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No. 376 THE GOOD NEWS PAPER

Anger is Sparks Fun pages for When a How spiders Summer over and a love children child keep focus garden Page 9 like fire Pages loses hope tips Page 3 Page 3 Page 4 5,6,7 Page 8 Page 11 NO FAME NO SHAME From acting fame to humble taxi cab, Frank Rautenbach shares why life’s disappointments put things into perspective

Frank s a lead actor in The Bang Bang Club and Faith his degree and wedding to Leigh When a top Hollywood agency Rautenbach Like Potatoes, Frank Rautenbach appears every in 1996. offered to represent Frank, he recently bit the wealthy artisan of his Hollywood fraternity, Upon scoring a lead role in drove 10,000km to auditions visited Australia Abut a conversation with him will instead reveal a an Afrikaans TV drama Swende and invested in further acting and NZ to man who now feels no shame in being a humble Iaan in 2000 and a record with training, but did not fi nd a sin- encourage child LA taxi driver. Sony BMG, Frank explains, gle gig. sponsorship for “It’s amazing”, the 42-year-old “[The fame] got so silly that I Instead tragedy seemed to sur- World Vision screen veteran says about his new would be paid more than one round him with multiple deaths workplace, which he fondly names “I was a TV episode to appear at birthday in the family, and he and his wife “the counsel cab”. slave to parties.” were childless after 12 years and “Do you know how many He then starred in a Sony- four miscarriages. broken-hearted people live in my career backed biopic Faith Like Pota- By this time Faith like Pota- Los Angeles? I’ve had people toes about South African potato toes was so successful that Sony in my car who are multi- and I farmer and Christian evange- fl oated a follow-up but, when millionaires, and they have so list Angus Buchan, which was this did not eventuate, Frank much shame that they can’t didn’t viewed by over 120 million and was crushed. see straight.” quickly sold 20 million DVDs. Early one morning in Novem- Movie success was more even Following this dramatic ber 2011, he felt a severe dread happy accident than inten- success and a move from that his career was at its natural tional for Frank but this know it” Johannesburg to Los Angeles, end in his 40s. did not stop him from the storms of life would pierce Frank began praying to the feeling worthless when Frank’s ‘be good to do good’ God he had fi rst trusted in at age it ended. formula. 18, saying, “I have loved you and “I was a slave to my career and I didn’t even The makers of Faith Like obeyed you, but after 20 years I know it,” he honestly confesses. Potatoes cast him as South have no evidence you have been “I thought that because I was good – keeping African cricketer Hansie Cronje here.” God’s rules – I was doing well in my career.” in another biopic Hansie with a “I had very conveniently forgot What he had not realised, he says, was “I million dollar budget. A series that I was still breathing, had a wanted heaven a lot, but not God”. of budget and cinema release healthy body and had food and Frank’s accidental fame in South Africa mistakes resulted in a single pay- running water,” Frank adds. began while modelling and fi lming commer- cheque three years later, just a “I then read from the Bible, ‘If cials to pay off his economics degree. A global third of what he expected. God did not spare His own Son Mentos TV commercial in 1994 that ran for four Another promising role came (Jesus) in whom He was well years thrust him into the spotlight and paid for in 2010 when he was cast in a pleased from the wilderness, why big-budget Hollywood fi lm The do you think He will spare you?’” Bang Bang Club as one of four As he kept reading and pray- South African photographers ing, weeks later it became clear during the 1994 South African that God was teaching him that Expect the unexpected Apartheid riots. Again, his pay- he worshipped his career above check was barely enough to pay all. There is something serious we can living expenses. ● Turn to page 2 all learn from a batsman, a croco- dile hunter and a princess… A few days shy of his twenty-sixth birthday, the startling death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes in November Family shifted the fragility of life to the foreground as our nation mourned the unexpected loss of another national fi gure. races into The fatal brain haemorrhage Hughes suffered after a bouncer struck the back of his neck during a match at the history Sydney Cricket Ground was an accident that no one could predict. books It takes me back to our collective disbelief when a sting- ray’s barb ended the life of 44-year-old crocodile hunter and BACK PAGE Phillip wildlife campaigner Steve Irwin in September 2006. Hughes ● Turn to page 2 www.challengenews.org 2 • Edition 376 Expect the CURSED WORLD EXPLAINS EBOLA DISEASE unexpected BY DR JONATHAN SARFATI For the last year or so, a deadly epi- ● From page 1 demic has ravaged West Africa. The The car accident that killed culprit is the Ebola virus, named after 36-year-old landmine and AIDS the Ebola River in the Democratic campaigner Princess Diana in Republic of the Congo. This causes August 1997 was another tragic a high-grade fever accompanied by death that rocked our nation to its abnormal bleeding, both internal and core in the past few decades. external—hence the term ‘viral haem- All were greatly-admired people orrhagic fever’—plus other nasty doing exceptional things, leaving us things like diarrhoea and vomiting. Half of the deaths in the latest outbreak are in Liberia, to question why each died so young Ebola disease is especially danger- like this one in the capital Monrovia and without the opportunity to even ous because it turns the body’s own say goodbye to loved ones. immune system against it. animals, keeping soil fertile, keeping for sick Africans, including Ebola Life seems so unfair but the reality What is Ebola virus? water clean and regulating gases in victims: is that – even in our age of medical Ebola virus is classifi ed as a fi lovi- the atmosphere. “Like it or not, though, we are The late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin breakthroughs, fi tness fanaticism, rus (family Filoviridae), or thread- Viruses also have a role in killing deeply reliant on missionary doctors Botox injections and health supplements – death is inevitable. shaped virus. Unlike bacteria, viruses cancer cells. In particular, Ebola virus and nurses. The 2008 ARHAP report Death is no respecter of one’s personal status. The reality is, among high- are non-living entities, because they seems to have a symbiotic relation- found that in some sub-Saharan Afri- profi le celebrities, ordinary people die unexpectedly every day doing ordinary can’t reproduce on their own, but ship with fruit bats. They seem to can countries 30 percent of health things. I hate to say it but you could be one of them. I could be one of them. need the copying machinery of more stimulate genes that code for DNA care facilities are run by religious As one writer put it: there are two certainties in life – death and taxes! complex cells. Viruses are so tiny repair machinery, including cor- entities.” This quote from Biblical writer James puts things into perspective for me; that they can be seen only by electron recting damaged genes that would He previously had to admit that “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the microscopes. cause tumours. So bats almost never they are hardly doing this for per- morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” Why would God make viruses? develop malignant cancer. Unfor- sonal gain: Maybe you have not thought about death much but that makes it no less Many viruses have amazing hall- tunately, the virus has escaped its “There’s one other big difference important. marks of design, such as a powerful natural habitat. Similarly, the often- between missionaries and Western Pascal’s Wager, a logical reasoning devised by 17th century mathematician, electric motor to wind up their DNA, underestimated infl uenza seems to merchants: The missionaries don’t physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal, argues that each person bets their for the ‘normal’ viruses that use DNA. have been a benign virus in ducks. profi t personally from their work. lives on whether God exists beyond our universe. This points to a Master Designer. Treating Ebola: why and who? They are compensated very poorly, According to Pascal’s argument, if we die unexpectedly and there turns out However, since God’s fi nished crea- One important biblical principle is: if at all. Many risk their lives. How to be nothing waiting on the other side, little is lost. Yet on the fl ip side, if tion was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31), it’s a blessing to alleviate aspects of many people would risk death to eternity spent in heaven or hell awaits us, our response to God will result in why would He create disease germs? the Curse. That’s why Jesus healed spread the gospel of Western con- an immeasurable gain or loss. The basic answer is that they were sicknesses and disabilities, raised the sumer goods gratis?” He concludes that a rational person seeks to live in anticipation of God’s not disease-causing before Adam’s dead, and praised the Good Samari- Then Palmer had to admit grudg- existence. With this said, do you have certainty that you would go to be with Fall (Genesis 3), but had benefi cial tan for taking care of a badly beaten ingly that medical care in Africa Him forever if this were the case? I know I do. functions. Also, our immune system traveller. Similarly, biblically-based was crumbling possibly because of You can research health cover and life insurance to your heart’s content but has suffered the effects of the Curse, compassion for those affl icted by bigotry against missionary medicine. I suggest looking into “after-life assurance” while you are at it. so no longer works as well. Note effects of the Curse has motivated So he concluded: You could wait to fi nd answers later but you may run out of time. Like many that the immune system would have the founding of orphanages and “So until we’re fi nally ready to others, I am sure Phil Hughes started his day thinking it would be like any played an important role even before hospitals, and the abolition of slav- invest heavily in secular medicine for other; sadly it was not. ● the Fall in distinguishing ‘self’ from ery. It’s no wonder that even some Africa, I suggest we stand aside and BY CAITLIN CHOVEAUX ‘non-self’. atheists acknowledge the benefi cial let God do His work.” Many parasites are genetically effects of Christianity, e.g. English In contrast, consistent evolution- depleted compared to free-living atheistic politician Michael Parris ists must believe that Ebola is just as equivalents that can exist without even declaring, “As an atheist, I truly much a result of evolution as man. being parasites. The leprosy germ is believe Africa needs God” (Times, 27 Also, they have no basis for believing Crossword a good example. The form that causes December 2008). in the sanctity of innocent human disease, Mycobacterium leprae, has Indeed, at the forefront at treating life, made in God’s image and like- ACROSS 8 London’s marble one (4) 16 Supporting lost more than 2000 genes, about a Ebola in Africa is missionary doctor ness (Genesis 1:26–28)—which was 1 Lamb or veal items (5) 10 Tiara sparklers (6) structure (9) quarter of its total genome. Dr Kent Brantly of Samaritan’s Purse. not lost at the Fall but just marred 4 Downward measurement (5) 12 Choose (6) 18 Thorny blooms (5) The same principle applies to One atheist, Brian Palmer, writing in (Genesis 9:6, James 3:9). ● 7 Countryside painting (9) 13 Unopened blooms (4) 19 Shelf (5) viruses: the most harmful viruses a far-left publication (Slate, October Adapted article is courtesy of seem to have devolved, e.g. the most 2014), admits that Christians are Creation Ministries International from DOWN pathogenic HIV strains are also the at the forefront at providing care www.creation.com/ebola 1 Bed-time drink (5) least fi t (they don’t survive as well as 2 Night bird (3) less virulent strains). 3 Serenading (4) But what use could viruses have 4 Ran hastily (6) in a perfect world, since they must 5 Alpine plain (7) hijack a living creature’s reproductive 6 Two-timers (5) machinery? Some clues to possible NO FAME NO SHAME 9 Tornado refuges benign pre-Fall roles for viruses can ● From page 1 done that’s given (7) be gleaned from functions they have you value – I am 11 What passwords even today. Viruses have a number of He quotes from giving you value.’ provide (6) useful functions even now, including a book by Tim It was incredible!” 12 Less imperilled (5) transporting genes among plants and Keller, “An idol Frank says he 14 Mold, as clay (5) is whatever you then realised how 15 Water hole (4) look at and say ‘If God can work any 17 Pick on playfully &KDOOHQJH7KH*RRG1HZV3DSHU I have that…then circumstance for ZZZFKDOOHQJHQHZVRUJ (3) I’ll know I have the good of those value and I’ll feel who love Him SOLUTION signifi cant.” (Romans 8:28). PAGE 11 “I started realis- Frank in Faith Like Potatoes His fi nal conclu- ing,” Frank says, sion is that chasing 718 “that when we want anything things, work or relationships apart Sudoku more than we want God, that thing from God “will not satisfy you.” 12 becomes your god and you will be “Even when you get it, that thing Fill in the grid so 7HVWLPRQLHV‡&KLOGUHQ¶VSDJHV controlled by that thing like you will only reveal the size of the that every row, every 546 /LIHVW\OHDUWLFOHV‡6SRUWV cannot believe.” thirst you’ve had all along,” Frank 3XEOLVKHGPRQWKVRIWKH\HDUE\&KDOOHQJH column, and every 3x3 48 3/LWHUDWXUH)HOORZVKLS $%1  He still felt angry that Angus explains. box contains the digits LQDVVRFLDWLRQZLWKWKHLQWHUQDWLRQDOIDPLO\RI Buchan’s life was taking off while Quoting from 15th Century theo- &KDOOHQJHQHZVSDSHUV 1 through 9. the movie had “done nothing” for logian Thomas Cranmer, Frank 657 (GLWRU&DUO&DUPRG\ Puzzle Level: Medium 6WDIIZULWHUV'DUU\O%XGJH&DLWOLQ&KRYHDX[ his career but his mindset changed says: “God’s love takes us on jour- 721:$17$<($5/<68%6&5,37,21"LVVXHV when a bank teller shared that many neys we do not wish to go, makes FRS\SHUPRQWK :$ FRSLHVSHUPRQWK :$ people had been drawn to God after us travel by roads we do not wish 76 9 %8/.35,&(6$9$,/$%/( they screened the fi lm at church. to use, to take us to places we never 1HZVVWDQGIRUSXEOLFSODFHGLVWULEXWLRQIUHLJKW “I realised God was speaking wish to leave.” 61 2UGHU&KDOOHQJHIURP &KDOOHQJH/LWHUDWXUH)HOORZVKLS to me, saying, ‘You have so much “God loves you and He is willing 32%R[&ORYHUGDOH:$ value. I can use you even when to wrestle and fi ght for your heart SOLUTION PAGE 11 42 3 &DOO (PDLODFFRXQWV#FKDOOHQJHQHZVRUJ you’re not there. It’s not what you’ve like you cannot believe!” ● • Edition 376 3 ANGER WILL NOT DOMINATE ME Shelby has hope and liberty despite childhood abuse and his parents’ divorce ngry due to abuse and himself up to put a kitchen knife to and worthless and neglect as a child, Shelby his chest but before he could, his is doing amazing Deatherage was diverted father returned for his keys. things. Though no Afrom suicide after his par- “My dad realised the depth of the longer together, ents’ radical transformation. situation and took the day off so we both my parents Early on, Shelby recalls facing a could sort things out. We began are my spiritual rough home: “My dad was searching going to church, which I hated. My heroes.” for joy at the bottom of a bottle and dad had previously surrendered Quoting from my mom was stuck in an unending his life to Jesus Christ and stopped First Corinthians pit of depression.” drinking but now he was growing chapter one, verse “I was molested by two different rapidly in his relationship with God.” 27, Shelby shares people at age seven. One The next summer Shel- from the Bible, was a babysitter and the by’s mother took him to a “God has chosen other was a relative. Not “In church-run event where the foolish things long after, my parents a Christian rock band of the world to were divorced.” complete played and he was able to put to shame the These events, led to “a meet the band members wise, and God has deep anger and hatred solitude, afterwards. chosen the weak inside of me”, Shelby “They each shared things of the world remembers. I decided their life stories and to put to shame the At age 13, hope entered how they came to know things which are his life when his mother that suicide Christ. This was the fi rst mighty.” married a kind Christian time in my life I saw peo- He concludes: man. Seeing the way his was my only ple my age that were the “I’m so glad that step-father lived, Shelby real deal [as Christians],” God has redeemed says “I came to the reali- answer” Shelby recalls. my life. And sation that I was lost “This had such a major because Jesus and that I needed Jesus impact on me that I forgave my sins to save me.” turned my life fully over to Christ!” and rose from the Shelby admits he wanted Jesus to After a short stint playing for this grave, I will for- “rule over me” but instead allowed rock band, Shelby knew he needed to ever live my life for anger to rule his life. return to his home town. Him!” ● Then he moved in with his biologi- “The Lord warned me that my cal father and was soon involved in choices and commitment to Him  “many dark things”, including illicit would have to be different,” he adds. Shelby drugs and alcohol. Shelby says God thankfully helped and Kayla Rather than solving his anger, him stand strong against the tempta- Deatherage these drugs intensified what was tions of drugs and alcohol that had and family previously beneath the surface. befallen him previously. “I became an increasingly violent “I began to get involved in our person, and I was arrested at school. church and get opportunities to share It was embarrassing as people my story. I even got the chance to watched as I left the school in the share how Jesus changed my life at back of a police car. I felt so despised school with a whole class,” he says and rejected,” he confesses. gladly. Is this the new normal? Although his father successfully Ultimately Shelby became pas- argued for his reinstatement, Shelby tor and missionary, married his BY RICK LEWERS remembers he remained alone wife Kayla and they now have three through his schooling years. children. FOLLOWING the shocking inner- “In complete solitude, I decided “Looking back, I’m so thankful city Sydney siege by an Islamic State that suicide was my only answer.” that God stopped me that day from supporter many have lamented our Following an angry shouting match taking my life,” Shelby shares. “God growing sense of insecurity, as well with his father, Shelby “psyched” took a life that seemed hopeless as the diminishing presence of love and peace in our world. Former Australian Idol winner Wes Carr composed ‘I Pray’ in which A LITTLE he prays for the victims, their fami- NUDGE lies and “the gunmen lead astray by his own fear, evil and hate”. Instead The reason for pain of hating others, Carr encourages people to “Get together… [because] Breaking bones, being burnt by fi re or cutting yourself we are all love, unconditional love”. on something is never a fun experience. The pain of Politicians encourage us to live wounds can sometimes seem unbearable. Has it ever our lives as normal and not be over- made you wonder why we feel pain? Even emotional whelmed by the preachers of terror Michael Clarke pain from heartbreak or loss of a loved one can make such that our way of life be spoilt. grimaces in pain us feel physically sick. What if I told you that our world But I have to admit to being more was not created to be painful? The sea of fl oral tributes in Martin Place, Sydney for deceased than a little troubled by recent events. hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson The Bible says God created the universe in six days and called it “very Beheadings, crucifi xions, cutting good”. Everything worked in perfect harmony as Adam and Eve lived in unity people in half, the sexual abuse of the most ugly and brutal realities of present threats, but few would argue with God, but then they brought the curse of suff ering and death into the women are all outside the realm life? Is there something normal in my against the view that the way of Jesus world through their rebellion and sin against God. In Genesis 3, man rejects of what I understand to be sane life that promotors of evil do not have is better. God, who consequently removes some of His sustaining power. behaviour. It troubles me that people the heart or capacity for?’ Jesus endured the wounds of an Now that we experience injury and death, pain is useful. If we did not who are involved in such atrocities My answer is yes and it is found Enemy to triumph through love with feel pain when we put our hand in a fi re how would we know something is attempt to justify them, and these on the lips of Jesus Christ, who said forgiveness. He revealed that God is wrong? Pain and suff ering causes us to take our hand away from the hot fi re same ones declare death on people “Love your enemies, do good to those merciful, compassionate and just, as so that it does not suff er a painful burn. like Australians. who hate you, bless those who curse He bore man’s punishment for sin. Similarly, the suff ering we see around us reminds us that there is Is there an anchor for ‘normal’? you, pray for those who mistreat I am prepared for a ‘new normal’ something wrong with our world today because of sin. So God has provided In Sydney I sensed that a ‘new you... Do to others as you would have but there are some normal things I a way that we may learn to withdraw our lives from what causes us so much normal’ is emerging for Australians. them do to you… Be merciful, just as never want to change – love, forgive- pain. I then asked myself the question: your Father [in heaven] is merciful.” ness and mercy. Sin has brought pain, suff ering and death but through Jesus Christ’s ‘Is there anything in my life that I Rather than anger and bitterness, Who wants to live in a world where victory over these things we can fi nd forgiveness for our sins and healing for would want to remain normal even I want these loving actions to be the ‘new normal’ is brought about by our lives which will last far beyond our suff ering in this world. amidst the greatest upheavals? Is normal in my life to love all people merciless hatred that has no heart Turn to Jesus because He is the only way to fi nd the peace, comfort and there something normal in my life yet not love the evil they do. Some to forgive? That is an abnormality to healing we so desperately need, that will last beyond this life into eternity. ● that would stand fi rm and challenge might say that is naïve in the face of which I will never give credence. ● 4 • Edition 376 Sparks DEEPER MEANING and a love THAN POP CULTURE ‘FOLLOW YOUR HEART’ was the motto Katharine Hartnett lived by until heartbreak prompted “I was like fi re ‘The Notebook’ a search for deeper meaning in searching life. for a true Looking for a “fulfilling life”, and pure “Love, I’ve come to understand, is more Katharine says, “I just wanted to look love”, says than three words mumbled before cool and thought I’d fi nd satisfaction Katharine in parties, clubbing and drinking.” Hartnett bedtime. Love is sustained by action, a Her celebrity role models encour- aged her to stay ‘in fashion’ and pattern of devotion in the things we do Katharine became obsessed with buying clothes. for each other every day.” “Every weekend I went to clothes stores and bought lots of dresses. –Nicholas Sparks, romance filmmaker But once I would get them, they felt like nothing, so I felt I had to go buy BY CAITLIN CHOVEAUX more,” she confesses. In her pursuits of friendships, Many will curl up on the couch this Valentine’s Day with a box of chocolates clothes, music, movies and hobbies, and pine over lost love or snuggle with their partner in front of a Nicholas Katharine remained unsatisfi ed, as Sparks chick-fl ick. I will probably be one of them and I have to ask myself she recalls, “deep down I was always why. searching for something more, for a Famed for his novels-turned-fi lms like A Walk to Remember, The Note- true and pure love.” book, Dear John and Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks appears to have a master- Amidst her turmoil of unhappiness, ful defi nition of romance and love that other fi lmmakers struggle to match. she sometimes thought about God as “The best love,” Sparks says, “is the kind that awakens the soul and makes her parents were Christians and had us reach for more, that plants a fi re in our hearts and brings peace to our put her in a Christian school. minds.” “I knew there was a God,” she com- Sparks’ fi ctional fantasies will either leave you feeling all gooey inside or ments, “and that what I was doing “My friends thought I was a nut- crave things that I once ‘needed’ for rolling your eyes, but I don’t think many can argue that a heartfelt, peace- wasn’t good, but I did not want to case for not wanting to partake in satisfaction. bringing love is a bad thing. worry about that yet.” parties and clubbing events, but the “Although I may not have a lot While the popular understanding of love revolves around heart-shaped The lack of satisfaction and mean- conviction that I had wronged God according to the world’s standards, I chocolate boxes, roses, inventive marriage proposals, heroic acts of bravery ing continued to plague Katharine in every way was so strong,” she have much more in Christ Jesus who and soppy love letters, Sparks hints at a real love that is not fi ckle but instead until she refl ected on the peaceful explains. died for me, and more in everlasting selfl ess, sacrifi cial, unconditional and constant. life of her parents. She began searching for a Bible- life to come.” In fact, inspiration for his bookshop blockbusters comes from the best- “I began to pray and ask God based church and joined her mother Apart from eternal life, Katharine selling book of all time: the Bible. Wise King Solomon says in Song of Solo- to show me the way through my and her scientist father Dr John Hart- says there are many blessings that mon: “Love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns problems because I wanted some- nett in family Bible studies. come from being a follower of Jesus. like blazing fi re, like a mighty fl ame”. thing deeper. As I turned to Jesus As she read about Jesus’ “real “God often reminds me of a com- It reminds me of Sparks’ description: love burns passionately like a wildfi re Christ I found true satisfaction,” she love” in going to the cross to provide forting Bible verse when I am feeling in our souls; it is fulfi lling and yet leaves us continually thirsty for more. explains. her forgiveness, Katharine says, “I depressed or sad and time with Him Sparks, King Solomon and I have one thing in common: we all believe In her journey towards God, demonstrated my love for Jesus by is the only thing that lifts me up and that this fi re-blazing, peace-giving, grave-demanding love comes from God, Katharine read these words from being obedient to Him and putting gets me over the hump.” who Himself is love. Jesus: “For whoever will save his life my faith in Him.” To others who find themselves Commenting on one of his most successful fi lms, The Notebook, Sparks [selfi shly for himself] will lose it; but “I believe that God, in His unde- caught up in unhelpful addictions, explained that the love story was “a metaphor of God’s love for us all”. whoever loses his life for My sake will served kindness, chose to save me Katharine says, “Jesus came into the “The theme is everlasting, unconditional love. It also goes into the sanctity save it” (Luke chapter 9, verse 24). and His Truth led me to repentance. world to save sinners. By having faith of marriage and the beauty you can fi nd in a loving relationship,” he told She felt deeply convicted by these I committed my life to Jesus by giving in Jesus, that He is God the Son and Christianity Today. words and decided to replace week- up control of my life because Jesus He took the punishment for your sin, In Sparks’ A Walk to Remember, Jamie Sullivan is a young girl who is dying end visits to the clubs with quiet time gave up His life for me when He died you will be saved. Jesus will never from cancer but continues to hold strong to her faith in God. studying her Bible for more answers on the cross.” reject you, leave you heartbroken or She explains to her boyfriend, Landon, “Love is like the wind, you can’t to her burning questions. The outcome of this, Katharine lonely because He is with you always see it but you can feel it.” Suddenly following her heart and says, was that “God satisfi ed my soul through the Holy Spirit (see John The same can be said about God. Love cannot be seen or put in a test tube living how she pleased seemed much with His Word, so that I no longer 14:23).” ● and explained in scientifi c terms and yet it indisputably dwells like a fi re in more trivial than what she discovered our souls. The Bible tells the greatest love story of all time, and the best part God had planned for her in His Word, is that you are written all over it. ● the Bible. ‘Unbroken’ man’s HEAVEN—OH SO POPULAR! greatest victory THE NEW UNBROKEN MOVIE about BY ALAN BAILEY thing in common is unbroken bliss. like a fi sh in a tree. Our condition is American war hero Louis Zamperini tells the Oh what a contrast to this troubled sinful and unworthy of the presence incredible story of the man who went from HAVE YOU NOTICED how much life we now live! What a relief from of God. being an Olympic runner to surviving a plane heaven has been in the news lately? work and worry! No more bosses That is, until Jesus deals with us crash, 47 days at sea and war camp torture. In It makes me think that most people and nagging mothers-in-law! But to forgive, cleanse and fi nally fi t us all this Louis depended on God then forgave have a hope somewhere in their is heaven just a fancy, after the style for the place He has prepared. This his Japanese tormentors when he accepted hearts that such a place exists and of a childish nursery rhyme, nothing is what His life, death and resur- Jesus’ forgiveness at a Billy Graham crusade. that they might have a chance of more than an old superstition? rection was all about. We need to You can take a closer look at his journey getting there. I believe in heaven because the turn away from our own way, our to peace in Jesus, how he personally met his Louis Zamperini A celebrity or well-known sport- one who has fi nal authority has told self-reliance, and trust in Jesus in captors and became an international Chris- (1917 – 2014) sperson dies and immediately us about it. He said “There are many a personal way. We will never reach tian speaker in a free online documentary in ‘Captured by Grace’ friends and loved ones have them rooms in my Father’s house… I am heaven without a Saviour. Louis Zamperini: Captured by Grace. looking down on us, telling us that going there to prepare a place for Jesus promised, “Whoever hears Mr Zamperini gives his own testimony they are having such a great time you. And if I go and prepare a place my word and believes Him who sent on the documentary, saying that when he and not to worry about them. In fact, for you, I will come back and take me, has eternal life and will not be “found Christ as my Saviour,” that was “the we join them with a drink or two to you to be with me, that you may condemned; he has crossed over heart of my whole life.” celebrate. also be where I am.” Christ taught from death to life.” According to Louis’ son Luke, “[He] never Perceptions of heaven vary widely. his followers very plainly that there The last book in the Bible assures had another nightmare the rest of his life. The Some hope for a glorious golf course, is an after-life. us that “He will wipe every tear from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was gone in some a racecourse, others endless Think for a moment. If you were their eyes. There will be no more an instant”. A year later “he forgave his guards chocolate, and famously, some ushered in to a place of utter perfec- death or mourning or crying or pain, face to face”. expect limitless sensual pleasure tion, would you feel at home? Being for the old order of things has passed You can view the free online documentary after their earthly martyrdom. The as imperfect as we are, we would be away.” ● or purchase a DVD at billygraham.org. 8 • Edition 376 WHEN A Will your resolution make CHILD the distance? LOSES BY JIMMY YOUNG It’s of the start of a new year and for many people – that means one thing: broken promises, I mean, News Year HOPE Resolutions. Take a good look around Google any time after Christmas and reso- One child every week takes their own lutions are the talk of the town, with life in our “lucky” country …that’s advice and announcements the fl a- vour of the month. enough to make anyone stop and think One thing that stood out to me, though, was that 40% of all people SHOCKING national statistics I believe this is not enough. who make a resolution will break it released in 2014 revealed Aussie kids They need a promise that their pain by the end of January! as young as four are increasingly tak- will one day be removed completely. WHY? ing their own lives. They need a sense of purpose that It might be because people are not The Australian Human Rights will carry them through the times of motivated, their resolutions are not Commission report tabled to Federal trial and remind them that someone achievable or a combination of the parliament in November established out there will never leave nor forsake two but I think a lot of it is because from unpublished coronial reports them. people identify the need to change that 333 children aged four to 17 died While some Australians have without embracing the hard work from “intentional self-harm” between recently made it clear that they see needed to make it work. January 2007 and December 2012. Biblical instruction as ‘indoctrina- Big change means big work and a Every week 50 to 60 more are tion’, surely God’s promises bring lot of New Year’s resolutions are not of the small variety. No-one says: reported to be hospitalised for hope and love that transcend each “Man, I’m going to make my bed NEW YEAR RESOLUTION: Strength training! attempted suicide. child’s circumstances? While many factors are stated as every single day next year. Yeah!” Verses such as Hebrews 13:5-6, the cause for suicide, a loss of hope It’s the big stuff. So you want to 3. Break it down friends because they are looking out provide hope: “God has said, ‘Never is at the root of each devastating make a resolution that last? How? I want to lose weight. That is the for you, so get them alongside you on will I leave you; never will I forsake decision. 1. Make it real number one resolution made by this one. Last year, I decided to give you.’ So we say with confi dence, ‘The “Children who commit suicide feel Write your resolution down or people every year, but it’s useless. up fast food, lollies and junk food Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. very trapped by expectations or dif- telling someone instead of leaving What is lose weight? How much? for an entire year with my girlfriend What can man do to me?’ ” fi cult situations they can see no way it in the illogical sorting system in How long? Do you want to keep it off? and I’m only a few days from achiev- Children need to know their lives out of,” Child Psychotherapy Trust which things often get lost (a.k.a. Break it down…I want to lose 2 ing that. chairperson Eileen Orford explained matter to God, that they were created our minds). Researchers say it could kilograms a month. I want to have One of the best things was being to The Independent in 2000. for a reason and that He loves them be the difference between making a 15% body fat. I want to weigh in at able to support each other in this Author Hal Lindsey once said “a more than they will ever know. real life change and making another 80 kg at the end of the year. and holding each other accountable. man can live about forty days without They need to know that whilst the broken resolution. The more you break it down, the Encouragement is the fuel that food, about three days without water, struggles of life are not easy, they are 2. Focus, focus, focus easier it will be for you to achieve will keep you going when you feel about eight minutes without air but worth it for the great joy they will feel Willpower is a limited resource. because (and I cannot stress this like giving up. only for one second without hope.” when they are reunited with their If you make heaps of resolutions, enough) you know what you want What’s my resolution for this year? We are left questioning what Heavenly Father who created them. you won’t have enough willpower to achieve. I want to save $8,000 by the end of causes children to lose hope and Jesus Christ died so that each of to keep them all. It’s heaps better to 4. Seek encouragement December. This means I need to save purpose so young. us could live life to the full, and the make one solid, tight resolution than Tell people and get their encour- $166.60 a week until then. National Children’s Commissioner certainty of His promises to us, are several loose resolutions. agement! Your friends are your What will be your resolution? ● Megan Mitchell says that children the means of the hope our nation’s need to be taught better “coping children need to hang on to when all mechanisms”. seems lost. ● No ordinary miracle

here is no dramatic rescue from addiction, abuse, a life of crime, or a teenage rebellion in Jenny Palandri’s life, but her journey to God’s forgiveness is no less Tmiraculous. “My life,” Jenny says, “is a story about God’s love for everyone and His plan to save us all. We all need saving. There is a gap between all of us and God. A gap which only Jesus can bridge.” Jenny recalls realising this gap existed between her and God as a girl. “In the Bible in Romans chapter 3, verse 23, it says ‘…all have sinned (broken God’s law) and fall short of the glory of God.’ “That is what I realised as a 10-year-old girl. I cannot imag- ine living without Jesus in my life.” Jenny still recalls feeling at that time like the visiting speaker at a special church celebration was speaking just to her. “The speaker talked about how God loved me so much but there was a gap between me and God, which I couldn’t get over. He said Jesus had made a bridge over this gap and if I trusted in Jesus I could cross the gap and be God’s child. “That day, I told Jesus that I trusted in Him and wanted Him to be in my life. I asked Him to forgive me for the things I had done which made God sad and to help me to change the way I lived.” Since that decision over 40 years ago, Jenny affi rms that “I have always known that God loves me and Jesus has been with me every day.” As she had been taught about Jesus and God from a very As a mother and primary young age, Jenny is grateful to have been able to do the same with her two daughters, and in her role as a primary school school chaplain, Jenny shares chaplain she encourages both the emotional and spiritual well-being of the students in the schools where she works. ● the reason for her hope • Edition 376 9 Biochemist no longer tormented inside

s ugly as Dr Ainsley perfect with a beautiful wife, three Chalmers found cancer daughters and a prestigious position ‘On the outside I was fi ne but on to be in his medical as a principal medical scientist in research and personal a major hospital and university the inside I knew things weren’t Alife, something sicker research lab. right,’ Dr Ainsley Chalmers says tormented him until he On the inside, however, Ainsley made the decision to turn his life was clouded in doubt as to what he around. truly believed and was infl uenced With qualifications from the by his colleagues’ ideas of atheistic Although he had done a lot of good University of Adelaide and Flinders humanism and his association with through his research, Ainsley knew University and around 100 peer- Ouija board games. that there was only one cure for the reviewed publications in the areas “In 1974 I gave up going to church sin in his own life and that was to of cancer, immunity and medical because I just couldn’t feel the reality pray for God’s forgiveness and accept biochemistry, the retired Ph.D of God and two years later I left my the fact that Jesus had made a way for biochemist found considerable family and went off with another him to have a restored relationship success during his time in research. married woman for six months,” he with God. Yet amid the hours of studies and confesses. Ainsley prayed with pastor Bob to stress Ainsley admits he felt his life A year later Dr Chalmer’s wife accept Jesus as his Saviour, just as was “like a lost cause”. Denise committed her life to Jesus his wife had done, but he was unsure “I was leading a tormented life but and that same month introduced her about whether he wanted Jesus to be too proud to admit it,” Ainsley says. husband to a pastor named Bob. the King over his life. Despite growing up with a religious “I thought he was weird but he “I immediately returned to my background, he adds, “My spiritual prayed with me and a small area wife Denise and girls, all of whom life was dead, non-existent.” of peace entered my tormented graciously had me back, but I didn’t On the outside things seemed condition,” he recalls. want any church stuff in my life,” he says. “A few days later I began feeling tormented inside again and even suicidal. That was when a Christian Believe it or not man named Rudi ministered to me. At this time I had a revelation that BY JONATHAN SARFATI CREATION.COM Satan had been trying to destroy my life. I also came to realise deep in “I could never have changed this dramatically Spiders’ “out-of-focus” my spirit that Jesus Christ really is on my own,” says Ainsley Chalmers the way, the truth and the life and eyes help them see depth without Him in my life I would very major setbacks,” he explains. not live without my Lord and Saviour soon be a dead man both physically “I could never have changed this Jesus Christ. He is everything good Jumping spiders don’t use webs to catch their prey, but pounce on them and spiritually.” dramatically on my own. Everything, and wonderful in this life and I love accurately. Researchers have long wondered how tiny eyes could provide It finally made sense to him my conversion and research fi ndings, Him dearly.” ● the depth perception needed, or how a brain smaller than a house fl y’s could that Jesus was the only one who I give the glory to God as He did it all. To contact Dr Chalmers directly email interpret it. could transform his life and give it All I did was say “Yes” to Him. I could him at [email protected] Biologists from Osaka City University in Japan have solved the fi rst problem. meaning, purpose and hope. The spider’s retina has four distinct layers of light-sensitive cells. However, this “Once I gave Jesus control over means that light that is focused on one layer will be out of focus on the others. my life, the desire for alcohol, sexual Atheists would point to “bad design” of an eye that produces unfocused immorality, lying and suicide were M Y T H S A B O U T images. no longer issues in my life because Also, the spiders are most sensitive to green light, which just happens to be God completely removed them,” he the peak wavelength from the sun; pure coincidence no doubt. But they don’t explains. detect red light very well. The spider’s eye lenses also refract (bend) red light Hard times still ensued but Ainsley HEAVEN less strongly. had new reason to endure them. BY MARTIN DUFFIELD, ST JOHN’S ANNERLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The researchers covered up the six secondary eyes of Adanson’s jumping “Denise died of cancer in 1991 and spiders (Hasarius adansoni), and left the two main eyes. Then they let them try I suffered huge guilt,” he says sadly. # to pounce on fruit fl ies in both green and red light. Their pounces were almost “I remarried in 1996 but we Myth 1 – Heaven is a Myth? always successful in green light, but were about 10% short in red light. sadly divorced in 2001 and I lost The reason is that both colours focus sharply on the fi rst layer, but the another beautiful woman in my life. For some, like a famous Australian media magnate, a few minutes of clinical second layer has a fuzzier image in green light than in red. The sharper red Despite all this, God strengthened me ‘death,’ convinces them that there is no afterlife. Others who have been image tricked the spiders into thinking that the fl ies were closer than they through this time.” through unearthly ‘near death’ experiences disagree. But neither such were. Thus the very fuzziness of the second image is no design fl aw, but is He was often challenged to experiences conclusively prove the reality of life after death. actually an ingenious design, vital for the spiders’ depth perception. defend his faith in God in his scien- The fi nal authority on this subject is God Himself and in particular the Lord In nature, there is no confusion, precisely because they see so weakly in red, tific field of work which brought Jesus Christ, who made authoritative and verifi able claims about an afterlife so the green image swamps the red. many more doubts and questions when He was here on earth. But now, spider researchers must solve the second problem: how their to the surface. Jesus spoke about Heaven very plainly before He died, at the famous Last tiny brains process the diff erence in image clarity and fuzziness into depth “Using my scientifi c knowledge I Supper in this way; “In My Father’s house are many mansions. I go now to perception. ● started to probe the Word of God over prepare a place for you. If it were not so, I would have told you.” And when Reference: 3-D Vision for Tiny Eyes, news.sciencemag.org, 26 January 2012. the next few years,” he recalls. Jesus was dying, He promised Heaven to a remorseful criminal dying near “To cut a long story short I am Him, “Truly I say to you, this day you will be with Me in Paradise”. now convinced that the Bible is What Jesus said was confi rmed by what He did. On the following Sunday absolute truth and everything (Easter Sunday), Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He spent the next six weeks now makes complete sense to me. preparing His followers (more than 500 of them) for their task of telling the The Bible shows that our Creator world that heaven was now accessible through Him. From His experience, is Jesus Christ. The whole of which so many others saw, He was able to confi rm His promise to them that, creation from the huge universe to “Because I live, you will live also.” our tiny cells testifi es to the existence Jesus spent much of His ministry upon earth telling men and women how of our Creator God. I also realised to get to Heaven. And, when people asked Him questions like, “What must I that the story of creation to Noah’s do to inherit eternal life?” His answer was to point to Himself. Before raising fl ood in the fi rst few chapters of His dead friend Lazarus from the grave He said, “He who believes in Me will Genesis could be taken literally live, even if he dies”. and were consistent with scientifi c But how is He the key to Heaven? By breaking God’s Laws (The Ten fi ndings. Commandments) all humans actually render themselves unfi t for heaven. “I went from being a theistic Like God’s nature, heaven is a realm of pure goodness and perfection and evolutionist to a young earth humans are not that, as guilt in our lives often reveals. However, Jesus Christ creationist. This belief is now was willing to come and pay the penalty for that disobedience to God in His foundational to my Christian faith.” death upon the Cross. It is only when you truly accept what He has done for Although he has lectured many you to bring you back to God, that you can be truly forgiven and made fi t for times on how faith and science can Heaven. Then you will not only know about Heaven, but you can live and die exist perfectly together, the real confi dently expecting to enter it. evidence of God lies in Ainsley’s The Word of God, the Bible, says “it has now been revealed through the transformation from within. appearing of…a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has “My life after becoming a Christian brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Timothy chapter has been wonderful despite some 1, verse 10). ● 10 • Edition 376 Controversial novel inspires search Brad was surprised by his research into ‘The Da Vinci Code’

o one would have guessed search for the real Jesus gained some wanted to accept Jesus as their it would be a controversial momentum.” personal Saviour would raise their fiction novel that would Brad became interested in learning hand. I desperately wanted this but Nlead Bradley Gebhard to more about God after discovering due to stubbornness, self-suffi ciency make the most important that the Bible contained a reli- or some insecurity, I was strongly decision of his life. able account of Jesus’ life on earth, fi ghting the urge to raise my hand.” After moving with his future instead of just accepting the fic- When he fi nally decided to raise his wife Lee-Ann from South Africa to tional information and questionable hand, Brad recalls a weight lifted off London, Brad recalls feeling “happy sources presented by Dan Brown. him and he “wanted to explode with enough” and yet “I had a feeling that Then it came time for Brad to joy and relief”. someone or something was watching decide whether his young family “After the service I told the pas- over me.” should return to South Africa or tor that I wanted to clean up my WEIGHT LIFTED: Bradley and Lee-Ann Gebhard with their three children Brad did not know whether this move to Australia. He remembers life and live ‘appropriately’ before I was someone was God, but he con- many hours praying “asking God for made a commitment to Jesus. Yet arrived in Australia and he took them things God will always either give fesses, “I often felt that something guidance”, and a few years later he he explained that God doesn’t work to this new church, hoping to share me the strength to deal with them or was missing in my life, and nothing felt God leading him to set up their that way, rather, you accept Jesus his newfound joy and pace with them. provide a way out.” seemed to be able to fi ll it.” new life in Australia, while his fam- into your life fi rst and then He will “Since then my wife Lee-Ann has In hindsight Brad sees how God Sometimes Brad would have ily stayed in South Africa for a time. become the vital help needed to do made a commitment to the Lord and directed his path to Perth, and all conversations about God with his “Being alone, I continued to have this ‘clean up’.” we have both been baptised to pub- the good things he once considered Christian friends and family but it more time to read my Bible and pray. They prayed together, and Brad licly demonstrate our commitment to co-incidences he now considers never went anywhere until he began My mother also recommended a says he acknowledged that he was a Jesus Christ,” he says joyfully. “God-incidences”. reading the fi ctional novel The Da church to me, as she had met the pas- sinner, separated from God, and yet “My life is far more centred on “God was faithful to answer – in Vinci Code by Dan Brown. tor as well as people from Challenge wanted to turn away from his sins Jesus now and this affects the deci- His time - those hours of prayers “It contained some controversial Newspaper there,” he says. and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. sions and choices I make. The mate- I prayed in London,” Brad says. issues regarding Jesus and the Bible On his fi rst visit to this church in “I also prayed that I believed Jesus rial things that had high value to me “Sometimes the plans we have for in general, so I decided to start read- 2007, Brad says he fi nally understood died on the cross to pay the penalty once are now strangely unimportant. ourselves are not the best and diffi - ing the Bible to see what it said about who the real Jesus is. for my sins and that He rose again “My focus now is on doing what cult as it can be, we need to be willing these controversies,” Brad explains. “I was quite overcome emotionally and I invited Jesus into my life to is right by God, not what the world to let God guide our steps. We can do “It is largely thanks to that fi c- and really felt in my spirit that God be my Saviour and Lord of my life,” around us expects. The struggles and all things through Him who gives us tional book, which could quite easily was calling out to me to come close he adds. temptations of life are real and ever strength (see Philippians chapter 4, mislead or sow doubt in the minds to Him,” he explains. A few weeks later Brad’s family present but I know that with these verse 13).” ● of people looking for God, that my “The pastor asked if anyone who

Family Finance TRUTH TRUMPS FANTASY Selfi sh fantasies cost help. But I also knew that if I asked Baby on a budget God to sort out my life then I would Here are some handy money-saving ideas for Denis his family but have to face my wife with the truth of new mums and dads… my evil ways.” Knowing babies grow fast (especially under the truth set him free As he changed his mind about his 1sizes 2-4), avoid expensive and brand name sin before God and asked for Jesus’ baby clothes. Save money by purchasing s a 10-year-old Denis Hutchins forgiveness, Denis says, “I understood clothes up to a year ahead in the off -season. If you want to splurge on some ended up drunk from unfi nished that I was completely clean before God, items then coats, hats and bathers are likely to fi t for more than one season. glasses at his brother’s 21st but I still needed to confess my sins Make your own baby food: mash up bananas, peas, cooked carrots or sweet Abirthday, but as he grew older and face the consequences.” 2potato in a blender. his pursuit of alcohol and pleas- Knowing he did not have the cour- Instead of baby wipes, use dampened soft paper towels or tissues, and don’t ing himself led to prison and a dramatic age to tell his wife, Denis says, “I asked 3use ‘for babies’ laundry powder. If your baby has sensitive skin, use fragrance life change. God to bring it about in the best possi- free and dye free soap powder/liquid. “As years went by, drinking became a ble way. Days later my wife was called regular part of my life,” Denis says. “With by a friend who said that her daughter Borrow or shop online for infrequently used baby items like swings, bathtubs, Denis Hutchins 4tub rings, and bouncy seats. Check out eBay.com or Gumtree (WA only) for drinking came sexual immoralities, includ- had been molested. online listings. ing adultery, pornography and indecent “God placed a trust in me that He Consider simple, quiet and battery free toys that will entertain your child and behaviour.” would do things in the perfect way. It was the toughest 5will not over-stimulate them before bed-times. Or utilise things you already Even after marrying in 1980, and four children, he time for my family, but all I could do was speak the truth have like plastic water bottles fi lled with household items that make diff erent admits he was “not a faithful husband, nor a decent to every question I was asked.” noises. A crawling baby will enjoy exploring cardboard boxes, and plastic spoons father.” In 1996 Denis went to prison, and was divorced the and bowls. Some excellent sites to buy kids toys are Tradingpost.com, zilch.com This lifestyle of pleasing himself worsened when a clair- following year. He has never seen his children again. and freecycle.com.au. voyant spoke favourably about he and his wife’s future. Following the end of his sentence, Denis moved in with Your local library will have a selection of quality kids’ books, movies and CDs. Dismissing all consequences, Denis recalls that he his parents, and he still cares for his 89-year-old mother 6Browse the parenting magazines in the library to fi nd out what is available. “began constantly fantasising about immoral things, after his father’s death. If you can hook a laptop up to your TV (with an HDMI or VGA D-SUB cable), go while trying to look good and kind on the outside.” “I prayed regarding the church that God would have online to watch recent kids’ TV shows online www.freeview.com.au/catch-up. Feeling down about his family’s low fi nances and a me go to and He led me to a wonderful forgiving and Other sites with free kids TV content are www.viewster.com and archive.org/ monotonous routine, Denis joined an early morning loving church.” details/movies. breakfast club in Melbourne, where he would hear speak- Despite his past being known in his small town, Denis ers on motivation and business techniques. says, “God protects and cares for those who are truthful GENERAL TIPS His journey to truth began when, he says, “a lady at with Him. There is a wonderful promise in Proverbs chap- Research prices and product options online before major purchases. Search this meeting gave me a book that showed me how to ‘gain ter 16, verse 7: ‘When a man’s ways please the Lord, He 1online for coupon codes for online stores. Simply search for “[store name] things from God’.” makes even his enemies to be at peace with Him.’ So, for coupon”. Ozbargain.com.au and buckscoop.com.au off er excellent Australia- Following the book’s instructions, Denis began asking those who trust God, people are not our enemies, demons wide tips on the best shopping deals. For computer goods, check prices on for things he genuinely needed “in Jesus’ name” and and lies are, and God’s truth delivers us from both.” staticice.com.au. For broadband prices and choices, check out bc.whirlpool.net. humbly asked for God’s kindness, knowing he did not Denis admits that temptations still come to his mind, au. deserve it. but each time he says, “I deliberately choose to pray and Shop for holiday cards, decorations, and gift wrap as the season ends, and “The answered prayers,” Denis explains, “caused me the Spirit of the Lord lifts me up and gives me good things 2keep them for next year. to have many questions about who God is.” to think upon.” Get cashback on online purchases using a site like PricePal.com.au, He began reading the Bible and found out that God is Denis says he is following the Bible’s instruction to 3Buckscoop.com.au, cashbackclub.com.au, and Qwibble.com.au. Merchants perfect, and He cannot allow those who fall short of His “pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” pay these online referral companies to direct customers to them. The company perfection into heaven with Him. “My heart desires Jesus more than the foolish things then pays part of that back to you, the shopper. These cashback services are “I found that I was deserving of God’s punishment of my former selfi sh character, with its immoralities and entirely free to sign up for and will generally pay you back every 90 days. ● for my rebellion against Him and I was in need of God’s fantasies.” ● • Edition 376 11  GARDENING with DERYN THORPE “i” CULTURE TEARS US APART BY ROB FURLONG well it lasts 10 years; but if it doesn’t, Listening to your husband’s com- PLANNING TO well so be it…” plaints at the end of a long day at the The Bond franchise recently As I explored this answer with her, offi ce requires just such a love. SURVIVE SUMMER announced plans for the 24th movie it became clear that the idea of com- Sitting through numberless hours in the series including the oldest mitting yourself to another person lost at your child’s school awards ever “Bond girl”, 50-year-old Italian for the rest of your life (as opposed ceremonies most defi nitely requires actress, Monica Bellucci. Comment- to her notion of a commitment based just such a love! ing on why she won the plumb role, Monica on “as long as we both are happy/still But in iWorld, no such love is Bellucci seemed un-phased by all the Bellucci in love”) was a completely foreign required or even expected. All that hype because after all, as she told the concept to her. matters is that you are happy and in press, she had “beauty and talent!” I realise I may come off sounding discovering that happiness you do Bellucci’s comments are grating quite critical here – I do not intend not restrict another person’s right to to me, not so much because of their to be. I simply want to highlight that their own happiness. obvious self-focus, but more so that choices that will lead to his or her over the past 40 to 50 years we have This does not mean that every- In your garden, the New Year is an it highlights a prevailing attitude personal happiness and fulfi llment moved from a society based on the thing about the world that we have excellent time to celebrate the things grafted deeply into the culture of regardless of what traditional bound- belief that inter-personal relation- moved from was always right and that brought joy to your heart last our time – that beauty, talent and an aries may be in place and which are ships also include thoughtfulness, beyond criticism. Kuehne bravely year, take stock of the failures and emphasis on me and my happiness is also perceived as restricting one’s love and care for others to one where acknowledges this fact about our continue protecting plants from our what really counts. personal satisfaction with life. the individual self and personal hap- former world, a world he describes as searing summer heat. Author and pastor, Dale S. Kuehne To put it more bluntly, in iWorld piness is exalted above everything tWorld. But he does pose this inter- ASK YOURSELF: WHAT WORKED? calls this the iWorld which he writes every boundary is up for grabs if it else. esting question: Which world will In my own garden, the best dividends about in his book, Sex and the seeks to restrict your right to make The culture of iWorld strikes at the provide us with our best chance of came from soil improvement (which iWorld. The essence of iWorld, he your own choices about what is right very heart of marriage and in fact, lasting happiness – tWorld, iWorld in my sandy soil included the says, is an emphasis on the right or wrong. all relationships. For a marriage to or is there another option? generous use of clay additives), coir of the individual to make personal We have been moving into iWorld grow and blossom it requires two In seeking to answer that question peat and compost worked into the for some time now. people who not only love each other we must understand the world that top 30cm of soil. My sensational roses Twenty years ago I asked a newly but who are also committed to the we have come from and the world were still fl owering in late October as engaged couple who wanted me to responsibilities and sacrifi ces that in which we currently fi nd ourselves a result. be their celebrant, “How long do you characterise that love. before we can consider the possibil- WHAT FAILED? think your marriage should last?” Promising to stay faithful to your ity of a better alternative. Kuehne I was a little neglectful in my front Normally the couple will respond husband or wife at the exclusion of believes there is a better world and vegetable patch and the winter crop with “forever!” but on this occasion all others requires just such a love. so do I – I invite you to explore this of broccoli and kale were under-w the prospective bride’s response Getting up to care for a screaming with me over the coming year as we fertilised and watered and their ill surprised me: “If it lasts 10 years, child late in the night while your wife seek to both grow and fi nd fulfi ll- health led to a ferocious attack by catches up on her own rest requires ment in our relationships with each white fl y. Observation is the most just such a love. other! ● important gardening tool and I should have realised they were stressed and rectifi ed the situation as stressed could God love plants attract sap sucking insects. After picking the crop, I removed all someone like me? Computers & Technology the plants and left the area fallow for a few weeks before planting a summer Yes, He LOVES you and has a plan for your life crop of green beans which is now growing well. If you were slow to plant We read in God’s word: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Mobile phone contracts explained Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) this year there is still time to plant BY SALVATION ARMY FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR MARIA TURNBULL tomato seeds or seedlings, as well as OUR SEPARATION from God Fixed-term (‘post-paid’) contracts vary in length, generally from one to two eggplant, corn, zucchini, melon and PROBLEM: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ADMIT capsicum, before the weather cools. (Romans 3:23) years. They usually involve a range of charges, such as connection (fl ag-fall) and call charges, monthly access fee; device repayment; service disconnection and HOW CAN I IMPROVE AND PROTECT IT? GOD’S JESUS died on the cross reconnection charges; variation and termination fees and charges for internet “God demonstrates His own love for us in this; If you have a hot climate it is REMEDY / ELIEVE data usage through the mobile phone handset. while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” B necessary to provide some SOLUTION: (Romans 5:8) This can result in bill shock if you exceed or are not aware of the contracted services. Calls or data up to a certain value may be included as part of the access temporary afternoon shade for TRUST Jesus by receiving Him fee under the contract. When calls or data exceeds that value they are charged at vegetables. Many gardeners now OUR “To all who received Him, to those who believed in a rate set by your service provider under your contract. use agricultural shadecloth with 20% OMMIT RESPONSE: His name, He gave the right to become children C to 50% screening which moderates of God” (John 1:12) It’s important to get the answers to the following questions before choosing a contract: temperatures and reduces damage Here is an example of how you can pray. (1) What is the minimum cost over the period of the contract? from wind and radiation over the summer months. “Lord Jesus, I need You now. Please forgive me for my sins. (2) What period of time does the contract cover? I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. (3) What are the call rates once I exceed the value of the access fee? All summer vegetables cope better Thankyou that You loved me so much that You died on the cross for (4) Can I change the access fee during the term of the contract? with the heat if given a fortnightly me. Take control of my life. Make me the person You created (5) What are the charges for ending my contract early? feed with a complete liquid plant me to be. Amen” (6) Does the contract include a handset (is it included in the fees and charges)? food that contains seaweed. Choose The Lord Jesus says: “He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, (7) How often will I receive a bill? a formula with natural minerals and out of his heart will fl ow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) Variation and termination fees are charges that may be made by the fulvic acid (which improves nutrient AS A NEXT STEP : service provider to change the conditions of your contract or to end it early. uptake) like Uplift by Yates and pour If you prayed If you have NOT prayed These fees can be quite high, so before you sign a contract fi nd out what it will over the foliage and root zone. the above prayer, the prayer at this cost to change the contract or terminate it early. Over summer, soils can become tick this box stage, tick this box A verbal agreement (eg. with a phone sales operator) are as binding as non-wetting and are best improved I have prayed I would like to written ones. If you agree verbally to a contract, the conditions of that contract with an organic-based granular this prayer. think about this. can be enforced as if you had signed it. If you are asked to agree verbally to a soil wetter like Yates Waterwise mobile phone service contract, make sure you understand the conditions before Granular Soil Wetter which contains Please send me: Please send me: you do so. You should ask for written confi rmation of any verbal agreement. coir peat which attracts and stores Bible More information as I am inquiring water and nutrients along with a fast about being a Christian. TRY PREPAID (CONTRACT-FREE) INSTEAD: By prepaying on a monthly or Some ‘starting off ’ literature acting wetting agent that improves I have a problem (see att ached lett er) ‘pay as you go’ basis, you avoid many ‘excess’ charges. To go prepaid, you need Information on a helpful church to buy a prepaid-type SIM (subscriber identity module) card from retail store the moisture penetration of water or online. This card allows you to connect your mobile phone to a network and repellent soils. * Please tick and write clearly * make calls up to the value you have added to your account. You may buy a new Plants need more frequent watering ‘unlocked’ mobile phone or insert the SIM card into your existing mobile phone. in summer but you can reduce a Name ______In some cases, handsets are sold with a pre-paid service included, but are usually plant’s water use by applying an Address ______‘network-locked’ until you recharge a certain amount or pay an unlocking fee. acrylic polymer to the leaves. Products like Yates’ DroughtShield reduce water Phone ______If you try pre-paid, investigate: (1) how often you have to recharge your credit, (2) whether your credit or service expires if you don’t use it within a certain time usage by up to 50% and increase the Age and occupation (it helps) ______(from 1-6 months), and (3) whether the pre-paid call rates beat other options. survival of plants during dry times. All overseas enquiries are referred onto someone in their own country There are calling-unlimited prepaid SIMs available on every Australian network, The product stretches up to 100% with leaf growth and lasts for up to 90 Challenge Literature Fellowship Fax (08) 9453 3006 or email as listed at whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_unlimited_prepaid_plans. If you want a PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985 [email protected] more fl exible service without excess charges, it may work for you to go prepaid. ● days. It will also prolong the life of cut fl owers. ● FAMILY Challenge SPORT RACES INTO HISTORY BOOKS Laura Klock and daughters Erika and Karlee are the first mother-daughter-daughter trio in the history of land speed motorcycle racing to hold simultaneous records, but the road to success has not been easy

ust before setting her first alcohol in high school. decided it would be a smart move ‘bagger’ motorcycle land speed On the surface Laura was excelling to race it, with a woman as the pilot. record in 2006, Laura remem- in schoolwork, cheerleading and At that point Laura had never Jbers waiting on the starting basketball but she says she was just been a racer but she was not about line of the Bonneville Salt “very good at wearing masks” – hid- to let the opportunity pass her by. Flats and refl ecting on “the crazy, ing the pain she felt inside. “The fi rst time I was on the start- twisted, windy roads that lead me A pregnancy at age 16 led to an ing line of the Bonneville Salt Flats I to this point”. abortion. “Ultimately, as I got older I sat there for a moment and I prayed “Here I was doing something that realised that decision was at the core ‘okay, God, this is where you have no one had ever done before. No of a lot of the guilt, shame and the me today, let me do your will’,” she one had raced the kind of bike I was low self-worth that I was carrying. I recalls. riding, and my daughters were with had made an uneducated decision “This was something new, some- me, watching,” Laura recalls proudly without understanding the emo- thing I had never done before. So I in an interview for iamsecond.com. tional and spiritual consequences, just turned it over to God, and took Laura and husband Brian created a bike for a Discovery Channel TV series Yet it was only after being released and it’s a decision I will carry with off.” from the burdens of her past that me for the rest of my life.” were aged three and six led Laura to “I learned right away that God She set her fi rst world record that Laura could take to the road without “I continued through high school spend her weekends partying when has a plan and a purpose for my life day, and never looked back. She anything holding her back. never feeling good enough, never her girls were away visiting their and that I wasn’t a mistake. I can’t went on to set new ‘bagger’ motor- “When people say ‘time heals all quite pretty enough and never dad. She felt like a failure. even describe the relief, it was just cycle records in 2007 and 2008 as wounds’ it’s not true. You might be smart enough because nothing I “It became more diffi cult to lead a like the weight of the world being well with her daughters following able to [suppress] it for a while but did seemed to change my situation.” double life as the girls grew older,” lifted off my shoulders! And along in her footsteps. Recently, the girls it doesn’t go away, it’s just in there In college, Laura turned to experi- she confesses. “I was starting to the way, with God’s help, I was able have topped off other achievements festering until you face it, forgive, menting with drugs and more to lose control of hiding the extent of to face the reality of the decision I as the fi rst such trio to all ride a and choose to move forward,” she alcohol to “ease” the pain but it was the partying from my daughters made at the age of 16, work through ‘bagger’ past 314kph. Their goal is to explains. never enough. and realized I really wasn’t hiding forgiveness, and heal some of the exceed 320kph before 2016. Knowing her birth to very young She dropped out of university anything from anyone.” pain from that choice.” “I don’t have to have all the parents was unplanned, Laura grew when she became pregnant again, Laura met her current husband Soon after, Laura and Brian were strength or all the answers. I can lean up believing she was “just a mistake” determined to be a great mum and through what they now call “divine offered the chance to create a bike on God when I feel like I’m facing and that she was also the cause for vowing to never make the abortion intervention”. for the Discovery Channel’s Biker something that I just can’t do,” she her dad’s alcoholism and her par- decision again. Brian was a church-goer, and Build Off TV series in 2006 and, concludes. “I don’t have to feel alone ents constant fi ghting before their Even though she felt ill-equipped invited her to go with him. Despite after installing a fast motor, they anymore. He is always there.” ● divorce. to have a healthy relationship with her previous poor experiences with She escaped from her problems by her baby’s father, they were married, church, she attended and was in riding her motorcycle in the Wiscon- and a second daughter followed. tears by the end of the service. sin countryside, but then turned to A divorce when her daughters “Certain parts of that sermon just spoke to my heart about a heavenly Father that cares about you and loves you no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. The pastor spoke about forgiveness and all that we have to do is accept God’s love. I thought, what a concept! He could love me and there’s a reason for all this,” she recalls of that day. She also remembers a distinct

sense of peace settle over her when DISTRIBUTED BY: she gave everything over to Jesus – all her insecurities, past sins and mistakes – realising that God was in Print Post Approved 10001398. Published by Challenge Literature Fellowship (Aust.) Inc. of PO Box 978, Heading for 195mph (314kph) on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah control, not her. Cloverdale WA 6985. Ph (08) 9453 3311. Fax (08) 9453 3006. Email: [email protected] - Printed 02/2015