The eighth issue of SPAG (Single Person Approved by God) delves into some tough issues, including fighting depression, fighting pornography and ways to deal with a suffering friend.
It gets personal for editor Vicki Nunn as she recounts her near death experience at 30, while in the hospital and the miraculous visitor she had at her bedside who reassured her that her time was not yet up. The experience helped her to realise one important question: Am I Fulfilling God's Purpose for Me?
Another feature is on the joyous celebration of 200 years of the Bible Society since it was established in Sydney in 1817. This outstanding organisation has been committed to Bible translation and Bible accessibility within Australia and Christian history in this nation has much to thank for their efforts.
There are also other important charities that get a voice in this edition such as Open Doors and Emily’s Voice; a pro-life charity who gives a voice to those who need it most, the unborn.
Additionally, May 27th this year is Global Outreach Day. A massive move of the people of God, with the work of the Holy Spirit to outreach to communities and individuals. Start preparing early at www.globaloutreachday.com and find out more from this issue of SPAG.
Pornography: the crux of the issue
Tim Everton tells of a group that he is a part of: My Year without Porn and encourages others to take up the challenge by looking them up on Facebook and becoming accountability partners with the others in the group. He admits of his own struggles in this area and that the best way to fight this “secret shame” is to be candid about it.
Vicki also cites how Toowoomba is fighting the public health crisis of pornography by activism in order to have a “City free from Porn”.
Toowoomba’s mayor Paul Antonio has the right attitude when it comes to the crisis stating: “No-one could doubt that pornography is one of the elements of violence within the family. Many young ladies have had horrific experiences with porn and there is no doubt it has the characteristics of an addiction.”
A writer from Collective Shout goes on to demolish pro-porn arguments citing that “A 2010 content analysis of the best-selling and best-renting porno-graphic videos available in the USA found that verbal and physical aggression against women was rampant, with physical aggression occurring in eighty-eight percent of scenes, with ninety-four percent of physical and verbal aggression directed towards women.”
And now with free access to pornography for mere children, sex crimes and disrespect of women is on the rise. As Dr Michael Flood says, porn is “sexist education” and porn has becomes a means of sex education to most kids today.
SPAG has many ideas in how to join the fight alongside other activists against such a damaging and far spread social crisis. I would encourage anyone interested in this subject to check it out.
You can access SPAG for free online at www.spagmag.com
Bridget Brenton is a creator of visual novels: http://www.christianvisualnovel.com
Bridget Brenton’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/bridget-brenton.html