2010 September Journal

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Summary of the articles and information in the Journal.

Summary - Salt Shakers Journal September 2010 

Editorial (full version below)
We all have to vote and all too often that is all we think we can do - we think 'Now to sit back and watch the politicians!' NO, that is not the answer. Now is the time for you to start to influence the decision making process.

Election Reflections
Peter Stokes brings us up to date with a review of the lead-up to the current political situation and hence a look at the behaviour and views of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. This detailed article also defines the role of Christians in this situation.

News and Action
Canberra - Canberra Declaration; WA - Pride festival; Darwin - Defence families moved; WA - Euthanasia; Canberra - Gov-Gen and the government

Do you have 'gumption'?
Jenny Stokes discusses the word 'gumption' and relates it to how we function as Christians. Do we have the courage to stand up for God, for faith, for holiness and for Biblical values?

A Fence or an Ambulance
Joseph Malins' poem, written in 1895, explores the theme of having a fence at the top of the cliff to prevent people being lured into addictive and sinful behaviour.

Vic: Babies born alive after abortion
Jenny Stokes reports on the shameful situation in Victoria of the defeat of a motion by Peter Kavanagh DLP to form a Parliamentary committee to investigate the deaths of babies born alive after late-term abortions.

"The Barbarians are Coming....Here" Part 2
Dr Murray Adamthwaite continues his excellent article on our descent into barbarism and the parallels with Ancient Rome. He discusses the aspects of entertainment, marriage and underpinnings and then how we are to face a disintegrating world.

Resistance Thinking - Video project update
This is an update on the progress of the video project highlighting the generous support received and the construction of a studio at the office.

40 Days for Life
This is information about the up and coming 'The 40 Days for Life' campaign, which is world-wide and focuses on the issue of pro-life and the tragedy of abortion.

Who suffers?
Jan Lumley shares her heart and urges us to consider the issue of abortion when we vote. She describes the enormous suffering involved and the guilt we should carry and address.

Vic: 'March for the Babies' and 'Life Vote'
Each year, since the passing of Victoria's Abortion Law Reform Act on October 10, 2008, the March for Babies has been held. This year it will be on 9 October. Life Vote is a website organised by the Australian Family Association.

California: same-sex 'marriage' again?
Jenny Stokes details the travesty of justice perpetrated in California by a homosexual judge who struck down Proposition 8 and the peoples' vote. She then describes the proposition and who is for and against it.

World News
UK: Ads for abortion; UK: Equality law case; IVF Sex selection; Religion and politics.

 

Editorial

What a pity Julia Gillard did not consult with us before calling an election for August 21!

We were on holiday when she called the election and so the August Journal had already gone to the printers.

The day of the election was two days before this journal had to be at the printers, giving us little opportunity to effectively sum up the events of that day. We could not delay the printing because Jenny and I were heading for a conference in Canberra.

Never mind the statement that 'a day is a long time in politics', it is a short time to write and proofread a Journal.

Those are the breaks, I guess - some you win, some you lose.

Did the nation win on Saturday August 21?

That will not depend on who you thought was best to run the country but on what they actually do once a government is formed.

We all have to vote and all too often that is all we think we can do - we think 'Now to sit back and watch the politicians!'
NO, that is not the answer.

Now is the time for you to start to influence the decision making process. Yes, you can!

You may not have voted for the winning candidate in your House of Representatives seat or any of the winners of the Senate seats in your State or Territory but that does not matter. They ARE your representatives, and you need to get to know them. You need to start building relationships with them.

How easy that is will depend on where you live and where their office is but we can all make an effort. Your House of Representatives  office will not be too far away. Senators represent the whole state so there may not be one close at hand but there is always email, Australia Post and/or the telephone.

The phrase "it is not over till it is over" could be true here The election is over but, despite all the promises that will or will not be kept, it is important to remember that, in politics, little is embedded in concrete except the building.

We need to cultivate influence. It must be educated and reasonable to be effective but remember, when it comes to Christian values, we are not lobbyists looking to achieve the lesser of two evils. We have a set of values that are best for everyone.

We don't lose if we are unsuccessful in persuading those who lead the country to go God's way. We lose if we compromise and lose if we don't try to bring them about. 

Society loses if they don't listen and follow the Christian worldview, but that is their fault, not ours. That is their responsibility and they will be held accountable before God.

If two teams are to play a game of football and one does not show up, the other team wins by default. If both teams have played and played well, neither side really loses.

We are called to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. When we do we are not responsible for the outcome. But if we compromise and settle for the lesser of two evils we lose and so does our nation because satan always wins when we do that. 'Incremental gain' is one of satan's other names along with compromiser, appeaser, fence sitter and many more.

Today is the first day of this nation's future. What will we do to shape that future?

Yours in Christ Jesus

Peter and Jenny Stokes