Child abuse and homicide are on the increase in New Zealand writes our MP at the beginning of his column in one of our local papers. (The Northland Age, Thursday, August 1, 2013)

In the middle of his column he writes about the action, the government is taking to prevent child abuse.

He finishes with this:

“Beyond this it is incumbent on us to create homes, communities and a country that prevents what is totally preventable carnage. WE ALL HAVE A ROLE IN THIS.”

How do we create homes, communities and a country that prevents child abuse and homicide? 

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“Come Dine With Me” and “MasterChef Australia” are two TV programmes here in New Zealand, where I live.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

(We don’t have TV in our home, but there is a TV in the coffee shop, where I go for coffee, and sometimes you can see people eating in the coffee shop and on TV.)

Reading today about Christoph Blumhard reminds me of the two TV programmes.

Christoph Blumhard lived in Germany from 1842 – 1919 and was not only a clergyman but also the leader of a well known place for the needy (Bad Boll).

And this is what struck me when I read his story:

Not only his sermons, but also his devotions in his home for the needy were daily nourishing meals (In German: “bot er in kraeftiger Auslegung Gottes Wort als taegliche SPEISE dar, …”) and the Lord confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

I would have liked to dine at his table!

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Let us always remember what the Lord says in Matthew 4:4:

“Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” [Deuteronomy 8:3] (The Amplified Bible)

“…THEY SINNED AGAINST THE LORD, THEIR TRUE PASTURE, …”

“Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.'” – Isaiah 50:7

FLAX MADE INTO FLOWERS: I bought the bunch this morning

Harakeke (Flax) made into flowers. I watched it happening this morning on Commerce Street in Kaitaia in the north of New Zealand.

WHAT A CHALLENGE FOR ME!

In his book GEDULD UND GLAUBE DER HEILIGEN, Joerg Erb is writing about Antonius from Keman in Egypt, who lived from 251 – 356.

This is what Antonius taught his students:

1.  The thought of eternity must never leave your spirit.

2. Every service must be done with full devotion, do it as if it is the last service in your life.

3. Beware of the cunning wiles of the devil. Four things are keeping the devil away:

a. Praying.

b. Fasting.

c. being humble.

d. doing works of love.

I am challenged to do every service with full devotion as if it is the last service in my life.

“… free indeed.”

You would probably say that it is not quite the middle of Kaitaia, (town in the north of New Zealand) but almost.

“FREEDOM”

Looking over the road (Commerce Street) I see two signs with the message “Freedom”. On this side of the road “Freedom” is also advertised in big letters over a shop. “Freedom Camping” it says there.

In the shop I received the “Hunting & Fishing New Zealand” catalogue and in the catalogue I am reading about “Freedom Tents,” “Freedom Camp Furniture,” “Freedom Camp Cookers,” “Freedom Lighting, Tables, Accessories”.

Freedom is something we are after!

We are prisoners in a prison. We are in chains. We need someone to set us free.

The name of the prison is sin. The name of the deliverer is the Lord Jesus Christ.

In John 8:36 it says:

“‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'”

“TWO GREAT TRUTHS: …”

“1. THERE IS A GOD

2. YOU’RE NOT HIM”