Proper

Times WET TROPIC

Being punished or rewarded for something

SARI RUSSO NEE HYYTINEN

IT is hard to realise that you are being punished for something that you didn’t even know you were not supposed to do. It is brilliant to be rewarded for something that was important to be doing when you did not even realise how important it was.

It is difficult in life when people don’t tell you that you did something wrong, but instead choose to punish you instead. I have come against this many times in my life and I wonder how many people have experienced the same issue? If you have been there ‘I feel ya.’ In the modern language for this, it is called ‘ghosting.’

I am sure we would all prefer to be told the truth and if we are able to make a change for the better then we will.

I haven’t met anyone yet who intentionally wants to do the wrong thing.

Most of the time that I see people ‘intentionally’ do wrong things it is because they can’t see any other way to support themselves.

I really want to understand why things are not going the way I expected based on what I have done. Therefore, if you believe I have wronged you in some way I encourage you to come and talk to me. Together we may find a way to address the problem.

In a biblical context, the Lord lives by the law he has given us in the bible and whether you are aware of it or not you can make decisions in your life that will align with his word in either a positive or negative way.

If you feel that God is moving in a positive way over something, you did then great advice is to go do a deep dive into the bible to find out more on the topic.

If you are feeling spiritually punished and you don’t know why, perhaps there is a biblical truth that you are crossing, even though you don’t understand it.

Just one obvious and practical analogy is God calls us to help widows (“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27) and when we do, he blesses us because he considers this an act of faultlessness.

Let me clarify that being ‘faultless’ on an ongoing basis needs a bit of help, Ok, a lot of help. And Jesus is that help. If you have spent your life working hard to be perfect and blameless then you are doing it wrong. You will never be able to be perfect and blameless.

“To him (Jesus) who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” Jude 1:24 (NIV)

KATTER: What are your plans?

Mr Katter knows full well that he will never have to implement any of these brain bubbles, nor will he have to give any costings. He is one sitting member in the House of Representatives of 151, and he has no power there and no real influence. He is not the only crossbench member anymore and, after this election, will probably be just one of many.

While those who live in “swinging electorates” are being showered with money and infrastructure, the Kennedy electorate is left out. Of course, we do get announcements about how crocodiles kill a person in FNQ every three months. (The truth is that crocodiles have killed 11 people in the whole of Queensland since 1985.)

One wonders when the people who live in Kennedy will wake up to reality. Talk is cheap.

In the meantime: • we struggle to get an appointment with a doctor – where is Katter’s plan for that? • Many of our children leave home to seek work elsewhere – where is Katter’s plan for that? • Our reef and environment are clearly degrading due to climate change – where is Katter’s plan for that? • Many of our children can’t afford to buy houses – where is Katter’s plan for that? • People struggle to make ends meet due to underemployment and low wages – where is Katter’s plan for that?

As I have noted, talk is cheap. So is the kind of humour that attempts to belittle the serious issues that face us. We need, and deserve, more from our sitting MP, who seems to view Kennedy as little more than a hereditary right.

Come election time, the white hat is seen everywhere. Other times?

Not so much.

Keryn Archer

Wongaling Beach

Letters to the editor

On ANZAC day, please ensure the sentiments of ANZAC day are the focus

I am writing to express my concern and deep disappointment regarding the ANZAC day dawn service at El Arish.

ANZAC day is essentially a day for the community to lay aside differences and come together as a whole, to reflect and remember those who sacrificed their lives for us.

Sadly, the MC at the El Arish service used the opportunity to unleash a diatribe of anti-government sentiment on what was essentially a captive audience.

The purpose of the welcome speech is to promote the message of the ANZAC spirit – One of looking out for your mate and putting yourself last.

As the granddaughter of an ANZAC, I was appalled to be subjected to the rantings of what appeared to me to be an ignorant and self-absorbed person. In a gross abuse of privilege, they used the ANZAC day platform to air their personal political grievances.

As an emergency nurse who has spent the past two years battling the consequences of this terrible pandemic and who has held the hands of the dying as they’ve whispered their final goodbye to their family, I am outraged that this person would use such a solemn occasion to spread his ignorant message and promote division under the guise of protecting his right to free speech.

I hope that more thought will be given to next year’s speech and that it may actually promote the ANZAC spirit as the day intended.

Yours sincerely

Sandra Taylor

Currently, Victoria, Previously El Arish

Thai Fish Cakes

Serves: 4 (makes 8-10) Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes 1 serve per portion Ingredients 300g sweet potato 2 spring onions, chopped 4 sprigs coriander, roughly chopped ½ red chilli, deseeded and chopped 425g can tuna in spring water, drained 1 egg, lightly whisked ½ lime juice Wholemeal flour, for dusting Olive oil Method PEEL the sweet potato and chop into even size chunks. Place in a medium saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer until sweet potato is soft and cooked through. MASH the sweet potato then transfer to a large bowl. Allow to cool slightly. ADD spring onions, chilli, coriander, egg and lime juice and mix until combined well. DIVIDE mixture into 8-10 small cakes, then dust the outsides with flour. HEAT a frying pan on medium to high heat and add a drizzle of oil once hot. FRY the cakes in batches, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/. Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.