“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.” Psalm 146:7-9
0 Comments
“This is love for God: to obey his commands” (1 John 5:3) … such as: “to love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt. 19:19), “look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27), “do good to all people” (Gal. 6:10), be a Good Samaritan (Luke 10:37), feed the hungry, provide for the needy, care for the sick, visit the prisoner (Matt. 25:35-36).
I noted that only 1-2% of missionaries are focused on reaching Muslims – a sad statistic which led missionary Samuel Zwemer (1862 – 1952) (also known as the Apostle to Islam) to lament: “One might suppose the Church thought the Great Commission didn’t apply to Muslims.”
Elizabeth Kendal By Craig Manners
Samuel Johnson once declared, "The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things - the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit." A “complete” education needs to be an education which includes the basics such as reading, writing, maths, science (the proper science, not the modern, man-exalting, ear-tickling, bad behaviour-justifying, evolution promoting “science”), locally useful practical skills, the classical elements of education, such as art, music and languages, and then, one could argue most importantly, Bible-based theology (knowledge of God). The modern Western world more and more seeks to remove religion, especially all Christian influence, from every public sphere, with arguments that suggest everyone can have input into society except Christians, that all ideas are welcome and equal in the public square, except anything to do with the God of the Bible (the only true and living God, who has revealed Himself for us in the Bible so that we do not have to speculate and make up false gods). Young people should be encouraged at school to have a true freedom-of-enquiry and encourage personal investigation into the big issues of life, rather than be bullied into the deception that they should remain ignorant and overlook and avoid an honest search for truth regarding the biggest issues like, "where did we come from?", "is there a God"? etc. I agree with G.K. Chesterton, who wrote in 1914: “Because the elementary school doesn't teach theology, it must be excused when it doesn't teach anything. The bias of the modern world is so enormous that it will allow a thing to be inefficient as long as it is also irreligious.” Students should be encouraged to be able to think for themselves and to openly be able to investigate religious and theological matters, starting with the objective truths revealed for all mankind in God’s Word the Bible. The Western world lives under a government imposed secularism. Many people today turn their noses at the suggestion of including the Christian religion in a child’s education. They would rather that children be taught to believe in nothing (things without any hope, such as the "theory" of evolution), or everything (relativism), or to be taught to just remain ignorant, to leave God out of the picture, to grow up refusing to ever investigate the great questions of human existence, to see for themselves if there is any truth. “Don’t talk about religion” they tell children. To borrow a response from Chesterton: How absolutely absurd! Those who demand religion and religious people be kept out of contributing to society, those who demand to "keep religion and politics separate" are trying to get their own way without being open to having their own beliefs or agendas investigated. Their beliefs are often indefensible when honestly investigated, which is why they so vehemently push for ignorance to reign, rather than honest and open intellectual enquiry into religion, into atheism and into evolution. They are therefore in effect "anti-education," they do not want people to have a complete education. Without an honest and open-minded investigation of the biggest selling book of our world, the Bible, a person cannot be completely educated. Those who hate God hate His word and demand that the Bible be ridiculed and ignored. Why should we be so ignorant though? Ironically some of the biggest, most intolerant, promoters of ignorance in our modern Western societies are the radical atheists, and the militant promoters of sexual deviancy and immorality, who fiercely demand that the God they insist doesn't exist be silenced. Why is that? "It is absurd for the Evolutionist to complain that it is unthinkable for an admittedly unthinkable God to make everything out of nothing, and then pretend that it is more thinkable that nothing should turn itself into everything." G.K. Chesterton. To ignore the big questions which confront humanity and to insist that our schools do not mention God, or deal satisfactorily with topics such as "suffering", "truth", "death", "eternity", the big things which impact every one of us, is to do a grave disservice to our children. The reality is that there is death, there is suffering brought about by wrong living. There is an answer to the questions about our origin. There is a solution to the problem of death and suffering. There is a God who has revealed Himself to us through the Holy Scriptures, and who has revealed His plan of salvation. Below are some further interesting quotes from Chesterton on education: “The whole point of education is that it should give a man abstract and eternal standards by which he can judge material and fugitive standards.” (Illustrated London News 3-29-30) “The only real object of all education is to teach people the proportions of things, that they may see what things are large and what small: we seem bent on teaching to prefer in everything what is small to what is great, what is doubtful to what is certain, and what is trivial to what is eternal.” (ILN Aug. 24, 1912) “The truth is that the modern world has committed itself to two totally different and inconsistent conceptions about education. It is always trying to expand the scope of education; and always trying to exclude from it all religion and philosophy. But this is sheer nonsense. You can have an education that teaches atheism because atheism is true, and it can be, from its own point of view, a complete education. But you cannot have an education claiming to teach all truth, and then refusing to discuss whether atheism is true.” (The Common Man) “About half the history now taught in schools and colleges is made windy and barren by the narrow notion of leaving out the theological . . . Historians seem to have completely forgotten two facts - first that men act from ideas; and second, that it might, therefore, be as well to discover which ideas.” (ILN 5-13-11) “Because the elementary school doesn't teach theology, it must be excused when it doesn't teach anything. The bias of the modern world is so enormous that it will allow a thing to be inefficient as long as it is also irreligious.” (ILN 7-18-14) “There is something to be said for teaching everything to somebody, as compared with the modern notion of teaching nothing, and the same sort of nothing, to everybody. For what we force on all families, by the power of the police, is not a philosophy but the art of reading and writing unphilosophically.” (All I Survey) “Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not an education at all.” (The Common Man) “The moment men begin to care more for education than for religion they begin to care more for ambition than for education. It is no longer a world in which the souls of all are equal before heaven, but a world in which the mind of each is bent on achieving unequal advantage over the other.” (The Common Man) “These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.” (ILN 8-11-28) “Great truths can only be forgotten and can never be falsified.” (ILN 9-30-33) “Teach, to the young, men's enduring truths, and let the learned amuse themselves with their passing errors.” (ILN 10-15-10) “A teacher who is not dogmatic is simply a teacher who is not teaching.” (What's Wrong With the World) “Education is only the truth in a state of transmission; and how can we pass on truth if it has never come into our hand?” (What's Wrong with the World.) and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, available through faith alone, given by God's grace alone Below are some further interesting quotes from Chesterton on education: “The whole point of education is that it should give a man abstract and eternal standards by which he can judge material and fugitive standards.” (Illustrated London News 3-29-30) “The only real object of all education is to teach people the proportions of things, that they may see what things are large and what small: we seem bent on teaching to prefer in everything what is small to what is great, what is doubtful to what is certain, and what is trivial to what is eternal.” (ILN Aug. 24, 1912) “The truth is that the modern world has committed itself to two totally different and inconsistent conceptions about education. It is always trying to expand the scope of education; and always trying to exclude from it all religion and philosophy. But this is sheer nonsense. You can have an education that teaches atheism because atheism is true, and it can be, from its own point of view, a complete education. But you cannot have an education claiming to teach all truth, and then refusing to discuss whether atheism is true.” (The Common Man) “About half the history now taught in schools and colleges is made windy and barren by the narrow notion of leaving out the theological . . . Historians seem to have completely forgotten two facts - first that men act from ideas; and second, that it might, therefore, be as well to discover which ideas.” (ILN 5-13-11) “Because the elementary school doesn't teach theology, it must be excused when it doesn't teach anything. The bias of the modern world is so enormous that it will allow a thing to be inefficient as long as it is also irreligious.” (ILN 7-18-14) “There is something to be said for teaching everything to somebody, as compared with the modern notion of teaching nothing, and the same sort of nothing, to everybody. For what we force on all families, by the power of the police, is not a philosophy but the art of reading and writing unphilosophically.” (All I Survey) “Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not an education at all.” (The Common Man) “The moment men begin to care more for education than for religion they begin to care more for ambition than for education. It is no longer a world in which the souls of all are equal before heaven, but a world in which the mind of each is bent on achieving unequal advantage over the other.” (The Common Man) “These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.” (ILN 8-11-28) “Great truths can only be forgotten and can never be falsified.” (ILN 9-30-33) “Teach, to the young, men's enduring truths, and let the learned amuse themselves with their passing errors.” (ILN 10-15-10) “A teacher who is not dogmatic is simply a teacher who is not teaching.” (What's Wrong With the World) “Education is only the truth in a state of transmission; and how can we pass on truth if it has never come into our hand?” (What's Wrong with the World.) By Craig Manners
After decades of billions upon billions of dollars, and multiple ship loads of sea containers carrying goods for the poor of Africa, nothing changes. Why is this? One (among many) reason is that much of the aid does not get to the poor. It is intercepted by the influential, the powerful and rich. The giver in the developed country still gets the warm feeling of having done a good deed, and they may get a thank you and a photo or two from the receiver, but the intended recipient of the goodwill gesture, the desperately poor, mostly never see the bulk of the cash or goods. And some of it even ends up back in Western bank accounts held by wealthy Africans, thus not even trickling through the local economy. Why is this? Human corruption stops the poor from escaping from their poverty. How could a human being keep such things from the desperately poor? Human corruption has a remarkable way of creating justifying excuses to appease one's conscience. Man has an enormous capacity for egotism, self-absorption, and regard for their own interest over those of others. Talking of Robert Louis Stevenson's book, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," New York based theologian Timothy Keller says something of Edward Hyde which can so easily be applied to all mankind and which can be attributed as a major reason for continued poverty in the world: "He thinks solely of his own desires; He doesn't care in the slightest who he hurts in order to gratify himself." "Self-aggrandizement is at the foundation of so much of the misery of the world. It is the reason the powerful and the rich are indifferent to the plight of the poor. It is the reason for most of the violence, crime, and warfare in the world. It is at the heart of most cases of family disintegration.” (Timothy Keller, Pg 175, The Reason for God) Having said all this, it is not altogether surprising is it? After all, mankind's corruption is the reason for Jesus. It is what our Messiah saves us from, paying the price for us to free us from our corruption, redeeming us from slavery, defeating death for us and giving us true and eternal life. Dear Friends,
I thought I would pass on something of possible interest. As you know Orbus Ministries Australia Inc. has partnered with The Babes Project to establish “Orbus House” in Victoria, a residential program facility to help young mothers in crisis pregnancy. The CEO of the Babes Project, Helen Parker, is speaking at a free event this coming Monday evening at Monash University. The details are as follows in case you would like to go and hear Helen speak about this important ministry. 9 Months and Beyond - Navigating the Beginning of Life An introduction to the ethics of the beginning of life, and a lesson in how to support vulnerable mothers and their babies during this time. Date: Monday September 15, 6.30pm - 8.30pm Location: Monash Clayton Campus, exact lecture theatre tbc. Free Event! Supper provided. A collection will be taken up on the night to support the Babes Project programs. RSVP by Friday September 12 via this link. About the Speakers: 1. John Wyatt -- "From Conception to Birth and Beyond" - The Ethics of the Beginning of Life John Wyatt is Professor of Ethics and Perinatology at University College London. He has worked as a consultant neonatologist at University College Hospital for more than 20 years but is now concentrating on teaching and research into ethical dilemmas raised by advances in technology. He is Chair of the Medical Study Group of the Christian Medical Fellowship and a board member of Biocentre. He is a member of the Ethics Committees of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and has been frequently involved in professional and media debates on ethical issues concerning the beginning and end of life. He is author of the book "Matters of Life and Death: Human dilemmas in the light of the Christian Faith." He will be speaking to us via direct video connection from his office in London! A fantastic opportunity to ask questions of a great mind in this area. 2. Helen Parker, The Babes Project -- Rewriting the Motherhood Experience for Women Facing Crisis Pregnancy As a 20-year-old university student Helen Parker found herself unexpectedly pregnant, far from home and alone. Without support or any clear idea of what to do next, the doctor booked her in for a pregnancy termination. Ultimately, Helen chose to continue with her pregnancy and became a single mum, but the lack of discussion about options other than abortion raised many questions. Helen soon realised her story was being replayed daily in the lives of women across Australia. She started The Babes Project to empower vulnerable women to continue their pregnancy and prepare for parenting. Today, the Babes Project provides pregnancy support services and accommodation for women and children in the perinatal period, throughout Victoria. Come along to hear about the work of The Babes Project and learn how you can practically support vulnerable mothers. www.thebabesproject.com.au God bless, “A generous person will prosper; they who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
"Blessed are they who have Regard for the weak." (Psalm 41:1) We could focus on ourselves until we see no more; stand up for ourselves until we can stand no more; fill our store houses until they can store no more; worry about tomorrow until there are no more tomorrows; wallow about our weaknesses until we are too weak to wallow; or we could become generous toward others; help the weak; speak up for those who cannot speak; defend the vulnerable. "Thy LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up" (1 Samuel 2:7).
All my changes come from Him who never changes. If I had grown rich, I should have seen His hand in it, and I should have praised Him; let me equally see His hand if I am made poor, and let me as heartily praise Him. When we go down in the world, it is of the LORD, and so we may take it patiently: when we rise in the world, it is of the LORD, and we may accept it thankfully. In any case, the LORD hath done it, and it is well. It seems that God's way is to lower those whom He means to raise and to strip those whom He intends to clothe. If it is His way, it is the wisest and best way. If I am now enduring the bringing low, I may well rejoice, because I see in it the preface to the lifting up. The more we are humbled by grace, the more we shall be exalted in glory. That impoverishment which will be overruled for our enrichment is to be welcomed. O LORD, Thou has taken me down of late and made me feel my insignificance and sin. It is not a pleasant experience, but I pray Thee make it a profitable one to me. Oh, that Thou wouldst thus fit me to bear a greater weight of delight and of usefulness; and when I am ready for it, then grant it to me, for Christ's sake! Amen. Charles Spurgeon |
Notice Board
December 2023
Categories |