Christian Life issue 16_SEPTEMBER by Initiate Media

SEPTEMBER 2014 • Issue SIXTEEN • www.mychristiandaily.com

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SISTAS

DRAWING BACK THE CURTAINS

CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES

SURVIVING THE INTERNET

STEPS TO ENDING PROBLEM SEXUALITY

e c n e r e f f i d a g n i Mak

INTERNATIONAL NEEDS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY MANNA BOOKSTORES AND THE CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION

Issue SIXTEEN | SEPTEMBER 2014

03 STEPS to Ending Problem Sexuality 06 Sistas Conference – Drawing Back the Curtains 10 Reclaiming the Ground: Ebenezer Fund 11 Christian Bookstores Survive Internet

12 Making A Difference

14 “First the Saturday people...” 15 Men Keeping Their Promises 16 Hateful Christianity in social media

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19 Robin Williams death: why the world thinks Christians are insane 20 Shine TV programme guide

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Sexuality

STEPS to Ending Problem Sexuality A treatment programme called STEPS is helping Christians and other people struggling with problem sexuality. DAVID MOORE talks to MARIE ANTICICH about this revolutionary programme.

he Steps to Ending Problem Sexuality programme pioneered by David Moore, a former Salvation Army officer is changing the lives of church people and others with sex addictions. “My wife Jean and I are both counsellors and this, along with our grounding in the Sallies, has helped develop a working theology, psychology and practice that changes lives,” says David Moore. This month the Moores received a ‘NZ Unsung Heroes Award’ at Parliament for their services to marriage and family, and have run the Crossroads, a counselling centre within a medical practice in East Auckland for the last 25 years. They have been married for 42 years and have eight grandchildren. “Although the award came as a bolt from the blue, it’s the fruit of 35 years of working in social work, counselling and the STEPS programme,” says David, a long-time marriage counsellor who also runs anger management courses. Today David spends 80 percent of his time working with problem sexuality, mainly with Christian couples and families. “Today we’re being challenged like never

before,” he says. “We’re working with people with problem sexuality and individuals who have stepped over the fine line and become sex addicts. “We’re dealing with the fallout as society has become more liberalised and sexualised – what was once taboo is being normalised, and sexual addiction and abuse services have become a growth industry. “The church seemed to be losing the moral high ground on sexual purity and commitment in marriage,” he observes “and it’s frightening to see the acceptance of pornography that’s emerging in the church. “Many Christians with unresolved issues of problem sexuality are saturated with spirituality that hasn’t worked, and need fundamental change often needs to occur in their lives. We need to get beyond expecting instantaneous fixes and find God in the practicalities of recovery life.” His clients must first complete a rigorous assessment which can be painful if the spouse is present, “but if people want to change they’ve got to mean business. We get desperate individuals who’ve been to psychologists, psychiatrists and therapy, even overseas.”

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It lures the unsuspecting and junkie alike to become voyeurs of unhealthy curiosity and intrigue into a false ideal of Hollywood sexuality. Working through causal issues, rejecting sexual deviation and living in relapse prevention are pathways to freedom and sexual wholeness, he asserts. “When you become emotionally honest and accountable and bring your life distortions and passions to the light in the presence of others who are doing the same, you begin a transition in God as never before. “Profound changes are more than possible, but recovery needs to be systematic, relational and healing – I tell my clients that miracles that last are those that take longest in the making. Problem sexuality is shrouded with secrecy, isolation and shame, God is waiting to bring about transformation, he said. “When you become totally emotionally honest and accountable, and bring your life distortions and passions to the light, you begin a transition in Him as never before.” Men tended to conceal rather than confide and combat. This means they can live a double life for five, ten or twenty years while being involved in church, business or community leadership. Realising the need for accountability, intervention and change can be daunting, he acknowledges, but being transparent breaks the power of silence over a person’s secret life. “There’s no level in the church where problem sexuality is out of reach – the higher the calling, the easier it is to conceal, and the harder to seek help. It’s a question of men fronting up. “We’ve got to be so truthful with ourselves and with God. We need to be open and honest about our problems and confide in someone else and pray. STEPS therapy groups comprise a variety of individuals struggling with unwanted homosexual urges or behaviours, paedophilia, prostitution, voyeurism, porn dependency, sexual abuse and infidelity. “No- one knows what the other person’s deviation is bar there admission, ‘I went back to my drug of choice this week.’ “My work with homosexual men clearly shows that not everyone who is gay wants to be,” says David. “This is seldom heard but being professional about gender difference and providing the right therapeutic services is vital. He works hard to see individuals changed, if they want to go on that journey. “And quite honestly, I’ve come so far in my counselling modality that if God doesn’t show up, I’ll go and drive a truck.” Jean runs the WISE support programme for the wives

4 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

of men facing issues of problem sexuality, and has many moving testimonies of women processing the pain of sexual betrayal, abuse and sometimes separation. “Women are often the prime motivators of why men seek help,” says David. “They focus on intervention, support and empowerment and process their issues in group work longer than men ever do.” Stepping Up In 2009 David and Jean formed the STEPS Community Trust Board to with others articulate their concerns about sexual health within the church and wider community. ““Sexual standards have shifted, even in the church,” says David “and we want to network with others around the country and challenge the ‘elephant in the room.” Next year, funds permitting they hope to roll out a range of new programmes, including workshops, forums, retreats, and a relapse prevention treatment programme comprising four stages of recovery. “The need for these services is enormous – you only have to sit in on a couple’s therapy session, and it’s shattering to realise what Christian women are being subjected to,” he adds. Study guides are being developed on topics like managing moral failure, sexual integrity for couples and teens and a spiritual retreat for the healing of theological roadblocks. “These STEPS programmes will represent the biggest therapeutic back-up to the issue of problematic sexuality in the New Zealand church and our interactive online and combined programmes are a first for New Zealand.” Internet Porn “Pornography,” says David Moore “ is nothing short of a devastating virus which is wreaking havoc on planet earth. I’m not sensationalising it – the truth is that pornography is gaining acceptance in the church as alcohol did back in the sixties and seventies. “Our value systems are changing in unprecedented ways due to the growing tolerance of sexual permissiveness and multiplicity of free porn, and what we’re dealing with an emerging pandemic of sexual deviation, addiction and abuse.” He said the sinister pervasiveness of internet porn is fuelling people’s passions, desires and choices, distorting sexual behaviours and leading to abuse, disease, violence and murder. “Pornography lures you into voyeurism and an unhealthy curiosity and intrigue about other people’s sex-

uality, replacing your own sexuality and your spouse’s. ‘Where did my husband learn that language or that practice?’ women wonder, and ‘Where is our sexuality going? “It doesn’t take much to help someone who’s looked at porn a few times and wants to quit, but what you’ve got to realise is that I’m now working with the extreme effects of porn,” says David. “Here’s a classic example. A young guy and his girlfriend go overseas on a mission trip. He’s dedicated, a firebrand, but when they arrive back, he’s detained at the airport for a five-hour interview centred around viewing child pornography on his computer. His girlfriend waits, wondering what’s going on He’s a sex addict who’s taken his addiction into the realm of sexual abuse. Another girl found a pornographic CD stashed inside her boyfriend’s Bible. “Most of our clients need clinical and spiritual help,” says David. “They need to come to the Mercy Seat, with the Holy Spirit and Christian brothers and sisters around them, and find healing and wholeness.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • One in four girls in New Zealand has been by sexually abused by age 15 -World Health Organisation study. • Six in ten boys in Great Britain have accidentally or deliberately watched porn, and watch an average of 90 minutes of internet porn a week. • Boys exposed to porn find it more difficult to form successful adult relationships. • An obsessive interest in internet porn was a significant factor in 56% of divorce cases the previous year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 2002 report. • Pornography negatively impacts people’s relationships, productivity, happiness and ability to function in society. • Most New Zealand men who use prostitutes are married and their wife doesn’t know about this.

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‘Who then can be saved?’ the disciples asked Jesus with astonishment when he said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus replied, ‘With man this is impossible — but with God all things are possible.’ What made the salvation of those who love money possible? It was the power of the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, and to enable the then repentant person to change. We all long to see people discovering the joys of faith in Christ — but something is missing! Revival comes as a result of three things: united prayer, gospel communication and the power of the Spirit. St Augustine said, ‘Without God we cannot; without us God will not.’ The Apostle Paul said, ‘How can they hear unless someone tells them?’ Both our prayer and our outreaching efforts are needed. God has commissioned us to be the carriers of His message — and the New Zealand Church has not been strong in this regard. Most Christians have put evangelism in the too-hard basket. If we want to see revival it is clear that something needs to change — and the Hope Project believes that its $1.3 million nationwide media campaign starting in October can be a catalyst for this change.

Already, scores of churches from Kaitaia to Invercargill are actively equipping their members from their pulpits to engage in conversations about spiritual things, and are reinforcing lessons learnt via their small groups. Free online equipping videos are already being viewed hundreds of times — often being shown to entire congregations, week after week. Every home in New Zealand will hear of Jesus Christ for the first time in 30 years in October, and hundreds of churches will be preparing their members with skills to engage family and friends in spiritual conversations. Says Hope Project coordinator, Dave Mann: “If these patterns can continue, then it would indeed be fair to say that the spiritual climate of our nation is set to improve!” Please move to support the Hope Project now! Communicating the gospel this widely is significant. Helping churches equip their members to engage conversations about spiritual things with others is significant. Visit www.alltogether. co.nz to learn more, to link in if you are a pastor, to subscribe for prayer updates, to donate, and to access the free equipping resources. (Watch the equipping videos to prepare yourself). On 12th October the project begins!

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Sistas

SISTAS CONFERENCE – Drawing Back the Curtains Behind the scenes staff and volunteers have been working hard to prepare for the two Sistas conferences held this month at LIFE South in Mangere, Auckland This year senior pastor Maree deJong set the theme ‘ONE. Together we are Sistas. One heart, one love, one life’ is based on Ephesians 4:4-6 ‘You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together.” (Msg Bible.) The two conferences are being staged over two weeks, the first from Thursday to Saturday September 4-6, and the second a week later from Monday to Wednesday, September 11-13. LIFE’s creative co-ordinator, Somer Ng Shiu is responsible for organising design and staging for church, conferences and events. “We want our ‘sistas’ to gain a greater revelation that we’re all in this together, working for the same goal of introducing a lost world to our Saviour,” says the newly-wed. “We want women get a sense of being on the journey together, and pausing and being refreshed for the road ahead.” So what does Sistas look like creatively this year? “The decor is natural and beachy with elements of fire and light, wood and greenery,” says Somer who began helping at Sistas as a young volunteer, working alongside her mother Christine Cooper. Somer took over the creative role when her friend left in 2013. “I was in the right place at the right time and I prayed and felt a peace I could do the job,” says Somer who also a LIFE worship leader. Inspiration is all around. “I’ve learned to look at things closely and if I see something I like, I’ll take a photo and put it in my ‘random inspiration’ computer folder. People often spark design ideas, and my mum is a key go-to person – she’s so experienced and creative. “We use whatever materials we can find,” says Somer who enjoys the practical side of setting up events. “I’m a big fan of re-purposing and re-using things and lately we’ve been using old beer crates for all sorts of things. “Making people feel welcome is my favourite part,

Above left: Mother and daughter design team, Christine Cooper and Somer Ng Shui; Above right: Pastor Nadia Clark and I love seeing what God does with women at Sistas conference. It’s a privilege to help make the whole experience unforgettable, with a touch of God.” Mother and Daughter Interior designer Christine Cooper has been helping decorate Sistas venues since the conference first started, and her husband Robert had just joined the staff of LIFE. “My friend Leonie Trebelco asked if I’d help her set up the first Sistas conference and I said ‘Yes’ and I’ve been involved ever since,” says Christine. “We didn’t have much money for props and so we used what we could find – branches, magnolia leaves, vases of flowers and put sprigs of lavender in the bathroom – it’s those little extra touches that bless peoples’ hearts. “Each year we create guest lounges for our speakers and pastors, a beautiful haven where they can be refreshed and connect with others, and many friendships have been formed at these times and for me personally,” says Christine. “The heart of Sistas is ‘Together Together’ and we

work with a team of amazing volunteers who help bring the look and feel of conference together each year. Different venues over the years have brought fresh decorating challenges. “When we were at Telstra Stadium we needed big things to fill the huge spaces, and the guest lounges were in one big long room and somehow we had to make them feel cosy and intimate.” Christine also presents ‘Beautiful Home’ sessions at conferences: “My ability with interior design ability has grown hugely out of working with gifted women putting my hand to Sistas conferences,” she says. “My greatest joy has been working alongside my gorgeous daughter Somer as she has stepped into the creative role at LIFE. We have the same heart and passion for making God’s house amazing, and for making people feel loved and cared for by the environment we create.” Sistas Outreach Initiatives “Sistas Unite has come about through relationships over the years,” says LIFE pastor and community manager,

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Graeme Flett

One is the Loneliest Number Now on staff with Laidlaw College, Graeme was the senior minister of Burnside Elim Community Church for 13 years. Under his leadership the church developed an organic approach to ministry and local mission that encouraged creative innovation and collaborative teambased leadership. His passion for team-based ministry and leadership is reflected in his doctoral work.

Janet Tuck

Building your ‘A-Team’ Janet is a Career Specialist at Career Clinic. She helps people with career management decisions, and provides workplace coaching, and training for managers so that people can operate more effectively in their working lives and reach their full potential. She has a special interest in leadership identification and development, and is recognised for her strategic approach, and lively and engaging workshops and presentations. She is also a board member for the New Zealand Christian Network.

Lorna Gray

Building a volunteer ‘Coalface Team’ A recipient of New Zealand Christian Network’s Unsung Hero award in 2013, Lorna brings a wealth of experience to her workshop. Through organisations like Praxis and the Eastern Southern Youth Trust she has invested in the development of disadvantaged communities around Wellington with a particular focus on young people. A youth pastor for over 10 years, she is helping plant a church in Strathmore Park. She is also a Strengths Coach, a nurse and a grandmother!

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Sistas

“Girls often search out love in relationships with a guy, friends or family – it all looks good, but you’re often left feeling something is missing. That missing something is the perfect love we were created to know – the love we can only find through Abba Father. Sharon Bohane who has worked at LIFE since 1999. Her husband Paul is also on staff and they have two married daughters and three grand-children. “Sistas Unite began in 2010, and before that our focus was on raising funds for ‘A Girl Called Hope,’ a residential programme for girls with life-controlling issues,” says the long-time pastor. ‘A Girl Called Hope’ was inspired by the visit of Mercy Ministries founder, Nancy Alcorn to Sistas in 2003, and a local Mercy Home for girls was opened in 2007. “Marilyn Skinner from Watoto and the children’s choir have also been guests at Sistas, and Christine Caine was a guest long before she founded A21. Sistas also support Sue and Sue, two Kiwi girls who work with ‘Hagar’ in Cambodia. “The enormous challenges facing women and children at home and abroad, can feel overwhelming at times,” says Sharon. “We can feel paralysed about where to begin, and wonder if our little bit would even make a difference – but through the power of unity we can achieve much more when we combine our efforts and finances.” Every year conference-goers are asked to bring small items for a particular project, varying from undies for Africa to colouring books for sick children in New Zealand. This year women are being asked to bring toiletries for women’s refuges around Aotearoa. Sistas outreaches include: • The Watoto children’s’ homes in Uganda, particularly the Living Hope, Baby Watoto and Keep a Girl in School programmes.

8 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

• A21 works to abolish injustice, such as 21st century slavery and trafficking of women • Hagar International’s after-care programme for sexually trafficked Cambodian children. • ‘A Girl Called Hope’ opened residential home for New Zealand girls in 2007. Miss Sistas Events Pastor Nadia Clark will speak at the new Miss Sistas afternoon sessions for 150 or so teens and young women. She and her husband Craig have been LIFE pastors for eleven years, previously at LIFE West Auckland and LIFE North campuses, and now at LIFE Melbourne. The former youth pastors also hosted Get Smart youth conferences in Auckland and the South Island for five years. (Get Smart is now part of the Arise conference.) Speaking on the topic of ‘ONE Love’ Nadia said: “Living as a teenager today’s world can be filled with fun, excitement and discovery, but it can also be challenging and confronting. “Girls often search out love in relationships with a guy, friends or family – it all looks good, but you’re often left feeling something is missing. That missing something is the perfect love we were created to know – the love we can only find through Abba Father. “The completeness He brings into our lives exceeds anything we could ever find in this lifetime. It’s the kind of love that lasts forever and brings out the best in us. Our heart is that every girl who attends Sistas would know the greater love which Jesus speaks about in John 15:13.” Moving to Melbourne has been a major transition for the Clark family: “However we know God is at the centre

of it,” says Nadia. “He’s been faithful from providing us with an incredible school for our son, Zion (5) and kindergarten for our daughter Hope (2), and we’re building a home.“We have the best team at church and every week we’re seeing God transform lives.” Above: Sharon Bohane who oversees Sistas Unite.

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Revival

Reclaiming the Ground : Ebenezer Fund By Lynley Smith Ebenezer Emergency Fund is treating New Zealand to a double dose of teaching this year. In October Ebenezer is bringing Englishman Ken Hepworth to NZ and last March brought Israelis, Stefan and Keren Silver to our shores. “Last year we hosted a meeting of church leaders in Wellington and discerned a great interest among them in the church’s responsibility towards Israel, and towards Jewish folk living in New Zealand,” says Ebenezer national co-ordinator, Anne Higgins. “So we decided to bring Ken Hepworth to New Zealand to answer some of their questions.” “It’s often difficult for Christians to understand exactly what the church’s relationship should be to the issue of Jews and the political situation in the Middle East, and Ken is ideally suited to answer these questions on a personal and church level.” Ken has recently retired after many years as UK chairman of Ebenezer Emergency Fund UK, working with Jews in the Soviet Union and other countries, supporting them, and helping those who desire to return to Israel. He also worked with Ellel Ministries in the UK for some years in the area of healing and personal deliverance. The theme for his October tour will be ‘Reclaiming the Ground and Healing the Land – in our hearts and personal lives, in our land and in our relationship with Israel.

‘Ken says he has a personal interest in New Zealand, having been blessed by the teaching of New Zealanders, Tom Marshall and Murray Dixon. “In every country believers are praying for revival,” he says “but often they don’t understand that a key to revival is the need to bless Israel as in Genesis 12:1-3. I believe it’s critical the church in New Zealand and around the world to understand this, and that the church has not replaced Israel in God’s plans. “We’re living in days when prophecy is being fulfilled. God is moving. I believe the Gentile body of Christ needs to understand its responsibility at this time. We need to be like the men of Issachar, who had an understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do as in 1 Chronicles 12:32.” Ken will speak in thirteen centres from Kaitaia to Gore on a range of topics including the church’s role of intercession for the regathering of the Jewish people (Aliyah) to fulfil Biblical prophecy; anti-Semitism today and its consequences; the cleansing of the land from blood guilt by breaking the curses, and the Biblical basis for this; the authority and power of intercessory prayer within the boundaries set by the Word of God ; spiritual warfare – understanding Satan’s tactics and how demons operate. Ken will hold three day-long seminars in Wellington, Kaitaia and Tauranga.

Ken Hepworth who will tour New Zealand in October. Ken Hepworth has written two books – Reclaiming the Ground and The Blood Still Cries Out. www.ebenezer-exodus.org South East Asia section

Celebrated Christian harpist, Eduard Klassen, will be touring New Zealand Eduard Klassen from February to March 2015. Touring from Whangarei to Invercargill, a typical concert presentation by Eduard Klassen will feature a variety of Christian harp music from South America, North America and Europe, interspersed with personal testimony and stories of God’s work in his life, from boyhood in the wilderness of Paraguay, to the present. Born and raised in an isolated area of Paraguay, South America, (508 km from the nearest city) Eduard was 15 years old when he first saw a paved highway! At age

20 Eduard accepted Jesus Christ as his personal saviour and since then has followed the call into full time ministry. Playing the harp has been his passion since 1975. His formal musical training included 5 years of study in Asuncion Paraguay. When not touring, Eduard presently lives in Stratford, Ontario with his wife Christine, and their two sons, Mathias and Sheldon. Eduard has played in a variety of settings including churches of most denominations, large concerts, banquets, fundrais-

10 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

ers, and ministry to seniors. He has also recorded 20 albums, 3 DVDs and 1 book. At each concert Eduard’s CDs and DVDs will be on sale, and a freewill offering will be taken at each concert to help with tour expenses. For concert details in your area contact Colin & Jean Sampson (06) 751-0633 or email colinsam24@gmail.com

Retail

Christian Bookstores Survive Internet By Marie Anticich “Times are challenging for Christian booksellers with the increase of online book sales but I’m positive about the future and confident booksellers won’t be taken over by internet sales,” says Warren Smith, of Christchurch who is a long-time member of the Christian Booksellers’ Association of New Zealand.

he Christian bookseller’s annual convention and trade show was held at Willow Park, Eastern Beach, Auckland last month, and attracted suppliers, distributors and managers from many of the association’s 25 member bookstores around the country. Over the last three years, Christian bookstores have closed in Gisborne, Queenstown, central Auckland and Tauranga (the latter still has two Christian bookshops.) “But the good news for customers is that the price of Christian books and music has come down considerably in recent years,” says Warren. “This is due to competition from the internet and the strength of the Kiwi dollar, as most books are imported from America.” This year marks 40 years in Christian bookselling and distribution for the former CBANZ president who runs Christian Superstores in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru. The Christchurch store was closed for six months due to damage from the February 2011 earthquakes but sales are slowly rebuilding, he reports. “Like many stores around the country, we’ve noticed the impact of online buying, especially with Christian books and music but, with wise marketing and diversification in product range, I believe local Christian bookstores can survive” says the veteran bookseller. Two key areas for growth are stocking inspirational gifts such as inscribed sculptures, plaques and mugs, and servicing a wider cross-section of the Christian market: “The Catholic community, in particular, wants to bless its young people with books, inspirational gifts and bibles for their first Holy Communion celebrations. “Christian stores also carry the best ranges of bibles, inspirational greeting cards and children’s books,” he adds “and most people prefer to choose these in-store.” It’s important that parents ensure their children are reading books that develop character and promote good choices, he believes, rather than just playing video games and watching television and DVDs. He and his wife Roseanna have four grandchildren and enjoy putting good quality books and family-friendly DVDs into their

Warren Smith

grandchildren’s hands. Warren started selling books while working voluntarily for Radio Rhema in 1973: “We established a little bookshop under the Rhema banner in central Christchurch, and in 1976 we formed the Successful Living Foundation and placed Christian books in secular stores. “We had 60 book-stands in New World supermarkets and dairies, in the Wellington and Canterbury regions, and displays of Christian books in retail businesses in smaller communities – those were the days.” In 1978 Warren and Graham Greenwood started Sunday School Supplies which today represents several USA publishers and gift suppliers and operates three retail stores. “After the February earthquakes our Christchurch store was closed for re-strengthening, but we kept our staff on and – when-ever we could gain entry – picked up stock off the floor.” They were asked to take over two struggling bookstores in Ashburton and Timaru and, due to the huge downturn in sales in Christchurch, were able to ship their

surplus stock to these low-stocked stores. “Helping these two South Canterbury communities in the midst of major disaster gave us a new sense of purpose and hope – it was a God thing.” Warren is also Asia Pacific regional director Derek Prince Ministries International, and for the last 30 years has helped develop the DPM translation, publishing and distribution ministry. He oversees the expansion of DPM Work in Eastern Europe and helps produce more than one million books and CDs a year and distribute them, mostly in China, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Indonesia. “People overseas are hungering for Christian books and we find it hard to keep up with the demand – we all need to read books about how God works in people’s lives and how He can strengthen us for the challenges we face.”

www.mychristiandaily.com | 11

Impact

Making A Difference Founded by New Zealander RAY HARRISON in 1974, International Needs now has a network of ministries in 34 countries. REV GRADON HARVEY talks to MARIE ANTICICH about this Christian aid agency which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year.

Above left: International Needs founder Ray Harrison (right) with Billy Graham in Lausanne, 1972; Above right: Annette & Gradon Harvey; Below left: International Needs - Girls from Lydia project in Nepal working on creating dress patterns

“O

WHO WE ARE... International Needs is a New Zealandfounded Christian aid organisation which oversees partnerships between 160 New Zealand churches and church communities in 34 countries. IN projects include: • Community development: building wells, minilibraries in slums, donating cows and goats to poor families • Building educational facilities and orphanages • IN worldwide sponsors 8,600 children, of whom Kiwis sponsor 1,755 • Vocational training • Emergency relief • NZ government aid projects • 80 Kiwi-supported pastors and church planters • Evangelism outreaches and revival crusades

12 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

ur biggest point of difference is that we assist national leaders to work in their own countries – we don’t send missionaries into the field,” says Gradon Harvey who is national director of Tauranga-based International Needs New Zealand. The international organisation has a network of ministries in 34 countries, each with their own independent board of trustees which is responsible to the international body. Each country oversees programmes run by national pastors, evangelists and church planters in their own communities. In New Zealand, national director Gradon Harvey, spends much of his time brokering partnerships between local churches and churches in the developing world. “We create bi-lateral agreements between the two churches and set up a working relationship,” says Gradon who was an Anglican minister for 30 years. “The Kiwi church provides funding for nationals to lead local churches and to run child focus programmes, job training, relief work and community development projects.” Paying a local worker a relatively small wage is a more efficient and cost-effective way to reach local people than training, sending and supporting international mission partners who will eventually leave, said the former missionary. “National workers belong to the culture and they can handle the heat, eat local food, speak the language – and often three or four dialects – and reach their own people for Christ far more efficiently. With our support, these humble national leaders reach an estimated 10,000 people per week.” Kiwi churches build long-lasting relationships with their partner communities send short-term mission teams on trips, make new friendships and get the taste of a different culture. Working with churches in this unique way has proved to be a key strategy in helping communities become places of transformation. “We sends $1.5 million a year overseas but we’d love to double that figure and send $3 million a year to meet people’s needs,” Gradon reflects. “There’s so much

more we can do and we’ve got the national staff on the ground, ready and able to do it.” Growth, he believes, will come by brokering more partnerships between New Zealand and overseas churches. “We want to help the New Zealand church transition from being a missionary-sending church to become a mission-supporting church. If every church in New Zealand adopted one country or one unreached people group, we could bring a lot of transformation to the world.” Mission Philosophy When Gradon isn’t travelling around New Zealand visiting churches or checking on mission projects overseas, Gradon commutes to work in Tauranga. “New Zealand has an estimated 1,250 missionaries serving with 128 sending societies in 150 different lands – but with our shrinking Christian population I don’t think the current level of missionary-sending is sustainable,” he observes. “New Zealand used to be 80 percent Christian but that figure has dropped to 53 percent Christian in the latest census figures, mainly Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians. Anglicans alone lost 100,000 members between censuses. “But International Needs is in a wonderful position because we’re able to employ national leaders in the developing world to lead churches and start community development programmes.” In the Philippines IN has built several mini-libraries in slums and impoverished communities to give school-children access to reference books and computers, and these libraries often double as adult training centres. IN also partners with 750 Filipino churches, mostly planted by missionaries but now well established and run by faithful nationals. These churches belong to the Association of Bible-Believing Churches of the Philippines which is headed by Chito Ramos who also chairs IN Philippines. “We run practical training programmes at most of our ministry centres also,” says Gradon. “In Nepal, for example, the Lydia project teaches sewing and crafts to

30 to 40 girls from rural Nepali villages at our headquarters in Kathmandu. ‘Girls can do anything’ we teach them because Hinduism says if you’re poor and a woman, you’re nothing. Girls return to their villages with a sewing machine so they can create micro-businesses. “We’ve never lost our evangelism focus and we include Christian teaching and discipleship in all our projects,” he adds, “except New Zealand government-funded aid projects where proselytising is forbidden. “In Ghana, we’ve just finished a NZ government aid project, rescuing 500 boys from the fishing industry and getting them back to school, and we’re saving 500 Ghanian girls from the sex industry by sending them to school or vocational training.” In Fiji, IN is partnering with Youth for Christ and the NZ government on a three-month project which provides tuition and a micro-business grant for young solo mums, followed by nine months of business mentoring. Says Gradon: “Today Kiwi churches have to grapple the best use from their sacrificially given missions dollars. Ninety-five percent of the $US15 billion given to missions worldwide goes to countries that are already strongly Christian, and only 0.1% goes to reach the 6,530 unreached people groups.” “Ninety-seven percent of unreached people live in the 10/40 window ( the area 10degrees below the equator and 40 degrees latitude above) but only five% of the world’s missionaries serve in that part of the world. Why? Because it’s hot, dangerous, extremely poor, with difficult languages, and Christians often suffer terrible persecution. That’s why investing in national church leaders to work in their own countries makes more sense.” He chaired the (Anglican) South American Missionary Society for six years and spent three years as a church planting missionary in Uruguay. “My wife and I took our four children, aged three to eight years, to Uruguay and planted two churches in Montevideo. One church was in a poor working class area near a slum, the other in an area near the Old City,” he recalls. “Starting with four elderly people and one teenager, we became a vibrant church. It was a wonderfully rich time. When we returned, my church in Waikanae said, ‘You must never lose your missionary vision’ and so with Bishop Derek Eaton and other friends I started a branch of Sharing of Ministries Abroad, an missionary organisation which used to visit us in Uruguay. “For the next 20 years SOMA sent short-term Anglican mission teams around the world, but its big weakness was that it never established long-term relationships. Teams would visit places in the developing world once or twice and forget about them. “In my last church in Waikanae, we sent out six full time missionaries and four short termers with organisations like YWAM and Steiger. Then one day I realised we had no-one on the mission field – they’d all come home. “A more intelligent use of mission money would have been to find a partner overseas, centre our mission giving and short term teams on one place, and build a long-term relationship.” Gradon and his wife Annette have four children, two grandchildren and live at PekaPeka Beach on the Kapiti Coast where he enjoys surfing and fishing. Their eldest son Sam Harvey helped to run Grace Vineyard Beach Campus’ emergency relief centre in New Brighton following the Christchurch earthquakes. What is your biggest challenge? “We’ve had cloak of invisibility because our focus has been sending funds overseas, and we’ve spent nothing on promoting ourselves, and so raising the profile of International Needs in New Zealand is my biggest challenge,” says Gradon Harvey. “But Cabinet has just given us ‘overseas donee’ tax status and so we’re now in a position to change all that.” A Tribute to the Founder Kiwi Ray Harrison founded International Needs after having a ‘light bulb’ experience while attending the 1972 Lausanne conference on world evangelism. “Ray was a visionary ahead of his time, and realised that talented national leaders were the most effective people to reach their nation for Christ,” says Gradon Harvey. From 1965–1969 Ray led Youth for Christ New Zealand, and later became YFC’s international president. Moving to Central Asia, he set up YFC in Sri Lanka, India and Nepal, and started International Needs. Ray was in his early forties and attending Tory Street Open Brethren (now The Street Church) in Wellington, when he went full-time with the mission organisation in 1974. “International Needs was never originally intended to be an aid organisation – but you can’t ignore the needs of starving people and street children and so it morphed into an organisation that meets the needs of local communities, both spiritually and practically.” Over the years Mel Newth, Lloyd Ashworth and Jeremy Denmead served well as executive directors, and Grdon Harvey came on board three years ago. Now in his eighties, Ray Harrison lives with his wife Lorna in a retirement village in Paraparaumu.

26 October to 2 November 2014

Barnabas Fund is calling on churches and individual Christians to set aside Suffering Church Action Week to focus on our brothers and sisters who suffer for their faith. The theme, Living in Babylon: Faithful to Christ in a Hostile World, provides an opportunity to consider how Christians need to remain faithful to Christ in countries where they experience persecution. Order a FREE Inspiration Pack full of resources for the week.

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www.mychristiandaily.com | 13

Israel

“First the Saturday people….” By Ken Taylor, director of Prayer for Israel New Zealand

Above: War-torn Israel; Inset: Directors of Prayer for Israel, Ken and Mary Taylor

ver the past three months we have been witnessing a bloody conflict in Gaza as Israel responds to the ongoing rocket attacks and incursions by Hamas and its associated terrorists. People of all ages have been killed in Gaza. In addition five million Israelis have been living under the constant threat of rocket or mortar attack and some southern communities have been shocked to learn that tunnels have been built underneath them in preparation for a major invasion of Israel. There have been many more casualties among the people of Gaza than those suffered by Israelis. Consequently, the casualty figures have created a perception that Israel has responded ‘disproportionately to the attacks by Hamas – even though Hamas have fired several thousand missiles into Israel’s civilian areas. When it is realised that Hamas has operated from within densely populated areas, the disparity is very understandable. War is horrific and tragic and the innocent are inevitably caught in the crossfire. Our hearts break for those whose lives and properties have been destroyed in this conflict. But what are we really observing as we consider the conflict in Gaza? Why has Hamas insisted on firing missiles and making incursions into Israel – knowing full well what the response will be from the Israeli military as

it defends its country? To get a clearer understanding of the situation, it is necessary to step back and see the bigger picture. For decades Islamist leaders in the Middle East have used the expression: “First the Saturday people….” (referring to the Jews whose Sabbath is on Saturday) – as they state their long- term goals. Yes, there is a concerted effort to annihilate the Jewish nation because Israel stands in the way of the whole region becoming Islamist territory. Not only are the Jews referred to as ‘The Saturday people” but also as “The Little Satan” and America is called “The Big Satan” – giving a clear indication of how both Israel and the west are viewed in Islamic thinking. When we take stock of the other events occurring around Israel, we quickly realise that what is happening in Gaza isn’t a conflict in isolation. Ever since the day that Israel was declared a nation state in May 1948 (following the mandate period and the decisions of the League of Nations,) it has either been at war or under the threat of war. Sixty-six years of tension and escalating threat have been the portion of the people of Israel – both Jew and Arab. This accounts for the highly developed military capability of Israel, including the ‘Iron Dome’ anti-missile system, and Israel’s ability to protect its population in purpose built ‘bomb shelters.’

The conflict in Gaza is connected to the current events in Syria and Iraq as well as recent events in Lebanon. Hamas in Gaza is linked to the jihadists in all these other conflicts and shares a common objective. The statement ‘First the Saturday people’ is always followed by ‘and then the Sunday people.’ Who are the Sunday people? Christian nations are the Sunday people – literally the nations of the west who are seen as Christian. Thus as we listen with horror to what is being perpetrated on Christians and other groups in Iraq by the group known as I.S.I.S (or the Islamic State), we must realise that our own future is involved as well. Remember what happened to the Coptic Christians in Egypt under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood? Observe what is now happening to the Christians of Mosul and the Plain of Nineveh in Iraq who are being murdered or driven out by the jihadists. Think back to the history of Lebanon which was once considered the only Christian nation in the Middle East, but is now under the control of Hezbollah. As Christians and people who live in the nations of the West, we need to be aware of what is happening. We cannot remain unaffected. Israel is actually fighting a battle on our behalf as it holds back the tide of Islamist conquest. Here in New Zealand our isolation brings a comforting ‘disconnection’ from the reality of events on the other side of the world, but this sense of security is deceptive. Our future is also at stake. It is time for us to be more aware of what is happening in Israel and the Middle East and to respond more actively. As Christians, our first response must be to pray for:• Victims of all conflicts in the Middle East – regardless of race or religion • Those who live in Gaza under the Hamas regime – especially the Christian minority • Israel’s government that they will act with God’s wisdom and mercy • Israel’s people – that they will call on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in their time of distress and find that Yeshua/Jesus is their Messiah • The ‘peace of Jerusalem’ (as prescribed in Psalm 122) the place to where the Prince of Peace will return • Our brothers and sister in Christ in Iraq as they face an uncertain future Secondly, we need to raise our voices in concern for what is happening and thirdly, we need to support the victims of these conflicts in practical ways.

IT’S 40 YEARS since New Zealander, Dr Ray Harrison, founded International Needs in Wellington. Today International Needs is thriving in nearly 40 countries because people trust us to deliver on what is given to help change the world. Our philosophy of “transforming lives, changing communities,” remains ﬁrm. We have helped change the world through sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, through community development projects, child sponsorship programmes and disaster relief. International Needs has stood the test of time and continues to help thousands of people around the world.

To ﬁnd out more please visit

www.internationalneeds.org.nz www.internationalneeds.org.nz info@internationalneeds.org.nz toll free: 0800 4 needs (63337)

14 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

Men Keeping Their Promises Promise Keepers ‘Pure Power’ men’s event was launched in Christchurch last month, to be will be followed by this month’s event in Wellington, and in Auckland in October. By Marie Anticich

Above left: A Promise Keepers men’s group in action; Above right: Paul and Lynette Subritzky

“W

e’re focusing on connecting men directly with God so His pure power can flow through their lives,” says Promise Keepers national director, Paul Subritzky who introduced the men-only events to New Zealand 21 years ago. More than 3,000 men are expected to attend the three weekend events at main centres, the next to be held at Lane Park, Wellington from September 12-13, and the third and largest event at Auckland’s Victory Convention Centre from October 3-4. The atmosphere last month at Christchurch’s La Vida Centre was “fantastic” with the largest crowd for several years, and Boyd Ratnaraja leading the worship. Chuck Missler stunned the Canterbury men with the intricacies of how God has put the world and universe together. Speakers will include international Bible teacher, Chuck Missler, rugby legend Inga Tuigamala, evangelist Bill Subritzky, Radio Rhema host Aaron Ironside, Auckland pastor Geoff Wiklund and others. “We need God’s power to impact different areas of our lives to fix what is broken or take us even closer to God whether things are going well, not so well or disastrously,” said Paul Subritzk.y “At some point we, or someone close to us, will face difficulties and our own human strength isn’t sufficient – it’s God’s almighty power that enables us to stand and see victory in these times. We need to see God’s powerfully released in our lives so we can fulfil our purpose, influence those around us and together impact our nation.” Youth now represent more than 15 percent of total attendance at PK events, and Transition ‘break-out’ sessions cater for youth aged eleven to seventeen. Stance caters for young single men aged 18 to 30 years, who are often facing major decisions about careers, finance and relationships, and how to respond to God’s call on their life. Prior to the events, Paul Subritzy spent several months travelling around the country, meeting up with pastors and men’s ministry leaders. He was accompanied by Paul Monahan, newly appointed PK Men’s Ministry co-ordinator and former school principal and Gary Colville, senior pastor of Hosanna Church, Porirua. “We’ve been meeting up with men at McDonalds, listening to where their men’s ministry is at and encouraging them to find a way forward,” says Paul. “Pastors’ attitudes towards men’s ministry are crucial as we don’t just need

men to attend church, we need them to get involved.” Men’s ministry needs vary from region to region. “In Christchurch we met one-on-one with 23 men’s ministry leaders – it’s nearly four years since the September quake, people are still struggling, and many churches want to restart their men’s ministry. In the lower North Island they met up with 40 pastors and men’s ministry leaders. “It’s encouraging to see pockets of men’s ministry doing well across the denominations, especially the Baptists who have higher percentage of men in their congregations.” He reports that Promise Keepers is well on the way to achieving its goal of having 50 field representatives supporting men’s ministry leaders throughout New Zealand. PK resources for men’s ministries these include a monthly newsletter called WiseChoices, bi-monthly DVDs and Men of Integrity, a 60-day devotional guide. A new PK development are the Samoan Tama Tane Malosi (Mighty Men of Valour) men’s event, and this year’s event was held in Manukau, Auckland in June. “Tama Tane Malosi is profoundly impacting because it focuses on issues relevant to Samoan men in their own language,” says Paul. What’s your biggest challenge? “Hearing from God, finding out what men need and bringing that focus through at conferences, is always a challenge. You’ve got to keep things fresh and relevant – you can’t just repeat things.” Study in What issues does Promise Keepers face? Nelson “The same issues Go deep in that face men generally. Men inherited a passivefaith and ness from Adam – where service was Adam when Eve was taking a bite of that apple? I think he was there, but didn’t do anything! This apathy, com-

placency and a failure to step up and take responsibility has come through to men to this day. “Our job is to alert and challenge guys to the spiritual battle they’re in – they may choose to ignore the battle, but it doesn’t alter the reality. Apathy isn’t a safe haven.” Men often get isolated from their wives and from other men, he said. “When a man becomes a Christians he often ‘burns off’ his non-Christian friends and doesn’t create new ones. Proverbs 18:1 says, Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment, and we see the effects of this in today’s society. “Men also tend to compartmentalise their lives. They might give God some of their time, but not all of their work or finances. God needs to be involved in every area of our lives and discovering His call on your life creates a passion to follow him. From passion comes discipline and the risk to share your faith. “Men are often bound by feelings of guilt and condemnation,” says Paul Subritzky, “but when they confront their sins with the blood of Jesus and the cross of Christ, they are set free to discover their call in God.”

www.bishopdale.ac.nz office@bishopdale.ac.nz

www.mychristiandaily.com | 15

Social Media

Hateful Christianity in SOCIAL MEDIA

o be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with social media, Facebook in particular. I love finding out what other people are thinking and doing, but I am deeply disturbed at the way some Christians use social media to disagree with others. Here’s why: The “Up Yours” Effect of Isolation There’s something about the safety of isolation that brings out our worst. You know – the mild-mannered individual who, on strapping in behind the steering wheel, reverts to thinking that their horn and middle finger are the two most important implements for getting their way on the road. Or in the electronic space: how many angry emails have you received and sent over the years? Yep, isolation tends to give us a sense of safety, and apparently, a license to behave badly. Enter social media. Let me use abortion as an example. It’s one I’m passionate about, because I know (Psalm 139:13-18) that the moment a child is conceived, there is a person, made in the image of the Living God. But as passionate as I am on the issue of a child’s right to live, tears welled up in my eyes when I saw a Christian post an image of Michelle Obama on Facebook, holding a sign that had been photoshopped to read “Baby Killer”. The arguments of Hateful Christianity – now there’s an oxymoron if ever there were one – will never win the day. There are a few reasons for that: The God of Love It’s easy enough to believe that God is love in the relative safety of a church building, or a Christian family, or a home group of supportive Christian friends (although even there, it can be a challenge sometimes to live out His love, right?) But what about when you’re confronted with something – like, in this case abortion – with which you vehemently disagree? Not because it benefits you to do so necessarily, but because you’re outraged at the taking of innocent human lives. Then what? Answer: ask yourself what would Jesus do? Well, of course He managed to get angry a couple of times – traders in the Temple, hypocritical Pharisees, faithless disciples – but remember, His anger was only ever directed at those who should have known better; those who professed to believe in God. How was it that Jesus reacted when Peter decided to lop off the ear of one of the people who came to arrest Him? Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:50,51) Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matthew 26:51,52) It simply wasn’t Jesus’ way to lash out in that way. Anger was for Him, by far the exception, rather than the rule – even though He spoke plainly and directly. Correcting with Gentleness To the contrary, Scripture implores us to correct with gentleness: And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent

16 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

Screaming at the world, and telling people how wrong they are and how far they’ve strayed from God never works. Let me ask you, when someone comes at you with angry vitriol, does that ever convert you to their way of thinking?! Because where love is, there God is in all His power; there God will work with a supernatural power to bring about His purposes – a power that makes our angry little tantrums appear so … small and ineffective. Does that mean that we have to be weak and wishywashy? No. Does it mean that we shouldn’t confront evil when we find it? No. Does it mean that we shouldn’t speak out? No. It means that whatever we say and do should so manifestly exemplify the sacrificial love of the God who sent His Son to die not just for us, but especially for every last sinner with whom we disagree, so that our argument simply cannot be ignored; so that Christ is glorified through us. It means that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, so that we may be children of our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44) People won’t always agree with us. That’s a fact. But they are much more likely to be won over by an argument of love, than of hate; of encouragement than of vitriol; of true wisdom than of the world’s “wisdom”. Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is

and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26) It seems that God is more interested in their salvation, than in us winning the argument. And how we respond to people with whom we disagree, speaks to them of the God we purport to represent. Our vitriol, in short, is likely to be a stumbling block to their salvation. Now … there’s a scary thought! Wisdom is never based on hatred. Wisdom is always based on love and sacrifice. Always. The Bible tells us that the time is short, and we should make the most of the time that we have available: Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15) Screaming at the world, and telling people how wrong they are and how far they’ve strayed from God never works. Let me ask you, when someone comes at you with angry vitriol, does that ever convert you to their way of thinking?! Let’s Go with Something that Works What works, is speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-16). What works is wisdom that stands out from the crowd, because it is expressed with a love so sublime, that it cannot be ignored. Love always overcomes evil.

envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. (James 3:13-18) Abortion – My “Argument” So, for me, when someone comes at me telling me that I don’t have a womb and how dare I impose my chauvinistic, outdated religious views on “a woman’s right to choose” here is my reply. No, I’m not a woman, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to carry a child inside me that I don’t want. I simply cannot imagine. But here’s the thing. In this whole debate, there is one party that cannot speak and who must remain silent. It is the child. And let me say, with all the love and respect that I can muster, if I were that child – I would ask you to give me the chance at the life that lies ahead for me. Good, bad or ugly, just give me the chance. Bear me to full term – and afterward give me up if you don’t want me – but please … give me the chance to live my life. Would you do that for me? And I pray for them. Because I know that even when I can do nothing else, prayer for the sinner is the single, most powerful thing that I can do.

Berni Dymet is the ceo + Bible teacher of the global media ministry Christianityworks. Each week his radio messages are heard by tens of millions of listeners in over 160 countries around the world. Visit christianityworks.com to request your free copy of his latest booklet and listen to his messages.

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www.mychristiandaily.com | 17

Christian Woman

n the day of July 16th, 1999, John F. Kennedy, Jr. was killed when the light aircraft he was flying crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the Massachusetts coast. His wife and sister-in-law were also amongst those who were killed. It was a terrible tragedy that was broadcast both nationally and internationally, and left many people wondering what happened. After intense investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it was concluded that the crash was caused by “the pilot’s failure to maintain control of his airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation.” The hazy conditions that existed on the night of the crash were the major contributor to the crash. Other pilots flying that night reported similar conditions. The thick fog meant that pilots were unable to establish a visual horizon, therefore making it virtually impossible to know up from down. It is a miracle that there were no more fatal crashes that night. Spatial disorientation is defined as “the inability of a person to correctly determine his body position in space.”1 This phenomenon can occur both in the air, and on the ground. It is typically a temporary state that people experience when their vision is obstructed by either weather conditions, chemical/physical influences (blindfolding), or an accident causing loss of sight. It is a condition in which the person’s perception of reality does not agree with actual reality. This is where the pilot’s instrument panel comes into play. It is here that the pilot can see the cold, hard facts about their plane’s stats. What direction am I facing? What altitude am I at? What other planes are around that might be a threat to this plane? How do I get to safety? Without this vital piece of equipment, he or she will have no way of knowing where their plane is travelling. Without a point of reference to guide them, the pilot quickly (and dangerously) becomes trapped in a web of 1 Source: Spatial Disorientation, Wikipedia.

18 | Christian Life Issue Sixteen September 2014

panic based manouvers; a state that will ultimately lead to their death. Instrument flying is when your mind gets a grip on the fact that there is vision beyond sight. -- U.S. Navy ‘Approach’ magazine circa W.W.II. It appears John F. Kennedy Jr. had his own plan. He thought he knew what he was doing. Whether he consulted his instrument panel or not, we will never know. But if he had, he might have noticed that everything was not okay. Had he found the right answers in time, he might have saved his life and that of his family. Life can sometimes feel like we are flying blind. On the outside it can look and feel like we have it all together, like we know where we are going. But if we just stop to look at our inner instrument panel, we might find ourselves going in a completely different direction. This kind of disorientation is exhausting! As human beings, we like to know that we are in control. We feel much more at peace if we can see where we are going. A goal, a plan, a direction. They’re all key elements to our feeling personally secure. Or are they? Just when we think we know where we are going, life throws a spanner in the works. Much like the pilot who encountered the thick fog, we can find ourselves in a situation where we have no idea what to do. Something happens that causes us to lose our orientation. Suddenly everything is not so clear. Maybe it is cancer, or a death in the family. Maybe it is a failed relationship, or some other personal trial we were not expecting. Whatever it is, it leaves us questioning our faith in God. How could God allow this to happen to me? What could I possibly have done to deserve this? Why did God allow this fog to come over my life? In that moment, we lose our focus. What happened to our inner guidance system, the one that reminds us who God is? What do we know is true, deep in our hearts? Isn’t it funny how when life is going well, we have no trouble believing in God and His promises.

Yet when hard things come our way, we seem to forget everything we know about God. We ignore our inner instrument panel and just focus on the storm outside. Maybe this is what John F. Kennedy Jr. did. Selfpity is a terrible distraction. Instead of focusing on the instrument panel that was available to him, he panicked. He forgot about everything he knew to be true, and tried to fly on his own merits. We can see how successful that endeavour was! Flying blind only works when we rely on the instrument panel of our plane. Getting through life is only possible when we rely on God’s guidance in our lives, in both the good times and the bad. Think of the missionary who set out with all intentions to bring the name of Christ to the world, only to get there and discover that nobody wanted to hear about it. The hard conditions, the loneliness, and the despair in realising that your plans have come to nothing…they all have a purpose. It causes us to ask ourselves, am I relying on my own plans to see me through life? Am I flying my life’s plane based on my vision alone? Have I consulted my inner instrument panel to see whether this is really what God would have me to do? And when we look at the instrument panel and discover that the direction we are travelling is not what we thought, what do we do then? Do we adjust our course so that we are in line with our instrument panel? Or do we take over control of the aircraft, thinking that we are capable of flying this plane on our own? This choice is crucial. It can mean the difference between life and death. Are you going to choose to be guided by God, or your own intuition? The decision is yours. Be aware though, that the choices you make now can impact the rest of your life. And as you learn to fly by God’s guidance, may He bless you abundantly over what you would ever expect! CW

ROBIN WILLIAMS DEATH and why the world thinks Christians are insane

ust days after the tragic death of actor and comedian Robin Williams, Christians are coming up with the “answers,” and (surprise) pitching their DVD’s in the process. The most widely promoted so far is Robin Williams: The Sad Truth The Media Won’t Tell You from over at “Good Fight Ministries.” In the article it states: “Robin Williams acknowledged that he had opened himself up to transformative demonic powers that aided him on stage.” I’d encourage you to read the quote that statement is based on. Having worked in Hollywood for more than 30 years, the idea Robin’s talking about in the quote isn’t “demon possession” but a common term actors use to fill a character. I’m sure writer Joe Schimmel is trying to do the right thing, but using that quote as a guide, he would have to (and perhaps does) assume every actor and comedian in Hollywood is demon possessed. But even more important is the question – did this writer ever actually speak to Robin? Did he counsel him? Did he even have a lengthy personal interview? If not, how can he make such sweeping and insensitive statements – particularly within hours of Robin’s death? We wonder why Christians are marginalized by the culture and wonder why non-believers aren’t interested in anything we have to say. Well go no further than this article (and I’m sure plenty from others that will be coming.) There is evil in the world. There is demonic activity in the world. But there is also mental illness. Of all the people in the culture, Christians should be more sensitive than anyone during times of tragedy. And I’ll no doubt get the “But Phil – we must speak the Truth” argument back. That’s true as well. But when that is required, it is a grave and serious responsibility – not an opportunity to pitch our latest DVD. And perhaps more important – when Christians make grand judgements and pronouncements, they should be based on rock solid evidence, not fragments of interviews or our own assumptions. Think about the bigger picture here. Do articles like this really advance the Kingdom? Do they cause readers to be so convicted that they want to turn to God? Or do they simply feed the stereotype that Christians are insensitive jerks, who are more concerned about condemning than caring? During times like this, our hearts should burn. WE should be consumed with guilt that we haven’t done enough to share the Good News. Not take an attitude that will simply drive away the very people we are trying to reach.

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Phil Cooke is a producer and media consultant to churches and ministries across the country. His latest book is “Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media.” Find out more at www.philcooke.com

www.mychristiandaily.com | 19

Programme Guide 15th Sep - 10th Oct 2014 SUNDAY 6:00

MONDAY

Quick Study

Go Frills

C 6:30

Go Frills

Veggie Tales

3-2-1 Penguins!

Fifty the Tractor

Veggie Tales

C 7:00

Veggie Tales

3-2-1 Penguins!

Fifty the Tractor

Jovis Bon Hovis

Go Frills

Fifty the Tractor

C 7:30

Fifty the Tractor

Jovis Bon Hovis

Go Frills

Veggie Tales

3-2-1 Penguins!

Jovis Bon Hovis

C 8:00

Impact for Life

Word For You

LIFE TV

Running With Fire

Connection Point

3-2-1 Penguins!

C 8:30

Living Truth: Charles Price

All Over the World

Life Questions

Hour of Power

Hymns of the Forefathers

Leading the Way

Give Me An Answer

Serve the City

The Men’s Series / Understanding Love (23 Sep)

Answers with Bayless Conley

Your Best Life

Roots and Reflections

Philosophy, Science and the God Debate

Hannah Help Me

Thank God for Football

Christian World News

Building a Difference

LIFE: Paul de Jong

Running With Fire

8:00

Spoon TV

8:30

Connection Point

Unlocking the Bible P

In Touch: Charles Stanley

10:00

Life Questions

D Beyond Adventure D

10:30

Word For You

Life Questions

11:00

Songs of Praise

Roots and Reflections

Noon

D Beauty & the Beast D

The Exchange / Challenging Lifestyle (22 Sep)

Impact for Life

Kiwis Can Fly / Not D a Fan (23 Sep) Word For You

See adjacent for detail. Serve the City D

Give Me An Answer

Precious Memories

2:30

Precious Memories

Roots and Reflections

The Exchange / Challenging Lifestyle (23 Sep)

Go Frills

Hour of Power

3-2-1 Penguins!

In Touch: Charles Stanley

3:00

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Veggie Tales

3-2-1 Penguins!

Fifty the Tractor

Jovis Bon Hovis

Go Frills

The DRIVE tv

Ultimate Choice

Life fm Presents

Give Me An Answer

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV

The Relate Show

D 1:30

Kiwis Can Fly / Not D a Fan (25 Sep)

Hannah Help Me

Thank God for Football

D 2:00

The Men’s Series / Understanding Love (25 Sep)

Building a Difference

Fifty the Tractor

Jovis Bon Hovis

Serve the City

D 3:00

Jovis Bon Hovis

Go Frills

Veggie Tales

Building a Difference

D 3:30

Veggie Tales

3-2-1 Penguins!

Fifty the Tractor

C All Over the World D 4:00

Ultimate Choice

The DRIVE tv

Life fm Presents

D Facing the Canon D 2:30

Building a Difference

Hannah Help Me

Running with Fire

Life Questions

Understanding Love (23 Sep)

Answers with Bayless Conley

Your Best Life: Phil Pringle

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV