September 2009 Journal Summary

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal.

Editorial (full version below)

Someone once said, "There are only two things in life that are certain - death and taxes." Thankfully, while those two things may be certain, there are other certainties that we can announce to the world.

God's Judgement on Our Nation(s)
Murray Adamthwaite writes on the Judgement and Justice of God on nations.

Sexualisation of babies
Cotton On Kids are selling tops for babies with slogans such as "the condom broke" and "I'm living proof my mum is easy."

News & Action
Tasmania: Lesbian parents; Queensland: Surrogacy; Review of TV 'Code of Practice'; Alcopops tax; Qld and NSW: Abortion; Review of family law

Is anyone truly good?
Kerrie Ternes questions how far we are from the ideal of Phil 4:8. She also asserts that zero tolerance for students does work and explains why.

The Parliament of the World's Religions
The Parliament of the World's Religions is an interfaith event to be held in Melbourne from 3-9 December. Our concern is that this event tries to create a level playing field where all religions are "equal".

Bushfire Support - Thank You!
Remar Australia, who ran a drug rehabilitation centre Kinglake, have written a letter of thanks to those who gave so generously.

ALP Conference - Same-sex 'Marriage' update
Peter Stokes updates us on the new policy of the ALP - which has changed its position on marriage.

Book Review: United in Hate
Murray Adamthwaite reviews "United in Hate: The Left's Romance with Tyranny and Terror" by Jamie Glazov.

Success - Brothel & Bar Refused!
Residents of Elsternwick in Victoria have been successful in stopping the opening of a bar nest to a brothel and also in the opening of a new venue for 'adult entertainment' including sexually explicit acts.

UK: Pagan police - Pagan Holidays
Police in Britain who follow 'pagan' religions have been given permission to take eight pagan holidays a year - including Hallowe'en and the solstices.

World News
USA: Professor of Sexuality; USA: Obama Healthcare; The Case For Early Marriage; Gardasil Deaths; UK: Schools get 'Darwin' DVD.

Full Editorial - September 2009 Journal

Someone once said, "There are only two things in life that are certain - death and taxes." Thankfully, while those two things may be certain, there are other certainties that we can announce to the world.

With the death in the last month of our mother/mother-in-law and a very good friend, Charles Francis QC, we have had to think again about life after death which is, of course, another of those certainties. Although people generally, and even some in the church, do not seem to want to talk about this 'fact' these days, we need to.

The whole Christian gospel hinges on Christ's death and resurrection and the great commission to "stop people going to hell".

Well, no, that is not quite how Jesus put it but it is clearly what he meant. Go into all the world and preach the good news that He died in our place, bearing our sin, whatever those sins may be. That Jesus, regardless of our failings, offers us eternal life.

How good is that? We can celebrate not just a life but also a death when we know that those people are now with Christ - in a better place, often relieved of the suffering that so often precedes death today.

How much more this should make us think about those who do not know Him and who will spend eternity separated from Him? With all the time in the world to reflect on the opportunities they were given to make a choice they did not take - as long as they were given the choice.

There are many reasons why people do not choose God's offer of salvation, sometimes it's because they have been convinced by the spirit of this age that promotes evolution and 'God is dead' - if He ever lived, that is.

Sometimes it is because they have a false picture that God wants to rule their lives with a rod of iron and spoil their 'fun', or they have a strong desire to live their own life and not be 'controlled' by someone else's 'rules'.

Sometimes it is because the people in the church seem no different to the people outside or because they are so confused by the 'variety' of messages and attitudes that today's church offers.

All too often, and the saddest of all, though, it is because they never heard that they had a choice - nobody told them the Good News in the way Jesus shared it when He was on earth, with love and compassion; through the hand of friendship rather than condemnation and judgment.

Yes, there is a place for rules, and even condemnation and judgment, but it is so important that we know when and how to use them.

So often we are thought of as 'judgmental' because people see and hear us speaking against the acceptance of abortion, homosexuality and IVF or suggesting that children need discipline and young people need boundaries, so we must always remember to separate the personal from the public. Our personal attitude should be one of grace because we are all sinners - none of us are worthy to receive that Good News. We all need the loving forgiveness of Christ.

Yet in the public/political arena a very different dynamic is at work. Rules/values that have been handed down for good reason by God, and followed by countless generations, are being changed. However, they are there for good reason and we need to do all we can to speak against the social engineering that will only encourage people away from eternity with God toward total and eternal separation from Him.

Yours, in the service of Jesus the King

Peter & Jenny Stokes