Author: Life Focus Ministries

Who are we? Dr Robert McQuillan is recognised as an inspiring encourager, counsellor, mentor to ministries and Bible teacher ministering meaningfully on the prophetic edge. Robert and Maureen, a gifted communicator with an uncanny insight into knowing 'where people are at', delight to bless and encourage God's people and ministries... and touch the hearts of the unchurched in the marketplace. Contact: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com

ANTINOMIANISM RESURGANCE

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

A seemingly dumb blonde, Eve, crashes into Adam’s car writing both vehicles off. As they’re all right themselves, she says, ‘God’s reminding us of his grace.’ Adam, a ‘Duh!’ guy, nods.

Eve adds, ‘Oh look… a bottle of expensive wine in my poor car isn’t damaged. God’s telling us that it’s okay to celebrate our safety by having a drink.’ Adam agrees as she hands him the wine. Adam drinks half the bottle, notices Eve hasn’t drunk any. When he queries why not, she says, ‘Oh, I’m just waiting for the cops.’

Some ‘Adams’ never learn! And neither do some Christians in respect to some common-sense matters!

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A Determined God of Love

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

Recently we attended the funeral of a friend who loved Jesus. Held in a local Uniting Church, we were impressed as the minister, Tony Johnson, shared from his heart.

Space doesn’t permit us to detail all that this soft-speaking Geelongite said but we’ll always recall the following– truths that are relevant to every Christian in their understanding of God, their following Jesus and living as he did. And in honouring God’s word and reaching out to everyone.

Tony’s welcome to the mixed gatherers – family, friends and those who were strangers to each other but had known the deceased through her lifetime daily exhibition of love, is a classic.

Quietly and simply but meaningfully, he said: ‘Welcome to all of you – to those who believe, those who do not believe, those who do not know what to believe and those who have been too hurt to believe anything.’ In his eulogy, Tony made it clear that God is the God of determination – that through Christ he showed that he is the God of reconciliation.

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The Power of Words

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

A good friend who delights in finding funnies emailed this:

A guy bought a new fridge and to get rid of his old one put it in his front yard with a sign saying: ‘Free to good home. Want it? Take it.’
For three days the fridge sat there without anyone looking twice. He eventually decided that people were too mistrustful of this deal. So he changed the sign to read: ‘Fridge for sale, $50.’ The next day someone stole it!
Words have power
You could say it was all in the way the words were framed. Words do indeed have power.

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The Power of Prayer

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

A good friend called asking us to pray for her sick husband and also regarding their need for a new rental accommodation. The first matter was of top priority as the future was looking bleak, the second would be a great homecoming blessing from hospital.

We prayed, knowing that this couple value prayer; that they know their God is interested in everything to do with his spiritual children’s daily life journey. Prayer immediately brought God’s miraculous touch into action and he continues to bless them one step at a time, one day at a time, one miracle at a time.

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Going About Doing Good – Or Just Going About?

Robert and Maureen McQuillan write:

Recently we were introduced to a young businessman whom the world would term as highly successful and has everything going for him. His company is doing well, he has everything he needs – home, wife, kids, cars, connections and a great future as he wisely uses his entrepreneurial skills.

But he has been acutely aware that something is missing and a good friend had been sharing his own experiences with the Holy Spirit. Now we too had the opportunity to share with him and something he said told us exactly where he’s at. He has faith in God but said, ‘If going around in this life before heaven is all there is to it, then what’s it all about? What are we here for?’
It was a delight to pray for the infilling of the Spirit to fill this seeker of truth and reality and to be led into a purposeful life for Christ.
Serving others
Every now and then, as we minister to churches or individuals, we’re led to quote the words of Toyohiko Kagawa (1888 –1960) – the originator of the challenge encapsulated in our title above. Some years ago we discovered they symbolised the lifestyle of this visionary who revered Jesus and God’s word. 

This insightful Japanese avidly followed the teachings of Christ, believing that Christianity in action was the truth behind Christian doctrines. As a young man attending Kobe Theological Seminary, he was so troubled by seminarians’ concern for the technicalities of religious doctrine that he would repeatedly refer to the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

In reality this parable demonstrates real Christianity in action, the one who is able to help being available to meet needs, and not expecting or demanding anything in return. Rather being willing to go further than the initial contact, to provide follow-up. 

Later in life, Toyohiko Kagawa once boldly referred to scripture when he dared to say to his nation’s ‘godlike’ ruler: ‘Emperor Hirohito, “Whosoever will be great among you…shall be the servant of all.” A ruler’s sovereignty, Your Majesty, is in the hearts of the people. Only by service to others can a man, or nation, be godlike.’ 

 Toyohiko Kagawa (c 1920)

Real Christianity
That was Toyohiko Kagawa’s own lifestyle – serving others. He became a successful businessman entrepreneur who influenced many, not only in Japan but also abroad, including Fletcher Jones, ‘Australia’s clothing king.’

Concerned with people’s misery in life at home, he went around seeking how he could bless many and give them hope for a better future. 

A social reformer, peace activist, political prisoner, evangelist and author Kagawa is reported as saying: ‘I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.’ 

That should really hit it on the head as far as a lot of Christians, especially ministers, are concerned! So many of us are indeed content with the status quo and miss out on God’s greater picture for our lives, skills and abilities. And so many times churches expect people to come to their Sunday services before they will communicate the love and caring of God in a meaningful way. There is a wrong attitude of ‘Come first to my Sunday turf, then I’ll look at yours.’ 

Good Samaritan Christians/churches
The Good Samaritan parable is indeed an outstanding example of going out there beyond the church walls and it seems that quite a few churches have bought into it. This is good news for those without hope, without a personal relationship with Christ and feeling that they have no one to turn to for assistance. Especially those who for various reasons, perhaps sick family, a threatening spouse, or transport, just can’t get out on a Sunday. 

Personally, we feel like Toyohiko Kagawa – not satisfied with just going about but desiring to go about doing good wherever and however we can with the Holy Spirit’s help. This means, at times, going out of our way, going beyond the famous second mile. 

And why? Because according to Jeremiah 29:11, God has a wonderful future organised for all who will seek his face, listen to his directions and go for it. 

Toyohiko Kagawa’s life story is an incredible one. It certainly inspires us, as does (even more so) the example of Jesus – We’re never satisfied with just ‘going about!’ We want to be involved in whatever God has ordained for us. We’ll always be open to whatever new challenges he has for us both in general life and ministry itself. In a nutshell, this means that we desire to achieve what will bless others and be meaningful to the kingdom. 

We trust that young businessman will very quickly find his purpose in life as he allows the Spirit to speak to his heart. His potential to bless humanity is stupendous! 

Being effective for Jesus
We deliberately call our ministry of encouragement and inspiration Life Focus. Regularly – in mentoring, casual conversation, preaching or seminars – we tell people, even non-Christians: ‘Life is a gift…focus on it and live it to the max! Don’t waste one day!’ 

Our own first-up daily prayer? ‘Lord, let this day be effective for you through Holy Spirit’s anointing and direction.’ Then we live the day as normal, not under any pressure, but being available for the Lord and, importantly, sensitive to his Holy Spirit. 

This doesn’t mean going around being super-spiritual before everyone and Bible-bashing them into a false salvation or forcing them to go to church. 

Rather we just take every opportunity the Holy Spirit organises for us to meet people and simply bless them. Blessing – to us this means speaking a God-word, a kind word into people’s lives and encouraging them through being sensitive to the Spirit who can tell us where they’re at and what they need to hear. 

  We encourage every Christian to activate a lifestyle like Toyohiko Kagawa did as he followed the example of Jesus: ‘It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.’ This leads to being meaningfully effective for Jesus.

Not Home Yet


There’s a story that’s been around from our Sunday school days an unsourced missionary homecoming story that has been retold over the years by many encouragers in various ways. But basically it goes something like this.
A couple were returning to the States to retire after toiling for years in what we kids had been told was ‘Darkest Africa.’ Not been over-successful in their missionary service they were unknowns compared to such ‘greats’ as Dr David Livingstone. But they’d been faithful to their calling and had laboured on toiling hard.
Discouragement
Now they were both suffering from ill-health, defeated mentally and spiritually and, having neither finance nor pension, felt so exhausted, uneasy and discouraged.
Suddenly, they had the biggest surprise. When the ship that had carried them from Africa docked and they were coming down the gangway, they observed a large band playing heartily. The mayor, city dignitaries and crowds were gathered in greeting.

‘Oh, we’re being recognised,’ exclaimed the tired missionary to his wife, ‘and we thought no one knew us, no one cared.’
His delight was immediately shattered as the truth dawned and more disappointment swept over him crushingly.

The welcoming homecoming turned out to be for the man who smilingly passed by in front of them – President Teddy Roosevelt, returning from one of his safaris! No one paid any attention to the returning missionaries. 

Disappointment
Disappointed the old missionary commented to his wife, ‘We’ve given our lives in faithful service for God all these many years and nobody cares about us.’ 
His wife sought to encourage him not to feel that way, but despondently he replied, ‘Can’t help it. It just isn’t right.’ 
Quietly they disembarked unnoticed, disappeared in the crowd, and found a cheap unit. That night the man’s spirit broke. He admitted, ‘I can’t take this anymore. God isn’t treating us fairly.’ 
Wisely his loving wife suggested, ‘Why don’t you go quietly into the bedroom and tell the Lord – direct?’ 
Dragging himself off, he did so. It was only a short time later that he reappeared, but his expression was completely different. ‘What happened?’ asked his surprised wife. ‘You’re so at ease, so at peace.’
‘I told God how bitter I was that someone else received such a tremendous homecoming, that no one met nor knew us or welcomed us home. Suddenly I sensed the Lord putting his hand on my shoulder and saying quietly but simply: “You’re not home yet!”’ 
Determination
Discouragement and disappointment are facts of life. They can hit anyone at any time, even Christians. Those in church ministry especially can get slammed every now and then by unthinking and uncaring people. Particularly by our arch-enemy, Satan. We all need caring friends, encouraging reminders and to stay humble.
We also need to realise than we’re not alone in such experiences. Recalling scriptures such as Paul’s advice is so helpful: ‘Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns’ (Philippians 4:6 Message).
In the previous chapter (v12 MKJV), he writes about the need to press forward despite everything: ‘I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – to Jesus.’ 
In chapter 3: verses14-17 (Message), Paul shares encouragingly: ‘I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision – you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.’

Destiny

In all of life, we need to be on the right track, stick to our destiny and keep pressing forward. Christians especially are called to the greatest commission of all … faithfully serving the master, Jesus, despite every disappointment and discouragement that comes along.
May we be determined to being faithful until we hear the personal welcome greeting from the one who set an outstanding example by pressing on to win the greatest prize of all on our behalf…salvation for all humankind. 
And what a welcome that will be as Jesus exclaims with delight: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! … Come and share your master’s happiness!’  (Matt. 25:21). 

Only then will it all be over and only then will we have really arrived home.

Being Creative


Recently we received a link called Alarm Clock with an intriguing comment: ‘Be careful during sleeping!’

Enjoy watching it; you’ll get the point very quickly. It’s quite short so you’ll wise up promptly amid some laughing. It’s very creatively funny and led us to share the following.
For many years we’ve heard Christians complain of too much hype in churches, extensive showiness, excessive entertaining but no any real biblical teaching or Holy Spirit presence.
The reality is twofold: We doneed the presence of the miracle working Spirit and ministers and departmental leaders need to be with-it in respect of preaching and teaching. Leaders must be awake to what is really going on and not be expecting congregations, especially children to understand deep matters, that it’s the ministers’ calling to study, search out and make plain in meaningful, creative ways.
This is particularly so in children’s ministry. Kids today are so engrossed with incredible, ever-developing technology – computers, games, iPods, tablets and such. We need to capture their imagination! And to ensure that they really know God and his ways requires that we are open to every available attention-grabbing means of reaching them.
Early days of personal creativity
My (Robert) own ministry really began decades ago in what our church called Junior Prayer/Bible Study Nights. My development led to spending most nights away travelling elsewhere around various little rented halls. The purpose was to share Jesus with hundreds of unchurched kids that parents ‘were delighted to have out of home for a while.’
But, willing as I was, there was neither financial support nor, more especially, available good material. I resorted to creating my own stories and drawing coloured pictures of characters in action. No computers back then, never mind PowerPoint facilities. I longed for creative material.
How times have changed!
Ample materials today
Today many creative children’s leaders are led by the Spirit to boldly present Jesus to kids using whatever means are available. To encourage kids to know the word of God, to stand on it and also to know the Holy Spirit and move in the gifts.
Wise ministries encourage other leaders of kids’ ministries to be similarly creative. After all, the God we serve is the all-creative one but for too long churches have put up with second best or little creativity while all the time kids are mesmerised and engrossed daily in their techno world.
Absence of quality material was a challenge Maureen’s sister and her husband, Dorothy and Ken Gardiner, Life4Kids (life4kids@bigfoot.com.au) actively pursued for years, creating great teaching material, especially their outstanding, unique High Five Divorce for Kids Program.
Similarly our good friend, Becky Fisher, Kids in Ministry International kidsinministry@yahoo.com has worked creatively and apostolically among even unchurched children, seeing them anointed in the Spirit and then moving in the gifts.
God is moving on and through children today and wise leaders are locating or creating great material to teach kids principles from his word.
Grabbing attention
Imagine our delight recently one Sunday, when free from our itinerant ministry and able to attend our base church, Waterfront Christian Church, Geelong we observed the children’s ministry leader, Robyn Heyhorn, introduce two ‘team members.’
Robyn announced, ‘We teach the children how to hear God’s voice and know it above all others.  They need to hear from God for themselves. These are exciting times and we’re teaching our kids how to pray for victory in their lives. We ensure the children really know that he wants to speak to them and that they can expect he will. And he does – and then they share what God said to them or maybe a picture he has given.’
Then up to the platform came a recognisable figure, not unlike little like the famous Inspector Clouseau. As you can imagine, the kids were thrilled – and so were we adults!


‘Detective McClure’
Robyn explained, ‘Detective McClureis a great detective so grounded in the word of God that his desire is to teach children to be seekers of the truth and, in looking for solutions, will keep pointing them back to God’s word.’

As the kids looked on intrigued she added, ‘Detective McClure will also reinforce that the Bible has the ability to solve every problem. He’ll help equip you to stand on the word. He’ll come into Kids’ Church unexpectedly and unannounced, interacting with you all with “Why?” questions.’
A right ‘Wally’!
Suddenly up popped a most mischievous black sheep raising laughter as he fooled around a bit.
Robyn told everyone: ‘Although Wally can be a bit naughty and make the children laugh, being open to instruction he can also teach them respect and how to adopt a learning style. They’ll learn and grow alongside Wally as he’ll have understanding at the same level as theirs.’ 
Encouragement
All kids love intrigue, being inquisitive, fun and laughter. Thus ingenious creativity such as Detective McClure and Wally are welcome additions to any kids’ ministry team.
Aware how important children’s ministry is in every church, we encourage every children’s ministry leader to prayerfully consider using whatever other up-to-date intriguing facilities God leads them to that will ensure our kids grow in God.

And…getting back to the alarm clock: Let’s not get cut out sleeping! We all need to be aware of what’s going down today and where adults are at, let alone kids. Preachers too must be down-to-earth as we present biblical truths to people who have never been to church as well as to church attenders.

Connecting – out there!


When Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became ‘the new pope’ he immediately hit the headlines…Google, newspapers, radio, TV, blogs, even inclusion in a new book on the ancient St Malachy papal prophecies.
 
Not only is this pontiff the first Latin American and Jesuit in modern times to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics but many highlights quickly circulated about him. For example, he…
+ Declines $10,000 a night hotel rooms/ popemobile usage, wanting freedom to get out and meet ‘the people’
+ Broke tradition, asking some 150,000 people to pray for him
+ Faces controversy; opposes same-sex marriage and abortion
+ Wanting to honour that great servant to the poor and destitute, he chose ‘Francis’ (but without number 2 tacked on!). 
   
Blending with ordinary people
Here’s a pope who Is humble, authentic, credible and appears, in some ways, to be just a normal guy. Watching the news regarding this new pope, immediately brought to mind two things. One was that delightful underrated, overlooked 1985 Tom Conti movie, Saving Grace. 

It’s a classic that asks the question, ‘Have you seen the pope lately?’ Why? Because he’s hit the streets and disappeared!
A fictional, reluctant ‘Pope Leo XIV’ grows tired of the politics and insularity of his new position. Taking a few quiet moments in the open air, he puts his head back to feel the raindrops on his face: But he’s promptly ushered inside to bankers, politicians, and back-to-back blessings of politicos. But one day, Leo slips out a back gate and blends in with soccer crowds.
He ends up in a troubled Italian village and, incognito, sets out to make a difference. Asked his name, Leo says ‘Francesco.’ And indeed there is something of St Francis in the way this gentle man sets aside the trappings of wealth and power to join the townspeople in their poverty and toil.
More importantly…Jesus who came from heaven
But the other thing that struck me at the same time was this: The reality of Jesus Christ! 

Although the Son of God he willingly allowed himself to be made lower than angels (Heb. 2:9), left the splendour of the heavenly throne room, not the Holy See, to become the humble servant of this world’s troubled, poor, destitute, fearful and sick. 
Why? He wanted to move ‘out there’ and meet ordinary people, bringing blessings and become our Saviour and greatest friend.  And the head of the newfound church.
Matthew 20:28 Mge spells out this aspect of Jesus’ humility and people’s servant heart: ‘That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served – and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.’
‘Serve’ is diakononeo, sometimes translated ‘minister’ but with the thought of waiting on menially. No wonder his ministry on earth is considered that of the servant king. He didn’t take on the name Joseph, his respected and supposed father, but that of ‘Jesus’ for he would ‘save his people from their sins’ (Matt. 1:21). Verse 23 recognises the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy about his supernatural birth: ‘Call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’
Out there – among the people
Scripture depicts Jesus as the people’s friend. He was a marketplace minister who spent about a third of his ministry ‘out there’ not locked within the walls of some worship centre. 
In doing so he moved where the rubber hits the road. He felt people’s heartaches, hurts, burdensome governmental oppression, religious confusion, their wondering if God had forgotten them.  He touched their lives with good news, hope, healings, much comfort and wise, balanced advice and shared truths from God’s word.
Mark 6:56 Mge reads, ‘Wherever he went, village or town or countryside crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat – that’s all. And whoever touched him became well.’
‘Marketplace’ is the Greek word agorah, a town square. It comes from a base meaning to gather, to waken from disease, death, ruin. If you like…where people came together expecting something good – blessings just as in this Mark scripture.
Be an influencer
An important theme that blogs such as ours  stress again and again, is that all Christians carry the responsibility of reaching the unreached. That it’s not enough to attend church, tithe, worship God, individually experience the Holy Spirit and be personally blessed every week.
The church we attend when not ministering around, has a sign over an exit door which dramatically states, ‘You are now entering the mission field!’ How true. The mission field is wherever we go in the marketplace of life…school, college, uni, supermarket, café, restaurant, sports ground, hospital. Wherever we meet people.
Acts 17:12 describes some new Christians as ‘women and men of influence.’ This is what Jesus was – an influencer, one who liked to be among God’s creation encouraging them when opportunities arose…such as simply requesting a drink, a meal or miraculously instigating healings or sharing an uplifting word.
Personal example
Easter Saturday is regarded by Christians as a spiritually wasted day. Good Friday is over, Resurrection Sunday awaits and only a secular Saturday lies between. 
I (Robert) visited my local library to return DVDs and discovered only the emergency chute was open and it was over-full! As I endeavoured to push further in the several books, CDs and DVDs that other borrowers had jammed into the blocked opening, an out-of-town stranger arrived with the same errand. 
We chatted, became friends and I had the joy of influencing him, not in Sunday church, but ‘out there’ in the street and leading him to Christ. And praying over him for a healing. Then another lady needing help came along – another God-given opportunity. It was not a wasted Saturday after all! 
May we all be marketplace Christians, not missing opportunities to share the good news.

Eye-Openers


We like to be up-to-date, keeping an ear open to the Holy Spirit for his leadings and an eye on what is going on in church life and with different Christians. This comes from having a heart to obey God, being aware of the times (church and world) and encouraging Christians to enjoy the gift of life and serve their God.

Three March eye-opening matters caught our eye …

1. Reaching the ‘nones’
LifeWay Research’s Ed Stetzer (www.edstetzer.com/) penned an insightful article – 5 Things the Church Will Face in the Next 10 Years.

Dr Stetzer highlights matters essential to expanding the church in this age of self-centredness. But his number four focus – Evangelism in the Age of the Nones (No religion/church affiliation) – really got our attention.

It reads: ‘We are now increasingly facing what I have called a post-seeker context. This does not mean that seekers no longer exist. The Spirit is always at work in the hearts of people. But churches that once focused their energies and efforts toward targeting seekers are finding it more difficult to appeal to a constituency with little to no religious memory.’

He goes on: ‘Churches will have to find new ways to lead their people to reach out to their neighbours – not just attractional evangelism, but incarnational evangelism, as well – being, doing and telling good news where we live and work.’

2. Face-to-face evangelism
The immediate success of My Hope America with Billy Graham, a crusade with a difference. At least 10.2 million people saved to date!

This isn’t one ‘final-tour’ America-wide crusade by the 94-year-old evangelist. Its success is due to fresh thinking (actually first church thinking!) and a passion for souls. It’s been noted that ‘one-on-one conversationsare the root of this relationship evangelism outreach.’

Franklin Graham commented, ‘My father is as burdened today about the souls of men and women as he has been at any time in his life.’ Dr Graham said: ‘I think it is going to be a tremendous time of evangelism. That the Lord is going to use it mightily. I’ve been praying that we might have a spiritual awakening.’

Coincidently we attended a particular church’s beautiful new building launch this month. 

It was encouraging to hear the observations of the visionary visiting minister, still highly respected in his senior years. ‘This church has every reason to rejoice and celebrate the Lord’s honouring of your faithfulness and commitment in enabling the reality of this great building,’ he pointed out.

But, he added, the building in itself isn’t the church, that the real church is ‘out there’ and that church people must share with and lead the unsaved to Christ, and then get them into the building.

This is the challenge to every Christian. Yes, it’s great to have a building, but such will become empty if there isn’t more one-on-one, face-to-face sharing of the gospel of Christ ‘out there.’

3. Evin prison

Two stories from ASSIST News (www.assistnews.net) gripped us powerfully…

‘Our nightmare isn’t over!’ recounts how American citizen Saeed Abedini willingly returned to his native Iran nine months ago to continue work on building an orphanage. Revolutionary guards took the pastor to the notorious Evin prison. This is where inmates are routinely tortured, and hanging executions are swift and sudden.

Naghmeh, his distressed wife, writes: ‘Saeed was [later] given his eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. I know deep in my heart that unless we speak out and fight for him, Saeed might not survive the eight years in that horrific prison, especially because he continues to face continued abuse and death threats.’ (See #SaveSaeed– http://savesaeed.org/ )

We have the privilege of ministering to middle-easterners now committed Christians. They tell how God’s grace enabled them to leave their homelands, settle here and enjoy our religious freedom. Some tell of the perils Christian relatives back home face, that they are willing to go back to share Jesus and encouragements.

In view of what they’ve told us and what we pick up from ASSIST reports, we find it amazing that Pastor Saeed was so brave, so bold, to trust his Lord and return to help little children!

Sentenced to death, miraculously freed is the incredible report of Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh, two young ladies who also willingly returned to their homeland. Their God-given mission was to covertly distribute Farsi New Testaments and start two secret house churches.

They too were caught, imprisoned at Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison and sentenced to death for spreading Christianity. Amazingly, instead of succumbing to fear and the interrogation threats, these young Christians, committed to Christ, chose to take the dangerous step of sharing their faith inside that very gaol. Evin prison became their church!

Through God’s grace and intercessory prayers of Christians worldwide, charges were dropped; they were released in 2009 and migrated to Atlanta.

What gripped us here too is this: These two young people were so committed to Jesus’ great commission to share his good news with their own people, at the risk of their own lives, they dared to move into danger – to where promoting Christianity is a capital crime and official charges ‘of apostasy, anti-government activity, and blasphemy’ means sentence of execution by hanging.

Australia – the lucky country
Rereading these two stories, the willingness and commitment of young Christians to endanger themselves in sharing the gospel,we couldn’t help but recall an old truth: So many Christians in this land of (currently!) religious freedom just haven’t got a clue what it is to be persecuted for Jesus!

So many moan and groan when pastors call for commitment to growth projects, to connecting with the unsaved and unchurched. Worse, we rarely consider praying for ‘our Christian family’ in restricted nations such as the Middle East and Asia. Yet for decades these brethren have prayed for us!

Regarding the outstanding Billy Graham outreach, how many realise that face-to-face, one-on-one witnessing is the secret to connecting with non-Christians, preparing the way so the Spirit can lead them to Christ.
As for the ‘Nones’… we need to be Jesus in our locales, marketplaces, schools and such. Active Christians not afraid to move in the Spirit’s supernatural …and as Dr Stetzer put it – ‘being, doing and telling good news where we live and work.’


The Day That Einstein Feared May Have Finally Arrived!


What a title for a funny but realistic link of young people totally absorbed with their mobiles and tablets. Check it out. At the end there’s  and image of Einstein dourly commenting, ‘I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.’

 
A reality?  Definitely – we’ve observed quite a few times …
+ Groups of young people in restaurants so absorbed texting who knows who ‘somewhere out there in mobile space’ while ignoring their gathered friends and even the ordered meals.
+ Romantic Valentine’s Days in restaurants with young, even older so-termed mature guys who should know better,  ignoring female companions as they busy themselves mobile texting or chatting.
+ Crowded India – young people chatting away on mobiles while weaving in and out of throngs. Some were using two mobiles – one for each ear – and even while riding mopeds!
+ ‘Double- phone using’  in Australia …young people so involved, mesmerised, busy phoning or rapid texting, snappily taking photos and forwarding them immediately with text to friends.
+ Many young people don’t talk anymore … they just text.
What a world, 2013 is! To quote from Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act V, Scene I, ll. 203–206…‘O brave new world…That has such people in’t.’
New meaning for the church text?
Traditionally the church text was the minister’s sermon for Sunday. In our ‘Brave New World’ of cyberspace technology it has a completely different meaning! 
In ministering in various churches we’ve actually observed what the photo below depicts.  Teenagers and young adults, even kids, ignoring worship times and even the sermon as they engaged in their own Sunday text chats or game playing.

Recently we noted a whole row of kids studiously utilising their tablets, ignoring parents and adults around. Lost in their own little world they were completely closed off to the pastor who was inviting everyone to be involved in the superb worship. Then we heard a pastor’s wife’s mobile go off with a loud ring!

In some large churches in the States and elsewhere with-it whiz-kids message their church friends about what the speaker is sharing on. And that some ministers actually encourage this. 

‘It’s the world today, the world we live in, the technology available to us. Get with it, this is today’s highway. It’s fun to write on Facebook walls, to text and Twitter’ come the smart responses, we’re told. Needless to say, any senior raising an eyebrow and wondering where it’s all heading is regarded as an old fogy!
A new highway
Continuing uncertainty around the world causes some to think that Jesus is coming back soon – despite false prophecies and lack of scripture understanding. Therefore it’s good to remember what far-seeing Isaiah’s chapter 40:3, ‘Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.’ 
It’s great that so many pastors and churches are with it tech-wise and utilising everything available and affordable today. They have embraced the concept of a super highway to communicate the eternal unchanging principles of God. The old saying, ‘The method may change but the message – never!’ remains valid.
All mature Christians – including seniors who have pioneered the way for the younger generation in church life – should remain insightful; embrace today’s advances and resources and enter the current church highway following the Holy Spirit’s leadings.
For there’s an onus on us to ensure that the younger generation, whether kids, teens or young adult, do not switch off from the deeper things of God, that we strive to be relevant in what we share with them. To be as Paul wrote of himself – all things to all people.
This brave new world of computer-type gizmo technology is marvellous to behold – and embrace. Yet recently TV news revealed great concerns that have arisen due to young children’s exposure to this world…mere laptop game-playing and screen-time only without the reality of close friendships with neighbouring kids has resulted in some kids to become computer addicts.
This has consequently flowed into their teenage years and young adulthood. Many church kids of whatever age are no exception.
Some great good news
We’re delighted to report that we’ve had the joy of ministering in churches where the lead minister knows that God’s word has power indeed but must be delivered by speakers with genuine God-given charisma.
Such ministers ensure that kids are well catered for by gifted personnel. Leaders who have long ago dropped the old Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam type choruses and utilise creative facilities wisely made available.
We’ve noted teenagers and youth equally well catered for by ingenuous, with-it youth leaders. And young people being periodically used in upfront ministry to allow such experiences develop recognised ministries.
What blesses us most is discovering an outstanding desire among many young people to…
1) Spend time with seniors who make sense –who understand where they’re at, do not condemn, share and speak meaningfully into their lives, greatly encouraging on a one-on-one basis.
2) Learn from ministers, and those who have been around for years, who not only preach what should be done in certain circumstances but also teach how to do it.
3) Discover more about the Holy Spirit, his friendship, how to trust him and move in his supernatural in everyday living, and know that he’s not a Sunday only God.
4) Listen attentively to genuine speakers; those who speak clearly (No incomplete ‘Ya know what I mean’), simplify God’s word, are down-to-earth and give practical examples and, if they use PowerPoints, do so wisely.
5) Recognise the importance of authentic interaction with God, other Christians and church leaders.
In short, there’s a growing number of Christian youth, willing to switch off from their mobile and tablet world, and really learn about God and his ways. These are bright young folk and that Einstein quotation won’t apply to them! They’ll be an amazing generation.
Such a generation, when handled wisely by pastors, leaders and seniors who have been around experience-wise and know how to encourage and inspire, will take the church onto a higher level. 

Yes, they’ll use their computer know-how but what a brave new world they’ll make with the Spirit’s help before the return of Jesus – whenever that will be.