dark times

DARK TIMES, DARK TROUBLEMAKER

(September 30, 2025) Robert McQuillan shares sincerely…

Continually there’s bad news… dark news on TV! More robberies, killings, troubles, sinning, not just by adult men and women of various ages but also by kids!

Society is concerned that many caught criminals are not dealt with by courts as expected, that TV news reports that some already on bail are immediately re-released on bail. Our own state here has thousands of unsolved crimes and one really feels for the police. Then there’s the ongoing concern of possible world war…

Scripture and Satan’s Opponent
Dark days all around, dark deception, and a dark deceiver behind it all.

But… an opening question in this article— do people, even Christians really realise that there is a particular dark force behind all that’s not right in the world today, a force that’s always been behind humanity’s darkness, stirring people to commit atrocities?

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WORRIED ABOUT DARK TIMES WORLDWIDE?

(June 23, 2025) Robert and Maureen McQuillan remind us that God is still in charge…

To be concerned about what’s going in our own nation let alone around the world is only natural— especially if you’re a Christian who really cares! There’s great concern over recent TV news reports about—

  • The continuing Russia/Ukraine war. 
  • Escalating crime among youths/kids on bail. Especially machetes incidents.
  • Stolen cars/dangerous driving (one was driven through a large shopping complex).
  • Deliberate vehicle smashes into shops, particularly ongoing tobacco shop ‘wars.’
  • And of course the weekend’s incredible Iran/America/Israel bombing incident.

Worrying Times
Other life issues and incidents lead to preachers talking about being in ‘dark times.’ Funny but in watching Worrying Times an old WW2 movie last week, at one point prime minister Winston Churchill tells England that they are living in dark times!

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SAINT PATRICK – HERO OF THE FAITH!

(March 8, 2023), Alan Higgins challenges us to be like Patrick – a radical disciple and missionary!

Next week, March 17, will be Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Personally, I’ll be remembering what Ireland’s patron saint achieved in respect of discipleship and mission… and I share some thoughts here.

The main scriptures – familiar to many – that I have chosen for this article are Jeremiah 29:11 and Matthew 28:16-20 … scriptures, I believe, that must have been on Patrick’s heart.

What can we learn from them… and what do they tell us about Saint Patrick, the Irish legend?

1. Patrick’s life… 
Exemplifies Jesus’ command to reach the lost. The gospels give us the following messages from the heartbeat of Jesus, not just Patrick, on the importance of fulfilling the great commission.

Matthew 28:16-20 is what Patrick set out to do in Ireland – to make disciples in this nation. His life and ministry teach us to be open to the call of God in our lives.

  • His beginning in Ireland did not dictate his future, but drew him into a love relationship with Jesus.
  • His relationship with Jesus helped him to overcome adverse circumstances in both his teen and later years.
  • His ability to draw close to God and forgive had a dramatic impact on the Irish people.
  • His willingness to follow God’s call makes him a hero of the faith.

Let’s learn from this man of God and ask ourselves a few questions. Such as: ‘Am I willing to draw closer to God in turbulent times? Am I willing and able to forgive those who have caused pain in my life? Am I willing to follow the call of God and even give my life to those who enslaved me?’

If you do, you too could become a hero of the faith just like Patrick!

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