Human rights groups are putting pressure on the Nigerian Government to ensure the prompt investigation into a massacre in which hundreds of Christians are believed to have been killed earlier this month.

     Human rights organisations Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Human Rights Watch are among those who have called on the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, to ensure the perpetrators of the violence are prosecuted and that citizens of all ethnicities are protected from further attacks or reprisal killings.

       The latest killings in Nigeria’s Plateau State – which also drew calls from US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, for the perpetrators to be prosecuted - took place in the early hours of 7th March when, according to Human Rights Watch, “groups of men armed with guns, machetes, and knives attacked residents of the villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot, and Ratsat, 10 kilometres south of Jos, the capital of Plateau State”. The organisation said the dead included “scores of women and children”.

     DAVID ADAMS reports...  | more...|

Australia - described in the 19th century by a Scottish church minister as "the most Godless place under heaven" - will get its first saint when Sister Mary MacKillop is canonised by Pope Benedict XVI later in the year.

     Some Protestant church leaders have, however, raised questions about the need to find "proof of a miracle" in order for her sainthood to be confirmed.

     Mary MacKillop, the daughter of a Roman Catholic, Scottish immigrant, at just 24, established the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph in South East Australia in the late 1800s.

     A teaching order, known locally as the "brown Joeys" after their brown habits, brought the first educational experiences to many of Australia's rural poor then.

     The recognition in 2009 of a second miracle attributed to MacKillop, has ensured she has passed the last stage of the three stages needed for her to be granted sainthood.

     KIM CAIN reports for Ecumenical News International...  | more...|

What was the reasoning behind embracing comic books as an evangelistic tool?

"'The truth is like a lion, just let it out of its cage and it will do its work.' (John MacArthur) We do many different stories, such as sci-fi, action-adventure, Biblical epics, historical fiction, and biographical. Some are positioned so as to expose people to Biblical truth and stories and others are genre stories framed within a Christian worldview. We just signed  well-known writer Dr Marvin Olasky to a 15 comic, three graphic novel deal and his stories are imagination-expanding tales that I think will have a big impact. We should have about 30 to 35 books out by the end of this year. The goal is to have 75 plus by the end of 2011.

     "The power and authority are already there in God’s Word in His story and the way the Spirit takes those stories and then reaches into the human heart with them. We are simply setting the table and giving people reasons to believe. CS Lewis viewed reason as the natural 'organ of truth' and imagination as the 'organ of meaning'. He believed that the only way we grasp any idea with clarity is if we have an image associated with it.

     Pastor Art A. Ayris is founder and chairman of Florida-based comic book company Kingstone Media which, as well as producing the award-winning feature film The Touch and publishing books including Pastor Ayris' own novel, Sudan, has published comic books focusing on stories such as those of Exodus, Moses and Revelation, sci-fi tales such as the two volume series 2048, in which the future of genetic engineering takes a dark turn, and a true tale, fittingly called The Last Convert of John Harper. Pastor Ayris spoke with KRIS BATHER...  | more...|

Thousands of Christians worldwide will unite in prayer for Burma next week as part of global day of prayer for the nation, organisers said.

     It comes amid reports that thousands of predominantly Christian Karens have fled their homes amid fresh attacks by government backed troops on their villages.

     The Global Day of Prayer for Burma first began in 1997, initiated by Christians Concerned for Burma at the request of Burma’s democracy leader, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

     “It has since become an internationally recognised event attended by those struggling to see an end to suffering in Burma,” said Britain-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which has investigated the situation of Christians in Burma, also known as Myanmar.

     A report from Bosnewslife...  | more...|

It’s the life affirming stories, the good news stories, which keep Youth With A Mission (YWAM) volunteer Hannah Peart from being overwhelmed by the needs of a place such as Papua New Guinea.

     Stories like that of Bonnie, who, when she first met him, was only a month-old and already an orphan after his mother died in childbirth. When Hannah, a registered nurse who visited his community as part of a team providing healthcare and education, the village had declared him “as good as dead” and decided to throw him in the river. But a couple, with whom the decision didn’t sit well, decided to take him and adopt him. While his life was saved temporarily, they had no milk to feed him with and he just grew weaker by the day.

     “When I met him, I didn’t think he had much longer than a day to live.,” recalls the 28-year-old New Zealander. “But I really didn’t think this was the plan for this small child so I really encouraged this family to believe that this child could live and declare life and the value of life over this child.

     DAVID ADAMS reports...  | more...|

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OPEN BOOK: BELIEVING THE PROMISE AND FORSAKING THE FOOLISHNESS (IV)

The Promise was as good as ratified when the Lord took the initiative and gave His Promise to Abraham. In human transactions, once a will is ratified then what the benefactor bequeaths comes lawfully to those identified in the will as recipients. But when Paul discusses the Law (Torah), he is discussing why the Law was promulgated to serve those who were identified as the ones to carry the Promise. As the people of the Promise, why would they need any addition to their bequest?

     In the first instance, Paul's answer is related to what he assumes about the inheritance. What is the inheritance? The Benefactor had said to Abraham and his offspring - "You, and your seed, are the people of my Promise; I am your inheritance. Believe it." That was the assurance of the Lord, a Promise to watch over Abraham and his progeny throughout their generations, as they waited for the Lord to fulfil His Promise. When it was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ, the Blessing, the Bequest, would be realised and God Himself would dwell with His people, the people who received His promise by faith, and He would continue to walk with them.

    In his series examining the New Testament book of Galatians, BRUCE C. WEARNE continues the final part of his look at what Paul says about the Promise we are given...  | more... |

SIGHT-SEEING: INVICTUS - WHAT REAL HEROES LOOK LIKE

If you believe the news media hype, celebrating Oscar week has become an almost religious observance. It's the week when actors, directors and technicians are feted like modern-day saints.

     In interview after interview on the infamous red carpet even their most inane comments are played and replayed as if dripping with holy wisdom. In the midst of all the hype this year, one movie serves as a timely reminder of what real-life heroism looks like.

     Invictus traces the lead up to the rugby World Cup in 1995, treating us along the way to a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of Nelson Mandela's remarkable presidency.

     Having visited the Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela spent years breaking rocks in a limestone quarry, I found myself watching the movie with tears in my eyes just thinking about the remarkable character of the man.

MAL FLETCHER reflects on what it means to be a hero...  | more... |

LIFESTORY: A LUNCH BAG THAT WAS MULTIPLIED

A missionary couple's son was born with a serious heart defect. With the help of great doctors and miraculous surgeries, he survived birth. Even though he was physically handicapped by his heart condition, this boy remained one of the most spiritually alive kids anyone could ever meet. To everyone he was a beacon of joy that loved to give.

     Sam and Janey Stewart's son Charlie at age five went to school one day proudly carrying the lunch his mom had made. When his mom went to check on him at lunchtime, she found him sitting next to his new friend, Micah. Micah was eating Charlie's lunch and Charlie had the biggest smile on his face. Charlie had given his lunch to his new friend. And while he must have felt a little hungry watching Micah eat, Charlie's smile told the story. He loved to give and watch the joy it brought to others.

    In a story first published on Assist News Service, KAREN GONZALEZ relates the inspiring story of Charlie Stewart... | more... |

SIGHT-SEEING: LABELS, LABELS AND MORE LABELS

I remember a story told to me once by some old friends. They had brought up their children in Indonesia, and when their children played with children from other nationalities, their parents decided to ask them one day what colour the other children’s skin was. My friends’ children said they didn’t know. They just saw them as playmates. The colour of their skin wasn’t an issue.
      There have been times in my life when my compartmentalising of people and people-groups has been exposed. At the church I attend, in inner-city Melbourne where the socio-economic status is lower than where I live, we have a food cupboard which is available for anyone to receive food from. I have been told that it’s there for me as well. When I was first told that it was there for me as well, I felt awkward. My middle-class background has given me too much pride to be able to receive free food when I can afford to buy it. And besides, what would people say if they saw me lining up with those poor unfortunates who really need the food? What this exposes in all its ugliness is the fact that I don't want to be associated with being needy, that I do very well being quite self-sufficient thank you very much.

    NILS VON KALM explores our need to 'label' people... | more... |

WOW! UNCOVERING 'THE ESSENCE OF THE FATHER'

During my pursuit to learn Hebrew, which is the language of both the Old Testament and the modern State of Israel, I've made many precious Jewish friends, travelled throughout Israel and experienced many 'Wow!' moments.

     Unlike in English, every letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a unique meaning. If you combine the meaning of each letter, you can usually understand a new word that you've never heard before.

     Here's an example of how this works: The Hebrew letter 'alef', which is similar to our letter 'A', is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It literally means 'leader'.

     KARYN MARKWELL says that her quest to learn Hebrew has led to many Wow! moments... | more... |

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MUSIC: LEELAND'S "MATURE POP WITH A CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE"
Leeland. A bloke, some brothers, a band. They’re a church band really. They’re a pop band as well.  They’re both. They’re possibly the result of Michael W Smith morphing pop music into church music and Delirious? doing the opposite back in the day. 

     They’re kinda the last 20 years of contemporary Christian music in a new form. It’s not youthy and it’s not for the oldies. It’s mature pop with a Christian conscience, a worship edge, a melodic hook and the players just happen to be young.

    JUSTIN MICHAEL listens to US band Leeland's latest... | more... |

BOOKS: LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO BIG QUESTIONS IN THE GOD I DON'T UNDERSTAND

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Christopher Wright’s The God I Don’t Understand to everyone. Christopher Wright is a respected scholar in the Old Testament, and was formerly the principal of All Nations Christian College, a leading mission training college in England. Currently he is the director of Langham Partnership International, and the chair of the Theological Resource Panel of TEAR Fund, UK.

     The God I Don’t Understand is easy-to-read, honest, and full of insights. It seeks to answer four questions:

• What about evil and suffering?

• What about the Canaanites? (That is, how come such violence can be found in the Bible?

• What about the cross?

• What about the end of the world?

     Christopher Wright is gentle, Biblical and not dogmatic. He deals with the problem of evil and suffering skilfully. He insightfully says that while we often ask ‘why does God allow pain and suffering?,’ the people in the Bible more often ask ‘how long, Lord?’. This is so true!

    SIU FUNG WU finds some lucid anwers to tough questions... | more... |

ON THE SCREEN (DVD): LORD, SAVE US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS A CHALLENGING LOOK AT THE CHURCH

Here is a DVD worth watching as the Australian federal election draws near this year. Despite its rather provocative title, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers does not seem to attack certain types of Christians. It is, rather, a constructive critique of aspects of contemporary Christianity in America - and, at least to some degrees, Christianity in Australia. It is, therefore, one of those movies that everyone who is serious about their Christian faith should watch.

     Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is a documentary directed by Dan Merchant. The film was made in 2008, just before the presidential election in the US. It tries to show how the church in America is perceived by non-Christians. It demonstrates how the opposing religious voices in the public arena polarise rather than unite people. It talks about a ‘culture war’ going on as faith and culture meet each other.

     SIU FUNG WU takes a look at Lord, Save Us From Your Followers...  | more...|

COMICS: TOY STORY #1 HITS THE RIGHT BALANCE OF "HUMOUR, EMOTION AND LIGHT-HEARTEDNESS"

Following on from the first part of this story as seen in the recent Toy Story #0 from BOOM! Studios, The Return of Buzz Lightyear, Part Two is presented here in another charming instalment of this widely adored franchise.

     Jesse Blaze Snider again impresses with his considerable writing skills. There's a lot to live up to whenever you stamp a Pixar property boldly on the cover, but BOOM! can afford to be confident. Jumping from the dark vampire romance of Dead Romeo to this kid friendly series with ease, Snider manages to erase any doubt as to his storytelling diversity.

     The guy is funny. Like the previous issue, I enjoyed this more than I thought. Snider knows what Toy Story fans expect, that is, humour, emotion and light-hearted fun and with the third film set for a June release, now is the time to dive in and get reintroduced to these characters. Setting the comic between Toy Story 2 and 3 is a wise move, as it gives Snider more characters to...play with and creates a familiarity for fans of the films.

     With the third Toy Story movie looming, KRIS BATHER takes a look at a comic that fills the gap since we last saw Woody, Buzz and friends... | more... |

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PARENTING: TERRIBLE...AND TREASURED

It was a familiar scene for me at the supermarket’s check-out line. Lilly, my youngest daughter, wanted a Snicker’s bar. She’d never had one, but she was sure it must be good.

     “No,” I said. “You can have this instead,” and I held up a bag of dried cranberries, which are normally a favourite snack. Lilly picked up another bag of candy and asked, “Can I?”

     I shook my head again. “Put it back.” She did it again, and I said no again, silently cursing whoever came up with the idea of putting candy there, wondering if it was just to torment mothers, and if we would ever be done paying for our groceries so that I could get her away from this temptation.

    JOY NICHOLAS wonders what we can learn from the 'terrible twos'...  | more...|

ORIGINS: FROM A HUMBLE TIN LID TO 200 MILLION FLYING DISCS

Once known as the ‘Pluto Platter’, the Frisbee owes its origins to the lid of a popcorn tin and an idle moment on a picnic.

     The story goes that Fred Morrison and his girlfriend, Lu Nay, were on a Thanksgiving picnic in the mid-1930s when they started throwing a tin popcorn lid back and forth in an impromptu game. Finding that a tin cake pan was more aerodynamic, they were tossing it around on Santa Monica beach in California a year later when somebody offered them 25 cents for it – which led to them setting up a small business.

     They continued to sell the tins until Morrison served as a pilot in World War II  (he was shot down and served time as a prisoner of war). Back in the US after the war, he took up the idea of the flying disc once more and in 1946 came up with a design for what he now called the Whirlo-Way.

    Following news this month of the death of Fred Morrison, the inventor of the Frisbee, DAVID ADAMS takes a look at how the ubiquitous flying disc came to be created...  | more...|

SIGNIFICANT SIGHTS: KING DAVID'S CALCULATOR

In the labyrinth of Jerusalem’s Old City, just about any scene could have appeared around the next corner.

     Already that long, hot day I’d turned down a hundred different lanes - all seemingly identical to begin with. I’d slapped the soles of my locally-made sandals down many kilometres of smooth stone paths and had been disoriented not only by the maze-like layout of the ancient city, but also from the giddying sense of possibility: what would I discover next!?

     I hadn’t fully absorbed one marvel before I was rushing on to find the next, so anxious was I to squeeze out every sensation possible from this city which was my temporary home.

     I’d turned one way and had been confronted by a busy lane of market stalls, with vendors aggressively trying to sell me everything from frankincense and myrrh to Spongebob Squarepants T-shirts written in Hebrew.

     KARYN MARKWELL finds an unlooked for treasure in Old Jerusalem...  | more...|

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