No Justice without Righteousness

"We want Justice!"  "Give us our rights!" are the demands of people across the globe. There are forums on achieving it: riots to demand it: letters to the newspapers to plead for it and late night chat shows debating how to achieve it. All this is well and good except for one thing. What is that? As with a coin so with Justice. There are two sides to it.

The Greek word for justice is also the word for righteousness. Strange don't you think that people are not demanding righteousness or rioting for the right to do the right thing. If you tried to cut a coin in two and remove, as it were, the tail, the head would be debased, worthless. This is what happens when justice is demanded but the right to do the right thing is scorned.

Justice and righteousness  require the acceptance, assurance and application of some absolute standard. Without it what is justice for you may well be tyranny for me. I think such things are happening in the so called 'Arab Spring.' Without a framework for righteousness what I might see as unrighteous and harmful could be seen by others as beneficial and enjoyable.

To my mind we are witnessing an increasing clamor for justice, meaning I want what I think is my due, without a foundation of Absolutes. This justifies violence, lies, selfishness and destruction of property as a means to achieve so called justice. Righteousness without a basis on which it can stands becomes subjective and a person becomes his or her evaluator of what is right at any given moment.

No one has come up with a better foundation on which to define justice or righteousness than the Christian Bible. Since society as a whole has rejected its authority and its absolutes we face growing moral breakdown and increasing anger over injustices. But then one man's justice may simply be causing an injustice to another.

I think I'll will stick to standing on the Absolutes declared by the Lord God within the pages of our Bible. Hosea 10:12 said it well: 'Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.'

Ray (Standing on the Absolutes of Scripture) Hawkins

ACRBA Tour Back To Resolution by Rose Dee

3 - 7 December

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance 

is introducing 

Back To Resolution

(Even  Before Publishing November 2012)

by Rose Dee

Available from Light the dark this week for $12.95 

About the Author:

Rose Dee

Rose Dee was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel.

Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, 'Back to Resolution'. 

Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women.

Rose’s other releases include, 'Beyond Resolution' - the second book in the 'Resolution' series. And ‘A New Resolution’ – the final book in the series.

Rose has also co-written a novel in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian Authors; ‘The Greenfield Legacy’.

Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.

Book Description:

Back to Resolution

Bay Anders is lost. She enjoys every privilege a wealthy upbringing affords, but the void in her soul refuses to be filled.
Her mother's dying revelation drives Bay to the brink of self destruction, before a move to Australia changes everything. She embarks upon a search for her father that leads her to his island home, into a hazardous melting pot of hostile locals and a mystery – her father's disappearance.
The only person who can help her is a strong, selfassured and intensely magnetic man. Bay must fight an overwhelming attraction to stay focused on her goal.

Flynn McKenna is hiding from the world. A past filled with mistakes drove him to withdraw from society and live in seclusion. But the arrival of a woman he cannot avoid
shatters his solitary existence. As the search for Bay's father unites them, can he resist his desire for her?
It becomes a race against time as developers try to take over the island.

From the glittering streets of LA, to the beautiful
Daintree forest in North Queensland, to the idyllic island `Resolution', Back to Resolution is a romantic mystery that shows how far a little faith can go.

Website - http://rosedee.com/

Denying History

Strange don't you think how dictators want to deny history or falsify history for their own evil intent. This has been true in the politcal and religious spheres since Nimrod built Babylon.

The present religious bully boys in the Middle East, the Islamist, are trying to deny history and rewrite themselves into  the vacuum they create. Ancient records engraved in stone and situated in  many archaeological sites by the Assyrian, Babylonian, Medio-Persian and Roman powers bear testimony to Israel's history. These records are outside of the Judeo-Christian Bible's account.

The hatred Islam has towards Israel goes to such depths as denying Israel's history, links with the land and  even its Biblical 'birth.' The tragedy is compounded by the removal and destruction of historical sites in Jerusalem and around the temple mount. Priceless artifacts are made junk and dumped as they try and rewrite hisory.

To me the silence of much of the media and sections of the Christian Church on this is disturbing. To deny and falsify Biblical and Israelitish history ultimately undermines the Christian Faith and the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Bible however is never caught by surprise. It has included warnings about such warped thinking and action. It also bears testimony to an evil personage who endeavours to change times and seasons.  His coming and his destruction is already recorded in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians and Revelation.

'He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out  the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and a half a time.' Daniel 7:25.  Revelation 13:1-18. 19:17-20.

'I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away the person's share in the tree of life and the holy city which are described in this book.' Compare also Deuteronomy 4:2. 12:32. Proverbs 30:6.

Trying to write out of history the work of God in, to and through Israel is to also plunder the reality and ministry of the Church of Jesus the Christ. It is also calling the Godhead a liar. That's dangerous and self destructive.

Ray (believing the bible's history) Hawkins.

When the Mask is Washed

Screams, sobs and some small tantrums came from the bathroom. The five year old was having a bath. Not any old every day type of dunking. No! It meant the butterfly painted on that morning at the fair was going down the gurgler. The five year old felt it was a catastrophe never to recover from.

How similar to adults. The issue will not be a painted butterfly but some other seemingly important matter. Being older means we may not scream, sob or do a tantrum. We may brood, sulk, and resent God when He drags us off to be washed by His Word. Our masks are not painted but they can be hiding the real self. The Lord isn't interested in the mask. He loves the real you, the real me.

When we enter into God's realm He gives us a spiritual bath. It is internal and it is eternal. His design is a complete make-over. The victory of Christ Jesus at the cross on our behalf deals with the self-righteous camouflage, the stain of sinfulness and the bruises from shame.

After the bath and when the next day came the five year old had moved on from the attachment to the face painting.The same happens to us when the Lord removes the masks and the stains and bruises of our inner being. A new person emerges to face a new day with a new freshness.

Therefore maybe it is time for God to give some of us a new wash through confronting us with the 'water of His word.'

Ray (thankful for the wash) Hawkins

By Whose Authority

On what authority do you stand to make the claims you make? .     

Over the years questions like that have arisen when either sharing or debating moral or religious matters. Knowing what you believe and why is important. However is the ground on which you take your stand solid or a quagmire?

Ultimately the foundation on which we build our faith, our hope, our lifestyle will be tested. There are consequences, some not perceived or desired, from believing what we believe. There is a looming debate concerning euthanasia. People want the right to end their own life when, where and how they choose. Sounds reasonable. However I wonder on what authority do they make the decision? What is their authority about life or non life after death?Have they made adequate preparation to meet God? How do they consider Him (or her or it)?

What is the authority of their view?

For me my authority for life, living and dying is the Judeo-Christian Bible. In ever increasing circles the Bible is being ignored or merged with other religious writings and sometimes the secular tomes as well. I would like to say that if the Koran, the Hindu scriptures, Book of mormon and the theories of evolution were put under the same intense scrutiny as the Bible has endured they would crumble.

In every field of investigation the Bible has stood the test and has come through without blemish. This isn't the space to expand on it but there are websites,books and videos upholding the integrity and veracity of the Bible. The main reason people refuse to accept its authority is because it upholds a view of God as holy and the sinfulness of humanity.  To imagine ourselves as acceptable to God either elevates our goodness or sullies God's holiness. To accept the Bible's authority requires us to cry out for a Saviour.

Who can claim to be that Saviour? On what tested and tried authority can such a Saviour be trusted? No one measures up apart from Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, crucified, risen and coming again! What is my authority. The Bible! Is this wishful thinking? No! It is the result of research, historical events, archealogical support, language and culture from the times of writing, and the eye witness accounts of those who wrote about Jesus.

My authority doesn't come from my own conceits or wishful thinking. I stand on solid ground, the Bible. How solid is your ground? 

Ray (standing on solid ground) Hawkins

Press Release - Bethlehem's Warrior Baby

I would like to share with you the following press release from my publisher.

You can order it direct from 'Even Before Publishing' or your local christian bookshop or contact me.

PRESS RELEASE

Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby



Cover of latest 31 Day devotional



The Warrior Child – more than just a baby in a Christmas Nativity Scene

Born with a silver spoon in the mouth denotes privilege. How would you define a babe born with a sword in the mouth? A warrior!  This is true of Jesus. Born at Bethlehem he is no sentimental baby merely surrounded by sheep and donkeys and cows too. Christ is the Warrior of Heaven. He has come on a mission. When we celebrate Christmas we need to see it from His perspective.

Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby does just that, through Biblical accounts, author Ray Hawkins has written a 31 day devotional about Jesus the Warrior born at Bethlehem. Gain new insights or refresh well known ones while reading this book. From Genesis to Revelation you will see the promised One become the One who has come. Then be taken further to see Christmas fulfilled when Jesus comes again.

“This new release from Ray Hawkins is just in time for Christmas for a reason. It’s at this time of year that we once again hear the story of Jesus’ birth,” said Wombat Books Principal, Rochelle Manners, “This story has been told so often, it is refreshing to gain a deeper understanding of what Jesus came to do.”

Ray said, “This book is about the Christ of Christmas and I’ve written it for all who are interested in a deeper understanding of this event.”

Ray retired from fulltime Christian ministry after 40 years. This covered time in NSW and QLD and the UK. In his senior years were three short term mission trips to Africa shared with his wife Mary. A promotional book for an African mission began Ray's writing career. The 31 day Devotional highlighted God's faithfulness in their African village experiences. Being retired he still continues to preach and teach. The main emphasis of his writings is to unfold a life theme and throw light on it from the Bible.

Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby is available in all good bookstores or online at www.evenbeforepublishing.com or www.lightthedark.com.au. 

For more information:

Sally Ford

Even Before Publishing

Phone: 07 3245 1938

Email: sally@wombatbooks.net

African memories.

Africa In Our Hearts

We left something in Africa – part of our hearts. We brought back lots from that country, including precious memories. Mary and I had the privilege of going three times to this continent on short term mission study tours. We were led by Roger Ellem and experienced village life, various slums and gracious hospitality and inspirational church involvement.

 

Mary and I with Pastor Abel and Family - Zambia



Some mementos sit on our shelves, photos adorn walls and albums. Whenever Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana make the news we become transfixed to radio or Television. I only have one real regret, we were not in the position to have done this sooner when younger so we could have gone more often.

Keeping a daily journal keeps the memory fresh when reread. That kept nagging me to make a more disciplined account of some of our discoveries of our Lord’s faithfulness and His church’s experiences in our lives. This became the basis of my first serious attempt at writing. It took the form of a 31 day devotional. Since then I’ve had four other devotional books on different themes published by Even Before Publishing 

The Neurotic Rooster was the African publication. It has been used by others who have considered and then gone on short term mission trips. The title came from a rooster who used the roof of where we stayed for his perch. I think he was worried about snakes or cats or...? Anyway his nocturnal habits kept us awake and nearly made us neurotic. The account is briefly outlined in the devotional.

I would like to offer a couple of these books to interested folk in a giveaway draw opportunity. If you would like one simply make a comment to go into the draw. This would be limited to Australia and New Zealand. However if someone from outside that zone commented who knows what might happen!

This will be open until November 30.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Ray (African daydreamer) Hawkins,