Author: MikeBain

At the beginning of the year, the speaker of New Zealand’s Parliament Trevor Mallard for once was right on the money when he suggested New Zealanders needed to stock up on food essentials.

Now Mallard – a man who likes to play his music loud and water the lawn while doing it was referring to an overseas trend which seen food shortages and supply chains being disrupted because of the outbreak of Omicron.

In New Zealand today we see lots of empty shelves at the supermarket and think oh yeah, it’s because of Omicron or the war in the Ukraine or as this government will have you believe, it was because of the nine years of neglect from the previous National Government.

But that’s not the real reason.

When I mentioned in an earlier podcast warning of an emerging global food crisis several months ago, many assumed that I was exaggerating things. 

Sadly, I was not exaggerating one bit. 

As I mentioned last year China is stockpiling grain and so is Israel who have learned from the lessons of the past when Egypt under the direction of Joseph spent seven years stockpiling food for the following seven years of famine,

Today we see the price of fertilizer soaring, extreme global weather patterns, shocking crop failures and an epic global supply chain crisis had combined to create a “perfect storm” even before the war in Ukraine began.  

Of course, the war has made things far worse because Russia and Ukraine collectively account for about 30 percent of all worldwide wheat exports under normal conditions. 

For a while, the mainstream media and our leaders in Wellington were in denial about what was happening, but now everyone is finally admitting the truth. 

 In fact, at this point shortages causing rising prices and an opinion poll drop has seen the Ardern Government acknowledge that troubled times are on their way but have fallen short to conceding that a global food crisis is here… But don’t worry, they will catch up.

The White House recently confirmed they expect certain parts of the world to suffer a food shortage as an effect of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at the daily White House press conference recently, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said “the Biden administration anticipate that higher energy fertilizer, wheat, and corn prices could impact the price of growing and purchasing critical food supplies for countries around the world,”

I wish our politicians were talking about this.

It might get a lot more people to understand the seriousness of the crisis that we are now facing.

According to Psaki, the poorest parts of the planet are expected to be affected the most…

She said food shortages were not expected to hit the United States, but rather countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

This is what I have always said.  Those at the bottom of the economic food chain will be hit the hardest at first.

But New Zealand, a food producing nation is already feeling the pain too.

One of the primary factors that is causing this new global food crisis is the price of fertilizer which has doubled in the past 18 months.

“Now, the bigger problems are fertilizer and energy.

WE saw in the news of NZ farmer speaking about having to pay as much as three times the amount a year ago to fill his harvester,

And it’s just not the energy price to run the tractors, but to run the trucks, to run everything else.

And the price of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Those are the three major things we use to make fertilizer … this is causing so much stress on the farmers that farmers all around the world are not planting their fields.

How long will it be before we see New Zealand farmers doing the same.

At this point, we are still eating food that was grown last year.

By the end of the year, we will primarily be eating food that was grown this year, and this year a lot less food will be grown than originally anticipated.

David M. Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Program, the United Nations agency that feeds 125 million people a day

“Ukraine has only compounded a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe,” said. “There is no precedent even close to this since World War II.”

Beasley has no idea how we are going to be able to feed everyone.

But here in New Zealand, most will not start paying attention until it starts to affect them personally.

The good news is that nobody in this country is currently facing starvation, but without a doubt the cost of food is going up, and you can see it for yourself at the supermarket.  $9 for a Cabbage $7 for cauliflower. $3 plus a litre for petrol.

Needless to say, this is just the beginning.

Like I said, we are still eating what has been previously harvested.

By this time next year, things are going to look completely different.

If you want to be ahead of the curve, I back Trevor Mallards recommendation about stocking up at your local supermarket while you still can.

I know that food prices may seem high now, but the truth is that they are never going to be lower than this ever again.

So, take advantage of these food prices while they are still reasonable.

There has not been a global famine in any of our lifetimes, and so we don’t know what that would look like.

But here I am warning that if the situation does not turn around “hundreds of New Zealanders will experience famine like conditions by the end of the year”.

Hopefully I am wrong.

But what if I’m not?

Many years ago, I walked into a menswear store in Porirua and was set upon by a member of staff asking me “Did I know who the Beatles were?”

The reason she asked was, as it turned out, she and her junior assistant were having a conversation and she had mentioned The Beatles and the reaction was who?

Years later Paul McCartney was paying by cheque for a purchase and the assistant asked him for ID.

She recognized his name and responded; ooh my gran just loves you.

And there’s the story of McCartney being refused entry to a party on the night of the 2020 Grammys because the door staff didn’t recognize him.

Apart from feeling for Paul McCartney, I pondered why people no longer recognise one of the greatest music composers of modern times.

And dare I say it, I have grown older, but remember the halcyon days, when young fans screamed at the Beatles Concerts, laid siege outside of their hotels and young men grew their hair so they could look like the Fab Four.

While I lament those days it worries me that Jesus Christ is suffering the same fate.

Kids today may remember the music of The Beatles because while my generation is still around because we may talk about them or play their music.

Same thing with Jesus although I don’t believe he released a record, but the record of his life still exists.

You see if we as grandparents, and parents don’t talk about the Greatest Man whoever walked on the earth, how will our children recognize him when they find him.

Imagine someone saying to Jesus Ooh my Gran just loves you.

The thing that makes me saddest of all is when Jesus does return, how many children regardless of age at the time will turn to their parents and ask why you didn’t tell me about this guy.

Not a Beatles song but Boney M recorded the words to Psalm 137 which started with the words, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.”

That was a lament from the Jewish nation who had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians for 70 years.

They lamented what they had lost as they became strangers in a foreign land.

Like today’s generation the children of those captive grew up in a different land or time as their parents.

The boomer generation well remembers the Beatles, just as the Israelites knew of the treasured days at the Temple in Jerusalem.

As future generations grew it was up to the previous generation to teach them about God, about the temple and to teach them about the Messiah.

After 70 years of captivity in this strange land, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem.

Work had begun to restore the temple in Jerusalem and when they returned there were many different emotions from people weeping, others rejoicing while some just thought meh.

You see the older people who had been in captivity for 70 years knew what the Temple meant to their people, the next generation who was born in Babylon, would only have heard of its significance from their forebears, But the children of that generation would still be young and were oblivious.

But here is the point I want to make, given New Zealand’s history is to be told, I think it’s timely we sit down with our own children and grandchildren and tell them our family history.

The onus is on you to tell your family history because it’s important they know where they came from, and the reasons your family does this or thinks that.

While this generation or the previous one doesn’t think God is all that important, I think if you search back to your grandparent’s day you will find your family’s morals and values are biblically set.

Your grandparents would have the commandments of God on their hearts and would have passed them down to you.

Deuteronomy 6:7-8 says we should impress them on our children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

It was important the captured generation of Israelites learned and it’s just as important for our families to know their history and about how the family at onetime served God.

Many parents of the boomer generation felt like those in Babylon and lament, how can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.

You know Paul McCartney was right when he wrote the words.

Yesterday
All my trouble seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday

And yes, we need to be instructing our children about yesterday.

The redefinition of right and wrong in New Zealand

At the end of the Bible book of Judges there are three chapters on the state of Israel which is summed up in chapter 17 :6 “when Israel had no king, everyone did as they saw fit in their own eyes”

It gives you a preview into how crazy things were in ancient Israel

If there ever is a time a verse like that can apply to our own days, it is right now

Some people say the Bible is an ancient book, a lot of ancient stories how is that relevant to my life today, I think you haven’t really read it.

Because when you read it and you read a verse like that you start to understand some of the craziness that’s happening in the world today.

When God is not the standard.

When God is not the moral standard for what is right and what is wrong

The standard for what is true and what is false

The standard for what is good and what is evil

If you lose God as that standard and everyone starts doing what is right in his or her own eyes you’ve have chaos.

You have anarchy on the street

You have a redefinition of things that used to be universally understood as something that was right suddenly are wrong

The things that wee universally understood that were wrong suddenly  are tright

Why does that happen?

It happens when people no longer do whats right in Gods eyes and they do whats right in their own eyes

New Zealanders have been doing what is right in their own eyes for many years now.

 Interestingly opposition to God as sovereign in the nation has been going on for many years but at the turn of the 21^st century we statistics show a huge shift in the population move their allegiance from a belief.

What was it about the turn of the century and subsequent years which brought about the change?

Was it the lead into the year 2000 when everyone started in all earnestly believing the world was going to end on New Years Eve brought about by the Y2k bug?

Could it have been the increase in terror we saw with the attack on the World Trade Centre, or might it have been the buoyant financial times we were living in.

Certainly, all these things happening would’ve made people sit up and think about what’s happening.

The attitude seemed to change to their own mortality, if we were only going to be here for a short time then let’s live to the fullest, Live for today for tomorrow we die.

You may recall the positive motivation Live like you have never lived before, sing like no one can hear you dance like no one is watching.

Inwardly the people moved from a position of responsibility towards others and themselves to doing and living what and how they saw fit in their own eyes.

Issues which had been bubbling under the surface came to full fruition like a voracious hunger

Spilling out from the closets came the gay community,

Their sexualisation of everything ignited a lust for everything physical.

We saw the sexualisation of the entertainment industry, we lost sight of things natural and attempted to turn them on their heads.

Expoding theories of past wrongs had to be addressed and the equilibrium of life was changed peacefully, other times not,  as history started to be written from a base of emotion rather than fact

And who could forget the shift in entertainment where people and friendships didn’t matter and where the winner takes all.

There was a lot happening, but people had come out of some tough financial times and life was good.

But here’s the thing.

While all this was happening the love for God was falling, just as the apostle Paul predicted.

No one cared about sovereignty and poo pooed the idea of God, about his church and his authority.

You see they had no king in their eyes and have subsequently even tried to rewrite history today.

Israel had no physical king for about 400 years from the time of the last Judge of Israel before captivity descended upon them.

They did everything and decided what was right in their eyes. Just like the people of New Zealand are doing.

So how should we as Christians respond?

First up, we must be, and seen doing what is right in Gods eye

Philippian’s: 2:15 read it with me where Jesus can empower us to… “Be blameless and innocent children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among you who shine as lights in the world.”

We may stand alone in a sea of disbelief, but like the prophets of old, let us remain faithful and bring the light of the words of the Bible to our fellow New Zealanders.

Like Israel, we are a blessed nation.

Like Israel we have become complacent.

Like Israel stands in judgement.

Like Israel, we are a nation who has forgotten God.

The nation needs to hear what a “just” God is saying.

In this day of testing, we are not called to be discouraged, throw in the towel, and go into hiding.

Instead, we are called to be salt.

We are called to be light.

We are called to carry forth the truth because Jesus said it “is the truth that will make you free.”

This nation needs to be born again.

We as New Zealanders need to put Christ back on the throne.

How do we do that

We put Christ back on the throne of our hearts and our conscience.

We put Christ back on the throne of our families as much depends on us.

We get back in our right biblical place.

We put Christ on the throne of law and order and political order, as much depends on us.

As much as we can, we must push back against the darkness.

We Put God back on the throne.

Testify to your king’s goodness.

Testify to your king’s grace.

Testify to your king’s glory.

Testify to your king’s gospel.

Be willing to have the conversation.

And we need to be taking that truth to world who is in bondage to darkness.

George Orwell depicted a mind-control technique employed by his fictional party called “doublethink,” which “describes the act of simultaneously accepting two mutually contradictory beliefs as correct, often in distinct social contexts.. Mike Bain from Christian Voice New Zealand attempts to look at the question, are we living in the pages of George Orwell’s mind controlling book, “1984”

You know here we are in 2022 and there are so, so many things we are not allowed to talk about, have an opinion about for fear we might hurt someone’s feelings.

Now if you have been a follower of Christian Voice New Zealand we don’t shrink away from the big issues in life.

Our mission is not to tickle ears or tip toe around issues.

I am going to state something which I think is obvious, I am a Christian.

But not just an ordinary Christian, I am openly Christian.

The reason I am stating the obvious was because I was recently referred to as being transphobic after I posted a comedy video which I thought was funny.

The video was about a motorbike racer who didn’t make it and then decided he would “identify” as a cyclist but still rode his motorbike and won all the races.

Silly I know but the reaction I received was amazing.

Being called Transphobic/Homophobic didn’t worry me because according to Wikipedia to be transphobic would need me to have a fear, and aversion, show violence and anger or discomfort towards people who do not conform to certain constituencies in society regarding gender.

But here’s the thing, I am Christian and as such I have opinions based on God’s word The Bible.

Dare I say it, I am allowed to have an opinion as a man.

Some people already see this as an issue because it wasn’t that long ago the opinions of old white-haired men was worthless.

So anyway, I shared this comedy skit because I have a sense of humour.

While most of the audience could see the humour and there were comments from some females regarding the absurdity of sportsmen competing as women, there was comment from within the Gay community.

Now I believe everyone is entitled to comment on things they like and dislike.

But I find it intriguing that when the Gay community calls me out for being negative towards homosexuality and things related, they in turn make negative comments about my God and sometimes are just plainly -not nice.

If you are a gay person I say to you, “Your triggers are your responsibility- It is not the worlds obligation to tip toe around you.”

Now here’s the thing 24 hours another post appeared encouraging cycle riders who were Gay Bi Trans Intersex and a few other tags to join two groups, one in Auckland and the other in Wellington especially for them. It went onto say that both groups are safe spaces for Queer cyclists.

Obviously, they’re not going to ride on the roads.

If I were a road cyclist in competition or even on a group ride, would I be aware that Harry riding next to me was Gay and feeling unsafe, or for that matter whether Harry had been circumcised or whether Harry had just come through a marriage break up, or come to that Harry used to be Mary?

A question was asked in the comments section to the author, “define a safe space,” another “how do you spot a gay cyclist.”

The Gay community chooses to be who they are, they are proud to be different, only happy to receive support, yet unwilling to accept comment, opinion, or condemnation from other members of the community, who do not support their lifestyle and believe me, there are many groups in this country whose lifestyles are open for comment.

Here’s a few, Gangs, Gloria vale, beneficiaries, Māori, Pacific Islanders, Christians. And many ethnicities.

You know it wasn’t that long ago ,we as New Zealanders were allowed to laugh at ourselves.

Bring back Billy T James I say.

Billy showed us that we can be different and not to be too serious about life and to laugh at ourselves.

But with the changes in society which allows a victim mentality, everyone and I mean everyone is walking on tiptoe in case they say the wrong thing.

There may well be an acceptance from a proportion of the community towards the Gay community, but I have found the moment you ram anything down one’s throat, and dare I say Christianity is not immune, but if it’s rammed down your throat then there is resistance.

Which brings me to the point.

I am an openly a Christian.

With that brings certain obligations.

Why would I want to be seen to accept something that the Bible calls an abomination to GOD?

The Gay community can dress up their lifestyle but at the root of it all is they act and perform against what is natural.

Genesis1 So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Now I don’t know of any other historical documentation to suggest anything different.

The Bible account of the creation of man and woman is undisputed, unless you accept Charles Darwin’s evolution theory that man evolved from the Apes.

Which is preposterous as I see no evidence of man evolving into something else.

Maybe that’s why there is so much emphasis on homosexuality?

Honestly I’m exasperated by the whole thing.

If the Gay community wants the worlds acceptance, then they in turn need to learn to live in the world.

Like being a Christian I accept not everyone accepts God and his standards.

Sometimes being a Christian, we find it hard and sometimes we fail.

But we don’t get upset to the point where we show the level of aggression, as shown by the Homosexual community towards others who find their lifestyle unnatural and the act of sodomy as an abomination.

I stand by my right to have and share humour, just as much as I stand by my right to defend my belief as a Christian.

Because of this I am also aware the homosexual community has a right to be who they are, but like everything it comes with a cost.

Just the same as being a Christian may cost me, I know what my reward will be.

I wonder if those who engage in this unnatural behaviour fully understand the cost to themselves.

Bearing this in mind, if you are as is the norm feel trapped in another body or feel you want to get closer to God, then I invite you to reach out to a bible believing church near you.

Let them show you the way to Jesus, who really is kind and loving.

The best thing is- he’s waiting for you.

The Internet sure has been buzzing about “the Great Reset” lately.  That term has been trending on Facebook and Twitter, and even Time Magazine featured a cover article about it.

Like many people I have scoffed at suggestions of conspiracy where people manipulate governments.

But the more I investigate it and compare what’s happening, I can only say to the fringe element, they are right in saying the Great Reset is no conspiracy theory.  

Here’s some facts

The following comes directly from the official website of the World Economic Forum…

There is an urgent need for global stakeholders to cooperate in simultaneously managing the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.

To improve the state of the world, the World Economic Forum is starting The Great Reset initiative.

According to the WEF “the Great Reset” is a “unique window of opportunity” for global leaders to shape “the future state of global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models and the management of a global commons”…

Drawing from the vision and vast expertise of the leaders engaged across the Forum’s communities, the Great Reset initiative has a set of dimensions to build a new social contract that honours the dignity of every human being.

In other words, “the Great Reset” is essentially just an updated blueprint for a New World Order.

But what is the New World Order? Is this another conspiracy theory perpetuated by Christianity and one I will cover off in a future podcast.

The man behind “the Great Reset” is named Klaus Schwab.  He is the founder and executive chairman of the WEF Forum.

In an article by Schwab on their website entitled “Now is the time for a ‘great reset”,

He is very open about the fact that he wants to “revamp all aspects of our societies and economies”.  That means that all aspects of human activity would fall under his plan.

Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed.

 In short Schwab says , we need a “Great Reset” of capitalism. And that my friends should be have alarm bells ringing.

 When people start talking about dramatic changes to capitalism, usually what they mean is that we should move even more in the direction of socialism.

In the lead up to the 2017 election Jacinda Ardern, a student of Schwabs, admitted in an interview she said capitalism had failed and signalled a major economic shift was required.

According to Schwab, there are three main components to “the Great Reset”.  The first involves reforming our economic systems so that they will “promote more equitable outcomes”…

Moreover, governments should implement long-overdue reforms that promote more equitable outcomes.

Depending on the country, these may include changes to wealth taxes, the withdrawal of fossil-fuel subsidies, and new rules governing intellectual property, trade, and competition.

Unfortunately, I think that he means the exact same thing that Ardern means when she talks about “more equitable outcomes”.

Secondly, Schwab says that one of the main components of “the Great Reset” would involve massive government investments in “green” urban infrastructure and other similar projects…

The second component of a Great Reset agenda would ensure that investments advance shared goals, such as equality and sustainability. Here, the large-scale spending programs that many governments are implementing represent a major opportunity for progress. 

Thirdly, Schwab envisions applying the “innovations” that we have witnessed during the COVID pandemic as a model for “every sector” of society…

The third and final priority of a Great Reset agenda is to harness the innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to support the public good, especially by addressing health and social challenges. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, companies, universities, and others have joined forces to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, and possible vaccines; establish testing centres; create mechanisms for tracing infections; and deliver telemedicine.

Imagine what could be possible if similar concerted efforts were made in every sector.

In other words, Schwab thinks that the global response to the COVID pandemic can be a blueprint for governing every area of our lives moving forward.

Doesn’t that sound just wonderful?

The globalists envision a “sustainable” future in which all forms of human activity are very closely monitored and controlled for “the good of the planet”.  

They are entirely convinced that a global system in which all the nations of the world are increasingly integrated is what is best for humanity, but those of us that are resisting the globalists understand that a one world system will inevitably evolve into a complete and utter global nightmare.

Globalist politicians like Canada’s Trudeu, France’s Macron, and in particular New Zealands Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson continues to try to convince all of us that plans such as “the Great Reset” do not even exist, even as globalist organizations such as the World Economic Forum are publicly announcing their plans right out in the open.

⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹² and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NIV

Having had our lives disrupted by Covid Pandemic over the past two years I want to ask you a question

How are you going?

We’ve had our share of anxiety perpetrated by the fear mongering of our government, supported by many analysts with their guesses, and who could forget the epidemiologists who become household names wheeled out night after night on our television screens.

So how are you?

Feeling better knowing the occupation of Parliament is over and mandates may end, the borders are reopening, and family is coming home or are you concerned now about the rise in living costs, empty shelves at the supermarket, rising inflation and petrol in some parts in the country over $3 a litre?

And of course, the war in the Ukraine is it all impacting on your mental state?

I was recently involved in a discussion with friends about wellbeing.

They tell me that the War in Ukraine puts our problems over the past two years into perspective.

I agreed that not being allowed into a café or restaurant because I didn’t or refused to show my vax certificate was minimal to having your city pounded by the Russian army.

But at the same time, let’s not minimise our problems just because someone is going through something greater.

Right now, it is a fearful time but keep in mind, we are as our leaders say we are living in unprecedented times.

Christians around the world certainly are in no doubt what these unprecedented times are

In the Bible book of Matthew Jesus told his disciples on the Mount of Olives about todays unprecedented times as the end of the times

Matthew 24:6-

6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

32 2 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you; this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

You know our state of mind does have a huge bearing on how we see things.

We are not to be brought down and we’re encouraged to throw our burdens onto the Lord for He is there to help carry them. As the Psalmists says

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

So going back to the idea that our problems are not as great as the people in Ukraine.

Well, it depends on the circumstances as to whether we take a victim mentality or not.

Having your home bombed may cause you rightful anxiety but is not the same thing not happening to your neighbours, your community, and your country.

You have a right to be aggrieved but you know sometimes we have to accept there are a lot of things that are out of our control.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

I was encouraged to read an article by an American born pastor and missionary Benjamin Morrison last week who along with his Ukrainian born wife and their two children who have been living for the past 20 years in Ukrainian city of

Svitlovodsk.

Putting things into perspective Morrison says Russia has been warring against Ukraine since 2014, but this is an unprecedented phase.

Still, it’s amazing how quickly one gets used to the mundane realities of war.

On day one, the news of other cities being bombed caused great anxiety in the city of where he lives

 He says the fact that the news woke us up before dawn and was very unexpected made it much worse. The intent to cause panic seemed planned.

Now, on day seven, the adrenaline has worn off. They had become used to the 8 p.m. curfew and sitting in a dark apartment at night.

Morrison said they found themselves ignoring some of the air raid sirens—especially the ones in the middle of the night, we’re so exhausted. We’ve also learned that not every siren means a bomb might drop on our heads.

Now I admit, not everyone can do what Morrison is now doing, and there are times the family heads to the bomb shelter.

Taking advantage, not sitting with his family mithering about their lot he takes it as an opportunity to share the hope of Christ with our neighbours.

“Bomb shelter ministry” is, he admits, not a ministry profile he thought he’d ever have. And yet, he is already seeing how fruitful it’s been

Our neighbours have heard more about Christ, heard more Scripture, and been led in more prayer in the last week than most would have in their lives.

In addition to the “Our Father” prayer, I’ve taken to reading various Psalms with them—a particularly fitting book for us in Ukraine, as David often cries out amid being hunted by his enemies.

One of our neighbours is the equivalent of our building superintendent. The other night in the bomb shelter, she said with tears in her eyes how thankful she was to have neighbours like us.

She said she can’t understand “where we came from.” We got to remind her that if there is something different, it is only because of the hope Christ gives us.

Despite considerable time spent in the bomb shelter during air raids, his city has so far avoided any actual bombing. There’s a lack of strategic targets nearby. This, along with the fact that we are at a crossroads in the country, has made Svitlovodsk a refugee destination—that and God’s providence.

This is the case with most refugees who make it this far. We are just an inn for weary travellers on the way.

 But we hope to serve them and help them experience the love and peace of Christ, even if only for a few hours.

 It is not our job to force them into faith—an evangelistic approach that rarely produces satisfactory results. Rather, we will play whatever role God grants us: to plant a seed, to water—or to harvest when ready.

He is the one who brings the fruit in his time, and we can rest in that.

All these stories should remind us of a vital truth: that God’s victory is always subversive. Whatever the Enemy intends for evil, God always takes and uses for good.

This means the more the Enemy rages, he only brings his own destruction closer.

God turns the Enemy’s weapons against him, just as David did with Goliath’s sword—and what Christ did in his death on the cross.

When the Enemy thought he finally had Jesus’ right where he wanted him, it turned out he was dealing his own death blow.

 Our Lord overcame by using the Enemy’s own weapons against him.

We take comfort in that—especially as Ukraine faces an enemy who rages, both in the Devil who loves to “steal, kill and destroy” and in those pseudo kings who are the Devil’s pawns.

Benjamin believes both will shortly find themselves overthrown by God’s wonderfully ironic victory.

Pray for the refugees we are expecting over the next days,

Pray that we will serve them well and show them the love of Christ and that God would open doors.

Pray for strength and wisdom amid so many needs.

Pray for the people who Benjamin comes into contact to come to know the beauty of the gospel in their lives.

Pray for God’s subversive victory to come swiftly against the tyrant terrorizing their country.

Pray for God to be glorified in humbling the pride of man.

Final word” regardless of your circumstances God will use you, whatever burdens you have he will carry them, and keep lifting your eyes to the heavens, because this is where your salvation will come from.

So, hearing Benjamin Morrisons story what can you do to turn your current circumstance into a positive for the Kingdom of God?

Can you turn your test into your testimony?

Now that the occupation of Parliament Grounds has ended probably the way everyone expected it to.

Its time to take a breath and reflect on the past three weeks.

There have been calls for an enquiry over the protests, but really do you think there will be culpability and fairness shown by both sides.

It depends on which side of the barricade you stood during this time as to how you viewed the protesters, the Police, the media and the government.

There is however one undeniable fact that shouldn’t be ignored and that was the reason this protest and others in various parts of the country happened.

And that was the overreaching of power by the Ardern Government who were drunk with the power they were given at the start of this pandemic.

While emergency powers were given through the parliamentary process in the form of the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 and later amendment, in which there are many.

This government has overlooked the control mechanisms put in place and that was that the order did not limit the rights and freedoms in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

With well over 90% of the population receiving a double dose of the Pfizer vaccination either voluntarily, coerced, or mandated.

In 2021 Prime Minister Ardern stated no one would be forced to take the vaccine,

But the rhetoric changed almost overnight with the introduction of the Delta strain and suddenly everything changed, and it became what it was,

Really, I don’t have time to spell out the huge number of freedom and rights that were taken away from New Zealanders.

The argument that it was the right thing to do for the greater good was used but the fact remains

This government showed it would use every means possible to inject you with this vaccine.

Is it any wonder many thousands of New Zealand who were representative of all walks of life marched to protest eventually gathering and occupying Parliament Grounds?

Like all protests they used their rights to gather at the newly named “Peoples Parliament” to air their grievance,

But unlike other protests, no one from any our representation in Parliament was prepared to listen.

These protesters weren’t ignored, they were instead marginalized by those very people elected to represent them.

The question needs to be asked is Why?

Despite the protestations about threats and violence, no one and I mean no one was remotely interested in talking with this protest at any point but to be fair to the government they did engage with the protesters, but it was with batons, rubber bullets and riot shields.

Could it have all been part of the plan to get the timing right, use negative rhetoric against the occupiers, get middle New Zealand on side, ensure the protest gets to a tipping point have the Police clean it out and then tell the country how bad it was.

Certainly, Ardern who on election night promised to govern for all New Zealanders was nowhere to be seen exercising leadership.

Her actions and the later actions of the speaker of the house only galvanised the opposition, until it inevitably ended the way it did with violence.

Watching from afar, to me there were two occupations of Parliament.

One was the daily footage from the protesters from their Camp Freedom

The other was the one painted by the Government fuelled by the media cheer team.

Like most New Zealanders, I do not condone the violence and some of the fringe elements of the protestors, nor the actions of some police officers but the reasons why this uprising took place rests fairly and squarely, I believe with the occupier of the ninth floor of the Beehive.

I have said it often, I fear for this country.

What Jacinda Ardern has shown us is how easy and how quickly it is to change a nation.

The team of five million was divided just six months ago and supposedly conquered,

A large portion of New Zealanders stood by and applauded as one protester put it “this girl in a skirt” overrode the rights and liberties of New Zealand.

Believe me when I say the caste has been set for the future for a new world government and like we have seen in the past few months it will happen quickly.

I said I fear for this nation.

While the Government stands up for the rights of Ukraine on the international stage it’s ironic that the National Museum in Auckland is being lit up in support of freedom for Ukraine, there is an encampment on the lawn outside protesting the lack of freedom for people in our own country.

I noted earlier the safeguards of the Covid 19 Health Response Act earlier.

It was one sentence in a myriad of words, but I ask the question

I ask, how many times have we heard this government and others say this bill or that one has protections for the rights of individuals built into them?

I think the occupation of Parliament showed Dare I say it, the guys at the Tui brewery were right when it coined the phrase, Yeah, right.

Doesn’t matter what or who is in power, they rule only for themselves.

Even looking through the Bible at the Judges of Israel, there were good ones and not so great.

But take this thought with you today,

There will soon be an end to all this anguish when real leadership will rule the earth and that is the hope that I long for is when the King of kings, Lord of Lord takes his place and brings an end to all mistrust of governments when, Jesus rules this earth with love. Amen?

Finally, now the kids are back at school I want to ask the question of parents.

Have you looked, asked, or thought about the school’s curriculum?

I reason I ask the question is simple.

As parents we are no longer permitted to enter some school grounds let alone have access to your child’s classroom and teachers.

I want to state categorically, this podcast should not be seen as any form of criticism of teachers as they are paid to teach our children.

The question is what it is, they are teaching.

When my parents dropped me off, sorry, I should tell the truth.

When my parents said goodbye to me as I started my two-mile hike to school each morning on a cold frosty Otago morning.

They were right to assume I was going to learn how to read write, add and a little about my world, and of course being a Catholic School, something about God.

But today’s curriculum is far wider ranging as it touches on subjects that even I, as a parent could never imagine would be taught, even when I dropped my boys off at school (yes, I did)

Today’s curriculum is now designed to teach children to think about the world around them. It teaches them there is no God

It teaches them there is no gender\It teaches them the world they are going to inherit is going to end in disaster because their parents and their grandparents were irresponsible with the planet

It teaches them that their actions are someone else’s responsibility

It teaches them truth is subjective

It teaches them that events in history were wrong, and we need to rewrite it so its palatable to this generation.

And of course all the while it is grooming our children to believe what the state wants them to believe.

A recent news item on TVNZ showed a group protesting the rights of freedom outside a Christchurch School while the Prime Minister was visiting.

Social media went wild as did the reporter suggesting children shouldn’t be subjected to this type of behaviour.

Hmm I would have thought a teacher may have been able to turn this event around into a teaching moment rather than shield children from reality.

I know the country is split on the idea of children attending the Freedom occupation of Parliament grounds.

The government also made the point that Oranga Tamariki should step in.

When a parent takes their child to say, a super rugby game, which is filled with frenzied spectators displaying tribal loyalties, where some times behaviour is not the best, where security and even the police are required to take action, no one and I mean no one sees anything wrong in the kids being there.

They are learning life.

Just the same as being at a protest, they are learning and are exposed to life which will help them form their own opinions, not the ones the state teaches them, but there own based on family values and reactions. 

Which brings me to this point.

Our world is full of differing ideas and opinions, different challenges, different lifestyles and especially here in New Zealand, different cultures.

We have many beliefs, but the one which overrides all is that New Zealand is a great place to live, work and play.

And the reason for that is because of the multi culturism we have living within our boundaries.

So yes I believe it is important to be taught learn and understand the varied differences within our society.

We need to learn for example why and what a Muslim is

We need to learn and understand what a member of the gay community is about

We need to learn and understand about our indigenous people.

We need to learn and understand about everything in our lives

We need to learn and understand these things in a truthful way.

Our children do not need to see a kaleidoscope view where everything is fragmented and not normal.

We need our children to learn and understand that there is diversity in our nation.

But they also need to learn and understand they are a part of that diversity.

Because someone in school is Muslim, gay, or indigenous doesn’t mean we need to educate them on becoming one

My comments are aimed at the increasing influence that the gay community is having on both our children and our lives.

My sons are my sons, your daughters are your daughters, they are not pronouns, your son is not odd because he’s playing with dolls instead of kicking a ball. Your girl is not in the wrong body because she wants to work on your car rather than learning to sew.

We all have differing views on the LGBT community, but I believe, and that belief is based on knowledge gained from the Bible which is written by the creator of mankind and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

You know, the school teaches them a lot of things parents disagree with.

As a parent you roll your eyes, mutter under your breath what next, but the sad thing is you accept it.

Imagine if every parent who disagreed with the curriculum and wanted them to return to teaching them how to read how to write and be able to spell, speak properly without saying “like” every second word, how much better New Zealand would be.

I am not suggesting we take our children from school, but at least question what they are learning .

Finally

We, you and I should be our children’s teachers, they should learn from us about life.

We need to teach our children what is right and what is wrong and truth in all things, not the overreaching state.

Deuteronomy 4:10 say

Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Also Deuteronomy11:10

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Above all teach them about your love for God, Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Our country is heading in a very dangerous direction.

Rather than demonstrating a commitment to the protection of the rights of its citizens, our leader ,Jacinda Ardern, like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appear far more interested in following the playbook of the World Economic Forum

Protest action from both protesters and the response from government look to mirror what is happening in Canada and New Zealand.

Let’s look at what is happening in Canada first

Trudeau has made it clear to the Canadian people that opposition to his political views absolutely will not be tolerated.

Trudeau has committed grave violations against the rights of Canadian protestors by assuming unprecedented emergency powers.

Despite the clear violations of the rights of Canadians, most leaders in the West and most of the establishment media have been largely silent about – or even supportive of – his actions.

In fact, Trudeau’s actions are in keeping with the prevailing agenda of a large and growing segment of the Western world.

You may recall when Covid 19 was first detected the Prime Minister declared a nationwide state of emergency which was followed by the Covid19 Public Health Response Act which gave our government a huge range of powers.

We have already seen an overreach of power in New Zealand.

As the West increasingly turns its back on many of the biblical values upon which it was built, it is opening itself up to increasing totalitarianism.

People who understand the connection between freedom and faith in God need to denounce Trudeau’s totalitarianism in all its forms.

If people around the world don’t boldly and peacefully stand up for their values and freedoms in the public square, what Canada has become is what New Zealand will become – and the descent of our world into totalitarianism won’t stop there. 

While both Trudeau and Ardern paint themselves as champions of the oppressed, they have chosen to forcefully persecute “a fringe minority,” segregating this group from the rest of society, all for declining to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Both leaders portray themselves as a “liberal,” they refuse to protect the basic rights of citizens to speak freely, to make their own medical decisions and to protest peacefully.

Both Trudeau and Ardern are following the exact same playbook being used across the world and New Zealanders will note the familiarity.

> Declare a crisis

> Construct a narrative around the crisis

> Push the narrative via establishment media

> Use the narrative to consolidate power

> Slander, censor and persecute all those who oppose the narrative 

This strategy has been used across the world in response to the pandemic time and time again.

As those who value the freedoms that have been passed down to us by previous generations, we must look to Trudeau’s Canada as a cautionary tale.

We must choose leaders who are dedicated to upholding truth and defending human liberty, rather than those who seek to transform our societies into technocratic regimes – regimes run by unaccountable scientific and political “experts,” who manufacture and exploit crises in order to centralize power and crush all dissent.

If we want a future in which the truth can be spoken freely, we must speak the truth now.

If we want societies in which the God-given freedoms of men and women are protected, and in which our God-given values are cherished, we must not compromise when corrupt governments step outside their rightful bounds.

We must peacefully oppose such tyranny and live as those who know that the authority of God is higher than any government.

We must elect leaders who refuse to conform to the agendas of godless international institutions, but who will instead cherish and fight for the truths, values and freedoms so many in the West have died to defend.