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No. 402 THE GOOD NEWS PAPER UUNWANTEDNWANTED AANDND UUNNAMEDNNAMED YYETET UNASHAMEDUNASHAMED Australian wife, mother, writer, and international speaker Christine Caine has come through the challenges of her life to be unstoppable, undaunted and unashamed.

hristine Caine may have happening to you,” Christine says. ministry in her mid-20s, and that suffered sexual abuse, aban- “When it happens over a long period was when she began to deal with her donment from her biological of time, you then begin to think it’s own dark past, in order to help lead parents and a bout of cancer happening because of who you are. others to the light. but nothing will hold her “So I grew up feeling a lot of rejec- “The pain of recovery was great,” backC from life. tion, shame, insecurity, Christine admits. “We have to In her latest book Una- fear, and anger. Over the undergo a process of restora- shamed, released last year, years I’ve had to fi ght to tion to have the wounds of Christine shares that her The truth renew my mind to a place our soul healed, and to allow fi rst experience of shame where I understand at Jesus to touch those dark came in the form of rac- [about my the core of my being that places.” ism from her kindergarten Jesus is trustworthy,” Little did she know she peers because she was identity] she says. would become the director “God created me intentionally. I was not an accident,” says Christine raised in a Greek family. never Her family were always of nationwide youth minis- Enduring sexual abuse regular church goers and try Youth Alive. age was; all had been a lie. She was gave His only begotten son to die from several men as a really Christine grew up with Later, she and her husband Nick not the daughter of Greek Orthodox for us. child cemented this feeling a strong God-conscious- founded Equip & Empower Min- immigrants. She was “unnamed “My birth certifi cate might say I inside her. changed ness, which developed istries, started the A21 Campaign #2508”, as she found out once she am unnamed, but God says before “Nobody talked about into a personal relation- to prevent human traffi cking, and got a hold of her real birth certifi cate. I was even formed in my mother’s that stuff [40 years ago]. ship with Jesus in her founded Propel Women to “hon- The social worker report said she womb He had named me. You walked in the shame early 20s. our the calling of every woman, was “unwanted”. “God created me intentionally. I of it, and you buried it,” she told “When you’re abused, you shut empower her to lead, equip her for Unwanted, unnamed, yet surpris- was not an accident. Even before I Today’s Christian Women. down and think you’re used goods. sucChristicess, and develop a sense ingly fi ne, because she explains, “My got to the planet He planned for me “When you’re fi rst abused, you’re You think God could never really do of God-given purpose”. life is built on the fi rm foundation of to be here, He planned good works filled with shame about what is anything with your life,” Christine Then, at age 33, Christine found Jesus Christ”. for me to do when I got here. My admits. “It certainly has been the out she had been adopted. “Even though all the facts about knowledge of my circumstances fi ght of my life to get to the place of In an instant, her entire life’s my life changed, the truth really have changed, but the truth never trusting God to redeem the broken foundation was shaken. Who she never changed and the truth is that has.” PAGE pieces of my past for his glory.” was, where she was from, who her I have a Heavenly Father, and He 10 Christine started to serve in youth family was, what her cultural herit- loves you and me so much that He ● Turn to page 2 HEROIN PLAYBOY FINDS THE GOOD STUFF

avid Twivey grew up a typical ‘poor rich invested in some real estate, and found an kid’ who had it all fi nancially and yet escape from the depression and rejection of felt a spiritual and emotional emptiness his childhood by drinking champagne and EXSATANISTEXSATANIST Dthat drove him to alcohol and heroin. smoking drugs with an elite group of rich It was only when he had tried all money could friends from school. buy and blown it all that he was fi nally ready to “They were happy, they enjoyed life,” fi nd true riches. David says. “Money was never an issue. Fast BACK David’s parents and grandparents were very cars, girls – it was all there. But I knew I was PAGE wealthy, owning hotels and real estate invest- heading for disaster.” ments in western Sydney. He remembers a David had always believed there was a privileged early childhood: gambling on his God. grandad’s lap, surfi ng at their holiday house, “I went forward at the Billy Graham Cru- catching lobsters, and being a junior life saver. sade in the late ‘60s but didn’t understand However, he also remembers that his parents surrendering to the Lordship of Christ,” he were very focused on making money and climb- admits. “I wanted a magic pill to come from ing the social ladder, so at 11 David was sent to David Twivey and his wife Beth. God to lift me out of my problems.” The King’s School, an elite military boarding By 1974 David’s partying lifestyle had school in Western Sydney that specialised in I could see no future.” used up all his liquidity. For his 21st birthday BBETHANY’SETHANY’S punitive discipline. After high school, while he was studying eco- that year his parents gave him a one-way train “It was a hellish culture of hard discipline and nomics at New South Wales University, David’s ticket to Perth, plus a guarantee of a job in BABACCKK I did not respond well to it,” David confesses. “I grandmother died and left him a lot of money. Dampier 1500 km to the north. even tried to overdose on aspirin at 11 because He bought a fancy Alpha Romeo sports car, ● Turn to page 2 2 Edition 402

FAMILYFAMILY MATTERSMATTERS David HHeroineroin pplayboylayboy ffindsinds Twivey BY ALAN BAILEY see to it that we feel pain. The pain in his of parting, of sickness, of eventual o ce in f the family is society’s basic unit bereavement. Some people recognise Townsville and is as old as the human race, this problem about love and so tthehe ggoodood sstufftuff why is it such a mixed blessing? determine never to lose their hearts Why haven’t we mastered the art to anyone. But this will not help in the ● From page 1 expensive, costing him $2000 a ofI living together, of relating well? long run. We were meant to love and day by 1982. Is the family just another instance of be loved. Life is harder without love Although “it felt like I was being “To get that money I started something that is hard to live with than it is with it. sent off to boarding school again”, selling off my properties. I and hard to live without?hout? THE FAMILY TTHAT LASTS the job as a ship ping offi cer at a was living for today and in THE STRUGGLE There is a family that fulfi ls the mining company turned out to be a a fantasy that everything Probably the mainn dreamdrea of all families. role David enjoyed and excelled in. would be alright.” cause of all our It is the family of Yet every night he would drink It wasn’t long before relationship God.G He is Father; all his himself into oblivion. David had lost every- problems is our childrench are brothers “It was pretty horrendous,” David thing and was so des- own nature – andan sisters who will admits. “It was sort of an accepted perate for cash that he our hearts. All enjoy untainted, thing in a mining town that you hocked his mother’s of us struggle unending love drank heavily – as long as you could jewellery when his against selfi shness, together for eternity. work during the day.” parents were away covetousness, angerr HeH has planned it that After a few years, David tried to on holiday. and undisciplined way.w Our families on escape his alcoholism by returning to On their use of our tongues. earthea are just a pale Sydney, and from there he followed a return, his par- Of course, we will all picture of what He has in mind. school friend to Sri Lanka. ents charged him claim that we were provoked, that THE WAY IN But his problems followed him. with theft and, after three nights in a great experience.” circumstances or other people caused Many have already gone to their “Sri Lanka is where I got into her- lock up, the judge asked David if he David’s father also came to Christ us to do what we did. Whatever the eternal home. Others here in this oin. I started up a restaurant on the wanted to go to rehab, to the Salva- about six months later, but was still reason for our lapse into aggressive life experience what it is like to be in beach, met [actress] Dita Cobb and tion Army, and he agreed. shocked when, on completing the and hurtful behaviour, the result is the family of God. Who are they? A went surfi ng with [pop star] Simon On 23 September 1983 David programme, David wouldn’t re-join the same. particular denomination? People of Le Bon. It was an entered a 34-week rehab the family business but announced: THE DOWN SIDE OF LOVE unusual goodness? extreme lifestyle,” programme that turned his “No, Dad, I think I’m called to be a Love is attractive and desirable. No. People who have put their trust David remembers. You’re going life around. Salvation Army offi cer.” We all know that. Loving and being in Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. “I found myself A Salvation Army matron He has been in the Salvos for 33 loved is what successful marriage and They come from every continent on one night on this to be a befriended him, telling him years and is now in charge of their family life is mainly about. (And let us earth. They have di erent coloured idyllic beach in about Jesus and saying, drug and alcohol recovery services not forget that there are many people skins and speak di erent languages. tears, crying out changed man “David, we’re going to work in Townsville, Queensland. right now who are happily enjoying There are hundreds of millions of ‘Where is my life together and you’re going to “It is an exciting place that God their family life.) them. And God knows everyone of heading?’ I had know Jesus as your Saviour puts us,” David declares, and for a But loving is dangerous. There is a them. lost about 30 kilograms in weight and and you’re going to be a changed man who has known as much excite- side to love which cannot be avoided. The way into the family is through I wasn’t coping very well.” man.” ment as he has, that is saying some- When we love someone deeply we faith in Christ. To all who received David returned to Australia where “I surrendered myself to God,” thing! ● are bound to get hurt sooner or later. Him, to those who believed in His his downward spiral and heroin David recalls. “I started to pray and Used with kind permission Quite apart from the injuries we can name, He gave the right to become habit continued and was much more read the Bible and I changed. It was from Warcry magazine. sustain by the hurtful behaviour children of God (John chapter 1, verse already mentioned, life and death will 12). ●

Crossword UUnwanted,nwanted, uunnamednnamed WITH KARL FAASE ACROSS 10 In consequence (2) 16 First born yet unashamedet unashamedPeople in 1 Pasta tubes 11 Kill prominent person 18 Agreeable 6 Baltic and others 12 Provide lodgings for 19 Follower prayer 8 Mix of mural work 15 “Deal __ No Deal” DOWN ● From page 1 SURVEYS of 1 Poorly Her mind began to race, but she administer average Australiansans says she “had to trust that God knew show that aroundd 2 School group what was going on in my life and 30 to 40 percent ooff 3 Desert sight that if He brought me to it, He would us pray regularly.. 4 Large dinosaur bring me through it. His grace would This may surprisee 5 British be suffi cient for me”. you, but it is broadcaster She wrote on her website: “I was true. Lots of blind-sided by a surprise attack, but 7 Never-ending people pray. For many prayer story (4,5) God was not. I felt many emotions is the last resort. “I have tried and very vulnerable, but I could also everything else, I might as well 9 Strain, feel God’s presence with me in a very exhaust pray.” If you regularly pray let me real way.” encourage you. 13 Game, set, The growth in Christine’s throat Firstly, be consistent. Don’t pray ___ was removed during a one-hour only when you are in trouble. 14 Get out of surgery two months later, leaving no Christine Caine. Photo from Unashamed Constantly seek God in all areas bed trace of cancerous cells in that area. her book of your life for wisdom and 17 Chem class There is a verse in the Bible that direction. says, “Even though I walk through Christine has walked through Secondly, be persistent. Don’t the valley of the shadow of death, I many dark valleys in her life. But she give up because your prayer SOLUTION will fear no evil, for you are with me; says, “There is something about walk- PAGE 11 is not answered the fi rst time, your rod and your staff, they comfort ing through the valley of the shadow stay at it. Continue to bring your me” (Psalm chapter 23 verse 4). of death with Jesus: You come out concerns to God. 431 knowing Jesus. Sudoku “No one can take that from you. No And thirdly, be resistant. Some one can silence you. You no longer people pray, then become bitter 59 4 because God hasn’t answered Fill in the grid so PART-TIME fear.” ● they way they want. Resist that every row, every 61 JOURNALIST Christine has also authored Undaunted: Daring column, and every 3x3 NEEDED! to do what God calls You to Do and Unstoppable: becoming bitter and angry box contains the digits 27 8 Running the Race you were Born to Win. because God doesn’t give you 1 through 9. Are you an experienced Christian journalist what you want. God is not a 94with a heart for sharing the Gospel with celestial slot machine that pumps Puzzle Level: Medium people? out answers to prayer because 732If so, consider applying to be a part-time journalist at Challenge, part of the team in we ask. God may have something 6 3 8 67our Perth offi ce, 2 days a week. share your story even better in mind for you. For more information about this position Do you have a story about how you came to Do you pray? Then keep at it 4 2 9 please contact our Global Operations know Jesus, that may encourage others? and be consistent, persistent, and 495 Director, John Palandri. Send your testimony, with a colour photograph, for consideration to resistant. Offi ce phone: (08) 9453 3311 ● 7 5 1 193 [email protected] SOLUTION PAGE 11 Email: [email protected] Edition 402 3 Conned!Conned! OOldld meme isis are swindled out of AUSTRALIANS at least $50 million a year by local and international telephone scammers linked to organised crime, according to a recent article on News.com.au. These sliver-tongued cold callers, a strstrangeangerr often supported by slick websites, promise high returns for an average not let go of being gay. I even BY EMMA AYRE investment of $20,000 to $30,000. tried to convince myself God Surprisingly, their main targets are came out as gay at 15, utterly wasn’t real, even though He had computer-literate men in their 50s convinced that was who I was shown Himself to me at many and 60s, who consider themselves and that was the life I would points in my life; delivering fi nancially savvy. lead. I couldn’t fathom ever me from dangerous situations, These crooked businesses change being attracted to men or liv- and speaking to my heart. I also like chameleons, are extremely Iing that life. knew of the power of the Bible diffi cult to pin down and expensive But I didn’t feel I had been born and its pre-eminence above all to prosecute, and the best advice the gay either. I remember that my other writings. police can give is “just hang up”. fi rst female crush was on a teacher, At the age of 32 I decided to So why don’t we? which I can see now was really a just totally embrace being gay Well, isn’t it true that when asked desire for a closer connection with and not wrestle with it any- Emma Ayre says nothing in the world compares to the peace she has found. how much is “enough” most people my parents, as my home life was at more. For a while I felt great, would answer “just a little bit more”? times unstable and violent. had new friends, a renewed fi ve months of wrestling I fi nally said were integral to my personality have We are discontent I was raised attend- sense of identity and a to God I no longer cared what I had been changed too; now looking back wiwithth whatwhat wwee ing Sunday school and relationship I was happy to give up, I just wanted Him and to at videos or photos of the woman I hhave.ave. had a sense God was “God has in. follow Jesus. was, feels like looking at a stranger. real but saw that I But the more time went God was so gracious, when I cried I truly feel like a new creation. didn’t fi t in to “Chris- healed me on the emptier I felt, out to Him, His Holy Spirit met me It’s been hard. I had to walk away tianity” and so left because I knew that the right where I was and started lifting from a relationship and I lost friends, it to pursue a life for so much” places I was seeking sat- me up. but the peace I have now in my heart, myself. However, the isfaction were ultimately I was ready to leave being with the joy and assurance of Jesus with tug of a life for God was never too empty without God. I felt so lonely women totally even if God didn’t me every day, compares with nothing far from my heart. that sometimes, by myself, I would change my heart, I only wanted God in this world. I tried several times in my 20s just cry. On the outside I looked fi ne now, but in the space of less than a If you struggle with any sin, even to live for God (including being but inside I was crumbling, yearn- year I can see He has healed so much one like homosexuality that can feel baptised in water in my early 20s) ing so much to feel clean and free in in me that I no longer desire those so ingrained in a person’s identity, but I could never reconcile it with my relationship with God. things or that life. Being intimate there is healing and freedom wait- what I knew the Bible said about I tried joining a gay Christian with a woman is totally abhorrent ing, but it’s a narrow road. It has to same-sex relationships, so I would group but I saw they were twisting to me now. be Jesus above all. But His love is This discontent feeds into the hands always fall away. scriptures to live as they wanted I am even hoping to one day be more amazing then you could even of advertisers and marketers on a With God’s help I became free and I never wanted to be fake. At married. comprehend. Cry out to him, He will daily basis, and explains why unlikely of drugs in my late 20s but I could the age of 34, in 2016, after about So many other things that I thought help you. ● returns in an “exclusive” scheme that pays out quickly seem so appealling. Fear and greed are not modern affl ictions. The Bible, might be speaking directly TheThe mmanan wwhoho rreallyeally sasaw the lightw theto a 21st-century audiencelight with this warning: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires A horrifi c childhood drove Karl suicidal, then a light shone into his dark world that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a Karl, now 56, never reported cross wind. He believes God spared him. BY IAN WHITE root of all kinds of evil. Some people, his alcoholic mother to the Finally, at 41, broken, dishevelled and suicidal, eager for money, have wandered from arl Ayling didn’t authorities and it was only in the Karl walked into a church. Still hooked on sex and the faith and pierced themselves with care whether latter stages of puberty he began pornography, he looked up at a huge cross and many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10) he lived or died to stand up for himself – both to saw a beaming light he knew was not imagined Jesus addressed both our greed and as he rode a her and to school bullies. or artifi cial. our fear in His Sermon on the Mount. motorcycle at Although his mother re-mar- He literally “saw the light”, encountering God’s Jesus warned His disciples, “Watch K267km/h. ried into fi nancial security, any love right then and there. out! Be on your guard against all Betrayed by those clos- benefi ts passed Karl by. “Something immediately shifted in my heart by kinds of greed; life does not consist in est to him who had sexu- By age 19, he was living in his a very gentle yet real shining of a light. I knew the an abundance of possessions” (Luke ally abused him, Karl own fl at and travelling the world God-shaped vacuum in my life was being fi lled.” 12:15). And He told the parable of the initially channelled his to broaden his mind – “a way of Karl says after that fi rst experience of God, rich man who stored up his goods in anger into judo, rugby getting away from the horror of Jesus Christ turned his life around. more and larger barns, but whose life and half marathons. His my childhood,” he says. In his autobiographical book of poems Massive was taken from him in an instant and dedication to physical While touring Australia and Power Massive Love, Karl charts his gradual heal- his goods went to another. prowess was transferred the US Karl was “mind-bog- ing. He transformed from a sex addict suffering Jesus said not to worry about not into the study of a wide gled” by the splendour of the from undiagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder having enough but to trust in God’s variety of disciplines and Blue Mountains and the and post-traumatic stress disorder into some- provision for His children. ‘ologies’. Grand Canyon, but at one who believes his “conception was not some “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall Yet his life plunged the same time he had hit random event, but an orchestrated, celestially Karl Ayling we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or deeper into despair with the self-destruct button. planned one … seeking, fi nding and working out ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans financial calamity, a Despite global travel my purpose … delayed by a convoluted pathway run after all these things, and your business collapse and two failed marriages. from Rome to Rhodes, strewn with missed opportunities to fi nd a genu- heavenly Father knows that you need Karl’s inner turmoil sprang from his childhood San Francisco to Syd- ine relationship with God.” them. But seek fi rst his kingdom and traumas. He recalls being woken by his parents ney, he found “no relief The father of two, who remarried in 2015, has a his righteousness, and all these things arguing at home when he was about three. from the grief”. “new, tender heart” to help those who have come will be given to you as well” (see “I walked down the hallway and saw dad He tried jumping from the same darkness he has – survivors all Matthew 6:25-34). fi ghting with mum. I tried to run between them, out of aeroplanes and forms of abuse. The bottom line? “Keep your lives shouting at dad to leave mum alone, but dad hit speeding on racetracks. The product of two broken families, he learned free from the love of money and be my head against the wall. I remember urinating He turned to sex, drugs, to forgive his parents after he found God’s for- content with what you have, because on myself from the shock.” and rock and roll. But giveness through Jesus for everything he’d done Karl’s God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; Later, after discovering Karl’s mother had been nothing gave him the wrong himself. “I’d left a trail of destruction and autobiographical never will I forsake you’.” (Hebrews unfaithful, his father started sexually abusing him answer. horror behind me as I verbally and physically book of poems 13:5) and other children. Karl survived a desert abused women,” he candidly admits. Hang up on those dodgy con artists “I was still only seven when dad went to prison,” smash in Arizona, a Karl believes God also healed him of an eye and look up to God who promises he says. “I was the primary witness for the pros- near-miss mid-air collision in a light aircraft, condition that should have left him blind. But he to supply all the needs of those who ecution, and then the abuse started by mum who and another close call when a business trip plane is most grateful that the spiritual eyes of his heart submit to his Lordship over their life. blamed me for the break-up of the family.” almost crashed after being caught in a furious have been opened by God’s light. ● ● BBORN4 ChallengeO R Edition 402N TOTO SSINGING She has penned songs for Grammy Award winners and is one of the most sought-after writers in her industry – but Mia Fieldes’ journey did not always point to such success. he songwriter explains that single 22-year-old mum, Mia’s family At 17 Mia moved to Sydney where when she started writing lived out of a car before they stayed at she spent the next 10 years at Hill- songs as a child, she knew a women’s refuge and later in govern- song Church. She began singing and she wasn’t the best singer or ment housing. writing songs that would go on to musician. Mia’s fi rst experience of the church be recorded by Hillsong United and T“I only played the euphonium, – and Jesus’ love – was through the Hillsong Live. which is like a tuba and not at all Salvation Army. She has collaborated with top helpful in writing songs,” she writes “Some of the [Salvation Army] Christian artists Michael W. Smith, on her website. offi cers got to know us and picked us Meredith Andrews, Matt Maher, and “Plus I was the very overweight, up on a Sunday morning to take us to Kari Jobe, to name a few. un-liked kid with bad acne – there Sunday school. We were only four or In 2013, Mia won ASCAP and was nothing about me that made me fi ve,” she says. BMI awards for the hit collaboration popular,” she adds in an interview “We used to sing all these songs “Proof Of Your Love”, recorded by; with Warcry. about Jesus and who For King & Country. Her recent song Yet she never He was. One day they with Francesca Battistelli, “He Knows doubted her destiny as “Worship is said, ‘He can live in your My Name”, has seen consecutive a songwriter, because heart and be your best weeks as a #1 on radio. she felt a call on her a response. friend,’ and I remember “For a long time I didn’t think I heart to write special thinking, ‘I want Jesus could sing,” she says. “I know that’s kinds of songs. I don’t want to in my heart’. It was so silly – but it’s funny how we let our- “I would write these real for me – the songs, selves believe that we aren’t good letters to God when I complicate it” the stories, everything.” enough, and I defi nitely did that for was 13 or 14 saying, Eventually her whole a long time. ‘One day I’m going to family would become “It’s actually been a great journey write songs about you that go all over Christians, and not only did Mia gain where God put strategic people in my the world’,” she tells Warcry. “I was a faith in God through her experi- life along the way who really encour- Despite being an identical triplet Mia Fieldes just knew just convinced that God was going ence, she also gained a father. aged me in the things I thought I she was destined for something unique. to use me. “My dad actually taught us at Sun- couldn’t do.” “I had this deep revelation that day school when my mum fi rst found Mia only began songwriting full- for their own unspoken prayers, or and give them something that’s going despite being an identical triplet, God Jesus,” she laughs. “They got married time a year before she moved to faith for the season they are walk- to help them lean into Him and what was going to use me for something when I was nine.” her current hometown of Nashville, ing through, there’s nothing better He’s saying? unique and special.” Looking back, it is clear God’s love Tennessee. Having lived in Nashville than that.” “Lifting your eyes is always harder The youngest of triplets born to a anchored Mia’s family through the for six years, she has found that her Mia seeks to encourage others as when you’re going through some- hard times. love of God has acquired her a new she sets the stage for encountering thing diffi cult. But if you give people “I think the biggest thing for every- family – a church community called Jesus. songs where they can lay their cares one in our family is that we’ve learned The Belonging Co. where she leads “To that end, Mia seeks to encour- in the hands of God, look to His kind- to make God the fi rst place we go worship. age others as she sets the stage for ness and remember that He is with to no matter what we are walking She explains what worship means encountering Jesus. “I’m not think- them, that’s a wonderful thing.” through,” she says. to her: “Worship is a response. I don’t ing ‘How can I impress people with Mia has certainly come a long way clever lyrics or intricate melodies’. since her days writing letters to God. WITH KARL FAASE “He has every answer, every mira- want to complicate it. One of my big- cle, every breakthrough we could ever gest joys is giving people songs they I’m thinking of the contractor who’s Yet one thing remains the same: her ask for. Relying on Him is how we can respond with in their own way. had a hard week at work, or the mom love for God, and her love for family. STATUS have gotten to know what He is like. Songs where they go, ‘That’s some- who’s just found out her kid has “God never stops reaching out for Every family has its own stuff, but thing I’ve always wanted to say but ADHD, or the 12-year-old girl who’s us,” she says. “He is hope itself – it’s ANXIETY I love that mine knows how to live maybe didn’t know how’. When I can really lonely at school. How can I impossible to be in His presence and gratefully.” give people some sort of framework make it easier for them to see God not see things change.” ● IN HIS book Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton says that for many of us our lives are taken up with improving our wealth so that wwe can iimprove our place NNeverever rreallyeally abandonedabandoned in the world he experience of months of sexual abuse, As a child she has heard about Jesus’ love and and school bullying and a childhood home death for her on the cross from a Christian evange- hence dominated by alcoholism left Leoné list who came to her primary school, and she had our Boshoff struggling to understand where eagerly embraced Jesus as her personal saviour. sense of personal the loving God that she had committed to “I learnt that through (all I had been through) status. So what does De Botton asT a nine-year-old had gone. He had never left me. say is the motivation behind this “I couldn’t understand why (God) would allow all “God stepped in when I said ‘yes’ and He gave activity and anxiety? the bad things happen to me. What horrible thing my life a whole new make-over. He took my shame “It might be more accurate to had I done to deserve this?” she wondered. and renewed my heart. sum up what we are searching “I felt ugly, dirty and alone. I grew angry at how “I am no longer a victim, now I live in victory. for with a word seldom used unfair life seemed and got mixed up with the wrong “Ever since then I have pursued Him with every- in political theory – love.” De crowd. I got involved in all the ‘cool’ stuff just to thing I have. I still make mistakes,” Leoné admits. Botton believes that the search forget about life.” “I am not perfect, but I dedicate each new day to for money, fame, and infl uence Life got harder for her when Leoné fell pregnant the Lord and try to live each day for Him.” is actually a search for love – a at the age of 16, and when her boyfriend then made Her boyfriend also found freedom from his sense that we ‘matter’ more than another girl pregnant at the same time, her rejec- drug addictions by surrendering his life to Jesus anything else. tion and loneliness increased. and they married in 2008. They are now leading a We all want to be loved, to She says that it was a miracle that she was able to church and have had a second daughter together. believe we are really worth keep her baby girl, despite strong opposition, and “I study the Bible daily and do what it tells me, something. The Bible gives us a raise the child herself. no compromise,” Leoné declares. simple yet powerful truth. “For “A decision I have never regretted,” she says. “I once lived by my own desires, using my needs God so loved the world that At 18, when Leoné’s mother died of alcohol and emotions as a compass, but now I rather trust he sent his only Son – so that poisoning, she moved into an even worse situation Frikkie and Leoné Bosho are now pastors God to decide what is best for me.” whoever believes in him may not with her new boyfriend, who was both an alcoholic of a church. (Photo: Facebook) ) Leoné does not fully understand why God perish but have eternal life.” and a drug-addict. allowed her to go through all she did but it is God loves you. God is reaching “This is the point where I just stopped trying and attempt to try and pick up the pieces of her life. enough for her to know who God is. out to you. God wants to know surrendered everything. “I realised that it was foolish of me to think that “Although we still live in the world where there you. Just reach out in faith and “At the age of 23 I was sick of the life. I was I could make life work on my own,” she said. are many troubles, I have the assurance, joy and God will respond. ● unhappy and felt all alone in the world.” There she rediscovered the passion that she had hope that is steadfast and unshakable. God is my Leoné decided to go to a local church in an had for God as a little girl. rock, my unshakable foundation,” she says. ● 8 Edition 402 OOLDIESLDIES BBUTUT FFromrom NNewew AAgege GGOODIESOODIES BY JODY BENNETT ttoo nneew lifew life IT amazes me that some things that have long- ago been surpassed in a technological sense are still around and fl ourishing today. I’m sure FormerFormer NNewew AAgege eenthusiastnthusiast that, at one time, these “simpler” inventions would have been predicted to go the way of the reenouncednounced hishis beliefsbeliefs afterafter aann dinosaur because of modern advancements. uunenexpectedxpected ppersonalersonal encounterencounter Think about bicycles – they have been far surpassed as a form of transport by the car, bus, train and motorbike, but still vast quantities t age 22 Steve Bancarz was “living of bicycles are sold each year and riding one is a skill almost every the dream” with a sports car, a child acquires. mansion and a New Age website Despite being ‘old school’, they still have the advantage of not receiving a minimum of 150,000 needing a license, being quicker than walking and just as independ- A hits a day. Website advertising revenue ent, being environmentally and physically friendly, and being cheap was making him a fortune but nothing to run. could shake the feeling of unfulfi lment Steve Bancarz shares his full Not only are bikes still made, they have advanced greatly in design, in his life. story on Youtube. to the point where you can get some that do cost as much as a car! His “journey down the rabbit hole”, The humble lead pencil is another example. It has been overtaken as Steve describes on his Youtube chan- by push-pencils, pens, markers, textas and, more recently, styluses, nel, began in high school when he was testimonies of people having seen Jesus Age things he had been involved with and but still each year on school booklists, thousands of HB pencils are exposed to a television series about in near-death experiences, or having realised how deceived he had been. required. Like the bicycle, pencils have the advantage of being cheap extra-terrestrials. seen heaven or hell. I was moved by their Steve’s life was radically transformed. and good for children, as they are easy to use. Pencil marks are also “This caused me to question the Bibli- testimonies. I had to admit that there is “I never wrote another New Age easy to correct, won’t run, work on surfaces pens cannot (like wood cal worldview and everything I had been something unique and special and pure article again. Drinking stopped, smok- or brick) and wash out of fabrics, so are useful for dress making. brought up to believe,” Steve says. “I and holy about Jesus. I couldn’t put my ing stopped, pornography stopped, sex Apparently US aerospace engineers worked very hard to develop started to research aliens obsessively.” fi nger on it and I couldn’t reconcile it with stopped and addictions just fell away a pen that would write in space under conditions of zero gravity – Steve had grown up in a Christian home what I was researching and experiencing immediately,” he shares. Russian astronauts just used pencils! and attended church regularly but never in the New Age.” “For the fi rst time in my life I had a Even printed matter, liked this newspaper, books and magazines considered himself a Christian. He put his questions and confusion on conviction to live righteously and to live one would have thought would quickly become obsolete because His alien research led to research into the back shelf but “always knew there was a holy life before God.” of electronic media. But though the printed page is not in as great channelling, hidden knowl- something different to In the New Age there is no belief that demand as it used to be, it is diffi cult to imagine that the world will edge, spiritual science and the person of Jesus”. sin separates you from God but now the ever be completely paperless. Books don’t need to be recharged, mysticism. Knowledge led “F“For the  rstor the Then, rst says Steve, life conviction of sin and the need to deal with don’t keep interrupting your reading with Facebook updates, are to practise and Steve delved issues led him to “face it was strong. easier than screens to read in the sun and lend to others, safer to into Tarot card reading, ttimeime I hhadad tthehe all the traumas and skel- A day or two later Steve cut all of his read in the bath, and less likely to be stolen at the beach! lucid dreaming, astral pro- etons in my closet at the work ties and deleted everything on his Also, printed matter can be easily distributed and marketed to jection and meditation. ccononviction toviction same to time”. site affi liated with the New Age. He threw people who would never go looking for that information online. “I was having out-of- He began reading all the idols out of his house, burnt all his In the same way, many people thought the body experiences,” he livlive righteously”e righteously”the Bible and exploring occult and new age books, and started Bible would have become obsolete by now – recalls. things pertaining to Jesus seeing through his new spiritual lens that superseded by other philosophies and religious In November 2012, Steve more open-mindedly but things like astral projection, channelling writings or debunked by discoveries of modern started a Facebook page to share infor- was still writing New Age articles. and aliens, which he had previously seen science. An ancient book, written by a largely despised, mation he had gathered from four years “I still felt lost inside,” he admits. as harmless were “false, dangerous and nomad people group and cobbled together from writings of research into New Age practises. The “[Then] one night I went outside on demonic”. of di erent eras and genres. page exploded in popularity and he was my balcony fell on my face weeping and Steve’s income was cut by 97 per cent And yet the Bible is still the most read book in the world, avail- invited to write for a well-known New reaching out to Jesus; and I felt the atmos- without his writing income and he had to able in every major language, in multiple formats and translations, Age website. phere around me start to change. I could sell his house and car. having withstood every scrutiny levelled at it by archaeology and Two years later he gained enough of a feel in the air that there was something “And I was glad to!” he smiles. history. It has inspired millions to accomplish important things like following to launch his own website and holy and pure around me. And it was also Steve has now started a new website abolishing slavery, starting hospitals, orphanages and universities, the money began rolling in. personal. I knew I was in the presence www.exposingthenewage.com and his tes- and discovering and civilizing the world. “I was full of greed and materialism. I of Jesus. timony can be seen on his Youtube chan- In addition, many millions have found the Bible’s teachings to be was obsessed with making money,” Steve “The wind felt like it was infused with nel From New Age to Jesus, which also so revolutionary and life changing that they have been prepared to admits. His presence and when it hit me it just debunks New Age beliefs and explores the die or su er torture, rather than deny its instructions. At the time he believed God was the completely broke me. I felt like He was evidence for Christianity. In this crazy world of change and rush, why not enjoy some time- energy of the universe, an impersonal showing me Himself, who He is and where Steve wants others to know: “God is not less insights and age-old goodness by taking time out in your busy force, and that to have a relationship with He stands in relation to me and to life.” an energy blob, not an impersonal force, day to centre yourself with some unchanging wisdom from the God meant having a relationship with People had been telling Steve that Jesus prana, or a void, God is a personal being greatest book ever published? ● your inner self. is God and Christianity it is not some who loves you and sees you and has a Steve was majoring in philosophy at complex mystical thing. purpose for you. It is his promise that if university and Christianity seemed to him Now, as he stood in the presence of God, you seek Him diligently and sincerely that naïve and childish. he realised “Oh my gosh this is it!” He will reveal Himself to you, as it says in But he says: “In my research I saw He started thinking about all the New Jeremiah 29:11.” ● Jesus said: ‘I am the Truth’ BY SUSIE KEARLEY People were no different in Jesus’ God – to show us himself. When you time, so when He said “I am the Truth”* start to know God, the big truths, and NO-ONE denies that truth is important it immediately got attention. He wasn’t the purpose of life itself, become clearer. and no one wants to be deceived. We all just saying “I’m telling the truth” – He This is diffi cult to grasp, and in Bibli- know the consequences was claiming to BE the truth. cal times they weren’t sure what to think of untruths, whether How can anyone BE the truth? either. Some objected to Jesus’ claims, it’s adulterous partners, People have different opin- and said He was being blasphemous. Yet dodgy salesmen, email ions: their version of ‘the over the two thousand years since He Delivery Address: We are looking forward scams or paedophiles truth’ is based on their per- said it, the truth has been proven in peo- PSSM Mailbox Club to hearing from you! posing as teenage friends spective of reality. But when ple’s experience of knowing Christ. When PO Box 357 (07) 5433 1628 on social media. Jesus said “I am the Truth” they’ve put their trust in Him, they’ve Morayfi eld 4506 [email protected] And our appetite for He meant “I am God: the ulti- found the truth they were seeking. Queensland pssm.com.au the truth has never been mate reality”. God is eternal, So if you’re confused, but keen to greater. For example, we all-knowing, and the answer discover the truth about life itself, you want truthful politicians to all the big questions. He IS don’t have to look any further than Jesus. and honest reporting, but it can be hard the truth. Find out more about what Jesus said for to separate the facts from spin or bias. Only through Jesus Christ can the yourself. Then start believing Him. How do you know whose word to trust, truth about God be truly revealed to us, He never lies. ● when all parties have their own agenda? because He came to earth to show us *Find it in the Bible: John chapter 14 verse 6 9 Edition 402 Believe it or not

BY CREATION MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL Human gene mutations “arose in the last 200 generations”

WE at Creation Ministries International have periodically pointed out that, from a biblical perspective, there have only been about 200 human generations since time began. (e.g. Creation 31(2):18–19, 2009; The Non-Mythical Adam and Eve!.) In that light, consider these recent fi ndings by evolutionary geneticists, who studied more than one million mutations, or changes ExposingExposing thethe deceptiondeception to our DNA code, found across human populations. Carl Wieland chats with geologist, marine scientist, author and educator Roger Gallop.

BY CARL WIELAND After ten unfulfi lling years with contrary evidence “Most of the mutations that the Florida Department of Environ- is simply ignored. we found arose in the last fter receiving a bachelor’s mental Protection (FDEP), Roger “Then there is 200 generations or so,” said degree in geology from the resigned to start his own business. the fear of being Joshua Akey of the University University of North Carolina, What followed were years of much ridiculed—any of Washington. He and his co- ARoger G. Gallop obtained a struggle and sadness for Roger and time you bring up researchers found that of the master’s degree in oceanography his wife, Katharine, due to death and your belief in crea- mutations likely to be harmful, from Florida Institute of Technology illness in the family. tion, or even the 91% emerged in the past 5,000 in 1975, where he also earned his “We found ourselves walking name of Jesus, you years. Many of these have only Ph.D. in science education in 2002. through a dark and uncertain time are considered an existed for the past thousand A certifi ed professional geologist, of our lives (fi nancially, physically, outsider or a freak. years. he has spent more than 35 years as and emotionally—but not spiritually). You cannot get a Echoing Akey’s statements, a geotechnical and marine scientist. God answered our heartfelt prayers, federal grant for population geneticist Alon Keinan Roger says he including for Kath- research if you are of Cornell University said: “Humans was greatly blessed arine’s total recov- labelled a creation- today carry a much larger load by growing up in ery [from cancer], ist. It’s easier for of deleterious variants than our a Christian family and we persevered. most to ‘go with species carried just prior to its but despite being "In fact, one of the herd’. massive expansion just a couple Roger and his wife, Katherine. baptized at age 10, the big things I’ve “And of course, hundred generations ago.” he says, he pro- repeatedly learned as 2 Peter 3:5 These observations match gressively became throughout my life indicates, people the Bible’s declaration of a ‘disconnected’ is perseverance; ‘deliberately for- world “in bondage to decay” from his faith, the other ones get’ about creation and the Flood. each night, and he says, “The Lord since Adam sinned (Romans 8: much of which had are humility, and They just choose not to believe. blesses your life through the time you 19–22). Evolutionary geneticists to do with being learning to over- This is part of that general post-Fall spend in His Word each night—never belatedly realized that the rate indoctrinated with come adversity tendency of humans to rebel against forgetting that life’s securities and of degradation of the human evolution and mil- through prayer the Creator, which is described blessings are gifts from God. genome poses huge problems for lions of years. This and faith.” in Romans 1:18–32—it reads like “Ultimately, it is not about where the evolutionary timeline. ● started at high Eventually today’s headlines. you have been, it’s where you are ● Analysis of 6,515 exomes reveals school, and was Roger was able “Despite the common perception going that matters.” the recent origin of most human particularly acute to return to his that scientists are ‘objective’, they ● protein-coding variants, nature. com, 28 November 2012. while attending studies at FIT, and actually tend to be some of the most Roger’s book is available through Creation Ministries International at ● Human evolution enters an exciting new college. “This period can be a real obtained his doctorate over a span of biased people,” Roger reveals. www.austore.creation.com phase, wired.com, 29 November 2012. ‘stumbling block’ for many students fi ve years—all while overseeing his “I did my doctoral dissertation from Christian families,” he admits. growing business some 300 km away. on this very subject, that when peo- “Nonetheless, I was open-minded During the 1980s and ’90s, Roger ple learn something and vocalize enough to question what they were says, “I grew increasingly weary of it repeatedly it’s very diffi cult for telling me, especially in geology. I public television, the secular media them to change their mind. It seems was fortunate to have a visiting pro- and public schools and colleges con- that the mind fi nds it hard even to fessor who admitted that the earth’s tinually promoting evolution as ‘fact’. process information that confl icts landforms were better explained Eventually, fed up with the way in with previously accepted data; prior by large-scale cata- which people were being conditioning is immensely diffi cult strophic processes led astray, he says, he was to challenge.” rather than ‘slow and “Prior motivated to write and Nonetheless, Roger says, “It still gradual’ over billions self-publish his book with amazes me that people with a sci- of years, and who said conditioning the no-holds-barred title ence degree are not willing to step that other geologists of evolution—The Greatest back and say, ‘I want to know the were thinking along is immensely Deception in Modern His- truth’, and ask serious questions. It’s those lines too. That di cult to tory (deliberately missing always a wonder to me, too, why peo- was important to me the opening capital letter). ple would actually favour evolution later on.” challenge” It is well illustrated and over creation. Any credible scientist While serving post- covers a wide range of top- should know that today’s ‘big evolu- Vietnam at the US ics and arguments. tionary story’ goes against the laws of naval base in Cuba, Roger started Regarding why the majority of science—such as the law of causality, attending a weekly Bible study with scientists believe in evolution, despite the law of biogenesis, and the laws fellow marines. “I began reading the evidence against it, Roger said: of thermodynamics;1 but creation is books about Bible prophecy and “I can think of several reasons.First, perfectly consistent with such laws. Genesis creation, and renewed my they are the product of a secular Biblical creation fi ts the facts.” faith in Jesus Christ and God of the educational system, one that assumes Today, he and Katharine continue Holy Bible.” evolution and long ages ‘as fact’, and to routinely read the Bible together 10 Who’s Edition 402 your daddy?

As a satanic priest, John Ramirez was fi ne with the idea that he was going to hell when he died – until he saw it for himself

ohn grew up in the south Bronx group of street in New York in a family that envangelists that practised Santeria, an Afro- were speaking in Caribbean religion that wor- his neighbour- JJohnohn RamirezRamirez ddiscussesiscusses tthehe ddemonicemonic ships demons. His father came hood, but when mmeaningeaning ooff ssomeome ggrra titi onon a a fromJ a family of witches and warlocks he got there he waallll iinn NNewew YYorkork iinn tthishis iimagemage and was heavily into spiritualism. He saw a ring of fi re ttakakeenn ffromrom a YYoutubeoutube clip.clip. was also an abusive drunk and John around them and got no love or compassion at home. none of his curses IINSERTNSERT: TThehe cooverver ooff JJohn’sohn’s When John was 10, his mother would work. ssececond bookond UUnmasknm bookaskiing ng tthehe DDevil.evil. took him to a tarot card reading, Then he met a where she was told her son would be girl who invited blind in 30 days if he wasn’t given him to church and who took him to devil appeared to him in huge form over the devil in a certain ceremony visit her parents, who talked to him and said to him, “I’ve been with you in which demons were invited to pos- about Jesus. since you were nine years old, I’ve Details about the Devil sess him. From then on John’s life He found Christians amusing and been a father to you, I’ve given you and personality changed. harmless. “They were just kisses, everything, I gave you powers and a IN the cult movie The Usual Suspects and was never intended for people at “My whole childhood was stolen,” hallelujahs and we love yous,” he name in the kingdom of darkness. I Kevin Spacey’s character Verbal Kint all, although we condemn ourselves he shares in a Youtube testimony would mock. destroyed people for you. Now you famously says “The greatest trick the there by not accepting God’s pay- “From 7pm to 5am I would go to devil Then one Sunday John went for- want to leave and betray me? You devil ever pulled was convincing the ment for our sins on the cross through church to be trained by high rank ward during an alter call but wasn’t belong to me, I own you and you’re world he didn’t exist”. Jesus’ death and resurrection. Hell is witches and warlocks. It felt like my prepared for what happened next. not going to leave. You know too The Devil seems to be doing a not a place where Satan will rule but whole life was cloaked in blackness.” All of a sudden the devil took hold of many secrets about my religion.” good job. In a 2009 poll conducted a place where he will suff er eternally His involvement deepened quickly. him and made him start strangling Then, as Satan reached for John, a by Nielsen, 68% of Australians said (Revelation 20:10). Within years John was able to astral the pastor. The men in the congrega- three-foot (90cm) cross appeared in they believe in God, while only 37% The Bible teaches that until Jesus travel - leave his body and send his tion had to intervene. Then some the John’s hands and he put it between say they believe in the Devil. comes again to rule and reign on the spirit to other neighbourhoods to congregation members got up and himself and the devil and suddenly Belief in the Devil, or Satan as he is Earth, Satan is the prince of this world curse them with prostitution, mur- started to pray to God and John saw the devil felt powerless “like nothing, also known, has been made ridiculous (John 12:31) who has the power to der, suicide or drugs. But sometimes the power of God that day. like a baby”. by portrayals of him as a cloven- gigiveve ricriches and power to those he would see a group of people John was urged to say “Jesus is “There is no greater love than the hoofed, pointy-tailed, red,ed, wwhoho worship him - as he holding hands and praying and he Lord” and when he fi nally got the cross,” John proclaims emotionally, goat-like creature, carrying a ttemptede Jesus to do in couldn’t do anything in those areas. words out the situation stopped. He “Grace and mercy showed up in hell pitchfork. the wilderness. (Luke For the fi rst time in his life he felt was embarrassed about the outburst for a despicable, arrogant, demonic, What does the Bible actu-- 4:5-7) powerful and respected. but not sure what to do next. self-centered, selfi sh person like me.” ally say about the Devil But as Matthew “People knew that Then a few When John woke up he was a and does one have to 16:26 says “For what I was a force to be days later one changed man. “I knew that Jesus believe in him to be a profi t is it to a man if he reckoned with. I of the church was Lord and I bent my knee (bowed Christian? ggains the whole world, liked that power,” elders brought before him)”. How did the Devil comee aandnd loses his own soul?” he remembers. him a sweat- He took a piece of paper and wrote: about? JesuJesus warned that the devil When John was shirt and said “I am a servant, a slave of Jesus The Old Testament bookss of is a liar. ““[The Devil] ... does not 13 his father was “Jesus wants Christ, and I will serve you all the Ezekiel (chapter 28) and Isaiahiah stand in the ttruth,r because there is no murdered in a bar you to have this, days of my life.” (chapter 14) explain that thehe truth in him. WhenW he speaks a lie, he fi ght, for which John you are a war- John then threw out all his witch- Devil was created by Godod spspeakseaks from hhis own resources, for he credited the devil rior for Christ.” craft paraphernalia, which was very originally as a beautiful angelgel is a liarliaran andd theth father of it.” (John 8:44) with alleviating his The gift from valuable. called Lucifer, which means Day Part of this lie is that Satan can mother’s suffering. God, a token of That was 16 years ago and John Star, who became full of pride and transform himself into an angel of “The devil became His love, moved says he wouldn’t trade anything for decided he no longer wanted to serve light (2 Corinthians 11:14) in order to my daddy,” he says, John power- what he has found in Christ. “For God but to be God. make wickedness seem appealing. “He said practise my fully. “To me 25 years of my life I was able to do For this rebellion Satan was thrown Satan hates humans, as those cre- religion and I’ll give that was amaz- anything to anybody, anywhere but out of heaven, taking one third of ated in the image of God and whom you anything you ing. I couldn’t now I count that as foolish compared God’s angels with him (Rev 12:4, God loves, and he hates especially want, just ask.” believe Jesus to gaining Christ. Christ is my all-in- 7-9) but we see in the book of Job, those who to choose to obey God. John says the loved me,” John all. He is the breath that I breathe. (chapter 1) that he is still able to come Peter warns Christians: Be sober, be presence of Satan remembers. He walks with me, I hear the sound before God’s throne and talk with Him, vigilant; because your adversary the became to him like “But I was of his voice in my ear.” and that Satan is also free to roam devil walks about like a roaring lion, a family member and he would say committed to the devil and the Now John tells everyone he can the earth. seeking whom he may devour. (1 “What is it my father, what do you demons and I was between two about Jesus and has written a book Is the Devil as strong as God? Peter 5:8) and Jesus called Satan the want to speak to me about, what worlds.” called Out of the Devil’s Cauldron: a Unlike God, Satan is a created thief who comes to steal, to kill and to would you like me to do?” Soon after he decided to end the journey from darkness to light. being and therefore limited by time destroy (John 10:9). Eventually he became a high priest spiritual struggle within him by kill- “I’ve got peace. I’m not empty any and space. He is not all-knowing, By becoming a Christian we declare in Palo Mayombe, a form of African ing himself. more. I got fulfi lment, I got a purpose all-powerful or everywhere present war on Satan (Ephesians 6:12) but the spiritualism. He started to talk to God, reviling and a destiny today. And all because at the same time as God is. Neverthe- Bible promises us that the Holy Spirit “The spirit realm is more real than Him and pledging his allegiance to I said yes to the cross,” John affi rms. less, he is a very powerful adversary of God within us is greater than he the natural realm and we fail to see Satan then, at the end, he whispered “We don’t have to die in our sins and whom even the archangel Michael who is in the world [Satan] (1 John that,” John says, “And whatever is “If you are bigger than the god that we don’t have to shed blood like in “dared not bring … a reviling accu- 4:4). not covered with Jesus Christ is an I serve, you show me tonight or you Palo Mayombe, Jesus shed the blood sation [against], but said, ‘The Lord Does one have to believe in the easy target to bring down.” leave me alone.” for you. That’s the blood that counts, rebuke you!’” Devil to be a Christian? John was often asked to curse peo- John fell asleep and dreamed he the one at the cross.” Thus the yin yang idea of a balance Believing in Satan is not a require- ple with disease or death, and he was was on a subway train full of people “No voodoo, hex or incantation can between good and evil is not Biblical, ment for salvation, but it is a require- able to do this, but once he remem- heading very fast for somewhere he separate me from the love of God.” as God has twice as many angels as ment to be able to live the Christian bers being asked to kill a woman and knew was no good. The doors opened “I switched daddies. I was cursed Satan and Satan has to have God’s life. the spells didn’t work. He couldn’t and he stepped out into the darkness but now I am blessed, because permission to act. Satan’s existence is taught through- understand why. The devil told him of hell. He felt heat unlike anything Jesus became cursed for me,” he Does the Devil rule in hell? out the Bible. Seven Old Testament that “the God she serves said to let on earth, heard wailing like “a cross concludes. ● The idea that the devil is ruling a books teach his existence and every her alone and not to touch her”. John between a child and an animal”, and wicked kingdom in hell is entirely New Testament writer refers to his John’s books Out of the Devil’s Cauldron: a wondered who this God was. experienced terrible hopeless fear. Journey from Darkness to Light and Unmasking without Biblical foundation. reality and activity as a personal Another time he went to curse a He tried to fi nd a way out but the the Devil are available from Amazon. In fact, the Bible says that hell is being. Jesus also referred to Satan 25 prepared as a place of torment for times in the Gospels which points to those angels, now demons, who us needing to know who he is and rebelled against God (Matt 25:41), what he does. ● Edition 402 11 Lessons  from a GOD CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR MARRIAGE BY ROB FURLONG and to consider their interests before This is not a good policy! sausage your own. Firstly, if I do not share with herher od can make a difference in This kind of love does not come then I miss out on one of the greatestatest dog (Part 4) your marriage. easily, especially when you are in the privileges of marriage. That of being I know this from fi rsthand heat of an argument and your wife supported, cared and prayed for by my Gexperience. (you believe) is being unreasonable! best friend. As Solomon wiselyy said, BY JODY BENNETT Karen and I both come from So, the only way I can possibly love “two are better than one” becausee a dog is very good for dysfunctional family backgrounds, like this is to ask God to help me. The they can lean on each other in HAVING one’s ego. so even before we were married we perfect example of sacrifi cial love is the storms of life. To have a creature greet you made a commitment to God and each seen in His Son Jesus who gave up Secondly, Karen can read like a celebrity every time you other that we would work hard to His own life for us when we did not me like a book, so there is no come home, look at you with not repeat the mistakes of previous deserve it. point in me trying to simply soldierier on! slavish devotion and follow you generations of our families of origin. My default button drifts toward I have found that good commu-mmu- “doggedly” around as if they What difference has God made for selfi shness when I am under pressure nication develops greater intimacyimacy are afraid you will disappear at me personally in my marriage? so I need the occasional reminder between us. any moment is healing balm I have discovered the joy of loving that I also, am not perfect but God One of the great descriptions of in a world of criticism and my wife sacrifi cially. still loves me anyway! marriage is the Biblical statement And the only way that I can truly disappointments. Husbands are instructed to “love I have learned that honesty is that a husband “knew” his wife. When know Karen well is to talk with her, lis- their wives” and it is the kind of liberating in marriage. we read this, we immediately think ten to her, share with her, dream with love that is willing to put the other I am talking here about honesty of the sexual relationship yet there her, cry with her and laugh with her. person’s needs ahead of your own, with your wife about where you are is so much more to this word than I experience what God described as to be willing to serve that person “at.” There have been times in my simply sex. “oneness” in marriage. marriage where I have thought it To “know” carries with it the ideas of This oneness does not happen over- best to not share with Karen what knowing the other person emotionally, night. When a couple is married they I might be struggling with at any spiritually and intellectually. begin a lifelong journey toward one- given moment. It’s not that I have The word underlines the very ness and there will be the inevitable sought to be deceptive or tried to essence of what a relationship is all ups and downs along that journey. hide things from her – I just did not about – to my wife for the person she But they do not travel that road want to cause her unnecessary worry truly is, to see her more deeply than alone. If they are both committed to or concern. others see her and to see what no one God, He goes before them, encourag- Having a cat, as far as I else sees: the beautiful person God ing, nurturing and shaping them into remember from my cat-owning created her to be. the people He wants them to be. days, does not bestow on Which is the way God sees me; the And the result is oneness – a true you the same king-like status person I really am. So, what I learn unity of body, mind, heart and soul. though; cats might yawn from through my relationship with God God can make a difference in your How can I become where they are curled up on the changes, for the good, the way I relate marriage – why not let Him start couch as you walk in the door, to my wife. today? ● or perhaps get up to meow near a Christian? their food bowl in complaint at Anyone can gain the eternal life off ered though Jesus Christ the delay in feeding them. Or they just won’t be there if We read in God’s word: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) they have better things to do. Theerre’’ss an APP ffoor tthahat ...... Dogs are dependant, cats are OUR Separation from God independent. That is why dogs PROBLEM: “Everyone has sinned. Nobody is good enough because have a reputation for being God’s standards are perfect” (Romans 3:23) ADMIT STOCARD REWARDS/LOYALTY CARD APP man’s best friend and are the inspiration for such tales of IS your wallet or When paying at the GOD’S Jesus died on the cross purse crammed with till, you simply open the faithfulness as Red Dog or Lassie. REMEDY / “God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we loyalty cards? Have app, choose the card I am not trying to get into SOLUTION: were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) ELIEVE B you forgotten which you want and scan your a cat-lovers versus dog-lovers argument here, as I think both Trust Jesus by receiving Him ones you have and phone like you would a make good pets, but they “To all who received Him, to those who believed in hardly ever use them card. OUR His name, He gave the right to become children because you can't fi nd That way your wallet do display two extremes of RESPONSE: of God” (John 1:12) COMMIT them when you need is less bulky and your responses to kindness; much like them? Do you forget cards are all manageable our own attitudes towards God Here is an example of how you can pray. the points or special and with you at all times. when we realise He loves us and “Lord Jesus, I need You now. Please forgive me for my sins. off ers associated with Your key chain could wants to be in relationship with us so much that He sent Jesus I open the door of my life and receive You as my Saviour and Lord. a particular card? also be lighter if you use Well, the Stocard Stocard instead of those to die in our place for our sins Thankyou for loving me so much that You died on the cross for me. app, available free in annoying little barcode (wrongdoing). Take control of my life. Make me the person You created me to be. Amen” the iTunes or Google Play store is just tags that you might have for the gym or We can have the cat’s attitude The Lord Jesus says: “I tell you the truth. Everyone who believes in me the organisational tool you need. the video store etc. of, “My master cares for me, feeds has eternal life.” (John 6:47). He gives life of a wonderful quality that continues forever. Simply load each card onto the You can even use Stocard for your me, pets me, provides for me app by scanning its barcode (with a library card or aeroplane boarding pass! and lets me sleep on his bed, AS A NEXT STEP : barcode scanner app) or manually And it is especially useful for hotel which is proof that I am special If you prayed If you have NOT prayed enter the number (if you don't have a or aeroplane loyalty cards which are and valuable, and it is only what the above prayer, the prayer at this scanner or camera). Each card is then seldom used and you may not want to I deserve.” tick this box stage, tick this box displayed clearly and accessibly as carry everywhere with you. Or we can have the dog’s I have prayed I would like to soon as you open the app. The app also keeps you abreast of the attitude, which says: “My master this prayer. think about this. special off ers and catalogues associated cares for me, feeds me, pets me, with your cards so that you can get the provides for me and lets me Please send me: Please send me: best deals. (But you can also turn that sleep on his bed, which is proof Bible More information as I am inquiring feature off .) that he is such a wonderful, Some ‘starting off ’ literature about being a Christian. It allows you to take and save photos loving master, and it is more than I have a problem (see att ached lett er) Information on a helpful church WWW.CHALLENGENEWS.ORG of your cards, and associate notes with I deserve.” them too. (Maybe a note about where God loves and draws you to Testimonies Children’s pages Lifestyle articles Sports you put the actual card should you need Himself, not because you are * Please tick and write clearly * Published 11 months of the year by Challenge it?) If the card is not one of the dozens so important or talented, but Literature Fellowship (ABN 98 206 125 814) Name ______in association with the international family of of cards whose icon is already on the because He is so gracious and Challenge newspapers. app, you can take your own photo of the long-suff ering, as the Bible says Address ______Editor: Carl Carmody. logo or add your own icon. “all our good deeds [done in our Staff writer: Jody Bennett The app also allows you to backup all own strength] are as fi lthy rags”. Phone ______WANT A YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION? 11 issues: 1 copy per month $42.02 (WA $39.82) your info to the cloud so that it is saved But when we do come to Christ, 5 copies per month $85.25 (WA $80.30) Age and occupation (it helps) ______BULK PRICES AVAILABLE for when you change devices. we realise we are valuable, News stand for public place distribution: $75 + freight Stocard is a really simple app that unique and beloved in Jesus and Challenge Literature Fellowship Fax (08) 9453 3006 or email Order Challenge from performs its function e ciently, our gratitude causes us to love, PO Box 978, Cloverdale WA 6985 [email protected] Challenge Literature Fellowship obey and praise Him even more. PO Box 978 Cloverdale WA 6985 works smoothly and is uncluttered by All overseas enquiries are referred onto someone in their own country Call 08 9453 3311 annoying adverts. ● ● Email: [email protected] of the together amazingly,”Hamiltonsaid last yearpromotingthe the bestwavesonplanet. a Girl the screensthisyearwith A professional surfer,andasamum especially thesuccessI’vehadasa and thejourneyI’vebeenthrough, ple toseeadeeperlookatmylife “will beareallycoolwayforpeo- it’s actuallyme.” will beaverydifferentversionand did anamazingjobbutIthinkthis I’ve overcome.Ithink and allthedifferentobstaclesthat story, highlightingmysur and it’saraw,realversionofmylife it forthelastthreeorfouryears, PRO SURFER BETHANY HAMILTON HER SHOWCASES TALENT IN A NEW MOVIE “I’m superexcited,it’scoming The surferwasinAustralialate Hamilton saysthedocumentary GIRL GIRL LIKELIKE A SURF SURFS , documentingherjourneyto fi lm. “We’vebeenworkingon Bethany Hamiltonandher husbandAdam Hamilton willbehitting in 2011,therealBethany shark attacksurvivalstory captured herinspiring fter feature D irks withtheirson Tobias, in aphoto from Bethany’s Instagram account. fi lm Soul Surfer fi Soul Surfer lm. fi Surfs Like ng career

young Bethanywentsur success. competing since,withimmense and Australiahasnotstopped National CompetitioninboththeUS on towintheNSSA attack Bethanywent situation. took chargeofher low inhersuffering, and, ratherthanwal- almost immediately returned tothewater arm inasharkattack who hadjustlosther the 13-year-oldgirl the Board,tellhow ing toGetBackon Family, andFight- Soul Surfer:ATrueStoryofFaith, Bethany’s 2004autobiography Robb andHelenHunt,aswell same time.” and inlife—doingitallatthe It wasHalloween2003whena Two yearsafterher Soul Surfer , starringAnna-Sophia A any ofthedetails, couldn’t makeout ning-fast tugs. I couple oflight- of pressureand ond. Ifeltalot took: asplitsec- book. recounts inher the horizon,”she bit ofdangeron even theslightest ing atall;not shoulder. her justbelowthe metre sharktook water whena4.3- dangling inthe with herleftarm lying onherboard Kauai. Shewas friend’s fatherin friend, andbest her brother,best “That’s allit “I hadnowarn- and inspiring remarkable ... istruly and maturity resilience Bethany’s fi n with ng

water aroundmeturnedbrightred.” top ofmyboardandleftarm. fi but Iknewthatthehugejawsofa told place, sur year, forwhichBethanywonthird Fiji Women’sProcompetitionlast short-boards. standard competitiveperformance ity now, and I’ve learned to accept it. ity now,andI’ve learnedtoacceptit. nightmare. But it’snot.It’smyreal- ing thewholeshark businesstobea arms again,andIwakeupexpect- “I oftendreamthatIhaveboth my remarkable andinspiring. and life-alteringeventthatis truly in respondingtosuchatraumatic is Bethany’sresilienceandmaturity talents.” ridiculously impressedwithher up onashortboard,”hesaid. Jaws, andCloudbreak,trytoget position atheavyspotslikePipe, paddle outbutputthemselvesin their sideandattemptnotonlyto full surfwithonearmstrappedto women’s sport. “arguably unparalleled”inmen’sor perform atthelevelshedoeswas ships Bethanyhastoovercome

fteen-foot tigersharkcoveredthe By the time she arrived in hospital By thetimeshearrivedinhospital “Then Iwatchedinshockasthe After herperformanceinthe As a14-year-old,Bethanywrote: Perhaps morethanhertalent,it “I’m scaredtodoitmyselfand “I thinkeveryoneshouldhavea The GospelHeraldthehard- uary 2004.Shenowuses major competitioninJan- the lossofherleftarm. kick moretomakeupfor to paddle.Shelearned right arm,makingiteasier and withahandleforher and thickerthanstandard tom-made board,longer board. later shewasbackonher of herblood.Amonth she hadlost60percent fi ng legendKellySlater She enteredherfirst Initially sheusedacus- Cloverdale WA 6985.Ph(08) 94533311.Fax(08)3006.Email: [email protected] -Printed 06/2017 Print Post Approved 10001398.Published byChallenge Literature Fellowship(Aust.) Inc. of PO Box 978, strength andwisdomindealing and continuestocreditGodforher surfs withonearmisirrelevant moaning, ‘Woeisme!’” not goingtowalloworwalkaround self. Imademyselfapromise:I’m sit aroundandfeelsorryforyour- events thathappen. wonderful thingsinspiteofterrible them thatyoucangoonanddo is worthyofourtrust,andtoshow opportunity totellpeoplethatGod to usewhathappenedmeasan have aface-to-facetalkaboutit. asks youtowaitsothatcan in thislife,andsometimesHe sometimes Heletsyouknow has allthoseanswers,and people,” shewrites. bad thingshappentogood have alltheanswerstowhy through herpain. hope topersevere the strengthand where shefound goes ontoexplain after theattack.She I’ve movedon.”

DISTRIBUTED BY: Today, Bethanysaysthefactshe “I don’tthinkitdoesanygoodto “What Idoknowisthatwant “But IdoknowthatGod “I don’tpretendto This wasonlyayear n h y n s d r a a

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“They remainsteadyandtrue,aren’t life,” shetells to thepromisesthatGodhasformy with life’strials. on beingamother. train asasurferbutisalsofocusing son Tobiasin2015.Shecontinuesto ister AdamDirksandgavebirthto times.” in ourfaithaswegothroughhard there forustorelyon.Hegrows going towaiverorchangeandare “As aChristian,Ireallyclingtight Bethany ismarriedtoyouthmin- Bethany Hamilton’s autobiography Surfs like agirlwillbereleasedSurfs The GospelHerald. is available onAmazon. in theatres this Winter. ●