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by Matt Kaufman
The popular Da Vinci Code claims to set the record straight on Christianity. But it’s Da Vinci’s claims that need to be set straight.
Here, in a nutshell, is the history of Christianity according to Dan Brown, author of the phenomenally bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code (soon to be a movie directed by Ron Howard): It’s all been one big sexist plot to empower men and oppress women. |
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Believe it or not? |
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| Some readers may recall this newspaper photo a few years ago of twins, one of whom had very light skin, and the other had very dark skin tone... |
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FIND OUT IF YOU CAN ORDER CHALLENGE IN YOUR AREA! |
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Explorers
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Getting on with
‘in-laws’
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| Human beings are funny creatures. Some are like sheep, some are like goats. The sheep meekly follow one another and fall into line. The goats butt one another, hurting and being hurt.
Among in-laws there are sheep and goats. Some manage quite happily, maintaining a level of peaceful relations. Others are into head-butting. In fact, I hear frequently of running battles that last a lifetime. |
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Struggle for acceptance
Australian country singer Carol Donovan of Dubbo, N.S.W., began singing when she was ten years old.
She’s enjoyed stardom on the red carpet at theGolden Guitars in Tamworth, she has written with Gina Jeffreys and Rod McCormack, and performed alongside the best in the music industry, including Marcia Hines and Normie Rowe at the Marathon Stadium Carols By Candlelight.
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What happens when I die ?
“During the next two years I was seemingly living life to the motto of ‘wine, women, and song’. These ‘happy’ feelings, however, were fleeting and constantly interrupted by the fearful thought, ‘What happens when I die?’
“Somewhere, through the ‘highs’ of marijuana and heavy metal rock music, I was convinced of the emptiness of the life I was living and equally convinced that there was an after life. Was there a god?” |
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All or nothing
After a tragic superbike accident in his youth all of David’s future hopes were dashed and it seemed nothing could change that... |
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The problem with Patty
By age sixteen Angela was a mother and she became very fearful. “The reality of this small child, and the emotions he stirred, gripped me with fear. The love I felt for my little boy was overwhelming – it consumed me. I was afraid for us, for our future.
“Suddenly it wasn’t about me any more; I had to clean up my act, and think for this child even though I was still a child myself. I was prepared to protect my little boy with my life. |
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Mourning miscarriage
Today as I looked at the items I bought for our new babies, tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered our little twins that were destined to pass from this world to the next before they were even born.
One had dissolved into my system, the other I lost. What an abrupt end to such dearly wanted children. |
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Found on the beach!
A nursery teacher says that a decision she took more than 50 years ago was the most important she ever made.
Brenda Stenning was brought up in Worthing, West Sussex, by loving and caring parents.
“I was well provided for in every way,” she says, “except that no-one ever told me about Jesus.” |
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Learning to trust by Margaret Curran
One day I was outlining some work with Indian ink and accidentally dropped a blob of it right in the middle of the sky. “I’ve made a mistake,” I squealed to my teacher as I began mopping it up and trying to get rid of the stain. “Never say that,” she replied, “We will turn it into a bird, or a cloud. You can always make some good use of it, and it often turns out better.” ... |
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Lisa’s new identity
Fostered at nine weeks old, Lisa Jenkins describes her upbringing as “horrific”.
“I was in and out of hospital for years,” she said.
“My three sisters and I were black children living in Ashford, Kent, with a caring middle-aged couple. It was wonderful but weird. “I had no identity; we were lone black faces in a sea of friendly, curious white ones...."
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What more could I want?
John Wright has experienced highs and near ruin, including a prison sentence, and says that “God has his own way of dealing with pride!” Training at Oxford University, then with the accountants Price Waterhouse and at Harvard Business School, John became the sixth generation of his family to become a Director of The Butterley Company in Derbyshire. The firm mined coal, built railways and made bricks and cast iron. |
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The race of his life
“The party-lifestyle at high school seemed to dictate how most people I was around, acted. Basically running, drinking, hanging with my mates and meeting girls at parties was the core of my youth.” After finishing his first year as a sophomore at the University of Michigan, USA, Nick came home for his summer break.
“Things had ended in a sour way with my girlfriend, and I was in a bit of a soul search. Having been away from home for a year, I looked at things through a much different perspective and took a lot more notice at the way people were acting. |
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Depression – Part 1
Depression affects one in five people in their lifetime, and is one of the most common health problems of our time. Up until recently there has been great misunderstanding in the community about the nature of depression, but we are now witnessing an increasing appreciation of what a complex illness it is.
What is depression?
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Building better marriages by Rob Furlong
“I’ll knock your block off, Charlie Brown!” Lucy cried as she chased Charlie Brown down the street. Charlie turned to reason with her, explaining that there were more mature ways to settle disputes. In frustration, Lucy “knocks his block off” and with a self satisfied look on her face, turns to Violet and says, “I had to hit him, he was beginning to make sense!” |
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