Signs of the Times - April 2019 by Adventist Media

APRIL 2019

SAYING ‘I DO’ SHOULD YOU

ELOPE?

FINANCIAL APOCALYPSE?

HOW TO FIGHT ON FACEBOOK . . . AND WIN

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD TODAY

IN THIS ISSUE

APRIL 2019

SAYING “I DO” PAGE 32 Should you consider eloping?

12 CURRENT

4 WHAT IN THE WORLD 12 HOW TO FIGHT ON

FACEBOOK... AND WIN Going head-to-head with internet trolls 18 STREET SIGNS The public speaks out about social media stoushes 20 THE CHALLENGE OF VOLUNTOURISM How to get the most out of your next overseas trip

WELLBEING

26 FATHERHOOD AND

AFFIRMATION The power of positivity

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 2

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

38 DEALING WITH ANXIETY

You’re not alone 50 GO HEALTHY FOR GOOD Health news for every body 52 THE LOW-DOWN ON DAIRY-FREE MILKS

FAITH

FINANCIAL APOCALYPSE? What will the “end time” economy look like? 44 EATING TOGETHER It’s not just about food 54 HEALING THE LAND When environmental restoration is a holy calling 6

/SIGNSOFTHETIMES

CULTURE

59 CHARIOTS OF FIRE:

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT Book review: The Final Race

SCIENCE & TECH

30 THE CUTTING EDGE The latest in science

and technology developments

FUN

62 CROSSWORD & SUDOKU

FROM THE EDITOR

e don’t need another hero,” belted out Tina Turner in the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) movie anthem. The defiant chorus echoed the spirit of the times. The Baby Boomer kids were in charge; they’d been raised by World War II survivor parents and seen the disastrous Vietnam conflict play out. The spectre of nuclear annihilation hovered over the 1980s—it was the age of the Cold War, experimental laser weapons and the Rainbow Warrior bombing. And, the Mad Max movies speculated, humanity’s tipping point might not be far away; a future of violent lawlessness awaited, with Sydney a radioactive wasteland. “We don’t need another hero.” The lyric speaks of disenchantment and a refusal to be caught up again in grand narratives of victory or redemption. Because leaders lie and heroes too often go sour on us. Public sentiment hasn’t changed much since then and post-apocalyptic movies are as popular as ever. But a retreat into scepticism won’t fix the world’s problems. We still need heroes. Scott Sabin, for example (p 54), and the environmental restoration his organisation is doing. Or Olympian Eric Liddell (p 59), whose selfless life followed the biblical advice to “run with perseverance the race marked out” (Hebrews 12:1). This month’s Signs also offers us chances to be heroic in our own small way. Whether it’s being a better parent (p 26), resisting the nasty tone seen too often in social media debates (p 12) or reducing poverty during an overseas trip (p 20), we can make a positive difference.

Kent KENT KINGSTON Editor

VOL 134 NO 4 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®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved worldwide. COVER PHOTO: Ron Rungsaroj

@Kent_SignsMag APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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WHAT IN THE WORLD A PITY THEY LEAVE THE CITY AUSTRALIA

ON YA BIKE! NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand government is hoping that half of all school kids will be cycling, walking or riding a scooter to school by 2030. The initiative is part of the government’s “active transport” program, part of the World Health Organization’s global action plan to increase physical activity. Exercise among New Zealand adults has decreased 2 per cent in recent years, reportedly costing the country $1.3 billion.—RadioNZ 4

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

PEXELS, MAXPIXEL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PEXELS, ALASHI—GETTY IMAGES, FREEPIK

One million Australians have moved out of the country’s inner metropolitan areas and into outer suburbs since 2011. Despite the lack of connecting transport to CBDs and insufficient infrastructure like hospitals and schools, Australians are drawn in by the opportunity to become first home buyers. Outer suburbs only receive 13 per cent of federal infrastructure funding.— The Age

Symptoms of anxiety include THAT’S NUTS

AUSTRALIA

Thirty-seven new species of macadamias have been found in Queensland’s Bulburin National Park. Only 90 species were thought to exist in the wild, up until the discovery late last year. Jansenii macadamia trees have been considered endangered since the 2000s, with the only known wild examples existing south of Miriam Vale in Queensland. The macadamias have also been threatened by recent bushfires.—ABC

PANIC ATTACKS, HOT FLUSHES, RACING HEART and CHEST TIGHTNESS (Beyond Blue)

UP TO 40% of Australians will have a PANIC ATTACK in their lifetime

(beyondblue.org.au)

In New Zealand, almost

twice the number of women experience anxiety AS MEN (robertsclinic.co.nz)

“LIKE A LITTLE PUPPY DOG” USA

Residents from an assisted-living community centre in Pennsylvania, USA, recently encountered a visitor of a different kind—a 1.4 metre-long alligator. Wally the “emotionally supportive” domesticated gator is the pet of television personality Joie Henney. Wally was brought in for senior patrons to pet and observe. According to Henney, “he was like a little puppy dog”.—CBS Baltimore

The construction industry has the highest rates of mental illness— ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION

(anxiety.org.nz)

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

FA IT H

FINANCIAL

? e s p y l a Apoc What possible reason could God have for allowing a global economic meltdown?

SARINYAPINNGAM—GETTY IMAGES

BY TIM AKA

2019 SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

ith the numerous and growing strains in the global economy, there are many and varied voices predicting the future. Professionals, pundits and personalities all share their opinions about what is to come in the days ahead, and what to do, if anything. Some would say that this is just the normal cycle in the financial world, a mere bump in the road. Others would point to this omen or that indicator that suggests deeper problems leading to crisis or even an unravelling of the global systems of business upon which we rely. The subject of the “end of the world” captivates the attention of people, whether it be via apocalyptic movies set in a dystopian world, stories of cataclysmic changes in the global order as resources become scarce or even nightmarish tales of an earth overrun by zombies. It may be that these topics capture the attention of those who perceive problems in the current state of affairs for which they see no hope of resolution. The Bible certainly points to an “apocalypse” (even though this is a gross misuse of that word) that portends the end of the world as we know it. But, does the Bible provide any insights into financial conditions at the end of world? While the Bible predicts calamities and even plagues, does it say anything specific about the economics of the “end times?” When we read the book of Revelation, it reveals (the literal meaning of “apocalypse”) a glimpse of the end times through a variety of prophecies. The writer, the apostle John, one of those closest to Jesus, encourages us to read and understand this book. It starts with a message to seven churches—which were both literal churches in his day and allegorical—describing events that affect the followers of Christ in the future. The last of these churches was in Laodicea, in present-day western Turkey. John describes it as a church that is “rich, and increased with goods” and thinks it has “need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17, KJV). While it still professes to be a Christian church its actions make it look indistinguishable from the rest of the culture around it. Another Bible writer describes the church in the latter days as “Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). From these sections of the Bible, one might understand that there is great wealth in the church and in society in general in this last days period, as the “believers” mimic the lifestyles of those

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

ROMANIAMISSIONS—PIXABAY

Laodicea

around them. The Bible says that they have a “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:5) but lack the true character of Christ, the selfless, loving Servant. Many outside the church would likely concur with this description of many Christians today. In fact, some might go as far to say that Christians cause more harm than good in this world—that Christians inflict their beliefs on others, or try to force others to follow their worldview, whether they believe it or not. So the condition of the church as it nears the end of earth’s history is one of affluence—and the economic state of the world is equally so. It should not escape our attention that we are living in the most prosperous age in the history of this earth. Even those of modest means can afford many of the luxuries available today, from technology, entertainment, food, clothing and housing. Perhaps we are living in the era of Laodicea, the final age in the history of the world. But then, the question is, will this last or will there be a financial “apocalypse” as we approach the end?

rebuke and chasten

The ruins of Laodicea, not far from the town of Denizli in south-west Turkey.

The message to Laodicea in Revelation 3:14–22 goes on to say that they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked”, in spite of their apparent wealth APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

and to an agrarian society a famine effectively is an economic crisis. This has been God’s modus operandi for millennia. One very particular example can be found in the book of Haggai, in the story of the restoration of the city of Jerusalem and the temple of the Jews.

a purse with holes

The nation of Israel had become captive to Babylon around the 6th century BC, but after 70 years of exile, they were allowed to return to their homeland to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the temple that was at the centre of their religion and culture. A group of Israelites were called out from Babylon to return home to rebuild their temple. While the work began immediately, it was difficult. Not only because of the physical labour, but because of the

TIMOFEY ZADVORNOV, VANDERWOLF-IMAGES—GETTY IMAGES

(verse 17). But they are so caught up in trying to maintain their financial status quo that they fail to see their true condition. This is particularly a pointed rebuke against Christians for their failure to live in a manner that Christ promoted—an unselfish, generous and simple life. The prophecy suggests that God will have to rebuke and discipline His people. This rebuke is particularly necessary and severe, since the church at the end of the ages has a specific task given to it, which is to share the message of hope and salvation to a lost world. So, what does it look like when God rebukes and chastens His people for failing to live up to their purpose? While God has rebuked His people often, there is one specific method that was used time and again to get their attention: famine. God often called for a famine on the land,

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

opposition of those who had settled in the area, the Samaritans. After a struggle the Jews abandoned the work of temple restoration and returned to their own homes to rebuild their estates. But God was displeased with this—He wanted the temple to be rebuilt as a priority; it would be a central point for the work of the Messiah to come. So how did God get the attention of the people and encourage them to return to the work of rebuilding? The story is told in the book of Haggai: “You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it” (Haggai 1:6). God goes on to say, “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?. . . . Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new

wine, the olive oil, and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labour of your hands” (verses 9–11). God sent an economic crisis upon His people to help them remember why they were called out of Babylon—to return to serving Him. This story told by Haggai could reasonably resonate with people today—particularly those who call themselves followers of God; a people who have the important mission of preparing the world for the last days but have become too caught up in material things. So it may be that God is once again “sending” an economic crisis to wake up His people. Though honestly, the economic problems of today seem more self-inflicted than an “act of God”. We have lost our ability to control our spending and the mushrooming levels of debt threaten to throw the whole world into chaos. But that’s a topic for another time . . . Tim Aka has a background in business finance and manages the investment portfolio for the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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HOW TO FIGHT ON FACEBOOK . . .

and win

The internet can be a cesspool for strong opinions and aggressive arguments. How can you have a respectful discussion with someone on social media? BY VANIA CHEW

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

SIPHOTOGRAPHY —GETTY IMAGES APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

Duels were eventually discouraged and outlawed—too violent and bloodthirsty. These days, if you’re looking for a fight without physical bloodshed, all you have to do is log on to the internet. You’ll find a plethora of online arguments to choose from and numerous trolls to argue with. Even something as seemingly innocuous as a couple sharing their love story can trigger a slew of salty comments. “I try not to read the comments under online articles,” admits Reb ecca, a 25-year-old from southwest Sydney. “I find myself getting really annoyed at some of the things people say and I don’t want to live with that type of negativity in my life.” “I think it’s important to get involved in the conversation in those situations,” 43-year-old Andrew disagrees. “How can the tide change

VM—GETTY IMAGES

here are you going?” my Uber driver enquired as we began our journey to the airport. I told him I was on my way to the Gold Coast to attend a Christian media conference. “Oh, that’s very interesting,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “Myself, I am Muslim but I find Christian things very interesting.” It has been said that there are three taboo topics you should never discuss in polite company: politics, sex and religion. My driver and I broke the rules by discussing all three. It was a surprisingly easy conversation. I asked him questions about his religion and how it connected to his politics. He asked me questions about my religion, including the expectations around dating and marriage. We found common ground on some areas. We agreed to disagree on others. And although we were stuck in the crux of morning traffic, the time seemed to fly by. When we finally arrived at the airport kerb, he seemed reluctant to say goodbye. “I wish we could have talked longer,” he said frankly. “It’s hard to have chats like this these days. People would rather argue than have a civil conversation.” I know what he meant. In the olden days, perceived offences were often settled with duels. The object of the duel wasn’t necessarily to kill the other person, it was to restore honour to the winner.

“

if you’re looking for a fight . . . all you have to do is log on . . .

if people remain silent?” The irony is that most of us would usually not interrupt an argument (ahem, creative discussion) between people in real life, but have no issue in doing so with strangers we’ve only encountered online. According to a 2017 study published in Psychological Science, this is because people respond differently to opinions they read online as opposed to opinions they hear face-to-face— even if it’s via television or videochat. Research from UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago suggests that when we hear an individual explaining their opinion, we’re likely to be kinder and gentler in our responses to them, even if we don’t agree. On the other hand, we feel detached when we read something online. We see the words on the page, but miss the tone, the intent

and the person behind the comment. Unfortunately this affects how we react—even well-meaning comments can attract vitriol and hate. Is the answer, as Rebecca suggests, to simply avoid the arguments? To be honest, this would be my natural inclination; I’m not a fan of unnecessary conflict. But Andrew has a valid point, too—we have the privilege of having a voice and we shouldn’t be afraid to use it, particularly to speak up for the voiceless in situations of injustice. We also shouldn’t be afraid of addressing potentially inflammatory topics. As the conversation between my Uber driver and me illustrates, it is possible to share different opinions and still communicate respectfully. So for all you keyboard warriors out there, here are some tips for APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

fighting fair—or better yet, communicating successfully—on Facebook and other online platforms.

someone’s tone is angry, doesn’t mean their concerns or opinions aren’t just as legitimate (or more so) as yours.

This Think of the time you spend might seem self-explanatory, #1 #4 on Facebook as a business investbut you’d be surprised how many CONSIDER THE OPPORTUNITY COST.

ment and consider what you’re giving up to get involved in the conversation. When you think of all the other things you could be doing —family time, brunch, breathing in some fresh air or even reading this article—do you really have the time for online dialogue? The benefit of calculating the opportunity cost is that you’ll only get involved in conversations that matter.

Nobody gains anything from a com#2 ment saying “You’re wrong” without HAVE A POINT TO MAKE.

any explanation. Even teenagers who come home past curfew scramble for something that will sound plausible. Make sure you have a structured argument before you hit Enter.

#3 In a Guardian piece entitled “Dealing

REMEMBER THAT OTHER PEOPLE ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN OPINION.

with Trolls: A Guide”, Tim Dowling observes that “there is a grey area between spirited dissent and out-and-out trolling that houses the passionately misinformed, the casually profane, schoolchildren taking the p*** and otherwise intelligent people who don’t put spaces after commas. For the sake of convenience, this group is often referred to as ‘the internet’.” Just because

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

IGNORE THE ACTUAL TROLLS.

people out there type like they speak—without a filter. Try to ignore the provocation. They’re only trying to stir you up and distract you from the topic at hand. Don’t be afraid to use your “mute”, “block” or “report” buttons if a troll becomes abusive.

You might not be able to see the people you’re #5 talking to, but they’re still real people DON’T BE A TROLL.

with real feelings. Be kind and considerate and remember the biblical Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

The downside of being a keyboard #6 warrior is that 99 per cent of the KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO QUIT.

time, you won’t change anybody’s mind. Once you’ve made your point, don’t drag the conversation out unnecessarily. Remember: your time on Facebook is like a business investment. Do you really want to invest your valuable time in a ship that’s already sunk? Have some feedback on this article? I’ll be waiting for you online . . . Vania Chew is a Facebook pacifist and helps produce the Mums At The Table TV show and magazine.

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STREET SIGNS “In person, you can interpret someone’s intonations and how they actually want to express a point or idea. Whereas online, when you’re just reading a sentence that someone’s typed, it’s much more unclear how that person wants you to interpret their point. . . . There’s a pretty large risk to take things fairly out of context.”—Tyler

“I think, myself, I’m more of an observer rather than a participant these days. I think it’s more older people now that feel they can voice their opinions without getting a bit of a backlash. I think they deserve a bit of a backlash so they stop being so aggressive about it all.”—Brontie

“In Australia, people who comment [on Facebook] have more knowledge about what they are talking about. It’s so normal in my country [Brazil, that] everybody used to talk about all the subjects, but without the background [knowledge]. There are a lot of people who think they are specialists in everything. You can read and realise how shallow their comments are.”—Irlan

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

Handling online conflict “A young boy fell off a local headland, and instantly it was being spread around on Facebook that he had committed suicide. The following week a young girl fell from the same place after placing flowers where he fell. It was “she’s killed herself” too. The real story was the young boy had slipped—it was just a terrible accident. So it’s that Chinese whispers mentality of “oh, this is what we assumed happened” and it spreads like wildfire on social media.”—Christina

“It doesn’t bother me necessarily. It probably causes me to spend less time on the platform, which is good. I think what’s killed Facebook more . . . [is that it] used to be a platform where you shared personal experiences. . . . I think Instagram has become a much more personal platform now. Whereas Facebook is a public platform where you share videos, news—like a marketing platform. And then these polarising opinions.”—Maryellen

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

IMAGES BY DANIEL KUBEREK

“There is too much [Facebook arguing], especially from certain people. But I can snooze them for 30 days and not see their posts—not see the annoying rants. There are certain people who get a bee in their bonnet and it might be about politics, or their holiday snaps.”—Kate

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The challenge of

VOLUNTOURISM How to help, rather than hinder, on your next overseas trip. BY MARK DELANEY

t’s so dirty and smelly here! They just need proper flushing toilets!” I was sitting at our home in a north Indian slum, hosting a foreign volunteer. It was exasperating that this young man thought he knew how to fix the many problems in the slum after having been here for a few hours! If he’d listened and learnt for a few weeks before offering “solutions”, he would have realised that the main problem for our neighbours in the slum was actually the lack of stable employment, much more than the lack of flushing toilets. Along with my wife Cathy, and our two sons, I’ve lived in India for 17 years—most of it in various

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

slums. We’ve often failed, but sometimes succeeded, in helping life become a little better for our neighbours, who are struggling at the margins of society. My long-term work in India actually came about because of a short-term trip during my university break back in the late ‘80s. One particular incident during that trip was life-changing. With my limited Hindi, I was speaking to a man outside his house—a plastic and wood shack. He explained that his wife had just given birth to their child, only a few days earlier, right there in their home, with no medical help whatsoever. I was struck by this man’s life being so difficult, simply

than a few Facebook posts. During our years in India, we’ve seen dozens of visitors come and go. Their motives are often noble: to learn, to help, to be an encouragement. Sadly however, many well-meaning visits are actually burdensome to people like us—taking up a lot of time that could have been used in helping our struggling neighbours. Even worse, sometimes those trips cause more damage than good, by creating unhealthy dependencies. To help your next trip not be burdensome, but instead be a positive experience for you and your hosts, here are six tips we’d offer from our own experience. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

DANISHKHAN—GETTY IMAGES

by virtue of being born in India, while I had access to world-class education and health care, simply by being born in Australia. I realised the world was not a fair place. I wanted to do something about it. Nowadays, many young (and not so young) people travel from Australia, New Zealand and other wealthy nations to the developing world. They come to see the sights and to experience new things. They sometimes also come to see what poverty looks like “in the flesh”; to meet people like us who are working with the poor, and to help. Some of these trips result in life-changing experiences, as it did for me, but many of them sadly lead to no more

1. go as a learner

2. prioritise people, rather than tourist places

You’ll only get a very limited understanding of a new place by visiting its tourist attractions. While the Taj Mahal might look good on your Facebook post, it won’t give you much understanding of India. Instead, before you travel, find other Westerners who have lived in the country for a long time. Write to ask if you can visit for a few weeks or months. Even better, ask if they can take you to meet local families. Visits with local people, especially if done in humility, are likely to be the most powerful experiences of your trip.

FREEPIK.COM

Recognise that no matter how many books you’ve read or documentaries you’ve seen on your destination, you are not an expert on that place. People who actually live and work there know it far better than you. So go with an attitude of wanting to learn from locals, rather than telling them what they should be doing. Imagine an Indian coming to your town or suburb for the first time and telling you how you should be living, working, eating and defecating. Sadly, we’ve had many visitors who, after a day or two, like our flushing-toilet friend, think they know what will help people. They talk too much and offer their views too readily. A wise development worker once summarised our job as foreigners in the developing world as: “Go in, sit down, shut up and be a nice person.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that!

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

3. leave the big lens at home

We’ve had a number of visitors who can’t stop taking photos. As we walk around our slum neighbourhood, all that clicking sometimes feels disrespectful to my neighbours (treating them as a novelty or an oddity), and is embarrassing to me, as it makes our visitor party stand out even more! So when you get to the Taj Mahal, take as many photos as you like! But when you’re in someone’s community, or in their house, only take one or two photos and, of course, always with permission of the people. Another good rule of thumb when taking a photo is to ask yourself, “Who will this photo benefit?” If it only benefits you by winning “adventure points” with your Facebook friends, then it’s probably better to leave the camera in your bag.

4. don’t act like Santa Claus

Giving out a few things while touring in a poor country might help you feel better about the trip, but it will create an unhelpful image of Westerners

as “Santa Clauses” who give out tokenistic gifts, but do little long-term good. For trips of several months, some medically or educationally trained “volunt-tourists” run medical clinics or informal schools—teaching kids anything from art to English. Generally these ventures are harmless. However, if a “clinic” or “school” continues for too long, it runs the danger of creating dependency. If your little service gives free medicines or lessons for several months, people can get used to that. However, once you and your medicines and lessons have gone, people have lost the habit of going to the government hospital or school. Admittedly those hospitals or schools are more crowded and not as well resourced, but it is a service that exists now, and will stay for decades. Consequently, your “service” may even leave the local residents disconnected from these local resources—worse off than if you hadn’t gone there at all. A good alternative is to find an NGO doing good work and give a financial gift. Preferably do this anonymously, so you won’t be seen as the “white saviour” and it won’t over-inflate your ego.

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

5. minimise your carbon footprint

Climate change is doing huge damage to the poor. In low-lying coastal areas, vulnerable people are already losing their homes due to rising sea levels. They are also more vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. So it’s very important in any touring of the developing world, to minimise your carbon footprint. By far the most carbon emissions from your trip will be from your flights. A regular return international flight will equate to about 2 tonnes CO2e. A sustainable level of emissions for everyone on the planet is about 2 tonnes per year, so your flight uses up most of your fair share of the world’s carbon budget for the whole year! This means we should limit our international travel to only one trip every three years or so. Further, we should do as much of our travel as we can within the destination country by train or bus rather than by air. Those overland modes of transport will have the added advantage of allowing you to see the “real” country, rather than just its sanitised airports and city hotels.

language, the more you’ll understand the problems people face and the better you’ll be able to contribute towards long-term solutions. In our view, it actually takes several years to know a situation well enough to be able to help sensibly and sustainably. Most readers won’t be willing to go for years, but, by the same principle, several months in the same place will be much better for you and the people you meet, rather than a few weeks flitting all over the place. If you can follow these tips, it’ll be much more likely that your overseas “voluntourism” trip will be useful for the people you visit, much more fulfilling for you and may even be life-changing. Happy journey! Oh, and remember, don’t expect to find many flushing toilets during your travels. Mark Delaney lives with his family in Lucknow, India. He recently co-authored a book, Low Carbon and Loving It! with his son, Tom Delaney. For further reading, he also recommends When Helping Hurts, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.

The longer you stay in one place, the more you’ll learn of the local 24

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

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6. the longer, the better

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ELL B EING

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SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

FATHERHOOD

& Affirmation The power of positive words can transform a child’s life.

hen I was younger, Dad and I used to go walking every morning and evening for fitness. We would discuss values and beliefs. He astounded me one evening by asking, “Do you think I’ve been a good father, son?” “Yes Dad, you are a great dad to me,” was my heartfelt response. His question affirmed me as his friend and someone worthy of being asked such a question. A fully engaged father, especially a biological father, teaches his children autonomy and a sense of competence. Regular and sincere

affirmation is an especially important tool to ensure that children learn to successfully cope with life’s demands. Many leadership studies state that affirmation is responsible for higher motivation in people. When searching the internet you’ll find a lot about personal affirmation, but little on a father’s affirmation. Mothers are significant in their children’s lives because of nurture—this insight was the basis of British psychologist John Bowlby’s “attachment theory” that he proposed in the 1960s. But how are fathers significant in their children’s lives? I believe this is through APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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BY PATRICK O’NEILL

developing autonomy and competence, delivered through affirmation. Karin and Klaus Grossmann completed a 16-year study with 44 families that showed a father’s sensitive but challenging play is a pivotal variable in a child’s life. The study describes autonomy and a sense of efficacy (competence) as important to be able to cope with life’s demands. The researchers proposed that the biological father is most responsible for this effect. In 2009, Jonathan Butner found in a study of diabetic children that a biological father is more likely than the mother to establish a child’s competence and autonomy in insulin self-administration. I propose that it is through affirmation a father can encourage autonomy and competence in his children. For this to occur successfully a father must be connected regularly with his children. Affirmation is described by the Oxford dictionary as emotional support or encouragement. But how does one affirm? I believe the following is required: 1. • You must affirm your child in their personal “love language”, which differs for different children. Using Christian counsellor Gary Chapman’s categories, these love languages are affirming words, non-sexual sensitive touch, acts of service, gift giving and quality time. 2.

• You should be facing the child in a one-on-one situation.

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For you, as a father, to be significant in your child’s life, you must be connected to that child.

• You should never include any negative statement along with your affirmation. Yes, a time will come when a father needs to give further guidance and correction, but during an affirmation is not that time.

• You should affirm in the present tense—focus on what the child is doing right now, or at least as soon as possible after the fact. But never in the future tense—that can be threatening; it hasn’t happened yet.

• Use emotionally charged words—“I see that you are becoming more energetic and healthy since being on that diet. Well done.”

Affirmation is powerful. This is true for myself, my father, my children and it is true in sports teams. It’s confronting to watch

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one sportsperson berate another for a costly mistake. In 1982, Robert Vallerand wrote in the Journal for Sports Psychology that the results of his experiment showed that positive feedback increased an athlete’s motivation and feelings of competence. Once athletes interpret that the positive feedback resulted from their performances they experienced very high levels of competence. My son James became the heavyweight karate champion of Australia in 2006. He wanted me at his competition because my presence affirmed him. After his championship bout he introduced me to everyone. He was proud that I was with him, just as much as I was proud of him. In checking up on my hunches about affirmation, I asked my children if they remembered times I had affirmed them. My biological

children and my foster children gave responses that were affirming to me! Some recalled events that I hadn’t even remembered. One, however, said my affirmations were really shallow. This was very confronting until I realised I had not affirmed them according to their love language—the way they instinctively wished to be affirmed. For you, as a father, to be significant in your child’s life you must be connected to that child—you need to be around whenever you can, looking for opportunities to share experiences and conversations. Once you are connected you can affirm them. Remember that fathering is not about you, it’s about the child. Patrick O’Neill has qualifications in psychology and management and is a father to six biological children, two stepchildren and more than 30 foster children. He lives on NSW’s Central Coast. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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THE CUTTING EDGE

TOP 3

SCARY SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES 1. Scientists have found female oral contraceptives make it harder for women to recognise emotions like pride and contempt in other people’s faces.—Research Gate

2. In 2018, researchers at the University of Tokyo created the world’s strongest controlled magnetic field, producing 1200 teslas. The force was so strong, it blew up their lab door when they turned it on.—Motherboard Vice

MAKING YOUR HOME MORE

ECO FRIENDLY SMART WATER METER Allows full control and monitoring of how much water you use on your property. Costs up to $400, but it can save much more in water bills.

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

PEXELS, MAXPIXEL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PEXELS, ALASHI—GETTY IMAGES, FREEPIK

3. The predicted collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies is now tipped to happen in 4.5 billion years. The Milky Way is also expected to collide with the Large Magellanic Cloud in 2.5 billion years.—Space.com

TOP 3 CHRISTIAN APPS YouVersion The most popular Bible app for smartphones. Read the Bible in many different translations and languages, organise your reading schedule, highlight key verses and find passages and stories relevant to you. Free on iTunes and the Google Play store.

Logos Bible Study Tools Read the Bible as well as study various commentaries and notes to better assist with your Bible study. Free on iTunes and Google Play with premium features.

PrayMate Have structured prayer sessions with this app. Maintain prayer lists for family, friends and things that matter. Free on iTunes and the Google Play store.

WATCHING YOUR POWER Check the energy rating of home appliances before purchase. Generally, older electrical goods tend to use more power, while newer ones have a better energy rating. To keep on top of where your electricity bill is going, download the Energy Rating Calculator app on iTunes or Google Play store.

NOT SO HOT Lowering the temperature slightly on your hot water heater won’t have a noticeable difference on the feel of your water, but it will reduce burn risk and save lots of money.

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

R RENT

SAYING

“I do”

A lot of couples are eloping these days. Is it because they don’t value marriage, or because they do? BY MELODY TAN

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ive years ago, as my then-fiancé and I were deep in the throes of folding paper flowers, painting glass bottles, and designing and making our own wedding stationery, the question popped up fairly regularly: Why don’t we just elope? In a bid to save costs we had to organise and make a lot of things ourselves, my wedding dress included. Between the expense, logistics and time required, stress and exhaustion took its toll on us, causing us to snap at each other often. Our relationship was probably at its most tense while we were planning our wedding. The irony wasn’t lost on us, hence the consideration of eloping. Thankfully, our relationship survived, we had a wonderful wedding day (in spite of hail and rain appearing uninvited at our outdoor ceremony) and we were pleased to have spent just a fraction of the national average (estimated at around $50,000 by wedding websites). The beautiful memories from the wedding itself erased the bad ones from planning the wedding. We were glad we’d persevered with a traditional wedding ceremony instead of choosing to have our marriage simply officiated by a celebrant and witnessed by two others. It’s difficult to exactly determine the number of couples who have gotten married the “traditional” way versus those who have chosen other means: official statistics count the number of marriages registered, not how they were conducted. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Weddings these days range from the conventional church and reception ceremony to the retain-some-traditional-elements microweddings, and going-completely-against-the-grain elopements, all of which are legally registered and recognised. However, if you presume ministers of religion don’t tend to preside over weddings held outside of churches, then some 78 per cent of all marriages in Australian in 2017 (totalling 112,954) were conducted non-traditionally. In 2004, Josh and Britt Withers started the Pop-Up Wedding Co. and in 2013 reinvented themselves to become The Elopement Collective. “Since we made the product available, more people have found it advantageous and a friendlier alternative,” says Josh. “I don’t know if we pioneered the trend or it already existed, but since we started promoting it, hundreds of people a year enquire because the idea of getting married without having to invite all your cousins and all your family, and even just the drama . . . some people just want to be married without the hassle.” While the term elopement used to conjure up images of a couple hastily getting married, either to avoid some form of scandal or parental objection, eloping in the twenty-first century is more about its simplicity. Melanie and Mark Richardson, a couple from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, eloped in September last year. 34

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“We decided to elope after we had a large engagement party where we hardly even saw each other all night,” says Melanie. “We decided we would rather spend [our] special occasion together. We did start to plan a ‘normal’ wedding; however, we found ourselves making choices to please others, not ourselves.” While many may think the decision to elope is based purely on finances—and there certainly are budgetary advantages—the reasons couples give for eloping are usually about wanting to avoid the hassle and diplomacy required to plan a traditional wedding. “A lot of people think it’s about money, but it’s most definitely not about money,” Josh says of the couples who have approached The Elopement Collective. “They just want to avoid hosting an event. A wedding is a public event [but it’s also like a] birthday. Some people don’t want 100 to 200 people in the room for their birthday and are very happy with an intimate and personal celebration.” Unlike “traditional” elopements— if there is such a term—modern-day elopements tend to comprise more guests than simply a celebrant and the required number of witnesses to make the marriage official. Josh estimates an average of six to eight guests at an elopement, often involving two sets of parents, siblings, close friends and any children from the couple’s previous relationships. Ten close family members

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. . . some people just want to be married without the hassle.

attended Melanie and Mark’s elopement and despite the unconventional beach setting, they still chose to retain some traditional elements: they exchanged wedding rings and Melanie’s father walked her down the “aisle” alongside Mark. Weddings have often been considered a Christian construct—in Western societies they have traditionally been conducted within the sacred walls of a church and, up until recently, even non-Christian couples would choose to get married there. What then does the recent trend of eloping mean for Christianity and a couple’s marriage? Does eloping—or getting married anywhere outside of a church—impact on its sanctity? Dr Loyd Uglow is a history and writing professor at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Texas, USA. In an article titled “The

History of Marriage” on the university’s website, he writes, “Although it’s clear that God instituted marriage in the beginning, there have been differing views about whether weddings are primarily religious or secular events. For much of the early Christian era, the Church stayed out of weddings and let the state handle the union of man and woman. Finally, sometime after AD 800, the Church began to perform weddings, and a few centuries later the Catholic Church made marriage one of the sacraments.” What Uglow is suggesting is that, while marriage was created and sanctified by God, a wedding is simply a ritual adopted by the Christian church, not necessarily a God-ordained event. Dr Trafford Fischer, a pastor and family life educator with 10 years of experience as the director of family APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific region, agrees with Uglow. “While the Bible speaks of love, and certainly addresses sexuality in and out of marriage, it is noticeably quiet on any of the details of a wedding service or ceremony; nor does it provide any specifics God might require as to the order of service, venue or who should attend,” says Fischer. “The Bible seems silent on the topic of elopement. If we accept that elopement is a desire to marry, with minimum involvement of family and friends, then it may be safe to suggest that elopement isn’t ‘anti-biblical’. The couple chooses to marry, which is what the church teaches as a biblical mandate, and they ensure their marriage is legally acceptable and recorded by the government.” At the end of the day, the key indicator of a successful marriage isn’t so much about how the wedding has been conducted, but more about the decision a couple has made to

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declare an official commitment to each other. “There’s a difference between having a wedding and getting married,” says Josh. “It’s like, if you want to travel to Brisbane from Sydney, the most common way is to fly, but there are other ways—you can drive, take the train or even swim. For a couple, they just want to be married; they value marriage.” Fischer is quick to point out there is a difference between elopements and de facto relationships, in that generally, there is an element of a vow, which “can act as significantly binding for a couple—if they state and keep [the vows] seriously, vowing before their witnesses that they will keep their relationship through thick and thin . . . till they die! This can be a serious ‘gluing’ factor for couples that cohabitating doesn’t provide.” For Christians, that level of commitment involves a third party: God. A Christian wedding ceremony—or elopement—will acknowledge the presence of God and His guidance

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on the relationship, and involve a request for His blessing on the couple’s future. Critics of marriage may claim statistics show a decline in the number of weddings and the frequent rates of divorce as proof of marriage’s lack of effectiveness, but when you analyse the marriage and divorce figures together, they actually tell a different story. Based on the latest Australian Census in 2016, “there were more than 5.5 times as many married people as divorced people. . . . The pool of married people is increasing every year, since the divorce rate is much lower than the marriage rate and falling,” writes Caitlin Fitzsimmons in a Sydney Morning Herald article, “Marriage in Australia is changing but still going strong”. A successful marriage, it seems, isn’t so much dependent on the wedding venue, the budget or the number of guests in attendance; it’s more about the desire for a deeper level of commitment. Melody Tan is happily married and a mother of one child. She is editor of Signs’ sister magazine, Mums At The Table.

Joachim and Sam

We still had a full wedding, just on a miniature scale. We were looking at more than 80 people and $45,000 if we had a full-scale wedding, but our entire wedding—including accommodation for our guests, rings, venues and photography— was around $7000. Additionally, we knew our autistic son couldn’t handle a big wedding. So it was easier and ultimately perfect for us. We had a great day and the kids were able to enjoy the day as well.

Theodora and Chaan

After dating for seven years I was over the moon when he proposed! The first task to complete was the guest list. Being islanders we knew it would be a big wedding but we never imagined 536! After 18 months of arguing about who to cut from the list, I gave Chaan the ultimatum: it’s everyone or no-one. We couldn’t afford everyone, so it was no-one. We booked an Airbnb on a secluded beachfront, hired my dress, bought his suit, grabbed a few friends to witness the ceremony, a pastor friend to make it legal, and a photographer and videographer to capture the day. It was the best decision—to us, it was perfect! The video and photos were shown to family. We had a bit of a backlash, but everyone understood why we did it.

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ELL B EING

DEALING WITH

ANXIETY 38

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

Yes, anxiety is a real medical condition. But there are practical strategies and solutions that work. BY ESTHER ESPINOZA

nxiety is real. There are people who think that mental illnesses such as panic disorder, anxiety attacks and depression, are figments of the imagination and can be controlled. They see these as signs of weakness and cannot comprehend why that person can’t “pull themselves together and get over it!” However, these conditions are real and the solutions are more complex than a simple application of mental effort.

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what is anxiety?

So, what is anxiety? Caryn Levick (ND) from Perpetual Wellbeing describes anxiety in an article featured in GIGI magazine as “a complex feeling of nervousness, fear and worry, often accompanied by shallow breathing, racing heartbeat, sweating and other physical sensations. It is a common condition that can be a response to a stressor. It is a serious condition that makes it difficult for a person to cope with daily life. These

feelings cannot be easily controlled.” In his book The Anxiety Cure, Dr Archibald Hart writes: “Too much stress, stress that hangs around too long or a stress-response system that has too low a threshold raises the level of cortisol being released from the adrenal glands. This increased cortisol finds its way to the brain and blocks the natural tranquilisers from reaching their receptor sites.” High cortisol in the body causes a person to suffer these disorders and feel unwell overall. It is a chemical imbalance.

my first anxiety attack

I was four years old when I suffered my first anxiety attack. The civil war in my country was raging. Every night, for 40 nights, soldiers broke into our house and church and caused havoc. My young mind didn’t completely understand what was going on but I knew it was bad. Tremendous anxiety ripped APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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toms that I’d had earlier. I felt that something horrible was going to happen: that I was going to die or have a heart attack. I couldn’t sit still, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t see properly, I couldn’t warm up—I was freezing! I was terrified and I had no-one to turn to. Everyone was sleeping and I was too afraid to tell my friends. What was wrong with me? At 6 am I called my parents to pick me up. Once in the car I told them everything. That night the anxiety attacks came back stronger and my parents rushed me to the emergency department at the nearest hospital. It didn’t take long for the nurses to take me directly inside. The doctor I saw was lovely; he put me at ease immediately. After

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through my little body and uncontrollable trembling, vomiting and being unable to breathe always followed. After the war we moved to another country, but the anxiety continued. My parents didn’t understand what was wrong with me; they only knew that I wasn’t the same. Life continued as normal and soon my anxiety attacks subsided; for many years I lived peacefully. However, when I was 17, they returned. I was in Year 12—busy, stressed and with a pile of assignments suffocating me. I was with my friends at a slumber party. The night started perfectly but suddenly, during one of the movies, I experienced very strange sensations. My throat was constricting and I found myself trying to swallow over and over again. Pins and needles pricked my neck and arms, and my heart raced frantically. In my panic, I fled to the toilet and hid myself in there. My hands were shaking uncontrollably and I felt that I was going to pass out. I was terrified! Then, just as quickly as it came upon me, it disappeared. When I was calm enough, I left the toilet and went into the bathroom to wash my face. I looked in the mirror and was surprised to see my face so pale. Later, at about 2 am, I woke up with a start. I had the same symp-

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I couldn’t sit still, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t think . . .

asking me numerous questions, he gave me the verdict: anxiety attack. He explained what it was and referred me to a psychologist so I could learn to manage it. I’m so thankful that I got help early in life. For me, short-term medication prescribed by a doctor— along with a balanced diet, exercise, vitamins and prayer—helped improve my mental health. I believe that these kinds of interventions are also likely to be helpful for others struggling with anxiety.

what can help

Anxiety can be aggravated by mental stress, emotional upsets or hormonal changes (for example, PMS or menopause). Nutritional deficiencies originating from poor diet

and/or poor digestive function have also been found to contribute to anxiety. Here are some dietary tips: • If you suffer from anxiety, you should avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Caffeine is a stimulant and can prompt an increased heart rate, sweating and an inability to sleep or relax— exactly what you don’t want! • Your diet should be low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, as blood sugar imbalances can be a trigger for anxiety. • Each meal should have protein to provide adequate amino acids for the production of healthy neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Some examples of protein foods include eggs, nuts, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, tofu, lentils and chickpeas. • You should eat small, regular meals. Your brain and nervous system need a steady supply of energy to work properly, so eating small, frequent meals is essential. • Avoid alcohol consumption. • You may find some benefit from taking a magnesium supplement and consuming foods high in magnesium, such as green vegetables, prunes, bananas, berries, and mixed nuts and seeds. Magnesium is important for a healthy nervous system, particularly in times of increased or prolonged stress, and may assist in relief of anxiety. It is also required APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

to help muscles relax and promote a calm mind and relaxed body. • Include oily fish in your diet three to four times per week or consider taking a good quality fish oil supplement. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are important building blocks for the brain and nervous system and can help support healthy moods. • B vitamins are a group of nutrients that act together to support energy production and optimal brain function. B vitamins provide support for the nervous system, particularly in times of stress. Sources of B vitamins include chicken, wheatgerm, brewer’s yeast, rice bran, almonds and eggs.

POWER IN NATURE

There are many herbal medicines that can be taken in the form of a tea, herbal liquid or tablets, to help with the symptoms of anxiety. Do your research and consult with your GP and a qualified naturopath or herbalist to find the best combination of treatments for you. • Chamomile may assist in the relief of nervousness. • Passionflower, in traditional Western medicine, is used for tension, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. • Traditionally, rehmannia has been used for nervous tension due to ongoing stress and anxiety. • Zizyphus (Zizyphus jujube) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the management of sleep disorders and symptoms 42

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associated with anxiety. • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is indicated for symptoms of nervous disorders, reduction of excitability, anxiety and stress.

GET ACTIVE

The benefits of regular exercise are relevant for many different conditions. People with anxiety disorders may benefit from the introduction of exercise into their daily schedule. Exercise is associated with improved brain function. Aerobic exercise is also proven to decrease stress hormones. Aerobic forms of exercise may include running, swimming or cycling.

REST

Adequate sleep is important for many different conditions. Patients with anxiety are advised to get enough sleep every night. If you’re having problems sleeping it’s recommended that you consult a health professional to discuss your particular type of sleep problem. Relaxation may help you develop the ability to more effectively cope with the stresses that contribute to anxiety, as well as with some of the physical symptoms of anxiety. Techniques such as conscious breathing, relaxation therapy and music therapy may be helpful for prevention of anxiety. Researchers have shown that conscious deep breathing can reduce symptoms of stress. Take three deep breaths and follow each with a long exhalation to the count of three seconds. Practise

sets of conscious breathing 15 to 20 times per day.

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CLAIM YOUR STRENGTH IN CHRIST

Having a relationship with God is one of the most important practices you can include in your life when dealing with anxiety. He is the One who can bring peace and tranquillity into your heart and mind as you experience the unpleasant anxiety symptoms. Opening your Bible and reading its promises will fill you with peace. Spending time in prayer and taking every dark moment to God is a great way to unburden your soul. He is ready to listen to every plea we have. At the beginning of Job 14:15, God promises, “You will call and I will answer you . . .” God can come to our rescue and heal our minds. Another wonderful promise can be

found in Isaiah 41:10: “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.”

GET HELP

There is no shame in getting help. If you’re suffering from anxiety attacks or panic disorder, I’d encourage you to seek help immediately. Talking to a professional about your feelings will be beneficial. Don’t suffer alone—get help. God will give you strength. Esther Espinoza is co-founder of teen girl magazine, GIGI. She lives in Brisbane. Medical information by Caryn Levick, ND (naturopath, nutritionist and director of Perpetual Wellbeing). Part of the article was first featured in GIGI magazine.

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FA IT H

eating

TOGETHER

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One of the essential parts of being human happens around the dinner table. Jesus tapped into this reality when He gave us a reminder about Himself. BY JUSTIN BONE

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rowing up I loved to read about King Arthur and his knights. Names like Lancelot and Galahad fed my dreams of being a knight one day. They saved damsels, wore gleaming armour and fought wicked warlords. Then at the end of the day they would gather and feast around a unique table, famous because it was round—everyone sitting at it had equal value. King Arthur brought himself down to his knights’ level to show his love for this fellowship of warriors. The table in my parents’ kitchen was not so grand. It was a classic Formica vintage green swirl design standing firm on metal legs. It didn’t have knights’ names carved into it, but I knew where each member of my family would sit as we ate together. I knew where my dad liked to sit with his morning coffee before heading off early to work; where my mum liked to sit when she

ate lunch and read; or exactly how many laughing aunts would fit around it while the men were out wrangling the barbecue on a summery Christmas Day. I still remember my father baking his favorite dessert, quandong pie. When it came out of the oven he would put it on the kitchen table and we would happily divide it up, pouring thick white cream over it. Whenever I eat quandong pie I think of him and the memories we made over that food.

eating together is fundamental

Eating with other people is one of humanity’s most important and basic activities. It has always been more than just a way to stave off hunger; it’s a way to build relationships and trust. Sharing a meal creates bonds between people and allows us to understand each other a little APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

better. When we eat with someone we are vulnerable in front of them. We let our defences drop and reveal our humanity when we eat. Eating together marks every major occasion of our lives; it’s something we are all familiar with instinctively. At our birth there are parties with food, and each year we remember our birth with a cake. When we turn 18 or 21 we have a big party with food. Christmas is usually marked with a special banquet. At election time in Australia there are websites that track which voting locations offer a sausage sizzle! When we marry it’s traditional to have a feast and cut a special wedding cake. And when someone passes away, even amongst all the grief and formality, someone is organising finger food and drinks for the occasion. If something important is happening, there is someone nearby setting up a table with snacks on it!

eating together has cultural value

During my visit to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, as our bus rattled into a dusty desert hotel, the tour guide pointed out that some Bedouin had set up their tents just outside the hotel entrance. He told us if we met a Bedouin during our stay and they invited us to eat with them, we must say yes. To refuse to eat together could be taken as a social slight and might cause offence. Eating with someone communicates trust. When we eat food from a different culture it gives us insight into a 46

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whole people group. For some reason a line about haggis (that is, stuffed sheep stomach) from that 1993 B-grade movie, So I Married an Axe Murderer, has stuck in my head: “I think most Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.” I can relate. When travelling overseas I’m always keen to share Vegemite with as many people as possible—for some reason they seem to consider tasting this heavenly nectar a dare! But it says something about Australia to taste it.

starved for company

Food brings people together like nothing else. But recent statistics suggest Australians are missing out. Not from a lack of food, but a lack of the experience of eating together. HILDA data (Household, Income, Labour Dynamics in Australia) suggests that Australians are lonelier than ever before. Around one in six people feel lonely on average through any given year, and a million and-a-half people in Australia have felt that way for more than 10 years. The figures show men over 45 and women aged 25–29 are the loneliest of all. Figures from New Zealand’s General Social Survey suggest that other groups are particularly at risk of loneliness as well, including migrants in mid-life, young people living alone and people with pre- existing mental health conditions. But contradicting the stereotype of older people being isolated, Kiwi

stats show that it’s adults under 30 who report the highest levels of loneliness. Loneliness has been shown to lead to health problems and social issues. It seems like we aren’t spending as much time with each other as we used to. Socialising through food, it seems, isn’t just nice to do, it could be a lifesaver.

INBETWEEN—LIGHTSTOCK

in memory of Me

It’s no coincidence that Jesus often chose to compare Himself to food, particularly bread and wine. Those items were the dietary staples at the time. Jesus wanted people to think of Him every time they ate a meal. In fact it was the last thing He chose to do with those closest to Him. He sat with His 12 disciples at their last supper together and carried out some simple but profound actions. First, He washed His friends’ feet, dusty from the road, so they would be clean for the meal ahead. Washing someone else’s feet doesn’t sound like something we would do these days, but He did it to show He wasn’t lording it over anyone; that He was one of them. He brought Himself down to their level to show His love for His friends. You can read the story in John 13:1–17. Then He took some bread and wine, told His friends that

REMEMBERING THE LORD’S SUPPER All four gospel accounts retell the story of Jesus’ last meal before His crucifixion, but we get different details from each one: • Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7 tell us that the meal was held on the day a lamb was typically sacrificed as part of the Jewish Passover festival. This event has deep historical and spiritual significance. Read the story of the first Passover and the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Exodus 12. Jesus the Messiah is linked with the sacrificial lamb in Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29 and Revelation 5. • Matthew 26:20 and Mark 14:20 tell us that it was Jesus’ core group of 12 disciples who were present with Him rather than a larger group. • John 13:1–17 tells us that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet during this meal, but John doesn’t mention Jesus’ words about the bread and wine. Nevertheless, we know he is recalling the same meal because of the other details that are similar, such as the revelation that Judas would betray Jesus (see Matthew 26:21–25, Mark 14:18–21, Luke 22:21–23 and John 13:18–30). • Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–24 and Luke 22:19, 20 recall Jesus’ words about the bread being His body and the wine being His blood. Luke records Jesus asking His disciples to “do this in remembrance of me”. • The apostle Paul, who later travelled with Luke, uses the same phrase as he reminds his readers about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23–25. And we know from Acts 2:42, 46 that the early Christians followed Jesus’ instructions and ate together regularly. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

these items represented His body and that meal and remember the cross where Jesus died. blood, and broke the bread up and By sharing food with each other shared it around with the wine. we will find ourselves getting closer “Do this in remembrance of me,” and forming a bond that wasn’t there He said (1 Corinthians 11:24). before. When I share quandong That last supper is formalised pie with someone, I’m passing on now in many churches as the Lord’s something I got from my father—a Supper, but at its heart, it’s just bond of affection that draws people eating together—Jesus sitting with closer through food. I think that’s those He loved and sharing food a good solution to the loneliness in and drink with them. He knew the our community. importance of And the shared the shared meal meal that Jesus and added extra introduced to His symbolism to disciples represents this most essenthe only healing tial of human By sharing food and solution for activities. our broken world. He knew with each other Maybe we that every time can’t be a knight His followers we will find at King Arthur’s would sit and ourselves getting round table; eat a simple maybe we’re not meal of bread closer . . . yet ready to accept and wine their the bread and thoughts would wine that Jesus is go back to that offering, but we last supper, and can still open our they would tables at home to remember Him our circle of friends and acquaintand His love for them. After Jesus’ death on the cross the ances, or perhaps even lonely neighbread and wine took on even greater bours who might appreciate eating meaning for His disciples and His together, and share the warmth of a words began to make sense. His good meal this Easter. body, the bread, had been broken. Justin Bone pastors two Seventh-day Adventist His blood, the wine, had been churches in Melbourne, Australia. He’s married poured out. We are invited to take with one daughter and is passionate about helping young people understand the Bible better. part in the Lord’s Supper—a shared meal just like that last supper— where we come together, remember 48

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

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ELL B EING

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GROWING UP TOO FAST

SICKLY SWEET

YOUNG HEARTS BREAK

Using cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis increases an adolescent’s risk of heart attack. While heart attacks are rare in teens, researchers from Shanghai, China, found the rate was increased four-fold by amphetamines, five-fold by cannabis and 7.5 times by cocaine. These drugs alter blood pressure, raise heart rate and limit the blood supply and therefore the flow of oxygen to the heart.—Cardiovascular Business 50

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

High sugar intake is related to mental illness in men. A large British study found men with the highest sugar intake were 23 per cent more likely to have a common mental disorder. Both women and men with a high sugar intake may be at increased risk of recurrent depression.—Nature

STOCKSNAP—PIXABAY, PIXEL AWAY—GETTY IMAGES, SHARON MCCUTCHEON—UNSPLASH

The loss of a father due to death, divorce or jail is associated with cellular ageing in children, placing them at risk of a range of chronic physical illnesses. Telomeres at the end of our DNA shrink over time. Once they are too short, cell growth stops. In a recent study, children who had lost a father to death had 16 per cent shorter telomeres than kids with a dad still alive. Kids with a dad in prison had 10 per cent shorter telomeres, and those whose dad had left home after separation or divorce had 6 per cent shorter telomeres. The effects were 40 per cent greater for boys than girls.—Reuters

SWEAT MORE, EAT LESS

Aerobic activities may help to control weight by reducing appetite. Researchers put mice on treadmills for 40 minutes to mimic the average gym workout. Their body temperatures rose and remained high for more than an hour. Following the workout, their appetite was reduced to about half that of the non-exercising control mice. The appetite-suppressing neurons were then blocked and the mice put through their paces again. This time their appetite was as good as ever!—Medical News Today

BETTER, BUT NOT BEST

NASTY AFTERTASTE

The regular use of mouthwash appears to increase the risk for prediabetes and diabetes. Researchers studied 1200 adults for three years and found almost half used mouthwash at least daily. Those who were obese and used mouthwash at least twice a day had a 65 per cent higher risk of prediabetes and diabetes than those who used it less frequently. It’s possible that when friendly mouth bacteria are killed by mouthwash, glucose metabolism is impaired.—empr.com

ITAY KABALO—UNSPLASH, FREEPIK, BELCHONOCK—GETTY IMAGES

Compared to not smoking, daily use of either conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes can nearly double the odds of a heart attack, according to a new study. Many smokers use both conventional and e-cigarettes. This increases the risk of heart attack five-fold when compared to non-smokers. Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine vapour by heating a liquid, and are therefore perceived to be safer. However, like conventional cigarettes, vaping still delivers ultrafine particles and other toxins that are associated with cardiovascular and lung disease.—AJPM

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 APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

ELL B EING

THE LOWDOWN ON DAIRY-FREE MILKS How do the alternatives stack up against good old-fashioned moo-juice? BY SANITARIUM HEALTH & WELLBEING

ALMOND MILK

Fans of almond milk continue to 52

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grow worldwide, with many attracted to its nutty taste, making it a great option for fruit smoothies, cereals and both sweet and savoury cooking. Almond milk tends to be lower in kilojoules than dairy milk and is lower in saturated fat, making it an effective choice for weight control or management. SOY MILK

Soy milk is the nutritional king of the alternative aisle, according to a new study by Canada’s McGill University. Researchers analysed the nutritional value of four commonly consumed plant-based milks (soy, rice, almond and coconut) and compared them to cow’s milk. Researchers identified soy milk as the closest to cow’s milk in terms of overall nutrient balance and it also contained the most protein of all the milk alternatives. Soy milk typically has a thicker consistency than other milks, and has a less sweet flavour, so it’s a good bet for cooking or savoury dishes.

KLENOVA—GETTY IMAGES

kinny soy frappes, almond milk breakfast bowls—whatever your flavour, there’s no doubt the number of people searching for dairyfree milk alternatives is on the rise. So why are people opting to kiss cow’s milk goodbye? Lactose intolerance and milk allergies are the obvious reasons; for others, the decision may stem from a personal concern for the environment or animal rights, or simply come down to taste preference. There are also several health benefits associated with eating a predominantly plant-based diet that may include dairy-free milks, with studies showing improved digestion, increased energy, lower body mass index and an improvement in overall physical function. Here’s the lowdown on the most common dairy alternatives, and whichever you choose, consider whether it’s fortified with calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

WHAT ABOUT THESE OPTIONS? COCONUT MILK has higher amounts of saturated fat compared to many other dairy-free milks and is lower in calcium and protein, so use sparingly. Due to its tropical coconut flavour, it’s a nice option for savoury dishes. Keep an eye on varieties with no added sugar.

RICE MILK can be a great alternative for those with dairy, soy or nut allergies. It’s low in saturated fat and often fortified with calcium, but generally lower in protein compared to soy. Rice milk also tends to have higher levels of natural sugars, in some cases double that of soy milk.

OAT MILK If you’re into DIY, oat milk is relatively simple to make and may be an option if you have a soy or nut allergy. Oat milk is low in saturated fat, but it’s also low in protein and not all oat milks on the market are fortified with calcium or vitamin B12.

Article courtesy of Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing. Visit sanitarium.com.au or sanitarium.co.nz and subscribe to Wholicious Living for more great health and nutrition info each month. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

FA IT H

HEALING THE LAND Caring for the natural world can be an act of worship. BY SCOTT SABIN

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

was looking at desiccated, erosion-scarred hillsides, each one a patchwork of rock walls delineating fields of withered corn and representing the entire future of a family, when the phrase “weary land” first came to mind. At the time I was in Haiti, but I have since seen weary land all over the world and my mind often goes to that hopeful passage in Isaiah 32:2, which hints at redemption and restoration that is not just spiritual but will be “like streams of water in the desert, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land”. My involvement in these parched landscapes began in part from a desire to make a difference in the lives of the extremely poor people who were migrating from Haiti across to shantytowns in the neighbouring Dominican Republic. As we talked with them we realised that most were actually recent arrivals from the countryside where they’d been farmers. Those shantytowns represented hope to these people—they actually looked like a better life compared to where they’d been! And so we followed the problem upstream—literally and figuratively—to the mountains where the people had come from and realised that they’d been trying to make a living on land that was completely devastated; on land that looked like desert. That was in part because of deforestation, which dramatically increases soil erosion, and because of the lack of water resources—they were completely dependent on the rain and completely dependent on whatever rivers, streams and springs were there. Deforestation had taken that away as well. Honestly, at first I came at this from a utilitarian perspective. I wasn’t particularly interested in the environment; I was interested in helping the poor. But what I learned was that poor farmers were completely dependent on the environment. And so for me, really the beginning of my involvement in environmental work was an outgrowth of my Christian commitment. How do we love our neighbour? By helping them take care of the land they depend on. But through that process—and very slowly through the course of about 25 years—I have learned that God values His creation APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

SUPPLIED BY SCOTT SABIN 56

for its own sake. The natural world is an expression of His tremendous creativity and love of diversity. One of the first tasks ever given to humans was to give names to the animals (Genesis 2:19) and we haven’t even scratched the surface of that task yet—biologists are yet to classify more than three-quarters of the earth’s species! Our other responsibility is outlined in Genesis 2:15, where God places Adam in the garden “to work it and take care of it”. So participating with God in creation is one of the very first tasks. We see this theme throughout Scripture—all the way to the New Testament where Christ is reconciling all things—all things—to Himself (Colossians 1:20) and His followers too are invited to participate in this work of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). We are still involved in participating with God in His plan of redemption of “all things”; not just human beings, but all of creation. So we moved upstream into these rural communities, seeing that people were trying to farm land that was virtually untenable. We came to realise that God has given us tools in creation that we could use to begin to restore that land. And at the same time we could help people restore their livelihoods. So we started teaching agri- forestry; mixing trees with traditional farming and sustainable agriculture—conservation agriculture—a lot of different techniques that began SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

to conserve the soil, rebuild the soil, restore moisture to the soil, and restore life and flourishing to the watersheds. It was both a problem of poverty and a problem of environmental degradation. So to address some of the economic issues we began to work with savings groups in which groups of 25–30 farmers would pool their savings. We’d take them through a fairly intensive training program and then organise loans that they would use to invest in their farms. Our organisation, Plant with Purpose, is now working in hundreds of villages in seven different countries; partnering with about 200,000 farmers, watching them move out of poverty at the Participating with same time that God in creation the watersheds they’re living is one of our very in are being first tasks! restored. Often subsistence farmers have been blamed for a lot of the deforestation problem through slash-and-burn farming, through cutting firewood and selling charcoal. But the farmers we’re working with have gone from being the villains in the story to the heroes. We’ve partnered with them as they’ve planted 26 million trees and restored entire watersheds. We’ve seen rivers and streams start to come back and we’ve begun thinking beyond conservation to restoration. For me, one of the most exciting things is visiting communities where we’ve been working for five or 10 years and seeing life returning—seeing the green return; seeing rivers return. The local people see that as an expression of and a reflection of their faith; people actually understand that they have purpose—they have a calling. And many times, for farmers, that calling is caring for

“

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Wally Emilcar standing next to some tall grass, showing off a living erosion control barrier on his farm, using a grass that doubles as animal fodder.

tour of one of his fields where he was growing bananas, chives, capsicums, tomatoes, sweet potato, sugarcane, grapefruit, soursop, squash, coffee and numerous other plants. He told me he had planted 15 different species of tree, including mahogany, cedar, acacia and pine. He explained how he has learned how to collect, save 58

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and germinate his own native pine seed and produces his own seedlings. I asked him what he used to grow on this same land and he laughed dismissively. “Nothing serious . . . some pigeon peas and corn, but the corn was really a waste of time.” Farmers like Wally have learned, and are continually teaching me, that human beings are not necessarily the problem, but rather can exercise their God-given role as stewards of creation. Former guerrilla fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have described discovering purpose and self-respect by restoring the watersheds where they farm. In Tanzania last year, 10,000 farmers gathered for a day of celebration to recognise the fact that over the year they had voluntarily planted 1.4 million trees on their own farms and on the banks of nearby streams. Many of them have come to see their stewardship as an outward expression of their faith and a witness to surrounding communities. There is still a long way to go, and Isaiah’s prophecy of total restoration is not likely to find complete fulfilment this side of Christ’s return. Yet so much more is possible than we often imagine, and it continues to be an incredible blessing to see tiny glimpses of God’s kingdom in unlikely places. Scott Sabin is CEO of Plant With Purpose, a US-based NGO that focuses on land rehabilitation in developing countries. Find out more at PlantwithPurpose.org. This article is adapted from an article and video that first appeared on the Qideas.org website.

IMAGES SUPPLIED BY SCOTT SABIN

God’s creation. As I recently drove through the mountains near Cornillon, Haiti, we passed hills covered with trees, and valleys that were little versions of paradise. I spoke with farmers like Wally Emilcar, who took me on a

RE VIE W

CHARIOTS OF FIRE what happened next

A new novelised biography of Eric Liddell shows how his heroism continued long after the Chariots of Fire theme music had faded. BY VANESA PIZZUTO

SCOTTBEARD—GETTY IMAGES

his is the part of the story most people know: Eric Liddell, a conscientious Christian athlete, refused to run in the heats for the 100-metre sprint at the 1924 Paris Olympics because they were held on a Sunday. Instead, he switched to the 400 metres, an event he had hardly trained for, and won the gold medal for Britain. The story of his epic, record-breaking, 47.6 seconds was immortalised in the iconic 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. What most people don’t know, however, is what happened next. In his biographical novel The Final Race, The Incredible World War II Story of the Olympian Who Inspired Chariots of Fire, Eric Eichinger tells the story of another race, run with such remarkable endurance and faithfulness that

it makes Liddell’s gold medal race pale by comparison. Eric Liddell was born in China, the son of Scottish missionaries. At the tender age of five, according to the tradition of the day, he was sent to boarding school in London. Eichinger does a great job of showing how the pangs of separation developed Liddell’s character. He knew how it felt to be surrounded by people, but still to feel alone, except for God. Remarkably, instead of making him bitter, the experience taught him to stand his ground. By 1921, Liddell was studying science and playing rugby for the University of Edinburgh. But it was his unique running style and impressive speed that would eventually lead him to the 1924 Paris Olympics. APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

“

Eichinger’s description of how refusing to compete on a Sunday turned Liddell from Britain’s favourite athlete into a traitor is gripping. Eichinger shares newspaper quotes that illustrate clearly the tremendous pressure Liddell was under. But Liddell continued to shock. After winning the gold medal and cementing his reputation as an athlete, Liddell left the glory behind and, in 1925, returned to China to serve as a missionary. On the train platform, about to leave for China, and surrounded by his fans, Liddell shared what would became his life motto: “Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ!” Liddell served in China from 1925 to 1943. It was there that he met his wife, 10 years his junior, Florence Mackenzie, the daughter of Canadian missionaries. But life in China became 60

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increasingly dangerous for foreign nationals when the Japanese invaded. By 1941, Liddell sent his pregnant wife and two daughters to Canada as the violence rapidly escalated. His intent was to stay a couple more years in China to ensure the mission work did not completely stop with the en masse exodus of missionaries. He planned to visit his family in Canada, but they would never see each other again. I confess that while reading this chapter I wondered if Liddell had made the right decision staying in China. After all, a missionary of his calibre could have been a blessing anywhere! But then I realised that it was his stern sense of duty to God that guided him in every decision. It is natural to avoid trouble and seek our safety, but we should not do it at the cost of our duty or calling. Liddell had the courage to put the

IMAGES OF ERIC LIDDELL SUPPLIED BY THE ERIC LIDDELL CENTRE

Eric Liddell lived life as a race of faith; every challenge was training . . .

kingdom of God before his own safety, and his desire to be with his family. It challenges me to learn to pray for courage and not merely protection!

Eric Liddell at Xiaochang, China, during World War II where he was crossing Japanese lines to bring aid to the Chinese.

In 1943 Liddell and 2000 other foreign nationals—including 327 children—were interned in Weihsien Camp. While this was not a forced labour camp, the overcrowded conditions, freezing temperatures and lack of sufficient food meant that the detainees had an extremely precarious existence. Realising the need for organisation in order to survive, Liddell and other missionary friends arranged lessons for the young people in the camp and sports activities. Teams were organised to deal with all the necessary tasks, from baking to nursing, and from turning curtains into shirts, to cleaning the overflowing sewers. Eichinger shares

a cacophony of voices that bear testimony to Liddell’s constant love and remarkable selflessness during those three years in the camp. Five months before the end of the war, Liddell died in the camp from a brain tumour. Yet, even today, some 70 years after, his light continues to shine bright. One question haunted me as I turned the pages of this biography: How did he do it? How did Liddell manage to constantly put other people first, even in the internment camp? The answer is both simple and profound: he lived that way every day. Liddell knew, beyond a shadow of any doubt that “the most selfless route is typically the path offering the most peace of mind”. Eric Liddell lived life as a race of faith; every challenge was training, an opportunity to develop spiritual muscle. Each step and every decision he made were teaching him to remain faithful—even while in the camp, malnourished and away from his family. He believed that “we prepare in the days of comfort, for when the days of hardship come, we will be prepared to meet them”. “Liddell once defined the kingdom of God extremely simply: “The kingdom is where the King reigns.” His life, as beautifully portrayed in Eichinger’s book, is an invitation to allow the King to reign in our hearts. Vanesa Pizzuto is a freelance journalist and radio broadcaster living in London, UK.

APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

FUN

CROSSWORD 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

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • APRIL 2019

CROSSWORD CLUES

ACROSS 5 Someone who judges or disagrees 6 Indian mausoleum built by Shah Jahan 7 Closest galaxy to the Milky Way 10 A person on a religiousfocused journey 11 When ovaries stop producing hormones 12 A daisy-like herb used to heal ailments 14 The conductor of a wedding; usually a pastor or priest DOWN 1 Rideshare company renowned for its smartphone app 2 An adulterous knight in the legend of King Arthur 3 Martial art that will make its Olympic debut in 2020 4 The shape left in sand after being stepped on 8 To punish with the intent of teaching a lesson 9 Raised concrete on the edge of a road or footpath 13 Country hit by magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2010

SUDOKU MEDIUM

2 4

3 7

1 8

4 2

5 1

9 9

HARD

4 9

7 9

6 8

SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU APRIL 2019 • SIGNS OF THE TIMES

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Signs of the Times - April 2019

Articles inside

THE LOW-DOWN ON DAIRY-FREE MILKS

FATHERHOOD AND AFFIRMATION

THE CHALLENGE OF VOLUNTOURISM