The mushrooms tend to grow around Canberra and in southern NSW and are most often found at the bottom of oak trees. Death cap mushrooms are filled with amatoxin, which can attack enzymes involved in producing DNA. The poison can also trigger liver failure. (www.smh.com.au)
With recent rains these poisonous mushrooms have once again raised their head and the media is alerting everyone. (news.smh.com.au)
Recently a Melbourne woman died after eating a poisonous mushroom – these are dangerous. "Violent'' gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhoea within the first 24 hours can progress to organ failure. (www.news.com.au)
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson said his family moved to Canberra from Mackay, Queensland in 1960 when he was 9 and one of the first things they as children were alerted to was to distinguish the good mushrooms from the poisonous ones.
The Tronson family home was on Goyder Street Narrabundah Heights and at that time the street was the end of the line for southern Canberra with farming paddocks opposite. There was never a shortage of mushrooms to be collected and this heightened the sense of awareness of which mushrooms were edible and moreover the colour under the mushroom was one of the key issues.
Mushrooms have always been a favourite in his family. Now 60 Mark Tronson says that their grocery lists generally include the purchase of mushrooms and whenever they eat out and the quiescence is applicable, mushrooms are inevitably included.
A theological lesson
Mark Tronson says that he has always considered mushrooms to be likened to a theological lesson that comes straight from the New Testament and the dire warnings relating to bible teachers that appear to be legitimate but when carefully analysed (looking under the mushroom) they are presenting a false Gospel.
A false Gospel is one that is not associated with Salvation as a Gift from God (the term Christians use for this is "Grace"). A false teaching implies Salvation is something a person needs to earn, (the term Christians use for this "works").
"Works" means that a person earns Salvation by doing good of one kind or another, and then weighing up the good one does as opposed to the sin one commits, and if the balance is in your favour, Salvation is earned. "Works" is false.
A critical point
Christian teaching is that Christ did it all on Calvary and each person either accepts or rejects this offered gift of Salvation.
If accepted a whole new world opens up from within one's soul, and the response to such a remarkable gift from God, is to that of service in love and in the joy of the Lord.
The Apostle Paul when writing to the Christians in Rome states: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Chapter 3 verses 23-14).
Again, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Chapter 6 verse 23)
One of the great teachers of Grace is the Reverend Steve Brown from the United States whose teachings can be heard (audio) at www.keylife.org and a weekly video test.poopedpastors.org
Mark Tronson has been a regular receiptent of Reverend Steve Brown's Bible teaching for 30 years and has kept himself focused on the core doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly Grace.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html