Australia - Christian Books and Media
First Words
 Who owns Australia, anciently referred to as terra australis incognita (Latin) - "unknown land of the south"? The words came just over 400 years ago: La Austrialia del Espiritu Santo - Australia of the Holy Spirit, without the preceding "Terra" that had previously been used. These Spanish words were spoken by a spiritually minded Portuguese navigator with an Austrian king as his Spanish monarch on Pentecost Sunday, May 14th 1606 — were then adjusted and published in English (and Spanish) in 1625 as Australia del Espiritu Santo by Purchas, vol.iv, p.1432 — then changed again in Lieutenant James Cook's journal to Astralia del Espiritu Santo in 1770.
But Cook was noting that, even as Quirós proclaimed this to be the new name for the land he had been seeking — Terra Australis — south to the Pole, he had actually been on a small island group (Vanuatu) well to the east. Click here to see a copy of his map. And Quirós's second in command Torres had sailed on and come through Torres Strait, possibly sighting the hills of Cape York, but if so, taking no further notice.
Yes, mistakes occurred as so often happens when we "can't see the big picture". Still, later English writers declared their ongoing preference for Quirós's word though minus that first "i" ☺. So, while English explorer James Cook now named the east coast New South Wales using an incomplete map of New Holland — yes, it had been named this by Dutch explorer Tasman in 1644 — both Matthew Flinders' chart in 1798-1804 and Governor Macquarie's letter in 1817 strongly recommended that the whole country reclaim the name Australia. Official recognition by the British Admiralty came in 1824.
Click here for more background on the naming of Australia.
Freedom and youth
Now click here to read about a get-together with vibrant imagery — tree-planting and "bread-breaking", between our recent Australian leader (John Howard)'s family, and American leader
(George Bush)'s family on Sunday, May 14th 2006. It was a special day, the 400th anniversary of Quirós's proclamation, also the 200th anniversary of the successful English petition in 1806, when 2000 signatures laid before the House of Lords saw the abolition of the slave trade throughout the British Empire inside the year. Thirdly, as second Sunday in May, it was worldwide Mother's Day.
But Jerusalem above is free which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26
Further pictures on mother and child with John's vision in Revelation 12, see also Revelation 21, Proverbs 8, Proverbs 31, and Genesis 4:25-26. Together with Christ, this mother typifies our heavenly source and destination, shining forth in wisdom and clarity, the enduring invisible church "terrible as an army with banners". CS Lewis
And from the depths of a Tasmanian gold-mine to the snowy heights of Mt Everest, May that year certainly majored in Aussies being rescued. Click here for that last one. In June, the joy (and agony) of participating in world cup soccer. Click here for a short email sent via Col Stringer. In September, the worldwide sadness, as major news websites went into meltdown, at Steve Irwin's sudden death. Click here for one writer's review. Whether we live or die, win or lose, there is enormous appeal in the freedom, the enthusiasm in someone like Steve's young, childlike (though a cynic would say childish) Aussie playfulness. To quote Bono: "things that really communicate universally are humour, grace & strength of character" - three things often seen in little children - ok not always at the same time ☺
Truly, unless you about face, become as children, you shall not go in. Matthew 18:3
The word for child is "paidion", linked to "paideuo" meaning one who is trained up: chastened, and corrected.
See too Luke 7:35-50.
Enslavement and age
Sadly the contrasted worldview of shame, blame and guilt can separate and control us all so easily. Back on August 14th 2006 (precisely 3 months following that Mother's day) a U.N. brokered truce was announced for Hezbollah and Israel — provisionally reckoned "a messy draw" by Greg Sheridan in The Australian. Seen by many as a proxy war, the latest episode in a 2300 year conflict involving the South (Egypt), North (Syria/Iran) & Jews in the middle - click here.
Then, under provocation on February 14th 2007 (6 months later), John Howard declared in Parliament why he was so adamant about keeping 1400 Australian personnel in Iraq to support U.S. troops. "A defeat in Iraq for the United States would be more than bad for the war against terrorism; it would be catastrophic," Mr Howard said. "It would lead to not only a bloodbath in Iraq but the destabilisation of Saudi Arabia and Jordan and the end of any real hope of getting a Palestinian peace settlement. It would also embolden the terrorist cause in our part of the world."
 Click this map of Israel, another young and yet ancient nation for the article "Deep inside the plucky country" by Greg Sheridan, foreign editor at "The Australian".
Click Here for the latest News on Israel — last updated March 11th, 2010.
Prophecy
No prophecy (of scripture) ever came under human initiative, no, holy men received inspired utterance under the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21
"Iran has already threatened to bomb Israel's cities with its long-range missiles" - The Australian, Dec 15, 2009.
Click here to reflect on a built-in prophecy regarding the above statement recorded in Isaiah chapters 22 - 35. It shows Jerusalem fleeing together for mutual support as death threatens, not from close combat but from archers i.e. from a distance. The warring nation is Elam and Media - modern day Iran, destroyers of the empire of Babylon see Isaiah 21:9. It shows Jerusalem tearing down houses for defence, trusting in their own armour, but not looking to their maker, ignoring his call to repentance, instead exulting, despising eternity "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die" Isaiah 22:13. But then God calls Eliakim (literal meaning "God of raising").
TIME click here for Bible Timeline can be seen as rapidly approaching:
6000 years mankind on its own. 31 years with the bridegroom, the Son of God.
- 4018 BC: 2008 years of the Father: Love —despite man's rejection and shame—
The Father (the Creator of all): Adam to Abraham. From the Beginning.
- 2010 BC: 2008 years of the Son: Birthing (a nation) in Grace / Joy / Faith.
The Son (Spoken Word→Living Word): Isaac to Jesus. Ever Present.
Click to see the links in Hebrew between "Son", "Build", "House" and "Stone". See too Psalms 118:22
- 2 BC: 2008 years of the Holy Spirit: with Partnering / Peace / Hope.
The Holy Spirit (Sealed) — the Pledge or earnest of belonging to the King:
Heralding Christ to Heralding His Return. Future Hope. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Called the anointing, given to all who come as little children. 1 John 2:20
1807-2006:The world wide war against slavery and oppression over the last 200 years played a major role in people's increased average life expectancy in many poorer regions throughout the world. Between 1959 and 1999, world population actually doubled, from 3 billion to 6 billion. Then, as Y2K (Year 2000) approached, many spoke of world wide economic calamity. In contrast, the sweeping deregulation in Nov 1999 of the US Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act meant the last 7 years were 7 years of unprecedented apparent prosperity, though within two years terrorists declared war with that attack on the World Trade Centre.
And, following those seven fat years, the seven lean years have now come.
- Rosh Hashanah September 23rd 2006 AD: 7 years of Israel: with Avowal at the UN.
Coupled with the subprime crisis — early glimpse was Merit Financial closing its doors 04-05-06.
Escalating Rosh Hashanah October 1st 2008 AD two years later — running parallel to Joseph's words in Genesis 45: 9-11
"Come down to me, do not delay — for there are still five years of famine". Click here for thoughts.
Balances with 6031 years. So, as clearly as anything may be seen for now where we judge through a glass darkly, click here for a picture initially glimpsed also on 04-05-06.
Noting Paul's words: "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. And if anyone thinks they've got the full picture on anything, they have known nothing — not yet — as they ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one has been known by Him." 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
"Despise not prophecy. Examine everything, hold fast that which is good." 1
Thessalonians 5:20-21
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part." 1
Corinthians 13:9
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