Signs of the Times - November 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

BEAR GRYLLS

his riskiest adventure yet HOW JESUS’ WORDS ARE MISUNDERSTOOD

INSIGHTS FOR RELUCTANT LEADERS

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD TODAY

IN THIS ISSUE

NOVEMBER 2019

BEAR GRYLLS HIS RISKIEST ADVENTURE YET Writing a book about God PAGE 32

6

44

CURRENT

WHAT IN THE WORLD TREACHEROUS WATERS Helping your child make the most of Year 12 12 YOUR SAY Social media gives advice on Year 12 56 HOW TO REMEMBER THEM On this year’s Remembrance Day 4 6

20 FRIENDSHIP, A

PRICELESS GIFT Billions of dollars cannot buy it 26 GO HEALTHY FOR GOOD Health news for every body 44 7 TOP TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE They don’t have to ruin your day 52 INSIGHTS FOR RELUCTANT LEADERS How to take charge . . . wisely

WELLBEING

14 THIS GENERATION

NEEDS TO FIGHT OBESITY FOR THE SAKE OF THE NEXT

FAITH

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38 THE IMPORTANCE OF A

COMMA Have Jesus’ words on the cross been misunderstood?

SCIENCE & TECH

50 THE CUTTING EDGE What’s happening

in research, engineering, science and technology?

FUN

62 CROSSWORD & SUDOKU Have you been paying

attention?

28 GOD’S AMAZING GIFT You can live forever!

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 2

38

/SIGNSOFTHETIMES

FROM THE EDITOR Thanks to social researcher and author Brene Brown (and Netflix), I’ve been alerted to an historic speech by Theodore Roosevelt (US president, 1901– 1909). Dubbed the “Man in the Arena”, Roosevelt’s words were, in part, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming . . . who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. . . .”

Wow! Powerful words. So much of what is touted as “inspirational” or “motivational” seems to neglect the tough realities of life. But not Teddy Roosevelt.

And not this month’s Signs of the Times.

So, whether you’re facing the challenge of parenting a child through Year 12 (page 6), weight loss (page 14), dealing with difficult people (page 44) or an unexpected leadership position (page 52), know that life is full of challenges. Know that victory sometimes looks like defeat—think Jesus on the cross, for example (page 38), “marred by dust and sweat and blood”.

Dare greatly. Dare to serve.

Dare to love.

Kent KENT KINGSTON Editor

VOL 134 NO 11 ISSN 1038-9733 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Brad Kemp EDITOR Kent Kingston ASSISTANT EDITOR Daniel Kuberek COPYEDITOR Tracey Bridcutt GRAPHIC DESIGN Nerise McQuillan Theodora Amuimuia PHONE +61 2 9847 2222 EMAIL info@signsofthetimes.org.au WEBSITE signsofthetimes.org.au ADDRESS Adventist Media PO Box 1115, Wahroonga New South Wales 2076 SUBSCRIPTIONS Kelli Geelan PHONE +61 3 5965 6300 Australia, $A26; New Zealand, $NZ26; South Pacific countries, $A41; Other countries $A51 Published since 1886, Signs of the Times is printed 11 times a year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is registered as a periodical.

Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ABN 59 093 117 689 NOTE The inclusion of a person or their image within does not imply their endorsement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its beliefs.

Unless otherwise stated, Bible verses are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Anglicised. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton. All rights reserved worldwide.

COVER PHOTO: Supplied—beargrylls.com

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WHAT IN THE WORLD TRAFFIC SCRAM The increasing time spent commuting to and from work is being blamed for more workers considering quitting their jobs. New data says commuting times have increased by 23 per cent since 2002 to 4.5 hours a week. The Australian Capital Territory has seen the largest increase in commute times. Booming population numbers, increased house prices and lack of government support for public transport are all seen as factors.—ABC

WORLD’S CLEANEST AIR NEW ZEALAND

“Who’s got the world’s cleanest and safest air and water? AMERICA!” President Donald Trump tweeted.

Experts have been quick to discount the claim, given that the US is actually 10th on the Environmental Performance Index. As for ultra-fine particulate matter in the air, New Zealand ranks first for world’s cleanest air—the US is seventh.—Business Insider 4

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ALEXANDER POPOV, ELI DEFARIA—UNSPLASH, CHAIYAPRUEK2520, ALEX LMX, SEIJIROOOOOOOOOO—GETTYIMAGES

AUSTRALIA

STRESS IN

SCHOOL

“BONG WATER” WORLD

Beverage companies are beginning to invest in drinkable marijuana, with the industry expected to boom.

Brewers, including Molson Coors, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Lagunitas have invested millions of dollars into the venture. Health experts are concerned about how the drinks will affect consumers, given tolerance of THC—the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis—varies greatly between people.—The Verge

Australian high school students have reported feeling

STRESSED (83.2%),

ANXIOUS (79%)

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS (35.4%)

because of school.—Headspace

65.1% students aged 14–25 said they experienced WORRYING LEVELS OF STRESS last year, a 13.9% increase from 2017.

—ABC

LESS PLASTIC IS FANTASTIC

UNITED STATES

San Francisco airport has become the first in the world to ban sales of singleuse plastic bottles. Water is now being sold in glass, recycled aluminium and other certified packaging. It has been estimated that each airport guest generates 225 grams of rubbish. The South Australian government has expressed interest in adopting the same policy.—New Daily

New Zealand teachers and school leaders are reporting working more than 61 hours each week. Teacher shortages are reported to be the highest source of stress.—NZEI

61hr weeks

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Treacherous WATERS Don’t believe the hype or the “make-or-break” myth. Yes, Year 12 is hard—for students and parents. But thousands survive, and even thrive, each and every year.

S

o, how do parents of a Year 12 student help them navigate this long-anticipated and often dreaded year?

It’s hard to believe sometimes that your son or daughter, who you tearfully or gleefully accompanied

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into school on their first day, is now heading into their last year of high school. Where did those years go?

How can you cope with the reality of a child who is growing up so fast and will soon be choosing a career?

These are probably some of the

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BY DENISE NELSON

overwhelming thoughts racing through parents’ minds as their children face Year 12. I guess they might be wondering how they will relate to and support their children, considering it is one of the most stress-filled years of high school.

Well, as a mother who has experienced this, and as a teacher of Year 12 students, I hope I can provide you with some insights and useful advice to help you navigate the treacherous waters of Year 12, so that both you and your child can feel less stressed.

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It was quite some years ago when my two sons were in Year 12, but each one was very different and handled the year in his own unique way. My older son was pretty chilled and quite independent, so he just got on with the job of doing his work and always made sure that he was in bed by 10:30 pm. He didn’t seem particularly fazed by exams and his attitude was quite matter-of-fact: “I will do the work, but I am not going to be too stressed about it.”

My other son, however, was a stress-monkey who didn’t eat breakfast or lunch, then slept all the way home in the car, only to eat from the time he arrived home until bedtime and then suffered reflux all night! What a nightmare his Year 12 was for both of us!

The personality of your child really makes a huge difference as to how they cope with Year 12 and hence how you need to deal with them. You, as their parent, know them better than they probably know themselves, so this should help you to be in tune with their coping strategies. You will be aware of how they work or don’t work, which will impact on your communication with them and your listening skills. How you talk to them will also affect your relationship during this time.

I consequently allowed my older son to “do his own thing” as he was chilled and had it under control.

If he asked me a question then I answered it for him, but otherwise I 8

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stayed out of his face. He said he was content to pass and was not prepared to push himself any harder than necessary. (He was true to his word!)

My other—anxious—son, who seemed to lurch from one emotional disaster to another, was a totally different story. I worried about him and I felt his anxiety keenly, but still tried to be supportive, even though he seemed disinterested and unmotivated for most of that year. He found solace in computer games, which were obviously his escape from reality and also his way of procrastinating. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, however, as he completed the year and passed, despite begging me unsuccessfully in Year 11 to allow him to leave school.

Both my sons survived the

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each student is unique

“

The personality of your child really makes a huge difference as to how they cope . . .

maelstrom of Year 12 and so did my husband and I, despite what a parent’s worst fears might suggest. Our boys are now both working in careers that they chose, are earning money and are able to support themselves.

So there’s an upside—Year 12 is not the be-all and end-all of existence!

listen to what they say

As a teacher, I asked my Year 12 students to write about how they would like their parents to support them during this year, and these were some of their responses: “Let me breathe! If I’m doing work in the office with the door closed or wearing my noise-cancelling headphones, then I’m focused, so don’t disturb me!”

“Keep me informed of plans ahead

of time! Don’t surprise me with my aunt’s birthday; I’m planning my work around everything else!”

“I’m sorry if I’m snappy or moody.

I’ve got a lot to do and I’m probably very stressed. Don’t take it personally!”

“Please don’t keep reminding me that this is the hardest part of high school. It’s stressful enough, so don’t constantly remind me of how difficult it is!”

porridge and personality

Have you heard of the Goldilocks principle? This children’s story can apply in some ways to your child as they navigate Year 12. You as a parent know all too well the personality and behaviour of your child. Are they “too hot”? Meaning, are they a high achiever who will NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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burn the midnight oil and be so obsessively focused that you fear for their sanity and your own! Or are they “too cold”—disinterested and need some superhuman effort on your part to encourage them to stay focused and keep on working towards the final goal? Maybe they are “just right” and don’t need much nurturing—they have their goals sorted and have the motivation to keep going until the end.

Your child’s personality may not fit neatly into Goldilocks’ porridge bowls, however, as they are unique and have their own particular quirks.

One thing that needs to be stated here is that your child’s navigation through Year 12 does not determine their future success or failure in life. Be reassured.

how can parents help?

So how does this translate into what parents can do for their children? If you are concerned about your child’s journey through this year and how best to support them, you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of tips and advice out there in Google-land.

Here’s a list I’ve compiled, which may help you cope with this “perfect storm” of a year.

#1

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP IS IMPORTANT (FOR ALL INVOLVED). This improves memory,

concentration and emotional stability.

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#2 Junk food and fizzy drinks can lead

GIVE THEM HEALTHY FOOD TO EAT AND WATER TO DRINK.

to blood-sugar spikes and crashes, jitters and moodiness. A lack of hydra­tion can lead to headaches.

Help your child to avoid stress/ comfort eating and to make better choices.

#3 Yes, an all-night study session is sometimes REMIND THEM TO HAVE A BALANCED LIFESTYLE.

needed, but generally academic performance will be improved if regular times are set aside for physical activity (preferably in the fresh air of the outdoors), socialising with friends and family, and prayer or other spiritual/personal development activities.

#7 The stress of Year 12 does not mean all rules BE TOLERANT AND SUPPORTIVE.

of decency and etiquette are out the window, but your child may need a little extra leeway and under­standing.

#8

ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY FOCUSED AND TO DO THEIR BEST. “Their best” is like

#4 I’d add “free of distractions” here, PROVIDE THEM WITH A QUIET PLACE TO STUDY.

but we all know the main distraction is the web-enabled computer they’re using as their key learning tool! Maybe pop in briefly every hour or so with a healthy snack just to check that they’re on task.

#5 Include a weekly timetable as well as a calHELP THEM CREATE A SCHEDULE.

endar with a series of milestones leading up to major assessments.

#6 The morning of the exam is not WAVEBREAKMEDIA—GETTY IMAGES

PICK THE RIGHT TIME TO APPLY PRESSURE.

that time! But during the “what went wrong?” post-mortem of a disappointing essay result earlier in the year, your child may be open to improving their approach to upcoming assessments.

an elite athlete’s “personal best” rather than the Olympic world record. Avoid comparisons to a sibling or last year’s dux (unless your child is realistically on track to dux their class this year—in that case, a bit of healthy competitive spirit may give them the edge they need).

#9 Excel, pass or fail, your child needs to know LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU CARE.

that you love them unconditionally and that the challenges they’re facing matter to you.

#10

TALK TO OTHER PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE DOING YEAR 12. It

could be beneficial to compare notes on how the adults are dealing with their stressed out, or blasé, child. Kind of like a support group.

Good luck! See you on the other side.

Denise Nelson is a high school English teacher living and working in Adelaide, South Australia.

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Your

SAY

Be happy for who you are, focus on God, your health and your future.

Be the person you wish you were.—Shaun Jaimee Watson

What advice would you give your high school self?

Make sure you keep everything in perspective and don’t rely on your grades to provide your identity. And just calm the heck down a bit, okay?—Jessica Krause

Don’t stray away from God, and listen to your mother!—Kerry-Anne Woodward

Uni is a debt trap; do a trade.

That’s what I’d say.

—Tim Humphries

Wow! It was quite a confusing time of my life back then!

—Danny Pinzone

Understanding communication is the most important thing you can do. Take a risk on innovation when you’re young as you have nothing to lose. Build good habits as these define your future.—Justin Boyd

Join the conversation at Facebook-SignsoftheTimes 12

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ELL B EING

THIS GENERATION

needs to fight OBESITY

t x e n e h t f o e k a s e h for t 14

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BY SUVI MAHONEN

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MOTORTION—GETTY IMAGES

So you think you’re ready to make a baby? There are some weighty issues that need to be considered first.

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the population becomes more obese, obesity in itself becomes inheritable.

According to the World Health Organization, almost 40 per cent of the world’s adult population is overweight or obese, a percentage that has nearly tripled since 1975.

In previous centuries the earth’s population constantly struggled with food scarcity, which favoured those of us who were able to store energy rapidly as fat when food was in surplus. However, with improved agricultural techniques and more efficient distribution, food has been in abundance in much of the world and obesity—once confined to the wealthy—is now almost the norm.

Plates have become larger to accommodate the extra food. In the 1960s the diameter of an average dinner plate was 22 centimetres;

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P

icture this. A couple are trying for their first baby. She’s maximising her chances—faithfully taking multivitamins, cutting down on junk food and swearing off alcohol. She regularly engages in not-too-strenuous exercise, relaxes with meditation, carefully keeps track of her menstrual cycle and knows when it’s best to have intercourse through her smartphone app.

Now consider him. Sure, he’s up for the regular sex bit, but that’s about it. He drinks, smokes occasionally and wears snug Y-fronts despite being a little overweight.

In fact he’s more than a little overweight, even though he considers himself merely muscly, at worst solid, which served him well in his rugby-playing days.

But research is emerging to show that obese men have higher rates of sperm DNA damage, says Andrology Australia director Professor Rob McLachlan. The sperm of obese men can also be affected by what McLachlan calls “epigenetics”—where there are changes in the way the DNA is folded, which can affect a gene’s functioning.

“Obesity can affect embryonic health and the health of the adult offspring,” explains McLachlan. “Say you take four baby mice that are brothers and you make two of them obese by overfeeding them. When they grow up the offspring of the obese mice are more likely to be obese than the offspring of their thinner brothers.”

So, as the environment changes and

by the 1980s it was 25 centimetres; and in 2009 the average dinner plate size was almost 30 centimetres in diameter.

Not surprisingly, the clothing industry has needed some alterations as well. According to data from the American Society of Testing and Materials, in 1958 a size-12 dress had a waist circumference of 66 centi­ metres. But by 2011, the average size-12 dress had an 81-centimetre waist circumference.

The founder and designer of his eponymous menswear brand, Dom Bagnato, has been operating in Australia for more than 34 years.

“The clothing stock held in stores is more to the bigger sizes, to reflect the needs in the market,” he says.

When considering the global obesity epidemic it’s easy to blame

fast foods, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle. But “hidden” in this simplistic viewpoint is a much more complex interplay of genetics and environment, says obesity geneticist and director of genomics at Cambridge University’s MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit Giles Yeo in his new book, Gene Eating: “The environment cannot be the only thing that is influencing our BMI [body mass index]. There must be biological variation in our response to a changing environment. The question of why we have become obese requires examination of why some people eat more than others, why some people are more metabolically efficient and why some people burn more energy.”

Yeo says that it’s lazy thinking to view obese people as simply being careless about their health or lacking willpower. “If I was studying the genetics of osteoporosis or Parkinson’s, would people ask me the same question? What I, and everyone else in the field of obesity genetics, is trying to understand is the biology underlying the problem.”

Yeo argues that there is no one diet or lifestyle modification that suits everyone. He advocates tailoring diet regimes based on an individual’s genetic makeup and personality.

He envisions a future where a DNA test from a saliva sample will predict which diet is best for an individual.

“Do I believe that ‘the perfect diet’ for each of us is somewhere to be found in our genes? Yes, I do,” he says. “But until we are able to be more sophisticated in our analysis, NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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“

that time is not now.”

For those of us wanting to lose weight, this still leaves us with the frustration of trial-and-error dieting.

Yeo says the most effective thing we can do is to stick to what he says are dietary “universal truths”.

The first is to accept that dieting isn’t easy. The second is to practise moderation in what and how we eat.

The third is to prioritise proteins and whole grains—these foods take longer to digest. The fourth is to be aware of the glycaemic index (GI) of foods rather than just counting kilojoules blindly. The fifth is to eat more unsaturated fats.

The final and perhaps most important dietary truth is that food should be understood, not feared.

Dr Harold Waldrip, a dietitian with more than 35 years’ experience, says the best dietary plans are either the Mediterranean diet or a plant18

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based diet. “You can eat a lot of plant-based food without negatively affecting your weight,” he said.

“It’s the refined foods that are the problem.”

And we all need to get off the couch more often, says physiotherapist John Macansh.

“Getting the population moving should be a major focus,” he said.

So if you’re overweight and thinking about starting a family, the fate of your offspring, or even your ability to have offspring, may well be decided on whether or not you start eating more sensibly. In addition to losing weight, there’s an added bonus. The fitter you are, the more likely you’ll enjoy your sex life. Now if that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will!

Suvi Mahonen is a freelance journalist who lives on Queensland’s Gold Coast with her husband and daughter. This article first appeared in The Australian and is used with permission.

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. . . perhaps the most important dietary truth is that food should be understood, not feared.

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ELL B EING

FRIENDSHIP

a priceless gift

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Life is full of unexpected detours; having true friends makes all the difference.

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BY MARYE TRIM

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boundaries while bringing harmony and happiness, enriching life and recognising the value of each human soul.

My longest friendship has been with Betty who lives in New Zealand. We went to Sunday School together when we were four years old, to primary and high school, to Girls Life Brigade camps and to church. Now we mostly talk about books we have read. Betty is not just one of my “acquaintances”—those I-can-get-along-without-you people I respect, but with whom there is little rapport. No, she is part of the fabric of my individuality.

Nell, from Tasmania, has been my close friend and confidante for 70 years. On my desk stands a

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H

ow are you?” It’s a greeting as well as question, probably spoken millions of times every day. Others may express it differently, but the intention and significance are the same. Such expressions break down barriers and invite or consolidate unity—possibly leading to genuine friendship, something the human heart seeks. It’s a truism that people need people.

Friendship is something that billions of dollars cannot buy. It’s exchanged freely as a gift; a treasure available to any who actively seek it, and it is priceless. As the old proverb goes, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Or how about this one?

“It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your best friends who are your diamonds.”

It is my good fortune to possess “diamonds” who live nearby and also in lands across the globe, for true friendship is not limited by nationality, colour or creed. Apart from our humanity and some similarities of interests and character, my friends and I are not identical, yet there is a bond between us. So I’m glad when we meet or exchange emails, messages or “snail mail” letters.

Friends accept me as I am; they can make me smile or laugh.

Sometimes we share deep sadness when a mutual friend’s journey on Planet Earth ends. Often I am awed by a friend’s insight. “No man is an island,” as the Christian poet John Donne pointed out in 1624.

Friendship can overcome borders and

card from her that says, “Whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.” It depicts two young girls doing acrobatics. That is still us, (metaphorically!) cartwheeling our way through life, up, over and sideways through challenges.

Mie Mie was born in Myanmar, studied in Thailand and, although her mother tongue is not English, graduated with Master’s degree in Britain. I have never known anyone who works and studies so diligently, who values time and is so appreciative of kindness. Although our friendship began when I was her teacher some 18 years ago, in her maturity she teaches me.

JoAn lives in the United States, as does Suhas, his sisters and his wife,

Mary, who’s originally from India.

We share a past, often the foundation of lasting friendships.

“Nothing makes the earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; that makes the latitudes and longitudes,” said Henry David Thoreau, the 19th century poet and philosopher.

I have not mentioned friends in my Dorset village, here in the UK, but they are there, two of them living in traditional English thatched-roof cottages. They came in their gumboots with soup, bread and smiles during a week of snow in winter.

One is a churchgoer; one is not— both of them have a special place in my heart.

The ready-steady-go mark of friendship can begin with a handshake, a look of understanding, a personal need, a conversation you can never forget, a shared joke or serious moment. Real friendship, however, is always a two-way highway. I give, my friend receives, and vice versa. It takes generosity of spirit, thoughtfulness and faithfulness. We help each other grow in personhood.

As I write, I have beside me a huge pile of pages from my computer printer—all emails written to my husband when he suffered a terminal disease that needed five years of nursing home and palliative care.

He probably received at least 250 of these encouraging messages from his long-term friend, who scarcely missed a week. The writer wrote NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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“

Bible-based messages that spoke to John’s heart. Here are a few: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

“In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The friend added, “And Marye and John will be there,” thus supporting me as well. He also wrote to me, “Tell John that all memories of him encourage me. He has been and is a great blessing to me and I love him.”

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On yet another day he wrote to John, “I think of you so often and pray for you, but how I wish I lived nearer and could walk with you or sit with you. I love you, my dear friend.

How much more does He whose name is Love. I am always your friend and brother.” He was a friend indeed; one who, when he visited, lay on the bed beside my husband as if to share his suffering.

The ancient Book of wisdom tells me that “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, KJ21*)— that verse can also be read with feminine characters. The One who longs to stick closer to the human

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. . . there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

heart than anyone else is He who came to Earth to reveal to everyone what God is like; who died to save sinners from eternal death. Putting Himself in their place; their Friend.

When I was a little girl I used to sing, “Jesus, Friend of little children, be a Friend to me. Take my hand and ever lead me close to Thee.” Today I sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.” Some years ago, Scottish bagpipers made this song a world-famous chart topper. In my mind I still hear

the wail of those pipes; it sounds like the sadness our world is now experiencing as terrorism and fear increase.

The Bible reminds us that “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). When we are unafraid, being friendly comes easily, and intimate friendship with God surpasses any other.

It is one that I long for our sad world to share. It is priceless.

Marye Trim is a keen writer who has lived and worked in different countries around the world.

She currently lives in Dorset, United Kingdom. * Verses marked KJ21 are used with permission from the 21st Century King James Version, copyright 1994, Deuel Enterprises, Inc, Gary, South Dakota.

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ELL B EING

GO HEALTHY for good WITH

DR NERIDA MCKIBBEN

NOT SO FAST

BETTER BALANCE

In Canada, daily activity guidelines for children and youth include between 9 and 11 hours of sleep, no more than two hours of recreational screen time, and 60 minutes or more of physical activity.

Researchers found that less screen time, more physical activity, along with early routine bedtimes and more sleep, was associated with superior cognition and perseverance, and enhanced treatment and prevention of impulsivity-related disorders.—Lancet, Pediatrics 26

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More fast food in a community correlates with more heart attacks.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle found that for each additional fast-food outlet, there were four additional heart attacks per 100,000 people each year. This was consistent across NSW, even after factoring in age and health/lifestyle factors.

—escardio.org

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KEEP IT SIMPLE

Having too many options may entice children to eat too much, according to a recent Australian study.

Snacks contribute to over-consumption of calorierich foods, and thence obesity. So researchers offered children and their parents a snack-box in a 15-minute break during an appointment. The kids who got more variety in their snack boxes ate more, as did those snacks that came in larger packets. Neither quantity or variety consistently affected adults’ consumption.—International Journal of Obesity

HIGH FIBRE, LOW PRESSURE

High-fibre foods might help pregnant women avoid high blood pressure.

University of Sydney researchers found that more dietary fibre boosted acetate levels, reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia impairs the development of the thymus gland in the foetus, where immune cells that prevent allergies and autoimmune diseases are produced. This might explain the rapid rise in allergies and autoimmune conditions in regions where low fibre, highly processed foods are common.—Nature Communications

DAPPLED LIGHT Having trees in local parks and green spaces appears to be healing for the soul, according to a NSW study.

Residents who lived near parks with 30 per cent or more tree canopy were 30 per cent less likely to report psychological distress. On the other hand, residents living near parks composed of 30 per cent or more open lawn were 70 per cent more likely to report psychological distress. So if you have space, plant a tree!—JAMA

SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE . . . BUT WEIRD

Tickling the ear with a small electrical current for a few minutes each day can help rebalance the autonomic nervous system. In a small study, older adults used transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for 15 minutes a day. After a fortnight, they reported better quality of life, mood and sleep, and researchers found significant physiological changes that could reduce the risk of heart failure, hypertension and depression.—The New Daily Dr Nerida McKibben, a New Zealand-born obstetrician and gynaecological surgeon, passionately enables people to achieve their greatest health potential. Wanting everyone to live life to the fullest, she integrates wholistic principles into medical treatments and procedures. For more, go to www.hop.ec/gohealthyforgood NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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FA IT H

GOD’S AMAZING

Gift

The gift of the French language changed my life, but it’s just a tiny glimpse of the transformation offered by God’s gift of eternity.

BY BJORN KARLMAN

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was 12 years old when my family moved to England. I had grown up on a different continent so almost everything about my new life seemed different. People drove on the left side of the road (except for my dad, who hadn’t quite made the mental shift and confidently drove our rental car straight into oncoming traffic soon after our arrival!) and rainy British weather was an adjustment. So was the fact that I had to wear a tie and a blazer to school every day.

Speaking of school, I was woefully behind my classmates in a number of subjects. Nowhere was this more obvious than French class. In stark contrast with the rest of eighth grade, I had not been subjected to several years of French language instruction. I had two French words—oui and monsieur—in my arsenal as I strode into my first French class.

Fortunately for me, I had an amazing French teacher. Miss Mitchell was not only superbly gifted in her grasp of French, but she took me under her wing immediately. Soon after my arrival she gave me just the opportunity I needed. She told me that if I came to her after school every Wednesday, she would tutor me in French so that I could catch up to the other students.

At first my progress was embarrassingly modest. Learning a language from scratch was intimidating. But Miss Mitchell stuck by her commitment and I started getting better. My grades began to rise. I grew more confident.

Our sessions became fun. I really started to enjoy learning French.

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‘a new creation’

On a far grander scale, each of us is offered a gift, an opportunity of literally life-changing potential. The gift is free for the taking. And if we accept it, we start an entirely new chapter in life. The Bible speaks of Christ as offering this gift. 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes anyone who has accepted this gift as a “new creation”.

The verse promises that “the old has gone and the new is here!” It’s a promise of a completely fresh slate, a total reinvention.

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How does this all work? It’s simple. The apostle Paul said that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As in we humans have all missed the mark in terms of living how we should.

The consequences for this are dire.

Romans 6:23 says that the “wages of sin is death”.

But the reinvention God is offering is not just for a better life in the here and now, but a promise of eternal life with Him. We don’t deserve this gift, but God says it is ours for the taking: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

This is all possible because “while we were still sinners, Christ died

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Within the space of about a year and a half I was consistently making top marks in French class.

Miss Mitchell’s decision to invest in me had shifted my self-image from a complete French language know-nothing to that of a confident, enthusiastic French learner. This teacher’s faith in me and her willingness to give me the boost I needed transformed me.

As I look back at those school years, I am struck by how fortunate I was to have Miss Mitchell as a teacher—she didn’t have to tutor me after school. But as long as I accepted the invitation to be helped, she made it clear that she would teach me. That help set me on a path that changed my life. I went on to get a degree in French. I’ve used French extensively at work. Speaking the language gave me opportunities I never would have imagined as a 12-year-old meeting Miss Mitchell for this first time. She gave me a gift.

“

. . . each of us is offered a gift, an opportunity of literally life-changing potential.

for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus died on the cross and paid the wages of sin on our behalf so that He could give us eternal life. It was an incredible sacrifice. The greatest gift.

The apostle John famously wrote, “For 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).

If you are struggling with guilt from past mistakes, join the club.

We’ve all made monumental messups that we really regret. But the great news is that we don’t need to wallow in this guilt. We no longer need to be defined by our past.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will

forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” That’s pretty conclusive. God wants to help us chart a new course. He’s got a better future planned for us. He is equipping us for an infinitely better life.

Miss Mitchell gave me a gift that changed my future. She changed the way I thought about myself and taught me a skill that opened countless doors for me. I haven’t seen her in years, but when I do I have a lot of gratitude to express.

And in case you read this article before I get to you, Miss Mitchell, merci beaucoup!

Bjorn Karlman is a freelance writer who travels the world as a “digital nomad,” living in 2–3 countries per year with his wife and toddler.

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CU

R RENT

BEAR GRYLLS:

his riskiest adventure yet

The man who climbed Everest at 23 is now ready to take on a new challenge: being a little more public about his faith and writing a book about God.

BY PETER STANFORD

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little bit apprehensive,” he confesses.

“Faith is a really intimate subject.

And a difficult subject. I could have not done a book on faith,” he muses, “and it would be a lot safer.”

It’s a curious word to use, suggesting he feels he may be making himself a target by coming out as a believer in our secular, sceptical times. “In the words of C S Lewis, when the children in Narnia ask if Aslan [the Christ-like figure] is safe, the reply comes: ‘safe, no way, but he’s good.’ I’m not sure if I have the exact words, but for me it sums up the journey of faith.”

He has never wanted to be categorised by faith in his public and professional life, he explains, in case it somehow causes viewers to see him as too holy or pious. “I have been asked to be patron of Christian organisations, and I always feel bad saying no, but I say no because I just don’t want that label.”

The book began as something he had written for his family. “I have three boys,” he says in reference to Jesse, 16, Marmaduke, 13, and Huckleberry, 10, raised by Grylls and his wife, Shara.

“Faith has been a quiet but powerful part of our family and their lives growing up. And if I were ever not around, which will happen one day, here [in the book] are my thoughts.”

Presumably higher-than-usual odds of not being around to see his young family reach adulthood are part and parcel of being an adventurer? “Well, maybe,” he replies,

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ear Grylls selects which projects to take on, he explains, by going for the riskiest. That may explain why this former SAS serviceman and adventurer climbed Everest at 23, circumnavigated the British Isles on a jet-ski and made an unassisted crossing of the Atlantic in an open inflatable boat, before switching to front extreme endurance TV shows such as Born Survivor, Wild Weekend and The Island.

His newest venture, he insists, is part of the same pattern of pushing himself to the very limit, though at first glance it looks like a curious departure from the norm. The man who, in a celebrated episode of Born Survivor, emptied out the guts of a dead camel in the Sahara and then sheltered inside its carcass, is publishing a book about God. Soul Fuel, which he describes as “a daily devotional”, contains 365 reflections to carry readers through the year and give “strength to a failing body”.

That Grylls has a private faith has been known since he invited Barack Obama to say a prayer with him at the end of filming a headline-grabbing episode of Running Wild in 2015, when he took the then-US president trekking in Alaska. But a daily devotional?

Grylls—often pictured walking through fire in advertisements for his TV series—looks uncharacteristically sheepish. “This is the only press I’m going to do on this, because half of me is a little bit self-conscious, and a

but he doesn’t want to be distracted from his main point about the book’s genesis. “Here are my thoughts on what will help you live an empowered, light-filled existence.”

How it went from family keepsake to main street bookshops brings us back to Obama. “So many people ask me about praying with

generally don’t want religion, but they like community and kindness.

That stuff transcends borders and cultures.”

Grylls grew up on the Isle of Wight, where his Royal-Marine-

“

Faith has been a quiet but powerful part of our family . . .

Obama. It was an off-camera moment at the end of it, but I thought, here is a man who I could see had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and it just felt natural at the end of our journey.” In a YouTube clip that went viral, Grylls asks the Lord to “bless and protect” the then-president’s “work and family” before both men say “Amen”.

Today, his voice trails away as he remembers the moment. “People

Commando-turned-Tory-MP father, Sir Michael, took him as a boy climbing sea cliffs. What formal religion there was in his childhood came at Eton in the school chapel, and he didn’t like it.

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‘you’re in trouble because you’re into church. He is also the vicar of late’.” It was distant and cold and Holy Trinity, Brompton, in London, gave a false impression that God is which counts among its alumni distant and cold. “And, for me, it has Justin Welby, the Archbishop of been a lifetime’s journey that is still Canterbury. continuing; of unravelling religion Grylls and Gumbel remain close, from faith. The heart of Christ’s though he is not a member of his message was about freedom and fun congregation. “I do go to HTB [as and light and love and forgiveness it is known] a few times during and risk-taking—always messy. But the year,” he says, “but mainly to my experience as a child was of it have lunch with Nicky before or being too neat.” after. I don’t feel I have ever been a After his marriage at 25 to Shara fully-fledged member of any church. in 2000, the Having said couple made that, I have their first home observed his on a barge church from in the River the sidelines for Thames. Grylls 20 years, and I got involved think he runs an My boys joke about with a group of outward-facing, me always going friends who met lovely church, regularly to play full of love and on about ‘Godsquash. “It was acceptance.” confidence’, not brilliant, not a There have parody but a rebeen some self-confidence. criticisms of flection of how HTB—for ‘church’ should being a churchbe, because there within-a-church were 10 of us— me, a vicar, a second-hand car dealer, in Anglicanism, cult-like, even, and a gay antique art dealer, a policeman, for attracting mainly well-heeled young people. “All places have flaws,” a soldier and a nightclub owner. We Grylls reflects, “but Nicky’s leaderwere totally different, but we’d meet every day at 3 o’clock and we always ship is rooted in humility. You see had each other’s backs in our lives.” some church leaders and it becomes The cleric in question was Nicky all about them, and their wealth, Gumbel, developer of the Alpha their buildings, if you’re this or that.

Course, an introduction to ChristiNicky has never been like that.”

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to channel his own faith through denominations or institutions. And that is very much the spirit of Soul Fuel. The text is based on a regular exchange he has about God with an old and close friend, Jim Hawkins, a school teacher.

“I miss the friendship and vulnerability of having an accountable buddy to share life things with on a deeper level than catching up for a beer,” he says. “With Jim, I’ve done a daily thing for many years; reading the Bible together and then emailing thoughts and some feeling and some struggles. Just short; 10 minutes.”

It is so important to him that he keeps it up even in the remotest parts of the world. “We do it absolutely every single day. If I know I am going to be out of comms for a few days, I’ll bank them up and send them.” In one of the entries, Grylls writes that the “perfect love of God” casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Is his faith the hidden force that makes him so fearless on screen?

“I have plenty of fear,” he corrects me. “I feel fear every day, but I’ve learnt two things: One, that that is OK; and two, that being brave isn’t the absence of fear.” And he feels braver, he isn’t afraid to admit, when he says a prayer—“when I say, ‘will You be beside me in this moment?’

My boys joke about me always going on about ‘God-confidence’, not self-confidence.”

“God-confidence” isn’t, he stresses, a cast-iron belief that he will always be safe. “Someone asked me recently, was I praying when my parachute wasn’t opening [in an accident in Kenya in 1997 that ended his SAS career]? Of course I wasn’t.

I was saying, ‘F***, open!’ If I’d answered with some platitude, that would have been Christian rubbish.

“That,” he protests, “is what puts people off Christians.”

Peter Stanford writes for the UK’s Daily Telegraph where the original version of this article first appeared. Used with permission.

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THE

IMPORTANCE OF A COMMA How could one tiny stroke of punctuation lead to so much confusion about what happens when we die?

BY CHRIS HOLLAND

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we are greatly surprised. Sometimes these are welcome surprises, and sometimes they are overwhelming.

It may be a little shocking to realise that the Bible says when someone dies, he or she is “asleep”, awaiting the Lord’s return. When I began studying the Bible and learned this for the very first time, I, too, was shocked—so shocked that it made me angry! How could I have been wrong for so long? But then I learned the origins of the idea of the soul going immediately to heaven or hell. The concept that the body and soul exist apart from each other comes from ancient Greek dualism, which in turn was derived from an ancient Egyptian belief.

To help us with the shock, we are

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en and Nicole Clamp wanted to experience the joy of raising a child and were given the opportunity through foster parenting.

Eventually, Grayson joined their family when he was only seven weeks old. They noticed quickly that something was different about Grayson—he was completely deaf.

Grayson lived with the Clamps for almost a year and then they were given the opportunity to adopt him.

Knowing he had an impairment, they decided that they could be the best parents for Grayson and went ahead with the adoption. As the boy grew, they learned different ways to communicate with him.

Grayson’s deafness was caused by the absence of the nerves that connect the ear to the hearing centre of the brain. Because of this, cochlear implants would not help him. But doctors working with the Clamps proposed a solution: an auditory brain-stem implant. If Grayson was approved for the surgery, he would be the first child to receive such an implant in the United States.

The doctors at the University of North Carolina Medical Center carefully mapped out the surgery, which they then performed during April 2013. On May 21, they activated Grayson’s device, and he heard his father’s voice for the very first time. In what has become a very popular online video, you can see the look of utter surprise on the boy’s face.

Often when we learn new ideas,

“

It may be a little shocking to realise that . . . when someone dies, he or she is ‘asleep’ . . .

going to study some misunderstood texts in the Bible. For example, I have people say to me, “Wait a second, what about the thief on the cross? Didn’t Jesus say to the thief, ‘Today you’ll be with Me in Paradise’?”

how to explore the Bible

You may find it amazing, but there are more than 1500 mentions of the “soul” in the Bible, but not one of them speaks of the immortal soul. Not one! They are all in harmony with the words of Solomon: “The living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Unfortunately, a number of people want to throw out hundreds of clear texts in the Bible about

death, about the second coming of Christ and about the resurrection so that they can instead accept ancient Greek and Egyptian ideas about the immortality of the soul.

A very important principle of Bible study is that we start with passages that are clear and then move on to passages that are more challenging to understand. We cannot base our beliefs on one or a few verses; rather, we must see all of the biblical evidence put together.

the meaning of ‘today’

So what about the thief on the cross? The closing chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke recall the final moments in Jesus’ life here on earth. Crucified on either side NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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GOODSALT

of Christ, both thieves reviled and insulted Jesus (Matthew 27:44). But while those criminals were hanging next to Jesus, something began to happen. One of the thieves saw a completely innocent Man dying on the cross and yet that Man did not retaliate or complain. Jesus had even asked God to forgive the ones who were executing Him. Luke tells the rest of the story: “Then he [the thief ] said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:39–42).

That thief began to experience the transformation of his heart. He looked at Jesus and saw Him as the Messiah of the world. He cried out for mercy and hope for the future.

How did Jesus respond? “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (verse 43). And it is here that we have a misunderstood text.

What is this verse really saying?

Does Jesus tell the thief, I say to you that on this day I have got the crown of thorns on My head and nails through My hands; this day when I am dying on the cross, when it does not look as though I can save anybody; on this very day, you will be with Me in Paradise? Or is it possible that there is a different meaning to Jesus’ words?

It all depends on where you put that comma. If you put it before the word “today”, the verse seems to say that the thief would be in Paradise that very day. But if you put the comma after “today”, look at the difference of the meaning: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise.” In other words, This day I am hanging on the cross; this day with nails through My hands, I am making this statement to you today: that you will be with Me in Paradise.

That is, you will be there in the future.

Somebody may ask, “When were the commas added?” There were no commas in the original Greek text when it was written in the first century. The commas were put in 1300 years later, during the Middle Ages.

Others may ask, “How do you know where to put in the comma?”

The rule of thumb is that we should place the comma where the thought will harmonise with the rest of the Bible.

The Bible cannot be broken. If

of time. It will be like one of those the commas were not in the original nights when you lay your head text, but were placed there 1300 on the pillow and close your eyes years later, and if indeed the Bible is and your alarm goes off seemingly very clear that death is a sleep until moments later, Jesus returns, but, actually, then we must eight hours place the have passed. comma where We will fall it harmonises asleep, and the with the rest of . . . there is no need next moment the Bible. We for us to be afraid all who have do not throw fallen asleep out the clear of death or of what in Jesus will teaching of happens after we die. awake to that the Bible on last trumpet the subject of death as a sleep (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). and accept an Egyptian idea on the So there is no need for us to be immortality of the soul based on one afraid of death or of what happens comma that was introduced 1300 after we die. As we give our hearts years after the New Testament was and lives to Jesus, we are secure in written.

Him and never have to fear.

Repeatedly, the Bible clearly says that when we die, we sleep awaiting Chris Holland pastors at Living Hope Seventh-day the resurrection at Jesus’ return Adventist Church in Haymarket, Virginia, and also shares the gospel via digital media. This article is (see info box, right). There is no adapted, with permission, from his book Is Heaven for consciousness and no recognition Real? (Pacific Press, 2018).

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Bible verses that describe death as a sleep

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1 Kings 2:10 1 Kings 11:43

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1 Kings 14:20 1 Kings 16:6 1 Kings 22:50 2 Kings 14:16 2 Kings 15:7 2 Kings 16:20 2 Kings 20:21 2 Kings 21:18 Job 14:11,12 Psalm 13:3 Psalm 17:15 Psalm 76:5 Psalm 90:3–6

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Jeremiah 51:39, 57 Daniel 12:2, 13 Matthew 9:24 Mark 5:39 Luke 8:52–53 John 11:11–14 Acts 7:60 1 Corinthians 15:6, 20, 51 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 Revelation 14:13

Check them out for yourself !

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TOP TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

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They get on our nerves and some days it seems they’re everywhere! But before you let others’ annoying behaviour ruin your day, check out these tips.

BY VICTOR PARACHIN

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#1 The letters stand for Take it;

WORK WITH THIS ACRONYM: TLC.

Leave it; or Change it and are recommended by Petrie Sue as the place to begin when dealing with a challenging indivi­dual.

She explains that Take it means accepting “events as they are in the moment” and reminding yourself “that it is okay for right now—maybe not perfect but liveable”. Leave it is the choice to reject the situation, step out of your comfort zone and say to yourself, I’m not going to accept it the way it is, and 46

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I know I can’t change it, so I’m leaving.

Petrie Sue says an example would be losing a client, only to have a better one appear. Change it may initially feel difficult or overwhelming, but is a viable approach. “Remember, if you can’t accept it and don’t want to leave it, then working for a change is the only remaining option.”

#2 Self-pride can cause us to react foolishly and carelessly DROP THE EGO.

to another person’s beha­viour. Anytime you find yourself offended by an individual’s words or acts, do your best to drop the ego.

That will then allow you to respond skillfully. In his book, The Secret Power Within, martial arts screen legend Chuck Norris tells of going to a small Texas restaurant after a long day of filming a television series. He was still dressed in character for his role, “scruffy and dirty from doing a fight scene in the dirt”. He sat in a corner booth enjoying some time alone when a man “large enough to cast a shadow over the table towered over me and said I was sitting in his booth. He suggested, with an edge in his voice, that I vacate to make room for him and his friends.” While Norris didn’t like the tone of his voice or the implicit threat if he failed to comply, he

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here have been people put on this earth to push your buttons, tick you off and suck the life out of you. You know who they are.”

This statement was written by Marsha Petrie Sue, author of Toxic People. Her observation is one that strongly resonates because most of us have contact with people we just don’t like. They can be frustrating relatives, obnoxious neighbours, exasperating colleagues, annoying customers, an ex-spouse, a demeaning boss. . . . Because we can’t totally avoid humans it’s vital that we learn how to live as harmoniously and productively as possible with those who irritate us. Here are seven tips for getting along with people you don’t like.

said nothing and moved to another booth. A few minutes later some of the stunt men from the show arrived and joined Norris. As the group sat there, Norris noticed the man who threatened him staring. He then walked over to Norris’s table. Here it comes, thought Norris. A local tough out to make a name for himself by taking on Chuck Norris in a fight.

Standing at the table, the man, ignoring the others, looked directly at the actor: “You’re Chuck Norris.”

Norris nodded. The man said, “You could have easily beat me up back there. Why didn’t you?” Norris responded, “What would that have proved?” The man, clearly being on the receiving end of a teachable moment, smiled, extended his hand and said, “No hard feelings.” Norris said, “None at all” and shook his hand. The actor, reflecting back on that encounter, writes, “I had avoided a confrontation, made a friend and won by losing.”

#3 At some point

BEFORE STARTING INTO SOMEONE, START WITH YOURSELF.

you may conclude that it is necessary to speak with the difficult person and address issues.

However, before beginning this kind of conversation, take a close look at your own motives and intentions.

It’s one of Jesus’ key teachings: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticise their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbour’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt?” (Matthew 7:3,4, The Message*).

Investigating yourself and your intentions before speaking is also highly recommended by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of The Book of Jewish Values: A Day By Day Guide To Ethical Living. He advises asking these kinds of questions before “telling someone just what it is about him or her of which you disapprove”:  Are my words necessary?  Am I being fair in my critique, or might my criticism be exagge­ rated?  Will my words hurt the other persons’ feelings and, if so, is there a way to say them that will minimise the hurt?  Are my words likely to bring about a change in the other person’s behaviour?  How would I feel if someone criticised me in the same way?  How do I feel about offering the criticism? If you find yourself relishing the prospect, don’t do it. Your motives are probably insincere, and your criticism will be ineffective.

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Our words can create harmony #4 or hostility.

USE TACTFUL PHRASES.

That’s why it’s vital when speaking with an irritating person to use phrases that promote clarity and understanding. Here are some tactful phrases recommended by authors Amy Cooper Hakim and Muriel Solomon from their book Working With Difficult People. When you disagree with someone, say, “It seems to me the problem is. . . .”, “My concern is that we may not have enough. . . .” When emotions are rising, say, “Obviously, you’re too upset to discuss this now. I’ll talk to you later. . . .”, “We won’t have to agree, but is there any reason we can’t be civil?. . .”, “You have every right to feel that way if that’s the case.” When you need to clear up confusion, say, “Perhaps I misunderstood you. Are you saying that . . . ?”, “Let me see if I understand this. Would I be correct in assuming that you feel . . . ?” And if you’re feeling pressured to act, say, “I don’t feel comfortable. . . . Don’t you think it would be a good idea to hold off until . . . ?”

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Some offend#5 ing words or acts can be modified and softened with a touch of APPLY HUMOUR.

humour. Consider this incident from the life of Louis Mountbatten, England’s last Viceroy of India.

In the 1960s he was invited to appear for an interview on the Johnny Carson Show. His staff specifically informed Carson that Mountbatten would answer no questions about the Vietnam War, which was dividing America at that time. Things went smoothly for several minutes during the interview before Carson concluded by asking, “Sir, if you were President of the United States, what would you do about Vietnam?” Without becoming angry or missing a beat, Mountbatten replied, “I’d tell the British to keep their noses out of it.”

#6 Psychologist Leonard Felder is the author of When Difficult WRITE, BUT DON’T SEND, THIS NOTE.

Relatives Happen To Good People. For the book he conducted a nationwide research study on difficult family members and discovered that a majority of those surveyed experience “significant tension at one or more family events each year”, especially at Christmas, Easter, weddings, birthdays, funerals and other rites of passage.

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Rabbi Telushkin concludes with this reminder: “Don’t speak up until you have answered these questions adequately.”

Felder expected to find 30 or 40 per cent of respondents describing family gatherings as tense or unpleasant, but was surprised to find that “75 per cent of men and women have at least one family member who gets on their nerves”, with 68 per cent describing family celebrations as either “frustrating or an obligation” they don’t enjoy.

Here’s where it gets a little amusing. Felder suggests writing, but not sending, a “Thank You For Being So Unpleasant” card. He says this is a highly therapeutic, cleansing act: “Dear _____, I am so glad you are in my life. Because of you, I have seen more clearly than ever how I don’t want to treat people. You are a brilliant example of exactly what I don’t want to be like. Thank you for being an example that I will carry inside my mind and utilise for the rest of my life.” Not only does this relieve frustration, but it injects humour into an unpleasant relationship.

#7Keep in mind that every person deserves respect and civility ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL.

declaration with remarkable courtesy and respect: “I have the honour to be, with high consideration, Sir, Your obedient servant, Winston S Churchill.” Later, when copies of his letter were made public, Churchill was criticised, but his response is instructive: “Some people didn’t like this ceremonial style. But after all, when you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.”

Finally, the reality is that we can’t always choose to surround ourselves only with people whose company we enjoy; circumstances often place us in contact with those who are difficult to be with. Rather than falling into frustration and anger, strive to rise higher and respond to problematic individuals with a touch of understanding, kindness and even compassion. Acting this way generally leads to a more favourable outcome and, if not, it will at least make you a better human.

Victor Parachin is an ordained minister and the author of several books. He is a regular contributor to Signs of the Times. * Bible verses marked The Message are used with permission from The Message, copyright 2018, Eugene H Peterson.

from you, even if you cannot like them. Here’s a lesson from wartime enemy warriors. During World War II, British prime minister Winston Churchill signed a letter sent to the Japanese ambassador in which he declared war on Japan. Churchill signed the letter of war NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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THE CUTTING EDGE

POWERING UP Lithium-sulfur batteries Touted to have an energy density five times higher than lithiumion batteries, companies plan to use them in smartphones. Sony hopes to commercialise them by 2020.—Science Daily, Inside EV Optical rectenna The prototype device has the ability to create power without pollution and with an unlimited lifespan. The rectenna turns electromagnetic energy into usable DC power, but is still being heavily researched.—Cosmos Magazine Airborne wind power Companies are researching a free-moving wind generator. Most concepts show a tethered kite or turbine that is able to fly, change altitude or direction according to wind factors.—Green Tech Media

NEXT-GEN ELECTRIC CARS Following the 2015 emissions scandal, Volkswagen withdrew from compet­ ing in motorsports. Instead they created a prototype—the Volkswagen ID.R—that has so far set a new electric car record at the Nordschleife and all-time records at the Pikes Peak hill climb and Goodwood Festival of Speed. The previous record at the latter had stood for 20 years.—Electrek 50

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LIGHTNING QUICK

HACKERS... FOR GOOD? HACKTIVISM The ethics of (often illegal) hacking activism are hotly debated. In the 1990s, hackers retaliated against US bombings by defacing government websites. Hacktivist group Anonymous claims it shut down 5000 extremist jihadi Twitter accounts after the 2015 Charlie Hedbo attack.­—Cyber Security Degrees

WHITE HAT Independent hackers are increasingly being contracted to find vulnerabilities on online networks. Apple rece­ntly offered a $US1 million bounty for information about security vulnerabilities in its system.

—The Guardian

CHRISTIAN HACKERS

Christian hacking group Code for the Kingdom has run 44 hackathons since 2014. The events involve fighting human exploitation and working on technology to support homeless people.

“We love Jesus and want to help them,” said group member Kristen Stark.—God Reports

PRODUCTION FIRST IN AUSTRALIA Australian start-up company Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicle Group (ACE EV) plans to build 15,000 electric vehicles a year by 2025 from their base in Adelaide. Vans, utes and cars are all going to be in production from the first quarter of 2020. The vehicles are intended for commercial use and will be assembled from parts both sourced in South Australia and imported from China.—ABC

TOP SAFETY-PICK The Audi E-Tron has become the first fully electric vehicle to win the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top safety-pick award. The car is equipped with an automatic braking system that both avoids collisions and slows the car. The E-Tron has been rated “good” in all of the IIHS categories, the highest ranking given to tested vehicles.

The Tesla S has previously been tested, but failed to receive the top score.—The Verge NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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ELL B EING

People are looking to you for answers and direction.

What you do next is crucial.

BY EDDIE HYPOLITE

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IMAGE SOURCE—GETTY IMAGES

INSIGHTS FOR RELUCTANT LEADERS

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tepping forward to lead, whether a team, project or a group of people, is not something most of us are eager to do. The pressure of people no longer looking at you but to you; the expectation that you are always supposed to know what to do next; the assumption that you have it all together and know what you’re talking about. Worst of all, the target placed on your back when someone is needed to cop the blame. All of these reasons and more very often mean we keep our hands pressed deep in our pockets when volunteers are called for.

Leadership, which is about motivating and inspiring people in the direction of expressed goals, dreams and aspirations, brings with it the responsibility of living on multiple and varying levels, because life is far from one-dimensional. I have been fortunate to meet and train all types of leaders from all over the world: government workers, barbershop owners, stock brokers and market-stall holders. This article explores some commonalities in their leadership and their ability to not only inspire people to follow, but also move them forward. This is not an exhaustive list nor is it the final word on leadership; these are merely my insights drawn from 20 years of experience, observation, success and failure.

1

TEAM LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH HONEST SELF-LEADERSHIP.

Helping others find truth in themselves begins with understand-

ing how to find that same truth in ourselves as leaders. Leadership does not mean knowing it all; it actually means knowing you will never totally know it all. Focus on surrounding oneself with knowledgeable, competent and committed people who empower you to know more. Not knowing only becomes a liability and problem in leadership when we refuse to admit our shortfall and subsequently refuse to plug the gap in our understanding. All the successful leaders I have observed never feared not knowing. They were willing to learn from the people they led, which, in turn, inspired confidence in their leadership.

There is a level of vulnerability that comes with being honest about your limitations, recognising the gaps in your understanding and embracing those feelings of being overwhelmed.

However, inside that vulnerability and fear is a deepened level of resilience that is being built and waiting to be discovered and accessed, if we are willing to grow via the process of self-honesty. To lead others well, begin with self-leadership.

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ESTABLISH AN EARLY UNDERSTANDING

Knowing early who and what you are responsible for, and how long and why you are responsible for it, creates a focused clarity right at the outset. This will ensure direction and continuity as the journey proceeds.

It also centres your overall purpose and renews the energy that is lost NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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3

BE PATIENT

People need time to grow, visions need time to develop, change needs time to happen and organisational culture needs time to emerge.

Being patient is of utmost importance and maintaining a consistent level of enthusiasm while waiting is both a gift and a necessity. Encouraging continued participation and creating space for personal growth and self-development makes the passing of time meaningful. So the lesson here is simply this: develop the capacity for patience with the time it takes to achieve your goals, and your people their goals. Being patient does not

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mean becoming complacent and nonchalant. Leaders who lead well allow time—the time it needs. Be patient.

4

PEOPLE MATTER, SO TREAT THEM WELL

I have met leaders who were not necessarily gregarious, but who understood the value and importance of people and focused on making sure that their team was empowered and affirmed. Tasks, goals, KPIs, deadlines all have their defined importance, but they are secondary to the importance of the people you lead and who follow you.

Know the people you lead and treat them with respect and dignity.

When the people you lead know that they are valued and cared for, they will go further, dig deeper and sacrifice more than you would ever have expected from them. Treat people well.

SKYNESHER—GETTY IMAGES

when obstacles arise. All the leaders I have met who led well and lived well established an early sense of what they were called and committed to do. Fifteen years ago, I led a church startup in South London called Kennington Community Fellowship.

The first thing we established was our “why” for being in that local community. We defined our reason this way: “We exist as a church to serve the community we find ourselves in.” I was in London just recently and visited KCF. I heard one of the leaders training and encouraging a whole new generation of members and leaders, 15 years on, with these words: “I want you to know that we exist as a local church for the purpose of serving this community we find ourselves in.” Establish your understanding early and remain consistent with that mission.

“

Who will take on the mantle of leadership when my time has ended?

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SUCCESSFUL LEADERS ARE ALWAYS ASKING, ‘WHO’S NEXT?’

We live and lead successfully when we pour the best of ourselves into others and plan with those who will succeed us in mind. Who will take on the mantle of leadership when my time has ended?

The “who” is connected to mentoring and legacy. The “who” is about continuity and, again, is people-focused.

Impactful leadership always thinks beyond its time of influence; it pays attention to how decisions shape the future. Impactful leaders intentionally pour the best ideas, energy and enthusiasm into the immediate team while keeping a close eye on those coming behind them, ensuring that both function at a high level.

Value the place where you lead, by preparing it for those who come behind you.

In Proverbs 27:23,24, the wise man’s advice to his son is, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure for ever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” He informs his son that the attention paid to the care of his flocks now will compensate, support and provide for his household later.

Giving attention to the call and responsibilities of leadership begins with paying attention to who you are and how you are. So, take your hands out of your pockets, stick that hand up in the volunteer air and step up to the challenge. We never arrive at perfection in leadership anyway, so relax and take that pressure off yourself. We just land at the next lesson, having learned and grown because of the last lesson.

So lead well, live well and be well.

Eddie Hypolite is a professional development consultant, pastor and author based in Newcastle, NSW. NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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How to

REMEMBER THEM The last World War I veteran passed away in 2012. With no living connections to that war, 101 years later, how can we still honour those who served and died?

BY DANIEL KUBEREK

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HAVANA1234—GETTY IMAGES

A

t 11 am on November 11, 1918, the persistent barrage of gunfire on the Western Front ceased.

After 1567 days of combat, the German army formalised its surrender to the Allied Forces. An eerie silence filled the air, bringing to an end a conflict that had involved 70 million soldiers, leaving behind 17 million dead and a further 20 million with severe injuries. Eight million returned home with permanent disabilities.

It was labelled the “Great War”, and even “the war to end all wars”. As the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending World War I, large crowds gathered in cities around the world to celebrate the end of a conflict that had claimed multitudes of fathers and sons.

Armistice Day was first honoured on the one-year anniversary of the surrender to remember the end of the human carnage. Proposed

by Australian journalist Edward Honey, the commemoration has been adopted by countries across the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand. Unlike April’s Anzac Day it is not a public holiday, but citizens are instead encouraged to observe two minutes’ silence at 11 am to remember the fallen.

In 1997, then-Australian Governor-­General Sir William Deane declared Armistice Day would be renamed Remembrance Day to honour Australians who have died in all wars. According to the Australian War Memorial, Australia has been involved in multiple deadly armed

conflicts since World War I, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Iraq wars.

At present, Australia is still assisting Allied powers through the war in Afghanistan and the war on ISIL in Syria and Iraq.

Kiwi soldiers also participated in many of these conflicts, though Armistice Day is used in New Zealand specifically to remember the end of World War I. In 2004, the remains of an “unknown warrior” killed during the conflict in the Somme were returned to New Zealand.

Up to 100,000 people witnessed a ceremony that honoured the fallen warrior and the 9000 unidentified New Zealand soldiers he represented.

Emotions still run high when remembering the sacrifices made by our countries’ soldiers in war.

Both Aussies and Kiwis gather in droves for Anzac Day dawn services, with many also making pilgrimages to Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula to remember the 26,111 Australian and 7473 New Zealand casualties.

However, we now live in a generation without surviving connections to World War I, as the last worldwide veteran of the war passed away in 2012. Australia’s last digger—Jack Ross—passed away in 2009 aged 110. New Zealand’s last veteran, Bright Williams, went to his rest in 2003. With diminishing connections to the war, how can we honour the fallen from a conflict that occurred more than 100 years ago? And how can both the fallen and the survivors NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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of more recent conflicts also be honoured?

1. Remembrance Day services

Every Remembrance Day at 11am, Australians and New Zealanders stop what they’re doing to observe two minutes’ silence. The specific moment marks the time the World War I ceasefire occurred. Schools in both Australia and New Zealand observe the two minutes’ silence, while people gather at memorials around the country for services around that time. The “Last Post” bugle call is often played.

2. Online resources

Education starts at a young age, which is why the Australian War Memorial (AWM) website contains various activities and lessons for Kindergarten to Year 2 students.

The website features questions teachers can ask their students to encourage discussion, as well as a transcript of “The Ode” poem. The website also encourages classrooms to make wreaths, light candles and find rosemary to remember the fallen. Photos and poems can be sent to the AWM to be featured as part of their classroom showcase.

Research can also extend to understanding the causes of war and, at an age-appropriate level, highlighting the efforts of civilians and non-combatants, including women’s auxiliaries, peacemakers, conscientious objectors and those committed to rescuing and rehabil58

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itating child soldiers. Their stories are also part of our history and give a fuller picture of the reality of armed conflict.

3. National grave cleaning project—New Zealand

Many veterans’ graves fall into disrepair and suffer the effects of time. That’s why the New Zealand Remembrance Army is aiming to clean and restore every veteran grave in New Zealand by 2020. The group works with Returned and Services Association branches, veterans and associations to raise awareness and gather support for the cause.

As well as raising money to complete this project, the Remembrance Army are looking for volunteers to help with the cleaning of graves. To find out how you can get involved, visit the NZ Remembrance Army on Facebook.

4. Support a veterans organisation

Multiple organisations exist to aid war veterans and their families.

Groups such as the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veteran’s association, Young Diggers, Legacy, Soldier On, Wounded Heroes, ADSO and the RSL/RSA all provide assistance to those who serve and have served.

Families are also supported, including widows who have lost their husbands in armed conflict. Each organisation has its own projects, so research how your donations are going to be used.

5. Visit a war museum or memorial

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”—that’s what philosopher George Santayana wrote in The Life of Reason in 1905.

A vital part of remembering is learning, which is made possible through visiting museums that exhibit the horrific cost of war. Every Australian capital city contains an army or war museum, while New Zealand has Air Force and war museums on both North and South Islands. Genocide museums and memorials in overseas locations like Auschwitz, Cambodia and Rwanda as well as at home are grim reminders of the huge cost of war on civilians and minority groups, including our own Indigenous peoples. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is also a significant landmark with many displays, as well as a Roll of Honour for those who died in military service. The Memorial holds a Last Post Ceremony every day at 4:55 pm AEST, which is streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

CRAIGRJD—GETTY IMAGES

Daniel Kuberek loves learning about history and is assistant editor of Signs of the Times. He lives in Sydney.

NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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CAN YOUR FOOD BOOST YOUR BRAINPOWER? Find out the fuel that will help your brain perform at its best—now, and in the future.

BY SANITARIUM HEALTH FOOD COMPANY

BARTOSZ LUCZAK—GETTY IMAGES

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ating well is important for your brain, as well as for your body. Your brain needs fuel and nourishment to perform at its best. What you eat can make a big difference to your mood, how clearly you think and your memory.

So whether it’s for an exam, an important meeting or simply to stay on top of all the things you need to remember, what foods are best for boosting your

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brainpower?

While there isn’t a single go-to brain food, for a healthy brain it’s all about eating plenty of nutrient rich, high-fibre plant foods, while cutting out saturated fats (mainly animal fats).

These plant foods have been particularly linked to better cognitive performance and memory function—so remember to add these foods to your diet.

LEAFY GREENS These powerful greens are generally rich in vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin K, lutein and beta-carotene, which research suggests may play a role in protecting the brain. A recent study discovered that older people (average age of 81 years) who ate a serve of leafy greens a day preserved their memory and thinking skills. The results showed those who regularly tucked into their greens had a cognitive age 11 years younger than those who didn’t eat leafy greens.

PUMPKIN SEEDS These tiny seeds, also called pepitas, have big brain credentials. They are a plant-based source of zinc, which supports everyday learning by helping brain activity and function. They are also a source of magnesium, an essential mineral that helps maintain mental and emotional function.

WHOLE GRAIN BREAKFAST Eating breakfast daily should be a “no brainer”.

It can lift your mood and has been associated with improved cognitive function and concentration in school-aged children. For long-lasting energy choose healthy breakfast options like whole grain cereals or oats, low fat yoghurt, and fruit or whole grain toast and spreads.

BROCCOLI Broccoli is part of a bunch of veggies called the cruciferous family.

This includes cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts. They are rich in vitamins and minerals that may help memory. One of these is Vitamin K, which helps regulate calcium in your bones and brain.

Vitamin K has anti-aging benefits and is at the heart of emerging research about Alzheimer’s disease.

CLEVER CITRUS Citrus fruits such as oranges and mandarins are particularly high in flavonoids—nutritional compounds important for maintaining cognition and memory as we age. If you are not a citrus fan, try apples and berries for a flavonoid boost.

MUST-BUY BRAIN FOODS Go nuts. Nuts include a wide range of nutrients that are important for brain health like Vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, B group vitamins and healthy fats. Regularly eating nuts can improve cognition and memory, and boost learning skills.

Information courtesy of Sanitarium Health Food Company. Visit sanitarium.com.au or sanitarium.co.nz and subscribe to Recipe of the Week for a delicious plant-powered recipe in your inbox each week.

NOVEMBER 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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FUN

CROSSWORD Hint: 10 down

BENJAMIN DAVIES—UNSPLASH

How closely have you been reading? Each keyword in this puzzle is also contained within this edition of Signs of the Times.

Happy digging!

EDUCATION.COM

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CROSSWORD CLUES

ACROSS 4 Official who represents a monarch 7 French palace built in 1634; UNESCO World Heritage site 8 Care for a person who has limited chance of recovery 10 A roof made of straw 12 Writing style similar to natural flow of speech 13 Disease whose symptoms include chest-pain after eating DOWN 1 Distance around a circle 2 Character joined by three bears in 19th Century tale 3 To make stronger and more solid 5 Object that is surgically inserted into the body 6 A title used when addressing a Frenchman 9 Disease that affects movement and includes tremors 10 River in South London 11 First name of titular character in the classic 1884 Mark Twain novel

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