Signs of the Times

January / February 2003

Schnackenberg Gives New Zealand His Best

Schnackenberg’s grey matter is legendary in sailing circles. Dennis Conner, the king of the America’s Cup, once called it “the best brain in yachting.” Former French cup skipper Bruno Trouble refers to Schnackenberg as the “guru of the America’s Cup today.”

Lost and Found

I grew up going to church and attended a church high school in Melbourne. But, somehow, none of what I learned seemed relevant. I didn’t understand what Christianity was about.

Euthanasia: The Topic That Will Not Die

The euthanasia debate has centred on individuals such as these. But this does not recognise that the call for legalising euthanasia often comes from people not yet debilitated, but anticipating the need to maintain their options if ever they reach a state of unbearable pain, mental incompetence or physical indignity.

A Complete Picture of Health

Complete health is a symbiotic relationship from the maintenance of physical, mental, spiritual and social health, in equal balance. These four essential components of health can be compared to a jigsaw puzzle, where all parts must come together to bring the whole picture together.

Jesus and Mateship

The author was the ancient prophet Isaiah (53:2, 3) and the words describe Jesus Christ, the Messiah who was to come many years later. But they so well describe what we New Zealanders and Aussies desire: a best mate.

Massacre in France

The first of the Crusades, initiated by the popes of the Middle Ages to free Jerusalem from Arab control, commenced in 1096. Three further Crusades were launched over the course of the next century, but by then the church had learned to use the Crusades in other ways.

10 Things Parents Want to Tell their Adult Children

As parent–child roles reverse, a wedge can be driven into a good relationship. Clear communication is the answer

William Miller, Calculator of End-times

It was never Miller’s intention to establish a new religion. Indeed, it was with reluctance that he began even to speak publicly of his convictions in 1831. Within a surprisingly short time, by 1844, Millerism had reached its highest tide.

Never Be Late Again

Your alarm goes and you switch it off, telling yourself you’ll get up in five minutes, only to wake up half-an-hour later and find you’re going to be late for work. Again. You run around in a frenzy trying to get ready and only just make it to work on time. Sound familiar?Don’t despair. Lateness is a problem that can be solved.

To Death’s Door—and Back

Modern medicine can do a lot, but we needed the power of a loving God,” says Rebecca Rumble, who says her faith and a miracle pulled her through the near-death experience of her husband, Peter.

School’s In—at Last!

One of the desperate needs for Afghanistan is to reconstruct critical infrastructure. It’s now time to start rebuilding Afghanistan’s educational system, which is devastated from decades of war, suppression and oppression.

Life Will Never Be the Same

I was already apprehensive about parenthood. I mean, why would a rational person take on the responsibility of having a child? You can’t find people to help with a school holiday program for kids, and that only requires you to put up with the ankle-biters for one week a year. But parenthood is a 20-year commitment!