building. walked discreetly to the building. stopped, I couldn't tell. My father We drove in little traffic on a safe It was a rundown warehouse that grabbed me from behind and road and arrived to a spacious car had been abandoned. We entered rushed me to the corner closet park. and saw a small group of where other fathers were already When we arrived at the believers, sitting on the ground, stuffing their children in. building, two happy and smiling

33 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 33 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ What if it Was Your Church; Christian Today News Snippets; Glasbergen; & Tantalising Trivia greeters met us with a warming freedom. I'm not sure what to do hello. We were welcomed in by or how to help, and I'm saddened music as we walked down the by the fact that my faith is so News Snippets foyer into the auditorium. The dependent on what is around me; Sexual Abuse in the Churches foyer had chairs and tables for that my faith is so weak I'm not believers to gather and pray and sure I'd be able to face Islamist As more allegations of abuse of eat scrumptious morning teas day terrorists if they came into my thousands children within the in and day out. church building asking me to Catholic church comes to light, it seems some are perhaps too quick to We walked into the auditorium renounce my faith. It’s clear, I defend the actions of the priests. where we were kindly directed to need a faith like a Pakistani What may be the true problems our seats. The air was cooler in Christian. lying beneath these horrific acts? this room as the air conditioner Remember Them Link was on full blast. We made our I’ll continue to wrestle with Religious Affiliations under Scrutiny way to our seats, passing many doubt, quilt and confusion. In the Taking a look at the Australian worshippers singing loudly and meantime, I need greater faith and population’s recent Census, a surprising raising their hands freely. greater remembrance, so I can majority religion takes place. Dr. Our seats were cushioned, grieve with my family for those in Tronson takes a look into the validity behind these statistics and how they comfy, and easy to relax in. The persecuted nation's. affect society as a whole. music was loud, with words to As it says in Hebrews 13: Link songs on multiple screens and the “Remember those who are in www.christiantoday.com.au preacher used a microphone to prison, as though in prison with preach his sermon. At the end of them, and those who are the service, people were asked to mistreated, since you also are in if they would turn to Christ or if the body.” [ESV] [END] they needed prayer to speak to a ------church leader afterwards. Biography: The benediction was read, and Renee Jenner resides in Sydney, we moved back to the foyer to eat Australia and is currently in her third year morning tea. In all of this, there of studying Social Work. She is the first was not one moment of fear or born of home-base missionary parents whose ministry has made a huge pain or discomfort - all of this, in impression on her heart. She always peace and comfort. writes from the soul to the soul, desiring What if it Was My church? to encourage readers to enjoy God, relax in His goodness and spread His love to Tantalising Trivia Often, during a church service the utmost parts of the earth. She loves a Usually when we think of armed I'll be sitting in my seat or singing good cuppa with a deep, thoughtful a song and the Lord will cause me conversation. You can find her other robbers we imagine someone holding a writings at renee.jenner.wordpress.com gun, but there have been some rather to remember those who are being unusual weapons used in hold-ups ------persecuted for their faith. including: a lit cigarette, an artificial leg, a Bibliography: Everything around me feels frozen sausage, a hot fudge sundae, a [ESV] English Standard Version, The Holy wedge of cheese, and also a Chihuahua! suddenly strange, as if something Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text was missing or something was Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway All you have to do is to look at this wrong. I begin to question, why is Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News terrifying specimen of a Chihuahua to Publishers. understand why they chose to use it: it that I sit here in the air- Jenner, Renee, Press Service International, conditioning whilst others watch Christian Today: What If It Was Your Church?, their fathers die by the hand of available: www.christiantoday.com.au/news/ Islamist terrorists? what-if-it-was-your-church.html, accessed 14/04/18 It feels unjust. I feel guilty for my privilege, comfort and

34 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 34 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Good Grief: The Hidden Grief of Singleness Good Grief: The Hidden Grief of Singleness my youngest siblings by Lore Ferguson Wilbert and I to hers. There is First appeared in no scent in the world as Sayable.net familiar to me as hers. I have always assumed I caught myself staring at my she would marry first. husband the other day. Gray is She is cute, creeping into his full head of hair, vivacious, tiny, adven- small wrinkles forming at the turous, nurturing, full corners of his eyes, a tiny patch of of life, bringing joy white in his beard. There is a wherever she goes. She dignity in aging for men, I think to gives of herself in myself, as I think ahead to my every possible manner, next cut and colour, dabbing always pouring out, vitamin E oil onto the darkening never lacking in love to age spots of my face. Men grow give. I have learned more attractive the older they get more about mother- and I think women do too, but the hood from her than world is telling us our bloom came anyone in my life, and and went, it is time to droop and yet, she is not married, drop and become the ground from and I am and it pains which the next crop will come. me. I physically ache The name Eve means "the for her in this mother of all living," but it does sometimes. She was not mean "always mothering all made to mother, to be a that is living." There is not a Men can prolong marriage as long wife. I don't know anyone made as they like, but women know woman among us who does not for it more. feel the age of fertility closing, the there is a deadline and it is half of A Silent Pain gap between fully alive and to a man's life-span. Men wonder dust we shall return ending. Most It occurs to me more and more why, sometimes, some women are of us have a monthly reminder of recently that the barrenness of anxious to be united? It is no one more opportunity lost. We are singleness is a silent pain. In our mystery to me: we are dealing all coming to the last chapter of singleness we feel the lack of a with only half the time and must motherhood, whether we bear partner often and others' suppose move doubly fast if we are to children or not. it is our deepest ache. It can be become mothers of what is living. tempting to see it as the only I am leaving in a few hours to The older I grow, and the more barrier between today and joy. Yet pick up my oldest friend from the familiar I grow with my own there is another, sometimes more airport. There is no one in the body's failure to make and hold a difficult, pain unmarried women world who knows me as well, as child, the more I talk to my face and this is the pain of deep, as long, and as wholly as she unmarried friends, the more I hear barrenness. does. How could anyone, even my it is not the lack of a partner that husband? Some find ways around this pains or has pained us all most, it ache, adopting or fostering is the lack of motherhood. She held me through fitful children, but for most unmarried nights after my brother was killed. There is a very real ache for women that monthly reminder of I have listened to her for years children that cannot be replaced aging reminds them again and mourn things she cannot control. by mentoring, discipleship, again that time is running out. She was equal parts older sister to practicing hospitality. Nothing can

35 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 35 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Good Grief: The Hidden Grief of Singleness Face that Pain make, create, laugh, cry, be, If you are unmarried today and dream, cook, talk, or not. the secret pain of barrenness She will nurture me and I will haunts you, I want to encourage hopefully nurture her. It is our you to face that pain. It is a very identity to do so. We are real and legitimate ache. You were daughters of the post-fall Eve, made to ache for this. bodies broken, dreams unrealised, A friend of mine talked recently fears alive, but we are also the daughters of pre-fall Eve, imaging be substituted for hearing the about how the pain of God, tending to life, nurturing words ‘Mama’ or ‘Daddy’ from singleness/barrenness doesn't growth, and mothers of what is the lips of a child, yet, I think, we haunt her, but sometimes it hits living. [END] cannot look at the substance of our her and I loved that. I think God being mothers as only within the wants all of us, regardless of our Biography gift of children. season in life, to be hit by true, My name is Lore Ferguson Wilbert. real, and good longings, but not be Yup. It’s pronounced Lor-ee or Lori. My Nurturing others is not some haunted by them. This friend went good friends call me Lo. My oldest friends consolation prize for the barren, it call me Lor. My brothers call me Sister. on to talk about a situation in is the call for every Christian. Our But my best friends call me Lowly and I which I've found myself too: problem is not that we are being hope I can live down to that. buying a baby gift for a friend and withheld from, it is that we view My life is small and simple. Grace is going out to her car in tears. the marked measure of all things in me. the gift of nurturing too narrowly. John Piper said: God is the ultimate Creator and He’s We think it is only - and best - crafted all things for His glory and my done with children we bear, but "Occasionally, weep deeply good. I learn this, albeit slowly at times. that is not the call to the New over the life that you hoped In 2010, I sold everything, quit my job, Testament family. In the Old would be. Grieve the losses. and moved 1200 miles away from my Testament the family of God was Feel the pain. Then wash your beloved northeast to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In March of 2015 Nate Wilbert face, trust God, and embrace nuclear and extended, but limited asked me to coffee to talk about pacifism to one lineage. In the New the life that he’s given you." and three months later we were married Testament, the family of God is The Bible gives us permission in his back yard surrounded by some of corporate and available to all, to weep deeply over the life we our best friends, pastors, and ministry partners. The night of our wedding we left mothers and fathers and sons and hoped we would have, and to not for a honeymoon in the mountains of daughters and brothers and sisters feel ashamed of that hope or Colorado, a week later bought a house in - this is the language of the New disappointment. It is okay to Denver, and the next day I went on full- Testament Christian. We are all grieve those losses and feel that time staff as Director of Community and family now. Formation at Park Church. We lived in a pain. Go out to your car armed small 1800s stucco farmhouse in the city Eve was created to be a with tiny onesies you just bought and a month after we bought it, my brand helpmeet, but she was named to for your friend, the scent of new husband lost his job. His new job be a mother. She was called to a powder and sweet baby things took us to Washington, D.C. six months later, where we lived, trying to catch our man, but called mother. Her very still on you, and weep, cry hard breath and our bearings, until the Lord let identity, the way she specifically aching sobs. You were made to us move back to Texas as quickly as imaged God, was to conceive, mother. You are built for it, and it possible. We're back here with our church birth, mother, nurture, grow, care is not happening for you right family, living in the suburbs, and trying to for, and gather her offspring to now. That is sad - deeply sad, and live simply, faithfully, peacefully, and intentionally. herself. We may feel called to that is okay - really okay. ------marriage (even if we have not Daughters of Eve Bibliography: been given the gift of it yet), but Ferguson, Lore, 26 October 2017, I'll pick up my friend today, my Sayable.net: The Hidden Grief of Singleness, our identity, our substance, who oldest and dearest friend, and for available: www.sayable.net/blog/2017/10/26/ we are is not some future event: it hidden-grief-of-singleness, accessed 01/05/18 the next ten days we will do all the is now; Mother; now. things we love to do together,

36 ~ Issue 13 Jun to Aug 2018 ~ 36 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ What if the Worst Happens? What if the Worst Happens?

by Vaneetha Rendall Risner www.danceintherain.com I found myself growing fearful - not a heart-stopping all- encompassing fear, but the kind of constant gnawing that creeps into your bones when you hear bad news or see something going awry; when you extrapolate the discouraging trends of the present into the future and assume things will never change; and when you think about where you’re headed, and feel your stomach tighten. Questions lingered in the back of my mind. What if I continue on this path? What if nothing ever gets better? What if the worst happens? What if… I’ve spent a lifetime considering the “what if’s.” Those questions have a way of destroying my peace, leaving me feeling hope-less. When negative possibilities loom before me, I We all face a staggering array these fulfilled. When would God can’t seem to rein my thoughts in. of “what ifs?” Some are minor do it? As I penned my thoughts, I Just asking “what if” unsettles me. inconveniences while others have felt that familiar fear gripping me. life-altering repercussions: what if People in the Bible were The question echoed in my I lose my job; what if I never have unsettled by “what if” questions mind: What if my deepest children; what if I get cancer; what too. When he was told to lead the longings are never met and my if my spouse dies; what if my Israelites, Moses asked God, nightmares come true? husband never loves me; or what “What if they don’t believe me?” I didn’t even want to entertain if my child never believes in Jesus? Abraham’s servant asked about that possibility. The uncomfortable truth is, any Isaac’s future wife, “What if the As I sat in the empty chapel of those things could happen. No young woman refuses to come poring over my Bible, I sensed one is free from tragedy or pain. with me?” God asking the same question I There are no guarantees of an easy had wrestled with for decades. Joseph’s brothers asked, “What life, for any of us… ever. if Joseph bears a grudge against “Am I enough? Even if those I considered this sobering us?” All of them wondered what frightening things happen, am I reality on a silent retreat, and over was going to happen if things sufficient?” the course of several days, I had didn’t turn out the way they Each time that question had brought numerous longings and planned, just like we do. come up in the past, I’d pushed it requests before the Lord. I wanted out of my mind, but in the stillness

37 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 37

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ What if the Worst Happens? of the chapel, kneeling in front of I sobbed as I opened my the cross, I knew I needed to face hands, filled with my this. I sensed God whispering dreams, and placed them again, “Vaneetha, am I enough?” on the altar. I didn’t want to “If none of your dreams come love God for what He could do true, am I enough? If your health for me. I wanted to love God spirals downward and you end up for who He was, to worship in an institution, am I enough? If Him because He was God and your children rebel and never not because I expected walk closely with me, am I something in return. enough? If you never remarry and Even If They Do never feel loved by a man again, Happen… am I enough? If your ministry God’s presence over- doesn’t flourish and you never see whelmed me as I knelt in fruit from it, am I enough? If your the semi-darkness. I was suffering continues and you don’t reminded that we have see purpose in it, am I enough? something far better than a I wish I could have reassurance that our automatically responded, “Yes dreaded “what if’s” won’t Lord, you are enough.” But I happen. We have the struggled - profoundly. The assurance that even if they weight of those questions felt do happen, God will be crushing. I didn’t want to give up there in the midst of them. my dreams, surrender those things He will carry us. He will comfort “If we are thrown into the that were dear to me, or relinquish us. He will tenderly care for us. blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it… But what I felt entitled to. God doesn’t promise us a even if he does not, we want you to I reflected on those past few trouble-free life, but He does know, Your Majesty, that we will days – much of it centred on the promise that He will be there in not serve your gods…” [NIV] things I wanted, on my unwritten the midst of our sorrows. Even if… even if the worst contract with God (that He never Kutless’s song, “Even If,” happens, God’s grace is sufficient. signed) where I promised to do speaks to this important truth my part if He fulfilled my which is echoed throughout the Those three young men faced longings. Bible. The chorus says, the fire without fear because they knew that no matter the outcome, I reluctantly admitted that part “Even if the healing doesn’t come, it would be the best for them, the of my desire to be faithful was And life falls apart, best for their nation, and the best rooted in my expectation of a And dreams are still undone, for God’s glory. payback. Didn’t God owe me You are God You are good something? But what if I didn’t get Forever faithful One They did not ask “what if” the it? What if my dreams were all left Even if the healing, worst happened - they were undone? Even if the healing doesn’t come.” satisfied knowing that “even if” the worst happened, God would I knew I needed to relinquish In the book of Daniel, Daniel’s take care of them. my desires, but I was incapable of three friends Shadrach, Meshach, doing it myself. I begged God for and Abednego were not At the end of Habakkuk, we see help; to release my expectations; guaranteed deliverance, and just another beautiful picture of “even to let go of my dreams and before Nebuchadnezzar delivered if.” Habakkuk wants deliverance embrace His; to not predicate my them to the fire, they offered some for his people and pleads with obedience on His gifts. of the most courageous words God to save them, but he closes ever spoken: the book saying:

38 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 38 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ What if the Worst Happens? & Words of Wisdom Organisation Promotion Mission Aviation Fellowship

Fuel for Father's Day

Buy your dad a jerrycan of fuel for Father’s Day! Every jerrycan sold puts MAF in the air for 20 minutes: enough time to save a life!  Mission Aviation Fellowship: takes food and supplies to those in need such as the “Even if the fig tree does not bloom shaken. Behold, this love of God people in Nepal who lost their and the vines have no grapes, even has ransomed us, He’s ransomed homes, livestock and/or crops if the olive tree fails to produce and us. Even though.” in the major earthquake; the fields yield no food, even if the God’s love has ransomed us.  Provide medical supplies to sheep pen is empty and the stalls We have nothing to fear. Even if remote communities; and have no cattle - Even then, I will everything falls apart, we will  Fly ill patients to medical care be happy with the Lord. I will never walk alone. [END] facilities. truly find joy in God, who saves ------me. The Lord Almighty is my Biography: Link here to find out more. strength. He makes my feet like Vaneetha Risner writes and speaks those of a deer. He makes me walk about finding joy in the midst of suffering. She and her husband Joel live in Raleigh, [GW] on the mountains.” North Carolina, USA. Vaneetha blogs at …Even if… www.danceintherain.com and is the author of the book “The Scars that have Those two simple words can Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in take the fear out of life. Replacing Suffering.” “what if” with “even if” is one of ------the most liberating exchanges we Bibliography: Words of Wisdom can ever make. We trade our Rendall Risner, Vaneetha, 24 July 2014, Dance “Even the securest financial irrational fears of an uncertain in the Rain: What if the Worst Happens?, plan and the finest health future for the loving assurance of available: www.danceintherain.com/2014/07/ 24/worst-happens/, accessed 06/04/18. coverage aren't enough to an unchanging God. We see that [GW] GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) even if the very worst happens, Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the hold us steady when the God will carry us, He will still be Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group challenges come... We need good, and He will never leave us. [NIV] New International Version (NIV) Holy something more, something Christa Wells’s song, “Even Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, deeper and unshakeable, Though,” illustrates this beautiful Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved something that will see us principle as well. She says: worldwide. through life's hard times.” “Even though we lose it all, Billy Graham we’ll not be lost, we’ll not be

39 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 39

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Four Things God Says to Singles Four Things God Says to Singles

by Vaughan “Any man who has no wife Roberts is no proper man.” This article first The Talmud went even further: appeared in Living Out “The man who is not About thirty-five percent of married at 20 is living in sin.” adult church members in Britain Given that background, it is are single, so clearly the subject of astonishing how positive the New singleness has considerable per- Testament is about singleness. sonal interest to many people in Paul speaks of it as a ‘gift’ (1 our churches. Corinthians 7:7), and Jesus says it Each single person will have a is good “for those to whom it has different experience. There are age been given” (Matthew 19:11). differences. Being single at 20 is A friend of mine once belonged very different from being single at to a young adult church group 30, 40, or 70. called “Pairs and Spares.” Single people can be made to feel like There are circumstantial We should receive our situation spare parts in their families, social differences: some have never in life, whether it is singleness or groups, and churches. married, while others are marriage, as a gift of God’s grace divorcees, widows, or widowers. One man was so fed up with to us. being asked “Are you still single?” There are experiential 2. Singleness has Advantages differences: some have chosen to that he began to respond, “Are Paul mentions two advantages be single and are basically content; you still married?” of singleness in 1 Corinthians 7: others long to be married and feel We must resist the implication frustrated. that singleness is second best. The  single people are spared the ‘troubles’ of marriage; and What Does the Bible Say to All Bible doesn’t say so. Marriage is These People? good, but so is singleness: it has  there are many great blessings in marriage, but there are 1. Singleness is a Gift from God been ‘given’ to some. difficulties too. So much in our society is But what if I don’t think I have the ‘gift’ of singleness? I don’t find Understandably, Christian structured around couples. It’s couples don’t often talk openly often just assumed that adults will it easy being on my own, and I about the hard things they face, have a partner and that there’s long to marry; does that mean I’m experiencing ‘second best?’ which can give singles a rose- something rather odd about them tinted view of marriage. if they don’t for any period of No. time. When Paul speaks of singleness There’s a downside even when a married couple’s relationship is Oscar Wilde summed up the as a gift, he isn’t speaking of a good: life is more complicated. view of many: particular ability some people There’s more than one person “Celibacy is the only known have to be contentedly single. Rather, he’s speaking of the state to consider in decisions about use sexual perversion.” of being single. of time, accommodation, holidays, There’s nothing new in this even the daily menu, and there’s negative view of celibacy. In the As long as you have it, it’s a gift from God, just as marriage will be more than one person to worry first century, Rabbi Eleazar said: God’s gift if you ever receive it. about. Children bring great

40 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 40 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Four Things God Says to Singles pleasure but plenty of anxiety as extent on those who aren’t Those two battles are closely well. married. related. The lonelier we are, the Marriage does bring “many A few consciously choose to more likely we are to struggle troubles in this life” and, Paul stay single to devote themselves to with sexual fantasy and fall into says, “I want to spare you this” (1 Christian work. Most single sin. We need to be proactive in Corinthians 7:28). He mentions people haven’t chosen singleness seeking help in these areas. these troubles here chiefly because in that way and yet they have the We aren’t designed to be on our of the bearing they have on the same advantages as those who own, and if we aren’t to be next point. have. married, whether in the short or Single people can devote Instead of focusing on the long term, we should seek to themselves more fully to God’s difficulties of being single, as some satisfy our need for intimacy in work: do, we should all make the most other relationships. That will mean taking the initiative in “An unmarried man is of the advantages of God’s gift of keeping in close contact with concerned about the Lord’s affairs - singleness while we have it. friends and family. how he can please the Lord. But a 3. Singleness is Hard. We must be self-disciplined in married man is concerned about When God saw Adam on his “fleeing from sexual immorality.” the affairs of this world - how he own in the Garden of Eden, he 1 Corinthians 6:18 [NIV]) can please his wife - and his said: interests are divided.” It often helps to have one or “It is not good for the man to be two close friends to whom we are 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 [NIV] alone. I will make a helper suitable accountable in this area. A vital part of the Christian for him.” Genesis 2:18 [NIV] 4. Singleness is Not Permanent responsibility of married persons So Eve was created to meet is to care for their spouse and Adam’s need for companionship, Many who are presently single children. That should take time, and the two came together in the will one day marry. Others will time that cannot therefore be spent lifelong, sexual relationship of remain single throughout their in witnessing to people, helping marriage. lives, but no Christian is single out at a camp, doing the church forever. Although the New Testament is finances, or leading a Bible study. positive about singleness, there’s Human marriage reflects the Single people have more time no doubt marriage is regarded as marriage God wants to enjoy with to give to such things. It’s no the norm. It is God’s loving gift to his people forever. The Bible coincidence that many activities in humanity and the chief context in speaks of Jesus as the bridegroom church life depend to a large which our desire for intimacy is who will one day return to take met. his bride, the church, to be with him in the perfect new creation. Single people are therefore likely to struggle with loneliness On that day all pain will and sexual temptation. Those disappear, including the pain of a struggles are certainly not difficult marriage or singleness. exclusive to the unmarried, but God will wipe away every tear they are very much a part of the from our eyes (Revelations 7:17) single condition. Some will seek to and a great shout will be heard: lessen them by getting married. “Let us rejoice and be glad and Others will either choose not to give him glory! For the wedding of marry or will feel unable to the Lamb has come, and his bride because of their circumstances, has made herself ready.” personality, or sexual attraction. Revelations 19:7 [NIV] They are likely to face a lifelong After we had spoken about battle with loneliness and sexual heaven, an elderly single lady said temptation. to me, “I can’t wait for my

41 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 41 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Four Things God Says to Singles & International Awareness Days “It would have International Awareness Days been a great help if September they had read the 5 International Day of Charity 8 International Literacy Day Bible, wouldn’t it?” 10 World Suicide Prevention Day Remember that 15 International Day of Democracy 18 World Water Monitoring Day your family is the 21 International Day of Peace whole church. 25 World pharmacist Day 26 International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear There should be no Weapons lonely people in our 27 World Tourism Day church. We need to 28 World Rabies Day; International Right to Know Day; International Day for Universal Access to Information; be opening up our and World Maritime Day wedding day!” We should all homes to one another and relating 29 World Heart Day; and International Coffee Day share the same hope. 30 International Translation Day to one another not just in the We can already experience October nuclear family, but in the church 1 International Day of Older Persons; and World something of that intimate family. Vegetarian Day marriage with Christ here on earth 2 International Day of Non-Violence; World Cerebral Keep your eyes fixed on Palsy Day; and World Habitat Day by the work of the Spirit in our heaven. Human marriage matters, 5 World Teachers' Day lives. Human relationships do 9 World Post Day but it will not last forever (Mark matter, but none is nearly as 10 World Mental Health Day; and European and World 12:25). Our relationship with Day Against the Death Penalty important as our eternal 11 International Day of the Girl Child Christ must come first. [END] relationship with Jesus. 13 World Thrombosis Day; and International Day for ------Disaster Reduction A Final Word to Those Who Are 14 World Standards Day Single: Biography: 15 Global Handwashing Day; World Students' Day; and Vaughan Roberts studied law at International Day of Rural Women Thank God for the gift of 16 National Boss Day (Boss's Day); and World Food Day Cambridge University before a brief spell 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty singleness. Whatever your in South Africa where he was involved in 18 World Vasectomy Day experience of singleness, recognise student ministry. 20 World Osteoporosis Day; and World Statistics Day it as a gift from God and make the He subsequently trained for Anglican 22 International Stuttering Awareness Day 24 United Nations Day; and World Development ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and most of it for as long as you have Information Day since 1991 he has been on the staff of St it. 27 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Ebbe’s Church, Oxford, where he is now 28 International Animation Day Do all you can to be godly. It’s Rector. He is Chairman of The 29 World Stroke Day easy for those who are single to Proclamation Trust. 31 World Cities Day lapse into a selfish, self-centred Vaughan has written a number of November books, including God’s Big Picture, Battles 1 World Vegan Day lifestyle and into sexual sin, 2 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Christians Face, True Friendship and, whether in thought or deed: be Journalists most recently, a series of three mini books 4 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted self-disciplined and accountable to addressing topical issues: Assisted 5 World Tsunami Awareness Day others. Suicide, Transgender and The Porn 6 International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Problem. In his spare time, Vaughan Environment in War and Armed Conflict Keep your eyes fixed on 8 International Day of Radiology enjoys playing tennis and golf. heaven: it is our eternal 10 World Science Day for Peace and Development; and ------World Keratoconus Day relationship with Christ that Bibliography: 12 World Pneumonia Day ultimately matters. 13 World Kindness Day Roberts, Vaughan, 2 September 2014, The 14 World Diabetes Day; and Children's Day A Final Word to Those Who Are Gospel Coalition: Four Things God Says to 15 Day of the Imprisoned Writer; and World COPD Singles, available: www.thegospelcoalition.org/ Married: Awareness Day article/four-things-god-says-singles/accessed 16 International Day for Tolerance; and World Philosophy Don’t think of singleness as 19/07/18 Day second best. Christian preacher [NIV] New International Version Holy 17 International Students Day; and World Prematurity Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Day and author John Chapman spoke Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, 19 International Journalist's Remembrance Day; World of friends taking him for long Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved Toilet Day; and World Day of Remembrance for Road worldwide. Traffic Victims walks and telling him he should 20 Universal Children's Day;

be married. He commented: 21 World Television Day; and World Hello Day 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

42 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 42 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Perspective Perspective

family situation is. hope, then you can still have full by Laura Miles But, what you are given is the joy regardless of what’s going on ability to choose how you see in your life. Press Service things. In every situation, it is your International No matter what is going on choice. “It’s not what you look at that around you, you have the power Choose to see how heaven sees. matters, but it’s what you see.” to own and control your Call to mind the nature He has Henry David Thoreau perspective. given you, instead of the broken Ah, perspective. Eleven letters - “The only thing you sometimes one this world offers. just one word - yet it houses the have control over is perspective. Looking through a lens of power to change your life in an You don't have control over your negativity makes any and every instant. situation. But you have a choice situation look dire and hopeless. In the real world, you aren’t about how you view it.” This is the perspective of the given the choice as to what your Perspective doesn’t make the world; pessimistic and rational. life will look like. This isn’t The issue disappear, but it means that However, the perspective we SimsTM; you aren’t given a series of your life doesn’t completely derail are offered as children of God is options about your personality, because of a tough situation. If one of overflowing hope, peace what you look like or what your your perspective is one based in

43 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 43 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Perspective; & Tantalising Trivia: Nutty Names and unreasonable joy. nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy

“May the God of hope fill you 31:6 [NIV] Tantalising Trivia with all joy and peace as you trust This verse says to be strong and Nutty Names in him, so that you may overflow courageous because God goes Did your parents saddle you with a with hope by the power of the Holy with you and will never leave you! dreadful name? If so, you may feel a little Spirit.” Romans 15:13 [NIV] Isn’t that incredible? better after checking out these monikers. This verse isn’t relative to your God has given you the choice Yes, the following are real names of real situation. This verse is truth; of your own perspective, but that people, extracted from birth records, voting rolls and more: standing apart from your life’s doesn’t mean that he is apart from circumstances. You and I have you. Sir Geoffrey Cuthbert Allchin Braser Bacon full, unrestricted access to ALL joy The reason that you have the Pinkie Mae Blowe and peace and overflowing hope bravery to choose to have a in ALL seasons. No matter what. heavenly perspective is because Elmyrtice J Boshaw The word of God isn’t just for your confidence is in God and his Virgil Bustle the undisturbed times when ever-closeness. Ewhen Chorny Blose Darcy everything is going according to God is always present and close Margaret Rose Early plan. The word of God holds just and always gives you more than as much relevancy for the you need, therefore you always Mazola Fluelen “everything-is-so-overwhelming- have the grace that you need to Lowe Gear I’m-going-crazy” sort-of times. align your perspective to that of River Jordan The word of God rings true in Heaven. Romeo LaGore Ona Nation every environment, no matter the The Holy Spirit is within you conditions. and has empowered you to Corney Papp In Every Situation elevate your thoughts and Peter J J Rabbitt perspective to a heavenly one. One In every situation, you have the Organisation Promotion choice to decide how you are of hope, peace, joy and going to view it. expectation. Single? Are you going to let your There is so much freedom in Christian? thoughts be influenced by the perspective of heaven! [END] Looking for hopelessness or are you going to ------fun, friendship throw off the world’s view in Biography: and fellowship? exchange for fresh eyes; eyes of Laura Miles is an excitable and fast- Club Solo is delighted to invite you to expectation and delight? paced Brit, living in Australia. After an outing or camp. Operating for more recently committing to studying, she is than 34 years, Club Solo is an inter- When everything is falling ready and expectant to see all the crazy denominational ministry which serves apart at the seams - those are the things that the Lord is going to do in her times when it is the most life. Christian singles. There are Club Solo groups in Melbourne, Adelaide, important to grab onto what you ------Geelong, Sydney and Brisbane. know as truth. Bibliography: One of the largest events is the annual Miles, Laura, Christian Today: Those are the times when you Gold Coast camp which runs for around decide to stand in courage and Perspective, available: www.christian today.com.au/news/perspective.html, seven days in January. Singles from childlike faith, in eager accessed 27/04/18 several states enjoy this friendly and anticipation of the goodness of [NIV] Holy Bible, New International relaxed get-together. God to spring forth in your life Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, For more information, contact the like never before. 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Director, Rev Steve Mitchell who has a permission. All rights reserved “Be strong and courageous. Do real pastor’s heart for singles: worldwide. not be afraid or terrified because of Phone: (03) 9407 1240 them, for the LORD your God goes Email: [email protected] with you; he will never leave you Web: www.clubsolo.org.au

44 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 44 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Awakening Australia

Event Promotion Awakening Australia

Introduction and for our nation to encounter person that becomes a believer. Awakening Australia is more Christ. Not only is this impractical but it's than just a three-day event – it is a If we all take our place in this simply not working. movement mobilising people to mandate this is very possible. God has an amazing solution to share their faith, uniting churches Training to Break the Fear this problem and also an amazing to lift up the name of Jesus alone, opportunity for us – we now have One thing that we are the honour of being a part of their and an event where thousands of enthusiastic about and highly journey of knowing Jesus. Christians are being set on fire for encourage is breaking the fear of Jesus. man. It is very difficult to share This will carry no real pressure We are in a critical point in the our faith if we are too afraid to say because the discipler already history of our nation. Now more something. So often believers knows and has a relationship with than ever we need God to break don’t communicate their faith the new-born. through in our government, in our with a bold and confident We will educate further in this churches and in our loved ones. expression because they are in upcoming pre-awakening We need Australia to be hindered by the possible opinions events and at our main awakened to the truth that is in of the listener. Awakening Australia event on the Jesus alone, not to bend to what At Awakening, we want God to 16th to the 18th of November, the world says. Australia needs a break the fear of man off 2018. great awakening and we believe Australians in a way, so that it The Main Event now is God’s timing. becomes just as normal to invite Awakening Australia will be We are currently preparing for God into conversations and held at the Etihad Stadium in this event by helping raise up a relationships as it is to share any Melbourne. Join thousands from nationwide prayer movement for other part of our lives. all over Australia coming together the salvation of our families, We are achieving this by with one purpose: friends and our country. training people during and before "AUSTRALIA FOR JESUS" the event in ‘breaking the fear of Pray for 100,000 Souls This will be a nationwide event man’, outreach and relational We have been given a clear like no other for all believers in discipleship. assignment and vision to pray for every denomination and also an 100,000 souls to be saved in We really believe that this amazing opportunity to bring Australia in 2018. ‘relational discipleship’ model is unsaved friends to meet Jesus for Right now our country is at a the key to seeing millions of the first time. Australians come to Christ. critical point in history, so now Come with us for three full more than ever we must lift up For many years we have days in the stadium, huge prayer that grips us for our loved expected that the pastor, leader or outreaches flooding the city with ones who do not yet know God ‘the course’ would disciple every the love of God, thousands coming from all around the world, leaders and churches coming 100,000 for Jesus in 2018 together as one to show our country a united family of God. For more information, visit awakeningaustralia.org. [END]

45 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 45 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ No Good Deed Goes Unpunished No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

by Michael make our heart grow cold. We need to do good in this Hannett We cannot let harsh outcomes world, no matter the consequence, stop us from doing good or from or even if it isn't reciprocated. "No good deed goes unpunished." loving each other as God intends, When we do, we spread a light I'm sure we've all heard, or because the rewards are far and love from God that cannot be perhaps uttered that phrase from greater than the worst this world extinguished, that changes and time to time, especially when we can do to us. renews lives in amazing ways. We do something good and yet bad spread hope, and through God, Every act of goodness is a things happen to us or to others. we change the world. moment where God shines We shouldn't feel that way. Let through us - where His love burns "And let us not grow weary of us be reminded that if bad things bright, and even if those who were doing good, for in due season we happen, it's not because of the recipient of our good act didn't will reap, if we do not give up." anything to do with our good react well or if they hurt us, that Galatians 6:9 [ESV] deed, and we certainly aren't light and love you showed didn't "Let us consider how to stir up being punished for doing right, or go unnoticed. Someone saw it - one another to love and good for showing someone kindness, and it gave them hope to know works." Hebrews 10:24 [ESV] generosity and/or love. God that someone really cares. It gave "In the same way, let your light celebrates when we love one them assurance that there is still shine before others, so that they another - it's what He wishes for love in this world, and it very well may see your good works and give us to do. could inspire them to spread that glory to your Father who is in Any bad that happens, is hope and love to others, changing heaven." Matthew 5:16 [ESV] simply the result of living in a the lives of many. "A new commandment I give dark and broken world. It is the Let us remember too that acts to you, that you love one another: enemy's way of trying to deter us of goodness please God. It put a just as I have loved you, you also from spreading God's goodness to happy smile on His face to see His are to love one another." the world, to stop us from caring beloved children love each other. John 13:34 [ESV] and loving, and perhaps even to It fills our Father’s heart with joy. [END]

46 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 46 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker The Toy Maker

by Andrew You could ask him any question The Son managed the Brandon and he would know the answer. Toy factory on the Father’s He was like all the cleverest school behalf. teachers in the world rolled into Father, Son and the Name- He was the toy factory one and then multiplied by the manager less One biggest number you can think of. The Third Person didn’t have a Most stories begin with ‘Once He was cleverer than cleverest, name. He was the Nameless One, upon a time’, but this story began bigger than the biggest, wiser than but that doesn’t mean he was before there were any clocks or the wisest and so kind, loving and ignored and the other Two didn’t watches to measure the time. joyful it was impossible not to like Him. The Father and Son There may have been other smile and dance in his presence. loved him to bits and relied on universes stacked together cover He was the toy inventor. him to build the toys. to cover like books on a shelf each The Father’s Son, the Second The Nameless One turned each telling a very different story, but Person, looked exactly like his of the Son's songs into fantastic this story begins before our Father and they were the same toys, for each toy had its own universe joined the multiverse age. They were the Great Unborn special song. Long after they were library. who live forever and ever, for they made, the toys continued to sing. Once before time there lived a have no beginning and no end. Listen and you may be able to Toymaker who had the most They shared the same thoughts hear choirs of stars, the big boom amazing secret. He was Three and ideas, spoke the same words base of planets, the gentle, joyful Persons in One. Imagine that! and were both equally intelligent: notes of flowers, and the Each of the Persons was exactly cleverer than the cleverest and harmonies of whales humming in the same as the Others but they wiser than the wisest. the Deep. had very different jobs to do. The Son turned the Father's LISTEN! Let me introduce these thoughts into the most beautiful remarkable Persons. There was the The Nameless One was the toy songs. Each song was different Father, the kindest and wisest builder from the last and perfectly Father you could ever imagine. Welcome to their Factory and expressed the Father's thought. the biggest story of all. Creation “I have dreamed a universe,” said the Father to the Son and Nameless One. “Look! I will show it to you.” And he showed them the dream and they danced for joy. They saw all the galaxies, black holes, supernovas, quasars, constellations and planets like the moving parts in a gigantic clock, but it was like no clock you’ve ever seen. All the moving parts were constantly growing bigger or smaller, some vanished altogether,

47 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 47 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker the same way because the Three were One. Then they began to dance and sing and perform the most amazing back flips, cartwheels and handstands. The Three never argued, quarrelled or fell out with each other. That is why the Three could be one Person. I will tell you a deep secret. Their joy in each other was much greater than their joy in creation. You and I were born out of their love for each other. Man and Woman The Father spoke in his big deep voice. His voice could be heard very clearly in every part of the universe but it was never loud or deafening. “I have dreamed a Man and a Woman,” he said, “the wonder of our creation,” and showed the Son and the Nameless One two strange upright creatures who The toy universe hung in the air above the Toymaker’s work bench. stood on spindly legs. Around and the Son’s song conjured new The Father’s dream took shape them were all manner of moving parts from nowhere and in a universe so big that you could wonderful beasts and birds and gave the universe its first never travel to the end of it, but fish. ‘Hallelujah!’ the Toy Factory was even bigger. “Man and Woman will be our The creation song of Father, The toy universe hung in the son and daughter and we will Son and the Nameless One was so air above the Toymaker’s work make them in our image and wondrous, it has never ended. bench, suspended on nothing and likeness. They will rule the earth The Father, Son and Nameless held together by the unseen force and give names to all we have One were the lead singers. we call gravity. The universe was created.” All creation accompanied them the Toymaker’s most wonderful (Illus. 9. Creation of man and and sang their special songs in a creation and had required all his woman. Man and woman with the super-gigantic choir. And this is skill and cleverness. He was very animals in the garden). the marvel of the Creation Song. proud of it. The Son and the Nameless One Each song was different, but when “Marvellous!” said the Father. were accustomed to the Father’s sang together there was only ONE “Marvellous!” said the Son. marvels, but Man and Woman SONG. The song soared through were the marvel of marvels, more “Marvellous!” said the Name- the universe in flights of joyful wondrous than anything he had less One. notes. ever made before. They repeated ‘Marvellous’ at LISTEN! “Oh!” cried the Son. exactly the same time in exactly

48 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 48 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker than any magician you have ever seen on TV, but his heart was fixed: a bottomless pit of evil: darker than the darkest; eviler than the evilest; viler than the vilest. If you saw his heart it would turn you to stone. The Fall Wrecker had been thrown out of the Toy Factory in disgrace and hated the Toymaker and all he had made. But of all that the Father, Son and Nameless One had created, Wrecker hated the Man and Woman most of all because they reminded him of the Toy-maker and all the good and beautiful things he had lost. “I will steal their souls and “Oh!” cried the Nameless One, hear, eyes to see and tongues to hang them on the tree of death,” for there were no words to speak the language of the Three. he snarled. “I will have my describe their amazement and The Man they called ‘Adam’ revenge on the Toymaker and he delight. and the woman they called ‘Eve’ will regret throwing me from his “We will speak to them and and we are all their children. Factory into the cold dark.” they will know us and love us,” The Toy Wrecker So he crept into the garden like said the Three with one voice, The Toymaker had only one a thief to steal their souls, for they “and when they are ready, we will enemy in the universe. He was were innocent and did not know take them from their world and called 'Wrecker'. He hated good- the difference between good and they will join us forever.” ness and beauty and the evil. And so the Toymaker created Toymaker's Creation song made Wrecker's voice was sleep’s Man and Woman. The Father’s him 'shrieeeek' in fury. Full of whisper. If you listened to it the dream became the Son’s song and rage and spite, he sneaked into the mind grew drowsy and the world it was beautiful, but there were garden of Eden. faded and vanished into a mist. notes of a sorrow in the song as “Big trouble!” exclaimed the Soon there was nothing but the well as joy. As the Son sang, The Father, Son and Nameless One, for voice, and then abruptly the voice Nameless One interpreted the Wrecker was the cruellest of the changed and screeched like music and crafted Man and cruel and the wickedest of the grinding, tearing metal. The man Woman and placed them in a wicked. and the woman fell under its garden called Eden. He was so cunning he could terrible spell. The planet was very small but hook a fish with a word and steal “You are the Toymaker’s toys, it shone like a sapphire in the the teeth from the fiercest lion chained to his commands,” said blackness of space. without him knowing it. He knew Wrecker. “While you serve him, “These are our children,” said the shapes of all the creatures the you will never be free.” the Three, gazing at the Man and Toymaker had created and could The grinding voice roared in Woman, and as they spoke, the twist himself into the forms of any their heads: “Free yourselves from Man and Woman looked up and of them. his chains and trickery and recognised Them, for the He was the Great Shape Shifter, become toymakers in your own Toymaker had given them ears to the trickiest of the tricky, better far world.”

49 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 49 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker “How can we do this thing?” “Take these, he said, “for they One. said Adam and Eve, for they were are my gift to you,” and offered And their voice was so full of one and their union was yet them to Adam and Eve. grief that the universe itself began unbroken. “Attach these to your legs and to weep. Stars quivered, planets Wrecker spun cords of gold, feet and arms and hands and wobbled, meteorites fell in dark silver, scarlet, blue and black in fingers and shoulders and heads. swarms, and the stars in a billion the air before them. He was the Then you will be free and as wise galaxies flickered off and then on trickiest of the tricky and deceived as the Toymaker. Indeed, you will as the voice swept through them. them with the quickness of his become toymakers in this world Man and Woman heard the fingers, for they were still children and your children will inherit the voice and faltered. in the world. stars. Nothing will be impossible “Do not listen to him," for you.” The World Wrecker had whispered Wrecker, and his already planned the theft and had Wrecker's Big Lie shook the words were soft, icy snow flakes hidden the cords beneath his foundations of the Toy Factory drifting into their minds and sleeves, ready to dazzle the Man like an earthquake. The Toymaker freezing thought. and Woman with their sudden wept and all the angels covered "The Toymaker is cruel and appearance. Now he performed their faces, their bright wings wicked. He wishes to keep you as the trick that ruined the world. dimmed and dipped in sorrow, for his slaves. These are your they could not bear to watch the The cords writhed and coiled freedom, dear ones.” like brightly coloured snakes in ruin of the Man and Woman. He offered them the cords and the space before them. Wrecker's “Stop!” cried the Father. they seized them and tied them to hands moved in a blur of speed “Stop!” cried the Son. their arms and hands and fingers and he plucked them from the air “Stop!” cried the Nameless and legs and feet and shoulders with long fingers. and heads, and wherever they were tied they could never be undone. Two voices clashed in the floating universe that hung above the Toymaker’s bench: the sobbing of the Toymaker and Wrecker's cruel laughter. Wrecker seized the strings that bound the Man and Woman and hung them on the tree of death. “Here you will dance my jig,” he said, “and fill this world with wickedness and sorrow.” The jig broke the Toymaker’s heart. Rescue Wrecker was foolish in his pride. "I am the cleverest of the clever and the most cunning of the cunning," he boasted, but the Toymaker was the Creator and could see all things that had been and ever will be. There is no limit

50 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 50 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker to the knowledge of the Three in together always,” said the Father “I’m the puppeteer. I pull the One and the long ages of our and lifted his voice and praised strings in this world,” and he world pass in a blink of their eye. the excellences of his Son. began to tug on the strings, his Time’s wheels turned and The Nameless One took his fingers moving in a blur of speed. turned and turned and the words and composed them into a The people began to dance his children of the First Man and song of such loveliness that the ugly jig and droughts and famines Woman filled the earth and forgot universe was hushed in wonder. and plagues and war and cruelty the Toymaker. The cords that tied The song was more majestic and spread across the world. them to the tree of death became beautiful than the Toymaker’s The dance was so horrible, the invisible and only the wise could creation hymn. It is called the Toymaker wept and his tears were see them. Song of the Beloved. bigger than oceans, but wherever The universe groaned. In a Wrecker laughed a grim, his tears fell, new worlds were garden of a centillion stars and sniggering laugh when he saw the born and stars flared into life. planets, one planet lay in darkest Son slipping into the world. Wrecker spat in the Son's Face. shadow. It song was full of notes “This is my world,” he snarled, His spittle was like acid. It burnt of sorrow. “and you have no power here," and smoked, but the Son's face Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets and he showed the Son the strings was unharmed. sounded in the Toy Factory. The he’d attached to every man and “If you tell them they’re bound fanfare was so commanding that woman in the world. with my cords, they won’t believe all the toys stopped what they were doing and stood to attention. Angels arranged themselves in rank upon rank, captained, by gigantic archangels who glittered like mountains of gems. The fanfare sounded again and after the echoes had died, there was a deep silence. The universe held its breath. “It is time,” cried the Father. “It is time,” cried the Son. “It is time,” cried the nameless One, And the toys and the angels and the universe danced and sang for joy. The Son loved the Father more than he loved his own life. “The time has come. I will go,” he said, “and free the children of the Man and Woman from slavery. I will cut their strings and give them freedom. By my deed you will truly know how much I love you.” “We will never be apart, my

dearest Son, for we have been “The time has come. I will go and free the children of the Man and Woman from slavery. I will cut their strings and give them freedom.”

51 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 51 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker you," sniggered Wrecker. fiercer still his hatred of the Son. strings. "They can’t see them anymore.” He tugged the people’s cords Midnight fell at noon, a dark- faster than the Son could cut them. He rubbed his hands together ness without hope, so deep you gleefully and laughed at his own “I am the king of this world, could feel it. All the stars winked cleverness, but he had under- the Great Controller. Better my out and the moon covered her face estimated the Toymaker, for he darkness than this Son of Light with a black veil. was cleverest of the clever and the and Goodness,” he howled, and Then the Miracle of Miracles! wisest of the wise. seized the Son and bound him The Son's cry cut through the with the world's cords and hung Wherever the Son went, darkness like a bolt of lightning. him on the tree of death. Wrecker’s cords became visible “It is done,” he cried, and his and the people cried out in fear “I cast you from my world,” he spirit fled his body singing like a and dismay: "We're slaves screamed. “Die, deathless One, shining white bird. and share the fate of your silly pretending to be free. Who will The Father laughed, great gusts toys.” deliver us?" of merriment that shook the Toy The cords were no longer "Death to the deathless," Factory and made the universe brightly coloured but as grey as repeated Wrecker's puppet army, spin like a dancer pirouetting/ smoke and covered in tiny barbed but their eyes were blank and their spinning on her toes. His laughter hooks. Each cord had a name: minds were full of darkness. was so joyous and infectious that pride, envy, hatred, selfishness, Wrecker had blinded them all and all who heard it laughed with him, jealousy, bitterness, lust, lying, they were lost in a world of but they were also confused by his deceit, treachery, greed, rage, shadows. laughter. cruelty, theft and laziness. Wrecker shook his fist Why does he laugh so happily The Son’s word was a sword triumphantly at the sky: “Look when his Son hangs from death's that cut the cords and set the what I've done to your Son, tree in a distant world? Has grief people free. wretched Father.” sent him mad? “I teach you the song of grace,” But the Father was silent and In reply, the Father lifted his he cried. "Come to me and I will his silence was a darkness that voice and sang a New Song, the cut the cords that bind you." covered the Land, muffling sound Song of Resurrection and Life, and and hiding the Son as he hung on Redemption its music was laughter, the rolling death’s tree, bent and broken of drums and the fanfare of many Fierce was Wrecker's anger and under the weight of the world's

…their eyes were blank and their minds were full of darkness. The Son… hung on death’s tree, bent and broken under the weight of the world's strings 52 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 52 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Toy Maker trumpets. branches encircled the world and of the Father and the Son. If you The Nameless One spun the its crown touched the clouds. let Him, He will guide you to notes of the song into a beam of The tree had gold and silver Them and their smile will be the radiance, so bright and fast it leapt leaves that shimmered in the sun warm smile of welcome. across space and time and struck and many kinds of delicious fruit LISTEN and you will hear the the Son with the brilliance of a hung from its branches. This is the Toymaker's song. BELIEVE and Nova. He blazed with light and Tree of Life and its fruit is for the you too will sing the song and awoke from death’s sleep a healing of the nations. share their joy and life eternal. Conqueror, for death was only a “Glory!” cried the Father. [END] short interval in his forever. © Andrew Brandon “Glory!” cried the Son, and the Crack! The Son leapt from the ------word rang like a greeting to his Biography: tree, broke it in pieces and cast it Father. Andrew Brandon is the Director of into a smoking pit. “Glory!” cried the Nameless CWEST, a mission and media charity, and the Creative Director of Gladius Pictures "No," squealed Wrecker, but he One. Ltd. He has worked internationally as an was powerless to stop the Son. And the Three began to dance evangelist and itinerant Bible teacher, but Too late, he realised his and where they trod new galaxies in recent years has been writing for theatre, film and documentaries. His mistake. His wickedness had flamed into life. blinded him. You see, he couldn't most recent film, 'Parallel City', is “This is the beginning of our currently on the international film festival imagine anyone as important as New Creation. We will make a circuit and is beginning to pick up award the Toymaker loving people so new heaven and a new earth and nominations. much he would give his Son to there will be no more suffering Andrew's writing includes theatre and free them. pantomime for children and adult theatre and evil,” said the Father. and film as well as documentaries. He Wrecker's rule of earth ended “I have paid the ransom for defies stereotyping and has written in a in the longest shrieeeeeeek of all. their freedom,” said the Son. number of different genres: science fiction, The shriek will never end but you fantasy, comedy, musical theatre, "They will be your children, can't hear it, for it has been historical, romantic, Westerns, action and Father, and I will be their Brother. silenced by the Toymaker's song. topical. We will wipe away their tears and He has completed a groundbreaking There is no song louder, death will have no power over twenty episode TV series that combines stronger and more beautiful than them. They will live and reign two parallel narratives: a First Century For his last documentary, 'Epic the Toymaker's song of love. action epic and a Twenty-First Century with us forever." Journey: Seven Ancient Churches', he family saga. The inter-connected stories cycle-camped from London to Istanbul In the place where Wrecker's “I will cut them loose and lead race towards a totally unexpected climax. twisted tree had stood, a sapling them to you, O, Father and Brandon's aphorism, "If the imagination grew. In seconds, it changed from adorable Son,” said the Nameless doesn't move it stagnates," defines his approach to his art. sapling into a magnificent tree; its One, for he delights to reveal the majesty of the He is the creative powerhouse behind Gladius and is responsible for the Father and the Son and company's motto : 'Excellence without sing Their praises. Compromise'. He is a professional with The Nameless One high professional standards. Andrew has never missed a writer's deadline. seized the sword which As creative director, Brandon mentors is the Word of the Son's and inspires other artists, most of whom death and resurrection come from the UK's ethnic minorities. He and sped to earth to lives and breathes diversity. Change conquer hearts and free stimulates him. He is happiest when he's in transit through London's diverse ethnic people from Wrecker's worlds, drawing his inspiration from the strings. city's melting pot of cultures. He is Nameless Link to online video: Solitary Prayer because his joy is not in Tree of Life Himself but in the names

53 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 53 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Creative Urge: Pressing In Pressing In Introduction (by Vicki Nunn) Q. What is the very first act of God that we read about in the Bible? A. The act of creation. Creation is an inherent part of God’s nature, and as we are made in God’s image, creativity is therefore also inbuilt into our human nature, and into our very DNA. Just as God delighted in the goodness of His creation, we too can delight in our creative endeavours. As Christians, the Holy Spirit works through us and encourages us to express our creativity and to use it as a means of relaying truths and messages about God and from God. In this issue, artist Aliki Whitfield shares a little of her personal experiences of the creative urge. Back to Wendy, she calls this by Aliki old diary, 'the crafty chook shed.' Whitfield Yes, there are chickens scratching Speaker, Writer & in the lavender patch but I think Performer the chooks are the human visitors. Creative urges blow into my Most Fridays a cheeky group of life as unpredictably as Melbourne women gather to work on artistic weather. They take different projects in various states of forms, though usually touch on completion or disaster, as the case common ground: my delight in may be. They arrive one by one for life and God. morning tea, and then sprawl on Today, I'd like to share three the veranda like chocolate sauce creative urges with you. on ice-cream with all manner of arty gear. The mind boggles as A few months ago, I rode my sets of pastels, pencils, paint and Royal Enfield Himalayan (motor- anything else that can make a cycle) down a country track mark on the day, emerges from heading to a defunct diary shed bags and cases. perched with views of the The atmosphere is a joyful Clarence River. An insanely creative and just plain insane mayhem. A loving and authentic woman, Wendy Donohue, owns sharing of skills and humour that inspired me to try something I this glorious spot. wish I was good at - painting… of Let me pause here to say that what? Well I wanted to try riding my motorcycle on dirt is a something iconic, like a Vespa favourite creative urge. It may not scooter. look creative from the outside, but on the inside, my mind is happily I own a silver 150cc 1964 Vespa picking lines, assessing obstacles, that I'm looking at right now. It's a fine tuning speed (which is 40% design masterpiece that decorates slower than the boys) and my lounge room. Step one was to recording memories of beautiful sketch a Vespa onto canvas, which places. took me from 11am to near on dark and it still looked like it had Every corner, rise, creek come from the wreckers. crossing or wash out presents an opportunity to ride it with more Wendy took pity on me by finesse than the last. It's an art. loaning a miniature overhead projector (remember those?) to

54 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 54 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ The Creative Urge: Pressing In & Words of Wisdom and photographs are on Biography: my website, www.aliki. 'Down to earth' and 'captivating' are com.au. the two most commonly used phrases to describe Australian conference speaker, However, this creative writer and performer Aliki. urge birthed in Australia Since Bible College in 1994, she has was not easy to fulfil. inspired Australians in all walks of life - Some evenings I would from CEOs to drug addicts. Her message study the photographs of of grace is delivered in honest and often humorous stories. Her communication the day and think to style is disarming and highly engaging. myself, “Nothing here Today Aliki writes from her base on inspires or speaks to me.” the Orara River west of Grafton I stared at beautiful (Australia), and travels throughout Australia to share in ministry. Her two scenes with an open bible adult children are completing an and came up blank. internship with the C3 college in “Father,” I'd pray, Newcastle. Aliki's spiritual home is Riverside Church in South Grafton. “What can I say from Your word through this Find out more about Aliki on her website: www.aliki.com.au picture? Is there anything here that's worthy?” That to me is the essence of 'pressing in.’ It's leaning into the Words of Wisdom whispers of God to hear His voice or catch the “Creativity is allowing blow up and trace the image onto yourself to make mistakes. canvas when I got home. fragrance of His thoughts, then taking time to explore creative Despite my freehand night- Art is knowing which avenues. It only takes a hint for mare, the journey swept me into a ones to keep.” me to light up, but that initial quiet and relaxing concentration. Scott Adams spark isn't guaranteed just because The steady sips of tea and glances I took a photo and opened a bible. at the rolling landscape, made for one of life's greatest achievements 'Pressing in' requires stillness - stillness, which is an art all of its and faith, after all, how can we We Want You! own. Yes, by late afternoon, I was discern His 'still small voice' in the sitting in a mess of eraser middle of a panic-stricken rant, or Do you have a passion for fragments, but everything in my discover His heart if we've taken a writing Christian stories, world had paused in those hours. short cut? So, after twenty-one poetry etc? SPAG Magazine days I believe God loved me The other creative urge I 'pressing in' more than finishing is presently considering pursued this year, was during a the devotions. It became about adding a regular fiction spot three-week motorcycling tour of 'us'. with a Christian theme. Sri Lanka. It was a fascinating land of smiling people, steep tea At the end of every day, what For more information, contact we achieve for Him is not as plantations and dynamite curries. the Editor Vicki Nunn valuable as how we got to know Before leaving Australia, I and enjoy Him in the process. via email: made a promise to myself and Creative urges usually take me [email protected] God that I would write a devotion or phone Vicki on: each night, inspired by a on a journey where the destination

photograph I'd taken during the amounts to less than what I (+61) 042 44 33 772 ND day. These twenty-one devotions gleaned along the way. [E ]

55 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 55 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ I’ve Been to Twelve Schoolies and It Gets Better Every Year I’ve Been To Twelve Schoolies1

and It Gets Better Every Year

by Kurt Mahlberg

The sky was cold and dark in Victor Harbor. Music thumped in the background. Conversations were happening all around me. I looked through the crowd and saw a Year 12 student with a couple of police officers. She was a little wobbly on her feet and she was wearing her tattered school dress as a costume. With a friendly word, she handed them hot donuts, and they were on their way. The whole scene made me smile. Where Green Team is, Trouble A Culture of Care Spreads Like I’ll let the media write about Isn’t Wildfire drunken fights and screaming Green Team is by no means the sirens - and sure, there was some Mix drugs, alcohol, all-nighters, only reason SA’s schoolies is safe. of that too. But I’ve got a different and inter-school rivalries, and you Police, paramedics, the local story to tell. quickly create a culture of dark- council and many others do an ness. I’ve just described schoolies I’m on the Green Team, a group outstanding job, providing all in Victor Harbour twenty years of five hundred volunteers from sorts of services we’re not ago before things changed. Adelaide’s churches, rallied by qualified for. Our role is far more Instead, this year I saw a girl Encounter Youth to host one of the modest - we provide banter, free handing donuts to police officers - safest schoolies events in food, directions, dance moves, and Australia. (Of the 10,000 school a scene that captured the spirit of a phone call for help if it’s needed. the weekend. It’s hard to imagine leavers that descended on the It’s small, but it makes all the unless you’ve seen it, but Green south coast this weekend, only difference. one was arrested). Team sets a culture of care that By the first night of the festival, spreads. This is the twelfth year I’ve Green Team has already become This year a third of our been a Green Teamer. Every year I an army of trusted allies to the church’s team was brand new. It come home glowing and grateful Year 12s. Remove us from a didn’t matter if they were young that God would use me to help queue, a caravan park or a dark bring the light of Jesus into a dark or introverted or wide-eyed at the street corner and trouble brews drunken antics. Within an hour, corner of our culture. And every quickly. But when we’re there, they got it - and they were Green year I learn something new. even our presence diffuses most Teaming like veterans. Here’s what stood out to me in problems before they escalate. 2017. When light shines, it spreads ______1. ‘Schoolies’ is an Australian term which refers to end of year activities and partying in which high school graduates participate once their schooling is completed. Many of these youth get together at popular destinations to party, sometimes consuming drugs and/or excessive alcohol and/or indulging in inappropriate behaviours, including fighting, vandalism, hooliganism etc. Not all of the youth do this, but the misbehaviour can sometimes lead to injuries and/or youth getting into trouble with authorities, and this is often the main focus of Australian media.

56 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 56 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ I’ve Been to Twelve Schoolies and It Gets Better Every Year and refracts far beyond its source, and darkness can’t overcome it. Young People are Desperate for Trusted Adults I’m going to miss the class of 2017. Many were just a face in the passing crowd, but I won’t forget those I spoke with who came back the next night looking for me, or for someone else on our team who’d showed them love and remembered their name. Young people are crying out for trusted adults. I count it a privilege to be one of those every year, even if it’s just for the weekend. At such a fulcrum moment in their lives with the whole world at their feet, words of affirmation and challenge have a refreshing change from rolled This doesn’t happen much in powerfully shaping effect on a eyes. church life anymore. But it should, teenager’s life. Community-on-Mission is the because it works, and it turns Australian Youth aren’t Post- Church’s Calling believers into disciples. I don’t have an answer to this question, but Christian, They’re Pre-Christian I think we the church you might: how can we create Last year’s census told us that sometimes believe that the end more opportunities like Green Christianity still scraped through game of following Jesus - the way Team to mobilise Christians? as Australia’s majority religion at to graduate as a mature Christian - 52%. That might be true, but the is to get a career, marry, have kids, Past Volunteers Forget What percentage is far smaller among and buy a house. They’re Missing the nation’s young people. Those are all great things, but Every year, there’s a 40% I spoke with one girl from a as Scot McKnight says, the mark turnover of volunteers. I’m not respected public school who said of a follower of Jesus isn’t any of surprised that two hundred new her whole class experiments with that - it’s following Jesus. people want to join the cause every year. But I am surprised that hard drugs. Countless schoolies, We’re all on mission as 200 past volunteers don’t want to as always, asked why we individuals. But what I love about continue. volunteer - and when we Green Team, and what makes it mentioned Jesus in our answer, incredibly unique, is that it’s Schoolies isn’t for everyone, occasionally we had to explain ‘community on mission.’ It’s and it’s not for every life stage what that word meant. groups of believers praying for (though I am impressed how For decades we’ve been talking each other as the day begins, Green Teamers with kids still about a post-Christian culture in sharing stories of breakthrough on manage to get out every year). Australia - and that’s still relevant the streets, facing fears and Even still, a turnover of two for most generations. But Gen Z inadequacies together, and getting hundred is far too many. has arrived, and many of them are up to try it all again the next day. If you’re a past volunteer, can I mind-blown and enthralled to This is how Jesus trained his ask you to consider rejoining the hear about a God who created disciples - remember the seventy- movement? This year, one of our them and loved them so much that two? teams was made up of twenty-five he suffered in their place. It’s a

57 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 57

~ Single Person Approved by God ~ I’ve Been to Twelve Schoolies and It Gets Better Every Year & Prayer Points

Do you struggle with prayer? volunteers serving 1,700 campers. movements like Green Team. Do you find it hard to know what We need you. to say or are at a loss for It’s time for us to rewrite the words? Many Christians struggle in this area too. I know it costs sleep and a day story of the church in this country, We’ll provide suggestions or two of annual leave. But put God’s mission ahead of our with each issue about various people and topics which we remember the difference you comforts, and step out with prayer hope will inspire and help you in your prayer time. May we made in so many lives. And and boldness so that His dream encourage you to make this prayer a part of your regular remember when you thought to will come to pass and Australia daily routine. yourself that the cost was worth it might truly become the great Prayer for those with health & mental struggles Our Heavenly Father, - because I know you did! southland of the Holy Spirit. Day 1: For the broken-hearted: Heavenly Father. I pray for the broken hearted, to whom You are If Revival Comes, it Will be [END] always near. I pray that You give them healing and strength. That You give them courage and the hope they need. Help them to feel love and Through Movements Like This ------help them to believe and trust that You love them. In this I trust You will provide. "The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; He rescues those God worked miracles again this Biography: whose spirits are crushed." Psalm 34:18 [NLT] Day 2: For those with mental illness and/or depression year, and a bunch of the schoolies Out of high school Karl studied Father God. I pray for those whose illness cannot be seen architecture, lived on a remote island in outwardly, the one many people try to keep hidden - the hurt that starts we met were supernaturally in the mind, but eats at the soul. I pray for restoration of their soul and Indonesia for two life-changing years, mind. I pray for them to find calm thoughts and rational thinking and healed from sprains and other became a primary school teacher, and wisdom in you Lord, and I pray the chaotic storm that their mind has become, through your command, let it be still. "When the righteous cry injuries. Many asked about our since the start of 2014 has been the for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Associate Pastor (Youth and Young Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. church and now plan to come Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out Adults) at Aldgate Baptist in the Adelaide visit. of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." Psalm Hills, Australia. 34:17-20 [ESV] Day 3: For those with ongoing medical and physical challenges It’s been said that the closest Among the things he can’t get enough Heavenly Father, this is my prayer for those who suffer illness, those whose bodies are failing them, or who disease has afflicted. I pray for Australia ever came to revival was of is hot summers, surfing adventures, healing for their affliction, and even if You choose to allow illness, pain when Billy Graham visited in 1959 time in the outdoors, and communicating or disability to be a part of their life’s journey, that You will help their minds and spirits to be alive and on fire with Your courage, strength and many gave their lives to the unchanging truths of Jesus with and spirit. Help them to remain strong in You and their faith. "I have people in a way that makes sense of life said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world Christ at his crusades. But let’s you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” and compels them to lifelong joyful John 16:33 [ESV] face the facts: the time is gone discipleship. Day 4: For those whose ailments affect every area of their lives Father, there are many who suffer from physical disabilities, things when everyday Aussies will fill ------that limit how they function and live, and it can be frustrating and even soul crushing for them. I pray Lord that you heal and empower them - stadiums to hear an evangelist Bibliography: body and soul, and help them to know that in You, there are no limits, Mahlburg, Kurt, 27 November 2017, that in You they are strong, that in you there is no impossible thing. preach. Now we need to go to While their journey may be impacted by their restrictions, help them to them. Culture, Worldview and Life with Jesus: I’ve Been find joy and purpose in it, and to find ways to honour You and grow To Twelve Schoolies and It Gets Better Every even closer to you. "He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For Year, available: www.kurt truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will I don’t know if revival is say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and coming to Australia, but if it is, I mahlburg.blog/2017/11/27/ive-been-to-twelve- nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 [ESV] schoolies-and-it-gets-better-every-year, Day 5: Help us who struggle with social anxieties and fears know that it will be through accessed 22/07/18 Heavenly father, I pray for those who struggle with the fear of attending church. They may stress about being in large crowds; worry that they'll be judged; or be concerned that they won’t measure up to others. I pray father that You will give them the courage they need to step through those doors, and I pray that You’ll help them to trust in You that they will be alright. Give them assurance that they will be accepted as they are in Your house, and they will not know judgement, but only love from their Christian family. "This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 [NLT] Day 6: Help those who are imprisoned by their health conditions Heavenly father, I pray for those who are restricted and feel imprisoned by their afflictions. It may be hard for them to do even the simplest of tasks. I ask father, that you free them of this pain and bondage, that you heal them in body, mind and soul. If this condition is to be a part of their journey, help them to find freedom, comfort and joy through Your Holy Spirit, and to obtain the help they need for their daily struggles. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17 [ESV] Day 7: Help all who have mental, physical or spiritual problems Lord, give peace to all of those who struggle with physical, mental and spiritual challenges. Give them hope and strength in You. Help them to know and trust in Your love, and let Your comfort, love and assurance be stronger than their pain and difficulties. Let them find rest in You, I pray. "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 [ESV]. Amen ------

These prayer suggestions were provided by SPAG’S Journalist, Michael Hannett

58 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 58 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Five Errors of the Prosperity Gospel Five Errors of the Prosperity Gospel

by David W Jones The Gospel Coalition [NOTE: previously: “Prosperity Gospel Born in the USA” (Russell Woodbridge) The following is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the 9Marks Journal on the prosperity gospel.] More than a century ago, speaking to the then - largest congregation in all Christendom, Charles Spurgeon said, “I believe that it is anti-Christian and unholy for any Christian to live with the object of accumulating wealth. You will say, ‘Are we not to strive all we can to get all the money we can?’ You may do so. I cannot doubt but what, in so doing, you may do service to the cause of God. But what I said was that to live with the object of Listen to the words of Robert While the book is too wide- accumulating wealth is anti- Tilton, one of its best-known ranging to summarise here, in this Christian.” spokesmen: article I’d like to review five Over the years, however, the “I believe that it is the will of doctrines we cover in it - doctrines message being preached in some God for all to prosper because I on which prosperity gospel of the largest churches in the see it in the Word, not because advocates err. By discerning these world has changed - indeed, a it has worked mightily for errors regarding key doctrines, I new gospel is being taught to someone else. I do not put my hope you will plainly see the many congregations today. This eyes on men, but on God who dangers of the prosperity gospel. message has been ascribed many gives me the power to get 1. The Abrahamic Covenant is a name, such as the “name it and wealth.” Means to Material Entitlement claim it” gospel, the “blab it and Teachers of the prosperity The Abrahamic covenant grab it” gospel, the “health and gospel encourage their followers (Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22) is one of wealth” gospel, the “prosperity to pray for and even demand the theological bases of the gospel,” and “positive confession material flourishing from God. prosperity gospel. It’s good that theology.” Five Theological Errors prosperity theologians recognise No matter what name is used, much of Scripture is the record of Russell Woodbridge and I the essence of this message is the the fulfilment of the Abrahamic wrote a book titled “Health, same. Simply put, this “prosperity covenant, but it’s bad that they Wealth, and Happiness: Has the gospel” teaches that God wants don’t maintain an orthodox view Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed believers to be physically healthy, of this covenant. materially wealthy, and personally the Gospel of Christ?” (Kregel, They incorrectly view the happy. 2010) to examine the claims of prosperity gospel advocates. inception of the covenant; more significantly, they erroneously

59 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 59 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Five Errors of the Prosperity Gospel view the application of the covenant. In his book “Spreading the Flame” (Zondervan, 1992), Edward Pousson stated the prosperity view on the application of the Abrahamic covenant: “Christians are Abraham’s spiritual children and heirs to the blessings of faith... This Abrahamic inheritance is unpacked primarily in terms of material entitlements.” In other words, the prosperity gospel teaches that the primary purpose of the Abrahamic coven- ant was for God to bless Abraham materially. Since believers are now Abraham’s spiritual children, we have inherited these financial “Jesus was handling big money,” and he even “wore designer clothes.” blessings. 2. Jesus’s Atonement Extends to John Avanzini proclaimed on a As Kenneth Copeland wrote in the “Sin” of Material Poverty. TBN program, Jesus had: his 1974 book “The Laws of In his Bibliotheca Sacra article “a nice house,” Prosperity:” “A Theological Evaluation of the “a big house,” “Since God’s covenant has Prosperity Gospel,” theologian “Jesus was handling big been established and prosperity Ken Sarles observes how the money,” and is a provision of this covenant, prosperity gospel claims that: he even “wore designer you need to realise that “…both physical healing clothes.” prosperity belongs to you and financial prosperity have It’s easy to see how such a now!” been provided for in the warped view of the life of Christ To support this claim, atonement.” could lead to an equally warped prosperity teachers appeal to This seems to be an accurate misconception of the death of Galatians 3:14, which refers to: observation in light of Copeland’s Christ. “the blessings of Abraham statement that: A second error that leads to a [that] come upon the Gentiles in “…the basic principle of the faulty view of the atonement is Christ Jesus.” [ESV] Christian life is to know that misinterpreting 2 Corinthians 8:9, It’s interesting, however, that in God put our sin, sickness, which reads: their appeals to Galatians 3:14 disease, sorrow, grief, and “For you know the grace of our these teachers ignore the second poverty on Jesus at Calvary.” Lord Jesus Christ, that though he half of the verse: This misunderstanding of the was rich, yet for your sakes he “that we might receive the scope of the atonement stems from became poor, that you through his promise of the Spirit through two errors prosperity gospel poverty might become rich.” [ESV] faith.” [ESV] proponents make. While a shallow reading of this Paul is clearly reminding the First, many who espouse verse may lead one to believe Paul Galatians of the spiritual blessing prosperity theology have a was teaching about an increase in of salvation, not the material fundamental misconception of the material wealth, a contextual blessing of wealth. life of Jesus. For example, teacher reading reveals he was actually

60 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 60 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Five Errors of the Prosperity Gospel teaching the exact opposite referred to as the “Law of “There are certain laws principle. Compensation.” According to this governing prosperity revealed Indeed, Paul was teaching the law - purportedly based on Mark in God’s Word. Faith causes Corinthians that since Christ 10:30 - Christians should give them to function.” accomplished so much for them generously to others because This is obviously a faulty, through the atonement, they when they do, God gives back perhaps even heretical, under- should empty themselves of their more in return. This, in turn, leads standing of faith. to a cycle of ever-increasing riches in service of the Saviour. According to prosperity theo- prosperity. This is why just five short logy, faith is not a God-granted, verses later Paul would urge the As Gloria Copeland put it in God-centred act of the will. Corinthians to give their wealth her 2012 book, “God’s Will is Rather, it is a humanly wrought away to their needy brothers, Prosperity:” spiritual force, directed at God. writing: “Give $10 and receive Indeed, any theology that “…that now at this time your $1,000; give $1,000 and receive views faith chiefly as a means to abundance may supply their lack” $100,000... In short, Mark 10:30 material gain rather than justifica- 2 Corinthians 8:14 [ESV] is a very good deal.” tion before God must be judged 3. Christians Give in Order to It’s evident, then, that the inadequate at best. Gain Material Compensation prosperity gospel’s doctrine of 5. Prayer is a Tool to Force God from God. giving is built on faulty motives. to Grant Prosperity Whereas Jesus taught his disciples One of the most striking Prosperity gospel preachers to: characteristics of the prosperity often note we: “give, hoping for nothing in theologians is their seeming “have not because we ask not” return” Luke 10:35 [ESV] fixation on the act of giving. We James 4:2 [ESV] are urged to give generously and prosperity theologians teach their They encourage us to pray for are confronted with pious disciples to give because they will personal success in all areas of life. statements like: get a great return. As Creflo Dollar writes: “True prosperity is the 4. Faith is a Self-Generated “When we pray, believing ability to use God’s power to Spiritual Force that Leads to that we have already received meet the needs of mankind in Prosperity what we are praying, God has any realm of life,” and, Whereas orthodox Christianity no choice but to make our understands faith to be trust in the “We have been called to prayers come to pass... It is a person of Jesus Christ, prosperity finance the gospel to the key to getting results as a teachers espouse something quite world.” Christian.” different. While such statements may Prayers for personal blessing “Faith is a spiritual force, a appear praiseworthy, this aren’t inherently wrong, of course, spiritual energy, a spiritual emphasis on giving is built on but the prosperity gospel’s over- power. It is this force of faith motives that are anything but emphasis on man turns prayer which makes the laws of the philanthropic. into a tool believers can use to spirit world function,” ` The driving force behind this force God to grant their desires. Copeland writes in The Laws of teaching on giving is what Within prosperity theology, Prosperity. prosperity teacher Robert Tilton man - not God - becomes the focal point of prayer. Curiously, prosperity preachers often ignore the second half of James’s teaching on prayer: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend

61 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 61 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Five Errors of the Prosperity Gospel & Kooky Corner it on your passions” Biography: James 4:3 [ESV] David W. Jones is a professor and author working in the field of Christian God does not answer selfish ethics. Dr. Jones is currently serving as requests that do not honour His Professor of Christian Ethics, Associate name. Dean for Graduate Program Admini - stration, and Director of the Th.M. Certainly all our requests program at Southeastern Baptist should be made known to God Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC, (e.g., Philippians 4:6), but the USA) where he has been teaching since prosperity gospel focuses so much 2001. on man’s desires that it may lead Dr Jones holds a B.S. pastoral people to pray selfish, shallow, ministries, an M.Div. in pastoral ministry, and a Ph.D. in theological studies with an superficial prayers that don’t emphasis in Christian ethics. Dr Jones’ bring God glory. scholarly interests include biblical ethics, Further, when coupled with the material stewardship (including financial ethics, environmental ethics, and related prosperity doctrine of faith, this issues), and topics related to marriage and teaching may lead people to family life. © Miss Terry Woman attempt to manipulate God to get Dr Jones serves as a Fellow at the L. what they want - a futile task. This Russ Bush Center for Faith & Culture, and Advertising Promotion is far removed from praying is a Research Fellow at the SBC Ethics & “Your will be done.” Religious Liberty Commission. ~ Miss Terry Woman ~ Dr Jones is the author of many books ~ Miss Terry Woman ~ False Gospel and articles over a wide range of moral www.missterrywoman.com In light of Scripture, the and theological issues. His literary works prosperity gospel is funda- have been translated into numerous foreign languages. Dr Jones is a moral From classic to quirky, you can mentally flawed. At bottom, it is a consultant as well as a regular speaker at find a huge variety of products false gospel because of its faulty colleges, seminaries, academic con - view of the relationship between ferences, professional society meetings, with graphic designs created by churches, camps, radio shows, and other God and man. Simply put, if the Australian Christian artist Vicki prosperity gospel is true, grace is ministry - related events. obsolete, God is irrelevant, and Additionally, Dr Jones has experience Nunn: in pastoral and church - planting ministry,  Clothing; man is the measure of all things. denominational work, Bible teaching and Whether they’re talking about curriculum design, and has served as  Kitchenware; the Abrahamic covenant, the Associate Editor of The Journal for Biblical  Manhood and Womanhood and is a Phone covers; atonement, giving, faith, or prayer, referee for The Journal of the Evangelical  Clocks; prosperity teachers turn the Theological Society. Dr Jones also serves  relationship between God and as a theological reviewer of manuscripts Canvases; man into a quid pro quo trans- for several major Christian publishers,  Stationery; action. and holds memberships in many  theological and ethical organisations. and so much more! As James Goff noted in a 1990 ------There'll be something to please Christianity Today article, God is: Bibliography: David W Jones, 5 June 2015, available: you at 'Miss Terry Woman.' “…reduced to a kind of www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/5-errors-of- ‘cosmic bellhop’ attending to the-prosperity-gospel/, accessed 31/07/18 You can find links to her four the needs and desires of his [ESV] English Standard Version The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: creation.” 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a different shops at: This is a wholly inadequate and publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. www.missterrywoman.com unbiblical view of the relationship between God and man. [END] ------

62 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 62 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Rest Ministries: Are You Pacing Too Much and Missing God’s Calls?

Are You Pacing Too Much and Missing God’s Calls?

by Lisa Copen

Sometimes we pace ourselves so much we start holding onto the security of whatever we consider our safety net. Lisa shares. “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat or if I am just pacing myself so I call have to do with following and their father and followed have the energy to do what is Jesus?” Him.” most important for the Lord and I have found that the most Matthew 4:19-22 [NIV] my family. important divine appointments When was the last time Jesus As I write this I have a list of are orchestrated because I did called you to do something and five different companies to call something I didn’t feel like doing. you did it immediately? Or … regarding billing issues - I have made countless connect- when did you last do anything including a pharmacy and my ions with receptionists and immediately? medical insurance. I am dreading telemarketers over the years. Just Living with illness can be the energy I must dedicate to each yesterday I ran into an compared to running a marathon, of these conversations, and yet, acquaintance at Dollar Tree – an not a sprint. It is all about pacing every day, if I listen closely and errand I forced myself to run, to ourselves. I pace long-term plans, avoid procrastination, the Holy grab some school supplies. Spirit can point me towards what I trying my best to not sabotage an I didn’t know she had a son event I must attend in the future should do. who was hurting, or as a mom she (like my sister’s wedding). But I It is easy for us to say, “Well, if was tired. Without even question- also pace myself every single day - Jesus showed up today and said ing, I asked her if she and her as you likely do. ‘follow Me’ I would go! What does husband would want to join our I struggle to decide if I am a doctor’s appointment or a phone local small group for Bible study becoming more of a procrastinator and support.

63 63 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Rest Ministries: Are You Pacing Too Much and Missing God’s Calls? & Tantalising Trivia

We never know where God will when God calls us to go. It doesn’t Organisation Promotion lead us and who He has prepared involve logic or reason - just trust - for us to reach out to. fully trust! Australia Next time you look at your ‘to- This is Jeremy Camp singing, “I do list,’ consider this: am Willing.” Are you willing – Since its founding in 2002, Christian even when you don’t understand Today Australia has become the Are you taking a risk and leading non-denominational Christian or cannot predict how it will all immediately leaving your boat news website in the country. Christian and your nets – that which you turn out? [END] Today Australia gains affiliation to the depend on – and following ------Christian Today network based in the Jesus where He leads you? Biography: UK, and is part of the CMCI Group, the world's largest Christian news Lisa Copen began RestMinistries.com Prayer: Father, I know You want company. me to learn to manage my illness in 1996, a non-profit, Christian organisation for those who live with Christian Today Australia's vision effectively, but it is so easy to slip into chronic illness. Their daily devotionals stems from the calling to establish the caring for myself–rather than send out encouragement to people around kingdom of God on earth through following Your promptings and then the world. media by serving as a platform from letting You take care of me. I don’t She has written a number of books on which Truth is presented according to want to miss out on an opportunity to living with chronic illness, one of the more Matthew 5:37, "Simply let your 'Yes' be bless someone because I was so recent ones is “Refresh Me, Lord.” It is a 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No.'" book of prayers on topics related to the The publication aims to bring unity rigorously pacing myself and caring everyday struggles of having a chronic among Christians across all for my own needs. Give me illness, while praying the scriptures. denominations and restore God as the discernment and help me trust Your Lisa has lived with rheumatoid centre of the nation. voice. Amen. arthritis for over 20 years and resides in San Diego, CA, USA with her husband Web: www.christiantoday.com.au When was the last time you did and son. something even though it didn’t Contact us at: www.christiantoday.com.au/contactus Lisa’s books include, “Why Can’t I make much sense and you felt Make People Understand?” which are God blessed your efforts? available from various sources. Do you believe one can get ------Tantalising Trivia caught up in pacing ourselves too Bibliography: If you’re left-handed then I'm sure much and miss out on God’s last Copen, Lisa, 17 September 2014, Rest you'll be fascinated by the following lefty Ministries: Are You Pacing Too Much and facts: minute appointments? Missing God’s Calls?, available: www.rest Of the general population, between 5 Song Link: It can be hard to go ministries.com/blog/2014/09/17/pacing-much- and 15% are left-handed, but in mental missing-gods-calls/, accessed 31/08/18 institutions, between 15 and 30% of the population are lefties! Left-handed people tend to fit more into the ends of the intelligence scale, ie they tend to be either quite dim-witted or extremely intelligent with IQs over 140. While you may be the more intelligent of the lefties, you may be horrified to discover that lefties tend to be more prone to insomnia, migraines, allergies, schizophrenia and alcoholism than right-handed people.

64 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 64 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Modern Missionaries: PNG Adventures - A Time for Learning Modern Missionaries: PNG Adventures ~ A Time for Learning ~

by Liz Gill the middle of that process right Culture and Language now. Others are just about to Acquisition move into a village and begin this Outside of the classroom, we work. Still others are missionaries Interface spent a lot of time on what they serving in support roles. call culture and language Throughout the months of June They all have first-hand acquisition (CLA). CLA is the first and July, I had the privilege of experience with what they are thing missionaries must do when participating in an amazing short- teaching us. They share the good, they go into a new tribe. term missions program called the bad, and the ugly, and yet, Interface (ITF). If we aren’t fluent in someone’s they all believe they have the best language and culture, it is very Held every year, for 6-8 weeks, and most important job in the difficult to effectively teach them in Papua New Guinea (PNG), world. something new. With such an Interface introduces adults from Our classes included a important message as the gospel, all over the world to cross-cultural chronological overview of the our missionaries want to be sure missions. It considers the many, Bible, from eternity to eternity; that they communicate it as clearly varied roles people must play in lessons on phonetics and language as possible! order for others to hear the gospel learning; and topics such as in their heart language – from the During ITF, we applied these prayer, worship, decision making Church who sends and supports CLA principles to try to learn and many more. missionaries, to the team planting a new Church, as well as all the The Redemptive Threads people it takes to get that team There is something very their groceries. powerful about studying the I was originally asked to join narrative of the Bible as a whole. It ITF as the nurse: looking after the was wonderfully assuring to see twenty-five students plus staff and God’s redemptive plan for their families. With the hope that mankind woven throughout all of my nursing skills would not be history. It was challenging to be needed too much, I was then reminded of how often we try to asked if I would like to participate do things our own way instead of as a student as well. It was a little trusting God’s plan and timing. strange for me to take off my It was incredibly interesting to missionary hat and go back to hear how these stories, which are being a student after having very familiar to me, were served over a year in the field, but understood when they were heard there is always more that we can for the very first time by people learn. here in PNG. The teaching is all undertaken It’s confronting to consider that by missionaries. Some have been while I grew up hearing these in PNG for many years, seen a truths over and over again, there Church planted and maturing, are millions of people in this and translated a significant country who still have not heard portion of the Bible. Some are in them for the first time. New skill: climbing a coconut tree

65 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 65 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Modern Missionaries: PNG Adventures - A Time for Learning Pidgin and Papua New Guinean At other times, we just sat from theoretical to real life – real culture. down with small groups of locals places, real people, real eternities. Some CLA sessions were very and tried to talk to them and learn Special Things I Learned from them. Fortunately, Pidgin is hands on like learning to climb a I could go on all day about the close enough to English that we coconut tree; shopping at the lessons that God taught me during were all able to learn some of the market; starting a fire without ITF but there a few particularly language! It also helps that the matches; preparing and cooking special ones that I want to share PNG people are very patient with food over an open fire; and with you. gardening. us. Possibly the most powerful Overall, the month of classes at lesson I observed in Yifki is the the New Tribes Mission base near power of God to transform lives. Madang were hugely insightful On so many levels, Yifki is and challenging! Even after being different to anywhere else in PNG a part of the mission here in PNG that I have visited. for a year and a half, I learnt so Eighteen years ago, Jonathan much!! and Susan Kopf and their But the highlight of the ITF teammates, moved into another program is the week-long side-trip village nearby. They spent four to an established Church plant. years learning the Hewan My team went to a village called New skill: preparing local food. language and culture and then Yifki to learn from the Kopf family presented the Gospel. and the Hewan people. At that time, only ten people in Each group of students was the whole village believed God. At paired up with someone from the that point there had been an village who had volunteered to be increase in violence in that area, so our language helper. We had to the missionaries had to leave apply what we had learnt about shortly after. CLA to try to learn some Hewan. Jonathan, however, felt They also taught us about New skill: learning to cook over an open fire responsible for these baby village life – gardening, cooking, believers and made trips back to building, hunting, etc. Things that visit them when he could. One of are simple and everyday life for them asked Jonathan if he and them are strange and awkward for Susan would move into his us. family’s village. They agreed and The Yifki people were so began again the process of gracious to put their lives on hold teaching literacy and Bible lessons. for a week to teach us so much! This time when they presented In addition to our CLA time, Jesus’ death and resurrection, the we all had a lot of fun together majority of the village trusted God whether hiking through the for their salvation. jungle, playing volley ball and A few years later, the people soccer, or worshipping God. decided they needed an airstrip. Despite our limited language They scoured the area for an ability, we grew connected with appropriate location and hacked these people in a special way. an airstrip out of the rainforest by This time in Yifki really hand. They then moved the whole cemented what we’d been village down to the airstrip.

Old skill: enjoying the local cuisine learning in Madang. It took things

66 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 66 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Modern Missionaries: PNG Adventures - A Time for Learning Today, 80-90% of the people in and noticed that the Bible was Yifki profess faith in God. As they being read in four different have built their new village, they languages: Hewan, Pidgin, have sought to build a community German and English. that honours God. Their whole How wonderful that we could worldview has changed and that all be reading the same amazing makes them different from all the truth about God at the same time other Hewans around them. in our own language!! Jonathan has written their One Family story in a book called “Canopy of No matter where we are from, Darkness.” I am reading it at the or what language we speak, all moment and I would encourage believers are one family! One day you, to get your hands on a copy! we will all praise God together!! A number of times over the One very personal lesson, that I course of ITF, I was reminded of am constantly needing to learn, the following verses. came to me while we were hiking “After this I looked, and behold, to “spirit rock”. a great multitude that no one Spirit rock is a large formation could number, from every nation, down in the river bed. For us, a 2½ from all tribes and peoples and hour hike from Yifki. languages, standing before the Traditionally, the Hewan people throne and before the Lamb, believed that spirits came from clothed in white robes, with palm this rock. If they went too close to branches in their hands, and it, the spirits would attack them. crying out with a loud voice, The fact that they are now free “Salvation belongs to our God who from that fear and willing to take sits on the throne, and to the us down to the river is an amazing Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 [ESV] testimony, though that is not the One night, a small group of us only lesson I learned that day. were singing worship songs I was also struck by the around the campfire, when the beautiful picture of trust we were two German girls started singing living out. along in German. It was incredibly We were hiking through the special to be able to praise God together in our different jungle (and by ‘hiking’ I mean, slipping and sliding up and down languages! the mountains), to a place none of Again, at the Church service in us knew, being led by people we Yifki, I looked around at one point barely knew, and we couldn’t even speak their language, but Jonathan and Susan said we could trust them, so we did. We’d only know Jonathan and Susan for a few days but they’re missionaries so they must be ok,

right? They are! And it was... it was a great day! These are our brothers and sisters in Christ, each They hacked an air-strip out of the jungle … by and every one of us are part of the same family, hand! Then they moved their entire village there. no matter our background, our language, our history or where we live.

67 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 67 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Modern Missionaries: PNG Adventures - A Time for Learning; & Jerusalem Journal

ירושלים יומן Jerusalem Journal ‘Madman’ Jesus Causes Havoc in Temple at least two ‘husbands.’ He convinced by Abel Lissnar the crowd not to stone her, despite April 30AD God’s clear command about adulterers. The ‘miracle man,’ Jesus of If he wants to win the people’s Nazareth, has been gaining notoriety favour and sway them to believe he’s over the past three years, with large the Messiah, he’s going to have to start mobs gathering wherever he goes, associating with a better class of people, likely hoping to see him perform and toady up to our highest clerics. another magic trick or a ‘healing.’ The following day he travelled onto He preaches around the Jerusalem. I arrived shortly before him countryside, with his regular band of as I’d been delayed by the larger than 12 followers, some of whom come from usual crowds due to the Passover quite disreputable backgrounds. Festival. His preaching draws ever larger As he approached the gates on a crowds, and the talk of him being the donkey, the people began singing the Messiah has not dissipated, despite pilgrim song, “God bless the One who warnings and threats from our comes in the name of the Lord,” and religious leaders. laid palm leaves on the road in front of But why was it so easy to trust As yet, this impoverished carpenter him, as if he was an important celebrity. these people I didn’t know, when has never claimed the title, preferring to Then on Monday Jesus entered the so often I won’t trust God who I keep out of trouble with our own temple’s outer courtyard and almost do know? leaders and likely steering clear of the immediately caused havoc, yelling at the merchants who were selling birds When one little girl took my Romans for fear of retribution. for sacrifice, turning over tables, spilling hand and started leading me a He almost caused a riot when he went into Jericho recently. I was in the their coins and breaking cages. Angrily different way than everyone else, I area and when I caught up with the he shouted “The Scriptures say, ‘My didn’t think twice about letting excited crowd, I saw Jesus talking to house should be called a place of her lead me. In the same way, I someone in a tree. It was the chief tax worship for all nations.’ But you have need to trust God. He knows collector Zaccheus whose main claim to turned it into a den of thieves!” where I need to go. I know that I’d fame is he’s the likely the shortest man The people have been complaining be completely lost and helpless in that city, and one of the most for years about the extortionate prices at disliked! the temple, but nothing is ever done. without Him, so, I need to trust This Jesus certainly has a compelling, Him without question. The crowd began to turn ugly though when that thief came down and authoritative style, but by the This is a timeless lesson and Jesus asked Zaccheus if he would invite expression I noticed on the faces of the one I have been taught many his group home. Although the little man chief priests, he’s not winning any times. This is one I’m sure I’ll was surprised, he agreed. important friends there. continue to learn on a deeper and The crowd began to break up at that A source within the temple claims that the priests have been in discussion deeper level, because there is point, many angry that Jesus was socialising with such a notorious sinner, about putting a stop to Jesus’ erratic always more we can learn. [END] but this only confirms his earlier and appalling behaviours. ------behaviour, demonstrating his desire to Hopefully once the festival ends, Biography: mix with our society’s scum. Jesus will take his rag-tag group of Elizabeth Gill has been a Registered My understanding is that some of reprobates back out into the countryside Nurse with New Tribes Mission in Papua Jesus’ closest followers include a former and stop stirring up trouble in New Guinea since February 2017. You can female publican and we know what Jerusalem. [END] follow Liz on Instagram. kind of people they are! He befriends ------Bibliography: the lowest in our society, and at one No name, undated, The Bible Journey: Jesus Entry into Jerusalem, available: www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney1/ time even defended a woman who had 6-jesuss-last-journey-to-jerusalem/jesuss-entry-into-jerusalem/, accessed 01/09/18

68 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 68 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ A-Musings: Close Encounters of the Cockroach Kind Close Encounters of the Cockroach Kind by Vicki Nunn

I fear that I have become too well acquainted with cockroaches over the years. What is it about these insects that cause so many of us to shriek with terror at the mere sight of them? Looking back over the years, I recall that I have had four styles of encounters with the dreaded little beasties, but before I share more sleep flicking them off when they can of insect killer from the about those occurrences, let me crawled over his skin. kitchen cupboard and went over explain why I developed such an and sprayed it. aversion in the first place. He recollected one night when he woke up from a sound sleep I stepped back, waiting for it to As a young child, I remember and found he was chewing on fall down and die. Instead, it clung my grandmother regaling us with something, just as he’d been onto the wall as if enjoying the a horrifying tale about a cockroach dreaming about eating something view, and so I sprayed it again that had crept inside her ear while delicious! and waited… and again… and she was sleeping – and had died again, until it was coated with in there! This may help you to understand my dread of the white foaming liquid. My little eyes opened wide horrible things and the way that I I reckon if I'd been courageous with revulsion and horror, and for reacted the year I turned twenty. enough to step in for a closer look, years afterwards I imagined that 1. The sadistic cockroach that the rotten thing would have been cockroach kicking its legs in its wouldn’t die grinning sadistically at me. death-throws inside my grand- mother's ear canal, while she In my flat one night, an I wondered why it was still alive, and when I glanced at the frantically tried to dig it out! enormous cockroach that I swear was almost the size of a can I was holding, I realised I Then there was my father who wasn’t using insect killer but it loved to entertain us with stories volkswagon, flew in through an open window and immediately was instead a tin of air-freshener. of his adventures, including the honed in on me. No matter where While I hadn't managed to kill period when he worked as a I went running, screaming, with the cockroach, when it returned signalman in the railway. my arms flailing about in home, it sure was going to smell At the time he was required to revulsion, the wretched creature nice to its friends and family. stay overnight in the tiny signal would fling itself off the wall and 2. The hallway through hell cabin. In between trains he’d catch aim itself directly at me. a nap on the floor. In fact, one One of the flats I rented years In the vast expanse of that night he managed to catch more ago was in a dilapidated old large, two storey flat where I was than a few winks. Queenslander that hadn't been the only occupant that night, it The hordes of cockroaches that bug-sprayed for probably half a persisted in trying to land on me! century. Consequently it became lived there would scurry about at Eventually, I managed to cockroach central for a vast night, and dad spent most of his bravely run past it and snatched a breeding crowd of the vile critters.

69 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 69 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ A-Musings: Close Encounters of the Cockroach Kind & Tantalising Trivia

I used to dread having to use understand, he had likely never the old bathroom at the back of thrown anything out and possibly the building at night. Not only may never have cleaned it either. Share your true drama story was it completely dark with no It didn't seem to matter what lights down that long, LONG story cockroach baits or repellents my Do you have a great Christian corridor, there was always at least flatmate and I placed around our story about something that happened thirty huge cockroaches between home, the creatures seemed to be to you? Send it into us for me and bladder relief. breeding faster than we could consideration - you may just see your Sometimes they would join me manage to kill them. name in print and be able to boast in the bathroom, just in case I felt After termites were discovered about it! lonely. in the building, the place was Perhaps you’ve got a great 3. Toilet rule number 1 treated for white-ants, and for six writing talent and are keen to contribute as a regular volunteer glorious months, we were In another rental property, an journalist on the SPAG Team. enormous fig tree overhung the cockroach-free! For more information, contact the residence, from which cockroaches Then slowly they began to Editor, Vicki Nunn via email on: used to dive in for regular visits. reappear. The next wave of the [email protected] bugs though were seriously I developed a very important or phone (+61) 042 44 33 772 rule while I lived there which I messed up, with mutated,

still observe to this day: shrivelled up, useless little wings. ALWAYS check the black toilet One night we received a visit Tantalising Trivia seat for cockroaches before sitting from an albino cockroach. As it skittered down the wall beside Did you like to play pirates when you down. were young? Sorry to have to break it to me, I thumped the wall-panel next Yes, I personally learned that you, but two often repeated ideas from to it. The creature received the lesson the hard way, and no Hollywood movies are myths. fright of its life, and flung itself off amount of scrubbing made me feel Buried treasure and walking the plank the wall, preparing to fly away clean. are a load of old parrot droppings. because in its tiny cockroach brain, When you think about it, how likely 4. A unique, scientific find it was engineered to believe that it would it be that a shipload of tough, worldly At one time I rented a flat in a could still fly. Instead, after pirates would trust their captain to keep lovely old house that unfortu- their treasure safe for them? In reality, once leaping from the wall, it loot was taken from a captured ship, it was nately was home to a plague of immediately fell to the floor. almost immediately shared out amongst the small, brown cockroaches. I realised at that moment that crew, and most pirates took it home for their families, or gambled their treasures They emanated in their dozens I’d discovered a rare albino, from the flat next door where the away. Burying treasure on a deserted island mutant, kamikaze cockroach! I’m would have seemed like insanity! resident had lived for more than sure there are few other people Secondly, walking the plank would have twenty years. From what I who can make that boast! [END] been a waste of time, when they could simply have thrown people overboard, or skewered them with their cutless. While we're on the theme, many pirates had nicknames and aliases like ‘Bluebeard’ so their families couldn’t be identified, otherwise they might be punished for their relative’s crimes, or used as a bargaining chip to lure the pirate back home. “Well, shiver me timbers!” Sorry, but that’s likely phoney as well, along with most of the piratey-type jargon spoken in old films!

70 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 70 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Puzzle Page: Spot the Difference Puzzle Page Spot the Difference Here’s a new type of puzzle we haven’t shared before. Can you spot the 21 differences between the original image at the top and the one below it? Some are easy and some are really tough! How good are your eyes? Answer on page

Answer on page 73

71 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 71 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Low-Carb Recipes

LOW-CCARB RECIPES Easy recipes for one or two people, with regular supermarket ingredients. All recipes have been tried and tested, right in Kristie’s Kitchen!

ENTRÉE: Bacon, Cheesy Brussel Sprouts Italian Meatballs continued: (serves 2) Instructions: Ingredients: There are two choices here, and while they start 8-10 fresh brussel sprouts (not frozen) out the same, they are two options about how you 50-75g of full-fat Brie (not light) want to serve them. As shown in the photo, you can 2-3 strips of streaky bacon 2-3 tbsp olive oil use them for a party or as an entrée, or you can cook Salt & pepper Toothpicks it in the sauce in a pot as a main course. Instructions: Begin by combining meat, cheeses, cream, garlic Preheat the oven to 180oC (350oF.) Cut the brussel and seasonings in a bowl. Mix until well combined, sprouts in half and toss gently in the olive oil until but don’t over-mix. well covered. Place onto an uncovered baking tray, Heat the oil in a large pot on low-medium heat. then sprinkle on salt and pepper. Cook in the oven While the oil is heating, use an ice-cream scoop or for 15-20 minutes or until tender, gently shaking round spoon to scoop up the meat mixture, then once or twice. make into balls. While they’re baking, cook up the strips of bacon Gently brown the meatballs in the hot oil, but be and wipe off any excess oil. Cut the bacon into careful because they’re more delicate than standard pieces just a little wider than the brussel sprouts. meatballs as they’re held together with dairy rather Remove the brussel sprouts from the oven, then than breadcrumbs. When the meatballs have place a piece of brie on, then bacon and basil leaf browned on all sides and cooked through, here are on the top. You can make more two options: of these as individual ones or Your two choices: place the second half of the 1. Meatballs in pasta sauce; or brussel sprouts on the top before 2. Skewered meatballs skewering. Option 1: place the meatballs into Place back into the oven for a pot, then pour the pasta sauce a further 5-10 minutes until it over the top. heats through and the cheese Stir gently to combine. Turn softens, and serve immediately. the temperature to low, cover the pot and simmer for ten minutes, gently stirring once or twice. MAIN COURSE: Italian Meatballs (serves 2-3) Option 2: dollop a little tomato paste over each Ingredients: meatball. Cut the extra parmesan into pieces and 500g (1lb) ground beef 1 tbsp full-fat cream place a piece on top of each meatball. Then finish ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp Italian seasoning with a basil leaf on the top if you like, and skewer ¼ tsp pepper 2 tbsp olive oil with a toothpick. Place into a heated grill and cook 1 tsp garlic paste or crushed garlic until all ingredient have heated through, then serve. ⅛ cup whole milk ricotta cheese (drained) Note: There’s no need for extra sauce as these are ⅛ cup Parmesan cheese (+ extra Parmesan cheese if very flavoursome… you want them skewered) Gustoso! (tasty!) 1 cup tomato & basil pasta sauce (no sugar & low ------carb) or low carb herbed tomato paste Bibliography: Fresh basil leaves and/or toothpicks (optional) Wieland, Jennifer, undated, My Sweet Sanity: LCHF Italian Meatballs, available: www.mysweetsanity.com/lchf-italian-meatballs/, accessed 22/08/18

72 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 72 ~ Single Person Approved by God ~ Next issue, Bibliography and Puzzle Answers Next quarter’s issue: ~ You can so easily help this ministry! ~ I urge you to seriously consider supporting us. Perhaps a one-off donation, or purchase something from our online store (www.spagmag.com), or set up your bank account to donate a regular amount. Even $5 a month can make a difference, considering that in the last year we have received less than $200. As you can imagine, that doesn’t cover the many costs we encounter. How about getting together with a group of 9 friends and each throw in a couple of dollars a week for a year, and hey presto - you’ve covered our internet costs, web fees and our post office box rental. That would be amazing, and would reduce the ongoing financial stress currently placed on our Editor, Vicki Nunn, who pays all costs out of her own disability pension. ~ Thank you for considering how you can make a difference. ~

~Answer~

Did you guess what the item is Puzzle Page in the close-up image on the top ~Answer~ right from page 14? Spot the Difference If you guessed a dog’s nose then Did you enjoy our newest type of puzzle on page 71? If well done! You deserve a big sloppy so, there are plenty more to come. Here are your answers: doggy kiss, or how about a juicy 1. Instrument is longer; 2. Part of trombone is missing; bone? Now drop and roll over! 3. Shirt colour changed; 4. Instrument case a different shape; 5. Concrete has changed colour; 6. Book is now green; 7. Internally, the instrument colour has changed; 8. Trombone part is much longer; 9. Music stand is missing; 10. Bag has changed colour; 11. Man’s hair has changed; Answ 12. Bag colour has changed; 13. Music book has changed; er 14. Music case is longer; 15. Tiles have changed; on 16. Instrument is bigger; 17. Stripes on shirt now a page different colour; 18. Suspenders have disappeared; 59 19. Man now wears a cap; 20. Book is missing; and 21. Person has disappeared. 16. Instrument is bigger;

BIBLIOGRAPHY: [Voice] The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. [NLT] New Living Translation, Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundati on. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. [ESV] English Standard Version, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 17 December, 1998, “What’s in a Name: Reflections of an Irrepressible Name Collector” by Paul Dickson, Published by Merriam Webster, ISBN 13: 9780877796138

73 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 73 Cape Otw~a Singley, V Personicto Approvedria, A ubys Godtra ~l ia

74 ~ Issue 14 Sep - Nov 2018 ~ 74