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Church News:
Mar 25 Crime Capital Paused During Intense Prayer when 4,000 worldwide intercessors covering the city in prayer 24/7last week. Ciudad Juarez in Mexico had the notoriety of being “the most violent zone in the world outside of declared war zones” would average 30 incidents on a normal day. Juarez is a major center of narcotics trafficking linked to the powerful Juarez Cartel made worse with complexity from the police and politicians. Ed Silvoso reported that only 1 murder happened on the first day of the prayer campaign and 2 murders each day following. "We ministered to pastors overseeing 500 churches, and to 25 captains of industry, followed by an instructional challenge to 300+ top influencers who had never heard the full Gospel before."
 Mar 5 Britain making haste to un-Great itself
-Christians who want to be Christians are demoted or fired
-Legislation to criminalise Christian speech and practise whilst gay and muslim rights are protected
-Muslim heading BBC religion broadcasting
Watch this CBN's broadcast
It is one thing to pass a law that permits evil but it is something more to pass a law that compels evil. We have not been here before in a civilised society.
(submitted by Dr L Dunjey)
There is one thing higher than Royalty:
and that is religion, which causes us
to leave the world, and seek God. Queen Elizabeth (1923)
Feb 15 Riverview Churchis still growing with life even without their senior pastor, Phil Baker, since June 2009 when he underwent a major surgery and now in recuperation. Ps Phil had over the years instilled leadership skills onto his staff members and these have handsomely paid off through their loyalty, commitment and teamwork during his absence. The leadership team under Ps Haydn Nelson, Executive Minister, is keeping very close to the ethos of Riverview with their usual practical teaching and lively worship (some observers even mentioned of added spiritual dimension to it all) that not only kept the regulars coming back but had also drawn in several newcomers to their regular services. The Christian community in the city at large is missing Phil Baker who had in the past had been a significant contributoer in city-wide campaigns and for his leadership and vision-castings. Ps Phil, the Church in Perth is praying for your full recovery. Thanks be to Jesus Christ, the builder of His Church (Matthew 16:18), for jealously guarding one of His own in Perth.
Jan 31 HAITI, A NATION IN MOURNING
I cannot recall a nation on earth who had suffered so much loss than the earthquake on Jan 13 that had wrought on Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with a population of 9 millions.
A New York Times journalist on site had this to report, “For most of the past 20 hours I’ve been hiking the earthquake-rubbled streets of Port-au-Prince. Tuesday night, when we had less idea of the scope of the devastation, there was singing all over town: songs with lyrics like “O Lord, keep me close to you” and “Forgive me, Jesus.” Preachers stood atop boxes and gave impromptu sermons, reassuring their listeners in the dark: “It seems like the Good Lord is hiding, but he’s here. He’s always here.” Why, then, turn to a God who seems to be absent at best and vindictive at worst? Haitians don’t have other options. The country has a long legacy of repression and exploitation; international peacekeepers come and go; the earth no longer provides food; jobs almost don’t exist. Perhaps a God who hides is better than nothing.”
However, according to TV evangelist, Pat Robertson, God was actively engaging with the Haitians and the earthquake was the latest string of curse received by Haitians for a historical pact they made with the devil. He went on to add that perhaps a national spiritual re-awakening will grip the nation and something good will come out of it.
May I suggest a more biblical view on this earthquake. It is about a loving God who is stretching out his hands to us all the time whether in Port-au-Prince or in Perth.
Jesus Christ was deeply moved in spirit and troubled when he was in the company of mourners after the death of Lazarus and he wept. Once there were some people who approached Jesus for His agreement on the just punishment given to a group of rebels by Pilate he shocked them in reply by telling them that they would likewise perish. He added that even those who were innocently found at the tower in Siloam when it all suddenly collapsed and crushed them to death were just as guilty and deserving death as all who lived in Jerusalem. Unless you repent, you will all perish. Luke 13:1-5
There is hope for all who are living, unless we repent and turn from our sinful ways and seek God we will suffer the same fate.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Letters to the Editor:
... you got to the heart of the matter in just a few short sentences with Luke 13:1-5. That scripture answers that age old theological/philosophical question framed with the faulty premise “why do bad things happen to “good” people” – the answer given by Jesus Christ invalidates the faulty premise of this perceived “innocence/goodness” and mercifully shifts its emphasis to a sovereign, holy and loving God who simply says all of us; whether we be Haitians or any other nationality: “repent, lest you likewise perish”. Though you might think this too censorious, I contend that if the Haitians have made a “pact” with the devil - likes of Pat Robertson and his “Total Blasphemy Network” (TBN) have made an international treaty with him. He ought not to boast before the Lord – his own “earthquake” may be just around the corner. God is merciful and good, holy and just, and not desirous that any should perish – may God grant us the grace to believe this, come what may…
R Moss,
Parkwood
 Jan 29 Tower of Babel: Men's Unending Quest to be the Master of Universe
Let us be clear that in creating mankind God had intended that we were to have pre-eminence over all His creation (Gen 1:26-28). The origin of sin happened when the serpert tricked Eve and Adam in believing that they could be like God simply by eating the fruit from the forbidden tree that would give them the knowledge of good and evil. By so doing they broke the only one rule God gave to them (Gen 2:16-17). Evil does not exist apart from God but when mankind chose to rebel through disobedience to God evil came alive. Ever since been ejected from the Garden of Eden mankind had struggled on to be their own master of the universe. Nothing is more pronounced in this quest than to build the tallest edifice that reaches out to the heavens. The Tower of Babel was the first attempt along this path and today the 828m tall Burj Dubai is mankind’s latest and boldest attempt.
Incidentally, building the tallest buildings often started well but ended in controversy, here are some examples:
*Empire State Building, symbolic of the rising influence of New York, was completed at the depth of the Great Depression
*World Trade Centre did enjoyed some years of glory but all that was taken away in matters of hours in 2001
*Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas twin towers were built as the economic meltdown hit Asia hardest in the 1990s and even today it is still considered by many as a white-elephant project - a legacy of the Malaysia Boleh can-do era of former PM Mahathir
*Taipei’s 101 was to be the pride of Taiwanese in the face of growing world attention on mainland China but ever since its completion in 2004 the nation struggled to grow and the Global Financial Crisis just added to their woes
On November 25th 2009 the Dubai government shocked the world with the announcement that it was asking creditors of Dubai World, a large state-owned conglomerate of companies and owner of Dubai Burj, for a six month standstill on debt repayments.
There is a tree in the Garden of Eden which is called the Tree of Life.
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:21-24
The good news is that we can re-gain access to the Tree of Life (Rev 2:7,22ff).
To be like God (Gen 3:5) as the serpent enticed Eve to do is in itself not a bad thing, in fact, we are urged to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-2), but certainly we are at our own peril apart from God.
Jan 27 Riots in Jos not Religious but Satanic and Criminal claimed the Anglican Archbishop, Benjamin Kwashi. "Why are Muslims and Christians unable to live together in peace on the Jos? Why is there a continuing recurrence of violence? What seems to be a recurring decimal is that over time, those who have in the past used violence to settle political issues, economic issues, social matters, intertribal disagreements, or any issue for that matter, now continue to use that same path of violence and cover it up with religion. We must pray against the powers of hell.", he writes in his hard-hitting article appearing in Christianity Today.
Jan 19 Regionalised 'Allah' Illogical, Inconsistent and Untenable claimed Rev Jerry Dusing, head of Sabah SIB. the largest Malaysian founded Christian denomination
as he rejected the directives coming from the Malaysian Prime Minister Department to resolve the issue that gripped the nation since Dec 31 High Court judgment. "The intended concession also goes against the spirit and intent of the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia concept of forging unity and harmony among all races and religions by mutual respect and acceptance," Rev Dusing said.
Read also: Why I Use 'Allah' by Ps Eu Hong Seng
Jan 8 Th ree Malaysian Churches fire-bombed early this morning in respond to the High Court ruling on Dec 31 regarding the use of the name, Allah, in church publications (see Jan 4 report below). A government-sanctioned march by Muslims in protest of this judgment had gone ahead today in Kuala Lumpur.
Woman prayed outside the AOG Metro Tabernacle Church that was set on fire by arsonists.
(source: Malaysian Insider)
<more>
SIB Church in Negre Sembilan latest church fire-bombed
Jan 5 Singapore's former PM Lee (LKY) on the rise of evangelical Christians in Singapore: Most Chinese here are Buddhists or Taoists... I’m one of them, so it is a tolerant society. It says, whatever you want to believe, you go ahead. These youngsters, the educated ones, now they are all English-educated, their mother tongue is the second language. Therefore, they begin to read Western books... So they begin to question: What is this mumbo-jumbo, ancestors and so on? And then (there are) Christian groups who go out and evangelise. They catch them in their teens, when they’re malleable and open to suggestion. And they become very fervent evangelists themselves. My granddaughter is one of them. She’s now 28. My wife used to tell her (to look for someone to marry. But my granddaughter says) God will arrange it. They (evangelical Christians) know that if they get politically active, they will incite the Buddhists, the Taoists, the Muslims, the Hindus. (source: The Malaysian Insider)
Jan 4 Chaos In the Name of Allah after the High Court of Malaysia ruled that the prohibition by the Home Ministry on a Catholic newsletter use of the name is constitutional. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak called for calm after Muslims demonstrated against the court ruling. Oppostion party PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, have reportedly said it was permissible for followers of Abrahamic faiths to use “Allah”. However, Nasharudin Mat Isa his deputy, disagreed, "The court decision is not only against the Constitution but it also goes against our faith, and this cannot be accepted". And among the governing party, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, a deputy minister in the administration of Prime Minister and the son of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had protested against the High Court ruling. Dr Mahathir himself has disparaged the judgment, calling for the use of “Allah” to be strictly governed lest it inflames the Muslims. However his daughter, Datuk Marina Mahathir, described those mourning the “loss” of the word “Allah” as 'idiots', "A confident Muslim will not walk into a church, hear a liturgy in Malay or Arabic where they use the word 'Allah' and then think that he or she is in a mosque. A confident Muslim knows the difference,” she wrote in her blog. <more>
The word is derived from “The Sole Deity” in Semitic languages, which include Hebrew, Syriac, Aramaic, and pre-Islamic Arabic. Islam is a system of belief, not a race, nation or language. To equate everything Arabic with everything Islamic is misleading, as they are two different things. Plus if the authorities really did go to schools with Islamic curricula, they would know well that pagan Arabs, before the birth of Muhammad, called their gods Allah and goddesses Allat. Yes, it should be in your religious history textbooks. Look it up.
Ruby
Jakarta Post
Dec 22 A house built during the time Jesus was living in Nazareth was unveiled by archaeologists just in time for Christmas. "They say if the people do not speak, the stones will speak," said a smiling Reverend Jack Karam of the nearby Basilica of the Anunciation, the site where Christian tradition says Mary received the angel's word. <more>
 Dec 16Evangelist Oral Roberts died at 91 from complication after a fall in his home. He was the founder of Oral Roberts University. Centred on healing Dr Robert had never felt comfortable with the label of a 'faith-healer'. He had been credited for bringing the charismatics into the mainstream and for the use of television as an evangelical tool. <more>
God wants you well. God wants you prosperous. God wants you a whole person.
Oral Roberts
It was 1995, I was there at his church. He preached on "Let's go over to the other side". It was the story about Jesus sleeping in a storm (Lk 8:22-25). He demonstrated by sleeping on a pillow. The sermon is still so clear in my mind. Oral Roberts, I missed you. Rewards are installed for you in Heaven.
Ps Allen Tan
If God had not in his sovereign will raised up the ministry of Oral Roberts, the entire charismatic movement might not have occurred.
Dr Jack Hayford
Oral Roberts was a man of God, and a great friend in ministry. Just three weeks ago, I was privileged to talk to Oral on the telephone. During the short conversation, he said to me that he was near the end of his life's journey. I look forward to the day that I will see Oral and Evelyn Roberts again in heaven -- our eternal home.
Dr Billy Graham
Comments Received:
While it is sad for his family at hid passing...your article should have given the other side to his ministry for a balanced view.
His true legacy was to give to the church his twisted seed-faith heresy..the damage he caused to the true Gospel continues to go forth on Christian television today..this heresy has caused a lot of genuine people to fall away...
So a little balance would be good for your readers on your web site and would show some integrity...
Paul Harkins
 Dec 15 SMOG OVER CHINA The picture of Perth covered in smog this morning is reminiscent of the major cities in China. However the cause of the pollution in Perth is the result of bush fires which unlike China will only stay for a day or two. Imaging living in cities that are continued covered in ill-health air pollutants? At the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen yesterday China led the G77 in a mass walkout protesting against rich nations’ reluctance in providing adequate funding for developing nations to combat climate change. Ironically, China leads the world in carbon emission on a national scale and Australia has the dubious honour as the worst polluter on a per capita count. Australia has a sparse population with an enviable expanse of open space and oceans to minimise the effect of man-made air pollutants.
China is living in borrowed time with their citizens who were willing in the past to trade-in clean air for material progress. As the Chinese get wealthier they are now demanding a healthier environment and expecting their government to take action. More than ever the 1.3 billion Chinese had to be steered beyond a culture of ever expanding production and consumption habits that lack social responsibility and accountability into a culture marked by higher ethical and social orders. Until a government and its bureaucracy begin acting responsibly with enlightened social conscience it is unlikely to see the citizenry moved to take on the higher callings in life. The same can be said of countries like Myanmar and Malaysia.
Timothy Tay
Righteousness makes a nation great; sin is a disgrace to any nation.
(Proverbs 14:34)
Related Links:
Blue skies are very rare in Hong Kong today
China shutdown its largest church
Malaysia's claim exclusivity for 'Allah' now under question
 Herft in No Mood for Gay Ordination
WA Anglican's Archbishop Roger Herft condemned the election of a lesbian assistant bishop by the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, a part of the worldwide Anglican communion. 'Similar move would not have been allowed to happen in WA', Herft was reported to have said on Dec 8, 2009 edition of The West Australian, "The US body had gone against the Anglican global covenant created at last year's Lamberth Conference, which asked that a moratorium be placed on the election of gay people to senior positions in the Church until the matter had been debated further."
Archbishop Herft's public denouncement of appointment of known gay in church leadership is to be balanced with his article on the subject posted on the July 4, 2006 edition of Sydney Morning Herald that may appear that he is comfortable with such appointment. In the article titled, “Love and generosity should guide Anglicans”, he wrote, “The church of God called into being by the act of Christ must be particularly careful in its judgements and its exclusions - for, as Jesus reminds those whom he chooses, we are not called to respect or tolerate each other - but to love one another, particularly those we determine to be the "enemy". The heat is on. The gay and lesbian person is placed on the altar - the presenting cause of schism. While the church beats itself into a frenzy it may easily forget that its primary vocation is to love, to make judgements without deeply loving is to hate, and hate is a cycle that leaves the cross standing powerless - without resurrection.”
Welcome the sinner and show him or her the Way to sin no more.
Scripture: John 8:1-11 Woman caught in adultery
Related article: Churches and Charities can discriminate against gay people
  Dec 2 Johnny Lee Clary, from Persecutor to Reconcilator. A frequent visitor to Perth, Johnny Lee Clary, has formerly taken up the role of an evangelist in a predominated black denomination, Church of God in Christ (COGIC). It will make a 'huge statement that the former national imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan would join the Church of God in Christ and reach out with the Church of God in Christ to bring racial reconciliation to America', says Lee Clary, "we want to take this back to where it was when William Seymour (a black) and the Azusa Street Revival was happening, when blacks and whites were together. This is what's needed for this nation now to overcome racism." He went on to add, "I know the answer to racial reconciliation, and that's Jesus Christ. They all come to me, even secular people are saying, ‘What changed you?' I tell them, ‘The only thing that changed me was the Word of God.' Because when I accepted Christ ... I had to get my mind renewed, and that was through God's Word." <more>
watch J Lee Clary interview on Enough Rope
Dec 1 Liquor shop go-ahead despite residents protest against Belmont Council. The councillors claimed that their hands were tied as the location was zoned commercial. There are many Aboriginal people in Rivervale where the shop is to be sited. Aboriginal Val Woods, citing health and social concerns, pleaded during public uestion time for the bottle shoop not to be approved, saying it would lead to distress for local families. She spoke of the heartace of calming down family members when they hd too much to drink. (Southern Gazette)
Nov 23 'Coma' man found to be concious after 23 years shocked the medical and ethical thinkers. The Belgian man was wrongly diagnosed as in coma when he was in fact concious even though he could not communicate. "I would scream, but no sound would come out,'' he said. "I will never forget the day they finally discovered what was wrong - it was my second birth.'' more
Nov 2 Riverview Church celebrating 30th year anniversary. Originally founded in Dec 1979 as ‘Inner Faith Fellowship’ in Dec 1979 when its first meeting was held in a hall in Belmont and today it is located at a strategic site in Burswood, Joodalup and Cockburn Sound. Events to mark the anniversary celebration will be held between Nov 27 -29. Wayne Alcorn will be speaking at the church on Nov 29. more
Oct 22 Dissident Anglicans becoming Catholics, Perth Archbishops expressed their views. The West Australian reported today that Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey welcomed the move but said new members would have to identify first and foremost as Catholics. Anglican Archbishop Roger Herft also welcomed the development, claiming it would not make a serious dent on Anglican membership as "Anglicans have a particular understanding of authority . . . There have been questions marks about papal authority." Ed. Not surprising that these were the viewpoints expressed by the head shepherds of two major flocks within the Church in Perth, one expressing the arching need to identify to the denomination and the other expressing a tinge of indifference to the unhappy situation that had caused the move. Herft also credited to have said, “I think we need to bless them and help them to move on without feeling disgruntled.” Pray that he may have even more grace for those disgrunted who had chosen to stay.
Oct 20 Three leading pastors of Perth churches are sharing time on the same pulpit in a single morning service on Sunday Oct 25 as a declaration of unity in spirit and in the truth. Pastors Margaret Court of Victory Life Ctr, John McElroy of Churchlands CC and David Storer of Perth CLC with combined church membership of over 5000 have together being leading regular pastoral prayer sessions in Perth for about a year now.
Oct 9 Hey Hey skit went awry. What started as a light-hearted reunion for five talented individuals for a repeat of a performance done 20 years ago on the same show had now become an international embarrassment for Australia because of its racial overtone even though it was clearly not in the performers’ intent. Could we have stepped backward in openness and tolerance as a cabinet minister appeared to have lamented over the unwanted attention? Or is this a lingering Australian racial heritage that had became sublimated but nevertheless a real and present threat to the progress and peace that the nation is enjoying? If there is a final word of advice on this saga it may well come from Kamahl, a much adored singer who emigrated to Australia from Malaysia - “Hey Hey is devoid of wit and desperate. It’s toilet humour and it should be flushed.”
Sep 30 Church collapse in Nepal in the midst of a conference killing 23 and injuring dozens. <more>
Dec 1 Liquor shop go-ahead despite residents protest against Belmont Council. The councillors claimed that their hands were tied as the location was zoned commercial. There are many Aboriginal people in Rivervale where the shop is to be sited. Aboriginal Val Woods, citing health and social concerns, pleaded during public uestion time for the bottle shoop not to be approved, saying it would lead to distress for local families. She spoke of the heartace of calming down family members when they hd too much to drink. (Southern Gazette)
Nov 23 'Coma' man found to be concious after 23 years shocked the medical and ethical thinkers. The Belgian man was wrongly diagnosed as in coma when he was in fact concious even though he could not communicate. "I would scream, but no sound would come out,'' he said. "I will never forget the day they finally discovered what was wrong - it was my second birth.'' more
Nov 2 Riverview Church celebrating 30th year anniversary. Originally founded in Dec 1979 as ‘Inner Faith Fellowship’ in Dec 1979 when its first meeting was held in a hall in Belmont and today it is located at a strategic site in Burswood, Joodalup and Cockburn Sound. Events to mark the anniversary celebration will be held between Nov 27 -29. Wayne Alcorn will be speaking at the church on Nov 29. more
Oct 22 Dissident Anglicans becoming Catholics, Perth Archbishops expressed their views. The West Australian reported today that Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey welcomed the move but said new members would have to identify first and foremost as Catholics. Anglican Archbishop Roger Herft also welcomed the development, claiming it would not make a serious dent on Anglican membership as "Anglicans have a particular understanding of authority . . . There have been questions marks about papal authority." Ed. Not surprising that these were the viewpoints expressed by the head shepherds of two major flocks within the Church in Perth, one expressing the arching need to identify to the denomination and the other expressing a tinge of indifference to the unhappy situation that had caused the move. Herft also credited to have said, “I think we need to bless them and help them to move on without feeling disgruntled.” Pray that he may have even more grace for those disgrunted who had chosen to stay.
Oct 20 Three leading pastors of Perth churches are sharing time on the same pulpit in a single morning service on Sunday Oct 25 as a declaration of unity in spirit and in the truth. Pastors Margaret Court of Victory Life Ctr, John McElroy of Churchlands CC and David Storer of Perth CLC with combined church membership of over 5000 have together being leading regular pastoral prayer sessions in Perth for about a year now.
Oct 9 Hey Hey skit went awry. What started as a light-hearted reunion for five talented individuals for a repeat of a performance done 20 years ago on the same show had now become an international embarrassment for Australia because of its racial overtone even though it was clearly not in the performers’ intent. Could we have stepped backward in openness and tolerance as a cabinet minister appeared to have lamented over the unwanted attention? Or is this a lingering Australian racial heritage that had became sublimated but nevertheless a real and present threat to the progress and peace that the nation is enjoying? If there is a final word of advice on this saga it may well come from Kamahl, a much adored singer who emigrated to Australia from Malaysia - “Hey Hey is devoid of wit and desperate. It’s toilet humour and it should be flushed.”
Sep 30 Church collapse in Nepal in the midst of a conference killing 23 and injuring dozens. <more>
Set 21 Riverview Church's
Phil Baker has moved to a clinic connected to the hospital after making genuine
progress since his surgeries in June. Medical specialists are pleased with
his improvement. However, they have re-affirmed that the recovery will take
significant time. As an indication of the recovery time the popular Phil
Baker-led Business Leaders Breakfast which was re-scheduled for June 2010 had
to be postposed indefinitely. For the latest update please
click
here.
Sep 18 Help Us Re-shape the Abortion Debate, ACL Appeal.
Last Saturday the Weekend Australian
Magazine ran a moving
front cover picture of a premature baby born at 23 weeks gestation. The cover
line said:
For
Dear Life
Babies born at just 23 weeks can now be saved, but they risk severe
disability. Has medical science gone too far?
Because babies older than this are killed by abortion, we
believe a more appropriate question is Has abortion gone too far?
We have designed this advertisement
for tomorrow’s Weekend
Australian newspaper. Financial support from the
groups listed on the bottom of the advertisement has made it possible for the
ad to run nationally.
Please buy a copy of The Weekend Australian,
cut out the advertisement and post it with a letter to your local State and
Federal Member of Parliament.
You might tell them:
- That you oppose abortion
- To work to find ways to support women with
unsupported pregnancies, rather than offering abortion as the first
choice
- That they reduce its frequency and immediately ban
late term and partial birth abortion
- To recognise that every abortion takes the life of an
unborn baby
You can find your State Members here (addresses are on websites)
WA - http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Members
Addresses for Federal Members can be found here.
Society is in denial about the reality and tragedy of abortion for babies and
for women who carry the grief of abortion.
If you follow this compelling advertisement up with action to your State
member and encourage friends to do so as well, this would help create a
‘tipping point’ on abortion in this country.
Obviously these advertisements are expensive and despite the generosity of
the groups involved, not all of our costs are covered. If you would like to
contribute to the cost of this advertisement, please click here to
make a secure online donation.
God bless
Jim
Wallace AM
Managing Director
Sep 7 Jesus All About
Life Banner Campaign had kick started with 100s of banners
around Perth helping to build awareness of the name of Jesus across NSW and
WA. The ads are contemporary and focus on real issues that people face.
Attention too will be drawn to related events running across the WA communities
<more>.
Sep 5 Whilst Kaka,
World Player '07, acknowledges that Argentina's Barcelona player, Messi, is
the best soccer player in the world today, he is optimistic this weekend
clash between Brazil and Argentina will go in favour of Brazil as pressure
built up on Diego Maredona-led Argentinian side to perform well after dismal
lead-ups. Kaka is rarely off the lime-light and his faith in Jesus Christ too
goes hand-in-hand with his soccer stardom even to the extend that
soccer-governing body FIFA is planning to clampdown on overt religious displays
<more>.
Aug 26 AG Assured
Prostitution Amendment Act 2008 Non-Operative. AG
Christian Porter in respond to a letter from the public re-affirmed the WA
government stand, "At the time the State election was called this Act
had not been proclaimed. Consequently, it has not come into operation and the
State Government does not intend that it ever will. Work is currently
underway to develop new legislation governing prostituion which will provide
a strong regulatory and enforcement framework which meets the undertakings
given by the Government during the last election. The legislation will
provide mechanisms for controlling the spread of brothels and strong
penalties for illegal involvement in prostitution."
Aug 21 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA) voted today to
open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other
professional workers living in committed relationships. The action came by a
vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member
denomination. <more>
related
view: Heavenly
displeasure over church's decision
Aug 7 Rivaval has come to South Africa according to evangelist
Rodney Howard-Browne as the nation caught in the grip of soccer's World Cup
fever as the nation plays host in 2010, "In 30 years now of ministry,
I've never seen anything like this in my life. What is happening here is everything that I prayed
for in America," Howard-Browne said. "I don't know why God did it
here first." <more>
Aug 1 ALP
party-cardholders gathered in Sydney to consider
amongst other issues one centering on 'liberalising' defnition of marriage,
in short, inclusion of same-sex couples. PM Kevin Rudd personally opposed it
but the sentiments of his party's leadership team appear to move the other
direction.
Ed: In an article, Same
sex marriage, an experiment we will live to regret, Australian
Prayer Network warns, "Advocates of same-sex marriage say marriage is a
private affair between two consenting adults, regardless of gender.
Therefore, gay marriage is all about ending discrimination. It's a sweet
idea, this notion that marriage is just private love sealed by the state. The
state has always protected marriage because, in a nutshell, it guarantees
society's future. The state has a long history of defending traditional
marriage not because it likes to put its stamp of approval on love affairs
but because of its institutional value: marriage has withstood the test of
time as the best way to rear the next generation."
Breaking News: ALP caucus decided to keep marriage as union between a male and
a female, however, with a possible change in position in the future.
Jul 15 Nine Malaysian Christians arrested for trying to
convert Muslim university students - a serious crime punishable by prison in
this Muslim-majority country. Proselytising of Muslims by members of other
religions is forbidden in Malaysia, though the reverse is allowed. Muslims,
who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 28 million people, are also not
legally permitted to change religion. <ST
reports>
Jun 21
Hon. John Howard will be the speaker for this year's Menzies Lecture to be
held on 26 Aug. He will be addressing the proposed Charter of Rights.
Jun 16 A biology program originally approved in the Australian state of New
South Wales to teach public schoolchildren about the “Wonder of Life” before birth has
been banned because of its creator's connections to pro-life groups. <more>
Jun 12 Phil Baker, snr pastor of Riverview Church, underwent
surgery for the removal of a spherical tumour located in the back left of his
brain. Haydn
Nelson, the acting Executive Minister, who contacted the body of Christ in Perth
to pray on their church's behalf had this to add, " The coming days will
have both tears and laughter and, no matter what the future holds, we are
ready to walk this journey of faith with Phil and Heather."
Join 3000+ 'Praying for Phil
Baker' @Facebookready
to walk this journey of faith with Phil and Heather."
May 25 Don’t Leave us with the Bill:
The Case Against an Australian Bill of Rights published by the Menzies Research
Centre, WA book launch comprising a range of essays by Australians of different
ages and backgrounds making the case against an Australian bill or charter of
rights. Contributors include former Prime Minister John Howard, Professor
James Allan, Professor Helen Irving, Senator George Brandis, Cardinal George
Pell and ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace. The book will be launched by
Member for Bateman, the Hon Christian Porter MLA, on Wednesday 27 May 2009 at
the Constitution Centre of Western Australia. For further details including
RSVP arrangements click
here.
Michelle Pearse, ACL WA State Director
May 15 Charter of Human Rights will
effectively transfer responsibility for our values on human rights from
elected Parliamentarians to unelected judges. The repercussion on the Church
of similar legislation in a number of countries had resulted in judges
imposing 'rights' granted to gays, tobacco and pornography interest groups
and opening up Christian schools to employment and teaching that may
contradict the teachings of the Church. Check out www.makeastand.org.au
for more information.
May 7 Obama's political correctness had the President missed out
hosting the National Day of Prayer (NDOP). However, two African-American
ministers prayed at the White House today, even though it led to their
arrest. Both were taken into custody briefly after holding a "prayer
picket" outside the White House to publicly oppose the president’s
decision not to participate in NDOP. (source: Charisam News)
Apr 29 Christian Parliamentarians making an impact on WA politics
claims a report by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). Unlike other states
in Australia WA Christian politicians pack a bigger punch. They're in
government, not Opposition, and they have the numbers. The group is being
closely watched after putting Premier Colin Barnett on notice that integrity
and moral certainties would guide their votes. Chief among them is Peter
Abetz, an ordained minister of the Christian Reformed Church and the brother
of right-wing Liberal senator Eric Abetz. He makes no bones about his
intention to put his Christian values first, even if it means breaking ranks.
ACL's Jim Wallace says the "resurgence in Christian values" in WA
was inevitable after the moral slide, misbehaviour and "unchristian
legislation", such as permitting gay adoption, that surfaced in recent
years. State Liberal Party president Barry Court adds another tier in the
west. Deeply involved in Victory Life church run by his wife and former
tennis great Margaret Court, he has long called for a greater focus on
conservative morality in politics.
<more>
Apr 20 Egyptian Man Receives
Certificate of Conversion from the Coptic Church for the
first time in Egypt. This is a very significant development in the ongoing
debate on the right to change one’s religion on Egyptian ID cards. Other
Muslim dominated countries like Malaysia shared laws to prevent conversion
from Muslim faith to others. The Coptic Church in Egypt, which is one of the
oldest branches of Christianity in the world, would not comment on Gohari’s
case specifically, but said, "In general, the church cannot turn away anyone
who reaches out to it, otherwise it would be abandoning one of its roles as a
church." <more>
Apr 1 Bobby Michaels Now in Heaven. Musician, trainer
and missionary, Bobby Michaels, who was to minister in Perth last week had
succumbed to a heart attack while in Cambodia and passed away peacefully in a
hospital in Thailand. <more>
Mar 20 Archbishop Hickey wins case against The West. A
report in The West Australian branding the Archbishop as a hypocrite was
settled amicably after a visit from the new chief editor of the newspaper to
his office. The West Australians formally printed its regret for causing hurt
and offence to the archbishop in circumstances where he, as a public figure,
was merely upholding the teachings of his Church. The settlement includes a
donation to a Catholic charity.
Mar 16 President Obama's Pastoral Team. Past U.S.
President identified closely in times of need with a single man of God, most
notably, with Rev Billy Graham for a number of them. Just couple of months at
the Oval office the President has already sought prayer and counsel from five
pastors though on separate occasions. The pastors are notable leaders which
include Rev Jim Wallis and Rev T D Jakes, however, all are considered
evangelical-conservative in their expression of Christian faith. <source: The
NYT>
Mar 14 Name of God copyrighted for exclusive use of Malay Muslims. A
leading state in Malaysia, Selangor, has imposed a ban on a popular
Indonesian gospel song, Allah
Peduli or God Cares, because the use of the name of God would confuse
Muslims. Offenders faced fines of RM1,000 under the Non-Muslim Religious
Enactment 1988. <more>
Read also "Malaysia
Christians battle with Muslims over Allah" by Int'l Herald Tribune
Mar 12 Prayer helped Sanderson Farms to weather the economic storm which
saw their biggest rival falling into Chapter 11. The Sanderson management
prayed before deciding whether to lock in future feed prices and felt led not
to do so which eventually saved them from the fate of their nearest rival who
had made the decision to lock into future pricings. <more>
Mar 07 Family First WA have informed that State
Director, Mike Keating, and a board member, David Bolt, have made the
decisions to resign from the board. Linda Rose, the interim chair, informed
members that their contributions over the past four years that have greatly
helped the party. Also annoounced is the appointment of Mr Bob Day AO from
South Australia as the new National Chairperson. Family First is hoping to
have their first Senator elected in the coming Federal Election.
Feb 12 Elder Shirley Wynne, a
much-loved elder in the Noongar community, had gone with the Lord this
morning after succumbing to cancer. In 2007 she led the indigenous community
in prayer for reconciliation during the Global Day of Prayer at Challenge
Stadium. In 2008 on the National Day of Thanksgiving she declared that
Australia is ready for revival. Her son, Eric, is a former ATSIC Commissioner
and stood as a candidate for Senate during the last Federal election.
read also Apology
Brings Positive Change, from Paternalism to Partnership,
Jan 28 A Christian school that teaches a biblical view of
creation has been cleared of breaching state curriculum requirements
for the teaching of evolution. The NSW Board of Studies has found that
Pacific Hills Christian School has met its requirements for teaching
the science syllabus, including evolution. The board said it had not
substantiated a complaint about how science was taught at the school. Its
investigation involved an assessment by the school's overseeing body,
Christian Schools Australia, and its own inspection of curriculum and
teaching materials. (source: APN )
Jan 27 Evangelicals embracing "Local Church". Following
the confession in 1997 of Local Church founder, Witness
Lee, a disciple of Watchman Nee, that they were wronged in separating
their movement from the broad evangelical ecumenical fellowship a number of
American church
leaders have extended their right hands of fellowship to the Local
Church. In Australia, the Local Church draws most of its membership from
resident Chinese and Chinese students from abroad with chapters in major
Australian cities. To date, there is no evidence the Local Church is making
effort to embrace the wider church community and likewise for the wider
church community to extend their right hands of fellowship to the Local
Church. (ED. Except for the similarity in the name, Churchinperth.com has no
link with the Perth's Local Church website, churchinperth.org., except in the
belief, I hope we do share, that as Jesus Christ looks down from heaven into
the sea of humanity living in our city, our Lord sees His church as one (John
17), and may we in turn respond in spirit and in truth to the builder of
the Church (Matt
16:18))
Jan 6 Warning: Religious Freedom does not equate to Human Rights A
“freedom of religion” project sounds good until you realise what is meant. Last
year the Australian Human Rights Commission told a Senate inquiry that “the
rights to religious freedom and to gender equality must be appropriately
balanced in accordance with human rights principles.” Here balanced really
means restricted. The body which is supposed to defend our human rights is
actually proposing to limit our right to religious freedom. <more>
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