A tribute to Cherry and her sterling example as a servant to others.
INSPIRATIONAL
The Servant
A tribute to Cherry and her sterling example as a servant to others.
Christian Service
(November, 2008) Joe looks at the need for humble servants to get so many of the
practical chores done in the kingdom of heaven.
Tree-tossing
(September. 2008) Cherry takes a closer look at the miraculous protection of God, both as we have experienced it, and as it is promised in scripture, to see if the two are consistent.
The Call of God
(October, 2004) Making the call of God too special often becomes an
excuse for thinking it is only for the other guy; whereas taking the call of
God too casually can make us think we are only responding to a human
invitation to join a human organisation. This article calls for us to
examine both perspectives to be sure that we are listening to the right
voice and responding in the right way.
Tsunamis and a God of Love
[R]
Is there any logic in losing one's faith when disasters strike?
Or are there better ways to turn tragedies into triumphs?
The Curse of the Law
[R]
Despite the title, this is really an article about pain and suffering. But a parallel is drawn between
the law, work, and pain, to show that none of these is evil in themselves.
The 'curse' in each case is an ATTITUDE related to these three realities of
life.
More on Besetting Sins
[R]
Encouragement not to give up if you
are trying to overcome a lifelong weakness and feel that you are not making
much progress.
CHURCHES & THEOLOGY
Dave Gets Stuck Into the Cults
Comparisons are made between ourselves, more respectable mainline religious organisations, and groups which even we might be inclined to see as "off", in an effort to find consistent criteria for weighing up various groups. Issues considered are: Finances, Leadership, The Second Coming, and Exclusivity.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
A film review which praises the movie's ability to combine love and discipline in the same characters. It includes reference to the need for serious lifestyle changes to save the planet.
Answers to Prayer
Popular misunderstandings about prayer are addressed in this one, which challenges the prosperity gospel and related doctrines.
The Ten Commandments vs the Sermon on the Mount
Ross considers how the churches treat the Sermon on the Mount like it
is the "law" and the Ten Commandments" like they are the ultimate
revelation of God, when exactly the opposite is true.
What is a Heretic? [R]
"Insincerity is the ultimate
heresy." In this article, heresy is seen, not as an error in
doctrine, but as an error in attitude. It includes practical advice
against arguing with heretics, and the need to examine our own
attitudes as well.
What is a Cult?
Dave looks at a comprehensive list of traits that
will supposedly identify a cult. His conclusion is that any new, little
group that is more zealous than the older bigger ones will be targetted,
at the same time that the same traits will be overlooked when they occur
inthe older bigger groups.
Vegetarianism
Four different arguments for being a vegetarian are
examined in this article, in an attempt to determine how much
Christian/biblical support there is for this practice.
Jesus Christian Beliefs
[R]
This one is restricted because
it was mainly written in response to problems in Kenya. But it still
contains a good summary of what we believe.
SPIRITuals [R]
Further comments on head coverings, but
expanded to cover all visible symbols of invisible spiritual realities.
Can we get the spirit of the ritual without using it as an excuse to
discard the ritual altogether?
Apologies & Repentance
[R]
A brief look at concepts like apology, confession, and repentance, in an effort to determine what God is
really looking for. Forgiveness is not to be obtained through a pat formula
for salvation, but only through a life-changing experience.
Investing Talents
This one is about taking risks. We learn that the "safe" way (of respectability, lukewarmness, and orthodoxy) is almost always the most UN-safe way for Christians, and will probably lead you straight to hell. (See also The Reno Principle.)
Read My Book [R]
Evangelism is sometimes as easy as working out what people need, and then offering it to them. What you offer should come across as good news, and not something thrust down their throat. If it doesn't appeal to them, then it pays to either re-examine your message, or just move on to someone else who IS interested in what you are saying.
The Creator [R]
For some it is Nature; and for others it is the Church. In both cases, the temptation is to worship and serve the creation rather than the Creator. Don't fall for it.
JESUS & MONEY
Christians First, Greens Second
Cherry covers some of the subtle differences between a political platform based on environmental/freegan issues and the position we take as Christians with similar concerns.
Bring on the Recession!
Dave challenges the mythical "world economic crisis".
Christmas and the Pay-back Mentality
(November, 2008) Christine takes a cynical look at what is going on in the minds of so many people when they are doing their Christmas shopping.
Making Money from the Gospel
(November, 2008)
Ross discusses the dilemma that Christians are put in if they take the teachings of Jesus, where it is even difficult to get donations for charitable work, because the work must be kept secret.
How much is $700 billion?
(September. 2008) Rob takes a brief look at the amount of money that George W. Bush recommended giving to the banks in the U.S. to overcome the "economic crisis" and considers just how much it is costing the entire world's population to fund that little act of charity.
Freeganism and our Message
This article ties together freeganism and Bible prophecy, using the teachings of Jesus as the link between the two.
Lord, Have Mercy [R]
A train ride past the Kibera slums in
Nairobi leads Dave to think about the need for practical demonstrations of
love as opposed to theological correctness. Includes a statement from the
U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches.
The Real Conspiracy
[R]
Following Roland's release from custody in
Kenya, Dave discusses corruption in the prison system there and how it
mirrors corruption worldwide. We cannot change the world until we deal with
the root of all evil in ourselves. In particular, we need to fix our hope
on an eternal kingdom in preference to any political solution.
DEEP THOUGHTS
Hidden in Plain Sight
Simon discusses the paradox about how many very basic spiritual
truths escape the comprehension of the masses because we just don't
have the eyes to see them.
The Tolerance Myth Part 2
This article expands on earlier comments about tolerance. It shows how, in the name of tolerance, an ideology can be developed which effectively
silences all dissent.
Secret Spotlights? [R]
This is similar to the article, "A Martyr Complex" [R], except that it deals specifically with the dilemma regarding kidney donations and media coverage. Are kidney donations on a par with giving alms (i.e. helping the needy, which we have been commanded to do secretly), healing people (which Jesus generally hushed up, but which he also used as proof of his authority on occasions); or could it be that they are part of the persecution that Jesus promised would come to his true followers, and the very thing that he instructed us to let shine like a light for all the world to see? This article may not give clear answers to these questions, but it does ask them more clearly than we ever have in the past.
A Message to our Young People [R]
A challenge to younger members of our community to develop a personal relationship with God.
Axe Murderers [R]
An account of an actual media interview,
which gives good insights into what it is that really makes people dislike
us.
ENDTIME/SEX
Predestination and the Twelve Tribes
The issue of what role flesh Jews have in Bible prophecy gets a radical new look in this hypothetical consideration.
Politics and the Apocalypse
Sept. 2008. Fran challenges us to do what is right for the environment, whether or not we will ever succeed as a race, and he provides strong support for his challenge from The Revelation itself.
And Now for the Bad News [R]
A depressing look at world
events as they relate to Bible prophecy. Torture and illegal
imprisonment, cynicism about live organ donors, and indifference to
global warming are all seen as signs of the spiritually bankrupt
times in which we live.
The Intuition Myth
Is intuition a skill? And do women have
more of it than men? The myth-busting in this article could open the
doors to greater success in decision-making.
The Barren Woman's Child [R]
This one, by Kim, brings together a lot of scriptural information to support and explain God's idea of "family", and how spiritual children are conceived, born through great tribulation, and then nurtured in much the same way that natural children are. Special emphasis is given to the concept of "bonding" that takes place between a mother and her children.
Love vs Lust
"Sexual pleasure is probably the singles greatest obstacle to true love." This challenges the myth that one can fall into and out of love. If it doesn't work "for better or for worse" it is quite likely that it never was love... just a passing phase... called more correctly, lust.
The Spirit of Prophecy
This is a Bible study, and you need to look up and read the passages to fully appreciate it. But if you want the key to understanding all prophecy, this is a must. A great summary of the fundamentals underlying all true prophecy.
Embarrassing Eschatology [R]
Challenges the tendency amongst
academics to assume that all talk about Jesus returning and the 'end of the
world' is inconsistent with practical faith and love. It includes comments
on evolution and other theories about ultimate reality.
LEFTOVERS
Grumpy Old Men [R]
Dave reflects on how living in community can
help to overcome the tendency to be grumpy as one grows older.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
A film review which praises the movie's ability to combine love and discipline in the same characters. It includes reference to the need for serious lifestyle changes to save the
planet.
Four Areas of Christian Discipline
Joe builds on an earlier article by Cherry on the well rounded Christian life.
Tolerating Intolerance
[R]
Jeremy challenges the cult of tolerance, suggesting that those who
preach it are often quite intolerant themselves, as well as
indifferent to the suffering of others.
The Conspiracy Against Organ Donors
A good summary of the case for live non-directed organ donation, as well as a careful analysis of the reasons people are so critical of those who do donate. Further proof of the cynical saying that "No good deed goes unpunished."
QUAKER SIMILARITIES
Joe discusses this popular phrase as it relates to the JC concept
of sincerity and the Quaker concept of "plain speech".
Sept. 2008. Cherry names names as she lets fly with some strong words about gossip and the harm that it causes. A powerful statement on this most sheltered of all vices, with numerous practical illustrations from the treatment that we have received at the hands of Australian Quakers. [R] [R]
What makes Quakers unique? [R]
This article deals with the paradox that an organisation which does not have any avowed loyalty to Jesus appears to have come closer to following him over a period of 350 years than most other organisations that declare loudly that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour. And it considers a couple of explanations for this paradox.
Tolstoy, Quakers, and Us [R]
This article traces the history of
pacifism over the past few centuries, and comments on its consistent links
with the teachings of Jesus. It calls for renewed interest in the rest of
what Jesus taught, in particular, about money, the future, and living by
faith.
LEADERSHIP
Systemites
The problem of replacing a worldly system with a Jesus
Christian system is discussed in this article on the need for private
prayer to keep us on track.
Are you Willing to...?
This study uses Jesus Christian organ
donations as an illustration of something that distinguishes us as a
group, which is our willingness to question our own motives in
relation to virtually anything we do, in order to find the will of God.
An Apology
Dave apologises for the many times when he has failed as a leader.
Beware the Velvet Gloves
Who are the real manipulators? Clumsy,
untrained leaders of small new religious movements, or the experts, who
have
been schooled in the art by the world's best manipulators?
Head Coverings
What seems like a minor doctrinal point is
developed
into a powerful spiritual truth about the relationship between human
organisations and the invisible kingdom of heaven.
Recruiting, and the new JC DVD [R]
The word "recruit" is up there with cult, brainwashing, and manipulate, as implying something evil when it's not there. We are probably less geared toward"recruiting" than most other groups, but our new DVD is a little more blatant in focusing attention on ourselves.
Loyalty [R]
Is loyalty a vice or a virtue? When is it right
to loyal, and when is it wrong? And what about traitors? These are
questions addressed in this article.
What Makes Us Different? [R]
This one gets into naming people and naming groups, as it attempts to be very specific in answering the title question. Definitely strong meat, but loaded with spiritual vitamins too.
The Bohemian Fantasy
This one draws a very clear line between idyllic fantasies and the discipline and hard work that we have found to be part of the kingdom of God. It lists three important points to building the utopia that Jesus preached, and shows how the third one in particular trips up all those idealists who are living in a dreamworld.
When Followers Rebel (or Sheila and Me)
Dave draws a comparison between himself and Joe's mother in an attempt to find strategies which would work equally for both when confronted with someone who strongly disagrees with us.
Perfect Peace
A serious look at sanity, and how one manages to maintain it in a world of turmoil.
Evil: Good or Bad?
Casey takes a radically different look at evil, at Jesus'
teaching about not resisting evil, and at how evil can bring about
good in those of us who stop running away from it and the discomfort
that it can cause to ourselves.
In Defence of Paedophiles
Sept. 2008. Cherry says some shocking things in this one, both defending paedophiles and suggesting an extreme remedy at the same time. But read it first before you pass judgment. She is calling for changes in both areas which are urgently needed and long overdue.
You aint Jesus Dave! [R]
One line from an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show in the U.K. is looked at in detail, in an effort to gain a better understanding of the reasoning that lies behind so much of the criticism that we receive.
The Great Whipping Hoax
The mock trial in Long Beach
represented a turning point in our history as a community, not
because there was a significant change in our beliefs, but because
people who hated our beliefs falsely believed they had caught us in a
heresy at last... and discovered too late that they did not have a case.
Conceding Defeat [R]
This is really an article about pride, and how it can get us into arguments that lead nowhere.
Davidito: By their fruits...
[R]
This article was written in response to news reports that the stepson of David Berg (founder
of the Children of God/The Family International) had killed one of his
former nurses and then taken his own life. It examines how this tragedy
represents both the fruit of sexual perversion within The Family, and the
fruit of justifications for hatred amongst ex-members.
Setting Up Your Own Community
A check list of things individual bases need to consider
with
regard to personal growth. This article marked a turning point in our
community, as each base was given financial and spiritual independence.
It
gives a good insight into our various disciplines.
Prevaricating
This is a close examination of the causes behind
the
tensions and confusion that often arise when someone is being
questioned
about performance. It is a powerful study in understanding human
relations.
Freedom, Prayer, and Besetting Sins [R]
A letter to Jesus
Christians, following a decision in 2004 to make each base autonomous of the
other bases. This deals with finding ways to objectively measure personal
spiritual growth without dependence on accountability to human leaders.