Reviewing the situation

Ron Moody as Fagin

Ron Moody sang the retrospective, "Reviewing the Situation" in the movie of the Broadway show, "Oliver." He played Fagin, a British Charles Dickens character, a master thief, and mentor to the Artful Dodger and young Oliver Twist. There is no mention in the movie that Fagin is a Jew. That's a positive for us.

Last week the universities of Louisiana State (LSU) and Kentucky played a basketball game. For most of the world, it was irrelevant, but the two teams were both on a roll, and the clash lived up to all high expectations.

LSU, up by two points, fouled Kentucky’s Keldon Johnson with six seconds left in the game. Johnson, who was 3-of-7 from the foul line up to that point, calmly sank both free throws to tie the score.
LSU had the ball and one final chance. Junior Skylar Mays drove to the basket and missed a layup, but teammate Kavell Bigby-Williams was there for the tip-in. End of game.

Except that there was controversy. Seems that the tip-in should have been disallowed due to the rule that a ball cannot be touched if any part of the ball is 'in the cylinder' formed above the rim. The call or non-call is not reviewable according to the rules of basketball. The 'non-call' made Kentucky fans irate, as you can imagine. None of the Kentucky fans seemed to notice when seconds before one of their players had his hand up through the ring, which also should have been called as a goal-tending penalty and thus awarding the LSU team with the goal. But selective crowd refereeing is not limited to basketball.

A couple weeks ago, the New Orleans Saints were playing a football game (NFC Championship Game) in their home field, the SuperDome. They played against the eventual winner, the Los Angeles Rams. In the last two minutes, on a 3rd and 10 play, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw a sideline pass which fell incomplete. The Saints kicked a field goal to go ahead by 3 points on the next play. The problem? Robey-Coleman, defenseman of the Rams clearly interfered with that pass and committed two offenses. Neither of those was called by the referees standing within meters of the play. It was a shocking non-call. Again it was also not reviewable by the referees up in the booth.  The whole description of the situation is here.

Due to the rules of each game, certain plays are able to be reviewed by the officials who are not on the court or the field. Certain other plays are not able to be reviewed. That's how rules work. Whether hawkeye on the tennis court or the VAR of the soccer World Cup, some things can be reviewed.

Speaking personally and not via a sports image, I like to review situations. I like to think back over my life, and over interactions with others. I go back over many in my mind, even now. I'm remembering mistakes I've made and moments where I've done things correctly.  Making an inventory of personal moments, defects of character, positive responses to situations... it's about reviewing the situations. Thanks Ron Moody.

When you review the situations of your life, do you see images and people? Do you feel emotions? Do you wish to go back and repair mistakes? I certainly do. But those are irretrievable. Those moments are part of your own history that made you into the you you became. For better or worse, you are you now, and those lessons of the dark past helped make you act better today. Or so I hope.

The Bible uses the term 'sin' to call out mistakes we made and offers us repair via 'repentance.' That's way better than regret or dismissal. Look back. Ponder. Consider the hurts you caused others to experience. Set and keep high standards. Then repent, admit you were wrong, ask God to forgive you, and when it won't harm others more, ask them to forgive you for the wrongs you committed.

That's the point of reviewing the situation. Let's do better next time. Fagin's song is all about NOT amending his life. That's not useful to society. The NFL is reviewing their entire refereeing regimen, and I expect some significant amendments to their review process.

What will you do as you review the situations of your life? 

The Untold Story

Intrigue is the word for wondering about things yet untold. It causes us to linger longer than we should, eavesdropping on private conversations at the next table in the food court. Intrigue makes us wonder what would happen if that man and that woman actually linked up and created a stir. The dictionary tells me it's about secrecy and conspiracy. It involves trickery and maneuvering and could even include tickling one's fancy. I heard from a friend that in the 12-step world of the sexaholics, the word "intrigue" has special meaning—defined as lusting, flirting or taking a sexual interest in someone. 

There is a certain intrigue when the cinema shows previews as well. We wonder about the drama, and fill in the blanks. I may know the general genre of a movie, but the order of things is not so set. I call this intrigue, and the movie producers have me guessing, whether it's Ruth Bader Ginsburg or the latest Toy Story movie. 

Last weekend my wife and I visited our local cinema and two of the previews included this line, Based on "The Untold Story" That's not news, of course, this photo from Chappaquiddick, the untold true story of Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy and his relationship with a woman who died in Massachusetts, and of course, the latest in the Hollywood-exposés of Gary Hart, played by Hugh Jackman, in the new release "The Front Runner." There's something intriguing about finding out the real story. We leave the theatre and admit, "I didn't know that!" But whether it is true or not is irrelevant; it's only based on the truth, and was until now not even told!

They could have said, "based on the true story" as is done in many movies, like Eastwood's "The Mule" "Vice (Cheney's story) or "The Green Book", but there's something intriguing about things untold, as yet. So we are being brought into a bit of unveiling and that brings commensurate glee.

Maybe you like stories as much as I do. And the unveiling of an untold story is massively fun for you, even causing you to guess like it's a whodunit feature. I remember both Chappaquiddick and the Gary Hart affairs, both knocking out potential presidents in their bid for the White House.  So I knew the stories. But many around Sydney don't know, and for them the intrigue is greater.

There's another story which is told, and retold, but many still have not heard, so for them it's as yet untold. It's the story of our Jewish messiah, born in Israel about 2,000 years ago. Some fancied him a prophet, some a celebrity or carnival show master. Larry Norman wrote a song about 1971 called "The Outlaw" and maybe some of these 'categories' will be what you would say about this character whose name is Yeshua.

Some say he was an outlaw that he roamed across the land
With a band of unschooled ruffians and few old fishermen
No one knew just where he came from or exactly what he'd done
But they said it must be something bad that kept him on the run

Some say he was a poet that he'd stand upon the hill
That his voice could calm an angry crowd and make the waves stand still
That he spoke in many parables that few could understand
But the people sat for hours just to listen to this man

Some say he was a sorcerer, a man of mystery
He could walk upon the water, he could make a blind man see
That he conjured wine at weddings and did tricks with fish and bread
That he talked of being born again and raised people from the dead

Some say a politician, who spoke of being free
He was followed by the masses on the shores of Galilee
He spoke out against corruption and he bowed to no decree
And they feared his strength and power so they nailed him to a tree

Some say he was the Son of God, a man above all men
That he came to be a servant and to set us free from sin
And that's who I believe he is 'cause that's what I believe
And I think we should get ready 'cause it's time for us to leave

Let me ask you, is the story untold? Or is it that you just don't want to hear about Him?
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Click to listen to the Outlaw video 

The Movie "Stan and Ollie" is also based on formerly untold information.

Harlot in our midst

The Great Harlot Called Tolerance

 Written by Guest Author:  Danielle Kohen

Do not be misled.  Grace is not the same as tolerance.  In no way does God have the ability to tolerate sin. By his great mercy and grace, he has made a way for us to be reconciled to him through his son, Jesus. There is no other way. 

Yes, the Harlot of Revelation has a name, and her name is Tolerance.  She has already begun to charm and seduce the masses.  So many adoring fans watch on the sidelines and cheer, the media splashes headlines around world news, and the world leaders are both intrigued and fantasising about what they can do with her. Regaled in splendour and false beauty, all marvel at her.

She is here now, on the world stage for all to see. She is a one-world religion of “tolerance”.  She speaks grand words and claims to know how to unite the world through shared love and tolerance of religion.

Yet she is guilty of more crimes against humanity in history than anyone. How many martyrs murdered? How many children robbed of their innocence? How many poor have been robbed by her? She is indeed drunk on the blood of the saints and will continue to persecute those loyal to the one true God. The saints serve only God. They do not serve her so she hates them.

She is wicked and guilty of so many terrible things.

Tolerance whispers to the weak and she says:
“You don’t need a saviour,
Everyone goes to heaven,
You don’t need to repent,
You don’t need to change,
Sin is ok,
There are no rules,
Everything is grey,
Everyone is welcome,
Homosexuality is a celebration; not an abomination,
God’s design is not perfect; swap your gender and chase after beauty,
You can do what you want,
You can pray to whoever you call God,
You can idolise yourself,
I can give you everything you want,
I am your Queen,
Bow down to me now,
Because I will tolerate everything you do.”

Her words are sweet like honey, but she will take you down to the abyss. Be wise and do not let her tempt you. Do not listen to her. Drink only the water from your own cistern and listen only to the one true God and read his Word.  Just as the adulterous woman of Proverbs 5, the Great Harlot, Tolerance displays the exact the same characteristics and will leave you with exactly the same fate.

“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.  She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” Proverbs 5:3-6

Tolerance will make you bear her burdens and suffer. She persecutes those that stand up and speak against her.  When you do not bow to her demands or conform to her ideology, she screams at you and calls you “bigot”, “intolerant”, “discriminatory” or “prejudiced”.  She sentences you with hate crimes just for standing in agreement with the Word of God.  And just like Jezebel, Tolerance is a power hungry murderess who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.  

She masquerades under the banners of “human fraternity” and “world peace”.  But she will turn on the faithful remnant in an instant, like a viper.  There is no peace found in her, only strife and death. She will prostitute herself to all the false gods and all the world leaders.

Above all, remember that as God’s faithful, we are called to love each other and to love our enemies. This is a far higher calling than what Tolerance is calling you to.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31

As the faithful remnant of the Most High God, let us keep the faith, fight the good fight, run the race with perseverance, and keep our eyes on the prize.  Let us finish the race and not be turned to the right or to the left by the Harlot, Tolerance.

                                       -- Written by Danielle Kohen 

Jewish people and the Church: A colloquium and workshop

THIS Saturday the 9th of February here in Sydney's east, a group of thoughtful people will gather to discuss and workshop the ideas that this title engenders. And you are invited to participate.
What about the church would make Jewish people want to join? What about Jewish people causes the church to be apprehensive or reluctant or nervous about sharing what they believe? What about the history of anti-Semitism? Could a Jewish person be a member of the church and still be a good Jew? When we say "the Jewish community," what do we mean? And how can that be filled by most evangelical (read: individualistic) churches in Sydney?

These are but some of the topics we will discuss and address in the 5+ hours together this Saturday.

All the information to register is here.  Meeting at Church in the Marketplace, just 100 metres from the bus and train interchange.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. (morning tea and registration)/ Bookstalls open.
              10:00 a.m.. Session 0:  A panel of Christian pastors from the Eastern suburbs share their experiences
              10:30 a.m. Session 1:  Who are the Jewish people of Sydney? What do they mean when they say, "Jewish community?"
              11:00 a.m.  Session 2:  What are some of the objections to Christianity Jewish people raise
              11:45 a.m.  Table discussions

              12:20    Lunch (bring your own or grab something outside in any of the nearby eateries) Bookstalls open.
                1:00.   Session 3:  Testimony of a Jewish believer. Why would I ever want to join the church? Answering the objections to evangelism at all!
                2:00    Session 4: Anti-Semitism and more table discussions/ Summary
                3:00      Ending.  Bookstalls final sales.

Registration information here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/jewish-people-and-the-church-what-are-the-questions-tickets-54629622672

Giselle Bruce

           
Kon Michailidis

Paul Cohen

Join us this Saturday 9 February. 

PO Box 925

Sydney 2001

Stop by our shop:  58 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction 2022

Phone:  1.800. MESSIAH. (637.742)