Signs of the Times
August 2003
Dame Kiri’s Wonderful Life
With her regal bone structure and astonishing fresh beauty, it’s hard to believe Dame Kiri already qualifies for a senior’s discount, turning 60 in 2004. But evergreen as she is, her appearance is just a small part of her attractiveness and enduring popularity.
Romancing Your Marriage
A husband purchased a glamorous, black evening dress for his wife, and a stylish suit for himself. Next, he ordered a stretch limo, complete with chauffeur for the following weekend. Sounds like a romantic time coming up? Well, not exactly.
Freedom’s Price?
Bombs in churches. Worshippers immolated as they worship. Clergymen beaten up on the street. A missionary and his child burned to death in their car. Believers deported. Houses of worship bulldozed. Religious minorities attacked by mobs. Bibles banned. Christian literature confiscated. The faithful arrested, tortured . . . Where is this world headed? Whatever happened to mutual respect and religious tolerance? What’s going on?
A New Life Begins for Safari
In August 2002, Signs told the story of Safari, the Kenyan boy who underwent 14 operations in Australia to repair severe burns damage. Barry Oliver tells what’s happened since he went home.
Barry Sheene’s Story
Anyone interested in motor sport would have been saddened by the death of former motorcycle world champion and race commentator Barry Sheene, 52, in March. He’d retired to the Gold Coast after years of racing Grand Prix motorbikes. After living a life on the edge, his death came not from speed, but after an eight-month battle with cancer.
Liberation Day
Almost as the tanks rolled to a stop in central Baghdad and coalition forces took tentative control of Iraq, President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair, in addresses to their respective nations and to the people of Iraq, said: “Our forces are liberators not conquerors.” Then they elaborated, saying, “We’re not here to stay, but to give [the people] freedom.”
Healing Compassion
There is a healing quality in compassion. This story of a lonely woman demonstrates that an act of compassion will soothe pain, heal hurt, ease fear, soften a blow and relieve anxiety. Our world always needs compassionate people—those who have an awareness of the suffering of others combined with the wish—and willingness—to relieve it.
The Bible Won’t Bite
What many people expect is that the Bible will be hard to grasp—and in view of some of the stuff that’s peddled about the Bible, that’s understandable. But is the Bible really that hard to grasp?
Why We’re Fat
For a country that prides itself on an outdoor lifestyle, it seems too many have thrown a few too many prawns on the greasy barbie, and maybe a few too many snags, chops and fries as well. The health implications of being overweight and inactive are huge.
Arm-wrestling the Devil
We revere champions, it seems, and have for a long time. In the days of King Saul of ancient Israel, a giant Philistine warrior terrorised them. The biblical account introduces him as a “a champion” also, “named Goliath” (1 Samuel 17:4). Despite his three-metre stature and armour, this champion proved vulnerable to a well-aimed rock from the sling of a shepherd named David. Having stunned him with the rock, David then beheaded him with his own sword. Goliath was not our preferred champion type; we want champions who win.
Cure for Life
Would someone get oxygen for May? Quickly!” May Atkinson wasn’t on an operating table, nor even in a hospital bed. She’d just stepped into the baptismal font of her Port Macquarie, NSW, church. And the request hadn’t come from a doctor, but the minister waiting to baptise her.
Love in the Ultimate
It’s significant to find love as the first step in obedience to God. It puts a different slant on the obedience issue and the rest of the commandments are seen in a new light as based on love for God.
Christians on Hold
Sometimes I wish the Bible were more specific. For example, I looked for counsel to share with my wife regarding how much money she can spend on a visit to the hair salon. The Bible writers are strangely silent on this subject. Is $50 too much? $100? Or is any amount all right as long as you make a matching contribution to Perms for the Poor?
Signs Regular Columns
Trends:
The Creator's Break
Our Times:
Life, or the wife?, heavy-metal waste, a super market and more. . .
Food Matters:
Simplicity Adds to Life
Food Matters Recipe:
Mexe Burgers
Bible Discovery:
Money form Heaven
Medical Hotline
With Dr James Wright
Lifeguide
With Counsellor Carole Ferch-Johnson
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