Edition 40, June 2014
Connecting Christadelphian Young People
Better earts H and Gardens
FROM THE EDITOR The Vine is published quarterly by the Sydney Christadelphian Young People (SCYP) COORDINATOR Georgia Muir EDITORIAL TEAM Georgia Muir, Dan Blackwood, Naomi Joseph and Isaac Pogson LAYOUT/DESIGN Isaac Pogson MASTHEAD DESIGN Alisa Thompson CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS (in order of appearance): Leah Crawford, Tim Mogg, Nick Morgan, Dan Blackwood, Elise Mogg, Jena Bradley, Georgia Muir, Dave Burke, Kylie Shamwah THANKS ALSO TO: Cecelia Muir (tree banner pg 4,5), Michael Pogson (Comic Corner pg 28), Ben Pooley (Comic Corner pg 29)
Hello! I'm really excited about this edition, because we have a mix of colour and black and white pages. Also, and more importantly, we have more fantastic articles for you to read. This edition is inspired by a Better Homes and Gardens magazine, and we have articles about gardening, cooking and building. We've reprinted the photo we had of Betty McGonigal's youth group in the last edition, along with the names of the people in the photo. So many people were interested in it that we thought we would find out who they are! Enjoy the winter! It's my favourite time of year. Georgia.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Naomi Joseph (pg 6, 7, 9, 10), Dan Blackwood (pg 13), Elise Mogg (pg 15), Jodie Nichols (pg 16, 17), Brad Harris (pg 18, 19), Leanne Hillman (pg 20, 21), Jena Bradley (pg 22), Georgia Muir (pg 25), Laura McKinlay (pg 30), Katie Thurlby (pg 31) COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Georgia Muir The Vine is published to the Glory of our Heavenly Father, through whom all things are made possible. Opinions expressed in The Vine are the authors’ and are not neccessarily held by the Editorial Team or the SCYP. All Bible quotations are from the New International Version (1978) unless otherwise stated. e: thevine@scyp.net To view past editions online visit: scyp.net/thevine & issuu.com/scyp
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Back Row: David Wilson, Evan Lepherd, John Mansfield, Bill Kay, Barry Brown, Graham Bacon, Eric Mansfield Front Row: Beverley Brown (Morgan), Beverley Bacon (Russel), Frank Lapham (at back), Philip Brown, Betty Lawrie (McGonigal), Don Warner, Ross Lapham, Monica Crewes (Lapham), Fay Kenworthy, Shirley Campbell (Kenworthy) Ted Russel
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Better Hearts and Gardens
contents edition 40 _ june 2014
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Growth in Relationships
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Widow of Zaraphath
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Defence and Confirmation
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Message From a Traveller
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PiP Tribute Night Photos
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Praise in the Park 2014 Photos
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Easter Camp 2014 Photos
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Easter Camp 2014: Faith Boot Camp
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Recipe: One Pan Pasta
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
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Studying Scripture
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Comic Corner
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The Body of Christ
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Growth in Relationships With a busy life up north on Lake Macquarie, I really love the opportunities I have of visiting my garden in the Southern Highlands. Each season brings something new and I can’t help but meandering through the garden and thinking about how wonderful God is for creating such beauty and diversity. I find it so easy to make parallels between growth in the garden with growth in relationships. I also find it fascinating and am delighted to share a few ideas with you about growing healthy relationships. I love my garden but it didn’t just happen and it’s not always delightful. To create a place that I love to be in, it takes hard work, care and compromise. There are essential factors for optimum growth to occur and the first is undoubtedly a firm, strong and healthy foundation. I believe that has been written about in another section of this magazine so I will move straight onto the next most important factor for creating optimum growth in a garden; maintenance. Yes, whilst it is paramount to begin with a healthy foundation, it is essential to maintain that status in the garden for optimum growth to continue to occur. Plants can begin lush and glossy and healthy and colourful but will soon end up brown, withered and dying if it is not taken care of properly. The same can be said of relationships. Maintenance in the garden includes watering, fertilizing, weeding,
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Leah Crawford
pruning and mulching to protect it from the elements. Let’s look a little closer: Watering – it’s no use watering your plants with orange juice; it’s the wrong liquid. Choose the right liquid to water your relationship with. We are told that the word of God is like water. Water your relationship with the word of God – it is so important that the right liquid is being poured on. Fertilizing – in a garden, fertilizing is the extra bit you give to give your plants the edge. If the soil is lacking in something you fertilize it to keep the plant growing healthy. Strong relationships have a garden mix of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol (sound familiar? yes the Fruits of the Spirit). If your relationship is not exhibiting these attributes, you may need to fertilize it by recognizing what is lacking and adding it to your relationship. If a relationship is lacking in kindness or patience, recognize this deficit and add it for optimum growth to occur. Pruning –when a tree starts shooting branches off in the wrong direction you have to prune them off, you can apply the same principle in relationships. If your relationship with a loved one is going in the wrong direction (remembering there are certain godly principles that should be upheld in relation to for example sex before marriage, respecting your girlfriend/boyfriend etc) sometimes that needs to be cut off. In other words recognize that it is wrong and stop doing it. Mulching – one reason for mulching in
a garden in spring is to save the plants from suffering in the heat of summer. Our heat of summer is the difficult times in our lives; the stressful times, loss, grief, anger, frustration to
name a few. Psalm 1 gives us the formula for surviving the heat of summer and it is such a gem. It tells you what to do and what not to do:
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." And further to this Jeremiah 17:
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
The droughts of summer will come in your relationships. There will be difficult times for you to negotiate. Protect your relationships from the heat of the difficult times by using the formula above. It will help to sustain you through those difficult times. There is one more important factor to consider: Vision. Proverbs tells us that without a vision the people perish. Before a garden is created, there needs to be a desire to have one in the first place. Once you have established you want a beautiful garden then you need to be able to visualize what you would like that garden to look like. You have to answer questions such as: What do you want from your garden? What types of plants and trees do you like? Do you like to hear running water in a garden?
In relationships with friends and family and perhaps partners, we need to have a desire for the relationship to work and we need to have a vision of what you want it to look like and then work towards that end. Begin the relationship with the end in mind. If you want a relationship that is based on trust, be trust worthy. If you want a relationship that is open and honest; be open and honest. If you want a relationship that is fun loving; be fun loving. Begin with the end in mind; a very effective tool to maintaining growth in relationships. Positive growth in relationships is so very important. God bless your relationships and God bless your journey through life with all that it brings.
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Widow of Zarephath - Written by Nick Morgan There was not a cloud in the sky. The hot sun beat down on the back of her neck as she bent again to reach for another stick. As she straightened, her other hand involuntarily went to her stomach. The hunger pains had grown worse, a reminder of the injustice of it all - of thieving scoundrels making off with the last of her possessions, of a protective husband long since passed, of a child she had no choice but to watch starve to death. There was not a cloud in the sky. Oh how she wished that there was. The great famine that had spread through Sidon had taken the little she had. Desperate times and desperate measures. The once busy markets of Zarephath had begun attracting fewer and fewer tradespeople, with less and less produce to sell. Families kept to themselves, men and women once well-fed became thin reeds. The streets had become quieter, even the sounds of children’s play becoming unfamiliar. Thieves had taken on a new boldness, not even waiting for the cover of night to take whatever they wanted. She herself had her house robbed one afternoon, huddling in a corner with her son in her arms as the men looted her home. They had barely looked at her as they carried off her possessions. A widow was worth no more than a glance. All they had left were the chairs, table, and some flour and a little oil. And that she had used sparingly since, using just enough to keep her and her son alive. Of course she gave nearly all the portions to her son, but it still was not enough. A shiver went down her spine, despite the heat. If only Natael still lived… No. She would not allow such thoughts. Yahweh gives, and He takes away. But Yahweh, you have taken so much from me. Will You now not give to Your servant who has nothing left? Panting, she reached for another stick. As hungry as she was, even the task of gathering wood for the fire was a difficult one. Her jaw firmed in determination at the thought. She would have one last meal with her son. Not that the boy knew, of course, but she would have to tell him tomorrow. Her saving, her begging, her brave fronts... all of it had come to an end. And it left her numb. She tried to focus on the task of adding sticks to the bundle. Better to think on what she could do, not what she couldn’t. So absorbed was she by her task, she jumped when a harsh, gravelly voice cut through her thoughts. “You there! Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” Her eyes rose to meet the strangest man she had ever seen, only five metres from where she stood. She berated herself that she hadn’t heard the man approach. She really must be tired… The man was clothed in a worn, earth-coloured cloak, which was a fair match to his dark, leathery skin. At second glance, she rather thought the cloak used to be another colour… A large dark grey beard was oddly tucked into his belt, and he leant 6
on a gnarled old piece of cedar as he regarded her with striking eyes. Fierce eyes, she thought at first, but looking closer, she saw concern there too. He carried no bags or belongings. All in all, for the look of him she would have thought he one of those madmen living in the wild. Yet there was something about the way her looked at her, as if he knew who she was already… “Of course, sir. You would be welcome to water at my home. If you will follow me- ” “And, if you please, a piece of bread.” She froze in her tracks, and turned her head to the man, meeting those fierce, dark eyes. In any other circumstance, she would have dropped her gaze, complied with his wishes and given polite deference to this newcomer, as strange as he was. But not this day. Surely, when looking at her he saw what any fool could see. A poor, defeated woman with nothing at all to offer in this famine-sticken time. And he had the nerve to 7
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ask her for food? And so she stared into his eyes and said, “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” her voice quivering with anger, drawing this man’s thoughts to Yahweh, the God who commands that others care for the poor. Poor widows like her! “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it— and die.” Tears of anger and hurt sprung to her eyes unbidden as she said the last, as she finally gave voice to the crushing reality of her fate. Though she would not look away from this man now, nor brush away the tears. She waited for his repentant apology, to see the effect of her stabbing words. But the stranger did not look away in embarrassment; if anything the light in his eyes shone brighter, if that were possible. “My name is Elijah,” he said in that gravelly voice, yet its harshness could not disguise… compassion? “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.” She could not believe he was asking her again! She was about to give him another earful when“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” She froze. Could it be? Could this man, this Elijah, be a prophet of God? She ran her eyes over him again. The dishevelled cloak - was there raven droppings on his shoulder? the worn sandals and filthy, tangled beard… Surely Yahweh would not use such a man. And yet she had just prayed… All her plans, all her savings. All the injustices done to her. Did Yahweh require this act of mercy from her, when she had been shown none? Was He at work here, right at the end? She found the man’s - Elijah’s - eyes once again. It was his eyes that decided it for her. She slowly nodded, and began leading him to her home. She had held on tight for so long, for herself and for her son. But she would let go now. Let it be in God’s hands. ~~~ Elijah looked at the poor widow as she turned away, shoulders slumped in defeated acceptance, and his heart broke. Why did you send me to HER, Father? Why make me ask her for food, when she has nothing? And yet her courage, her faith, it was astounding. He shook his head in disbelief. It was such stories of faith that gave him the heart to go on with the Lord’s work. And so Elijah prayed fiercely. Father, you better look after this woman and her son, whatever may come. Let Your grace be their protection. And though I do not yet know her name, let her faithfulness be told to many, that they may be emboldened by her sacrifice of faith to You.
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DEFENCE AND CONFIRMATION Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of information. As Christians, it is commonly used as 'defending the faith', showing why your theological position is correct, as opposed to other alternatives. This skill is useful for many reasons: • Confirming to yourself why you believe what you believe. • Showing reasons for why you hold to the beliefs that are generally ascribed to Christadelphians, as opposed to other types of christianity. • If you see someone teaching something incorrect, you can show them where they went wrong. • Defending your beliefs against attack, criticism, and misunderstanding from people who don't believe, like, or are misinformed about God. This last point is a particularly important one. More and more these days, particularly online, we can see any comment about religion or christianity used as an excuse to bash the topic, sometimes with simple vitriol with no reasoning (eg. "All christians are stupid for believing in a magical old dude that doesn't exist!"), sometimes attacking something in the Bible without properly researching their arguments (eg. "Revelation has a dragon in it. That's obviously impossible"), or sometimes attacking ideas and beliefs that are held by mainstream christianity, but that we don't hold or are affected by (eg. "How could christians believe that their all powerful immortal god turned himself into an average dude and then died, yet still be all powerful and immortal? That's just nuts!"). This is a paradigm that we as a community, and young people in general, haven't really adapted too well. However, we are starting to respond, and Defence and Confirmation is one of the ways we are doing so. Defence and Confirmation is a new journal published online bi-monthly that is focused on apologetics. Articles contained will look at topics like: • Defending historical claims in the Bible, • Examining Bible translations, looking at prophecies as positive proof of the Bible's legitimacy, • defending teachings and practices in the Bible, • looking at who wrote the Bible, • examining apparent contradictions, • looking at scripture and science, ethics and morality, • examining and improving on arguments we currently use to support our beliefs today, and • reviews of other books and articles that look at these, not to mention questions and comments from readers. 10
Written by Dan Blackwood All articles are peer reviewed before publication - they are sent to people who have specific knowledge in the areas they are looking at to check for mistakes and inconsistencies before being published. Topics covered in the first issue, released in April, discussed items such as supposed scientific contradictions, weak arguments for Christianity and why, and looking at prophecies that have supposedly be proven false. The next issue, which should be out by the time you read this, will be looking at things like places where the New Testament apparently misquotes the OldTestament, a response to 'New Atheists', and reviews of Noah and the book 'Do Historical Matters Matter to the Faith?' For more information you can look at the D&C Facebook page, The Milk to Meat blog (www.milktomeat.org), or contact the editors: Jonathan Burke, Dave Burke, Ken Gilmore, and Chris Matthiesen. The first issue of Defence and Confirmation can be found here: http://1drv.ms/1eyrh1f
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Message From a Traveller Hello from Agape in Action Aca in Western demy Kenya. It’s a nice sun day in mid ny -March. T he cows are (and mooin mowing g) outside the window neighbours and the are sowing maize in th across the eir field lane. I can hear one of chopping w the cooks ood for the cook fire ju our door a st outside nd the con st a nt thrum generator, of the most proba bly powerin teachers’ m g all the obile phon es and the ph that is chu otocopier rning out exam paper part of Ken s. This ya has ha d electricit for about th y access e last two years and has had it the school since open ing at the year. How st art of last ever, that does not m is always ea n that it available. As I am a ssured...
...is common in many countries, black-outs are frequent. After it rains the power goes out. If it rains for three days straight (like it did last week) the power is out for at least 4 days. Sometimes, like today, there just isn’t any electricity. It doesn’t bother the students much except that they can’t study at night and after a while the pump fed water tank is empty and they have to use the wells. 12
The Vine, 84 Shafte Burwood,
Western Kenya is the most densely populated area of the country and also the most povertystricken. The students at this school are very fortunate. Many of them are sponsored to attend high school, while others have parents who struggle to meet the school fees by going with less themselves. Education is very important, however high school is unattainable for the majority of the
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population. The students here range from 12-21 years old, with a variety of ages in each class. Progressing to the next grade is only possible once you have passed the previous grade and some children start school later than others. The school takes forms 1-4 (the Australian equivalent would be years 9-12). Half the children board at the school, the other half walk
to and from school each day. The boarders begin to wake at around 4:30am with the bell telling them they are allowed to wake up at 5:30am (they like getting up early). All the students are in the school building by 7am for study. Then comes a nine period day plus daily bible class after lunch. Classes end at 4pm and then there is sport or clubs (art, debating, drama…). The school day ends at 5pm. The boarders continue to study and then have a night time bible lesson at around 7:30pm. The bell for end of study goes at 9:30pm and lights out is at 10pm. It’s a huge day. The Kenyan system says that the more study the students do the better they will go in their all-important final exams. I’ve been covering textbooks in the library. I’ve seen at lot of what these children are taught by reading those textbooks. The curriculum is based around the regurgitation of facts. Problem solving is virtually non-existent. Group-work, study skills, imagination… What are they? Christian Religious Education (CRE) is a mandatory subject until form 3. An example of an exam question is “Name the five reasons why Jesus had disciples”. To answer this
question there are 5 ministry approved answers, no more, no less. The students learn the answer right down to the phrasing to get it right. Teenagers in Kenya can be rebellious, generous, secretive, cheeky, inquisitive, loud, lazy and ambitious, just like those at home. They are also very friendly. Often I am greeted by students I have never met. Yesterday I was sitting outside the door and one such girl walked past. In Kenya you are always greeted with “How are you?" It’s not really a question as the response is always “I am fine”. I’ve had boys with gashes across their heads say “I am fine” as blood runs down their face. Anyway, I digress, yesterday after this girl greeted me she began to ask what I had been doing. I told her that I’ve been working away inside on my university work, learning about what food sick children need and what the nutrition needs of sports people are. The conversation turned to the effects of altitude on running performance, followed by a trip to the library for an atlas to describe altitude and a short chemistry lesson on the effects of gravity on the atmosphere. These children are so keen to learn and so restricted in
their ability, beyond the set and approved facts of their textbooks. Even with the cultural differences, language issues, widespread poverty and widely different way of life one thing has become evident to me. These children have found a haven from everything around them, a place of relative safety and security. They are provided for and encouraged. They are given the wonderful gift of knowledge of God. I see so much potential in these children. I firmly believe that education, especially of women, is the way out of poverty and hunger. Despite the lack of student supervision, arcane teaching methods, shortage of nutritious food and general mismanagement of goings-on that seem so characteristic of Kenya, there is so much hope. Not because of any extreme goodness found in the children. Not just because of the worldwide financial support they receive. Not just because of the people here toiling for something better every day. No, there is hope because God is working with these people and in this place. Elise Mogg 13
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PiP Tribute Night
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Praise in the Park 2014
Easter Camp 2014
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Easter camp 2014: Faith Boot Camp Jena Bradley
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Mark O'Toole gave seven studies on faith: Study 1: Living Truth The truth about faith is that it is a constant battle between our own deceitfulness and faith in God. We, like the US military, have a survival book that tells us how to survive. Our book is called the Bible. The only way to be set free from deceit is by: i. sticking with the truth and it will set you free (John 8:31-32). ii. having faith no matter how small, as having faith the size of a mustard seed will enable you to move mountains (Luke 17:4). Romans 1:21-22 states that once we turn our back on God our lives go crazy. God disciplines us, even though he loves us. This makes the battle of faith tough. Revelation 2:10 says to not worry about what we are about to suffer - instead be faithful unto death and we will be rewarded. The US army Code of Conduct (Article 15) are: iii. Never surrender iv. Die for your country v. Keep faith in fellows vi. Never be disloyal vii. Never forget who you are and your responsibility Are we willing to do all these things for God? Study 2: Living God There is nothing that God can't do as he is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (everywhere present), omnipotent (all powerful), and eternal (independent of time). Due to this God knows everything about us. He knows what we are going to do before we do it, and yet we still try to challenge God. God's power will amazing us every time. He does however put us in our place and punishes us when we need it (Jeremiah 35:17). Psalm 73 states that we can often miss seeing God's goodness because the world may seem perfect but if we choose to live that life than we will lose and die. We are citizens of sin. By being baptised and symbolically dying with Christ we are free from our citizenship to sin (Romans 6:2) and are now citizens of heaven. YOU are a CITIZEN of the KINGDOM OF GOD! Study 3: Living Freedom This freedom is our freedom from sin. Jesus died to free us from sin (Romans 3:24-25). Sin makes us feel stuck and filthy. When this happens we call on God for help and he helps us and places us in a safe place (Psalm 40:12). We need to allow God to be our friend. We, like Abraham, need to let go of absolutely everything in our lives and cast everything onto God. Once we get baptised we become part of Abraham's offspring and recipients of his promise from God (Romans 4:16). We long for that day when we will be completely freed from sin and be at one with God. We continue to wait in anticipation for the day when we will see God's face and have His name written on our foreheads (Revelation 22:4)
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Study 4: Living Faith This can be hard to grasp as God keeps putting us through trials in our life. It is in these times that we should remember the things that God put Jeremiah through, that is repetitive physical persecution. Despite this, Jeremiah still had complete faith and trust in God. Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:22 that God's compassion never fails. We often ask ourselves and God, "Why is God doing this to me?" This is not a bad thought as it is putting God into our hearts and minds. Revelation 2:10 tells us to not worry about what it is about what we are about to suffer, rather be faithful until death and we will be given the crown of life. Hebrews 12:11 explains that suffering is painful but later produces good fruit. Remember: GOD IS WITH YOU, YOU CAN DO IT! Study 5: Living Jesus It is impossible for us to help ourselves. We need to get behind Jesus and follow him, like Jesus told Peter to do in Mark 8:33. We also need to sacrifice ourselves and put ourselves last (Mark 8:35). This is what a faith fighter does. Jesus is RISEN and currently ALIVE! We have no need to worry because the battle we are fighting against sin has already been won by Jesus. All we need to do is persevere (Hebrews 10:36). Study 6: Living Body We, together with Christ, form one body (Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, we all form a part of God's family and have become part of His epic story along with Jesus. Because of this God knows us all by name, not as just another number. Being part of God's family means that He is on our side. We need to rely on Him to get us through our battle with sin. In fact, there is no need to worry because Jesus has already won the victory of this battle for us! It is this victory that we celebrate (2 Corinthians 2:14). Study 7: Living Spirit We often feel as though we continually come up short in our efforts to be like Jesus. All we need is a little faith and God will provide the rest. We no longer live in the flesh, but rather by the spirit of Christ (Galatians 2:20). Living in the spirit doesn't need to be complicated everything we need comes from God. Without the truth and the knowledge of God we are a fan that hasn't been plugged in. When the fan is plugged in it works. When we plug in to the bible and have faith in God we work and shine out God's light. I often forget that Jesus is alive today and watching us, sitting at the right hand of God our father, waiting to be sent back to earth and save us. Remember, keep the faith, hold fast, overcome and watch! 22
RECIPE: ONE PAN PASTA! Ingredients 12 ounces pasta 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid 1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips 500g beef mince 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves 2 large sprigs basil, chopped 4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth, not low sodium) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Parmesan cheese for garnish
Directions Brown onion and then mince. Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil and mince in a large pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle chilli flakes and oregano on top. Drizzle with oil. Cover pot and bring to the boil. Reduce to a low simmer. Keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – leave as much liquid as you think looks yummy. Season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid and other goodies from the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese .
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How does your garden grow? A metaphor for life (and some actual musings about gardens).
By Tim Mogg
From the trees in the Garden of Eden, all the way up to the basil and tomatoes in your front yard people have always been supported, sheltered, nourished and made happy by gardens. The Garden of Eden is what God created for Man to live in before Man decided to choose his own way. Probably not the best decision, Man. I propose that the advent of the modern supermarket has caused the demise of common (or Garden Variety) Backyard Garden, much to the detriment of modern society. Can you imagine what you would do if all the supermarkets disappeared tomorrow? Without a Garden of Eden to supply all your needs what would you do? Are you going to go out into the bush to forage for all of your food? In my opinion foraging is OK in a few instances. If for example, you are in a plane crash, become stranded, and you face certain death if you don’t eat-the-berries-on-the-tree-that-the-birds-areeating-just-like-you-learnt-by-watching-Bear-Gryls, then you have my permission to forage for food. However, as a general rule, I would strongly advise against planning to forage in the undergrowth for your dinner. It makes much more sense to re-plant things closer to home, so you don’t have to keep walking for hours to get the lettuce for your sandwich (or other sans-supermarket food item). What is much better (read: cooler) is turning a small section of your backyard into a garden. You may need to check out how much sun and rain your garden gets and possibly have a chat to the guy (or girl) at your local nursery to find the right plants. Then after planting, you can care for your garden until you reap the rewards of your efforts (or the fruits of your labour). 24
This is the main reason why I think that people have always loved gardens. Gardens are the visible result of effort. You can start with a chaotic little patch of weeds, and at the end of a day of hard work you can have a nice ordered plot of land, filled with the possibility of something yummy to eat, or pretty to look at. Where most people fall down is in the daily effort and dedication that gardens require. My advice: Don’t just go foraging. That’s someone else’s turf. Make your own garden and look after it. Your life, or some aspect of your life, may be the metaphorical equivalent of a patch of weeds. So what are you going to do about it? Do you want to grow weeds? Or would you prefer to plan for what you want your life to produce, seek help and advice where needed and put in the effort to make it happen. Are you going to tend to your relationships? Are you going to weed out bad habits? Are you going to get around to digging out the rocks in your life that you keep stumbling over? Or maybe you might decide that the rocks are nice, and you can make a feature out of it.
It’s your patch of dirt. What are you going to do with it?
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Studying Scripture
with Dave Burke
Genre genre A genre is a classification of literature, primarily determined by subject, structure and style. Genre is important because it establishes the terms under which you will engage with the text. A good grasp of genre will inform our understanding of context. narratives Narratives of the ancient world were highly subjective. Ancient peoples recorded events in a way that suited their preference and purpose. Many such examples come from Herodotus, a Greek historian. Biblical historical narratives are likewise recorded subjectively, with events and numbers variously altered and rearranged for emphasis or rhetorical effect. In Scripture, narrative often has a theological purpose. This means it is not just telling us what happened, but why it happened and what spiritual message the event(s) might contain. gospels Despite falling within the broader category of ancient biography gospels also have a theological function. Gospel accounts are individually shaped by their authors’ intended purpose and audience, hence the variation between them. Some scholars have argued that the gospel genre is unique to Christianity. law The Law genre consists of the Mosaic Law, recorded in the books Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. epistle An epistle is a letter. The epistles we are most familiar with are the letters in the New Testament. Sometimes they were written to individuals (e.g. I & II Timothy), while at other times they were written to specific ecclesias (e.g. Romans, Corinthians, Galatians). We must take care when interpreting epistles, since their message is not always intended for us. wisdom Wisdom literature consists of instruction and advice, with a particular emphasis on walking correctly before God. It is often reflective and even poetic, with principles drawn from aspects of everyday life.
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erutpircS gniydutS
ekruB evaD htiw
parable Parables are short stories intended to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons. Often parables are described as ‘stories with a hidden meaning.’ This is not really accurate. Firstly, some of Jesus' parables were self-explanatory (e.g. Matthew 13:44-51; Luke 12:37-40, 42-48). Secondly, parables do not contain multiple levels of meaning. Most teach a single point using basic comparisons (e.g. 'The kingdom of heaven is like...') Luke 8:18 shows that the key to understanding parables is careful listening. poetry The Old Testament is full of poetry (which looks very different to modern Western poetry). In Scripture, the genre of poetry includes songs. prophecy Prophecy is a message from God for a specific purpose. It does not always involve predicting the future. apocalyptic Apocalyptic is a genre concerned with special revelations from God. It is not to be confused with prophecy, though the two may overlap.
Bibliography DeMoss, M. S. 2001, Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek, InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL Klein, W. W., Blomberg, C., & Hubbard, R. L. 2004. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Thomas Nelson: Nashville, Tennessee Myers, A. C. 1987, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, Michigan Osborne, G. R. 2006. The hermeneutical spiral: A comprehensive introduction to biblical interpretation (Rev. and expanded, 2nd ed.), InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, Illinois Patzia, A. G. & Petrotta, A. J. 2002, Pocket Dictionary of Biblical Studies, InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL 27
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Here is a question for you:- "What did Jesus do yesterday?". And here is another:"What will Jesus do today?". And another:"What will Jesus do tomorrow?" The answer to these questions, particularly the first, may be easier than you think. The clue is in the first verse or two of 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, 2nd Thessalonians, and other places as well. In these places Paul refers to believers "in" Christ, and that is a very strong concept. In "The Revised English Bible", the translators expand "in" to "incorporate (in Christ)", that is, his readers were not standing outside of Jesus, but had been taken in by him. They knew something of how he felt, and he knew everything of how they felt. The pain, and the joy. Well, of course, we have heard of "the body of Christ", haven't we! So there is nothing new about this thought.
However, if you have made the decision to be "in" Christ, then you know something at least of what Jesus did yesterday, because as far as you and those around you are concerned, what you did yesterday is partly what Jesus did yesterday. And, if you are planning anything, then you have an idea of what he may be doing this afternoon and tomorrow also. This does not actually involve you setting out to be crucified, but it does consist of you prayerfully making a decision to put yourself in God's hands and doing with your heart mind and body whatever comes your way in the Providence of God. As Jesus did. Be it studying, or working for a boss. On one occasion at least the "body of Christ" was making tents (Acts 18 v3). Join the body of Christ, and God will lead you. And you will know something of what Jesus did yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Kylie Shamwah
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BAPTISMS Katie Zammit (Moorebank) BIRTHS Samuel Enoch (Phil and Lizzy Pooley) WEDDINGS Emily Collins and Brenten Stokes (Brisbane) ENGAGEMENTS Johanna Lynch and Johnny Connelly
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