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Somalia’s Hope
Article by Levi McGrath. ‘The children here…they need milk’, were the words echoing in my mind after talking with a village elder outside his makeshift home. Surrounded by the driest of deserts, with huts made from sticks and torn clothing, no running water, power or even a useable toilet; for him this was the most important thing. Milk. I had visited the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) settlement just days into a two-week trip to Somalia, visiting World Vision projects in the country’s famine-affected northern region. Years of prolonged...
read moreSexual integrity in a sexualised world
Article by medical doctor and sexologist, Patricia Weerakoon. We live in a culture soaked in sex. From sexy clothes for children, medicalisation of sexual desire, genital reconstructive surgery and pornography, we have sexualised, objectified and commodifies our bodies and our sex lives, and some would say our very souls. The very tools that provide us with information and relaxation feed our brains with a diet of varied, perverse and outright dangerous sexual mores and values. Our brains pick up the world’s seductive siren call and allow it...
read moreThe Bible ‘not on Gen Z’s radar’
Article by Adrian Blenkinsop. Is the Bible relevant to Australian young people anymore? Gen Z is the generation born since the mid-1990s, often called ‘the Net’ generation. According to social researcher Mark McCrindle, Gen Z is “the most digitally supplied, globally connected, and formally educated generation in history.” Adrian Blenkinsop, author of ‘The Bible According to Gen Z’ writes about his resource for youth leaders that aims to connect Gen Z with God’s story. Once upon a time in a large church hall, located in a small country...
read moreSex is more than “skin on skin”
RISE managing editor Wendy Rush talks to LWC19 keynote speaker Renee Yam. This year’s LifeWell Conference theme is ‘DEEP’ – getting real about the deep issues impacting our churches, communities and individual lives and finding restoration in Jesus’ name. This theme resonates strongly with Christian sexologist and counsellor Renee Yam. “What a great theme! I love talking about the real and deep issues of our lives and sexuality is definitely one of them. “Our sexuality is complex. There are many experiences in our lives that contribute to...
read moreJesus versus the Bullies
Article by Dr John Dickson. CHRISTIANS CANNOT POSSIBLY HOPE TO CONVINCE WESTERNERS THAT JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SERVE, SUFFER, AND SAVE THEM, IF THEY ARE THOUGHT OF AS BULLYING, GRUMBLING, AND GRASPING FOR CULTURAL GROUND? UNDERSTANDING JESUS’ CLAIM—AND DENIAL—THAT HE WAS THE MESSIAH CHANGES EVERYTHING. _______________ In the first century, worldwide devotion to a Jewish teacher was not what the Jews hoped for when they looked at their ancient prophecies. Many (not all) longed for a military messiah, one who would crush Israel’s enemies by...
read moreCultivating kids who love to read
Rise editor Wendy Rush talks to Jasmine Berry, creator of a unique initiative that helps parents read to their children. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go” said Dr Seuss in I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! Dr Seuss knew that learning to read is the first step in expanding our world and realising our life’s potential. At the very least it is crucial for us to function properly in society but unfortunately it seems there are many people who have been left behind in...
read moreInspiring Good Dads to be Great
Author Mal White explains how and why he came to write ‘Good Dads GREAT DADS’. It has been said that only 10% of Australian men have a close relationship with their fathers. Most men would like to think they will enjoy a life-long relationship with their children but the statistics tell a different story. Children are the worst affected when their dads are not actively involved in their children ‘s lives. Many people carry what has been called a “Father-wound.” Children need the regular input and validation from their father so...
read moreGive thanks… in everything?
By Annette Spurr. Give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 8:13). Everything? Even the bad things? That seems completely unrealistic and unfair. That’s what I thought, anyway… Until a near tragedy changed everything. It started out like most nights at our place… frantically getting dinner ready while my boys played noisily around my feet. Phil had just stepped outside to light the barbeque when we heard an almighty ‘thud!’ I absently thought to myself ‘what on earth was that?’ Then Phil and I looked at each other and the horror in his...
read moreA Strategy to Boost Thankfulness
By Michelle Mitchell, author, speaker, educator and ambassador for Australia’s National Day of Thanks. It is not difficult to notice times when authentic gratitude is lacking in our homes. I have come to recognise that an indulgent life doesn’t make kids happy. The ‘Give Up’ strategy is a quick gratitude booster that any family can use when gratitude is lacking. It requires us to take something away from our children’s lives, until their appreciation for it increases again. Familiarity blindsides many of us. Sometimes imagining something is...
read moreHow does a place of slaughter become a sacred place?
Article by Wendy Rush. On 29 April 2015 two young Australians walked the final few steps from their jail cells to stand before their executioners. Singing praises to God, their hearts and minds were focused on the cross of Christ. Nine years earlier, in February 2006, these young men were convicted of drug smuggling in Indonesia and sentenced to death by firing squad. While there were those who felt they deserved their fate, it was clear there were many more who hoped and prayed for a reprieve. Why did their execution matter to so many?...
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