July 8, 2013 Steps to Life Newsletter

Dear STL Supporter

Attack on Our Children

In our June Newsletter, as an introduction to Anthony Burns' seminar series - Spiritual Formation: It's Origins, Practices, Deceptions and Hallmarks in the Churches - being conducted by Steps to Life during the month of July (See brochure), we raised awareness of how the redefinition of words can be used to introduce altered worship practices. Often the intentional use of words and phrases precedes the redefinition of the meanings of words and worship descriptive phrases. Redefinition becomes a starting point in introducing the changed worship practice. Words like meditation, contemplative prayer, spiritual discipline, self contemplation can mean different things to different people. So, it's important to know the specific meaning of the words in the context they are being used. Satan is at war with the true worship of Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer God. Deception is his master weapon. What better place to use it than in church worship practice?

In a similar way Satan is after each successive generation from the time they are born. He claims, if he can, each new born infant to be a child of his New Age, his old age paganism. He uses his deceptions to get at the young. A paraphrase of the Apostle Paul's statement to the Ephesian Christian Church is pertinent to what is happening to our children and their families in 2013 - For, on behalf of their children and grand children, parents and grand parents wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6: 12).

Satan is attempting to engulf each newly born infant in a flood tide of New Age deception and evil. The Satanic Bible,published by Anton LaVey in 1969, preaches a message of hedonism - 'Do what thou wilt!. Satan's evangelists - the pop/rock performers, entertainment film makers, internet activists reinforce the message.

Parents and grand parents were once the spiritual and moral gatekeepers of the home. This gave children and youth from Christian homes a chance to establish their values by the instruction and admonition of the Lord under the influence of the parents in the shelter of their Christian homes.

Now Satan uses pervasive social influences to get past the gatekeepers. He makes ugly evil, appear to be beautiful truth. It's dressed in the trendy clothing of Secular Humanism which claims - There is no God (Christian's trust in a living personal God); The world is self existing and sustaining (God created the world); The existence of everything is for the gratification/fulfilment of human life (We were created by God to worship Him); The human goal is for a universal society where people cooperate for common good (Common human good is only found through knowing God and doing His will in His way and loving your neighbour as yourself.); Mankind through their own efforts will achieve the realization of their dreams and aspirations (God has a rescue plan for the sinful mess of Earth. It's called the plan of redemption and culminates in The Second Coming and the New Earth when Satan and sin are no more); Our values are relative to our circumstances and our needs. Right can change - it depends on circumstances. (Christian values are absolutes given by God for relating to Him, others and for our happiness); Mankind will keep evolving and getting better and will ultimately create a new world for itself. (Mankind without knowledge of God and commitment to his principles will self destruct. With God renewal occurs with ultimate restorations in the New Earth).

Humanism is then supercharged through the media of

modern culture with the pantheistic supernatural, the mysticisms of Hinduism, Buddhism and the occult, the Human Potential Movement, pop psychology, and the lie of panentheism (god in all, and all is god). The flood tide breaks on our children from the time the new baby is born. The branding of the clothes, the symbols on the clothes, 'sleep music', baby foods that predispose to junk food diets, children's stories, children's TV, the progression of baby to teenagers music, clothing fashions which 'sexualise' children at a very early age creating body image models and behavioural models distorting the balanced thinking of young children growing up, hair fashions for children, tattoos for children, popular pop and sporting idols, and the toys, yes especially the toys! Today's toys predict what tomorrows teenagers will think like.

Then there is the United Nation's one world education system, finding expression in terms like 'national curriculum standards', reflecting the Humanist Rights Manifesto and ignoring or radically diminishing a recognition of God, creation (Mankind is a special creation in the 'image of God, made to fellowship with God. We are not just another animal that has evolved to the apex of the food chain because we can kill better or think smarter, than all the other animals), Biblical moral standards, Christian sexuality, marriage and gender roles.

Further avenues past the gatekeepers of the family include mobile phones, the internet, Facebook, twitter all giving access directly into our homes to the influences, values and people that once families were able to screen from their children and youths until the values and reasoning capacity of our children were better formed.

So what can parents and grand parents do? Prayerfully read to understand the pressures on our children is a first step. Pray for God to guide us as we take on our guidance roles is another. Be genuine Christian role models with a close relationship with God and our children. Seek church families who are truly children supportive and have high Christian principles when it comes to caring for and teaching our children. There comes a time when our children's friends and the 'significant other adults' in our children's lives have more influence over the values our children form, than we do as parents and grand parents.

Parents need to prayerfully establish who these 'significant others' are. Prayerfully choose schooling or homeschooling for our children. Be loving models of what we would hope our children to be. Demonstrate a relationship with God and an attitude to personal religion that is mature, alive, vibrant and real. Be there for them when they need us. And never stop praying for them - and where possible with them.

Books like Adventist Home, Child Guidance, Messages to Young People, Counsels to Parents, Daughters of God, Testimonies on Sexual Behaviour (All authored by Ellen G White); The parenting series - Parenting Your Infant, Child and Teens. (Three books by Sally Hohnberger); Distraction Dilema DVD set (Christian Berdahl) are all helpful resources assisting us to raise and protect our children. They are available from the STL online shop. www.steps.org.au

Third Depression Recovery Program for 2013

This year we planed to conduct two DRP's. By referral and without advertising we now have a waiting list for a third program. It starts on September 16. It's for anyone who wants to proof themselves against depression and anxiety, learn how to help friends or who themselves are impacted. Bookings can be made by calling 03 9739 4093. Do you know someone the Depression Recovery program could help? If so you are welcome to encourage them to register for our September program.

July Seminar - Spiritual Formation; Its Origins, Practices, Deceptions and Hallmarks in the Churches with Anthony Burns.

Please see the accompanying information flyer for all the details. We look forward to seeing you in attendance.

Australia Needs God Too.

Steps to Life is an onshore ministry in Australia which focuses on the Gospel of Jesus in the context of the end time prophetic events of Earth's history. We also promote practical health because we believe that our health affects our thinking and with our minds we understand the things of eternal value. We thank you for your interest, prayer and financial support. We appreciate your feedback on our activities and are open to listen to your requests and suggestions.

Kind regards and blessings from Cherryl and the STL team,

Brian Way/ Programs Coordinator