'Basil Sellers' Press Service International

PRESS SERVICE INTERNATIONAL - YOUNG WRITERS

        THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER

    Australia full of privilege -   Press Service International
         photo   - Thomas Devenish, Hobart on Double Base
                      2016 Basil Sellers Theology Winner

Quit running - by Elizabeth Josic (Sunshine Coast)

The druian gospel - by Nic Lee (Melbourne)

Excellence - by Wayne Graham (senior writer, Wellington NZ)   - CTNZ

   Bushfire season is upon us   -   Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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    WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want    by Grant Harris (NZ senior writer, Auckland)

        2012 Grant helped set up the Kiwi young writers
Photo selection - Vicki Nunn

Releasing the spiritual burden   -   by Ron Ross (senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

Taking our thoughts into captivity   -   by Christopher Harris (Melbourne)

Works will not work - by Shane Rowney (Gold Coast)

Faith, hope, love and total football - by Phil Hall - one of our five sport writers

Tourism and community groups   -   by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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           TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER

       Understanding ADHD   -   by Laura Miles (Sunshine Coast)
                   Christchurch - 2018 Annual Young Writers Conference                    Laura Miles receiving her 2018 Best Article certificate

   This photo was selected by Laura -
"It gives more context to those readers who don't know me"

The untold story of CrossWhites football - by Daniel Jang - (NZ senior writer, Auckland) CTNZ

A different world, a different way - (Thou shalt not steal) -   by Jarred Pienaar (Sunshine Coast)

Science - Microscopic bugs: many of them are good guys

Widows and widowers    - Press Service International

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         MONDAY 15 OCTOBER

You race with horses now - by Amy Manners (Adelaide)
           Christchurch - Annual young writers conference - 1 September
                Amy Manners the 2018 'Tronson Consistency' Award

              presented by Russell Modlin, Press Service International

Why I gave up being nice -    by Fiona Mackenzie (Sydney)

A lighthouse in the midst of self doubt - by Crystelda Naidoo (South Africa)   -   first article

Into the wilderness - by Liz Hay (NZ senior writer, Christchurch)   CTNZ

Christian News - Simple accidents cause death

Changes ....   take a look!   -    Press Service International

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8-12 Oct - Week 4 - CYCLE 8

       FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER

    Sometimes "I don't know" is the best answer
                                 by Caitlyn Furler (Sunshine Coast)
        Christchurch annual young writer conference, 1 Sept
                     Photo - Caitlyn Furler and Laura Miles

Community   -   by Sam Gillespie (Sydney)

Put rest in your schedule   -    by Manuele Teofilo (Auckland, NZ)   CTNZ

Hold your tongue - by Sheelagh Wegman (senior writer, Hobart)

Hope for our future - Our new Christian Prime Minister -    by Ross Clifford (senior writer, Syd)

Prime Ministers have lead    -    Press Service International

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     THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER

          Fresh Panellists sought for 2019   -
                                    Press Service International
           Christchurch annual young writer conference, 1 September
    photo - Bishop Brian Carrell (NZ Panellist) and Tim Newman

The search for everything - by Josiah Gray (Brisbane)

The 45th President -    by Conor Ryan (Adelaide)

Rooted within   -   by Linda Swart (Christchurch, NZ)   -   CTNZ

The parable of the apple tree   -   Justin Monaghan (Adelaide)

Teenagers and the value of 'mentors'   -   Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)


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      WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER

    Do we play favourites - by Melissa Ramoo (Sydney)
        Christchurch annual young writer conference 1 September
            photo - Amy Manners, Melissa and Roshan Ramoo

My tangled fear and faith - by Cindy Adwong (Auckland, NZ) - CTNZ

Royal slander: Megan is not pregnant   -    by Lucinda Glover (Hobart)

Sport - Super Sunday doesn't deliver -    by Wes Tronson - one of our 5 sport writers

Rocks crying out - Archaeology   -     by Ron Ross (senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

Doing our bit    -     by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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       TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER

   Let go, let God - by Hannah Edwards (Brisbane)

   photo - Christchurch young writer conference
                Fiona Mackenzie and Hannah Edwards

        I could've kicked myself   -   by Rebecca Moore
(senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

Financial trade-off we make - by Brandon Tsang (Sydney)

Christian and political affiliations - by Jackson Langingo (Auckland, NZ)    Jackson's CTNZ first article

How I changed my mind about Yoga - by Bridget Brenton (Brisbane)

A tribute to Aboriginal Pastor Ron Williams (1940-2003) - by Aira Chilcott (Canberra)

Secular concern now with porn - Press Service International

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       MONDAY 8 OCTOBER

   Hope trumps hate - by Roydon Ng (Sydney)
     Photo: Roydon Ng with Russell Modlin - 2018 young writer conf.
         Roydon awarded the 2018 Australian Theology Award

What being a mum has taught me ....    by Jessica Currie (Brisbane)

Losing my religion -   by Bonnie Dowie (Adelaide)

It all starts on Monday morning - by Megan Fermo (Wellington NZ) - Megan's very first article

International young writers   -   Press Service International

Women in a broad range of roles   -   by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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1-5 Oct - Week 3 - Cycle 8

             FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER

Australian Rail promoted in New Zealand -  Press Service International

     photo - Footplate Padre, Rev Mark Tronson, author of 16 railway books

Bible study leader - a privilege I deserve   - by Jia Pan Xiao (Sydney)

When you feel rejected - by Renee Jenner (Sydney)

Bible: the source guide to wise builders - by Kevin Park (Auckland, NZ)

Lies will never last - by John Skinner (senior writer, Warwick)

Time to put PM Morrison's faith to the test - Release families from Nauru -                                      by Russell Modlin (senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

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THURSDAY 4 OCTOBER

Ramon Williams a documentary movie   -   PSI
photo - Ramon Williams, the 1987 'Gutenberg' ARPA award

Power for the weak ... what about me?                  by Tom Anderson (Ipswich)

I'll bet you $5, Australia has a ambling problem - by Peter Brookshaw (Melbourne)

Book Review - Questions and Responses -   Press Service International
  a book of 50 questions asked - written by Rowland Croucher

CTNZ - Unbroken line a lesson in mercy    -   by Sharma Taylor (Wellington NZ)

Some of our vehicles are a must - regardless -   Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER

Collective Guilt - by Amos Sale (Auckland, NZ)
Photo - Christchurch conf - Tim Newman's seminar

The lure of fame - by Rachel Li (Sydney)

All creatures great and small - Sport - David Goodwin - one of our 5 sport writers

God with us - Mayce Fischer (USA)

Idols were hidden by King Hezekiah - by Ron Ross (senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

Often beautiful women got off, now .... - Press Service International

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TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER

He placed his ring on my finger       -           Kristen Dang (Adelaide)
photo - Christchurch young writer conf - Kristen D (centre)

Listening together -   John Yates (senior writer, Perth)

The Dunkirk Evacuation - the Christian Connection - Graham McDonald (senior writer, Sydney)

Riding the waves of positives and negative feedback   -   Brent Van Mourik (Brisbane)

The response to the Lord's blessings - Brendon Collins (Wellington, NZ) - CTNZ

Marks of a healthy church - Part 3 - Rowland Croucher - Press Service International

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       MONDAY 1 OCTOBER

Many new young writers - Press Service International

      photo - Hannah Edwards (Bris), new writer, Christchurch conf.

Dear child of God   -   by Jo Fuller (Sunshine Coast)

Fun in the sun   -   by Chris Archibald (Sydney)

#Awkward    -   by Shannon Munyard   (Adelaide)

Don't give up on perseverance - by Rebecca Horverd - CTNZ

Affluence = prosperity. What of Theology? - by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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24-28 Sept - Week 2 - Cycle 8

    FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Finding peace amongst the chaos
          by Ethan Miller (Auckland, NZ)    CTNZ

    Photo   -   Rowland Ng (Sydney), Ethan Miller (Auckland) -
           2018 Christchurch young writers conference.

Young at heart   -    by David Goodwin (senior writer, Melbourne)

Faith verses Expectations    -    by Clarissa Yates (Perth) - returned as a young writer

Over-eaters anonymous   -   by Emma Bamford (Melbourne)

Loving yourself by loving others   -   by Nils Von Kalm (senior writer, Melbourne)

Lise Meitner - physicist missed out on 1944 Nobel Prize    -    Press Service International
                                                                adaptation of our previous piece

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THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

Take time to have time
         by Jesse Moore (Sunshine Coast)
Photo -   Jesse Moore 2018 Youth Development Award

Why are Christians so afraid of theology?

     by Richard Kwon (Auckland, NZ) -   CTNZ

You are what you worship   -   by Meenal Sim nee Chandra (Sydney)

The church fathers: an untapped source   -   by Haydn Lea (RAAF Chaplain)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison - a victor (Victors tell the story) - Press Service International

PSI each morning is a mammoth undertaking - by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)
(6 photos from the 2018 conference)

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WEDNESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

Wear it like you mean it -  by Lucy Miles (Sunshine Coast)
Photo - young writers conf 1 Sept, Christchurch - Lucy (forefront)
         This is Lucy Mile's very first article .......

   A car show with a difference
      by Jeremy Dover - one of our 5 sport writers

That little extra - by Joseph Kolapudi (Brisbane)

A convenient God    -    by David Lean (Brisbane)

What my grand-father taught me    - by Amy Ching (Auckland NZ) - CTNZ

What makes a difference: Prayer - by Ron Ross (senior writer, Sunshine Coast)

Dogs understand 160 words and more ..... by Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads)

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TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

A nation called to prayer -   Press Service International

Photo - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

What an office joke taught me about joy   -   by Anna Waite (Brisbane)

Afraid of death    -    by Michael Dahlenburg (Adelaide)

Are we there yet? 125 years of gender equality in the making   -   by Emma McGeorge (Auckland NZ)

Batman, booze and bibles    -   by John Lemmon   (senior writer, Melbourne)

If only I had a terminal illness    -    by Gavin Lawrie (senior writer, Tweed Heads)

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MONDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

Australian Christian News - Press Service International - Mon 24 Sept

4 items - Assembly of Confessing Congregations, Uniting Church / Hillsong going alone / Former Governor General Bill Hayden is baptised / Ramon Williams a documentary movie
Photo - Ramon Williams receiving 2013 ARPA Citation - coming 4 Oct is a feature article
READ MORE ......

Your best days are ahead - by Cartia Moore (Sunshine Coast) - Mon 24 Sept

For my tenth birthday, my parents decided to ‘cure’ me of my obsession with chocolate. They bought me ten blocks of my favourite chocolate thinking that if I had too much, I might stop being so obsessed with it. Over the next few days, I found myself slowly handing out blocks of chocolate to my family members. Now, this was a pivotal moment in my journey of ...

READ MORE .....

Parenting: terrible 2's into the terrific 2's - by Esther Koh (Wellington NZ) - Mon 24 Sept

My boy just turned two last month and oh what fun has it been! Along with a sudden surge of confidence and independence, comes an overflow of words. He has begun experimenting more, trying out things he has not done before. The adventurer in him begins exploring places by himself. He started expressing himself in sentences, though not always linear,

READ MORE ......

Vile online abuse must stop - by Ben Kruzins (Ocean Views) - Mon 24 Sept

Social Media has its pros and cons. As a tool of communication and sharing information there is no better way than social media to convey your information to a large audience. It is the cheapest and most effective advertising campaign out there. It is a fantastic way to stay in touch with friends. Back in the day, if you were to move interstate or move overseas, the

READ MORE ......

Spring cleaning for your soul - by Sarah Urmston (Sydney) - Mon 24 Sept

I absolutely love the season of spring. The world shrugs off the constant grey of winter and lets in the gentle warmth of the sun. The air is still crisp in the morning and refreshing in the evening but there is a sense of hope and excitement of the long, lazy summer days that are

READ MORE .....

Marks of a healthy church - Part 2 - Rowland Croucher - PSI - Mon 24 Sept

Power in the church - Where two or three gather in churches there is power. Surveys tell us most clergy enjoy preaching more than anything else. (Here, said one, ‘I’m not at the mercy of petty bureaucrats!’). Lay leaders may exercise power: even becoming ‘permission-withholders’ (Lyle Schaller). I asked some Anglican clergy about the most powerful group in

READ MORE .....

Week 1 - Cycle 8 - September 2018

FRIDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Sophia Gray: Bake for Bibles fun, delicious - Sarah Richards (Wellington NZ) - Frid 21 Sept

New Zealand nationally-known cook, author, Destitute Gourmet founder and Food Director of Bauer Media, Sophie Gray says Bake for Bibles is a great project for kids, friends and ...

READ MORE .....

Sometimes Ministers want a break, no people - by Aarin Sabio (USA) - Frid 21 Sept

Having arrived back from a long weekend of youth camp I was exhausted. I love travelling and serving with old and new friends, but I feel like I need at least three weeks of paid vacation. Let's just face it; the struggle is real. When it comes to ministry, more than we'd like to admit it, we all reach a point where "we just don't feel like" serving God or others anymore.

READ MORE ....

It's not about you - by Cindy Cheng (China) - Frid 14 Sept

One of my favourite pastors used to say that when we were non-believers, what God hates most is our sins. When we became followers of Jesus, what God hates most is our self-centeredness. It’s easy for Christians to understand the first part of the statement ....

READ MORE .......

How to grow a church: Barista coffee ... by Jeremy Dover (senior writer Melb) - Frid 21 Sept

These were the suggestions offered when I asked how do we grow the church today. When I pressed further they justified their ideas pointing to marketing research that confirms if you can engage a customer and get them through your doors you will have a higher conversion rate (pun intended) for sales and return patronage. However, is that the secret?

READ MORE ......

Your pastor is by no means a fool - by Genevieve Wilson (senior writer, Canada) - Frid 21 Sept

My name is Gen and I am your future pastor’s wife. My husband is busy studying 50-60 hours a week, learning Greek, Hebrew, biblical counselling and how to exegetically preach the word of God so that he can be faithful with the word when he comes to your church....

READ MORE ......

Footplate Padre Driving a huge locomotive - Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads) - Frid 21 Sept

The title of my 1989 book – From the Driver's Seat – now out of print - details 14 rail journey's from the locomotive driver's perspective, an oral account of what occurs from signing on for duty to when relieved upon arrival at the destination. Why might I write something of an account of such a book all these years later after publication and moreover ..

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THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

Art for Laguna Quays Respite - Well-Being Australia - Thurs 20 Sept

The Whitsundays Laguna Quays Respite coordinated by Well-Being Australia for missions in its seventh year has proven to be a lovely break away for a wide range of those in Christian service. Additional art has now been purchased for the respite cottage. These art works

READ MORE .....

The gospel for everyone - by Ashley Mullins (USA, back from Malawi) - Thurs 20 Sept

I grew up in the church. I heard altar call after altar call growing up and had genuine belief in God at a young age. Nevertheless, my understanding of the gospel was underdeveloped. I thought the gospel was something that unbelievers needed to hear, not something that I needed. But as I’ve come to understand it deeper, I realize that I personally need the gospel

READ MORE ......

A September letter to .... myself - by Sunny Kang (Auckland NZ) - Thurs 20 Sept

Recently you have gotten even busier. Not only do you have university and work, now you are starting an internship! You are so excited but scared, anxious of how this will go on and how on earth you will juggle all your to-do’s. You constantly sigh over your weekly planner, jotting down all your deadlines and priorities with a big frown on your face. It is nearly the ...

READ MORE ....

Lows are just as important as highs - by Charis Jackson (USA) - Thurs 20 Sept

Life is an up-hill battle. An adventure. A constant struggling forward. A pursuit of not only happiness but fulfillment. A living out your best. A leaning into the wind and storms. Lately the weight of a leaning in life, a pursuit of God’s best for my life has overwhelmed me. I've ..

READ MORE .....

Lies so clever they sound like truth - by Kandima Awendila (Mozambique) - Thurs 20 Sept

I recently read an article that states that the Australian competition watchdog, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), has launched an urgent investigation into allegations of “fake” honey in the Australian honey industry. Tests carried out by German laboratory QSI, of a number of samples of well known Australian brands of honey, revealed ..

READ MORE .....

Handsome man speaks investments ... the Gospel? - Well-Being Aust - Thurs 20 Sept

Research has come to light that a handsome man when spruiking investment opportunities gets a far greater response than a 'pretty' (lovely) woman engaged in the same business enterprise. The Banking Royal Commission has also illustrated something of this. This recent News.com article claimed that the findings from the journal Proceedings of the National ..
Photo - young writer Jesse Moore

READ MORE ......

WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

Sport: Rugby mania - by Josh Hinds (Agnes Waters, Qld) - Wed 19 Sept

This sport article is being written while a bush fire is raging 1 kilometre from our home in Agnes Waters (Queensland) and the evacuation order has been given to all us residents. Bush fires are part of Australian life and as though this is dramatic and homes will inevitably be lost, maybe even ours, it is one of the many things that focus the mind in this land ‘down

READ MORE .....

Treat Yo' Self - by Mel Cleary (Wellington NZ) - Wed 19 Sept

Imagine a day where you treat yourself to anything and everything, cost and reason are no factor, your joy is the only concern. Welcome to Treat Yo’ Self day. All lovers of Parks and Rec will know exactly what I’m talking about but for those who don’t, it is a day when you do whatever you want regardless of anything else. As sitcoms are, Treat Yo’ Self day is ....

READ MORE .......

The God who is there - by Paul Lewis (West Indies) - Wed 19 Sept

Recently I listened to an interview from a popular musical artiste in Jamaica, who recently produced a song that was explicitly religious, with expressions that could be deemed Christian. A friend sent this interview to me, which I found to be very telling; in this interview he was asked-given the content of the song- if he was now a Christian. Truthfully there was..

READ MORE .....

Propaganda as opposed to journalism - by Christina Jones (USA) - Wed 19 Sept

I both love and struggle with the way God is not in the business of sugarcoating anything. For example, a religious person and a non-religious person are equally likely to be offended by something they read in the Bible. But this is what truth is like – uncomfortable and ....

READ MORE .....

False doctrine always a challenge - by Ron Ross (senior writer, Sunshine Coast) - Wed 19 Sept

Throughout history there have been devastating consequences to false doctrine. In the 1930’s there was a ‘Nazi form Christianity.’ Church schools were closed and an ‘anti-Semitic..
photo - Mt Carmel overlooking Valley of Jezreel
READ MORE ......

Christian tourism to Israel continues to grow - Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads) - Wed 19 Sept

The Holy Land is one of my favourite destinations as one who has led tours to Israel and Turkey (the seven early church sites) as part of the InnerFaith Travel Team of tour leaders.....

READ MORE .....

TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

Lessons in multi-tasking - by Jason Lalone (Chicago, USA) - Tues 18 Sept

Sometimes it takes extreme measures to get my creative juices flowing. The coffee shop that I frequent, which I’m sure I’m keeping in business with my $4 latte’s and cappuccino’s, sometimes just doesn’t do it. I need to shake it up. The daily routine of life can get me caught. It’s as if the same patterns in life, equate to the same thought patterns......

READ MORE .....

Racism and the Caribbean Extrovert - Stacy-Ann Smith (Jamaica West Indies) - Tues 18 Sept

"Out of many, One People", my country's motto and our way of living. Don’t get me wrong, there is division amongst us, but even in our differences and trials we laugh at problems, dance when our issues arise and keep on moving. Two months ago I travelled to my college

READ MORE .....

Reaching top speed in life with God - by Matthew Thornton (Auckland NZ) - Tues 18 Sept

I don’t know about you, but commitment can be hard in the world we live in today. All you have to do is look at statistics such as the increasing divorce rates and decreasing career lengths and you start to see that our culture today struggles with commitment. When things aren’t as you want them to be, the world tells us its okay to give up and search for a better ..

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Zanzibar: gives to poor, gives... Lord - by Vic Matthews (senior writer, Moruya) Tues 18 Sept

After spending a little over four weeks teaching English in Zanzibar, I can assure you that it’s not the tropical island paradise, which you imagine it to be. Yes there’s lots of palm trees, gently waving their branches in welcoming gestures as the sea- breeze makes its way across the lush island, blown from the bewitching azure sea, which surrounds it. ....

READ MORE .....

Radical Performance Enhancement - by Mark Rusic (senior writer, Melbourne) - Tues 18 Sept

Performance review and appraisal is a part of daily life. Whether in schools, even from the age of kindergarten or in the advanced stages of career it is continually measured and assessed. We may be told to establish SMART goals or to work through a personal improvement plan by HR or we may have to undertake a course to upgrade our skills....

READ MORE ....

The marks of a healthy church (1) - Well-Being Australia - Tues 18 Sept

It was 10 pm., and the 60-year-old patient would not last the night. She was still conscious so her grieving daughter and I prepared for a bedside vigil. Then a thought: I preach about the ministry of the whole church, so why was I there in the hospital? I phoned the chairman of elders (Russell Costello - yes the father of Janet, Tim and Peter) and asked him to arrange ..

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MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

1 min video - 2018 young writers conference - Press Service International - Mon 17 Sept

The 1 minute video of the 2018 young writer conference held in Christchurch on Saturday 1 September is released. These regular 1 minute videos have been produced since the 2013 young writer conference in Melbourne are by no means the definitive response, rather they are designed to provide a glimpse of the focus, the fun and enjoyment......
Photo - video producer Bridget Brenton of Brisbane

VIEW THE VIDEO ......

The most difficult Scripture - by Josh Robbie (South Africa) - Mon 17 Sept

Scriptural exhortations and commands are sometimes difficult to abide by. Like the one about not looking at another woman to lust for her. That one is even more difficult for men. Not boiling a young goat in its mothers milk has not been difficult for me so far, but it could be if I were trying to simmer a young kid in its mum’s milk on the stove while trying not to let it ...

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Why Leviticus excites me - by Jessica McPherson (Christchurch NZ) - Mon 17 Sept

If I said “Think of an exciting book of the bible”, what would you think of? 1 or 2 Kings perhaps? (Lots of exciting stories about David in there!) Perhaps Daniel? (The fiery furnace springs to mind as an exciting story!) Or perhaps even Revelation? (Stories with dragons ...

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Respecting Politicians - by Rosie Robinson (England) - Mon 17 Sept

It has just gone nine o’clock in the evening and after a longish day at work and with this week’s deadline approaching, I knew I had to write this article and was doing what any normal person would do; checking their Facebook feed! I was attempting to find some ....

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Unbroken line: a lesson in mercy - by Sharma Taylor (West Indies) - Mon 17 Sept

Major roadworks were being conducted across the island, particularly in the business and commercial districts. These road construction projects were part of the Jamaican Government’s ambitious plan to improve an aging, poorly maintained road network.

READ MORE .....

A test of 4 seconds - churches into homes - Mark Tronson (Tweed Heads) - Mon 17 Sept

“Manor from Heaven – turning a church into a home” an article in The New Daily by Max Opray, once churches converted people, now people are converting churches .....

READ MORE .....